Why Don’t I Feel Well? The Adrenal-Thyroid Connection…

Are you often tired or worn down? Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you have problems with your weight? Do you feel as though you’re cold all the time, and can’t warm up? Do you have dry skin? Are you craving salty foods? Do you sometimes have difficulty remembering things?

Last month we explored the function of one of the most neglected glands in the body…  the adrenal glands.  These 2 small glands are located on top of each kidney and are responsible for the front-line work of adapting to stress. The more the stress you are under, the harder the adrenal glands work. They secrete many hormones including DHEA, estrogen, progesterone & testosterone in addition to your stress response hormones (namely, cortisol) that guide the entire body’s reaction to stress.

The accumulation of internal and external stressors profoundly affect your adrenal glands which in turn affects your overall hormonal health.

An estimated 80% of North Americans suffer from adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives. Sometimes the adrenal strain is temporary and only lasts a few days. At other times it can be debilitating and last for years (or a lifetime if the adrenals are not properly restored). Adrenal fatigue usually begins with impaired adrenal function (hyperadrenals), leading to significant adrenal stress and finally complete adrenal exhaustion (hypoadrenals).

 

If you have Adrenal Fatigue you may suffer with the following symptoms:

 

Salt cravings

Weight gain

Lack energy… you’re tired for no reason

Dark circles under your eyes

Overwhelmed or run down

You need coffee or other stimulants to give you a boost of energy

You’re exhausted upon awakening

You are exhausted throughout the day, but wake up after dinner

You have no libido

Long recovery times from sickness

You’re memory is not as good

Low blood pressure

You feel faint when you stand up quickly from a sitting position

You have hot flashes, night sweats, or PMS

Depression and/or anxiety

Premature aging

 

The Thyroid-Adrenal Relationship

The thyroid gland governs your metabolic rate, the rate at which you burn fat for fuel. It’s normal function is dependant on the health of your adrenal glands.  Inadequate levels of adrenal hormones will cause the thyroid not to function properly.  Also, interactions between your hormones are as important as the direct action of the hormone itself. Some adrenal hormones assist in the conversion of T-4 to T-3 (the more active thyroid hormone). Some scientists believe that even the entrance of thyroid hormone into our cells is under the influence of adrenal hormones. This vital adrenal-thyroid feedback interaction is controlled by the nervous system, more specifically, the upper cervical and lower thoracic spine.

Let’s look at how our adrenals and thyroid respond to stress.

 

When stress hits the adrenals, they respond by either collapsing in fatigue and not producing enough stress hormones, resulting in a functional thyroid deficiency, or they can go in the other direction where they pour out cortisol causing overall hormone resistance, including thyroid resistance. Either way, low or high cortisol levels will cause the thyroid hormones to become inefficient.

 

One of cortisol’s more important functions is to act in concert or synergy with thyroid hormone at the cellular level.  A proper amount of cortisol—not too high and not too low—is very important for normal thyroid function.

One way to understand the synergy of cortisol and the thyroid is to think of trying to make a u-turn in your car with one hand on the steering wheel, as opposed to two hands where you can turn more easily. Both thyroid hormones and cortisol have to be in the cells at adequate levels in order to activate normal gene expression.  So, when cortisol levels are low, caused by adrenal exhaustion, the thyroid is less efficient at doing its job of increasing energy and metabolic activity.

The symptoms of adrenal fatigue are similar to those of low thyroid, which is why a lot of people who have an imbalance in adrenal cortisol levels usually have thyroid-like symptoms but normal thyroid hormone levels.

What are the best ways to test the adrenal and thyroid glands?

In my practice, we test for adrenal malfunction before the disease sets in.  This is done with very specific salivary hormone testing and questionnaires. The adrenal profile consists of four saliva samples taken throughout the course of a typical day so that the cortisol circadian rhythm can be determined.  Conventional testing will detect only the extreme adrenal imbalances, when damage to the adrenals has already occurred (Cushing’s disease and Addison’s disease). Within those extremes, you may feel miserable and still be told your cortisol levels are normal.

Blood tests may be done to test your thyroid function.  The hormones that should be tested are; TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T3 and T4.  But beware…blood testing your thyroid hormones will not always detect a thyroid problem.  Unfortunately, many people who have all the signs of low thyroid function may never receive appropriate treatment because the traditional lab tests are insensitive to early changes in function.

The most sensitive and accurate way to evaluate your thyroid function is monitoring your basal temperature, that is, basic body temperature.  It is best to take the test as soon as you wake up in the morning (after you have had adequate rest).  Before you get out of bed, place the thermometer in your armpit while holding your elbow close to your side to keep the thermometer in place.  Read and record the temperature and date.  Repeat the test for three consecutive mornings (preferably at the same time).

What are your temperature findings?

Normal thyroid function is between 97.6 – 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4-37 degrees Celsius).  Readings below 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4 degrees Celsius) may indicate hypothyroidism.  Please note that men and postmenopausal women can perform the test at any time, however menstruating women must perform the test only on the second, third and fourth days of menstruation, because the female hormones affect body temperature.

Another great test to evaluate the function of your thyroid is the iodine home test.  Buy some topical iodine at the local pharmacy.  Before you go to bed, apply it to your inner arm (about 2-3 inches in length).  Make sure it dries before you put your pajamas on!  If the iodine is absorbed by the morning (the color of your skin is normal), you may have a thyroid problem.

So if you are tired of feeling worn down, emotionally unbalanced, not sleeping well, forgetting things, struggling with weight (even while dieting and exercising) and just not feeling yourself…I strongly recommend getting your adrenal and thyroid hormones checked.

Fortunately, your adrenal and thyroid function can be restored if detected early enough.  Don’t ignore the signs and symptoms.  Instead, look at the natural ways to restore your hormones…it may change your life!

Adrenal Fatigue vs. Low Thyroid Function
Signs and Symptoms	Adrenal	Mixed (both Adrenal & Thyroid)	Thyroid
Body Type	Mild: Gains weight easily Moderate: Can’t lose weight Severe: Thin, can’t gain weight	Gains easily, goes to tummy/hips first, very hard to lose	Weight gain, generalized or global, extremely hard to lose
Face Shape	Eyes, cheeks sunken when severe	Normal	Full, puffy around eyes
Eyebrows	Tend to be full	Normal to sparse	Very sparse outer 1/3 to 1/2
Tissue Around eyes	Sunken appearance, may have dark circles	Normal or some “bags” under the eyes	Puffy around the eyes, often bags under the eyes
Cold Intolerance	Almost always present	Often present	May or may not be present
Heat Intolerance	Maybe present	Often present	Almost always present
Cold Hands / Feet	Almost always present	Happens often	Usually absent
Nails	Thin, brittle	Break easily	May be thick
Typical Pains	Headaches, migraines, muscles, carpal tunnel	Muscles, carpal tunnel	Occasionally joints, muscles, feet/lower legs