The thyroid gland is also the body's thermostat, and regulates body temperature.

If there is an underproduction of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism will result. Overproduction causes hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid.

Types of Thyroid Dysfunctions

Hashimoto's Disease or Thyroiditis is an auto-immune disease of the thyroid gland, and one of the most base forms of hypothyroidism. With this condition, the body becomes allergic to thyroid hormone, and produces antibodies against its own thyroid tissue. It often occurs in relationship with other conditions like pernicious anemia, lupus, yeast overgrowth, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Hypothyroidism

A sluggish thyroid gland or thyroid gland inflammation can be caused by any estimate of things, including:

- surgery or medication.
- Iodine deficiency.

Dysfunction of the pituitary gland.

Aspirin and other related salicylates as well as anticoagulants like Warfarin (di-coumerol) growth iodine excretion and can induce mild hypothyroidism.

Impaired Adrenal Function

Hormonal disruptions following childbirth, or while pre-menopause.

Hypothyroid Signs & Symptoms Include:

- continuing fatigue and weakness
- Joint Pain
- Weight Gain or difficulty losing weight.
- Milky dismissal from breasts.
- Infertility.
- Blood Pressure Problems.
- Chest Pains.
- Hair loss.
- Coarse, dry hair.
- Rough, dry skin.
- Intolerance to cold.
- Muscle weakness.
- Heart Palpitations.
- Abnormal menstrual cycles.
- Decreased sex drive.
- Memory loss.
- Depression.
- Irritability.
- Constipation.
- Muscle cramps.
- Goiter, swelling of the thyroid gland.
- Drooping eyes.

The most base of these is fatigue and intolerance to cold.

Diagnosing Hypothyroid

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by means of a blood test to check Tsh levels (the thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and T4 levels (the main thyroid hormone).

These levels can vary considerably from person to person and what is 'normal' for one person may not be general for another.

Because of this, some habitancy may have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (and their symptoms), while blood tests show that their Tsh and T4 levels are normal.

It is estimated that millions of habitancy are not being adequately treated for their underactive thyroid conditions. This is largely due to the fact that lab tests are not always accurate at detecting thyroid dysfunction. Until recent years doctors treated the thyroid based on the signs & symptoms that the sick person presented with while office visits. Presently, however, the Tsh test, which tests pituitary hormone has become the sole method of testing for most doctors. There are a growing estimate of practitioners who are increasing their methods of testing and are committed to treating based on symptoms. However, you will likely have to seek out these providers.

Labs To invite From Your Doctor

It is vital that you get broad labs when testing thyroid function - Not Just Tsh!!!

Ask your physician for the following:

* Tsh But this lab is only for pathology of hypopituitary, Not to diagnose or dose your hypo by.
* Free T4 and Free T3 (note the word "free")
* Thyroid Antibodies (anti-Tpo and TgAb. You Need Both.)
* Ferritin (and do stress Ferritin, not just Rbc)
* Reverse T3

It is also a good idea to test B-12, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, Dhea and adrenal function if you calculate underactive thyroid.

Thyroid Self Test

To test yourself at home for an underactive thyroid try the following:

Keep a thermometer by your bedside, and when you awaken, place it under your arm for 15 minutes before getting up. Stay as still as inherent while this time so as not to upset your reading.

Record your temperature in this way for 5 consecutive days.

If the temperature is consistently 97.6 degrees F or lower, consult your condition care practitioner.

Treating Hypothyroidism

Conventional rehabilitation for hypothyroidism involves a daily dose of artificial thyroid hormones such as Synthroid, or Levothyroxine.

One of the main problems with artificial thyroid hormones is that they can sometimes result in too much thyroid hormone in the body, resulting in hyperthyroidism.

Another problem is that some habitancy do not have enough amounts of an enzyme needed to change T4 into T3 (its active form). Over time the law is stressed by enduringly trying to change thyroid hormones and this can lead to adrenal dysfunction.

Some doctors therefore prefer to use a form of natural desiccated thyroid such as Armour Thyroid which contains the same hormones that your own thyroid would produce-T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin.

Many habitancy do better with natural dessicated thyroid because it is natural (your body accepts All of it), it contains both T4 (as the storage hormone) and T3 (the most active hormone and important for every cell in your body), as well as T2, T1 and calcitonin. T2 has an leading role in metabolism. Calcitonin is the hormone which keeps the calcium in your bones, and inescapable doctors have noticed improvement in bone density with patients on natural thyroid.

Treatment of thyroid diseases must take into notice the other the hormonal systems, along with re-balancing of female hormones with estrogen and progesterone, and modulation of adrenal function with natural hormones such as pregnenolone and Dhea.

Useful Herbs & Supplements for Hypothyroid

- All thyroid hormones important to properly functioning metabolism are derivatives of the mineral Iodine,
- Seaweeds like kelp are extremely abundant in iodine. Allowable iodine assimilation requires enough vitamin E.
- Vitamin A and Vitamin C along with all the B vitamins are required to make thyroid hormones.
- important fatty acids are needed for general thyroid function.

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