How To Control Thyroid in Female Body in 6 Ways

The thyroid is a hormone-secreting gland located in the front or lower-front region of the neck. It is identified as a butterfly-shaped protrusion that secretes its namesake hormone, primarily responsible for metabolism in the human body. The thyroid hormone is essentially a combination of two naturally occurring hormones, T3 or triiodothyronine, and T4 or thyroxine. Calcitonin is another of its essential secretions.

An abnormal or unregulated secretion of these hormones leads to thyroid dysfunction, which could result in a chronic and/or autoimmune response to the hormone's regulation. Various dietary and lifestyle choices can often aggravate thyroid dysfunction. The condition is more prevalent among women than in men. It is essential to be aware of the thyroid gland and its functioning to better regulate body metabolism and other functions, such as menstruation and pregnancy.

How Does Thyroid Affect the Female Body?

The thyroid gland is primarily associated with the reproductive system of the female body. Thus, any dysfunction in the gland's hormone-secreting tendency or capacity directly impacts the reproductive system at various stages. The following are some critical impacts of thyroid dysregulation on the female body.

1. During puberty and periodic menstruation, thyroid dysfunction leads to abnormal regulation of the two stages, resulting in early puberty onset or irregularity in menstrual periods. Excessive dysfunction of the thyroid can also lead to amenorrhea or a complete absence of menstruation.
2. During the reproductive age of females, over or under-regulated thyroid can lead to prevention or inhibition of the ovulation process. Undersecretion of the thyroid gland also exposes the ovary to a high risk of developing cysts.
3. During the pregnancy and postpartum stages, thyroid dysregulation can be significantly disruptive to foetal growth or postpartum thyroiditis. Extreme thyroid deficiency or hypothyroidism is also known to be a severe cause of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and haemorrhage after delivery. In cases of extreme thyroid hormone secretion or hyperthyroidism, morning sickness turns out to be severe.
4. Thyroid dysfunction is also associated with the early onset of menopause in women, usually within 40 years. Symptoms of thyroid disorders in women often mimic those of menopause. Thus, menopause can be delayed if the thyroid symptoms are treated properly and on time.

Now that the effects of thyroid dysfunction are clear, the importance of controlling its secretion is evident. Let's discuss some ways to control the thyroid hormone levels in the female body for healthy and optimal living.

6 Effective Ways to Control Thyroid in Women

Diet and exercise in your everyday life are the key to controlling Thyroid.

As hyper- or hypothyroidism is a dysfunction of the hormone-secreting gland, any symptoms of the disorder need to be medically evaluated and addressed via prescribed medications. In the event that symptoms like hot flashes, midnight sweating or unregulated periods appear, it is ideal to take a thyroid panel test and consult with the doctor accordingly.

1. Slow and mindful eating

Eating mindfully can be the key to healthy thyroid regulation in the female body. As the gland and hormone are responsible for the metabolism of the body, slow-paced eating allows the thyroid gland to register the nutritional intake and process the food accordingly. Slow eating could help improve the body's metabolic function.

1. Practicing regular yoga and exercises

If you haven't been into physical activities much and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction start to surface, it's high time you focus on how to control thyroid hormone levels in the body via exercise. With the sedentary life of the present, exercising is a much-called-for initiative to undertake to regulate bodily functions well. The thyroid gland, a part of the body's endocrine system, can be stimulated through various exercises.

Yoga is another form of physical activity you can start relying on to stimulate and regulate your body's thyroid secretion. The endocrine system has been found to have a tendency for better regulation through various yoga asanas. Thus, one may incorporate yoga and exercise into their lifestyle along with taking the prescribed thyroid medication.

1. Consume Vitamin A but cook your greens 

Vitamin A is a significant contributor to thyroid regulation in the female body and can make a significant difference. Some great sources of vitamin A in daily life include green vegetables, spinach, apricots, carrots, and eggs.

While consuming green and leafy vegetables contributes to better Vitamin A absorption, it is best to cook the greens instead of consuming them raw. It is because certain vegetables in the cruciferous category, like cabbages, may inhibit regular thyroid function in their raw forms. Cooking green vegetables before eating instead of consuming them through shakes and smoothies can thus be great for controlling thyroid in females by food.

1. Include probiotics in your food

Another way to make dietary changes in your everyday life is to include probiotics in your diet. Probiotics are a great stimulant of gastrointestinal health and can also provide a significant nutritional intake during pregnancy. This, in effect, helps improve thyroid gland function, thus regulating hormonal secretion.

1. Include fat in your diet

Consuming healthy fats may stimulate the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland, but it also boosts the functioning of the entire endocrine system of the body. It can thus be beneficial to include healthy fats, such as olive oil, healthy nuts, etc., in your diet to help regulate thyroid gland secretions.

1. Avoid junk food

Processed and junk food can be suitably called the bane of modern living as it barely provides anything more than good taste. Although the exact causes are not known, people who rely heavily on a junk diet daily are found to be more susceptible to thyroid dysfunction than others.

Knowing how to control the thyroid in the female body is not enough, and it is ideal to go for thyroid screening from time to time. If any symptoms of the dysfunction appear, you should see your doctor and have your T3, T4, and TSH levels checked. It is best to make necessary dietary and workout changes in your everyday life in consultation with a healthcare specialist.