What were your results from the Thyroid Quiz last week? If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed, you might be thinking...now what? Thyroid disorders can often be hard to diagnose, so it's important to ask the right questions and request for complete blood work. These days, you really need to be an advocate for your health -- after all you know your body better than anyone else, including your doctor.
Make sure to ask for the following blood tests when checking on your thyroid health. Doctors might push back and say that you only need TSH, but all these tests are extremely importance, especially the first 6.
TSH
Total T4
Free T4
Total T3
Free T3
Reverse T3
Anti-TPO Antibodies
Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibodies
Once you get your blood test back -- question the results. Sometimes the bloodwork will come back "within range" but that doesn't necessarily mean you're fine. If you feel like something is off, it is. Standard medical ranges vary so much and can often be wider range than necessary. It is also important to look at how everything else is working in your body for comparison. Often, when one hormone is out of whack it affects the rest. In addition to the tests above, looking for nutrient depletions (specifically for those listen below), gut infections, inflammatory markers, as well as screening for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions is important in evaluating the whole picture of your thyroid health.
What Causes Thyroid issues?
Inflammation, heavy metals, envirmonenrtal toxins, autoimmune disease, fluoride, infections, stress, nutrient deficiencies, and medications are some of the common causes of thyroid disruption.
How can I support my Thyroid?
FOOD : Focus on vitamin and mineral packed foods that are high in vitamin D, selenium, iodine, vitamin A, magnesium, zinc and essential fatty acids.
Grass fed meats
Organ meats
Seafood (salmon, mackerel, herring, oysters, and sardines)
Leafy greens (spinach_
Mushrooms
Brazil Nuts
Seaweed
Egg yolks
Almonds
Brown rice
Grass-fed butter
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
MOVEMENT: Move at least 30 mins a day.
Exercise is important in lowering inflammation and supporting conversion of T4 to its active form, T3. I know it can be difficult to get moving when you feel fatigued, which is why focusing on what you can do and working your way up to more intense exercise is important.
SUPPLEMENTS: You want to take supplements that help your immune system and reduce inflammation which is the root cause of all chronic diseases and illnesses.
Vitamin D: A deficiency in vitamin D is linked to several autoimmune diseases and specifically with thyroid disease.
Selenium: The thyroid is sensitive to selenium deficiency. Selenium is a crucial component of the enzyme that converts T4 (inactive hormone) to T3 (active hormone) in the body.
Iodine: The thyroid gland synthesizes iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to create thyroid hormone. Too much iodine can be detrimental to your thyroid (avoid table salt and foods that have fortified iodine) stick to 150 micrograms/day.
Vitamin A: This vitamin is often deficient in people with any type of autoimmune disease, with Hashimoto’s being no exception.
Magnesium: In cases of severe thyroid hormone deficiency, blood pressure rises as a result of a loss of plasticity of blood vessels. It plays a role in regulating blood pressure by preventing excessive contraction of the vessels.
Zinc: Zinc works together with vitamin A and E to manufacture thyroid hormone, and is also a necessary cofactor along with copper and selenium in converting T4 to T3.
Iron: Iron contributes to the proper production of thyroid hormones, and studies have shown that a deficiency in iron can have a negative impact on thyroid function.
Adaptogenic herbs: Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Ginseng support both adrenal and thyroid health.
Fish oil: Essential fatty acids establish and maintain cell membrane integrity and fluidity in the thyroid gland. Additionally, inflammation can decrease thyroid receptor function and decrease conversion of T4 to T3 which is needed and fish oil help reduce inflammation.
Need extra support? I am here to help! Email me at hayley@awholisticlife.co and we can get started today!
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