Thyroid explanation

[Pinkisland]

Hi everyone, is there a summary any where on this forum describing how the thyroid works and what happens when a person with Hashimotos becomes underactive and overactive. I have had Hasimotos for a long time but still struggle to explain to my husband how it all works and what optimal thyroid levels should look like. I am looking for a very simple explanation of the thyroid and Hashimotos. Thanks in advance

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How about this

I just wrote on another post here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

A normal correctly working thyroid makes 80-90% T4 (storage thyroid hormone with 4 atoms of iodine)

And 10-20% T3 - active hormone - with 3 atoms of iodine

Ft4 = Free T4 - meaning it’s free and not bound and available for use

Storage hormone Ft4 has to be converted in cells to produce active hormone Ft3 before it can be used

For good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 it’s important to have good vitamin levels

Low thyroid levels, especially low Ft3 tends to result in lower stomach acid, this results in poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result

Many thyroid patients need to supplement vitamin D, separate magnesium and separate vitamin B complex to maintain good vitamin levels

Some people initially need separate B12 too

And some struggle to maintain good iron/ferritin

Levo is T4 and the standard replacement hormone offered

About 10-20% of thyroid patients may eventually need small dose T3 added alongside Levo if Ft3 remains low with high Ft4 and good vitamin levels

Or some people manage fine for years on just levothyroxine, but conversion may get worse post menopause

Vitamin levels tend to reduce as we get older too so it becomes more important to test and maintain good vitamin levels

Plus

Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s

Gluten and dairy intolerance often develop

[greygoose]

Hashi's, as I'm sure you know, is an autoimmune disease. That means that your immune system has falsely identified your thyroid as the enemy and is trying to destroy it.

From time to time - indiscriminately - the immune system launches an attack on the thyroid and kills off a few cells. The dying cells deposit their stock of thyroid hormone - T4 and/or T3 - into the blood causing FT4 and FT3 levels to suddenly rise to almost hyperthyroid levels.

This is what I call a Hashi's 'hyper' swing. And it's only temporary. Eventually, the excess hormone will be used up/excreted and the levels in the blood will drop back down to hypo levels. Only more so because there is now less thyroid tissue capable of producing hormone.

This process will continue until the thyroid is completely destroyed and you are totally dependent on exogenous hormone - levo etc.

Thyroids cannot regenerate. So once the damage from the attacks becomes bad enough to need thyroid hormone replacement, you will be on it for life. There is no cure.

Hope this helps.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to greygoose]

Thyroids cannot degenerate

I think you meant “regenerate”

[greygoose in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh dear! lol They certainly can degenerate! Wonder what I was thinking about when I wrote that.

Thank you for picking up on that, I'll correct it.