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Hello!
What follows is a presentation that I gave in Mississauga recently about thyroid conditions and the connection they have with the gut. It was really wonderful to share this information to so many interested folks!
Please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss this topic further.
Yours in health!
Dr. Tiffany Wyse
Naturopathic Doctor|Medical Herbalist|Doula
Erin Mills Optimal Health in Mississauga
It is a butterfly shaped gland located at the base of the neck, below the adam’s apple and just above the collarbone.
The gland produces hormones that control the metabolic rate in the body. It acts like the thermostat of the body.
A sluggish thyroid slows down the metabolic rate leading to:
A complex & dedicated set of interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and thyroid gland governs the function of the thyroid gland. This is known as the HPA Axis.
The pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the frontal of the brain, releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which is required to produce thyroxine (T4). The production of TSH depends on the presence of Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone secreted from the Hypothalamus.
The main function of the thyroid gland is to produce the hormones, T4 and triiodothyronine (T3), that control the rate and intensity of most physiological functions, such as:
T4 is converted to T3 by an enzyme (deiodinase) in multiple tissues and organs, but especially in the:
Other causes of hypothyroidism include:
Adult:
lab findings:
Other labs will be examined in this lecture to address the autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
It is important to remember that each of the endocrine glands also corresponds to a chakra in several Eastern medical systems.
The thyroid represents the fifth chakra, the one associated with communication. Sometimes people with various thyroid issues, realize that it may partially arise from “swallowing their words” in various relationships.
Of course the quality of communication in this case is the perception of the individual, not necessarily that of the wider community or particular culture they are in (though this can heavily influence it). We will see excessive communication in overactive thyroid often and under communication in underactive thyroids.
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that is responsible for more than 90% of hypothyroid cases in North America.
• Unlike the iodine deficiency-induced hypothyroidism seen in places such as rural Africa and India, Hashimoto’s relates to the immune system attacking the mechanics of thyroid function (e.g. thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, TSH receptors), resulting in its gradual destruction.
• TSH (Thyrotropin)
• Thyroid Antibodies
TPO-Ab (Thyroperoxidase Antibodies)
Tg-Ab (Thyroglobulin Antibodies)
• Urinary Iodine
• Reverse T3
• Celiac Profile
• The TSH test is frequently the first strategy for diagnosing a thyroid dysfunction.
• The upper level though of TSH measurement is routinely criticized and a general recommendation by specialists is that people with TSH readings greater than 2.0mLU/L be referred for antibody screening.
Thyroid antibodies are proteins that are manufactured by the immune system that are directed against proteins in the thyroid.
There are two tests that can be done to test for Thyroid Antibodies:
• TPO-Ab
• Tg-Ab
A. TPO-Ab (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies)is a test measuring autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase. Thyroid peroxidase is an important enzyme responsible for the production of thyroid hormones.
Certain factors leading to increased TPO levels include:
• Excess estrogen conditions such including pregnancy and oral estrogen supplementation regimens from the oral contraceptive pill & hormone replacement therapy
• Tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer
• Liver disease
B. Tg-Ab (Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies) is a test measuring autoantibodies. The antibodies in this case attack thyroglobulin which is the key protein in the thyroid gland, essential in the production of thyroid hormones T4 & T3.
• Testing urinary iodine provides an approximate measure of dietary iodine intake.
• Iodine’s main action in the body is in thyroid function. The implications for a deficiency of iodine are vast. Thyroxine (T4) the major hormone synthesized by the thyroid is dependent on iodine.
• Triiodothyronine (T3) is the most active of the thyroid hormones. Around 85% of the circulating T3 is produced by the alteration of T4 in tissues such as the liver, muscles & kidney.
• Reverse T3 (rT3) is the inactive form of T3. Increased rT3 is often seen in people with disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Wilson’s temperature syndrome & high stress levels.
ENDOSCOPY & a small bowel biopsy offers a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease.
One of the best tests for gluten intolerance is simply to remove it from your diet for a few weeks and follow by a challenge.
There have been a number of studies demonstrating a strong link between Autoimmune Thyroid disorders and gluten intolerance.
How is increased Intestinal Permeability connected to autoimmune disorders?
Address Intestinal Permeability through:
Hypothyroidism does not respond to any particular herbs that I know of, in either a hopeful or remedial manner. Seaweed therapy with a strong fresh green vegetable diet, particularly chickweed, dandelion, parsley, spinach, and beet greens, seems to be the best. Brassicas are probably best kept to a minimum because of their known goitrogenic activity. -RYAN DRUM
Further dietary comments: I usually recommend eating very little or no flour products in an effort to reduce erratic iodine intake and to reduce bromine intake as well as reduce the hyperglycemia that often accompanies the eating of flour products and simple sugars (I also recommend totally eliminating all simple sugars except fresh fruit). All non-organic meat and meat products are contraindicated since xenoestrogens can disrupt thyroid function (just like intrinsic estrogens generated by the patient’s body). I usually suggest elimination of all dairy products except unsalted organic butter to further reduce exposure to growth hormones and iodine and unwanted tetracycline residues. I usually recommend eating avocados, organic eggs, and sardines to provide quality fats to keep that bile flowing and wasted thyroid hormones moving out of the liver. -RYAN DRUM
• Eating principles: low sugar, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol
• Calorie percentages: 60% complex carbohydrates, 20% protein, 20% good fats
• Therapeutic foods: oats, kelp, seaweed, dulse, artichokes, onion, garlic, Swiss chard, turnip greens, egg yolks, wheat germ, lecithin, sesame seed butter
• Fresh juices: carrot, celery, and/or Swiss chard with powdered kelpor dulse (seaweed)
• Avoid goitrogens (which can reduce thyroid function) unless cooked: broccoli, cabbage, kale, rutabaga, soybean, peanuts, yams, radishes, millet, green peppers, beets, pears, lettuce, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, strawberries, cherries, grapefruit, oranges
• Avoid known food sensitivities
• Short cold water spray to thyroid after warm bath/shower OR
• Cold mitten friction to thyroid after bath/shower
• Alternating hot and cold compresses to thyroid daily
• Hot compresses molded to neck for 3 minutes FOLLOWED BY
• Cold compresses for 30 seconds to 1 minute
• Repeat 3-5 times
• Cold shower to middle and lower back to stimulate adrenals
• Constitutional hydrotherapy treatments
• Do not use electric blankets to warm up: body’s metabolism will be slightly raised if it must generate its own heat to keep warm
• Exercise daily to stimulate your glands and elevate body’s metabolic rate
• Improve overall digestion and assimilation of food
• All health and health-related information contained within this presentation is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a health care professional.
• The advice is intended to offer only a general basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider. Your health care provider should be consulted regarding matters concerning the medical condition, treatment and needs of you and your family.
1. Take a high quality multivitamin that contains Iron, Iodine, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin D and B vitamins.
2. Take a tyrosine and iodine supplement – it will help you with the FT4 to FT3 conversion.
3. Try going gluten-free! And if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, try going completely grain and legume free.
4. Deal with your stress and support your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands and thyroid work hand in hand. You can start practicing restorative yoga and try adaptogenic herbs, which support the adrenal glands in coping with stress.
5. Get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
6. Consult with a biological dentist to safely remove any amalgam fillings you may have.
7. Limit your intake of cruciferous vegetables (although, there’s still some debate surrounding this topic).
8. Remove fluoride, bromide and chlorine out of your diet and environment.
9. Heal your gut. A healthy digestive system (gut) is critical to good health.
10. It is important to find a medical doctor in your area and have them run the laboratory test described above and work with you to find the root cause of the thyroid imbalance.
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