Thyroid: Conductor of
your Body's Symphony
Thyroid,
a tiny yet powerful gland
ANATOMY
The thyroid is a small endocrine gland located in the front part of the neck. With a weight varying from 10g to 30g, it measures approximately 5 cm and is composed of two lateral lobes (left and right) connected by a central part called the isthmus.
ETYMOLOGY
The name comes from the Greek word "thyreoeides" meaning "shield" because of its shape similar to the shields of soldiers during Ancient Greece.
Today, its shape is rather compared to a butterfly.
A central role
in the body
-
HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE
-
THERMOREGULATION
-
NERVOUS SYSTEM AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
-
FUNCTION OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
-
FERTILITY AND REPRODUCTION
-
BONE GROWTH AND SKIN DEVELOPMENT
-
TRANSFORMATION OF FAT AND SUGAR
-
INFLAMMATION AND AUTOIMMUNITY
The thyroid gland releases hormones that play a key role in the body functioning.
It regulates the metabolism of the body and is therefore important in many vital functions, such as:
Balance your thyroid hormones
to be healthy!
Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism?
FROM THE BRAIN TO THE THYROID, A DOMINO EFFECT...
The whole process starts in the brain though the hypothalamus which secretes a hormone called thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH).
The TRH hormone stimulates the pituitary gland (or hypophysis), a gland located at the base of the brain.
Then, the pituitary produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which ultimately influences the thyroid by signalling the amount of thyroid hormones to produce.
THYROID HORMONES
The thyroid secretes thyroid hormones, the two main ones being:
- T3 (triiodothyronine), very active form
- T4 (thyroxine), relatively inactive form
- T1 (monioodothyronine), inactive form
- T2 (diiodotyronine), inactive form
If there is an excess of hormones (hyperthyroidism), the metabolism speeds up. Conversely, a lack of hormones (hypothyroidism) slows down the body.
This is referred as what we call a "thyroid disorder".
How to detect a thyroid disorder?
When the thyroid is no longer balanced, the body can express itself through several symptoms*:
Hypothyroidism
Extreme fatigue
Depression, loss of interest
Weight gain
Brain fog, memory loss
Concentration difficulty
Muscle and joint pains
Cold hands and feet
Slow heart rate
Reduced sweating
Constipation
Cold sensitivity
Puffy face, dry skin
Ridged and brittle nails
Hair loss, thin hair
Low sex drive, vaginal dryness
Irregular menstrual cycles
Dry eyes
*If you have any suspicion about experiencing a thyroid disorder, you should consult your doctor in order to get a medical diagnosis and ensure medical supervision if necessary.
Hyperthyroidism
Constant tiredness
Depression
Weight loss
Anxiety, panic attacks
Agitation, nervousness, obsessive thoughts
Mood swings, insomnia
Tremors (in the hands)
Rapid heart rate
Excessive sweating
Diarrhea
Hot flashes
Muscle weakness, amyotrophy
Brittle nails
Hair loss, thin hair
Low libido, lubrication issues
Irregular periods or even amenorrhea
Exopthalmos (bulging of an eyeball or eyeballs for people affected by Graves' disease)
THYROID PROBLEMS & DISEASES
Thyroid diseases are part of the most common diseases in the world and are estimated to affect more than 200 million people globally.
HYPOTHYROIDISM - Underactive thyroid gland
HYPERTHYROIDISM - Overactive thyroid gland
THYROIDITIS - Inflammation of the thyroid
GOITER - Enlargment of the thyroid gland
THYROID NODULE - Lump located in the gland
THYROID CANCER
THYROID DISORDERS
SOME CAUSES OF
THYROID PROBLEMS
A thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) can be caused by:
- thyroid dysfunction or abnormality
- iodine deficiency
- disease related to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- inflammation and/or autoimmune attack
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE THYROID
DIAGNOSIS**
Presence of TPO
& Tg antibodies
via blood test or ultrasound
POSSIBLE
SYMPTOMS
HASHIMOTO'S
THYROIDITIS
GRAVES'
DISEASE
HASHITOXICOSIS
POSTPARTUM
THYROIDITIS
DE QUERVAIN'S
THYROIDITIS
RIEDEL'S
THYROIDITIS
CAUSES
Hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism
Goiter, hyperthyroidism
Alternating hypothyroidism
& hyperthyroidism
Hard goiter, dyspnea, dysphagia, dysphonia, hypothyroidism
Goiter, hyperthyroidism
to hypothyroidism
Cervical pain, fever, headache, painful goiter, hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism
Viral infection
Autoimmune
attack
Autoimmune
attack
Autoimmune
attack after birth
Extensive fibrosis,
IgG4-related disease,
possible autoimmune attack
Autoimmune
attack
Presence of TPO
& Tg antibodies
via blood test or ultrasound
Presence of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) via blood test or ultrasound or thyroid scintigraphy
Presence of
thyroid antibodies,
Low TSH,
high T3 & T4 or ultrasound
Thyroid scintigraphy,
biopsy
Thyroid ultrasound
**A medical diagnosis is only confirmed if established by your doctor. The information presented above is for your own knowledge only.
Thyroid:
Take care of your thyroid!
Do you suffer from hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's disease or Graves' disease?
Thyroid disorders can have a big impact on your quality of life (I am in a good position to know that!). Here are some good news: solutions do exist and they can be implemented now.
How? Let's find the root causes of your imbalances to figure out which natural solutions are the best for your health.
This is also why I developed Special Thyroid programs for you!
Find your natural health program and balance your thyroid!
BUTTERFLY EFFECT
PROTOCOL
Developed by Anaïs Damour, this holistic and individualized program focuses on finding the root causes of your thyroid condition (Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism) to implement some natural solutions and optimize your health
(3 MONTHS)
This holistic and individualized program will help you balancing your hormones and improving your health
thanks to natural techniques
adapted to the current needs of
your body and mind
THYROID
SUPPORT
(1 MONTH)
My natural health
recommendations for your thyroid
If you suffer from a thyroid disorder, you should be under medical supervision. It is important to consult your doctor beforehand to discuss any dietary changes.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
- Include food naturally high in iodine in your diet
- Use adaptogenic plants (Guggul, Bacopa monnieri, Ashwagandha, Maca, rosemary, Coleus forskohlii)
HYPERTHYROIDISM
- Avoid goitrogenic and iodine-rich food
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES
- Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet
- Improve your gut health
- Keep in mind the importance of vitamins A, D, B12, iron and selenium for thyroid autoimmune diseases
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
- Consider starting a somatization therapy: the thyroid is often linked to the need for self-expression and/or to be listened,
as well as a helplessness feeling
- Manage your stress and anxiety with cardiac coherence
- Write in your journal in case of mental fog (especially during memory loss) and/or simply to release your emotions!