Inflammation Of The Thyroid Gland: Symptoms And Treatment

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. A thyroiditis can cause several symptoms as the thyroid gland is one of the body’s most important glands. It produces the hormone thyroxine and thus regulates our metabolism.

The thyroid gland is located in our throat and controls, among other things, our digestion and heart rhythm. The most important property, however, is that it controls our metabolism, and how the cells in the body use energy for important processes.

The most common symptom of thyroiditis is hypothyroidism, ie low metabolism. There may also be cases where high metabolism occurs. This is called hyperthyroidism. Both too low or too high metabolism are thus symptoms of inflammation of the thyroid gland.

How to treat inflammation of the thyroid gland?

Treatment depends on the severity of the inflammation. The most common is to perform a treatment that removes the inflammation.

An alternative to medication is anti-inflammatory medication for the pain. This is for example Aspirin or Ibuprofen.

In Chinese medicine, it will be common to use herbs such as ginseng or mint. This has been shown to give good results and an improvement of thyroid function.

At too low a metabolism, Indian ginseng is often used for the thyroid gland to continue producing hormones. Maca is a recommended alternative medicine for menopausal women.

The thyroid gland depends on iodine.  To get enough iodine, you should eat salt with added iodine, or seaweed (such as seagrass). It is better to get iodine through food than through supplements, although it is not always possible to get enough iodine through a regular diet.

Different types of thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

The cause of this disease is unknown, but it is believed to be genetically transmitted.  The disease is naturally autoimmune, which means that the body produces protective cells that attack cells produced by the thyroid gland.

Inflammation of the gland occurs and the cells are destroyed, little by little.  Inflammation of the thyroid gland occurs due to the reduction of the hormones that the thyroid gland produces.

This leads to the same symptoms as with too low a metabolism:

• High cold sensitivity
• Constipation
• Feeling obese
• Pale and dry skin
• Weak nails and hairs that break easily
• Rapid weight gain
• Major menstrual bleeding

Treatment of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

In order to be able to treat this disease, several measures will be relevant, and not necessarily just one direct medication.

1. It is important to be aware that 70% of our immune system is located in the intestines. In other words, it is very beneficial to maintain a good intestinal flora in order to be able to fight the autoimmune inflammation in the best possible way.
To maintain and improve the flora of the intestinal system, taking probiotics can be a good alternative. This will be able to prevent fungal infections. Inflammation of the thyroid gland will cause the fungal infection to flourish, which further weakens the immune system.

2. It has been proven that cutting gluten from the diet for 3-6 months  can help against autoimmune diseases. Then, among other things, wheat, rye and barley must be cut completely from the diet.

3. If the amount of autoantibodies in the body has increased, it is important to avoid iodine. You should not take more than 1000 mg daily.

4. The immune system seems to be dependent on vitamin D. It is therefore important to regularly get some sun on the body as this vitamin is formed in the skin when we are in the sun. If a blood test shows that you have very low levels, vitamin D can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Feel free to talk to your doctor about this.

5. Because stress releases cortisol  , it is important to reduce the amount of stress.

Certain diseases can increase the amount of cortisol, and it will therefore be important to treat these diseases. This can happen, among other things, if you have poor liver, low blood sugar or insulin resistance.

7. To regularly do a detoxing of the body, where you get rid of waste products.

Selenium must have a reducing effect on autoantibodies.

9. Tea shoots of iron, vitamin B12, B2 vitamins, B3 vitamins, B6 vitamins and vitamin A.

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Subacute thyroiditis

The symptoms of thyrotoxicosis can be mild and short-lived, but in other cases, symptoms such as high fever and sore throat may occur.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces more hormones than usual, and the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland increases. Symptoms may include:

• Intolerance to heat
• Fatigue, exhaustion and difficulty concentrating
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Stress, anxiety and nervousness
• Increased sweat production
• Swollen thyroid gland

A mixture of green tea and lemon juice that is drunk twice a day can counteract the symptoms mentioned above. The content of antioxidants can have a calming effect on thyroid overproduction.

Postpartum thyroiditis

After a pregnancy, some women may find that autoantibodies, which are still in the body, attack the thyroid gland. This often happens between 4-6 weeks after birth. This can lead to both too high and too low metabolism.

Quiet or painless thyroiditis

Similarities with the above types of thyroiditis, but may occur as both types. The cause is unknown.

Thyroiditis due to medication

A side effect of some medications such as lithium, amiodarone and interferons, is that thyroiditis can occur. The drugs can lead to both over- and under-production of hormones in the thyroid gland. To get rid of this type of thyroiditis, the medication must be cut out.

Radiation-induced thyroiditis

Occurs after radiation treatments for, among other things, various types of cancer. Symptoms of low metabolism occur.

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Acute or infected thyroiditis

Occurs due to various bacteria or infected microorganisms. This variant has varying symptoms, and it does not necessarily have to be painful. The person suffering from this will often be able to feel sick from the infection. The symptoms of low metabolism will usually disappear if the infection is treated.

Thyroiditis and acupuncture

The symptoms of inflammation of the thyroid gland can be removed or reduced by using acupuncture. This is especially often used in Asian culture, but is also now offered as an alternative to hospital treatment. This is also offered in Norway.

Acupuncture should have a balancing effect on our metabolism. This forces the thyroid gland to function normally.

When acupuncture soothes different parts of the body and makes us relax, this affects the brain by stimulating brain activity and balancing hormone production.