The Importance of Maintaining Thyroid Health
The thyroid is generally considered the major control centre of the body. This butterfly-shaped gland sits at the front of the throat and secretes key hormones that influence appetite, weight, energy production, sex hormones, and blood sugar regulation. Put simply, the thyroid controls speed and metabolic rate. A healthy balanced thyroid will maintain equilibrium of these pathways, while an overactive or underactive thyroid will display physical signs of acceleration or stagnation. In cases of hyperthyroidism or Graves disease (its autoimmune-driven counterpart) the thyroid is in an overactive state, meaning there is a surplus of thyroid hormones being produced.
Symptoms of this can include:
Rapid weight loss, heat sensitivity, anxiety, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking, sleep disturbances, irregular periods, infertility, and hair loss.
Conversely, cases of hypothyroidism or autoimmune Hashimoto’s Disease are the result of not producing enough thyroid hormones, causing your metabolism to slow down.
The symptoms of an underactive thyroid state are:
Extreme fatigue, cold sensitivity, dry skin, weight gain, constipation, depression, irregular periods, puffy face, and struggle to conceive.
Thyroid dysfunction mostly affects women with 1 in 8 females developing a thyroid condition in their lifetime.
Becoming aware of the possible signs and symptoms of an underactive or overactive thyroid is crucial in order to diagnose and treat conditions early. The entire system is negatively affected by thyroid dysregulation, with everything from mood to gut health being disrupted. We rely on adequate levels of TSH, T4, and T3 to keep ourselves balanced, yet these can easily be affected by inflammation, stress or infection. The reasons for failing thyroid function can be as simple as an iodine deficiency or as complex as autoimmunity.
Determining the driving factor through pathology and clinical case-taking is the first step toward regaining balance, as we can begin to implement treatment.
Top 3 diet and lifestyle tips for treating thyroid conditions.
Filtered water is non-negotiable. Tap water contains fluoride, bromide, and chlorine. These directly compete with iodine for absorption and can further exacerbate an iodine deficiency. Not to mention that fluoride is a known neurotoxin and chlorine negatively impacts the healthy microorganisms in our gut.
Stress management is imperative. Self-care isn’t just trendy, it’s essential to your thyroid health. With elevated stress we reduce our capacity to absorb key nutrients that directly impact thyroid health.
Avoid processed foods. The ultra-processed foods are increasing inflammation and are the furthest thing from thyroid-friendly you should be eating. Focus on whole foods, good fats, and adequate protein.
When it comes to utilising herbs and nutrients, here are our top 3.
1. Bacopa Monnieri. This wonderful adaptogenic herb elicits positive effects on both hypo and hyperthyroidism. Research shows that bacopa increases T4 levels and can adjust TSH production.
Iodine is the lynchpin nutrient for thyroid function. This trace element is naturally found in seafood, seaweed and celtic salt.
Selenium. This mineral is another critical component for activating T3. We don’t manufacture selenium within the body so supplementation/dietary intake is key.