T
his month I am going to be starting a new series for Natural Triad
called “Thyroid 101”. Over the next couple of months I will be discussing a different topic related to thyroid func- tion, evaluation, and treat- ment. I have decided to write this series because thyroid dysfunction is both prevalent and complicated and unless properly worked up and treated, it can leave many people sick-and-tired and searching for answers.
Some of the topics discussed
will include: • The thyroid gland and the function of the thyroid hormones • Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction • Physical exam findings connected with thyroid problems • The typical work up for these symptoms and why the TSH may not be reli- able • What tests are really needed to assess thyroid function • The difference between the medications used for treatment
So be sure to read each month and
stay up to date with all things thyroid. That said, let’s get started….
The thyroid gland is a little gland that sits at the base of the neck. It is in the shape of a butterfly and is only about two inches across. Despites its small size, it deliv- ers wide ranging effects and dramatic impacts on our heath.
The thyroid gland and the hormones that it produces are considered by many doctors to be the most impor- tant and influential endocrine gland that we have. Every single cell in our bodies has thyroid hormone receptors. Therefore, thyroid deficiency will affect every single cell in our bodies causing patients with suboptimal thyroid func- tion to feel extremely sick as nothing will work the way it is supposed to. Not only does every cell in our bodies
have thyroid receptors but all of the other endocrine systems also rely on thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone affects the adrenal glands, the sex hormones, the hunger hormones, and the neurotransmit- ters. Thyroid hormone is considered the central gear connected to many other gears. When this gear is sluggish then all of the other gears lag behind as well. This is why many people with hypothyroid- ism just feel like they are “grinding to a halt" because in some ways they are.
The first thing that we need to under- stand is the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland and thyroid hormones. Do- ing so helps us better understand the sig- nificance of having suboptimal thyroid levels and the importance of proper treat- ment.
Since every single cell in our
bodies (and every organ and physiological system) relies on thyroid hormone, we can likely agree that it is pretty important. So when describing its function, the best way to sum it up is that: "it does EVERY- THING!!!" To better understand the jobs of the thyroid hormone, it is important to discuss the Big 3 - Energy production, Weight loss, and Temperature regulation.
1. Help with energy: Thyroid hor- mone is the signal that turns on the power plants of our cells. The power plants of our cells are called mitochondria. These mito- chondria are what makes the ATP that our bodies use for all bodily processes that require energy. When there is not enough thyroid hormone around, the power plants will slow down. So, for example, you can think of thyroid hormone as the workers in a coal fired power plant. One worker can shovel in only a certain amount of coal for the power plant to make energy. If only one person is working, only a small amount of energy will be produced. But, if you have 100 workers all shoveling coal into the power plant, then the plant will
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