Thyroid
The thyroid is actually a little gland that lies inside the neck about the degree of the Adam’s apple and weighs around one ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are extremely little and lie around the outside portion of the thyroid gland and secrete parathyroid hormone. We’ll be focusing on thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is stimulated to create thyroid hormone by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which can be produced in the pituitary gland situated inside the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus within the brain which monitors the amount of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine need to enter the thyroid gland via a transport program which is repaired with the intake of vitamin C. There’s generally about 20-30 mg of iodine within the body and 75 % of it really is stored within 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 produced is T4 and five percent is T3. T3 may be the active form of thyroid hormone which can be made because of one iodine becoming cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone produced is actually inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the amount of iodines. This can be key in understanding optimal thyroid function. Both T4 and T3 are bound to proteins in the blood till they reach your cells and become unbound to function their magic on metabolism.
Most of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver. Roughly sixty percent in the T4 is converted into T3, twenty % is converted into an inactive type of thyroid hormone recognized as reverse T3 (irreversible), as well as 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’ll nonetheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and working its magic on metabolism. Too a lot or also small cortisol which is made by the adrenal glands will boost circulating levels of reverse T3. This mechanism is as a result of suppressed liver detoxification and clearance of reverse T3 from excess cortisol production. Stress can not just trigger indicators of hypothyroidism but 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 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 may also increase reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals which includes mercury, cadmium and lead may also increase reverse T3 production. T3S and T3AC are inactive until they may be catalyzed by an enzyme in the GI tract known as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on wholesome gut bacteria. We will go over inside a later chapter the importance of a healthful digestive tract because it relates to twenty percent of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s principal function would be to manage metabolism (power production) inside the cell. Our cells contain tiny factories known as mitochondria that produce energy from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function from the mitochondria which determines how much energy is produced. Symptoms of low thyroid function are connected to a reduce 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 problems due to 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 just isn’t a thyroid hormone. TSH is made by the pituitary according to how much thyroid hormone is circulating within the bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will boost to stimulate the thyroid to create much more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will lower since the thyroid is creating lots of hormone. The TSH alone just isn’t adequate to assess thyroid function simply because it does not take into consideration the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active form which occurs within 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 due to thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure top to normal blood tests but improvement of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol created throughout tension by the adrenal gland can also inhibit TSH production additional throwing off the accuracy of the test. When the TSH is elevated, the traditional physician will prescribe synthetic T4 and this may typically minimize TSH into the “normal” variety. This strategy 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 inside a failure of remedy. If the adrenal glands are out of balance, then most likely thyroid hormone function may also be out of balance. Furthermore, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this approach will fail as well.
You are going to discover that most health-related physicians usually do not devote a lot time reading the peer-reviewed healthcare literature which gives us with beneficial information 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 specifically T3 decline but TSH remains regular.”6 Do physicians ask you about your sleep patterns? Perhaps this could possibly be the reason for the abnormal TSH. I have noticed numerous patients who also suffer from insomnia and sleep difficulties and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this mean they should have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Regrettably, this takes place to lots of people. I usually take into account each patient’s sleep pattern and right it as a part of our treatment plan. Many times, sleep patterns are abnormal because of blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Keep in mind, you are not a lab test but a beautiful, complicated getting where everything is connected as one.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot always adequately diagnose thyroid hormone imbalance. It’s estimated that about forty percent in the U.S. population suffers from some kind of thyroid imbalance as opposed to the current conventional figure of ten %. This is due to the inadequacies from 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 doesn’t solely indicate a thyroid imbalance. There are several 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 a lot more diagnostic tool to evaluate the overall picture of a patient. Another sign that may indicate low thyroid function is thinning from 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 produced by the pituitary to stimulate the thyroid to produce 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 several hypothyroid sufferers 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 of charge Thyroxine Index – This is calculated by multiplying the TT4 by the T3 uptake. The outcome gives you the quantity of unbound T4 or Free of charge T4.
Free of charge Thyroxine (Free T4) – This measures the quantity of unbound or totally free T4 that is the most active form. Free of charge T4 is not affected by medications or other factors that affect protein bound thyroxine (TT4).
T3 Uptake – A measurement in the level 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 handle pills will increase binding sites and can cause high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Totally free Triiodothyronine (Totally free T3) – This can be a measure of free T3 levels or unbound T3. This is the best test if your natural doctor wants to see the quantity of available active thyroid hormone within the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) – This really is a measurement in 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 sintomi‘s or Graves’ disease. Thyroglobulin and calcitonin are mostly used inside the diagnosis of much 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 will be the most popular prescription drug for hypothyroidism. Synthroid is within the top five most commonly prescribed drugs in 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 sufferers 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 which includes 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 a better choice than Armour because it does not include corn and other binders.
Several 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) since these natural agents also include 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 since it does not contain corn or fillers. But the author will not agree with this treatment method since despite the fact that it is 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 still only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence on the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I’ve seen numerous, numerous patients 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 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 is created in 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 is certainly 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’s 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. A lot 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. Individuals who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. When the gland 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 a lot a lot more active than T4 and is responsible for most of the actions of thyroid hormone around the cell. Some individuals cannot convert T4 into T3 as efficiently as others. Additionally, there are many 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 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 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 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 is inactive until it becomes unbound. Cortisol produced by the adrenal gland is really 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 as a result 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 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.