I’m going to be honest here: Stress is a given in our lives. I know I can’t avoid it and, while I’m not much of a gambler, I’d be willing to bet you can’t either. Yet, whether you have Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism, Graves or hyperthyroidism, or you haven’t been diagnosed yet, stress and your adrenals play a huge role in your thyroid health. In further consequence, harmed tight junctions (TJ) lead to penetration and exposure of pathogens to the immunoreactive sub-epithelium, promoting inflammation and autoimmunogenesis [ 45, 46]. Zonulin, a protein that when triggered by gluten or certain bacteria, can be secreted by the small intestine and modulate the integrity and permeability of intercellular junctions. When gluten induces zonulin release, it weakens the connection between the tight junctions and breaks the intestinal barrier. In general, zonulin expression is increased in autoimmune diseases [ 47]. Paterson et al. compared a zonulin peptide inhibitor AT1001 with placebo in a randomized clinical trial including 21 patients with CD. The results revealed that the permeability increased by 70% in the placebo group and the proinflammatory cytokine release decreased by 28% in the AT1001 group [ 48]. Some of the cytokines involved in inflammatory processes due to increased pathogen exposure to the intestinal immune cells are TNF-α und INF- γ [ 46, 49]. Among others, these can also be involved in the pathogenesis of HT, GD, CD, and NCWS [ 21, 37, 38, 39]. This is the fourth article in a multi-part series on the thyroid. Follow along as we explore how the thyroid works and how you can use The Myers Way® Four Pillars of Health to prevent, control, or reverse thyroid disease. It is recommended to keep iodine supplementation to 100 mcg or less if not pregnant and 200 mcg or less during pregnancy. Gut Inflammation Inhibits Active Thyroid Hormone

Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and an average adult body contains around 15 to 20 mg of iodine, mainly located in the thyroid gland. Iodine is absorbed in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum. Uptake is accomplished by the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), which is not only expressed in thyroid cells, but also in extrathyroidal tissues including salivary gland, breast tissue, and in the stomach. In the gastrointestinal tract, iodine uptake is mediated by intracellular iodine concentrations. Besides NIS, in the gut, it can be additionally absorbed via sodium multivitamin transporter (SMVT) and cystic fibrosis transporter (CFTR); however, only to small extents [ 4, 55, 56]. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a reduction in the diversity of gut microbiota and a lower abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes have been observed. Iodine malabsorption is a common consequence of IBD and vice versa, suggesting a reciprocal relationship. Chronic inflammation promotes changes in the composition of the microbiota due to alterations in the oxidative and metabolic environment of the intestine [ 4, 57]. No one knows exactly how infections trigger autoimmune diseases, but because our immune systems are so complicated and each infection is unique, it’s likely that there are multiple factors involved. Recent research has identified three leading theories that, when combined, explain the various links between infections and autoimmune disease. I will outline them here in relation to thyroid disease, and you can read more about them in my book, The Autoimmune Solution. Molecular MimicryRemove NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), unnecessary antibiotics, and birth control. These medications can disrupt the gut thyroid connection on multiple levels. Talk with your doctor before discontinuing meds. Life Stressors.

ix] Signs and symptoms of high estrogen, Healthline.com https://www.healthline.com/health/high-estrogen In hypothyroidism, particularly with an autoimmune component, the body isn’t able to detoxify estrogen properly.

I am on my 4th week of being totally on the 30 day plan and am looking forward to starting to use the recipes from your recipe book It is possible to have intestinal infections, dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut flora), and other gut conditions – even Celiac disease – without any overt gut symptoms at all. In fact, estimates indicate that the majority of people newly diagnosed with Celiac disease do not present with gastrointestinal symptoms. In many adults, neurological symptoms are often the first sign of Celiac disease. After 2 and I am serious, 2 days I didn’t have any swelling in my ankles and could not feel the tightness or aching in my arthritis in my hands. I really felt better overall and felt like I could get around easier. That was enough for me!

Prolonged exposure to excessive estrogen leads to the above-mentioned rise of the anti-TPO antibodies which are linked to Hashimoto’s, which is also confirmed by a study from the Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology [xi]. Estrogen and hyperthyroidism Your health and efficacy of a number of processes in your body depend on hormonal balance. In women, estrogen dominance occurs when the body has normal or excessive levels of this hormone and little to no progesterone. As gut pathogens, diseases, and dysbiosis go undetected or ignored, sometimes for years or even decades, the intestines become damaged and the mucosal lining is not able to do its job. For some patients, the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease is the first sign that there's even something wrong with the gut. The gut microbiota largely regulates the homeostasis as well as the development of immune cells. It modulates both the innate and the adaptive immune system, even outside the gut [ 5], and is fundamental in the development of gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT), where more than 70% of the entire immune system is situated [ 1]. GALT plays an important role in the development of tolerance to self-antigens by controlling its toll-like receptors (TLR) in the intestinal mucosa [ 2].

Glutamine feeds the cells of your intestine, helping create a healthy intestinal lining. Ginger Root.

Between the cells of the intestinal lining is what is called the tight junctions. The tight junctions exist where the membranes of the cells come together to create a impermeable barrier in the intestinal lining. When these junctions are compromised, potential pathogenic bacteria and organisms, along with otherwise benign undigested food particles are allowed to pass through making their way into the blood stream. This is what is referred to as leaky gut and can be triggered by a myriad of factors. Low Thyroid Hormone I started by going gluten-free and dairy-free for 30 days. Amazingly, just by doing that I was able to get off the medicine I used since I was thirteen. The good results motivated me to keep pushing forward, so I did the full 30-day meal plan in the book. I am glad I did. After 30 days, I woke up one day, and I had no joint or muscle pain in my body.Furthermore, the Medical Science Monitor published a research that showed only ERβ receptors are found in thyroid tissue, but their expression doesn’t have significant specifications for differentiation between benign and malign lesions of the thyroid gland [viii]. Furthermore, if you experience multiple episodes of chronic stress, causing your immune system to rev up and slow down repeatedly, you are at greater risk of your immune system overreacting and triggering an autoimmune response. Weakened Gut Barrier