Why is a healthy thyroid gland so important?
Many people with HPU are affected by a thyroid disorder. Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) is, along with hypothyroidism, the most common thyroid disorder. Hyperthyroidism is relatively rare in people with HPU.
This is how the thyroid gland works
The pituitary gland in the brain produces TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). TSH travels through the bloodstream to the thyroid gland, where it stimulates the production of T3 and T4. T4 is the nearly inactive precursor hormone of the thyroid gland, to which four other hormones are added.
Iodine atoms are bound. The four iodine atoms are released into the bloodstream in larger quantities and circulate there until a cell that wants to produce energy (for example, a stomach, fat, muscle, or pancreatic cell) needs a thyroid hormone. The release
The removal of iodine atoms is carried out by the enzyme deiodinase. This process requires zinc, which is often deficient in HPU due to the excretion of the HPL complex (hemopyrrollactam complex). Selenium is also a cofactor of deiodinases; a deficiency can likewise impair their function.
Regardless of how much T4 the thyroid gland produces, the body cannot convert it into its active form, T3. As a result, T3 cannot enter the cell, and the cell cannot produce energy. Without energy, it cannot function. Certain metabolic processes, such as muscle movement, fat breakdown, or detoxification, simply do not occur.
Since the thyroid gland is involved in many metabolic processes, a malfunctioning thyroid gland can affect various other systems in the body:
Chronic constipation:
People with hypothyroidism are also frequently affected by constipation. Due to the weakened thyroid gland, digestion of food in the intestines takes longer. Toxins are then eliminated more slowly, and reabsorption of toxins (via the enterohepatic circulation) is promoted.
Fat burning:
Many people with thyroid problems have difficulty losing weight, even with a low-calorie diet combined with exercise. If the thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly, the entire metabolism slows down, including fat burning, making weight loss very difficult.
Insulin and glucose metabolism:
Glucose is the most important energy source for our bodies. Our brains, in particular, rely on glucose uptake to function properly. Therefore, if you suffer from dizziness, brain fog, or poor memory, this is a sign that not enough glucose is reaching the brain. This is usually because people with an underactive thyroid absorb (take up) glucose more slowly than those with a healthy thyroid. Furthermore, the glucose is not used immediately by the cells. After absorption, the body can no longer keep up with metabolizing the glucose and falls behind. Ultimately, these two factors result in insufficient sugar being available for the body, even though sufficient glucose is circulating in the blood. This creates an energy deficit, which the liver must compensate for by releasing glucose from its stores. This occurs when the adrenal glands release stress hormones, signaling the liver to release glucose. In the long run, this not only puts a strain on the adrenal glands, but also on the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which are actually responsible for other bodily functions.
Thyroid hormones and cholesterol:
In cases of an underactive thyroid, elevated cholesterol levels are not uncommon. This is because fat is produced faster than it can be burned.
When the liver and gallbladder become sluggish, this also affects fat metabolism. The cells are then less able to absorb LDL, leading to its accumulation.
Liver detoxification:
The liver cells responsible for detoxification are most strongly influenced by thyroid hormones. The liver detoxifies in two phases:
In the first phase, fat-soluble hormones are converted into a water-soluble form. Phase 2 completes this process and ultimately transports the end products to the outside via several routes (stool, sweat, urine).
A well-functioning thyroid gland is particularly important for phase 2. If there is an underactive thyroid, the enzymes (“sparks”) are not produced and thus hinder detoxification.
Stomach acid production:
Many people interpret their heartburn as an excess of stomach acid. However, the opposite is usually true: heartburn is often the result of a lack of stomach acid—or, chemically speaking, a lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl deficiency). Hydrochloric acid can only be produced if sufficient gastrin (a hormone) is present, which is usually reduced in cases of hypothyroidism.
As a result, digestive problems (bloating, heartburn) occur and some micronutrients can no longer be adequately absorbed by the body.
Progesterone production:
Thyroid hormones and progesterone are closely linked. When the pituitary gland sends TSH to the thyroid gland, the gland produces T4 or T3 from thyroglobulin and iodine. The enzyme TPO (thyroid peroxidase) carries out this process. If progesterone is lacking, TPO production is also reduced, which means that insufficient T4 can be produced. Consequently, the body’s metabolism also lacks functional T3.
A healthy thyroid is a crucial component of HPU therapy. If you want to get your disrupted HPU metabolism back on track, join my HPU-Start-Programm. Here you’ll learn everything you need, step-by-step, to live a carefree life despite HPU.