Natural Treatment For Hyperthyroidism
Were going to discuss several natural therapies for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and to help manage the symptoms. However, I want to be clear that you shouldnt try to treat hyperthyroidism alone and need to find a clinician to support you.
As a naturopathic physician I am licensed to treat hyperthyroidism and prescribe the medications above, but I still recommend patients also have an experienced endocrinologist as part of their health care team.
How To Cure Hypothyroidism Permanently
Around 15 million Americans have hypothyroidism . However, up to 60% of those with a thyroid disorder are completely unaware of it.
Hypothyroidism symptoms include weight gain, memory loss, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Many doctors insist permanent hypothyroidism is incurable.
At Prime Health Denver, weve worked with patients to learn how to cure hypothyroidism permanently and naturally! When patients seek our help, we tailor an individual treatment plan that is both undisruptive to your bodys natural processes and unique to your individual needs.
Are Natural Treatments Effective
Natural remedies can be effective for improving overall health and for treating subclinical thyroid problems. For people with mild thyroid conditions, going natural may have an advantage over prescription medication in that natural treatments typically have fewer side effects. For people taking thyroid medication, herbal treatments and dietary changes should be approved by a doctor because combining different forms of treatments can create unwanted side effects.
Generally, a healthier diet can lead to better health and make treatment with Tapazole , desiccated thyroid, or Synthroid more effective. If you are interested in using natural treatments for your thyroid problem, talk to your doctor and visit Rx Connected for ways of incorporating natural remedies into your treatment plan.
The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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How Are Thyroid Issues Treated
Typically, hypothyroidism is treated with a medication called Synthroid, or levothyroxine, which increases levels of T3 and T4. Patients are then monitored by an endocrinologist and who is looking for bumps in thyroid hormone levels. Theyre also monitored clinically to be sure that symptoms they were experiencing are getting better. Hyperthyroidism is also usually treated with medication in a similar manner.
At Parsley Health, we try to take a natural approach to thyroid healing. While some patients may still need medication, we rely on nutrition and lifestyle changes to help manage these conditions. Through diet and lifestyle changes, some patients are able to lower the dosage of their medication, come off of it entirely, or improve symptoms of their thyroid condition.
Ahead, eight thyroid healing practices you can start today.
Supplements To Boost Thyroid Conversion
Two particular nutrients are very helpful at increasing T4 to T3 conversion and also at reducing inflammation and autoantibodies : Zinc and Selenium.
While zinc may improve thyroid conversion it will only have this effect in people who are deficient in this mineral.
Fortunately there is a high probability that you do indeed have low zinc levels:
It’s estimated that up to 40% of people in the US have a deficiency in Zinc due to soil depletion and a reduction in nutrient dense foods.
This means that there is a high chance that you sub optimal zinc levels.
In addition to improving thyroid function zinc and selenium have also been shown to help in the following ways:
- Boost immune function
- Act as an anti-oxidant in the body
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Reduce thyroid auto antibodies
These benefits make the combo of zinc + selenium a perfect match for hypothyroid patients .
Other supplements such as Vitamin A and guggul extract also show promise at increasing peripheral thyroid conversion.
To better promote thyroid conversion I recommend a supplement which contains at least 3 of the 4 supplements listed above:
Natural T3 Conversion Boosting Supplement
How to Use
- Take 2 capsules each day at least 4 hours away from thyroid hormone
- Each capsule contains precursors designed to help support and promote thyroid conversion including: Zinc, selenium, guggul extract and more.
- Use in conjunction with other therapies to further boost T4 to T3 conversion and cellular action.
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Make Friends With Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential element that helps our body perform certain key functions. However, experts say most Americans are deficient in magnesium, and that caffeine and sugar-rich foods can actually reduce magnesium in your system.
Magnesium is important in converting iodine into thyroid hormones . That means not getting magnesium can lead to an underactive thyroid, which has symptoms including weight gain, general fatigue, dry skin, and even depression. While magnesium is available in supplements, also try spinach, sweet corn, avocado, shrimp, raisins, bananas, and broccoli.
How Can You Naturally Increase Thyroid Hormones
Lets be honest: no one wants to be dependent on long-term treatment. Instead, you want our bodies to work, you want them to take care of themselves, and you want to feel good as a result without depending on medications!
For many, that comes down to increasing your thyroid hormones in a natural way. This way, youre not dependent, youre free to feel good and to enjoy it. In this article, Ill quickly run through this idea, and how you can make it happen in your own life. I hope youll join me!
Helping you understand your thyroid has always been my passion. Its why I have even put together a deeper look into understanding and optimizing your thyroid .
Product Recommendation: The Thyroid Hormone Regulation Bundle is an assembly of fantastic supplements to help support healthy female hormone levels and aid the bodys natural hormone response.
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What Causes Thyroid Problems In The First Place
When your thyroid is working properly, it pumps out the correct amounts of two thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine to keep your metabolism running smoothly. As these hormones are used up, the pituitary gland senses this drop and releases another hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone . TSH then tells the thyroid to release additional thyroid hormones into circulation, thus keeping you in a healthy metabolic balance.
Unfortunately, normal thyroid function can be negatively impacted by various factors, which could set you up for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism . Hypothyroidism, in which the body produces too little of the thyroid hormones, is significantly more common and affects around 5% of the population over age 12.
But thyroid dysfunction doesnt just happen, says Dr. Bill Rawls, MD, Medical Director of Vital Plan. It results from underlying causes typically not just one, but a combination of factors, often related to poor diet, toxins, inactivity, microbes, an abundance of stress. Certain drugs, like oral contraception and beta-blockers for the heart, can affect the thyroid, too.
Nutrients That Support Thyroid Health
Selenium is a powerful nutrient that has been shown to support the balance of T4. It can be taken as a supplement or by eating foods rich in Selenium. Some common food sources include grass-fed beef, spinach, eggs and sardines.
Zinc is essential for immune function. It is also a vital nutrient for thyroid function. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, wheat germ, spinach and pumpkin seeds.
Vitamin D is vital to almost every process in the body. It is a powerful vitamin that can ward off cancer and chronic disease as well as improve immunity and bone health. Its no surprise that Vitamin D is good for your thyroid too! Vitamin D is best when absorbed from the sun, and most people do not get enough sunlight to meet their vitamin D needs. It can also be found in oily fish like salmon or trout, eggs and some foods fortified with vitamin D. Most people require vitamin D3 supplementation despite exposure to sunlight. Be sure to have your healthcare provider check your level at your next visit!
Vitamin A is essential for the thyroid to function optimally. Vitamin A is the converted, and therefore more usable, form of Beta-carotene. It is also found in sweet potatoes, carrots, kale and broccoli. You can also supplement with a Vitamin A supplement .
Check out our Essential Market for Midwife Approved, high-quality supplements to improve your Thyroid Health.
We carry a Thyroid Support Complex with all of the above nutrients and more to support your Thyroid health.
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Reduce Your Exposure To Toxins
A variety of toxins in the environment and your home cleaning and personal care products may negatively impact thyroid function, such as fluoride, chlorine, mercury, dioxins, pesticides, herbicides, and cigarette smoke, says Dr. Rawls. These act via several mechanisms and may damage the thyroid, suppress thyroid hormone production, and prevent thyroid hormones from being used properly.
While you cant control your every exposure, you can reduce your toxic load by quitting smoking, purifying your drinking water to reduce your intake of chlorine and fluoride, selecting organic produce when possible, and opting for non-toxic cleaning supplies and personal care products. Herbs like chlorella and milk thistle can also promote detoxification.
What Not To Do For Hypothyroidism
Its important to understand that hypothyroidism is its own disorder, but that you can have other thyroid problems, too. Hashimotos thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that results in immune-driven damage to the thyroid gland. If you have this, just trying to address hypothyroidism wont fix it.
Getting the right diagnosis about whats going on with your thyroid is essential to find relief. Avoiding things that can worsen your hypothyroidism is also important. These are things you should not do if you know or suspect that your thyroid is low-functioning.
Nothing replaces personalized medical advice either, so be sure youre working with a healthcare provider who really understands thyroid function.
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Nutrition And Lifestyle Recommendations To Boost Thyroid Function And Restore Vitality
Approximately 10% of women suffer from an under active thyroid, and often they find themselves living in a zombie like state, experiencing debilitating symptoms that have a huge impact on their quality of life.
Once diagnosed there are so many nutrition and lifestyle changes that can be made to improve thyroid hormone levels.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
Too much sugar is bad for you in general, but it’s especially harmful if you have a thyroid imbalance.
One of your thyroid gland’s main jobs is to regulate your carbohydrate metabolism. If you aren’t making enough thyroid hormones, your body struggles to balance your blood sugar3, which can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and metabolic issues.
It’s a good idea to cut back on sugar even if you don’t have thyroid issues. It may be hard for the first week or two, but it’s worth it.
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What Tests Should I Get
I wrote an entire article on the exact tests you should ask for and why from your doc if you suspect youre having thyroid issues. In addition to the tests in that article, your doctor should also consider antibodies specific to Graves disease if you are experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms.
Often, when thyroid problems emerge, doctors reach for the standard TSH level to begin preliminary diagnosis. The thing is, this often doesnt tell the whole story, and whats considered a normal TSH level is frankly way too wide of a range. Plus, patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism may present with normal TSH levels, and we miss the chance to prevent them from descending into full-blown thyroid disease if we only assess TSH.
For my patients, I run a complete thyroid panel which includes:
*When Graves is suspected Thyrotropin Receptor antibodies helps us make the diagnosis.
Sometimes, a radioactive thyroid scan is recommended to determine how much iodine your thyroid takes up and assess its function. It can also be used to diagnose thyroid cancer.
Why Too Little Thyroid Hormone
The first thing we need to do is get to the right of the question: why do we have too little thyroid hormone to begin with, and why is that happening?
This really starts by talking about the main mechanisms by which thyroid disease operates.
In general, what we know is that the thyroid can have damage to its cells, it can be slowed down, and the immune system can go after the thyroid protein.
The main thing driving this comes down to a little too much iodine, in those who cannot tolerate it. The basic idea is that iodine can be a pretty dangerous chemical in the body.
But, we also need some. In fact, its incredibly important in the right amounts. That said, some people cannot tolerate a little bit extra .
When you have a little extra iodine, it can get stuck in the wrong parts of thyroglobulin .
These extra amounts can cause some of the following to occur:
- The release of free radicals
- Damage to the adjoining cells
- Pulling in the immune system
At that point, the immune system starts to attack thyroglobulin, antithyroperoxidase, all while iodine is slowing down the thyroid more generally. This is the cluster of issues that ends up becoming a huge problem for so many people. All because of a little extra iodine!
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How Do You Know If Anything Is Working
The clearest, and often first, thing to change will be your TSH scores. A TSH score moving downward means that there is more thyroid hormone coming in.
Assuming that you are on thyroid medication, and assuming that you didnt recently change the dose, a lowering TSH means that you are making more on your own.
Heres a quick tip: I encourage people not to put a whole lot of weight into a single TSH reading. Its better to see a trend, so a sudden drop may not be telling the whole story.
In short, youll want to work with your doctor at this point to help lower your dosage so that your TSH can stay in a good range .
What Vitamins Help With The Thyroid
Vitamin B12 is a known supplement for when you undergo hypothyroidism treatment. This is because the B12 vitamin aids in producing thyroid hormones T3 and T4 by increasing metabolism, maintaining the healthy production of red blood cells , and boosting nervous system health.
Taking vitamin B12 supplements is safe if youre also taking medication for hypothyroidism, as they dont interact. Still, its best to consult your doctor first.
Its common for people with thyroid disease to also develop vitamin b12 deficiency. Hence, its advisable to take a vitamin-b12 blood test to diagnose and address the condition.
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Dont Miss Out On Thyroid
Iodine deficiency is a known cause of hypothyroidism, as this mineral plays a vital role in thyroid hormone production. But thats not the only one. Selenium and zinc can support thyroid health, too, says Dr. Rawls. Many processed foods have been stripped of their naturally-occurring minerals, but loading up on these can help you hit your quota:
- Iodine: Seaweed , seafood, dairy, eggs, iodized salt
- Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, poultry, brown rice, oatmeal, dairy, lentils
- Zinc: Seafood, meat, poultry, legumes, pumpkin seeds, almonds
Watch Out For Goitrogens
Goitrogens are foods that interfere with the function of the thyroid and tend to cause enlargement of this important gland. Foods that contain Goitrogens include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, millet, radishes, peanuts, watercress, strawberries, and peaches. You dont have to remove these foods completely from your diet, but do not consume large quantities of them or even eat them regularly.
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Final Thoughts On Natural Thyroid Supplements
The vitamins, herbs and natural remedies above can be useful for treating hypothyroidism. They work wonders for energy, metabolism, improving mood, and much more. These are the best thyroid supplements on the market. Lifestyle recommendations such as exercise and stress reduction are also helpful.
Natural treatments and traditional approaches can combine to achieve more significant benefits. Improving thyroid health will only lead to a happier and healthier life. Consult with a qualified health care professional if youre not sure where to start. Its best to take proper precautions when using home remedies for thyroid problems.
How Doctors Treat An Underactive Thyroid
The conventional way to treat hypothyroidism is the daily supplementation of synthetic natural desiccated thyroid: liothyronine , or levothyroxine . These medications help correct the thyroid levels when the thyroid gland does not function properly.
But they can create a rollercoaster effect on symptoms for some affected individuals. Some cannot absorb these supplements well, so doctors combine supplementation, diet, and conventional pharmaceuticals to help their thyroids.
If an autoimmune disease is the cause of the dysfunction, doctors work on eliminating or managing the disease. But, if they find that the thyroid is able to produce normal levels of the natural thyroid hormone, doctors advise patients to change their lifestyle or address environmental factors that cause the low production of the hormone.
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Natural Ways To Improve Your Thyroid Health
While there are many reasons for poor thyroid health, most thyroid problems begin with:
- Lack of sleep/Stress
- Missing Nutrients
To help protect your thyroid before it gets to the point where you might need medication, here are 3 natural ways to improve your thyroid health.
Vitamin B
People with poor thyroid health, often suffer from low Vitamin B 1 and Vitamin B 12 levels, you can improve your Vitman B levels naturally by eating foods like:
- Peas, beans, and asparagus
Tuna filet on a bed of asparagus, and toasted sesame seeds anyone? Not only a great meal but a great meal for your thyroid health!
Low Sugar or Sugar-Free Diet
The dangers of high sugar and processed food diets have been documented in numerous studies. Food high in added sugar can cause inflammation, which can slow down the conversion of T3 or T4 thyroid hormones, causing your thyroid-related symptoms to worsen.
Consider cutting out sugar from your diet, especially added sugar, and replacing what you cant live without with a natural sweetener such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
Selenium
In a study performed by the National Institute of Health , selenium plays a huge part in thyroid hormone metabolism.
Thankfully, foods high in Selenium are numerous and delicious and include:
Probiotics and Gluten-Free Diet
So give them a try, your thyroid will thank you!