Researchers Probe Healthy Thyroid Cases

If you are like the many thousands of people that have recently discovered that they have a thyroid problem, you are probably also surprised to learn about the many additional health consequences that can develop as a result of your thyroid disease. You are also probably amazed to learn about the growing communities of people who gather to talk about and research this disease that is, unfortunately, growing in numbers. And due to increased public awareness of thyroid disorders, there is more information available about thyroid disorders today than there was twenty years ago, which is fortunate for the new breed of patients who share a common desire - to learn everything they can about thyroid disease.

Each person who is coming to terms with the knowledge of their thyroid disorder deals with it in a different way. There are groups on the Internet that blog about their experiences to increase understanding about thyroid problems. There are thyroid awareness clinics at local hospitals in which doctors will meet with groups of thyroid patients for a question and answer hour, and there are those that scour their library for more information on this growing affliction. However diverse this group of unwilling participants, they all have one thing in common - the desire to have a healthy thyroid.

What is a Healthy Thyroid?

The most common diagnostic test used to measure thyroid health is a TSH test, which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. When a TSH test is conducted the results are measured against a benchmark which standardizes the norm for the levels of this hormone. The good news is that a TSH test is an easy test to conduct and receive. It is a simple blood test that is can be administered in the privacy of a doctor's office. The bad news is that there are disagreements in the medical community as to what the right levels are. There is a growing community of physicians who surmise that a TSH level of .5 ranging to 5.0 of thyroid hormone is appropriate in the blood. On the other side of the spectrum is a group of physicians who argue that a level of .3 to nearly 3.0 is a more generally appropriate range.

Maintaining a Healthy Thyroid

The rise of the industrial age and the mass production of food has dramatically changed the quality of food that people consume. Many studies confirm that foods which are mass produced can be harmful to thyroid health. A few products which cause acute sensitivity in the thyroid are refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, refined grains and fat metabolism. Distinct fats are exceedingly eventful in all hormonal production because all hormones are created from fats. Trans fats are destructive to the thyroid metabolism because of the interference they create with cellular membrane capacity.

What is Recommended for Thyroid Health?

Researchers have distinguished certain items that help to maintain good thyroid function by preventing excessive thyroid aging, which can cause the thyroid to become dysfunctional in relation to the other organs within the body. The most important item listed by researchers for thyroid health is a well-balanced diet. Although the benefits of organic foods have long been probed for several years, the importance of organic foods have recently been emphasized as a means of maintaining a healthy thyroid. Overuse of chemicals in our food can lead to multiple nutritional side effects.

Scientists also stress the importance of reducing or eliminating the intake of refined or white sugar in the diet as it can cause nutritional imbalances such as insufficient levels of vitamin B in the diet. White flour is a common food item that has little nutritional value and empty calories and should be avoided if thyroid health is a nutritional goal.

Fats and oils which are used almost daily in the preparation of commercially prepared foods can be harmful to thyroid health. A leading physiologist in the study of progesterone and hormones, Ray Peat Ph.D., stated that the sudden influx of polyunsaturated oils into foods after World War II has resulted in many changes in hormones.

Polyunsaturated oils have affected the thyroid gland in that they interfere with its function. These oils are detrimental to hormone secretion, movement within the circulatory system, and the reaction of tissues to hormones. In a scenario in which the thyroid hormone is insufficient, the body is not able to create protective hormones, such as progesterone and pregnenolone, which can result in interference of healthy function of the thyroid. A healthy alternative for cooking is to substitute coconut oils in one's diet, instead of polyunsaturated oils.

Get a Professional Opinion

A consultation with an experienced thyroidologist or an endocrinologist is especially helpful if thyroid health is an issue or concern. Although new research findings represent important strides in thyroid health, much more work will be necessary to pinpoint what exactly is needed for a healthy thyroid and your physician can best determine your needs after a complete examination.