If you’ve always struggled with losing weight or recently gained weight without changing your diet and exercise habits, you’ve probably wondered if the cause could be your thyroid. It’s very likely, considering that 60% of people with thyroid problems go undiagnosed. If you suspect thyroid problems, it’s important to take action right away.
Though some problems are minor, others could lead to surgery and some could even affect your reproductive health. We’ll discuss how your thyroid should work, what symptoms to watch out for, and typical testing and treatment options. If any of these problems sound familiar to you, you should take them seriously.
How Your Thyroid Should Work
Knowing how your thyroid works when it’s normal is a good starting point before addressing possible problems. It’s a bit of a complicated process in the body, meaning that it is easy for things to go wrong, and when they do, it can create a chain effect. Your thyroid gland takes the iodine from the food you eat to secrete 2 important hormones: T3 and T4. Your pituitary gland, in your brain, helps control the thyroid gland by releasing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When the pituitary gland detects that thyroid hormone levels are too low, it releases more TSH. If it detects too much thyroid hormone, it releases less TSH.
Thyroid problems can be a result of too much or too little production of the thyroid hormone, but it can also be because of pituitary gland issues. Additionally, dysfunction in the brain’s hypothalamus can stop the whole process before it even starts.
Symptoms to Look For
Thyroid conditions are usually one of two extremes, so
symptoms can also be on one side or another. For example, some of the symptoms
of hyperthyroidism (when the gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone)
are:
Weight loss
Anxiety
Irritability
Sweating
Difficulty sleeping
Irregular heartbeats
Grave’s disease (swelling at the base of the neck)
Difficulty sleeping could be hyperthyroidism
On the other hand, hypothyroidism (when the gland
produces too little of the thyroid hormone) can cause the opposite effect and
therefore, the opposite symptoms.
Weight gain
Depression
Poor memory
Sensitivity to cold
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Slowed heart rates
Unfortunately, since we don’t know the cause of thyroid
issues, there’s no way to really prevent them. However, women are 5-8 times
more likely than men to experience thyroid problems and should be on the
lookout for any of the above symptoms.
Thyroid Testing
When you go to your doctor with your symptoms and thyroid concerns, they will probably suggest some testing. Most doctors will perform a simple TSH blood test to see if the pituitary gland is doing its job. Unfortunately, this doesn’t tell doctors everything they need to know. Just because the pituitary gland is working well doesn’t necessarily mean that the thyroid is producing the correct amount of hormones for your body. That’s why a physical exam and a family history should be considered, and other tests should be performed.
Another commonly performed test is a blood test for free T4 or an evaluation of T3 levels in the blood. Each of these tests on their own has a probability of being inaccurate, but when combined, chances are greater of diagnosing the actual problem. Other methods that can help determine what is going on with your thyroid are:
Thyroid antibody tests
Radioactive iodine uptake
Ultrasound imaging
It can be a complicated process, which is why it may be a
good idea to consider seeing a thyroid specialist. Someone who is well-trained
in evaluating thyroid function and is up to date on current research could help
you determine exactly what is going on and find the right treatment.
Your thyroid gland needs
specific nutrients to maintain its proper functioning. Your current intake of
foods and beverages may not be adequate to maintain good thyroid health. There
are nutritional steps you can take to help your gland do its work. Start with
iodine because it is the first and foremost need your body has to maintain
consistent hormone production and circulation.
Your weekly diet should
contain quality sources of foods such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants to assist the thyroid gland. Consider these foods to maintain your
health:
Almonds
Beans
Coconut Oil
Dairy
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Dulse Seaweed
Eggs
Fish
Liver and Kidney Meat
Turkey
Nuts: Almonds and Brazil
Nuts – These two nuts provide excellent nutrients
such as proteins, minerals, fiber, and vitamins. The B vitamins, selenium,
iron, and zinc offer great support for your thyroid gland.
Beans – The ordinary pinto and lima beansare fabulous sources of quality proteins and vitamins B and C.
Large amounts of selenium are found in them and many other varieties.
Coconut Oil – The oil from a coconut contains fatty acids required for vital
metabolic functioning. It is a healer because it is easily assimilated and
contributes to thyroid hormone production and regulation of our body’s
metabolism.
Dairy – Dairy items such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese
contribute to healthy iodine levels in our bodies.
Dark Green Leafy
Vegetables – Although these vegetables
are avoided by many people, they work extremely well with our thyroid gland to
keep it healthy. Eat one or more of them:
Collard Greens
Kale
Mustard Greens
Swiss Chard
Spinach
Turnip Greens
Dark green leafy
vegetables are superfoods that give us vitamins A, B, C, and D, iron, and
magnesium.
Dulse Seaweed – Dulse and other seaweeds offer high concentrations of iodine,
potassium, and protein. Although seaweed may not be readily available to you,
try it occasionally to vary your diet and improve your health. Find out more about
seven
benefits of eating seaweed.
Eggs – Fresh Eggs are one of the healthiest foods on that planet and contain
a strong variety of supporting nutrients, including iodine, iron, selenium,
vitamin D, and zinc. As a bonus, eggs can raise your
“good” HDL cholesterol and change your “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Fish – Fish such as cod, haddock, and salmon provide iodine and omega-3
fatty acids that contribute to a healthy thyroid and heart. Consume them
regularly for improved health and vitality.
Liver and Kidney Meat – These meats supply high-quality proteins, iron, zinc, and
selenium. They are a nutrient-dense source of vitamins A, B, C, and D, calcium,
and potassium. They rival fruits and vegetables in supplying these four
vitamins.
Turkey – Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, iron, selenium, and amino acids. As you know, turkey is not just for Thanksgiving anymore and should be enjoyed year-round.
Foods
to Avoid or Reduce If You Have Thyroid Problems
Now that you are aware of
some great foods that support thyroid health, you should know there are also some
to avoid. One of them is soy products that contain edamame that can block
your gland’s ability to produce key hormones. Eat a limited about of this food
to be on the safe side of your diet.
Some thyroid sufferers
should limit their intake of kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts because
they can prevent the thyroid from getting enough iodine. Although they are
commonly called ‘superfoods’, check with your doctor for any possible side
effects.
If you have Celiac
Disease, avoid gluten found in wheat and other products. Eating a lot of “fast
foods” is bad for you because of their high amounts of sodium, saturated fat,
and cholesterol. It’s interesting to know that fast food restaurants are not
required to add iodized salt to their food items.
Avoid coffee and caffeine
if you have hypothyroidism and taking thyroid medications because coffee blocks
absorptions of hormone replacement. Drinking coffee when taking your daily meds
can defeat their purpose. Take your medications only with water to get the most
benefit from them. If you do drink coffee, wait at least 30 minutes or more
after taking your meds.
The more you know about your thyroid condition and the types of foods that affect it, the healthier you will be!
