It is estimated that 20 million Americans are living with thyroid disease, with 60 percent of those individuals unaware of their health status. This butterfly-shaped gland sits below the Adam’s Apple, and is largely responsible for producing and regulating important body hormones. Untreated thyroid problems can lead to other issues such as heart disease, depression, peripheral nerve damage, and infertility.
As hormones regulate bodily function, it is imperative to maintain a healthy thyroid as the small glad plays a role in the: GI tract, cardiovascular system, bone metabolism, red blood cell metabolism, gallbladder, brain function, liver function, steroid hormone production, glucose metabolism, lipid and cholesterol metabolism, protein metabolism, and regulating body temperature. Protecting the health of the thyroid translates to protecting an individual’s overall wellbeing.
Many thyroid treatment methods center around hormone replacement therapy, and while that might be necessary in some cases, it often ignores solving the issue for many individuals. The health of the thyroid is reliant on a variety of factors and therefore requires the right course of action to properly address the root cause of the dysfunction. An epigenetics approach seeks to approach each case with fresh eyes, and determine where the breakdown occurred, and how the thyroid can be restored with a long-term solution.
What Might Be Causing Thyroid Disease
The thyroid produces two main hormones called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These two hormones are large actors in proper body function, and therefore, require healthy production levels. In the specific cases of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, raising or lowering the levels of T3 and T4 production is how hormone replacement therapy aims to fix the effects caused by thyroid disease.
Sometimes the body simply lacks enough hormone production because it cannot generate enough minerals like iodine. In cases like this, yes, helping introduce the right levels of elements like iodine and tyrosine are necessary for improving the health of the thyroid. However, it is common for other areas of the body to breakdown and result in thyroid problems. Here at the Epigenetics Healing Center, we focus on the causation versus correlation with health concerns.
So outside of poor T3 and T4 production caused by the thyroid itself, other popular causes include poor gut health and/or a low functioning liver.
Finding the Right Solution for Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease is a highly variable condition, as no two individuals have the same level of deficiencies or causes. Therefore, thorough testing is necessary for identifying a proper solution for each individual.
Many individuals with thyroid complications suffer from an underlying autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s or Graves’s disease. Roughly 80 percent of the immune system is housed in the gut. A healthy GI tract, with good gut bacteria, is a large determinate of the body’s healing/functioning process. The modern-American diet has put the GI tract and immune system at risk. There are many foods and drinks that fill grocery stores and restaurants that the body is not meant to digest. The regular consumption of these products can significantly weaken the ability of the immune system to defend the body and operate at a high level.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid processed and packaged foods that contain artificial ingredients and preservatives. Additionally, extremely low carb diets have shown signs of being harmful to the body.
If gut health isn’t the result of thyroid problems, then the next place to look is the liver. The liver is one of the most important organs to the success of the body. While its main job is to filter blood coming from the GI tract, it also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. If liver enzymes are low in count or not functioning properly, this can cause adverse effects on the thyroid’s hormone production. Quick tips for improving liver function include a well balanced plant-based diet, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol, and reducing stress load.
Discover How to Help Your Thyroid Condition Through Epigenetics
Contact Dr. Goodbinder to schedule an appointment to examine your current health status. Thyroid problems are common and can be solved. Improvement starts with the proper gameplan and identifying why your thyroid isn’t functioning properly. Learn how we can help address your health concerns, and adjust for a healthier life moving forward.
Are you ready to restore your life?
Dr. Jay Goodbinder ND DC DABCI is a doctor in Kansas City, MO who serves patients in the surrounding Kansas City areas, cities across the United States, and in several countries around the world.