Thyroid
The thyroid is really a little gland that lies within the neck regarding the level of the Adam’s apple and weighs around a single ounce. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are extremely little 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 produced within the pituitary gland situated inside the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus inside the brain which monitors the quantity of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine must enter the thyroid gland by means of a transport method that’s repaired with the intake of vitamin C. There is certainly generally about 20-30 mg of iodine within the physique and 75 percent of it’s stored in the thyroid. Furthermore to iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6 are needed 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 may be the active type of thyroid hormone which can be produced because of one iodine being cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone made is really 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 inside the blood till they reach your cells and turn out to be unbound to work their magic on metabolism.
Most of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver. Around sixty % of the T4 is converted into T3, twenty percent is converted into an inactive kind of thyroid hormone recognized as reverse T3 (irreversible), as well as the remaining twenty % is converted into T3S (T3 sulfate) and T3AC (triiodothyroacetic acid).
Reverse T3 can be problematic; despite the fact that it is inactive, it’s going to still bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and operating its magic on metabolism. Also a lot or too little cortisol that’s made by the adrenal glands will improve circulating levels of reverse T3. This mechanism is because of suppressed liver detoxification and clearance of reverse T3 from excess cortisol production. Stress can not just trigger signs of hypothyroidism however it will also impair the liver’s capability to detoxify. Cortisol will also suppress TSH production resulting in low thyroid function. Immune method activation, high adrenaline, excess free of charge 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 plan high in refined carbohydrates may also improve reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead will also increase reverse T3 production. T3S and T3AC are inactive until they’re catalyzed by an enzyme in the GI tract known as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on wholesome gut bacteria. We will go over within a later chapter the value of a wholesome digestive tract since it relates to twenty % of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s principal role is to handle metabolism (energy production) inside the cell. Our cells contain tiny factories known as mitochondria that produce power from fat, sugar and protein. Thyroid hormone controls the function in the mitochondria which determines how much power is created. Symptoms of low thyroid function are related to a lower in energy 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 issues as a result of low stomach acid
Hair falls out
Water retention
Lateral third of eyebrow thinning
TSH
Conventional 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 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 produce a lot more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will reduce since the thyroid is making a lot of hormone. The TSH alone just isn’t adequate to assess thyroid function because it does not 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 become resistant to thyroid hormone as a result of thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure leading to normal blood tests but development of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol made throughout tension by the adrenal gland can also inhibit TSH production additional throwing off the accuracy in the test. When the TSH is elevated, the conventional doctor will prescribe synthetic T4 and this will usually minimize TSH in to 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 within a failure of therapy. If the adrenal glands are out of balance, then most likely thyroid hormone function may also be out of balance. In addition, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this method will fail as well.
You will discover that most health-related physicians do not devote a lot time reading the peer-reviewed medical literature which gives us with valuable 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? Maybe this could be the reason for the abnormal TSH. I’ve noticed several individuals who also endure from insomnia and sleep difficulties and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this imply they must have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Sadly, this happens to a lot of people. I usually take into account each and every patient’s sleep pattern and appropriate it as part of our treatment plan. Several occasions, sleep patterns are abnormal due to blood sugar and adrenal gland imbalances. Remember, you might be not a lab test but a beautiful, complex being where every thing is connected as one.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot often adequately diagnose thyroid hormone imbalance. It really 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 due to the inadequacies of the TSH test. Additionally 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 several practitioners to evaluate thyroid function but this does not solely indicate a thyroid imbalance. There are numerous other factors that can trigger 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 a lot 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 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 make hormone. The ideal variety is 1.8-3.0. Standard medicine uses a a lot broader range of 0.5-5.5. This variety misses numerous hypothyroid sufferers such as those with a TSH between 3.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) – This test measures the level 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 quantity 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 kind. Free of charge 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 totally free T3 on thyroxine-binding proteins. Elevated testosterone will minimize 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 cause high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Free Triiodothyronine (Totally free T3) – This is a measure of free 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 inside the bloodstream.
Reverse T3 (rT3) – This is a measurement of the level of T3 that has been inactivated.
Thyroid Antibodies – Thyroid peroxidase, thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and antithyroglobulin elevations indicate Ipotiroidismo autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. Thyroglobulin and calcitonin are mostly used within the diagnosis of a lot more serious thyroid diseases such as cancer.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications usually 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 may be the most popular prescription drug for hypothyroidism. Synthroid is within the top five most commonly prescribed drugs within 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 as well as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is actually a better choice than Armour simply because it doesn’t contain corn and other binders.
Several alternative-minded health-related 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) 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 will be the best choice since it does not contain corn or fillers. But the author will not agree with this remedy method since although it’s a better option, it still does not take into account the underlying causes of why the thyroid is out of balance in the first place. These natural prescriptions nevertheless only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence around the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I have seen numerous, numerous individuals who are on such natural prescriptions who nevertheless 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 remedy methods is suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback mechanisms. Whenever you take a hormone that’s created in the body, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production since it is constantly being ingested. When male bodybuilders take testosterone, their testicles shrink 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 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. 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 individuals cannot convert T4 into T3 as efficiently as others. In addition, 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 as well as production and receptor binding. As folks get older, they drop their ability 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 within 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 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 also little cortisol yields the same outcome. 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 decrease thyroid hormone conversion.
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.