Listen To Your Thyroid
Amazing Wellness|Early Summer 2019

One powerful gland controls nearly every aspect of your health. We take a look at how the thyroid works, and how to keep it healthy and functioning properly

Steve Downs, MS, CSCS
Listen To Your Thyroid

Most of us never pay much attention to thyroid health until we begin to experience symptoms of its malfunction — your metabolism slows down, energy levels plunge, you lose muscle mass even while gaining weight, your hair begins to break and thin out, plus you’re cold all the time. It’s a veritable laundry list of health issues you definitely don’t want to experience. Before you fly into a panic, let’s take a look at the thyroid and the critical role it plays in your health.

Thyroid 101

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adam’s apple in your neck that controls your body’s growth and metabolism. It secretes the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which affect all the body processes that use energy, including breathing, blood circulation, body temperature, muscle control, digestion, bowel movements, and even brain function. This important gland works together with the pituitary and hypothalamus as part of a feedback loop called the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT axis).

Secretion of T3 and T4 is stimulated by hormones released by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. The former releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), while the latter releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). If the thyroid is not operating effectively, TRH and TSH release increases in order to help stimulate thyroid function. In the event of some of the grave symptoms noted above, a blood test measures TSH to evaluate health and functionality of the thyroid. High or extremely low TSH readings mean the gland is sick. When you experience a problem with your thyroid, it can result in various maladies all over your body. Even modest changes in thyroid secretion (in either direction) will yield major health problems.

This story is from the Early Summer 2019 edition of Amazing Wellness.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Early Summer 2019 edition of Amazing Wellness.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AMAZING WELLNESSView All
10 Tips For A Heart-Healthy Diet
Amazing Wellness

10 Tips For A Heart-Healthy Diet

Whether you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt, or simply want to fine-tune your diet, here are 10 heart-healthy diet tips.

time-read
4 mins  |
Winter 2019
From Vegan To Keto: Myths About Nutrition
Amazing Wellness

From Vegan To Keto: Myths About Nutrition

Q I want to eat healthy. How do I sort out the marketing hype from the science in the diet wars? — Kurt, Seattle

time-read
6 mins  |
Winter 2019
5 Ways To Shake Things Up
Amazing Wellness

5 Ways To Shake Things Up

Ring in the new year with a new outlook at the gym.

time-read
4 mins  |
Winter 2019
7 Best Diets For Your Health
Amazing Wellness

7 Best Diets For Your Health

There’s no perfect diet for everyone. So before you pick a plan, be sure to do your research on what it can and can’t do for your health.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Winter 2019
Aromatherapy For A Healthy Heart
Amazing Wellness

Aromatherapy For A Healthy Heart

Many are mindful of how diet and exercise affect heart health, but aromatherapy offers complementary support with essential oils.

time-read
1 min  |
Winter 2019
Secrets To Zen
Amazing Wellness

Secrets To Zen

Q: Any natural ways to manage stress and anxiety I haven’t heard a million times? — Sam B., New York

time-read
5 mins  |
Early Winter 2017
Ease Gas With Herbs
Amazing Wellness

Ease Gas With Herbs

Botanical solutions for excess gas and digestive distress

time-read
2 mins  |
Early Winter 2017
Linda Evans
Amazing Wellness

Linda Evans

The Dynasty icon embraces mind-body wellness to stay active and centred at 74

time-read
2 mins  |
Early Winter 2017
Ayurvedic Herb Guide
Amazing Wellness

Ayurvedic Herb Guide

These seemingly magical botanicals have been an integral part of Ayurvedic healing for thousands of years—here’s how they work and what they can do for you.

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2017
All About Keratin
Amazing Wellness

All About Keratin

Long an ingredient in topical products, keratin has become the latest breakthrough nutrient in supplements for hair, skin, and nail health.

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2017