What Causes Thyroid Disease Symptoms?

It is important to know what causes the thyroid disease symptoms before you can take steps towards overcoming thyroid problems and returning your thyroid function to normal as well as assisting your weight-loss efforts.

In this article we will cover how the system of thyroid hormone production works and the steps involved, other factors that play a role in the production of thyroid hormones, the causes of sub-optimal thyroid function as well as the steps you need to take in order to start producing normal thyroid levels again.

If you would like more detailed information though, please read, The Natural Thyroid Diet.

Here are the thyroid
hormone production pathways

Thyroid Hormone Production: Step 1.

Thyroid Hormone Production: Step 2.

Thyroid Hormone Production: Step 3.

Thyroid Hormone Production: Step 4.

The process of converting T4 into T3 is dependent on an enzyme (5'-deiodinase), which is dependent on the mineral selenium as well as zinc, some B vitamins, vitamin C and folate. A deficiency in the enzyme results in T4 being converted into excessive amounts of reverse T3 (rT3) as opposed to converting into T3. However, all of these nutrients are supplied in BCN's Thyron, a unique and powerful thyroid and adrenal support formula.

About 45-50% of T4 normally gets converted into rT3, however, a deficiency in the abovementioned nutrients as well as a range of other factors, particularly stress, results in reduced production of T3 and increased production of rT3. The production of rT3 is not dependent on selenium as is T3. High levels of rT3 may result in thyroid disease symptoms.

Reverse T3 fits into the same receptors on cells membranes as does T3, however, rT3 is the inactive form and therefore opposes T3's function. T3 acts as the 'accelerator' of cell functioning whilst rT3 acts as the 'brake'. It is also suggested that rT3 interferes with the conversion of T4 to T3, which further magnifies the production of rT3 and thyroid disease symptoms.

When your body experiences high levels of stress it increases its production of cortisol (one of the major stress hormones). High levels of cortisol forces more T4 to be converted into rT3. Therefore, finding ways to reduce stress is an important factor in optimising thyroid function and avoiding thyroid disease symptoms. This may include stress management techniques like, relaxation, meditation, yoga, seeking psychological therapy, engaging in a regular exercise program and eating a healthy diet.

In saying this, some cortisol is essential for proper thyroid functioning. It appears that cortisol has the effect of 'refreshing' cell membranes and making them more sensitive to the action of the thyroid hormones. Therefore, cortisol must be carefully controlled in order to optimise thyroid function.

BCN's Thyron contains a range of herbs that are classified as 'Adaptogens'. This means they help the body reduce its response to stress, which means the level of rT3 can be normalised. Adaptogens also help to nourish and support the adrenal glands when they are fatigued or exhausted.

In the cases of adrenal fatigue and adrenal exhaustion (which means the adrenal glands have difficulty producing the stress hormones like, cortisol), the adaptogens can provide the body with the raw materials it needs in order to increase their production of the stress hormones again. This can ensure an optimum level of cortisol is produced and this will keep the cell receptors 'refreshed' and sensitive to the thyroid hormones.

The thyroid and adrenal glands are intimately related and if you suffer from thyroid disease symptoms it is important to address the adrenal function first before addressing the thyroid function.

BCN's Thyron contains 3 popular and effective adaptogenic herbs: Rhodiola Rosea, Siberian Ginseng and Withania Somnifera.

Problems of high rT3 can also occurs when they body has trouble eliminating it. The enzyme 5'-deiodinase is responsible for eliminating rT3 and therefore ensuring adequate levels are present in the body is essential. This means that a product like, BCN's Thyron, which contains the required nutrients for 5'-deiodinase production may be beneficial in eliminating rT3 from the body and therefore overcoming low thyroid symptoms.

Here is the complete list of thyroid articles: