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An imbalance of thyroid hormones can throw many aspects of our health off balance. From fatigue to hair loss, thyroid diseases can impact your body in many ways. Thyroid imbalances can often go misdiagnosed and be hard to detect due to the symptoms being similar to other conditions. If you have recently been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, or think you might be showing symptoms of one, there are several things that can be impacting the health of your thyroid that you may not even be aware of.
Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system attacks the body due a perceived threat. There are two specific autoimmune diseases that can impact your thyroid. Grave’s Disease and Hashimoto’s Disease are both thyroid conditions associated with autoimmune disease
Grave’s Disease is defined as an autoimmune disease caused by an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of this disease can include irregular heartbeat, heat intolerance, trouble sleeping, and weight loss. Grave’s Disease can be caused by genetics and triggered by things such as viruses. Many people are able to control their hyperthyroidism with medication, but radioiodine therapy and surgery are also treatment options.
The autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s Disease can lead to the development of hypothyroidism. Affecting around 5 of every 100 people in the United States, Hashimoto’s Disease can accompany many other illnesses such as Addison’s Disease, Celiac Disease and Lupus. The low levels of thyroid hormone associated with hypothyroidism can also lead to high cholesterol and heart disease. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can often be mild in those with Hashimoto’s, and can include weight gain, fatigue, thinning hair, depression, and problems with memory. Caused by genetic predisposition or triggered by viruses, treatment for Hashimoto’s often includes medication. Talk to your doctor about getting tested for thyroid imbalances if you are experiencing symptoms of thyroid or autoimmune diseases.
While thyroid diseases can have a variety of causes, they can also be influenced by other hormones. Women’s progesterone levels can drop as they age, and when the balance of the hormones gets thrown off it can lead to estrogen dominance. When estrogen dominance occurs, a protein called thyroid binding globulin can be overproduced and affect the number of thyroid hormones that can be utilized by the body which can result in the development of hypothyroidism.
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can also be associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Insulin can mimic the activity of thyroid hormones in certain parts of the body and thyroid conditions can often be associated with both types of diabetes. Hyperthyroidism can cause insulin to be processed too quickly and can coincide with Type 1 Diabetes, while hypothyroidism can lead to hypoglycemia and insulin sensitivity. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing issues with blood sugar levels after being diagnosed with a thyroid condition and have symptoms that can include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, confusion, heart palpitations, and anxiety.
Different toxins can also affect the thyroid. A University of Michigan study linked changes in thyroid hormone levels to chemicals called phthalates and BPA found in certain plastics. Heavy metals such as mercury and lead can also cause antibody reactions associated with Grave’s Disease and Hashimoto’s Disease. Other metals, such as aluminum have also been found to cause similar reactions. Testing can determine whether or not you have a build up of these toxins in your system. Talk to your doctor about what environmental factors can contribute to your thyroid symptoms.
If you are taking thyroid medication you may need to avoid or limit certain foods as they can affect absorption. It is also commonly suggested that the medication is best taken on an empty stomach to promote as much absorption as possible. In addition, other medications and supplements such as antacids, cholesterol drugs, iron supplements, and calcium supplements can also affect absorption. One specific beverage that should be avoided at the time of taking medication is coffee. While it can be difficult to avoid since many take medication in the morning, caffeine can cause a lower absorption rate of the thyroid medication in your intestines. Talk to doctor about diet recommendations for dealing with thyroid disorders.
