Your thyroid secretes hormones that regulate the metabolism of every cell in the body (1).
It plays an important role in:
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Central and peripheral nervous systems
- Body weight
- Muscle strength
- Menstrual cycles
- Body temperature
- Cholesterol levels
The thyroid uses iodine, which can be found abundantly in seafood and seaweeds, and tyrosine, an amino acid, to create thyroid hormones. These are called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Too Much T3 and T4 can cause:
- Anxiety
- Irritability or moodiness
- Nervousness, hyperactivity
- Sweating or sensitivity to high temperatures
- Hand trembling (shaking)
- Hair loss
- Missed or light menstrual periods
Too Little Causes:
- Trouble sleeping
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry skin and hair
- Depression
- Sensitivity to cold temperature
- Frequent, heavy periods
- Joint and muscle pain
Toxins Can Damage The Thyroid By:
- inhibiting uptake of iodine by the thyroid
- interfering with the thyroid hormone receptor
- binding themselves to transport proteins
- interfering with iodothyronine deiodinases (enzymes important in the activation and deactivation of thyroid hormones)
- increasing the clearance of thyroid hormones
- interfering with cellular uptake of thyroid hormones
- interfering with thyroid hormone gene expression
It goes without saying but keeping your thyroid healthy is incredibly important to your metabolism. Here’s a short list of common toxins that damage the thyroid.