All You Need To Know About Thyroid Health

And How To Treat Challenging Symptoms

OK, first things first - it's important to understand what the thyroid gland is and what you can do to ensure that you maintain optimal thyroid health.

The thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, but it is still small in size, no bigger than your thumb. It is situated in the neck between your voice box and your collarbone. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, as well as affect how fast your brain, liver, heart and other organs work.

The thyroid produces two main hormones that control your bodily processes. These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones are made from Iodine so too much or too little Iodine in your diet can have serious consequences on your thyroid health. When the thyroid produces too little of the thyroid hormones, it is called hypothyroidism and this is often linked to an Iodine deficiency. When the thyroid produces too much of the thyroid hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism.

Many people are not aware of the issue until they are experiencing severe symptoms because they are not familiar with the typical symptoms of thyroid issues. Being proactive about noticing the early signs of thyroid problems is of the utmost importance. As clinical studies suggest, early detection and treatment will ensure that thyroid levels are kept in check - so don't ignore the symptoms.

What Are The Symptoms Of An Unhealthy Thyroid?

The thyroid gland plays an important role in all bodily processes and so it affects our general health and well-being. If it is not functioning at its best, we won't be feeling our best. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include forgetfulness, dry skin and hair, feeling rundown, unexplained weight gain, sensitive to cold, irregular menstrual cycles, and hair loss. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include irritability, increased sweating, difficulty sleeping, fast heartbeat, weight loss, less frequent periods, and shaky hands.

Which Are The Necessary Tests For Diagnosis?

There are various blood tests that can be done in order to diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Not every test is needed, it all depends on the person and the symptoms they present.

If symptoms present themselves, it is important that you visit your doctor as soon as possible as early intervention can assist in treating the issue more effectively.

Here, we list some of the common blood tests that doctors rely upon in order to diagnose correctly:

●TSH Test - The most common initial way to test thyroid function is to measure TSH levels in the blood. TSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland in the brain in response to the amount of T4 released by the thyroid. If blood tests show high levels of TSH, it could indicate hypothyroidism while low levels may indicate hyperthyroidism.

●T4 Test - The T4 hormone exists as two forms in the body, as T4 bonded to proteins in the blood and as free T4 which hasn't bonded to proteins. Most of the T4 in the bloodstream is bonded to proteins and don't enter the various tissues that need the thyroid hormones. Free T4 is what is available for the body to use so it is preferred to test levels of this type of T4 hormone in the blood (called a free T4 test). A doctor may order a T4 test if a TSH test came back with abnormal results.

●T3 Test - The T3 hormone works in the same way as the T4 hormone, with most being bonded to proteins in the blood. Testing levels of the T3 hormone in the blood is more useful for determining hyperthyroidism.

●Thyroid Antibody Tests - The immune system produces antibodies which protects the body against bacteria and viruses. The two common antibodies that cause thyroid problems are thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin. Measuring levels of these in the blood, (TPO and TgAp test), will determine if the cause of the thyroid problem is an autoimmune disease such as Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease.

No single test will give your doctor definitive answers about exactly what is wrong as the thryoid is a complicated gland. However, abnormal results can help point them in the right direction and appropriate treatment.

What's The Science Behind Thyroid Supplements?

And Do They Really Work?

Natural dietary thyroid supplements are generally safe to take and are being favored more and more over prescription medication, which can often leave nasty side effects in its tracks. Specific key ingredients have been shown to help reduce the effects of an unhealthy thyroid and hypothyroidism.

The problem is when manufacturers don't pay attention to the research and produce ineffective formulas that simply will not get the results you are looking for. Always check the label and look for pure, natural ingredients backed by clinical studies and research. Synthetically grown ingredients in a lab and low amounts of key natural ingredients in a product will essentially make a thyroid supplement ineffective.

Key ingredients that have been identified as being helpful in the treatment of thyroid issues include Iodine, Kelp, Selenium, L-Tyrosine, and Ashwagandha Root to name but a few. Research has shown that Iodine is essential for the healthy production of the thyroid hormones. An Iodine deficiency may lead to hypothyroidism or a thyroid goiter.

However, too much Iodine can also cause problems, so research has shown that Selenium is essential to prevent Iodine toxicity. Details about these and other ingredients can be found on our clinical study page.

The use of natural herbal supplements is an excellent long-term solution to ensure optimal thyroid health and support. But make sure you only buy a premium thyroid supplement that will actually help and not just some powder in a pill.*