Thyroid Health
Written by: Our Editorial Team
Last updated: 08/08/2024
Thyroid Health
Why it Matters: The thyroid plays an essential role in nearly every bodily function, from metabolism and liver function to growth and development.
Here, we’ll dig into the importance of thyroid health, joint disorders, how to test thyroid function, and ways to manage thyroid health.
What is the thyroid?
Located at the front of the throat, the thyroid gland is a part of your endocrine system that plays an essential role in our metabolism, growth, and development. The thyroid produces and secretes two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), to control your metabolism.
Thyroxine (T4) is the primary thyroid hormone the thyroid gland secretes. It’s the inactive form of thyroid hormone within the body. When released into your bloodstream, T4 is converted into T3 by removing an iodine molecule. The thyroid gland secretes only about 20% of the T3 in the body. The liver, kidney, muscle, and brain produce the rest by converting T4.
The pituitary gland and hypothalamus control the amount of thyroid hormones in your bloodstream in a feedback loop. When thyroid levels dip too low, the hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which prompts the pituitary gland to create thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The pituitary gland then secretes TSH into your bloodstream. This signals your thyroid to make and secrete T4 and T3. When T4 levels are too high, the pituitary gland acts to reduce how much TSH is produced.
Why is the thyroid crucial to your health?
The thyroid regulates critical bodily functions by releasing T3 and T4 into your bloodstream, which:
Regulates your metabolic rate, which affects weight gain or loss
Supports liver function
Impacts the respiratory system
Increases or decreases body temperature
Controls heart rate
Regulates muscle strength
Influences mood regulation
Affects mental activity
What are the most common thyroid disorders?
When your thyroid isn’t functioning correctly, it can impact nearly every bodily function and cause several disorders and diseases. Thyroid diseases typically cause the thyroid to either produce too much or too little thyroid hormone.
What happens when you have too much thyroid hormone?
Hyperthyroidism occurs when you have an overactive thyroid, meaning your body produces too much thyroid hormone. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is a primarily genetic autoimmune condition, Graves’ disease. When you have this disorder, your immune system attacks your thyroid and causes it to produce too much thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by excessive iodine consumption, thyroid nodules, and thyroiditis (thyroid gland inflammation).
You may have hyperthyroidism if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Weight loss
Irritability
Anxiety
Increased appetite
Rapid heart rate
Heat sensitivity
Diarrhea
What happens when you have too little thyroid hormone?
Hypothyroidism occurs when you have an underactive thyroid, meaning your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. The most common primary cause of hypothyroidism is the often-genetic autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. When you have Hashimoto’s disease, your immune system attacks the thyroid, preventing it from producing and secreting enough thyroid hormone.
You may have hypothyroidism if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Tiredness
Stunted growth
Weight gain
Depression
Cold sensitivity
Lower heart rate
Reduced appetite
Muscle stiffness
Hypothyroidism is typically treated with the daily hormone replacement medicine levothyroxine, which replaces thyroxine (T4). T4 monotherapy may be a suboptimal strategy for some individuals who struggle with conversion of T4 into T3. In such cases, combination T4/T3 replacement may be beneficial.
How Is Your Thyroid Tested?
Whether you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroid problems or want to know your current thyroid function, blood tests called thyroid function tests gauge your thyroid levels. These tests include the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test, Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3. Thyroid antibodies (TpoAb/TgAb) can indicate potential autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
TSH Tests
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) tests are typically the first step in testing thyroid function. Higher-than-normal TSH levels can indicate hypothyroidism, while lower-than-normal TSH levels may indicate hyperthyroidism.
T4 Tests
T4 tests are usually performed alongside a TSH test or after an abnormal TSH test. A total T4 test measures both the bound and free hormone, while a Free T4 measures the form that “freely” enters tissues where needed. Free T4 tests are used more often because they are more accurate.
If your T4 results are lower than normal, this may indicate hypothyroidism, while T4 results that are higher than normal could indicate hyperthyroidism.
T3 Tests
T3 tests are mainly used to diagnose hyperthyroidism or determine its severity. They are typically performed alongside TSH and T4 tests.
If your T3 levels are higher than the normal range, you may have hyperthyroidism. Lower-than-normal levels can indicate hypothyroidism.
Marek Diagnostics packages will test all necessary thyroid levels to determine if your thyroid functions properly.
Managing Your Thyroid Health
Thyroid diseases are generally not preventable because they are caused by autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s disease or genetic conditions. However, you can manage thyroid conditions by prioritizing certain nutrients.
One of the most important nutrients for managing thyroid health is selenium in Brazil nuts. Consuming about 200 micrograms of selenium per day can help reduce antibodies in patients with Hashimoto’s disease and delay disease progression in those with Graves’ disease.
According to endocrinologist Dr. Brittany Henderson, anti-inflammatory nutrients like vitamin D3, curcumin, and turmeric can help reduce inflammation. Vitamin D3 also helps modulate the immune system and improve thyroid function. Henderson also recommends other antioxidants like glutathione and NAC, which help to promote an antioxidative state and reduce inflammation.
Optimize Your Thyroid Hormones
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a thyroid condition, getting a complete thyroid panel is your first step in determining your thyroid health. At Marek Health, we’ll conduct a full diagnostics lab to gauge your thyroid levels and help you create an action plan suited to your needs. Book your free discovery call today.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your wellness routine.