Thyroid and Adrenal Support

February 24, 2005

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Complete Synergistic Support for an Underactive Thyroid Gland

Helen Kimber BSc (Hons) PGCE, ECNP

The thyroid gland sits like a bow tie around the front of your neck. It is

a vital link in the endocrine system. The thyroid gland secretes two

hormones, the relatively inactive hormone thyroxin - tetraiodothyronine (T4)

and the more biologically active triiodothyronine (T3). Even a small

decline in the output of these hormones, if sustained over a long period of

time, can have profound consequences for health and well being.

Thermostatic Control for the Body

The thyroid gland acts as the body’s thermostat and controls the metabolic

rate of the body. As metabolism affects every cell of the body, if the

thermostat is malfunctioning (either set too high or too low) it naturally

affects all parts of the body.

If cellular metabolism drops too low, widespread dysfunction of the body can

occur and conditions such as depression, anxiety, memory impairments, hair

loss, weight gain, loss of libido, fatigue and cold hands and feet can ensue

Schmidt and Jeffery Bland, in a paper published in Alternative

Therapies in 1997, explain how there is a very strong relationship between

the health of the thyroid gland, the environment and nutrition, and even

very subtle changes in the thyroid gland's homeostasis can cause a plethora

of physiological symptoms.1

Thyroid decline most often affects women over 40 but men and younger people

can also suffer. Statistics suggest that up to 20% of the female adult

population may have reduced thyroid function.2

Standard Laboratory Tests versus Temperature Tests

Many people who undertake to have a standard laboratory test for thyroid

function will receive results that indicate they have no abnormal thyroid

pathology. However, if the same person were to test their basal temperature

using the Axillary temperature test, the results would probably indicate the

need for nutritional support for the thyroid gland. More and more doctors

and practitioners today feel that “normal” ranges of thyroid function are

too broad2 and that the Axillary temperature test, if carried out properly,

is a more accurate way of testing for thyroid function.3

If a person does present with reduced thyroid function the only way out seen

by many is for a lifelong prescription of thyroxin hormone. However,

nutritional support containing synergistic blends of herbs and nutrients can

be successfully utilized in a regime and prevent the patient from descending

the downward spiral of ill health.

Naturopath Budd, N.D., D.O., has spent over 15 years researching into

the nutritional support for an underactive thyroid gland. has

discovered by combining herbs and nutrients known for their support of

thyroid function, the health of this small but incredibly influential little

gland can be improved.

Nutrients and Herbs to Support Thyroid Function

Amino acids play a major role in supporting thyroid health. It is important

when choosing supplements of amino acids that they are in the L

configuration, or in the case of phenylalanine the DL configuration. This

is the form found in nature and utilized by the human body.

L -tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that the body synthesizes from

phenylalanine. Amongst its plethora of functions including the formation of

the neurotransmitters, tyrosine is a major component of the thyroid hormones

People with low thyroid function may well benefit from supplementation of

tyrosine. People with depression often have low levels of tyrosine.4

Depression is linked with a low thyroid function and studies suggest

tyrosine supplementation may well be beneficial.5

L-carnitine is made in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine.

Carnitine plays an important role in the metabolism of energy from fat. In

order for carnitine to be utilised fully it requires vitamin C, iron, niacin

B6 and methionine.

DL-phenylalanine is a mixture of the amino acid L-phenylalanine which is

converted in the body to L-tyrosine. D-phenylalanine is converted primarily

to phenylethylamine which is a mood elevating chemical in the body as well

as helping to influence certain chemicals in the brain which relate to the

sensation of pain. By taking DL-phenylalanine, levels of tyrosine are

increased and hence this can influence levels of thyroid hormones. Several

nutrients are required for the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine;

these are vitamin B6, iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin E.

Minerals and Thyroid Health

There are many minerals essential to the health of the thyroid gland; the

most well researched is iodine. Iodine is required to manufacture the

thyroid hormones. Seafoods, iodized salt and sea vegetables – for example

kelp, a form of seaweed species called Laminaria are rich sources of iodine,

as well as foods grown in iodine rich soil. With today’s intensive farming

techniques it is thought that trace minerals including iodine have been

depleted and so many foods no longer contain substantial amounts of these

trace minerals. Iodine has now been added to salt and therefore people

eating a large amount of processed foods may be consuming too much iodine.

However, people whose diets are low in sources of iodine may well benefit

from taking supplements of this mineral to help support optimal thyroid

health.

Zinc is another essential mineral for optimizing thyroid health. In a study

of fourteen healthy people with primarily high or low serum zinc levels,

thyroxin levels tended to be lower in those people with lower serum zinc.

By supplementing with zinc in those individuals whose serum was low,

thyroxin levels increased.6

There are many different zinc supplements available today and some are

absorbed by the body better than others, one of the best sources being zinc

picolinate.

Selenium plays a role in thyroid hormone metabolism. It is now thought that

severe selenium deficiency may be a possible cause of goitre.7

In relation to thyroid health copper is another mineral which plays an

important role in the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. Although

copper deficiency is uncommon, people taking zinc supplements for more than

a few weeks should take copper (unless they have ’s disease) as zinc

interferes with copper absorption.

Manganese is required to transport thyroxin hormone into the cell.

Other Nutrient Co-Factors

Intracellular conversion of T4 to T3 is known to require zinc, selenium,

copper and iron. The production of T3 is dependent upon vitamin A.

Stress and Thyroid Function

Stress is known to affect thyroid function. The amino acid tyrosine is

necessary for the production of steroid hormones adrenaline and

noradrenaline. When the body is under stress more of these hormones are

required and tyrosine reserves are depleted, leaving the thyroid hormone

pathway underfunctioning. Stress depletes many of the essential nutrients

required for thyroid function – the B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and selenium

especially.

Individuals who are stressed may therefore require additional adrenal

support in order to improve their thyroid function. There are many

nutrients and herbs which can help support the adrenal glands.

Liquorice root is one such herb. It contains active flavonoids and

glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin has been shown to inhibit the breakdown of

cortisol in the body.8 People with an increased demand on their adrenal

glands may well benefit from taking supplements of liquorice.

Improving Health

By utilising the nutrients and herbs, which can help to support a healthy

functioning thyroid gland, the health and well being of many individuals

could be substantially improved.

References

1. Schmidt M., D.C., CNS, Bland J. PhD. Thyroid Gland as Sentinel:

Interface between internal and external environment. Alternative Therapies

January 1997 vol.3.No.1.

2. Budd. M. Mild Hypothyroidism the missed diagnosis. Int. Journal of Alt

& Comp Medicine June 1998.

3. Cass R PhD. Axillary temperature test. The Physicians Clinical

Reference Manual 7th Anniversary edition 1994.

4. Chiaroni P. Azorin JM, Bovier P, et al. A multivariate analysis of red

blood cell membrane transports and plasma levels of L-tyrosine and

L-tryptophan in depressed patients before treatment and after clinical

improvement. Neuropsychobiol 1990;1-7.

5. Glenberg AJ, Gibson CJ, Wojcik JD. Neurotransmitter precursors for the

treatment of depression. Psycopharmacol Bull 1982;18:7-18.

6. Hartoma TR, Sotaniemi EA, Maattanen J. Effect of zinc on some

biochemical indices of metabolism. Nutr Metab 1979:23: 294-300.

7. Thilly CH, Swennen B, Bourdoux P,

et al. The epidemiology of iodine- deficiency disorders in relation

to goitrogenic factors and thyroid stimulating hormone regulation. Am J

Clin Nut 1993;57(2 Suppl):267S-70S.

8. Soma R, Ikeda M, Morise T, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on cortisol

metabolism in humans. Endocrine Regulations 1994;28:31-34 .

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