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An A-Z Woman's Guide to Vibrant Health
Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
Hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone is a common condition in North
America, particularly Canada and the upper U.S. states where levels of sunlight
are low for much of the year, and soil mineral depletion is common.
Low thyroid function affects approximately 20-25 percent of the female
population and about 10 percent of males. An additional 30 percent of persons
over the age of 35 may also have sub-clinical or mild hypothyroidism
whereby their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is within normal range,
but they have many of the symptoms of low thyroid. The thyroid secretes
two hormones—T3 and T4—that are crucial for controlling our
metabolism. Because thyroid hormones affect every cell in the body, a
deficiency will result in many symptoms.
The thyroid is a small gland that lies below the Adam’s apple in the neck,
wrapped around both sides of the trachea. It secretes thyroid hormones that
control many metabolic functions in the body. Thyroid hormones stimulate
the production of proteins and increase the use of oxygen by cells in the
body. Iodine is required by the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones. A
careful recycling process occurs in the thyroid to ensure adequate thyroid
hormones are available to control the body’s metabolic rate. The following
hormones and substances directly affect the thyroid or are released by it:
- Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is secreted by the hypothalamus,
a brain centre that coordinates the actions of the nervous and endocrine
systems. TRH triggers the pituitary to secrete TSH.
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted by the pituitary in response
to TRH. TSH stimulates the production of thyroid hormones and the
growth of thyroid cells (excess TSH causes thyroid enlargement, or goiter.)
- Calcitonin is a thyroid hormone involved in the homeostasis of blood
calcium levels. It lowers the amount of calcium and phosphate in the blood
as needed by inhibiting bone breakdown and accelerating the assimilation
of calcium. Thus, the thyroid is involved in bone health and diseases
such as osteoporosis.
- Thyroxin (T4) is the most abundant thyroid hormone and is manufactured
in the thyroid gland. It is synthesized from tyrosine and includes four
molecules of iodine per molecule of thyroxin hormone.
- Triiodothyronine (T3) is the most active thyroid hormone, with four to ten
times the activity of T4. It includes three molecules of iodine per molecule
of hormone. Twenty percent of T3 is produced and secreted by the thyroid
gland and the other 80 percent is converted from T4 in the liver and other
organs. Many factors contribute to the conversion of T4 to the more active
T3, including liver health, low stress levels, the types of foods you consume
and more.
At any given time, most T3 and T4 molecules in the body are bound tightly
to blood proteins. Only a small amount of each circulates as “free” hormone
that is physiologically active. For example, unbound T4 accounts for
approximately 0.05 percent of total T4. Unbound hormone levels are seldom
measured by medical doctors, yet these levels are most accurate for determining
thyroid function.
A delicate balance must be maintained to keep a steady metabolic rate in the
body. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands work in concert with the proteins
of the body, T4, the liver and other organs to maintain that balance.
When the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism
develops. Autoimmune reactions against the thyroid can cause hyperthyroidism;
Graves’ disease is one such condition. The immune system
malfunctions, causing an increase in thyroid hormone. Goiter, a greatly
enlarged thyroid gland, is seen in those with Graves’ disease and is due to
the excessive secretion of thyroid hormone. Thyroiditis, an inflammation of
the thyroid gland, can initially cause hyperthyroidism, but eventually the
damage to the thyroid caused by the inflammation causes hypothyroidism
or low thyroid function.
Low Thyroid Function, Peri-menopause, Menopause and Weight Gain: Estrogen
decides body fat distribution, and, in women, fat is stored on our hips,
bottom, abdomen and thighs. Fat cells manufacture and store estrogen.
Some researchers believe women get an increase in body fat around
menopause to ensure adequate estrogen from fat cells. Others believe that
it is low thyroid and exhausted adrenals that promote mid-section fat gain.
Considering that excess fat reduces our life expectancy, I tend to believe the
latter because the body is generally programmed to ensure our survival.
I mentioned earlier that there could be as high as 30 percent of people over
the age of 35 walking around with sub-clinical low thyroid function. We
know that low thyroid function promotes many hormonal problems that
could be remedied with thyroid-supporting nutrients or medication (thyroid
hormones).
During the peri-menopausal years (the 10 to 15 years before menopause)
and menopause (menopause means one year with no periods), it is common
for women to suffer a multitude of hormonal complaints. Hot flashes, night
sweats and sleep disturbances are common complaints during this time in
a woman’s life. Most would think these symptoms are associated with a
decline in estrogen, but they are also hallmark symptoms of low thyroid,
especially night sweats and insomnia. Most menopausal women are given
hormone replacement therapy with estrogen for these symptoms.
Peri-menopausal women may be put on the birth control pill. The problem
with these treatments is that estrogen further shuts down the thyroid: high
estrogen levels interfere with the thyroid hormones, particularly the
utilization of T3, the most biologically active thyroid hormone. I have
to reiterate that too much estrogen, either from hormone replacement
therapy, your own estrogen, or the environment, causes a host of problems
and also impairs thyroid function.
Many women have experienced a ten-to 15-pound weight gain and increased
blood pressure when they started taking synthetic estrogen at menopause.
This happens because estrogen is an antagonist to thyroid hormone and the
metabolic rate slows down. As this happens, many women develop difficulties
with fat metabolism, because one of the functions of the thyroid hormones
is to stimulate fat cells to burn fat. Weight control problems result.
In addition, serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels may increase. Thyroid
activity can also be inhibited by high levels of androgens (male sex hormones)
circulating in the blood. Depression and fatigue are the most common thyroid
symptoms in menopausal women.
Many people suffer with mild or sub-clinical low thyroid function—their
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, the hormone that stimulates your thyroid
to make thyroid hormones) is greater than 2.0 IU/ml but less than the
5.5 IU/ml level indicative of hypothyroidism. As such they contend with
the many symptoms of low thyroid function but are not being treated with
medication. If you are trying to lose weight and have followed a healthy
eating plan and exercised and still cannot lose a pound, you may have subclinical
low thyroid function.
Many people’s TSH falls within the conventional parameters for normal
(0.5 to 5.5), but most people with levels greater than 2.0–3.0 have symptoms
of low thyroid function. Enlightened doctors refer to such people as having
sub-clinical, or functional, low thyroid function.
If a diagnosis of low thyroid is based solely on a TSH reading, without taking
other symptoms into account, it may take 10 years before thyroid hormone
levels drop low enough to trigger a mainstream diagnosis of low thyroid
function. In the meantime, the person with low thyroid function symptoms
will go through much unnecessary suffering. Make sure you go for your
thyroid test first thing in the morning for more accurate results.
Low Thyroid Function and Hormonal Problems: It is common for the thyroid to
be functionally, or even clinically, out of balance in women who experience
hormone-related problems such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, dysmenorrhea
(menstrual pain), metrorrhagia (heavy bleeding) or menopausal symptoms.
Back in the days before fertility drugs, when a woman could not get pregnant
or had recurring miscarriages, doctors prescribed thyroid hormone with
some success. Women who suffer post-partum depression could also benefit
from thyroid hormone as childbearing can often exhaust the adrenals and
promote low thyroid.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied. Hypothyroidism causes the
body’s metabolic rate to slow dramatically, and early symptoms are often
misdiagnosed as depression. Slowed heart rate, hoarse voice, slowed speech,
swollen and puffy face, drooping eyelids, intolerance to cold, constipation
and weight gain are hallmark symptoms. The hair often becomes sparse,
coarse and dry, and there is a loss of eyebrow hair. The skin will become dry,
scaly, thick and bumpy and may have raised, thickened areas on the shins.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle weakness, confusion, depression, dementia,
heart disease with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, hormone disruptions,
shortness of breath and extreme fatigue may also be present. Women
with hypothyroidism may also experience heavy menstrual bleeding,
infertility and, when they do become pregnant, they are at increased risk of
miscarriages, premature deliveries and stillbirths.
Have your thyroid function checked by your doctor, but don’t be surprised
if the results come back normal even though you have a large number of the
symptoms above. Many people have sub-clinical low thyroid and yet are
diagnosed with normal thyroid based on the current tests. The Barnes basal
temperature test can better help determine thyroid function. This simple
temperature test can determine if you have low thyroid. Men and nonmenstruating
women can take the test on any day, but women who are
menstruating should take the test on the second, third or fourth day of their
period. (See Thyroid Basal Temperature Home Test in Appendix C)
Those women with low thyroid are at serious health risk for many other
conditions including osteoporosis, breast cancer, heart disease, hormone
problems, severe hot flashes and more. As well, nutritional therapies do not
work as well in those with an under-active thyroid.
Causes
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The
autoimmune process attacks the thyroid, and eventually the thyroid cannot
produce enough thyroid hormone. The treatment of hyperthyroidism, using
radioactive iodine and surgery, is the second most common cause of
hypothyroidism.
Decades ago, iodine was added to salt to make iodized salt to treat goiter and
subsequent thyroid problems, but many people are no longer eating salt and,
as a result, we are seeing an increase in hypothyroidism. As well, stress,
anemia, estrogen replacement, birth control pills and other medications
that block iodine uptake are associated with an increase in hypothyroidism.
Those living in the northern hemisphere are not getting enough sunshine
to produce vitamin D, a cofactor in thyroid hormone production; as a result
they are more prone to hypothyroidism. Trace minerals are also required to
make thyroid hormone, and deficiencies promote hypothyroidism.
PRESCRIPTION FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH
You should not stop your thyroid medication—it is essential for providing
adequate thyroid hormone. If you are on medication but still have the
symptoms of low thyroid function, add the following nutrients for better
conversion of T4 to the more active T3. Recommendations below are
designed to support thyroid function.
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Multivitamins with minerals; (contains no iron)
FemmEssentials or MultiEssentials for women |
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As directed. For complete formula recommendations see Appendix A |
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For optimal nutrient status. Required for thyroid, metabolism and for proper immune function |
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Take two capsules at breakfast
Potassium Iodide
100 mg
Ensure your total daily iodine from all sources does not exceed 300-400 mcg. |
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Iodine’s only role in the body is to make thyroid hormones. Too little causes impaired thyroid function; too much iodine interferes with the thyroid’s ability to make thyroid hormones. Important for fertility, fibrocystic breasts, breast cancer prevention, and to destroy H. pylori in the gut and more |
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Tyrosine
(amino acid) 500 mg |
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A key component in the function of the thyroid gland |
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Increases T4 thyroid hormone. Acts directly on the thyroid gland. |
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Commiphora mukul extract
(Gugguls)120 mg |
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Enhances the conversion of T4 to the more active T3. Works synergistically with Ashwagandha directly on the thyroid gland |
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Supports adrenal glands; increases energy; helps you handle stress better. Added benefit: works to combat cellulite. |
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| Support for the thyroid
gland |
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| Support for the times thyroid gland |
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| Contains amino acids,
including tyrosine
which binds with
iodine to make
thyroid hormones |
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HEALTH TIPS TO ENHANCE HEALING
- Ensure you get adequate sunshine. The thyroid gland requires vitamin D to
function properly. Those living in the northern hemisphere have higher
rates of low thyroid. Take ThyroSense to support thyroid health.
- Reduce your consumption of foods (called goitrogens) that impede the
absorption of iodine, if you have hypothyroidism. These foods include soy,
turnips, cabbage, mustard greens, peanuts, pine nuts and millet. You would
have to eat these foods every day to impede thyroid hormone, but just as
a precaution be aware of their effects.
- Avoid fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water as they compete with iodine
for absorption.
- Detoxification and elimination of waste is very important. Eat liver-friendly
foods such as kale, carrots, beets, artichokes, lemons, onions, garlic, leeks.
- Stress reduction is essential. See Adrenal Exhaustion. The adrenals and the thyroid are linked. If the adrenals are exhausted, low thyroid hormones
will result. If you have low thyroid function, it promotes stress on the
adrenals.
- If you are having fertility problems, ensure your doctor does sensitive
thyroid tests to rule out sub-clinical low thyroid function. A fertility clinic
in Toronto found that 25 percent of its patients had low thyroid function
that was not detected on the standard TSH test. See Thyroid Tests in Appendix C.
- Severe hypothyroidism, confirmed by a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
test, requires the use of thyroid medication. Most medical doctors prefer
the synthetic thyroid hormone T4, but some physicians and patients
prefer desiccated natural thyroid obtained from the glands of animals
(mainly pigs). Desiccated thyroid also contains the more active T3. When
initially prescribed it may be difficult for some people to get the correct
dose of desiccated thyroid medicine unless your doctor is willing to monitor
your TSH, T3 and T4 adequately. (It should be taken under the guidance
of your physician). This is a problem in Canada where medical doctors
are not as familiar with natural hormones and where the medical system
will only pay for certain diagnostic tests and only so many per year. Desiccated
thyroid is available through compounding pharmacies in Canada.
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