Have you heard of a canary in a coal mine?

The canary is very sensitive to toxic gases or carbon monoxide. They will get sick or die long before humans can feel any effects. A sick or dead canary in a coal mine is an early indicator that toxic gases are present and it would signal the need for miners to evacuate. Most people won’t feel the effects of toxicity right away, they need early indicators to warn them that unless you they change the conditions, they will suffer consequences.

Your thyroid gland is like the canary!

The thyroid gland has many functions. It regulates brain development, heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, mental function, fertility, how food moves through your gastrointestinal system and influences the menstrual cycle, metabolism, skin, and weight.

Since this gland is so important and so sensitive, wouldn’t you want to treat it care?

Thyroid Care 101

Decrease PCBs, and DDE

These forever chemicals lower thyroid hormone production and disrupt the Hypothalamic Pituitary axis and affect TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. ¹ They lower T4,² the hormone in the thyroid that is converted to the active form in tissues.  They are also linked to cancer and disruption of other hormones as well as the immune system. PCBs are found in air, water, animal fat and even produce. You can’t avoid them because you must eat. However, you can:

• Choose high-quality meat, poultry, and fish
• Wash fruits and vegetables
• Filter your water
• Move bowels regularly to remove toxic waste
• Bind toxins with binders such as modified citrus pectin under the care of a physician
• Always be in a state of detoxification and elimination to reduce chemical load and the effects of chemicals on our health.

Iodine

Many people are aware that low iodine can cause goiter or low thyroid function. Some people take iodine not realizing that too much iodine can be harmful to the thyroid gland. High iodine can induce thyroid disorders, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a common type of autoimmune disease. ³ Protect your thyroid by giving it what it needs – no more, no less.

• Measure iodine levels
• Avoid high dose iodine unless your iodine levels are low
• Know your salt – Pink Himalaya Sea salt does not contain iodine, so it doesn’t do any good if your levels are low, whereas Celtic sea salt is a salt that does not contain chemicals and has iodine.
• Trace amounts of iodine found in multivitamins is fine unless you have a condition called Graves’ Disease. If you have Graves’ Disease, you should avoid iodine.

Selenium

While it is very popular to take supplement blends to enhance thyroid function, most contain iodine and selenium. Both are necessary for optimal function of the thyroid. Adequate selenium is necessary for optimal thyroid function and can decrease the risk of prostate, lung, colorectal, and bladder cancers, only if levels of selenium intake are not adequate. Supplementing with selenium in people who have adequate selenium might increase their risk of type-2 diabetes. ⁴ Too much selenium can also lower T4 thyroid hormone.⁵ Over time, high doses of selenium can be toxic. Side effects include fingernail loss, skin rash, fatigue, irritability, and weight loss.

• Measure selenium levels before taking extra selenium
• Consider selenium supplements if you have HIV, kidney failure or live in an area with low selenium levels.

These are just a few factors that affect your thyroid. Too much estrogen, other chemicals, stress, and inflammation can also have an effect. Take good care of your thyroid and if you need support, apply for a free, no obligation clarity call to see if we are a good fit.