“How do you keep your thyroid healthy?”
I am a 20 year old female. I want to know how can you keep your thyroid healthy?
4 Answers
Eat a lot of vegetables such as radish, tomatoes and use iodated salt.
Thyroid health and Thyroid disorders:
The thyroid gland is a small but a vital gland at the base of the neck, below the adams apple. It is responsible for energy production, metabolism, mood, growth and development. It also supports brain development and cardiovascular health.
In children the the thyroid gland is at various sizes becuase children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams. If it gets larger, the thyroid gland, becomes a goiter. It may also develop a nodule or multiple nodules. The thyroid gland may be normal, under-active or over active.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonine. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a codition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a codition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin suppots bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
When the thyroid gland is over active, the person may experience, weight loss, fatigue, palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, irritability, frequent bowel movement and insomnia.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). The further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
When thyroid gland is functioning abnormally, the cause should be evaluated and treated properly by and expert. When some one is on thyroid treatment especially hypothyroid ( under-active thyroid) one need to be aware that certain food can affect the function and absorption of thyroid hormone.
Soy products (isoflavones) such as miso and tofu can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. Calcium products and Multivitamins can also affect thyroid hormone if they are taken within 2 hours of thyroid medication.
Cruciferous vegetables ( goitrogens) such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can affect thyroid function especially with people who have iodine deficiency. Gluten found in Rye, barely and wheat can also interfere with thyroid function. Excessive ingestion of high fiber food, high sugar intake, fatty foods and processed foods will negatively affect thyroid function especially in hypothyroid persons.
Everything should be consumed in moderation. Eating healthy diet with daily (regular) physical activity and maintaining ideal weight should improve thyroid health. A healthy person who consumes balanced foods with regular physical activity and who maintains ideal body weight, should not worry about all the above mentioned food, which may negatively affect the thyroid function.
Good Luck.
The thyroid gland is a small but a vital gland at the base of the neck, below the adams apple. It is responsible for energy production, metabolism, mood, growth and development. It also supports brain development and cardiovascular health.
In children the the thyroid gland is at various sizes becuase children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams. If it gets larger, the thyroid gland, becomes a goiter. It may also develop a nodule or multiple nodules. The thyroid gland may be normal, under-active or over active.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonine. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a codition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a codition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin suppots bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
When the thyroid gland is over active, the person may experience, weight loss, fatigue, palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, irritability, frequent bowel movement and insomnia.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). The further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
When thyroid gland is functioning abnormally, the cause should be evaluated and treated properly by and expert. When some one is on thyroid treatment especially hypothyroid ( under-active thyroid) one need to be aware that certain food can affect the function and absorption of thyroid hormone.
Soy products (isoflavones) such as miso and tofu can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. Calcium products and Multivitamins can also affect thyroid hormone if they are taken within 2 hours of thyroid medication.
Cruciferous vegetables ( goitrogens) such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can affect thyroid function especially with people who have iodine deficiency. Gluten found in Rye, barely and wheat can also interfere with thyroid function. Excessive ingestion of high fiber food, high sugar intake, fatty foods and processed foods will negatively affect thyroid function especially in hypothyroid persons.
Everything should be consumed in moderation. Eating healthy diet with daily (regular) physical activity and maintaining ideal weight should improve thyroid health. A healthy person who consumes balanced foods with regular physical activity and who maintains ideal body weight, should not worry about all the above mentioned food, which may negatively affect the thyroid function.
Good Luck.
There is no magic bullet to keep the thyroid healthy. Thyroid function is the result of many factors including other endocrine glands like the pituitary gland in the brain. Most thyroid diseases have a genetic connection and we cannot change our genetics. So just eat a good diet & exercise well. Don't smoke or use much alcohol (these are all things for good health of all organs) and then nature will determine the presence or absence of thyroid disease.
Using iodize salt
