Thyroid
The thyroid is really a tiny gland that lies inside the neck concerning the level of the Adam’s apple and weighs roughly a single ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are extremely small and lie around the outside portion of the thyroid gland and secrete parathyroid hormone. We will be focusing on thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is stimulated to produce thyroid hormone by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which is made inside the pituitary gland located in the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain which monitors the amount of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine must enter the thyroid gland through a transport program that is repaired with the intake of vitamin C. There is certainly usually about 20-30 mg of iodine within the body and 75 % of it is stored in the thyroid. In addition 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 produced is T4 and 5 % is T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone which is created because of a single iodine being cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone produced is really inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the number of iodines. This can be crucial in understanding optimal thyroid function. Each T4 and T3 are bound to proteins within the blood until they attain your cells and turn out to be unbound to function their magic on metabolism.
Most of the T4 is converted into T3 inside the liver. Roughly sixty percent from the T4 is converted into T3, twenty percent is converted into an inactive type of thyroid hormone identified as reverse T3 (irreversible), and also the remaining twenty % is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 could be problematic; even though it really is inactive, it will nonetheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and operating its magic on metabolism. As well a lot or as well little cortisol that’s made by the adrenal glands will increase circulating levels of reverse T3. This mechanism is as a result of suppressed liver detoxification and clearance of reverse T3 from excess cortisol production. Tension can not only cause indicators of hypothyroidism nevertheless it will also impair the liver’s ability to detoxify. Cortisol will also suppress TSH production resulting in low thyroid function. Immune system activation, high adrenaline, excess free radicals, aging, fasting, stress, 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 program high in refined carbohydrates will also increase reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals which includes mercury, cadmium and lead will also improve reverse T3 production. T3S and T3AC are inactive till they are catalyzed by an enzyme within the GI tract recognized as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on healthful gut bacteria. We’ll go over in a later chapter the significance of a healthful digestive tract because it relates to twenty percent of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s main function is always to control metabolism (power production) inside the cell. Our cells include tiny factories known as mitochondria that create 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 reduce in power production such as:
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 difficulties due to low stomach acid
Hair falls out
Water retention
Lateral third of eyebrow thinning
TSH
Standard medicine relies primarily on the TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood test to measure thyroid function. TSH isn’t a thyroid hormone. TSH is made by the pituitary depending on just how much thyroid hormone is circulating in the bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will boost to stimulate the thyroid to produce much more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will reduce because the thyroid is creating a lot 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 form which happens inside the liver, kidneys and lungs. The TSH test also doesn’t take into account thyroid hormone receptor resistance. Thyroid hormone receptors can grow to be resistant to thyroid hormone due to thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure leading to regular blood tests but development of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol produced during anxiety by the adrenal gland also can inhibit TSH production additional throwing off the accuracy from the test. When the TSH is elevated, the standard doctor will prescribe synthetic T4 and this may usually reduce TSH in to the “normal” variety. This approach does not take into account peripheral thyroid hormone conversion or receptor binding. If the body is compromised in its capability to activate thyroid hormone into T3, then taking T4 will result within a failure of therapy. If the adrenal glands are out of balance, then probably thyroid hormone function may also be out of balance. In addition, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this approach will fail as well.
You are going to discover that most healthcare physicians do not devote much time reading the peer-reviewed health-related literature which gives 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 particularly T3 decline but TSH remains typical.”6 Do physicians ask you about your sleep patterns? Perhaps this could possibly be the cause for the abnormal TSH. I have seen several patients who also suffer from insomnia and sleep difficulties and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this imply they ought to have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Unfortunately, this happens to lots of people. I usually take into account every patient’s sleep pattern and correct it as a part of our treatment program. Several times, sleep patterns are abnormal as a result of blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Bear in mind, you are not a lab test but a beautiful, 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 % in the U.S. population suffers from some kind of thyroid imbalance as opposed to the current standard figure of ten percent. This can be as a result of the inadequacies from the TSH test. In addition 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 result in a low basal body temperature such as adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, impaired liver detoxification and malnutrition. I use the basal physique 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 created by the pituitary to stimulate the thyroid to make hormone. The ideal variety is 1.8-3.0. Traditional medicine uses a a lot broader variety of 0.5-5.5. This variety misses many hypothyroid individuals such as those with a TSH between 3.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) – This test measures the quantity of T4 (thyroxine) that is each bound to protein and unbound.
Free Thyroxine Index – This can be calculated by multiplying the TT4 by the T3 uptake. The outcome gives you the amount of unbound T4 or Free T4.
Totally free Thyroxine (Totally free T4) – This measures the quantity of unbound or totally free T4 that is the most active type. Totally free T4 isn’t 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 decrease the number of binding sites and cause 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.
Totally free Triiodothyronine (Free of charge T3) – This is a measure of totally free T3 levels or unbound T3. This is the best test if your natural physician wants to see the level of available active thyroid hormone within the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) – This really 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 mostly used within the diagnosis of much more serious thyroid diseases such as cancer.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications do not 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 will 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 patients 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. Numerous side effects such as hyperthyroid symptoms.
Armour Thyroid, Nature Thyroid, Westhroid – Natural thyroid hormone from desiccated pig thyroid tissue. Contains around 38 micrograms/grain of T4 and 9 micrograms of T3/grain also as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is a better choice than Armour since it doesn’t include 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) since these natural agents also include T3. The problem with Armour is that it contains corn and other fillers which may 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 doesn’t agree with this treatment method since although it really is a better option, it nonetheless will not take into account the underlying causes of why the thyroid is out of balance inside the first place. These natural prescriptions nevertheless only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence around the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I’ve observed many, 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 that’s made inside the body, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production simply because it is constantly getting ingested. When male bodybuilders take testosterone, their testicles shrink simply because there is no longer a need for them to create 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. 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. Patients who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. When the gland isn’t present then thyroid hormone should be replaced. In this case, prescriptions such as Armour and Nature Thyroid are the better choice.
Conversion of T4 into T3
T3 is significantly a lot more active than T4 and is responsible for the majority of the actions of thyroid hormone around the cell. Some folks cannot convert T4 into T3 as efficiently as others. In addition, there are numerous factors that could possibly 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 Cura ipotiroidismo binding. As people get older, they shed their ability to convert thyroid hormone which may be because of 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 in the environment, birth control 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 created by the adrenal gland is actually a major factor in converting thyroid hormone. Also a lot cortisol can inhibit the activation of thyroid hormone and also small cortisol yields the same result. Exhausted adrenals will trigger low thyroid symptoms as a result 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 too. 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.