Whether as hypo or hyper-thyroidism, hormonal imbalance usually begins gradually, in time foreshadowing the onset of manifest disease, often providing an opportunity for early interventions that can curb the disease in the early stages to a greater extent than at the time of the developed clinical picture.
Depending on the amount and type of circulating thyroid hormones and their peripheral effects, i.e. the manifestation in the form of symptoms, thyroid diseases are divided into hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Insidious hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition of reduced production of thyroid hormones, caused by various mechanisms. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is chronic, autoimmune inflammation - the so-called. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, in which the tissue of the gland gradually deteriorates and the consequent loss of its endocrine function.
Hypothyroidism can also be caused by some type of treatment - irradiation of the neck, surgical removal of thyroid tissue, the use of radioactive iodine, taking certain groups of drugs, lack of iodine in the diet, and it can also be a consequence of disturbed work of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. If the cause of the dysfunction lies in the gland itself, we call it primary hypothyroidism (in 95% of cases), if it is a "mistake" in the pituitary gland, we call it secondary hypothyroidism, and if the main culprit is the hypothalamus, we speak of tertiary hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can also be transient (during pregnancy, as a reaction to hyperthyroidism treatment, after partial surgical removal, due to acute inflammation), and the symptoms pass over a few weeks.
The main symptoms are:
- chronic fatigue, weakness - pain in muscles and joints - sluggishness, sleepiness, difficulty concentrating - lowered body temperature, cold intolerance - lethargy, tension, irritability, mood changes - constipation - weight gain - increased cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in the blood - slowed heartbeat, weakened heart function - anemia - edema (swelling of the legs, hands, face, tongue, eyelids) - reduced sweating - dry, cracked hair that falls out more - dry, scaly skin, prone to redness, itching, acne and inflammation - brittle, cracked nails - hoarseness (due to swelling of the vocal cords), frequent sore throats - deafness - blurred vision - menstrual cycle disorder - sterility - occurrence of goiter - myxedema coma - the most severe stage of the disease with loss of consciousness and hypothermia - slowed/reduced growth in children, milder mental retardation
In order for the disease not to progress, or the symptoms to worsen, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible. Hypothyroidism is treated with replacement hormones, most often synthetic thyroxine (T4). The treatment is introduced slowly - the doses are gradually adjusted until they are effective, and the treatment is usually lifelong.
Food that helps
Since - especially in underdeveloped countries and endemic areas - the main cause of hypothyroidism is a lack of iodine in the diet, it is necessary to add it to the daily diet, through iodized salt or foods rich in iodine, such as fish, shellfish and seafood.
There are a number of nutrients whose regular intake can influence the functioning of the thyroid gland to a certain extent. The daily intake of vitamins C, E, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), zinc, selenium and the amino acid tyrosine, which is abundant in fish, meat, dairy products and legumes, is important.
Mandatory groceries
- fish (especially tuna and salmon, rich in selenium), shellfish and seafood - meat - legumes - whole grains, brown rice (rich in selenium) - nuts - seeds, especially sunflowers - fruits and vegetables: citrus fruits, apricots, avocados, bananas, strawberries, plums, peppers, carrots, asparagus, spinach - dairy products, especially with the addition of probiotic cultures - green tea - coconut, olive and fish oil
Given that hypothyroidism is characterized by a slow metabolism, slow digestion, increased fat in the blood with abundant hydration and physical activity, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient intake of dietary fiber (at least 30 grams per day), which will increase the feeling of satiety, stimulate intestinal peristalsis and reduce the absorption of excess fats.
Avoid
- cabbage - kale - broccoli - radishes - mustard - soy and soy products - peaches - flax seeds - peanuts - sweet potato
Obnoxious hyperthyroidism
The second most common thyroid disease - hyperthyroidism, is the opposite of hypothyroidism: due to autoimmune events, inflammation (subacute and chronic thyroiditis) or tumors (toxic adenoma), excessive production and secretion of thyroid hormones occurs. It occurs most often in women (5 times more often than in men) at the age of 20-40, and the main cause (in 70-80% of cases) is Basedow-Graves disease, i.e. diffuse toxic goiter.
Often triggered by stress, pregnancy, radiation of the neck or severe infection, antibodies specific for own thyrocytes (thyroid cells) are created, which act like TSH - stimulating the thyroid to increase the production and secretion of T3 and T4. Hyperthyroidism can also occur as a result of increased iodine intake and as a result of long-term, excessive intake of synthetic thyroid hormones (as part of the treatment of hypothyroidism).
The main symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- irritability, restlessness, nervousness, mood changes - reduced ability to concentrate - double vision, visual disturbances, eyelid retraction and bulging eyes - tremor (shaking hands, feeling of "shaking" of the body) - increased blood pressure, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) - increased sweating , intolerance to heat - hair loss - frequent stools - weight loss - menstrual cycle disorder - malaise - insomnia - goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), feeling of a "lump" in the throat, pressure in the neck
What to eat
Given the state of accelerated metabolism, that is, catabolism, a part of the muscle and bone mass deteriorates, so an increased intake of amino acids, proteins and calcium (1200 mg per day) is recommended.
- beans - cauliflower - soy and soy products - dark green leafy vegetables - curcumin - fennel (a plant from the mint family) - omega-3 fatty acids - vitamin C.
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