Understanding The Endocrine System – Thyroid
The job of the thyroid is to take iodine (of which our culture has a chronic deficiency) and convert it into thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for metabolism, weight loss, and regulation of body temperature. Iodine is crucial for thyroid function, breast health, ovary health and cancer prevention. The thyroid uses more iodine than any other part of the body! If taking synthetic thyroid hormones, consider God’s natural alternatives found in His creation. We do not need the man-made chemicals.
Basic Responsibilities:
- Metabolism
- Regulation of body temperature
- Hair growth
Symptoms of Thyroid Weakness:
HYPOthyroidism:
- Arthritis
- Cold intolerance
- Depression
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Muscle aches
- Dry, coarse hair
- Loss of eyebrow hair
- puffy face
- Enlarged thyroid
- Slow heartbeat
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Brittle nails
HYPERthyroidism:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Heat intolerance
- Infertility
- Irritability
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness
- Scant menstrual periods
- Hair loss
- Bulging eyes
- Sweating
- Enlarged thyroid (Goiter)
- Rapid heartbeat
- Weight loss
- Frequent bowel movement
- Warm, moist palms
- Tremor of fingers
- Soft nails
Lifestyle Factors:
- Exercise is important for metabolism and body temperature as well. If you have low thyroid function, it is even more crucial to make exercise part of your daily life
- Avoid toxins. Radiation, chemotherapy, x-rays, heavy metals, nuclear fallout, and all man-made chemicals damage the thyroid gland. The thyroid protects us and is often the gland to suffer when toxicity is an issue
- High estrogen causes thyroid imbalance so avoid hormones in meat/dairy products, soy products, and synthetic estrogens found in make-up, plastics, herbicides, and pesticides
- Remove mercury or "silver" fillings. Heavy metals leak down into the thyroid and cause damage
- Avoid tap water. Chlorine and fluoride are very dangerous to thyroid function. Question any dentist who still believes fluoride is good for your teeth
- Get grounded, get outside barefoot, connect to the earth, connect to God and heal your thyroid!
Nutrition Factors:
- Avoid all soy (estrogenic and damaging to thyroid function)
- Avoid grains and complex sugars. Grains especially, such as those with gluten, are hard to digest and can lead to auto-immune conditions such as Hashimoto's
- Mineral-rich foods heal the thyroid such as seaweeds, sea vegetables, nuts and seeds
- Healthy fats such as coconut, avocado, olives are also beneficial
Herbs & Supplements for the Thyroid:
Underactive Thyroid
- Ridgecrest - Thyroid Thrive: Our favorite overall product we have used for years with great results and quick energy boost. Many have been able to get off thyroid medication with this formula
- PSD, Inc. - Modifilan: Incredible 40:1 concentrated seaweed which has numerous published studies and articles showing its great benefits for weight loss, metabolism, energy and body temperature
- Cedar Bear - Xodine: Our favorite iodine we have used for years. Start with 3 drops daily, but work up to 12 drops daily or 4 drops, 3x daily
- Dr Morse - Thyroid and Thymus Tonic
- Morningstar - Inner Vitality Plant Minerals
- Natural Sources - Raw Thyroid: Very strong and only for those with basically a non-functional thyroid. This is a glandular and replaces Armour for many people
- Harmonic Innerprizes - Toxin Therapy: To detox heavy metals and chemicals
- Cedar Bear - Thyro Boost
- Grounding Sheets and Mats
Overactive Thyroid (the goal is to ground, calm and relax!)
Learn About Other Glands in the Endocrine System:
If you think you might have hormone imbalance then take our free hormone assessment and we'll send you the results plus a free 29-day hormone balancing guide.