Understanding How Supplements Help Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks thyroid hormone. The
main function of the thyroid hormone is to stabilize the metabolism. People with
this hypothyroidism will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism.
To
diagnose your condition a blood test will need to be done. The blood test can
determine if you have low thyroid levels and what can be done to increase them.
There are several ways to treat hypothyroidism such as prescribed medication,
change in diet, exercise and natural thyroid supplements.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight gain or increased difficulty in weight loss
- Coarse, Dry hair
- Dry, Rough pale skin
- Hair loss
- Cold intolerance
- Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory Loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased libido
Hypothyroidism Treatment
Medical treatment of hypothyroidism consists of prescribing synthetic
thyroid or desiccated thyroid hormone. The most common treatment of
hypothyroidism is to prescribe synthetic thyroid. The goal is to bring the
TSH level to a normal range.
This can be effective for some people, however
some do not feel better even after achieving normal TSH levels. You will
need blood tests done to see if you have low thyroid levels or if they have
come back to a normal range.
Changing your diet will help with your hypothyroidism. Eating goitrogenic
foods such as:
- rapeseed
- cabbage
- brussels sprouts
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- sweet potatoes
- maize
- lima beans
- soya and pearl millet should be limited.
These foods contain natural goitrogens, which are chemicals that cause the
enlargement of the thyroid gland by interfering with thyroid hormone
synthesis. Cooking is known to make the goitrogens elements less effective
but it would be wise not eat these foods raw. Foods that contain iodine such
as kelp, beetroot, radish, parsley, potatoes, fish, oatmeal and bananas
should be kept in the diet. In the treatment of underactive thyroid, fats,
sugars, sodium chloride, red meat and egg intake should also be restricted.
Another important factor in the treatment of hypothyroidism is exercise. One
of the effects of hypothyroidism is weight gain. To help weight loss while
having a thyroid condition a healthy diet and exercise along with the
understanding of hypothyroidism is important. Exercise increases tissue
sensitivity to the thyroid hormone and stimulates thyroid gland secretion.
This is especially true in people who are dieting; this is because when
dieting the metabolic rate decreases but exercise prevents this decline.
An
exercise regime of between 15-20 minutes per day will be beneficial with
hypothyroidism. This exercise needs to be strenuous enough to raise the
heartbeat, an exercise such as walking, swimming, running and cycling.
Thyroid Supplements
There are also natural thyroid supplements that can be taken to help the
thyroid function normally. Some herbs can help combat hypothyroidism, nettle
will balance the thyroid with both under and over activity. Bladderwrack (Fucus
vesiculosus) is a type of brown seaweed that contains iodine. Hypothyroidism
due to small intake of iodine may possibly improve with bladderwrack
supplementation; also kelp has been linked to helping with hypothyroidism.
The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Hypothyroidism.
- B vitamins complex
- Manganese
- Multivitamin and multiminerals
- Vitamin C
- Tyrosine
- Kelp
- Iodine
Thyax, from Progressive Health contains some of the helpful herbs listed
above.
