🦠 Why Your Gut Health is an Important Thyroid Puzzle Piece | Issue 195
Is “leaky gut” real? And what is the connection with thyroid conditions?
As well as being on the correct type and dosage of thyroid medication, it is also important to address other factors that can be contributing to you feeling unwell. I often describe living well with thyroid disease as like slotting together a big jigsaw puzzle.
Even with optimal thyroid levels, I still had fatigue, poor stamina, acne and more, which suggested that I needed to look at other issues and areas within my body. After all, there is more to the thyroid jigsaw puzzle than thyroid medication alone.
A lot of research led me to many possibilities, and I soon started piecing together my own thyroid jigsaw puzzle, including low vitamin levels, a poor diet, poor sleep, high cortisol levels and poor gut health. We’re exploring this topic in this newsletter.
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This Week’s Topic: Gut Health
“Leaky gut” is a term we hear a lot in the wellness space, but what is it?
The term ‘leaky gut’ can be unhelpful. You see, our gut is always ‘leaky’, in order for our body to absorb what is needed from food. So we actually need our gut to be ‘leaky’!
The term, ‘increased intestinal permeability’ is much more accurate and specific, and describes a gut which things can more easily pass through, and this can play a role in digestive issues and autoimmune conditions (like Hashimoto’s).
Increased intestinal permeability can occur from hypothyroidism, microbial dysbiosis, infections, antibiotics use, inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerances (such as gluten), stress, etc.
Symptoms of increased intestinal permeability can include:
Diarrhoea
Wind / gas
Bloating
An impaired metabolism
Ongoing fatigue
Brain fog
A white coating on the tongue
Bad breath
Skin conditions
Why Is the Gut Important in Thyroid Health?
The gut assists in converting inactive thyroid hormone T4 to active T3, which requires an enzyme called intestinal sulfatase. However, this enzyme comes from healthy gut bacteria.
Intestinal dysbiosis is an imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can significantly reduce thyroid hormone conversion – just one reason why people with poor gut health may have thyroid symptoms but ‘normal’ TSH test results. Any inflammation within the gut can also lead or contribute to adrenal dysfunction, another thyroid puzzle piece.
Candida, a yeast overgrowth, is a form of intestinal dysbiosis. This condition means that you have an overgrowth of yeast in your body, which may cause all kinds of issues and be giving you poor gut health.
Yeast exists in the gut naturally and, in the right amount, isn’t an issue, but high stress, antibiotics and too much sugar or a diet high in processed food can cause it to thrive and become power hungry.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is another type of intestinal dysbiosis , which refers to bacteria from the large intestine moving to and overgrowing in the small intestine, causing issues. This can contribute to symptoms of acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, excessive gas and low levels of nutrients such as iron and B12.
And there is also Helicobacter pylori (H-Pylori), another type of dysbiosis. It is known to be linked to the development of stomach ulcers as well as high or low stomach acid levels. Symptoms include acid reflux, low nutrient levels, nausea, bloating and excessive belching.
You see, there are various ways our gut health may be ‘off’ and impacting how well we are feeling with a thyroid condition. Generally, you can support a healthy gut by limiting sugar and alcohol and focusing on a nutrient dense, wide-ranging wholefoods diet that nourishes your gut and supports good gut health. If you have more serious gut symptoms, then having the above conditions tested for can be really important.
If you have gut complaints, it is really important to see a doctor to be assessed for IBS, IBD, among other possibilities. Don’t delay seeking help based on ‘leaky gut’ information and supplements.
Have you experienced poor gut health? You are welcome to share in the comments section.
Personal Health Check-in
The dance cardio class I attend weekly is changing to once a month, so I am trying something new this week to fill the gap: pilates! I’ll let you know how I get on!
Social Media Spotlight
My most popular online posts in the last week were:
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Recent newsletters you may have missed:
🦋 Don't Make These Thyroid Medication Mistakes
🙌 How To Have an Energy Boosting Morning Routine as a Thyroid Patient
💊 Supplements That Help Thyroid Disease
You can receive 10% off any Medichecks order with the code “INVISIBLE10”. This is the thyroid test I always use.
Thyroid UK Online Event
I will be speaking at the online event hosted by Thyroid UK for International Thyroid Awareness Week!
Taking place on 29th May, you can sign up here!
Dr Izabella Wentz Podcast Episode!
In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz welcomes Rachel Hill, a dedicated thyroid advocate and author of The Positive Thyroid Pregnancy Book.
Rachel shares her personal experiences and expertise on managing thyroid conditions, particularly hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's, during pregnancy and motherhood.
Listen to this episode on Spotify here!
What is The Best Diet for Hypothyroidism?
Worth a read for more information on eating to support your gut health.
That's all for this issue of The Invisible Hypothyroidism Newsletter, but you can find more information and support by:
⭐ Reading my books and website articles
⭐ Following me on Facebook | Instagram | Threads
Please Note: None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product, including any sponsored content. I strongly suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. The information included in this publication is not meant to substitute the clinical guidance provided by a healthcare professional. Rachel Hill / The Invisible Hypothyroidism is not medically qualified and does not offer medical advice. Read the full disclaimer here.
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