Thyroid Imbalance

Remember the concept - 

Inflammation and Metabolic Dysfunction → Free Radicals → Oxidative Stress → DNA and Mitochondria Damage 

Thyroid hormones play an integral role in metabolism, and thus the regulation of cellular energy. When the cell is low on energy, due to low thyroid hormones, the DNA and mitochondria become damaged and you become significantly more susceptible to chronic symptoms, poor health, early aging, and chronic disease. 

 Let’s look at the symptoms, the mechanism/causes, and the solution

• Fatigue/Tiredness
• Weight Gain
• Hair loss/thinning
• Depression
• Lack of Motivation
• Joint Aches/Pain
• Muscle Fatigue/Pain
• Sluggishness
• Cold Hands and Feet
• Dry Skin

Fifty years ago, if you walked into a doctor’s office with a thyroid problem, it was an extremely rare condition. The doctor performed very basic tests, which included TSH and T4. If TSH was high and T4 was low, you were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Medication was prescribed, and symptoms typically resolved.

Fast forward 50 years to today.

A primary thyroid problem (where the thyroid itself is the issue) is still extremely rare, yet thyroid diagnoses are on the rise at epidemic levels. Why and how could this be?

The answer is that the causes of low thyroid hormones are almost always secondary to other issues in the body.

1. Hashimoto’s Disease – This is an autoimmune attack against the thyroid. Medication can help since the damage may cause the thyroid to produce less hormone, but the real issue is the attack itself. Infections, metals, toxins, poor gut health, and inflammatory foods are the primary causes of Hashimoto’s. These factors must be addressed for improvement. This is why the antibodies listed below should always be tested. Hashimoto’s is the number one cause of low thyroid.
2. Stress – Stress can convert TThe "Other Issues" Causing Low Thyroid:
3. 3 (the active form of thyroid hormone) into Reverse T3, reducing the availability of Free T3. This leads to the symptoms listed above, which is why Free T3 and Reverse T3 should always be tested.
4. Poor Conversion of T4 to T3 – Most of the hormone released from the thyroid is T4. The body must convert this into usable T3. 80% of this conversion occurs in the gut and liver. If either of these organs is compromised, which is common, the conversion process may be impaired, leading to low T3. This is why both T3 and T4 should be tested.
5. Too Many Binding Globulins – There are two forms of T4 and T3: total and free. The body must release these hormones (T4 and T3) into their free forms (Free T4 and Free T3) to be active. Using exogenous estrogens or having estrogen dominance can increase binding globulins, which can cause this problem. This is why testing for both total and free T4 and T3, as well as Free T3, is necessary. Additionally, T3 uptake can help identify this cause of hypothyroidism.
6. Inflammation – Inflammation can reduce the sensitivity of thyroid receptor sites. Even if you have adequate hormone levels in your blood, they may not be able to enter the cells and perform their functions due to this issue. Identifying and controlling inflammation is critical.

As you can see, there are several reasons the thyroid may produce less hormone or why thyroid hormone levels could be low. There are other causes as well, but this list highlights the more common ones.

As our health has become more compromised, thyroid issues have become more prevalent. Autoimmune conditions are on the rise, with Hashimoto’s being the most common. Stress is overwhelming many of us, gut health is deteriorating, hormone imbalances are widespread, and many factors contribute to inflammation in the body.

To fully evaluate the causes of hypothyroidism, we need to examine all relevant lab values. Once we thoroughly evaluate the labs, we can properly diagnose the underlying causes and work to restore healthy thyroid hormone levels.

• TSH
• T4
• T3
• Free T4
• Free T3
• Reverse T3
• T3 Uptake
• TPO Antibodies
• Antithyroglobulin Antibodies

Most healthcare providers only look at TSH and T4, following the old model of diagnosing low thyroid.

Thyroid hormones play an integral role in metabolism, and thus the regulation of cellular energy. When the cell is low on energy, the DNA and mitochondria become damaged, and you become more susceptible to chronic disease. 

There is a thyroid receptor site in every cell of the body. If your thyroid is malfunctioning, it means your body is not functioning well. 

Many patients suffering from thyroid problems also have a variety of other conditions and symptoms, which are often misdiagnosed and mistreated. 

These are labeled “Other Common Misdiagnosed and Mistreated Conditions.” 

Please review these conditions to determine if you have any of them, as many of you may be suffering from multiple issues beyond just thyroid problems. Finding a healthcare provider who understands the complexity of this and knows how to treat it is essential for your recovery.

• Adrenal Malfunction – Fatigue, inability to deal with stress, feeling worn out, difficulty losing weight, belly fat/fat deposition, anxiety, blood sugar issues, sleep problems (insomnia), muscle wasting, depression, waking up tired despite long sleep.
• Blood Sugar Imbalance
  • Too low: Irritable, jittery, anxious if meals are missed, “hangry,” craving sweets, slow starter in the morning.
  • Too high: Fatigue after eating, craving sweets, frequent urination.
• Gut Issues/Food Sensitivities – Gastric reflux, irritable bowel, bloating, abdominal pain, gas, constipation, or diarrhea. Symptoms may also include increased inflammation, swelling, asthma, allergies, depression, etc.
• Chronic/Acute Infections – Chronic flu-like symptoms, aches, pain, fatigue.
• Anemia – Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, easy bruising.
• Hormone Imbalances – Anxiety, depression, fat deposition, hot flashes, headaches/migraines, loss of motivation, irregular periods, PMS, low libido, weight gain, hair loss.
• Liver Toxicity – Fatigue, abdominal pain, itchy skin, nausea, pitting edema, joint pain, easy bruising, diabetes.
• Brain Issues – Brain fog, depression, poor memory, anxiety, poor word recall.