Thyroid
The thyroid is actually a little gland that lies in the neck regarding the degree of the Adam’s apple and weighs approximately a single ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are extremely tiny and lie around the outside portion in 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) that is created inside the pituitary gland positioned within the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain which monitors the quantity of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine should enter the thyroid gland via a transport method that is repaired with the intake of vitamin C. There is typically about 20-30 mg of iodine in the physique and 75 percent of it really is stored in the thyroid. Furthermore 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 % of thyroid hormone made is T4 and 5 % is T3. T3 may be the active kind of thyroid hormone that is made as a result of 1 iodine being cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone created is actually inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the number of iodines. This is key in understanding optimal thyroid function. Each T4 and T3 are bound to proteins in the blood till they reach your cells and grow to be unbound to perform their magic on metabolism.
Most of the T4 is converted into T3 within the liver. Around sixty % of the T4 is converted into T3, twenty percent is converted into an inactive type of thyroid hormone known as reverse T3 (irreversible), and also the remaining twenty % is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 can be problematic; despite the fact that it really is inactive, it’s going to nonetheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and operating its magic on metabolism. Too a lot or as well tiny cortisol which is created by the adrenal glands will improve 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 only result in indicators of hypothyroidism nevertheless it will 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, tension, prolonged illness, and diabetes will also drive the inactivation of T3 to reverse T3.
T3 and reverse T3 can also be inactivated by conversion into a hormone known as T2. Elevated insulin levels due to a diet plan high in refined carbohydrates may also increase reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead will also improve reverse T3 production. T3S and T3AC are inactive till they may be catalyzed by an enzyme within the GI tract recognized as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on healthy gut bacteria. We’ll go over in a later chapter the value of a healthy digestive tract because it relates to twenty percent of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s main part would be to handle metabolism (power production) inside the cell. Our cells include tiny factories known as mitochondria that produce energy from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function from the mitochondria which determines just how much energy is created. Symptoms of low thyroid function are associated to a lower 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
Traditional medicine relies mostly around the TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood test to measure thyroid function. TSH just isn’t a thyroid hormone. TSH is created by the pituitary depending on how much thyroid hormone is circulating inside the bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will improve to stimulate the thyroid to produce more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will reduce since the thyroid is making plenty of hormone. The TSH alone isn’t sufficient to assess thyroid function since it doesn’t take into consideration the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active type which happens inside the liver, kidneys and lungs. The TSH test also does 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 regular blood tests but improvement of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol made throughout tension by the adrenal gland also can inhibit TSH production further throwing off the accuracy of the test. If the TSH is elevated, the standard doctor will prescribe synthetic T4 and this may usually decrease TSH into the “normal” range. This method does not take into account peripheral thyroid hormone conversion or receptor binding. In the event the physique is compromised in its ability to activate thyroid hormone into T3, then taking T4 will result in a failure of treatment. When the adrenal glands are out of balance, then most likely thyroid hormone function will also be out of balance. Additionally, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this strategy will fail as well.
You are going to discover that most medical physicians do not devote much time reading the peer-reviewed health-related literature which offers us with beneficial data on TSH levels. An excellent 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? Possibly this could be the purpose for the abnormal TSH. I’ve observed numerous individuals who also endure from insomnia and sleep difficulties and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this mean they must have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Unfortunately, this takes place to lots of people. I always take into account each patient’s sleep pattern and correct it as a part of our therapy plan. Numerous occasions, sleep patterns are abnormal because of blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Remember, you are not a lab test but a gorgeous, complex becoming exactly where everything is connected as a single.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot always 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 traditional figure of ten percent. This is because of the inadequacies in 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 body temperature testing is used by numerous practitioners to evaluate thyroid function but this does not solely indicate a thyroid imbalance. There are numerous other factors that can result in a low basal physique temperature such as adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, impaired liver detoxification and malnutrition. I use the basal body temperature simply as 1 much 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 of 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 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 several hypothyroid sufferers such as those with a TSH between 3.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) – This test measures the amount of T4 (thyroxine) that is each bound to protein and unbound.
Totally free Thyroxine Index – This can be calculated by multiplying the TT4 by the T3 uptake. The result gives you the level of unbound T4 or Free T4.
Free of charge Thyroxine (Free T4) – This measures the level of unbound or free T4 which can be the most active kind. Free of charge T4 is not affected by medications or other factors that affect protein bound thyroxine (TT4).
T3 Uptake – A measurement in the quantity of available binding sites for free T3 on thyroxine-binding proteins. Elevated testosterone will reduce the amount of binding sites and cause a low T4 and high T3 uptake. Excess estrogen from hormone replacement or birth handle pills will boost binding sites and can cause high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Free of charge Triiodothyronine (Totally free T3) – This really is a measure of free T3 levels or unbound T3. This is the best test if your natural doctor wants to see the amount of available active thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) – This is a measurement in the quantity of T3 that has been inactivated.
Thyroid Antibodies – Thyroid peroxidase, thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and antithyroglobulin elevations indicate autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. Thyroglobulin and calcitonin are mainly used within 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 on the medication. The following drugs are prescribed by physicians to treat the thyroid:
Synthroid – Synthetic thyroxine (T4). Synthroid is the most popular prescription drug for hypothyroidism. Synthroid is in the top five most commonly prescribed drugs inside 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 patients who have compromised conversion pathways of T4 into T3 or any of 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 approximately 38 micrograms/grain of T4 and 9 micrograms of T3/grain also as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is really a better choice than Armour since it will not contain corn and other binders.
Numerous alternative-minded medical doctors prescribe Armour and other natural desiccated pig thyroid tissue. This is a better option in some cases than merely prescribing synthetic T4 (Synthroid) simply because these natural agents also contain 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 may be the best choice simply because it doesn’t contain corn or fillers. But the author does not agree with this therapy method simply because despite the fact that it’s a better option, it still does not take into account the underlying causes of why the thyroid is out of balance within the first place. These natural prescriptions nevertheless only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence on the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I have seen numerous, several individuals who are on such natural prescriptions who nonetheless have numerous 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 ought to 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 which is produced inside the physique, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production because it’s constantly being ingested. When male bodybuilders take testosterone, their testicles shrink since there’s no longer a need for Tiroidite cronica 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 is strongly encouraged that you do every 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. Sufferers who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. When the gland just isn’t 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 much a lot more active than T4 and is responsible for most of the actions of thyroid hormone on the cell. Some folks cannot convert T4 into T3 as efficiently as others. Furthermore, there are numerous 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 too as production and receptor binding. As people get older, they shed their capability to convert thyroid hormone which may be because of decreased vitamin and mineral absorption. This really 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 inside 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 can be inactive until it becomes unbound. Cortisol produced by the adrenal gland is a major factor in converting thyroid hormone. As well much cortisol can inhibit the activation of thyroid hormone and as well little cortisol yields the same outcome. Exhausted adrenals will cause low thyroid symptoms because of the lack of cortisol production. Insulin is really a hormone released by the pancreas to handle blood sugar elevations after consumption of carbohydrates and can inhibit hormone conversion also. 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 reduce thyroid hormone conversion.