The Thyroid

Introduction:

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system and is found in the front of the neck, either side of the Adam's apple. Its main job is to produce the hormones Thyroxine T4 (75%) and L-Thyronine T3 (25%), but it also stores iodine and should the correctly balanced amounts change, problems will occur.

A common reason for thyroxin output problems is when the adrenal glands and/or the pituitary gland are unbalanced as they cannot correctly stimulate the thyroid. The thyroid gland is the body's internal thermostat and the hormones it provides are in charge of this job. If it fails, the body will often initially over-burn calories.

The two major dysfunction's of the thyroid are hypothyroidism (underproduction of the thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (over-production of the thyroid hormone).

Energy is low for both conditions and frequent illness can occur from impaired immune function.

Your GP can provide thyroid tests or you can use on of the mainly private labs for instance IWDL laboratories.

There are thyroid self-help tests where temperature-taking can assess under-active conditions. Your basal body temperature can be determined by placing an old-fashioned mercury thermometer under your arm for 10 minutes first thing as you wake in the morning. For women, this is best taken during the menstruation week. Plot your temperature on a chart in order to determine your average trend.

It would naturally fluctuate but be around 97.4 - 98ºF or 36.3 – 36.6ºC. Low basal temperature readings (below 94.4ºF/34.5ºC) over a month could indicate not only an under-active thyroid but also low adrenal function, so it is always advisable to take your results to a GP or Nutritionist to get them further analyzed.

There are also thyroid blood tests that can ascertain overly high thyroid problems, when the hormone (TSH) levels are too high.

An overburdened or overheated liver is known to affect thyroid function, so liver foods and herbs will often help. Liver conditions often occur during pregnancy, leaving many women with short-term or long-term deficiencies, which, if left untreated, may become chronic. It is, therefore, important to support the liver and adrenals in order to assist the thyroid.

Otherwise adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue can affect thyroid function and the treatment of the adrenals is often the key to re-balancing the thyroid. look at both the liver and the adrenals for more information.

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Natural Healing:

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