The thyroid is a gland at the front of your neck that regulates metabolism, mood, and more. It is referred to as the ‘master gland’ because of the critical role it plays in regulating our metabolism, energy, and hormonal dance. It can become overactive or underactive, causing anything from feeling tired all the time to unexplained weight gain, hair loss, or mood swings. 

Even with routine blood tests, thyroid imbalances are sometimes missed, and even when labs are brought into the normal range, I often see patients who still do not feel well. 

When we zoom out, we see that thyroid hormones also interact with stress hormones (cortisol), blood sugar hormones (insulin), and reproductive hormones (estrogen). This is the greater orchestra of your body and why despite its central role, thyroid issues are rarely isolated problems. This is why you may struggle balancing your thyroid when all of your other buckets in the body are leaky.

Let’s understand the thyroid a little more…

Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck that regulates metabolism (how your body uses energy) but also influences….

…metabolic rate, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, gut motility, mental function, mood, menstruation, fertility, and more!

Signs of an overactive thyroid include feeling anxious or irritable, difficulty sleeping, racing heart, shaking hands, clammy skin, sensitivity to heat, unexplained weight loss (or gain), or irregular periods. 

Signs of an underactive thyroid include feeling tired all the time, mood swings, brain fog, dry skin, hair loss, brittle nails, constipation, sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain, or heavy periods. 

The only way to know is to test!

I will be explaining what lab tests you want to assess in my upcoming blogs this month - Keep an eye out to learn what lab tests give you the best information about your thyroid.

Let’s get back to discussing how the thyroid is RARELY a thyroid issue. Remember, your thyroid function is a red flag going off in your body trying to tell you to take a look under the hood. Look to see what is causing the thyroid to go out of balance!

Environmental Toxins

Environmental toxins, including heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can interfere with thyroid function. These toxins can damage thyroid cells, disrupt hormone production, and impair the conversion of T4 to T3. Detoxification and reducing exposure to these toxins are crucial steps in supporting thyroid health.

A recent study found that common chemical flame retardants (called organophosphate ester metabolites) are linked to a higher risk of thyroid disease. 

Measurements of OPEs in urine samples from 2449 participants (average age 46 years, half of whom were women) were compared with questionnaires about the presence of thyroid disease. 

Since it’s not possible to completely avoid flame retardants (they’re used in building materials, electronic products, furniture, & fabrics), this is all the more reason to do our best to minimize our overall exposure to toxic chemicals and support our natural detoxification mechanisms! 

The Gut-Thyroid Axis

To optimize thyroid function, we also need to optimize the liver and the gut. Here’s why:

Thyroid hormones influence gut motility (causing constipation when underactive).  And also 🔁gut dysbiosis or inflammation can worsen oxidative stress that damages the thyroid. 

Thyroid hormones influence fat metabolism in the liver (contributing to insulin resistance and fatty liver when underactive). And also 🔁conversion of T4 to active T3 takes place in the liver, meaning that a compromised liver could compromise thyroid function. 

Poor thyroid function can impair gut and liver function—and the reverse is also true. 

The Role of Stress and the Adrenal Glands

Chronic stress is another factor that can significantly impact thyroid health. The adrenal glands, which produce stress hormones like cortisol, are closely linked to thyroid function. High levels of cortisol can inhibit the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and reduce the conversion of T4 to T3, leading to hypothyroid symptoms.

Additionally, prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, which further complicates thyroid issues. When the adrenal glands are overworked, the body's priority shifts to producing stress hormones at the expense of thyroid hormones, exacerbating thyroid dysfunction.

Hormonal Interactions

The thyroid does not function in isolation but is part of a complex network of endocrine glands. Sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, can influence thyroid function. Check out next week’s blog where I will spend time just on this one connection - sexual health!

Inflammation and Autoimmunity

Autoimmune conditions, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, are common causes of thyroid dysfunction. These conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Chronic inflammation in the body can trigger and exacerbate autoimmune responses, leading to thyroid damage.

Addressing underlying inflammation through diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplements can help mitigate these autoimmune reactions and support thyroid health.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach

Because thyroid problems are rarely JUST a thyroid problem, it is important to consider the broader context of overall health, investigate the other leaky buckets in our body, so we can better understand and address the root causes of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid disease.

The thyroid is part of the larger endocrine system—which includes hormones produced in the brain, adrenals, ovaries, and pancreas too. These hormones have a bidirectional relationship with the thyroid including cortisol (stress hormone), insulin (blood sugar regulation), and estrogen (reproduction). 

This is why we take a whole-person approach to not only better thyroid health but also overall well-being.
Watch my upcoming emails and blogs because I’ll be sharing all about how functional medicine can help you understand, address, and optimize thyroid function. 

If you are looking to improve your thyroid health with addressing underlying root cause layers through diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplements, fill out our short online application to learn more about how we can help you.