Thyroid is a gland with the shape of a butterfly and is located on the front of the neck and below the Adam's apple along the front of the wind pipe. Rich with blood vessels, it is brownish-red in color. Important nerves that control voice quality pass through the thyroid. Hormones secreted by the thyroid are called thyroid hormones with thyroxin or T4 as the main hormone. The thyroid hormones act throughout the body and influence metabolism, growth, development and body temperature.

How to Control Thyroid for Better Health

It is essential to have a healthy thyroid. Certain lifestyle changes and medications can help you control your thyroid.

1. Eat Right

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants like bell pepper, tomatoes, cherries, berries, plums, oranges, grapes, artichoke, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. But if you have certain kind of thyroid disorder, you should be more careful because some foods may be bad for you. For example, broccoli, kale, cabbage, etc. is harmful if you have hyperthyroid.

2. Say No to Refined Foods

Refined foods like pasta, bakery products like white bread, cakes and cookies, etc. are unhealthy and bad for your thyroid and hence should be avoided. Junk food like pizzas, pasta, chips, etc. should also be avoided. Avoid processed and prepackaged foods. Fresh homemade meals prepared with fresh ingredients are preferred.

3. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol hinders a healthy thyroid. If you are detected with hyperthyroidism, consult your doctor and find out about the effects of caffeine based beverages like tea, coffee, aerated drinks and whether it is okay to drink alcohol or increase your caffeine intake.

4. Have Iodine Rich Diet

If you want to know how to control thyroid, iodine is needed. It helps you fight thyroid problems. It is mostly found in table salt (supplemented with iodine) and foods grown in the soil which has iodine contents in it like onions, mushrooms and garlic. Meat from grass fed animals also contains iodine. Too much of iodine can cause hypothyroidism and too little can cause a swelling in the thyroid, so take iodine supplements only if it is recommended by your doctor.

5. Eat Selenium Rich Food

Selenium regulates thyroid hormone production. Selenium rich food should be included in your diet for your thyroid to bounce back to good health. Relatively high selenium can be found in eggs, seafood like tuna, shrimp, oyster, octopus, squid, salmon, poultry like chicken liver and turkey, pork, bacon, lamb, beef, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, etc.

6. Increase Vitamin A Intake

Vitamin A rich foods should be eaten to regulate thyroid metabolism. It can be found in foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, dark green leafy green, romaine lettuce, dried apricots, etc. Vitamin A supplements can also be taken. Generally a dosage of 25,000 IU per day may be recommended by your healthcare provider.

7. Exercise Regularly

Intense aerobic exercises are known to help circulate thyroid hormones. By doing aerobic exercises your targeted heart rate rises for about 30 minutes. Jogging, running, dancing, and cycling can also be incorporated to increase your heart rate. Your workout should be for at least 30 minutes a day and for at least 5 times a week.

How to Control Thyroid Disorders

There are 2 types of thyroid problem. When you thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, hypothyroidism happens. When excessive thyroid hormones are produced, hyperthyroidism happens. Now let's take a look and find ways to solve them.

1. Treat Hypothyroidism

When you do not have enough thyroid hormones, meaning hypothyroidism, you should use levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, and some other drugs to manage your situation.

Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine helps normalize your thyroid hormones. It is an inexpensive, daily and generally life-long synthetic thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism. A couple of weeks after starting the treatment, you will feel less exhausted. Your elevated cholesterol level will gradually begin to reduce and your weight gain may start reversing.

• Dosage: How to control thyroid with the right dosage depends on your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels. Initially, you will need a checkup every 2 to 3 months but the period between checkups increases gradually. Excessive dosage can cause insomnia, shakiness, heart palpitation and increased appetite. In case coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism is detected, your doctor may start with a lower dose of the medication and gradually increase the dosage over a period of time. This way, your heart is able to adjust to the increased metabolism.
• Note: It almost has no side effects if used in the appropriate dosage. You should take the exact amount instructed by your doctor. Certain foods, supplements or medications may make it difficult to absorb levothyroxine. Your doctor can guide you on this.

Other Medication

Natural thyroid hormones are extracted from the thyroid glands of pigs which contain thyroxine as well as triiodothyronine which is essential for your body. These can be taken only if they are prescribed by the doctor. Be careful that the purity and potency of these products are not guaranteed and approved by FDA.

2. Treat Hyperthyroidism

Treatment for hyperthyroidism depends on many factors like age, physical condition, underlying cause, your own preference and severity of your problem. Here are some of the options:

• Radioactive Iodine is taken orally. When absorbed by the thyroid gland, it shrinks the gland and slows its activity, making the thyroid gland underactive. The symptoms generally reduce within 3-6 months.
• Anti-thyroid medications, like propylthiouracil and methimazole, help reduce hyperthyroidism by preventing excess hormone production. Improvement is generally seen within 6-12 weeks and treatment lasts for about a year or more. However these drugs may cause skin rash, fever, hives, joint pain or serious liver damage and, sometimes, they can even lead to death too.
• Beta blockers are prescribed to actually help reduce rapid heart rate and prevent palpitations which occur because of thyroid dysfunction. Headache, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness and an upset stomach may be a few of the side effects of these drugs. Learn the correct dosage to take to know how to control thyroid hormone overproduction.
• Surgery is advised only if you can't tolerate anti-thyroid drugs, you are pregnant or you can't have radioactive iodine. This surgery is called thyroidectomy and most of your thyroid gland is removed by your surgeon. Its risks may include damaging your vocal cords or parathyroid glands.