The Thyroid gland is an important gland for regulating your hormones. As a matter of fact, it actually produces some rather influential hormones. This is why its function is essential to your overall health. Most emphasis is placed on an overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism), which results when the gland works too hard. However having an underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism) deserves just as much attention.

Hypothyroidism has many faces

The Thyroid gland controls metabolic rate in your body. Hypothroidism occurs when it does not work hard enough. Unfortunately, an underactive Thyroid is not always easy to detect, because Hypothyroidism generates a myriad of signs and symptoms. Some warning signs of Hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Muscle weakness
• Low energy
• Hair loss or graying of your hair
• Dry skin, brittle nails
• Memory issues, mood swings, irritability, depression
• Difficulty losing weight
• Abnormal heart rate
• Joint pain
• Digestive problems
• Low sex drive
• Intolerance of cold temperatures

Keep in mind that some of these symptoms may be signs of other health conditions, yet it is possible to test yourself for possible Hypothyroidism.

The Hypothyroidism Self-test

For ten consecutive mornings, before getting out of bed, place a non-digital, non-mercury thermometer under your arm for several minutes. Record your body temperature each day. At the end of the 10-day period, average your recorded temperatures. If your average temperature is less than 36.6 degrees Celsius, then you have a low Thyroid marker which could mean low function. It is however important to have this properly checked out and this can be done by a blood test to check your levels of the hormones T3 and T4 as well as TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – produced by your Anterior Pituitary gland). It is important that T3 and T4 levels are checked as well as TSH for a correct diagnosis.

Simple Ways to Boost Your Thyroid Function

Supporting your Thyroid is not as difficult as it may seem:

1. Eliminate soy and wheat products from your diet
2. Stay stress-free to avoid producing cortisol, which inhibits its function
3. Detoxify your body of heavy metals
4. Get plenty of iodine (from sea vegetables such as Kelp)
5. Low zinc or selenium can cause decreased its hormone levels so consider supplementing these
6. Coconut oil stimulates the gland as well as having many other benefits

These steps will help you to naturally balance your Thyroid hormones and reduce your risk of Hypothyroidism. For more information come in and ‘ask a Naturopath’ about the Thyroid hormone blood test and how to keep your Thyroid gland functioning well.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Healthy Essentials Kelp and Zinc for Thyroid support

Find out more and shop online for  Healthy Essentials Atlantic Kelp here and Healthy Essentials Zinc Plus here