According the Australian Thyroid Foundation approximately 60,000 cases of thyroid issues are diagnosed each year.  Approximately 60,000 new cases of thyroid disease are diagnosed each year in Australia. Women are ten times more likely than men to be diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and an estimated 1 million Australians may be living with an undiagnosed thyroid condition.

The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland in the neck and is part of the endocrine system.  In a healthy individual, the thyroid gland uses ingested iodine from iodine enriched foods to produce thyroid hormone which regulates body and brain growth and development, body temperature, energy levels and metabolic functions. (the rate at which the body produces and uses energy from nutrients and oxygen). The thyroid hormones produced are known thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) and influence and regulate the activity of all cells and tissues in the body.

The following are the common symptoms of disrupted thyroid gland:

• Sleep issues

• Constipation/diarrhoea

• Joint pain, muscle aches and pains

• Low BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)

• Weight gain

• Depression/low mood/anxiety

• Brain fog/memory/poor concentration

• Menstrual irregularities

• Dry skin

Thyroid Diseases

Diagnosable conditions of the thyroid are as follows:

• Cellular hypothyroidism

• Hypothyroidism

• Hashimotos thyroiditis

• hyperthyroidism

• Graves Disease.

These however do not occur in isolation.  Prior to the diagnosis of these conditions often many other events in a person’s life have occurred.  

A precursor is stress – this is the single biggest trigger for thyroid issues.  There may have been underlying nutrient deficiencies, a virus or even latent viruses in the body.  There has been much publicity about the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus as trigger for thyroid conditions. If there is any suspicion about any virus or suspected virus, advice should always be sought from your health professional.

Underlying all of these conditions though, is what we are absorbing through our food, our skin, and what we breathe in everyday -  environmental toxins. These prevent us from bouncing back from ill health and leave us lingering in a state of unwellness. 

Environmental Toxins

Chemicals

The thyroid is very sensitive to the use of chemicals.  The following three chemicals are implicated in the poor function of the thyroid:

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are used industrially in electrical equipment,lubricants, and in the production of  paints, plastics and adhesives. They are structurally similar to thyroid hormones and so disrupt not only production but raise thyroid antibody levels and promote enlargement of the thyroid gland. They also decrease circulating T4 and impair liver enzymes responsible for converting T4 to T3. 

Percholarate  is a highly reactive compound that is primarily man-made.  Perchlorate has been found to be present in soil, vegetation, groundwater and surface water in a number of places.  It is elevated in food grown in percholate dense soil and the dairy and animal produce raised upon it.  Urinary perchlorate levels, which are representative of the body’s burden of perchlorate, are associated with decreased thyroxine (T4) and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Percholate blocks iodide uptake into the thyroid gland and so prevents production of thyroid hormones.

Dioxins are a by product of manufacturing processes, including pesticide and plastic production. Dioxin exposure at levels considered standard in the United States has been associated with decreased T4 and reduced thyroid function, with females more significantly affected than males. Dioxin mimics thyroid hormone structure and appears to decrease T4 by binding to cell receptors that enhance glucuronidation, a biochemical process that facilitates the excretion of hormones from the body.

Pesticides and herbicides disrupt thyroid function by interfering with thyroid hormone gene expression, inhibiting the thyroid’s uptake of iodine, binding to thyroid hormone transport proteins, reducing cellular uptake of thyroid hormone, and increasing thyroid hormone clearance from the body. 

Household toxins

Flame retardants or PBDE’s are found in such items as computer and TV screens, furniture, carpet padding, and synthetic textiles. Flame retardants disrupt thyroid function by mimicking the structure of thyroid hormone; they displace T4 from thyroid hormone-binding proteins, preventing T4 from being transported in the blood. They also compete with T4 for thyroid hormone receptor binding sites and disrupt oestrogen activity. 

This unique interaction may make postmenopausal women especially susceptible to the thyroid-disrupting effects of PBDEs. 

Plastics are ubiquitous in our homes, appearing in items such as food storage containers, water bottles, personal care products, and children’s toys. Many plasticisers, such as BPA and phthalates, mimic the structures of natural hormones and thus have a disruptive effect on the endocrine system, including thyroid function. Bisphenol A (BPA), found in food-can linings and plastic bottles, plastic straws and toys, has been found to alter thyroid structure and act as an antagonist to T3 at thyroid hormone receptors

Antibacterial chemical triclosan, found in products such as liquid hand soap has been implicated in affecting unborn children as far as growth and development as well as implicated in many cancers.

PFOA, used in non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics is another aggravant.  Animal studies suggest that triclosan and PFOA decrease T4, ultimately lowering thyroid function. 

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are pervasive in our environment, and research continues to emerge demonstrating their harmful effects on human health. The heavy metals with the most significant impact on thyroid function are cadmium, lead, mercury, and aluminium.

Cadmium is a heavy metal that is released into the environment through mining and smelting and is also found in phosphate fertilisers, sewage sludge, batteries, pigments, and plastics. Cadmium exposure has been linked to multi-nodular goitre and  reduces the secretion of thyroglobulin. 

Mercury can be found everywhere from cosmetics to fish, to pesticides, to dental fillings. Burning fossil fuels such as coals also releases mercury in the into the air each year, where it settles into our water, meaning exposure comes through our water.  It obstructs again the production of T3.

What can be done to minimise the effects of thyroid disrupting toxins?

Here’s the checklist.

1. Include high quality supplements in your diet. Among its many properties, spirulina can help remove toxic metals and chemicals from your body.  Barley grass, wheat grass and also alfalfa are in this category. Other supplements include practitioner only supplements and herbs that can detoxify and heal.

2. Increase your intake of foods that will cleanse your body. Blueberries possess unique phytonutrients with special detoxifying capabilities.  Organic spinach and coriander will also remove toxins, as will fresh lemon juice.

3. Use high-quality water filter for drinking.  Reverse-osmosis filters, have been found to effectively remove perchlorate, pesticides, PCBs, plastics, and a wide variety of heavy metals from your water.

4. Reduce exposure or pesticides and herbicides by growing your own!.  It’s not that hard and the best food you will ever eat will be from your own garden. 

5. Buy organic food where possible and wash non organic fruits and vegetables.  

6. Reduce the use of plastic where possible.  Also reduce the use of canned foods where possible as they are lined with plastic.  Instead look for bottled or cardboard packaging (or no packaging) wherever you can.  

7. Use essential oils and natural cleaning methods instead of synthetic cleaners and antibacterial products made from chemicals.  Chose eco friendly products over the chemicals again where possible.

8. Reduce or eliminate non-stick cookware as PFOA from non-stick cookware can leach into food and is subsequently ingested.  Stainless steel or enamelled iron cookware is best.

Naturopaths can ensure that you receive the right advice in regards to environmental exposure around your home.  Most naturopaths receive ongoing education in this regards and can recommend product substitutions or ways of minimising pollutants around your home.  

Also your thyroid health can be checked.

Blood test results are a very good baseline for measuring the function of the thyroid.  It doesn’t always have to be from a doctor as a number of labs will provide a full thyroid panel through other health care providers such as naturopaths.   This allows benchmark levels to be established and the right protocols can then be followed to address any potentially serious issues.

Liver function, hormone levels, gut health and stress levels also need to be addressed to ensure good functioning of the thyroid as do detoxification pathways.  

If you are not sure, see your healthcare professional and seek further answers if you suspect your thyroid needs help.