HOLISTIC HEALING ON STEEMIT: NURTURING YOUR HYPO-THYROID by @jenniferskyler - With Love From Portland

                                                                                  
A BIT ABOUT ME:

Besides being a fiction and comedy writer, I’m also a bit of a holistic nutrition nerd. My curiosity with holisitic nutrition began in earnest six years ago, when I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto Thyroiditis - autoimmune of the thyroid. (An autoimmune disease is when the body attacks itself, and causes tissue death.) I began noticing that certain foods (such as gluten) seemed to make me feel much worse. To better assist myself with my own healing, I completed a certified holistic nutrition program three years ago. Here's a little something I've written up about what the thyroid is, exactly, what hypo-thyroidism is, what foods to avoid, and how nurture your hypo-thyroid with healing foods.

 WHAT IS A THYROID?

Your amazing thyroid gland is “the Master” of your endocrine (hormonal) system, second only to the pituitary gland. It sits at the base of your throat, and secretes two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Three iodine molecules are needed to make T3 and four are needed to make T4. These hormones regulate metabolism within every cell of your body! 

WHAT IS HYPOTHYROIDISM?

Low levels of T3 and T4 hormones will really slow everything within your body down. That’s why symptoms of hypothyroidism often include weight gain, fatigue, constipation, depression, irritability, low body temperature, sleep disturbances, forgetfulness, edema, hair loss, decreased libido, joint pain, and a hoarse voice. Unfortunately these symptoms can resemble a host of other diseases, so the thyroid is often overlooked by physicians. 

When doctors test for thyroid dysfunction, they typically rely on a single blood test that measures thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH levels rise as thyroid function decreases, so levels over 5.0 mU/L are considered an indication of hypothyroidism. Regretfully, it’s an outdated lab value. Many people with TSH values between 3.04 and 5.0 - values are considered normal under current guidelines,yet can display numerous symptoms that their thyroids aren’t functioning properly. 

A much better method of evaluating thyroid function is by expanding the testing process to include additional thyroid markers (T3 & T4) and to look for clinical signs such as thinning hair, dry skin, goiter, or low body temperature. A doctor that specializes in bio-identical hormones should be familiar with this testing process.

HOW DID I GET A HYPO-THYROID?

While Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most prevalent cause of an underactive thyroid (90% of cases) aging, medications, and iodine deficiency can also play significant roles. Iodine can not be made by the body so it must be consumed in the diet. Medications can slow the thyroid and cause iodine deficiency. Lithium and corticosteroids are thyroid-slowing and should be used sparingly. Pain medications, antihistamines, and antidepressants may also slow the thyroid down.

HOW CAN I NURTURE MY THYROID SO IT FUNCTIONS BETTER? 

Besides getting treatment from a bio-identical hormone specialist, getting consistent exercise (40 minutes, walking, everyday), and taking supplements such as selenium, copper, and zinc to support thyroid function, here are some foods you should eat and foods you should avoid to support the health of your thyroid. 

AVOID OR LIMIT:  

Avoid ALL wheat products - not only does wheat inhibit T4 absorbtion, it also sets off an auto-immune cascade in the body, triggering the body to attack the thyroid further. In fact, a molecule of wheat to our bodies, looks a lot like a cell of thyroid tissue, which is one of the reasons (besides causing inflammation) that it makes the body so prone to self-attack. Go figure. So, avoid, avoid, avoid wheat! I know it sucks, but do it, believe me, you'll feel A LOT BETTER.

Avoid refined sugar, corn, soy, and, for some, dairy. Sugar, Corn, and Soy are often genetically modified, and are typically inflaming to the entire system, which can trigger autoimmune activity. Dairy is high in iodine, which can be inflaming to autoimmune thyroid patients. 

IMPORTANT: If you have been diagnosed with autoimmune of the thyroid, consuming iodine may inflame your thyroid even further - please use caution with high iodine foods (seafood, seaweed) and consume such foods while under the continuing observation of a naturopath or holistic nutritionist.

Avoid genetically modified foods, including canola oil. Avoid pesticides. 

Limit consumption of millet, sweet potatoes, peaches, strawberries, pears, peanuts, almonds, pine nuts and raw cruciferous vegetables as they inhibit iodine uptake in the body - which can affect the production of T3 & T4. (I know I know - I just said limit, though, not avoid. ;)

FOODS TO NOURISH THE THYROID: 

Eat organically. Eat organic or wild fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and meats. Consume healthy fats, such as avocados and avocado oil, virgin coconut oil and cold pressed virgin olive oil. Consume Brazil nuts (natural source of selenium), and Chlorophyll (natural source of copper). 

SEND LOVE TO YOUR THYROID:

Yes, I just said, send love to your thyroid. Massage it, tell it you love it, thank it for the amazing work it does in your unbelievably amazing body. If you have an auto-immune disease of the thyroid, the poor thing has been attacked plenty. Give it Love, the tonic that heals all.

Happy Hypo-thyroid Healing, fellow Steemers, May You All be Radiantly Healthy!

With Love From Portland,

Jennifer Skyler