Thyroid
The thyroid is a little gland that lies inside the neck concerning the level of the Adam’s apple and weighs around a single ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are very tiny and lie around the outdoors portion from the thyroid gland and secrete parathyroid hormone. We’ll be focusing on thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is stimulated to produce thyroid hormone by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which can be created in 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 need to enter the thyroid gland through a transport system that’s repaired with all the intake of vitamin C. There is certainly typically about 20-30 mg of iodine in the body and 75 % of it really is stored inside the thyroid. Additionally to iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6 are necessary for thyroid hormone production.
The thyroid gland produces two thyroid hormones: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). Ninety-five percent of thyroid hormone made is T4 and 5 percent is T3. T3 may be the active type of thyroid hormone which is produced as a result of a single iodine becoming cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone made is really inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the number of iodines. This can be crucial in understanding optimal thyroid function. Both T4 and T3 are bound to proteins inside the blood till they attain your cells and turn out to be unbound to work their magic on metabolism.
The majority of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver. Approximately sixty % of the T4 is converted into T3, twenty % is converted into an inactive form of thyroid hormone identified as reverse T3 (irreversible), and the remaining twenty percent is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 can be problematic; even though it is inactive, it’s going to still bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and operating its magic on metabolism. Also a lot or also little cortisol that’s produced by the adrenal glands will increase circulating levels of reverse T3. This mechanism is due to suppressed liver detoxification and clearance of reverse T3 from excess cortisol production. Stress can not just cause 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 radicals, aging, fasting, stress, prolonged illness, and diabetes may also drive the inactivation of T3 to reverse T3.
T3 and reverse T3 also can be inactivated by conversion into a hormone identified as T2. Elevated insulin levels due to a diet program high in refined carbohydrates will also boost reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals which includes mercury, cadmium and lead may also boost reverse T3 production. T3S and T3AC are inactive till they are catalyzed by an enzyme inside the GI tract recognized as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on healthy gut bacteria. We’ll go over inside a later chapter the importance of a wholesome digestive tract since it relates to twenty % of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s principal function would be to manage metabolism (power production) inside the cell. Our cells include tiny factories referred to as mitochondria that generate power from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function in the mitochondria which determines how much power is created. Symptoms of low thyroid function are related to a reduce in power production which includes:
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 primarily on the TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood test to measure thyroid function. TSH is not a thyroid hormone. TSH is created by the pituitary based on how much thyroid hormone is circulating in the bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will increase to stimulate the thyroid to make a lot more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will lower since the thyroid is making plenty of hormone. The TSH alone just isn’t sufficient to assess thyroid function since it doesn’t take into consideration the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active type which occurs inside the liver, kidneys and lungs. The TSH test also does not take into account thyroid hormone receptor resistance. Thyroid hormone receptors can become resistant to thyroid hormone as a result of thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure leading to regular blood tests but development of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol made throughout tension by the adrenal gland can also inhibit TSH production additional throwing off the accuracy from the test. If the TSH is elevated, the traditional physician will prescribe synthetic T4 and this will generally reduce TSH into the “normal” range. This strategy does not take into account peripheral thyroid hormone conversion or receptor binding. If the physique is compromised in its ability to activate thyroid hormone into T3, then taking T4 will result in a failure of remedy. In the event the adrenal glands are out of balance, then most likely thyroid hormone function will also be out of balance. Furthermore, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this method will fail too.
You’ll find that most medical physicians usually do not invest much time reading the peer-reviewed medical literature which gives us with valuable information on TSH levels. A great 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 specifically T3 decline but TSH remains normal.”6 Do physicians ask you about your sleep patterns? Maybe this could possibly be the reason for the abnormal TSH. I’ve seen many patients who also suffer from insomnia and sleep problems and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this mean they ought to have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Sadly, this occurs to lots of people. I always take into account each patient’s sleep pattern and right it as a part of our therapy program. Numerous occasions, sleep patterns are abnormal because of blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Bear in mind, you are not a lab test but a gorgeous, complicated being where every little thing is connected as one.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot usually adequately diagnose thyroid hormone imbalance. It is estimated that about forty % of the U.S. population suffers from some kind of thyroid imbalance as opposed to the current conventional figure of ten %. This is as a result of the inadequacies from the TSH test. Additionally 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 doesn’t solely indicate a thyroid imbalance. There are several other factors that can cause a low basal body temperature such as adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, impaired liver detoxification and malnutrition. I use the basal body temperature simply as a single a lot more diagnostic tool to evaluate the overall picture of a patient. Another sign that may indicate low thyroid function is thinning in the lateral one-third of the eyebrow.
The following thyroid tests can provide a lot 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 make hormone. The ideal range is 1.8-3.0. Conventional medicine uses a a lot broader variety of 0.5-5.5. This range misses many hypothyroid patients such as those with a TSH between 3.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) – This test measures the quantity of T4 (thyroxine) which is each bound to protein and unbound.
Free Thyroxine Index – This really is calculated by multiplying the TT4 by the T3 uptake. The result gives you the quantity of unbound T4 or Free T4.
Free of charge Thyroxine (Totally free T4) – This measures the quantity of unbound or totally free T4 that is the most active kind. Free of charge T4 just isn’t affected by medications or other factors that affect protein bound thyroxine (TT4).
T3 Uptake – A measurement of the amount of available binding sites for totally free T3 on thyroxine-binding proteins. Elevated testosterone will reduce the amount of binding sites and trigger a low T4 and high T3 uptake. Excess estrogen from hormone replacement or birth control pills will increase binding sites and can result in high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Free of charge Triiodothyronine (Totally free T3) – This can be a measure of free of charge T3 levels or unbound T3. This can be the best test if your natural physician wants to see the level of available active thyroid hormone inside the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) – This is a measurement of the level 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 mostly used in the diagnosis of more serious thyroid diseases such as cancer.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications don’t take into account underlying physiological imbalances and may lead to dependence around 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 5 most commonly prescribed drugs in the US. Synthroid could be converted incorrectly into inactive reverse T3 resulting in no symptom improvement. Synthroid depletes calcium for bones and may not provide improvement for patients who have compromised conversion pathways of T4 into T3 or any in 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 such as 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 actually a better choice than Armour because it does not include corn and other binders.
Numerous alternative-minded health-related doctors prescribe Armour and other natural desiccated pig thyroid tissue. This is a better option in some cases than merely prescribing synthetic T4 (Synthroid) because these natural agents also contain T3. The problem with Armour is that it contains corn and other fillers which can be a problem for those with specific sensitivities. Nature Thyroid is the best choice because it does not contain corn or fillers. But the author doesn’t agree with this treatment method simply because despite the fact that it is a better option, it still doesn’t take into account the underlying causes of why the thyroid is out of balance inside the first place. These natural prescriptions still only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence around the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I have observed many, several individuals who are on such natural prescriptions who nonetheless 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 should 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 is produced inside the body, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production because it is constantly becoming ingested. When male bodybuilders take testosterone, their testicles shrink simply because there is certainly no longer a need for them to produce testosterone. Taking thyroid hormone for long periods of time will suppress natural production which may or may not return after discontinuing the medication. It really is 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. Many 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. Sufferers who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. If the gland is not present then thyroid hormone must be replaced. In this case, prescriptions such as Armour and Nature Thyroid are the better choice.
Conversion of T4 into T3
T3 is a lot a lot 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 folks get older, they shed their capability to convert thyroid hormone which may be as a result of decreased vitamin and mineral absorption. This can be due to a loss of intestinal barrier function exactly 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 handle 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 which is inactive until it becomes unbound. Cortisol produced by the adrenal gland is a major factor in converting thyroid hormone. Also a lot cortisol can inhibit the activation of thyroid hormone and as well tiny cortisol yields the same result. Exhausted adrenals will trigger low thyroid symptoms because of the lack of cortisol production. Insulin is 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 minimize thyroid hormone conversion.