Our Amazing Thyroid
Thyroid problems are notoriously common in the UK and go undiagnosed for many years. Many clients that come into clinic report a ‘Normal’ blood test result. This, as we know, can be frustrating when we know that we have been feeling exhausted, lack concentration, have dry skin, hair, weak nails, poor immune system and so on and this is Normal!! The problem is quite often T4 which empowers T3 Thyroid function is not tested and when it is it’s performing under par but will only be detected once its performance is a mere 26 % meanwhile we are left feeling depleted.
The thyroid plays a vital part in regulating our bodies temperature. It helps with growth and metabolism by releasing a steady flow of hormones into our bodies.
So how does it work?
The thyroid function relies on three main parts of the body:
- the pituitary gland – this gland controls lots of different hormone glands in your body, the thyroid being just one of them.
- the hypothalamus – this is the area of your brain that is responsible for keeping an eye on the messages sent from your endocrine and nervous systems
- and of course, the thyroid gland itself – this produces and stores hormones which help with the function of pretty much every organ in the human body
The hypothalamus detects when the thyroid hormone (T3 triiodothyronine (bioactive hormone) and T4 thyroxine (prohormone) are low. It responds by releasing TRH (thyrotropin). This in turn alerts the pituitary gland to produce the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The release of TSH prompts the thyroid to cause iodine to enter which in turn allows an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase (TPO) to be produced. This cycle allows the blood levels to return to their normal balance.
Approximately 80% of the T4 hormone our bodies produce is converted into the much more active T3 hormone. This conversion is mainly done in the brain, gut, liver, skeletal muscle and of course the thyroid gland. 60% of T4 is converted through the liver.
So you can see why I’m always looking at your digestion and liver in Clinic.
If you would like to know more about the symptoms of Thyroid disorder and how to treat it read our blog – The Thyroid Gland.
