Causes of Hypothyroidism
There are a number of factors that may cause Hypothyroidism in people. They include- dietary / nutritional, hormonal, environmental and genetic.
Primarily there several main causative factors of Hypothyroidism are and Iodine deficiency and inflammation of the Thyroid gland known as Thyroiditis and drugs – both illicit and prescription.
Throughout the majority of the developed Western world iodine deficiencies do not occur too regularly (thought this trend is shifting somewhat given the degeneration of most people’s diets).
In the remaining parts of the world however it is more commonplace. Inflammation of the Thyroid is often a more common reason for Thyroid issues. The inflammation can and usually is caused by diet and lifestyle factors. This is positive new for sufferers of Hypothyroidism as it indicates the causative factors are able to be influenced rather easily.
Disease or environmental factors can also affect the function of the glands located in the brain. These include the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland.
They Hypothalamus and Pituitary play important roles within the hormonal process that stimulates the Thyroid gland. If there is an issue affecting the function of either of these glands they Thyroid and its metabolic functions may also be compromised.
Foods may also influence the function and performance of the Thyroid gland. Almost all fast food and ‘convenience’ style food can have a detrimental effect on the Thyroid. These high fat, high sugars, high additive foods can create excessive acid and waste in the body which can affect not just the Thyroid but the entire glandular system.
Drugs can also contribute to Hypothyroidism. Both illicit as well as prescription medication. Irrespective of a drugs legal status, all drugs produce a number of effects within the human body.
And whilst pharmaceutical companies have gone to considerable marketing and advertising lengths to brand the undesirable effects as just ‘possible side effects’ they are nonetheless still ‘effects’.
Anti inflammatory medication may not sell as well if they were marketed as ‘stomach ulcer producing medication – may also induce side effects such as reduce joint and muscle pain.’
Commonly recognised drugs that may contribute to Hypothyroidism include:
- Adrenal steroids like prednisone and hydrocortisone, which treat inflammation
- Amiodarone, a heart drug
- Antithyroid drugs like propylthiouricil and methimazole
- Lithium, for psychiatric treatment
- Propranolol, a beta blocker
It is because of this legitimate concern towards drugs and their undesirable ‘side effects’ many people are choosing to investigate natural, drug free options.
One of the primary benefits to a natural treatment option may be that there are fewer side effects due to the preference of using natural herbs and nutrition as opposed to potentially dangerous and poisonous harsh drugs.
A well researched and investigated natural approach has been detailed by Australian Naturopath Duncan Cappichiano ND. Duncan is one of Australia’s foremost experts on the treatment of Hypothyroidism with natural means. You can read more about Duncan’s work here.