Thyroid is spreading rapidly across the world, which is a matter of concern. Thyroid related diseases are cause by unhealthy eating habits and stressful life. In this article, we are going to give information about thyroid, so that you can be aware of it. In this article, we will try to give information related to what is thyroid, why thyroid occurs, symptoms of thyroid and types of thyroid. Apart from this, here you will also get to know the home remedies for thyroid.

Table of Contents

What is Thyroid ?

Thyroid is not a disease, but a gland found in the front of the neck. Thyroid-related diseases such as Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism occur due to disturbances in the thyroid gland. Thyroid glands are one of the largest endocrine glands found in the human body. This biceps structure is located in our neck at approximately the same level as the cricoid cartilage below the larynx. The thyroid gland plays a special role in the metabolic process of the body.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower part of the neck. It secretes tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones. It is called thyroid hormone. These hormones affect the body’s metabolic rate and other growth mechanisms. This hormone controls many body activities, including controlling the heartbeat and calorie consumption. Thyroid-related problems arise when the thyroid gland produces less or more hormones than is needed.

When the thyroid gland produces a large amount of hormone or a less amount of hormone in the body, which causes serious problems in the body, and this wrong functioning of the thyroid gland is known as thyroid disorder or thyroid disease. These hormones have a direct effect on breathing, heart rate, digestive system and body temperature. Along with this, they also control bones, muscles and cholesterol. When these hormones become unbalanced, weight gain or loss occurs, this is called thyroid problem.

In addition, the pituitary gland in the brain releases another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone controls the flow of the other two thyroid hormones T3 and T4 in the body. It plays an important role in controlling weight, body temperature, muscle strength and even mood.

Types of Thyroid Disease

There are mainly two types of thyroid gland disorders :

1) Hyperthyroidism :

Due to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland, T4 and T3 hormones are produc in excess. When these hormones are produc in excess, the body starts using energy in excess. This is called hyperthyroidism. This problem is seen more in women than in men. These are the symptoms of its identification :

Due to the excess of thyroid hormone, the metabolism in the body increases, and everything starts getting done faster.
Nervousness
irritability
excessive sweating
Trembling of hands
Thinning and falling of hair.
insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Weakness and pain in the muscles.
Heart palpitations
Weight loss occurs even after feeling very hungry.
Irregularity of menstruation
Osteoporosis occurs, due to which calcium in the bone ends rapidly.

2) Hypothyrodism :

Hypothyroidism occurs due to underactivity of the thyroid. It can be identify by these problems:

Slow heart rate
Depression
Being more sensitive to cold.
Weight gain due to slow metabolism.
Thinning and breaking of nails.
Decreased sweating
Dryness and itching in the skin.
Joint pain and muscle stiffness.
Excessive hair fall.
Constipation
Swelling of the eyes.
To forget again and again
Being unable to think and understand.
Irregularity in menstruation. 40 days or more of a 28 day cycle.
Swelling of face and eyes.
Increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood.
It can cause infertility in women.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

If the following types of symptoms are seen in the body, then these can be early symptoms of thyroid. Keep in mind that the symptoms of thyroid can appear like a common disease, so it is better that any change in the body should be taken seriously. Especially if thyroid symptoms appear in women during pregnancy, a doctor should be contacted immediately.

Constipation
Exhaustion
Stress
Dry skin
Weight gain or loss
Decreased sweating
Slow heart rate
High blood pressure
Joint swelling or pain
Thin and brittle hair
Memory lapses
Abnormal menstruation
Fertility Imbalance
Muscle pain
Facial swelling
Premature graying of hair

Causes of Thyroid Disease

Women and the elderly are more prone to thyroid than men. Also, if someone in the family has had this problem before, then there is a high possibility of it happening. The reasons for having thyroid can be :

Excessive consumption of junk food and foods made of fine flour.
Increasing weight or obesity.
Living a more stressful life affects the activation of thyroid hormones.
Thyroid glands are particularly affect due to low or high iodine intake in the diet.
This disease can also be genetic. If other family members have also had this problem, then other family members can also have this problem.
An imbalance in thyroid hormones is seen in women during pregnancy, as there are many hormonal changes in the body of women during this time.
Due to excessive use of soy products in food.
History of type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune disorders and due to type 2 diabetes.

Other Causes of Thyroid :

These diseases can also cause thyroid disease:

1) Hashimoto’s disease :

This disease makes one part of the thyroid gland inactive.

2) Thyroiditis :

It is cause by swelling of the thyroid gland. In the beginning, there is an excess production of thyroid hormone, and later there is a decrease in it. This causes hypothyroidism. Sometimes it is seen in women after pregnancy.

3) Iodine deficiency :

Hypothyroidism occurs due to lack of iodine in the diet, so salt containing iodine should be used.

3) Graves’ disease :

Graves’ disease is the main cause of hypothyroidism in adults. In this disease, the body’s immune system starts producing such antibodies that increase TSH. It is a genetic disease, which is passed on from generation to generation.

4) Goitre :

This disease can also be cause by goiter disease.

5) Vitamin B12 :

Hypothyroidism can also be cause by vitamin B12.

Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease

To know which type of thyroid the patient is suffering from, the doctor advises a blood test, in which the following levels of thyroid hormones are check:

1) T4 Test :

An excess of T4 hormone in the blood indicates hyperthyroid (enlarged thyroid). On the other hand, the reduction of T-4 in the blood indicates hypothyroid (thyroid hormone deficiency).

2) T-3 Test :

If the T4 hormone is normal, if the doctor thinks that the patient has a problem of hyperthyroidism. So in this situation the doctor can understand the cause of enlarged thyroid on the basis of the level of T-3 hormone. Due to excess of T-3 level, the patient may also complain of hyperthyroidism.

3) Thyroid Antibody Test :

Through this test, the doctor tries to diagnose immune disorders such as, Graves disease and Hashimoto’s disease. Graves’ disease is a common cause of increased thyroid hormone. At the same time, due to Hashimoto’s disease, there is a problem of not producing thyroid hormones.

4) TSH Test :

In this test, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) produced in the pituitary gland (an important part of the brain) is examined. Through which the status of T-3 and T-4 thyroid hormones in the body is detect. If the test shows a high TSH level, it indicates a hypothyroid (low or no production of thyroid hormone) condition. On the other hand, decreasing TSH level indicates hyperthyroid (excess of thyroid hormone).

After ascertaining the condition of thyroid through all these tests, in some special situations the doctor may recommend some other tests. These include ultrasound, thyroid scan, and radioactive iodine test.

Prevention Tips for Thyroid Disease

Thyroid problem can be prevent through the following measures, which are as follows :

Stay away from products like tobacco or cigarettes.
Do not use alcohol.
Consume iodine rich food.
Do not use gluten containing food (such as, Wheat, Barley, Oats and Millets).
Reduce the use of dairy products.
Avoid exposure to toxic or harmful chemicals.
Don’t use fried things.
Do regular exercise or yoga.
Try to live a stress free life.
Keep checking the weight from time to time.
Do not eat junk food and food containing preservatives.

Yoga for Thyroid

You can also do yoga to treat thyroid, it benefits :

Pranayama and meditation regularly.
Surya Namaskar.
Pawanmuktasana.
Sarvangasana.
Ustrasana.
Halasana.
Matsyasana.
Bhujangasana.

Diet in Thyroid

During thyroid problem, your diet should be like this:

Eat a low-fat diet in thyroid disease.
Include more fruits and vegetables in the diet.
Especially eat green leafy vegetables. They contain a fair amount of iron, which is beneficial for thyroid patients.
Eat food rich in nutrients. Taking food rich in minerals and vitamins helps in controlling thyroid.
Eat a diet rich in iodine.
Eat more nuts like almonds, cashews and sunflower seeds. They contain sufficient amount of copper, which is beneficial in thyroid.
Milk and curd should be consume more under home remedies for thyroid.
For home treatment of thyroid, you should consume more vitamin-A. For this you can eat carrots.
Eat whole grains. It is rich in fiber, protein and vitamins.
The elements present in liquorice make the thyroid gland balanced. It also prevents cancer from growing in the thyroid.
Consume wheat and jowar.

Foods to Avoid in Thyroid

You should avoid consuming certain things when you have thyroid, as they can worsen your condition such as :

Sugar
white rice
Cake
Cookies
oily food
soft drinks
spicy things
flour products
tea and coffee
cream and sweets
rice and white salt

Treatment of Thyroid Disease

Thyroid treatment can be done according to the age of the patient, how many hormones the thyroid gland is making and the condition of the patient. Keep in mind that these are only suggestions, because only the doctor can tell better about which patient needs treatment.

1) Hypothyroid:

It can be treated through medicine. The body gets the necessary hormones by taking the medicine. In this, doctors recommend taking synthetic thyroid hormone T-4, which can start producing hormones in the body. This is the reason why some patients may have to take this medicine for life in case of symptoms of hypothyroidism.

2) Hyperthyroid :

Doctors can treat hyperthyroidism based on the symptoms and causes of thyroid disease. This treatment can be something like this:

Antithyroid : Doctors can prescribe antithyroid medicine, which can stop the thyroid gland from producing new hormones.
Beta-blocker medicine : Its use can stop the effect of thyroid hormones on the body. Also the drug can normalize the heart rate. Apart from this, this medicine can also reduce the effect of other symptoms until the effect of other treatment starts. One special thing is that there is no reduction in the formation of essential thyroid hormones by the use of this medicine.
Radioiodine : This treatment can destroy the thyroid cells that make thyroid hormones, but it can cause hypothyroidism.
Surgery : Surgery may be needed when the patient has trouble swallowing or breathing. Surgery can remove part or all of the thyroid. In such a situation, there can be a possibility of having hypo thyroid forever.

3) Thyroiditis :

According to a report publish in Annecbi (National Center for Biotechnology Information), the effect of thyroiditis can be reduce to some extent by the intake of 20 mg of prednisolone (prednisolone-a steroid drug) daily.

4) Goiter :

If the thyroid gland is working properly, it may not require any treatment. It may get better on its own in some time. On the other hand, even if treatment is done, the doctor can give such a medicine, due to which the thyroid gland can shrink and come back to its normal size. Surgery may be need only in some cases.

5) Thyroid nodule :

Its treatment depends on the condition of the patient’s gland:

If the gland has not turned cancerous, the doctor will simply monitor the patient’s condition. The patient can be examin regularly and blood tests and thyroid ultrasound tests can be done. If there is no change in the gland, then no treatment may be done.
If the size of the gland becomes large or takes the form of cancer, then the doctor may choose the option of surgery. An enlarged gland can cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
If the gland produces too much hormone, then radioiodine can be use.
Radioiodine can help shrink the gland so it can make less thyroid hormone.

6) Thyroid cancer :

The only cure for cancer is surgery. Through surgery, either the entire thyroid gland can be remove or as many parts as can be remove. If the cancer is small and has not spread to lymph nodes, surgery may be a better option. Only a doctor can give a better opinion about this. In addition, doctors can also use radioiodine therapy after surgery. Cancer cells that remain inside during surgery or spread elsewhere can be destroyed through radioiodine therapy. Before treating thyroid cancer, once the doctor can talk to the patient regarding the treatment.

Home Remedies for Thyroid Disease

Here we are going to tell about the home remedies for thyroid, which can work to provide relief in this problem to a great extent. Make it clear that it is not possible for these home remedies to affect everyone, because everyone’s physical capacity and thyroid condition are different. Therefore, along with the treatment, one must talk to the doctor before using these home remedies. You can try these home remedies to cure thyroid :

1) Consume liquorice. Triterpenoid glycyrrhetinic acid, a major component found in licorice, inhibits the growth of thyroid cancer cells.

2) Take half a teaspoon of aloe vera juice mixed with two teaspoons of basil juice. It cures thyroid disease.

3) Take one spoon of Ashwagandha powder with lukewarm cow’s milk at bedtime. Its leaves or root can also be boiled in water and drunk. Ashwagandha removes the imbalance of hormones.

4) Grind green coriander and dissolve it in a glass of water and drink it. This will give relief from thyroid disease.

5) Thyroid treatment is also done by drinking turmeric cooked in milk daily.

6) Take one spoonful of Triphala powder daily. It is very beneficial.

7) Drinking bottle gourd juice on an empty stomach works well in thyroid disease. It pacifies the disease.

8) In the home remedy of thyroid, take a small amount of black pepper in the food regularly.

9) The use of coconut oil helps in maintaining the functioning of the thyroid. Therefore, thyroid patients should use coconut oil as a cooking oil.

10) The use of flax seed powder provides relief in thyroid problem because omega-3 is found in sufficient quantity in flax seed. Omega-3 helps regulate thyroid function. Therefore, thyroid patients should use flax-seed powder regularly.

11) Yogurt is also include in iodine-rich foods, which can be helpful in thyroid problem cause by iodine deficiency by replenishing iodine in the body. In addition, it can also help relieve the symptoms of thyroid disease.

12) Apple cider vinegar can be called a panacea for thyroid. Apple vinegar can help in controlling the problem of obesity by controlling increased lipids and blood sugar.

13) Amla can also be use as a home remedy for hyperthyroidism. It can also be called a panacea for hyperthyroidism.

14) Almonds are best suite for thyroid health. It is a good source of protein, fiber and minerals. Almonds contain selenium which is a thyroid healthy nutrient. It is also very rich in magnesium which can help the thyroid gland to function smoothly.

15) Beans are rich in fiber, protein, essential minerals and vitamins. They are rich in antioxidants and complex carbohydrates. Being high in fiber, it helps combat constipation, a common side effect of hypothyroidism.

16) Eating eggs is also beneficial for thyroid patients. Thyroid remains under control by eating eggs.

17) Ayurvedic treatment of thyroid is also possible with the help of ginger. Actually, ginger contains zinc, potassium and magnesium. Also, it has anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a good home remedy for thyroid.

18) Guggul (Commiphora wightii) can also be use as an Ayurvedic treatment for thyroid. It is obtain from the Guggul tree. Guggul contains guggulsterone, which has anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties as well as the ability to help the thyroid function normally.

19) The use of essential oils can be helpful in case of symptoms of thyroid. Lightly massaging the affected thyroid gland with the help of essential oils and smelling their aroma can prove to be very effective. These include many names like Lemon Balm, Sage and Rose Merry.

20) Thyroid can also be treated indigenously with kelp if symptoms of thyroid are seen in the throat. It is consider a major source of iodine. If someone has thyroid problems due to iodine deficiency, then kelp can prove to be effective in this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can thyroid disease be cured?

Thyroid problem cannot be cure completely. Yes, it can definitely be control with the help of right diet and medicines.

Which problem is more common, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism.

How to treat hypothyroidism during pregnancy?

If thyroid symptoms appear in women during pregnancy and hypothyroidism (not producing thyroid hormone) is confirm, then the doctor may suggest taking hormone tablets. This may help in controlling this problem.

Can thyroid cause hair loss?

Yes, the problem of hair loss can be seen in the problem of hypothyroid.

Is There a Connection Between Thyroid and Cholesterol?

The problem of increasing cholesterol can be common in patients with hypothyroidism.

Which thyroid type is more dangerous?

Hyperthyroidism is more dangerous than hypothyroidism.

Is there a connection between thyroid and PCOS?

Women with PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) are more likely to have hypothyroidism. On the other hand, the problem of pregnancy in such patients can be improve by treating hypothyroidism.

Recommended Articles :

Thyroid Disease | Symptoms, Causes, Types, Home Remedies & Treatment