In my last blog post, I explored the unbalanced thyroid through a Functional Medicine Perspective. Many of you may have in fact experienced the classic hypothyroid symptoms of fatigue, sugar cravings, weight gain, and depression. And if you have been diagnosed with a predisposition to, or the actual early stages of, slow thyroid, there are still many cases where some good holistic measures can be attempted before resorting to medications or even supplements.
Understanding Iodine Deficiency and the Thyroid
For many thyroid patients, low iodine levels may be to blame. Iodine is essential to the body’s production of key thyroid hormones. Those living in the Midwest are particularly vulnerable to iodine deficiency because their produce is grown in soil with scanty amounts of iodine.
I NEVER recommend taking iodine pills. Instead, food should be your first medicine. An easy iodine fix is to simply eat more fish, a good source of iodine. For most people, 2-3 weekly servings of wild saltwater fish can correct the iodine deficiency. Not a fan of fish? Try seaweed salad or kelp snacks. Or consider substituting your regular salt with iodized salt.
Managing Cravings and Blood Sugar
A sluggish thyroid also impairs blood sugar metabolism, which leads many people to crave bad, fast carbohydrates. To help rev your thyroid and curb your cravings, try the ancient Ayurvedic herb Ashwagandha. It has been shown to boost the body’s own levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. It also stabilizes glucocorticoids—adrenal hormones that, when balanced, help protect against blood sugar swings. Consult with your holistic physician about an Ashwagandha dosage that would be appropriate for you.
The Thyroid-Depression Connection
According to the National Library of Medicine, about half of all depression and anxiety cases doctors see are caused by undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Under normal circumstances, the thyroid helps serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine function. When the thyroid slows down, so does the production of these feel-good brain chemicals.
It is also important to note that when your thyroid is under-active, your body may try to compensate by overproducing adrenaline, a perk-me-up hormone, which is the key player in a fight-or-flight cascade. This can make one anxious and edgy.
Natural Remedies: A Holistic Path to Thyroid Health
Here are some on-the-go natural solutions:
- A daily 5-minute hand massage with a diluted mixture of bergamot, lavender, and frankincense essential oils has shown a 16% decrease in depression and a 30% decrease in anxiety in a South Korea study. To dilute, just blend ½ tsp. of coconut or sesame oil with 1-2 drops of essential oils and work the mixture into your skin. Spend several extra minutes massaging the area between your thumb and index finger to stimulate this calming acupressure point.
- Multiple research trials also show that meditating or praying 10-15 minutes/day significantly improves anxiety and depression by balancing antibodies and inflammatory markers—the underlying immune mediators of thyroid disease.
