The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and responds to other hormones. It participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 and T4 production require adequate levels of iodine and tyrosine.
Hormonal output from the thyroid is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the anterior pituitary, which itself is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) produced by the hypothalamus.
An underactive thyroid gland, referred to as hypothyroidism, is the most common thyroid problem. However, the thyroid gland can also be overactive and this is referred to as hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid Gland (Hypothyroidism)
Early hypothyroidism is often asymptomatic and can have very mild symptoms. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a state of normal thyroid hormone levels, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), with mild elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). With higher TSH levels and low free T4 levels, symptoms become more readily apparent and clinical hypothyroidism is diagnosed.
Hypothyroidism can be associated with the following symptoms:
• Poor muscle tone
• Fatigue
• Any form of menstrual irregularity and fertility problems
• Elevated serum cholesterol
• Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Sluggish thoughts
• Depression
• Muscle cramps and joint pain
• Thin, brittle fingernails
• Coarse hair
• Decreased sweating
• Dry, itchy skin
• Weight gain and water retention
• Slow heart rate – fewer than sixty beats per minute
• Goitre
• Slow speech and a hoarse voice
• Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Low basal body temperature
• Thyroid-Related Depression
• Impaired memory
• Impaired cognitive function (brain fog)
• Sluggish reflexes
• Hair loss
• Anemia caused by impaired haemoglobin synthesis , impaired intestinal iron and folate absorption or B12 deficiency from pernicious anemia
• Increased need for sleep
• Irritability and mood instability
• Yellowing of the skin due to impaired conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A
• Impaired renal function
• Acute psychosis (myxoedema madness) (a rare presentation of hypothyroidism)
• Decreased libido in men due to impairment of testicular testosterone synthesis
• Decreased sense of taste and smell
The Most Common Causes of Hypothyroidism
Iodine deficiency
Autoimmune disease
Iatrogenic – radiation, surgery, some medications
Environmental – heavy metals such as mercury; halogens including chlorine and fluorine; and xenoestrogens (chemicals that disrupt hormones)
Nutritional deficiency – Zinc, Selenium, Tyrosine, Vitamin D
Treatment Issues:
You need a comprehensive assessment of thyroid function biochemistry and underlying causes. Appropriate nutritional and herbal supplements can then be prescribed.
Author: Dr Peter Holsman - Holistic Doctor
Dr Peter Holsman is an energetic, imaginative and resourceful medical practitioner and naturopath who has dedicated his career to finding the secrets that will boost people's energy levels and slow down their ageing process.