Ensuring your thyroid hormones are on point is crucial for overall hormone optimization. Thyroid hormones assist every cell in your body to produce the energy molecule ATP. Hormone optimization is an energy-intensive process and you’re not going to be close to a thriving state with depleted energy production. If your thyroid function is hampered you’re more likely to have constant fatigue, brain fog, reduced sex drive, increased body fat, and simply a lack of overall zeal for thriving. Everything becomes a battle of attrition when your energy is diminished and poor thyroid hormone production could be a root cause.

• Thyroid hormones are made by the thyroid at the base of the neck. 
• Production is 90% T4 Thyroxine and only 10% active T3 triiodothyronine
• The pituitary gland in the brain starts the process by releasing TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). 
• Some T4 is then converted into the more bioactive T3 (3-5 times as active) 
• T3 helps every cell in the body produce the energy molecule ATP 
• Thyroid hormones boost metabolic rate and increase blood circulation which augments nutrients, oxygen, water, and hormones to cells all over the body.
• Thyroid hormones help keep the body warm and muscles and joints healthy and pain-free. 
• Protects the brain, heart, kidneys, digestive and immune system. 
• Increases fat burning 
• Helps eliminate cholesterol which helps open up the arteries and improves blood pressure. 

Symptoms of low thyroid (Dr. Delgado and Dr. Thierry Hertoghe) 

• Cold or swollen hands and feet 
• Excessive sensitivity to cold 
• Puffy face 
• A tendency to gain weight 
• Difficulty losing fat 
• Morning fatigue 
• Low energy and sex drive 
• More fatigue after resting 
• Passing out when at rest 
• Poor memory and concentration
• Depression 
• Constipation 
• Brittle nails, aging skin, slow hair growth
• Dry hair 
• Swollen eyelids 
• Joint pain 

Improving levels of thyroid hormones 

• Consume a fiber-rich diet as fibers attract heavy metals, mercury, and toxins and help flush them out 
• A diet rich in fruit nourishes the Thyroid. Dr. Hertoghe stated he was able to lower his dosage of thyroid hormones after increasing fruit consumption 
• Take systemic enzymes to reduce autoimmunity and thyroid antibodies
• Address estrogen dominance as excess estrogen interferes with thyroid function (Dr. Nick Delgado) 
• Eat 2-3 Brazil nuts daily to improve selenium levels. No more than 200mcg per day as too much lowers thyroid function. 
• Add a teaspoon of kelp to meals to increase iodine levels 
• Consume hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds to acquire zinc 
• Take Udo’s oil or milled flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds for essential fatty acids. 
• Take 1-3 grams of the amino acid tyrosine to boost sluggish thyroid hormone production. 
• Ashwagandha converts T4 into the more active T 3 at 500mg per day 
• For an overactive thyroid use lemon balm extract to regulate levels. 

Reference Ranges 

TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone 

Men 0.27 to 4.2 miu/ml 2.235miu.ml

Women 0.27 to 4.2 miu/ml 2.235miu/ml 

T4 

Men 0.9 to 1.7 ng/dl 1.3ng/dl ideal 

Women 0.9 to 1.7 ng/dl 1.3ng/dl ideal

T3 

Men 1.8 to 4.6pg/dl, ideal 3.2pg/ml 

Women 1.8 to 4.6pg/dl, ideal 3.2pg/ml

Sources 

The Hormone solution, Dr. Thierry Hertoghe

Traumatic Brain Injury, Dr. Mark Gordon