The Thyroid and Your Health (Part 3)

Lourdes González, A.P., M.A, L.Ac., M.M.Q.

Certified Specialist – National Board of Acupuncture

What is hypothyroidism?

If you suffer from hair loss, constipation, weight gain, changes in your menstrual cycle, feelings of sadness or lack of concentration, sensitivity to cold, bloating, slow digestion, and constant fatigue, you may be experiencing hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce the amount of hormones the body needs. Among many other functions, these hormones regulate metabolic processes that activate energy at the cellular level, regulate body weight, contribute to the development of the nervous system, balance body temperature and calcium levels in the blood— all vital and necessary functions that keep us in optimal health.

It is important to pay attention to your body, identify symptoms, and seek help from a health professional if you are experiencing any of them. Diagnosis is usually made through a blood test that determines hormone levels. In many cases, people with symptoms may have normal blood test results. This means that although symptoms are physically present, they have not yet reached the clinical level but are instead sub-clinical.

Although there are more natural alternatives available on the market, conventional medicine leans toward the use of synthetic medications. Inform yourself about treatment options and their side effects before choosing one.

Some of the following recommendations were mentioned in the previous article on hyperthyroidism, as they apply to both conditions:

1. Avoid consuming products that contain dyes, additives, preservatives, or stimulants.

2. Eat foods rich in iodine in their natural form, such as seaweeds (kelp, wakame, kombu, arame, nori, dulse, and hiziki), potatoes, Himalayan salt (rich in minerals), white beans and legumes, cranberries, strawberries, ripe bananas, and dried plums.

3. Minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium are important for normal thyroid function. In their natural form, they can be found in Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, spinach, asparagus, kale, and Swiss chard.

4. Consume calcium in its natural form, not as a supplement. Legumes, dark leafy greens, nuts, and seeds are rich in calcium. Get 15 to 20 minutes of early morning sun. Supplement with Vitamin D3 (vegan options are available).

5. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations recognize that thyroid problems can be effectively treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine (herbs) to restore hormonal balance, energy levels, ease emotions, manage insomnia, and menstrual issues. Although we cannot claim that acupuncture will completely eliminate the disease, we can say that it can help reduce the severity of symptoms and thus allow you to handle the condition in a less stressful way. Seek help from a certified professional.

6. Reduce stress levels by practicing some form of movement such as qigong, yoga, dance, or any exercise.

7. According to Chinese Medicine, hypothyroidism presents a deficiency of Yang (the active principle) as one of its primary patterns and manifests as a sensation of cold and slow digestion. Eat leafy greens and vegetables steamed or in stews and soups. If you want to eat them raw (which is very beneficial), combine them with dressings that include apple cider vinegar or warming herbs such as ginger. To help with slow digestion, drink teas made from ginger, anise, star anise, and fennel.

The author is a certified specialist in Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, and Holistic Nutrition. For more information, call 797-894-1414.

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