Showing posts with label hypothyroidism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hypothyroidism. Show all posts

Thursday, November 27, 2014

6 Types of Food to Avoid With Hypothyroidism

10:59:00 AM
A well-balanced diet is certain to help those attempting to manage hypothyroidism. Certain foods can interfere with the body's recovery process and even absorb beneficial hormones used for thyroid treatment. Here are several foods to cut from the diet when managing a hypothyroidism condition:
Cruciferous Vegetables
People suffering with hypothyroidism can improve the daily diet by reducing the intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, kale, cauliflowers, and Brussels sprouts. Any of these vegetables can impact the ability to absorb iodine. This is crucial for the proper thyroid function. Try to limit the intake of cruciferous vegetables to about 5 ounces per day to avoid having a negative influence on this condition.
Fatty Foods
A regular intake of fatty foods can limit the body's ability to use the medicine given for thyroid hormone replacement. A diet with a lot of fried foods is certain to have a negative impact on the thyroid and its ability to produce the required hormones. Fats to cut from the daily diet include fatty cuts of meat, margarine, mayonnaise and butter.
Gluten
A gluten reduction is a further step to improving the health condition. A protein like gluten is sourced from processed grains, such as rye, barley and wheat. By reducing the intake of these gluten-based foods, it is possible to avoid irritating the small intestine and disrupting the effectiveness of certain medication.
Processed Foods
Most of the processed foods include a high concentration of sodium, which is best avoided by those suffering from this health complaint. An under active thyroid has the potential to increase blood pressure, and a high sodium diet can make this particularly risk much worse. A patient suffering high blood pressure issues should attempt to keep the intake of sodium below 1,500 mg per day.
Soy
Soy has the potential to make a person more susceptible to hypothyroidism because of the high concentration of plant-based phytoestrogen. This is because the hormone estrogen can have a negative impact on the body's ability to make use of the thyroid hormone. For those experiencing the symptoms of hypothyroidism, it can help to lower the dietary intake of soy.
Sugary Foods
Hypothyroidism sufferers can notice a slow down in the metabolism rate. This can make it easier to put on extra weight when not following a healthy and notorious dietary plan. Aim to cut the intake of sugary foods or if possible entirely remove sugar from the diet.
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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

9 Top Thyroid-Disrupting Toxins to Avoid

6:50:00 AM
Every cell in your body depends on your thyroid gland to function properly. Specifically, your cells use the hormones produced by your thyroid to regulate a range of metabolic processes, including getting energy from the food you eat.
Your thyroid hormones also help regulate your body temperature and play a role in the proper functioning of your brain, heart, muscles and other organs. When working properly, your pituitary gland will release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triggering your thyroid to produce the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), which is then converted into triiodothyronine (T3), in the precise amounts your body needs to thrive.
However, this is a very delicate system, one that is easily disrupted by outside influences, including the chemicals that are ubiquitous in our environment. This is one prominent factor that is increasingly being linked to disruptions of the thyroid, disruptions that can seriously impact your health.
What Types of Chemicals Can Disrupt Your Thyroid?
There are concerns regarding numerous chemicals that are currently abundant in the environment.
Nine of the chief offenders include:
1. Phthalates
Phthalates are widely used chemicals often used to make plastic flexible. They're commonly found in shower curtains, medical tubing and plastic toys, as well as in numerous personal care products such as fragrances, nail polish and lotions. Because the chemicals are so widely used, they're also present in drinking water supplies.
Known to cause reproductive and developmental toxicity in animal studies, phthalates can also impact thyroid regulation by decreasing thyroid hormone receptor activity -- at levels found in drinking water.[1] Currently, drinking water treatments do not effectively remove thyroid-disrupting chemicals like phthalates from your drinking water.
2. Flame Retardants
Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) are flame retardant chemicals commonly used in furniture foam, carpets, upholstery, clothing, toys, draperies, electronics and more. It's estimated that up to 97 percent of Americans have PBDEs in their blood.
The chemicals easily accumulate in your fat cells, and increased levels have been linked to a decrease in TSH levels and an increased risk of subclinical hyperthyroidism in pregnant women.[2]
3. Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is another plastics chemical commonly used in polycarbonate water bottles, baby bottles, plastic toys, medical tubing, food packaging, dental sealants and more. Widely known as an endocrine disrupter that can cause developmental problems, early puberty, genital deformities and more, BPA has also been linked to thyroid disruption.
In one study on frog tadpoles, low levels of BPA exposure -- similar to those found in human infants -- interfered with the T3 hormone and thereby suppressed genes controlled by T3, resulting in slowed development and other changes.[3] Previous animal studies have also linked BPA to disruptions in thyroid receptors and thyroid function.
4. Dioxin
Dioxin is a group of chemicals -- including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzo furans (PCDFs) -- that are formed as byproducts from industrial processes like chlorine paper bleaching, pesticide manufacturing and smelting. Dioxin was also a part of the toxic Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War.
PCBs, another type of dioxin, were widely used prior to 1977 when they were banned due to environmental concerns. However, they and other dioxins still exist in abundance in the environment, including in your food (especially meat, dairy and seafood).
Not only is dioxin a known carcinogen, but it also has been found to interfere with the production, transportation, and metabolism of thyroid hormones.[4]
5. Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFOA)
PFOA and a related chemical called PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) -- widely used in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant materials and food packaging -- can also cause trouble with your thyroid.
One study found that people with high levels of PFOA in their blood were twice as likely to have thyroid problems as those with the lowest levels[5] while past studies have also linked the chemical to decreased thyroid hormone levels. It's not known how PFOA may cause thyroid disease, or whether the chemical directly impacts the thyroid or instead the immune system, causing it to attack the thyroid gland.
6. Fluoride
Most municipal drinking water supplies in the United States contain added fluoride, a measure that's intended to reduce rates of tooth decay. It can also enter water supplies from fluoride-containing rocks and soils.
Studies have shown that exposure to fluoride can result in decreased thyroid function, including at exposure levels of 4 mg/L or less, which is the EPA maximum allowable concentration for fluoride in drinking water.[6] The effects may be especially problematic for children and people who drink a lot of water.
7. Perchlorate
Perchlorate is a byproduct of rocket fuel production that is now a widespread contaminant in drinking water, certain fruits and vegetables and dairy products from cows that eat contaminated grasses.
Research suggests it can inhibit your thyorid's ability to absorb iodine, leading to an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, even at low-level exposure. In a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was estimated that 44 million U.S. women -- including those who are pregnant, have lower iodine levels or have subclinical hypothyroidism -- could be at increased risk of thyroid problems from perchlorate exposure.[7]
8. Thiocyanate
Thiocyanate is a chemical found in cigarettes and certain foods. It may inhibit iodine uptake by the thyroid, leading to decreased production of thyroid hormone.
9. Pesticides
Thyroid disease has also been linked to pesticide exposure from a variety of sources. Among women whose spouses were licensed pesticide applicators that had used organoclorine insecticides, rates of hypothyroidism were 1.2 times higher than in the general population. Increased rates of thyroid disease were also found among women exposed to fungus killers, herb killers and other types of pesticides.[8]
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Thyroid-Disrupting Chemicals
Chemicals are ubiquitous in our environment, but there are steps you can take to help cut back on your exposure. Some of the top suggestions include:
  • Use natural personal care products with ingredients you are familiar with. At the very least look for phthalate-free options.
  • Buy children's toys made of natural materials, or at least phthalate-free plastic.
  • Avoid exposure to old carpeting and carpet pads and polyurethane foam products (upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows) manufactured prior to 2005 (these are most likely to contain PBDEs).
  • Store your food and beverages in glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic, and do not reheat foods in plastic containers or covered in plastic wrap.
  • Limit your use of canned goods and soda cans (the linings often include BPA), or look for BPA-free canned items.
  • Trim the fat from your meats to cut back on dioxins stored in animal fats, and choose leaner cuts of meat.
  • Avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, such as plastic milk jugs.
  • Look for unbleached sources of household products like coffee filters, tampons, diapers, paper towels, etc.
  • Avoid using non-stick cookware, opting for stainless steel, ceramic, or other inert materials instead.
  • Install a reverse osmosis water filtration system in your home to remove fluoride from your drinking water, and consider a comprehensive filter to also remove other chemicals like perchlorate.
  • Avoid smoking cigarettes and exposure to second-hand smoke.
  • Choose organic foods as much as possible to limit your exposure to pesticides. Also, do not use the chemicals around your home (including chemical lice treatments and flea and tick products for pets).
With the evidence increasingly showing that exposure to environmental chemicals, even at low levels, can negatively impact your thyroid, and the knowledge that even small changes in your thyroid homeostasis can influence your health, it's important to reduce your exposure as much as possible.
By making small changes in your food choices and your personal care products and paying special attention to finding household goods made from primarily natural sources, you'll be off to a great start in protecting your thyroid function from these pervasive toxins.
References
1. Environmental Science and Technology 2010, 44 (17), pp 6863-6868
2. Environmental Health Perspectives October 2010, 118(10)
3. Endocrinology Vol. 150, No. 6 2964-2973
4. Alternative Medicine Review 2009 Dec;14(4):326-46
5. Environmental Health Perspectives 118(5) May 2010
6. Committee on Fluoride in Drinking Water, National Research Council, Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards, 2006
7. Environmental Working Group News Release October 4, 2006
8. American Journal of Epidemiology (2010) 171 (4): 455-464

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Myxedema Madness: When Being Crazy Isn't in Your Head, But in Your Thyroid

5:52:00 AM
Your husband watches in dismay as the men in the white coats chase you about the living room. Finally, with skill befitting a giant botanist, an attendant captures you in a large net and wrestles you to the ground. The second adds his expertise to the effort, his three-hundred-fifty-pound bulk, by sitting squarely atop your skull. You now consider your rage over the fallen flapjack to have been somewhat of an overreaction.
With the straightjacket chaffing at your neck, you call to your husband for help. Though his hesitation is brief, you see the fear in his eyes. He thinks you've lost your mind. You begin to tear up but, in a flash, you see that fatally wounded flapjack laying helplessly on the kitchen floor and the nightmarish rage overtakes you once again. Feeling it all slip away as they carry you to the ambulance, you make one last desperate effort to escape the beds at Bellevue. Looking over your shoulder you spot your husband, take deep breath and shout, "It's not my fault - it's my thyroid!"
Your thyroid? Yes indeed - a condition known as Myxedema Madness mimics many psychiatric conditions.
Myxedema, the medical term for hypothyroidism, is most commonly recognized by well-known physical symptoms: weight gain, puffiness about the face, dry skin, fatigue and a general slowing of the metabolism. However, the emotional signs and symptoms are quite often overlooked. Or, even more disturbingly, are attributed to non-existent mental health and psychiatric conditions.
Myxedema Madness is a catchall phrase, coined by Dr. Richard Asher in 1940, that encompasses a broad swath of emotions ranging from minor anxieties, doubts and worries to full-blown panic attacks and classic psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. Myxedema Madness typically manifests as a simple bout of depression and is often treated as such, with antidepressants and advice to, "Slow down - take it easy for a bit." Unfortunately, neither the pills nor the pontification strike at the root of the issue.
If let untreated, Myxedema Madness can quickly devolve into a deadly serious condition. Minor anxieties may give way to major psychoses, delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. An otherwise affable person may snap at the slightest annoyance, exhibiting a degree of rage previously unseen. The patient may be diagnosed as schizophrenic, psychotic or manic-depressive.
The risk of misdiagnosis is increased because hypothyroidism inordinately impacts women - particularly women over the age of forty. As a result, the emotional difficulties are often attributed to the "natural" process of aging, possibly due to the empty-nest syndrome, the onset of menopause or other adjustments and changes in life. The elderly, especially those already living in a group home setting, face a doubly difficult task in receiving both the proper diagnosis and treatment for this condition.
That's the bad news. The good news is that diagnosis is actually quite straightforward. A simple blood test is all that's needed to identify a thyroid problem. The best news? When properly treated with a daily thyroid hormone you'll be your old self in no time flat. No more outbursts, no more voices and no more men in white coats. Which, unfortunately, means no more shouting, "It's not my fault - it's my thyroid!"
Yes... modern medicine is a double-edged sword indeed.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

12:54:00 PM
When the thyroid gland is unable to produce a satisfactory level of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism may develop. The hormones produced by the endocrine or thyroid gland are responsible for the regulation of a person's metabolism; hence, an injury to this gland or an abnormality in its hormone production will directly affect the metabolic rate of the body. Deficient quantities of thyroid hormones can decrease the metabolic rate of a person's body.
Hypothyroidism is characterized by several signs and symptoms that may lead to serious health risks and severe complications. Due to sluggish metabolic rate, a person suffering from hypothyroidism may experience lack of vigor and drowsiness, chronic physical fatigue, difficulty in withstanding coldness, weight gain despite loss of appetite, severe constipation, and abnormal menstrual cycles in women. Other early symptoms observed in hypothyroid patients are persistent headaches, swelling of the face and muscle cramps, chest pain and difficulty in breathing, enlarged thyroid gland or goiter, dry hair and pale skin, difficulty concentrating, and decreased memory retention. These early symptoms of hypothyroidism are often misconstrued as manifestations of other health disorders such as menopause, stress, or aging.
Failure to undergo proper treatments will aggravate a hypothyroid's condition. In such case, other symptoms may occur and, over time, develop into serious or even fatal complications. The patient may suffer from memory loss, loss of hearing and eyesight, numbness, severe depression, and incurable mental impairment or dementia. Extreme cases may lead to myxedema coma, a form of hypothyroidism characterized by adverse physiological changes like enlarged tongue, bulging eyes, and swollen face, and behavioral and mental maladies such as delirium, completely suspended feeling or apathy, seizures, and, at the worst, coma.
In addition, children with congenital hypothyroidism have any or all of the following symptoms: jaundice or yellowish skin, rugged breathing, constipation, delayed teething, and loss of appetite. If they remain untreated, lumps may appear beneath their skin due to fatty build-up, making them look swollen and bulging.
The aforementioned symptoms may be observed in hypothyroid patients, regardless of age or gender. It is worth noting, however, that each hypothyroid patient differs from other patients in terms of the number of symptoms present and the severity of the experienced symptoms. Patients may complain about different natures and varied intensity of these symptoms.
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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Home Remedies for Hypothyroidism

6:50:00 AM
Thyroid gland is a small mass of tissue that is present on either side of the trachea or in general a windpipe. It is one of the most important organs of the human body. The entire body systems run on metabolism and metabolism is controlled majorly by the help of thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism is the condition that results from malfunctioning of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland produces insufficient quantity of the thyroid hormone called as thyroxin. This situation is also developed from the pituitary deficiency, but it is generally due to some abnormality in thyroid gland by birth (called as congenital/deformity) anomaly.
There are many ways to treat the thyroid gland. One of the best ways is adopting home remedy. Home remedy starts from your kitchen and undoubtedly helps in preventing, controlling and treating the diseased condition. There are many benefits of home remedies and one out of them is the cost.
Home remedies are comparatively cheaper and affordable than other therapies to treat hypothyroidism. Here are some of the home remedies that can be very effective in treating and controlling the thyroid gland. Many of them do not decrease or increase thyroid function but it regulates the gland to produce enough quantity of hormone.
1 Spirulina is considered as good health booster and thyroid regulator. There are many products available in the market containing this wonderful herb.
2 Take black Cohosh that helps in balancing the estrogen levels and can also be useful in controlling thyroid gland function.
3 Mullein covers and protects the cells and reduces the inflammation of the glands including thyroid gland. This is very useful in case of goiter.
4 Agnus castus can support the pituitary gland and can help balancing estrogen that is known to interfere with normal thyroid functions.
5 Siberian Ginseng is very useful for adrenal and thymus glands and therefore also helpful to support thyroid health.
6 Another good home remedy for thyroid gland is to have primrose oil. This is the fatty acid that restores the functions of the thyroid gland.
7 Regular intake of vitamin B complex is extremely helpful in treating thyroid conditions. Taking them also prevent other minor diseases. You should include green leafy vegetables. Vitamin B complex can also be taken as pills. It improves the cellular oxygenation and gives us energy. The group provides immunity and rejuvenates the body.
8 Bladder wrack is rich in natural iodine. This will be very beneficial in preventing and treating various thyroid disorders.
9 Food from the kitchen that contains calcium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, terbium, and neodymium are very useful minerals and trace elements those are necessary for the good health of thyroid gland.
10 Go for the low calorie food. Cut down on cakes, biscuits, sweets and alcoholic drinks those are relatively high in calories but low in nutrients.
11 Go for the food that is rich in vitamin A like yellow vegetables, eggs, carrots and dark green leafy vegetables that are thyroid boosters.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Proven Natural Treatment for Hypothyroidism

5:46:00 PM
Hypothyroidism refers to a condition where there is an underproduction of thyroid hormones that is linked to depression, fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, memory loss, dry skin, brittle and dry hair, thickened tongue, constipation, and light or no menses.
As you may know, one of the causes of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency. Iodine is an essential trace mineral and a very important ingredient in the thyroid hormones: thyroxine and triodothyronine.
Did you know that approximately 80% of the iodine found in the body is located in the thyroid?
By influencing the thyroid's activities, iodine plays a vital role in basic metabolism and bodily processes. For instance, it helps regulate body temperature and maintain energy levels. It also plays a key role in blood cell production, muscle and nerve function and, helps keep your hair, skin, teeth and nails strong and healthy. It even assists the body in the destruction of toxins.
Iodine is one of the natural remedies that can help boost thyroid function and eliminate the symptoms associated with this condition, including slow metabolism. But it's not the only one. There are other natural medicines such as herbs that can also positively impact under-active thyroids and help you feel more energized, happier and healthier.
Natural Treatment for Hypothyroidism
Fortunately, low thyroid function can benefit from a natural treatment reason why it's worth taking the time to learn more about your options. You may find that it is a safer way to alleviate the symptoms associated with an under-active thyroid gland than common prescription drug approaches. And even though you may be taking thyroid medication most of these natural remedies can be added to your treatment as long as you tell your doctor and he or she works with you to adjust your dose of medicine.
Proven Herbs for Low Thyroid Function
Some popular herbs that can help hypothyroid conditions and are commonly used are:
Ashwagandha root is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. It is a well regarded herb in Ayurvedic medicine and has been traditionally used in cases of debility, impotence and premature aging. Recent research conducted with animals has shown that ashwagandha may stimulate thyroid function by enhancing the concentration of serum T4.
Kelp is a type of seaweed that is good for thyroid function, arteries, and nails. Kelp is rich in iodine, a mineral that is necessary for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones. It is also used to stimulate metabolism which is why it is often found in some herbal slimming supplements.
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