Gaileen Sutton

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system of the body. It is a gland that, among other things, produced hormones which regulate the metabolism. There are many people who have imbalances in their thyroids which lead to affects on their weight which they can not control through diet or exercise.

The symptoms which are exhibited depend on whether the imbalance experienced is an overactive or under active thyroid. With an overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism, there is an overabundance of hormones produced. In the case of an under active thyroid, known as hypothyroidism, too little of these hormones are produced. In either case, the result is a metabolic imbalance.

A too rapid metabolism is a result of hyperthyroidism. People with this condition will normally experience an inability to gain weight despite having an increased appetite. This is a serious condition, especially as it is usually accompanied by other symptoms of a sped up nervous system. These symptoms may include palpitations, anxiety, shortness of breath and many others.

With hypothyroidism, the opposite occurs. The metabolism is not working quickly enough and this person will generally experience weight gain and water retention. Other symptoms can include fatigue, sensitivity to cold and even depression.

It is rare for these symptoms to come on suddenly. Usually, they develop over a period of time. This makes it tricky to know that medical help should be sought, as most of the symptoms can be indicative or other issues. Fatigue, in particular, can be a result of other illnesses or merely not getting enough sleep.

Once medical help is sought, various tests are usually done to confirm a diagnosis of thyroid disease. Blood tests are done but cannot always be relied upon to give a true confirmation. Causes of thyroid problems are many, whether hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, and there are various treatment methods possible.

If a person suffers from an overactive thyroid, they can take medications which help to lower the output of hormones. In this case, care must be taken with dosages so that the person does not become hypothyroid. In many instances, people taking these medications can even experience periods of remission of their disease. Treatment with iodine that is radioactive is another possible method, although some people prefer not to use this method because of that radioactivity. Surgery is generally not opted for unless absolutely necessary.

With hypothyroidism, the recommended treatment is almost always hormone replacement medication. This can come in a more natural form, made from the thyroid of pigs, or synthetic. However, the synthetic type is far more commonly used.

As with many illnesses, many people would prefer to find a natural alternative therapy. Among those that are being used for disease of the thyroid are herbal supplements, diet, acupuncture or acupressure and yoga or other breathing exercises. However, many alternative therapists say that these are much more effective if the condition is in its early stages and not yet severe. Even so, these therapies may be of interest to sufferers of thyroid conditions as an adjunct to their more traditional therapies.

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