Anatomy
The thyroid gland is located beneath the larynx on the front of the trachea and is composed of two butterfly wing-shaped lobes containing numerous small follicles. On the back of the thyroid gland lie four small rice grain-sized parathyroid glands.
Image: Wikipedia
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 bodily functions. The hypothalamus in the brain produces thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) that 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 control TSH production, to keep levels within the normal range. So when TSH levels in the blood are high, it's usually because the concentrations of T4 and T3 are low and vice versa.T4 is a prohormone consisting of the amino acid tyrosine and 4 iodine atoms. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone and is formed, in addition to in the thyroid gland, 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), which are responsible for the conversion of T4 to T3. D3 converts T4 to reverse T3 (rT3), which is an inactive mirror image of T3 and functions as a brake in the system. When T3 binds to receptors, it stimulates the production of a variety of proteins that are needed for normal growth, fat metabolism, energy and heat production, among other things.
Hormones in the Thyroid Gland
The thyroid hormone thyroxine regulates the body's metabolism and is important when the brain and body need to grow and develop. 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 what is called parathyroid hormone which increases the amount of calcium and decreases the amount of phosphate in the blood. The balance between calcium and phosphate is important for the bones, intestines, and kidneys.
Hypothyroidism – Underactive Thyroid
Hypothyroidism means that the body operates at a low pace and you develop a slow metabolism because the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. Low T4 values and high TSH values are seen in the 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 menopause symptoms, you feel sweaty and warm, while with hypothyroidism, you have dry skin and feel cold. Hypothyroidism can also be confused with depression and burnout.The most common cause is when the body's own immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes inflammation. It can also be due to a disease in the thyroid gland or pituitary gland, pregnancy, iodine deficiency, or if you have previously been treated for goiter.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
fatigue and reduced energy
feeling cold
depression
concentration difficulties
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
With hyperthyroidism, the body runs at high speed and you develop a high metabolism as the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by the immune system incorrectly forming antibodies against the thyroid gland 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 may include:
Sweating
Feeling warm
Fatigue
Irritability
Menstrual irregularities
Heart palpitations and increased pulse
Weight loss
Tremors and shaking
Sleep difficulties
Rapid intestinal transit
More women have thyroid problems than men
The most common form of thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid gland. It is five times more common in women, and the condition is increasing most rapidly among women under 40 years of age. Some studies suggest that the increase in autoimmune diseases may be due to factors such as stress, unhealthy diet, or viral infections in people who have a genetically increased risk.
How to best support your thyroid gland
High-quality supplements that support the thyroid gland include Gaia herbs thyroid support, Holistic thyrobalans, and Thorne thyro.
A common cause of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency, a substance that the thyroid gland uses to produce hormones. Foods especially rich in iodine are seaweed, that is, those that grow in salt seawater.
You can read about different types of seaweed and how they can be used in cooking and here you can buy seaweed.Choose a sea salt that contains iodine, such as herb salt enriched with seaweed.
Eggs contain a lot of iodine, and milk, yogurt, Brazil nuts, meat, chicken, fish, and shellfish also contain iodine. Berries, cabbage, and soy contain small amounts of iodine as well. Many people with thyroid problems find that they feel better when adjusting their diet to an anti-inflammatory one in the form of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). The foundation of the AIP diet consists of most root vegetables, greens, berries, and fruits. It also includes meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, organ meats, bone broth, animal fats, olive oil, and coconut oil.However, one excludes processed foods, grains, rice, corn, teff, dairy products, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils, including coffee, cocoa, and soy), eggs, nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, chili, physalis, bell peppers, goji berries), nuts and seeds that are common allergens (including buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth). After 30-90 days, you try to reintroduce certain foods to see how your body reacts to them. The risk of developing thyroid problems is greater in people with gluten intolerance, and for them, a gluten-free diet protects the thyroid gland. 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) to active triiodothyronine (T3).
