As we get older, it is perfectly normal for our bodies to slow down. Our bodily functions are not what they used to be and that is okay. We may gain weight a lot easier, we may become tired more frequently and sometimes we may become forgetful. But at what point is the line drawn. How do we know something else is not causing these symptoms?
Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease where our thyroid gland slows down, it starts producing less of the hormones we need to keep our body up to speed. Some of the symptoms associated with the disease include: weight gain, exhaustion and brain fog. There are other symptoms associated with hypothyroidism but these are the most common.
After we receive our diagnoses through a series of blood test. We may wonder what’s next! How can this disorder be treated? There are more than one option to treat hypothyroidism. One option in particular is Bovine Thyroid Supplements.
What is a bovine thyroid supplement? It is a natural supplement made from the thyroid gland of a cow. Since it is considered a dietary supplement, it does not require a prescription from a doctor. It is an affordable option that can be purchased off the internet or in a health food store.
However it is important that we do research before jumping head first into this treatment option. Not all dietary supplements are made equally.
We need to know where are thyroid supplement is coming from. How it is produced, what the health of the cows are like, what kind of diet are these cows fed? Something else to consider is a lot of these supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The exact amount of thyroid hormone someone may receive, can not be guaranteed. There is no way of knowing if someone will receive the same amount with each dose. The integrity and quality of each brand poses a potential health risk.
For example, some brands may contain higher amounts of iodine. Too much iodine can completely stop our thyroids from working at all. We only need a certain amount of iodine in our daily lives.
Another possible risk of taking this type of supplement is it may include tissues from other organs of the cow other than just the thyroid gland. That poses a potential to expose yourself to diseases these cows may have. Some of the organ tissue these supplements may contain are: liver, thyroid, spleen, kidneys and brains.
It’s a rare occurrence but if humans are exposed to infected brain tissue of a cow with “Mad Cow” disease. We run the risk of infecting ourselves with it. We can not guarantee a disease free cow since these are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
With all that being said, in the end it is ultimately up to us. It is possible to take these supplements and never have an issue. And maybe they will help regulate our hypothyroidism better then the prescription medication does.
The purpose of this article was to educate us on the potential risks and benefits associated with these thyroid supplements. Before we try anything, we need to do plenty of research and talk to our doctors. In the end, the only thing that matters is getting our thyroid levels back into a normal range so we can feel better again. It amazing that one small area on the human body can negatively affect someone’s quality of life.
