 In the previous articles from this series we looked at low thyroid (or hypothyroidism) and menopause and then the relationship between thyroid dysfunction, stress and the adrenal glands. In this article we will look at the role of nutrition and other factors in healthy thyroid function and of course ion hyperthyroidism.
The Role of Nutrition in Preventing and Treating Hypothyroidism
Inadequate nutrition can play both a causative and disrupting role in thyroid function. Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for thyroid production. Most people are aware of the role of iodine in leading to hypothyroidism. In areas of the world, or our country, where the diet is deficient in iodine there is often an increased risk of goiter (thyroid tumors) and hypothyroid disease. This problem as generally been resolved in the US by using Iodinized salt. If you are not using iodinized salt, you should be as it can help to keep your thyroid functioning optimally.
Another important mineral is selenium. Selenium is needed for the conversion of T4(thyroxin) into T3 (triiodothyronine). If an individuals diet is deficient in selenium then this can lead to hypothyroidism. By increasing this selenium in your diet or as a supplement, this may make a difference in how you feel. Vitamin A, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), and zinc are all involved in thyroid hormone metabolism in helping T3 bind inside your cells. These nutrients are essential part of your body’s natural metabolic pathways for making and using thyroid hormone. These vitamins, minerals, along with omega-3 fatty acids, and extra antioxidants can help your thyroid function effectively. The bottom line is that when you give your body the right nutrients, you will optimize your thyroid function.
Natural Hypothyroid Relief
Menopause is a time of profound changes, it can stress both your body and your mind. It can play havoc on your thyroid. When any major system of the body is out of balance the stress can effect your thyroid and if the stress is significant and prolonged hypothyroidism can be created. As always, the best way to restore healthy thyroid function is by finding the problem, understanding and resolving it. Since thyroid replacement hormones are easy to get too often physicians will simply prescribe them and forget or not include all of the other vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients and dietary changes that may be needed to support returning your thyroid to its highest level of normal functioning.
While remember that a healthy diet is your first line of defense here are some things you can do to prevent hypothyroidism, correct if it has already occurred:
Since a healthy diet also offset many other problems that affect your thyroid gland, it is essential to eat a very healthy diet, the healthiest diet you can possibly eat. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and stay away from processed and refined foods as they will deplete many of the nutrients which are essential in order for your body to run optimally.
A good healthy diet will also support your adrenal glands. This will benefit your overall health on many levels. Not only will this support your adrenal glands but it will also lighten the burden on your thyroid, it will also help restore your energy levels and overall well-being.
By taking in an adequate amount of high quality multivitamin–minerals this will help perimenopausal and menopausal women, to optimize their diet as well as their overall vitamin-mineral needs. This can then ensure a strong foundation of optimal nutrients to help support the regular production and function of your thyroid gland and the adequate production of thyroid hormones, This can help you to prevent hypothyroidism.
If your thyroid hormones are already low you should consider supplementing your diet with selenium and iodine. You can do this through eating foods high in these minerals or with over-the-counter supplements. Your doctor can help you to monitor your iodine and selenium levels. We do not recommend taking more than 200 mcg/day of selenium total in any or all of your supplements.
Find ways to diminish stress and speak your truth. By the time many women reach perimenopause, they may often find that they have given so much of themselves to the world around them that we often have little or no reserves left over for themselves. It may be necessary to reduce your work load or at least work smarter. It may help to stop lying to yourself, see the world, your family, friends and co-workers as they really are, Speak up and share your opinions if this is important to you. Explore those activities and goals that really make your life meaningful. Don’t feel guilty about asking for and receiving help or support. Learn to say “no” when you want to say no. Reduce the stress in your life.
If you make these changes and your thyroid hormone levels still aren’t right (or you’re still experiencing symptoms despite “normal” TSH), then it is worth considering a trial of thyroid replacement or in this case supplementation to see if your thyroid is running too low for your needs. While many women take synthetic levothyroxine and do well, some women do not get the relief they need. In our practice we predominantly use natural thyroid hormones, such as Armour Thyroid, WestThroid or Nature-Throid. In some women for certain reasons they may do better with compounded T3 and T4, where the dosage is individualized in the exact amounts these women need for maximum benefit. The combination of T3 and T4, whether in Armour, WestThroid or Nature-Throid often makes a big difference for many women suffering from symptoms of hypothyroidism. While some standard Western practitioners consider these natural and compounded forms of thyroid as controversial, and some are even unwilling to prescribe them, we have worked with thousands of men and women and find that they are more often the not the best way to get a sluggish thyroid taken care of. Armour Thyroid, WestThroid or Nature-Throid are biologic products coming from pork thyroid hence they are also a food. In twenty years I have never seen one problem with the exception of people who do not eat meat, or for religious reasons do not want to eat pork or have an allergy to pork.
The Deeper Meaning Of The Thyroid
In the oriental or Eastern medical construct, the thyroid is often associated with the “sacred voice.” It is often a component of the fifth chakra. Hence, in Body Symptoms Language, unresolved issues that ultimately affect the thyroid are often linked to difficulty speaking our higher truth, inability to follow our dreams, or to fully express ourselves to tell others who we are and what we are all about.
Anatomically, the thyroid sits directly over the voice box, and therefore one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can be a gravelly or “muted” voice. When the thyroid is underactive, it is important to step back and evaluate how well you are expressing your higher needs, your wants, and your opinions about those around you.
Our voice isn’t simply serve to be used to communicate words, as is the thyroid, it is connected to our entire or whole being. Your thyroid doesn’t just produce thyroid hormone, it is connected to every cell in your body and it plays a role in both our physical and our psychological worlds. If your thyroid is out of balance, your whole world or possibly a substantial part of it may also be out of balance. When you resolve the issues that throw your world out of balance your thyroid will likely return to its balance. Unfortunately, if you simply use drugs or even natural thyroid supplements or medications to rebalance your thyroid this may not be enough to rebalance the rest of your life. However, it can help you to at least reduce negative symptoms, wake up and allow you healthy time to fix what needs to be fixed. and you will find the dynamic balance your body is naturally desiring.
Where Do I Start?
If your thyroid is not working well and you are suffering from low thyroid the place to start is by using natural thyroid hormonal replacement. This means using Armour Thyroid, WestThroid or Nature-Throid natural thyroid replacement at a dosage that is right for your needs. Next, if you are not already doing it, is to eat a basically healthy diet. If you are not or you or your physician believe that you are nutritionally deficient than add to the above a balanced array of nutritional supplements designed to replace whichever nutrients are deficient.
Next, work with your practitioner to establish not just “normal” but optimal blood levels of thyroid. Since the range of blood levels for thyroid hormones can be very wide, simply being in the normal range may not be enough. You can be within the “normal” range and still be at the lower end of the “normal” range which might still be too low for you.
You are really only “normal” when you feel as if you are doing great. We talk about this as being in the “optimal” range. That is whatever your blood level is you are doing the very best possible for your needs and chemistry. While one person may do well at the lower end of the “normal” range another may be doing poorly. We use the lab values not to decide if you are “normal” or “abnormal” bust only as a guide so that in the future we can have sense of what blood level you will feel best at, your “optimal”blood level.
We generally we use only three blood functions when we are following our low thyroid patients:
1. TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which we talked about in article #1
2. Free T3 (Free Triiodothyronine)
3. Free T4 (Free Thyroxin)
If you remember from our prior articles T3 is the active thyroid hormone we usually talk about as “thyroid hormone.” T4, is the thyroid hormone mad by your thyroid gland and in order for the body to use it, it must first be converted, using some special enzymes, into T3.
The standard range of TSH (please note your lab may have different normal based on the type of test used to determine the TSH level) is
TSH 035 to 4.0 mIU/L
Free T3 2.3 to 4.4 pg/mL
Free T4 0.61 to 1.76 ng/dL
Using these normals we consider if Free T3 is between 3.0 and 4.4 the individual is more than likely within their optimal range. This assumes that they tolerate this level with no individual of symptoms or hyperthyroidism such as rapid heart rate, palpitations, tremor, trembling hands, heat intolerance, nervousness, insomnia, breathlessness, increased bowel movements, light or absent menstrual periods, fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, warm moist skin, hair loss,
or staring gaze.
Nutrients and Foods That Can Help Your Maintain A Healthy Thyroid
- Iodine (I): seaweed (e.g., nori), clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines, pineapple, eggs.
- Selenium (Se): smoked herring, smelt, wheat germ, Brazil nuts (just one nut provides ~139 mcg), apple cider vinegar, scallops, barley, lobster.
- Zinc (Zn): fresh oysters, ginger root, pecans, dry split peas, Brazil nuts, egg yolk, whole wheat, rye, oats, peanuts.
- Vitamin E: wheat germ oil, olive oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts.
- Vitamin A: dark green leafy veggies, liver, winter squash, cantaloupe, stone fruits, papaya, and cod liver oil.
- B vitamin complex: brewer’s yeast, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, beans, peanuts.
- Vitamin C: Red chili, guava, parsley, dark green leafy veggies, strawberries, papaya, citrus fruits.
To return to article #1-Hypothyroidism in Menopause, A Holistic Approach, click here.
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