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.

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 cures 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 thyroid disease symptoms listed above consult with your physician.