Thyroid Conditions
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland, situated in the front part of your neck, which produces hormones needed for normal metabolism. Essentially, you can think of your thyroid hormones as the drums in an orchestra or band; thyroid hormones set the rhythm and the pace for most of our body functions – they regulate our metabolic rate and how fast or slow our organs and tissues function. Disordered thyroid function, therefore, upsets the whole rhythm of the body.
What are the Highs and Lows of Thyroid Function?
Dysfunction of the thyroid can cause a number of different symptoms. Thyroid problems can affect weight, energy levels, appetite and mood; but the effects will be different depending on whether the thyroid gland is over functioning or under functioning.
Hyperthyroidism is a state of over-activity of the thyroid gland with excessive production of thyroid hormones and an increased metabolic rate – it’s as if the drums that set the rhythm for our bodies have sped up too much and are making everything function too fast. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:
- Feeling hot and intolerant of hot weather
- Weight loss
- Anxiety, restlessness and insomnia
- Excessive sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Fine tremors of the fingers
- High blood pressure
Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is a state of under-activity of the thyroid gland with an underproduction of thyroid hormone – as if the drums have slowed down and the beat that is running how our body function is too slow. When your body does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone, the body’s metabolism slows so much that you can experience symptoms such as:
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Depression
- Irritability
- Weight gain
- Intolerance to cold weather
- Brittle hair
- Slow heart rate
- A croaky, hoarse voice
What treatments are available to calm an overactive Thyroid?
Testing your thyroid is essential to see what your levels are. Once established it is hyper you Melbourne Anti-Ageing Clinic Naturopath may prescribe a combination of traditional calming herbs may help to manage these symptoms and slow that beating drum that is increasing your metabolism too much.
On the other hand, if your test reveals that your thyroid is under-active you may feel tired, cold and suffer with poor moods. To increase the function of your thyroid your MAAC Naturopath will prescribe a combination of various herbs and nutrients to improve circulation, warm the body and assist with weight loss. By combining the wisdom of nutrition and herbal medicine we can assist in the management of thyroid conditions, helping you feel your best.
Appointments
So if you feel that the orchestra of your body has lost its rhythm, or is functioning too fast or too slow, please come and see us today. Take a proactive approach and consult one of our highly qualified naturopaths at MAAC today. You can make an appointment online, email us, or phone us on (03) 96862566. Our clinic in Albert Park, Melbourne, is open six days a week.
