The thyroid is actually a small gland that lies in the neck regarding the
amount of the Adam’s apple and weighs roughly one ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are extremely small and lie on the outside portion of the thyroid gland and secrete
parathyroid hormone. We’ll be focusing on thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is stimulated to make thyroid
hormone by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which can be created within the pituitary gland situated inside the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus inside the brain which monitors the level of circulating thyroid hormone.
Iodine should enter the thyroid gland by means
of a transport program that’s repaired with the intake of
vitamin C. There’s usually about 20-30 mg of iodine inside
the body and 75 % of it’s stored inside the thyroid. Additionally to iodine,
magnesium, zinc, copper, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6 are required for
thyroid hormone production.
The thyroid gland produces two thyroid hormones: T4
(thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). Ninety-five percent of thyroid hormone created is T4 and five
percent is T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone which can be
made as a result of a single iodine becoming cleaved from T4.
T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone produced is really inactive.
The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the amount of iodines.
This really is key in understanding optimal thyroid function. Both T4 and T3 are bound to proteins in the blood till they reach your cells and become unbound to work
their magic on metabolism.
The majority of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver.
Approximately sixty % from the T4 is converted into T3, twenty % is converted into an inactive type of thyroid hormone recognized as reverse T3 (irreversible), and also the remaining twenty
% is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 can be problematic; even though it’s
inactive, it’ll nonetheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and functioning its
magic on metabolism. Too a lot or as well little cortisol that’s produced by
the adrenal glands will increase circulating levels of reverse T3.
This mechanism is because of suppressed liver detoxification and clearance
of reverse T3 from excess cortisol production. Anxiety can not merely result in signs of hypothyroidism but it may also impair
the liver’s capability to detoxify. Cortisol will also suppress TSH production resulting in low thyroid
function. Immune program activation, high adrenaline,
excess free of charge radicals, aging, fasting, anxiety, prolonged illness,
and diabetes may also drive the inactivation of T3 to reverse T3.
T3 and reverse T3 can also be inactivated by conversion into a
hormone identified as T2. Elevated insulin levels due to a diet plan high in refined carbohydrates will also increase reverse
T3 levels. Toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead will also increase reverse T3
production. T3S and T3AC are inactive until they may be catalyzed by an enzyme in the GI tract recognized as sulfatase.
This enzyme is dependent on wholesome gut bacteria. We are
going to talk about inside a later chapter the value
of a healthy digestive tract because it relates to twenty % of active thyroid
hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s principal part would be to control metabolism
(power production) inside the cell. Our cells contain tiny factories referred to as mitochondria that produce
power from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function in the mitochondria which determines just how much power is created.
Symptoms of low thyroid function are related to a decrease
in power production including:
Fatigue
Weight gain/inability to shed weight
Constipation
Dry/itchy skin
Dry brittle hair and nails
Depression
Headaches
Overly sensitive to cold
Cold/numb hands and feet
Muscle cramps
Depressed immune system-can’t recover from infections
Slow wound healing
Unrefreshing sleep
Digestive issues because of low stomach acid
Hair falls out
Water retention
Lateral third of eyebrow thinning
TSH
Conventional medicine relies mainly around the TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood
test to measure thyroid function. TSH isn’t a thyroid hormone.
TSH is produced by the pituitary based on how much thyroid hormone is circulating inside the
bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will improve
to stimulate the thyroid to make more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases,
then TSH production will decrease since the thyroid is creating
a lot of hormone. The TSH alone just isn’t sufficient to
assess thyroid function since it does not take into consideration the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active type which
happens within the liver, kidneys and lungs. The TSH test also will not take into account thyroid hormone receptor resistance.
Thyroid hormone receptors can turn out to be resistant to
thyroid hormone because of thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure leading to
typical blood tests but development of low thyroid symptoms.
Cortisol made in the course of anxiety by the adrenal gland also can inhibit TSH production further throwing off the accuracy in the test.
In the event the TSH is elevated, the conventional physician will prescribe synthetic T4 and this can generally reduce TSH in to the “normal” range.
This strategy will not take into account peripheral thyroid hormone conversion or receptor binding.
When the body is compromised in its capability
to activate thyroid hormone into T3, then taking T4 will outcome in a failure of treatment.
In the event the adrenal glands are out of balance, then most likely thyroid hormone function may also be out
of balance. Furthermore, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this method will fail also.
You will discover that most medical physicians usually do not invest a lot time reading the
peer-reviewed health-related literature which provides us with valuable data on TSH levels.
A superb study was published by Obal and Krueger (2001)on sleep deprivation and
thyroid hormone production. The researchers concluded: “When sleep deprivation is maintained for weeks, the plasma concentrations of T4 and particularly T3 decline but TSH remains regular.“6 Do physicians ask
you about your sleep patterns? Maybe this could possibly be the reason for the abnormal TSH.
I’ve seen numerous patients who also suffer from insomnia and sleep problems and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels.
Does this imply they ought to have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies?
Sadly, this happens to lots of people. I always take into account every patient’s sleep pattern and right
it as a part of our treatment strategy. Many occasions,
sleep patterns are abnormal as a result of blood sugar
and adrenal gland imbalances. Keep in mind, you might be not a lab test
but a stunning, complex getting where everything
is connected as a single.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot usually adequately diagnose thyroid hormone
imbalance. It really is estimated that about forty percent of
the U.S. population suffers from some kind of thyroid imbalance as opposed to
the current traditional figure of ten percent.
This is due to the inadequacies of the TSH test. Furthermore to blood testing, I review a thorough case history and a variety
of detailed health questionnaires and also perform a comprehensive physical examination for clues to thyroid hormone imbalance.
Basal physique temperature testing is used by many practitioners to evaluate thyroid function but
this will not solely indicate a thyroid imbalance.
There are many other factors that can trigger a low basal physique temperature such
as adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, impaired liver detoxification and malnutrition. I use the basal body temperature simply
as a single more diagnostic tool to evaluate the overall picture of a patient.
Another sign that may indicate low thyroid function is thinning of the lateral one-third from the eyebrow.
The following thyroid tests can provide more information about your thyroid.
Use this as a guide when you get the results of your blood tests:
TSH (Thyrotropin) - Thyroid-stimulating hormone is made by the pituitary to stimulate the thyroid to create
hormone. The ideal range is 1.8-3.0. Conventional
medicine uses a much broader variety of
0.5-5.5. This range misses numerous hypothyroid sufferers
such as those with a TSH between three.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) - This test measures the level of T4 (thyroxine) which is each bound to protein and unbound.
Free of charge Thyroxine Index - This can be calculated by multiplying the TT4 by the T3 uptake.
The result gives you the quantity of unbound T4 or Free T4.
Totally free Thyroxine (Free of charge T4) - This measures the level of unbound
or free of charge T4 which can be the most active form.
Free T4 isn’t affected by medications or other factors that affect protein bound thyroxine (TT4).
T3 Uptake - A measurement of the level of available binding
sites for free of charge T3 on thyroxine-binding
proteins. Elevated testosterone will minimize the number
of binding sites and result in a low T4 and high T3 uptake.
Excess estrogen from hormone replacement or birth control pills will boost binding sites and can result in high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Free of charge Triiodothyronine (Free of charge T3) -
This is a measure of free T3 levels or unbound T3. This can be the best
test if your natural physician wants to see the amount of available active thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) - This can be a measurement from the quantity of T3 that has been inactivated.
Thyroid Antibodies - Thyroid peroxidase, thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and antithyroglobulin elevations indicate autoimmune thyroid disease such
as Tiroidite di hashimoto‘s
or Graves’ disease. Thyroglobulin and calcitonin are primarily
used inside the diagnosis of much more serious thyroid diseases such as cancer.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications usually do not take into account underlying physiological imbalances and may lead
to dependence on the medication. The following drugs are prescribed by physicians to treat
the thyroid:
Synthroid - Synthetic thyroxine (T4). Synthroid may be the most popular prescription drug for
hypothyroidism. Synthroid is inside the top five most commonly prescribed drugs within the
US. Synthroid may be converted incorrectly into inactive reverse T3 resulting in no symptom improvement.
Synthroid depletes calcium for bones and may not provide improvement for sufferers who
have compromised conversion pathways of T4 into T3 or any from the other
imbalances described in this book.
Levoxyl - Synthetic thyroxine (T4).
Levothroid - Synthetic thyroxine (T4).
Levothyroxine - Synthetic thyroxine (T4).
Thyrolar - Synthetic T4 and T3.
Cytomel - Synthetic T3. Several side effects which includes hyperthyroid symptoms.
Armour Thyroid, Nature Thyroid, Westhroid - Natural thyroid hormone from
desiccated pig thyroid tissue. Contains roughly 38 micrograms/grain of
T4 and 9 micrograms of T3/grain too as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is a better choice than Armour since it doesn’t contain corn and other
binders.
Many alternative-minded healthcare doctors prescribe Armour and other natural desiccated pig thyroid tissue.
This really is a better option in some cases than merely
prescribing synthetic T4 (Synthroid) since these natural agents also include T3.
The problem with Armour is that it contains corn and other fillers which could be a problem
for those with specific sensitivities. Nature Thyroid is the best choice simply because it does not contain corn or fillers.
But the author will not agree with this treatment method since although it’s a
better option, it still will not take into account the underlying causes
of why the thyroid is out of balance within the first place.
These natural prescriptions nonetheless only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence on the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits.
I have observed several, numerous individuals who are on such natural prescriptions who still have several
symptoms and have been taking the prescription for a long period of time.
Even if someone responds to a prescription such as Armour
thyroid, she must be rigorously evaluated for underlying physiological imbalances.
Another issue with such therapy methods is suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback mechanisms.
Whenever you take a hormone that’s created inside the physique, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production simply because it’s constantly becoming ingested.
When male bodybuilders take testosterone, their testicles shrink because there’s no longer a need for them to make testosterone.
Taking thyroid hormone for long periods of time will suppress natural
production which may or may not return after discontinuing the medication.
It’s strongly encouraged that you do every little
thing possible to normalize thyroid function before going on medication of any
kind. Americans typically want a quick fix, a
magic pill that will instantly give relief. Lots of people get this instant relief from medication but
the long-term effects of dependency and suppression of natural hormone production may not be worth it.
Individuals who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone.
In the event the gland just isn’t present then thyroid hormone need to
be replaced. In this case, prescriptions such as Armour and Nature Thyroid
are the better choice.
Conversion of T4 into T3
T3 is much much more active than T4 and is responsible
for the majority of the actions of thyroid hormone on the cell.
Some individuals cannot convert T4 into T3 as efficiently as others.
Additionally, there are many factors that could be
inhibiting this process.
Selenium, antioxidants, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B6
and B12 deficiencies can lead to poor conversion. The medications listed above affect thyroid hormone conversion as well
as production and receptor binding. As individuals get older, they shed their ability to convert thyroid hormone
which may be due to decreased vitamin and mineral absorption. This is due to a loss of intestinal barrier function where all of your nutrition is
absorbed. This barrier loses its function as we age so supplementation is absolutely necessary.
Excess estrogen from xenoestrogens within the environment, birth manage pills and hormone replacement can lead to low thyroid symptoms.
Estrogen increases the protein that binds to
thyroid hormone leaving excess thyroid hormone bound
to protein that is inactive till it becomes unbound.
Cortisol made by the adrenal gland is a major factor in converting thyroid hormone.
As well a lot cortisol can inhibit the activation of thyroid hormone and
also tiny cortisol yields the same result.
Exhausted adrenals will result in low thyroid
symptoms as a result of the lack of cortisol production. Insulin is actually a hormone released by the pancreas to handle
blood sugar elevations after consumption of carbohydrates and
can inhibit hormone conversion as well. Soy products have been shown to inhibit the conversion of thyroid hormone.
This only goes for soy products that are non-fermented.
Fermented soy products such as miso and tempeh are okay.
Vitamin C has been shown to enhance the conversion of thyroid hormone.
Radiation, chemotherapy, growth hormone deficiency, and cigarette smoke have also been shown to decrease thyroid hormone conversion.
