For a body part that may sound like a communicable disease and is interestingly shaped like a butterfly, the enigmatic thyroid gland is one of the most important parts of your endocrine system, or the machine that produces and balances your hormones. It plays a key role in your growth, development and metabolism and regularly adapts to the energetic needs of your body to produce sufficient hormones to keep you functioning optimally – so long as it is tended to.
Thyroid malfunction is rather pervasive. In fact, if you haven’t been feeling well for a period of time, someone is likely to ask you if you have had your thyroid checked. There are a host of thyroid disorders that can disrupt the normal functioning of your entire body – from over-active to under-active, inflamed and enlarged, and potentially cancerous. Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from some form of a diagnosed thyroid condition and roughly 60% of people with a thyroid disease don’t know they have it.
The truth is that your thyroid may be suffering long before you get a diagnosis of thyroid disease. Learning the root causes of thyroid malfunction and early signals can help you to stave off a long term and potentially irreversible condition.
Signs of Thyroid Malfunction
We have already established that the thyroid helps to regulate your metabolism and hormonal balance. As such, any sign of metabolic or hormonal imbalance may be an early sign of thyroid malfunction. And, Ayurveda offers an elemental perspective on Thyroid Condition Diagnosis.
These signs include unexplained weight gain or loss, high or very low blood pressure, fatigue or low energy, sensitivity to cold or heat and insomnia or sleep irregularities such as sleeplessness despite fatigue or excessive fatigue despite sleep. Other signs can include thinning hair or hair loss, bone loss, thinning or dry skin and nails, muscle loss, depression, gastrointestinal issues, low libido and infertility.
Of course, you may experience one or more of these symptoms at some point in your life. If the symptom is transient and goes away on its own, you probably have nothing to worry about. If the symptom becomes chronic, combines with other symptoms, or comes and goes on a regular basis, you should consider a more thyroid-friendly lifestyle.
Having your thyroid checked by an endocrinologist is very important. Keep in mind, however, sometimes blood work can be completely normal and you can be sent home without answers or treatment despite the symptoms you are experiencing. This dynamic leaves many people feeling isolated, confused and more likely to end up with a thyroid disorder simply because they don’t receive guidance on early interventions before a diagnosable condition is present.
The Root of Thyroid Malfunction
The delicate nature of the thyroid gland despite its workhorse-like function suggests we need to tend to it like we might an intricate bed of perennial flowers. If you give it the love and care it deserves, it will grow and produce beautiful blossoms year after year. It will become stronger over time and it will be able to withstand the occasional storm and fluctuations in its environment. If, however, you ignore your thyroid by not tuning to the signs and signals from your body that it is under stress, it will wilt, the roots will swell and eventually it will languish.
150,000 people yearly in the United States undergo a thyroidectomy (thyroid removal) due to a host of conditions including cancer, benign nodules, goiter and hyperthyroidism. Once the thyroid gland is removed – whether through prevention or intervention – a person will have to take synthetic thyroid hormone medication for the rest of their lives because there is no natural intervention to replace thyroid hormone production.
The majority of our clients who come to us with a diagnosed thyroid disease are in their 40s or 50s and describe a history of early signs of thyroid imbalance that could have offered an opportunity for early intervention. Unfortunately, they lacked the resources and support that could have helped them to avoid the avoidable. In holistic healing, we only use blood tests as one factor in a treatment plan. How you are feeling and the signals your body is sending you is far more important.
- Many clients who come to us with early signs of thyroid imbalance are in their late 30s and early 40s. Many of these individuals aren’t sure if they have a thyroid imbalance because their annual blood tests show “normal” thyroid hormone levels even though their bodies are telling them another story. This is the time to start intervention.
- Clients in a hyperthyroid state can start to experience unexplained weight loss, which they sometimes welcome and even favor – especially if they have been working to lose or maintain their weight most of their adult life. This can lead them to ignore other early signs of thyroid malfunction such as fatigue, heart palpitations and hair thinning.
- Women who are perimenopausal are particularly affected because their bodies are already prone to hormonal fluctuations, which causes the thyroid to work harder. This can also make it difficult to tell the difference between thyroid malfunction and menopausal symptoms. In either case, imbalances in one area can exacerbate imbalances in another (yes, thyroid imbalance will make menopausal symptoms worse and vice versa!).
Holistic Interventions
Tending to your thyroid doesn’t have to be difficult or feel impossible. And, except in a few exceptional cases, your thyroid is likely to remain resilient if given proper care and attention. Adapting to your personal constitutional needs and learning to listen to your body are the cornerstones of healing from any disease or imbalance. Because each person’s thyroid imbalance is completely unique to them, beware of general guidelines or supplements that suggest they will fix or balance your thyroid.
Food, herbs and lifestyle recommendations can either boost or suppress your thyroid function. Implementing a generalized change that runs contrary to your unique needs can actually make your condition worse. For example:
- Raw goitrogens (eg. cruciferous vegetables as well as some fruits and nuts) contain isothiocyanate, which can suppress thyroid function and are contraindicated in cases of hypothyroidism but can be helpful in hyperthyroidism. Cooking goitrogens neutralizes the enzyme that suppress thyroid function and are fine for most.
- Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism but eating too much food with high iodine content (eg. seaweed, fish, iodized salt) can lead to hyperthyroidism. Moderation is ideal for most. If you have a thyroid condition, speak to a trained practitioner about what makes most sense for you.
- Ashwagandha helps to increase thyroid hormone but can cause thyrotoxicosis in those with hyperthyroidism. Make sure you undergo a thorough evaluation with a clinical Ayurvedic specialist before taking any herbal supplements.
- Kachanar guggul is one of the primary herbal treatments for all thyroid disorders but it is contraindicated with thyroid hormone replacement therapies – do not take it without consulting with your clinical Ayurvedic specialist.
- Exercise can help to moderate metabolism in cases of hyper and hypothyroidism but can also further deplete an under-active thyroid that requires restoration first. Understanding your constitution and imbalances is the best way to know what kind of exercise is right for you.
Some general holistic healing recommendations that support general thyroid health and wellbeing include:
NUTRITIONAL
- Eliminate processed foods and sugars.
- Eat organic, fresh foods.
- Eliminate industrial seed oils and cook with ghee, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
- Eliminate endocrine disruptors and environmental toxins.
- Restore your gut microbiome – work with a practitioner to do this in a sustainable way that works for you.
- Consume high-quality protein everyday. Animal protein is best to maintain adequate thyroid hormone levels. Talk to a practitioner if you are vegan or vegetarian.
- Enjoy seasonal cleansing.
LIFESTYLE
- Learn to befriend stress and adopt a mindfulness or meditation practice that works for you.
- Learn the sleep rhythm that works best for your constitution. Always aim to get to bed by 10pm – our most restorative sleep for hormonal function happens between 10pm-2am.
- Adopt a practice of True Rest to sync your ultradian rhythms and enjoy more energy.
- Spend time in nature and enjoy walking to boost circulation and re-attune your bodily rhythms to the environment that surrounds you.
HERBAL
- Always consult a holistic practitioner before starting any herbal supplements or regimes. Quality, source, type and quantity matter – especially when it comes to thyroid health.
Your thyroid health is as unique as you are – and your thyroid treatment plan should be as well. At Path Wellbeing, we honor your unique you and custom tailor all of our treatment plans to you as an individual.
Article authored by Kirsten Ahern, Founder of Path Wellbeing, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Wellbeing Advocate, E-RYT 200 and RYT 500, Meditation, Mindfulness and Spiritual Wellbeing Coach. Kirsten’s clinical speciality is in treating chronic and inflammatory conditions and diseases.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
