Thyroid Gland Function

By Louise O’Connor, Nutritionist

Low body temperature and fatigue are the most common symptoms of low thyroid gland function.

The severity of symptoms can range from a mild deficiency state, which is not detectable with standard thyroid blood tests (sub clinical hypothyroidism) to severe deficiency states.

Hypothyroidism mainly affects women, especially during the peri-menopausal time.

Signs & Symptoms of Low Thyroid Gland Function

The thyroid gland is located near the front of the throat, just below the voice box. Common signs & symptoms that your thyroid may be under active include:

• Susceptibility to the cold
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
• Difficulty losing weight
• Depression
• Dry skin, hair & nails
• Coarse hair or hair loss
• Thinning of the eyebrows
• Muscle weakness & joint pain
• Menstrual problems
• Infertility
• Sluggish memory & concentration
• Lowered stress resistance
• Recurrent infections

Thyroid hormones increase the activity of the mitochondria, the power houses contained within all cells. This is where you burn calories for heat and energy. All metabolic activities require energy so if your thyroid gland is under functioning, the symptoms of low thyroid function can be far reaching.

Dr. Sherrill Sellman

Dr. Sherrill Sellman, author of 'Hormone Heresy: What Women Must Know About Their Hormones' advises that low thyroid function mainly affects women's health. The thyroid regulates metabolism, playing a vital role in total body health. View this short video to find out why:

The pituitary gland, located within the brain regulates thyroid gland activity by secreting a hormone called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). TSH travels to the thyroid gland to signal the production of the two main thyroid hormones - Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).

Thyroid hormones are like a throttle, boosting your body’s metabolic activity. When the thyroid gland is under active the internal metabolic furnace is turned down. T3 is the most active thyroid hormone.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

T3 is converted from T4 with low levels of T3 indicating that conversion is not taking place.

Stress is the major reason for this as cortisol blocks conversion. Other factors include nutrient deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, hormone imbalances, toxicity or infections.

If T4 is not converting to T3 it may instead convert to reverse T3. This condition is known as reverse T3 dominance. If reverse T3 levels are raised metabolism slows down, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Thyroid Testing

Thyroid problems are complex. Even a slightly under active thyroid can dramatically affect your health. You will not feel physically well until the problem is fixed.

If you suspect you have a sluggish or under active thyroid it is recommended that you firstly consider testing your thyroid hormone levels.

The diagnosis of hypothyroidism or reverse T3 dominance by laboratory testing is done by measuring total T4 , T3, reverse T3 and TSH in the bloodstream.

Testing for thyroid antibodies will exclude an autoimmune condition, such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

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