Could it be your Thyroid?

Crazy stats alert! 📣

It is reported that 1 in 8 women experience a dysfunctional thyroid at some stage of their life.

In case you weren’t aware, there are actually a number of different thyroid conditions, with some of the most common being:

♦ Hypothyroidism - this is the under-functioning or under-active condition, which can sometimes be broken down further into an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This condition generally presents with symptoms including deep-seeded fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and hair, thinning of the outer half of the eyebrows, constipation, low mood and sensitivity to the cold.

♦ Hyperthyroidism - this is the overactivity of the thyroid gland. There is also an autoimmune driven condition of this known as Grave's disease. Hyperthyroidism presents with rapid heart rate, intolerance to heat, weight-loss, insomnia, anxiety and irritability.

♦ Goitre - a goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland, which is caused by severe iodine deficiency or inflammation of the thyroid tissue. It is often visible on the neck (around the adam's apple area) and patients often experience tightness around the area and a cough.

If you are suspecting that your thyroid function is just not optimal, be sure to ask for these blood tests through your GP, as generally they will only request TSH, which does not provide a full picture of your thyroid function.

♥ TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone is essentially a signal that the pituitary gland in the brain sends down to the thyroid to let it know to release thyroid hormone. When the thyroid is under functioning the TSH levels in the body increase as more signals are sent.

♥ T4: Free T4 is the circulating thyroid hormone thyroxine in your body. This is the hormone that is replaced by medication if you are prescribed the likes of levothyroxine.

♥ T3: Tri-iodothyronine is the most active form of thyroid hormone. The thyroid produces a small amount of this hormone, however it is primarily made from the deiodinasation of T4. T3 is responsible for all the things the thyroid function is known for, including metabolism, energy, temperature and mood.

♥ Thyroid autoantibodies: For a portion of people with thyroid dysfunction, along with often being deficient in key thyroid nutrients, there is an underlying immune activity. This test is important to rule out that there are no autoimmune antibodies, which result in the body attacking its own thyroid tissue. This is important for your naturopathic practitioner to know, as treatment will differ.

If you want to support your thyroid naturally, there are number of nutrients you can increase via your dietary choices, or take supplementary including:

♦ Iodine: This mineral is vital in the production of thyroid hormones in the body. Best dietary sources to increase are seaweed and seafood, himalayan pink salt, asparagus, garlic, mushrooms and sunflower seeds.

♦ Selenium: Selenium is another mineral that the thyroid depends on, particularly in the conversion of T4 to T3. It is also a super antioxidant, which prevents the thyroid tissue from oxidative damage. Best food sources of this mineral are seafood, brazil nuts, alfalfa, celery and broccoli.

♦ Iron: Iron is important in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and the thyroid stimulating hormone axis. Any deficiency of iron will almost always result in thyroid dysfunction. Increase iron rich foods such as seeds and nuts, green leafy vegetables and parsley.

♦ Magnesium: Magnesium deficiency and metabolism defects have been found in patients with hypothyroidism. This mineral is a co-factor for over 300 enzymatic functions in the body (meaning it is super important for basically everything!). Magnesium rich foods include nuts, eggs, figs, kelp, leafy greens, legumes, seeds, beans and molasses.

♦ Zinc: Zinc is necessary to convert the inactive T4 hormone to the active T3. Increase zinc rich foods in your diet with capsicum, eggs, ginger, seafood, sunflower and pumpkin seeds

♦ Vitamin D: The sunshine vitamin has an extremely important role to play in immune function. Most patients that suffer from autoimmune thyroid disease, such as a Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are almost always deficient in vitamin D. The best sources to improve vitamin D levels are eggs, sprouted seeds, mushroom and fish liver oils.

If you find this advice useful, you will enjoy my health tips on social media follow @pcos.naturopath.emily