Thyroid Health Is Intertwined with Adrenal Health

by Chris D. Meletis, ND

After nearly 20 years in clinical practice, I have seen tremendous advances in nutritional medicine in virtually all fields. The scientific literature now abounds with peer reviewed medical literature supporting the concepts that diet (nutritional status) and lifestyle manifest our genetic susceptibilities. As I have observed over the years, eating well and supplementing one’s diet with nutritional supplements can help sustain wellness. In particular, the adrenals and thyroid, two master hormone glands, are very susceptible to both endogenous and exogenous disturbances. My truly healthy thyroid patients have healthy adrenal glands, and vice versa.

During optimal T4 to T3 (thyroid hormone) conversion, T3 is 3 to 5 times more potent than T4. This is why measuring TSH, Free T4, Free T3 and reverse T3 are all important when running blood work. Factors that alter optimal T4 to T3 (thyroid hormone) conversion include: 1) Calorie restriction/fasting 2) Chemical exposure 3) Chronic alcohol consumption 4) Free-radical load 5) Hemorrhagic shock 6) Kidney and liver disease 7) Systemic illness or injury (of any kind) 8) Stress 9) Surgery 10) Toxic metal exposure (mercury, lead, arsenic or cadmium) and 11) Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Some of the items on the list are not readily avoidable. Yet others such as stress, toxic metal exposure and minimizing free radical damage can be mitigated. I routinely recommend that my patients make a list of their top 5 sources of stress and determine positive ways to minimize the level. Beyond this, I often encourage patients to consider getting their cortisol levels measured via a simple salivary test (Adrenal Function Panel), and then supporting their adrenals with adaptogenic herbs, B complex, Vitamin C and more time to relax and regain peace of mind.

Beyond mental stress, minimizing physical stress such as that which occurs after exposure to toxins is essential. The bottom line is that we live in a toxic world, hence I often recommend my patients detoxify with a detoxification program, which often includes a detox shake such as Detox Complex and focusing on organic veggies and lots of pure water, and supporting good bowel elimination.

It’s essential for us to remember that thyroid and adrenal function are interwoven and the cells of these organs are dependent on the body’s health and ecology as a whole.