Understanding and dealing with an underactive thyroid

The thyroid gland makes hormones that impact the body’s metabolism, regulating how quickly or how slowly the body works and the growth of a person. When the thyroid gland is underactive (doesn’t produce enough hormones- hypothyroidism), it can affect a person’s mood, induce tiredness, depression and a tendency to put on weight. When the thyroid gland is overactive (produces too much hormones - hyperthyroidism), a person can become hyperactive, be nervous or anxious and lose weight unexpectedly. A number factors and conditions can cause an underactive thyroid, including an autoimmune disease, treatment for hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, certain medications or even pregnancy and iron deficiency. If the hypothyroidism is not diagnosed and treated correctly, it can lead to some health complications, such as depression, heart problems associated with high levels of cholesterol, an enlarger thyroid gland (condition known as a goiter), infertility, birth defects, damage to your peripheral nerves and myxedema coma. An underactive thyroid is not usually serious. It can often be treated successfully with hormone tablets to replace the hormones that the thyroid isn't making. ...

Alternative medicine to treat a thyroid condition may include homeopathic mixtures, herbs, natural extracts containing thyroid hormone derived from the thyroid glands of pigs, Chinese preparations and acupuncture.

Chiropractors may also use spinal manipulation to treat symptoms of thyroid disorders by reducing muscle tension and improving blood circulation. ...