Whenever I say THYROID people ask me, will I be able to lose weight ever? My dear friends, it’s not just about your weight there are a whole lot bunch of symptoms that come into the picture let’s look at it, what is thyroid anyways?
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck and plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and overall body function. The thyroid gland is responsible for the various functions in our body that include; metabolism influencing body fat percentage, regulation of blood pressure, immune function, energy levels, and detoxification, and is highly beneficial for fertility in both men and women.
When this gland malfunctions, it can lead to two common disorders: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. These conditions, although opposite in nature, can significantly impact one’s health and quality of life.
The main ways the thyroid can malfunction are:
- Hypothyroidism: Not enough thyroid hormone is produced causing symptoms like weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, brain fog, mood swings, and fatigue
- Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone produces symptoms like weight loss, insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, tremor, bulging eyes, and heart palpitations.
Hypothyroid:
It occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone. This deficiency slows down bodily functions, leading to a range of symptoms and let’s explore certain hypothyroid facts:
- Fatigue and Weakness: Individuals often feel tired despite getting adequate rest, and may experience muscle weakness.
- Weight Gain: A slower metabolism can cause unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight. The major symptom to crack what thyroid malfunction one has.
- Cold Sensitivity: Feeling excessively cold, particularly in the hands and feet, is a very common factor.
- Dry Skin and Hair: Skin may become dry, fingernails break easily and hair brittle and prone to breakage.
- Constipation: Slowed digestion can lead to constipation and persistent constipation can grow into hemorrhoids.
- Depression: Changes in hormone levels can contribute to mood swings and depression.
- Menstrual Irregularities: Women may experience heavier or irregular menstrual periods due to an imbalance in the hormone which is likely to happen because of the dip in metabolism, If I have to entangle this for you I would simply put it here as it is a viscous cycle which starts from your dipped metabolism again which brings us to the leaky gut.
Interesting fact: What if I tell you, that one of the causes of hypothyroidism includes autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system attacks its own thyroid gland? Let me not stop there, I can give you one intriguing way to deal with this lowered thyroid function.
Treat the gut: like said unless compelled to look anywhere else in the body, treat the gut!
Hyperthyroid:
As compared to hypothyroid, Hyperthyroid results from an overactive thyroid gland that produces excess thyroid hormone. This speeds up bodily functions:
- Weight Loss: Despite increased appetite, individuals may lose weight unexpectedly. As for now, the metabolism is at its peak and functioning more than required, that’s why we call it “malfunctioning of the gland”.
- Rapid Heartbeat: Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat are common.
- Heat Sensitivity: Increased sweating and intolerance to heat can occur more often.
- Nervousness and Anxiety: Feelings of anxiety, irritability, and nervousness are frequent causes.
- Tremors: Fine tremors, particularly in the hands, may be noticeable.
- Increased Bowel Movements: Digestion is accelerated, leading to more frequent bowel movements. Remember I told malfunctioning! Our body is just like other systems working for our survival.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep can occur.
- Thinning of Hair: Hair may become fine and brittle due to increased metabolism.
Interesting fact: Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Other causes include thyroid nodules or inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis).
It is also interesting to know that the Gut-Thyroid connection, For example, the common theme with thyroid imbalances is that they typically emerge as auto-immune issues. These conditions are a result of genetics and environmental factors.
These environmental triggers must find a way into the body and one key point of entry is the GUT!! When the gut is leaky it allows more toxins to pass through. Since the gut contains a large part of the immune system, as much as 70%, it makes sense to connect the dots and conclude that gut health affects thyroid health.
Not sure if you have hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptoms? Contact Karishmma Chawla to get tailored nutrition strategies to support your thyroid function.
