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The Thyroid: The Butterfly-Shaped Gland That Runs Your Metabolism

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Manage episode 261555295 series 2132771
Content provided by Heather Earles. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Heather Earles or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
By: Dr. Terra L. Provost, Naturopathic Doctor Where is the thyroid? A busy butterfly-shaped gland resides just below your Adam’s apple and is responsible for the regulation of your metabolism. The thyroid quietly goes about its business, like a butterfly, without getting much attention unless your doctor checks it during a routine physical exam or runs a blood test during an annual check-up. Unless something unusual is found at that time (e.g., swelling around the throat, called a goiter) or symptoms manifest that indicate a problem, there won’t be much further conversation about your thyroid. What does the thyroid do? Let’s take a moment to find out what the thyroid does, how to know if there’s a problem, and how to keep your thyroid healthy. The thyroid is part of the complex endocrine system, which includes the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thymus, pineal gland, testes, ovaries, adrenal glands, parathyroid, and pancreas. It makes hormones that travel through your bloodstream and regulate your metabolism, brain and heart function, and reproductive and menstrual cycles. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, a chain reaction of hormonal events can take place that involves many other glands/hormones of the endocrine system and the bodily systems they regulate. The end result is one of two primary types of health conditions: hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism results when the thyroid is overactive Think of hyperthyroidism like a butterfly that can’t stop fluttering its wings. Everything is on overdrive, including metabolism, frequency of bowels, emotions (anxiousness), increased sweating, and–for lady butterflies only–very light menstruation or cessation of the menstrual cycle. This butterfly often feels hot and can’t maintain a healthy weight. There are also bouts of exhaustion from trying to maintain this intense state of arousal. Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid is underactive This butterfly just can’t get its wings to go. It’s gained weight, feels sluggish, and has brittle hair and nails. It feels cold and tired, is kind of depressed, and suffers from constipation. The lady butterflies usually have irregular, heavy menstruation. How to test your thyroid In order to test the thyroid, most doctors will run a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test. If that test number is out of range, then a diagnosis is made. There can be many variables to the testing of the thyroid. Taking the testing late in the day can show a lowered TSH, making it look in range, when in actuality, a morning test may have shown the numbers out of range. The TSH does not test the thyroid gland itself; it looks at what the pituitary is telling the thyroid to do. This is why looking at the Free T4, and Free T3 numbers are important, so you know how well the thyroid is making and converting hormone to be used by your cells to run your metabolism. If you are hypothyroid, testing the Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO’s), will let your doctor know if your hypothyroidism is caused by the auto-immune component, Hashimoto’s Disease, or primary hypothyroidism. These results can affect how diet and treatment should be directed. 5 Ways to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy Eat from the sea. The sea provides many natural sources of iodine, a building block of the thyroid hormone. Salt has a high concentration of iodine, but it can raise blood pressure. Instead, opt for healthy fish, such as Wild-caught Alaskan Salmon, or try seaweed in a salad. The omega-3’s found in fish oil provides essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation, which plays a role in causing auto-immune diseases.Eat from the earth. Eat foods high in B vitamins, which are precursors to thyroid hormones and influence cell energy. Balance your diet with poultry, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Selenium is an important nutrient used to convert inactive T4 from the thyroid to active T3 your body uses.
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102 episodes

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Manage episode 261555295 series 2132771
Content provided by Heather Earles. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Heather Earles or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
By: Dr. Terra L. Provost, Naturopathic Doctor Where is the thyroid? A busy butterfly-shaped gland resides just below your Adam’s apple and is responsible for the regulation of your metabolism. The thyroid quietly goes about its business, like a butterfly, without getting much attention unless your doctor checks it during a routine physical exam or runs a blood test during an annual check-up. Unless something unusual is found at that time (e.g., swelling around the throat, called a goiter) or symptoms manifest that indicate a problem, there won’t be much further conversation about your thyroid. What does the thyroid do? Let’s take a moment to find out what the thyroid does, how to know if there’s a problem, and how to keep your thyroid healthy. The thyroid is part of the complex endocrine system, which includes the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thymus, pineal gland, testes, ovaries, adrenal glands, parathyroid, and pancreas. It makes hormones that travel through your bloodstream and regulate your metabolism, brain and heart function, and reproductive and menstrual cycles. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, a chain reaction of hormonal events can take place that involves many other glands/hormones of the endocrine system and the bodily systems they regulate. The end result is one of two primary types of health conditions: hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism results when the thyroid is overactive Think of hyperthyroidism like a butterfly that can’t stop fluttering its wings. Everything is on overdrive, including metabolism, frequency of bowels, emotions (anxiousness), increased sweating, and–for lady butterflies only–very light menstruation or cessation of the menstrual cycle. This butterfly often feels hot and can’t maintain a healthy weight. There are also bouts of exhaustion from trying to maintain this intense state of arousal. Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid is underactive This butterfly just can’t get its wings to go. It’s gained weight, feels sluggish, and has brittle hair and nails. It feels cold and tired, is kind of depressed, and suffers from constipation. The lady butterflies usually have irregular, heavy menstruation. How to test your thyroid In order to test the thyroid, most doctors will run a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test. If that test number is out of range, then a diagnosis is made. There can be many variables to the testing of the thyroid. Taking the testing late in the day can show a lowered TSH, making it look in range, when in actuality, a morning test may have shown the numbers out of range. The TSH does not test the thyroid gland itself; it looks at what the pituitary is telling the thyroid to do. This is why looking at the Free T4, and Free T3 numbers are important, so you know how well the thyroid is making and converting hormone to be used by your cells to run your metabolism. If you are hypothyroid, testing the Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO’s), will let your doctor know if your hypothyroidism is caused by the auto-immune component, Hashimoto’s Disease, or primary hypothyroidism. These results can affect how diet and treatment should be directed. 5 Ways to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy Eat from the sea. The sea provides many natural sources of iodine, a building block of the thyroid hormone. Salt has a high concentration of iodine, but it can raise blood pressure. Instead, opt for healthy fish, such as Wild-caught Alaskan Salmon, or try seaweed in a salad. The omega-3’s found in fish oil provides essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation, which plays a role in causing auto-immune diseases.Eat from the earth. Eat foods high in B vitamins, which are precursors to thyroid hormones and influence cell energy. Balance your diet with poultry, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Selenium is an important nutrient used to convert inactive T4 from the thyroid to active T3 your body uses.
  continue reading

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