Hormones play a major role in our bodies. They are the reasons our different systems can interact with each other to make our bodies function efficiently. If you have an endocrine disorder, then your hormone function can get affected. Thyroid disorders are the most common types of endocrine disorders. Your thyroid hormones are part of an integrated network. When they do not function efficiently, they cause mayhem in your body by affecting other systems too. For this reason, you need to focus on holistic healing when you have thyroid issues and to address the root cause of the issue.
What Are The 2 Main Types Of Thyroid Disorders?
The 2 main types of thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. When you suffer from hypothyroidism, it means your thyroid gland is underactive. Too little thyroid hormone in the blood can cause symptoms that may vary from person to person, but the most evident symptom of hypothyroidism is the inability to lose weight despite regular exercise and a healthy diet. When there is less thyroid hormone in your system, many processes slow down, which cause you to feel tired and sluggish very easily. Because of your slow metabolism, you tend to feel cold more often, and you may suffer from issues like constipation, anxiety, and depression.
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism. Your thyroid hormone becomes overactive and too much thyroid hormone ends up in your blood, which speeds up all the functions of your body. The common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include anxiety, nervousness, increased perspiration, heart palpitations, and irritability. Your skin can also thin and your hair may become thin and brittle, you may have trouble sleeping, and your muscles may feel weak. Hyperthyroidism may also cause women to have a light menstrual cycle or none at all. Initially, your increased metabolism may cause you to feel extremely energetic, but this eventually wears you out and you start being fatigued most of the time.
What Are The Causes Of Thyroid Disorders?
There are a variety of reasons for the development of thyroid disorders. Sometimes, they are caused by the body’s immune system mistaking the thyroid gland cells and their enzymes as foreign materials and attacking them. This type of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease and is known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Another form of hypothyroidism is called Graves’ disease, which affects almost 70 percent of those with hypothyroidism. These types of thyroid disorders usually run in families.
Hyperthyroidism may also be caused due to the development of nodules, called goiters, on the thyroid gland, which leads to the increase of thyroid hormones. You may have to get rid of these lumps through surgery or by undergoing a radiation treatment. Too little or too much iodine in the system can also lead to thyroid disorders.
How Can You Detect And Treat Thyroid Disorders?
If you suspect you have a thyroid disorder, you need to visit your doctor and get it checked. Doctors will test for thyroid-stimulating hormone, T3, and T4. They may also test for antibodies to rule out an autoimmune disorder. Once they confirm you have a thyroid disorder, they may prescribe a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine, which mimics the action of T4. If you have hyperthyroidism, they may prescribe anti-thyroid drugs to block the production of your thyroid hormones. In certain instances, radioactive iodine, beta blockers, or surgeries may be used.
Though the conventional method of treating thyroid disorders may work for some, it is always better to address the root cause of the issue. You need to make substantial changes to your diet and lifestyle. Since you need optimum levels of nutrients in order to function efficiently, you need to address nutrient deficiencies, such as selenium and zinc deficiencies. If your doctor suspects an autoimmune disorder, food sensitivities need to be looked at. You should also test your cortisol and sex hormone levels as the endocrine system is integrated with other parts of the body.
