The thyroid gland is the body's primary regulator of metabolism. Because it controls the body's metabolic rate--and the rate at which energy is produced--imbalances of thyroid hormones can have a profound effect on an individual's energy levels.

Hypothryoidism is one of the most common hormone disorders. It occurs with greater frequency in women between the ages of 40-50, and may affect as many as 10% of women over age 50 years old.1 In hypothyroidism, low levels of thryoid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and/or T3 (triiodothyronine) drastically slow the body's metabolic rate, causing fatigue and sleepiness, muscle weakness, and decreased blood flow.2 At subclinical levels, imbalances may trigger vague complaints of persistent, low-grade fatigue; overt clinical hypothyroidism may be characterized by more extreme forms of exhaustion, as well as cognitive dysfunction, cold intolerance, weight gain, and constipation. To compensate for low levels of T3 or T4, the pituitary gland may secrete higher amounts of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in a futile attempt to "jump-start" the thyroid gland into producing more thyroid hormones.

In many cases, hypothyroidism arises in conjunction with chronic thyroid autoimmune responses. These responses may occur with chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland ("thyroiditis"). Over time, such a chronic inflammatory-immune response, signaled by elevated levels of thyroid autoantibodies, can cause the thyroid gland to deteriorate, eventually leading to thyroid hormone deficiencies. Even before this happens, high levels of thyroid antibodies, such as anti-thyroglobulin, may block thyroid hormones from attaching to cellular receptors, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism even when thyroid hormone levels are adequate.3

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (like selenium, B2, and vitamin A), heavy metal toxicity, chronic stress, enzyme dysfunction, and aging can cause fatigue-inducing thyroid imbalances even when TSH and T4 levels remain normal. For example, if the body converts too much of T4 into the inactive form of T3, called reverse T3, the resulting reverse T3 dominance may interfere with the ability of T3, the most potent form of thyroid hormone, to gain access to cells.

Functional hypothryoidism is not the only thyroid imbalance that may deplete energy levels. If fatigue occurs as a result of chronic insomnia, nervousness, and weight loss, the problem may be high or excess levels of thyroid hormone levels, or hyperthyroidism. Subtle, subclinical imbalances in thyroid function, which may mimic symptoms of "classic" thyroid dysfunction without altering levels of conventional markers, underscore the importance of using a comprehensive evaluation of thyroid function to evaluate related conditions.

The Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment is a comprehensive analysis of thyroid hormone metabolism, including central thyroid gland regulation and activity, thyroid production and secretion, peripheral thyroid conversion, and thyroid autoimmunity. This test allows the practitioner to pinpoint common imbalances that underlie fatigue, which may go undetected with more limited assessments.

References:
1 Elliot B. Diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism. Nurse Pract 2000;25(3):92-4,99-105.

2 Guyton AC. The thyroid hormones. In: Textbook of Medical Physiology, 6th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders;1982:940.

3 Vliet EL. Screaming to be heard: hormonal connections women suspect and doctors ignore. New York: M Evans & Co, 1995;59.

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Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.