When your thyroid gland goes into overdrive

Misdiagnosis in hyperthyroidism is quite common, because the key symptoms tend to overlap with other health conditions. Simply put, hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much of thyroid hormones known as T3 and T4.

April 8, 2019 Health

By Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar

The thyroid gland, which produces thyroid hormones, is located at the front bottom part of your neck. — TNS

Located in the front section of your neck at the base, it helps to regulate body processes like metabolism, the nervous system, heart rate and body temperature, just to name a few.

Undetected or misdiagnosed hyperthyroidism puts a person at risk of damaging their thyroid gland.

This diminishing capacity to properly regulate important body processes can result in problems like the decline of energy, metabolic activity and mental function.

It even affects one’s mood, and subsequently, brings about depression.

Important test markers

Until recently, many health professionals were unaware of what to look for when testing for hyperthyroidism.

Most doctors would only glance at the numbers of hyperthyroidism tests, without truly understanding the meaning behind them.

As we now know better, here are key markers to examine when diagnosing hyperthyroidism.

Reverse T3: A body under intense stress will have high levels of the cortisol hormone.

Cortisol increases the levels of reverse T3, an inactive form of the T3 thyroid hormone. It mimics, but does not really perform the real functions of T3.

On this note, looking at total T3 and T4 levels alone do not tell you the whole story of what’s going on.

Only the free portion of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones are able to maximise their benefits on the body’s cells and those levels are important in helping to determine the health of your thyroid.

Vitamin D and magnesium: Patients with hyperthyroidism are very often found with low levels of vitamin D.

If you are found to be low in vitamin D, discuss a supplementation plan with your doctor.

Homocysteine: This amino acid is derived mainly from eating meat, but high levels of it complicate heart health and have been linked to the development of lung issues.

Studies also suggest that high levels of homocysteine is linked to patients with hyperthyroidism.

C reactive protein (CRP): The CRP-hs test gives patients and their doctors a better idea of the level of inflammation in the body.

T3 and T4 are less effective when inflammation is severe, and inflammation often plays a big role in thyroid problems.

Liver function: A substantial amount of thyroid hormones are processed in the liver.

Hence, a poorly functioning liver creates issues with metabolism, and alters the process of T3 and T4 conversion.

With a blood test, doctors can identify if liver enzymes are elevated and plan a corrective course of action.

Thyroid antibodies: Hyperthyroidism can be caused by autoimmune diseases, specifically Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Each of these diseases are linked to different types of antibodies that can be identified in tests, so it is important to test for antibodies.

Understanding if it is your liver function, a lack of critical nutrients or problems with the pituitary glands, is also necessary in order to plan a more accurate course of treatment.

With Graves’ disease, the test is known as either TSH binding inhibiting immunoglobin (TBII) or thyroid stimulating immunoglobin (TSI).

For Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the condition is identified by testing the antibodies attached to thyroid tissues.

Causes and symptoms

Tremors in your hands are one of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. — 123rf.com

Women have to pay more attention to hyperthyroidism, as it is more prevalent in our gender.

If you are genetically prone to the condition, there’s a risk of developing it during pregnancy or within a year after delivery.

Overconsumption of iodine either from supplements, medicine or food, may also cause the thyroid to overproduce hormones.

Lumps in the thyroid glands are another culprit causing an overactive thyroid.

Those lumps are known as toxic nodular or multi-nodular goitre and encourage the production of excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.

Thyroiditis, which is inflammation of the thyroid gland, can occur when the immune system is weakened or the body is fighting off a virus.

This is temporary as long as you treat the problem and strengthen your immune system.

Finally, hyperthyroidism occurs due to the autoimmune diseases discussed above. Graves’ disease, which is hereditary, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

In this condition, the body makes antibodies in order to combat viruses or bacteria, but these antibodies end up aggravating the thyroid instead, causing it to overproduce thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism is tricky to diagnose, as its symptoms are very similar to that of other diseases. Pay extra attention to the following symptoms:

• Anxiety or nervousness

• Irregular heart beat

• Loss of weight

• Trouble falling asleep

• Fatigue

• Tremors in the hands

• Irregular periods

• Muscle weakness

• Changes in bowel movement

• Swelling in the neck

Treatment

Seafood, which is high in iodine, is a no-no if you have hyperthyroidism. — Reuters

Most of the time, doctors will prescribe antithyroid medications to balance out excess activity.

Radiation or surgery are also options to consider in treating hyperthyroidism.

Before some of these treatments are carried out, a low iodine diet is prescribed and you’ll be advised to maintain a similar diet after completing your treatment.

Apart from low iodine, consuming more of the following foods calms the inflammation in your body and reduce chronic symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

• Vitamin D – cereals fortified with vitamin D, mushrooms, cow liver and fatty fish.

• Zinc – beef, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, cocoa powder and chickpeas.

• Iron – green leafy vegetables, red meat, chicken, turkey, lentils and whole grains.

• Healthy fats – oils from flaxseed, olive, avocado, sunflower, and unsalted nuts and seeds.

• Selenium – tea, Brazil nuts, couscous, mushrooms and chia seeds.

But there are also foods you should avoid or eat less of. They include:

• Foods that are high in iodine, such as seafood (prawns, lobster, squid etc), milk and dairy products, egg yolks, iodised water and iodised salt.

• Foods that contain nitrates, which makes the thyroid absorb iodine in large quantities, especially processed meat like pepperoni and other cold cuts, and even vegetables like turnips, carrots, cucumber, leeks, parsley, endives and beets.

• Foods containing gluten, which may cause inflammation.

• Soy, as research indicates it interferes with treatment of hyperthyroidism.

The bottom line on hyperthyroidism is that it is treatable.

Monitor your symptoms carefully if you suspect that you might be suffering from the condition, then seek your doctor’s help in getting tested and planning a treatment plan.

https://www.star2.com/health/2019/04/08/thyroid-gland-overdrive/

How Food Can Improve or Worsen Your Thyroid Function

Some people with thyroid issues are told certain foods might aggravate the problem. With all the conflicting information out there, it can get pretty confusing. The good news is, in the right amounts, even cruciferous vegetables are good for you. Here’s the scoop on your thyroid, what it does and how to ensure it functions at its best.

June 27, 2016 

Story at-a-glance

• Every cell of your body uses thyroid hormones; they balance your metabolism, take in iodine and regulate your metabolism while interacting with all your hormones
• Iodine can only be obtained through your thyroid and is directly involved in the development of your skeleton, brain and other crucial parts of your body
• Weight gain, hair loss and fatigue are symptoms of low thyroid. Selenium, tyrosine and deiodinase enzymes are elements that can bring it into balance
• Scientists are shifting from thinking of foods in “negative” terms in regard to the thyroid, instead focusing on connecting people with the nutrients they need for their individual thyroid function

By Dr. Mercola

With all the conflicting information out there pertaining to your thyroid, especially regarding what to eat and what to stay away from, it may be confusing. And when trying to ferret out the facts from most conventional health practitioners, the contradictions can get frustrating.

You might hear, “Stay away from cruciferous vegetables because they might prevent your system from absorbing iodine,” or, “Don’t drink coffee because it could block your thyroid hormone replacement medication.”

One important thing to know about your thyroid is how central it is to your overall health, so ensuring it’s operating properly is critical. Just as importantly, hypothyroidism is often manageable via your diet.

What’s Your Thyroid For?

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland straddling your windpipe, right under your larynx, is the “mainframe” that regulates your metabolism, controls virtually every function of your body and interacts with all the other hormones, from your insulin to your sex hormones.

Thyroid cells are the only cells in your body that can absorb iodine. Your thyroid gland takes iodine from foods — the only way iodine can be obtained — combines it with an amino acid called tyrosine and converts it to three types of hormones: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and diiodothyronine (T2).

T3 and T4 are then released into your bloodstream for transport throughout your body, where oxygen and calories convert them to energy.1 Every cell of your body uses thyroid hormones, so thyroid-related symptoms can vary.

How Thyroid Issues Are Diagnosed: Symptoms, Tests and Complications

There are two main disorders related to the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism, when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, is the most common, and often linked to iodine deficiency. Symptoms include:

Cold sensitivity	Hair loss, including eyebrows	Rough skin; dry, tangled hair	Lethargy
Weight gain	Constipation	Hypoglycemia	Memory loss

It should be noted, though, that there are dozens of other seemingly unrelated symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as:

Fallen arches	Asthma	Psoriasis	Neck pain and stiffness
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Hoarseness	Pale skin	Vertigo

Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism,2 often called Graves’ Disease, is sometimes described as your body attacking its own thyroid. In some instances, its most common symptoms are opposites of those caused by underactive thyroid:

Restlessness and irritability	Weight loss	Brain fog
Frequent bowel movements	Irregular heartbeat	Protruding eyes

Several tests to get to the bottom of a thyroid imbalance include thyroid antibody, basal body temperature or TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) testing. However, laboratory testing for thyroid issues is sometimes problematic.

As many as 80 percent of people with hypothyroidism fail to register as such with standard testing. According to The George Mateljan Foundation, a non-profit foundation that shares scientifically proven information about the benefits of healthy eating:

“Most physicians use outdated reference ranges when testing thyroid function. Also, studies have demonstrated that standard thyroid tests do not correlate well with tissue thyroid levels, which causes inaccurate diagnoses.

Most physicians and endocrinologists believe TSH is the best indicator of the thyroid function of an individual. However, someone can suffer from a significantly slow thyroid despite having a normal TSH, free T3 and free T4.

Some will test for T3. People can also have low T3 and show normal T4 and normal TSH. Many practitioners do not realize that this indicates a selenium or zinc deficiency, rather than a problem with the thyroid.”3

Naturopaths and doctors with a more holistic approach tend to understand the importance of examining a patient’s symptoms in combination with the tests.

Main Minerals: Why Iodine, Selenium Are Important for Your Thyroid

Iodine is directly involved in the development of your skeleton, brain and other crucial parts of your body. According to Organic Lifestyle magazine:

“Iodine is a trace mineral found primarily in seafood, seaweed, plants grown in iodine-rich soil, unrefined sea salt and iodized table salt. Many people do not get enough iodine, and contrary to popular belief, this includes many people in developed countries.

Iodine from iodized salt is poorly absorbed and is not a healthy choice for raising iodine levels in the diet. Refined table salt contributes to a host of health problems. Iodine is absolutely necessary for thyroid function, but too much iodine (especially iodine outside of food) can impair thyroid function as well.”4

It’s hard to overstate how important iodine is to prevent disorders such as thyroid disease and fibromyalgia. In the case of cancer, iodine induces apoptosis, meaning it causes cancer cells to self destruct.5

Good sources of iodine include sea vegetables, organic, grass-fed yogurt, raw and grass-fed organic cow’s milk, Celtic sea salt and eggs.

Selenium, important for thyroid health, helps decrease inflammation, regulate immune responses and prevent chronic diseases. It’s found in water, soil, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Brazil nuts, dairy products, garlic, onions, tomatoes and sunflower seeds. One billion people in the world have a selenium deficiency.6

Tyrosine is an amino acid involved in nearly every protein in your body. It’s an essential part of the production of several brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters and dopamine, regulating hormones such as the thyroid, and even affecting your mood.7

A few of the foods containing tyrosine, such as wheat and soybeans, are not healthy, especially for people with hypothyroidism. However, several good sources include almonds, bananas, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, organic free-range poultry, avocados, pumpkin seeds and organic, free-range eggs.

Eating Cruciferous Veggies Can Improve Dysfunctional Thyroids

You’ve heard it since you were a kid: eat your vegetables. For people with hypothyroidism whose doctors have advised them against eating cruciferous vegetables, it must come as a surprise to learn that ingesting radishes, cabbage, broccoli and kale can improve your thyroid function because they boost your glutathione levels.

In the 1950s, scientists examined foods with the possibility that, rather than playing a nutritive role, some might actually pose a negative risk, particularly in regard to the thyroid.

These they called goitrogenic foods, potentially causing a swelling in the neck called a goiter. Glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables were implicated as a likely culprit. However, studies to that effect are scarce, as one article explains:

“In terms of human research, studies suggesting a strong link between cruciferous vegetables and thyroid disease are limited … The vast majority of the research supports the consumption of cruciferous vegetables to prevent thyroid cancer.”8

Additionally, deiodinase enzymes, central to the production of thyroid hormones, were discovered. Scientists have since modified their theory about cruciferous vegetables. Instead, the focus is connecting people with the nutrients needed for their individual, optimal thyroid function. According to the George Mateljan Foundation:

“Over the past 50 years … researchers have determined that there are no such ‘negative’ substances in food, but only health-supportive nutrients that are not a good match for certain individuals because of their unique health history and health status. Five decades of research have also determined that certain nutrients — like tyrosine, iodine, and selenium — play a unique role in thyroid health.”9

When examining your own nutritional needs, remember that small amounts are best, as too much of some foods, especially cruciferous vegetables, can prevent your body from absorbing iodine and otherwise hinder optimal thyroid function.

Other Foods for People With Underactive Thyroid

There are many more ways to expand the culinary options for those with hypothyroidism, particularly plant-based foods with plenty of antioxidants and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, including these (keep in mind that most fruits should be eaten sparingly by most people due to high fructose content):

Squash	Bell peppers	Carrots	Green beans	Peas
Tomatoes	Celery	Cucumbers	Asparagus	Eggplant
Purple grapes	Mangoes	Pomegranates	Blueberries	Pineapples
Kiwi	Apples	Citrus fruits	Cherries	Apricots

Another nutrient good for your thyroid is niacin. A few of the foods with this nutrient not already listed include lamb and turkey.10

What Foods Trigger Thyroid Issues?

If you’re wondering about the fare that might bring thyroid troubles to your door, the worst ones have one thing in common: They’re not real. As noted by Mind Body Green:

“Refined, processed, homogenized, pasteurized, genetically modified, fortified, and artificially flavored (or colored or preserved) ‘foods.’ The key to fixing the body, not just covering up ailments or shifting symptoms, but truly fixing the body, is produce. The key to deteriorating your health is refined, processed foods.”11

In particular, the following, which are often found in processed foods, might be problematic. First and foremost:

• Gluten: with any thyroid issues, the first thing to eliminate is gluten. It can cause inflammation, gastrointestinal malfunction, thyroid disruption and other problems.
• Non-Fermented Soy: no matter how many “natural” soy products claim to be good for you, soy may alter hormone function, especially in women. A plethora of studies indicate that soy phytoestrogens can damage your thyroid, as well as cause cognitive decline
• Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods: genetically engineered foods may trigger both Graves’ and Hashimoto’s disease by eroding your gut lining.
• Bromines: bromine is a processed, endocrine-disrupting food additive often found in the flour used in bread and baked goods, sodas, sports drinks, toothpaste, mouthwash, plastic computer parts, upholstery and pesticides sprayed on strawberries.12

Good nutrition goes a long way toward helping to manage and even reverse the symptoms of hypothyroidism. As always, it’s best to obtain your nutrition from foods rather than resorting to supplements, if possible.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/06/27/foods-good-for-thyroid.aspx

What Your Eyes Reveal About Your Health

December 1, 2012

Early warning signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, even stroke

The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but they also are the windows to the body. Via the eyes, doctors can view internal structures, including nerves and blood vessels. What they learn can provide important clues about your whole body—and your current and future health.

Regular eye exams are obviously important for visual health. But they also can detect conditions that you might not know you have—and that your primary care doctor might have missed. Important clues…

Clue: Damaged blood vessels.

Could mean: Diabetes.

Patients with diabetes have a high risk for diabetic retinopathy, a diabetic eye disease in which blood vessels in the retina are damaged, causing vision loss and blindness. During an eye exam, your doctor will look for microaneurysms, areas where blood vessels are swollen or leaking, a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Your doctor also might notice the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels, which could indicate advanced diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Most diabetics get regular eye exams because they know about the risk for eye damage. But in some cases, patients who don’t know that they have diabetes—or who have it but aren’t controlling their blood sugar—first learn there’s a problem during a routine eye exam.

Clue: Thickened blood vessel walls.

Could mean: High blood pressure.

High blood pressure damages artery walls and causes them to thicken. It also promotes the accumulation of fatty buildups. Artery changes can be detected during an eye exam.

Your doctor also will look for damage to the optic nerve. This often occurs in patients with impaired circulation and poorly controlled hypertension. It can lead to hypertensive retinopathy, damage to the retina that is a common cause of vision loss.

Patients with severe hypertension can develop copper wiring and/or silver wiring, damage to the retinal arteries that gives the arteries a coppery or silvery hue.

Clue: Clots in the retinal blood vessels.

Could mean: Increased stroke risk.

Most strokes are ischemic, caused by blood clots that reduce or stop circulation to parts of the brain. As with other cardiovascular diseases, patients may not suspect that anything is wrong until it’s too late.

Your doctor might detect tiny blood clots in the arteries in the retina. Clots in therisk factor.

Important: See your primary care doctor immediately if you notice a sudden change in your visual field—if, for example,

Regular eye exams are critical if you have any stroke risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, smoking or a family history of cardiovascular disease. The same strategies that can protect you from heart disease also will reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Clue: Inflammation.

Could mean: Autoimmune diseases.

Patients with an autoimmune disease don’t always know they have one because the symptoms—such as joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis or leg weakness from multiple sclerosis—might not appear until the disease progresses.

Signs of ongoing inflammation could include swollen blood vessels in the retina or blood vessels with an inflammatory coating. Other immune-related eye symptoms include blurring, dryness, itching and red, watery eyes.

A significant percentage of multiple sclerosis patients will have optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve that temporarily can cause eye pain, hazy vision and sometimes blindness in one eye. Optic neuritis is an early symptom of multiple sclerosis.

Clue: Bulging eyes.

Could mean: Graves’ disease.

Having an excess of thyroid hormones, known as Graves’ disease, can cause tissues around the eyes to swell. This makes the eyes bulge outward. You can distinguish this from naturally prominent eyes by the amount of white that is visible—in patients with high thyroid levels, you will see an unnatural amount of white all around the eyes.

About half of patients with Graves’ disease will develop Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Along with bulging eyes, the symptoms may include eye irritation, immobility of the eye muscles and/or visual changes (such as light sensitivity).

Your doctor may recommend surgery and/or medications to reduce the production of thyroid hormones. You also might be given medications to reduce the effects of thyroid hormones.

Source: Emily Y. Chew, MD, medical officer and deputy director in the division of epidemiology and clinical applications at the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. She is chair of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2, which is testing supplements for preventing advanced age-related macular degeneration. She also chairs the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Eye Study. She is on the editorial board of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science and other major journals

http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/what-your-eyes-reveal-about-your-health