Hyperthyroidism: Know the Symptoms Could Mean Weight Loss or Gain

Your thyroid gland lies just under your Adam?s apple in your neck. The gland consists of two lobes that lie just in front and at either side of the windpipe. Your thyroid is part of your body?s ?endocrine system.? The endocrine system consists of various glands that secrete hormones into your bloodstream. In particular, the thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones. These hormones control the speed at which your body?s chemical functions happen ? in other words, your metabolism. The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Your thyroid also produces a hormone called ?calcitonin,? which is involved in the metabolism of your bones. Hormones are chemical messengers that are released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands. As a hormone circulates through your body via the bloodstream, it delivers messages to other parts of your body. Almost every cell in your body, from those in your brain to those in your feet, responds to the thyroid hormone. Your cells respond to thyroid hormone with an increase in metabolic activity. Your metabolism is basically the processes in your body that produce energy and the chemical substances that are necessary for cells to grow, divide to form new cells, and perform other important functions. Basically, the message the thyroid hormone gives to your cells is to ?go.? Your heart rate increases, your breathing rate increases and the use of proteins, fats and carbohydrates increases. Skeletal muscles work more efficiently, muscle tone in your digestive system increases and mental alertness and thinking skills are sharpened. Keeps Everything Running Smoothly Normally, your thyroid keeps everything running at a steady rate. This is what doctors mean when they use the word ?homeostasis.? There is a whole control system in your body that helps your cells function at an appropriate metabolic rate. The system works something like this: ? Detector cells in the brain monitor the level of thyroid hormone in your blood ? When the level of thyroid hormone drops, these cells send signals to your pituitary gland, which is found in the brain ? The pituitary gland then releases a substance called ?thyroid-stimulating hormone? (TSH) into your bloodstream ? TSH, in turn, signals cells in the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormone into your bloodstream ? When the blood level of thyroid hormone has increased enough, the detector cells send signals to the pituitary gland to stop release of TSH Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which there is overproduction of thyroid hormone. When your thyroid produces too much hormone, you are said to have an ?overactive thyroid.? When this happens, you may experience any of the following symptoms: ? difficulty sleeping ? excessive sweating ? extreme tiredness ? hair loss ? inability to tolerate heat ? nervousness and irritability ? rapid heartbeat, including palpitations ? shakiness and muscle weakness, often with trembling in the hands ? weight gain ? weight loss, with a normal or increased appetite Treating Hyperthyroidism Naturally If your thyroid gland is overactive, there are a number of steps that you can take. Medical treatment of hyperthyroidism usually involves prescribing synthetic thyroid hormone. Sometimes surgery is also recommended. Naturopathic doctors may differ slightly in their approach to the treatment of hyperthyroidism. They will likely use desiccated natural thyroid hormone complete with all thyroid hormones. Thyroid-hormone replacement is usually necessary in most cases of hyperthyroidism. Limit Intake of Goitrogenic Foods There are other ways that you can help an overactive thyroid, however. Changing your diet is one strategy. Try to limit your intake of ?goitrogenic? foods. Goitrogenic foods contain natural ?goitrogens.? Goitrogens are chemicals that cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland by interfering with the production of thyroid hormone. Rapeseed (canola), cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, maize, lima beans, soya and pearl millet are all goitrogenic foods. Cooking does help make the goitrogens less effective, so try that instead of consuming these foods raw. On the other hand, foods that contain iodine, such as kelp, beetroot, radishes, parsley, potatoes, fish, oatmeal and bananas should be kept in your diet. The interaction between iodine and the thryroid gland is a complex one. Iodine is needed by your body to form thyroid hormone. Goiter and hyperthyroidism could happen because of an iodine deficiency. However, if you consume large amounts of iodine, it could result in either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Most multivitamins contain about 150 micrograms (mcg) of iodine (which is also the recommended daily intake (RDI) for iodine). This should be enough to stop iodine deficiency, but not enough to cause any harm. You May Be Low in Tyrosine People with hyperthyroidism tend to be deficient in an amino acid called ?tyrosine.? Tyrosine is an essential part of your thyroid hormones and neurotransmitters. Health-care providers often recommend a low dose of ?thyroxine? (the major hormone that?s secreted by your thyroid gland) to correct hypothyroidism. People with depression also have low levels of tyrosine, which is why this condition is sometimes linked to hyperthyroidism. There are many vitamins that are needed for the synthesis of thyroxine. Vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, C and E are all important. The B vitamins and copper are very important for tyrosine metabolism. Copper, iron, selenium and zinc are needed in the production of other thyroid hormones. There are also some herbs that could help combat hyperthyroidism. Nettle is unique in that in could balance your thyroid to remedy both under- and overactivity. Bladderwrack ? a type of brown seaweed ? contains iodine, which helps regulate your thyroid. Kelp has been linked to being able to help with hypothyroidism. Some people with hyperthyroidism have also improved their conditions by taking Chinese herbs. Another simple treatment for hyperthyroidism that you can try on your own is good old-fashioned exercise. Exercise will increase your cell tissue sensitivity to the thyroid hormone. It will also stimulate thyroid-gland secretion. This could be especially helpful when you are dieting. When you diet, your metabolic rate goes down, but exercise can help prevent this decline. Try to get between 15 and 20 minutes of exercise per day. This should be enough to be beneficial in the treatment of an overactive thyroid. Choose exercises that are strenuous enough to raise your heartbeat, such as walking briskly, swimming, running and cycling. One other point to consider is to look at whether you have chemical sensitivities. Research has shown that there is a connection between hyperthyroidism and those with multiple chemical sensitivities. People who are exposed to toxic heavy metals and other substances through their work often suffer from depression, fatigue, poor memory and constipation. These symptoms are all typical of someone with hypothyroidism.

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