Here’s How to Maintain a Healthy Thyroid

Thyroids – those little butterfly-shaped glands in our necks do so much for us on a daily basis – yet most of us have no idea how to keep them nice and healthy. Our thyroids, and how they function, can have a profound impact on our overall health and well-being.

According to The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, it is estimated that 30 million Americans have a thyroid disorder and at least half are silent sufferers who have not yet been diagnosed. Women over 35 have a 30% greater chance of developing a thyroid disorder.

What Does Your Thyroid Do Anyway and What Causes it to Go Haywire?

Your thyroid produces thyroid hormone (TH) that is responsible for numerous tasks in your body, most notably regulating your metabolism, body temperature, and heartbeat. Needless to say, when your thyroid is over or underactive, many of your organs and systems can get out of whack, for lack of a more medical phrase.

Various things can cause your thyroid to go haywire. It could be genetics, stress, pregnancy, an autoimmune attack, toxins in the environment, and nutritional deficiencies.

Signs You Have a Thyroid Disorder

Since thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in so many systems of the body, it can sometimes be hard to diagnose the disorder. Here are some ways you can tell if your thyroid is not functioning correctly:

You’re Always Tired

Of course, a feeling of decreased energy and exhaustion can be a symptom of many conditions, but they are strongly associated with hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. If, after getting a good night’s sleep of at least 8 hours, you still feel tired, this is a clue that you should get your thyroid checked out. In fact, fatigue is the number one symptom of hypothyroidism.

You’re Depressed

It’s normal for all human beings to feel sad from time to time, but when you are feeling depressed and can’t trace the reason or cause, it is a symptom of an underactive thyroid. It is believed that a decreased production of thyroid hormone can have an impact on the levels of the “feel good” hormones like serotonin in your brain. Essentially your underactive thyroid sets other bodily systems to “low” so it’s not a surprise that your mood takes a dip.

You Feel Wired

Feeling anxious and jittery is linked to hyperthyroidism, when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. When this hormone is constantly bombarding your bloodstream, it sends a signal to your metabolism and nervous system that “all systems are a go.” This causes your whole body to go into overdrive and you feel hyper and agitated and like you can’t quite relax.

Your Appetite and Taste Have Changed

Another sign of hypothyroidism is an increased appetite where you just feel hungry all of the time when you used to be more “normal.” Luckily, the hyper metabolism also associated with this disorder offsets the additional calorie consumption.

Often with an underactive thyroid, you may notice your sense of smell and therefor taste have lessened.

You’re Foggy

For sure cognitive functioning takes a hit when your thyroid is out of order. Too much thyroid hormone causes difficulty concentrating and too little gives us brain fog and makes it difficult to remember things. Many women think their brain fog is related to the onset of menopause when really it can be linked to their underactive thyroid.

Your Core Body Temperature is Off

Constantly feeling cold, especially in your hands and feet, is a definite symptom of hypothyroidism. Less energy is being burned by cells, and less energy burned means less heat produced.

On the flip side, an overactive thyroid causes people to feel very warm and sweat often.

Treating a Thyroid Problem Naturally

If one or more of these symptoms sounds familiar, you will want to get a blood test done by your doctor. Upon confirmation of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, your doctor will most likely want to put you on a synthetic medication to get your levels back in check. There are some pros and cons to this traditional way of treatment, and it’s a definite conversation to have with your doctor, but you should also be aware of some natural treatments as well:

Get to the Root of the Cause and Treat That

As I mentioned, often a thyroid issue can be linked to stress, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies and heavy metals. Working with a naturopath or a doctor who takes a holistic approach to healing will help you identify the underlying cause so it can be treated.

Get Nutritious

If your thyroid is not functioning properly make sure you clean up your diet. Support your thyroid by eating foods that contain iodine, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.

Heat Therapy

There’s no better way to help your body release stored toxins from the environment that are interfering with your thyroid function than by sweating them out. Sitting in a sauna a couple of times a week for 10-15 minutes can greatly help.

Get Rid of Stress

Sure it’s easier said than done but stress wreaks absolute havoc on our bodies, including our thyroid, so do your best to minimize it. Consider yoga or meditation to help decrease the exhaustion on your adrenal glands.

One very easy and fun way to fight the effects of stress in your body is to use sonic wave relaxation therapy. Use this relaxation program just 10 minutes a day and your body stops producing the harmful stress hormones that can throw your thyroid out of whack and raise your blood pressure.

Foods That Support Thyroid Health

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a rich source of beneficial medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are well-known for improving thyroid function. Coconut oil is also very effective at speeding up metabolism and promoting overall hormonal health. Simply add a tablespoon or two to your daily diet and be sure to use extra virgin coconut oil.

Whole Eggs

Forget ordering egg white omelets any more, the yolk of an egg is where most of the nutrition lies. The whole egg contains beneficial choline, vitamin D, B vitamins and healthy fats which all nourish and support your thyroid. Your thyroid actually cannot thrive without healthy fats, and cholesterol is actually the building block of hormones, so don’t be shy, order some whole eggs for breakfast.

Brazil Nuts

These delicious nuts are the absolute best source of selenium. In fact, just one nut, ONE, contains 100% of the RDA of selenium, which is critical for optimum thyroid function.

Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is great for your thyroid because of its high omega-3 fatty acid profile. It’s also rich in B vitamins, amino acids, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.

Seaweed

Foods from the sea contain the most iodine. If you like sushi, eat it a couple of times a week to get in some seaweed which contains 1 gram of iodine per serving.

If your thyroid isn’t functioning correctly, you won’t be either. Be sure to get it checked out if you suspect something might be off, and consider using these foods and natural treatments to get back in balance.