Thyroid
The thyroid is actually a little gland that lies within the neck concerning the degree of the Adam’s apple and weighs around 1 ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are very small and lie around the outside portion from 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 is created within the pituitary gland positioned inside the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus inside the brain which monitors the quantity of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine need to enter the thyroid gland by means of a transport method that’s repaired with all the intake of vitamin C. There is generally about 20-30 mg of iodine inside the physique and 75 percent of it 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 created is T4 and 5 % is T3. T3 may be the active kind of thyroid hormone that is created because of a single iodine getting cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone made is actually inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the number of iodines. This really is important in understanding optimal thyroid function. Each T4 and T3 are bound to proteins in the blood till they attain your cells and grow to be unbound to function their magic on metabolism.
The majority of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver. Approximately sixty percent in the T4 is converted into T3, twenty percent is converted into an inactive form of thyroid hormone identified as reverse T3 (irreversible), and also the remaining twenty percent is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 could be problematic; despite the fact that it’s inactive, it’s going to nonetheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and functioning its magic on metabolism. Too a lot or too tiny cortisol that is produced 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. Tension can not merely cause indicators of hypothyroidism nevertheless it will also impair the liver’s ability to detoxify. Cortisol may also suppress Tsh alto production resulting in low thyroid function. Immune program activation, high adrenaline, excess totally free radicals, aging, fasting, anxiety, prolonged illness, and diabetes will also drive the inactivation of T3 to reverse T3.
T3 and reverse T3 also can be inactivated by conversion into a hormone known 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 until they may be catalyzed by an enzyme within the GI tract recognized as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on healthful gut bacteria. We are going to talk about inside a later chapter the significance of a healthy digestive tract since it relates to twenty percent of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s primary role is to manage metabolism (energy production) inside the cell. Our cells contain tiny factories called mitochondria that produce energy from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function of the mitochondria which determines how much power is produced. Symptoms of low thyroid function are associated to a lower in power production including:
Fatigue
Weight gain/inability to lose 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 problems because of low stomach acid
Hair falls out
Water retention
Lateral third of eyebrow thinning
TSH
Standard medicine relies mostly on the TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood test to measure thyroid function. TSH isn’t a thyroid hormone. TSH is produced by the pituitary according to how much thyroid hormone is circulating in the bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will improve to stimulate the thyroid to produce a lot more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will decrease because the thyroid is creating a lot of hormone. The TSH alone is not sufficient to assess thyroid function simply because 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 doesn’t 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 major to typical blood tests but development of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol produced throughout anxiety by the adrenal gland may also inhibit TSH production further throwing off the accuracy of the test. When the TSH is elevated, the traditional physician will prescribe synthetic T4 and this will typically reduce TSH in to the “normal” range. This strategy does 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 result within a failure of remedy. If the adrenal glands are out of balance, then most likely thyroid hormone function will also be out of balance. In addition, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this approach will fail as well.
You’ll find that most health-related physicians usually do not invest a lot time reading the peer-reviewed health-related literature which offers us with useful 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 especially T3 decline but TSH remains normal.”6 Do physicians ask you about your sleep patterns? Possibly this could possibly be the purpose for the abnormal TSH. I’ve seen numerous patients who also endure from insomnia and sleep problems and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this mean they should have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Sadly, this occurs to a lot of people. I usually take into account every patient’s sleep pattern and appropriate it as a part of our therapy program. Many times, sleep patterns are abnormal as a result of blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Bear in mind, you might be not a lab test but a stunning, complicated getting where every little thing is connected as one.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot always adequately diagnose thyroid hormone imbalance. It’s estimated that about forty percent of the U.S. population suffers from some kind of thyroid imbalance as opposed to the current standard figure of ten percent. This is because of the inadequacies of the TSH test. In addition to blood testing, I review a thorough case history and a number of detailed health questionnaires and also perform a comprehensive physical examination for clues to thyroid hormone imbalance. Basal body temperature testing is used by several practitioners to evaluate thyroid function but this does not solely indicate a thyroid imbalance. There are several other factors that can cause 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 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 in 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 produce hormone. The ideal range is 1.8-3.0. Traditional medicine uses a much broader range of 0.5-5.5. This variety misses many hypothyroid individuals 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 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 of charge T4.
Totally free Thyroxine (Free of charge T4) – This measures the level of unbound or totally free T4 which can be the most active type. Totally free T4 is not affected by medications or other factors that affect protein bound thyroxine (TT4).
T3 Uptake – A measurement from the level of available binding sites for free of charge T3 on thyroxine-binding proteins. Elevated testosterone will reduce the number of binding sites and cause a low T4 and high T3 uptake. Excess estrogen from hormone replacement or birth handle pills will increase binding sites and can trigger high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Totally free Triiodothyronine (Free T3) – This really is 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 amount of available active thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) – This is a measurement from the amount 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 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 may be the most popular prescription drug for hypothyroidism. Synthroid is inside the top five most commonly prescribed drugs within 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 individuals 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. Numerous 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 also as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is a better choice than Armour since it will not contain corn and other binders.
Numerous alternative-minded health-related 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) simply because 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 does not contain corn or fillers. But the author does not agree with this therapy method since although it is a better option, it nevertheless does not 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 on the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I have observed many, several individuals who are on such natural prescriptions who still have many 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 treatment methods is suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback mechanisms. Whenever you take a hormone that’s produced within the physique, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production simply because it really is constantly becoming ingested. When male bodybuilders take testosterone, their testicles shrink simply 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 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. Individuals who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. In the event the gland 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 significantly much more active than T4 and is responsible for most of the actions of thyroid hormone around the cell. Some folks cannot convert T4 into T3 as efficiently as others. In addition, there are several 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 individuals get older, they drop their capability to convert thyroid hormone which may be due to decreased vitamin and mineral absorption. This can be 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 is inactive till it becomes unbound. Cortisol produced by the adrenal gland is actually a major factor in converting thyroid hormone. Too significantly cortisol can inhibit the activation of thyroid hormone and too tiny cortisol yields the same result. Exhausted adrenals will result in low thyroid symptoms because 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 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 minimize thyroid hormone conversion.