From Neil Patel D.C.
The thyroid is a gland located below the Adam’s apple and anterior to the oesophagus. This gland is part of your endocrine or hormonal system. It controls the metabolism and sets the tone for other hormones of the body. Thyroid hormone is intimately related to hormones like insulin, cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Due to the fact that all these hormones are stitched together and in regular communication, it explains why a dysfunctional thyroid is associated with so many widespread symptoms and diseases.
The thyroid gland produces two major thyroid hormones: T4 and T3. 90% of the hormone produced by the gland is the inactive T4 hormone. The T4 is converted to the active form, T3, in the body with enzymes.
The thyroid is in a constant feedback loop with the pituitary and hypothalamus to regulate the release of the T4 and T3. If everything is in sync, you will make normal amounts of the thyroid hormone.
T3 and T4 control the metabolism of each cell of the body and regulate other hormones. This beautiful orchestra can become dysfunctional by nutritional imbalances, pollution, infections, stress and toxins.
Insufficient T3 levels, either through lack of production, or inability to convert T4 to T3, cause your body to suffer. T3 communicates to each cell nucleus, which in turn tells the DNA to turn up your metabolism by burning fat for energy.
When the band is not in concert, all sorts of symptoms arise like, but not limited to, weight gain, chronic fatigue, hair loss, inability to regulate body temperature, constipation, sleeping issues, digestive problems, autoimmune disease, pain, infertility, irregular or absent menses, fluid retention and depression.
Following the standard of care may help change your lab values, but may not stop your suffering. Oftentimes, the standard of care is not enough. Many minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids are needed for the production and utilization of the thyroid hormone. These elements of life are essential and cannot be found in sufficient amounts in our diet, so they need to be supplemented.
Nonetheless, underlying chronic low-grade infections, toxicity and autoimmunity need to be addressed while supporting the thyroid in order to treat the person with thyroid dysfunction. The healthcare professionals at Global Health are fully equipped to deal with this health concern. If you or a loved one is suffering, give us a call.
If you have any questions, please call Global Health at 581-7570.
