Why Brain and Gut Health Are Important to a Properly Functioning Thyroid

Why Brain and Gut Health Are Important to a Properly Functioning Thyroid

The thyroid is the small, butterfly shaped gland located on the front of the neck. It is responsible for secreting the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which then attach to all cells of the body to cause much needed reactions. 

Too little of these hormones and the reactions in our body start to slow down, causing fatigue, weakness, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and cold fingers and toes.

 Too many of these hormones and the opposite happens. The reactions in our body start to speed up and we have trouble falling asleep, get heart palpitations, have some anxiety and nervousness, and are normally hot.

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However, thyroid control doesn’t start with the thyroid. Instead, it starts up in the brain in an area known as the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is basically the control center for the brain. It takes all the signals coming in from the body,  and then tells your body what it should do in response to those signals.

In the case of the thyroid, if there are too little thyroid hormones being secreted, the hypothalamus will tell the body to secrete more. If there are too many thyroid hormones being secreted, the hypothalamus will tell the body to secrete less.

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However, if something is affecting the hypothalamus, the signaling to the thyroid gland  is going to be off. So what affects the hypothalamus?

We need proper levels of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, for the hypothalamus to work properly. Neurotransmitters are the messengers of the brain.

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Changes in the gut bacteria can either decrease or increase  the production of serotonin and dopamine. A healthy gut allows proper production of these two neurotransmitters .

An unhealthy gut creates toxins that travel to the brain and decreases or increases the levels of these messengers, throwing off the regulatory system of the hypothalamus.

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If you are having hypothyroid symptoms, such as fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, depression, or muscles weakness, it’s important to look to the health of the gut.

The toxins produced by bad bacteria have a very powerful impact on brain health. If there are more of them than good bacteria, chances are, your brain and other systems will suffer too.

Symptoms of bad gut bacteria include:

•Bloating or distension after eating

•Cramping and abdominal pain

•Constipation, Diarrhea, or Both

•Heartburn/GERD

•Excess Gas

•Belching/Burping

•Ulcers

•Bad breath

•Coated tongue

Other symptoms:

•Anxiety/Depression

•Vitamin B deficiencies

•Neurological problems

•Hormonal problems

•Arthritis

•High cholesterol

•Skin Rashes/ Dryness

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, ask your functional medicine practitioner to run one of the following tests; a  comprehensive Stool Test, Organic Acids Test, or the Hydrogen Breath Test. These will confirm whether or not the bacteria in your gut are at the proper ratios and will also help your practitioner decide the next best course of action!

yours in health,

dr. samantha boldt