Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism and Low Functioning Thyroids

According to Dr. Michael Schachter of the Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine, hypothyroidism is “one of the most underdiagnosed and important conditions in the United States.” A hypothyroid, or sluggish thyroid, can cause symptoms which range from hair loss, obesity, fatigue and the sensation of being cold to chronic constipation and joint stiffness.

The symptoms, especially in older women, can be confused with several other conditions which makes the illness even more difficult to diagnose. To add to the difficulty of a proper diagnosis, sometimes the common blood testsdon't pinpoint the problem. There is no cure for hypothyroidism, which is a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough hormones for proper maintenance of the metabolic processes in the body.

The condition can become quite serious and even life-threatening without consulting a specialist in thyroid health.

Alternate Hypothyroidism Treatments

While many people find relief through medication, there are alternative treatment programs that may help patients with this illness to help them cope with the symptoms and can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine.

These include:

-Avoiding foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, spinach and soy which have been shown to depress thyroid function.

-Avoiding refined foods, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, dairy products and wheat.

-Incorporating fatty acids in the diet to promote hormone production such as flaxseed oil.

-Adding calcium and magnesium supplements to the diet. However, adding calcium without magnesium can be ineffective; it is recommended the ratio of calcium to magnesium is 3:1 for optimal benefits.

-Iodine supplements are essential to thyroid function.

-Coconut oil is believed to support healthy thyroid function.

-Bladderwrack is a kelp or seaweed that contains many minerals the thyroid requires to function, and is believe to stimulate thyroid function.

-Tyrosine is an amino acid which is needed by the body in order to manufacture thyroid hormones from iodine.

The problem with having a hypothyroid is it is difficult to diagnose properly and the symptoms are often blamed on other health issues. A complete blood workup is imperative to identifying the problem and once that is accomplished, an overall health plan can be developed. For the best outcome, it may be necessary to make some lifestyle changes in addition to conventional medical treatment. With the right doctor, the right diet and the right supplements, the symptoms of hypothyroidism don't have to take over the quality of your life.