Dry Or Oily Skin And The Thyroid Gland

Signs of Hyperthyroidism is Your Skin: Too-Dry or Oily are Clues

Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid condition, displays symptoms of nervousness, worry, bulging eyes, diarrhea, sensitivity to heat, weight loss, muscle weakness, hand tremors, irritability and sudden, unfounded flashes of temper.

The thyroid controls all three layers of the skin. If hyperthyroidism is a problem, the skin will be one of the first indicators. Normally the outer skin exhales gases, sweats out water, and salty or toxic substances, and oils itself and the hair follicles. A symptom of thyroid imbalance is when the sweat becomes acidic, the skin forcefully exhales gases and skin oil takes on a greasy consistency. Chronic eczema, ichthyosis and psoriasis are symptoms of toxic skin irritation and can usually be easily remedied with diet directed toward eliminating a thyroid imbalance.

When the thyroid is overactive, or on overload, it can force toxins out through the inner and middle skin. When only the superficial cells of the inner skin are involved the mucus secretion is watery and we experience the symptoms of the thyroid problem as a cold. If the problem persists or worsens, the deeper inner skin layers become involved and we can experience sinusitis, bronchitis, enteritis, appendicitis and other acute "itis" diseases.

A thyroid imbalance affecting the middle skin layers can show up as arthritis, bursitis, neuritis, iritis and other chronic "itis" diseases. If the cause of the inner skin problems isn't addressed and the middle skin becomes involved in the toxic elimination, the acute diseases can become chronic. If no changes are made in diet and lifestyle the chronic can become degenerative.

The most common therapy for hyperthyroidism is treatment with radioactive iodine. Since it's difficult to judge what is the correct amount of radioactive iodine necessary to bring the thyroid into balance, many doctors prefer to give enough radioactive iodine to destroy all thyroid function. This seems to be too much or nothing thinking, since the patient is then required to take thyroid supplements the rest of their life.

Foods that lower or suppress thyroid function include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, rutabagas, soybeans, spinach and turnips. People with hypothyroidism should avoid the above foods. Sufferers of hyperthyroidism should avoid dairy product, stimulants, coffee, tea with caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and all soft drinks.

Foods soothing to the thyroid include as a protein source: eggs, light meat poultry, fish but no shellfish, lamb with fat cut off, organ meats and lean beef. A salad combination that includes the same vegetables as the adrenal and pituitary recommendations. Raspberry leaf tea is the preferred beverage for healing and maintaining a healthy thyroid. Brown rice or millet are the grains most helpful to the thyroid. Sugar and honey are especially detrimental to the thyroid.