A Brief Overview of the Thyroid
Your Master Gland
At the front of your neck is your thyroid, shield-like shaped gland that secretes two hormones, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). These hormones influence the metabolic processes throughout your entire body; instructing your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, your digestion to absorb food and your cells to convert that food into energy. For something so small, your thyroid plays a large role in your overall vitality! However, due to numerous factors, your thyroid can easily be thrown out of balance, leading to many aspects of your health also being affected. Knowledge is power, so let’s find out more!
When the Thyroid Goes Amiss…
There are several different conditions that can arise when the thyroid becomes dysfunctional:
Hypothyroidism
This is the most common thyroid condition, and refers to an under-active or sluggish thyroid.
As this slows down your metabolism, hypothyroidism results in symptoms such as;
fatigue
hair loss
weight gain
depression
intolerance to the cold
dry skin and constipation.
Hyperthyroidism
On the flipside, the thyroid can also become overactive, speeding up the metabolism. This displays symptoms like:
rapid heart rate
excessive sweating
weight loss
fatigue and agitation.
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Autoimmunity refers to the body’s immune system attacking itself. In the thyroid, this manifests as either Hashimoto’s (creating an underactive thyroid), or Graves’ disease (creating an overactive thyroid).
Goitre
A goitre is the enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland. It can occur with both an under- and overactive thyroid, as well as an iodine deficiency.
Driving the Thyroid to Dysfunction
There are many factors that contribute to an unbalanced thyroid gland, however two of the biggest drivers are stress and an iodine deficiency.
Stress: Physical or emotional stress can reduce the level of hormones your thyroid makes, and can also flare an existing autoimmune thyroid condition.
Iodine deficiency: Iodine is a component of thyroid hormone, making it vital for healthy thyroid function. Unfortunately, the average Australian diet is extremely low iodine-rich foods, which can lead to an underactive thyroid or goitre formation.
Contrary to popular belief, Iodine supplementation without being sure of your iodine levels may actually be detrimental for those with the autoimmune thyroid condition Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. - I have seen some terrible outcomes with those choosing to self-prescribe iodine in high doses.
Nourish Your Thyroid Naturally
There are key nutrients and herbs that can address the drivers of thyroid issues, helping your thyroid to function optimally.
Iodine: If you are deficient, supplementation of this mineral will help to support the production of thyroid hormones, and reduce your risk of hypothyroidism and goitre growth. *Be mindful to check your iodine levels before supplementing - urine is best.
Magnesium: This mineral helps to reduce the activation of the stress system, saving the thyroid from strain. Magnesium also assists cells utilise iodine.
Withania: When the thyroid is underactive, this herb can work to boost the synthesis of thyroid hormones, whilst also helping the body to cope when stressed.
Thyroid Loving Tips
Three potent things you can do to support the optimal function of your thyroid gland are:
Iodine consumption in foods: iodine rich foods include oysters, fish, seaweed, dairy and beans. If not currently consuming these foods regularly, make a plan to increase your iodine intake with food!
Sleep hygiene: Quality sleep is essential for good thyroid function; ensure you are getting 7-9 hours per night. Additionally, turning off all electronic screens and bright lights at least 1 hour before retiring will assist in good quality sleep.
Stress management: Take some time out each day to reduce your stress levels. This might be going for a walk, chatting with a friend, attending a yoga class or completing a guided meditation.
If you are experiencing any symptoms that can be associated with thyroid issues, speak to your natural medicine Practitioner. They will be able to provide you with further guidance on assessing and managing your presentation.
Remember - "Self-care isn’t selfish, both you and your thyroid deserve it!"
Christine Carley is a bachelor qualified naturopath, with a focus on women’s health and wellness. She passionately supports her clients with, fertility and IVF optimisation, menopause and hormonal health as well as gut health. She spent most of her early clinical practice working with people with chronic and complex autoimmune condition, whilst working in a clinic with cardiologist, psychologists, podiatrist and allied health professionals. She loves assisting those stress, anxiety, fatigue and sleep. She is a passionate health ambassador who takes a holistic, person centred approach to the wellness model of health.
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