Thyroid Imbalances In Weight Problems
Part of the endocrine system of the body, the thyroid regulates metabolism through the production of hormones. Many people have imbalances in this gland and these imbalances can cause many different symptoms, including but certainly not limited to weight gain or loss which is unable to be regulated by diet or exercise.
Thyroid dysfunction can be broadly divided into under activity, hypothyroidism, or over activity also known as hyperthyroidism. If it is under active, it is not producing enough hormones and if overactive, it is producing too much. Either condition will lead to a metabolic imbalance but the resulting symptoms will depend upon which of these is present.
When the metabolism is too rapid, as with hyperthyroidism, the person usually experiences an uncontrollable loss in weight along with an increase in appetite. Other symptoms are common which are indicative of the overactive nervous system, including shortness of breath, anxiety and palpitations, to name a few.
A too slow metabolism and, therefore, weight gain and edema are hallmark symptoms of an under active thyroid. Other symptoms besides the slower metabolism include depression, fatigue, and feeling the cold more than usual.
It is rare for these symptoms to come on suddenly. Usually, they develop over a period of time. This makes it tricky to know that medical help should be sought, as most of the symptoms can be indicative or other issues. Fatigue, in particular, can be a result of other illnesses or merely not getting enough sleep.
There are various tests that can be done to determine if a person has thyroid disease once they do seek out their doctor. Blood tests alone do not always give a correct diagnosis. As there are various causes of thyroid disease, there are various treatment methods as well.
In the case of hyperthyroidism, medication is often given which help to decrease the output of hormone levels. In this case, dosages are carefully monitored to ensure that the person is not given too much and does not become hypothyroid as a result. There are cases where the patient is able to go into remission from their disease with this treatment. Another possible treatment of an overactive thyroid is with iodine that is radioactive. There is some controversy regarding this because of the radioactivity. Surgery is an option that is generally avoided if at all possible.
With hypothyroidism, the recommended treatment is almost always hormone replacement medication. This can come in a more natural form, made from the thyroid of pigs, or synthetic. However, the synthetic type is far more commonly used.
Among the various alternative therapies which are now considered are yoga and other breathing exercises, acupressure, acupuncture, herbal supplements, and diet. Generally, these therapies are thought to be more effective if the condition is treated in the beginning before the imbalance becomes too severe. Even for people who need to be on medication of some type, these therapies may help to improve the thyroid imbalances as well.
Would you like to learn more about natural cure for hypothyroidism? Read other articles at thyroid disease guide
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