Is CBD Oil a Treatment Options for Thyroid?
The thyroid is an endocrine gland that is responsible for secreting hormones that help control growth, metabolism, brain development, muscle and heart functioning, cholesterol levels, bone health, body temperature and emotional response.
The hormones that the thyroid releases are commonly known as thyroid hormones with the main one being T4 hormone or thyroxine.
What are Common Thyroid Issues?
Thyroid glands that produce either too little (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism) hormone can be disastrous to organ functioning and overall health. Other disorders of the thyroid gland include things like thyroiditis, goiter, thyroid cancer, Grave’s disease, thyroid nodules, and thyroid storm.
Since thyroid disorders can cause many different problems in different body parts, sometimes it can be difficult to detect and diagnose a specific condition. However, after eliminating other causes, physicians can administer specific tests to check for thyroid disorders. These can include biopsies, blood tests to check for proper levels of THS, T4, and T3, and thyroid imaging (such as radioactive iodine scans and ultrasound).
The signs and symptoms of either an underactive or overactive thyroid range in severity and vary from one patient to another.
Weight gain is a symptom of hypothyroidism; however, there are many other signs and symptoms to look out for including :
- depression,
- hair loss,
- joint pain,
- puffiness around the face, and
- fatigue.
Hyperthyroidism also comes with an additional set of signs and symptoms including :
- weight loss,
- increased nervousness,
- trembling, and
- swelling around the glands.
When the thyroid gland goes into overdrive or, alternatively stops producing hormones, many crucial functions may start unraveling. Although women are statistically up to 8 times more likely to develop thyroid dysfunction than men (only about 20% of thyroid conditions are in men), it can strike at any age.
It is particularly disruptive when it occurs during significant hormonal shifts such as menopause, pregnancy, and puberty. An untreated underactive thyroid in pregnant women can easily lead to preterm delivery, miscarriage, and significant growth and developmental issues.
Treatment Options For Thyroid.
One of the main reasons why CBD oil is an attractive treatment option for thyroid is that the conventional alternatives are often intrusive, partially effective and expensive. For instance, to treat hyperthyroidism, the standard options include using conventional medication to reduce thyroid production, surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland, or using radiation to reduce thyroid production.
Hypothyroidism usually requires several years of medication to restore the proper balance. This can be frustrating especially for people who are simply seeking relief from the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. Using CBD oil for thyroid disorders is a novel approach to thyroid health.
Although only limited clinical studies connect CBD oil to thyroid health at all, preliminary studies are hopeful. However, many recent studies are finally connecting the dots between thyroid function, the endocannabinoid system, and the influence of CBD oil on the endocannabinoid system.
What Could CBD Oil do for Thyroid Disorders?
First and foremost, it is essential to understand how cannabinoids from the hemp plant interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Although each cannabinoid compound has a different effect, they in some way interact with CB1 or CB2 (primary receptors).
Cannabinoid receptors are spread throughout the body and are concentrated in organs such as the immune system, brain, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system.
Research has also confirmed that the thyroid gland itself also contains receptors, as well as in areas of the brain that communicate instructions to the thyroid. These receptors are concentrated in an area of the brain known as the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. This discovery indicates that CBD can affect thyroid function.
In 2002, researchers conducted an animal study and concluded that CBDs had both an inhibitory and excitatory effect on the production of hormones in the thyroid gland. Their research specifically indicated that the CB1 receptor controls the production of both thyroxine and tri-iodothyroxine. The study concluded that CBD could influence hormone production in the thyroid.
A study published in 2015 tabled evidence that CBDs could effectively treat thyroid tumors (both malignant and benign). Malignant thyroid tumors are a re-current issue for many thyroid disease patients. Also, since many thyroid disorders are thought to be caused by autoimmune disorders, cannabinoids may have a wider impact beyond tumor reduction and hormone production.
The exploration of Cannabinoids and thyroid disease is in the initial phases and could just be a scratch on the surface and may warrant an in-depth investigation especially into how cannabinoids target thyroid function and how it regulates thyroid disorders. However, considering the shortcomings of many conventional thyroid therapies, finding an effective, all natural treatment is in high demand.
Read here about more Health Benefits of CBD Oil!
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