Support for Underactive
Thyroid Gland
 The
thyroid gland sits like a bow tie around the front of your neck. It
is a vital link in the endocrine system. The thyroid gland secretes
two hormones (T4) and the more biologically active T3. Even a small
decline in the output of these hormones, if sustained over a long period
of time, can have profound consequences for health and well being.
Thermostatic Control for the Body
The thyroid gland
acts as the body’s thermostat and controls the metabolic rate of the
body. As metabolism affects every cell of the body, if the thermostat
is malfunctioning (either set too high or too low) it naturally affects
all parts of the body.
If cellular metabolism drops too low, widespread dysfunction
of the body can occur and conditions such as depression, anxiety, memory
impairments, hair loss, weight gain, loss of libido, fatigue and cold
hands and feet can ensue.
Michael Schmidt and Jeffery Bland, in a paper published
in Alternative Therapies in 1997, explain how there is a very strong
relationship between the health of the thyroid gland, the environment
and nutrition, and even very subtle changes in the thyroid gland’s homeostasis
can cause a plethora of physiological symptoms.
Thyroid decline most often affects women over 40 but
men and younger people can also suffer. Statistics suggest that up to
20% of the female adult population may have reduced thyroid function,
although many practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine
believe the figure is far higher.
Standard Laboratory Tests versus Temperature Tests
Many people who undertake
to have a standard laboratory test for thyroid function will receive
results that indicate they have no abnormal thyroid pathology. However,
if the same person were to test their basal temperature using the Axillary
temperature test (see
underactive
thyroid), the results would probably indicate the need
for nutritional support for the thyroid gland. More and more doctors
and practitioners today feel that “normal” ranges of thyroid function
are too broad and that the Axillary temperature test, if carried out
properly, is a more accurate way of testing for thyroid function.
If a person does present with reduced
thyroid function the only way out seen by many is for a lifelong prescription
of thyroxin hormone. However, nutritional support containing synergistic
blends of herbs and nutrients can be successfully utilised in a regime
and prevent the patient from descending the downward spiral of ill health.
Nutrients
and Herbs to Support Thyroid Function
Amino
Acids
Amino acids play
a major role in supporting thyroid health. It is important when choosing
supplements of amino acids that they are in the L configuration, or
in the case of phenylalanine the DL configuration. This is the form
found in nature and utilised by the human body.
L-tyrosine
is a non-essential amino acid that the body synthesises from phenylalanine.
Amongst its plethora of functions including the formation of the neurotransmitters,
tyrosine is a major component of the thyroid hormones.
People with low thyroid
function may well benefit from supplementation of tyrosine. People with
depression often have low levels of tyrosine. Depression is linked with
a low thyroid function and studies suggest tyrosine supplementation
may well be beneficial. See
Thyro Complex
L-carnitine
is made in
the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine. Carnitine plays
an important role in the metabolism of energy from fat. In order for
carnitine to be utilised fully it requires vitamin C, iron, niacin,
B6 and methionine.
DL-phenylalanine
is
a mixture of the amino acid L-phenylalanine which is converted in the
body to L-tyrosine. D-phenylalanine is converted primarily to phenylethylamine
which is a mood elevating chemical in the body as well as helping to
influence certain chemicals in the brain which relate to the sensation
of pain. By taking DL-phenylalanine, levels of tyrosine are increased
and hence this can influence levels of thyroid hormones. Several nutrients
are required for the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine; these
are vitamin B6, iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin E.
Minerals and Thyroid Health
There are many minerals
essential to the health of the thyroid gland; the most well researched
is iodine. Iodine is required to manufacture the thyroid hormones. Seafoods,
iodised salt and sea vegetables such as kelp, as well as foods grown
in iodine rich soil, are rich sources of iodine. With today’s intensive
farming techniques it is thought that trace minerals including iodine
have been depleted and so many foods no longer contain substantial amounts
of these trace minerals. Iodine has now been added to salt and therefore
people eating a large amount of processed foods may be consuming too
much iodine. However, people whose diets are low in sources of iodine
may well benefit from taking supplements of this mineral to help support
optimal thyroid health.
Zinc is another
essential mineral for optimising thyroid health. In a study of fourteen
healthy people with primarily high or low serum zinc levels, thyroxin
levels tended to be lower in those people with lower serum zinc. By
supplementing with zinc in those individuals whose serum was low, thyroxin
levels increased.
There are many different
zinc supplements available today and some are absorbed by the body better
than others, one of the best sources being zinc picolinate.
Selenium plays a role in thyroid hormone metabolism.
It is now thought that severe selenium deficiency may be a possible
cause of goitre.
In relation to thyroid health copper is another mineral
which plays an important role in the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine.
Although copper deficiency is uncommon, people taking zinc supplements
for more than a few weeks should take copper (unless they have Wilson’s
disease) as zinc interferes with copper absorption. The safest
way of ensuring balance is to take a good quality multivitamin and mineral
supplement.
Manganese is required to transport thyroxin hormone
in the cell.
Other Nutrient Co-Factors
Intracellular conversion
of T4 to T3 is known to require zinc, selenium, copper and iron. The
production of T3 is dependent upon vitamin A.
Stress and Thyroid Function
Stress is known to
affect thyroid function. The amino acid tyrosine is necessary for the
production of steroid hormones adrenaline and noradrenalin. When the
body is under stress more of these hormones are required and tyrosine
reserves are depleted, leaving the thyroid hormone pathway under functioning.
Stress depletes many of the essential nutrients required for thyroid
function – the B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and selenium especially.
Individuals who are stressed may therefore require additional
adrenal support in order to improve their thyroid function. There are
many nutrients and herbs, which can help support the adrenal glands.
Liquorice root is one such herb. It contains active flavonoids
and glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin has been shown to inhibit the breakdown
of cortisol in the body. People with an increased demand on their adrenal
glands may well benefit from taking supplements of liquorice.
See
Thyro Complex
Do not stop medication for thyroid complaints without medical supervision.
If you have an underlying health problem and wish to incorporate some
of the recommended measures into your life, please consult with your
doctor.
|
