The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. Thyroid function plays a critical role in regulating metabolism and can have an impact on energy, mood, brain function, weight, libido, cardiometabolic health, and the health of hair, skin and nails.
Symptoms of Hypothyroid
In hypothyroid, all systems have slowed down, leading to some or all of the following symptoms.
● Fatigue especially first morning fatigue, trouble waking up with your alarm, chronic snoozing
● Water retention – sock lines at the end of the day, rings are tight, puffiness under the eyes especially in the morning, carpal tunnel syndrome
● Low Body Temperature and/or cold hands and feet
● Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
● Elevated Cholesterol
● Changes in hair including diffuse thinning and dryness
● Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrow
● Depression and Anxiety
● Foggy Brain and forgetfulness, lack of focus (sound like ADHD?)
● Low libido
Laboratory Tests for Hypothyroid
In addition to TSH, Naturopathic Doctors will test Free T4 and Free T3 to assess thyroid function. T4 is produced by the thyroid gland and is converted to the active form T3 in the tissues. T3 influences metabolism at the cellular level. Naturopathic Doctors will look for optimal laboratory values and may diagnose hypothyroid earlier based on narrower ranges. A naturopathic doctor might also get you to track your body temperature.
Thyroid and Mitochondrial Function
Amazingly, well, I think it’s amazing, that there are T3 receptors in mitochondria which are the energy-producing furnaces in the cell. Mitochondria take fuel from glucose and convert it into ATP, the energy currency of the body.
Picture for a minute that your mitochondria are made up of cogs. Thyroid hormone sets the rate at which these cogs spin. The raw materials for the cogs or mitochondrial function could include nutrients like B vitamins, Magnesium, and CoQ10 but supplementing these nutrients could just create a bottleneck if the cogs aren’t spinning well due to hypothyroid. If supplementing these nutrients hasn’t improved your symptoms, consider hypothyroid.
The Impact of Stress Thyroid Gland Conversion
Cortisol, our stress hormone, reduces the conversion of T4 to our good T3 and instead increases the conversion of T4 to reverse T3. Under stress, it’s akin to being lost in the forest in a snowstorm unable to find food. Reverse T3 prompts a low metabolic state – the body tries to conserve energy, store extra body fat, and reduce the chances of pregnancy. For this reason, under too much stress, a person may experience fatigue, weight gain, and infertility.
Toxins and the Thyroid Gland
I will often describe the thyroid gland as the canary in the coal mine. It is one of the most sensitive organs to toxins. Many toxins can affect thyroid function.
Heavy Metals – Heavy Metals can disrupt thyroid function including mercury (some fish like tuna and dental amalgams), lead (contaminated water or industrial processes), cadmium (cigarette smoke and industrial emissions), and arsenic (contaminated water).
Halogens – Halogens such as chlorine, fluoride, and bromine compete with iodine uptake in the thyroid, potentially reducing thyroid hormone synthesis. Interestingly, iodine is also a halide (for chemistry nerds, same column in the periodic table) but is an essential nutrient, not a toxin.
Chlorine is found in hot tubs, pools, and drinking water. Fluorine is in drinking water, toothpaste, and industrial products. Bromine is found in flame retardants, orange pop, and some baked goods.
Pesticides – Pesticides on non-organic produce and applied to lawns and parks can disrupt thyroid hormone levels and receptor signaling.
Industrial Chemicals – Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): a biproduct of
industrial processes, one of the worst food sources is farmed salmon, as sh farms are exposed to industrial and agricultural run-off.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) can impact thyroid function including Bisphenol A (BPA) (plastics), Phthalates (cosmetics and lotions, plastics, and fragrances), and Per- and Polyuoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics) can all disrupt thyroid function.
Autoimmune Causes of Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid
A naturopathic doctor will often rule out an underlying autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system is attacking the thyroid gland and causing hypo or hyperthyroid. Assessment and treatment are more involved starting with bloodwork for thyroid antibodies and can also include assessment of gut health and immune function. (See Foundations of Health Digestion and Immune Articles).
Support for Hypothyroid
First and foremost, it is important to have a correct diagnosis with a full thyroid panel and interpretation by your naturopathic doctor. There are so many factors that influence thyroid function!
There are many nutrients and botanical medicines that can be used to support thyroid including tyrosine, iodine, zinc, and selenium. Your naturopathic doctor may also assess your adrenal and immune function and toxic body burden.
The Thyroid gland is essential to optimal health as it has an impact on metabolism in the body including energy production and so much more.
