The AGEs destroy cell membrane function and damage insulin receptor activity creating a vicious cycle of elevated blood sugar and inflammatory stress. AGEs cause massive destruction throughout the body and have an affinity for thyroid tissue. Elevated HgA1C (a measure of glycation) is correlated with increased TSH and decreased free T3 & T4.
When the blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia), it increases stress hormone (cortisol and adrenaline) to boost up blood sugar. Cortisol directly inhibits the enzyme (5’-deiodinase) which converts inactive T4 into active T3. This can lead to low T3 levels.
In addition, elevated cortisol will cause thyroid hormone receptor insensitivity meaning that even if T3 levels are high enough, they may not be able to bind normally to receptor sites. And when this happens it doesn’t get into the cells. Cortisol will also increase the production of reverse T3 (rT3), which is inactive
The MicroBiome and Thyroid Disease:
The gut microbiome is made up of over 1000 different species of microbes and it plays a huge role in nutrient absorption, detoxification and the development and maturation of the immune system. Certain bacteria of the gram negative classification are known to release a potent inflammatory mediator called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (21.
Individuals with thyroid problems and Hashimoto’s are known to have dysfunctional characteristics involved in their microbiome. Elevated levels of LPS have been shown to affect pituitary TSH stimulation, T4 production and TBG production.
Tips For Improving Hypothyroidism:
Here are the best action steps to get started with on your journey to prevent and/or beat Hypothyroidism. You should always consult with your physician before stopping or changing medications or taking on new health strategies.
Additionally, you should be working with a functional health practitioner to help guide you through these strategies. This is not an exhaustive list and there are other natural therapeutic strategies that I and functional health practitioners will utilize to help individuals with Hypothyroidism.
1) Change Your Diet: Most thyroid problems are related to auto-immunity and leaky gut with multiple food sensitivities. It is key to follow an Anti-Inflammatory nutrition plan and try to choosing fresh or frozen organic food as much as possible.
2) Improve Your Sleep: Sleeping a high quality 8-9 hours each night is key to healing and improving thyroid function and reducing any form of auto-immunity.
3) Include Magnesium & B Vitamin Rich Foods: Magnesium helps to improve blood sugar signaling patterns and protects the blood-brain barrier. The best magnesium and B vitamin rich foods include dark green leafy veggies, grass-fed dairy, raw cacao and pumpkin seeds. If you can tolerate these foods (don’t have food sensitivities to them or problems with oxalates or high histamines) than consume as staple parts of your diet. You can also do Epsom salt baths to boost your magnesium levels.
4) Reduce Stress: Find ways to reduce stressful activities and enjoy more peace and calm.
5) Focus on Deep Breathing: Improving your posture, seeing a high quality chiropractor and optimizing your breathing patterns is highly recommended.
6) Use Anti-Oxidant Rich Herbs: Add turmeric, ginger, oregano, garlic, basil, thyme, kelp and rosemary to as many dishes as possible and drink organic herbal teas on a regular basis.
7) Test For Food Sensitivities: You can do a biofeedback test to determine what foods are causing stress in your system and an elimination diet to test how you are responding to eliminating certain foods for periods of time.
8) Supplement With Omega 3’s: Omega 3 fatty acids and in particular the long chain variety EPA and DHA are critical for stabilizing blood sugar, reducing inflammation and taming the immune system. Consume grass-fed meat, grass-fed butter, wild-caught fish and spirulina to get it in your diet.
It is also advisable to supplement with 2-5 grams daily of EPA/DHA along with 200 mg of GLA. Clinically, I use ProEFA to boost up omega 3’s.
9) Improve Your Mitochondria: The mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of every cell. When someone has a thyroid disorder and especially Hashimoto’s it is a clinical sign that they have dysfunctional activity going on in the mitochondria.
Support your mitochondria with clinical doses of CoQ10, L-carnitine, N-acetyl cysteine and Lipoic acid. The supplement I use with my autoimmune clients is Brain Supercharge which has the clinically effective dosages of each of these key nutrients and more.
10) Optimize Your Vitamin D: Be sure to increase your vitamin D through good amounts of regular sun exposure and/or taking a high quality vitamin D3/K2 supplement.
11) Practice Oil Pulling: Oil pulling helps to reduce the microbial load in your mouth. This takes stress off of the immune system and reduces inflammation levels throughout the body.
12) Get a Home Water Filtration System: Very important to avoid the chloride, fluoride, pesticides, heavy metals, etc. that are found in tap water. Use a good whole home water filtration systems.
13) Low Intensity Movement: A sedentary lifestyle reduces cerebrospinal fluid flow and can lead to increased oxidative stress in the brain. Throughout the day, get a lot of low-intensity movement such as walking, light cycling, playing, etc. Regular movement will help reduce inflammation and boost the development of new neurons in the brain.
14) Improve Your Gut Motility: Improving bowel movement frequency and consistency is a key detoxification concept. Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet with good fiber sources such as chia seed and flax seed, using bone broths, fermented foods and probiotics will improve bowel motility.
15) See a Chiropractor: Have a full neurological exam and see a high quality chiropractor to help reduce stress on the nervous system and enhance overall well-being.
16) Juice Your Veggies: Juicing is one of the best ways to get high quality anti-oxidants and powerful phytonutrients into your system.
17) Liver Detoxification Support: Individuals with thyroid problems most often have a sluggish liver. Supplementing with nutrients to boost glutathione such as N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha Lipoic acid and milk thistle can be of great support. I use Thyro-Liver protect with my thyroid clients.
18) Use Essential Oils: The anti-oxidant content and aromatherapy benefits of essential oils help to improve oxygenation and reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress throughout the body. Some of my favorites for thyroid function include lavendar, frankincense and peppermint among others.
