Your thyroid plays a very important role in the body. What you may not realize is that it produces several hormones that are imperative for growth, development and good health. Your body needs to have regulated levels of T3 and T4 hormones in order to function properly. “The thyroid is the hub for hormonal activity in the body. It produces hormones that help regulate virtually every aspect of human biological development like metabolism, digestive functions, muscle health, bone maintenance, and brain development. Without proper regulation of these hormones, the body has extreme difficulty maintaining all of its systems.” Says Vanessa Ford co-founder of MenoLabs
Most people fail to run the proper tests with their doctor to determine the best course of action concerning their thyroid health, whether it be supplements, medication or lifestyle recommendations. Vanessa explains that she wasn’t getting enough zinc, folate, vitamin D, and B vitamins. Many women experience similar deficiencies and are completely unaware. “You can’t automatically tell if your hormones are too high or too low. A thyroid issue isn’t like a period; you don’t have the regular warning signs to help you prepare yourself. The best way to stay on top of your thyroid health is to get regular check ups with your doctor.” shares Ford.
Thyroid disease is very common. It’s estimated that 20 million people in the United States have a thyroid dysfunction. If you are trying to find ways to maintain your thyroid health in a holistic way here are a few ideas you can start implementing right away.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle. This is something you can easily do with just a few adjustments in your daily practice. Ford suggests these following tips:
- Maintain a regular, healthy diet. Be sure to get enough iodine in your diet through foods like fish and sea vegetables.
- Get a hormone test. The best way to get ahead of the problem is to know what’s already going on inside your body. Ask your doctor to run a blood panel to see if your hormone count is within normal parameters.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking can significantly impact the inflammation of the thyroid and make it easier for goiters to form and even expand.
Take Charge of Your Health. You don’t know what you don’t know, so it’s important to educate yourself. Start with the basics, understanding what the thyroid gland is and how it functions is key! Also being aware of the various thyroid hormones, diseases and signs of dysfunction is key for being aware of when things aren’t functioning properly. Vanessa says, “Get a blood test done, check your hormone count, be sure to stick to a healthy diet and moderate iodine intake. Your health has to become a part of your routine and if you can do that, you can help lower the risk exponentially,”
Create a strong connection between your mind and body. When you have a strong understanding of when something is not right with your body, you have a better grasp on how to correct the problem. So when your mood is disrupted due to a low-functioning thyroid, how can this be corrected holistically? Ford says “While there are different types of thyroid issues, low-production of hormones is one that many women have concerns over, especially as they go into menopause. One of the biggest issues women report with menopause and low-hormone production is difficulty regulating their moods.”
Some common symptoms of an altered mood due to a thyroid dysfunction can include:
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
If you’re going to support better mood regulation through diet, you’ll need to get enough of the following:
- Magnesium
- B-Vitamins (all of them)
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Folate/Folic Acid
- Zinc
- Omega-3 fatty acids
These are just a few of the essential nutrients your brain needs to maintain all areas of health, but these should help you better regulate and maintain mood.
If you think you are experiencing issues with your thyroid the first thing you will want to do is make a doctor’s appointment and start the conversation so that you can begin to heal.
