The Thyroid: Beyond the Immune System, part IV

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Dr. G

This is the fourth and final installment of The Thyroid: Beyond the Immune System. Last week’s post detailed ways in which the thyroid can affect different systems in the body. This week includes an overview of potential complications that an unhealthy thyroid may pose to the body. We will conclude our series with the most important lesson of all: how to find your answers.

Click Here to read part I.

Click Here to read part II.

Click Here to read part III.

The following is a summary of potential problem areas.

Brain chemistry related to serotonin and dopamine:

○ Two of the most common brain chemicals are altered by common medications and poor sleep and dietary habits.

○ Pituitary gland: The master gland that controls all of our hormone functions, including male and female hormone production, responses to stress and lifestyle choices related to work, sleep, exercise, and diet.

○ Hypothalamus activity regulated by proper circadian rhythm responses affected by light. (See the recent post on this subject.)

Thyroid enzyme and micronutrient availability:

○ Basic to thyroid function is the ability to bring iodine into the thyroid cells to make the hormone.

○ Amino acid production, tyrosine.

Liver function:

○ Conversion enzymes.

○ Binding proteins (cabs to transport the hormones to their destinations) are produced in the liver.

○ Detoxification systems.

○ Alcohol use.

○ Multiple medications.

○ Exposure to toxic environmental compounds.

Digestive function:

○ Conversion enzymes (acetylation and sulfation enzymes).

○ Microbiome – the integrity of the barrier that separates our food from our blood supply.

○ GI distress (symptoms mentioned above).

Immune Health:

○ Presence of chronic, subclinical, microbial problems, including viruses, bacteria, yeast and parasites.

○ Autoimmunity.

○ Food sensitivities.

○ Dental infections.

Hormone health:

○ Vitamin D (have levels checked).

○ Perimenopause/menopause.

○ Infertility for women.

○ Changes after childbirth.

○ Low testosterone for men.

○ Cortisol/insulin balance.

Cell receptor health:

○ When taking thyroid medication, there is always a possibility of receptor site sensitivity. Just as diabetics experience insulin resistance, people who take thyroid medication can develop thyroid hormone resistance.

○ Mitochondrial support through diet, lifestyle.

Can all this be addressed with a prescription of Synthroid to reduce an elevated TSH? The answer is no.

I will tell you that if you need to take thyroid medication, you must take thyroid medication because without it, you will get very sick. However, taking medication does not solve any one of the above problems. The presence of those problems will guarantee progressive symptoms and poor health, no matter how “normal” your TSH is.

The first step is getting all of the above effectively evaluated. Step two is fixing what can be fixed because it will make a huge difference in your life and because it can be fixed.

How to address these problems on your own.

Please seek the help of an expert in functional medicine, with specific thyroid health training for a more comprehensive approach.

Maintaining normal liver and GI function and health is key to maintaining optimal conversion of T4 to T3.
Improving detoxification pathways.
Identifying and avoiding food sensitivities. (I’m not talking about traditional allergy testing.)
Digestive enzyme support (reflux, gas, and bloating means you are losing).
Appropriate light exposure and avoiding light pollution.
Avoiding sex hormone replacement therapy for either menopause, low T, or birth control.
Sleep hygiene.
Cortisol and stress hormone regulation (meditation, nutritional (phosphatidylserine) and adaptogenic herbs support (Rhodiola, Ashwagandha) )
Micronutrients like iodine (if you do not have Hashimoto’s), selenium, vitamin B6, B12, zinc, magnesium, vitamin C. N.A.C. (N-Acetyl Cysteine for glutathione support).
Normalizing blood sugar responses.
Essential fatty acid balance.
Resolving chronic infections and immune challenges.

I hope The Thyroid: Beyond the Immune System has helped shed some light on some of the very real yet mysterious challenges faced by those who experience thyroid disorders. This exploration of the thyroid from molecular to systemic activity has given you knowledge; the next step is to take action!

Thanks for reading!