ESSENTIALS 1: HORMONAL HEALTH
#1.3 Is your thyroid gland in good shape?
Let’s look at the thyroid gland in more detail. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe. One of its main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body's metabolism (the process that turns food into energy.)
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If the thyroid gland is off balance and our thyroid hormones are not working as they should be we may experience symptoms, though some of the early symptoms can go unnoticed or we assume “it’s the menopause”.
Although the change in levels of oestrogen and progesterone and also oestrogen dominance can affect the levels of thyroid hormones as we go through the Perimenopause and menopause, there are other factors that can affect them too.
Although the change in levels of oestrogen and progesterone and also oestrogen dominance can affect the levels of thyroid hormones as we go through the Perimenopause and menopause, there are other factors that can affect them too.
Such as;
- Stress
- Infection
- Trauma
- Radiation
- Certain medicines
- Toxins
- Pesticides
- Mercury
- Lead
- Fluoride
- Autoimmune diseases
- Inflammation
- Liver and kidney dysfunction
- Low calorie diet
We can have different symptoms depending on whether our thyroid is under-active or over-active but any of the following should be checked out;
- Sluggishness
- Tiredness
- Unexplained weight gain
- Sensitivity to cold or heat
- Depression
- Constipation
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Irregular heart beat / unusually fast or slow heart rate/ palpitations
- Twitching or trembling
- Dry, thinning hair
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP BALANCE OUR THYROID HORMONES?
- Reduce stress
- Reduce inflammation
- Causes the lining of the Uterus to thicken during the menstrual cycle
- Reduce toxins
- Address your nutrition
GOOD NUTRITION FOR THE THYROID GLAND
Here are some foods to help support the thyroid through nutrition and their nutrient group
- Brazil nuts (selenium)
- Seafood (zinc)
- Legumes- chickpeas etc
- Cooked carrots, squash (vitamin A)
If you think that you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned do arrange a consultation with your health provider.