Your thyroid: Issues and resolutions

Low or under active thyroid (hypothyroid)

• After a full night’s sleep you feel exhausted and have no energy.

• Your brain seems “foggy”. Too little thyroid hormone (Hypothyroid) can make you feel forgetful.

• Your interest in sex is diminished. You may also experience body aches, weight gain and low energy.

• You may feel down or depressed. Low thyroid can have an effect on the serotonin levels in the brain.

• Look at your eyebrows in the mirror. Another little known sign of thyroid deficiency is thinning or absence of the outer third of your eyebrows.

• If your thyroid is underactive you may have a change in your sense of taste or smell.

Over active thyroid or hyperthyroid:

• You may feel anxious and “jittery”. Too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid) can cause your body systems to accelerate giving you the feeling of being “wired”.

• Too much thyroid hormone (Hyperthyroid) can make mental concentration more difficult.

• An overactive thyroid can cause an increase in appetite.

It is estimated that at least 20 million Americans have the more common low functioning thyroid (hypothyroidism).  This appears to be connected to a deficiency in iodine intake.  According to a study in 2013, it was found that low iodine intake in pregnancy could affect a child’s intellectual functioning.  Corroborating research has shown that iodine supplements may be of substantial benefit to an unborn child.  Aside from being essential to a developing infant, iodine is vital to each organ of the human body in both children and adults.

How to get more iodine in your diet

• Consume wild caught sardines, salmon, shrimp and scallops.

• Avoid sources of bromine that tend to deplete iodine. Look for “bromine-free” breads.

• Drink filtered water. Avoid carbonated soft drinks.

• Eat organic when possible.

• Consume sea vegetables ( great source of iodine). These are readily available at most supermarkets and come in sheets flavored with sesame or teriyaki.  Also available as dulse flakes (another kind of sea vegetables) that can be used in salads or other dishes.

• Take Hypitrol by Purmedica that will provide support to maintain thyroid health.