Posted on Feb 27, 2017 in
FOCUS ON HEALTH
FOCUS ON HEALTH | By Dr. Peter Osborne –
Thyroid Disease and Dysfunction
Classic signs of thyroid hormone deficiency include fatigue, memory loss, cold hands and feet, muscle and joint pain, depression, high cholesterol and constipation. Over the past several years, I have seen a large influx of patients who have been placed on thyroid hormones to treat the above symptoms. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t actually address why the body is not making enough thyroid hormone in the first place.
What You Should Know About Thyroid Hormone Production
Thyroid hormone production is under the influence of a chemical called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is made by the pituitary gland. When circulating levels of thyroxine (T-4) are low, TSH sends a message to your thyroid gland to start producing more T-4. The building blocks your body uses to make T-4 come from food constituents that we obtain from the diet (tyrosine – an amino acid from protein and certain minerals – iodine, zinc, etc). Once your body makes T-4, it must be activated by other nutrients (vitamins and minerals) into something known as T-31. T-3 is the active form of thyroid hormone that works to increase the body’s metabolism.
However, certain nutrient deficiencies and stress can lead to a reduction in T-3 and instead the production of Reverse T-3. This form of T-3 is not as effective and leads to symptoms of hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, Reverse T-3 cannot be distinguished from T-3 in traditional thyroid lab reports, and this is a common oversight by many physicians. Once T-3 is made, it will attach to the nucleus inside your cells and increase the body’s metabolism appropriately. Once again, however, certain nutrient deficiencies can decrease the responsiveness of the body’s cells to T-3, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism. For these reasons, lab reports commonly performed by physicians that look at TSH, T-4 and T-3 can be misleading. A simplified diagram of thyroid hormone production is listed below:
TSH Stimulates the thyroid gland to make T-4 T-4 Converts to either T-3 or Reverse T-3 (RT3) RT3 is inactive. Normal T-3 attaches to the cell nucleus Once attachment of T-3 occurs the body’s metabolism increases.
Gluten Sensitivity and Thyroid Dysfunction
Gluten sensitivity is a common cause of thyroid dysfunction. Gluten exposure can trigger an autoimmune reaction (Hashimoto’s disease) that disrupts normal thyroid hormone production. For more on this, visit www.GlutenFreeSociety.org under the Glutenology tab.
There are also many other environmental factors that can effect thyroid hormone production. Oral contraceptives and estrogen containing medications have been shown to reduce the conversion of T4 to T32. Many herbicides and pesticides contain estrogen mimicking compounds known to effect thyroid hormone production. Soy foods and sodas can cause a reduction in thyroid hormone. Certain food allergies and selenium deficiency are linked to autoimmune thyroid dysfunction3,4. Heavy metal exposure through air, water and dental fillings have been linked to poor thyroid function.
Remember that thyroid disease is never just as simple as taking a medication whether it is bio-identical or not. Thyroid dysfunction has a cause. An astute physician will take an active roll in care and seek to perform a comprehensive exam and laboratory work up that will identify the cause.
Keep in mind that your body has the ability to make its own thyroid hormone providing that all the essential nutrients necessary are present in the diet or through supplementation, providing that the environment is conducive to the expression of good health, and providing that the individual is properly educated in the care of his/her body. Many patients who come to me initially are taking some form of thyroid medication. Many were instructed that the medication was a lifelong necessity. And in many, it is very common that the medication becomes unnecessary.
1. Moncayo R, et al. The role of selenium, vitamin C and zinc in benign thyroid diseases and of selenium in malignant thyroid diseases: Low selenium levels are found in subacute and silent thyroiditis and in papillary and follicular carcinoma. BMC Endocr Disord. 2008 Jan 25;8:2.
2. Pansini F, et al. Effect of the hormonal contraception on serum reverse triiodothyronine levels. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1987;23:133.
3. Mazokopakis EE, et al. Effects of 12 months treatment with L-selenomethionine on serum anti-TPO Levels in Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Thyroid 2007 Jul;17(7):609-12.
4. Negro R, et al. The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 Apr;92(4):1263-8. Epub 2007 Feb 6.
