Statistics show that every eighth adult in Europe has at least one thyroid disorder, and many people are unaware of it.

The thyroid produces two main hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These are small molecules, but they determine how quickly our body burns energy, how fast our heart beats, how well we digest food, and even whether we feel energetic or sleepy.

Its function is governed by the hormone TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. It acts like a conductor giving instructions to the thyroid gland. If TSH is too high, it means the thyroid is working too slow (this condition is called hypothyroidism). If it is too low, it means the thyroid is working too fast (hyperthyroidism).

A World Health Organization study from 2021 showed that thyroid problems most commonly occur in women over the age of 40 - four times more often than in men. The reason lies in the hormonal changes women experience during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.

How do you know if something is wrong with your thyroid?

Here lies the problem. Symptoms are often so general that people attribute them to stress, fatigue, or aging. If the thyroid is working too slow, you are often sleepy, feel cold even in a warm room, experience hair loss, dry skin, and weight gain even though you eat the same as before. If it is working too fast, you may experience heart palpitations, restlessness, excessive sweating, unexplained weight loss, shaking of hands, and a constant feeling of tension.

Checking the thyroid is simple and cheap

There is no need to wait in long lines for an examination. In most laboratories, you can order testing yourself. A single blood sample is used to check TSH, T3, and T4 levels. The cost of such testing ranges from 20 to 40 euros, and you get the results on the same day.

Doctors recommend that people over the age of 20 check their thyroid function at least every 5 years. If you notice unusual changes in your well-being, it is advisable to do it sooner. In a study conducted in Germany in 2023, 60% of patients reported that they discovered their condition completely by chance during a routine blood test, not because they recognized the symptoms.

What can you do at home? Folk wisdom and natural remedies...

Although serious disorders require medical treatment, there is a lot we can do ourselves for a healthy thyroid. Folk medicine has been searching for ways to help this small gland for centuries.

One key substance the thyroid needs is iodine. Without it, hormones cannot be produced. For this reason, mandatory iodine supplementation in table salt started some 70 years ago in places where there was a high prevalence of goiter (enlarged thyroid due to iodine deficiency). According to the Institute of Public Health, in the 1930s, over 50% of children in Europe showed signs of goiter. Today, there are less than 2% of such cases.

However, experts warn that modern diets are bringing back issues. People are consuming less homemade bread and salt, and a lot of industrially processed foods where salt is not iodized. If this trend continues, problems can return. Therefore, it is recommended to consume sea fish at least twice a week since 100g of salmon contains around 30 micrograms of iodine, which is 20% of an adult's daily needs.

From traditional recipes, walnuts are worth mentioning. In Slovenian folk medicine, green walnut fruits were considered a "strengthener for the thyroid." Scientific studies confirm that walnuts contain selenium - a mineral that also helps regulate thyroid hormones. Just 2 Brazil nuts a day can provide over 100% of the daily selenium requirement.

Herbs also have their strength. Ashwagandha root (a plant commonly used in Ayurveda) showed improvement in TSH and T4 levels in a study from 2020 among people with mild thyroid disorder. In the local practice, lemon balm and thyme tea were used to strengthen the thyroid, as they were believed to calm the body and reduce heart palpitations in cases of gland overactivity.

What about stress and modern lifestyle?

Recent research in the last five years increasingly shows that not only diet matters but also stress. When under constant pressure, the body releases cortisol, the stress hormone, which directly affects thyroid function. A study from the United States in 2022, involving over 15,000 people, showed that those with high levels of chronic stress have a 40% higher risk of thyroid disorders.

This is where the old remedies of our grandparents come into play. Daily walks in nature, breathing exercises, drinking lavender tea - all these have been proven to calm the nervous system. It was once believed that a person who sat on a bench under an old lime tree and sat quietly for 15 minutes every day would fall ill less. Today, we know they were right.

What happens if problems are left untreated?

Improper thyroid function does not only cause fatigue. If problems are not identified early, serious complications can arise. Hypothyroidism leads to increased cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, while hyperthyroidism can cause dangerous irregular heart rhythms. Global statistics show that people with untreated thyroid disorders have a 70% higher risk of heart attack.

Where is the solution?

The best approach is a combination of both worlds, modern medicine, and folk wisdom. Blood tests provide clear data, while herbs, healthy food, and a balanced lifestyle help the body self-regulate more easily.

Our advice is simple: have your thyroid checked every few years, listen to your body, and don't delay if you notice symptoms you can't explain. At home, you can help yourself by consuming fish, nuts, herbal teas regularly, and especially by giving yourself time to rest.

Conclusion

The thyroid is indeed a small organ, but it has a significant impact. If neglected, it can silently deteriorate our health; but if nurtured, it enables us to live a life full of energy and balance.

As our grandparents used to say: If the head commands, the body listens, but if the conductor is late, the orchestra no longer plays a melody, but noise. The thyroid is that conductor. Let's make sure its tempo is correct: with knowledge, prevention, and a bit of folk wisdom.