Thyroid
The thyroid is a little gland that lies inside the neck about the level of the Adam’s apple and weighs around one ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are extremely little and lie on 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 can be made in the pituitary gland located in the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain which monitors the quantity of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine must enter the thyroid gland via a transport program that’s repaired with all the intake of vitamin C. There is generally about 20-30 mg of iodine inside the physique and 75 % of it’s stored in the thyroid. Furthermore 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 % of thyroid hormone made is T4 and five % is T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone that is created as a result of a single iodine becoming cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone made is actually inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the amount of iodines. This is crucial in understanding optimal thyroid function. Both T4 and T3 are bound to proteins inside the blood until they reach your cells and grow to be unbound to work their magic on metabolism.
Most of the T4 is converted into T3 inside the liver. Roughly sixty % from the T4 is converted into T3, twenty percent is converted into an inactive kind of thyroid hormone known as reverse T3 (irreversible), and the remaining twenty percent is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 may be problematic; even though it’s inactive, it’s going to nevertheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and operating its magic on metabolism. Also a lot or also small cortisol that’s made 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 just trigger indicators of hypothyroidism however it may also impair the liver’s capability to detoxify. Cortisol may also suppress TSH production resulting in low thyroid function. Immune method activation, high adrenaline, excess free of charge radicals, aging, fasting, tension, 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 recognized as T2. Elevated insulin levels due to a diet high in refined carbohydrates will also increase reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals such as 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 known as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on healthy gut bacteria. We’ll go over in a later chapter the value of a wholesome digestive tract as it relates to twenty % of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s primary role would be to handle metabolism (power production) inside the cell. Our cells include tiny factories called mitochondria that produce energy from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function from the mitochondria which determines just how much power is produced. Symptoms of low thyroid function are connected to a decrease in power production which includes:
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 difficulties as a result of low stomach acid
Hair falls out
Water retention
Lateral third of eyebrow thinning
TSH
Traditional medicine relies mainly on the TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone blood test to measure thyroid function. TSH is not a thyroid hormone. TSH is produced 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 make much more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will reduce since the thyroid is making lots of hormone. The TSH alone just isn’t sufficient to assess thyroid function simply because it does not take into consideration the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active type which happens in 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 as a result of thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure major to regular blood tests but improvement of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol produced 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 traditional physician will prescribe synthetic T4 and this will typically reduce TSH in to the “normal” variety. This approach doesn’t take into account peripheral thyroid hormone conversion or receptor binding. In the event the body 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 may also be out of balance. Additionally, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this strategy will fail as well.
You will discover that most medical physicians do not invest a lot time reading the peer-reviewed healthcare literature which offers 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 particularly T3 decline but TSH remains normal.”6 Do physicians ask you about your sleep patterns? Perhaps this could be the reason for the abnormal TSH. I’ve observed numerous sufferers who also endure from insomnia and sleep issues and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this mean they must have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Unfortunately, this happens to many people. I usually take into account each and every patient’s sleep pattern and correct it as a part of our treatment plan. Numerous instances, sleep patterns are abnormal because of blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Remember, you’re not a lab test but a stunning, complex being exactly where every thing is connected as a single.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot always adequately diagnose thyroid hormone imbalance. It really is estimated that about forty % from the U.S. population suffers from some kind of thyroid imbalance as opposed to the current conventional 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 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 many practitioners to evaluate thyroid function but this will not solely indicate a thyroid imbalance. There are many 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 physique temperature simply as one 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 in the eyebrow.
The following thyroid tests can provide much 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 range is 1.8-3.0. Standard medicine uses a a lot broader range of 0.5-5.5. This range misses many hypothyroid individuals such as those with a TSH between 3.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) – This test measures the level of T4 (thyroxine) that’s both 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 Totally free T4.
Free Thyroxine (Free T4) – This measures the quantity of unbound or free T4 which is the most active type. Free of charge T4 is not affected by medications or other factors that affect protein bound thyroxine (TT4).
T3 Uptake – A measurement of the amount of available binding sites for free of charge T3 on thyroxine-binding proteins. Elevated testosterone will decrease the amount of binding sites and trigger a low T4 and high T3 uptake. Excess estrogen from hormone replacement or birth control pills will boost binding sites and can trigger high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Free of charge Triiodothyronine (Free T3) – This 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 really is a measurement in 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 hashimoto e gravidanza‘s or Graves’ disease. Thyroglobulin and calcitonin are primarily used within the diagnosis of a lot 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 5 most commonly prescribed drugs inside the US. Synthroid can 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. Many side effects including 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 too as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is actually a better choice than Armour since it does not include corn and other binders.
Several alternative-minded healthcare doctors prescribe Armour and other natural desiccated pig thyroid tissue. This can be 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 may be the best choice because it does not include corn or fillers. But the author does not agree with this therapy method since despite the fact that it is a better option, it nevertheless will 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, many 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 ought to be rigorously evaluated for underlying physiological imbalances.
Another issue with such remedy methods is suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback mechanisms. Whenever you take a hormone that 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 because there’s 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 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. 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. Patients who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. When the gland is not 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 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. 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 as well as production and receptor binding. As folks get older, they drop their ability 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 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 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 which can be inactive until it becomes unbound. Cortisol created 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 too small 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 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 minimize thyroid hormone conversion.