Thyroid Hormone: What It Is and Why You Should Care
The thyroid gland sits at the base of your neck and makes hormones that control how fast your body works. These chemicals are called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). They tell your heart, brain, muscles, and organs how much energy to use.
How a Healthy Thyroid Keeps You Feeling Good
If your thyroid hormone levels are just right, you’ll notice steady weight, good mood, regular periods, and enough energy for daily tasks. The hormones help regulate body temperature, heart beat, and even how quickly food turns into fuel.
Signs Your Thyroid Might Be Out of Balance
When the gland makes too little hormone (hypothyroidism), you may feel tired, cold, or gain weight without changing your diet. You might also notice dry skin, hair loss, or forgetfulness. Too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) often brings fast heartbeat, sweating, nervousness, and weight loss despite eating more.
Both conditions are common, especially for women over 30. The good news is doctors can check your levels with a simple blood test that measures TSH, T4, and sometimes T3.
If the numbers show low hormone, doctors usually prescribe levothyroxine, a synthetic version of T4. It’s taken once a day and helps bring the balance back. For high hormone, treatment may include medication to slow production or radioactive iodine that shrinks the gland.
Lifestyle changes can also support thyroid health. Eating enough iodine—found in seafood, dairy, and iodized salt—helps your gland work properly. Selenium from Brazil nuts or sunflower seeds supports conversion of T4 into the active T3 form.
Avoiding excessive soy, certain vegetables like kale when raw, and very low‑calorie diets can keep hormone levels steady. Regular exercise improves metabolism and helps manage weight changes caused by thyroid issues.
Remember to have your blood checked at least once a year if you have symptoms or a family history of thyroid disease. Small tweaks in dosage often make a big difference, so stay in touch with your doctor when you start feeling better or worse.
Bottom line: thyroid hormone touches almost every part of your body. Knowing the signs of imbalance and getting tested early can keep you feeling energetic and healthy. Keep an eye on your diet, move regularly, and don’t skip follow‑up appointments—your thyroid will thank you.
In today's blog post, we're going to discuss the relationship between Levothyroxine and our immune system. As many of you may know, Levothyroxine is a medication commonly prescribed for those with an underactive thyroid, which can impact our overall health. It's important to understand how this medication affects our immune system and what we need to be mindful of while taking it. Throughout our discussion, we'll explore how Levothyroxine can potentially weaken the immune system and the steps we can take to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So, let's dive in and learn more about the connection between Levothyroxine and our immune system!
