The main function of thyroid gland is to regulate the metabolism and it also maintains the proper balance of calcium levels in the body. The thyroid gland has two separate lobes situated on either side of the windpipe below the voice box. Each lobe is made up of two different types of tissue, the follicular cells and the parafollicular cells. The follicular cells contain the most of tissue that make the iodine containing hormones T4 and T3. Calcitonin hormone produced by the parafollicular cells.
The T4 and T3 hormones produced by the follicular cells that regulate metabolism promote protein production and manage the use of oxygen in the hard working cells of the body. In metabolism process the cells leave and use energy from nutrients to make proteins and other components the cells can use to grow. Having proper levels of T4 and T3 the cells can work well and metabolism is increased or decreased. The parafollicular cells that create calciton which works with another chemical, parathyroid hormone, to balance calcium levels in the body. Mostly in human being the movement of the thyroid gland is regulated by the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland.
How can this small gland around your neck affect your health?
The body metabolism will be affected if the thyroid gland produces too much or too little T4 or T3. Thyroid imbalance can be checked in the lab. Usually the levels of TSH are measured but the T4 or T3 are inedible then your doctor can diagnose you with a thyroid condition. Too much activity and you have hyperthyroidism; too little and you have hypothyroidism. Western treatment usually include medicine as levothyroxine, a substitution for T4 in the case of an under active thyroid gland or medication, surgery or radiation treatment to calm or remove a hyperactive gland.
Mostly women suffer from thyroid problem and usually occur when they approach menopause otherwise it may be hereditary. With hypothyroidism, they may have temperature regulation problems and feel cold all the time. One may gain weight and feel tiredness when the metabolism is affected but in the case of hyperthyroidism one may feel anxiety, nervousness, flushing, palpitations, insomnia, weight loss and goiter problem.
How can acupuncture help with thyroid conditions?
To control the thyroid acupuncture help to balance the all system and bring back to normal condition. Such as Endocrine diseases can be successfully treated by acupuncture and give a relaxation effect on brain and hormone activity within the body. Acupuncture process is very beneficial to treat thyroid disease. In this process many needles are inserted painlessly in the ears such as ginseng, mint or ginger is used to control thyroid.
The thyroid gland function depends on iodine and a nutrient that is sometime missing in the usual American diet but with sea vegetables, like seaweed, or a sea salt that contain iodine can help to support healthy thyroid gland function. Taking a medication such as levothyroxine in the case of hypothyroidism contain synthetic T4 to make up for a natural deficiency will cause the body to adjust its own levels of TSH or the thyroid hormones. It can cause speedy switching of hormone levels and others side effects. If you do not want to take medicine or surgery then acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is the best option to maintain the function of thyroid gland and to control the condition. |
