{"id":3345,"date":"2021-08-19T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/2020\/02\/01\/thyroid-supplements\/"},"modified":"2022-03-25T12:23:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T18:23:06","slug":"thyroid-supplements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/conditions-and-wellness\/general-health\/thyroid-supplements\/","title":{"rendered":"Feed Your Thyroid for Optimum Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us never pay much attention to thyroid health until we begin to experience symptoms of its malfunction\u2014your metabolism slows down, energy levels plunge, you lose muscle mass even while gaining weight, your hair begins to break and thin out, plus you\u2019re cold all the time. It\u2019s a veritable laundry list of health issues you definitely don\u2019t want to experience.<\/p>\n

Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism<\/h2>\n

There are two types of thyroid issues: Hypothyroidism<\/strong> (underactive function) occurs when the thyroid doesn\u2019t produce enough thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism<\/strong> (overactive function) is when the gland produces too much. The former is more common. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), hypothyroidism affects about 5 percent of the U.S. population, while hyper-thyroidism affects approximately one percent. This translates to about 20 million Americans with some form of thyroid disease\u2014including both men and women. However, women are five to eight times more likely to have thyroid issues than men.<\/p>\n

There are several known causes of hypothyroidism, including thyroid disease and inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and iodine deficiency\u2014although the latter has been virtually wiped out in the U.S. due to the use of iodized salt. The origins of hyper-thyroidism include Graves\u2019 disease, thyroid gland inflammation, and benign thyroid tumors.<\/p>\n

Unless you undergo blood screenings during treatment for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or another medical condition, you may not know you have thyroid issues until you start experiencing symptoms. The first thing you might notice is a change in bodyweight, as well as intolerance to cold, fatigue, alterations in menstrual cycle, dry or brittle hair (or hair loss), and sleep disturbances.<\/p>\n

Specific symptoms and long-term potential maladies associated with low thyroid secretions include weaker heartbeat and shortness of breath while exercising. Increases in cholesterol levels, muscle weakness, and digestive issues such as bloating are also indicative of hypothyroidism.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, issues related to hyperthyroidism include unexplained weight loss, especially related to muscle tissue, as well as muscle weakness. Sensitivity to heat and increased body temperature are additional signs, as are irritability and irrational nervousness. Swelling in the neck is a critical indication of enlarged thyroid gland that should be examined immediately.<\/p>\n

The normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) range is 0.4\u20134.0 mU\/L. If your reading is above this range, you probably are dealing with hypothyroidism. Low levels of TSH indicate hyperthyroidism. Even if your TSH readings are normal but you continue to experience symptoms, ask your doctor for a specific T4 test. The normal range is 5\u201313 mcg\/dL, so if your numbers are below 5 you should be treated for hypothyroidism; readings higher than 13 indicate hyperthyroidism.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of\u00a0Hypothyroidism<\/h3>\n