Being diagnosed with a thyroid disorder can be one of the scariest things you have ever been told. The diagnosis can also lead to some of the most confusing topics that surround thyroid problems: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and different kinds of thyroid cancers. But what does it all mean? And what are some ways to relieve and reduce the symptoms of thyroid disorders?
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There are many ways in which you can relieve and reduce the symptoms of thyroid disorders. The disease is usually caused by a problem with the Thyroid Gland. More than one in five Americans have some sort of autoimmune disorder, and these diseases are often painful, making them hard to treat.
What Is A Thyroid Gland?
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A thyroid gland is a small gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism.
It produces the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 is the main hormone your body uses to convert stored food into energy, while T3 is primarily used for normal body function and metabolism.
The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, just below your Adam’s apple. It is about the size of a pea when it is healthy. It surrounds your trachea, a tube that takes air from your lungs to your windpipe and also surrounds all of your lymph nodes.
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Common Thyroid Disorders
If the thyroid gland becomes diseased, it can cause many symptoms that affect your daily life. The most common thyroid disorders include:
1. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to regulate metabolism and body temperature. It is usually caused by an autoimmune disease, but it can also occur as a result of surgery or radiation treatments to treat cancer. Symptoms include fatigue, cold intolerance, and depression.
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2. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, causing your body temperature to rise and your heart rate to increase. This can lead to weight loss, and muscle stiffness since your muscles are working harder than normal to keep you warm. Hyperthyroidism is often caused by Graves’ disease (Graves’ ophthalmopathy).
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3. Graves’ Disease
It is a condition in which an overactive thyroid gland causes inflammation of the eye muscles (ophthalmia). Graves’ ophthalmopathy occurs more commonly in women than men because women have more tissue around their eyes that could be damaged by Graves’ Disease.
4. Hashimoto’s Disease
This is an autoimmune disorder that affects one-third of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is an overactive autoimmune response to an increased number of TSH receptors on your thyroid cells. In some cases, this reaction may be triggered by exposure to certain foods or medications. Hashimoto’s disease can cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
5. Subacute Thyroiditis (SHT)
This condition occurs when there is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the throat, which affects your thyroid gland and leads to high levels of circulating TSH and low levels of circulating T4.
15 Ways To Relieve And Reduce The Symptoms Of Thyroid Disorders
It is important to understand that thyroid disorders are not just a symptom but rather a disease. Thyroid disorders can be caused by either an overactive thyroid or an underactive thyroid. If your symptoms include more than just fatigue and weight gain, it is time to see your doctor.
If you have a thyroid disorder, you may want to try some of these 15 ways to relieve and reduce the symptoms of thyroid disorders:
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1. Eat A Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is the best way to prevent many thyroid disorders. The most important thing you can do is make sure you get enough of the right kinds of food. Including plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits is important for healthy digestion and an active metabolism that keeps your body functioning properly all day long! A healthy diet will also help manage your weight and keep your energy levels up, so you feel well-rested throughout the day instead of feeling sluggish or tired during the early hours of the morning before getting out of bed for work.
2. Eat Foods High In Iodine
Iodine is found in dark green leafy vegetables such as celery, broccoli, kale, and collard greens. It is also added to foods such as bread and cereals. Iodine deficiency can be associated with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and goiter (a swelling caused by an enlarged thyroid gland). Adults who want to improve their health should consume about 200 mcg of iodine per day (2 mg/day). You can get most of this amount from eating a varied diet that contains plenty of these foods.
3. Exercise Regularly
Exercise helps improve your metabolic rate by increasing the amount of energy your body burns at rest (known as basal metabolic rate). This will help increase your energy levels and make it easier to lose weight if needed.
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4. Limit Coffee
Caffeine can deplete your body with the important mineral selenium, which is required for thyroid hormone production. Avoid coffee or tea if you have an underactive thyroid.
5. Get Plenty Of Rest
Sleep is important for thyroid function. A lack of sleep can cause a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones and an increase in the production of stress hormones. When you do not get enough rest, your body’s ability to produce hormones such as T3 and T4 will drop, which leads to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night, and try to avoid caffeine after noon. Caffeine can interfere with the body’s ability to produce thyroid hormones (which are made from the amino acid tyrosine).
6. Meditate
Meditating has been shown to help with many different conditions. It helps you relax, which will help your body heal itself. It also reduces stress, which means that it helps with all sorts of health issues like anxiety, depression, and more.
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7. Do Yoga
Yoga is an effective way to reduce stress while increasing mental clarity and physical stamina. The poses help align your body and improve circulation, which helps regulate hormone levels in your body.
8. Cut Out Foods That Alter Thyroid Function
The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones to control metabolism, body temperature, and overall health. If you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland could be producing too much or too little thyroid hormone. This imbalance can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, and trouble sleeping.
To help reduce symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, cut out foods that alter your body’s production of thyroid hormones. These include:
- Processed meat, such as bacon and sausages
- Red meat (beef)
- Poultry with skin (chicken)
- Eggs with yolks
- Dairy products, especially processed dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Dried fruits, such as raisins and prunes
- Soy products (soybeans)
- Brazil nuts
- Tofu with soybean oil or soy lecithin (not tofu made from whole soybeans)
9. Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for everyone but especially important for people with thyroid disorders because they help regulate metabolism and energy levels in the body. These vitamins include B12 (maintains healthy cells), D3 (helps support healthy red blood cell production), A (helps maintain healthy skin), and K2 (promotes healthy hair growth). It is also important to make sure that you are getting enough iodine in your diet as this mineral supports healthy thyroid function.
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10. Avoid Alcoholic Drinks
Alcohol can damage the lining of your stomach and intestines by blocking hormones from being absorbed properly in your body. This can cause inflammation and damage to the cells lining these organs, like those that produce hormones such as T3 and T4 (which are produced by your thyroid gland).
11. Avoid Excess Stress And Stimulants (Like Caffeine)
Caffeine can have a direct stimulatory effect on the thyroid gland, causing it to secrete more hormones. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it can be dehydrating. This can lead to dry skin and hair, as well as fatigue. If you are feeling tired all the time, try cutting back on your caffeine intake.
12. Try Supplements (For Example, Fish Oil)
Some people use fish oil supplements as a natural way to treat their thyroid problems. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that are good for the body. These nutrients help normalize your immune system and reduce inflammation in your body. They also support regular cell turnover, which helps prevent skin problems like acne and wrinkles. In addition to helping with thyroid issues, fish oil may also help prevent hair loss or thinning hair by increasing blood flow to scalp areas.
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13. Drink Plenty Of Water
The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating your metabolism and energy levels, so it is important to keep up hydration and avoid dehydration. A common symptom of hypothyroidism is dry skin, so it is essential to drink enough water each day to keep this from happening.
14. Eat More Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for the body, but it can also help increase your metabolism and burn fat more efficiently, which can help ease symptoms of hypothyroidism. Make sure you are getting at least 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day — higher amounts are even better!
15. Avoid Fats
Avoid trans fats in your diet by choosing foods with the “zero” designation on their Nutrition Facts labels and checking out labels for hydrogenated vegetable oils such as canola oil, soybean oil, and cottonseed oil (these are often found in processed foods like cookies, crackers, and chips).
Conclusion & Takeaway
Thyroid disorders are quite common in today’s world. They are also known to be one of the most frustrating health issues that can occur due to endocrine system dysfunction. As such, there are many people who have been diagnosed with this condition despite not showing any symptoms less than the average person. If you do not know what your body is telling you, you may easily miss it because of the numerous symptoms they leave behind on your skin and in your blood tests.
To relieve and reduce the symptoms of thyroid disorders effectively where they appear in their early stages, it is necessary for you to follow some simple guidelines so as to make sure that they do not linger longer. By addressing these early signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders in a timely manner, you will find yourself feeling better sooner than later.
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If you suspect you may have a thyroid condition, it is always best to consult a medical professional, so they can run tests to diagnose you properly. You can visit our website Houston Endocrine Center to book an appointment with our endocrine specialist. Please fill out the form, and our representative will shortly contact you with all the details of your appointment.
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