Alternative Medicine for Underactive Thyroid

Having an underactive thyroid gland is a condition called hypothyroidism. It occurs when your thyroid doesn't produce enough of the hormones your body needs to function properly. Women over 50 are particularly susceptible to hypothyroidism because it is a time in their life when the chemical reactions in their body are out of balance. Untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease and other health problems.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypothyroidism tend to develop slowly, beginning with fatigue and sluggishness. Many people attribute this to their thyroid slowing down as they grow older, but with hypothyroidism, other symptoms will develop as well. These could include any combination of sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, puffy face, hoarse voice, increased cholesterol, weight gain, muscle aches, joint pain, muscle weakness, abnormally heavy menstrual periods, brittle fingernails and hair and depression.

Causes

Autoimmune disease is the most-common cause of hypothyroidism. This occurs when your body produces antibodies against itself and those antibodies affect the thyroid's ability to produce hormones. Sometimes, when a person is treated for an overactive thyroid, the treatment goes too far and turns an overactive thyroid into an underactive one. Radiation treatment around the head and neck can affect the thyroid. Also, certain medications may slow down the thyroid. Less often, hypothyroidism has been found to be caused by a congenital disease, pituitary disorder, pregnancy or iodine deficiency.

Diet

The first thing to begin changing to help your thyroid is your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a rich source of enzymes that can help the chemical reactions in the thyroid that produce the needed hormones.

Supplement

Since thyroid hormones are derivatives of iodine, consider using supplements rich in iodine. Supplements containing kelp would be a good sources. Vitamins A, C, E and B complex should be taken to provide the thyroid with the needed nutrients to make the hormones. Vitamin E is needed for the body to assimilate iodine and the other vitamins are needed to make the hormones.

Pig Hormone

There is an extract of pig hormone available by prescription. It is natural and acts in the same way that synthetic hormones act. However, you should only use the prescription extract. It will be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so that its potency is guaranteed.