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.

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.

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.

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.

Thyroid diseases interfere with how your thyroid works.  People can develop goiters which is an enlarged thyroid or they may develop either hyper or hypo thyroids.   Hyper refers to the condition where your thyroid is over active and hypo means that your thyroid is under active.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

* Weight loss
* Sensitivity to heat
* Anxiety and irritability
* Panic attacks
* Insomnia
* Fatigue
* More frequent bowel movements
* Sweating
* Goiter (enlargement in your neck)
* Graves’ disease ophthalmology – bulging and drying out of the eyeballs

Symptoms of hypothyroidism, or under active thyroid, include:

* Weight gain
* Fatigue
* Sensitivity to cold
* Clinical depression
* Constipation
* Dry, rough skin and hair
* Irritability
* Memory loss

When your thyroid gland is not working properly, it will either release too much thyroid hormone into your system or too little.  Women should be more concerned about thyroid cancer than men.  However, thyroid cancer is very treatable with iodine and the thyroid gland may be removed to treat it.

Recent findings give great hope for successfully treating thyroid problems holistically.  Natural approaches to treating thyroid conditions involve exercise, diet and certain supplementation.  When you begin to eat the proper foods that actually feed your thyroid gland, your metabolism will be corrected and your weight gain will vanish without effort.  There are several thyroid diets you can read about to find out what type of diet is best so you can control thyroid diet and weight gain.

One other important tip to keep in mind is that the type of oil that you ingest daily is of extreme importance when trying to correct a thyroid disorder that leads to weight gain.  Switching to coconut oil has been helping many people to correct a slow metabolism whereas polyunsaturated oils only make the condition worse.  Many such people say that as soon as they taking Virgin Coconut Oil the fat began to melt and many have lost 20 pounds effortlessly.  It has to be Virgin Coconut oil though.  You can find it in your local health food stores.

Make sure you add all natural pure virgin coconut oil to your daily diet. This is possible the #1 all natural diet tips you can find to control hypothyroidism and weight gain. Coconut oil has metabolism-stimulating properties. It will help sooth and heal your thyroid gland. Anyone who has been diagnosed with an under active thyroid will benefit immediately by adding this all natural food to their daily diet. In fact, more and more people are turning to coconut oil as a weight loss supplement and source of increased energy levels.

Little Known Tip #2: Add Sources of Natural Iodine to Your Diet

Certain natural sources of iodine added to your daily diet will greatly benefit your thyroid gland and help control weight gain. These are all natural foods and herbs like unrefined natural sea salts and kelp. Eggs, butter and most sea-foods are natural sources of iodine too. Bladderwrack is natural seaweed from the ocean and it will benefit your thyroid gland as a source of iodine. You can purchase bladderwrack extracts to help nourish your thyroid gland at a health food store.

Little Known Tip #3: Stop Using Fluoride Toothpaste and Fluorinated Water

Fluoride is thought to interfere with proper thyroid functioning. Use toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. These may be hard to find nowadays but there are some available in natural health food stores if you can not find them at the grocery store. Use a water filter if your tap water contains fluoride. Just removing the fluoride from drinking water will be extremely beneficial and helpful to your thyroid health. A properly functioning thyroid will help control weight gain and even lead to a natural and effortless weight loss.

Little Known Tip #4: Rebounding May be the Best Exercise for Your Thyroid

The act of relieving gravity on your thyroid when you rebound is especially helpful to your thyroid gland. People who suffer from hypothyroidism may find this to possibly be the best exercise for them. Rebounding will stimulate thyroid gland secretion and cause your cells to be more sensitive to thyroid hormones. Once you begin to incorporate rebounding exercise into your daily routine, you will notice you have more energy and experience a natural weight loss as a result of the benefits your thyroid gland is enjoying from the exercise. If you do not have the energy to start this exercise, try adding coconut oil or coconut water to your daily diet as this may help your energy levels. You can find a good rebounder on the internet or at your local athletic supply store.

As with any other diet or exercise changes, consult with your physician before you start anything new. With a doctor’s approval, these 4 little known all natural tips can put you well on your way to control hypothyroidism and weight gain.

#1: Start Adding Natural Vitamin and Mineral Supplements to Your Daily Diet

Avoid the synthetic vitamins and minerals as these will not give you all that a natural vitamin and mineral supplement will. There are certain co-factors that are missing in the synthetic supplements. Of course you can purchase natural supplements from the health food stores or from health sites on the internet, but you should also make sure that you are including foods in your daily diet that support your thyroid. These foods include plant based green foods. Adding natural supplements that include zinc, manganese and selenium is required to help heal and maintain thyroid health.

As far as natural vitamins go, Vitamin A, B vitamins, C and E are the most beneficial to the thyroid gland. If you are hypothyroid, it is most difficult for you to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A. For this reason, you should take a really good supplement of Vitamin A but should avoid synthetic Vitamin A supplements. The natural Vitamins may be a little pricier but to get your metabolism back on track and help your thyroid gland, these are the only ones you should use.

#2: Remove Iodine Blockers from your Daily Diet

Certain foods will block the absorption of iodine. These are foods that include raw cruciferous vegetables like, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, turnips and kale. These vegetables should not be eaten raw but can be eaten cooked if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Other iodine blockers are peanuts and soy products. Soy products are the worst offenders when it comes to blocking the absorption of iodine in the body.

Read your labels when you buy groceries and avoid the foods that include soy products like soy oil, soy protein products, soy protein isolate and soy flours are a few too watch out for. Soy may be good for some people but if you are hypothyroid, it should be avoided. Soy products interfere with thyroid functions.

#3: Remove Refined Foods and Vegetable Oils from your Diet

If you have hypothyroidism, remove refined sugars and grains from your daily diet. They can put way too much stress on your thyroid. Especially remove soy oil and corn oil. Stick with natural oils like olive oil, peanut oil or safflower oil. These are more expensive oils but good thyroid health is worth the expense. Again, check out labels when shopping for food and avoid foods that contain soy or corn oil.

Have you suffered with several symptoms leading to the diagnosis of an under active thyroid gland? Is one of the symptoms that compelled you to seek a diagnosis sleep deprivation? Are you suffering from complete exhaustion, sweating all the time and have noticed you have a horse voice all the time? All of these are symptoms of having an under active thyroid. People who have sleep deprivation and an under active thyroid are depressed and lack enthusiasm for life.

Many women are affected by sleep deprivation and an under active thyroid more than men. The thyroid gland is the master gland that affects metabolism and energy levels and yes, even sleep patterns. It is located at the base of our throat and it has an extreme amount of influence over our sleep patterns and many other functions of our body.

If low thyroid functioning is affecting your sleep, you will wake up still feeling exhausted after even 10 hours of sleep. Taking naps will be a necessity, instead of a luxury you indulge in once in awhile, if you have an under active thyroid. You may find yourself falling asleep in your car at lunchtime or while sitting reading a good book that you are really very interested in. This type of fatigue is not normal. Not everyone experiences it. It is caused by a slowed metabolism and lack of sleep that is the result of hypothyroidism.

If you do not treat your under active thyroid, you may also begin to suffer from sleep apnea. This has been the finding of sleep researchers. Sleep apnea is more than just a problem of snoring loudly. It is a condition where one stops breathing during sleep and can be a dangerous condition.

If your low thyroid functioning is causing you to be unable to sleep adequately, your stage 4 sleep phase will be insufficient. This is the restorative phase of ones sleep where your body is able to repair the damage caused by stress and re-energizes itself. The result is brain fog and weight gain and extreme tiredness.

Another thyroid problem that can cause sleep deprivation is transient thyroiditis. This is a condition that means that your thyroid gland is inflamed. Inflammation of the thyroid is common during periomenopause and menopause as well as a condition women can suffer during the post-par-tum period after childbirth. You will experience the area of your thyroid gland, neck and throat area being tender if your thyroid is inflamed. One of the first symptoms of a woman entering menopause is the lack of ability to sleep well.

If you have been diagnosed with an under active thyroid, properly treating it will help resolve your sleep problems. There are natural cures you can try or prescription medications you can take. You should avoid drinking coffee or alcohol, especially in the late afternoon or evenings. Also, taking magnesium and calcium supplements will help as well as 100-400 mg of 5 HTP and a Melatonin supplement. It is a good idea to speak to your medical doctor about your sleep deprivation and under active thyroid too.