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Copyright © 2017 Naturalislabs Pte Ltd

All rights reserved.

Published by Eric Kelly

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Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4

Chapter 1: Thyroid Disorders & Hair Loss ........................................................... 5

Chapter 2: Triggers For Thyroid Disorders .......................................................... 8

Chapter 3: Natural Cures To Thyroid Disorders ................................................ 11

Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 14

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Introduction

Are you constantly feeling nervous for no reason at all, sometimes even leading to heart

palpitations? Or felt cold when your coworkers were complaining of the heat – and vice versa? If you

also experience frequent muscle aches, gain weight easily, or suffer from poor concentration during

the day, you might just be suffering from a thyroid disorder.

Because of their mild and commonplace symptoms, thyroid disorders often go unnoticed. In fact, up

to 60% of Americans diagnosed with thyroid disease were unaware of their condition. Like silent

assailants, thyroid diseases attack without warning.

If you’re feeling sluggish and experience random bouts of pain and aches, don’t do what you’re

prone to do – chalk it up to old age or insufficient rest. A frequent combination of common

symptoms should alert you to something potentially serious.

Complications arising from untreated thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism (a.k.a underactive

thyroid), can be potentially life-threatening. In non-extreme cases, untreated hypothyroidism can

cause mental decline and decreased lung function. In extreme cases, myxedema can occur.

Myxedema is a type of coma that occurs when your body’s thyroid hormone falls to dangerously low

levels. With myxedema, patients usually have a 50% chance rate of survival. Scary, right?

And to imagine all these unnecessary worries and potential complications can be avoided by just a

simple routine check-up! Even when you’re diagnosed with thyroid disorders, it doesn’t mean the

end of the world. Thyroid disorders are not uncommon with an estimated 20 million Americans

living with some form of thyroid disease – you’re not alone in this!

Thyroid disorders may seem like a difficult topic to understand. Not to worry – let’s first get our feet

wet by understanding the science behind it.

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Chapter 1: Thyroid disorders & hair loss

Though tiny, your thyroid gland carries a huge responsibility. Its job is to regulate all the metabolic

processes that are happening in your body – like how quickly it can burn the calories you consumed

for lunch just now. Essentially, it determines how your body uses energy. Resembling a butterfly, the

thyroid gland is located at the front of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple.

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system. Skipping all the medical jargon, what this means is

that thyroid hormones are released directly into the bloodstream so that they can reach organs

(near or far) that require them.

Like how the main breaker controls its circuit breakers, your pituitary gland controls other endocrine

glands – including your thyroid gland. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)released by the

pituitary gland helps stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones whenever the

levels fall too low.

A key ingredient for the production of such hormones is iodine. With iodine, the main thyroid

hormone – thyroxine (T4) – can be produced. Once your body receives sufficient T4, the remaining

will be converted to triiodothyronine (T3), which happens to be the most active hormone in your

body. Together, T3 and T4 help control your body’s metabolism.

Image source: Medicine Net. Inc

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The thing about T3 and T4 is that there’s an optimum range for them. You can’t do without them

and you can’t have too much of them. Since they play a role in regulating your metabolism rate, the

levels of T3 and T4 will have a direct impact on your body.

For example, if you have low levels of T3 or T4, your heart rate might be slower than normal. Other

than that, you may also suffer from constipation or weight gain. Conversely, you may have a rapid

heart rate and diarrhea or weight loss if you have high levels of T3 and T4.

If your thyroid hormone levels have gone haywire, chances are, you’re suffering from some form of

thyroid disorder. They can range from a small, harmless goiter to a life-threatening form of thyroid

cancer. Generally, the majority of thyroid disorders stem from the abnormal production of thyroid

hormones.

When thyroid hormones are produced in excess, hyperthyroidism occurs. The reverse results in

hypothyroidism. Generally, hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. But before you

freak out, it’s good to know that most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed

and treated. So, relax!

Though hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are caused by abnormal thyroid hormone levels, their

symptoms differ vastly from each other.

Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism

Sensitivity to low temperatures Sensitivity to high temperatures

Frequent, heavy menstrual periods Missed or light menstrual periods

Depression Anxiety

Constipation Increased bowel movements

Other than the above symptoms, both will result in fatigue, concentration problems and – you

guessed it! – hair loss.

If you’re seeing more hair trapped in the drain, don’t self-diagnose yourself with thyroid disorders

just yet. Everyone loses an average of 50-100, or even up to 150, strands of hair per day. It’s

perfectly normal!

To understand how thyroid disorders relate to hair loss, let’s first understand the life cycle of your

hair.

Humans are unlike mammals who shed their hair seasonally/cyclically. Our hair growth (and hair fall)

happens randomly. This means that your hair can be in any of these three stages: anagen, catagen,

and telogen – at any point in time.

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Anagen refers to the active phase of hair. This means hair is constantly growing at this stage. An

existing strand of hair will grow about 1cm every 28 days while a new strand of hair will push out the

club hair (hair that’s no longer in the anagen phase) and emerge free from your scalp. Depending on

genetics and other factors, a strand of hair stays in the anagen stage for 2-6 years. For a full head

hair, 90% of your hair should be in this phase.

Catagen refers to the transitional phase between anagen to telogen. Once hair exits the anagen

phase, it stops growing and becomes what’s commonly known as a club hair. This phase lasts about

2-3 weeks. 3% of your hair should be in this stage at any given time.

And last but not least, telogen refers to the resting phase of hair. Club hair is fully formed at this

stage so that when hair falls, there’s usually a hard, dry, white material found at the root of the hair.

This phase typically last for about 100 days. The remaining 6%-8% of your hair should be at this

stage.

For a full head of hair, 90% of your hair should be in the anagen phase, while 3% and 6%-8% of your

hair should be in the catagen and telogen phase respectively. This is the golden ratio for voluminous

hair.

However, thyroid disorders force more than 6%-8% of your hair into the telogen phase. With more

hair entering the telogen phase, the precious balance is disrupted. The next thing you know – hair’s

everywhere on the floor.

Hair loss stemming from thyroid disorders is easy to distinguish. If your hair is falling out in patches,

then perhaps thyroid disorder is not the cause. However, if your hair is falling out evenly across your

entire scalp resulting in uniformly sparse hair, then it’s a cause for concern. Though hair loss may not

be the only symptom of thyroid afflictions, it definitely signals that something isn’t right within your

body.

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Chapter 2: Triggers for thyroid disorders

Thyroid disorders don’t just happen. There are usually triggers that stimulate or hinder the

production of T3 and T4. There are different stimuli for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and

this section is dedicated to exploring them.

As mentioned before, hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism

happens when thyroid hormones aren’t sufficiently produced by your thyroid gland. There are 4

triggers to it and they are:

1. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, otherwise known as Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune disease. What

this entails is that your immune system got itself confused and mistakenly attacks your own

organs/body. In this case, under the relentless attack of your immune system, your thyroid tissue

eventually dies. The full/partial death of your thyroid gland signifies the inability to produce the

required amounts of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism then sets in.

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2. Removal Of The Thyroid Gland

Regardless whether your thyroid gland has been surgically removed or

chemically destroyed, a non-existent thyroid gland can’t produce

thyroid hormones. In such cases, hypothyroidism is inevitable.

3. Exposure To Excessive Amounts Of Iodine

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause for hypothyroidism

worldwide. The solution is more than just increasing iodine intake,

though. Excessive amounts of iodine can increase the risk of

autoimmune attacks on the thyroid – and you don’t want that to

happen.

4. Lithium

Lithium as a form of medication impairs thyroid functions. I’ll avoid

going into details about the mechanisms, but the bottom line is that

lithium reduces the production of T4. When that happens,

hypothyroidism is sure to follow.

Like hypothyroidism, there are 4 ways in which hyperthyroidism can

occur. They are:

1. Graves’ Disease

The leading cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is a condition

when your thyroid gland produces way too much thyroid hormones.

The good news though, is that once the disease is identified, it’s

relatively easy to treat. If no proper treatment is received, however,

death or other serious complications can result.

2. Toxic Adenomas

Otherwise known as Plummer's disease, adenoma is another reason

for hyperthyroidism. A lump/nodule growing on the thyroid gland

causes it to swell and produce excess thyroid hormones. If the swelling

is caused by 1 lump/nodule, adenoma is the name of the condition. If

multiple lumps/nodules are at fault here, then it’s known as toxic

multinodular goiter.

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3. Subacute Thyroiditis

Possibly caused by a virus, subacute thyroiditis results in a swollen and

inflamed thyroid gland. It’s usually characterized by pain in the neck.

Once inflamed, your thyroid gland will start producing more thyroid

hormones – even when your body doesn’t need it. Needless to say,

high levels of thyroid hormones result in hyperthyroidism.

4. Thyroid Cancer Or Pituitary Gland Malfunctions

Though rare, cancerous tumors in the thyroid glands and pituitary

gland malfunctions can also lead to hyperthyroidism.

Remember your pituitary gland? As the ‘master gland’ of the body, it releases thyroid stimulating

hormones (TSH) if thyroid hormones levels are low. Malfunctions in the pituitary gland may result in

the production of TSH even when there are sufficient amounts of T3 and T4.

Similar to toxic adenomas, thyroid cancer starts with the growth of nodules first. Most of the nodules

are benign in nature, but about 2 or 3(out of every 20) can turn out to be cancerous. Like how

adenomas cause the thyroid glands to swell and secrete excess thyroid hormones, so does thyroid

cancer. Except that the abnormal growth of cells can’t be stopped.

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Chapter 3: Natural cures to thyroid disorders

Thyroid disorders are tricky to manage. Whatever you eat has an impact on your body and

medication. Your diet plays a huge role in determining the overall effectiveness of your treatment as

well as ensuring that your hormones are kept in balance.

Before you start reading this chapter, it’s important to know that this chapter is not an ‘overnight

cure’. There is no such thing as a singular diet that can cure thyroid disorders overnight. The truth is,

regaining thyroid hormonal balance takes time. But eating smart and right will help you feel better

despite your condition, as well as speed up the arduous process.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

Food For Hypothyroidism

1. Eat Sea Vegetables Twice A Week.

Sea vegetables like seaweed and kelp are natural sources of iodine, which plays an important role in

supporting your thyroid. It’s actually really easy to incorporate sea vegetables into your daily diet.

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You can try out the following:

Add a piece of kombu (edible kelp) into your soup stock for

added flavor and a dose of iodine.

Make nori wraps or handrolls. If you prefer eating out, opt

for Japanese as they often include seaweed in their dishes.

If you’re still unconvinced about sea vegetables, here are some facts to push you off the fence. Did

you know that kombu contains the highest amount of iodine in all seaweed varieties, making it the

King of seaweeds? It’s also high in glutamic acid and fiber, along with digestive enzymes, which

makes adding it to your food dishes a great idea – not only does it provide a pleasant savory flavor, it

also helps in digestion. This is especially so if you favor bean dishes but suffer from a bloated

stomach after every meal.

2. Cook Your Kale

Kale is a type of cruciferous vegetable. It’s a great source of vitamins and nutrients, but it has the

ability to suppress the production of thyroid hormones as it contains goitrogen. With lower amounts

of thyroid hormones produced, more TSH is released. The more TSH there is, the more the thyroid

tissue grows. Ultimately, your thyroid gland develops beyond its usual size and – tadah! – a goiter is

formed.

If you think this is the excuse you need to stop eating the dreaded veggies, then you’re wrong! The

solution is just to cook them. Skip the salad and smoothies and opt for cooked/stir-fried vegetables

instead. Your thyroid will thank you for it.

3. Butter > Margarine

Butter contains pro-thyroid saturated fats that doesn’t suppress the thyroid function. Plus, it’s rich in

Vitamin A and iodine which helps nourishes the whole body and your thyroid. But before you go on a

butter binge, note that the only butter you want to use should be healthy and nutritious. It should

help you, not harm you.

Healthy and nutritious butter should be organic – no growth hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides,

etc. Grass-fed cows are also better than cows raised on grains (like corn and wheat as they’re usually

genetically modified). Plus, grass-fed cows have 50% more vitamin A and E and 400% more beta-

carotene (which gives grass-fed butter a deeper yellow color). A good brand would be Kerrygold.

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Food for Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with medication but by eating and avoiding certain foods, you can

help ease some mild hyperthyroidism symptoms.

1. Say No To Alcohol And Caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine are known to interfere with mood balance, thyroid function, sleep and also

your thyroid medications. You can remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water or other non-

caffeinated and non-alcohol drinks. Try low-fat milk, sparkling water or even herbal teas. Soups are

also a great alternative! While the occasional beer or cup of coffee won’t hurt much, eliminating

them from your daily routine can do a world of wonders.

2. Eat More Berries

From strawberries to blackberries, these little things are packed with antioxidants and fiber. Not only

do they keep your immune system strong, they also help your digestive system stay sound. For the

best benefits, eat a serving of berries daily. With the large variety of berries available, feel free to

alternate them every couple of days – this way, you won’t get sick of them!

3. Cold Water Fishes

Cold water fishes like salmon, tuna or sardines are filled with omega-3 goodness and vitamin D. As

your body doesn’t naturally produce them, it’s important to get your required dose from food.

Vegan? No worries, you can obtain vitamin D from sources like eggs and mushrooms, and omega-3s

from walnuts and olive oil.

In summary, thyroid disorders cannot be cured with just diet alone. However, your diet can aid the

efficacy of your thyroid medications and help with the relief of symptoms. Remember, it’s important

to keep your hormones in check; your diet should focus on moderation and help you regain thyroid

balance. For example, if you’re consuming more iodine to fight hypothyroidism, make sure to

practice restraint. Eat too much iodine and the next thing you know, hyperthyroidism will be

breathing down your neck!

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Conclusion

You probably didn’t give a second’s thought about your thyroid gland until you started experiencing

symptoms caused by a hormone imbalance, or till you read this book. Small but mighty, your thyroid

gland is in charge of controlling your metabolism.

When talking about your thyroid gland, it’s impossible to not mention iodine. As the key ingredient

your thyroid gland needs in order to produce thyroid hormones (like T3 and T4), this mineral is one

you can’t do without. What happens if your body runs low on them? Your pituitary gland will secrete

TSH to encourage your thyroid gland to produce more of it.

A glitch in your thyroid function equals thyroid hormone imbalance. Such imbalance over time and

result in thyroid disorders – and its impacts can be immediately felt by your body. Muscle aches,

weight gain/loss, or even unprecedented hair loss? That might be your body telling you something’s

wrong. It can do you no wrong to listen to your body.

T3 and T4 affect your metabolism rate. If there’s too much or too little of them, thyroid disorders

usually result. Have too much of them? Then it’s likely you’re suffering from hyperthyroidism. When

you have too little of them, hypothyroidism is the outcome. Regardless, both hyper and

hypothyroidism can make their presence known via hair fall.

Thyroid disorders force more than 6%-8% of your hair into the telogen (inactive) phase. By

disrupting the balance of your hair cycle, you start to lose your voluminous hair. But not all hair fall is

created equal. Uniformly thin hair caused by hair loss all over your scalp is the one you want to take

note of. If I’m describing exactly what you’re experiencing, go book an appointment with your doctor

– ASAP.

Thyroid disorders – like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism – have numerous triggers and might be

a harbinger of something bigger and serious. Generally, there are 4 triggers for both hypothyroidism

and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism might be caused by Hashimoto’s disease, the removal of your

thyroid gland, too much iodine and lithium. Hyperthyroidism may be caused by Graves’ disease,

toxic adenoma, subacute thyroiditis and thyroid cancer/pituitary gland malfunctions.

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Here’s a quick recap of what you can do to combat your bothersome thyroid issues:

Foods high in iodine can help boost your thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones if you’re

suffering from hypothyroidism. If it’s hyperthyroidism you’re struggling with, then consuming foods

like berries and cold-water fishes can help combat your symptoms like weight loss and anxiety. In

short, the right foodscan make a great difference!

Again, make sure to consult your doctor before you make significant changes to your diet. Certain

foods may affect the effectiveness and potency of your prescribed medication so it’s always best to

double-check.

The last tip is BALANCE. You want to make sure you consume just the right amount of nutrients and

minerals – not too much but not too little as well. Without moderation, you can swing from one

disorder to another. Trust me, it’s something you don’t want.

Armed with the information in this book, I wish you all the best in your fight against thyroid

disorders!

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