A new client came to me yesterday. She’d been diagnosed at 16 with an under active thyroid and she’d been on Thyroxine ever since. She’s now 40, obese and miserable. Many people believe their weight problem is caused by their thyroid being under active, but is it really?
My experience tells me an under active thyroid is the symptom not the cause. It’s like the horse that’s already bolted! But what opened the gate?
Stress, cortisol and thyroid hormone
Naturopaths know that everything is connected, particularly when it comes to stress. Adrenalin and cortisol are our stress hormones that tell our body we’re in danger and need to adapt. Cortisol causes us to sleep badly when we’re stressed, to wake up at 3 am in a lather of sweat and to put us into famine mode to protect us. However, cortisol interferes with thyroid hormone production and is a significant cause of lower than normal thyroid function. Many people go on thyroid medication when what they really need to do is reduce the stress in their bodies – exercise is a great way to do this as is magnesium and wonderful, adaptogen herbs.
Nutrient deficiencies and thyroid hormone conversion.
Our bodies make T4, a less potent form of thyroid hormone, and converts it to T3, the more potent form, when it needs it. This happens in the liver. If we are deficient in zinc, selenium and other nutrients this process can be severely undermined. Your thyroid test may be normal but T3 levels may be low, leading to symptoms of low thyroid function such as constipation, dry skin, depression, heart problems and of course, weight gain.
Once again, people go on thyroid medication rather than correcting the mineral deficiencies. Unfortunately, low zinc and selenium has consequences other than low metabolism so these get missed.
The throat chakra and the thyroid
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and falls under the influence of the throat chakra. In energetic medicine the throat chakra represents the will and our “Voice”. By voice I mean, our capacity to speak up for ourselves, be a stand and say what we need to say. Many people, women in particular find it very difficult to express themselves authentically, ask for their needs to be met and communicate their anger effectively. This will have an energetic effect on the thyroid as well as a need to “push down” our feelings with food. Thyroid medication will not resolve this. Coaching, counselling, personal development, talking, energetic medicines like Bach Flowers and homeopathics and other energetic healing techniques such as Reiki or spiritual healing will help.
Summary
Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for thyroid medication and if you’re on it you should use the guidance of your health professional to get you off it, if that is indeed possible. However, if your thyroid issue is not bad enough to warrant medication or you find that over the years you’ve had to increase it because it doesn’t seem to be working any more, then considering a natural, holistic approach may be worthwhile.
With kindness
Brenda RogersChampion of Natural, Healthy Weight Loss!Naturopath
Food Coach
Yoga Teacher
Kitchen Goddess!!
