Do you ever wonder if you have a slow metabolism?
Many women who come to see me ask the same thing. So today, we’ll review some of the symptoms related to slow metabolism and the hormone involved in metabolism.
Have you guessed it?
It’s the thyroid hormone.
What is thyroid hormone?
There are 2 main thyroid hormones that are made by the thyroid gland:
- T3: Triiodothyronine
- T4: Thyroxine
T3 is the more active form.
The thyroid gland is located at the front of your neck, and it’s shaped like a butterfly. It makes mostly T4 and some T3, but T3 is the more active form. Cells in different organs need to convert T4 into its active form T3, in order for it to have its effect on the body.
Optimal T3 levels functions to regulate and ensure a healthy metabolism. Basically, this means that T3 helps our cells make energy efficiently so that our body can function well.
Common symptoms of underactive thyroid function (hypothyroidism) include:
- Difficulty losing weight
- Fatigue
- Feeling cold all the time
- Constipation
- Depressed mood
- Heavy periods
Common symptoms of overactive thyroid function (hyperthyroidism) include:
- Weight loss
- Anxiety
- Shakiness
- Feeling hot
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
Why are thyroid imbalances an issue?
- Decreased thyroid hormone function can lead to increase in cardiovascular disease risk
- Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can interfere with ovulation and contribute to infertility. Improving thyroid function can help improve ovulation and optimize your fertility. In addition, T3 & T4 are crucial to healthy fetal development.
So what can we do about it?
If we find that there is an imbalance in thyroid hormone levels or function, you may be surprised to learn that by addressing some of the other hormone imbalances we already learned about earlier in this video series, thyroid hormone function can improve as well. For example:
- Cortisol levels that are too high or too low can prevent normal thyroid hormone activity
- To start you off on some ways to help balance cortisol levels, make sure you watch Week 3’s video on cortisol if you haven’t watch it yet
- Excess estrogen can reduce the available free T3. Identifying and addressing estrogen dominance is important for thyroid balance
- Make sure the body has the nutrients needed to convert T4 into T3, which again, is the more active form in the body. Some of these nutrients include the minerals selenium, zinc and magnesium.
- Decrease inflammation in the thyroid gland – and the entire body. One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism (an underfunctioning thyroid gland) is autoimmune – meaning your body’s immune system attacks your own body cells, in this case, those found in the thyroid gland. Balancing these autoimmune reactions can help improve thyroid function, ovulation and optimize fertility.
Final Thoughts
As you can see thyroid hormone balance is complex.
In order to truly understand what is going on with your hormones – it’s important to get a baseline reading of the levels of hormones in your body. So next week we’ll take a look at hormone testing options that are important to determine what needs to be done to balance hormone levels most efficiently.
Have you heard of compounded Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
To help women address hormone balance it may be important to consider hormone therapy when necessary. It is worthwhile to consider specially compounded bioidentical hormones that mimic your natural hormones more effectively.
This requires extra training which Dr. Odette has taken with the LP3 Network in order to provide this additional service of prescribing compounded bioidentical hormone therapy safely & effectively. If you would like to learn if you are a good candidate for BHRT contact Dr. Odette here.
