The word "hormone" derives from the Greek word "hormon," which means "to excite" or "set in motion." Hormones have shaped your life ever since you were an embryo. More than 80 human hormones have been identified, all with distinctly different roles.

Each hormone acts as a chemical messenger and is aimed at a specific target cell, changing the way it behaves to make it perform a specific task. It has no effect on any other cells as it washes past them. 

Thyroid is a Master Regulator

Of the many hormones in your body, thyroid hormones are perhaps the most important, as they regulate your metabolism and are required for nearly every physiological process in your body. When your thyroid levels are unbalanced, it can spell serious trouble.

An imbalance can lead to significant health issues, including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, gum disease and autoimmune disorders, just to name a few. 

Fortunately, thyroid hormone imbalances are often treatable, and can potentially reverse symptoms of related health conditions. 

Essentially: The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, which can really be seen as  systemic energy production. If you aren’t producing energy efficiently, this is where we find all of the problems of life.

When your hormones are properly balanced and you have enough thyroid hormone, this is when life comes natural, action comes from second nature and the flow of energy is maintained and expanded. 

Thyroid is synthesized to increase the metabolic rate. In deprivation stress, hormones rise to oppose the thyroid and lower the metabolic rate, as an adaptive mechanism. 

The main role of thyroid is to allow your cells to convert glucose into ATP, CO2, heat and water in the presence of oxygen. Thyroid also helps to convert cholesterol into the downstream steroid hormones, most notably pregnenolone, progesterone and DHEA, which are three youth hormones that reinforce energy.

Here is How Your Thyroid Works

Your thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly on your neck just under your voice box and secretes four hormones: T1, T2, T3 and T4. The number indicates the number of molecules of iodide attached to the hormone. These hormones interact with other hormones, such as insulin, cortisol and sex hormones.

Your hypothalamus secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which triggers the pituitary gland to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which then causes your thyroid to release T4. Your liver then converts T4 to T3 with the help of an enzyme. When everything is working properly, there is enough T4 converted to T3 to control the metabolism of every cell in your body. T3 is critical for burning fat and keeping you lean.

Nutritional imbalances, toxic exposures, allergens, infections and stress can disrupt this hormonal balance, leading to a series of health complications including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.

The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue (low energy), feeling cold regardless of the ambient temperature, dry skin, hair loss, constipation and/or diarrhea, edema (water retention), brain fog, anxiety, depression and weight gain.

Thyroid Hormones are key regulators of metabolism and are essential for your energy production and good mood. Book an appointment to get your Thyroid checked today! Call your local AMC or visit our website for more information.