Supporting Your Health Naturally with Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s

Many women have read or been told that their fatigue and unexpected weight gain may have something to do with their thyroid health. It is not always the case, but it is certainly a possible factor.

Our thyroid gland is one of the major key players of how our body regulates our metabolism and how it uses the nutrients from the foods we eat. Studies also show that even the slightest changes that occur with our thyroid gland can have an impact on our weight, sleep, energy, skin, and mood.

Hypothyroidism

The prevalence and severity of hypothyroidism may vary and increase with age. Hypothyroidism can affect men but it is more common among women. It may range from no apparent symptoms at all to scarier situations like experiencing organ failure and coma.

Since the thyroid hormone directly acts on a person’s brain it is not unusual for people with hypothyroidism to also experience problems with their other major systems of the body. This is why individuals with hypothyroidism may also suffer from a wide range of health problems including weight gain, hair loss, depression and infertility.

Primary and Secondary Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition that is caused by the inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient quantity of the thyroid hormone. The human body produces liothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Primary hypothyroidism is characterized by insufficient production of the T4 hormone.

A major cause can be autoimmune thyroid disease which is commonly known as Hashimoto’s disease. Another cause of hypothyroidism can also be iodine deficiency, though this is quite rare among developed countries.

There are also secondary cases of hypothyroidism that may occur due to a hypothalamic disorder, however, the majority of hypothyroidism cases fall into the primary hypothyroidism category.

Supporting Your Health Naturally with Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s

Hypothyroidism as an Autoimmune Disease

Normally, the immune system produces antibodies that will help fight against viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms in the body. If an individual has an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s, their body can produce antibodies that attack and destroy the thyroid tissues.

This can then lead to a reduction of a person’s thyroid hormone levels resulting in hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroid Comorbidity and Other Triggers

Comorbidity refers to a disease or disorder that is co-occurring with another primary disease. Hypothyroidism is among the list of disorders that have very high comorbidity with other kinds of diseases. This would mean that in most cases hypothyroidism exists in the presence of another disease.

This as well as other factors triggering a malfunctioning thyroid are important facts that health care providers will take into consideration when diagnosing and treating people with hypothyroidism.

Dealing with menopause, andropause, adrenal fatigue, adrenal dysfunction, insulin resistance and PCOS can be further complicated if there is a comorbidity with hypothyroidism.

Adrenal problems when combined with hypothyroidism can also present with signs and symptoms of anxiety. These include nervousness, rapid thoughts, chronic fear, and panic attacks.

Hypothyroidism and Depression

Hypothyroidism is often accompanied by a slow thought process, drowsiness, slow motor function and diminished cognition. As hypothyroidism affects mood, many people who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism were also found to be exhibiting symptoms of depression.

To be able to determine whether depression is really caused by hypothyroidism, the patient has to undergo several screening tests for thyroid disorders. Diagnostic blood tests that show the levels of thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH must also be performed in order to confirm the presence of hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain

Weight gain may be a symptom of a thyroid disorder, more often if you are female and more so as you age. The body of an individual with severe hypothyroidism will usually look very different to people who have gradual weight gain, says endocrinologist Elizabeth J. Spatola.

If you notice yourself drastically gaining much weight; say 15 pounds or more within three months, then this could be a tell-tale sign that you have a thyroid problem. If this occurs, consult a doctor for a diagnosis, and be sure they check you for ALL relevant thyroid serum levels (FT3, FT4, RT3, TPO, TgAB) and not just the common (and nearly useless when not combined with the aforementioned lab variables) TSH, T4 and T3.

Here is an excellent at-home thyroid testing kit which provides you with a thorough starting point to understand where you are at with your thyroid health.

Paloma also has doctors in many US states that practice telemedicine and can help to get you started on the right dose and version of thyroid medication so that you can finally start to feel better.

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Sudden Weight Gain and Hypothyroidism

Although not everyone can blame their thyroid for unexpected weight gain there are others who have found their difficulty in losing weight can be attributed to hypothyroidism.

If a person has hypothyroidism, it means their thyroid gland is functioning in a sluggish manner. This sluggishness leads to an impaired ability of the gland to produce the right hormones. As a result, the ability to use the nutrients provided by food in a properly functioning manner will also slow down.

The reason more women are prone to having issues with their thyroid health and weight gain is because the thyroid glands are linked to other systems in their body. Some of the key systems which impact on thyroid function are the neurotransmitters, adrenal glands and reproductive hormones.

How can you Avoid Weight Gain and Thyroid Problems?

One obvious answer to this question is to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. When it comes to nutrition, consistency is very important.

If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism it is very important that you are consistently only eating healthy foods all the time, not just when the urge takes you.It is an all-too-common scenario to embark on a healthy food program only to relapse, then repeat the cycle.

This yo-yo dieting can adversely affect metabolic rate, weight gain and overall health.

A Paleo diet that is naturally grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, processed-free is recommended by many integrative doctors, natural health professionals, and wellness coaches. Talk to your doctor about giving Paleo a try for at least 30 days, then compare how you feel before and after.

Those with autoimmune Hashimoto’s may also wish to try the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, aka the AIP, if they are still noticing symptoms after going Paleo. The AIP is an elimination diet and lifestyle protocol that helps to reduce the inflammation that aggravates the antibodies that cause many of the symptoms of autoimmune disease.

Steps to Start Taking for Supporting Your Health Naturally with Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s

Thyroid health or otherwise is not a random event and there are steps you can take to care for your thyroid. Here are some common expert recommendations that you can speak to your doctor about:

Eat whole foods to obtain essential vitamins and minerals. A Paleo diet is rich in vitamins and macronutrients. Selenium, iodine, zinc, copper, magnesium, and iron are some of the nutrients required for optimal thyroid health.

Those people who follow a low-salt diet and those who live in northern climates will possibly suffer from iodine and vitamin D deficiencies. Please consult your doctor before taking any vitamin D and iodine supplements.

Always observe your eating time for regular meals and snacks. Avoid skipping meals and ensure that you eat breakfast to kick-start your metabolism.

Protein and fiber should always be present in every meal. Consider a Paleo diet for good sources of fiber and protein.

Foods made from gluten, sugar, lactose, processed foods and alcoholic beverages should be strongly avoided because they contain substances that can negatively affect proper thyroid functioning.

Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are a few examples of goitrogens that should be cooked because they can contain thyroid-suppressing compounds when consumed raw.

Exercise for at least thirty minutes every day in moderate ways which support rather than harm your thyroid. This helps to maintain healthy circulation and improves the ability of the thyroid to distribute the needed hormones. I personally love yoga as it keeps my thyroid happy and my body flexible and strong.

Always get Thoroughly Tested and Work with a Competent Physician

If you find yourself experiencing some or any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism such as dry skin, low energy, insomnia, weight gain, depression, joint pain, heart disease and allergies, it may be time to consult with a doctor well-versed in thyroid health who can get your properly tested and diagnosed.

With ongoing awareness and application it is very possible to alleviate the effects of hyperthyroidism, which will make weight control easier and lead to better overall health.