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.

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.

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.

Desiccated Thyroid Supplements

Desiccated thyroid is mixed beef and pork thyroid glands, dried and powdered for therapeutic use. Pork, or mixed beef and pork, thyroid preparations were developed in the late 1800s, and are still used today to treat hypothyroidism. This product is sometimes referred to as "natural thyroid", "natural thyroid hormones", "pork thyroid", thyroid USP and thyroid BP. Desiccated thyroid is thyroid hormone derived from pigs' thyroids, usually in pill form. It contains both of the main thyroid hormones T4 and T3, and probably the lesser-known hormones T2 and T1. Its use began in the late 1800s and has continued to the present.

The best known American brand is Armour. Others include Forest Labs' Naturethroid, Westhroid by Western Research Labs/Time Caps, and Qualitest by Time Caps Labs. Canada's desiccated thyroid is made by Erfa and called simply Thyroid. All consist of desiccated porcine thyroid powder, differing only in the binders and fillers.

Vitamins for Thyroid Health

If you have a thyroid problem you may be able to help it function normally by taking vitamins or supplements. There are many vitamins that claim to help your thyroid a few of them are Iodine, Vitamine E, Selenium, Ferulic Acid and Gamma Oryzanol. Iodine is of crucial importance in the nutritional support of thyroid function. Vitamin E assists in the absorption of Iodine. Selenium is a component of the enzyme that helps convert T4 to T3 peripherally, so deficiencies of selenium may impair thyroid function and promote hypothyroidism. Ferulic Acid/Gamma Oryzanol has anti-ulcer, anabolic, anti-stress, thyroid-stimulating & hormonal properties.

Soy And The Thyroid

If you have a thyroid problem, or a history of autoimmune disease, over consumption of soy isoflavones can trigger a thyroid condition. Isoflavones are inhibitors of the thyroid peroxidase, which makes T3 and T4. Inhibition can be expected to generate thyroid abnormalities, including goiter and autoimmune thyroiditis. Soy foods can worsen an existing diagnosed thyroid problem in many people. In both cases the symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and depression or moodiness are often overlooked and hard to diagnose.

Herbs for Hypothyroidism

Natural supplements may help with symptoms of hypothyroidism and in some cases improve the functioning of the thyroid. Herbs can be used in the forms of dried extracts such as capsules, powders and teas. Another form is glycerites such as glycerine extracts or tinctures such as alcohol extracts. Herbs are a safe way to help improve the body�s systems. As with any therapy, you should always check with your health care provider before starting any treatment.

The herb bladderwrack can be used to improve thyroid function because it contains iodine. Another herb called coleus forskohlii may help to stimulate thyroid function and increase thyroid hormone production. This herb should be taken in amounts of 50-100 mg, two to three times a day.
Many times people with hypothyroidism also have high cholesterol and there are herbs that can help with lowering your cholesterol. One of those herbs is flaxseed which is rich in alpha-linolenic acid which is an essential fatty acid.

Remedy for Hypothyroidism - Thyax

Thyax is a natural supplement that can be used to reset the balance of nutrients utilized by the thyroid gland. By providing your body with specific vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that support the thyroid, you regain a balance of the many thyroid-related chemical reactions which take place in the body on a daily basis. Thyax is a high-potency supplement, designed to adjust the metabolic and nutritional alterations caused by underactive thyroid disease, or hypothyroidism.

To learn more about Thyax, click here.