Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid issues can affect both men and women. The effects of the disorders differ in men and women. There are tests your doctor can do to see if your thyroid is functioning normally. Once tests are done you can work with your doctor to find the proper way to treat your condition.

Some of the most common signs that you might have a thyroid condition are:

Muscle and Joint Pains. Aches and pains in muscles and joints, and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel in the arms/hands, and tarsal tunnel in the legs, can all be symptoms of undiagnosed thyroid problems, most typically hypothyroidism.
Neck Discomfort/Enlargement. A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks or neckties, a hoarse voice, or a visibly enlarged thyroid can all be symptoms of thyroid disease.
Hair / Skin Changes. Hair and skin are particularly vulnerable to thyroid conditions. With hypothyroidism, hair frequently becomes coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, and falls out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry, scaly. In hypothyroidism, there is often an unusual loss of hair in the outer edge of the eyebrow. With hyperthyroidism, severe hair loss can also occur, and skin can become fragile and thin.
Bowel Problems. Severe or long-term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism, while diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome is associated with hyperthyroidism.
Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems. Heavier, more frequent, more painful periods are frequently associated with hypothyroidism, and shorter, lighter, or infrequent menstruation can be associated with hyperthyroidism. Infertility can also be associated with undiagnosed thyroid conditions.
Fatigue. Feeling exhausted when you wake up, feeling as if 8 or 10 hours of sleep a night is insufficient, or being unable to function a full day without a nap can all be signs of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Depression and Anxiety. Depression or anxiety can be symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most typically associated with depression, while hyperthyroidism is more commonly associated with anxiety or panic attacks. Depression that does not respond to anti-depressants may also be a sign of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder.
Weight Changes. You may be gaining weight but eating and working out the same as always, or you're losing weight, and eating the same amount of food as usual -- or even eating more than normal.

Whether you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism it can be controlled with medications, diet and supplements.

Thyroid Issues in Men

Having hypothyroidism can cause lethargy and depression in men as well as a decreased libido. It may also cause your muscles to be weaker than they appear. Hyperthyroidism can lead to muscle wasting and weakness, especially in thighs and upper arms. It can also upset the balance between testosterone and the female sex hormone, estradiol, in the body. Some men experience breast tenderness or enlargement and difficulty with erections.

Thyroid cancer is rare but if there are nodules in the thyroid gland, in men they are more likely to be cancerous.

If you are experiencing any of these problems have your doctor examine your thyroid and check your TSH levels with a blood test.

Thyroid Problems in Women

More women than men suffer from hypothyroidism, and many more women than men with thyroid issues have problems with weight gain. Women experience low thyroid and weight gain primarily because:

Women spend much of their lives dieting, usually in a yo-yo cycle of feasting and then fasting. This undermines your metabolism and decreases your metabolic rate, a compounding factor for the thyroid, especially during perimenopause.
Women tend to internalize stress, which affects their adrenal, brain, and thyroid function, resulting in increased cravings for sweets and simple carbs to provide instant energy and feel-good hormones.
Women experience monthly hormonal fluctuations that affect their biochemistry.

Hyperthyroidism can occur at any age but it is more likely to occur after the age of 15, and more so to those in their 30's and 40's. Although the exact cause is not known it is believed that your immune system does not work properly and the body produces a substance that makes more hormone than it needs. Instead of protecting the body's tissue, antibodies produced in the body's immune system attack tissue and as a result cause the thyroid gland to overproduce.

A few signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

weight loss with increased appetite
anxiety
tiredness
muscle weakness
enlarged thyroid
decreased menstrual flow and irregular cycles

If you are having any of these symptoms you should see your doctor and have a test done to measure how your thyroid is functioning.

Natural Supplement for Hypothyroidism - Thyax

Thyax is a natural supplement designed to help your thyroid function normally. Thyax can be used to reset the balance of nutrients utilized by the thyroid gland. Taking Thyax along with a healthy diet and exercise can naturally help your thyroid function as it should.

A few active ingredients in Thyax are:

Acetyl L-Tyrosine, L-tyrosine complex - Tyrosine is required for synthesis of thyroid hormones, and deficiency of phenylalanine and L-tyrosine has been associated with hypothyroidism.
Iodine (Kelp) - Iodine is a trace element that is required for thyroid hormone synthesis. Deficiency of iodine causes goiter, thyrotoxicosis and developmental disorders in children.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine HCl), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin),Vitamin B3 (niacin),Vitamin B5 (d-Calcium Pantothenate) - These B vitamins are essential for energy production, mood, nervous system function and wound healing.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL),Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin),Folic Acid - Required for optimal function of the nervous and immune systems, these B vitamins are useful in reducing levels of homocysteine, a detrimental amino acid associated with heart disease.

For a complete list of ingredients in Thyax Click Here.