Dr. G’s Protocol for Thyroid Health

January is #ThyroidAwarenessMonth! If you want your body to burn fat and have lots of energy, the number one gland you need to work optimally is your thyroid. Your thyroid produces and releases Thyroid Hormone, which acts as the accelerator pedal for your metabolism. The more of it you have, the faster your metabolic rate and the more fat you burn. The less you have, the slower your metabolism and the harder it is to burn fat.

To help us understand the critical role of the thyroid, we turn to Dr. Gabrielle Francis, known as "The Herban Alchemist." With over 35 years of experience in natural medicine as a Naturopathic Doctor, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, and Licensed Massage Therapist, Dr. Francis brings a holistic approach to health. Practicing in New York City, she seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern indulgence to empower vibrant living. 

 What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck just below the larynx. It is butterfly-shaped and consists of two lobes located on either side of the windpipe (trachea). A normal thyroid gland is not usually outwardly visible or able to be felt if finger pressure is applied to the neck.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, growth, and development. It plays a role in controlling heart, muscle, and digestive function, brain development, and bone maintenance. Its correct functioning depends on a good supply of iodine from the diet. Cells producing thyroid hormones are very specialized in extracting and absorbing iodine from the blood and incorporating it into the thyroid hormones.

Thyroid Hormones and Function

Thyroid Hormones are produced when the Pituitary Gland activates. The pituitary gland produces and sends out a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then tells the thyroid gland how much hormone to produce and secrete. TSH levels in your blood are rising and falling depending on your body’s needs, to produce thyroid hormones.

The pituitary gland responds directly to the thyroid hormones in the blood, but it also responds to signals from the hypothalamus, which sits above the pituitary gland as part of your brain. The hypothalamus releases its hormone thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH stimulates the release of TSH in the pituitary, which then signals to the thyroid gland.

This whole network is also referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT), and it adapts to metabolic changes and your body’s needs.

The thyroid gland produces thyroxine (referred to as T4), which is a relatively inactive prohormone, and the highly active hormone called triiodothyronine (referred to as T3). Collectively, thyroxine and triiodothyronine are referred to as the thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland produces just 20% of the highly active T3, and it mainly produces the prohormone T4, which constitutes about 80% of the secreted thyroid hormones. Once secreted by the thyroid, specific enzymes in other tissues like the liver and kidneys convert T4 into the active hormone T3 (which accounts for most of the T3 in the body).

In addition, there are other hormone-producing cells within the thyroid gland called C-cells. These cells produce calcitonin. Calcitonin plays a role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, which is important for maintaining healthy bones. 

Thyroid Imbalances

Normally the thyroid gland produces the exact number of hormones needed to keep your body’s metabolism functioning and in balance. TSH secreted by the pituitary gland remains at a constant level in your blood circulation, but the level increases when the T4 levels fall and decreases when T4 levels in the blood rise. This hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback loop keeps the levels of T4 in your blood stable and reacts to small changes immediately.

However, there are several disorders associated with the thyroid gland with most problems concerning the production of thyroid hormones. Either the thyroid gland produces too much hormone (called hyperthyroidism), resulting in your body using energy more quickly than it should; or your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormone (called hypothyroidism), resulting in your body using energy more slowly than it should. Rarely cancer of the thyroid gland may develop.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, fast (and sometimes irregular) heart rate, irritability/nervousness, muscle weakness and tremors, changes in menstrual periods, sleep problems, eye problems, and heat sensitivity.

The following conditions cause hyperthyroidism:

• Graves' disease is a condition where the immune system causes the thyroid gland to become overactive and produce too much hormone. Your thyroid gland might be enlarged and referred to as a diffuse toxic Goiter.

• Thyroiditis (inflammation) caused by a viral infection can trigger the release of hormones that are stored in the thyroid gland. This uncontrolled release of thyroid hormones causes hyperthyroidism for a few weeks or months, with thyroid function returning to normal in most cases.

• Excessive iodine intake may have negative effects on your thyroid gland. High quantities of iodine are found in several drugs, Lugol's solution, some cough syrups, and contrast dyes used for some types of scans. This might cause the thyroid to produce either too much or too little thyroid hormones in some individuals.

• Swelling and lumps can occur within the thyroid gland, and they are called Nodules.  Most thyroid nodules are harmless, but some can cause the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Rarely, thyroid nodules can be cancerous. In some cases, such as cancer, some or all of the thyroid gland is removed. You can live without your thyroid, but you need to take medicine daily to replace the hormones produced by your thyroid gland.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, slower heart rate, fatigue, menstrual period abnormalities, forgetfulness, dry skin and hair, hoarse voice, and intolerance to cold. 

• Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. This can reduce the amount of thyroid hormones produced.

• A special form of thyroiditis is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This is an Autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to make the thyroid gland underactive. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often runs in families. In addition, thyroiditis can occur in women after giving birth, this is called postpartum thyroiditis. 

• Iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism. This is a worldwide problem affecting approximately 100 million people. As mentioned earlier, iodine is used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones.

• Environmental Toxins such as Chlorine, Fluoride, Radiation, and Medications can also cause Hypothyroidism.

Causes of Thyroid Imbalances

1. Nutrient Deficiencies

Several nutrients, such as iodine and selenium, play an important yet often overlooked role in the proper functioning of the thyroid. Iodine and amino acids (the “building blocks” of proteins) are converted by the thyroid to the hormones T3 and T4.

Research shows that some of the most significant known risk factors for thyroid problems include:

• Deficiencies in three important nutrients that support healthy thyroid function — iodine, selenium, and zinc deficiency

• Poor diet high in processed foods with things like sugar or unhealthy fats. Too much caffeine and/or alcohol can also contribute to emotional stress and poor gut health.

• Either too much or too little iodine can disrupt thyroid function. The same can happen when someone lacks B vitamins, zinc, and other minerals, including electrolytes.

2. Stress

Stress, anxiety, fatigue, and depression can interfere with adrenal function and wear down the entire immune system and endocrine system. Lack of sleep and overexercising are other causes of stress.

3. Leaky Gut Syndrome

Some thyroid symptoms can be related to leaky gut syndrome, which triggers inflammation. This impairs normal nutrient absorption, can lead to autoimmune reactions, can reduce oxygen reaching the organs, and causes less blood flow through the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to Autoimmune conditions such as Graves and Hashimoto’s.

4. Lifestyle

A lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle may contribute to overall poor health and hormonal imbalances.

5. Toxins and Medications

Reactions to some immunosuppressive medications can also impact the thyroid and adrenals. So can toxins such as Chlorine, Fluoride, Radiation, and other environmental pollutants.

6. Genetics

Other potential causes include genetic factors (research shows that thyroid problems tend to run in families), pregnancy, or in the case of infants or young children, a genetic pituitary disorder, defective thyroid, or lack of the gland entirely.

Cleanse + Ignite

A healthy liver is crucial to optimizing metabolism. When the liver is overburdened with toxins, it becomes less efficient at breaking down fats into energy and managing blood sugar levels – leading to cravings and fat storage. Toxic load also impacts the liver’s ability to regulate key metabolic hormones including insulin, thyroid hormone, and cortisol, resulting in weight gain. 

Metabolism Cleanse and Metabolism Ignite work synergistically to supercharge metabolism by detoxing the liver, igniting fat-burning enzymes, and regulating metabolism and appetite hormones. 

The Best and Worst Foods for Thyroid Health

Thyroid hormone is made from specific nutrients, so by supplying your body with ample amounts of these nutrients you can boost your body’s own production naturally. Certain foods help improve thyroid function and hormone production, while others can hinder it and negatively affect your thyroid.

The 15 Best Foods For Your Thyroid

• Sea vegetables like kelp (seaweed) because they contain iodine which is critical for making thyroid hormone.

• Brazil nuts are rich in selenium which activates your thyroid hormone.

• Cod liver oil is a naturally rich source of vitamin D which is an essential nutrient for healthy thyroid function.

• Proper free-range eggs because when the hens are out in the grass, they get sun on them and eat a much broader range of food like grass, works, dirt etc. This means the eggs have a greater range of nutrients in them, like vitamin D, vitamin B12, omega 3’s, and minerals. 

• Pasture-fed beef contains the amino acid tyrosine, which is what you make thyroid hormone from, as well as vitamin B12, and all the minerals, like zinc and selenium, from the soil that comes through the grass the cow eats. You want 100% pasture-fed beef because that means the cow lives its life in the paddock like it should, eating all sorts of plants, not in a feedlot being just fed only grains.

• Sesame seeds because they contain copper and zinc, which are both essential for optimal thyroid function and hormone production. You need to make sure the seeds are broken open otherwise, they will pass straight through you. So, grind them before you eat them, or use tahini.

• Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of zinc which helps your cells activate your thyroid hormones.

• Spinach is rich in minerals like magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc, which are all essential for optimal thyroid hormone production.

• Prawns and scallops have omega-3 oils and vitamin B12, but mostly they are a rich source of iodine (if you don’t like the taste of seaweed).

• Cashews are loaded with copper, magnesium, and zinc. Important minerals if you want your thyroid to boost a sluggish thyroid.

• Fermented foods like coconut kefir (kefir is like a yogurt probiotic), coconut yogurt, sauerkraut. While you might not be aware of it, many thyroid problems stem from poor gut health because the bad gut bacteria levels are too high. Consuming fermented foods is an easy and delicious way to boost your good gut bug numbers.

The 7 Worst Foods for Your Thyroid

• Wheat and gluten-containing foods have been implicated as an underlying cause of thyroid dysfunction. Both over-active and under-active thyroid conditions. These foods contain a protein called gluten (it’s this protein that gives flours their ‘glue-iness’), which triggers inflammation and immune system dysfunction in genetically susceptible people (autoimmune disease).

• Soybean products (soy milk, tofu, soy cheese, soy yogurt, soy protein) naturally contain anti-thyroid compounds that can slow thyroid hormone production if you eat too much of them or you’re genetically susceptible. The other issue with many soy products is that they are heavily processed and refined and so contain sugar and other unhealthy additives.

• Too much raw broccoli/kale/cabbage can slow your thyroid hormone output. Now you do have to eat a lot to cause yourself a problem but with the rise of the ‘Green Smoothie’ people are now able to eat larger amounts of these vegetables. So, a handful is okay but don’t overdo it on the smoothies.

• Processed foods are terrible for your thyroid. It lacks any of the nutrients your thyroid needs to function optimally and often contains foods that can damage your thyroid like wheat, gluten, soy, and sugar. Processed foods cause inflammation in your body after you eat them, and inflammation suppresses thyroid hormone production and activation.

• Refined vegetable oils (any oils that aren’t cold pressed like margarine, vegetable shortening, and cooking oils) cause lots of inflammation in your body because they contain high levels of oxidized (rancid) omega-6 oil. Refined vegetable oils are especially harmful to your thyroid when consumed with or as an ingredient in gluten and soy products like breads, pastries, biscuits, crackers, and sauces.

• Tap water while safe to drink can interfere with your thyroid because of the chemicals used to make it safe to drink and protect your teeth. Tap water contains chlorine and fluoride, and because these two chemicals are in the same family as iodine, they compete with it for absorption. So, if you eat foods that contain iodine to boost your thyroid function and then drink tap water, you’re taking one step forward and then two steps back.

• Sugar (refined sugar that is not fruit) is one of the worst foods for thyroid health. Not only does it cause inflammation in your body by stimulating the overproduction of insulin, but it also triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol. When you eat refined sugar or sugary products it spikes your blood sugars. Your pancreas then dumps a massive amount of insulin into your bloodstream to quickly remove the overload of sugar. This then causes your blood sugar levels to plummet which then causes your adrenal glands to release cortisol to get your blood sugars back up to a normal level. The problem with this is cortisol is a signal to your brain that food might be scarce and so it triggers the famine response… slow thyroid hormone production, slow thyroid hormone activation, lower metabolic rate, and store body fat.