Your Metabolism and an Underactive Thyroid
Did you know over 20 million Americans are currently diagnosed with thyroid disease? While low thyroid problems are most common in women, affecting approximately 1 out of 8, thyroid disease also occurs in men. Thyroid disease is a health problem that impacts every cell in your body.
For women, the symptoms can include severe weight loss or gain, mood swings and even infertility. Common symptoms for men include reduced libido, difficulty achieving an erection and breast tenderness or enlargement. Researchers believe the statiscs of men with thyroid disease may actually be higher than we know, because some men may be too embarrassed to seek medical treatment for their symptoms.
How The Thyroid Works
The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, directly below your adam’s apple and is responsible for regulating your body’s metabolism. Your metabolism is the rate that your body uses energy by releasing your thyroid hormone, T4 into the bloodstream. The T4 makes it way to every cell in your body where it converts to T3 or triiodothyronine, which is a hormone that controls the rate of cellular activity. Your thyroid and pituitary gland work together in regulating the levels of T3 in your body. When more T3 is needed, your pitutatary gland will send TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone to the thyroid gland telling it to release more T4 in to the bloodstream. The thyroid and pituitary gland work together, carefully blanking your body’s hormone levels. If either gland isn’t working properly, the result is a body that isn’t functioning properly.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when you have an underactive thyroid gland it isn’t functioning properly. In Patients with hypothyroidism their entire metabolism moves at a slower speed, thus requiring fewer calories than usual to maintain normal energy levels. As a result, the excess calories consumed become stored as fat and weight gain occurs.
 Weight gain is the most common problem associated with hypothyroidism, but it isn’t the only symptom of an underactive thyroid. Other symptoms include low energy levels, depression, irritability, intolerance of heat or cold, dry skin and frequent infections, decreased heart rate, dry hair or hair loss, shortness of breath and irritability.
If you believe you might be experiencing one or more low thyroid symptoms, or you suspect you may have a thyroid problem, you should request a test from your physician. Thyroid problems can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test which evaluates levels of free T3 and T4 in the bloodstream. Another way to measure this is by taking your basal body temperature under your arm first thing in the morning for five days in a row. The normal auxiliary temperature is 97.8-98.2 degrees F. If your temperature is 97.8-98.2 degrees, you may have a thyroid problem.
The good news is that when diagnosed and treated properly, a thyroid disorder can be controlled, allowing you to resume a healthy and active life.
Treating Low Thyroid Function
The most common treatment for hypothyroidism is a prescription medication to replace the T4 hormone in the body. Diet and exercise are also an important factor in treating hypothyroidism. You should eat foods that contain iodine such as radish, kelp, potatoes, fish, oatmeal and bananas. Taking an iodine supplement of 150g daily is also beneficial. Your body needs iodine to form the thyroid hormone.
You can also take supplements containing copper, iron and zinc, which are essential to the production of T3 and T4. Exercising at least 20 minutes per day is also recommended.
Sources: Leigh Connely, M.D.
That’s where Thyroid Essentials may help. Thyroid Essentials is a complete, all-natural doctor formulated thyroid supplement containing 14 vitamins, minerals and herbs to support healthy thyroid function.
Healthy Choice Naturals
THYROID ESSENTIALS
 
Learn More About Thyroid Essentials
Related Topics
|
