The Science and Art of a Balanced Thyroid

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland that fans across the lower part of the neck, right below the Adam's apple. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in foods and supplementation, and use it, along with tyrosine, to make T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (Triiodothyronine), which are known as the thyroid hormones, collectively.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland that fans across the lower part of the neck, below the "Adam's apple". It  is governed by the pituitary gland, which is a very small, pea-sized gland in the brain. When the pituitary gland senses a low circulation of thyroid hormones, it produces TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which tells the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone. As the thyroid hormone increases, TSH decreases. That is why most physicians rely on the TSH level to tell them how the thyroid is functioning. Indirectly, the TSH can tell us whether there is an adequate or in-adequate level of thyroid hormone available for the body.

The metabolic activity of the body is governed by thyroid hormone and these hormones work as "gas in a car" to keep our body running at full capacity. Not only do they regulate our body temperature, but our cardiovascular function, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism as well. For example, one the most essential ways to improve a person's cholesterol, who also has a slow moving thyroid, is to give them bio-identical thyroid hormone. As the thyroid becomes more balanced, lipids are mobilized and become metabolized more efficiently; Cholesterol goes down as thyroid improves.

Additionally, as metabolism improves the body falls into an ideal weight. This results in insulin that works more efficiently on the cell membrane causing efficient glucose absorption; blood sugar is improved and the type 2 diabetic may see great improvement.

We know that a faster moving thyroid increases new blood vessel production in the heart, lending new blood flow to ischemic areas (areas where the heart has been damaged). This is a crucial part of the treatment plan for patients with cardiovascular disease.

The thyroid also affects the immune system. A slow moving thyroid creates a weak immune system. Bacteria and virus are less easily surveyed and responded to and illness increases. There may be an increased propensity toward congestion and sinus issues overall as low thyroid causes increased edema, or water accumulation.

One of the hallmarks of sluggish thyroid function is fatigue and foggy thinking. Depression is also common, along with chronic constipation, low libido, and dry and fragile nails, hair and skin.

But a thyroid that is moving too fast isn't much better. A low TSH along with very high thyroid hormones indicates hyperthyroidism. When there is too much thyroid hormone the heart may beat too fast and arrhythmias become more probable. Sex hormones can get too high and women may find their menstrual cycle is effected, often manifesting in frequent scanty periods and acne. Hair can fall out and eyeballs may protrude a bit and the cells behind the eye start to increase too rapidly. Bone thinning may occur as thyroid hormone is related to calcium metabolism. Breakdown of bone begins to occur faster than bone building and even young women can have signs of osteopenia.

The problem with the current method of thyroid testing is that physicians look only to the TSH to tell them if there is a problem. The recognized range for a "normal" TSH is between .4 and 4.5. That is an enormous range and there are many, many people within the "normal" range that are experiencing most of the above symptoms.

The first order of business is to measure free T3 and free T4 along with TSH. By understanding the actual level of the thyroid hormones, we can determine if there is a nutritional issue that is causing a problem or if it is a deeper problem that may require the addition of thyroid hormone supplementation.

There are many micronutrients that are necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid. After proper measuring, we need to make sure that nutrition is appropriately rich in the nutrients necessary for the thyroid to work properly, such as: iodine, iron, selenium, zinc, vitamins A, D, C, E and the amino acid tyrosine. But all the nutrients in the world will fail to help the person who is not digesting or absorbing their food. We must improve digestion and absorption where appropriate.

For many, this is all we need to do. For many more, the addition of thyroid hormone is necessary. T4 is the most common thyroid hormone prescribed (thyroxine, levothyroxine or synthroid) but for some who are making plenty of T4, but inadequate amounts of T3, we can prescribe T3 as a combination therapy or by itself. By measuring the thyroid function properly and going through a stepwise process of figuring out where the issue is, we can create a treatment plan that is elegant, specific and unique.

Once balanced and asymptomatic, a person who is taking thyroid medication must continue to get their thyroid hormones measured every 3-4 months. While too little thyroid can make a person feel crummy, too much thyroid brings it's own set of problems. We have to make sure we stay in balance. Because a balanced thyroid is the seat of the balanced soul.