symptom thyroid

If you have fatigue, weight gain, low motivation and ambition, heat and/or cold intolerance, headaches and migraines, dry skin and hair, irritability, anxiety and panic attacks, hair loss, fluid retention, depression, decreased memory and concentration, unhealthy nails, brittle nails, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, low sex drive, insomnia, hives, asthma, allergies, slow healing, acne, or carpal
tunnel syndrome, you may have a thyroid disorder.

If you have you experienced female problems (tumors, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PMS, cramps, (dysmenorrhea), amenorrhea, female cancers, spontaneous abortion, cyclic seizures, dry vagina and infertility), weight problems (usually high, sometimes low), gallbladder disease (six times higher in women with excess estrogen or on birth control pills or ERT), heart disease, cancer, colon problems, low blood sugar, attention deficit disorder (ADD), adrenal exhaustion from excess secretion of adrenaline, and osteoporosis (from excess estrogen leading to excess adrenaline and then to excess cortisol), you may have thyroid disease.

Why is it so important to take note of your symptoms?

If you don't get your thyroid disease diagnosed and start a course of proper treatment, you are setting yourself up for many problems down the road. The longer you leave it untreated, the harder it is to respond to the treatment when you do get it.

Victoria
The Living Well Plan

Treatment for thyroid disorder depends upon the type of condition.

Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone)

Hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is the simplest of the three types of thyroid disorders to treat. The current method of treatment for hypothyroidism is some form of daily thyroid hormone replacement that provides either T3 or T4, or a combination of the two. The most commonly prescribed thyroid therapy is the T4 medication levothyroxine or
L-thyroxine, with brand names such as Synthroid®, Levothroid®, or Levoxyl®. Synthetic T3 is available as Cytomel®.

Another alternative is natural thyroid therapy, which is desiccated (or dried) animal thyroid, with brand names such as Armour® thyroid. Some practitioners believe the natural thyroid more closely resembles the entire range of human thyroid hormones, including both T3 and T4, as well as other potentially active thyroid hormones. Other healthcare professionals discourage the use of desiccated thyroid, believing it produces variable blood levels of thyroid hormones, not the steady and predictable levels needed for optimal health.

Those with hypothyroidism take T4 for the rest of their lives and, most likely, will need occasional changes in the dosage as well as periodic blood tests. There are many factors that can impair conversion of T4 to T3, and a significant number of patients do not convert T4 to T3 at a sufficient rate (or at all), necessitating a treatment that combines both hormones. Thyroid hormone medications can be individually compounded to include both T3 and T4, however, finding the dose that is right for you may take time.

Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone)

Radioactive iodine, antithyroid drugs and surgery are all effective treatments for hyperthyroidism and you should discuss these options with your health care professional to help decide which treatment is best for you. Treatment factors to be considered by your healthcare provider include your age, general health and the severity of the condition.

Because iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormone, the most common treatment for hyperthyroidism is administration of a dose of radioactive iodine. After the dose is given, the gland shrinks and the blood levels of thyroid hormone drop over several weeks.

Some hyperthyroid patients are given antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole (Tapazole). These drugs are designed to interfere with the thyroid gland's uptake of iodine.

Surgery to remove part of the overactive thyroid gland is occasionally recommended for treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Many patients treated for hyperthyroidism become hypothyroid so it is important to be aware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (depression, low body temperature, dry or itchy skin, poor memory, muscle aches, slowed reflexes, among other symptoms) and get additional proper treatment.

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Hypothyroidism (low thyroid)is a hormone imbalance caused when the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothyroid? The most common are fatigue and intolerance to cold. If everybody is wearing short sleeves and you are wearing a jacket, you most likely have a hypothyroid issue. Other common symptoms are mental instability or depression, muscle weakness and fatigue, poor memory, lethargy and headaches. Still other symptoms are deep slow speech, loss of hair, cold hands and feet, constipation, pale thick skin, brittle nails, and swelling of the face and eyelids. And finally… excessive and painful menstrual flow, nervousness and palpitations.

How to Know for Sure?
You can ask your doctor to perform a thyroid test and/or conduct the following simple self-test at home:

You must first sleep through a full night. (The test will not work if you have gotten up or gone to the bathroom.) When you are awake but still in bed, take your temperature in your armpit. Do this and record the temperatures 3 days in a row. A normal reading would be between 97.8 - 98.2 Fahrenheit. A reading below 97.8 would indicate hypothyroid activity. (Above 98.2 would indicate hyperthyroid activity.) If you are menstruating, take your temperature on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day of the period.

Causative Influences
Influences which can contribute to Hypothryroidism are malnourishment, and thyroid and pituitary exhaustion due to excessive caffeine, sugar, alcohol and other stimulants. Malnourishment, of course, does not mean lack of food, but rather, a diet of processed, unnatural foods that are not nourishing. Other environmental factors include the consumption of fluoridated water, and pesticides and radiation.

Women Take Note
One out of eight women will develop hypothyroid problems in their life. The condition often manifests between 30 and 50, along with the hormonal changes taking place then. As soon as you enter this age range, it pays to stay alert to this issue. By "nipping it in the bud' you can spare yourself unnecessary suffering. This is why the regular use of a natural progesterone hormone cream like Prosperin can be very helpful.

Helpful Supplements

1. 2000 - 3000 mg. of kelp each day (kelp is rich in iodine, vitamin B and folic acid.) and/or
2. L tyrosine, 500 mg. twice daily, taken on an empty stomach, and not with milk.
3. Raw thyroid glandular - available from your physician.
4. Prosperine for women, Prosperon for men. To learn the value of natural progesterone creams.
5. 2000 mg. vitamin C, to support the adrenal glands

And as always, avoid stress, rest, enjoy your life, eat a healthy diet, and do all your disciplines with joy, every moment.

Warmly, Pieternel van Giersbergen.

A thyroid disorder called hypothyroidism means you have an underactive thyroid gland. If you have trouble losing weight no matter what you do, it could be because you are hypothyroid. There are almost 30 million Americans with thyroid disease and women are 7 times more likely than men to have it. Hypothyroid is the most common thyroid disorder and often misdiagnosed by doctors.

You may get this because it is inherited, or because of previous problems, such as nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer, previous thyroid surgery, another autoimmune disease.

This is a condition where the thyroid gland, a small butterfly shaped organ located at the base of the neck, does not produce enough hormone to function properly.

What happens is that it takes in iodine, combines it with tyrosine (an amino acid) and converts it into the hormones T4 and T3. If your thyroid is normal, 80% will be T4 and 20% T3. These hormones travel through the bloodstream, converting oxygen and calories into energy. If this process doesn't work properly, then the calories and oxygen cannot convert the energy properly and you may gain weight or incapability to lose weight.

The symptoms can include : weight gain, depression, forgetfulness, fatigue, hoarseness, high cholesterol, constipation, feeling cold, hair loss, dry skin, low sex drive, tingling hands or feet, irregular periods, infertility. You may even experience recurrent pregnancy loss, resistant high cholesterol, difficult menopause, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, or mitral valve prolapse.

Do you feel sluggish and fatigued on a regular basis, or do you get bouts of depression and sadness? Are you always feeling cold, especially your hands and feet, or do you have brittle nails? These are just some of the possible signs of the disease. There may be other causes, but at least this may give you a clue as to why you do not feel well. Check with your doctor in all cases to be sure.

When your metabolism doesn't work right because you have this disorder, you may find that there's no amount of dieting or exercise that takes the weight off. You may in fact put on extra pounds, even though you are doing just what you are supposed to.

What can you do ? Meet with your doctor and ask if you need a thyroid examination and blood test. These likely will be a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test, along with T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 tests.

A drug called levothyroxine (often called Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid) may be prescribed for you. It is usually inexpensive, has minimal side effects, and has uniform potency. However, all thyroid hormone replacement therapies, whether natural or synthetic, have the ability to restore thyroid hormone levels.

Supplements that contain the following might also help:

- L-Tyrosine - is one of the amino acids that your body needs to make thyroid hormones. It is included in some weight control products because it works to stimulate your metabolism. It's also an element in helping your brain operate more efficiently which makes you feel better.

- Guglipid - an extract from the Indian guggal tree, may improve thyroid function and assist in controlling your weight. Scientists are finding that guglipid lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol, and thus can help somewhat to prevent heart disease.

There is always hope and lots of help out there for you. If you suspect that you have this condition and you are not sure what to do, talk to your physician for guidance and advice.

by Ken Black

Assess Your Risks -- What are the key risk factors? Your chance of having a thyroid problem is greater if any of the following are true for you:


Family history of thyroid disease -- having parents, grandparents, siblings, and children with thyroid problems significantly increases your risk of also having a thyroid problem
Gender -- women are seven times more likely than men to develop a thyroid problem.
Age -- the risk of thyroid problems increase with age. By the age of 60, a woman has a one in five chance of having a thyroid problem.
Hormonal Change -- the post-partum and menopausal periods seem to be times when women are particularly vulnerable to the appearance of thyroid problems.
Other Autoimmune Diseases -- if you or family members of other autoimmune diseases, like lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, for example, you have an increased risk of thyroid problems

From Mary Shomon,

You may be wondering if you have a thyroid problem. But, if you're like many of the people who write to me every day, you may also be wondering if you're looking too much into symptoms you're experiencing, and perhaps struggling too hard to make a diagnosis fit. Or maybe you worry that trying to figure out if you have a thyroid problem will make you look like a hypochondriac to your doctor, friends and family.

Most of the symptoms of thyroid conditions are similar to the symptoms of other conditions and health issues. These symptoms don't automatically suggest "thyroid disease" to practitioners, much less patients. Therefore, it's dangerously easy -- and far too common -- for you or your doctor to explain away thyroid symptoms.

After all, you work long hours, take care of your family, juggle many responsibilities, and are getting older...of course you're tired! You don't get enough exercise, and take one too many trip through the fast food drive-through window each week? It's no surprise you're gaining a few pounds! Are you frazzled by a stressful job or responsibilities? It's no wonder you're experiencing anxiety, panic attacks or depression -- they're common in today's hectic and overburdened society. Do you find it hard to concentrate and remember things, notice you're not sleeping so easily, suffering a diminishing sex drive, and your hair is getting thinner? So, what else is new when you're over 60?

It's very easy to explain away symptoms. For example, a period when hypothyroidism is more common is after having a baby. And what woman who has just had a baby isn't complaining about difficulty losing weight, fatigue, hair loss, and general malaise? Coincidentally, those happen to be the same exact symptoms you might encounter with post-partum hypothyroidism.

Unfortunately, while your symptoms may not be anything more than needing more exercise, or more sleep, or may be normal for a woman for post-partum or menopause, they may point to a diagnosable and treatable condition like thyroid disease.

Compounding the tendency to explain away thyroid symptoms is the fact that, like other autoimmune diseases, the thyroid conditions Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves' Disease also frequently appear during and after periods of great stress -- mental and/or physical. Whether it's coping with another illness, death of a loved one, changes of job or house, going through a divorce, experiencing a car accident -- autoimmune thyroid problems more commonly manifest themselves after these types of crises and stressors. But that's also the same time that you -- and your doctor -- might expect you to suffer symptoms such as fatigue, depression, sleep disorders, and weight changes.

Should You Be Tested for Thyroid Disease?

Some thyroid experts are suggesting that everyone should have thyroid testing at 35 years of age, and every several years thereafter. And researchers recently found that thyroid disease is far more prevalent than previously thought. In fact, more than 13 million Americans may have thyroid disease, but be unaware of it, undiagnosed and untreated.

Despite the vast numbers of undiagnosed people, recommendations for widespread thyroid testing have not been widely adopted or followed. The majority of adults, therefore, have never had a thyroid test, and probably won't receive one unless they request it, or their doctor specifically suspects a thyroid problem.

From Mary Shomon,

Finally, there is a safe and effective nutritional formula to boost thyroid function, energy, mood, and weight loss! Thousands of individuals have benefited from the effective nutrient combination in Thyroid Helper?/strong>. Formulated by thyroid expert Byron Richards and backed by 20 years of expertise and nutritional research, Thyroid Helper?/strong> is designed to support the normal function of thyroid hormone at the cellular level and helps convert basic thyroid hormone (T4) into the active thyroid hormone (T3). It also helps protect the thyroid, liver, and nerves from free-radical stress, a newly emerging scientific issue of great importance to normal and healthy metabolism. See how the quality and potency of the nutrient combination in Thyroid Helper?/strong> can make a difference for you!


Millions Struggle with Sluggish Thyroid Function
Selenium is Vital to Thyroid Function
Helps the Body Form Thyroid Hormone
Enhances Conversion of T4 to Active T3
Warming Up and Energizing
Manganese, a Thyroid and Liver Protector
Enhancing Fat Burning and Insulin Function
Ashwagandha, the Stress-Busting Thyroid Booster
Helps Promote Normal Gall Bladder Function
Supports Healthy Cholesterol Metabolism
Helps Support Bone Metabolism



Millions Struggle with Sluggish Thyroid Function
Thyroid function is weakened by stress, pollution, poor lifestyle, bad eating habits, and a history of yo-yo dieting. It is now proven that various nutrients directly support the healthy structure of the thyroid gland, the formation of thyroid hormone, and the activation of thyroid hormone throughout the body. These are all normal and natural functions that need to be properly maintained to support health.

New science is showing that free radical problems, especially when there are deficiencies of selenium and manganese containing antioxidant enzymes, stress thyroid hormone function. If these nutritional deficiencies are not corrected a person is much more likely to struggle with body weight, insulin function, and poor metabolism.

Sluggish thyroid hormone function is common, a different issue that medical thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism ?which should be addressed by medical doctors. Many individuals have symptoms of slow metabolism, including low body temperature, fatigue, weight gain, trouble losing weight and keeping it off, constipation, poor mood, heavy head, dry skin, and energy problems in the afternoon. Thyroid Helper offers significant nutritional support to help maintain the normal function of thyroid hormone. A considerable amount of exciting new science helps to explain why Thyroid Helper is such a popular product.

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Selenium is Vital to Thyroid Function
Selenium is a mineral that is typically lacking in the American diet due to depleted soils. Selenium plays numerous important roles in health, especially supporting proper thyroid function.

Selenium combines with the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine to make a special protein known as selenocysteine. This is called a selenoprotein, considered by researchers to be the 21st amino acid. There are 30 selenoproteins that are currently identified, mostly involving the antioxidant defense system and thyroid function.

The selenium-containing antioxidant enzymes are known as glutathione peroxidases (GSH). Six different GSH enzymes have now been identified; helping to protect the inside of cells, the GI tract, the reproductive system, and operating in fluids between cells. GSH enzymes are vital to maintaining normal health. They are now proven to protect the thyroid gland during thyroid hormone formation.

Basic thyroid hormone, thyroxine, contains the amino acid tyrosine in the center, surrounded by four iodine molecules. This is known as T4. It is the hormone produced in the thyroid gland, but it is not biologically active. Selenoproteins act in various ways to change T4 into T3 (active thyroid hormone) and reverseT3 (which inactivates T3). A lack of selenium significantly impairs the formation of thyroid hormone (T4) in the thyroid gland and activation of it to T3 throughout the body.

Selenium is highly concentrated in the thyroid gland, more so than in any other organ in the human body, indicating its vital need in normal thyroid function. Three main selenoproteins activate and inactivate thyroid hormone, known as D1, D2, and D3.

D1 is the main primary activator of thyroid hormone in the body, working mostly in the liver and to some degree in the kidneys. D2 is active in the thyroid gland, brain, nerves, and heart. It plays the primary role in thyroid activation in the brain under normal conditions, and produces thyroid hormone under stressed conditions. D3 is mostly a brake on thyroid hormone activity, turning off active hormone.

When selenium is lacking D1 activity is lessened and GSH antioxidant function is handicapped, leading to slower metabolism and increased free radical stress. Thus, adequate selenium is vital to the preferred way the body would like to metabolize thyroid hormone.

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Helping the Body Form Thyroid Hormone
In order to form thyroid hormone in the first place iodine is added to tyrosine-containing thyroglobulin, which takes place on the cell membrane of thyrocytes (thyroid cells). This process is stimulated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) coming from the pituitary gland and the enzyme thyroid peroxidase (TPO), a process that generates tremendous numbers of free radicals within the thyroid gland in the form of H2O2 and lipid peroxides. These must be deactivated by GSH enzymes, otherwise the production of thyroid hormone stresses the thyroid gland and/or the rate of thyroid hormone formation is reduced.

This means that the nutrients selenium, tyrosine, and iodine are essential to normal thyroid hormone formation. Thyroid Helper supplies selenium and tyrosine. Iodine is supplied in a special product called Iosol Iodine. This form of iodine easily ionizes, producing a free iodide that is the preferred form for thyroid gland use. Cheap salts of iodine, such as potassium iodide, sodium iodide, or kelp are much more difficult for the body to use and may congest thyroid function, which is why we don抰 put them in Thyroid Helper.

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would like to clarify the tests that one might order to evaluate whether a low thyroid is the cause (or one of the causes) of your symptoms. I will preface the below recommendations based upon what I do in my clinical practice, and that my opinions are not a consensus statement by any means. I am definitely an “outlier" and I interpret my laboratory tests more generously than my colleagues. I believe I have sound science to back up my practice pattern, but it doesn’t mean that I am 100% right, 100% of the time. Other clinicians may have had other training and other clinical experience, and they may find other diagnostic tests to work better for them. I just seem to get results that I am pleased with (and my patients are pleased with as well).

If you suspect hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid function) – you may consider the following methods and tests to help identify this problem:

Basal Temperature

Record your underarm basal body temperature with a glass thermometer (not digital). The procedure for doing so is the following:

1. Get a glass thermometer, not digital (the digital ones stop reading after a minute or two and are not as accurate). Non-mercury glass thermometers are now commercially available at Walgreen’s and other pharmacies (if you have trouble locating a mercury thermometer).

2. Shake down the thermometer the night before you do the test (using your muscles to shake the thermometer will raise your temperature and throw off the test).

Place the thermometer at your bedside with a book (the book will be obvious in a moment).

3. Go to sleep without an extraneous heat source such as a bed partner (spouse, dog, etc), an electric blanket or on a waterbed (they are heated). You are allowed to wear pajamas and use as many blankets as you desire, as they do not throw off the test.

When you wake up in the morning (or if you sleep during the day, when you wake up after at least 4 hours of sleep), use as little movement as possible (all movement moves your muscles and raises your temperature) and place the thermometer in your armpit. Why the armpit? Patients with low thyroid often have allergies or get sinus infections – which raise the temperature inside the mouth. Patients rarely get armpit infections, so this site is more reliable. I have had only one patient who had a difference in temperature between armpits, but that was due to unusual anatomy (she had something called an atrial-venous malformation (AVM) in one armpit). Leave it there for at least ten minutes (hence, you have a book to read. J)

4. Women who still have periods should take their temperature over the first 3 days of their period and average the numbers. Women who have had a hysterectomy but still have at least one ovary will probably want to test over a period of 14 days and use the 3 days with the “lowest" readings. Men and postmenopausal women can test for any 3 days and average.

5. Normal axillary body temperature is between 97.4 and 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below that are suggestive of low thyroid.

By Ken Woliner,

In 1995, researchers studied 25,862 participants at the Colorado statewide health fair. They discovered that among patients not taking thyroid medication, 8.9 percent were hypothyroid (under-active thyroid) and 1.1 percent were hyperthyroid (over-active thyroid). This indicates 9.9 percent of the population had a thyroid problem that had most likely gone unrecognized. These figures suggest that nationally, there may be as many as 13 million Americans with an undiagnosed thyroid problem.1

In her book Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know, Mary Shomon quotes endocrinologist Kenneth Blanchard, M.D., of Lower Newton Falls, Massachusetts as saying, “The key thing is . . . doctors are always told that TSH is the test that gives us a yes or no answer. And, in fact, I think that's fundamentally wrong. The pituitary TSH is controlled not just by how much T4 and T3 is in circulation, but T4 is getting converted to T3 at the pituitary level. Excess T3 generated at the pituitary level can falsely suppress TSH.”2 Hence, many people who are simply tested for TSH levels and are found to be within “normal” range are, in fact, suffering from thyroid problems that are going undetected.

Ridha Arem, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Baylor College of Medicine, agrees. He says that hypothyroidism may exist despite "normal range" TSH levels. In his book The Thyroid Solution he says:

Many people may be suffering from minute imbalances that have not yet resulted in abnormal blood tests. If we included people with low-grade hypothyroidism whose blood tests are normal, the frequency of hypothyroidism would no doubt exceed 10 percent of the population. What is of special concern, though, is that many people whose test results are dismissed as normal could continue to have symptoms of an under active thyroid. Their moods, emotions, and overall well-being are affected by this imbalance, yet they are not receiving the care they need to get to the root of their problems. Even if the TSH level is in the lower segment of normal range, a person may still be suffering from low-grade hypothyroidism.3

Thus, if we were to include those who may be suffering from “low-grade hypothyroidism,” the number could well be double the 13 million estimate from the Colorado study.

What is Causing This Epidemic?

While more research needs to be done, it is generally accepted that diet plays a major role in thyroid health. For decades we have known that low iodine intake leads to low thyroid function and eventually to goiter. Iodized salt was intended to solve this problem, but it has not been the answer. There are a number of foods known as goitrogens that block iodine. Two goitrogens are quite prevalent in the American diet—peanuts and peanut butter and soybeans used most often in prepared foods as textured vegetable protein (a refined soy food) and soybean oil.

The rise of industrialization, corporate farming, and mass production of food has drastically changed our food supply from what our ancestors ate. Many studies show the detrimental effects of refined sugars and grains on our health. These foods are very taxing on the thyroid gland, and we consume them in large quantities.

Environmental stress such as chemical pollutants, pesticides, mercury, and fluoride are also tough on the thyroid. A growing body of evidence suggests that fluoride, which is prevalent in toothpaste and water treatment, may inhibit the functioning of the thyroid gland. Additionally, mercury may diminish thyroid function because it displaces the trace mineral selenium, and selenium is involved in conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3.

Copyright © 2004-2005 Mt. Banahaw Health Products Corp. All Rights Reserved.

Many Americans suffer from symptoms such as cold hands and feet, low body temperature, sensitivity to cold, a feeling of always being chilled, headaches, insomnia, dry skin, puffy eyes, hair loss, brittle nails, joint aches, constipation, mental dullness, fatigue, frequent infections, hoarse voice, ringing in the ears, dizziness, loss of libido, and weight gain, which is sometimes uncontrollable. Approximately 65 percent of the U. S. population is overweight; 30 percent is clinically obese. Research is pointing to the fact that an under active thyroid might be the number one cause of weight problems, especially among women, in the US today.

Virgin Coconut Oil offers great hope for those suffering from hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) today. I didn't even realize how much hypothyroidism was affecting my life till I started on the Virgin Coconut Oil and suddenly had energy like the Energizer Bunny! I also gave up the white toxins (wheat flour, refined sugar, potatoes, and other high-glycemic index foods) and that, in combination with my Virgin Coconut Oil consumption has made a tremendous difference in my hormonal balance, mood stability, stamina and overall energy. And, I'm slowly but steadily losing a little bit of weight without effort. Ya gotta love that! Julia (Coconut Diet Forums)

I began taking coconut oil to address a hypothyroid issue. Recently, especially over the last month, thyroid activity plunged and my temperatures would top out for the day somewhere between 97.2 and 97.8. Definitely hypothyroid territory. Now in just a couple of days the coconut oil has boosted my metabolism back toward the normal range (still subnormal but getting there) and my sleep has been incredible. From past experience with thyroid management, I know that--in my case--greatly improved sleep and feelings of rejuvenation after sleep are related to more normal thyroid activity. Whatever the precise mechanism, it's a welcome development. Mike (Coconut Diet Forums)

We have received many other comments such as these from those using Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil with hypothyroidism.

Copyright © 2004-2005 Mt. Banahaw Health Products Corp. All Rights Reserved.

Thyroid gland: Hormone gland in the neck around the trachea
Introduction: The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that takes up iodine from the body to produce hormones that help control the body's metabolism, and regulate how quickly the body should work and use energy.1
The thyroid is a gland in the neck. It has two kinds of cells that make hormones. Follicular cells make thyroid hormone, which affects heart rate, body temperature, and energy level. C cells make calcitonin, a hormone that helps control the level of calcium in the blood.

The thyroid is shaped like a butterfly and lies at the front of the neck, beneath the voice box (larynx). It has two parts, or lobes. The two lobes are separated by a thin section called the isthmus.

A healthy thyroid is a little larger than a quarter. It usually cannot be felt through the skin. A swollen lobe might look or feel like a lump in the front of the neck. A swollen thyroid is called a goiter. Most goiters are caused by not enough iodine in the diet. Iodine is a substance found in shellfish and iodized salt.2

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Hyperthyroidism is a large topic so we have split it into four manageable sized portions.
This page introduces hyperthyroidism. Subsequent pages are listed at the bottom which
address more specific details of making the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, the causes of hyperthyroidism, and different treatment options available for hyperthyroidism.
In healthy people, the thyroid makes just the right amounts of two hormones, T4 and T3, which have important actions throughout the body. These hormones regulate many aspects of our metabolism, eventually affecting how many calories we burn, how warm we feel, and how much we weigh. In short, the thyroid "runs" our metabolism. These hormones also have direct effects on most organs, including the heart which beats faster and harder under the influence of thyroid hormones. Essentially all cells in the body will respond to increases in thyroid hormone with an increase in the rate at which they conduct their business. Hyperthyroidism is the medical term to describe the signs and symptoms associated with an over production of thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused by the effects of too much thyroid hormone on tissues of the body. Although there are several different causes of hyperthyroidism, most of the symptoms that patients experience are the same regardless of the cause (see the list of symptoms below). Because the body's metabolism is increased, patients often feel hotter than those around them and can slowly lose weight even though they may be eating more. The weight issue is confusing sometimes since some patients actually gain weight because of an increase in their appetite. Patients with hyperthyroidism usually experience fatigue at the end of the day, but have trouble sleeping. Trembling of the hands and a hard or irregular heartbeat (called palpitations) may develop. These individuals may become irritable and easily upset. When hyperthyroidism is severe, patients can suffer shortness of breath, chest pain, and muscle weakness. Usually the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are so gradual in their onset that patients don't realize the symptoms until they become more severe. This means the symptoms may continue for weeks or months before patients fully realize that they are sick. In older people, some or all of the typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be absent, and the patient may just lose weight or become depressed.

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