Thyroid
The thyroid is really a little gland that lies within 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 are going to be focusing on thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is stimulated to produce thyroid hormone by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that is produced within the pituitary gland located within the brain. The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus inside the brain which monitors the amount of circulating thyroid hormone. Iodine must enter the thyroid gland via a transport system that is repaired with the intake of vitamin C. There is certainly usually about 20-30 mg of iodine in the physique and 75 percent of it’s stored within the thyroid. Additionally 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 made is T4 and five % is T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone which can be made as a result of 1 iodine being cleaved from T4. T4 is inactive so the majority of thyroid hormone created is really inactive. The numbers “3” and “4” indicate the number of iodines. This is important in understanding optimal thyroid function. Each T4 and T3 are bound to proteins inside the blood till they reach your cells and grow to be unbound to work their magic on metabolism.
Most of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver. Roughly sixty % of the T4 is converted into T3, twenty percent is converted into an inactive form 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; despite the fact that it’s inactive, it’ll nevertheless bind to T3 receptors and block T3 from binding and functioning its magic on metabolism. Also a lot or as well little cortisol that’s produced by the adrenal glands will boost 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 merely trigger signs of hypothyroidism however it may also impair the liver’s ability to detoxify. Cortisol may also suppress TSH production resulting in low thyroid function. Immune method activation, high adrenaline, excess free radicals, aging, fasting, anxiety, 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 program high in refined carbohydrates will also improve reverse T3 levels. Toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead will also boost reverse T3 production. T3S and T3AC are inactive until they are catalyzed by an enzyme in the GI tract known as sulfatase. This enzyme is dependent on healthful gut bacteria. We will go over within a later chapter the importance of a wholesome digestive tract as it relates to twenty percent of active thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone’s main role would be to manage metabolism (energy production) inside the cell. Our cells contain tiny factories called mitochondria that produce power 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 associated to a reduce in power production including:
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 problems because of low stomach acid
Hair falls out
Water retention
Lateral third of eyebrow thinning
TSH
Traditional 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 according to how much thyroid hormone is circulating inside the bloodstream. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production will increase to stimulate the thyroid to make much more hormone. If thyroid hormone increases, then TSH production will decrease since the thyroid is making plenty of hormone. The TSH alone is not adequate to assess thyroid function since it does not take into consideration the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active kind 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 grow to be resistant to thyroid hormone due to thyroid-disrupting chemical exposure major to typical blood tests but improvement of low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol created during tension by the adrenal gland can also inhibit TSH production further throwing off the accuracy in the test. If the TSH is elevated, the traditional physician will prescribe synthetic T4 and this can usually minimize TSH in to the “normal” variety. This strategy will not take into account peripheral thyroid hormone conversion or receptor binding. When the physique is compromised in its capability to activate thyroid hormone into T3, then taking T4 will outcome within a failure of therapy. If the adrenal glands are out of balance, then probably thyroid hormone function will also be out of balance. In addition, if thyroid hormone receptors are desensitized, this strategy will fail too.
You will find that most medical physicians do not devote a lot time reading the peer-reviewed healthcare literature which provides us with valuable information 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 normal.”6 Do physicians ask you about your sleep patterns? Perhaps this might be the reason for Ipotiroidismo gravidanza the abnormal TSH. I’ve seen many sufferers who also suffer from insomnia and sleep problems and present with low thyroid symptoms and abnormal TSH levels. Does this imply they should have thyroid hormone dumped into their bodies? Sadly, this takes place to a lot of people. I always take into account every patient’s sleep pattern and appropriate it as part of our therapy 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 stunning, complex becoming where everything is connected as one.
Testing & Diagnosis
Blood tests alone cannot usually 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 conventional figure of ten %. This is as a result of the inadequacies from the TSH test. Furthermore to blood testing, I review a thorough case history and a quantity 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 many other factors that can trigger a low basal physique temperature such as adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, impaired liver detoxification and malnutrition. I use the basal body 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 in the lateral one-third of 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 create hormone. The ideal range is 1.8-3.0. Traditional medicine uses a much broader variety of 0.5-5.5. This variety misses numerous hypothyroid patients such as those with a TSH between three.0-5.5.
Total Thyroxine (T4) – This test measures the amount of T4 (thyroxine) that is both bound to protein and unbound.
Free of charge Thyroxine Index – This really is calculated by multiplying the TT4 by the T3 uptake. The result gives you the quantity of unbound T4 or Free of charge T4.
Free Thyroxine (Free T4) – This measures the quantity of unbound or totally free T4 which can be the most active type. Free of charge T4 just isn’t 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 reduce the number of binding sites and trigger a low T4 and high T3 uptake. Excess estrogen from hormone replacement or birth control pills will increase binding sites and can trigger high T4 and low T3 uptake.
Free of charge Triiodothyronine (Free of charge T3) – This really is a measure of totally free T3 levels or unbound T3. This really 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 can be 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 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 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 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 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. Many side effects including hyperthyroid symptoms.
Armour Thyroid, Nature Thyroid, Westhroid – Natural thyroid hormone from desiccated pig thyroid tissue. Contains approximately 38 micrograms/grain of T4 and 9 micrograms of T3/grain as well as other cofactors for thyroid hormone production. Nature Thyroid is really a better choice than Armour because it doesn’t include corn and other binders.
Many alternative-minded healthcare doctors prescribe Armour and other natural desiccated pig thyroid tissue. This is a better option in some cases than merely prescribing synthetic T4 (Synthroid) 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 will be the best choice because it doesn’t contain corn or fillers. But the author doesn’t agree with this treatment method since although it’s a better option, it nevertheless doesn’t take into account the underlying causes of why the thyroid is out of balance in the first place. These natural prescriptions nonetheless only replace thyroid hormone and require dependence on the doctor for continued prescriptions and office visits. I have observed several, numerous 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 must 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 is created within the physique, this tells the brain that it no longer needs to stimulate hormone production simply because it’s constantly getting 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 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. Sufferers who have had their thyroid removed or partially removed may require prescription thyroid hormone. In the event the gland is not 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 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. Furthermore, there are several 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 also as production and receptor binding. As people get older, they lose their capability to convert thyroid hormone which may be because of decreased vitamin and mineral absorption. This really is due to a loss of intestinal barrier function exactly 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 that is inactive until it becomes unbound. Cortisol made 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 little 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 as well. 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.