Welcome back to our in-depth exploration into the fascinating world of thyroid and gut health! In Part 1, we examined the intricate relationship between your thyroid and gut, covering conditions like Hashimoto’s Disease and hypothyroidism.
But diagnosing the issue is only the first step on your journey to holistic wellness. Now it’s time to lay out a practical roadmap that integrates cutting-edge scientific research with tried-and-true healing practices.
Let’s dive in!
Work with a Doctor to Optimize Thyroid Levels
Your first stop on the path to wellness is partnering with a medical doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your thyroid condition. Blood tests like TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies can give a comprehensive picture of how your thyroid is functioning.
Once you’re diagnosed, your doctor will likely prescribe medication to help balance your thyroid hormone levels. Remember, achieving optimal thyroid levels will have a ripple effect on your gut health, making it easier to treat issues like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and gut inflammation.
Work on SIBO, Gut Inflammation, and Gut Infections
If you’ve been struggling with symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, or irregular bowel movements, the odds are high that you’re dealing with SIBO or other gut inflammations. More and more research shows that the bacteria in your gut have a big impact on thyroid diseases. The bacteria can trigger immune responses, change the way thyroid hormones work, and impact how well your body absorbs important nutrients. But we’re still not sure exactly how this all happens, or which specific bacteria might be causing thyroid problems.
Treatment options may include antimicrobial therapy, herbal supplements, and dietary adjustments such as following a FODMAP Elimination Diet.
As a gut-health dietitian, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of prebiotics and probiotics. These can help to restore a healthy microbiome, which is a key player in both gut health and thyroid function. Additionally, I use the Mediator Release Test (MRT) while working with my clients. It’s a top-of-the-line blood test used to test your body’s reactions to over 170 foods and chemicals with an astounding accuracy rate of 94.5%. If you’re curious about how Micronutrient Testing could benefit you, click here to discuss the Mediator Release Test and its capabilities.
Micronutrient Testing
Nutrients like Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, and Vitamins A, D, and E play pivotal roles in thyroid hormone production and conversion:
Selenium
Selenium is a crucial mineral that your body needs for a healthy immune system and thyroid. Your thyroid actually has the most selenium out of any organ in your body. If you don’t get enough selenium, it can mess with how well your thyroid works.
If you have thyroid problems, you might also have low levels of selenium. Some research suggests that in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, selenium supplementation may reduce levels of antithyroid antibodies, improve thyroid structure, improve thyroid metabolism, and improve clinical symptoms.
Iron
Iron also plays a role in how well your thyroid works. If you don’t have enough iron, it can affect the making of thyroid hormones, even if you’re getting enough iodine (another key ingredient for thyroid hormones). Lack of iron can lead to problems like hypothyroidism, where your thyroid doesn’t work as well as it should.
Iron and iodine often work together in the body. In fact, some studies show that taking iron and iodine together is better than just taking iodine, especially in areas where people don’t get enough of these minerals.
Iodine
Iodine is a key ingredient your body needs to make thyroid hormones. Most of the iodine in your body is stored in your thyroid gland. If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it messes with the good bacteria in your gut and makes it harder for your body to absorb iodine. This is a two-way street; not absorbing iodine well can also worsen IBD.
If you don’t get enough iodine, you could end up with a swollen thyroid (goiter), thyroid nodules, or even thyroid cancer. But too much iodine isn’t good either. In some cases, it can even cause thyroid issues, either making it less active or overly active, depending on your health situation.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can do more than just keep your bones healthy; it also plays a role in how your immune system functions. This is why it’s thought to have an effect on your thyroid, especially in controlling overactive immune responses that can harm the thyroid.
Some studies have found that people with hypothyroidism often have lower levels of vitamin D compared to healthy people. However, it’s still unclear if low vitamin D levels cause hypothyroidism or if they are just a result of having the disease. Even though not all studies agree on this, because vitamin D supplements are fairly cheap and have minimal side effects, it might be a good idea to monitor vitamin D levels in people with thyroid issues like hypothyroidism.
That’s where Micronutrient Testing comes into play. In my Restore Program, I use SpectraCell’s Micronutrient test which measures 31 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites – and how they affect cellular function in a person!
Calorie and Macronutrients
An often-overlooked aspect of gut health and thyroid wellness is caloric and macronutrient balance. Extreme diets can exacerbate gut inflammation and throw your thyroid hormones out of whack. It’s essential to ensure you’re getting a balanced mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in addition to adequate caloric intake to support both thyroid and gut health.
Adaptogen Support for Thyroid and Gut Health
Adaptogens are natural substances that help your body adapt to stress, a frequent culprit in both thyroid and gut health issues. They mainly target three key glands— the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands— to maintain your body’s balance, known as homeostasis.
When stressed, these glands control the release of hormones like cortisol to help you manage. However, too much cortisol can disrupt this balance, affecting systems like your neurological and immune systems.
Overall, adaptogens could be a useful addition to your thyroid treatment plan because they help manage stress and inflammation. Adaptogens may especially benefit those with Hashimoto’s disease by stabilizing hormone production and reducing inflammation in the thyroid. However, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you’re already on medication for thyroid issues or other health conditions.
Bottom Line
The intricate interplay between your thyroid and gut health requires a nuanced approach for effective treatment. By working closely with your healthcare team and incorporating these holistic practices, you’re not just putting a band-aid on the problem—you’re promoting systemic health and wellness!
If you’re committed to reclaiming your health and want a personalized game plan, click here to schedule your free call. On this call, we’ll review your current symptoms, prior medical history, and craft a comprehensive strategy to help you overcome your digestive, energy, pain, and inflammation issues.
