Thyroid in Winter Season: 5 Important Tips to Manage

While cold and flu are common during winters, one of the overlooked health issues are thyroid problems. Though the thyroid is a small gland, it plays a vital role in regulating your metabolism. In fact, it is called the thermostat of your body as it helps in regulating heat. When it comes to thyroid in Winter weather is especially problematic. If your thyroid gland is unable to produce enough hormones, you may find it difficult to tolerate cold temperatures. This condition is called hypothyroidism and slows your overall metabolism. Thus, it makes you more sensitive to the cold. 

With a slow metabolism, you have the tendency to binge eat. This can result in weight gain. Seasonal depression is the reason for such cravings that make it difficult for thyroid patients to manage their weight. Another way that cold weather can affect your thyroid is with the formation of dry skin. When temperature dips, your skin may get parched and dry. This is one of the common symptoms seen in hypothyroidism. Read on to know different ways to manage thyroid in winter.

Check Your Thyroid Hormone Levels Regularly

To manage thyroid in winter, the first and foremost thing you need to do is monitor your hormone levels. When the temperature decreases, your T3 and T4 hormones may also decrease. However, you may notice an increase in TSH levels. The low fat metabolism during winters is the reason for low T3 levels. So, there are chances for your LDL or bad cholesterol to increase as well. 

If your thyroid levels are normal, your body generates more heat to beat the cold. However, if you are taking thyroid supplements, your body may not be able to generate more heat. Excess exposure to cold weather creates a huge stress in your body when its thyroid functioning is impaired. Amongst important thyroid tests, TSH test is the most preferred one [1]. 

If you notice the following hypothyroidism symptoms, undergo a TSH test to check your levels [2].

• Loss of hair
• Unexplained weight gain
• Irregular menstruation
• Fatigue
• High sensitivity to cold temperature

The normal TSH levels ranges between 0.45 and 4.5 mU/L. If your value exceeds the normal range, it indicates hypothyroidism. TSH hormone plays a vital role in regulating your body temperature. So, regular monitoring of this hormone can help you manage thyroid symptoms with ease.

Increase Your Serotonin Levels by Spending Time in the Sun

Serotonin is an important hormone that plays a key role in managing your feelings, happiness and mood. In fact, it is because of this hormone that your nerve cells and brain cells communicate well with each other. Serotonin also promotes good digestive health and sleeping patterns. If there is a deficiency, it can cause mood swings and depression too. 

During the cold weather, you may tend to stay indoors. This can worsen your depression. By getting out in the sun, your serotonin levels increase, which helps you combat seasonal disorders. All you need to do is soak up the sun for about 20-30 minutes daily to reduce depression and fatigue.

Have Thermogenic Foods to Keep Your Body Warm

Thermogenesis is a process that generates body heat in warm-blooded mammals. This is an important phenomenon as it helps in regulating your body temperature. Eating thermogenic foods is called diet-induced thermogenesis wherein your body produces heat after consuming specific foods [3]. The digestion of these foods occurs faster that keeps you warm during the cold temperature. Having these foods can also help you shed extra kilos too! 

Include a few of these thermogenic foods in your diet to beat the cold weather:

• Butter
• Coconut oil
• Peppers
• Avocado
• Ginger
• Foods rich in protein
• Ginger
• Spices like pepper
• Green tea

Exercise Daily to Improve Your Metabolism

Doing exercise for 30-40 minutes helps manage metabolism and thyroid symptoms. Exercising generates body heat that is helpful during the cold weather. In case you are unable to go for walks, indoor activities like yoga and skipping are effective. 

You can try out a few simple poses of yoga for thyroid such as:

• Fish pose
• Cat and cow pose
• Boat pose
• Camel pose
• Cobra pose

Try Out Different Home Remedies for Thyroid

Follow these simple tips to manage thyroid symptoms during winters:

• Have apple cider vinegar to improve metabolism
• Combat inflammation by eating ginger
• Include foods rich in vitamin B to reduce thyroid problems
• Eat foods rich in vitamin D for better immunity
• Beat constipation problems by including beans in your meals

Now that you are aware about the connection between thyroid in winter and cold weather, it is important to take proper precautionary measures when the winter season begins. By following a few of the tips listed above, you can manage hypothyroidism in winter effectively. If you are facing any thyroid problems, consult top specialists on Bajaj Finserv Health. Book an appointment with a doctor of your choice and address your symptoms without any delay.