Your Thyroid Problems Can Cause Brittle Bones
Mohana was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism a year ago and has since been on medication for her thyroid. Being a senior executive in a law firm, she has hectic routine. This makes it hard for her to follow a fixed schedule for meal-times and medicines.
Of late, Mohana started experiencing severe back pain each morning. She wondered if it was the long hours at her workstation that might be causing a strain on her body. When the pain started in her knees and worsened, she headed over to the doctor. To her surprise, Mohana was diagnosed with low bone density. Her doctor immediately revised her thyroid treatment medication and put her on a strict diet plan to avoid an onset of full blown osteoporosis.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones lose more tissue than can be replaced by the body. This leads to brittle bones that can fracture easily. Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bone’. Most commonly suffered by post-menopausal women, osteoporosis can affect anyone with a family history of the disease.
The worst part of this bone disease is that patients often feel no symptoms until a serious occurrence such as a fracture. A lesser severe form of this illness is called osteopenia. Decreased levels of estrogen (in women) and testosterone (in men), chronic smoking, genetics, lack of calcium, and a lethargic lifestyle put people at a higher risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia
The Link Between Hyperthyroidism and Osteoporosis
A high level of thyroid hormone – caused by an overactive thyroid – speeds up the rate at which your bone decays. Like any other part of your body, your bone tissues too undergo wear and tear. Your bone produces red and white blood cells, stores minerals, and undergoes constant reshaping as you grow and age. Hyperthyroidism speeds up this process, thus resulting in your bone tissues breaking down faster than they can be regenerated. This leads to low bone density and brittle bones.
Osteoporosis is especially common in post-menopausal women due to estrogen deficiency. Post-menopausal women go through hormonal imbalances as their body changes. This change is often interrupted by thyroid problems. Menopausal women fall in the high-risk category for brittle bone damage due to thyroid complications.
Even if you are under medication for hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), you should still consider getting a bone density test done. Synthetic hormones, when taken for long periods of time, can affect bone health.
Tips for Healthy Bones
- Eat calcium rich foods: Milk and milk products are the best-known sources of calcium. However, if you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you can get calcium from oranges, almonds, okra, tofu, and soya.
- Stock up on Vitamin D: Modern city life sees many professionals pulling night shifts. This has led to a widespread deficiency in sunlight sourced Vitamin D. The ideal time to absorb Vitamin D naturally is between 7:00 and 10:00 am.
- Step up the exercise: Exercise is the perfect way to keep your bones fit for long. Studies have shown that people who have led active lives in their 20s and 30s generally have lesser problems with bone density post 50.
- Consume a protein rich diet: Proteins are indeed the building blocks of your body. A protein rich diet helps in cell repair and regeneration. Make sure to eat lean meats, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, beans, broccoli, tofu, and yoghurt regularly.
- Ask for supplements; If you frequently experience joint pains, don’t put off that visit to the doctor. You might benefit from a calcium supplement and this can save you from low bone density issues in the future.
Homeopathy for You
Homeopathy offers permanent solutions for those suffering from thyroid problems. Homeopathy treatment for thyroid provides relief from the physical symptoms and helps control the condition. Homeopathic medicines are free from side-effects, painless, and suitable for all age groups. Thyroid disorders can adversely affect all aspects of your physical well-being and should therefore be treated immediately. If you or a loved one are suffering any kind of thyroid or hormonal complication, do consider homeopathy as your one stop solution for good health.
