In addition to postings on the menstrual cycle and mobility, Instagram’s health page begins talking about the small but powerful part of the body, the thyroid gland. Maybe you also scroll through the video to learn more about thyroid health nutrition and tips for exercising on reels and carousels.
Participation in the wellness community may sound like a random part of the body, but they are chiming because there is not enough discussion about thyroid health. And a better understanding of it is actually very important for women. We are 10 times more likely to suffer from thyroid problems than men, and the way our high stress world is set does not help it perform at its best.
Of course, everything you read on social media should not be considered the gospel. So, to understand what we really need to know about glands, we turned to two hormonal experts.
What exactly is your thyroid gland?
“The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck just in front of the trachea,” explains Dr. Marion Gluck, a hormone expert and founder of the Marion Gluck Clinic. “Glands produce thyroxine and thyroid hormones called T3, which act on almost every cell in the body to regulate metabolism, energy levels, and sensitivity to other hormones in the body such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. To do.”
The thyroid can be considered a thermostat of the body, says Nikki Williams, a nutritionist and female health and hormonal expert. “It can raise or lower processes such as metabolism, energy, temperature, and arousal, depending on what you need and how well your glands are working,” she explains.
If the thyroid gland is not functioning, it can cause thyroid dysfunction. If you have hypothyroidism, it is known as hypothyroidism. If it is overactive, it is known as hyperthyroidism.
What can cause thyroid problems?
If you are diagnosed with a problem with your thyroid gland, you don’t just need to be aware of your thyroid gland. We all need to support its function like all other elements of the body, from muscle to brain health.
It is important to know that problems are often genetic. Therefore, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism do not necessarily affect your lifestyle. However, lifestyle habits can affect the glands for those who simply want to support their function and feel better, Williams says.
“Our thyroid hormones need many different nutrients to be produced and function properly. Deficiency can affect thyroid function,” she explains. These include iodine, tyrosine, selenium, copper, zinc, iron, essential fatty acids, vitamin A and vitamin D.
Just as thyroid hormone affects all cells, so do other hormones.
“The adrenal glands that produce hormones such as cortisol and estrogen depend on thyroid support. Overloaded adrenal glands can also cause the thyroid glands to overwork,” says Dr. Gluck. Therefore, living under constant stress with a surge in cortisol is a disaster for thyroid function. Still, we do it more often than we all want.
Dr. Gluck adds that the relationship between estrogen and thyroxine is also important. “The predominance of estrogen may stop the conversion of thyroxine to T3 thyroid hormone. This means that there is no direct problem with the thyroid gland, but symptoms of hypothyroidism occur. Too much estrogen can interfere with the uptake of thyroid hormones and cause the symptoms of hypothyroidism to recur. “
What are the signs of thyroid dysfunction?
“Thyroid hormones move to every cell in the body, so imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms,” says Williams.
Hypothyroidism is associated with decreased physical function such as lethargy and malaise, but rest, brain fog, and unexplained weight gain do not improve. Other symptoms include cold, depression, dry skin, hair and nails, muscle and joint pain, constipation, and hypersensitivity to stress.
Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased processes. They can include anxiety, palpitation, unexplained weight loss, high blood pressure, sweating, panic attacks, and glandular swelling.
“It is important to check the thyroid gland regularly, as symptoms can be confused with other common signs of aging and hormonal imbalances,” says Williams. “For a complete overview of thyroid health, make sure that TSH, freeT4, freeT3, and thyroid antibodies have been tested for the complete pathways of thyroid health.”
Dr. Gluck also states that these symptoms can often be misunderstood. “In my experience, women with thyroid problems are often misdiagnosed and take antidepressants if their symptoms are similar, and women with estrogen predominance often take thyroxine unnecessarily. Take it. Thorough testing can avoid this misdiagnosis, “she says.
How to support thyroid health
If you’re worried about thyroid dysfunction, see your doctor. Getting a correct diagnosis is very important and hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism should also be managed by medication. If you’re fine but just want to support thyroid function, you can do so with a simple adjustment:
Check your diet
- Contains plenty of protein: “Protein is broken down into the amino acids needed to make thyroid hormone, one of which is tyrosine,” says Williams.
- Supports insulin levels by balancing carbohydrates with fats and proteins. “Excess insulin is associated with suppression of thyroid function,” she adds.
- Eat a wide variety of nutrients. In particular, eat iron (from lean meats and leafy vegetables), iodine (contained in seaweed), and zinc (shells, whole grains, nuts, seeds, etc.).
- Reduce caffeine: “This causes excessive stress on the adrenal glands and can affect thyroid function,” says Dr. Gluck.
Stress relief
“Relaxation is important for thyroid health. Do something every day to reduce your stress, even if it’s just a little deep breath,” says Williams. It also means using your exercise routine to get the best stress relief results.
“Physical activity helps boost metabolism and transport nutrients to cells and endocrine glands to support thyroid function. However, if you think your thyroid gland needs additional support, put a strain on your body. Avoid particularly stressful exercises and instead focus on low-intensity resistance exercises, walking, yoga, and thyroids, “Williams adds.
