Could thyroid imbalance be causing your problems? Some problems associated with thyroid imbalance or malfunction include weight problems, fatigue, frequent illness, feeling cold all the time, and feeling down. You can test your thyroid at home.
Homeopathy and Thyroid Imbalance
Homeopathic medicines provide the fastest, most specific relief for a wide variety of thyroid conditions. Homeopathic ingredients support the body’s ability to regulate and improve thyroid function, reduce swelling of glands, increase energy levels and help nourish & strengthen the thyroid.
Learn about Thyroid Assist: Nature’s Treatment for Hypothyroidism (Without the negative effects of synthetic prescription drugs.)
Learn about Herbs and Thyroid Function. Locate the right natural formulas to assist you
in regulating your thyroid, and locate the right natural formulas to assist you in regulating your thyroid.
Do-At-Home Thyroid Test
If you’ve ever wondered about a connection between thyroid and other physical conditions you may be experiencing, perhaps this article can she some light on possible symptoms. The range of problems that might have thyroid imbalance as a factor is larger than one might suppose.
Some problems associated with thyroid imbalance or malfunction include weight problems, fatigue, frequent illness, feeling cold all the time, and feeling down.
An underactive thyroid makes it impossible to break down food properly and assimilate nutrients from the foods you eat. The efficiency of the other glands in the body is also impaired by thyroid imbalance, often severely. Ultimately, every organ, tissue and cell is affected by the output of the thyroid.
Many experts maintain that regular laboratory tests are not adequate predictors of the true state of the thyroid. In addition, standard thyroid tests do not isolate the active thyroid hormones, T4 and T3.
There is a direct connection between thyroid function and weight problems due to the fact that the thyroid is responsible for our basal metabolic rate, or the rate the body burns calories for energy.
There is a simple at-home procedure for testing your own thyroid function. Even if your last medical test report indicated no thyroid problem, it would be good to do this test for yourself although this test isn’t a substitute for any medical attention you might need.
Thyroid Function At-Home-Test
From Dr. James Balch’s “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.”
In Prescription for Nutritional Healing Dr. Balch has done a wonderful thing with his book. He has bridged the gap between medical treatment and holistic health options. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Dr. Balch’s book. You will find yourself referring to it over and over again. Keep a thermometer beside your bed. When you awaken in the morning, before moving around (yes, even before you make a trip to the bathroom), tuck the thermometer snugly in your armpit and keep it in place for 15 minutes. Keep as still as possible. Then, remove the thermometer, take a reading, and write down the results.
Follow this procedure for three days, then determine an average reading by adding all three readings together and dividing by three. If you’re average temperature is below 97.5 degrees F., in all probability you are suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism and should discuss your findings with your doctor.
If you are of childbearing age, time your three day temperature test to avoid the first week of your menstrual cycle and the few days when you are ovulating, which occur in the middle of the cycle.
Of course, as mentioned before, this test is not to be used to replace any needed medical tests or attention to problems you may have.
Different Types of Thyroid Disease and Dysfunction
- Hashimoto’s Disease or Thyroiditis (one of the most common forms of hypothyroidism, an auto-immune disease of the thyroid gland).
- Hypothyroidism caused by a sluggish thyroid gland or thyroid gland inflammation.
- Hypothyroidism caused by surgery or medication.
- Hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency.
- Hypothyroidism caused by dysfunction of the pituitary gland.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?
- Chronic fatigue and weakness
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Hair loss or coarse, dry hair
- Dry and rough skin
- Intolerance to cold
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased sex drive
- Memory loss
- Depression and irritability
- Constipation
- Muscle cramps
Not all of these symptoms are always present. If you are concerned that you may have Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, always consult your doctor.
Holistic Health Offers Herbs for Healthy Thyroid Function
Herbs which influence thyroid function: Fucus vesiculosis, also called Bladderwrack or kelp, is a sea vegetable that is a prime source of iodine, which is crucial in preventing thyroid problems.
This ingredient has been used medicinally for thousands of years, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Apart from its beneficial effect on thyroid functioning, it is also used as a metabolic stimulant and can be found in many slimming remedies. When using kelp medicinally, always make sure that it is sourced by a reputable and trusted company. Kelp harvested from the beach or near to the coast may be contaminated with industrial waste, sewage, lead, mercury or other toxins.
The Kelp used in Vaxa’s Thyroid Formula has been harvested only from uncontaminated areas and screened for the presence of toxins, heavy metal sand contamination. Avena sativa is derived from the wild oat plant and is a well known restorative and nerve tonic, used to treat depression, low libido and lack of energy, as well as hypothyroidism. More recently it has also been shown to be effective in reducing high cholesterol levels.
Coleus forskohlii is a well respected and often difficult to obtain Ayurvedic (Indian) remedy, traditionally used to treat high blood pressure. It also acts to stimulate the thyroid to release thyroid hormones and is therefore beneficial in the treatment of hypothyroidism.
Reflexology for Healthy Thyroid Function
According to Eunice Ingham, known as the mother of foot reflexology, trouble in the ovaries often affects thyroid function and vice versa so, if the thyroid is out of balance, working both the thyroid and ovary reflexes on the feet would be good.
The main thyroid reflex is between the bottom of the big toe on the foot, where the toe connects to the foot. The ovary reflexes are located on the outside of each foot, straight down from the ankle. Using a reflexology foot chart will be beneficial whether the thyroid is overactive or underactive.
To work the reflexes, just use a firm but not overly hard pressure on the reflex area. Using the thumb, gently massage in little circles for about 3-5 minutes. Remember that, if you are currently taking any medication, alternative or prescription, you will need to check with your chosen healthcare provider before adding these or any other new supplement to your holistic health regimen.
How is hypothyroidism diagnosed? Hypothyroidism is relatively easily to diagnose by means of a blood test to check TSH levels (the thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and T4 levels (the main thyroid hormone). Remember that these levels can vary considerably from individual to individual and what is ‘normal’ for one person is not necessarily normal for another.
Doctors must be sensitive to the correlation between symptoms and TSH and T4 levels in the individual. Because the ‘normal’ range varies from person to person, some people may have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (and their symptoms), while blood tests show that their TSH and T4 levels are normal.
What is a Goiter?
A goiter is an enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland. The result is a bulge or a painless swelling or disfigurement of the neck, sometimes so large that it can easily be seen as a mass in the neck. There are different kinds of goiter. A simple goiter is classified as either an endemic (colloid) goiter or a sporadic (nontoxic) goiter. This type usually occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism) and can not produce enough thyroid hormone (thyroxine) to meet the body’s requirements. The thyroid gland enlarges to compensate and produce the necessary hormone. Another form of goiter, called toxic nodular goiter, appears when one or more nodules in the thyroid get out of control and produce too much thyroid hormone. A nontoxic goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid which is not associated with overproduction of thyroid hormone or malignancy.
The following dietary supplements are suggested when addressing goiter:
- Kelp Sea Weed is an excellent antioxidant and contains iodine to assist thyroid function.
- L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that help increases plasma levels, helps with fast weight loss plans, and is a crucial building block of thyroid hormone.
- Spirulina has beneficial nutrients for overall health.
- Vitamin B Complex improves cellular oxygenation and energy, and helps with digestion, immune and thyroid function.
- Essential Fatty Acids, such as Primrose Oil, are important for proper thyroid function.
- Bladderwrack is high in iodine, which is beneficial for under-active thyroid conditions.
- Irish Moss nourishes the thyroid and endocrine system.
- Agnus Castus supports the pituitary gland and helps balance estrogen, which is known to interfere with normal thyroid function.
- Black Cohosh helps balance estrogen levels and may be useful in thyroid conditions.
- Siberian Ginseng helps the adrenal and thymus glands, which help support thyroid health.
References: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D.
