Thyroid disease is very common, with an estimated 20 million people in the United States having some type of thyroid disorder. Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are about five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB).
Thyroid diseases are split into two types: primary and secondary.
In primary thyroid disease, the disease originates in your thyroid gland. In secondary thyroid disease, the disease originates in your pituitary gland. As an example, if you have a nodule on your thyroid that’s releasing excess amounts of thyroid hormones, it would be called primary hyperthyroidism. If a tumor in your pituitary gland is releasing excess amounts of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which then stimulates your thyroid to produce excess thyroid hormones, it would be called secondary hyperthyroidism.
While the thyroid may be small, this butterfly-shaped gland makes up a portion of the endocrine system and secretes hormones that affect our mood, skin, hair, metabolism, and more. It is a part of a feedback loop that works with the pituitary gland, another critical organ of the endocrine system, and the hypothalamus, which is located in the brain.
A heathy thyroid is about 2 inches long and usually does not stick out from your throat and you can’t see it by looking at your neck.
Given the many players involved in thyroid function—the thyroid, pituitary, and the hypothalamus—it is no surprise that disruption in any of these areas will affect the thyroid and the host of other areas that it manages
The pituitary gland and thyroid work together in a loop. When thyroid hormones are low, the brain produces TRH (thyroptropin) that signals pituitary glands to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which then activates the thyroid to produce thyroxine (T4). This T4 is converted to triiodothronine (t3). T4 and t3 are then released into the bloodstream to work on regulating metabolism and other thyroid-dependent mechanisms in the body.
What does the thyroid do?
As an endocrine gland, your thyroid makes and secretes hormones. Your thyroid produces and releases the following hormones:
- Thyroxine (T4): This is the primary hormone your thyroid makes and releases. Although your thyroid makes the most of this hormone, it doesn’t have much of an effect on your metabolism. Once your thyroid releases T4 into your bloodstream, it can convert to T3 through a process called deiodination.
Thyroid hormones affect the following body functions:
- How your body uses energy (metabolism).
Thyroid Disorders & Symptoms:
It’s a fairly common condition that affects approximately 10 million people in the United States. It is treatable.
Causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease.
- Almost 90% of goiters are caused by iodine deficiency. Worldwide, goiters affect millions of people, but most commonly in regions where the standard diet is low in iodine.
- Swelling in the front of your neck, just below the Adam's apple.
Goiter is an enlargement of your thyroid gland. Goiters are relatively common; they affect approximately 5% of people in the United States
Goiters have different causes, depending on their type.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) happens when your thyroid produces and releases more thyroid hormones than your body needs. This causes aspects of your metabolism to speed up. Approximately 1 out of 100 people over the age of 12 have hyperthyroidism in the United States. It is treatable.
Causes of hyperthyroidism include:
- Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition.
- Hyperthyroidism: a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include hair loss, rapid heart rate, sudden weight loss, tremors, irritability, and anxiety.
- related symptoms such as weight loss or osteoporosis. Important nutrients to focus on are calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium
- Thyroid Nodules: are fairly common and usually benign. While the exact cause of a thyroid nodule is unclear, there's a clear association between thyroid nodules and iodine deficiency, and an even bigger association with Hashimoto's.
Can a person live without a thyroid?
Yes, you can live without your thyroid. However, you’ll need to take hormone replacement medication for the rest of your life to stay healthy and prevent certain side effects and symptoms. Thyroid removal surgery, known as a thyroidectomy, is a common surgery that can treat certain thyroid conditions.
Most common nutritional deficiencies:
Iron, Iodine, Selenium, Magnesium, Zinc, poor nutritional diet, gluten
Treatments: (medications)
- Herbs & Foods: Lemon Balm, Echinacea, gluten free, AIP
Book: Dr David Brownstein MD, Iodine Why You Need It
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Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach
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Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach
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