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The thyroid gland sits on the front of the neck and secretes
calcitonin which is needed for calcium absorption into the bones, which is why
impaired thyroid function can lead to osteoporosis. They thyroid also secretes thyroxine
(T4) at the urging of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which comes from the
pituitary gland. T4, the inactive form, is made up of four iodine
molecules. It goes to the liver, which through liver enzyme activity,
converts it into T3 by dropping an iodine molecule. T3 is the active form
of thyroid hormone which regulates metabolism and body temperature. If for
some reason the liver does not have enough of the enzymes needed, Reverse T3,
another inactive form of T3 is made. If too little T3 is made, one has
hypothyroidism, and if too much is made, one has hyperthyroidism. Thyroid
problems can stem from prioritizing cortisol so T3 does not get made, from
inadequate iodine in the diet, or from a liver that is struggling in its
detoxification role and can't make the enzymes necessary to convert T4 to T3.
The other halogens like chlorine and fluorine have a higher affinity for the
iodine receptors than iodine does, so drinking chlorinated and fluoridated water
may be responsible for an inability to absorb iodine, and thereby affect thyroid
function. Another important reason to filter our water! Goitrogens like
processed soy and peanuts also block the absorption of iodine. Omega 6
vegetable oils are usually already rancid when consumed, and the oxidative
processes seem to damage enzyme activity, increase inflammation, and block
production of thyroid hormone. Coconut oil, a medium-chain fatty acid
seems to aid thyroid function. Mercury in the body displaces selenium,
which is needed to convert T4 to T3.
To diagnose thyroid issues, the doctor must do more than simply measure Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), as even if TSH
is below 2, thyroid problems may exist. Request that your doctor also measure
free T3 and free T4 levels, as then it is easier to figure out where in the
chain the problem is occurring. It is quite possible that T3 is low and T4
is normal. In this case, the body is unable to convert T4 into T3, so the
problem may be due to a liver or an adrenal/cortisol
issue. Treating with a drug like Synthroid is completely useless in this
scenario, as it only provides T4 and does nothing to aid the conversion into T3.
Taking one's temperature 3, 6 and 9 hours after rising for a few days can also
be helpful to your physician in determining thyroid problems. If you are
getting your thyroid checked, to me it makes sense to also run a circadian
cortisol test, because treating the thyroid if the cause is poor adrenal
function is an exercise in futility.
Much of the info in this tip came from Bev Maya, a medical herbalist in the Vancouver area that practices functional medicine.
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Lecture by Bev Maya, Westcoast Women's Clinic, July 11, 2007
O'Reilly, Denis
Thyroid function
tests - time for reassessment BMJ 2000; 320: 1332-1334.
Wilson, James Adrenal Fatigue, 21st Century Stress Syndrome Smart Publications, Petaluma, CA 2001.
Shoman, Mary Living Well with Hypothyroidism HarperCollins New York, NY. 2000.
Adrenal and Metabolic Interpretive Guide, Biohealth Diagnositcs Inc. 2006
Chronic Stress - The Number 1 Source of Illness
Chronic Stress Response Chart
Steroidal Hormone Pathway Chart
Copyright 2007 Vreni Gurd
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