How are YOUR Thyroid and Adrenal Hormones?

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

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.

Estrogen Dominance - is this the root of your problems (men as well as ladies)

Dominant Oestrogen Symptoms

I am sure you have heard of Oestrogen Dominance, but I wonder if you realize how much it can affect us all, men and women alike! What I am going to cover is the why, how and what you can do to start reversing it!
It is simple really like most things. It feels and sounds complicated.  But once you know what you are dealing with.  All will be revealed to you.

First, here are some of the most common symptoms that can be signs that you are dealing with Dominant Oestrogen!

• 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, 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)

Dominant Oestrogen Is also linked with
Allergies, Autoimmune disorders, Breast cancer, uterine cancer, infertility, ovarian cysts, and increased blood clotting. It is also associated with the acceleration of ageing.

It is all well and good knowing the symptoms. It is imperative that we know what causes this debilitating and sometimes life-taking problem. Then we need some guidelines on how to move out of imbalance and into balance. – We will come to this a bit later

The PILL and HRT

It has been known for a long time that medications such as birth control pill and HRT can cause problems.
However, we are now being affected every day by a chemical onslaught. One that we can’t keep away from unless we are consuming organic foods and that have never had chemicals or other herbicides added. Not many people have the great fortune to have this all their lives!
It isn’t just what we have consumed recently, as these chemicals are cumulative. As in as we go through life, we accumulate this toxicity. Our body has no mechanisms to remove them, as they are foreign to it.

There has been found to be many chemicals that act just like oestrogen in the body. These are called Xenoestrogens. These are some of the root causes of Oestrogen dominance in society. These along with Oestrogen-only HRT and the contraceptive pill have a lot to answer for!

List of the Xenoestrogens – that we know about

Pesticides  - DDT, DDE, 24T, Dioxin, Dieldrin, endosulfan, Methoxychlor, kepone, toxaphene, chloropicrin, 245T, glyphosate, hi-cane. These are the tip of the iceberg. The list is huge, but I am sure you get the idea.

Petroleum products – including car fumes, methylbenzene, toluene, benzene, styrene, pyrene, mineral oil - think baby oil, bio-oil

Plastics (PVC, PCB’s biphenyl, nonylphenol, octaphenyl, lunch wraps etc)

Hormones: a. From Doctors (OCP & HRT + contraceptive injection), b. From the poultry industry and antibiotics in animal feed

EMFs – These are all around us and are known at Electromagnetic field stress. The waves from mobile phones, Bluetooth devices and even some radio waves. These can disrupt the balance in the body. Then indirectly, along with the above, make our oestrogen levels go totally out of kilter.

What to do to bring your balance back?

Well, you need to do the following.

1. Minimize the Usage of Endocrine Disruptors:  Come off all oral contraceptives, hormone creams, hormone-based prescription medications, etc. If you decide to do this.  It would be advisable to consult your doctor or health professional about this. This is because weaning stages may be required

   Plus, this also includes Plastic around your food, bleached sanitary towels and tampons, makeup, skin products that contain mineral oils etc.

2. Use an anti-inflammatory diet plan – avoid grains and other carb-loaded foods. Keep off meat that isn’t grass-fed and hormone-free – preferably organic, if possible.

3. Drink lots of water and other non-fizzy non-aspartame drinks – lemon juice with water or good quality herbal teas are great.

4. Eat lots of leafy green veggies and broccoli

5. Walk or do gentle exercise regularly

6. Detox regularly

7. Reduce stress in your life as much as you can by avoiding the news and listing to negative people

To help with the above and to drop weight and help bring balance into your life, please look at our programmes Fast Track to Health and/or Ultimate Detox - or go the whole hot and get onto our 12 week Ultimate Detox challenge which includes both of these amazing programmes. - Have a look at our shop for your options

Quantum Herbal Party

Enjoy our First Quantum Herbal party

Yesterday we hosted a Quantum Herb party, which has proven to be very popular as we do a couple of demonstrations as to how easy it is to use herbs in a very different way.

You don’t need the actual herb, you don’t need a tincture of the herb, you don’t even need a bottle of the essence of the herb!!

Intrigued?? The have a look - take some time out of your busy day to down;load some magic
It is best if you watch at least part of this video in a quiet space, so you can close your eyes and relax