Episode 51 - Thyroid Health

Thyroid disease is very common, with an estimated 20 million people in the United States having some type of thyroid disorder. Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are about five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

Thyroid diseases are split into two types: primary and secondary.

In primary thyroid disease, the disease originates in your thyroid gland. In secondary thyroid disease, the disease originates in your pituitary gland. As an example, if you have a nodule on your thyroid that’s releasing excess amounts of thyroid hormones, it would be called primary hyperthyroidism. If a tumor in your pituitary gland is releasing excess amounts of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which then stimulates your thyroid to produce excess thyroid hormones, it would be called secondary hyperthyroidism.

While the thyroid may be small, this butterfly-shaped gland makes up a portion of the endocrine system and secretes hormones that affect our mood, skin, hair, metabolism, and more. It is a part of a feedback loop that works with the pituitary gland, another critical organ of the endocrine system, and the hypothalamus, which is located in the brain.

A heathy thyroid is about 2 inches long and usually does not stick out from your throat and you can’t see it by looking at your neck.

Given the many players involved in thyroid function—the thyroid, pituitary, and the hypothalamus—it is no surprise that disruption in any of these areas will affect the thyroid and the host of other areas that it manages 

How the Thyroid works:

The pituitary gland and thyroid work together in a loop. When thyroid hormones are low, the brain produces TRH (thyroptropin) that signals pituitary glands to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which then activates the thyroid to produce thyroxine (T4). This T4 is converted to triiodothronine (t3). T4 and t3 are then released into the bloodstream to work on regulating metabolism and other thyroid-dependent mechanisms in the body.

What does the thyroid do?

As an endocrine gland, your thyroid makes and secretes hormones. Your thyroid produces and releases the following hormones:

• Thyroxine (T4): This is the primary hormone your thyroid makes and releases. Although your thyroid makes the most of this hormone, it doesn’t have much of an effect on your metabolism. Once your thyroid releases T4 into your bloodstream, it can convert to T3 through a process called deiodination.
• Triiodothyronine (T3): Your thyroid produces lesser amounts of T3 than T4, but it has a much greater effect on your metabolism than T4.
• Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3): Your thyroid makes very small amounts of RT3, which reverses the effects of T3.
• Calcitonin: This hormone helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood.

 

Thyroid hormones affect the following body functions:

• How your body uses energy (metabolism).
• Heart rate.
• Breathing.
• Digestion.
• Body temperature.
• Brain development.
• Mental activity.
• Skin and bone maintenance.
• Fertility.

 

Thyroid Disorders & Symptoms:

Low level: 

It’s a fairly common condition that affects approximately 10 million people in the United States. It is treatable.

Causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease.
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid).
• Iodine deficiency.
• A nonfunctioning thyroid gland (when the thyroid doesn’t work correctly from birth).
• Over-treatment of hyperthyroidism through medication.
• Thyroid gland removal.
• Hypothyroidism: low thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone. When left untreated, it can lead to obesity, heart disease, infertility, and joint pain. Hypothyroidism most often results in a sluggish metabolism. 
  •  
• Hashimoto’s: is an autoimmune, inflammatory thyroid condition in which the body starts attacking its own thyroid. This is often linked to other autoimmune diseases, and can be the result of diet, stress, genetics, heavy metals, gut dysfunction, or hormone imbalances.  
• Goiter:  are enlarged areas that line the area of the thyroid gland. Often only a portion of the thyroid gland is enlarged, but looks and feels like a lumpy mass in that area.There are a number of reasons for the development of a goiter, varying from destruction of the gland by antibodies, to nutritional deficiencies including iodine and selenium.
  • Almost 90% of goiters are caused by iodine deficiency. Worldwide, goiters affect millions of people, but most commonly in regions where the standard diet is low in iodine. 
  •  If you have a goiter, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Swelling in the front of your neck, just below the Adam's apple.
• A feeling of tightness in your throat area.
• A change in your voice, such as hoarseness (scratchy voice).

 

Goiter is an enlargement of your thyroid gland. Goiters are relatively common; they affect approximately 5% of people in the United States

Goiters have different causes, depending on their type.

Excess level: 

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) happens when your thyroid produces and releases more thyroid hormones than your body needs. This causes aspects of your metabolism to speed up. Approximately 1 out of 100 people over the age of 12 have hyperthyroidism in the United States. It is treatable.

Causes of hyperthyroidism include:

• Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition.
• Thyroid nodules.
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid).
• Postpartum thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid that happens after giving birth).
• Excess iodine in your blood from diet and/or medication.
• Over-treatment of hypothyroidism through medication.
• A benign (noncancerous) tumor in your pituitary gland.

 

• Hyperthyroidism: a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. 
  • Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include hair loss, rapid heart rate, sudden weight loss, tremors, irritability, and anxiety. 
• Graves Disease : occurs when a normal thyroid becomes overactive because the body starts to produce antibodies against the thyroid gland.
  • related symptoms such as weight loss or osteoporosis. Important nutrients to focus on are calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium

Other conditions: 

• Thyroid Nodules:  are fairly common and usually benign. While the exact cause of a thyroid nodule is unclear, there's a clear association between thyroid nodules and iodine deficiency, and an even bigger association with Hashimoto's. 
• Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer is cancer that begins in your thyroid tissues. Approximately 53,000 people in the United States receive a diagnosis of thyroid cancer every year. Treatments for most thyroid cancers are very successful.

Can a person live without a thyroid?

Yes, you can live without your thyroid. However, you’ll need to take hormone replacement medication for the rest of your life to stay healthy and prevent certain side effects and symptoms. Thyroid removal surgery, known as a thyroidectomy, is a common surgery that can treat certain thyroid conditions.

Most common nutritional deficiencies:

Iron, Iodine, Selenium, Magnesium, Zinc, poor nutritional diet, gluten

Treatments: (medications)

• Herbs & Foods:  Lemon Balm, Echinacea, gluten free, AIP
• Sources of Iodine: iodine drops, seaweed, fish, shellfish, yogurt, iodized salt, eggs, 
• Sources of Selenium:  Meat, Brazil nuts (2/day), poultry, fish, eggs
• Sources of Iron: Nuts, lentils, beans, vegetables. Meat, poultry, seafood 
• Sources of Magnesium: Leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes,

Book: Dr David Brownstein MD, Iodine Why You Need It

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For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media:

Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach

https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1

 

Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach

https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy

FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1

 

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