Do you feel toxic?  Poor Thyroid Function May Be Choking Your Liver
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Do you feel toxic? Poor Thyroid Function May Be Choking Your Liver

There is clear scientific evidence that hypothyroidism can alter liver detoxification pathways and bile drainage, leading to elevated liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT).(1) Liver enzyme elevations are not are commonly seen, but impaired hepatic clearance leading to “feeling toxic” is common. seen in my practice.

The liver is our main detoxification organ. There is a two-step process by which detoxification occurs: Phase I and Phase II. Low thyroid function can substantially decrease the liver’s ability to function in both Phase I and Phase II.

Toxicity Symptoms:

  • Acne
  • Bitter and metallic taste.
  • brain fog
  • Circles under the eyes
  • Constipation
  • Digestive problems
  • excessive mucus production
  • Tired
  • gas, bloating
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Inflammation
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • nausea or vomiting
  • poor focus
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Skin rash
  • Strong body odor or bad breath
  • weight gain

Health problems related to toxicity:

  • arthritis
  • chronic fatigue
  • fibromyalgia
  • leaky gut
  • Multiple chemical sensitivity
  • obesity

How does the body detoxify?

A good 80% of detoxification is done by the liver. Many chemicals and toxins are fat soluble, so they must go through a detoxification process to become water soluble so that the body can excrete them through the kidneys, lungs, skin, etc. Phase I is the first process and actually makes most chemicals more toxic while creating free radicals. The next step, Phase II, is critical so that these highly toxic chemical intermediates can be conjugated (attached and packaged) for removal from the body.

If Phase I is too fast, Phase II may not be able to keep up with the demand and excess toxins can re-enter the circulation and cause symptoms. If Phase I is too slow, we will continue to have various chemicals/toxins circulating and causing the symptoms mentioned above. Hypothyroidism is known to slow down Phase I, but it can also slow down Phase II processes.

Certain foods can enhance detoxification: foods that contain sulfur (cruciferous vegetables, onions, garlic, eggs); vitamins B6 (avocado); zine (seafood); and protein (meat and vegetables).

The detoxification process is an energy-intensive affair that requires ample supplies of all the necessary nutrients and large amounts of energy to process the endless toxic load that comes out each day.

Addressing liver detox health is an important part of our thyroid program. The liver is also responsible for converting ~60% of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (active thyroid hormone). If the liver is compromised or overloaded by poor detoxification capacity, that can also make it harder to manage thyroid hormone conversion.

Liver health is a critical player in how we feel. It plays a key role in all 10 steps of thyroid metabolism and should not be overlooked when helping thyroid patients.

1. Saha B and Maity C. Serum enzyme alternans in primary hypothyroidism. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2002;40:609-611.

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