Thyroid Balance: Supporting Healthy Thyroid Function Naturally
Are you one of the estimated 20 million Americans who have some form of thyroid disease? You could be. Up to 60% of people with thyroid disease don’t even know it. That is why learning about thyroid balance is important. One reason is that the TSH test most doctors rely on to diagnose thyroid problems isn’t always 100% reliable for detecting glandular problems, and your thyroid gland is needed to control your metabolism and interacts with how many other organs function.
What Does the Thyroid Do?
Your thyroid is part of your glandular or endocrine system and makes two hormones known as T3 and T4. These hormones talk to your cells and instruct your cells how to burn calories and use your body’s energy. It is also involved in your metabolism to keep it running at a steady and healthy speed. These thyroid hormones also help in regulating your heart rate, digestion, brain activity, and even your body temperature. Cleveland Clinic offers an in-depth look at your thyroid.
Signs Your Thyroid May Be Out of Balance
Thyroid balance is important because your thyroid can become underactive or overactive. Each situation comes with its own symptoms.
If your thyroid is underactive, it is called hypothyroidism. This is where your body slows down more than it needs to, and you can feel fatigued most of the time, tend to gain weight, experience foggy thinking, and may feel cold.
If your thyroid is overactive, it is called hyperthyroidism. This is when your body runs faster than it needs to; you can feel anxious, notice a faster heartbeat, you also may feel tired all the time, and may even feel warm.
Understanding Thyroid Testing
Testing for the thyroid is usually done through blood tests known as TSH, Free T3, and Free T4. This gives a more complete picture of how your thyroid balance and how your gland is functioning. There is also a thyroid antibody panel if they feel your thyroid issues can be related to an autoimmune issue. Below is a brief description of what each test measures.
TSH blood test is usually one of the first tests they order. TSH is a stimulating hormone released by your pituitary gland telling your thyroid to get to work. This test measures how much of this hormone is being sent.
Free T4 blood test measures the amount of unbound T4 hormone that is available in your bloodstream. This hormone gives us insight into how your thyroid gland is functioning.
Free T3 blood test measures the active thyroid hormone. This test can be particularly useful when evaluating an overactive thyroid.
The Gut–Thyroid Connection
The gut-thyroid axis is another two-way communication pathway in the body. This means that your gut health affects your thyroid and your thyroid affects your gut health. The gut helps convert your thyroid hormones with the help of the healthy bacteria residing there. Your gut also absorbs the nutrients that your thyroid needs to function. Sometimes, when harmful particles get into the blood due to poor intestinal permeability (leaky gut), it can trigger autoimmune attacks, potentially leading to Hashimoto’s disease.
The thyroid controls how fast or slow food moves through your digestive system, which can lead to constipation, bloating, and hard stools. Slow motility can also lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Focusing on eating a gut-healthy diet full of plants, fiber, and fermented foods is one way to support your gut microbiome.
Nutrition and Nutrients for Thyroid Health
Many nutrients are needed for thyroid balance. The key players include iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, and whole nourishing foods are key.
Iodine is one of the core nutrients your thyroid needs. It is necessary for hormone functioning. Iodine can be found in seaweed-type foods like kelp, wakame, wild-caught seafood, dairy products, and iodized salt. Both too little and too much iodine can affect thyroid function, especially in people with existing thyroid conditions.
Selenium is needed by the thyroid to protect it from oxidative stress and helps in the hormone conversion process. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium, as are sardines, salmon, tuna, eggs, and sunflower seeds.
Zinc helps support the brain and proper signaling of hormones. Oysters, lean beef, seeds, lentils, and chickpeas are good sources of zinc.
Iron is needed for thyroid hormone production because it supports enzymes involved in making thyroid hormones. Beef liver, red meat, spinach, lentils, and white beans are good sources of iron. I also like black strap molasses.
Whole Nourishing Foods are great for supporting gut health. Your gut loves to eat fresh produce, fiber found in legumes, lean proteins, and fermented foods.
Many essential oils can be supportive when it comes to thyroid balance. You can learn more about these oils in our Essential Oils for Thyroid Support article. You can also learn more about balancing your thyroid in this edition of Sunshine Sharing.
