Hypothyroidism and autoimmunity: a holistic and natural approach to whole terrain regulation for energy and vitality

By Angelique Vickers, Endobionic Medicine Practitioner and Medical Herbalist


Diagnosis of hypothyroidism and implications

Have you been diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism? Have you been living with this condition for a while and not feeling like you used to, even though you are taking thyroxine? Or perhaps, you have a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism and wondering what it means?

Hypothyroidism means underactive thyroid. What are the real issues? First, the autoimmunity itself; secondly, the energy deficit which is relative to the energy demand of your hormonal terrain. Most people do not realise that hypothyroidism is not simply a glandular issue, but co-dependent on a variety of other hormonal interactions; unless the overall hormonal function of the body achieves better balance, your thyroid function can remain in deficit.

A diagnosis of hypothyroidism will usually focus only on the gland, but the glandular inefficiency is only part of the problem. The thyroid comprises an entire hormonal axis which plays an important and interconnected role in your hormonal landscape. Therefore, hypothyroidism must be addressed holistically within the terrain, especially when autoimmunity is involved.

Hypothyroidism diagnosis can follow a period of fatigue or stress. In more severe cases preceding symptoms may include, feeling cold, weight gain, constipation, skin dryness, weak hair and nail problems, brain fog, emotional lability, palpitations, depression or anxiety.

The astute observer will identify that some of these issues can also co-exist during the menopause, so my advice is that women should always check the thyroid axis around that big transition. I often help women address so-called symptoms of the menopause by treating their whole terrain with some emphasis on the thyroid axis. If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms that are similar to those that I am describing here, I recommend that you contact me for a consultation and an Endobiogenic Medicine test.

 

Some thyroid basics

The thyroid axis is one of the four hormonal axes. The thyroid axis starts in the brain; the pituitary hormone TSH acts on the thyroid gland to synthesise T4 and small amounts of T3. T4 is the inactive form of thyroid hormone and as the body needs active hormone, it is transformed through a process of de-iodization into T3 (the active form). The locations of this change from T4 to T3 are mainly the liver and kidneys as well as the brain. T3 then enters the cells and binds on to nuclear receptors inside the nucleus, whereby it is involved in a process which increases the synthesis of many proteins and enzymes, such as Na+/K+-ATPase, crucial for maintaining cellular function and energy use. 

The thyroid axis plays a major part, not just in the energy equation but also in the function of the body: heart output and vascular regulation, basal metabolic rate, resting respiratory rate, blood building, bones and connective tissue, reproductive function and nervous system. Thus, we can see that there may be many effects in the body from thyroid axis dysfunction.

The main markers for diagnosis in the UK are the TSH and T4; if they are not within range, the conclusion is that the thyroid is struggling to produce adequate T4, thus TSH is raised.

 

The problem with autoimmunity

If you are told that you have hypothyroidism, it is very important to do further tests in order to see if autoimmunity is involved.  This is not generally offered in the UK unless you ask for it or do a private test.  But it is really worth doing, because without clarifying the issue of autoimmunity, you cannot really understand the nature and extent of the thyroid problem.  If you find that you have auto-antibodies of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) or thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), it indicates that you have autoimmunity.  The severity varies depending on the amount of antibodies.  

If you do not have thyroid antibodies, having hypothyroidism is much more straightforward and easier to manage as a more standalone problem.  There are other permutations that need to be considered; auto-antibodies can be present with other markers within range; or, you may have clinical symptoms such as weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, constipation etc. with thyroid markers within range.  In both cases there is still a need for functional support and regulation of the thyroid axis and aspects of the terrain, as well as focus on further examination of the autoimmunity. 

You will commonly hear that once you have one type of autoimmunity it is more likely that you will develop other types of autoimmune, inflammatory or chronic conditions. This is why it is extremely important to address the autoimmunity, and this is not addressed by standard treatment.

 

Perspective on the terrain

According to Endobiogenic Medicine our internal terrain is a complex map of hormonal interactions that self-regulate the body; when the hormonal terrain becomes challenged due to a variety of life factors and precedent influences, it undergoes a cycle of adaptation; sometimes adaptation works well, and a good equilibrium is re-established, but sometimes the terrain maladapts and the body experiences symptoms.

As an example, consider that after an intense but brief period of stress, your body has better adaptation potential to return to the pre-stress state. But after a chronic period of significant or permanent stress or other systemic aggressions, the chances for maladaptation are higher which means that the body cannot always recover its initial pre-stress state, and adapts (or maladapts) at different hormonal equilibriums.

Hormones work sequentially but also interactively, producing cross-effects that can be long-lasting. This is a reason why in chronic cases of maladaptation there is complexity and multiplication of symptoms.

The thyroid axis is very much linked to emotional states, perception of the world, imagination, recognition of danger signals and trauma. Sensitive people can have a higher involvement of their thyroid axis. As such, the thyroid does not only mobilise energy, it can also be a trigger for energy demand.

As the thyroid axis is part of the hormonal chain, the state of your HPA axis, your nervous system, your level of inflammation, your solicitation of growth factors, incomplete metabolism and overactive sex hormones all involve the thyroid through energy demands.

Autoimmunity adds another significant layer of complexity and increases the risk of other autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Many autoimmune hypothyroid patients are struggling with adaptation and need help with the autoimmunity and wider hormonal regulation to feel well again.

 

A natural and herbal approach to address hypothyroidism

In the context of a holistic approach for hypothyroidism, I recommend that you contact me for a consultation and an Endobiogenic Medicine test. To help you decide I offer a free 15 min pre-consultation call.

The consultation and test lead to natural treatment using medicinal herbs that work to influence the severity of autoimmunity and correct the maladapted terrain.

Several medicinal herbs have actions on the thyroid; as a skilled medical herbalist and Endobiogenic Medicine practitioner, I use these special herbs that have a soothing or toning action on the thyroid axis. Alongside, I use adaptogenic herbs that have the potential to help you readapt your terrain. I also use herbs to address other hormonal imbalances that trigger the thyroid or contribute to its dysfunction; these help overall regulation.

Nutritional and lifestyle choices are also very important. Triggers and allergens must be avoided and proper nutrition and digestive function are essential to fill-in the energy gaps. I always advise a non-inflammatory diet for the duration of treatment to address the issue of autoimmunity. There is further refinement of diet guidelines depending on your specific make-up. I also use targeted nutritional supplements that can help to close important nutritional gaps.

As a medical herbalist and Endobiogenic Medicine practitioner with a focus on women’s health, I keep my own herbal apothecary with over 150 herbs sourced from top-quality producers and suppliers. This enables me to create bespoke herbal formulations designed for each client’s functional needs. I can thus provide a personalised and relevant approach for each client in a seamless flow from consultation to treatment and follow up.

Contact me today for your free pre-consultation. I look forward to working with you.

Contact: https://www.angeliquevickers.co.uk/contact 

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