THYROID

How the Thyroid Gland Works?

The thyroid gland is part of the Endocrine system, which is made up of glands that produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream so the hormones can reach the body's cells. The thyroid gland utilizes the iodine from the food you consume to produce two main hormones:

Triiodothyronine (T3)
Thyroxine (T4)

It is important that T3 and T4 levels are neither too high nor too low. Two glands located in the brain; the hypothalamus and the pituitary communicate to maintain T3 and T4 balance.

The hypothalamus produces TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH) that signals the pituitary to inform the thyroid gland to produce more or less of T3 and T4 by either increasing or decreasing the release of a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). When T3 and T4 levels are low in the blood, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to inform the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones. Similarly, if T3 and T4 levels are high, the pituitary gland releases less TSH to the thyroid gland to reduce the production of these hormones.

What is THYROID disease?

Thyroid disease is a term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from producing the right amount of hormones. Your thyroid typically produces hormones that keeps your body functioning normally. When the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, your body uses energy too quickly. This is called hyperthyroidism. Using energy too quickly will do more than make you tired, it can make your heart beat faster, cause you to lose weight without trying and even make you feel nervous. On the other hand, your thyroid can make too little thyroid hormone. This is called hypothyroidism. When you have too little thyroid hormone in your body, it can make you feel tired, you might gain weight and you may even be unable to tolerate cold temperatures. These two main disorders can be caused by a variety of conditions. They can also be passed down through families.

HYPERTHYROIDISM (over production of thyroid hormones)

Three-quarters of overstimulated thyroid cases are due to Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies stimulate( raise the levels) the thyroid, causing excessive hormone production which results in hyperthyroidism.

Causes:

A less common cause is Lumps (nodules) in the glands.

Side effects:

Raised hormones push up metabolic rate, causing weight loss due to high energy consumption.
Unhealthy lifestyle, mental stress.
Goiter is a condition in which the thyroid gland grows larger, which may cause difficulty in breathing.

Symptoms:

Rapid irregular heartbeat.
Sweating
Anxiety
Mood swings
Insomnia
Weakness
More bowel movements
The enlarged thyroid may show as a swelling in
The neck (goiter)(It can be reduced by drug treatments).
Due to grave’s disease, it can cause bulging of eyes and blurred vision.(This can be serious, use glasses and do yoga regularly.)

Hypothyroidism (underproduction of thyroid hormones)

In this case, there are 2 thyroid hormones Triiodothyronine (T3)and Thyroxine(T4) are underproduced. Since these hormones deal with the speed of many metabolic processes, lack of these hormones leads to a slowing of bodily functions.

Causes:

Radiation Therapy: During the treatment of cancer, radiation may affect the head and neck region which will lead to hypothyroidism.
Over-response of medications of hyperthyroidism: When you are diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, physicians often prescribe hyperthyroidism drugs, which are used to lower the production of thyroid hormones in the body but it sometimes lowers the levels too much, resulting in hypothyroidism.
Thyroid surgery: In this case, removal of the thyroid gland part can lead to the low production of hormones.
Autoimmune disorder: Autoimmune disorder in which your immune system produces antibodies which attack your own cells. Thyroid glands may get involved in that. Due to this, there will be low levels of thyroid hormones.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is inflammation of the thyroid gland due to an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which antibodies mistakenly damage the gland as mentioned above.
Family history: If you have thyroid gland related disorders in your families, then you might have to deal with thyroid disorders.
Lack of Iodine the diet: The most uncommon cause of hypothyroidism is lack of mineral iodine which is needed to make thyroid hormone.

Symptoms:

Fatigue
Weight gain
Slow bowel activity
Swollen face, puffy eyes.
Thickened skin, thinned hair
Hoarse voice
Inability to deal with cold.

Complications:

Goiter: A swollen thyroid (goiter) may be due to thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, or cancer of the thyroid.
Heart diseases
Due to slow metabolism, the lipid molecules (bad cholesterol) levels are high and which leads to heart attack and heart failure
Infertility: Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility. In addition, some of the causes of hypothyroidism — such as autoimmune disorder — can also impair fertility.

Preventions for thyroid disease:

Thyroid medications cannot cure the thyroid disorder, they only manage it but here are some tips that can help you reduce it.

Kanchanara – Bauhinia Variegata (purple mountain ebony) is mainly useful for the functioning of the thyroid. Other herbs like jatamansi, brahmi guggulu, shilajit, gokshura, punarnava are some of the other useful herbs.( please take physician's advice before trying it)
Akhrot telam (walnut oil) takes 3-4 drops of oil and massages it on the thyroid area every night before sleeping. Also you can use onion, coriander seed water (crush coriander seeds in mortar pestle-put seeds in a glass of water and keep it overnight-boil it on low flame until water becomes half- CONSUME IT 30 MIN BEFORE BREAKFAST ) they are known to be effective.
Iodine plays an important role in thyroid functioning, we often use common salt( iodized free-flowing refined where iodine is synthetically added), instead switching to ROCK salt which naturally contains iodine.
You can try this home remedy which may help your problem. Make a fine paste of vegetable jalakumbhi (Pistia Straticies) to be applied over your neck to reduce the swelling.(please take physician's advice before trying it)
Avoid having refrigerated food, soya products and cold water. use an earthen pot instead (clay pot)
Cabbage, cauliflower and peanuts should be consumed if they are well roasted or cooked. Caffeinated and tannin based drinks like tea and coffee may hinder with thyroid healing, use it to minimum
Following yoga pranayama will do wonders for your thyroid problem-