| Hypothyroidism is a medical condition where the | | | | the time that you are getting your body healthy, |
| thyroid is underactive and does not make enough | | | | because it can take a long time, months or even |
| thyroid hormone. If you suspect that your thyroid | | | | years. Once you are healthy, you can find out if it is |
| hormone levels are low or if you have been diagnosed | | | | possible to get off of the medication by slowly |
| with hypothyroidism, then you may be interested in | | | | lowering your dosage. |
| treating it either naturally or with a thyroid hormone | | | | Supplementing for your immunity and your thyroid will |
| medication. | | | | help you avoid the side effects of taking hormone |
| When your thyroid levels are low, you may feel | | | | replacement drugs. It can also help your thyroid |
| fatigued, have rapid weight gain, acne, dry skin and be | | | | medication do its job properly and can relieve |
| sensitive to cold or heat. If left untreated, you could | | | | symptoms that persist after thyroid hormone levels |
| experience hoarseness, swelling of the face, hands | | | | are normal. |
| and feet, thinning hair or eyebrows, and/or painful | | | | The thyroid is a complex part of an intricate system. |
| salivary gland spasms. Do not leave an underactive | | | | Immune responses have to work in harmony with |
| thyroid untreated. You could be at risk of a | | | | hormonal systems for everything to run smoothly. |
| myxedema coma, which can cause mental | | | | Autoimmune disease is linked to hypothyroidism. |
| deterioration, hypothermia, heart failure and respiratory | | | | Therefore, it is very important to support the immune |
| failure. | | | | system with a lot of extra vitamin C. A strict regimen |
| If you have the symptoms of hypothyroidism and your | | | | of selenium, beta-carotene and vitamin E, and vitamin |
| blood tests come back normal, your doctor may order | | | | C regulates and calms the immune response. (Note: |
| an ultrasound. An ultrasound may reveal nodules or | | | | Vitamin C and selenium should not be taken within |
| other changes that could be causing your symptoms. If | | | | about an hour of each other.) Your doctor may also |
| thyroid hormone levels are simply low, then your | | | | recommend taking CoQ10. |
| doctor may prescribe a thyroid replacement hormone. | | | | It is important to eat organic and non-processed foods |
| The thyroid uses iodine to produce the two thyroid | | | | if you have hypothyroidism. Hormones, antibiotics and |
| hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). T4 | | | | pesticides in food alter your thyroid and immune |
| must be converted into T3 to give cells energy. If you | | | | system function. Exercise, relaxation, whole grains, |
| tell your doctor that you prefer natural treatments, they | | | | garlic, broccoli, ocean fish, and probiotics all help build a |
| may prescribe a medication made from a pig thyroid | | | | healthy immune system and thyroid. |
| that contains T3 and T4 hormone. Have your hormone | | | | Talk with your doctor about which vitamins and |
| levels checked regularly to make sure that you're not | | | | supplements are best for you. The daily requirements |
| just building up T4 levels, but that you are actually | | | | are usually much higher for someone with |
| converting them into T3. | | | | hypothyroidism. Many popular brands do not have the |
| If you had a partial thyroidectomy or still have your | | | | absorbability that you need. When you buy vitamins, |
| thyroid, talk to your doctor about nourishing the thyroid | | | | look for the best. To get enough vitamin C into your |
| and immune system to get them to their optimal | | | | diet every day, consider vitamin C powder. It is easier |
| states. You may still find it necessary to take | | | | to take, less expensive when taking high doses, and it |
| prescription replacement hormone medications during | | | | is easier on the teeth and stomach than chewables. |