Your thyroid gland is a relatively small organ — roughly the size of a walnut — but it has a huge role to play. The thyroid is responsible for two essential hormones, frequently called T3 and T4. Why is it important to have balanced levels of thyroid hormones?
The Metabolism Manager
The main purpose of the thyroid is to control your metabolism. This system affects how many calories your cells burn up as energy and how many calories are stored as fat.
The metabolism is your body’s motor. It converts fuel into power. Your thyroid is like the gas pedal, telling your “engine” when to speed up or slow down.
The Amazing Benefits of a Healthy Thyroid
Most of the time, you probably never give your metabolism a second thought, but taking good care of your thyroid can provide many benefits.
Easier Weight Loss
Having an active metabolism isn’t going to melt fat away automatically, but it can make losing weight easier. You can burn more calories at rest and when exercising, potentially delivering better results when you hit the gym.
More Consistent Energy Levels
A healthy thyroid should be able to respond quickly to your body’s energy needs, helping you keep up with physical tasks, from taking care of your kids to working. Instead of waking up exhausted all the time, you can have the stamina needed to get things done.
Increased Mental Focus
It’s not just your muscles that require energy to function properly. Your brain is a supercomputer — and it has the energy needs of one. By making sure your neurons receive plenty of fuel, the thyroid helps you stay alert and focused all day. Instead of feeling lost in “brain fog,” you can come up with smart solutions.
Signs of Thyroid Problems
You may be surprised by how many symptoms can be related to thyroid problems. An underactive thyroid can cause the following issues:
Persistent tiredness or exhaustion
Forgetfulness, mental fatigue and trouble concentrating
Unexplained weight gain
Rough, dry hair
Strange feelings of cold
On the other hand, a thyroid that is too active can also create problems:
Increased irritability
Anxiety or nervousness
Excessive muscle weakness
Blurry vision
Frequent insomnia
Feeling warmer than normal
There are other causes of all of these symptoms, but if you have several, you may want to visit a doctor.
Thyroid Care
A simple blood test can check the levels of your T3 and T4 hormones. After that, your doctor can recommend foods that support balanced levels of thyroid hormones. For example, kelp can be great because of iodine and other minerals, but only for an underactive thyroid.