Low Thyroid: Hypothyroidism
Updated Oct. 30th, 2017
Low thyroid has become a very common health concern with very real symptoms that affect both a person’s physical as well as emotional health. Many people may have it yet do not know; in fact, it can go undiagnosed for many years because the “normal” level of thyroid hormones can vary from person to person.
Many natural health care practitioners prefer the reliability of the basal temperature test (done in the morning) because it can identify people with borderline low thyroid. Low thyroid causes the body to be slightly colder than a healthy person. While only the difference of at the most two degrees, it can have broad ranging effects on many different functions of the body resulting in many different symptoms.
Firstly, in a hypothyroid state the body’s metabolic rate is decreased. This is why most people with low thyroid experience weight gain. Secondly, lower levels of thyroid hormones can affect the production of neurotransmitters and how well they are used in the brain and other parts of the body - this can lead to common low thyroid symptoms like depression, anxiety, poor memory, and insomnia. In this respect, it can also affect digestion because enzymes, just like neurotransmitters, do not function as they should when the body temperature is lowered - this can result in poor digestion of food, which can be manifested as gas, upset stomach, heartburn or constipation. The hormone insulin (responsible for regulating the level of sugar in the blood) is equally affected lower temperatures in the body and explains why many with low thyroid often experience fluctuations in blood sugar like yo-yoing effect of hypoglycemia. Some of these may need to be treated along with the low thyroid.
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IODINE & LOW THYROID
Iodine is a mineral needed for all aspect of your health. Potassium iodide is a salt of stable iodine. For the most part, we can get adequate amounts of stable iodine from the foods that we eat. Potassium iodide is a medicinal form of stable iodine.
Following a radiological or nuclear event, radioactive iodine is released into the air, and taken up through our lungs when we breathe. It can also contaminate local food supply and water supply and be ingested. Once present in the body, the thyroid gland will begin to rapidly absorb it/take it up. Potassium iodide competes with radioactive iodine at receptor sites. It fills these sites and prevents the thyroid from taking up any of the radioactive substance. Its action at these receptor sites lasts 24 hours, meaning the thyroid is unable to take up any iodine – stable or radioactive – during that time.
Often difficult to get from the diet, iodine is an essential trace mineral necessary for overall health. Your thyroid gland needs this mineral to manufacture optimum levels of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothryonine (T3). These hormones – based on iodine and the amino acid tyrosine – regulate your body's overall metabolism and also play a regulating role for other hormones produced by the body.
When there is not enough iodine present, your thyroid (located in the throat area) is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone causing weight gain, low energy, poor concentration (brain fog), depression, blood sugar fluctuations and other symptoms.
It is important to understand that potassium iodide does not protect the body as a whole from radioactive iodine, nor does it prevent any other body part from taking it up. It's actions are very specific to the thyroid. It has no effect on other radioactive elements, like cesium, nor the effects these elements may have on the body.
Infants and children are at the highest risk of developing thyroid cancer due to an accumulation of radioactive iodine. Infants who are breast feeding still need some sort of supplementation, as the breast milk will not contain enough stable iodine to protect the infant from exposure. It is recommended that adults (18+) take a dose of 130 mg (or two 65 mg tabs), children ages 3-18 years should take only 65 mg, unless adult sized (at this time the adult dose is recommended). Infants and children between 1mos – 3 years are recommended to take 32 mg. And newborns are told to take 16 mg.
A one time dose of potassium iodide is usually all that is recommended . If there is a threat that radioactive iodine will be in the environment for longer than 24 hours, public health officials may inform the public to take the supplement for a few days in a row. Please ask the advice of your local healthcare practitioner or public health agency. There are several health risks associated with high dosage or long-term dosage of potassium iodide, especially in infants and children, or those with a pre- existing thyroid condition. Taking more than is recommended for a longer period of time will not offer any more protection and may be putting these individuals at risk.
Iodine has become so difficult to get in the diet that staple foods like salt are now enriched with iodine. In the case of iodized salt the inorganic form of iodine is added. Natural, organic sources, such as those derived from the seaweeds kelp and bladderwrack are much more absorbable and easier for the thyroid gland to use that the inorganic (mined) sources used to enrich foods.
In a supplement form, iodine is usually derived from natural seaweed sources and is available in both liquid and capsule, or tablet, forms. The standardized types of these supplements contain a higher level of iodine and a consistent amount in each tablet – usually about 150mcg. This is the preferred form for clinical use in low thyroid conditions, while the un-standardized kelp is suitable for people in need of a daily supplement.
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CAUSES & SYMPTOMS OF A LOW THYROID
Low thyroid can also: lower immune system function, cause dry skin, lower blood pressure and raise cholesterol, promote water retention, cause menstrual irregularities in women, cause muscle aches and pain, and create allergies. Hypothyroid sufferers also report fatigue, an increased need for sleep, decreased initiative, lack of concentration, poor memory, bowel changes, muscle and joint aches, and asthma. Because of the broad range of effects that low thyroid has on over all health, it is important that it be treated. Left untreated long term hypothyroidism can cause serious concerns that can affect your quality of life.
There can be many causes of low thyroid, including: hormonal changes (especially during pregnancy), lack of iodine in the diet, an abnormal immune system reaction (as in Hashimoto’s), heredity, stress, treatment for an overactive thyroid, chemical pollutants and heavy metal poisoning. It is important to discover the exact cause of low thyroid so that the root cause can be treated.
Conventional treatment of hypothyroidism involves supplementation with synthetic thyroid hormone.
Most hypothyroid patients benefit from T4 supplementation but it must be converted by the body into active T3. In a small percentage of people this conversion is inadequate. They require medication that contains both T3 and T4.
Side effects of these medications cause similar symptoms to hyperthyroidism. They can also cause a loss of bone mass. Many medications can interact with thyroid medication.
Talk to a health professional to determine the best time to take your medication. Avoid taking thyroid medication with calcium supplements.
Nutritional support for an under active thyroid gland can include among many other supplements, thyroid glandular extract. Thyroid glandular boosts the activity of your own thyroid gland, optimizing its production T3 and T4. Ensuring that your are getting enough of important nutrients like iodine and tyrosine is crucial for natural thyroid support. Please see the table below for extensive information about which supplements can be used as part of a thyroid support regimen.
Exercise is important when you have low thyroid. Daily aerobic exercise stimulates the thyroid gland and improves the use of thyroid hormone in the body. Saunas, steam baths and dry skin brushing stimulate the thyroid. Regular detoxification programs are important because low thyroid can cause you to retain more toxins than a healthy person.
Toxicity may also play a role in the development of the disorder itself.
Dietary treatment of hypothyroidism involves ensuring adequate iodine, copper, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin E intake. Consume the following foods: seaweeds, fish, clams, lobster, oysters, eggs, natural yogurt, unhomogenized milk, raw wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, beet greens, parsley and carrots. Avoid chlorinated and fluoridated water because they block iodine receptors in the thyroid. Avoid broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, rutabagas, soybeans, onions, spinach and turnips because they suppress thyroid hormone function.
Overall, once you know you have low thyroid, half the battle is over. You might notice that when you are under stress that your symptoms of low thyroid are more pronounced. It is important - as with any major health concern – that you maintain a positive attitude and remain focused on your treatment protocol. Dealing with low thyroid can be frustrating, but not as frustrating as letting the symptoms go untreated.
This is such a helpful article. I have had low thyroid since in my late 20's and I'm in my 60's now. If I had known more of this info I could have helped myself more. But it's not too late. My order of L-thyrosine arrived yesterday and I started it today. Thank you Naturopathic Dr.
I've suffered with hypothyroidism for around 30 years. I know firsthand how challenging it can be. This is a great article with lots of good natural information. I have been taking selenium for the past several months and I believe it has helped bring my thyroid antibodies down by almost half.
Hello Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing. That's great that Selenium has helped you in supporting your thyroid health and you were able to do so naturally. Glad you enjoyed our article and all the information. We have plenty more articles packed with knowledge and even some yummy recipes you may enjoy as well, check them out.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Stay healthy & well.
Thank you for this article, it’s been a great read to learn about thyroid health. I have been trying to get off thyroid medications for good and this article lists some useful tips which I'll try. While the supplement suggestions are beneficial, perhaps the most useful tip was increasing my vegetable intake and lifestyle/diet changes as I barely eat any vegetables. Thank you again, I am really enjoying these articles and glad I have found them.
Hello Hassan,
Thank you, we're glad our hypothyroidism article has given you some insight on what may work for your health.
Have a healthy day!
I've suspected thyroid issues for a while now and im going through testing with my dr. to see what is going on. Glad to have this knowledge of how to support naturally.
Hello, Casey,
Excellent, it's nice to have knowledge and know your natural options to bring to your doctor when discussing a protocol that's right for you. We hope all goes well. In the mean time, if you'd like to learn more, check out our Youtube channel as well:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBjYPog9j0VY0gcIt-Tq2Q
Stay healthy & well!
Thank you for this article. I wish I knew about these supplements. I'm taking Synthroid for over 20 years, and losing weight is really a problem. I would like to try a couple of supplements on your list.
Hello, AG,
It's great to hear you enjoyed this article and are looking forward to trying some of the natural remedies from the list. We hope they help you well and if you'd like to learn more about each individual supplement, check out our supplement articles too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/
Thank you for the great article. Very informative. I have been trying to address this issue naturally. I have gained new knowledge.
Hello, L.D,
We hope these remedies work well for you. If you have any further questions or supplement recommendations, feel free to reach out to our certified and knowledgeable customer care team, they're always happy to help.
Stay healthy & well!
The video helps me a lot about hypothyroidism is it possible to apply some of it with no thyroid glands at all, the doctor took my thyroid using the radiation pills and taking forever to maintain the balance of it, my doctor sometimes he put it up and down the dosage of my pills if i knew it before i should not give the authority to remove my thyroid too late for me
Hello Belinda,
Thank you for sharing your story.
It’s important to understand that individuals who have had their thyroid removed typically
need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives. Levothyroxine is the most commonly used synthetic form of T4 hormone, which body can convert to T3 (the more potent thyroid hormone) as needed. Alternately, if you are not finding hypothyroidism relief from the synthetic medication you are taking, you could speak to your healthcare provider about switching to desiccated thyroid, derived from the
dried thyroid glands of pigs (porcine thyroid), which contains both T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) hormones. Studies suggest that when synthetic medications don’t seem to work, desiccated thyroid seems to be the better option.
Aside from that, many of the supplements listed in the article on hypothyroidism are intended to
support and stimulate the thyroid gland, which in your case, you no longer have, so would probably
not provide you with the effects you’re hoping for.
If you find that you aren’t getting the results you’re hoping for with your current physician, there are a
few excellent naturopathic physicians you can consult, check out this website to find a list of reputable naturopaths in Canada: https://mycanadiannaturopath.ca
Have a healthy day