Thyroid Supplements

 If you have struggled with your weight, for a year or a lifetime, you have definitely given your metabolism some thought.  Maybe you just wish for a “faster” metabolism so you can be like that friend who stuffs her face every time you go out and never wears over a size 3.  Maybe you are actually struggling with weight that has crept up out of nowhere and staked its claim on your previously thin body.  

Whatever your reason for thinking about your thyroid and its function, you are right to worry.  With the diet of most Americans, and the sedentary lifestyle that so many of us lead, thyroid problems and the symptoms they cause have become all too common.  
Let’s break down the problems that can occur with your thyroid gland.  

Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland is working overtime, the condition that results is called hyperthyroidism.  This condition is not nearly as common as its opposite which comes from an underactive gland, but it is a problem for some people.  

Patients who have an overproduction of the thyroid hormones are prone to hyperactivity and may even binge on large amounts of food on a regular basis.  The excess amount of hormones also confuses their internal body temperature and they may feel hot even in a cool room.  Thyroid supplements are not indicated for this condition because the thyroid is overproducing.  

Thyroid cancer

Although it is not one of the more common cancers, about 40,000 people are diagnosed with the condition per year in this country.  Symptoms may include hoarseness and neck pain as well as a palpable tumor in the neck.  This type of cancer has a high survival rate and is considered very treatable.  

Goiters

The most noticeable thyroid dysfunction is probably the goiter.  It is actually a result of an enlarged thyroid gland and can cause swelling of the entire neck.  Large goiters may require surgery, but many are treatable with the introduction of synthetic hormones that allow the thyroid to stop producing so much of the hormones itself.  This can shrink the goiter and give relief to the patient.  Beyond the cosmetic appearance of a goiter, it can be dangerous when it grows and presses on the esophagus or into the chest.  

Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid is the most common disorder of the thyroid gland and is often the most undiagnosed.  Because of the variety of symptoms and the severity of those symptoms, people often go for years with undiagnosed hypothyroidism.  A person can have a decreased amount of thyroid hormone and a dysfunctional thyroid without testing positive with a blood screening for hormone levels.  

Among the symptoms of underactive thyroid are:

• Weight gain or the inability to lose weight with diet and exercise.  

• Abnormal hair loss

• Fatigue

• Constipation

• Muscle cramps and weakness

• Moodiness

• Interruptions of the menstrual cycle

• Reduced sex drive

• Dry skin

• Brittle, dry hair

Most people first approach their doctors about symptoms when they are experiencing weight problems or hair loss because they are the most dramatic symptoms.  Of course, if you are also experiencing the more subtle signs of hypothyroidism, you may not make the connection between the weight and the disorder.  Always tell your health care provider all your symptoms, even the ones that might seem insignificant, because they can only help you if you give them an accurate summary of what you are experiencing.  

Supplements for better health

If your hormone levels are very low, your doctor may prescribe you some synthetic hormones to help kick start your thyroid and eliminate your symptoms.  Supplements work differently because they target the actual production of hormones in the thyroid and encourage it to work better rather than replacing the hormones it should be producing.  

A multi-vitamin with added thyroid support is a great way to start on the road to thyroid health and to reversing the problems of an underactive thyroid.  With natural ingredients like licorice root and other herbal ingredients, a supplement can help your thyroid do its job and make the appropriate amount of hormones for your body.  With the addition of diet and exercise to your regimen, plus healthy, thyroid boosting foods like broccoli, cauliflower and sweet potatoes, you will be on the road to better health.  Your hypothyroidism symptoms should begin to lessen with the introduction of supplements and continue to improve with regular use and the dietary changes you make.  

Better thyroid health through diet, exercise and supplements is a recipe for success.