When it comes to the question, "Should you take your medication to control your thyroid?", the answer is yes if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
It has been reported that well over 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and of those over half do not even realize they have the problem.
This happens because the symptoms for thyroid disease can and are mistaken for other conditions.
The symptoms may come on very slowly and you are not even aware you have a problem.
You just thing it is normal or just part of "getting old".
Let's have a look of the importance of this butterfly shaped gland below your Adam's apple.
Weighing in at about 25 grams, it secretes hormones that are critical for your body to function properly and to stay in good health.
The thyroid gland is responsible in the regulation of your heart rate, your breathing and your body temperature.
The growth of your hair and nails, the ability to become pregnant, and the appearance of your skin are all affected by the function of this gland.
All the cells in our body has a receptor for thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone plays a big role in brain function, red blood cell and bone metabolism, glucose metabolism, protein metabolism and regulation your body temperature.
There are two main disorders of the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
The most common is hypothyroidism, also described as an under active thyroid.
People suffering with this condition will have symptoms such as weight gain, depression, hair loss, dry skin, heavy menstrual flow, infertility,brittle nails,mental slow down, dementia, constipation, muscle stiffness and many others that are not fun to live with.
One of the most common symptoms, especially in women, is heat intolerance.
Hypothyroidism can occur when the thyroid gland has been totally or partially removed because of cancer, by an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto's disease, or when radioactive iodine treatments have been used to destroy an over active thyroid gland.
How should you take your medication for your thyroid? The most important step in taking your thyroid hormone supplements is taking the medication everyday,at the same time of day.
Another important factor in receiving the full benefit of the medication is to take it on an empty stomach.
That means if you take it first thing in the morning you have to wait at least one hour before you have any food or beverages other than water.
That means no coffee or tea for an hour after getting up.
The other alternative is to take the medication in the evening before going to bed.
This works well for me because I do not eat in the evenings after dinner and I need to eat first thing in the morning so I can have energy to work out.
If the physician diagnoses you to be on thyroid hormone supplements, it is critical that you tell them if you have other medical issues such as heart disease or diabetes.
They will also need to know what other medications you may be on such as oral contraceptives, other hormone treatments such as estrogen and testosterone, anti-depressants, medication to lower cholesterol, and anti-seizure medications.
Once placed on a thyroid hormone supplement, the dosages may change, but it usually is for life.
It has been reported that well over 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and of those over half do not even realize they have the problem.
This happens because the symptoms for thyroid disease can and are mistaken for other conditions.
The symptoms may come on very slowly and you are not even aware you have a problem.
You just thing it is normal or just part of "getting old".
Let's have a look of the importance of this butterfly shaped gland below your Adam's apple.
Weighing in at about 25 grams, it secretes hormones that are critical for your body to function properly and to stay in good health.
The thyroid gland is responsible in the regulation of your heart rate, your breathing and your body temperature.
The growth of your hair and nails, the ability to become pregnant, and the appearance of your skin are all affected by the function of this gland.
All the cells in our body has a receptor for thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone plays a big role in brain function, red blood cell and bone metabolism, glucose metabolism, protein metabolism and regulation your body temperature.
There are two main disorders of the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
The most common is hypothyroidism, also described as an under active thyroid.
People suffering with this condition will have symptoms such as weight gain, depression, hair loss, dry skin, heavy menstrual flow, infertility,brittle nails,mental slow down, dementia, constipation, muscle stiffness and many others that are not fun to live with.
One of the most common symptoms, especially in women, is heat intolerance.
Hypothyroidism can occur when the thyroid gland has been totally or partially removed because of cancer, by an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto's disease, or when radioactive iodine treatments have been used to destroy an over active thyroid gland.
How should you take your medication for your thyroid? The most important step in taking your thyroid hormone supplements is taking the medication everyday,at the same time of day.
Another important factor in receiving the full benefit of the medication is to take it on an empty stomach.
That means if you take it first thing in the morning you have to wait at least one hour before you have any food or beverages other than water.
That means no coffee or tea for an hour after getting up.
The other alternative is to take the medication in the evening before going to bed.
This works well for me because I do not eat in the evenings after dinner and I need to eat first thing in the morning so I can have energy to work out.
If the physician diagnoses you to be on thyroid hormone supplements, it is critical that you tell them if you have other medical issues such as heart disease or diabetes.
They will also need to know what other medications you may be on such as oral contraceptives, other hormone treatments such as estrogen and testosterone, anti-depressants, medication to lower cholesterol, and anti-seizure medications.
Once placed on a thyroid hormone supplement, the dosages may change, but it usually is for life.
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