Rebalancing Thyroid Function

Thyroid Hormone's main role is to control energy production (metabolism) in the cell. TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone, is produced by the Pituitary Gland. It stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone for circulation in the blood. As thyroid hormone levels drop, TSH production increases to stimulate the thyroid to make more hormone. If thyroid hormone levels increase, TSH production will decrease because the thyroid is making plenty of hormone. Chemical exposure to food toxins, environmental toxins and air pollutants can disrupt the thyroid gland where thyroid receptors become resistant to thyroid hormone (just as insulin receptors become resistant to insulin) leading to the development of low thyroid function and its symptoms.

T3 & T4 thyroid. These hormones are bound to proteins in the blood until they reach the cells where they change. T4 (thyroxine), is 95% of the thyroid hormone produced which is an inactive form. The number 4 denotes the number of iodine molecules attached to it.   T3 (triiodothyronine) is the active form of thyroid hormone which is produced as a result of one of the iodine molecules being chopped off from the T4. Most of the T4 is converted into T3 in the liver with approximately 60% of the T4 converted to T3. Now, about 20% gets converted to Reverse T3 (which is irreversible). This form can be a problem because it still binds with its receptors and blocks the actual T3 from binding with their receptors and working properly. Another factor that increases levels of Reverse T3 is the production of too much Cortisol as with too much stress. Cortisol will suppress TSH production resulting in poor or low thyroid function. Symptoms of low thyroid function include: fatigue, weight gain, inability to lose weight, constipation, dry itchy skin, brittle hair, depression, headaches, cold hands and feet, poor sleep, water retention. slow wound healing and muscle cramps.