5 amazing things that will happen to your body and mind when your thyroid hormones are in balance
The "thyroid" has gotten a lot of attention in the past few years. It seems like everyone is having thyroid problems as diabetes and obesity continue to rise. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your throat that has some pretty critical bodily functions. When it's underactive (hypothyroidism), you may gain weight, feel fatigued, or experience depression, amongst other symptoms. These painful symptoms happen when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough vital hormones.
What people don't talk about is when your thyroid gland is working optimally. This article discusses the five amazing things that will happen to your body and mind when your thyroid hormones are in balance.
1| Ability to burn fat
The ability to lose weight isn't solely dependent on your thyroid functioning properly. Your diet and exercise levels are crucial, as well. However, if your thyroid gland is struggling with a hormonal imbalance, it's common for you to experience unwanted weight gain and struggle to burn fat.
Your thyroid gland helps to regulate metabolism, and research shows that an underactive thyroid causes people to gain weight. The reason has to do with your basal metabolic rate (BMR). People with malfunctioning thyroid glands also have low BMRs. (1) Your metabolism rate comes from your BMR, so if it's low, so is your metabolism. When your thyroid hormones are in balance, you're able to lose weight and keep it off easier.
2| Renewed energy levels
As with weight gain, there are many reasons you may feel fatigued. However, low thyroid function may cause deficient energy levels. (2) You may feel exhausted, unable to complete day-to-day activities, and take many naps.
Conventional treatment for hypothyroidism is to take the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. Other natural remedies include changing your diet and vitamin supplements. (3) Bringing your thyroid back to normal, renews your energy levels, and allows you to live a healthy life.
3| Enhanced cognitive function
Brain function and memory can decline as you age, but low thyroid function causes extreme brain fog at any age. The thyroid gland helps regulate many important actions in the brain. (4) Researchers believe that hypothyroidism reduces the size of the hippocampus, a critical area in the mind for cognition and memory. (5)
In one small study, scientists found the size of the hippocampus was 12% lower for those with hypothyroidism than those with normal functioning thyroid glands. Since thyroid problems are more common for older people, there could be a direct correlation between age-related cognitive issues, such as dementia and Alzheimer's Disease and thyroid issues. When your thyroid hormones are in balance, you may experience normal to enhanced cognitive function.
4| Stronger and healthier, skin, hair, and nails
When your thyroid hormones are in balance, you may have more durable and healthier skin, hair, and nails. When you have thyroid issues, you may experience the opposite effects.
Both insufficient and excess levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) affect your hair and skin. When your hair falls out, it's typically replaced by new hair roots. However, T3 and T4 imbalances may cause no hair regrowth. (6)
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and polycystic ovary syndrome, have a connection with thyroid conditions and scalp and body hair loss. In some cases, it can lead to baldness. (7)
5| Boosts happiness levels
Optimal thyroid function may help increase happiness and well being. Thyroid problems have been associated with depression and anxiety. Although depression and anxiety are entirely different issues from hypothyroidism, evidence shows there is a link. (8) Sixty-nine percent of all people with hypothyroidism have depression, and 60% have anxiety. (9)
The reasons for the hypothyroidism and anxiety and depression is a complicated one. Depression can be hereditary or the side effect of some medications. A deficiency in thyroid-stimulating hormone in your body’s central nervous system can lead to a lack of energy, obesity, and extreme tiredness. All of which are signs of clinical depression. If your thyroid is operating normally, you may not have depression and anxiety.
The butterfly shape of your thyroid is symbolic of its bodily powers of health and transformation. When you balance your thyroid hormones, you're boosting your overall well being. Speak to your doctor about ways to improve your thyroid today to experience all the fantastic benefits.
- https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-and-weight/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-lowdown-on-thyroid-slowdown
- https://www.healthline.com/health/hypothyroidism/five-natural-remedies-for-hypothyroidism#probiotics
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17353866
- https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/vol-7-issue-8/vol-7-issue-8-p-7/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18728176
- https://www.healthline.com/health/thyroid-and-hair-loss#connection
- https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/hypothyroidism-and-depression
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246784/
