Thyroid Conditions and Weight Loss Q: Is there a link between thyroids and weight loss?
JVW: As strange as this might sound, an overactive thyroid can cause weight loss, while at the same time boosting your appetite. Other symptoms to be aware of include a racing heart, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, increased sweating, soft fingernails, diarrhea, tremors, restlessness, and irritability.
Two herbs that can be useful for treating an overactive thyroid are bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) and gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus). Bugleweed has demonstrated significant anti-thyroid activity in laboratory testing, but since extended therapy or high doses could result in an enlarged thyroid, you should only take it under the supervision of a physician knowledgeable in natural medicine.
Another thyroid-calming herb is motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca). It has been traditionally used to treat heart palpitations, but it also has an effect on an overactive thyroid.
Additionally, some foods that can decrease an overactive thyroid include cabbage, broccoli, and other members of the Brassica family, soy foods, and millet.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the October issue of Nutrition & Healing, where I'll go into even more detail about treating a hyperactive thyroid - and I'll tell you about three other substances that when used together can return your thyroid hormone to normal in as little as two weeks. What is ...Grave's disease?
One of the most common causes of an overactive thyroid is Grave's disease, a condition in which the immune system interferes with the work of the thyroid gland (though no one really knows why this happens). In addition to the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism, this autoimmune disease also has an effect on the skin and eyes. A hallmark of the disease is bulging eyes, which is caused by fluid retention in the tissues behind the eyes and inflammation. Skin changes, such as red, thick, swollen skin on the shins and sometimes the tops of the feet are also a symptom of the disease. |
