The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that’s a few inches wide; it’s located under the larynx. The thyroid contributes to the functioning of your endocrine system. This system creates much-needed hormones that drive your body to optimally perform.

The thyroid produces hormones that affect metabolism and development. These hormones help convert food to energy, contribute to brain development in kids, and regulate blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, and your heart rate. Thyroid hormones can also affect weight gain and weight loss, and are influential in protein production and boosting oxygen for cellular health needs.

There are instances when the thyroid cannot produce enough hormones or it makes excessive amounts. “Disorders that affect thyroid function … can be thought of as great masqueraders in older adults. These disorders often cause symptoms that are easily mistaken for symptoms of other conditions or even as signs of getting old,” explains Merck Manual. If left untreated, thyroid issues can potentially cause mood swings, cardiovascular health concerns, infertility and more.

Thus, an assessment from a functional medicine practitioner may be beneficial for checking your thyroid. This consultant is trained to devise a personalized treatment plan and use functional lab tests for underlying issues. Hormone optimization programs, nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, and other treatment options can be customized based on lab results.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that’s a few inches wide; it’s located under the larynx. The thyroid contributes to the functioning of your endocrine system. This system creates much-needed hormones that drive your body to optimally perform.

The thyroid produces hormones that affect metabolism and development. These hormones help convert food to energy, contribute to brain development in kids, and regulate blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, and your heart rate. Thyroid hormones can also affect weight gain and weight loss, and are influential in protein production and boosting oxygen for cellular health needs.

There are instances when the thyroid cannot produce enough hormones or it makes excessive amounts. “Disorders that affect thyroid function … can be thought of as great masqueraders in older adults. These disorders often cause symptoms that are easily mistaken for symptoms of other conditions or even as signs of getting old,” explains Merck Manual. If left untreated, thyroid issues can potentially cause mood swings, cardiovascular health concerns, infertility and more.

Thus, an assessment from a functional medicine practitioner may be beneficial for checking your thyroid. This consultant is trained to devise a personalized treatment plan and use functional lab tests for underlying issues. Hormone optimization programs, nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, and other treatment options can be customized based on lab results.

Functional medicine testing is constructive for scrutinizing thyroid function. These labs are designed to assess Free T3 (the amount of T3 in the bloodstream), Free T4 (the amount of T4 in the bloodstream), TSH and Reverse T3 , while quantifying anti-thyroglobulin and TPO (thyroperoxidase antibody). 

Western medicine providers can offer thyroid lab testing to patients, but their labs do not always detect Free T3, Free T4 and Reverse T3 – only TSH. Analyzing TSH quantities can disclose some aspects of thyroid health, but scientists agree that focusing on TSH numbers may not provide a comprehensive view of thyroid health. 

Functional medicine providers are trained to consider a patient’s nutritional status. Testing micronutrient levels may be advised to further scrutinize your thyroid; after all, selenium, zinc, iodine and some B vitamins are crucial for thyroid hormones. Lacking these can be part of the root of poor thyroid functioning. 

It should be noted how functional and conventional lab routes don’t offer the same measurement ranges. This means that Western and functional lab tests are interpreted differently. Conventional medicine tests compare your ranges with healthy populations of people. Functional tests provide ranges that do not compare yourself to others; they strictly report what’s going on with your hormones. Functional lab reports can reveal the direction a patient’s health is heading, including the potential source of an overactive/underactive thyroid.

Thyroid hormones are linked to other hormones. All hormones work together to support the body’s optimal function. Below, we discuss how thyroid hormones are correlated with cortisol, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone: 

• Relationship with adrenal hormones: The adrenal glands release cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’ that helps us adapt to urgent matters. High amounts of cortisol can impede thyroid function; in particular, cortisol can drive TSH to be unnecessarily released from the pituitary gland, which can stimulate the production of thyroid hormones. The amount of cortisol released can potentially contribute to an overactive or underactive thyroid. 
• How thyroid hormones are linked to sex hormones: 
  • Estrogen: Estrogen dominance, which is when excessive amounts of estrogen are in the body, can lead to hypothyroidism. Excessive estrogen levels can lower T3 levels by preventing T4 from converting into T3.
  • Progesterone: When estrogen dominance ensues, progesterone levels are reduced in the body. Low progesterone can drive the reduction of TPO (thyroid peroxidase), which is an enzyme that produces Free T3 and T4 hormones.
  • Testosterone: Low TSH can cause hypothyroidism, whereas high TSH can trigger hyperthyroidism. Scientists suspect that testosterone may affect the conversion of T4 to T3; the hormone might also impact the genes involved in synthesizing and metabolizing TSH.

Measuring all hormones is ideal to target thyroid-related health issues. These lab results can provide guidance for treating an overactive or underactive thyroid.

Thyroid disease is an umbrella term that describes thyroid dysfunctions. There are a variety of health conditions that effect thyroid functioning, such as:

• Hyperthyroidism: This is when the body produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones (overactive thyroid), which expedites the metabolic rate. Symptoms may include sleep issues, weight loss, mood swings, and possibly irregular periods in females.
• Hypothyroidism: This is the opposite of an overactive thyroid, which is when the body cannot produce enough thyroid hormones (underactive). This delays metabolism, and may cause hair loss, weight gain, cold sensations, fatigue and dry skin.
• Hashimoto’s disease: This is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system harms the thyroid. This inflames the gland and can prevent the production of thyroid hormones. This condition may be genetic.
• Graves’ disease: This is another autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid, but the thyroid becomes hyperactive (overactive). This condition may be genetic, but it tends to form in females.
• Thyroid cancer: A type of endocrine cancer in which cancer cells grow in the thyroid. There are four different types of thyroid cancers; it might begin with a thyroid nodule, with enlarged lymph nodes and difficulties with swallowing. 

A goiter can form with these conditions. A goiter is when the thyroid is enlarged due to pituitary gland tumors or due to hyper-/hypothyroidism. It can cause your voice to be hoarse, swelling under the Adam’s apple, or a tight sensation in the throat. 

Thyroid issues can be triggered by inflammation, radiation exposures, already having an autoimmune condition, pregnancy/postpartum hormone imbalances, or from a congenital thyroid condition. Your risks for thyroid disease rise if you’re a smoker, have a lack of or excessive amounts of iodine, and/or if you undergo cancer treatments (i.e. chemotherapy). Females and those over the age of 60 are also at risk. 

As we’ve discussed in our functional medicine blog, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are man-made substances that can disrupt your hormone balance and impede optimal wellness. 

EDCs can effortlessly enter the human body, as they’re laced in food packages, water bottles, shampoos, garden fertilizers, and other household and personal care products. An Environmental Research review recently covered how the thyroid is affected by these chemicals: “The review found that the most tumorigenic EDC groups were phthalates, heavy metals, particulate matter, and pesticides, and that the thyroid… presented the highest cancer risk after EDC exposure,” confirms the Institute for Functional Medicine. 

Researchers have proposed that EDCs can increase or decrease thyroid hormones, which can potentially instigate lifelong concerns. Countless studies have explored this conundrum. For example, one article from Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism revealed that thyroid-related autoimmune conditions were high in residents near petrochemical plants. Also, an Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety article reported that EDC exposures during pregnancy have been linked to “… compromised maternal thyroid homeostasis, and thus may lead to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns.” 

EDCs can attach themselves to thyroid hormone receptors, imitating the actions of natural hormones and interfering with your hormonal responses. If you’re concerned about chemicals affecting your daily life, there are some ways to avoid these harmful elements. You can swap plastic containers for mason jars, read the labels on personal care products, and opt for organic foods. A functional medicine doctor can also be consulted for personal advice on EDC exposures. 

Lifestyle elements can take a toll on thyroid function. We list some lifestyle factors that can impair this organ and its hormones: 

• Chronic stress: Incessant stress can cause the body to boost oxidative stress and inflammation, which can ramp-up cortisol production. This constant release of cortisol can prevent the thyroid from producing enough hormones.
• Smoking: Cigarettes contain chemicals and heavy metals. They also contain cyanide, which transforms into a chemical called thiocyanate. Thiocyanate can inflame the thyroid and prevent iodine absorption. (Note: Iodine is needed for creating thyroid hormones.)
• Unhealthy crash dieting: If you suddenly limit your caloric intake or refrain from eating for a lengthy period of time, your thyroid will slow down metabolism. This can trigger weight gain. Rather than crash diet, please consult with a health provider to discuss a healthy diet regime.

The above examples may not apply to everyone, as the functional medicine model takes an individualized approach to health. If you were to visit our functional medicine clinic, we would explore how your current lifestyle might be affecting the thyroid. For instance, if functional lab tests reveal that BPA (Bisphenol A) is in your system, we would discuss refraining from items that contain this chemical. This may include axing some personal care products, plastics around the home, and household cleaners. 

To heal your body and manage chronic conditions, such as those linked to the thyroid, daily life modifications may need to take place. Read the next section to learn about dietary needs for the thyroid. 

Certain food choices can help support the thyroid, along with lifestyle modifications, supplements, and formal health interventions (i.e. regular consultations with a functional medicine doctor). 

Food is significant for maintaining nutrient levels, and if you’re on a restricted diet, your risks for these deficits increase. It’s necessary to keep certain nutrients in mind for thyroid concerns. For example, iodine and selenium are crucial for the breakdown and functioning of thyroid hormones. Here’s a quick list of foods that you can try for sustaining thyroid health: 

• Brazil nuts: As a food source, these hold high amounts of selenium, which is why scientists and nutritionists recommend eating these for thyroid issues.
• Eggs: Eating one whole egg, including the egg yolk, can boost your intake of selenium and iodine.
• Roasted seaweed: This is rich in iodine and may be easily consumed with sushi, salads, or as a snack on its own. 

Additionally, yogurt may be beneficial for both the thyroid and gut health. After all, “A healthy gut microbiota not only has beneficial effects on the activity of the immune system, but also on thyroid function,” confirms a Nutrients article. Yogurt is a source of iodine and contains ‘good’ bacteria for your gut. This is important, as it’s been shown that thyroid and digestive health challenges commonly occur together.  

To make dietary changes for your hormone balance, a functional-practising holistic nutritionist can be consulted. This practitioner is trained to customize a nutrition strategy slated for your current lifestyle and health condition. 

Refraining from certain foods is equally important to eating thyroid-benefitting foods! Patients with thyroid issues may need to avoid some foods due to medication interactions. Salt-heavy items should be limited, too, as excessive salt and iodine can affect thyroid hormone regulation. It’s advised to get a tailored diet strategy for your thyroid needs, and this can be completed with a holistic medicine practitioner (i.e. naturopathic medicine doctor, holistic nutritionist). In the meantime, avoid or limit these foods/ingredients for hyper- or hypothyroidism: 

• Fried and fatty foods: These types of foods can impair T4 production; this thyroid hormone contributes to optimizing metabolism, digestion, and cardiovascular health. So, if you’re on the go, opt for a fresh salad.
• Gluten: As reported in an Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes article, a “…gluten-free diet may bring clinical benefits to women with autoimmune thyroid disease.” Gluten can impede the absorption of some thyroid medications and may trigger thyroid inflammation. 
• Cruciferous vegetables: A Cancer Causes & Control article reported that these vegetables contain sulfur metabolites called thioglucosides. Thioglucosides break down into thiocyanates, chemicals that can inflame the thyroid and disrupt hormone productions. Cruciferous vegetables include kale and brussels sprouts. 
• Soy: Consuming soy before or after taking some thyroid prescriptions can reduce the absorption of these medications. If you can eat soy-based items, eat them about a couple of hours before/after ingesting your medication. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, soy can be consumed on a daily basis. 

Supplements can promote thyroid health benefits and alleviate nutritional deficiencies. Here are examples of supplements that a functional medicine practitioner may bring up: 

• Bladderwrack: This brown seaweed is available in supplemental form and it promotes antioxidant effects. It’s a source of iodine for supporting T3 and T4 production. 
• Blue flag: This herb was initially used to treat goiters. It may help promote detoxification if thyroid issues are caused by chemical exposures/pollutants. 
• Guggul myrrh: This Indian tree sap has been revered by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners; it may improve iodine uptake to boost thyroid hormones. 
• Iodine: Lacking this mineral can reduce thyroid function. A doctor should be consulted prior to taking iodine supplements, as those with preexisting thyroid conditions may be sensitive to these treatments. 
• L-carnitine: This may lessen overactive thyroid symptoms. A doctor should be consulted before taking this, as it could reduce the effects of some thyroid hormone therapies. 
• Magnesium: The risks for Hashimoto’s disease are increased if you lack magnesium. Taking this mineral supplement might help reduce Hashimoto’s disease symptoms. 
• Selenium: The thyroid holds concentrated amounts of selenium. Selenium can help protect against oxidative stress for combatting thyroid inflammation. 
• Vitamin B12: Patients with hypothyroidism and B12 deficiency tend to have memory issues, poor energy levels, and weakness. B12 supplementation may help with lessening symptoms.  
• Vitamin D: “Several studies have reported low serum levels of vitamin D in hypothyroid patients which…may lead to some musculoskeletal complaints in these patients,” confirms an Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism report.  
• Zinc: Helps metabolize and produce thyroid hormones in the body; it may help manage T3 levels, as hypothyroidism and zinc deficiency have been linked in studies. 

The supplements listed above may/may not apply to your health status, as functional treatments are based on biological needs. Please contact the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre to learn about our thyroid support services.