Your Thyroid

The thyroid, a 2 lobed, butterfly-shaped gland, lies at the base of your throat, in front of your trachea, just below your larynx. It requires a lot of nourishment to function; six liters of blood pass through the thyroid every single day. However, unless the blood is nutrient rich, even six liters will not be enough to keep this gland healthy.

The thyroid is considered one of the body’s master glands, as it sends control signals to the various glands and organs of the endocrine and reproductive systems. It also regulates metabolism and is the body’s internal thermostat. The hormones it secretes helps to control how quickly the body burns calories and uses energy. It also regulates the amount of oxygen in the blood, controls the growth and development of bones, nerves, and muscles. Also, it plays a role in the production of the proteins that are the building blocks of our cells and helps in the absorption of calcium and other minerals. In addition, it helps to regulate the heartbeat and plays a part in many basic cognitive functions.

DISEASES / SYMPTOMS

HYPOTHYROIDISM (too little hormone production):

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include physical and mental fatigue, loss of appetite, coldness, intolerance of cold temperatures, a slow heart rate, weight gain, pain before menstruation, fertility problems, muscle weakness and cramping. One may also experience burning and prickling sensations, dry and scaly skin, hair loss, recurrent infections, migraines, depression, (which worsens in the winter as the thyroid must work harder to keep the person warm), fear, panic, difficulty concentrating, poor equilibrium and slow reaction time.

Fatigue, a general feeling of coldness, and depression are the first and foremost symptoms of hypothyroidism. This condition is also directly related to heart attacks and lung disease.

Low thyroid function is a common problem in many chronic illnesses. Researchers in England found that people being treated for Parkinson’s disease all had hypo-active thyroids. Once the condition was rectified, the Parkinson’s disease dramatically improved. Hypothyroidism can be caused by lumps or tumors that have formed on the thyroid and by certain prescription drugs. A malfunctioning thyroid can also be an immune system problem. The immune system can produce antibodies that invade and attack the thyroid, disrupting its proper function, making this type of thyroid problem an auto-immune problem.

HYPERTHYROIDISM (too much hormone production):

When the thyroid becomes over-active, many other body processes go into over-drive. Eventually these over-worked organs burn out and become lethargic and under-productive.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, irritability, a constant feeling of being too warm with increased perspiration, insomnia and resulting fatigue, frequent bowel movements, less frequent menstruation with decreased menstrual flow, weakness, hair loss, weight loss, separation of the nails from the nail bed, hand tremors, intolerance of heat, rapid heartbeat, goiter, and—in extreme cases—protruding eyeballs (Grave’s disease).

Hyperthyroidism is statistically less common than hypothyroidism. My experience, however, has been that low thyroid function is often preceded by a period of hyperactivity. As a society, we value dynamic, high-achieving people. As a result, we are often guilty of expecting absurdly high levels of productivity from ourselves and others. The thyroid, for whatever reason, kicks into high gear and, much like the adrenal glands, eventually gets tired and shuts down.

Both of these disorders, hypo- and hyper-thyroidism, affect women more often than men. This statistic has led me to deep thinking about the differences, both physically and emotionally, between men and women, and what our bodies need for stability and balance.

A malfunctioning thyroid can be the underlying, and often undiagnosed, cause of many recurring illnesses. By the time thyroid values reach levels which show up on medical tests, it has already been in trouble for some time. Thyroid tests can indicate, falsely, that function is normal because of the presence of certain shampoos and skin antiseptic compounds.

STRESSORS

Overwork, being a type A personality who has no stop button, dietary factors such as too little “good” food and too much “junk” food, obesity, cancer, environmental toxins, lack of exercise, adrenal fatigue and certain prescription drugs.

VITAMINS / MINERALS / FOODS THAT NOURISH THE THYROID

HYPOTHYROIDISM: Vitamins A, C, E, and B complex, minerals—especially zinc, iodine, potassium, selenium, iron, and sodium, the amino acid tyrosine, omega 3’s, flaxseed oil

HYPERTHYROIDISM: Vitamins C, E, and B complex, multi-mineral supplements, omega 3’s, flaxseed oil

HERBS / OILS / SUPPLEMENTS

Kelp/Dulse, Irish Moss, Black Walnut, White Oak, Gentian, Nettles, Alfalfa, herbal combinations TY, KNA, MIN

Recommended essential oils for the thyroid: ^LeEndoRelief, ^LeEnergy, ^LeUnity(uptake of nutrients), Cumin, Ledum, Myrtle, Palmarosa, and Spruce for hypothyroid.

EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS

The location of the thyroid gland gives us a clue as to the emotions which might be damaging to it. The “swallowing” of words, not being allowed to speak about one’s needs, or being unable to express emotions and opinions freely comes to mind as possible drivers for thyroid dysfunction. Always remember that the emotion need not be real; our perception of our environment is reality to our internal organs! Thyroid problems are common among women who put other’s needs too much ahead of their own needs or who see their own opinions and needs as of less value than that of others. Learning to express ourselves, appropriately, is vital to the health of the thyroid.

In patients with depression, anxiety and other psychiatric problems, doctors often find abnormal blood levels of thyroid hormone. It has been shown that improving thyroid function can lead to improvements in mood, memory, and cognition. In the early 20th century, the best descriptions of clinical depression were actually in textbooks on thyroid disease, not psychiatric textbooks.

CHAKRA CONNECTIONS

The location of the thyroid places it in the throat chakra with a distinct connection to the solar plexus chakra. Both of these chakras are chakras of abundance.
An overactive thyroid may be sending a reminder that we need to slow down a bit, perhaps by letting other people take responsibility for the directing of their own lives. Perhaps we have expectations of ourselves and others that are unrealistically high. Perhaps we may feel that we must be constantly moving and accomplishing to justify our existence on this earth and to prove our worth to someone or something. There may also be issues of speaking or acting before we have considered our own needs and core priorities.

An under-active thyroid can indicate that we are unable to speak up for ourselves or express our needs at all. Perhaps we do not have a clear idea of what we stand for and what we really want out of life. “I think” and “I prefer” and “I do not want” are words that all of us need to learn to express appropriately. We each need to let go of any thinking that we are not responsible for, or not in control of, our own lives and personal actions.

When we are balanced in these chakras, we know what we want, we are clear about what is important to us and what our priorities are, and we are able to express our needs and balance them with the needs of those around us. We can find happiness, health, love, gratitude, and abundance on all levels.

RECOGNIZING AND GETTING HELP FOR YOUR STRUGGLING THYROID

One of the difficulties in getting prompt medical attention for a thyroid deficiency is that the early symptoms are so vague and often look more psychosomatic than like a “real” physical issue. Another complication is that the medical “normal” for thyroid levels are set very low. As long as the levels of hormones are above a certain low (by herbal standards level, no therapy is recommended). Perhaps, I have often wondered, this is because the known side-effects of the drugs are worse than the initial symptoms of thyroid dysfunction.

Women are far more likely to develop thyroid problems than men, especially past age 50. Some experts believe that there is a universal tendency to brush aside women who come in with subtle emotional complaints. Too often, sub-clinical problems are diagnosed as stress or anxiety and ignored.

It is very unwise to ignore this important gland. Feeding and nourishing your thyroid, whether it needs it or not, is only to feed and nourish your body as a whole. A healthy lifestyle—in as many ways as possible—is the best guarantee of a healthy thyroid.