That little butterfly organ nestled comfortably in your neck is a powerful gland that supports your energy levels, among other things. When functioning correctly, it produces a hormone that regulates the amount of energy drawn from the food you eat. The 4 Day Thyroid Diet When it is unhealthy, it may be over or under producing and causing all kinds of thyroid problems. Although rare, thyroid cancer is also a possibility. Fortunately, there are several treatments with high success rates to address thyroid symptoms.

A hyperthyroid that causes the over-production of hormones may have a variety of root causes including Graves' disease, toxic adenomas (nodules) and subacute thyroiditis. The resulting symptoms include weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, hair loss and tremors.

Beta blockers have been successfully used to counteract a hyperthyroid. They slow the heart down and decrease the anxiety levels and tremors. Other drugs such as propylthiouracil and methimazole are antithyroid drugs that can limit or destroy the gland's ability to produce the thyroid hormone, although the process may take weeks to a year. Swallowing radioactive iodine actually scars the thyroid and inhibits hormone release. In some cases, surgery is recommended to remove toxic nodules and OTC drugs are enough to handle subacute thyroditis.

Hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormonal production results in lethargy, weight gain, fatigue and depression. Having the thyroid surgically removed because of thyroid cancer, excessive iodide intake from some cold and sinus medicines or the auto immune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis can all result in too little secretion of the thyroid hormone. Traditionally, the only treatment has been a lifelong regimen of synthetic replacement therapy for these kinds of thyroid problems.

L-thyroxine as a treatment for thyroid symptoms may go by several brand names, but time has proven it effective, safe and limited in side effects. While most physicians believe it is difficult if not impossible to rev-up a thyroid that has wound down, products such as L-thyroxine and levothyroxine supplement a diminished or non-existent supply of hormone.

Newer alternative therapies look at the whole body system and focus on helping the body rebuild itself through nutrition and natural supplements. Homeopathic mixtures, herbs, Chinese medicines and acupuncture are all part of this naturopathic approach. By reducing stress to the body systems, practitioners believe they can support natural and healthy thyroid treatment.

Thyroid supplements are natural blends of herbs, vitamins and minerals designed to primarily assist a low thyroid problem. The 4 Day Thyroid Diet Review They increase energy levels, while holding weight gain down and leveling out mood swings. As a thyroid treatment, they can be a powerful second line of support for other more traditional approaches. If you need to boost your metabolism because of a sluggish thyroid, consider thyroid supplements.