How are YOUR Thyroid and Adrenal Hormones?

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Today we are going to look at thyroid health.

Why do Our Fast Track to Health and Ultimate Detox programmes concentrate on Hypothalamus to get our body into balance?

First off, Metabolic activity is a short description of the vast array of chemical processes that our cells must complete before we create the energy needed to sustain life.
A healthy metabolism depends, most importantly, on the thyroid and adrenal glands. In this article, we will go through some of the processes the thyroid must perform for us to have the energy to thrive.  

The thyroid governs our basal metabolic rate - BMR. Which is the rate at which the body converts oxygen and calories into energy in a resting state.

The hypothalamus and pituitary glands closely regulate the production of T4 and T3. The hypothalamus monitors circulating blood thyroid hormone levels and responds to low levels by releasing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then stimulates the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When thyroid hormone levels increase, the production of TSH decreases, which in turn slows the release of new hormones from the thyroid gland.

The most biologically active form of thyroid hormone is T3, primarily converted in the liver (and peripheral tissues). This is because the thyroid produces mainly T4 which has to go through a conversion to T3 to make it viable.  For this conversion to take place, we need selenium, which converts to a selenium-dependent enzyme. This, in turn, helps the vital conversion to take place.

Inflammatory cytokines prevent the HPA ( Hypothalamus, Pituitary adrenal) axis from functioning at an optimum rate, Which in turn reduces levels of thyroid hormones, inhibits the conversion of T4 into T3 and decreases the sensitivity of the thyroid to TSH.

Elevated inflammatory cytokines* also play a role in autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) thyroiditis by suppressing thyroid receptor site sensitivity. Chronic stress also disrupts the body’s immune barriers, potentially inducing auto-immune dysregulation.

 * Cytokines are small secreted Proteins released. Some are inflammatory, and some are anti-inflammatory. It is the inflammatory ones we are talking about here. They can be the cause of chronic pain and dis-ease

Most T3 conversion occurs in the liver.  Poor liver function, heavy metals (like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic), plus excessive oestrogens (oestrogen dominance) may all affect thyroid function.  
Plus if you are iodine deficient you are more likely to be having problems with fluoride because it is very similar in its makeup to iodine. The receptors in our thyroid that react to iodine will also react to fluoride. Iodine is mainly known to be stored in the thyroid, so this imposter can also be found in the thyroid, in iodine’s place, preventing the health and vitality of that gland. Plus if this and other chemicals are in your thyroid, it allows less space for iodine if you supplement it.  Which, of course, impacts the rest of the body.

If we look at this imbalance in another way, Chemical toxicity and nutritional deficiency, as in Mineral imbalance such as low selenium, low/high iodine, zinc & high fluoride, chlorine & cobalt., these both can be a major stress on the body and really could be the root of so many different symptoms.   
What to do if you think that Thyroid/Adrenal/ Oestrogen dominance could be your issue?
Here are some symptoms that you might be experiencing – if you tick 5 or more of these boxes then it is likely that you are in need of some support.

Thyroid Symptoms

Underactive

  • Increased sensitivity to cold

  • Fatigue

  • Constipation

  • Dry skin

  • Weight gain

  • Puffy face

  • Hoarseness

  • Muscle weakness

  • Elevated blood cholesterol level

  • Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness

  • Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints

  • Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods

  • Thinning hair

  • Slowed heart rate

  • Depression

  • Impaired memory

  • Changes in the menstrual cycle

  • Infertility

  • Eye problems

 
Overactive

  • fatigue or muscle weakness

  • hand tremors

  • mood swings

  • nervousness or anxiety

  • rapid heartbeat

  • heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat

  • skin dryness

  • trouble sleeping

  • weight loss

  • increased frequency of bowel movements

  • light periods or skipping periods.




The symptoms of adrenal imbalance include:

  • Mental and psychological ailments such as depression

  • Faintness and dizziness

  • Weakness and fatigue

  • Heart palpitations

  • Emotional hypersensitivity

  • Inability to cope with stress

  • Social anxiety

  • Muscle weakness

  • Headache, scalp ache, or general body ache

  • Severe or dull lower back pain

  • Extremely sensitive skin

  • Nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting

  • Abdominal pain and hunger pain despite an empty stomach

  • Extreme craving for salty foods

  • Anxiety and jitters

  • Clumsiness and confusion

  • Motion sickness

  • Insomnia and dark circles under the eyes

  • Low bladder capacity and symptoms of IBS

  • Irregular or non-existent menstrual period

Adrenal fatigue symptoms

  • body aches

  • trouble concentrating

  • racing thoughts

  • moodiness and irritability

  • feeling overwhelmed

  • hormone imbalance

  • cravings for sweet and salty foods

  • Always tired

 
Oestrogen dominance symptoms
 
 

  • Irregular or otherwise abnormal menstrual periods

  • Decreased sex drive

  • Bloating (water retention)

  • Breast swelling and tenderness

  • Fibroids

  • Zinc deficiency – If you are not sure about this one then get a taste test done at your local clinic/health shop

  • Irritability

  • Fibrocystic breasts

  • Headaches (especially premenstrual)

  • Mood swings

  • Magnesium deficiency – symptoms like cramp and nervous twitches are the main ones

  • Osteoporosis

  • Pre-menopausal bone loss

  • Prostate cancer

  • Weight and/or fat gain (particularly around the abdomen and hips)

  • Cold hands and feet (a symptom of thyroid dysfunction)

  • Hair loss

  • Thyroid dysfunction

  • Sluggish metabolism

  • Foggy thinking, memory loss

  • Mild to severe depression

  • Fatigue

  • Trouble sleeping/insomnia

  • PMS

  • Bloating

  • Concentration

  • Anxiety

  • Skin breakouts

  • Mania

  • Hallucinations 

  • Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar esp. 3-4 pm)

  • Memory loss – from mild to severe dementia

  • Polycystic ovaries (PCOS)

 
If you tick 4 or more in one or more of the categories, then please book an appointment and we can go through your options - book a free 15 min chat

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Know that something is not quite right?

Had all the doctors tests and everything comes back as normal??
Have a look here to see if it is your Hormones.