How to Control Thyroid Issues? Some Basic Tips

When the thyroid gland isn’t working right, it can cause significant problems. If it doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone, that’s called hypothyroidism. If it makes too much, that’s called hyperthyroidism.

Either way, getting treatment to bring your thyroid hormone levels to normal is essential. If you don’t, you could have long-term problems like infertility, heart disease, hormonal imbalance, and nerve damage. The good news is these thyroid problems are easy to fix.

So how can you control your thyroid? Keep reading to find out the safe and effective ways! 

Why is Thyroid Health Important?

Maintaining thyroid health is necessary for all the cells and tissues in your body to work normally. The thyroid is a tiny butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in your neck.

It is in charge of producing adequate thyroid hormones to carry out several bodily processes, including respiration, heartbeat, metabolism, cholesterol levels, menstruation, and muscle development.

About 1 in 20 people has a thyroid disorder, which may be temporary or permanent. Anyone can have a thyroid problem, but it is prevalent in women. If left untreated, thyroid issues can make it harder to get pregnant.

That’s because it causes irregular periods, making it harder to track ovulation. Or it can prevent you from ovulating altogether. Without treatment, thyroid issues can also affect the baby’s development. So if you’re trying to conceive, you need to restore your normal thyroid function to prevent complications. 

Common Thyroid Issues

Here are the common thyroid problems:

Hyperthyroidism

If the thyroid hormone levels in your body get too high, you will develop hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, weight loss, heat intolerance, and, sometimes, sore and gritty eyes. 

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone regulates the body’s metabolism. Hence, inadequate production can cause many problems, including poor sleep, weight gain, depression, and joint and muscle discomfort.

Goitre

A goitre is a non-cancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can result from iodine deficiency or thyroid gland inflammation. Symptoms include coughing, throat tightness or trouble breathing.

The HealthifyMe Note

If you produce too much or too little thyroid hormone, it can negatively affect your body. If you develop hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, getting treatment immediately is essential. In addition, it’s imperative to control your thyroid if you’re planning a pregnancy or have other medical risk factors.

Easy Ways to Control Thyroid Issues

Boost Your Vitamin A Intake

Vitamin A is essential for thyroid health. A deficiency in vitamin A (VAD) can lead to thyroid dysfunction, as vitamin A controls thyroid hormone metabolism. Additionally, a study showed that vitamin A could reduce the risk of hypothyroidism in premenopausal women. 

To get enough vitamin A, include vitamin A-rich foods like yellow and green vegetables, eggs, oily fish, and carrots in your diet. You can also take vitamin A supplements, but it’s best to get your nutrients from food first.

Cook Your Greens

If you have a thyroid gland issue, you should cook your spinach, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. Raw cruciferous vegetables reduce the thyroid gland’s ability to operate at their best because they contain “goitrogens” in their raw form that prevent the thyroid gland from producing thyroid hormones.

Healthy Foods for Thyroid Control

Other foods that can help with thyroid issues include the following:

Probiotics

Probiotics aid the thyroid gland’s ability to achieve stability, so you should include yoghurt, apple cider vinegar, kefir, kombucha, and tempeh in your diet to lower symptoms of thyroid problems and boost gastrointestinal wellness. 

Iodine

According to studies, Iodine is the thyroid’s fundamental building block. 

Dietary adjustments can quickly solve iodine deficiency. Some primary sources of iodine are vegetables, seafood, and iodised sea salt. Some secondary sources are eggs, spinach, garlic, mushrooms, and sesame seeds.

Thyroid Stimulating Exercise

It is beneficial for people with thyroid problems to exercise regularly, as it can help to reduce symptoms such as weight gain, mood problems and difficulty sleeping. However, exercise cannot cure the underlying problem. Therefore, people with thyroid conditions must follow their doctor’s recommended treatment plan and exercise regularly.

Start with gentle activities like pilates or yoga to ease into a new exercise routine if you have thyroid conditions. You can eventually increase the exercise duration and do some strength training. It will help control thyroid problem symptoms without overexerting you.

Medications

Hormone replacement tablets usually control an underactive thyroid. These medicines replace the thyroxine hormone, which your thyroid gland does not make enough of. Some people start to feel better soon after beginning medications, while others may take several months to notice an improvement in their symptoms. However, take these medicines only if the doctor prescribes them. 

Conclusion

You can significantly affect your body’s overall wellness by making smart diet and exercise choices and taking care of your thyroid function.

Although thyroid problems are easy to diagnose and treat, the hard part is realising that your symptoms might be coming from an imbalanced thyroid. So if you regularly feel weak, miss periods, or gain or lose weight unexpectedly, let your doctor know.