A Deeper Dive into Thyroid Health
Have you been diagnosed with a thyroid condition or ever suspected a thyroid condition? Did your endocrinologist look at your minerals?
Thyroid dysfunction is rampant with a common “solution” being medication, even at the ripe age of 19 years old. What if you could support your thyroid in such a way that would eliminate the need for medication altogether. Blood labs are necessary when correlating with symptoms to find healing opportunities for thyroid dysfunction but so are minerals! Minerals provide a blueprint of one’s biochemistry, providing information about metabolic rate, energy levels and state of stress. The thyroid plays a major role in human metabolism and hormone production. Thyroid metabolism involves 4 stages:
Hormone Production- One of the thyroids main jobs is to produce a hormone called thyroxine (T4). In order to produce T4 the thyroid needs manganese, iodine, tyrosine, Vitamin C, B complex vitamins, and other micronutrients. Radiation toxicity (routers, iphone, airpods, bluetooth speakers), oxidative stress, or toxic chemicals (laundry softener/detergent, skincare/makeup, candles, cleaning supplies, purchasing nonorganic produce, consuming processed foods, seed oils, fake meat, unfiltered water, etc) can block hormone synthesis. Mercury and copper toxicity also influence the production of thyroid hormone.
Hormone Release- Secretion of thyroid hormone requires the body to be in a sympathetic state. This means the body needs to be alert and active to respond to any stressors or inflammation. What I have seen in clinical practice is that most people have exhausted adrenal glands or other autonomic imbalances that may affect the sympathetic nervous system to where it is unable to fight, thus resulting in sluggish hormonal release.
Absorption into the Cells- Once released into the blood, T4 must be absorbed into the cell! Accumulation of biounavailable calcium and magnesium (in the tissue) destabilize cell membranes and increase cell permeability. So in order for T4 to be absorbed into the cell efficiently and utilized, there needs to be optimal levels of calcium and magnesium in the body, not the tissue. Oxidative stress, impaired fatty acid metabolism (poor metabolism of fats), or other damage to the cell membrane can block absorption of T4. Copper will influence calcium/magnesium levels potentially resulting in poor absorption of T4. Cadmium (fertilizer, refined and processed foods, cigarette smoke, unfiltered water, exhaust fumes from cars, coca cola) or nickel (cigarettes, vegetable oils, margarine, oysters, vegetarian products) toxicity affect hormone absorption by influencing levels of calcium, sodium, and other minerals.
Utilization into the Mitochondria- Once inside the cell, T4 must be converted into the active form T3 to be used by the mitochondria. In order for this process to take place, the body needs an optimal amount of potassium, zinc, and selenium. Side note: cortisol is also needed for this conversion. If you present with chronically low (high) cortisol or adrenal insufficiency, you may be headed toward a sluggish thyroid.
All stages of thyroid metabolism require minerals! Whether you produce enough hormones but have an autonomic imbalance preventing release or can’t transport enough hormones into the cell due to cell damage or permeability, it is often a mineral issue!
You have to dive deeper.
Most commonly, I have seen thyroid labs come up with most levels within optimal range, no extreme hypo or hyperthyroid BUT that does not mean a thyroid imbalance is not present. If you have ever been diagnosed with a thyroid dysfunction, are currently on thyroid medication, or suspect thyroid disease take this thyroid quiz to see if we’re a good fit to get to the bottom of your dysfunction.
xx, Steph
