Here’s How Thyroid Hormones Can Affect Our Health and Well-Being.
I explain the risks of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and provide practical tips to mitigate them.
This article aims to introduce thyroid hormones and emphasize the importance of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism for health and well-being.
Thyroid hormones affect the body at cellular, mitochondrial, and genetic levels as they exist in all cells involved in energy creation and utilization, increasing or decreasing the metabolic rate based on their levels.
Apart from metabolism, thyroid hormones affect breathing, the nervous system, heart function, brain development, body temperature, skin moisture, and menstruation in women.
Untreated hypothyroidism can contribute to “hypertension, dyslipidemia, infertility, cognitive impairment, and neuromuscular dysfunction.”
Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to “significant morbidity and mortality, manifesting as thyroid storm, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, cardiovascular problems, eye problems, osteoporosis, and muscle weakness.”
I wrote many articles and stories about the hormonal impacts on metabolic disorders, weight management, and other conditions. I introduced significant hormones and neurotransmitters.
In this post, I focus on thyroid hormones, providing critical points. My goal is to create awareness and inform my readers by summarizing my literature reviews from credible sources and providing practical tips based on lifestyle modifications to optimize thyroid hormones.
I compiled several case studies from those who suffered from imbalances in thyroid hormones. I will present them in upcoming stories to keep this article in a reasonable size.
I structured this article under ten sections covering the essential points to give you a high-level perspective with takeaway points.
First, I’d like to introduce and briefly explain the metabolic functions of thyroid hormones as they are critical for our health and briefly cover other details in the following sections.
1 — The Effects of Thyroid Hormones on Metabolism
Thyroid hormones regulate proteins, fats, and carbs for energy utilization and the growth of tissues in various parts of the body.
These hormones play a metabolic role in mitochondria. For example, they can increase the number and activity of mitochondria, affecting energy expenditure and metabolism.
In addition, thyroid hormones can increase the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism, impacting metabolic health.
In summary, thyroid hormones can affect metabolic health via five significant mechanisms: regulating energy expenditure, appetite, fatty acid metabolism, thermogenesis, and insulin sensitivity.
From an energy expenditure perspective, the critical point is increasing basal metabolic rate, determined by autonomic processes such as digestion, breathing, blood circulation, blood pressure, and heart rate.
From the fat metabolism perspective, the critical mechanism is the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids. For example, they can increase hormone-sensitive lipase, leading to fat mobilization.
From an appetite management angle, thyroid hormones can interact with leptin (satiety) and ghrelin (hunger) hormones which I introduced in previous articles.
The activities of thyroid hormones can increase heat production through activities of mitochondria, known as thermogenesis, and consuming calories leads to insulin sensitivity making the body more fat-adapted.
2 — How Thyroid Hormones Are Created in the Body
There are four types of thyroid hormones, namely triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
The process is first initiated in the brain, starting with the hypothalamus initiating TRH, prompting the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce TSH. You can learn about endocrine glands in this article.
Then TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4. The body mainly produces T3 by converting it from T4. So, T3 is the active thyroid hormone used in cells, tissues, and organs.
The main difference between T3 and T4 is the minor chemical structure of the two molecules. T3 contains three and T4 four iodine atoms. The body converts T4 to T3 by changing and adding an extra atom.
3 — Importance of Iodine for Thyroid Hormones
The critical element for thyroid hormones is iodine making around 60% of the molecule. Iodine is an essential micronutrient for the body in small amounts. High amounts of this micronutrient are toxic to the body.
As documented by NIH (National Health Institute), “iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) include mental retardation, hypothyroidism, goiter, cretinism, and varying degrees of other growth and developmental abnormalities.”
According to NIH, “the recommended dietary allowance of iodine for adult men and women is 150 μg/day. The median intake of iodine from food in the United States is approximately 240 to 300 μg/day for men and 190 to 210 μg/day for women.
Adults' tolerable upper intake level is 1,100 μg/day (1.1 mg/day), a value based on serum thyrotropin concentration in response to varying levels of ingested iodine.”
4 —The Impacts of Thyroid Hormones Imbalances
Imbalances of these thyroid hormones affect metabolism, metabolic conditions, and other health issues. The thyroid hormone imbalance manifests in two critical health conditions: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Essentially, if the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormones, we experience hypothyroidism. If it produces them in excess amounts, we experience hyperthyroidism.
Low levels of T3 and T4 (hypothyroidism) show symptoms like unexplainable weight gain, low energy, brain fog, depressive feelings, puffy face, hoarse voice, constipation, and dry skin.
As I mentioned in the opening of this article, “Untreated hypothyroidism can contribute to hypertension, dyslipidemia, infertility, cognitive impairment, and neuromuscular dysfunction.”
As documented in this paper: “Hypothyroidism results from inadequate production of thyroid hormone or inadequate action of thyroid hormone in target tissues. Primary hypothyroidism is the principal manifestation of hypothyroidism, but other causes include central deficiency of thyrotropin-releasing hormone or thyroid-stimulating hormone or consumptive hypothyroidism from excessive inactivation of thyroid hormone.”
This paper informs that “data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that about one in 300 persons in the United States has hypothyroidism. The prevalence increases with age and is higher in females than males.”
Elevated levels of T3 and T4 (hyperthyroidism), also known as overactive thyroid, show symptoms of heart palpitations, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep difficulties, muscle weakness, sensitivity to heat, and diarrhea.
This paper informs that “hyperthyroidism is a well-known cause of atrial fibrillation with a 16%-60% prevalence.”
Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder causing irregular and chaotic heartbeats that I will cover in another article soon.
5 — Tests for Thyroid Hormones
Standard tests include total and free T3 and T4 and TSH via blood to diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Other tests are:
Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans of the thyroid gland to evaluate its structure,
Radioactive iodine uptake scan of the thyroid, thyroglobulin, TSH receptor-stimulator antibodies to diagnose Graves disease,
Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies to diagnose Hashimoto thyroiditis,
Checking other underlying conditions such as pituitary gland disorders.
In addition, hormone specialists like endocrinologists might perform a physical examination of the thyroid gland to check for enlargement or nodules and check symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, hair loss, or mood changes, indicating imbalances.
6 — Synthetic Form of Thyroid Hormones
Synthetic thyroid hormones are levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3) prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals to replace or supplement the deficiencies.
This paper states, “In most patients, symptoms can be alleviated through oral administration of synthetic levothyroxine, and most patients will require lifelong therapy. Combination triiodothyronine/thyroxine therapy has no advantages over thyroxine monotherapy and is not recommended.”
This comprehensive review in 2014 concluded that “levothyroxine should remain the standard of care for treating hypothyroidism. We found no consistently strong evidence for the superiority of alternative preparations (e.g., levothyroxine–liothyronine combination therapy, thyroid extract therapy, or others) over monotherapy with levothyroxine in improving health outcomes.”
Interestingly synthetic thyroid hormones are also used for the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD, as documented in this 2022 paper published in MDPI. I documented my perspectives on fatty liver disease in a previous article.
7 — Surgery Related to Dysfunction of Thyroid Hormones
Some health conditions might require surgery, such as thyroid cancer, goiters that cause breathing/swallowing difficulties, and untreatable hyperthyroidism.
This surgery, called a thyroidectomy, requires the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. You can learn about the details from the article published by Mayo Clinic.
As informed by this paper, documented by three medical doctors, “awake thyroidectomy is a well-tolerated and safe procedure in appropriately selected patients, with many potential benefits over general anesthesia. In most cases, only local anesthesia is required. Increased experience with this technique may be associated with increased patient comfort.”
8 — Lifestyle Factors Affecting Thyroid Hormones
Fundamental lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, exercise, and overall stress management play a critical role.
In addition, environmental toxins, tobacco smoking, and excessive alcohol use can adversely affect the balance of thyroid hormones.
As I highlighted before, iodine is the most critical micronutrient from a dietary perspective. Related to iodine, a well-known factor lowering the amount of iodine in the body is the high consumption of cruciferous vegetables.
Cruciferous vegetables in high amounts are touted as the healthiest, but studies indicate that high consumption of cruciferous vegetables was associated with thyroid cancer among women with low iodine intake, as documented in this case study.
This paper informs that “dieto-therapy of Hashimoto (HT) is based on the proper nourishment of the body and regulation of the immune system by an anti-inflammatory diet. Observational and controlled trials have shown frequent nutrition deficiencies in HT patients.”
Like all other hormones and neurotransmitters, exercise, sleep, and rest to manage stress are essential to balance thyroid hormones.
Regular checkups can be valuable in detecting thyroid hormone imbalances. If you experience symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. it is vital to get checked immediately as an imbalance might lead to several health conditions.
The paper informs that “Universal screening of the general population is controversial, and there is a disagreement between professional societies about who should be screened for thyroid hypofunction and when.”
9 — Weight Gain and Obesity Implications of Thyroid Hormones
Literature indicates that hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain. Balancing thyroid hormones can increase metabolism, improve energy levels, and regulate appetite.
Therefore, thyroid hormone optimization can help the body burn more calories, making weight loss more achievable. Some studies indicate that hypothyroidism causes weight gain and leads to obesity.
This paper states that “hypothyroidism and obesity are common coexisting illnesses which impact each other. Data from India suggests that about a third of individuals with obesity have overt hypothyroidism, and about one-tenth have subclinical hypothyroidism.”
However, some studies challenge this perception or perspective and offer a different approach. For example, this paper informs that:
“There is a lack of clarity regarding subclinical hypothyroidism. The novel view indicates that changes in thyroid-stimulating hormones could be secondary to obesity. The increasing prevalence of obesity further confounds the definition of normal TSH range in population studies.”
10 — Takeaways
1 — Understand the impact, implications, causes, and symptoms of imbalances related to thyroid hormones.
2 — Get regular check-ups for thyroid levels and other hormones to be tested.
3 — Follow treatment methods advised by qualified healthcare professionals and inform them if symptoms get worse.
4 — Meet the fundamental requirements of the body, like a nutritious diet, regular exercise, restorative sleep, adequate rest, fun, and timely recovery.
5 — Address nutritional deficiencies, especially iodine, which is vital for thyroid hormones.
6 — If you have symptoms, consider an anti-inflammatory diet with help from qualified and specialized dieticians or nutritionists.
7 — Avoid exposure to toxins and refrain from smoking, drugs, and excessive alcohol use.
Understanding the risks of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and mitigating them with healthy lifestyle choices and timely professional support can prevent many health disorders.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
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