Thyroid Issues
1 in 20 people have a thyroid issue in the UK. Our thyroid and parathyroid glands are in your throat near your trachea. They are part of the endocrine system and produce T3 and T4 thyroid hormones which control our metabolism (the process that turns food into energy). These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The pituitary gland makes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH tells your thyroid how much thyroid hormone it needs to make. If the thyroid hormone levels in your blood are too low, your pituitary gland makes larger amounts of TSH to tell your thyroid to work harder.There are 4 main types of thyroid gland issue:
- Hypothyroidism: not enough thyroid hormones
- Hyperthyroidism: high levels of thyroid hormones
- Hashimoto’s disease: an auto immune disease which attacks the thyroid gland and makes it swell. Symptoms are similar to hypothyroidism.
- Grave’s disease: an auto-immune condition that results in hyperthyroidism symptoms.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism):
Tiredness, lethargy, feels chilly or cold, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, falling or brittle hair, depression
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism):
Sweating, headache, nervous tremor of face and limbs, increased heart rate, bulging eyeballs, restlessness, loses weight easily
Conventional medicine gives levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism and carbimazole for hyperthyroidism. Sometimes both can be taken to try and balance the hormones. An annual blood test determines if the levels have remained stable or need adjusting.
The throat chakra is associated with communication and expression. It is all about speaking your truth, being heard and asking for help. Having a gluten-free diet can help if you suffer with thyroid issues as the gluten molecule looks very similar to the thyroid hormone. If your thyroid is not working correctly, your adrenal glands pick up the slack. This can lead to overworked adrenals and issues such as feeling hot all the time, insomnia especially after midnight, craving sugar or salt, PMT etc.
Your GP will only look at TSH, T3 and T4 levels but a private blood test can give more detail and be extremely helpful. Homeopathy can help gently balance the thyroid hormones, ease adrenal symptoms and counter any side effects of the medication you may be taking. Email me if you would like my help!
My top homeopathic remedies here are: Thryoidinum, Iodum and Spongia.
Charity support: https://www.btf-thyroid.org/
