A new paper discussing that very common issue - iron.
I've only glanced at it so please comment freely.
Iron: Not Just a Passive Bystander in AITD
by Michał Szklarz
Katarzyna Gontarz-Nowak
Wojciech Matuszewski
Elżbieta Bandurska-Stankiewicz
Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editors: Roberto Iacone and Gladys Oluyemisi Latunde-Dada
Received: 30 September 2022/ Revised: 27 October 2022/ Accepted: 3 November 2022/ Published: 5 November 2022
(This article belongs to the Section Micronutrients and Human Health)
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Abstract
Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is the most prevalent autoimmune disease all over the world and the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism in areas of iodine sufficiency. The pathogenesis of AITD is multifactorial and depends on complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors, with epigenetics being the crucial link. Iron deficiency (ID) can reduce the activities of thyroid peroxidase and 5′-deiodinase, inhibit binding of triiodothyronine to its nuclear receptor, and cause slower utilization of T3 from the serum pool. Moreover, ID can disturb the functioning of the immune system, increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders. ID can be responsible for residual symptoms that may persist in patients with AITD, even if their thyrometabolic status has been controlled. The human lifestyle in the 21st century is inevitably associated with exposure to chemical compounds, pathogens, and stress, which implies an increased risk of autoimmune disorders and thyroid dysfunction. To summarize, in our paper we discuss how iron deficiency can impair the functions of the immune system, cause epigenetic changes in human DNA, and potentiate tissue damage by chemicals acting as thyroid disruptors.
What a lovely paper recognising a lot of what conventional medicine normally doesn’t, eg ID may reduce thyroid peroxidase activity and T4 - T3 conversion, and its close acquaintance with the immune system means ID may increase the risk of autoimmune conditions (be the cause and the result of Hashi/Graves.
But what does ‘thyrometabolic’ mean? It is the re-regulation of a normalised thyroid hormone response? 🤷♀️
tats, get yourself a glass of wine, sit down and digest this wonderful paper . ....
Inducements .. 😁
‘ID can trigger inflammatory processes in the thyroid gland, including the development of thyroid antibodies’
‘Reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases can restore the immune balance and induce remission’ - this is Datis Kharrizian and Isabella Wentz’s direction and exactly why I always promote the reduction of thyroid antibodies which represent unwanted inflammation.
‘Effective apoptosis is a mechanism that enables the body to eliminate damaged cells’ but chronic inflammation resulting from an autoimmune response will impair this and so inducing further inflammation.
right ....i've done my chores ... i'm going to read it now.
( i have an inbuilt resistance to trying to learn anything about iron.. thus my current understanding of anything to do with 'Iron' looks like this: "i use cast iron pans, i like dark green veg and dark chocolate ....that'll probably do , if i feel tired and the insides of my eyelids look pale i'll glug a bottle of floradix" )
This is very thought provoking,especially the bit that talks about iron deficiency being implicated in issues relating to the cells' ability to absorb t4 and (?) T3 . So even if enough t4 and t3 in bloodstream ,if there is Iron deficiency ,the body can't use this properly What are the supplements we need to take that can boost Iron?
Is chocolate one of them?
What Iron supplements can we take which will avoid constipation ?
This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.
Yes, we need adequate iron to process thyroid hormone into energy, magnesium, zinc, selenium and CoQ10 too.
The paper states iron is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and deficiencies can trigger the development of AITD. Iron deficiencies promote oxidative stress, and impair DNA synthesis and repair. The molecules that cells use to help control gene expression regarding iron uptake, utilisation and storage are dependant upon good levels iron, ie we need adequate iron for normal functioning of iron mechanisms, and the immune system.
Also good methylation depends upon iron-dependent proteins and deficiencies may alter gene expression as in the genetic mutations often seen in AITD that impair the folate cycle and methionine cycle. This on top of the alterations in gene expression caused by disrupting endocrine chemicals meaning there are multiple layers as to why iron mechanisms may be reluctant to allow levels to raise and/or ever resume good function.
The epigenetic repercussions of my own issue of iron overload are similar to iron deficiency, and run into multiple layers. It isn’t just about reducing or raising iron levels but inviting the mechanisms to function better through supporting methyl groups, and controlling the imbalance between antioxidant enzymes, and DNA breaking and repairing enzymes. You want to reduce unwanted inflammation and invite normalised DNA replication, synthesis, and repair, as well as supplement iron that your body is tolerant to.
This explains so much with my recently upped iron using 3 Arrows and consequent symptoms and test results showing over medication of T4 and T3 and CRP had gone up, and antibodies
Bringing doses of both heme and T4/T3 down (under supervision) for a few weeks has reversed the symptoms, feeling the beginnings of being more hypo again.
So now the challenge is finding the middle ground.
Article like this are so helpful when joining the dots.
I've recently experienced the same with FT3 shooting up to the top of the range. Have dropped 5mcgs T3 and wonder if I may also need to drop up to 25mcgs Levo as my dose has so far remained as it was on Levo monotherapy. I definitely feel a lot better for the lower T3 dose! My CRP also rose. Hmm.
All that said I am not taking iron as the iron infusion I had 3 years ago is so far lasting me.
I just find it hard to keep up with all these vitamins and minerals , it's a full time job and brsinfog doesn't help.How do other people keep up with the complex needs of what to take .
My regime is now quite simple but there have been times in the early days, especially when chelating for amalgam removal or taking parasite meds, when I needed a spread sheet to work out best timings and remember in what order and when to take over 30 pills a day whilst immersed in cloudy brain fog! I must admit I was also fortunate to have a nutritionist help me.
I've always prioritised thyroid meds over everything else. I used to multi-dose (which can be tricky around other sups and foods) but am now lucky enough to be able to take one dose first thing in the morning with hot water and a fresh lemon slice, and breakfast 1 hour later.
After several years of taking individual nutritional supplements, levels have optimised and I now maintain by taking one good quality multivitamin. I like taking Vit C powder for adrenals but have to take it away from foods. You would take yours with foods.
My diet is extremely clean and full of antioxidants and polyphenols (much to my families chagrin 🤣). I take Betaine HCL to help digestion, (and at present a gall bladder, liver and probiotics support as am detoxing mould 🙄). I don’t like meat as such but eat a little as believe it helps my T3 work better (think of body builders - protein + T3).
My best anti-inflammatories are Vit D and foods, but also a supplement called Kapperest that works on the Nf-kappaB signaling pathway mentioned in the iron article (bit above my pay grade). It was recommended for autoimmune inflammation. I have no aches or pains and exercise plentiful. I also have vices 😁 in the form of far too much milk chocolate and gin 😬.
Organisation helps offer confidence and may give indication for the schedule duration. Some things might be for life (like thyroid meds or Vit B12), whilst others will trail off. You can only do what you can, and try hard knowing it will get better.
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just got back from doctors.
Iron and constipation
