If you have been experiencing changes in your body – physically or otherwise there are a number of areas to investigate. One of the first question we would ask is could it be your thyroid?

What it does

This gland is an important part of your endocrine system which regulate the production, storage and release of hormones into your blood stream to affect nearly every part of your body. Some of it’s functions include:

• regulate the metabolism
• processes the food you eat
• how you breathe
• your body temperature
• balance cholesterol levels
• regulate menstrual cycles
• our weight
• regulate our nervous system

Anatomy

The gland is shaped like a butterfly and located at the base of your throat at the front of your neck. It produces and stores the hormones T3 and T4.

T4 – Thyroxine it is the inactive thyroid hormone and it is converted to T3.
T3 – Triiodothyonine is the active form

How it works

Production of this gland’s hormone is driven by another hormone called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). TSH is secreted from the pituitary gland in response to the stimulation from the hypothalamus which is located in your brain. TSH is produced in relation to the amount of T4 and T3 that is produced (this is known as a negative feedback loop).

Problems:

When things don’t function the way they should, various conditions can present:

*Hypothyroidism (or underactive) thyroid: conditions include – Subclinical & Secondary Hypothyroidism, Euthyroid Syndrome, Wilsons Thyroid Syndrome.

*Hyperthyroidism (or overactive) thyroid & Graves Disease

Signs & symptoms of low function (hypothyroid) include:

• Constipation
• Depression
• Dry skin
• Elevated blood cholesterol levels
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Impaired memory
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Irregular menstrual periods, or heavier than normal
• Muscle ache and tenderness
• Pain, swelling, stiffness in joints
• Puffy face
• Slowed heart rate
• Thinning hair
• Weight gain

Signs & Symptoms of Overactive function (hyperthyroid) include:

• Brittle hair
• Changes in bowel pattern – more likely to be diarrhoea
• Changes in menstrual pattern
• Difficulty sleeping
• Enlarged thyroid gland
• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Increased sensitivity to heat
• Muscle weakness
• Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sudden weight loss
• Sweating
• Thinning of your skin
• Tremor (fine trembling in hands and fingers
*Auto-immune thyroid (Hashimotos)
*Thyroid Nodules or Tumours

What Factors Cause an Imbalance?

Stress – Stress can be one of the main factors. Stress causes our bodies to produce cortisol. Too much cortisol interferes with thyroid hormone production. This then stimulates the gland to work harder to create sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone.

Diet – Diet plays a big part in it’s function. The thyroid needs iodine to work properly. It also needs the cofactors tyrosine, selenium, zinc copper, B vitamins. It is important to eat a very diverse whole food diet to make these hormones. Deficiencies in your diet will impact your thyroid. However, before supplementing it is important to get tested for these deficiencies. There are also particular foods that interfere with iodine uptake such as soy, and others such as cows’ dairy interfere with the production of thyroid hormone.

Hormonal changes – It is common for women approaching menopause to experience changes to their thyroid function due to the changes in oestrogen levels. Some women my experience changes in it’s function post partum and occasionally inflammation of the gland (postpartum thyroiditis).

Environmental toxins – Environmental toxins can disrupt function. These toxins can look structurally like thyroid hormones and bind to the receptor sites prohibiting hormone production. The biggest offenders are chemicals (fluoride, chlorine, bromine), heavy metals, pesticides and household cleaning products.

Genetics – a family history of thyroid dysfunction may predispose an individual to thyroid concerns and can help us determine possible investigations and treatment options.

If you would like to further investigate your hormones or overall health just get in touch here. We offer a free 30 minute consultation where we discuss how we may help you to improved health and wellness. Just click here to book a time.

— Marianne