The thyroid gland lies just below the Adam’s apple (and yes, women DO have an Adam’s apple) and is shaped somewhat like a butterfly.  It regulates your metabolism which means that all organs in the body depend on its ability to work correctly.

There are two major types of thyroid distress:  Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism.  In the first, the thyroid is not producing enough hormones to keep the metabolism up to speed.  In the second case, there is too much thyroid being produced and the body reacts by increasing the metabolism which creates a whole different set of problems.  It is the first scenario, hypothyroidism, which will be discussed here.

Weight gain is a major problem as the metabolism is so slow that it does not burn calories at a normal rate.  It also causes one to feel sluggish and fatigued. Often, hypothyroidism will cause the skin to become dry and cracked and the hair to be coarse and dull.  Occasionally, hair loss is noted.  Muscle aches and pains, swelling from water retention and an aversion to cold temperatures are also possible.

The first thing one must do when suspecting a thyroid problem is to visit a physician who will perform a head to toe physical to rule out any other medical causes for the weight gain or other problems.  Then a blood test will be ordered to check the TSH levels and other thyroid levels in your body. TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, is a key factor when determining how the gland is working in your body.  A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid is not working properly and the body is trying to compensate for lack of the proper hormones. Specialists in thyroid and other gland disorders are endocrinologists.

Often a physician will prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone to regulate the TSH levels in the blood.  If this does not seem to be working, an additional thyroid medication may be required.  As the physician watches your condition on a regular basis, he or she might require that you have an ultrasound, with or without a biopsy.  If a nodule or a goiter is found, the biopsy will be absolutely necessary to rule out cancer or other diseases. The biopsy usually consists of a pathologist inserting three very fine needles into the thyroid to extract cells for review.  This is often done in conjunction with an ultrasound.

One disease that is actually quite common for people with a low functioning thyroid is Hashimotos Thyroiditis.  The symptoms are much the same as those for a low functioning thyroid, but may show signs of spreading cells which could lead to cancer if not monitored regularly.  Hashimoto’s disease comes on gradually and symptoms may be scarce at first.  But some of the more prevalent symptoms are: dry skin, depression,

Sensitivity to cold, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, high cholesterol counts and weight gain.  The weight gain could be as much as twenty pounds and is hard to lose even with the most rigid of dieting plans.

The only way a person can be sure that weight gain is associated with a malfunctioning thyroid gland is to see a physician who specializes in diseases of the glands or an endocrinologist.  He or she can tell you for sure if your thyroid is out of whack and help you to understand what choices you have for treatment.  Treatments range from medication to surgery and should be considered very carefully.

• Sudden weight gain
• Muscle and joint pains
• Abnormal hair loss
• Loss of libido
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Mood swings

These common symptoms are often over looked at and missed. Many excuse these symptoms as becoming older, sitting at a job desk or other common normal life events. The truth of the matter is many people suffer from hypothyroidism and don’t even know it. If you experience many of the symptoms above chances are you might have an under active thyroid gland.

Out of these 6 symptoms Sudden Weight Gain or being overweight could be one of the most embarrassing symptoms at times. Nobody likes looking in the mirror and seeing themselves puffing up or looking tired and over weight. You want to look vibrant and healthy, and having an under active thyroid could be stopping you from obtaining the image you want to see yourself as.

But all is not doom and gloom if you have this condition. There is good news to be heard and one of the best things you can do for your thyroid is eating healthy foods. Certain types of foods actually stimulate your thyroid and if your never eating these types of foods you could be holding yourself back on achieving your weight goals.

Here are some powerful thyroid foods

* Raw Foods

* Juices like carrot and celery

* Prunes and nuts

* Watercress

* Poultry

* Sources of vitamin E

* Seaweed (iodine content)

* Herbal teas such as green tea

Adding these types of foods to your everyday eating habits can greatly raise your thyroid function. Sound to simple? Most diseases and conditions today are direct results of our eating habits and hypothyroidism is no different. It is easy to add these foods to your diet and you would be doing your body a great deal of benefits. After all you want to look at yourself in the mirror and start to see your vibrant healthy self once again don’t you? If you don’t know if you have an under active thyroid there are ways at home you can test to see if you have this condition.

When the thyroid is functioning properly, it absorbs the iodine found in many of the foods we eat and converts it into two kinds of hormones: T3 and T4. These two hormones are released into the bloodstream to control and monitor all the body’s metabolic processes. However, if the thyroid produces too much of these two hormones, a condition known as hyperthyroidism occurs. This means the body’s metabolism speeds up abnormally, which can lead to an increased heartbeat (or even heart palpitations), sweating, overheating, fatigue, swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter), hair loss, insomnia, and weight loss.

Hyperthyroidism usually occurs in people between the age of 20-40, as well as pregnant women or any individual undergoing a great deal of stress. One of the most common manifestations of this disorder is Grave’s disease, in which the pituitary gland — the “master” gland located at the base of the brain which controls all the other glands in the body — mistakenly instructs the thyroid to release too many T3 and T4 hormones. The opposite of this condition is of course hypothyroidism, wherein the thyroid does not produce enough of the hormones required to maintain a proper metabolic rate. Ironically, however, many of the symptoms are the same in both conditions.

Although weight loss may seem to be the obvious correlation of an overactive thyroid, recent studies have shown that despite an increased metabolism, many people suffering from hyperthyroidism have in fact actually gained significant amounts of weight, and continued to gain weight after they were treated. This is most likely due to the increased appetite that results from a faster metabolism, in addition to an inability to burn off the extra calories because of weakness, apathy and depression — three other symptoms associated with this disorder.

Another possible explanation for the weight gain in an individual with hyperthyroidism could be that since the overabundance of T3 and T4 originally prevented the patient’s body from ever regulating itself, the individual can no longer properly monitor his or her caloric intake, even with normalized hormone levels. Making a concerted effort to maintain a proper diet and a strict exercise regimen can help alleviate some of the weight gain experienced by people with hyperthyroidism.

While treatment of hyperthyroidism might involve the use of drugs such as radioactive iodine (or other forms of medication designed to slow down the production of T3 and T4 by the thyroid), or even having part of the thyroid removed surgically, some nutritional experts recommend a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and calcium. Certain foods known to inhibit thyroid overproduction include cauliflower, beans, green leafy vegetables and soy. Herbs such as motherwort, turmeric and bugleweed have also been known to stabilize the thyroid gland, but of course one should always check with one’s health care practitioner before attempting to diagnose or especially to treat an ailment of this type of severity.

This question is asked by hypothyroid patients a lot. Actually, Researchers have found that the best time of day to take thyroid medication is best taken at night before you go to bed. They found that there were higher levels of thyroid hormone concentrations in the body and lower TSH concentration when certain thyroid medication were taken at night instead of in the morning.

They now believe that eating breakfast and then taking the medication may be interfering with the intestines being able to absorb the medication and that it takes longer for the medication to transit the bowels at night so it stays in your system longer.

There are many types of thyroid medications so you should really ask your doctor for his personal advice on what time of the day is best for YOU to take your medication.

The good news is that there is one exercise that you can try that is not only fun to do so that you want to try it again the next day, but it is also known to stimulate the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormones. This in turn gives you more energy and the desire and drive to exercise more. This is a good catch 22 to be in. Not only is the circle continuing to give positive energy to your tired cells, but it promotes weight loss too.

The exercise I’m talking to you about is rebounding. A rebounder is also called a mini trampoline.

How Rebounding Tones your Thyroid Gland so you can Lose Weight

* It stimulates and increases your metabolism.

* It promotes your body growth and repair.

* It tones up your glandular system, especially the thyroid to

increase its output of thyroid hormones

* It expands your body’s capacity for fuel storage and endurance

* It enhances your digestion and elimination process

* It strengthens leg and thigh muscles (more muscle more weight loss)

* It rejuvenates your body when its tired

Why this exercise Tone Up your Thyroid Glad so you can Lose weight

* It relieves the gravitational pull on the thyroid gland for a few seconds at a time

* Reliving the gravitational pull on the thyroid gland helps it to tone up

* It speeds up your metabolic system

* Toning up the glandular system to balance output of thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands give you energy and the ability to lose weight

* The Proper function of metabolic, lymphatic and digestive systems is stimulated and is essential for weight control

* It reduces likelihood of cellulite and obesity.

Having no energy and being too tired and unexplained weight gain are common symptoms of hypothyroidism. If you are experiencing these symptoms, be sure to go to your doctor for a medical exam. Proper daily exercise will help tone up your thyroid for better overall health and wellness.

Oprah Winfrey has been in the spot light for quite a few years now with her weight problems. There is hardly a person in America who does not know about her struggles with weight. Obviously she is no slacker and has worked really hard to take off the weight, only to see it come back with a vengeance and tip the scales even more than before. Finally, she has a clue as to why she has so much trouble losing her weight. She has a thyroid problem.. Her thyroid gland is diseased and has probably been out of balance for a very long time, if not her entire life. How many other women have experienced this same problem without realizing that they too have either a diseased thyroid gland or at least a sluggish or under active thyroid gland that does not produce enough of this all important hormone?

If your thyroid gland is not working properly, you will find it almost impossible to lose weight and keep it off. Have you ever heard for women who work out in the gyms at least 5 hours a week and still struggle with losing weight? I have heard of them and now I know why. A thyroid imbalance known as hypothyroidism can do severe damage to a woman’s ego, self esteem and body image. Not only that, not enough thyroid hormones circulating in the body can cause all kinds of health problems. You may be reading this article just for information to help you fix your low self esteem, others really need this information to save their health from deteriorating.

If you are embarrassed about the way you look because of excess body fat, it may not be your fault at all. I’m not talking about over eating. You more than likely are watching your diet. I’m talking about not eating the right foods that will feed your thyroid gland naturally and help keep it balanced so that you have a naturally balanced body weight and a good self image. But first of all, you should go to your doctor and be tested for a thyroid balance if you have been dieting and exercising like crazy and still struggling with your weight.

Then, learn all you can about adding the most thyroid nourishing foods to your diet and removing the bad ones. Bad foods meaning certain products containing soy, diet bars, diet sodas and certain vegetables that are bad for the hypothyroid sufferer, vegetables like peas and corn and other bad for thyroid vegetables, like broccoli for example.

Learn how to add in the good foods like coconut oil, certain nuts, whole organic milk products, the best kinds of vegetables for you and many others. Protect yourself image. You can find more information on what the best approach to defending yourself against an imbalanced thyroid in eBooks online. You can find invaluable information from people who have been in your shoes and found a way out.

Many things can and do affect the thyroid’s ability to secrete its hormones. These include toxic chemicals, drug therapies, surgical intervention, autoimmune malfunction and exposure to iodine. When the effect on the thyroid is to produce too much hormone secretion, it results in the condition known as hyperthyroid. Alternatively, when hormone secretion is subnormal, it results in hypothyroidism. People suffering from hypothyroidism far outnumber those with hyperthyroidism. There is quite an array of unpleasant symptoms associated with hypothyroidism including dry skin and hair, brittle nails, sore muscles, feeling cold, constipation, decreased libido, fatigue and, most commonly, weight gain.

Protein intake is an important part of any diet, but more so for those with hypothyroid. Protein requires that the body use more calories to break it down than carbohydrates do. More calories burned means weight loss.

While carbohydrates are an essential in the diet, close attention should be paid to the kinds of carbohydrate eaten. Hypothyroid as been associated with insulin resistance in studies. Insulin is a hormone which unlocks the cell in order for it to take up the energy found in carbohydrates and other foods. If cells become resistant to insulin, this will result in the carbohydrate sugars remaining in the blood stream. The body responds by increasing insulin production which means higher levels of insulin floating around as well. High insulin levels increase the appetite but fewer calories are burned because they can’t get into the cell so fat is stored. You can see how this sets up a vicious cycle for weight gain. It is, therefore, very important to choose low glycemic foods. These are foods which contain carbohydrates which do not rapidly raise blood glucose levels thus triggering high insulin production. Simple sugars and starches found in corn, cakes, pasta, white flour and most confections are just such foods. Look for foods which cause a slower rise in blood glucose such as whole fruits and colorful vegetables. For a more complete list, consult the glycemic index database.

Certain minerals are also essential to thyroid function. Because the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, are essential in telling each cell how fast to burn calories when we expend energy, their lower amounts result in a decreased metabolism. That is, fewer dietary calories are burned, which, naturally results in weight gain. If there is a lack of adequate dietary iodine, hypothyroid will result because iodine combines with the amino acid tyrosine to produce the thyroid hormones. A simple increase in dietary iodine found in foods such as seafood, iodized salt and certain vegetables grown in iodine rich soil can rectify the deficiency. The recommended daily allowance is 150 mcg for men and women. Zinc and selenium support T3 hormone levels. Recommended daily zinc intake is 15 to 25 mg, and selenium is 400 mcg daily. Foods rich in selenium include barley, lamb and fish while oysters are very rich in zinc.

Happily, hypothyroid is treatable with thyroid hormone replacement. But, becoming comfortable with a diet that supports thyroid function while reducing insulin resistance should be part of the overall plan for keeping the “butterfly” happy and healthy.

Have you been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or just have thyroid symptoms? First, lets discuss some symptoms of under-active thyroid which is weight gain, depression, sluggishness, feeling cold, mental slowness, heavy periods, dry skin, brittle and dry hair. Next, for a overactive thyroid gland symptoms are weight loss, anxiety, agitation, hyperactivity, hand tremors, feeling hot, light or non-existent periods.

The thyroid is a small gland located below the skin and muscles at the front of the neck, just at the spot where a bow tie would rest. It’s brownish red, with left and right halves that usually weighs less than an ounce. Your thyroid is very small gland that produce hormones that control the body?s energy levels and the metabolism. This all plays a role in your metabolism helping regulate body temperature, maintain energy. It also plays a key role in blood cell production, plus muscle and nerve function. Lastly, your thyroid gland assist in body destruction of toxins.

Iodine is an essential trace mineral and a very important to your thyroid hormones. The thyroid needs a chemical element called iodine that the body absorbs from the foods you eat and the water you drink. Now, if you have be diagnosed with hypothyroidism and are looking for natural cures or treatments. You can benefit from certain herbs that help thyroid function making it worth your time to try to learn more about these options. Also, you may find this to may be your safest way to alleviate the symptoms with a under-active thyroid gland. Most doctors approach you with prescription drugs to alleviate problems.

Being treated by some medication can often cause your hormone-producing tissue to become hypothyroid and will need to take replacement hormones to then treat that. Unfortunately, about half of those go untreated do not know they have a treatable problem. If this condition is properly treated most can lead a normal and active life. But there are millions who are unaware young women that go untreated.

Natural treatments for hypothyroidism conditions that are commonly used are ashwagandha root also known as a Indian ginseng or winter cherry. Result test with animals have shown that ashwagandha can stimulate thyroid functions. Also, there is sea vegetable known has Fucus vesiculosus, that helps maintain healthy thyroid functions. Some of the other herbs that improves metabolism ginger, kelp, and cayenne. The herb cayenne helps to increase the circulation and improves the metabolism of the body. The natural remedies for hypothyroid is nutrition which helps to depress the thyroid. Try to avoid eating refined foods, dairy products, and sugar.

Try to eat more fruits and vegetables that have calcium and magnesium these are the best natural remedies. To cure hypothyroidism the herbs bladder wrack, Iceland, moss, oat straw calamus root, parsley root, watercress are the ingredients used to help cure hypothyroidism. The best way to locate these herbs are all in the form of tablets at herbal stores. Hypothyroidism is best diagnosed by a doctor if you have some of the symptoms listed above consult with your physician.

You should only take a weight loss product if it has been approved of by the FDA.  Fat blocking drugs like Alli or Xenical have been approved by the FDA.  Alli is the brand name for the medication Orlistat.  Xenical is a prescription medication that is a higher dosage of orlistat and is sold under the brand name Xenical.  Even though both of these medications have been approved by the FDA, there is now a warning that drug interactions with your thyroid medication can exasperate hypothyroidism.  As a result, the FDA has added the warning that “XENICAL and levothyroxine should be taken at least 4 hours apart.”

Weight loss drugs approved by the FDA are for those who are obese or morbidly obese. They are taken by many who suffer from hypothyroidism in an effort to lose weight.  The problem is, the claims made about these drugs can be overly hyped and the proper warnings are not heeded by those who are desperate to loose weight.  If you have a low functioning or slow thyroid, it is very difficult for you to lose weight.  Any product that claims that you will be able to lose weight without effort on your part is misleading.

Ephedra was approved of by the FDA but had so many dangerous side affects that it had to be taken off the market.  How much more dangerous was it for those who were on thyroid medication?  The FDA now warns consumers to beware of weight loss products that have the following words added in their advertisements: effortless, easy, magical, secret ingredient, new discovery or exotic, etc.

Xenical and the over the counter drug Alli, work to prevent the absorption of fats.  If you decide to take Alli or Exenical, be prepared to suffer the side effects of diarrhea, cramping, leakage of oily stool, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.  Many people who take these medications find they need to wear depends.  These side effects are not pleasant and since the medication may interfere with your thyroid medication, it is safe to say that thyroid patients and over the counter weight loss medications may not mix.  It is better to try to lose weight naturally by making the necessary but healthy dietary changes you need by adding in more thyroid friendly foods.