The hormones in your body should always be kept in a balanced state. If balance is hampered, you may face many health problems, such as headaches, fatigue, depression, weight gain, and insomnia. After diabetes and insulin resistance, thyroid disease is one of the most common hormone-related disorders.
Most of the people who suffer from thyroid imbalance have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and the remaining patients suffer from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). The main problem related to this medical condition is that people mistakenly compare the symptoms of a low thyroid to the signs of aging and depression.
The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck. It is shaped like a butterfly and controls the functions of all organs, cells, and glands in the body. Your thyroid gland regulates:
– balance of water and electrolytes in cells and body
– the rate of repair of diseased or damaged tissues
– the use of oxygen in each tissue
– the strength and energy of each muscle
– the circulatory system
– the blood sugar level by controlling the release of glucose from the liver into the bloodstream
Symptoms of thyroid imbalance
Hypothyroidism affects each and every cell and tissue in the body. The following symptoms are produced by deficient levels of the active thyroid hormone T3:
– depression
– Weakness
– Difficulty breathing
– constipation
– Tired
– Weight gain
– Low body temperature
– Difficult to focus
– cold intolerance
– Bad memory
– Irritability
– Decreased libido
– Pain and stiffness of muscles or joints
– High cholesterol or triglycerides
– Hair loss
– Headaches
– Dry skin / dry and rough hair
Doctors often dismiss most hypothyroid symptoms as signs of aging, overwork, a psychological problem, or some other condition. This is the main reason why in many cases thyroid tests are not even performed and the patient is deprived of receiving the appropriate and required medical care or treatment.
What disturbs thyroid function?
– Metabolic syndrome / insulin resistance
– Adrenal Exhaustion / Chronic Stress: There is a strong connection between the adrenal glands and the thyroid. If one of these weakens, it automatically begins to weaken the other.
– Frequent X-rays – People who undergo more X-rays for different medical check-ups such as dental, also patients who receive radiotherapy of the neck, head or chest.
– Heavy prescription drugs such as Premarin, beta blockers, lithium, birth control pills, Dilantin, and some antidepressants.
– Synthetic and genetically modified hormones such as estrogen and other similar hormones in dairy products, eggs, poultry and meat products. Conditions such as IVF treatment and menopause, fibroids, and polycystic ovarian disorder.
– Excessive consumption of thyroid inhibiting foods such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
– Exercise: by increasing oxygen to cells, the thyroid is stimulated with regular or intense exercise. As you exercise, more oxygen is pumped into your body. This act speeds up metabolism and increases body heat.
– Exposure to heavy metals: metals such as mercury play an important role in altering the balance of the thyroid.
– Dieting: a deficiency of essential nutrients or low calories does not provide the fuel necessary for the thyroid to function properly.