There are ways to stimulate the thyroid gland to help you feel better from subclinical hypothyroidism. As a result, you are aiding in avoiding lifelong treatment and developing Hypothyroidism. Subclinical Hypothyroidism is an early form of Hypothyroidism. It can cause problems in almost every system in the body. In one study, 26.8 percent of trusted sources of those with subclinical Hypothyroidism developed full-blown Hypothyroidism within six years of their initial diagnosis.
What Is Subclinical Hypothyroidism?
However, the thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland are still within the normal range.
These hormones support the brain, heart, and metabolism. When thyroid hormones don’t work correctly, this can affect the body.
Symptoms Of Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Muscle or joint pain, constipation, depression, irritability, memory loss, heavy menstruation, fatigue, decreased sexual desire, weight gain, and hair loss.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism Vs. Hypothyroidism
When the levels of hormones T-3 and T-4 are normal, but those of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) are increased, it is called subclinical Hypothyroidism.
A common symptom of this disorder is a basal temperature (measured upon waking, before getting out of bed) below 36.6 ° C. Subclinical hypothyroidism can affect 2-10% of the population.
Complications Of Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Heart Disease can be a complication of Subclinical Hypothyroidism. In addition, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can be a complication of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and high cholesterol. Miscarriages can also be a complication of subclinical Hypothyroidism. Therefore, managing this disease is key to preventing Hypothyroidism.
Conventional Treatment for Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Your doctor may decide to treat subclinical hypothyroidism. This may be beneficial if TSH levels are lower than ten mIU/L.
Because higher TSH levels can start to produce adverse effects on the body, people with a TSH level over 10 mIU/L can be treated.
Factors In Deciding If Your Doctor Will Treat You Are?
- your TSH level
- whether or not antithyroid antibodies are found in your blood.
- A goiter (both are indications the condition may progress to Hypothyroidism)
- Severity symptoms
- your age
- medical history
Natural Treatment Of Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Diet
In subclinical Hypothyroidism, diet can help prevent Hypothyroidism from developing fully. Therefore, it is advisable to consume foods that provide adequate amounts of iodine (150 to 200 µg daily).
Foods Include:
Dressing with iodized sea salt and consuming small amounts of seaweed is usually enough to reach the recommended dose. Still, it is not advisable to exceed it because it could achieve the opposite effect to that desired (the thyroid could stop secreting hormones).
On the other hand, a moderate consumption (no more than one daily serving) of foods that contain goitrogens is recommended, although they can be very healthy. However, if consumed in excess, these compounds can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis.
Foods with goitrogens include cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower), cassava, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and unfermented soybeans. In addition, cooking cabbages significantly reduces the activity of goitrogens.
Vitamins The Thyroid Needs.
In addition to iodine, the thyroid gland needs several nutrients to secrete the hormones thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). You can get them from food or through nutritional supplements.
- Selenium. It is necessary to transform T-4 into T-3, the active form. A Brazil nut provides 100 µg, twice the amount needed per day. In case of suffering from Hashimoto’s disease, it is advisable to double the dose.
- Zinc. As the years go by, it is more likely to suffer a mineral deficiency. 11-30 mg daily is needed. Pumpkin seeds are a good plant source.
- Vitamins C and E. Protect thyroid tissues. Vitamin C is superfood found in fresh fruits like Areola and vitamin E in nuts and seeds. The recommended doses are respectively 100-1000 mg and 15 mg. A good natural vitamin C supplement made from the Areola fruit, like The , is a good option that’s not produced in a lab like the ascorbic acid vitamin pills.
- Tyrosine is an amino acid necessary for the formation of thyroid hormones. The body can synthesize it, but it can also be found in almonds, pumpkin, and sesame seeds.
- Other nutrients The B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin A, iodine, zinc, selenium and copper are other nutrients that are also involved in the production of thyroid hormones. is a great way to get your iodine, zinc, cooper and selenium all in one supplement.
Physical Exercise To Stimulate The Thyroid
A good part of the benefits that physical exercise produces in all people maybe because it stimulates the thyroid. Exercising is always recommended, but it is even more so in people who follow a hypocaloric diet to lose weight since it can counteract the decrease in the metabolic activity they experience.
Although people with Hypothyroidism often feel tired and sore, endocrinologist John C. Morris of the Mayo Clinic says they can stimulate their thyroid with a combination of low-impact aerobic activity (walking, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi) with strength exercises, such as those done with weights, machines, and rubber bands.
Chinese Acupressure And Herbal Medicine
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), patients with Hypothyroidism suffer from a yang deficiency that can be treated with acupuncture and different mixtures of medicinal plants depending on the symptoms.
Home Remedies
“Sweet medicine” can also help. Although the best results are achieved with personalized treatment, a study published in the British Homeopathic Journal shows that treatment with three Iodum 6C granules every 8 hours increased T3 and T4 levels by 20 and 5%, respectively.
Algae And Plants
- Kelp (Saccharina latissima). It is a magnificent supplement rich in iodine. The best way to consume it is as a low sodium vegetable salt component.
- Fucus (Fucus vesiculosus). Sargassum or fucus is an alga taken as a supplement in capsules. It is an excellent source of iodine. 100 mg can be taken three times a day.
- Gugulon (Comniphora mukul). The resin of this plant improves the performance of the thyroid. According to medical indications, a usual dose is 400 mg of extract, 1 to 3 times a day.
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This plant is capable of increasing the thyroid hormones T-3 and T-4. Ashwagandha root has a general endocrine-stimulating effect.
Other Natural Therapies And Remedies
Hydrotherapy: alternately apply cold packs (1 minute) and hot (3 minutes) on the neck and throat, stimulating the functioning of the thyroid gland. The application is repeated three times, and it can be done two or three times a day.
Therapeutic massage: acts on the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which favors the arrival of nutrients and the exit of toxins. A physical therapist can choose the most appropriate techniques. In addition, the reflexological foot massage can be done by yourself: it works the point located between the bases of the big toe and the second toe.
Meditation: practicing mindfulness meditation for 20-30 minutes a day balances the nervous system, influencing the hormonal system. During meditation, you can visualize how the thyroid fills with stimulating energy.
Breathing exercises: Yogic breathing techniques reinforce the effect of postures and stimulate the nervous and endocrine systems. Surya bheda (single nostril breathing), anuloma viloma (alternate breathing), and ujjayi (victorious breathing) techniques are indicated.
Yoga To Regulate The Thyroid Gland
Specific asanas and breathing exercises are capable of balancing the endocrine system. The postures of the candle (Sarvangasana) and the fish (matsyasana) are especially recommended in case of Hypothyroidism. A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine found that 6-month yoga practice was associated with improvements in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
Sarvangasana produces a stimulus on the thyroid.
- Lie on your back with your arms stretched out and your palms facing up.
- Raise your hips and legs while bringing your hands to your kidneys. The objective is that the legs are straight and perpendicular to the ground.
- Keep your neck and shoulders flat on the ground. Stretch your torso and legs as far as you can.
- Hold the pose for up to 5 minutes a day for as long as possible.
- While holding the posture, visualize how that butterfly in your throat area (the thyroid gland) wakes up from a long period of inactivity and begins to produce more hormones.
- Do not do this pose if you are pregnant or menstruating, Nor if you have glaucoma, sinusitis, or high blood pressure.
Matsyasana activates the thyroid and reduces stress and fatigue.
- Lie on your back, with your legs straight and together, and your hands face down next to your thighs or below.
- Arch your back as you breathe in and lift your torso, pushing up your chest as if you would sit up. Press your elbows against the ground to help you.
- Raise your head carefully and gently rest your crown on the ground.
- The neck, throat, and chest are opened and stretched in this pose. Stay like this for between 30 seconds and a minute. Slowly return to the starting position.
In Conclusion
Managing Subclinical Hypothyroidism is key to preventing complications from full blow, Hypothyroidism. Maintaining a proper diet, getting enough sleep, practicing yoga, and getting enough exercise can cut your risk of getting Hypothyroidism and manage your subclinical Hypothyroidism.