An estimated 20 million Americans have a thyroid disorder and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with a thyroid problem at some point in their life.
An underactive thyroid gland, also known as hypothyroidism, shows up with symptoms like weight gain or inability to lose weight, resistance to stress, decreased energy, chronic fatigue, brain fog, constipation, bloating, intolerance to cold, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, aches/pain, low pulse/heart rate, gut issues, infertility, hair loss, and skin issues.
The thyroid gland directs the rate and speed of everything in the body and every cell in your body is impacted by your thyroid. This is why when the thyroid starts to slow down, we see so many unpleasant symptoms. Hormones produced by the thyroid regulate metabolism, digestion, immunity, and detoxification which are responsible for hundreds of other jobs in your body.
So how do you know if you have hypothyroidism? The “gold standard” for testing thyroid disease is TSH. However, this is unreliable and can produce a false negative. If you believe you may have hypothyroidism, a full thyroid panel is in order.
3 Ways to Help Improve Thyroid Function Today
1. Reduce Stress: The thyroid is nutrient and energy dependent and is ultra-sensitive to stress. Reducing/managing stress is vital for poor thyroid function. You can’t out-diet and out-supplement stress. A body in a chronic state of stress will not heal. Stress can be psychological and physiological. If your body is not producing enough energy to cope you need to provide it with that energy to feel safe and function well. This is where your thyroid intersects with your adrenal glands and evaluation of their function is vital to properly evaluate your thyroid function.
2. Eat Easy to Digest/Absorb Foods Every 3-4 Hours: Keep stress levels lower and keep up with energy demands by eating easy to digest and absorb foods and eating every 3-4 hours so that the body is not burning through minerals/nutrients that are necessary for your body to heal and feel safe. Avoid PUFAs (which have anti-thyroid effects) and processed foods. Eating more grass-fed ruminant animal proteins, wild-caught shellfish, collagen, gelatin, root vegetables, cooked and ripe fruits, and bone broth are good places to start.
3. Get Proper Sleep: Sleep is an essential foundation for good health. The body detoxifies harmful waste and substances during sleep while also regenerating healthy cells and tissues. If you are not sleeping well, you will not heal. Avoid electronic screens 1-2 hours before bedtime as the blue light wavelength interferes with melatonin formation, which is your primary sleep hormone. Your best sleep will occur in a cool, dark room. Aim to be asleep by 10 p.m. Ideally you need 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to feel and function your best so make gradually adjusting your schedule to accomplish that a priority.
If you suspect you may have a thyroid problem, we can help identify where your problem areas may be and help you Live Your Best Life!
Give us a call at 217-864-2700 or contact us here, on our website.
