Why Proper Stomach and GI System Function is Critical for Thyroid Function
Most patients that I see have a few things in common.
1. They were diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
2. They take some form of thyroid hormone replacement.
3. They continue to experience some degree of thyroid symptoms despite conventional treatment.
Just like you, if they were not having symptoms, they would not be investing their precious time trying to educate themselves on what their doctor should already know.
When I consult with a patient with ongoing thyroid symptoms I know I must start searching and begin putting the pieces together if I am going to help that person. This can be hard for most patients to understand at first because they have been told to just take this thyroid medication and problem solved.
For most patients, that advice is dead wrong.
Sure, it is going to replace the hormone your body no longer can create, but it usually does not address the underlying condition and factors that play a huge role in the patient’s health. Taking some form of thyroid replacement is just the first step. It does not consider other possible mechanisms that could be contributing to your problem and symptoms.
Although I have talked about the gut-brain-thyroid connection in the past, I thought I should write another blog going over the stomach and GI connection again because it is critical to the improvement of your symptoms.
Gut microorganisms can affect thyroid function at all levels including:
- Thyroid receptor site resistance – where your hormone can’t actually bind to your receptors. This creates a classic presentation of ongoing thyroid symptoms despite being able to see normal amounts of hormone in the blood stream.
- Decreased T3 production
- Increased reverse T3
- Decreased TSH secretion from your pituitary
What does all of that mean? It means you have to look at more than just a patient’s TSH if get to the bottom of why they are having low thyroid symptoms.
If you ever experience bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea and you also have thyroid symptoms then you have to consider the impact that gut microorganisms are affecting your thyroid. Dealing with the gut issue is a necessity if you want to feel good again.