The Missing Thyroid Links

If you are grappling with unexplained weight gain, persistent mood swings, frustrating insomnia, or a noticeable decline in libido, you’re not alone!

If you’ve been to your doctor and were told your thyroid is “normal” based on a single test, you are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Let’s unveil the thyroid mystery which is that your thyroid could be the hidden issue, and standard tests are likely falling short of revealing the full story.

Let’s uncover the secrets that your regular doctor might not be sharing with you about true thyroid health!!

The Thyroid Dilemma: More Than Just TSH:

When it comes to evaluating thyroid function, many healthcare providers rely heavily on a single test: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). While TSH is indeed important, using it as the sole measure of thyroid health is akin to judging a complex musical performance by listening to just one instrument. Here’s why this approach falls short…

1. TSH: A Pituitary Tale, Not the Whole Thyroid Story

The Normality Trap: A TSH level within the “normal” range doesn’t necessarily equate to optimal thyroid function. Many women experience persistent symptoms despite having TSH levels that fall within standard reference ranges.

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in hormone metabolism and regulation, while hormones influence gut function and the microbiome composition. This interconnection is absolutely a key component of addressing gut health as part of any hormone balancing strategy.

Origin of TSH: Contrary to what its name might suggest, TSH is not produced by the thyroid gland itself. It’s actually secreted by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ at the base of your brain.

Indirect Measure: TSH acts as a messenger, signaling the thyroid to produce hormones. While it’s related to thyroid function, it’s more accurately a measure of pituitary activity.

2. The Missing Links: Beyond TSH

Delayed Diagnosis: This narrow focus can result in delayed treatment, leaving you struggling with symptoms that significantly impact your quality of life.

Overlooked Issues: Relying solely on TSH can lead to thyroid dysfunction being overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Symptomatic Discrepancies: It’s not uncommon for women to experience a host of thyroid-related symptoms—such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, or cold intolerance—even when their TSH appears to be normal.

Expanding the Thyroid Panel: A Comprehensive Approach

To truly understand the intricacies of your thyroid health, a more comprehensive panel of tests is crucial. Let’s explore each component of a thorough thyroid assessment and understand its significance:

1. Free T3 (FT3) and Free T4 (FT4)

T3 vs T4: T3 is the more potent form, directly influencing cellular metabolism, while T4 is a precursor that gets converted to T3.

Active Hormones: These are the unbound, biologically active forms of thyroid hormones circulating in your bloodstream.

Direct Measurement: FT3 and FT4 provide a direct measure of the thyroid hormones available for your body to use.

2. Total T3 and Total T4

Binding Proteins: The majority of thyroid hormones in the blood are bound to proteins. Total T3 and T4 can help assess if there are issues with hormone binding or transport.

Overall Production: These tests measure both bound and unbound thyroid hormones, giving an indication of overall thyroid hormone production.

3. Reverse T3 (rT3)

Conversion Issues: High rT3 can suggest problems with T4 to T3 conversion, a common issue in thyroid dysfunction.

The Inactive Form: rT3 is an inactive form of T3 that can actually block the action of regular T3.

Stress Indicator: Elevated rT3 levels often indicate chronic stress, inflammation, or nutrient deficiencies. They also can be caused by insulin resistance, anemia or estrogen dominance.

4. T3 Uptake

Binding Capacity: It provides information about the availability of binding sites for thyroid hormones in the blood.

Hormone Utilization: This test helps evaluate how well your body is utilizing thyroid hormones.

5. Thyroid Antibodies: Thyroglobulin Ab and TPO Ab

Personalized Treatment: Identifying autoimmune involvement can significantly influence treatment approaches.

Autoimmune Indicators: These antibodies can indicate the presence of autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.

Early Detection: Antibodies can be elevated even when TSH and other thyroid hormones appear normal, allowing for early detection of developing thyroid issues.

The Thyroid-Adrenal Connection: A Delicate Balance

Your thyroid doesn’t operate in isolation. There’s a crucial and often overlooked relationship between thyroid function and your adrenal glands. Understanding this connection can be a game-changer in addressing thyroid-related symptoms:

The HPA Axis: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates stress response, also influences thyroid function. Dysfunction in this axis can lead to a cascade of hormonal imbalances.

Stress and Thyroid Function: Chronic stress can significantly impact thyroid performance. When your body is in a state of stress, it can suppress thyroid function to conserve energy.

Cortisol’s Influence: Cortisol, the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, can affect the conversion of T4 to T3. Both too much and too little cortisol can interfere with this crucial process.

Adrenal Fatigue and Thyroid: Prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, which often mimics or exacerbates thyroid symptoms. Addressing adrenal health is frequently key to resolving persistent thyroid issues.

The Gut-Liver-Thyroid Axis: A Hidden Link

~ T4 to T3 Conversion: A significant amount of T4 is converted to the more active T3 in the gut and liver. This means that digestive health and liver function are paramount for optimal thyroid performance.

~ Gut Health Impact: Conditions like leaky gut, dysbiosis, or chronic gut inflammation can impair the conversion of thyroid hormones and their absorption.

~ Liver’s Role: The liver not only converts thyroid hormones but also produces proteins that bind to these hormones for transport in the blood. Liver congestion or dysfunction can therefore significantly impact thyroid hormone availability and function.

~ Nutrient Absorption: A healthy gut is crucial for the absorption of nutrients essential for thyroid function, such as iodine, selenium, and zinc.

~ Detoxification: The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying harmful compounds that could interfere with thyroid function. Supporting liver detoxification can indirectly boost thyroid health.

Root Causes: Looking Beyond the Thyroid…

Surprisingly, the root cause of thyroid problems often isn’t in the thyroid itself. This is why a holistic approach is crucial. Let’s explore some common underlying factors:

1. History of Dieting and Undereating

• Metabolic Slowdown: Chronic calorie restriction can lead to a slowdown in metabolic rate, directly impacting thyroid function.
• Hormone Disruption: Yo-yo dieting can create a rollercoaster of hormonal changes, potentially leading to long-term thyroid dysfunction.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Restrictive diets often result in deficiencies of crucial nutrients needed for optimal thyroid function.

2. Digestive Issues

• Inflammation’s Impact: Chronic gut inflammation can interfere with the conversion of T4 to T3 and the absorption of thyroid hormones.
• Nutrient Malabsorption: Digestive problems can lead to poor absorption of iodine, selenium, zinc, and other nutrients crucial for thyroid health.
• Microbiome Connection: An imbalanced gut microbiome can affect thyroid function through various mechanisms, including immune regulation and hormone conversion.

3. Immune Stressors

• Autoimmune Triggers: Chronic infections, food sensitivities, or environmental toxins can trigger or exacerbate autoimmune thyroid conditions.
• Inflammation: Systemic inflammation from various sources can interfere with thyroid hormone production and function.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to endocrine disruptors in plastics, pesticides, and other chemicals can disrupt thyroid function.

Taking Action: Steps Towards Thyroid Health

Now that we’ve uncovered the complexities of thyroid health, let’s explore actionable steps you can take to support your thyroid function:

1. Advocate for Comprehensive Testing

Seek Interpretation: Work with a practitioner like myself who understands the nuances of thyroid testing and can interpret results in the context of your symptoms. I highly recommend interpretation of thyroid results with all other testing as well, looking for hidden patterns and imbalances that are truly the root cause of your issues.

Request a Full Panel: Don’t settle for just TSH testing. While it’s unfortunately rare for the doctors to run all markers, you certainly can request comprehensive thyroid panel including FT3, FT4, Total T3, Total T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. I run all 10 markers on every one of my clients.

2. Address Root Causes

Gut Health: Consider testing for and addressing any underlying gut issues, such as leaky gut, SIBO, or food sensitivities. Mold, mycotoxins, metals, and other pathogens are often connected to thyroid imbalances.

Stress Management: Implement stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.

Macronutrient Balance: Be sure the balance of Keto or Carnivore Diet Macronutrients is right for your body and metabolism. Remember that a low calorie diet on Keto or Carnivore, such as a protein sparing PSMF approach, is still a restriction diet.

3. Support Your Thyroid Naturally

Nutrient Optimization: Ensure adequate intake of thyroid-supporting nutrients:

• Iodine: Found in seaweed and seafood. (I do not recommend general iodine supplementation.)
• Selenium: Brazil nuts, fish, and eggs are good sources.
• Zinc: Oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds.

Herbal Support: While adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola can support adrenal-thyroid balance, I also highly recommend “TEST DON’T GUESS” to see what’s actually happening. Two people can present with the same symptoms, have different lab results, and therefore need an entirely different protocol. Customizing all of this is exactly what I’ve been doing with my clients who get amazing results for the last 17+ years!

Detoxification Support: Incorporate foods and practices that support liver detoxification, such as cruciferous vegetables and garlic on Keto, regular exercise, castor oil packs, lymphatic drainage, and more. My one on one clients get a detailed “Detox Handbook” so that they can truly optimize what’s right for their body and metabolism.

4. Optimize Your Lifestyle

Avoid Extreme Diets: Steer clear of crash diets or extreme calorie restriction, which can further disrupt thyroid function. If you have a history of YOYO dieting, this is just one very common root cause of thyroid issues! Again, not eating enough on a Keto or Carnivore Diet is still a restriction diet.

Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine. There are definitely some cases where I would say that sleep is more important for weight loss and fat loss than exercise! And speaking of…

Regular Exercise: Engage in moderate exercise regularly, but be cautious of over-exercising, which can stress the thyroid. Prioritize resistance and walking. Barre and pilates are great for thyroid health, and in general for midlife women who are experiencing peri menopause and menopause hormone changes.

Stress Reduction: Incorporate stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine, such as mindfulness, journaling, or spending time in nature.

Your Path to Thyroid Wellness!

Understanding your thyroid health goes far beyond a simple TSH test. By looking at the bigger picture – comprehensive testing, addressing root causes, and supporting your body holistically – you can unlock the key to better energy, mood, and overall well-being.

Remember, your journey to optimal thyroid health is unique. Don’t hesitate to seek out practitioners like myself who understand the complexities of thyroid function and are willing to look beyond standard testing. With the right approach, you can navigate the intricate world of thyroid health and rediscover your vibrant, energetic self.

It’s important to realize that every system in the body is connected, and your thyroid plays a crucial role in this delicate balance. By addressing thyroid health comprehensively, you’re not just treating a gland – you’re paving the way for overall wellness, vitality, and a more balanced life.

By prioritizing overall health, and starting with foundational factors like nutrition and gut health, ensuring proper testing and monitoring, and working closely with a qualified health practitioner, you can truly achieve the weight loss, fat loss and wellness results you’re looking for at any age and stage of life, even over 40!

Remember, hormonal balance is just one piece of the overall health puzzle – a holistic approach that includes proper nutrition (with attention to the specific nutrients needed for hormone production), regular exercise, stress management, and good sleep habits is key to achieving optimal well-being. 

Always consult with a qualified practitioner before starting any new wellness regimen, and don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion if you’re unsure about your current plan.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  

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XOXO