This issue of particular personal interest to me because I have some family members and friends with thyroid issues. And it is not uncommon- about one in 13 Americans has some type of thyroid disorder. That means approximately 20 million people in this country deal with issues related to improper thyroid function. Another 13 million may have undiagnosed disorders of this gland.
Since a poorly functioning thyroid can lead to a host of symptoms and can affect your body’s ability to control your metabolism and regulate your weight, diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders is extremely important in maintaining your overall health.
Thyroid Anatomy and Function
Your thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that sits in the front of your throat just below your larynx. In yoga philosophy, it sits right in your fifth, or vishuddha chakra. It is part of the endocrine system, working in conjunction with your pituitary gland to control the metabolic function of every cell in your body by converting iodine to the hormones thyroxine (T4) and trilodothyronine (T3). The thyroid is the only iodine-absorbing structure in your body. As it absorbs the iodine from the foods you eat, it combines them with tyrosine, which is an amino acid, to produce T3 and T4.
Your pituitary gland sits at the base of your brain. It controls the thyroid gland, producing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) whenever the levels of T3 and T4 drop too low. Another gland, the hypothalamus, sits above the pituitary gland in the brain. It also plays a role in production of thyroid hormones by producing and releasing TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH), which stimulates the pituitary to release TSH.
So now you know how thyroid hormones are released, but the question remains. What do thyroid hormones do in your body?
Your body releases T4 and T3 at a ration of about 80 percent to 20 percent; however, T3 is much stronger than T4. When your thyroid releases these hormones, they travel through the body to help all of its cells convert oxygen into energy. When these hormones are out of balance, then your cell metabolism either works less efficiently or goes into overdrive. Either of these conditions disrupt your body’s balance and can lead to a number of problems. Since imbalance can mean either too many thyroid hormones or too few thyroid hormones, it helps to look at each condition separately.
Hypothyroidism – Too Few Thyroid Hormones
When you are diagnosed as being hypothyroid, it means your body does not produce enough T3 and/or T4. Deficiencies can exist in one or both of these hormones, leading to a number of symptoms including:
- Weight gain or inability to control weight
- Cold sensitivity
Heavy or prolonged menstruation- Joint and muscle pain
- Dry skin
- Brain fog
- Weakness
- Brittle fingernails
- Constipation
- Depression
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Hoarseness
- Thinning eyebrows
- Thickened skin
- Sluggishness
- Difficulty concentrating
Heavy or prolonged menstruationHypothyroidism can occur as the result of birth defects, radioactive iodine used to treat an overactive thyroid, removal of the thyroid gland, genetics, or an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Endocrinologists, who maintain knowledge about thyroid disorders, can diagnose the condition via physical examinations and blood tests that test levels of TSH, T3, and T4. Treatment usually involves replacing thyroid hormones via natural or synthetic medications, and most people with hypothyroidism need to take these medications every day for the rest of their lives.
Hyperthyroidism – Too Many Thyroid Hormones
Also known as an overactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism arises due to a number of conditions including too much iodine intake, thyroid inflammation resultant of viral infections, non-cancerous growths on the thyroid or pituitary gland, and the autoimmune condition known as Graves disease.
With too many thyroid hormones coursing through your body, you may notice a number of symptoms including:
- An enlarged thyroid gland known as a goiter
Thyroid nodules- Poor concentration
- Heat intolerance
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Increased bowel movements
Menstrual irregularity- Anxiety
- Clammy skin
- Hair loss
- Tremors
- High blood pressure
- Amenorrhea
- Bulging eyes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Itchiness
- Racing pulse
Thyroid nodules
Menstrual irregularityPhysicians can diagnose hyperthyroidism with blood tests and physical examination. Once diagnosed, typical medical treatment may include antithyroid meds, radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid, and surgical removal of the gland. In most cases, this creates medically induced hypothyroidism, and patients will need to take thyroid hormones daily for the rest of their lives.
Thyroid Issues on an Energetic Level
With all that physical information being said, the fact is that we aren’t just physical beings. We are souls that possess spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects of our being, and I truly believe that all these aspects are interwoven and can’t be mechanically separated from each other. In other words, every dimension of our being affects the others.
The thyroid is part of the fifth vishuddha chakra in the throat region, which is related to communication and self-expression. It is believed in yogic philosophy that keeping this energy area healthy is related to how openly and honestly a person expresses herself or himself. Repressed anger and other emotions or involvement in falsehoods (ie telling half-truths, or feeling deep down one is “living a lie”) can have negative energetic consequences that can manifest as physical ailments in this region of the body, including in the thyroid. The best way to correct this on an energetic level is to fully live your inner truth. Speak up, express yourself, and if something in your life isn’t right, take action to change it.
Natural Thyroid Support
If you suspect a thyroid disorder, you should always talk with your doctor; however, there are steps you can take to naturally support your thyroid in conjunction with any treatment you receive.
Eat sea vegetables. Foods like dulse and wakame are high in iodine, which your thyroid converts to T3 and T4. This is a more natural source of iodine that that contained in iodized salt, which is a processed food that leads to many health consequences.- Avoid soy products. Soy is a goitrogen, a substance which promotes thyroid enlargement and can interfere with thyroid function. In fact, overconsumption of goitrogenic foods can even trigger thyroid disease by continually disrupting thyroid hormone production.
Use coconut oil for cooking. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids, which provide a metabolic boost to your body.- Eat foods high in selenium. This mineral regulates thyroid hormone synthesis and helps convert T4 to T3. Selenium rich foods include brazil nuts, mushrooms, and sunflower seeds.
- Eat foods high in zinc, copper, and iron. These three trace elements improve your body’s production of TSH and oxidation of iodine to form T4. Foods rich in these nutrients include pumpkin seeds, blackstrap molasses, spinach, lentils, mushrooms, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, whole grains, and almonds.
- Practice self-expression and honest communication. Venture outside of your comfort zone, allow yourself to be free from any limitations. One day you may want to take a spiritual hike, meditate in an open meadow, or indulge yourself with exotic fruits.
Eat sea vegetables. Foods like dulse and wakame are high in iodine, which your thyroid converts to T3 and T4. This is a more natural source of iodine that that contained in iodized salt, which is a processed food that leads to many health consequences.
Excellent article!
Hi Kimberly! Thank you for this post. Just wondering if miso & tamari are still ok for this condition? Also, is it ok to have 2 tablespoons of chia seeds each day? Is it still the seed you recommend daily? I have also switched back to blossoming beauty, as I believe my candida has come back again. I’ve been eating your raw rolled oat cereal each morning with spinach and celery! Is it ok to stay with this phase for 3 months or so?
Thank you. I’ve been following your book for a year now and have noticed some wonderful improvements! xx
I have dealt with hypothyroidism for years now, and have read that foods high in fiber tend to be goitrogenic (spinach, kale etc.). I have tried to eat more of a diet high in fruits and vegetables, including the Glowing Green Smoothie, but have never experienced the effects of weight loss associated with it. Is it not possible to achieve some weight loss following a cleaner diet if you are hypothyroid? Please help.
Thank you!
Thank you for this article. I have Hashimoto and am wondering if I should also be avoiding cruciferous vegetables such as kale and cabbage? I’ve heard mixed things on this…
Thanks again!
I had Hashimotos and my doctor had me stop broccoli, cabbage, peanuts & soy and that helped SO much! also, consider a gluten free diet. :)
What if you have an enlarged thyroid despit normal thyroid levels?? I’m always cold too then sometimes I’m fine!! I’m pretty up and down! You suggest no soy but what about fermented soy ‘natto’ for fibroids? Should you avoid fermented soy too?
Kim, your information is incredible, accurate and a life saving.
In looking at the recipes many of them call for coconut oil. What would be a good substitute if you are allergic to coconut? I can see olive would be okay for some recipes but how about for the “baked” items?
Hi Kim,
Been following your die/book for a little over a year now and have recommended to so many! Overall, I feel better than I ever have! Still stage 2 and only thing I haven’t given up completely is my coffee though I have diminised consumption a lot.
I am GAINING all the weight I had lost though…Suffering from constant hypoglycemia and not being able to sleep, concentrate, etc. because of it – until I eat again!! So, it seems, I am gaining weight as a result – 3 lbs a week on average. Otherwise no other health problems.
Everyone tells me I am not eating enough protein!! You know the drill. Eat more chicken. Have a protein shake. They don’t udnerstand my GGS has tons of protein from spinach and kale. I know this is not the reason. Hoping you can help guide me in the right direction….
Desperate,
K-
It’s not your fault. Diets don’t work. Kimberly knows this.
About 9 months ago my blood work showed sub-optimal T3 and T4 levels, and high TSH levels. My ND then tested for antithyroglobulins to see if I have autoimmune hypothyroidism (since it’s hereditary and my mom has it), but those levels weren’t high enough to worry about yet. Most MDs wouldn’t have addressed the problem until my levels worsened, and at that point they probably would have prescribed pharmaceutical thyroid meds, which essentially cause your thyroid to shut down. Instead I started taking a nutraceutical–BioThyro by Biogenesis–and after about 6 months we repeated the thyroid panel and my levels were almost completely in the optimal range, except T3 was still a little low. My ND recommended continuing to take BioThyro for now, and also recommended I eat 2-3 Brazil nuts daily for the selenium to help convert more T4 to T3. Great article Kimberly–great breakdown of the biochemistry, symptoms, and treatment options, including whole foods as a treatment!
i hav gained 40 pounds from taking med. for depression.gained it all very quickly.need to change my exercise and eating also. do you hav any more great ideas for me?
Hi there. I’m wondering if you have any information about how mercury toxicity from amalgam fillings affects thyroid function. I read somewhere that it binds to the receptor sites so thyroid tests don’t pick it up.
Hi Kimberly
Your artice is most informative and lots of ideas and sound proof advise. I am in my 60(I love it) and I am not taking any hormones, which would you recommend.
Thank you
Hi Kim, I hope this is not too much; our daughter (20) for the past 4-5yrs has been struggling w/weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, lack of focus on school work, insominia and irregular menstrual cycles/pcos… we’ve had numerous lab tests done…. the following have stood out: her last 3 TSH levels have been: 3.9/4.17/4.75; testosterone and cortisol levels have been up and down, vitamin D has been on the lower end of the range, WBC has been just at the high or a bit over the high range level and she was tested + for EBV exposure. The iron was on the low end of the range and her iodine tested at 47 which was at the low range. Her endocronologist has her on metformin and the dermotologist has her on spirolactone (which has been helping with her hair, acne and periods). Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you.
I started following the detox about two years ago and love the smoothies and all of the great advise. I had always been conscious of what I ate and minimized meat and processed foods. I was happy with the change for a short time, but I did not loose weight (although I was only about 5 lbs over) but started to slowly gain weight. I cut out gluten completely but got frustrated so I had a bunch of blood and urine tests done by my naturopath MD and discovered I am low thyroid. I am so disappointed because everything I read tells me that I need to cut out all of the great foods I was eating and add in meat. I would love Kimberly’s advise because I had a normal thyroid before I made a change to a “healthier” diet. How can this be? I miss my green smoothies but am afraid to go back to the cruciferous veggies. HELP!
Kim-
Is there a recommended set of modifications removing the cruciferous and goitrogenic foods from your recipes?? I would like to get started but cannot with the recipes as is, and would like your advice. Is there a way to purchase a separate set of recipes? Thank you.
First off I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question
in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing.
I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out.
I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15
minutes tend to be wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any suggestions or hints? Many thanks!
I was wondering what to do if I have nodules (non cancerous) on my thyroid and the good old doc. wants to remove my thyroid. Please help! I take meds. for hyperthyroidism and I also have R.A. Wondering if kale is good for me to juice or would it make my thyroid condition worst. I take a usana vitamin and wondering if I should take extra B complex also. I guess I should ask, do you believe in taking a multi vitamin? I have your book beauty detox foods and is there any other books that would benefit me?
thank you so much, absolutely love ya! Rita
Really appreciate you sharing this post.Thanks Again. Really Great. debdfckddaaa
What an amazing article.. Was really moved by the linking of chakra, self expression, avoidance of undue stress eroding our inner peace. And the list of food, of course. I have just been diagnosed with Sub-clinical Thyroid Disease and was researching natural ways to help produce more Thyroid hormones in body.
Thanks so much for checking this post out and so happy you found it helpful. Hope to see you back here soon and sending you lots of love and continued support! ;)