Thyroid health part 1 – an under-active thyroid

2 mins to read

Naturopath Siobhan Jordan explores the curious world of the thyroid and uncovers the workings of this small but influential gland. Read on for some understanding and thyroid health solutions.

Everyday health

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly or bow tie shaped gland situated in the front of the neck, nestled on either side of the windpipe (trachea) and below the voice box (larynx).

The thyroid is part of the body’s endocrine (hormone) system. When stimulated by the pituitary gland, via its production of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), the thyroid makes the hormones tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

Thyroxine controls the delicate balance that is metabolism and when not produced in the correct amounts, it can wreak havoc on your health. Too much thyroxine revs your body up with symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, feeling jittery and tremors of the hands. You could think of it like an out-of-control caffeine experience. Needless to say, with too little thyroxine you feel sluggish, with symptoms such as tiredness, constipation and an inability to lose weight. It’s like your body is in shut down mode.

Let’s explore thyroid problems in more detail, starting with an under-active thyroid.

What causes an under-active thyroid and what are the symptoms?

An under-active thyroid, producing insufficient thyroxine, is referred to as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is thought to affect approximately 6-10% of women and its prevalence increases with age. Up to one quarter of women over the age of 65 years may be affected. Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder.

Causes of hypothyroidism are numerous and may include:

A deficiency of the mineral iodine, which is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones
Hashimoto’s disease – an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland
Pituitary gland dysfunction – when the pituitary doesn’t produce sufficient TSH for the production of thyroid hormones

Given that thyroxine has an impact on so many bodily functions, signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are diverse and can include:

Fatigue
Unexplained weight gain
Tired and aching muscles
Poor tolerance to the cold
Low mood
Hair loss
Constipation
Goitre (enlarged thyroid)

Complementary medicines for a healthy thyroid

Iodine
Iodine is an essential mineral required for the production of thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine. Consider it the master nutrient of thyroid health.

When considering dietary sources of iodine, the sea is key! High-iodine foods include shellfish, seaweed (e.g. kelp), seawater fish, iodised salt and iodine-fortified foods (e.g. breads).

Selenium
This mineral is also required for healthy thyroid function. Good food sources include Brazil nuts, garlic, fish and other seafood and brewer’s yeast.

Coleus
This herb, used in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine, contains an active ingredient, forskolin, which may support thyroid function.

References available on request