You have learned a lot in this post, but now it's time to learn something different. I will tell you more about hypothyroidism and what it is. What is Hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is when there isn't enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream, and your metabolism slows down. Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid doesn't create and release enough thyroid hormone. This makes your metabolism slow down, affecting your entire body. 

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck. It releases chemicals into the bloodstream that affect nearly every part of the body. The thyroid helps to regulate things like breathing, heart rate, central nervous system, weight gain and loss, temperature control and muscle strength. Your hormones affect how your cells use energy from food to keep you alive and well. Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) are the most important hormones. Unfortunately, your body doesn't make enough of these hormones when you have hypothyroidism. You might even have none or only a tiny amount of one type of hormone. If that happens, you aren't getting the energy you need from food. Without this energy boost, the organs in your body slow down and become sluggish. 

Symptoms of hypothyroidism: 

You might not notice any symptoms of hypothyroidism in its early stages. But as the condition gets worse, you may have: 

• -feeling tired all the time 
• -being sensitive to cold temperatures 
• -dry skin and brittle nails 
• -forgetting things often or having trouble concentrating 
• -swelling in the front part of your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) 
• -weight gain 
• -mood swings 
• -intolerance to cold 
• -heavy and prolonged menstruation cycle 
• -irregular or skipping periods 
• -constipation 

What causes hypothyroidism? 

This condition is hereditary (passed down through a family). In Hashimoto's disease, the body's immune system attacks and damages the thyroid. This prevents the thyroid from making and releasing enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by an injury or treatment to the thyroid. For example, a neck injury or surgery can damage the thyroid and lead to hypothyroidism. In addition, radioactive iodine therapy is sometimes used to treat hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). This treatment kills the cells in the thyroid that make hormones. It takes several weeks for this treatment to work, but it causes permanent hypothyroidism afterwards. Finally, certain medications can lower your thyroid hormone levels, causing you to develop hypothyroidism. 

Other primary causes of hypothyroidism are: 

• -inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis) 
• -removal of all or part of the thyroid (thyroidectomy) following treatment -for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer 
• -radiation therapy to treat hyperthyroidism or head and neck cancers 
• -certain medications, such as lithium 
• -congenital hypothyroidism 

What is postpartum thyroiditis? 

Thyroiditis can occur after pregnancy for some women. The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck that produces various hormones, including thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones are essential to maintain normal bodily functions, such as the heartbeat, digestion, brain development and other body functions. Thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland. It may develop into a hypothyroid or hyperthyroid condition. Hypothyroidism occurs when there are low thyroid hormone levels, and hyperthyroidism occurs when there are high thyroid hormone levels. Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in 5% of postpartum women and presents 3-20 months after birth. Pregnant women have naturally suppressed immune systems during pregnancy to protect the developing foetus. This suppression means that autoimmune diseases may go unnoticed during pregnancy but then activate postpartum, causing autoimmunity against the mother's cells, resulting in thyroid disease. You can solve this complication by following a particularly nutritious diet and exercise. In addition, try natural supplements like andMe's plant-based lactation booster. This breast milk increasing powder consists of Ayurvedic ingredients like Fenugreek seeds and Shatavari that increase your breast milk production to double.  

Is it safe for new moms to breastfeed with hypothyroidism? 

Breastfeeding has several health benefits for both mothers and babies. It is the ideal way to feed infants, giving them all the calories, protein, vitamins and minerals, they need for healthy growth and development. Breastfeeding also protects against infections and passes on some antibodies from the mother to the baby. 

Breastfeeding can be especially beneficial for babies with a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 5lb 8oz). In addition, if you had a high-risk pregnancy or have any specific medical condition such as diabetes or if your baby was born prematurely, you must breastfeed your baby. The thyroid is a gland in the neck that makes hormones that help regulate growth, repair and metabolism. So if you have a thyroid disorder, your thyroid hormone levels must be well controlled after pregnancy and before and during pregnancy. 

Your thyroid function will be tested at least once in early pregnancy during pregnancy. This is because an overactive thyroid can cause problems with fertility and make it harder to conceive. In contrast, an underactive thyroid can increase the risk of miscarriage and other issues during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, a low-birth-weight baby or premature birth. 

What to avoid in hypothyroidism? 

Gluten: 

Those with hypothyroidism or a family history of the disease protect their thyroid health by limiting their gluten intake. The thyroid gland is part of the immune system. When someone has gluten sensitivity or intolerance, their immune system attacks the gluten and causes an inflammatory response in the body. This inflammatory response can affect other parts of the body—including the thyroid gland—and cause problems with optimal function. 

Sugary products: 

Sugar is the most common irritant in a healthy diet, and as you add more and more of it, you're going to start experiencing problems. People with hypothyroidism may have a slow metabolism, which means they can't burn calories as quickly as they used to. They may also have trouble digesting food and absorbing vitamins and minerals, which can cause cravings for junk food or other unhealthy options. 

Fatty and fried food: 

Fatty and fried foods can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones and thus lead to hypothyroidism. Fried foods have been found to disrupt the body's ability to absorb thyroid hormone replacement medicines. Fats may also interfere with the thyroid's ability to produce hormones. Some healthcare professionals recommend cutting out all fried foods and reducing your intake of fats from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat. A diet high in fat causes hypothyroidism. Fatty tissue has a higher iodine uptake than other tissues, including the thyroid gland. A low-fat diet will go a long way toward helping those with hypothyroidism function generally since it increases iodine uptake by the body.  

Processed food: 

Processed foods also tend to be high in saturated fat and calories. For hypothyroidism, including those who also have heart disease or diabetes, following a diet low in saturated fat is recommended. There is no special diet for hypothyroidism; however, some guidelines can help ensure healthy nutrition while limiting excess calories and saturated fat. Base your diet around whole grains and other carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and beans. These contain lots of fibre, which helps lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

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