Contributing writer for Wake Up World
Have you ever wondered how can the thyroid, such a small butterfly shaped gland be responsible of so many negative symptoms that affect your entire metabolism? This happens because the thyroid functions are interconnected with each system in the organism. If the thyroid doesn’t work well, neither do you and you can’t possibly feel well.
Thyroid disease has been on the rise for the past few decades, yet many thyroid dysfunctions are not correctly diagnosed or are diagnosed too late. The thyroid hormone is found in each cell of your body and this is a major reason many experts believe the conventional way of diagnosing thyroid illnesses is not precise: measuring TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) exclusively from blood doesn’t reflect the intracellular level of the hormone. Additionally, the thyroid gland and the hormones it is utilizing don’t exist in isolation inside the organism. This is why it is necessary to evaluate the functional relationships between the thyroid and various other organs, glands and systems.
The Digestive System.
Chronic constipation is a common symptom when dealing with hypothyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction slows down the food transport in the intestines. This raises the risk for infections with pathogens in the intestines, contributes to inflammation, malabsorption and food sensitivities. The low level of gastrin determines intestinal discomfort, reflux, bloating and the low level of gastric acid determines protein deficiency.
Thyroid hormones strongly influence the tight junctions in the stomach and small intestine, which form the impermeable barrier of the digestive system. Leaky gut syndrome is a primary factor in autoimmune diseases as Hashimoto.
Studies have shown that thyroid hormones T3 and T4 protect the intestinal mucosal barrier against stress induced ulcer development. Inflammation in the digestive system reduces T3 through raising cortisol levels. Additionally, intestinal bacteria assists in transforming 20 percent of inactive T4 hormone into its active T3 form. Intestinal dysbiosis – the imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial intestinal flora, drastically reduces this conversion.
The Gallbladder and Liver.
Hypothyroidism affects the gallbladder function through reducing bile flow. The liver metabolizes hormones, filters toxins and cleans the blood. Hypothyroidism interferes with this process and the gallbladder and liver become congested, leading to gallstones. Thyroid hormones affect the most the liver cells responsible for detoxification. At the same time, liver dysfunction will affect both thyroid function, as well as the detoxifying mechanisms of the body. A low T3 level usually reflects liver dysfunction, because the T4 – T3 conversion takes place in the liver. This can also be confirmed through analyzing liver enzymes GGTP and ALT and their high level.
The Bone System.
The thyroid gland produces and stores calcitonin, a regulatory hormone of calcium. Hypothyroidism interferes with the correct process of long bones formation.
Insulin and Blood Sugar.
Persons with a reduced thyroid function absorb glucose slower than normal and so the cells can’t use it to produce energy. The surge of insulin produced in the insulin resistance stage accelerates the thyroid destruction in people with autoimmune thyroid disease. When the gland is destroyed, the hormone production will lower.
When the blood sugar level sinks below normal (hypoglycemia), the adrenal gland responds by secreting cortisol. This transmits to the liver to produce more glucose in order to reestablish normal levels. Unfortunately for the hypoglycemics, the constant cortisol production determined by hypoglycemic episodes suppress the pituitary gland function. This also negatively affects the thyroid.
Related reading: Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? What You Need to Know and Why It Matters
Estrogen and Progesterone.
Estrogen must first be transformed in a water soluble state in the liver in order to be eliminated from the body. During this process estradiol is made, a secondary type of estrogen. Hypothyroidism can block this process, contributing to estrogen dominance, breast cancer, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Thyroid hormones sensitize the body’s cells so that they can be available to progesterone. When receptors are not exposed to enough thyroid hormones, they loose their ability to allow progesterone to enter the cells.
Fat Burning.
Hypothyroidism slows down the body’s metabolism and its ability to burn fat. Adrenal hormones that stimulate fat burning are not efficient anymore and the cells’ receptors that answer to lipase – an enzyme which metabolizes fat, are not available.
Cholesterol.
Cholesterol is the main source for steroid hormones formation. Cell absorption of LDL cholesterol will be reduced if there isn’t sufficient thyroid hormone in the cells. LDL will raise significantly in blood due to dysfunctional utilization of thyroid hormone. When the thyroid of a person is underworking, fat will be stored much faster than the body can burn it, which will determine high triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in blood.
Adrenal Glands.
The HPT axis (hypothalamus – pituitary – thyroid) works as a feedback loop; if the thyroid is functioning well, your cells have sufficient energy. Some dysfunctions which can be involved in the imbalance of the axis are: methylation cycle dysfunction, dysfunction of the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal), nutrient deficiencies which are needed for thyroid hormone formation (selenium, zinc, iron, gluthatione, vitamin A, D, iodine) and liver dysfunctions.
Adrenal glands fall under the control of the sympathetic nervous system. The thyroid is strongly influenced by the parasympathetic nervous system. Often a person with hypothyroidism is in a dominant parasympathetic state, and so the sympathetic system is weaker. Considering the strong relation between adrenals, hypothalamus and thyroid, one can observe how the dysfunctional state of the exhausted adrenal glands can cause a cascade of problems for thyroid function.
As you can see in the below figure, glucorticoid hormones (which include cortisol) can suppress T4 – T3 conversion. So a person with a high level of cortisol (and stress) risks to suffer from low thyroid function. Additionally, the high cortisol level can result in excessive production of inactive reverse T3 (rT3), which will compete with T3 and so suppress thyroid function.
Other stress hormones like CRH produced by the hypothalamus will have an inhibitory effect on the thyroid, blocking TSH transport to the thyroid.
On top of this, if a person presents mercury toxicity and doesn’t consume a clean and correct diet for her/his metabolism, the risk of developing hypothyroidism will become even higher.
Integrative, Functional and Efficient Healing Solutions.
A correct diet, proper detoxification and biochemical balance are essential aspects when addressing thyroid disorders. However there are no one-size-fits-all solutions and this is essential to remember when undertaking any healing program. No diet or treatment will work for all people the same way. Biochemical individuality is present in all body cells, and, as it happens with all illnesses, the causative factors are different in all people too.
Further, if one takes action only by suppressing negative symptoms instead of correcting the cause, then real long-term healing can’t ever be achieved. Taking thyroid medication for life won’t cause the thyroid to function better; it will only help to substitute for what the gland is not able to produce naturally anymore, and will also generate side-effects in other areas of the body.
So it’s essential to support the body’s healing in a holistic and non-invasive way. This means to determining your individual genetic, nutritional and biochemical requirements and detecting and correcting the causes of your dysfunction, rather than just “treating” the thyroid.
For expert consulting in healing your health problems, you can visit this link to start a health program or you can schedule a personal appointment here.
References:
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856434/?tool=pubmed
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12269922
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1555538
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18506897
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12660641
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18506897
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0954-6820.1969.tb01517.x/abstract
Recommended articles by Raluca Schachter:
- Vitamin D Supplementation: This is Why It Can Be Wrong
- Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? What You Need to Know and Why It Matters
- Understanding Cannabis Oil
- 6 Steps to Solve Your Blood Sugar Problems Permanently
- Antibiotic Resistant Infections: The Dangers… and How You Can Avoid Them
- What Really Happens When You Take Antibiotics?
- Understanding Inflammation and How to Eliminate It Naturally
- Listen to Your Body. Correct Food Ratios. Reverse Disease.
- Cholesterol Myths Debunked
- Follow The Money In “Sick-Care”: What’s Behind The Drugs And Needles?
- What Happens In Your Body When You Suffer From Thyroid Disease?
About the author:
Raluca Schachter is a dedicated Clinical Nutritionist / Natural Health Practitioner a.k.a “The Health Detective”. Raluca was able to naturally reverse chronic health conditions she was struggling with most of her life, and now uses her knowledge to help as many people as possible do the same. Her health programs and diet plans offer a very unique and comprehensive approach to health, where individual nutritional and biochemical requirements are firstly met using specific nutrients and foods that each metabolism thrives on. Raluca offers her services to international clientele and her practice is fully online based. You can connect with Raluca at www.metabolicenergy.net and https://www.facebook.com/raluca.schachter.metabolicenergy
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