Can You Live Without a Thyroid Gland?

You can live without a thyroid gland, but you won’t survive very long without the hormones this gland produces. These hormones, T3 and T4, have an effect on every cell in the body by controlling the rate with which they use energy and oxygen – the body’s metabolic rate. Not surprisingly, people who are deficient in thyroid hormone, a condition called hypothyroidism, gain weight and feel very tired.

Because of the role thyroid hormone plays in brain function, a deficiency of thyroid hormone can cause depression, memory problems, and even psychosis. So important is the role of thyroid hormone in growth and development that if a deficiency occurs early in life it can cause severe mental retardation and serious growth delays.

Even in cases of thyroid hormone deficiency, the body still produces enough thyroid hormone to sustain life. With no thyroid hormone, bodily functions would soon grind to a halt as cells are no longer able to produce energy. Can you live without a thyroid gland? Not for long – unless you replace the missing hormones the thyroid produces.

Some People Do Live Without a Thyroid Gland

Even though the hormones the thyroid produces are essential to life, some people do live without a thyroid gland. Some people have most or all of their thyroid gland removed because of thyroid cancer or due to a severely overactive thyroid gland that doesn’t respond to other treatment. A very small percentage of people are born without a thyroid gland. Fortunately, the missing thyroid hormone can be replaced with synthetic thyroid hormone. People taking synthetic thyroid hormone can lead a normal life, although it’s important to keep their thyroid hormone levels regulated by checking blood levels regularly.

Can You Live Without a Thyroid?

Yes, but only if you replace the missing thyroid hormones. These hormones are necessary for human life.

References:

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.

To find you thyroid gland you need to feel for it on top of your wind pipe, just underneath your Adam’s apple. That small bump you feel is your thyroid and checking its size regularly will let you know the minute it is swollen – a condition that may indicate a problem.

The thyroid became a very popular scape goat with overweight people, blaming it’s diminished functioning for their weight gain. Not every body may stake this claim successfully, but a large part of the over weight population may be spot on with their diagnosis. The thyroid plays an enormous role in weight management and metabolic rate is determined by the thyroid.

Apart from metabolic rate, the thyroid also helps in protein being changed into muscle mass. Muscles burn fat, so should this process slow down, your body will store excess energy taken in as fat, rather than to use it to fuel your muscles. A slow thyroid may cause even body builders to loose all their muscles in a short time.

Your thyroid acts like the head boy at a school by keeping all the other glands in check. This explains why a sick thyroid may cause severe reactions like impotence, fatigue and nervous problems elsewhere in your body. Every hormone controlled function in your body gets regulated by the thyroid.

But how can such a small gland in your neck influence every part of your body? By using its special messengers called T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxin) -which are hormones themselves – then thyroid can stimulate any body part by sending T3 and t4 trough the blood system to these parts. These two cause a chain reaction in the body as more and more hormones are released on their command.

When things go wrong with your thyroid it may secrete too little or too much of the T3 and T4 hormones. Too little is called hypo thyroidism and too much, hyper thyroidism. To counter any of these problems you should take medicines orally to either stimulate or calm down your thyroid – but only a doctor can determine the dose and the frequency you should follow.

The thyroid is not a gland that functions completely on its own accord, but gets its stimulation from the brain, and more specifically from two parts of the brain – the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Any medication that has an influence on these brain parts will have side effects attached to the thyroid. Talk to your doctor about this to sooth your concerns.

Only fools borrow medication from somebody else, and unfortunately fat people are very guilty of taking thyroid stimulants as they believe their weight problems are caused by a lazy thyroid. What they are actually doing is damaging a healthy thyroid and this may lead to permanent problems you never should have had.

If you are concerned, have your thyroid checked by drawing some blood for tests. Even if you do not suspect any problems a regular checkup from the age of 27 is advisable.

Reference:

American Thyroid Association

The secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. If the thyroid gland secretes hormones in excess, the metabolism is accelerated, causing weight loss, sweating, digestive system hypermotility (diarrhea), irregular heart beat, nervousness and irritability. This condition is knows as hyperthyroidism.

In most cases, hyperthyroidism is caused by Basedow’s disease (antibodies produced by the immune system stimulate a hypersecretion of thyroxine by the thyroid). Normally, antibodies protect the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances that are harmful for our body. In case of Basedow’s disease, antibodies attack the thyroid gland. The causes of this disease are not known exactly, although genetic factors are usually involved.

Another form of hyperthyroidism is due to the occurrence of an adenoma in the thyroid gland, which begins to produce hormones in excess. Adenoma is a benign tumor that develops on a gland, causing its growth. The excess of iodine, thyroiditis and thyroid cancer can also cause hyperthyroidism. Other triggers of this condition include autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, Addison’s disease), diabetes, radioactive iodine, etc.

People suffering from hyperthyroidism complain about weight loss, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorder) or palpitations, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, tremor of the hands and fingers, sweating, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle weakness and insomnia. Other symptoms include exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyeball), redness and swelling of eyes, increased sensitivity to light, etc.

The most serious problem associated with this disease is the thyroid storm, a life threatening condition. It presents extreme symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as irritability, too high or too low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, rapid heartbeat or chest pain, fever, etc. In this case, the doctor will administrate an intravenous steroid such as hydrocortisone or beta- blockers.

Hyperthyroidism treatment involves the temporary use of suppressive thyrostatics medication, radioisotope therapy, and administration of beta- blockers, radioisotope therapy and surgery. However, you can improve your condition by following some simple steps. Most doctors will recommend you to avoid the consumption of products containing iodine.

It’s advisable to consume food rich in carbohydrates and protein, cheese, milk, fruit, vegetables and supplements. The metabolism works faster than usual, so it’s necessary to provide enough energy to the body. Also, avoid intense physical effort.

There are many effective homeopathic remedies for patients suffering from hyperthyroidism. Homeopathic remedies are prepared from a large variety of natural substances, such as herbs and minerals. The treatment must be prescribed depending on the patient’s mental, physical and emotional symptoms, talking into account his medical history. Homeopathic remedies stimulate the immune and hormonal system to regain balance, having good results on long term.

Although it can’t be prevented, hyperthyroidism is a treatable disease. The best is to consult a doctor immediately after you notice the first signs and symptoms. Keep in mind that thyroid plays a vital role in your life.

The risk of developing hypothyroidism tends to increase with age. Older women present the greatest risk. In rare cases, hypothyroidism occurs in infants and young children. Infants will have a normal growth and development if hypothyroidism is treated during their first months of life. Teens with hypothyroidism typically look much younger.

If it’s not treated, hypothyroidism can lead to multiple complications, including pericarditis (accumulation of fluid around the heart) and increased cholesterol and triglycerides. Hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, will disappear spontaneously (by itself). Women may develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy.

Iodine deficiency is the main cause of hypothyroidism. Other factors that may trigger this condition include autoimmune disorders (Hashimoto thyroiditis), treatment of hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, medications (lithium). Hypothyroidism can also result from congenital diseases, failure of the pituitary gland, pregnancy and external irradiation. Viral and bacterial infections can temporarily damage the thyroid gland, leading to a form of hypothyroidism.

People suffering from this condition present thinning hair, dry and cold skin, slowness in movements, intolerance to cold, feeling of tiredness, weakness and drowsiness, depression, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight and muscle cramps. Less common symptoms include dysphonia (hoarse voice) and muscle pain.

In general, the severity of symptoms depends on age and severity of the condition. Subclinical or mild hypothyroidism often has no symptoms, going unnoticed. Symptoms of hypothyroidism during and after pregnancy include fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, depression, concentration problems and memory disorders. Some women develop a goiter.

If untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to periorbital swelling, pericardial effusion, muscular hypertrophy, weight gain, alanine transaminase levels raised (plasma or serum), cardiac failure, hypothermia, obesity, hyperpigmentation, etc. In rare cases, this condition leads to coma, female infertility, galactorrhoea-hyperprolactinaemia, Carpal tunnel syndrome, facies abnormality and thyroid hormone binding globulin levels raised (serum).

It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately if you notice mental deterioration, apathy, confusion and psychosis, severe breathing difficulties or low body temperature (35C or less). Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by the gastroenterologist, gynecologist or psychiatrist, depending on symptoms. More complicated or unusual cases require special examination performed by the endocrinologist.

Hypothyroidism can be easily treated using thyroid hormone replacement drugs. In most cases, the symptoms are alleviated in the first weeks after beginning treatment. All thyroid disease symptoms usually disappear within a few months. Along with the allopathic treatment prescribed by the doctor, natural remedies can be extremely helpful. Plants rich in iodine and vitamins are quite numerous, increasing the levels of thyroxine in the blood.

People with underactive thyroid should take multivitamin supplements such as iodine, selenium, Tyrosine, thyroid glandular, bladderwrack and coconut oil. Many herbs proved their efficiency in treating hypothyroidism; some of them are: bayberry, Siberian ginseng, saw palmetto berry, black cohosh, ashwagandha, maca, goldenseal and more.

The thyroid is important to a person’s body because it delivers oxygen to the bodies cells and is the basic center of a person’s metabolism. The thyroid gland is also involved in human development and growth.

The thyroid gland depends on iodine to synthesis the T3 and T4 hormones. The main thyroid stimulating hormone is called thyrotropin or better known as TSH. TSH regulates the synthesis and release of the T3 and T4 hormones. Synthesis and release of these hormones is based on the amount of iodine. The lack or overabundance of iodine can cause either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Surprisingly hypothyroidism is the main thyroid problem affecting people today. There are different forms of hypothyroidism. The most common is the primary hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism occurs when the T4 levels are low and TSH levels are high. Central hypothyroidism occurs when both the T4 and TSH levels are low. The other form of hypothyroidism is called peripheral hypothyroidism and occurs when the levels of both T4 and TSH are increased.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the T4 levels are high and the TSH levels are low. The main cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease. Graves Disease generates antibodies that inhibit the TSH hormones or receptors in the thyroid causing stimulated synthesis. Another cause of hyperthyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s also generates antibodies that inhibit TSH hormones however instead of stimulating synthesis it inhibits synthesis.

Thyroid problems that can not be controlled through medications many times require surgery to remove part or the entire thyroid. Upon removing the thyroid a person is automatically sent into a state of hypothyroidism and must take a synthetic hormone supplement to stimulate the metabolic processes of the no longer present thyroid gland.

Thyroid nodules can also cause problems with the thyroid. Nodules are collections of cells that form a mass in the thyroid. Typically these nodules are benign but if they are present it is important to have them checked out. Many times nodules can mimic the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Believe it or not thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine related problem. There are different forms of nodules as with most disorders. The most common noncancerous types of nodules are colloid nodules and follicular neoplasm. When a nodule produces the thyroid hormones against what the body needs it is called autonomous nodules. A thyroid cyst occurs when a nodule is full of fluid or blood. There is little known as to what causes noncancerous nodules in the thyroid. There are other things such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and the lack of iodine which can cause nodules in the thyroid.

It is important to have your thyroid checked on a regular basis but also ask your doctor about checking the thyroid functions. The blood test to check the thyroid may not also discover problems with thyroid functioning. Even though the thyroid weighs approximately one ounce and is a small part of the body it is one of the very important features of the body’s endocrine system.

The four iodine molecules that make up this hormone has to do with the referencing of T4. The hormone goes to all tissues and organs that are within the body and are important in order to maintain the working order of the tissue or organ. There are many important function of the thyroid hormone to areas such as the heart, brain, muscles, and other organs as well.

Some individuals develop the condition known as hypothyroidism. This is when the thyroid is not working at the level that it should be, therefore making it harder for the body to function. The body as a consequence does not get the hormones that are needed in order to stay within a normal maintenance. In many of the cases, it is found that the culprit to an under active thyroid has to do with autoimmune diseases.

Low levels of the thyroid hormones within the body cause the body to slow in the way it is functioning. Common thyroid disease symptoms that a person experiences as a result is loss of energy, fatigue, memory problems, and dry skin. A lot of times there is a decrease in the amount of bowel movements as well as the person feeling colder.

Some of the symptoms are the types that people are not aware of. Usually the reason for this has to do with things such as plague build up within the arteries, which is not something that is common for an individual to experience. On the other end of the scale, there are those who have previous symptoms, which may become exacerbated due to the underlying thyroid condition. The development of the condition varies with each person, some individuals can have it develop as quick as a few months, while there are others who do not have any kinds of symptoms that they are to experience until years later.

The longer period of time that a person develops hyperthyroidism and has the levels of hormones at a lot range for a long time, then they are more apt to have symptoms, which become more severe. Those with the mild form of hypothyroidism will usually have the kind of symptoms that are mild or that they are unable to notice. Essentially, there is no set standard as to the symptoms a person will develop.

Every individual varies with the kinds of symptoms that they experience. All people are different, yet those with the more severe kinds of hypothyroidism are sure to have more intense symptoms that they experience. With some, they have symptoms from the first time they are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Basically, there is not clear cut definition or standard to which a person will follow in the way that they experience the symptoms or recover.

Commonly, most develop hyperthyroidism due to the thyroid gland alone. This is known as graves disease and is caused by the over stimulation of antibodies in the blood, therefore making the thyroid grow and secrete too much of the thyroid hormone. Usually this kind of disease is genetic and occurs most times in young women. There is little known, relative to research as to why people develop this kind of condition.

Many times the individual has more bowel movements than what is normal as well, but it does not consist of diarrhea. There is usually the loss of weight, although the person does not have difficulty eating. Women sometimes experience the lightening of their periods, as well as less menstrual periods. In many cases, most who develop this kind of condition have it come on slowly and often mistaken it for stress.

Another kind of hyperthyroidism is when a person starts developing nodules or lumps within their thyroid. This will usually consist of one or more, which have the potential to grow and increase in the amount of activity, therefore making it so that there is more of the hormone in the blood than should be. When this kind of condition develops, it is referred to either as multinodular goiter, or toxic nodular.

In some cases, some individuals have symptoms, which is called thyroiditis, which occurs on various occasions and has to do with a condition with the immune system, or something to do with a viral infection that causes the gland to leak the hormone. Either of the conditions may be identified through a blood test. As for treatment, that depends on many different factors. Usually it has to do with the individual and their age, as well as their current health and the type of thyroid condition they have.

Underactive thyroid, otherwise known as hypothyroidism, is normally treated with synthetic hormone replacement by traditional doctors. The problem with this type of treatment is that is does not result in your thyroid producing hormones naturally so the treatment options is need for the rest of your life in order to be effective at treating the problem.

Holistic health care professionals address these issues with other alternative strategies. Natural hormone replacement provides a full range of naturally secreted human hormones. Desiccated porcine thyroid gland can be used as an effective treatment alternative to the synthetic option that only provides a small portion of the missing hormones your body requires.

Although natural hormone replacement can be a great alternative to synthetic replacement it still doesn’t give you all the hormones you need. It alone does not encourage the thyroid to produce it’s own hormone so supplements must be continually used to achieve results.

Natural treatments are also an option for attempting to restart natural hormone production in the body. By achieving this result, hormone replacement is not needed at all. Natural means are used to treat system imbalance as a result of hypothyroidism and have proven for many to be the better option.

Changes to your diet can be quite helpful too. Switching out processed foods for natural organic options and removing known food allergy possibilities like refined sugar and trans fat can be extremely beneficial in this type of approach. Food sensitivities to grains like wheat and dairy products should also be investigated. All bases should be covered when seeking natural treatment.

Herbal remedies are another option in holistic treatment and support of the endocrine system. Kelp, green oats and makandi can help level out your thyroid function and boost metabolism resulting in more ideal weight and body cored temperature. This all combines to promote a healthier well being over all.

Natural treatments like diet and lifestyle change as well as herbal supplements focus on the root causes of your thyroid problems rather than just the obvious issue. If you require additional guidance and information you can always consult a doctor of holistic medicine for other treatment options as well. They can provide you with all the information and treatment options you will need to be able to control your hypothyroidism without the need for synthetic options.

For those that are currently undergoing synthetic replacement treatment a new approach is usually welcomed with open arms. It can provide better results in a shorter period of time as well as save the person a lot of money in the long run. Herbal supplements and diet changes are much cheaper then paying outrageous medical bills for tests, treatments and medicines especially with insurance providers adding new things to their lists of medical care options that aren’t covered every day.

Natural treatments for an underactive thyroid use natural remedies to maintain balance in your endocrine system. This is considered a holistic treatment for this problem and may include simple things like a diet or lifestyle change and the use of herbal supplements to find a solution.

Underactive thyroid, otherwise known as hypothyroidism, is normally treated with synthetic hormone replacement by traditional doctors. The problem with this type of treatment is that is does not result in your thyroid producing hormones naturally so the treatment options is need for the rest of your life in order to be effective at treating the problem.

Holistic health care professionals address these issues with other alternative strategies. Natural hormone replacement provides a full range of naturally secreted human hormones. Desiccated porcine thyroid gland can be used as an effective treatment alternative to the synthetic option that only provides a small portion of the missing hormones your body requires.

Although natural hormone replacement can be a great alternative to synthetic replacement it still doesn’t give you all the hormones you need. It alone does not encourage the thyroid to produce it’s own hormone so supplements must be continually used to achieve results.

Natural treatments are also an option for attempting to restart natural hormone production in the body. By achieving this result, hormone replacement is not needed at all. Natural means are used to treat system imbalance as a result of hypothyroidism and have proven for many to be the better option.

Changes to your diet can be quite helpful too. Switching out processed foods for natural organic options and removing known food allergy possibilities like refined sugar and trans fat can be extremely beneficial in this type of approach. Food sensitivities to grains like wheat and dairy products should also be investigated. All bases should be covered when seeking natural treatment.

Herbal remedies are another option in holistic treatment and support of the endocrine system. Kelp, green oats and makandi can help level out your thyroid function and boost metabolism resulting in more ideal weight and body cored temperature. This all combines to promote a healthier well being over all.

Natural treatments like diet and lifestyle change as well as herbal supplements focus on the root causes of your thyroid problems rather than just the obvious issue. If you require additional guidance and information you can always consult a doctor of holistic medicine for other treatment options as well. They can provide you with all the information and treatment options you will need to be able to control your hypothyroidism without the need for synthetic options.

For those that are currently undergoing synthetic replacement treatment a new approach is usually welcomed with open arms. It can provide better results in a shorter period of time as well as save the person a lot of money in the long run. Herbal supplements and diet changes are much cheaper then paying outrageous medical bills for tests, treatments and medicines especially with insurance providers adding new things to their lists of medical care options that aren’t covered every day.

Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is caused by problems in the pathways. To keep the thyroid hormones regulated is the job of the pituitary gland. When everything is working correctly, the pituitary gland knows how much of the hormone is in the blood and then makes adjustments as necessary to their production. TSH and TRH are released into the system if there is too much of the hormone in the blood. The purpose is to decrease the amount of TSH and hormones that is being released back to normal.

Hypothyroidism can be caused by several different things.

One of the treatments for hyperthyroidism can actually cause hypothyroidism. The treatment involves destroying the cells of the thyroid gland by radioactivity or surgery.

The production of hormones might be decreased in people who suffer from lupus, Sjogren syndrome, chronic hepatitis, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. The reason being is they have a greater chance of carrying antithyroid antibodies.

Early detection of hypothyroidism in infants is possible through medical screenings. It is considered a congenital disease if a person is born with it.

Goiter, a swelling of the gland that is noticeable, can be caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis. This disease is the result of problems with the production of hormones. This results in above normal levels of TSH.

Lithium can also cause hypothyroidism as well as other medications.

Several factors can lead to hyperthyroidism.

Grave’s disease is the result of an overstimulation of the thyroid gland by TSI, thyroid stimulation immunoglobulin. This condition can also result in the bugging of the eyes or a frightened type look. Eye pain and muscle weakness accompany this condition as do muscle tears and double vision. Goiter, swelling of the thyroid gland, is also a consequence. Raised and thickened skin on the feet or shins may occur as well.

Differing from Grave’s disease in the manner that there are no eye complications and the pain is less, is a disease known as toxic mulinodular goiter. Production of hormones by a single section of the gland without any stimulation from TSH results in goiter. Seen in elderly people mostly, it is the result of long term goiter.

An inflammatory disease of the thyroid, known as thyroiditis, leads to diseases like Hashimoto and de Quervain thyroiditis. When this happens, an overproduction of hormones occurs due to the inflammation. This in turn leads to a hyperthyroid condition. Hypothyroidism then occurs because the gland quits working due to the inflammation.

The production of TSH by the pituitary gland without cause is known as pituitary adenoma. The disease causes an overstimulation of the thyroid.

Be sure to consider all the benefits and consequences before taking the drug amiodarone for a heart condition. This medication can cause drug induced hyperthyroidism. This side effect can be stopped if they are monitored.

Without iodine the thyroid couldn’t to its job. Many impoverished countries where foods containing iodine are rare, have a large incidence of goiter – a condition where the thyroid becomes inflamed and swollen without sufficient amounts of iodine.

Iodine is a fairly simple element to introduce by synthetic means. An ordinary vitamin or even table salt that includes iodine as a natural ingredient can get the patient back to normal in a month or so since the iodine needed is measured in mcg (micrograms). The thyroid is the sole reason the food industry decided to add iodine to regular salt. Before the introduction of iodized salt, the cases of goiter were many. Even talking to our own grandparents will show that many of them suffered from goiter in their younger years. Now, with iodized salt available throughout most of the world, goiter is quickly being eradicated.

Many of us have even blamed our weight on our thyroid glands. Either we or our mothers have insisted that our extra pounds were nothing more than a “gland disorder”. Since the thyroid is the one gland that is responsible, in part, for our weight and our metabolism, we blame the thyroid for every five pounds we put on and can’t get rid off.

It’s actually not at all common to find that our weight has a direct correlation to a malfunctioning thyroid. If your doctor doesn’t put you through tests to determine what is happening and then formulate a diagnosis that relates to your thyroid, your real problem is probably midnight snacking – not one of your glands.

A little more common, however, is hyperthyroidism. This is a condition where the thyroid is working too hard. Symptoms range from patient to patient depending on age and how severe the thyroid is being affected. Unfortunately, the two most common complaints are usually weight loss and anxiety which, in many instances, a doctor will attribute to other high stressors in the patient’s life such as a death in the family, job loss, or something similar.

Pregnancy can cause postpartum thyroiditis. It’s not severe, and usually goes unnoticed by patient and doctor alike. The symptoms usually are lost in everything else that is occurring to a woman’s body just after giving birth. The condition usually corrects itself within a few months.

On the opposite side of the wall is what is called hypothyroidism, when the thyroid is not performing at 100%. Again, symptoms are frequently mistaken for other more common problems, or are ignored completed. Common symptoms include being tired, having memory lapses, dry skin, and general aches all over.

Hyperthyroidism is the result of over activity in the thyroid. The thyroid over produces the hormones T3 and T4 which regulate body temperature, metabolism, and many other organs and functions within the body. When people are suffering from hyperthyroidism they may experience such symptoms as irregular heart rate, heat intolerance, and weight loss.

There are many other symptoms that result from a hyper thyroid condition but none of the symptoms specifically point to the thyroid gland as the cause of the symptoms. It is only after blood tests are conducted to ascertain the level of TSH in the blood that one can be properly diagnosed with a thyroid condition.

There are many measures that one can take to insure that they maintain a healthy thyroid gland and reduce the possibility of over or under production of the hormones produced by this gland. The easiest method to help the thyroid is through a change in diet.

The thyroid gland can be significantly affected by some of the foods that are in an individual’s daily diet. The use of polyunsaturated oils has gained in popularity over the past few years for many individuals watching their weight. However these oils block the production of thyroid hormones and can lead to hypothyroidism.

Most of the foods that people eat are treated with chemicals. Some vegetables are sprayed with chemicals when they are in the field. They are sprayed with chemicals after being picked to preserve them or ward off insects. Many of these chemicals produce negative effects for the thyroid when they are eaten.

An individual suffering from hypothyroidism needs to include foods in their diet that will stimulate the production of the T3 and T4 hormones. These diets include foods that are rich in protein and fatty acids, iodine, selenium, fiber and vitamins. By avoiding fast food, sugar, and refined foods an individual is not only making their body healthier but also making their thyroid healthier as well.

The important of a healthy and well balanced diet has positive effects on the well being of an individual and addresses many issues. For a person with a thyroid condition eating six small meals per day instead of the standard three will assist in helping the nutrients and proteins to be absorbed into the body in a smooth and seamless manner. In addition eating several small meals instead of three helps many people to lose weight because they do not develop the hunger that comes between three small diet meals.

There are several books available that outline the types of diets that are available to help an individual lose or gain weight and address their thyroid at the same time. It is important that when one is considering a drastic change in diet that they speak to their physician prior to starting the plan. A physician can help by providing options that will help to increase the proper functioning of the thyroid and insure a safe treatment plan.