HYPOTHYROIDISM
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Hypothyroidism is where the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can happen if there is a problem in the thyroid itself or a problem in the organ that controls the thyroid. For this lecture we will focus on the thyroid itself. Let us get into it, shall we?
In typical hypothyroidism blood tests will show higher than usual TSH and lower than usual T4 & T3. Normal TSH is .5 to 5mu/l and normal T3 is 80-220mg/dl. T4 is 5-12ug/dl. However, this is where it gets interesting because “normal” does not mean optimum. The optimum range for TSH is 1.3-2.5mu/l. For example, a value of 3 indicates what is known in the holistic community as “sub-clinical hypothyroidism” and is very often accompanied by symptoms of low thyroid. While sub-clinical hypothyroidism is not usually severe enough to warrant conventional treatment, certain supplements have been found in studies to alleviate symptoms. (1)
What, exactly, are the most common symptoms of low thyroid? To start, you may experience difficulty concentrating as well as fatigue. There is also a feeling of being cold as well as slow heart rate which is often associated with shortness of breath. Weight gain is often associated with low thyroid. Hair loss is another symptom that often has people coming in to see a nutritionist. Just a heads up: if you are having hair loss, getting your thyroid tested is a great first step to finding out what is going on. Less commonly known as a symptom is depression. In women, menstrual cycles can often be heavier than usual (although as the hypothyroidism persists, it can progress to lighter than usual cycles). There are delayed tendon reflexes. Constipation as well as changes in digestive health are also noted. (2)
Now what can potentially lead to the symptoms of hypothyroidism? In many cases too little iodine is a trigger. Also, treatment with radioactive iodine can affect the thyroid. Injury to the hypothalamus or anterior pituitary can also lower the amount of thyroid hormone produced. Obviously, being born without a thyroid or having thyroid surgery can cause the thyroid hormone to be low. Even certain prescription medications can cause low thyroid as a side effect.
Autoimmune such as Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism, Postpartum Hypothyroidism as well as Myasthenia Gravis can cause symptoms of hypothyroidism. Finally, any autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and even diabetes can affect the thyroid. From a more holistic point of view, “leaky gut” can also affect the thyroid. Which is why so many holistic practitioners say treat the gut! (3)
HOW TO HELP YOUR THYROID
- Bladder wrack or kelp: Studies have shown that this helps with providing iodine to help in the case of iodine deficiency which is common in hypothyroidism. In fact, studies have shown the iodine in kelp to be much easier for the body to use than just taking iodine by itself! (4) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx to find this amazing source of iodine!
- Ashwagandha: Studies once again show that this amazing herb is helpful for the thyroid. Studies have shown that Ashwagandha helps subclinical hypothyroidism in just over 8 weeks! Other studies show an increase in T4 from the baseline. (5) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx!
- 3. Coleus forskohlii has been found in studies to work to increase synthesis of T4 by the thyroid. In one animal study, levels of TSH went down, while the levels of T3/T4 went up. (6) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx!
- Black Cumin seed or Black Seed has been found in studies to have a protective role in hypothyroidism. In 1 study black cumin raised T3. (7) See InVite’s Black Seed with Rosemary and Cordyceps.
- L-tyrosine, zinc, and selenium are all important nutrients for producing thyroid hormones. (8) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx, Zinc, Immunity Hx, as well as all our wonderful multivitamins!
- Turmeric as we all know is a fantastic nutrient for autoimmune and inflammation. But did you know it is also helpful for the thyroid? That is because it reduces inflammation everywhere (including helping with leaky gut) and in our thyroid! It has also been found to have beneficial outcomes in those with a goiter. Lastly while more studies are needed what has been found so far is that it can help reduce the symptoms of hypothyroidism! (9) Please see Invite’s Bio-curcumin 5- Loxin.
- Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be quite common among those with thyroid autoimmune disorders and underactive thyroid. Therefore, in my clinical experience it is particularly important to take vitamin D when you have an underactive thyroid. (10) Please see Invite’s Vitamin D formula in 1000 and 3000 IU.
- Do not forget to work on your gut health with nutrients such as probiotics!
Sources:
(1) https://www.uclahealth.org/endocrine-center/normal-thyroid-hormone-levels
(2) Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, Loscalzo J (2011). “341: disorders of the thyroid gland”. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine (18th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0071748896.
(3)[8] Garber JR, Cobin RH, Gharib H, Hennessey JV, Klein I, Mechanick JI, Pessah-Pollack R, Singer PA, Woeber KA (December 2012). “Clinical practice guidelines for hypothyroidism in adults: cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association”. Thyroid. 22 (12): 1200–35. doi:10.1089/thy.2012.0205. PMID 22954017.
(4)Catarino, M. D., Silva, A., & Cardoso, S. M. (2018). Phycochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Fucus spp. Marine drugs, 16(8), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/md16080249
(5)Sharma, A. et al. (2018). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(3), 243–248.
(6)Hameed, S. I., Al-Shahwany, A. W., & Salih, S. J. (2020). Evaluation of the Activity of Some Plants Extracts on Thyroid Gland Regulation in Female Albino Rats. Iraqi Journal of Science, 254-265.
(7)Ismail, M. et al. Effect of Nigella sativa L. on serum concentration of thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone and glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Ir Vet J. 2003;59(9):462–4.
(8)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19594417/
