Wellness Blog

Where is my Thyroid Gland? What does it do for me?

Written by Dr. Tenesha Wards | Nov 14, 2024 7:41:21 PM

Do you have a thyroid gland issue?

I have found in practice most people know more about their computers or their phones than how their bodies operate...Do you know where your thyroid gland is located? Do you know what it does?

Your thyroid gland is the largest of the 7 glands that make up the endocrine system and is located in the front of the base of the neck. Our thyroid gland controls the rate at which our motor runs when we are in neutral, so basically our metabolism. It controls the rate at which our body produces energy from food, therefore having an effect on our overall energy levels. In children, the thyroid gland controls the body's rate of growth as well as brain development and has a primary effect on determining the child's IQ.

So, we've all heard a family member or friend state they have a thyroid problem, or they are on thyroid medication. Perhaps that person still does not seem healthy, or they are still overweight, fatigue and lethargic. Well, that is because most doctors treat the thyroid with thyroid hormones only, which does help initially, instead of supplying the body with the nutrients the gland needs to heal.

 

Signs and Symptoms you may have a Thyroid Imbalance:

  • Fatigue/Lethargic
  • Insomnia
  • Can't lose weight no matter how hard you try
  • Weight Gain (especially in the face and arms)
  • Puffiness around the face
  • Cold Hands and Feet
  • Hair Loss
  • Loss of otter third of the eyebrow
  • The half-moons on your fingernails are no longer visible
  • Depression/Lack of motivation
  • Sugar, Salt and Carb Cravings

Emotional Factors Seen in Thyroid Patients

There can be a mind-body connection, that holds true for each and every gland, muscle, and organ we have, the thyroid being no exception. When Calcium and Magnesium (Mg) is not in balance the thyroid is affected. Mg carries Calcium into the cell, the lack of Mg will cause Calcium to stay on the outside of a cell and build a "calcium shell" which allows a low cell hormone permeability. Meaning, thyroid hormones cannot get into the cell because they cannot pass through the Calcium build up.  Interestingly enough, people with thyroid disorders have personality traits of defensiveness, protected, decreased social activity - basically they "shell up"

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What Can You DO To Help Support Your Thyroid?

  • Take a natural source B vitamins. Synthetic sources - no good!  Thyroid hormones cannot get across the cell membrane and get into the cells without B's
  • Maintain proper Calcium Magnesium ratios, as described above too much Calcium and not enough Magnesium will block the hormones as well.
  • The thyroid cannot function to its fullest without the trace mineral iodine. If the thyroid has adequate amounts of iodine, it plays a major role in the immune system because iodine is antimicrobial, and antiseptic body-wide and all the blood in the body passes through the thyroid every 17 minutes, there for all foreign microbes will be killed by the iodine.
  • Supplement with Iodine only under the care of a doctor.