Kris Carr

Kris Carr

Wellness

Thyroid Health: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Healing

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Hi Sweet Friends,

I’m usually a chirpy and peppy gal, so when I started feeling sluggish on a regular basis, I put on my detective’s hat and headed to my regular investigative hot spots—the doc’s office and the bookstore. After looking under the hood and between the lines, it turned out that my adrenals (and some plain ole stress) were the major culprits. But through my sleuthing I learned a lot about thyroid health and discovered that it’s a large contributor to many of the chronic physical and mental issues people face today.

OK, let’s get glandular. So many of my readers ask about how to find their way back to wellness, especially when they’re experiencing daily discomforts and they aren’t getting answers at the doctor’s office. Symptoms such as depression, aches and pains, low sex drive, unexplained weight gain, relentless colds, brittle hair and dry skin are very common and could be the result of thyroid problems.

Perhaps you’re just starting to connect the dots when it comes to your health or maybe you’ve been down this road before and still don’t have answers—regardless, please don’t give up! Often, a deeper, more holistic look is needed to find a longterm solution. Hopefully, what you’re about to read will equip you with the knowledge you need to go on that quest with confidence, whether your thyroid gland is the root of your challenges or just something to explore along the way. And because I take your health (and mine) very seriously, this blog was highly researched and vetted by three well-respected RD’s. Dang!

Read on to learn what the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland does, how to figure out whether it’s on the fritz, and, if that’s the case, how to get your thyroid (and your well-being) back on track.

Getting to know your thyroid gland

Your thyroid is two inches long and its “wings” are wrapped around your windpipe (near your Adam’s apple in your neck). It’s an important little bugger that produces several hormones including two that are key in regulating growth and metabolism: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

T3 and T4 hormones are essential because they:

  • Help cells convert calories and oxygen into energy
  • Determine growth and development of many tissues in the body, including the brain and skeleton
  • Work to increase Basal Metabolic Rate—the amount of energy you burn just sitting still

The pituitary gland produces TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), which stimulates the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. The production of the Ts is dependent on sufficient iodine intake from foods and supplements. The hormones then work to regulate cell growth and development by converting protein, carbs and fat into energy. The catch? Vitamin D must be present for the Ts to do their important work. (We’ll talk more about iodine and vitamin D later!)

When we’re healthy and things are swimming along in our systems, the thyroid gland produces T3 and T4 hormones and does its job quite well. But what about when things get out of whack? In the world of the thyroid, both too much and too little of this typically good thing can cause major problems, which leads us to…

 

What’s the difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism?

Hypothyroidism: Underactive Thyroid Disease

Think of it this way: hypo means not enough, and hyper means too much. When your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of the essential thyroid hormones (either one or both T3 or T4), symptoms of hypothyroidism eventually pop up. Hypothyroidism can be caused by removal of the thyroid gland, a hypothyroid condition present at birth, inflammation of the thyroid gland, radiation exposure, or an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Disease.

You’re more likely to develop hypothyroidism if:

  • You’re a woman
  • You’re over age 60
  • You have a family history of thyroid disease
  • You have another autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus
  • You’ve been pregnant in the last six months

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, difficulty metabolizing carbohydrates and sugars, joint pain, depression, infertility or irregular periods, tightness in the throat, sensitivity to heat and cold, panic attacks, high cholesterol, memory loss, vision problems, dry skin and hair loss.

Diagnosis for hypothyroidism is made by measuring blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Generally, if the TSH level is above normal, it means hypothyroidism. A low T4 level also indicates hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroid treatment includes taking a synthetic hormone replacement (identical to T4). To determine the dosage, blood levels of TSH are tested regularly. Keep in mind that although adequate iodine intake is necessary for a healthy thyroid, excess amounts may cause or worsen hypothyroidism. See my section on holistic approaches for ways you can be proactive about your thyroid health.

Hyperthyroidism: Overactive Thyroid Disease

You can think about hyperthyroidism as your lovely butterfly gland going on a nectar bender. When the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than you need, many bodily functions speed up—including metabolism.

You’re more likely to develop hyperthyroidism if:

  • You’re a woman
  • You’re over age 60
  • You have a family history of thyroid disease
  • You have type 1 diabetes
  • You’ve been pregnant in the last six months
  • You have a vitamin B12 deficiency

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: insomnia, nervousness, weight loss, mood swings and irritability, rapid and irregular heartbeat, heat intolerance and the development of a goiter (an enlarged, swollen thyroid gland). Hyperthyroidism can be caused by Graves’ disease, thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid), inflammation of the thyroid, consuming too much iodine, or taking too much synthetic thyroid hormone to treat hypothyroidism.

Diagnosis for hyperthyroidism is made after your doc does a few blood tests. The following factors point to a batty butterfly:

  • TSH levels are very low
  • T3 and T4 levels are high
  • Radioactive Iodine Uptake is abnormal

Radioactive Iodine Uptake (RAI-U) testing is just what it sounds like: the test shows how much radioactive iodine your thyroid can absorb four to six hours and then 24 hours after consuming a dose of iodine (tasty, no?). This is important because it helps determine what exactly is sending your thyroid into overdrive. Health professionals will also feel for an enlarged thyroid, listen for heart palpitations, and measure for weight loss as they diagnose hyperthyroidism.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism is trickier and more individualized depending on the cause of the hyperthyroidism and the severity of it. Treatment often includes radioiodine therapy, surgery, and/or medication to ease the many health challenges that arise from an overactive thyroid. Although there may not be holistic treatments for hyperthyroidism, there are still many diet and lifestyle upgrades you can make to improve your overall thyroid gland health. More on that soon!

Additional information on diagnosing hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

I was pretty confused about diagnosing these issues until I read Frank Lipman MD’s take on thyroid health in his book, Revive. Dr. Lipman suggests three approaches to checking thyroid function: your symptoms, underarm temperature and blood test results. To avoid being misdiagnosed or having a thyroid problem overlooked, make sure you’re working with an open-minded practitioner who is looking at all three of these factors.

Also, ask your doctor about the blood tests he or she is requesting (you have the right to know!). Dr. Lipman suggests the following tests for a full thyroid panel:

  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • Free T4 (free thyroxine)
  • Free T3 (free triiodothyronine)
  • Reverse T3
  • Antithyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG)
  • Antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO)

Holistic Approaches to Improving Your Thyroid Health

As I mentioned earlier, holistic approaches to treating hypothyroid and hyperthyroid issues are few and far between, but there are some proactive things you can do to boost your overall thyroid health:

  • De-stress through meditation, yoga, chamomile tea, more sleep, and/or exercise. Under times of stress, the hormone cortisol suppresses TSH production. Managing stress is one of the best ways to ensure your thyroid gland doesn’t slow down.
  • Exercise! Low-intensity and regular aerobic exercise can stimulate the production of thyroid hormones.
  • Eat organic to reduce exposure to environmental toxins. Some recent research suggests that pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) lower T3 hormone.
  • Get sweaty. Saunas (I adore my far infrared Sunlighten Sauna) or steam baths may help to detox pesticides or PCBs from your system.
  • Get your nutrients. Selenium, iodine, and vitamins A, C, D, and E are all important for thyroid hormone production. Vitamin D is essential for thyroid hormone’s efficacy in your body’s cells. If your diet is lacking in any of these nutrients, consider supplements.
  • Go easy on gluten. Like other foods that can cause inflammation, gluten is a sticky subject (one on which I’ll do a whole, separate post soon!). People who have celiac disease might find that gluten aggravates autoimmune thyroid issues, so it’s best to steer clear.

Key factors that may impact your thyroid health

Iodine

The cells in the thyroid are the only ones in the body that can absorb iodine. Iodine is necessary for the production of both T3 and T4 hormones and is found in almost every living plant. Since we know how important these hormones are to our health, it’s essential to make sure you’re eating enough iodine-rich foods. The best sources of iodine include seaweed (such as the nori wrapped around a veggie California roll) and kelp. Many people use iodized salt or supplements as their main source of iodine.

How much iodine do you need? Recommended intakes are 150 micrograms daily for adults, 220 micrograms per day for pregnant women, and 290 micrograms per day for lactating women. One-quarter teaspoon of iodized sea salt (which doctors recommend in place of table salt) contains about 95 micrograms of iodine, and one six-inch by six-inch sheet of nori contains about 58 micrograms of iodine. If your iodine intake is low, you may experience fuzzy thinking, fatigue, depression, high cholesterol, weight gain or develop a goiter.

Goitrogens

The cancer-fighting isothiocyanates in cruciferous veggies (kale, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga and turnips), and the isoflavones in soy products are goitrogens: substances that may interfere with the production of thyroid hormone. In folks who don’t have thyroid challenges, eating goitrogens is A-OK, since cruciferous veggies can be very beneficial to the immune system and in fighting off cancer. In moderation, the same goes for soy foods (in whole or minimally processed, organic and GMO-free forms), especially when it comes to heart health and cancer prevention and survival.

But if your thyroid is underactive you should be very mindful of your cruciferous vegetable and soy food consumption. Some endocrinologists recommend that people with underactive thyroid disease avoid eating these foods completely. However, cooking seems to deactivate about one-third of the goitrogenic compounds, so you may be able to continue including them in your diet just by reducing your consumption of raw or juiced goitrogenic foods. For example, Jennifer Reilly, RD generally advises her clients to avoid excessive amounts of these foods by limiting raw cruciferous veggies like kale in juices and smoothies, rather than cutting them out altogether. And when it comes to eating soy foods, always check with your doc since soy could interfere with synthetic hormone medications.

Other researchers have found that only in the case of iodine deficiency are goitrogenic foods problematic for hypothyroidism, and as long as iodine intake is sufficient, the goitrogenic foods have little or no negative effect on hypothyroidism. This group of researchers recommends simply increasing iodine intake along with goitrogenic foods to maintain a healthy balance for a healthy thyroid. So, salt those Brussels sprouts and make sure you are working with your doctor to adjust your diet if you’re dealing with underactive thyroid issues.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a hormone, and aside from boosting the immune system and assisting with bone health and calcium absorption, it is also essential in the last metabolic step. During the final moments of the metabolic process, thyroid hormones are responsible for getting energy and oxygen into the body’s cells. (Pretty important!)

But without sufficient vitamin D, thyroid hormones won’t work properly. This is why vitamin D deficiency has been associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s and Graves’, and it is even thought that vitamin D deficiency may trigger thyroid disease. Luckily, getting adequate vitamin D is as easy as working 20 minutes of daytime sun into your life three times per week (and if that isn’t enough to boost your levels, supplements are available). You can make sure that you have adequate vitamin D levels with a simple blood test. Pro tip: your levels can change year-to-year, so keep current! Getting too much vitamin D can be toxic for your body, so don’t go on supplementation autopilot.

I know this is a lot of information. So if this post resonated with you and you don’t know where to start, just remember to take one step at a time.

Your turn: If you’ve experienced thyroid health issues, please share what has helped you along the way!

Peace & butterflies,

 
 
Add a comment
  1. sanikasam says:

    Hi Kris,
    Thank you so much for this post, I was looking a blog for thyroid health. After reading your blog got to know many information’s. Very informative article. Thanks for this post.

  2. Layla Forndez says:

    I have been following this blog for a while now and today i felt like i should share my story because i was a victim too. I had endometriosis for 18 years and i never thought i would ever get a cure due to the terrible symptoms i had and this made it impossible for me to get pregnant even after 12 years of marriage and it was a serious issue. I got to know about Dr. Aleta who treated someone and the person shared a story of how she got a cure and let her contact details, i contacted Dr. Aleta and she actually confirmed it and i decided to give a try too and use her herbal medicine that was how my burden ended completely. My son will be 2 this december and i am gratetful to God and thankful to her for medicine too. If you have (Endometriosis, PCOS, Fibroid, Ovarian cyst, Ectopic Pregnancy or any infertility issues) just reach her on (aletedwin @ gmail. com) she has professional advise and a cure too.

  3. victoria jack says:

    This is a great write up, I was also a victim, having uterine fibroid for many years. The size of my fibroid was very large as a grapefruit in my womb, trying to conceive was so hard. My difficulty was not only getting pregnant, but keeping the pregnancy. I occasionally had reoccurring bouts with dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to fibroid tumors. I even came close to having a hysterectomy, but due to future/possible complications, I refused. I learned about some herbs mixture prepared by Dr.Leonard and that was my breakthrough to a long standing problem. I already gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, very healthy, happy, and bright. I forgot to mention that my non-existent sex drive returned within just a few weeks of starting the herbs, this was a pleasant surprise.

  4. Cindy says:

    Hi Kriss,
    Here is my question T3, T4 and THS are normal but antibodies are very High, Im Vegan how can I low naurally the antibodies level? Thank you.

  5. Eric Francque says:

    Best explanation I have read on the topic. Thanks for all the work that went into writing this!

  6. alyssa jayden says:

    I am happy as Dr. Leonard’s sensitive treatment of FIBROID touched me deeply. I have suffered from FIBROID for twenty+ years after i have gone through surgery in 2012 and I have just figured out a Dr. which help me live a safer and less painful life after my family Doctor asked me to go for a second surgery. Don’t ever lose hope. I am 41 and a mother of one now , Sure, it has been challenging, and there have been many ups and downs, but I went to Internet got Dr. Leonard and have a pretty normal life now. This is not the end of the world if you having fibroid. he can help you. Take his medication it taste natural. And most of all, I want to tell you that you need to learn to love yourself just the way you are- you are a special person that deserves love. Never never never give up!!!!
    Contact him on drleonard288@gmail.com.

  7. Ann Smith says:

    When I read this story I realized just how similar it was to my hypothyroidism. Not too long ago, I could not even walk a few steps with my one year old grandson without losing my breath. Now, I can walk up three flights of steps holding him and play with him all day. My blood sugar used to be all over the place and I had fogginess even when I slept a full night. Then I started following an easy diet that gave me more energy than ever and cleared my head. I even lost a lot of weight and even my allergies have improved. What made the difference? I started doing my research and found out about some simple natural remedies that no one had ever told me about, not even my doctor, endocinologist, or chiropractor.
    Hope it helps anyone reading this!

  8. madhu says:

    thank q for gave this great information about thyroid.I have hypothyroidism.please give me natural treatment and also work quickly

  9. madhu says:

    thank q for gave this great information.please give me natural treatment and also work quickly

  10. Sony says:

    Hi Kris,Thanks for Sharing this post.My sister Age is 40. My Sister Middle of Neck is swelling from one week.We Consult the Doctor but we are waiting for the Report do you think this may be hyperthyroidism?

  11. Paulette V. King says:

    Thank you so much for your post. My thyroid was over active and potassium levels were off. Had more blood work 6 weeks after, found my thyroid bottomed out. Not been feeling well for months. It is so very confusing not knowing what is wrong with yourself. I am on Synthroid 25 MCG, was on 50 but it was way too much for me. Have been on this drug since May 18th. Even struggling to type this post.

  12. Cathy says:

    Thanks for the info. Question: under “thyroid health,” you mention two things that I’m thinking only apply to hyPOthyroid: have iodine and watch cabbage family consumption. Is that correct? Thanks

  13. winar says:

    very informative post.. btw, what foods must avoid due to hiperthyroidsm?

  14. Iris says:

    Hello,
    I have had hashimotos for over 40 yrs.
    recently i have been very unwell with flu lasting weeks with persistent cough.
    I dont eat alot but have trouble losing weight.
    I supplement with 150 mcg thyroxine daily.
    I really need to see someone who can help me. My regular dr. Is great but not knowlegable enough.
    Who can help me in melbourne australia?
    Thanks

  15. Lancy says:

    Hi Kris, Really Good Information and I Loved it.I was not aware of many things about Thyroid. “Key factors that may impact your thyroid health” this section is really good which help us to take care of our health. Thanks for this Post Kris.

  16. Asim Gilani says:

    Hi readers,
    My wife is suffering with high hyperthyroidism and doctor recommended her ELTOXIN.
    as far as my information says, ELTROXIN is used in hypo thyroid cases.
    Please . Please . Assist me that should i follow the doctor or take the 2nd opinion.
    Please answer …….

  17. Carrie says:

    My toddler who is going to be 4 years old this week is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I have 3 older children and very healthy. I am very new and uniform about her condition so I been really stressed out and unable to sleep coz of my worries.. I know that is rare specially at her age so I’m trying to reach out to other parents who might be in the same situation that I’m in and gain some knowledge and see new prospective when it comes to her condition. Thank you so much for reading this and any information will be gladly appreciated..

  18. Brant says:

    I have been diagnosed with a thyroid virus, am hyperthyroid, for the second time in 20 years. I am male, 54 years old, and I feel terrible. I am on beta blockers and Tylenol, and was told to come back to the endocrinologist in a another month. I am already gluten free and sugar free due to allergies. I went to see a naturopath who put me on Echinacea. I can’t sleep, get up several times a night to go to the bathroom, and I am losing weight, down about 5 plus pounds. I am desperate. Is there anything I can do to reverse this course in under a month? I have no idea how I got this except where I grew up there is a higher incidence of thyroid issues due to contamination of drinking wells, but no on else in my family has thyroid issues except me.

  19. Kathy Rogers says:

    One of the things that helped relieve my hypothyroidism wan to increase my proteing consumption.
    Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues. Eating a bit of protein with every meal can help normalize thyroid function.
    You can get protein from nut and nut butters, quinoa, legumes, and hormone and antibiotic-free animal products.
    Here is an article I came across with more tips to help you out with hypothyroidism:
    http://bit.ly/1ONdpXO

  20. Below are five of the worst oils you can use which are highest in polyunsaturated fat and pose the greatest risk to your thyroid.
    Vegetable oil, which is not included in the list above is nothing more than a generic name for the combination of one or more of these oils, but predominantly consists of soybean oil, which is likely the worst of them all.
    Soybean Oil – Saturated fat: 15% Monounsaturated fat: 23% Polyunsaturated fat: 58%
    Corn Oil – Saturated fat: 13% Monounsaturated fat: 28% Polyunsaturated fat: 55%
    Cottonseed Oil – Saturated fat: 26% Monounsaturated fat: 18% Polyunsaturated fat: 52%
    Sunflower Oil – Saturated fat: 10% Monounsaturated fat: 45% Polyunsaturated fat: 40%
    Peanut Oil – Saturated fat: 17% Monounsaturated fat: 46% Polyunsaturated fat: 32%

    I learned this and much more about hypothyroidism by watching this video:

    http://www.journalofnaturalhealth.com/hypothyroidism/

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