When you consider the size of the thyroid, it is amazing to think about the role it plays in keeping the human body healthy. If the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, the whole body is in disfunction. Some people may not know there is a problem. They may think they are overworked, didn’t eat enough, ate too much, and the like.
There are many reasons one could experience issues with the thyroid. Though the thyroid breaks down, it doesn’t mean it is permanent. Once you start correcting or changing your lifestyle, you will see marked improvements in your life and the healing of the thyroid. When one considers some of the dysfunctions it is possible to see that they are caused by vitamin deficiencies due to the autoimmune disease such as feeling cold which could be due to low iron and or low vitamin B12. I mentioned more symptoms in “Let The Thyroid Lesson Begin.”
More and more people have common complaints of insomnia, lethargy, inability to focus, loss of memory and the list goes on. It isn’t a coincidence that these complaints continue to grow. There are many reasons for the breakdown in thyroid function. That isn’t the subject of today’s blog. In this blog, we will review 10 common dysfunctions of the thyroid.
- The thyroid regulates the temperature of the body. Some people experience what they believe to be hot flashes, excessive sweating, and the inability to tolerate heat. The cause of these symptoms is related to a change in thyroid function causing the metabolism to temporarily speed up. The medical term for this change is hashitoxicosis, which is the release of excess thyroid hormone. Some women mistake these as menopausal symptoms.
- I think we have all become familiar with the word neurotransmitters. When we think of neurotransmitters we think mainly about epinephrine and norepinephrine which are affected by altered thyroid function. Some of the main symptoms associated with the change in neurotransmitters are depression, anxiety and emotional swings resulting in an inability (or decreased) to handle stress. Consider the role of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters stimulate the breakdown of a fat called lipolysis. Even with exercise, it is may, be difficult to lose weight. You can read more about thyroid and diet at http://thyroidinwomen.com/thyroid-and-weight-gain/. Liptan and Insulin resistance are also related to ineffective neurotransmitter function.
- Hypothyroidism affects blood sugar regulation in three ways. It slows the insulin response to glucose when you eat carbs and sugar. It slows glucose uptake into cell and tissue, and it slows the absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract. The amount of glucose in the blood may be enough but it isn’t able to enter the body tissues and cells putting extra stress on the adrenals and pituitary glands.
- Metabolism slows down. People with hypothyroidism experience decreased cellular metabolic rate. This decrease results in low energy. One might feel fatigues all the time and have a difficult time recovering from stressful situations. The increased stress makes it difficult for the body to fight infection making one susceptible to illness. One might see these as signs of aging.
- Stomach problems. It is possible that there is a connection between an underactive thyroid and gut health. Low levels of stomach acid (hypochloridia and hypochloric acid) are a common finding in Hashimoto’s patients. This could lead to the sluggishness of the gastrointestinal tract caused by decreased enzymes in the intestines.
- To continue with digestion complaints, on might experience issues clearing the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts which lead to diminished gut motility, impaired nutrient absorption, and detoxification process.
- Hypothyroidism is the most common disorder that can either be a cause of depression in women or a major contributing factor. https://outsmartdisease.com/thyroid-dysfunctions/
- Anemia. Patients with Hashimoto’s can develop one or more types of anemia. Iron deficient anemia causes one to lose the ability to absorb iron. This could stem from stomach problems (#5). Normocytic normochromic anemia (there’s a mouth full) which occurs when hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC levels are low (depressed), but MCV, MCH and MCHC are normal (See download for more information). Vitamin B-12 deficiency (Pernicious anemia) which is common in those who have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease.
- Impaired lipid balance which results in increased cholesterol and triglycerides in those with Hypothyroidism. Returning to a healthy diet restores thyroid function and cholesterol and triglycerides return to normal.
- Women experience low progesterone symptoms even when tests read normal levels. Low progesterone levels may cause issues and make it difficult for one to get pregnant. PMS is a common condition related to low progesterone levels in Hypothyroid patients. Hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone may contribute to underactive thyroid and weight gain, which could make it impossible to lose body fat.
There are many symptoms of Hashimoto’s. Some I mentioned in an earlier blog Let The Thyroid Lesson Begin.” Those discussed here are only a few and are summarized. If you experience these symptoms or those discussed in other blog posts, talk to your doctor. If your thyroid is causing your quality of life to diminish, there is help.
I recommend you talk to your doctor and research any condition/illness/ disease before resorting to medication. With a proper diet, it is possible to heal many diseases or illnesses. The key is to ask questions, research and find the right provider.
References:
Why Stomach Acid Is Good for You: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux and GERD by Dr. J.V. Wright, MD, L. Lenard, PhD, M. Evans and Company, 2001
The Thyroid Alternative: Renew Your Thyroid Naturally by Dr. N.R. Hedberg, D.C., D.A.B.C.I., Renew Your Health, LLC, 2011
Help, My Body is Killing Me: Solving the Connections of Autoimmune Disease to Thyroid Problems, Fibromyalgia, Infertility, Anxiety, Depression, ADD/ADHD and More by Dr. K. Conners, AuthorHouse, 2010
Reversal of lower esophageal sphincter hypotension and esophageal aperistalsis after treatment for hypothyroidism. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1982 Aug;4(4):307-10
