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Hypothyroidism, commonly known as thyroid dysfunction, is a condition caused by the thyroid gland’s low secretion of thyroid hormones that are important in stabilizing the body’s metabolism. Thus, people with this disorder show signs and symptoms that are related to slow metabolism. Symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, swollen eyes, croaked voice, coarse skin, fragile nails, etc. are often connected with minor disorders so people tend to ignore it. This is why thyroid disorders are one of the world’s most undiagnosed disorders. Many people live their normal lives everyday not aware of the reality that they could be suffering a major disorder.

Supplements to Improve Thyroid Function
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that secretes three types of hormones: T3 or iodothyronine, T4 or thyroxine and calitonin. T3 and T4 are produced by using iodine. It is responsible for metabolism and general vigor. The level T3 and T4 hormones are distinguished by evaluating the level of TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in the blood. The level of thyroid hormone decreases as the level of TSH increases which means a bigger chance for the person to suffer thyroid dysfunction. The person’s level of TSH determines whether or not he needs supplements.

Thyroid supplements are either natural or synthetic. Natural supplements contain all the thyroid hormones and have no side effects. Synthetic supplements, on the other hand, contain one of either of the two hormones, T3 or T4, and may have side effects unlike the natural supplements.

Natural Thyroid Supplements
Natural ingredients are being used as treatment for thyroid problems for ages. The purpose of traditional natural medicines is to keep the thyroid gland healthy in order to function properly. This method reduces the need to add synthetic thyroid supplements. Current researches have confirmed the efficiency of natural thyroid supplements and are now prescribed as medication to treat hypothyroidism.

Herbal Thyroid Supplements
There are herbs rich in iodine that has a wide range of vitamins and minerals that nourishes the thyroid gland and assist in the normal secretion of thyroid hormones. The following are herbal supplements that can help improve the thyroid function:

• Licorice
• Shilajeet
• Makandi (Coleus Forskohlii)
• Kanchanara
• Green Oats (Avena sativa)
• Bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus)

Goitrogenic Natural Foods
Goitrogens are chemicals that obstructs with the normal function of the thyroid glands. It causes the swelling of thyroid gland with its synthetic mechanism. Cooking may reduce the efficiency of goitrogenic chemicals but, nonetheless, it is suggested that these foods be cooked before it is eaten.

Listed below is a list of goitrogenic natural thyroid supplements:

• Broccoli
• Rapeseed
• Sweet Potatoes
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Lima Beans
• Maize
• Soya
• Pearl Millet

Adjustment in your diet and your eating habits can protect you from thyroid dysfunction. Using natural ingredients in the preparation of your meals can enhance the health of the thyroid gland. An example is coconut oil, a saturated fat, which contains triglycerides that control the metabolism and facilitate weight loss. Coarse sea salt and vegetable juices also help maintain the balance of thyroid gland. On the contrary is a long list if of food that a person suffering from thyroid function must avoid. Among the list includes potatoes, excess wheat flour, sugar, caffeine and other glycolic foods.

Natural thyroid supplements are absolutely helpful in treating thyroid dysfunction. Since it is entirely made from extracts from natural products, it is safe and with no side effects. People not suffering from thyroid dysfunction should consider including these supplements as part of their diet to prevent incidents of this disorder in the future.

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Hypothyroidism (also called under active thyroid) is one of the most common yet most overlooked health problems. Daily symptoms like exhaustion, difficulty waking up in the morning, skin dryness, cold extremities or continuously feeling cold, difficulty losing weight, weight gain and depression can be caused by low thyroid. In addition to medical treatments to counter these symptoms, there are other natural option which includes iodine supplementation, kelp or seaweed supplements and desiccated thyroid.

Thyroid Drugs Are Not For Everyone

Hypothyroid patients are often forced by medical experts to use drugs like Synthroid (synthetic thyroxine), in order to enhance thyroid function. But, the dilemma is that, for a large number of patients, this drug is not the solution. In most cases, this drug does not fully restore energy and vitality but works only for some symptoms. Also, it is intended as a long term medication. Patients don’t nurse back to health on thyroid medication, but drugs make it.

On the contrary, natural supplements improve thyroid functioning and may compensate low thyroid symptoms. It entails a lot of work to find the exact supplement for each patient. Always keep in mind that all supplements are not the same, so, the best thing to do is coordinate with a naturopath or other health care professionals. Some more popular and natural approach to treat low thyroid is through supplements.

Supplements for Thyroid Support

Iodine

Iodine is a trace element. It is absorbed by the thyroid and is utilized as one of the essential elements for the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Not enough iodine, which is generally due to dietary deficiencies, hypothyroidism happens. Low thyroid hormones slows down metabolism, lessens body temperature and levels of energy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend 150 micrograms of daily iodine intake. This is one way of ensuring that sufficient amount of iodine is available for the thyroid to produce T3 and T4.

In most parts of the West, iodine is added to the usual table salt to avoid hypothyroidism and thyroid-related problems in children during its development stage. However, most natural health practitioners do not promote the use of chemically iodized salt because it has no effect in the body the same way as natural iodine. Instead, the use of natural sea salt in food plus iodine supplement is necessary to maintain the thyroid function.

Kelp & Seaweed

All seaweeds or sea vegetables are good for the thyroid glands. This is generally because sea vegetables are rich in iodine, chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals that sustain balance in the body and improve thyroid health. Eating foods high in iodine content like dried arame, sea vegetable salads and nori-wrapped sushi help support the thyroid. The best source of iodine is foods that are dried at low temperatures because they have more enzymes.

Desiccated Thyroid

Natural desiccated thyroid supplements are suggested by some medical doctors. Sometimes referred to as pork thyroid, it relieves the symptoms of hypothyroidism that synthetic supplements can’t and may eventually improve thyroid function.

Many doctors recommend familiar brands manufactured by Pfizer Canada like Armour Thyroid and Desiccated Thyroid. This and other companies manufacture pure desiccated thyroid while other brands, including NutriWest, have formulation for supplements that maintain the adrenals, thyroids and other glands combined with desiccated bovine thyroid, other organisms and herbs.

Desiccated thyroid may be used under a doctor’s supervision in order to substitute synthetic thyroid hormone. Other suggested supplements are normally used in combination with other treatment. Treatment for low thyroid should be closely monitored by medical experts.

photo credit: aluzano
The thyroid plays a very important role in our body’s functions. The hormone it secretes helps maintain a healthy skin, normalizes the heart rate and plays a critical part in the body’s metabolism. If the gland is slow-moving (hypothyroidism), it consumes your energy, dries your skin, your joints ache and you start to gain weight. All these may lead to depression. On the other hand, if the gland is working too hard (hyperthyroidism) and produces more hormones, it causes heart palpitations, sleep disorders and undesired weight loss. That is a lot of work for a gland with the shape and size similar to that of a buckeye butterfly.

It is surprising to know that despite all the negative possibilities, 27 Million Americans with thyroid disease remain undiagnosed, according to the Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. This is apparently due to symptoms not related to thyroid problems. People spent years trying to get the accurate diagnosis from specialists or internists but ends up with prescriptions like antidepressants and skin creams. What these patients really need is thyroid medication.

Hypothyroidism
80 percent of people with thyroid disease are suffering hypothyroidism or the hypo version. When the situation demands that you to seek medical attention, one of the first questions your doctor will ask you are your family’s medical history since thyroid disease tends to be hereditary. The risks involved increases when the patient is a female since this disorder is eight times more common in women. Older patients and those that have an autoimmune disorder like type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis aggravate the condition.

Blood Tests
The doctor’s may prescribe TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood test depending on your risk profile. TSH is released by the pituitary gland so that, when the thyroid fails to produce hormones, the pituitary gland will discharge more TSH. A normal TSH level has a test score from 0.4 to 2.5. A score between 0.0 and 0.4 means a patient has hyperthyroidism while a score between 2.5 and 4 means a patient has hypothyroidism and should undergo the same test within 1 year. A score test above 4 means a mild case of hypothyroidism and doctors usually refuse treating patients belonging to this category since clinical hypothyroidism starts at 10. But in a British study, conducted in 2007 reported in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, treatment is recommended in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and reducing the risk of clogged arteries and at the same time increasing energy. If your symptoms require you to undergo TSH test and you scored above 4, you and your doctor must discuss treatment.

Thyromine is a natural supplement that aids the body’s production of sufficient thyroid hormone to suit its daily needs. Manufacturers of this product claim that Thyromine can stop cases of hypothyroidism, a situation wherein the thyroid gland produces low thyroid hormones. It uses natural ingredients like herbs in order to supply the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals to treat hypothyroidism. The natural ingredients of Thyromine includes: Bovine adrenal powder, Bovine thyroid powder, Guglipid, Ginger, Nori, Piper Longum, Bovine thyroid powder and L-Tyrosine.

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Symptoms of thyroid diseases are mostly overlooked. This is why thyroid dysfunction is one the most undiagnosed diseases in the world and its conditions becomes worse because the symptoms are not initially attended to. Numerous herbs that are relatively safe and easy are now available making natural remedies for thyroid dysfunctions phenomenal worldwide. These natural remedies for thyroid dysfunction support and maintain the optimum health of the thyroid. One remedy commonly used is Licorice. The same licorice used in ice creams and jelly beans, but may differ in concentration and intensity. Its roots are used by health industries as a flavoring in herbal remedies.

Licorice
Licorice is a natural medication for thyroid disease. It assists the thyroid to help it function correctly and maintain its effectiveness. It gives you the energy you need to stay fit and healthy. It improves muscle protection that is vital for the thyroid gland and enhances the cell’s life and the action of various secreting cells. The protection it provides gives you the necessary treatment to defeat thyroid disease and supply the needed energy to support a healthy balance within the gland. Along with an improved thyroid condition, Licorice is also used as treatment to prevent throat inflammation. Licorice together with natural thyroid supplements is not harmful even if the thyroid is a very sensitive gland. Studies have shown that Licorice, a major component in herbal formulas, is the most effective treatment for symptoms of thyroid dysfunctions.

Licorice Benefits
Gland dysfunction and energy loss resulting from thyroid disease is the focus of Licorice. Licorice is considered an exceptional hormonal and balancing growth component in foreign countries. It may be added to other medications, supplements and therapies for thyroid disease but must fit the specific need of every individual because of these various thyroid treatments. Combined with a supportive and preventative diet, it is very important in the improvement of thyroid health.

Many aspects of the body may be affected with serious health problems if symptoms of thyroid disease are ignored. The inclusion of natural remedies or herbs in remedial treatments supports or activates functions of the thyroid glands that will ultimately lead to balance of the body functions. It can be achieved by combining Licorice with other medications. Thyroid treatment may be recommended to maintain hormonal and metabolic growth, but are sometimes avoided even when there are no harmful side effects. Therefore, it is always practical to consult your doctor or healthcare professionals before trying on any remedial program.