Your thyroid gland controls a number of processes in your body, including energy, weight, and hormone balance as well as being a key component of the endocrine system. The production and use of thyroid hormones are a complex and important process. Taking replacement thyroid hormones for your thyroid issues without addressing the underlying immune imbalance is like trying to change the type of oil in your engine with the hope that your transmission will stop failing…useless.
The ultimate effect of hypothyroidism, whether it’s caused by iodine deficiency or autoimmunity, is to decrease the amount of thyroid hormone available to the body. The conventional approach is to simply replace these hormones with either synthetic or bio-identical forms. Patient doesn’t have enough hormones? Give more hormones.
Simple, right? No.
Once again, the conventional approach falls short because it ignores the underlying cause of the problem.
The Relationship Between Inflammation and Thyroid Issues
To Address The Thyroid You MUST Understand Inflammation. Inflammation has a profound effect upon all aspects of thyroid metabolism and physiology.
First, inflammation suppresses the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. This shows inflammation disrupts the production and regulatory mechanisms of thyroid hormones. Thyroid medication will increase the levels of T4 (and possibly T3), but it doesn’t address the other effects of HPT axis suppression.
Second, inflammation decreases both the number and sensitivity of thyroid hormone receptors. If there aren’t sufficient receptors, or they aren’t sensitive enough, it doesn’t matter how much thyroid medication we take. The cells won’t be able to use it.
Third, inflammation decreases the conversion of T4 to T3. T4 is the inactive form of thyroid hormone. The body has to convert it to the active T3 form before it can be used. Most synthetic hormone medications on the market are T4. If you give a T4 medication (like Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, etc.) to someone with inflammation, it’s not going to work because they can’t convert the T4 to T3. The only way to do that is to address the problem at its root by regulating the immune system and decreasing inflammation.
What Causes a Sluggish Thyroid?
A sluggish thyroid may be triggered by many unseen causes. Here a few of the most common causes of interference:
- MSG and bad fatty acids, so prevalent in our diet, can weaken your thyroid.
- A deficiency of iodine is on the rise, and without enough iodine, your thyroid won’t produce the hormones you need.
- Popular prescription drugs for your heart, bones and blood sugar can lead to a sluggish thyroid.
- Exposure to too much fluoride or chlorine in drinking water can interfere with normal thyroid function.
- Menopause or pregnancy and treatments such as Estrogen Replacement Therapy can throw the thyroid out of whack.
- Autoimmune health problems can cause your thyroid to go haywire.
- Subluxation of the cervical spine will create interference with the nerve communication between the thyroid and the brain decreasing healing, function and declining health.
Natural Solutions For Thyroid Issues
The solution is to regulate the nervous system with corrective chiropractic care, balance the immune system and decrease inflammation within the body.
Turmeric
A great resource to reduce inflammation is turmeric. This is found in high bio-available doses of Daily Defense along with other powerful detoxifying and cellular strengthening nutrients.
Coconut Oil
Another natural resource is coconut oil. 50 percent of the fat content in coconut oil is a fat rarely found in nature called lauric acid. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoa properties. Lauric acid is a powerful virus and gram-negative bacteria destroyer, and coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on earth!
Coconut oil has a direct effect in suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation. I use coconut oil to cook with, in all types of recipes, in coffee, in green shakes, pretty much everywhere I can use coconut oil I do.
Is coconut oil a thyroid cure? Not by itself. Can it help people with low thyroid function? Yes, because it stimulates metabolism and boosts energy.
5 Essentials of Max Living
This can be an effective addition to the 5 Essentials of Max Living: maximized mind, maximized nervous system and spinal health, maximized nutrition and supplementation, maximized fitness and movement as well as minimizing toxicity. Correct the cause and you will see the change in your health!
Do you know someone with Thyroid Issues?
Sign them up for the Happy Hormones Workshop for Real Solutions
Thursday 7/26 at the New Life Chiropractic office
If you missed this workshop, find out details on our next one here.