Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment: Hypothyroidism is a thyroid disorder caused by an underactive thyroid gland. This happens when the thyroid gland fails to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormones needed by the body for metabolism. This disorder will eventually cause one to feel or notice fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, dry skin, depression and a lot more. Symptoms vary per person. The right treatment is immediately required to eliminate the permanent effects of this thyroid disorder.
Choosing A Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment
Choosing a natural hypothyroidism treatment has been proven to be effective. As the metabolic rate of the body slows down, it is strongly suggested that one get plenty of exercise and be mindful of their food intake. There are a lot of natural treatments for hypothyroidism but these should be started immediately upon diagnosis of the thyroid problem. Treatments (lithium etc) that interfere with thyroid function or aggravate hypothyroidism should be discontinued but always talk to your doctor about starting or discontinuing any type of prescription or alternative medications.
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The first thing to do when using a natural hypothyroidism treatment is to control your diet. It must be rich in iodine and protein. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. It is also wise to avoid spinach, peanuts, soybeans and the likes as these are known to suppress the human thyroid function. There is more information about the right and wrong types of foods to eat with hypothyroidism here.
Taking supplements is also helpful as these curb the ill effects of the thyroid disorder. An increased iodine intake can naturally help overcome iodine deficiency in the body. Eating foods rich in iodine helps with hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiencies. Taking vitamins A, B, C and E also help in reducing hypothyroidism problems. Natural remedies include herbs like guggul and Irish moss. Both help in treating hypothyroidism naturally with no known side effects.
Acupuncture and neutral therapy are also known to be options for natural treatments. Both have minimum side effects and maximum gains. Having a healthy lifestyle is also a great contribution in battling hypothyroidism. Having a balanced and health diet and exercising regularly helps one ward off hypothyroidism.
Interesting Questions about Thyroid:
When are beta-blocking drugs used?
Beta-blocking drugs, also called beta blockers, treat the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. They do not significantly affect the gland or the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. Instead, they “block” the effects of thyroid hormones.
Beta blockers are most useful for patients whose hyperthyroidism makes them uncomfortable. High hormone levels can cause a faster heart rate and trembling. Beta-blocking drugs help control these symptoms.
Beta-blocking drugs should not be used by patients with asthma.
When are thyroid hormone pills used?
Thyroid hormone pills provide the body with the right amount of thyroid hormone when the gland is not able to produce enough by itself. The pills are frequently needed after surgery or radioactive iodine therapy.
Thyroid hormone tablets are the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. While symptoms usually get better within a few months, most patients must take the pills for the rest of their lives. This is especially true for hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or radioactive iodine treatment.
If the entire thyroid gland has been surgically removed, thyroid hormone tablets replace the body’s own source of the hormone. If only a part of the gland has been removed, the pills may keep the remaining gland from working too hard. This decreases the chance that the thyroid gland will grow back.
How much hormone do I need?
The preferred hormone for treatment is levothyroxine (T4). You should use only the brand-name that your doctor prescribes, since generic brands may not be as reliable. Name-brand levothyroxine pills include Synthroid®, Levoxyl®, Levothroid®, Euthyrox®, and Eltroxin®.
Patients sometimes take more pills than they should, trying to speed up the treatment or lose weight. However, this can lead to hyperthyroidism and long term complications, such as osteoporosis. You should take the pills as your doctor prescribes.
At different times in your life, you may need to take different amounts of thyroid hormone. Therefore, you should see your doctor at least once a year to make sure everything is all right.
® Synthroid is a registered trademark of Knoll Pharmaceuticals.
® Levoxyl is a registered trademark of Jones Medical Industries.
® Levothroid is a registered trademark of Forest Pharmaceuticals.
® Euthyrox is a registered trademark of EM Pharma.
® Eltroxin is a registered trademark of Roberts Pharmaceuticals.
Are thyroid hormone pills needed after treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Many patients treated for hyperthyroidism become hypothyroid. They will need to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of their lives. In addition, they will need to see their doctor at least once a year.
When is surgery performed?
Surgery (thyroidectomy) is the primary treatment for suspected thyroid cancer and can be used to treat hyperthyroidism. Surgery is used to remove large goiters that make breathing or swallowing difficult. Occasionally, a goiter may be removed for cosmetic reasons.Can you tell me more about cancer surgery?
If thyroid cancer is suspected, your doctor will recommend surgery. The surgeon usually removes only one lobe of the thyroid, unless cancer is confirmed at surgery. A section of the gland is tested during surgery (frozen section) to tell the surgeon whether it is cancerous (malignant) or not cancerous (benign). If it is malignant, all or most of the thyroid is removed. If the cancer has spread outside of the thyroid, lymph nodes in the neck may also have to be removed. In addition, radioactive iodine therapy may be needed six weeks after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer tissue.
How is the cancer surgery operation done?
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes about two hours. After surgery, patients may stay in the hospital for up to three days. They may also need to take some time off from work (a week or two for a desk job and three to four weeks for physical labor).
Are there any risks to thyroid surgery?
Thyroid surgery is a safe treatment. However, as with any surgery, there are risks. About 1% of patients develop problems with normal speech caused by damage to nerves leading to the voice box, which lies very close to the thyroid. Occasionally, there may be damage to the parathyroid glands, which control the level of calcium in the blood. If this happens, the patient will need to take calcium and other medicines to prevent future problems. Minor risks of surgery include infection, bleeding, and a scar. The chance of death is very small.
What can be expected with thyroid surgery?
- Patients will be in the hospital for one to three days.
- Surgery is usually done under general anesthesia and lasts about two hours.
- A small cut approximately three to four inches long is made along the natural crease of the neck.
- After going to the recovery room for a few hours, patients are returned to their rooms. Patients can usually get out of bed, eat, and have visitors the evening of the surgery.
- It can take up to a year for the scar to heal and the redness to disappear.
- Because most of the thyroid gland is removed, some patients will have to begin lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.
What are the possible complications of thyroid surgery?
- The four parathyroid glands located around the thyroid gland can be accidentally damaged causing low calcium levels that can lead to muscle spasms, convulsions, and the formation of cataracts, if untreated.
- Minor voice changes are not uncommon, but only 1% of those operated on have major voice problems. The nerves from the larynx (voice box) are very near the thyroid gland and sometimes pass through the gland. It is sometimes unavoidable that they are damaged during surgery.
- As with any surgery, there is the risk of surgical death, bleeding, and infection.
Have more questions? Need more answers? Check our Full Thyroid FAQ
Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment – Diet
There are so many suggested diets and natural treatments for hypothyroidism. These treatments range from common supplements to diet changes and exercise. One must always consult a doctor first before beginning any treatment plan, be it medical or natural. Using a synthetic treatment for hypothyroidism may also mean being enslaved to taking medication for life. A natural hypothyroidism treatment diet to manage hypothyroidism has been proven to be not just effective but it also has no-known side effects.
Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment – Exercise
People who are suffering from hypothyroidism are advised to get plenty of exercise. Yoga is a great form of gentle exercise with many other therapeutic benefits.
Thyroid FAQ & Links to Related Articles
Parathyroid |
There are four parathyroid glands that are normally having the size of a single rice grain. In some normal cases, they can be as big as the size of a pea. |
Hypothyroid |
Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism is a disorder that is characterized by abnormal level of thyroid hormones in the body, which is too low. |
Thyroid Glands |
The thyroid is a butterfly (pear)-shaped gland, it consists of 2 symmetrical lobes joined by a central isthmus that normally covers the 2nd & 3rd tracheal rings. |
Congenital Hypothyroidism |
Congenital hypothyroidism is a thyroid gland disorder that may lead to deafness or mental retardation if left undetected. |
Thyroid Depression |
Hypothyroidism can cause depression. Most people don?t realize that this feeling is depression caused by the thyroid gland not functioning as it should. |
Papillary Thyroid Cancer |
Papillary thyroid cancer is one of the thyroid cancer types. This type of thyroid cancer arises from the follicles in the thyroid gland. |
Thyroid Gland Function |
The thyroid gland is located immediately below the larynx on each side of and anterior to the trachea. It is one of the largest of the endocrine glands |
Thyroid Hormone |
These thyroid hormones are responsible in regulating the body?s metabolism, which is how much food will be broken down into useful energy for consumption. |
Thyroid Levels |
When the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, one may suffer from hyperthyroidism. |
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone |
The thyroid stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. The thyroid stimulating hormone promotes the growth of the thyroid gland. |
Thyroid Hormones |
Thyroid hormones are chemical substances produced by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. |
Supplements for the Thyroid |
Natural thyroid supplements are helpful as a remedy to thyroid disorders. Its natural ingredients assure one of its safeties in taking it. |
Thyroid Symptoms in Women |
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that is the primary responsible in regulating the body?s metabolism. |
Thyroid Surgery |
Thyroid surgery is used to treat people with thyroid problems such as thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and hyperthyroidism. |
Thyroid Test |
Thyroid tests or thyroid function tests are done to check the thyroid function in one?s body. A doctor will be able to determine and diagnose the thyroid disorder. |
Thyroid Treatment |
Treatment for thyroid disorders should be done to prevent unwanted results caused by the severity of the condition. Consult a physician for more of these treatments. |
Thyroidectomy |
Thyroidectomy is a surgical process wherein the whole or a part of the thyroid gland is removed. This surgical process is used to treat thyroid disorders. |
Underactive Thyroid |
Having an underactive thyroid is a minor problem but it seeks proper attention to avoid further health problems. Consult a physician about any thyroid problem. |
Low Thyroid |
Low thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland is under active. |
Underactive Thyroid Diet |
Following a healthy meal plan, exercise and proper medication goes hand in hand to treat hypothyroidism. Consult a physician for a more individualized plan. |
Thyroid Cancer Treatment |
Each thyroid cancer treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer and the extent or stage of the thyroid cancer one is suffering from. |
Parathyroid Hormone Levels |
Parathyroid hormones are considered to be the most important endocrine regulator. It basically regulates the calcium and phosphorus concentration in the body. |
Parathyroid Disease |
Studies show that since 1925, the standard treatment for parathyroid disease is to surgically remove the parathyroid gland(s) which are overproducing parathyroid hormones. |
Parathyroid Adenoma |
Parathyroid adenoma is a small tumor of the parathyroid gland and is known to be the most common disorder of the gland. |
Medullary Thyroid Cancer |
Medullary thyroid cancer is one of the types of thyroid cancer. This type of thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men. |
Overactive Thyroid |
Most people don?t feel any symptoms. Others can just lose weight and just feel depressed for no reason at all. |
Hypothyroidism |
Suppose you go in for a routine checkup and your doctor decides to test your thyroid function. You?ve experienced no thyroid disease symptoms |
Hypothyroidism Symptoms |
Hypothyroidism develops for over a long period of time. It?s normally from several months to even several years. |
Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment |
People who are suffering from hypothyroidism are advised to get plenty of exercise and have a balanced and healthy diet. The diet must be rich in protein and iodine. |
Hypothyroidism Diet |
Self medicating one?s thyroid disorder with hypothyroidism diet pills without proper information of the diet pill does not address the problem. |
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms & Treatment |
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormones more than the body needs. |
Hypothyroidism |
Hypothyroidism is one of the chronic diseases in the world. Hypothyroidism is also known as underactive thyroid; hypo means under or below normal. |
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer |
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a type of thyroid cancer that is rare and aggressive. It affects the thyroid gland and most especially its function. |
Thyroid Disorders |
Problems arise if the thyroid gland is overactive or underactive. There are three common thyroid disorders. These are hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and the thyroid nodules. |
Thyroid Hair Loss |
Hair loss may happen for so many reasons but it is commonly associated to thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. |
Thyroid Function Test |
Thyroid Function Tests are the different tests conducted to assess and determine the cause of an individual?s thyroid problems. |