Let’s talk about the thyroid gland a bit.
The thyroid “runs” our metabolism. It is the “gas pedal” of the body.
Thyroid hormones have a direct effect on most organs, including the heart, which beats faster and harder under the influence of increased thyroid hormones (this is why heart problems can often accompany chronic thyroid problems in women, and perhaps why heart problems are more common in women under the age of 50).
T3 is the more biologically active hormone. It’s more important for cellular function, and in fact, 80% of T4 is converted to T3 in the body’s peripheral tissues. Basically, T4 is just a precursor for the more active hormone, T3.
One of the problems in some thyroid disorders is that you may have trouble converting T4 to T3 in your tissues. Have you been checked for this? This can create a deficiency of T3, disrupting the body’s ability to properly regulate metabolism, which leads to specific symptoms.
There are some clinicians that are treating thyroid conditions with iodine. I do not recommend iodine in the treatment of thyroid conditions. According to renowned thyroid expert Dr. Datis Kharriazian, author of the book “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?”, using iodine to treat thyroid conditions is like throwing gasoline on a fire.
Have you been told your labs are normal only to suffer with the same thyroid symptoms you had before you began hormone therapy? Are you aware that EVERY cell in your body has receptor sites for thyroid hormone? Are you aware that the most common cause of hypothyroidism is NOT a problem in your thyroid gland but in your immune system? If your immune system is attacking your thyroid what ELSE is it attacking?
This very important component of the body has a direct impact on the metabolism that is experienced in the body. Individuals that suffer from issues with this gland may suffer from several different health complications. These include, but are not at all limited to, issues with the weight, the mood, and the energy that is experienced by the person.
Many individuals experience symptoms of thyroid disease and do not even realize that the experiences they are having could indicate a potentially dangerous complication. The thyroid is a relatively small gland that is located in the lower region of the neck. Its sole responsibility is to secrete certain hormones throughout the body. There are two specific hormones that are released by this specific gland.
The first is known as “Thyroxine” or “T4″ and the second is known as “Triiodothyronine” or “T3″. The hormones that are released are responsible for delivering energy to the various cells in the body. There are many complications that may occur with the thyroid.
The implications of the thyroid on the rest of your body are vast.
The thyroid directly supports the following systems:
- Bone metabolism
- Immune System
- Brain/Nervous System
- Endocrine System (adrenal glands, ovaries, testes)
- Gastrointestinal function
- Liver and gallbladder
- Growth/Sex hormones
- Fat Burning
- Insulin and Glucose Metabolism
- Healthy cholesterol levels
- Proper stomach acid
Thyroid “Cross Talk”
The thyroid relies upon other organs and systems just as these systems rely upon it. We call this “cross talk” between the systems. “Cross Talk” happens between the following systems:
- Thyroid & Immune System
- Thyroid & Gut
- Thyroid & Brain
- Thyroid & Endocrine System
One affects the other!
Thyroid Basics
The Hypothalamus sends signal to pituitary gland via TRH. The Pituitary gland send signal to Thyroid via TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH causes enzyme TPO to stimulate release of T4 (93%) and T3 (7%). These hormones ride the “taxi cab”- thyroid binding globulin (TBG).
Thyroid Hormone Conversion
In the liver 60% of T4 is converted to T3. Poor liver function will cause poor T4 to T3 conversion. 20% of T4 is sent to gut to be converted to T3. If you have poor gut flora it will cause poor conversion of T4 to T3. Also, 20% ofT4 is sent to peripheral cells for conversion to T3 using 5’diodianaze enzyme. A small percentage T4 goes to Reverse T3
A true thyroid functional test
Are you aware that there are 11 lab markers to properly evaluate your thyroid yet almost all doctors only order two?
- TSH (this is what conventionally is ordered)
- Total T4 (Thyroxine)
But what about these tests?
- Total T4 (thyroxine)
- FTI (free thyroxine index) (amount of T4 available)
- FT4 (free throxine) (affected by prescription drugs)
- T3 Uptake (How much of T3 is taken up by TBG)
- FT3 (free triodothyroxine) (Active Thyroid Hormone)
- Reverse T3 (Body can not use)
- TPO and TBG Antibodies (Hashimotos)
- TSH Antibodies (Graves Disease)
- TBG levels
How can you manage health without all the information? Burning out the thyroid gland with hormone replacement is a 50 year old model. Its apparent it DOES NOT work.
In order to manage your health you need to look at the causes of the problem…not just the symptoms.
HOW DO I SUCCESSFULLY TREAT THYROID DISORDERS?
(That Depends on Which Pattern of Thyroid Disorder you Have)
There are 7 Major Thyroid Patterns
- Primary hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism secondary to hypo pituitary
- Thyroid under conversion
- Thyroid over conversion, decreased TBG
- TBG elevation from contraceptives/HRT
- Thyroid resistance
- *****Hashimotos
Complete our Thyroid Questionnaire to find out how Dr. Hagmeyer can help you!
I. Primary Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland gets lazy and the pituitary gland tries to “kick it in its pants” by pumping extra TSH. (high TSH) This is the only pattern of the six that may need HRT. (Hashimotos may need it too)
II. Hypothyroidism is Secondary to Pituitary Hypofunction
- The pituitary gets “lazy” (low TSH below 1.8) for many reasons:
- Chronic stress fatigues the gland
- Hormone pills including Synthroid
- Creams with Estrogen
- Postpartum depression; pregnancy can fatigue the Pituitary Gland
- Fluctuating insulin/glucose levels (Adrenal Gland fatigue)
III. Thyroid Under-Conversion
The gland is making enough T4 but there is a decrease in conversion from T4 to the active form T3 (low T3). Why? Chronic Adrenal Stress gives rise to increased cortisol which suppresses T4 to T3 conversion. This is due to chronic infection/ inflammation. This condition is often missed because low T3 doesn’t affect TSH only T4 does and T3 is rarely checked for with the blood test.
IV. Thyroid Over-Conversion and Decreased TBG
Too much active T3 is made and is overwhelming the cells or too little TBG which means too much free T3. Why? The No. 1 cause is insulin resistance especially in women. The cells are not “listening” to insulin so more insulin is secreted. This increases testosterone levels in females resulting in too much free T3 and too little TBG.
V. Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG) Elevation
Too much TBG in the blood and thus too little free T3. Why? Oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy causes an increase in estrogen which leads to increases in TBG.
VI. Thyroid Resistance
Pituitary and Thyroid glands are fine and so are the hormone levels. However the hormones aren’t getting into the cells. Why? Chronic stress response stimulates the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol which causes cells to be resistant to thyroid hormones, impair proper thyroid conversion and decrease TSH Levels.
Nutritional support if caught early can reverse these problems- we use proper testing and specialized nutritional compounds to do this!
Thyroid Dysfunction is a Sign of Metabolic Dysfunction… Proper Testing is Crucial!
[sws_ui_box ui_theme=”ui-smoothness” ui_state=”ui-state-highlight” icon=”ui-icon-info”]Nutritional support if caught early can reverse these problems- we use proper testing and specialized nutritional compounds to do this! Thyroid Dysfunction is a Sign of Metabolic Dysfunction… Proper Testing is Crucial! [/sws_ui_box]Complete Metabolic Profile
- Includes complete thyroid profile, including thyroid antibodies
- Vitamin D levels
- Anemia
- Kidney Function
Immune Panels
- Checking for immune imbalance (TH1 vs TH2)
Adrenal Salivary Index (salivary)
- 24 hour diurnal Cortisol Pattern, DHEA, 17-OHP,
- Male and Female Hormone (Estrogen, Testosterone, FSH, LH)
Food Sensitivity Test (stool)
- Gluten
- Soy
- Yeast
- Egg
- Gluten Cross Reactive
Stool Microbial Ecology Profile
- Gut infections
- Parasites
- Yeast
Hashimotos Thyroiditis (hypothyroid) and Graves Disease
These are not Thyroid problems! It is an immune problem! Your immune system is mistakenly attacking TPO or TBG (Hashimoto’s) or TSH (Graves Disease). There is an imbalance in your immune system that needs to be addressed.
You need proper testing to first find out the cause of your immune problem- then you can take care of it.
Why would your immune system do this?
1. Dysregulation:
Immune system is imbalanced because of stressors to it.
- Chronic inflammation
- Bad blood sugar
- Bad adrenal glands
- Hormone imbalances
- Neurological imbalances
2. Active Antigen:
Immune system is imbalanced due to an “invader” aka an antigen
- Chronic infection (bacterial, viral, mold)
- Parasite in gut
- Gluten sensitivity
- Environmental toxins
- Undigested food
Triad of Hashimotos
- Antibodies to TPO/TBG
- Gluten Sensitivity
- Antibodies to intrinsic factor which leads to lowered B12 which lead to pernicious anemia
What Makes Our Office Different From Every Other Doctor That You Have Seen?
Functional Medicine!
Based on lab findings our nutritional products are dispensed to support the biochemical pathways for healing in:
- Gut
- Thyroid and Adrenals
- Liver and Gall Bladder
- Anemias
- Sugar regulation
- Autoimmune Regulation
We leave NO STONE UNTURNED to get to the cause and solution to your problem!
We correct the brain misfiring and metabolic dysfunctions.
With periodic re-testing it lets us know we are on the right track.
We bring together all the pieces and treat the Whole Person!