BalanceD Thyroid
What is the thyroid?
• The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of the neck. Your thyroid lies below your Adam’s apple, along the front of the windpipe. The thyroid has two side lobes, connected by a bridge. When the thyroid is its normal size, you can’t feel it.
• Brownish-red in color, the thyroid is rich with blood vessels and many nerves, like those ones important for voice quality, pass through the thyroid.
• The thyroid secretes several hormones, collectively called thyroid hormones. The main 2 hormones are thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).
• Thyroid hormones control the metabolism — the way your body uses energy. During
infancy and childhood, adequate thyroid hormone is crucial for brain development.
How does it work?
• The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which is made up of glands that produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream so the hormones can reach the body's cells. The thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you eat to make two main hormones: Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4)
• It is important that T3 and T4 levels are neither too high nor too low. Their levels are maintained by the classical negative feedback loop involving the hypothalamus-
pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. The hypothalamus produces Thyroid Releasing Hormone
(TRH) that signals the pituitary to tell the thyroid gland to produce more or less of T3
and T4 by either increasing or decreasing the release of a hormone called thyroid
stimulating hormone (TSH).
What the Th do?
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The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolic rate controlling heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development and bone maintenance. Its correct functioning depends on a good supply of iodine from the diet.
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The normal thyroid gland produces about 80% T4 and about 20% T3, however, T3 possesses about four times the hormone "strength" as T4. Once secreted by the thyroid, specific enzymes in other tissues like the liver or kidneys may transform T4 into the active hormone T3. TH metabolism is mediated by three enzymes. The type 1 and type 2 enzymes (D1 and D2) convert T4 to T3, while the type 3 enzyme (D3) generates the inactive metabolites from the T3 and the T4. T3 and T4 travel in your bloodstream to reach almost every cell in the body regulating the speed with which the cells/metabolism work.
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In addition, there are other hormone-producing cells within the thyroid gland called C-cells. These cells
produce calcitonin. Calcitonin plays a role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, which
is important for your bone health and maintenance.
What could go wrong?
• Goiter: A general term for thyroid swelling. Goiters can be harmless or can represent iodine deficiency or a condition associated with an autoimmune thyroid inflammation called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
• Postpartum Thyroiditis. It is usually a temporary condition and occurs only in 5-9% of woman giving birth..
• Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid, usually from a viral infection. Thyroiditis can be painful or have no symptoms at all.
• Graves disease: An autoimmune condition in which the thyroid is overstimulated, causing hyperthyroidism.
• Thyroid nodule: A small abnormal mass or lump in the thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules are extremely common.
Few are cancerous. They may secrete excess hormones, causing hyperthyroidism, or cause no problems.
• Thyroid storm: A rare form of hyperthyroidism in which extremely high thyroid hormone levels cause severe illness.
• Thyroid cancer: An uncommon form of cancer, thyroid cancer is usually curable. Surgery, radiation, and hormone treatments may be used to treat thyroid cancer.
Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid can affect anyone, but it's about 10 times more common in women than men, and typically happens between 20 and 40 years of age. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid:
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nervousness, anxiety and irritability
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mood swings
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difficulty sleeping
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persistent tiredness and weakness
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sensitivity to heat
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swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
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an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
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twitching or trembling
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weight loss
Hypothyroidism
Studies show that 90% of people with hypothyroidism are producing antibodies to thyroid tissue. This causes the immune system to attack and destroy the thyroid, which can cause a decline in TH levels.
Symptoms including:
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tiredness
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weight gain
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depression
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being sensitive to the cold
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dry skin and hairloss
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muscle aches
• swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
Good Food for your thyroid
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Sea Salt: Your thyroid needs iodine to work well. Sea salt is one of the easy natural to get your Iodine.
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Leafy Greens, such as spinach, lettuce, and other examples are great sources of magnesium, an all-star mineral that plays a huge role in your body processes. Fatigue, muscle cramps, and changes in your heartbeat could be signs that you're not getting enough.
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Fruits including berries, bananas, oranges, rich in vitamins and antioxidant
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Nuts and Seeds, like cashews, almonds, and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of iron. Brazil nuts help your thyroid as a good source of iron and selenium, another mineral that supports your thyroid.
Just a few each day give you the selenium you need.
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Fish, shrimp, and seaweed are great sources of iodine and zinc. You need iodine for a healthy thyroid
but avoid large amounts of iodine-rich choices like kelp. Zinc may help the body regulate TSH, the
hormone that tells the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones
Food to avoid
Goitrogens Food can prevent the thyroid from getting
enough iodine. They get their name from the term goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland that may occur with hypothyroidism.
Surprisingly, many common foods contain goitrogens, including soy foods (tofu, tempeh, edamame, etc.), cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, spinach, etc., fruits and starchy plants: sweet potatoes, cassava, peaches, strawberries, etc., nuts and seeds: millet, pine nuts, peanuts, etc. In theory, people with hypothyroidism should avoid goitrogens. However, this only seems to be an issue for people who have an iodine deficiency or eat large amounts of goitrogens. Also, cooking foods with goitrogens may inactivate these compounds. One exception to the above foods is pearl millet. Some studies have found that pearl millet might interfere with thyroid function, even if you don’t have an iodine deficiency.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It can damage the small intestines and generate inflammation. It is also linked to autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s disease (which leads to an underactive thyroid) and Graves' disease (which leads to an overactive thyroid). So a gluten-free diet may help prevent these thyroid diseases.
highly processed foods: hot dogs, cakes, cookies, etc.
beverages: coffee, green tea, and alcohol — these beverages may irritate your thyroid gland
Essential nutrients for your thyroid
This is a list of the Nutrients that will help allow your Thyroid to function how it is meant to fuel you with energy, vitality, and zest:
• Iodineis part of the Thyroids hormones
• Zincsupports the conversion of T4 hormone to the active T3 hormone
• Ironmakes the hormone T4, and converts T4 to T3
• Seleniumhelps convert T4 into T3
• Magnesiumis required for the conversion of T4 into T3.
• Platinumprotects the thyroid gland from free radical damage since it is an antioxidant mineral.
• Vitamin A and Beta carotenoidssupport thyroid hormone.
• B-vitaminscan support energy and the body's stress response, which is supportive for those with thyroid disbalance
• Vitamin Dcan support the immune system for those with an autoimmune thyroid condition
• Tyrosineis part of the Thyroids hormones
• Curcuminshows thyro-protective effects
Healthy Thyroid Protocol
phytality ultana phytoplankton
ULTANA Phytoplankton is gram for gram the most complete and nutrient-rich wholefood on the planet. The unique multi-strain product formulation offers over 75 different
lipids, minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients great to support a healthy Thyroid function. ULTANA contains:
• 15 μ g of Iodine per serving, perfect for Hypo and Hyperthyroidism sufferers.
• Full B-complex
• Tyrosine and full spectrum amino acids
• 6.16mg of Beta-carotenoid
Nano Iron
• Research published in 2017 also suggests that iron deficiency can contribute to the development of hypothyroidism.
This is because iron is central to the production of both red blood cells and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In fact, the lack of iron can cause a specific form of anemia known as iron deficiency anemia.
• The interrelationship between iron, red blood cells, and TSH can contribute to hypothyroidism by interfering with the normal function of the thyroid gland. With hypothyroidism, the reduced supply of thyroid hormones suppresses bone marrow activity, diminishing the production of red blood cells and triggering the onset of anemia.
• Ferritin, a protein responsible for storing iron in the body, is characteristically elevated in people with hyperthyroidism.
When the thyroid gland is overstimulated by excessive amounts of TSH, it will produce large quantities of ferritin.
While it would be fair to assume that the increased storage of iron would prevent anemia, the opposite is often true.
In fact, it appears that the hyperproduction of ferritin triggers an inflammatory response that suppresses the
metabolism of iron.
Nano Zinc
• Research has shown that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism result in zinc deficiency. It also plays a role in the functioning of the immune system. Low zinc levels have been found in obese people.
• Zinc is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and to convert T4 into T3. Its deficiency can result in hypothyroidism. Conversely, thyroid hormones are essential for the absorption of zinc, and hence hypothyroidism can result in acquired zinc deficiency. The hair loss attributed to hypothyroidism may not improve unless zinc supplements are added, as demonstrated by studies.
• According to a study in Hormones: The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, zinc improves T3 levels significantly. In this study, participants who took zinc for 12 months had T3 levels come into the normal range. They also had decreases in reverse T3, and had better communication between the hypothalamus and the thyroid (the hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone which tells the thyroid to release TSH).
Furthermore, research has connected zinc deficiency with decreased thyroid hormone levels and a lower resting metabolic rate.
• Excessive cortisol levels will impair thyroid function in many ways including abnormal TSH levels, decreased conversion of T4 into T3, and elevated reverse T3. For those who are under a lot of stress, zinc supplementation has been shown to lower cortisol levels thus reducing the negative effects of stress on your thyroid.
Mycell Vitamin D3
• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and to hypothyroidism.
Experts recommend that practitioners check vitamin D levels in all their thyroid patients and address any deficiencies.
• A study published in 2018 in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that vitamin D supplements improved TSH levels in subjects with hypothyroidism as well as thyroid antibodies in people with autoimmune thyroiditis.
• Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a vitamin D-25 level of less than <25 nmol/L, but some experts feel that for thyroid patients, the cutoff should be higher, at <60 or 70 nmol/L.
• It’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from a combination of diet and sun exposure, so supplementation is often needed.
• It has been found that when people with an overactive thyroid take vitamin D, it counteracts the usual rapid excretion of calcium and osteoporosis can be avoided.
• Take up to 10 drops per day.
Resistance RX
• Curcumin exerts thyro-protective effects mediated by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect.
• Moreover, a significant decrease in serum free triiodothyonine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) concomitant with significantly decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thyroid lipid peroxidation (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels.
• Curcumin have been proven to significantly increased thyroid Glutathione (GSH) content and similarly, significantly support the activity of SOD, CAT and GPx. Curcumin has been reported to scavenge oxygen free radicals and protects cellular macromolecules, including DNA from oxidative damage .
• In patients with hypothyroidism and gastrointestinal pathology, vitamin C improves the abnormalities in serum free T4, T3, and TSH concentrations. The thyroid gland needs this vitamin to keep it healthy. Long standing deficiency causes the thyroid gland to secrete too much hormone. People with an overactive thyroid need extra vitamin C as this is drained from the tissues in their bodies.
• Functional consequences of hypothyroidism include impaired learning and memory and inability to produce long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Olibanum has been used for variety of therapeutic purposes. In traditional medicine, olibanum is used to enhance learning and memory.
Herbs and supplements
• Chamomile tea have all been associated with a decrease in benign and malignant thyroid disease. In one study published in 2015, consuming between two to six cups of these types of herbal tea per week was associated with a reduced incidence of thyroid disease.
• Probiotics: there is link between Thyroid problems and small intestine problems. Probiotic supplements contain live helpful bacteria that can help keep your stomach and intestines healthy, when there is an altered gastrointestinal (GI) motility, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can ultimately lead to chronic GI symptoms, such as diarrhea.
• Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce thyroid hormone abnormalities in hypothyroidism in a few small human studies (dose of 600 mg per day)
• Guggul can be used in all forms of hypothyroidism as it may help to convert the inactive form of T4 to the more active form of T3, improves iodine uptake and metabolic activity of the thyroid gland.
• Bugleweed, is an herb that has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of mild hyperthyroidism in human studies published 2013. It may also reduce the symptoms of Graves' disease, an autoimmune type of hyperthyroidism.
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). To normalize an overactive thyroid. Steep 2 tbs. lemon balm in 1 cup of boiling water.
lifestyle
• Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, both of which impact stress levels, gut health and, ultimately directly blocks thyroid function—
blocking both fT4 and fT3, while increasing rT3.
• Test for any food allergies or intolerance, which could be contributing to inflammation in your body.
• Reduce exposure to environmental toxins. Toxicity from chemicals in cleaning supplies, beauty and personal care products, and home materials can negatively impact thyroid function. Also, choose organic foods as exposure to pesticide residue in conventional produce has been linked to negative impacts on thyroid health.
• Filter tap water to remove fluoride and chlorine, both of which block iodine receptors in the thyroid.
• Maintain regular moderate exercise, such as walking (aim for 10,000 steps most days of the week), , riding a stationary bike or yoga. When you have a thyroid condition, even with treatment, your muscles may suffer from a lower level of oxygen and blood flow. It’s important to incorporate a warm-up and gentle stretching into your regimen, to help oxygenate muscles, improve blood flow, and prepare muscles for your workout.
• Prioritize sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night—read more about healthy sleep and how it impacts your overall health.
• Manage stress levels meditation, journaling, enjoying time as part of a supportive community, and other relaxing self-care activities.
