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Hypothyroidism:
The Hidden Cause of Your Health Problems

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t release enough hormones. There can be several reasons for this happening. With a low amount of thyroid hormones present, the body’s metabolism and other functions slow down dramatically. From digestion to the regulation of body temperature, the thyroid plays a crucial role in the many daily functions of your body. In fact, your thyroid is so important that every cell in your body has a receptor site for its hormones.

Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Dry skin
  • Hair loss
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Cold intolerance

Hidden Causes

Estrogen:

Estrogen, usually taken as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can reduce the amount of free thyroid hormone available in the body. Estrogen increases the liver’s production of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), a protein that binds to thyroid hormones. When more thyroid hormone is bound to TBG, there is less available to be used by the body.

A potential lab finding in people taking HRT is a decreased T3 uptake and decreased free thyroid hormone. T3 uptake is a measure of how well the thyroid hormone T3 is being bound to TBG. A decreased T3 uptake may indicate that there is less free T3 available for use.

Excessive estrogen can also decrease the conversion of T4 (the majority of thyroid hormone produced) to T3 (the active thyroid hormone). This can further reduce the amount of active thyroid hormone in the body.

It is important for everyone on HRT to have their T3 uptake checked regularly to make sure it is not depressing the thyroid.

Dysglycemia:

Dysglycemia refers to an imbalance in blood sugar levels. Eating at irregular times or eating large amounts of processed carbohydrates at once can cause insulin surges or depressions. This “yo-yo” effect of insulin dropping and surging can cause hypothyroid symptoms. This is because when there are massive insulin surges, it can block the conversion of T4 to T3 (inactive to the active form).

Autoimmunity:

Hashimoto’s disease is the most common autoimmune cause of hypothyroidism. Autoimmunity is when the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys itself. The standard treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is thyroid hormone replacement therapy. This involves taking a synthetic version of thyroid hormone, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid). Unfortunately, this treatment method doesn’t address the underlying autoimmune process that caused the issue in the first place. As the immune system slowly deteriorates the thyroid over time, the dosage of thyroid hormone is typically increased. Many people taking hormone replacement therapy may still feel symptomatic even though their blood labs appear normal. This is because the underlying cause driving the overactive immune system hasn’t been addressed.

Other Hidden Influences:

  • Low Iodine- T3 and T4 refer to how many iodine molecules are included on each molecule, making it a crucial part of thyroid hormone production. Without adequate iodine present, the thyroid doesn’t cannot make its hormones.
  • Chronic Stress- Stress hormones, such as cortisol, depress the thyroid’s function, weaken the immune system, and suppress the conversion of T4 to T3.
  • Related Conditions- Hypothyroidism is commonly seen in people with other autoimmune conditions. If the root cause of a problem is not addressed, eventually, the body can no longer adapt and other problems develop.

Addressing Hypothyroidism:

  • To help with Estrogen Detoxification, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Rosemary (DIM), Artichoke, and Dandelion are all helpful supplements. These help with a few specific liver detoxification pathways to eliminate excess estrogens.
  • To address dysglycemia, eat at similar times of the day and avoid long periods of no eating followed by an excess amount of processed foods. Supplements that can help regulate blood sugar levels are chromium, berberine, Gymnema and cinnamon.
  • With autoimmunity, the overactive immune system can be rebalanced. Decreasing inflammation with things like tumeric or resveratrol, removing inflammatory foods, and detoxing heavy metals can have an influential role in this rebalancing. Vitamins A, D and E can also be used as support.

Overall, a healthy diet is foundational to sustain any supplementation used. Replace packaged foods by adding in more whole foods. This helps supply better quality nutrients, balance blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation. A good rule to live by is – “if it’s in a package or you can scan it, choose something else, you might regret it”.

If you need help, see a holistic practitioner. Holistic practitioners can help to address the underlying causes of hypothyroidism.