The 12 Thyroid Disruptors

THE TWELVE THYROID DISRUPTORS
by Paul Keenan

Graves Disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, goitres, cancerous tumours. Thyroid problems are at epidemic levels. 40% of women and a growing number of men have an under-active or over-active thyroid. 60% are unaware of the problem. They just feel tired all the time.

What's going on?

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, a 'chemical messenger' system, which makes hormones. These hormones regulate your body’s metabolism. When the endocrine system is thrown out of balance, we experience fatigue, depression, obesity, rapid heart beat, weight loss, and more.

Standard medical treatments range from synthetic or animal hormones, to destroying tissue with radioactive iodine, or even surgical removal. They attack the thyroid itself. Yet, what if the underlying cause is not the thyroid at all but the SIGNALLING to the thyroid? Chemical messages to and from the thyroid being disrupted?

What might disrupt this communication? Let's take a look...

1. Iodine
The thyroid needs iodine to function correctly. Iodine is mimicked by the halides... Chlorine (in water), Bromine (in flour) and Fluoride (various sources). These 3 can occupy thyroid gland receptors, preventing iodine uptake. Radioactive iodine, out of Fukushima, is believed to be causing increased thyroid problems in the U.S.

'Iodine deficiency is the direct cause of Goiter, as well as enlargement of the thyroid gland with thyroid nodules and cysts.' Jeffrey Dach, MD

2. Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Thyroid Axis
Part of the endocrine system, responsible for the regulation of metabolism. Hormones pass from the hypothalamus in the brain, to the pituitary gland beneath it, then thyroid gland, liver, and finally cells of the body. Disruptions to any part of this axis can affect the whole.

3. Selenium
When you are deficient in selenium, you lose iodine more quickly. Selenium is essential for T3 production.

4. Gut Health
Stress, gluten grains, glyphosate, infection, GMO’s, antibiotics, vaccines and processed food have all been implicated in inflammation and ‘leaky gut’. This leads to undigested protein particles (antigens) entering the bloodstream. The immune system creates antibodies against them. These antigens are very similar to thyroid molecules, so the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid.

5. Glyphosate
Many of today's gut issues can be fully explained by the known effects of glyphosate on gut bacteria. Impaired enzymes are involved with detoxifying environmental toxins, activating Vit D3, catabolizing Vit A, bile acid production, and sulfate supplies to the gut. Glyphosate chelates metals including selenium. Glyphosate is possibly "the most important factor in the development of multiple chronic diseases and conditions that have become prevalent in Westernized societies,” according to researchers.

6. Intestinal Dysbiosis
When balanced, gut bacteria produce a chemical messenger to convert T4 to T3. Anything that alters bacteria balance (antibiotics, stress, viruses, parasites, excess sugar, toxic metals) can disrupt production of this chemical messenger.

7. Fructose Corn Syrup
Causes a fatty liver and reduces liver function. One of the functions of the liver is to mop up excess T4.

8. 'The 3 Amigos’ - Raised levels of Aluminium, Iron and Manganese
Aluminium is a toxic metal which increases the toxicity of other heavy metals. Aluminium is increasing in the atmosphere and soil, is harmful to the brain and can affect the hypothalamus and pituitary glands (therefore thyroid signalling).
The amigos can replace iron and copper, important for proper thyroid function, in the electron transport system, impairing biochemical energy production and causing fatigue, yeast and fungal problems. It may even play a role in the development of cancer.
You may have normal levels of copper and iron but poor utilization/absorption due to the '3 Amigos'.

9. Sleep
If your adrenal glands are weakened due to constantly being in sympathetic ("fight or flight") mode, other parts of the Endocrine System can also be weakened. Sufficient sleep is vital for nervous/endocrine system recovery. The Pineal gland plays a crucial role in sleep and high levels of aluminium have been found in the Pineal.

10. Mineral and Vitamin Deficiency
If the soil is deficient in minerals. We, too, are deficient. Without minerals, vitamins don't work. Minerals are needed in higher amounts, to detoxify toxic chemicals and metals, and to help us cope with chronic stress. Mineral and vitamin deficiency cause physical systems and processes to become dysfunctional.

11. Parasites and Pathogens
A major under-recognized cause of disease. Arthropods, flukes (flatworms), roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, protozoa, fungi, slime moulds, mildews, bacteria, spirochetes, mycoplasmas, nanobacteria, and more. Parasites can range in size from microscopic (nanobacteria) to 30 feet long (tape worms). They each have their own life cycle and method of reproduction and can damage organs, including the thyroid. The connection between the Epstein-Barr virus and thyroid health is pretty strong. EBV cells have been found in the thyroid.

12. Swan or 'Nerd neck'
Computer and smartphone causes postural problems, in the neck. Blood, lymph and nerve flow, to the thyroid, can be restricted as distorted neck bones put pressure on disks and nerves.

One more, to make it a Baker's Dozen...

13. Food - Goitrogens, Lectins, Nightshades
Goitrogens are substances in food that, eaten in excess, can wreak havoc on the function of your thyroid gland (hypothyroidism, T4-T3 conversion). Cruciferous foods tend to be high in goitrogens. Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard and Mustard greens, Radishes, Rutabagas, Turnips, Soy. (Before you panic, cooking removes most of the goitrogenic properties)

Nightshades
Several natural compounds in nightshades can make them problematic: saponins, lectins, and capsaicin. Nightshades were traditionally peeled, de-seeded and cooked before eating. Do the same.

Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, sweet or chili peppers.

Lectins
Lectins are a kind of protein plants produce to protect themselves. They act like cruise missiles prying open the lining of the gut. Many lectins are pro-inflammatory, immunotoxic, neurotoxic and cytotoxic. Lectins in general are strongly associated with autoimmune disorders. Certain lectins may also increase blood viscosity, interfere with gene expression and disrupt endocrine function.

Be well

Paul