The thyroid is located below the larynx on the front of the trachea and is made up of two butterfly-shaped halves containing many small follicles.
On the back of the thyroid are four small parathyroid glands the size of rice grains.
Function
The walls of the follicles in the thyroid gland consist of cells that produce two main hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which affect almost all body functions.
The hypothalamus in the brain produces thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates or inhibits the pituitary gland's production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
TSH regulates the production of T3 and T4, which in turn also controls TSH production to keep levels within the normal range. So when TSH levels in the blood are high, it usually means T4 and T3 concentrations are low, and vice versa.
T4 is a prohormone made of the amino acid tyrosine and 4 iodine atoms. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone and is produced not only in the thyroid but also when T4 is converted to T3 at the cellular level in the body's organs and tissues. T4 and T3 are transported in and out of cells with the help of transport proteins.
There are three enzymes, deiodinases (D), responsible for converting T4 to T3. D3 converts T4 to reverse T3 (rT3), an inactive mirror image of T3 that acts as a brake in the system.
When T3 binds to receptors, it stimulates the production of various proteins needed for normal growth, fat burning, energy and heat production, and more.
Hormones in the thyroid gland
The thyroid hormone thyroxine regulates the body's metabolism and is important for brain and body growth and development.
The thyroid gland also produces the hormone calcitonin, which affects how much calcium is processed in the body.
The parathyroid glands regulate calcium and phosphate levels
The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which increases calcium levels and decreases phosphate levels in the blood. The balance between calcium and phosphate is important for the bones, intestines, and kidneys.
Hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid
Hypothyroidism means the body is running on low power and has a low metabolism because the thyroid produces too few thyroid hormones. This is seen as low T4 levels and high TSH levels in tests.
The risk of developing hypothyroidism also increases with age, and the symptoms are easily confused with menopausal symptoms. But there is a clear difference. With menopausal symptoms, you feel sweaty and warm, while with hypothyroidism you have dry skin and feel cold.
Hypothyroidism can also be mistaken for depression and burnout.
The most common cause is the immune system attacking the thyroid gland, causing inflammation. It can also be due to a disease of the thyroid or pituitary gland, pregnancy, iodine deficiency, or previous treatment for goiter.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:
- fatigue and reduced stamina
- feeling cold
- depression
- difficulty concentrating
- weight gain
- constipation
- dry skin and hair
- impaired memory
- swollen face
- deeper voice
- bradycardia (abnormally low heart activity)
- pale complexion
- headache
- lack of sex drive
Hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid
In hyperthyroidism, the body runs at high speed and you get a high metabolism as the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by the immune system mistakenly producing antibodies against the thyroid that increase hormone production, but it can also be due to Graves' disease, Basedow's disease, toxic nodular goiter, or toxic diffuse goiter.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:
- Sweating
- Feeling warm
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Menstrual irregularities
- Palpitations and increased pulse
- Weight loss
- Tremors and shakiness
- Sleep difficulties
- Rapid intestinal transit
More women have thyroid problems than men
The most common form of thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid.
It is five times more common in women, and the disease is increasing fastest among women under 40 years old.
Some studies suggest that the increase in autoimmune diseases may be due to factors such as stress, unhealthy diet, or viral infection in people with a genetically increased risk.
How do you best support your thyroid?
High-quality supplements that support the thyroid include Gaia herbs thyroid support, Holistic thyrobalans, and Thorne thyro.
A common cause of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency, a substance the thyroid uses to produce hormones, and seaweed, which grows in salt seawater, is especially rich in iodine.
Here you can read about different seaweeds and how they can be used in cooking and here you can buy seaweed.
Choose a sea salt that contains iodine, such as this herb salt enriched with seaweed.
Eggs contain a lot of iodine, and so do milk, yogurt, Brazil nuts, meat and chicken, fish, and shellfish. Berries, cabbage, and soy also contain some iodine.
Many people with thyroid problems find that they feel better by adjusting their diet to an anti-inflammatory diet in the form of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP).
The basis of the AIP diet is mostly root vegetables, vegetables, berries, and fruits. It also includes meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, offal, bone broth, animal fats, olive oil, and coconut fat.
However, processed foods, grains, rice, corn, teff, dairy products, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils, including coffee, cocoa, and soy), eggs, nightshade plants (potatoes, tomatoes, chili, physalis, bell peppers, goji berries), nuts, and seeds that are common allergens (including buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth) are excluded.
After 30-90 days, certain foods are reintroduced to see how the body reacts to them.
The risk of thyroid problems is higher in people with gluten intolerance, and a gluten-free diet protects the thyroid for them.
Quitting coffee can also be beneficial, as caffeine increases the risk of stress and inflammation.
Selenium, zinc, and iron are also important for thyroid function, as they help the body convert inactive thyroxine (T4) into active triiodothyronine (T3).
