Thyroid
in control of all of us
from birth through childhood to retirement years

In order to be active and able to do the things we enjoy throughout our lives, we need a healthy thyroid gland.

Swinging and pushing swings take energy

Since my husband developed hyperthyroidism, we wondered how long ago it began. We began to think about how long he had been unable to work without being over-tired. It was not just a week or two.  How long had his feet and hands seemed cold to the touch. This has been going on for a few months or maybe longer. Maybe more than a year. We just didn't get it checked out. We thought he was overdoing things or not sleeping well. On this page I am sharing with you the things I learned about thyroid.

I learned that the thyroid gland is an organ in the front part of a persons neck just below the adams apple. It is shaped like a butterfly. It is important for regulating our metabolism in concert with the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. The thyroid gland makes and releases hormones to help our bodies function properly. Thyroid also affects so many parts of your body including skin, bones, kidneys, brain, digestive system, muscles, and the heart, . If the thyroid isn't functioning as it should, a person will feel bad - maybe tired all the time. Not only did hyperthyroid make my husband feel tired, it affected the rhythm of his heart causing him to have atrial fibrillation (this according to the cardiologist). 

The most important thing we learned is that hypothyroidism can lead to atrial fibrillation, which happened in my husband's case, so it is good for people and especially older folks to pay attention to their body.  If it does not function as you think it should, if you are tired with no cause, see your doctor.

Something to do at home to keep in touch with your body
Take your Blood Pressure often
Make sure to monitor your pulse

Because of my husband's weak kidneys, we have always taken his blood pressure quite often. This is what warned us that we better get to the doctor. His blood pressure was usually normal, but we began to notice that his pulse was elevated.  After a few days of high pulse which reached 160 one time, we felt something was wrong and went to the doctor who sent us straight to the hospital.  It is better to find out this way than to wait for the pain. This was not a warning about the hyperthyroidism, but about the atrial fibrillation caused by the thyroid being "out of kilter".

The thyroid gland is a small organ in your throat shaped like a butterfly. It releases hormones that control important body functions.

The most common disease of the endocrine system in the USA is diabetes. Some other problems are hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and hypoglecemia.

thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is part
of the endocrine system,
so you would see an endocrinologist for thyroid problems.

Some of the functions are:
     weight control
     breathing
     heart rhythm
     body temperature
     cholesterol
     and much more

Now that we know, we       recognize that my             husband has had   symptoms of an endocrine system disorder for while. I hope someone reading this will be able to catch their disease before it makes them sick.

thyroid problems and causes

1. hyperthyroidism - due to overproduction of the thyroid hormone. This could be caused by thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid, graves disease (an autoimmune disorder).
2. hypothyroidism - due to an underproduction of the thyroid hormones. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto disease (an autoimmune disease). Hypothyroidism can be treated, but does not go away.
3. goiter - enlarged thyroid gland - caused by iodine deficiency - less common causes are smoking or radiation therapy.
4. Cancer

some symptoms of thyroid problems

1. tired
2. Pale or dry skin that often seems cool to the touoch
3. enlarged thyroid gland
4. cold hands and feet
5. brittle nails
6. thinning hair

I have learned that if you have a serious problem such as cancer or nodules or cysts which interfere with thyroid function, a doctor can surgically remove the thyroid gland. You may need medication the rest of your life, but you can live a normal life.

Thyroid problems can lead to:

• osteoporosis - loss of bone mineral and density
• heart arrhythmia - irregular heartbeat such as atrial fibrillation
• congestive heart failure
• thinning of the heart muscle
• hypertension - high blood pressure
• cardiac arrest

What can I do if my thyroid is not functioning properly
practices that can help your thyroid function properly

• Visit an endocrinologist - you need a doctor for diagnosis and treatment
• Eat healthy foods including onions, garlic, chia seeds, seafood, and healthy fats such as coconut oil and olive oil.
• Don't eat sugar.
• Get tested to make sure you don't have too many heavy metals in your body.
• Use a headset with your cell phone. The radiation from the phone can be a problem for your thyroid.
• I also read that butter (from grass fed cows) was a healthy choice for people with thyroid problems. It is good for your thyroid. Some good brands of butter are Kerry Gold, Anchor, German, and Smjor butter. If you type in grass fed butter on Amazon, you will find some of these and others.