Marker to manage autoimmune thyroiditis.
Thyrotropin, also known as Thyroid Stimulating hormone is the signal secreted from the thyrotrophic cells of the anterior pituitary in response to the release of thyrotropin-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus. The thyrotropin acts as a proliferative signal to target cells in the thyroid gland and also in cells including: osteocytes, vascular endothelial cells and hepatocytes.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis is the most common reason for hypothyroid disease. It is characterized by an immune system attack on the thyroid that damages the gland systemically. In most affected individuals, the disease progresses to clinical hypothyroidism and atrophic or goitrogenic thyroiditis. The definition of hypothyroidism is an elevated serum level of thyrotropin along with low serum levels of thyroxine (T4). Symptoms may include a thyroid enlargement, fatigue, infertility, dry skin, cold intolerance, voice changes and most importantly a generalized slowing of metabolic processes (i.e. constipation and weight gain). Many of the early stages of autoimmune thyroiditis may have the clinical presentation of hypothyroidism but lack the serologic findings of thyrotropin elevation and/or T4 or T3 suppression. Sub-clinical hypothyroidism is a term that has been used in functional medicine to describe this state but is a misuse of the term. It is a partial hypothyroid state defined by a lack of symptoms.
In a state of hypothyroidism, elevated thyrotropin levels signal the thyroid gland to produce more T4 via increased iodine uptake. Thyrotropin acts as a cell growth stimulant and an endothelial growth factor. This can lead in some cases to changes such as nodules, calcifications and goiter, by increasing the surface area and volume of the thyroid gland. These changes can cause symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and sensation of a lump in the throat.
When I hear a deep hoarse voice in a new patient consultation, I ask the patient if their voice has changed recently or has it been hoarse for a long time?
These antibodies destroy healthy tissue via apoptosis and can prevent the iodination of thyroglobulin into active thyroid hormone. Autoimmune thyroid disease is a perfect storm of events that occurs as a result of genetic, toxicologic exposure, chronic immunologic stressors and acute infectious disease. Infections can cause the production of thyroid antibodies through molecular mimicry. EBV, Hep C, Lyme and other infections can precipitate this production. Genetics also predisposes an individual to autoimmune thyroiditis with evidence showing it clusters among families. After the delivery of a child, physiological changes occur and the immune system undergoes suppression right before which can activate mechanisms that create autoimmune thyroid issues.
Continued stimulation of thyroid hormone production by elevated thyrotropin exacerbates the immune response against thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin. Thyrotropin elevation above 2.5/3.0 μIU/mL may perpetuate the autoimmune process that can lead to hypothyroidism. This phenomenon has been called the hypothyroid-autoimmune loop and can be one of the reasons for benefits from thyroid replacement in the early stages of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
There is a lot of confusion about proper management of autoimmune thyroidism. Proper management can reduce symptoms, lower the risk of onset of autoimmune comorbities and manage structural pathology. Thyroid medication should be taken on an empty stomach 1 hour away from food or coffee. Coffee can impair absorption of T4 by up to 36% even when consumed many hours after thyroid medication is ingested.
WP Thyroid by RLC labs is an even better version that contains preprobiotics and coconut. It is the most natural and cleanest thyroid medication on the planet.
Our prescribed natural products have never been recalled by the FDA. They are not synthetic so they don't contain synthetic T4 hormones created in the lab that the body can't metabolize properly. Patients who take the natural treatment, on average, lost more weight.
I.V. Ozone and biologics can address underlying chronic infections that affect thyroid function. We beat back the pathogens that disturb your normal function. Ozone has no known resistance unlike antibiotics. We incorporate strategic anti-viral and anti-bacterial protocols that work.
Call us for your thyroid consult today. The summer is coming up and you can feel terrific. It's a choice.
Still Having Thyroid Symptoms After Hormone Replacement?