WHAT IS THYROID?

The thyroid gland is a small organ in which is located in the front of your neck, surrounded by the windpipe (trachea). It is in the shape of a butterfly which is smaller in the middle and has two wide wings that are extending around your throat. The gland plays a major role for your body as it produces hormones which performs many vital functions of the body.

When your thyroid gland doesn’t function properly then it effects your whole body. If your body produces too much thyroid hormone, then the medical condition arose from this problem is called as Hyperthyroidism. And if your body produces less/ not enough thyroid hormone, then it gives rise to a medical condition called Hypothyroidism.

Both the conditions are serious and effects your whole body which needs proper medical consultation.

FUNCTION OF THYROID GLAND:

The thyroid gland performs many important functions in your body. It produces and controls the thyroid hormone that is responsible for metabolism. Metabolism is a process in which the food you consume is processed into energy. Then this energy is used by your entire body to keep your body systems function properly. The thyroid produces hormones like T4(thyroxine, contains four iodide atoms) and T3(triiodothyronine, contains three iodide atoms) which controls the metabolism pf your body and instructs your body cells how much energy to use. This is how the thyroid gland works in your body.

CAUSES OF THYROID:

CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE HYPERTHYROIDISM:

  • Graves’ disease: In this medical condition the thyroid gland over functions and produces too much hormone. This problem is also called as diffuse toxic goiter(enlarged thyroid gland)
  • Nodules: Hyperthyroidism can be caused by nodules that are overactive in the thyroid gland. A single nodule is called toxic functioning thyroid nodule while a thyroid gland with several nodules is called a toxic multi-nodular goiter.
  • Thyroiditis: This medical condition can be sometimes painful and sometimes it can’t be even felt at all. In this condition the thyroid gland releases the hormones that were already stored there. This lasts for a few weeks or for months 
  • Excessive iodine: When your body has too much iodine, then the thyroid gland produces too much hormones which is not needed. So due to excessive hormones produced in the body, hyperthyroidism is caused.

CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE HYPOTHYROIDISM:

  • Thyroiditis: This is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes swollen. It hinders the production of right amount of hormones by the gland and hence lowers the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: This is a painless disease. It is actually an autoimmune medical condition in which the body cells attack and damage your thyroid gland. But it is an inherited disease.
  • Postpartum thyroiditis: This is a medical condition which occurs mostly in women after childbirth. This occurs in 5% to 9% of women after childbirth. But it is a temporary medical condition and is curable.
  • Deficiency of Iodine: Iodine is the main component used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones and a deficiency of Iodine can cause ill functioning of the thyroid gland 

SIGNS THAT TELL YOU HAVE THYROID:

FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM:

  • Experiencing anxiety, irritability and nervousness.
  • Excessive sweating 
  • Fast heart rate
  • Having disturbed sleep or experiencing insomnia 
  • Losing weight.
  • Having an enlarged thyroid gland or a goitre 
  • Having muscle weakness and tremors.
  • Irregular menstruation cycles in women
  • Feeling sensitive to heat.
  • Having vision problems or eye irritation.
  • Shedding more hair 

FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM:

  • Feeling tired (fatigue).
  • Gaining excessive weight.
  • Experience difficulties in remembering.
  • Having frequent and heavy menstrual cycles in females 
  • Having dry and coarse hair.
  • Having a hoarse voice.
  • Feeling cold 
  • Delayed puberty or slow body development 
  • Nails become brittle 
  • Experience constipation 

TIPS FOR THYROID PATIENTS:

  • Keep a control on hypothyroidism: If you get your hypothyroidism under control then you can keep a check on your heart health. As hypothyroidism increases LDL cholesterol also called bad cholesterol in your body, it can give rise to certain heart problems like high blood pressure, slow heartbeat rate, an enlargement of heart. So by keeping control on hypothyroidism you can also lower the risk of getting other heart ailments 
  • Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly: Maintain a heart healthy diet and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly to maintain your heart heath.
  • Quit smoking: It’s not a new advice but it needs to be repeated again. If you smoke and have hypothyroidism then stop smoking otherwise you are arising the risk of getting heart problems.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Whether you have hypothyroidism or you have hypothyroidism it is very important to maintain a healthy weight in both the conditions. The more you can maintain an accurate weight, the more you will keep you thyroid under control and the more you will keep yourself healthy.
  • Exercise regularly: Exercising daily for 1.5-2 hours improves the functioning of thyroid glands Exercising doesn’t always require heavy workouts, you can go for morning walks, jogging, yoga or meditation or any other light exercise. As it improves metabolic functions, so it improves thyroid gland functioning and also helps control cholesterol and blood sugar which maintains your heart health 

FOODS FOR THYROID PATIENTS:

A healthy diet not only protect your human body from certain types of diseases, but also helps your body fight against the diseases and makes your body healthy by providing all the essential nutrients to your body. A healthy diet also helps to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart, to read more. A healthy diet also strengthens your bones and teeth. So it is very important to eat a healthy balanced diet to maintain your health and to keep yourself away from the diseases.

FOODS FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM:

  • Non-iodized salt
  • Coffee or tea (without milk or soy based creamers)
  • egg whites without yolk
  • fresh or canned fruits
  • unsalted nuts and nut butters
  • homemade bread or breads made without salt
  • Dairy products with less fats
  • popcorn with non-iodized salt
  • oats
  • potatoes
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup

FOODS FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM :

  • cheese
  • milk
  • ice cream
  • iodized table salt
  • saltwater fish
  • seaweed
  • whole eggs
  • Brazil nuts
  • tuna
  • shrimp
  • beef
  • oatmeal
  • whole wheat bread
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • yogurt
  • Chicken 
  • broccoli
  • cauliflower
  • cabbage

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