Thyroid Disorders with Lyme & Chronic Illness

The thyroid is an important endocrine gland that makes and releases hormones. These hormones are responsible for our metabolic rate. When our thyroid is not functioning properly it can lead to numerous symptoms such as low energy, brain fog, weight gain, hair loss, digestive issues, and much more.

When someone develops these symptoms they usually see a doctor who will order a TSH to check their thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Rarely will they order a full panel that includes T4 or antibody (TPO & TGA) levels, though they should. A large majority of the time, the TSH will come back within range, though we don't feel "fine" or "normal".

On the rare occasion that our levels are off our doctor will prescribe thyroid hormone but even then many people say their symptoms do not resolve.

There are 4 things that modern medical doctors aren't recognizing that are contributing to those thyroid symptoms, without or without thyroid hormone replacement.

#1

Our chronic inflammation needs to be addressed.

Whether from a poor diet, life exposures, or chronic illness, this inflammation can affect us on a cellular level making it impossible for the thyroid hormone to attach to the cell receptor and get its message in. This means that we have enough of the actual hormone, we just can't utilize it due to cell damage caused by chronic inflammation.

#2

We are not converting their T4 to T3.

When doctors prescribe thyroid hormone, they give us T4 but this is our storage hormone. T3 is the active form of the hormone that is needed to get its message into the cells. Most of the thyroid hormone our body makes is T4 but it is the liver's job to convert it to the active form and the liver is also our major detox organ. So, if we are toxic and our liver is working overtime to detox, it isn't going to prioritize thyroid hormone conversion. In addition to the liver, we also convert T4 to T3 in the gut so if we are living in a toxic world, which we all are, or have been on numerous antibiotics for chronic illness such as Lyme, we will have some level of leaky gut which compromises its ability to convert as well.

#3

Our control center is neurotoxic.

The hypothalamus and pituitary, located in the brain, are the control center. They control most of the hormone glands in the body. Heavy metals, such as mercury, love brain cells and like to take up residency in our hypothalamus and pituitary. When this occurs it compromises their ability to communicate and ultimately, the production and utilization of hormones.

#4

Our body is attacking itself.

Some toxins will plant themselves on the thyroid. This creates a toxic thyroid cell complex that our immune system doesn't recognize and therefore develops antibodies against it, harming the thyroid in the process.

If we have a compromised digestive system, which we all do, the junction barriers in our gut lining allow undigested proteins from food to leak out into the body. These proteins look similar to thyroid proteins, so over time, the body will develop antibodies to the undigested food proteins and then proteins, such as the thyroid, that look "similar".

Plus, many diseases such as Lyme, cause the immune system to overreact which, if not addressed, will cause the immune system to turn on itself and develop antibodies to our vital organs.

So what can you do to improve hormone communication and conversion?

First, reduce your toxin load. This will lower your systemic inflammation and take stress off of the liver. From there you can continue to reduce your inflammation and restore cell communication for hormone balancing by doing some intermittent fasting and macronutrient adjustments using the Kleaner Keto program within the Hormones & Metabolism foundation of The Wellness Model™.

Next, focus on your nutrition and building up your microbiome. This can be done by adjusting what you eat, another foundation of the model. Remember that it's not just about what we take out but also what we put in. Kelp granules for iodine, bananas and avocado for the amino acid tyrosine, and fermented foods for good microbiota. Plus, if you’ve been on an antibiotic regimen for any illness, including Lyme, you’ll need to restore your gut integrity.

Finally, remember the power of the mind. We can implement numerous foundational pieces but if your mindset isn’t where it needs to be it can sabotage your healing. Healing isn’t a solo sport. It takes a circle of people you can lean into for lasting change. Then, with the foundations of The Wellness Model™ in place, you will finally start to feel like yourself again.