SPECIAL REPORT: Thyroid Gland Problems: The Hidden Epidemic

It's No Secret Thyroid Gland Problems Are Fast Becoming The Leading Cause Of Weight Gain, Depression And Ongoing Fatigue. And Millions Suffer...Without Even Knowing It

Thyroid gland problems are far reaching... the symptoms of an underactive thyroid can have a profounds effect on your mood, body weight, even your feelings of wellbeing.

The severity of symptoms can range from a mild deficiency state, which is hardly detectable with standard thyroid blood tests to a severe deficiency state.

What Are The Common Causes of Thyroid Gland Problems?

Why are thyroid disorders so common? Like many other hormone imbalances, low thyroid problems are due to the impact our modern lifestyle has on our health. Here are the common factors affecting thyroid gland health;

• Nutrient deficiency (especially iodine and selenium)
• Oestrogen dominance caused by stress and pollution (excess oestrogen suppresses thyroid function)
• Hormone imbalance
• Heavy metal toxicity (especially mercury)
• Auto-immune disorders
• Long term stress
• Infection
• Smoking

What Is A Thyroid Gland & Where Is It?

The thyroid gland lies in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. This butterfly shaped gland measures about two inches across and normally cannot be seen. It can barely be felt upon palpation. An enlarged thyroid, known as goitre, can easily be detected by your health professional upon examination.

The thyroid gland secretes hormones which control the body’s metabolic rate in two primary ways: by stimulating tissue response in the body to produce specialised proteins, and by increasing cell oxygenation. To produce these vital hormones, the thyroid needs iodine, which is ingested from food and water.

The regulation of thyroid hormone levels is controlled by several mechanisms. The hypothalamus, located in the brain just above the pituitary gland, secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which triggers the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood reaches a certain level, the pituitary will produce less TSH; conversely, when the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood decreases to a certain level, the pituitary produces more TSH.

The Major Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid gland secretes two major hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

The pituitary gland (located at the base of your brain) sends messages in the form of hormones to tell your thyroid what to do. The hormone messenger is called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and it regulates your two main thyroid hormones - T4 and T3.

Thyroid deficiency occurs when the thyroid gland under-produces the T4 and T3 hormones needed to regulate the body’s metabolic rate. In a healthy person, T4 converts to T3. It is T3 that is very important for weight loss. It boosts your metabolism and prevents your body storing fat. If T3 levels are low, this can lower your basal (resting) metabolic rate, which alone can lead to weight gain.

In some people, the thyroid does not properly convert T4 to T3, the metabolically active form; and instead converts into an inactive form, called reverse T3. If reverse T3 levels are elevated, your metabolism is affected, causing greater weight gain. Selenium is necessary for the conversion of T4 to T3.

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Read More on Thyroid Problems

• Symptoms of thyroid gland problems
  
  
• Natural Treatment for Thyroid gland problems
  
  
• ThyroSynergy natural thyroid health formula
  
  
• The Natural Thyroid Diet review

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