Could Your Thyroid Be Under-Active?

Your thyroid is an important gland which is involved in energy production, metabolism, skin health, immune health and more.

The reference ranges for thyroid function are quite broad and I often see sub clinically under active thyroid levels in my clinic. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are:

·       Weight Gain

·       Difficultly Losing Weight

·       Dry Skin

·       Dry Hair

·       Feeling Cold

·       Long Cycles

·       Heavy Periods

·       PMS

T4 – T3 Conversion

You may have heard of T4 for which is called thyroxine, but have you heard of T3? T3 is the most active form of the thyroid hormone and is converted from T4 and not typically tested by the NHS.

There are things that can get in the way of this important conversion. When we have chronic stress T4 can be converted into reverse T3 which is an inactive form of the thyroid hormone which unfortunately your body can't really use.

I often test thyroid function with antibody activity screening in my client clinic. The symptoms of a sub clinically under active thyroid can be quite far reaching across the body, and I often see it in cases with constipation, low mood, PMS, heavy periods and irregular cycles.

What can interfere with the conversion of T4 into T3?

Stress

During periods of high stress or chronic stress T4 can sometimes be converted into reverse T3 which is in an inactive form of the thyroid hormone which your body has no use for. To support your thyroid, work on your stress levels as cortisol the stress hormone can also impact the production of TSH, your thyroid stimulating hormone.

Elevated Oestrogen

High levels of oestrogen come from many different sources be hormone conditions such as  fibroids or lower levels of progesterone. Either way the high levels of oestrogen can be associated with difficulty of T4 into T3 thyroid conversion.

Nutrient Deficiencies

There are many different nutrients which are required for the conversion and production of thyroid hormones. Deficiencies and even one of these areas can add difficulty to the thyroid function. aim to eat lots of different colours every day and consider taking a high quality multi nutrient. Some key nutrients are iodine, selenium and zinc.

Inflammation

There are many sources of information be it from infection to pro-inflammatory foods. Chronic low grade inflammation is common and is important to consider when we're thinking about the thyroid.

Immune Dysfunction

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition which affects the thyroid function. Essentially the body starts to attack the thyroid mistakenly. It is very important before you start taking any supplements to work on your thyroid to firstly understand if your thyroid even need support an if it does if it's coming from an autoimmune driver or not.