How Environmental Toxins Demolish Thyroid Function: Thyroid Symptoms
Thyroid disease is becoming more and more common with the passage of time. We are witnessing a significant increase in thyroid problems in this modern era. Especially in the last two decades, the number of thyroid problems has touched the sky. American Thyroid Association claims that 20 million people in America are living their life having some form of thyroid disease. These numbers are staggering and lead us to think of its biggest cause. To know how environmental toxins demolish the thyroid, stick with us till the end of this article.
Before we go into discussing the environmental toxins, we would like to give you a simple picture of thyroid disease. We will try to keep things simple for you to understand them better, and by looking at symptoms, you can make sure whether you need to visit a doctor or not for a thyroid checkup.
Thyroid disease
Among all the hormonal problems, thyroid disease is the most common one. Thyroid disease is a dysfunction associated with the thyroid gland. Following are the three major types of thyroid diseases.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Goiter
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces too many thyroid hormones. This increases the metabolism
This high rate of metabolism consumes a lot of energy, due to which a person feels tired.
Thyroid symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Feeling warm
- Loss of strength
- Weight loss
- Menstrual complications
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Psychological complications like irritability and fear
Hypothyroidism
Unlike hyperthyroidism, in hypothyroidism, a thyroid gland produces fewer thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism decreases metabolic activity and so the energy consumption.
Thyroid symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Feeling cold
- Increase in weight
- Bowel problems
- Feeling tired
- Horse and deep voice
- Depressed feeling
- Feeling tired
- Heart problems
Goiter
A disease in which the thyroid gland enlarges and there is visible swelling in the front of the neck is known as goiter. Its main cause is an iodine deficiency in which environmental toxins play a critical role.
Diagnosis of Thyroid Problems
There are three ways for the diagnosis of thyroid problems.
- Blood test
- Thyroid scan
- puncture
Why it is Important to Protect the Thyroid Gland from Environmental Toxins
As we mentioned above, the thyroid is a small endocrine gland located at the front of the neck. This gland is super important because of the role it plays in our different biological and physiological functions. The thyroid gland releases hormones that are connected with the endocrine system, cardiovascular and immune functions.
Apart from these, the most important role that thyroid hormones play is in metabolism. When there is any malfunctioning in the thyroid hormones, the one thing that gets affected the most is metabolism. An imbalance in the thyroid hormones can result in either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Now, for environmental toxins, it is a piece of cake to rattle the functions of the thyroid gland, causing a huge disturbance in certain systems and processes connected in the body.
Why the Thyroid Gland is Vulnerable to Environmental Toxins
Although the thyroid gland plays a very crucial role in the body, unfortunately, it is quite vulnerable to damage from environmental toxins. Now, the question is why such an important gland is receptive to such toxins? The answer to this question lies in the two points below.
- Certain kinds of environmental toxins have a structural resemblance to thyroid hormones.
- The affinity of the thyroid gland for metals and halogens is very high.
The purpose of this affection for halogens and metals is to grab iodine (halogen) and selenium (metalloid) for the proper functioning of the gland, but it causes problems when other halogens and metals start to assemble inside the gland.
Types of Toxins that Affect and could Cause Thyroid Symptoms
Environmental toxins that influence the thyroid gland are mainly the following three substances.
- They contain halogens
- They mimic thyroid hormone structure
- They are heavy metals
Industrial Chemicals Diminish the Thyroid Functioning
Industrial activities are adding a large number of toxins to our environment. Some of them are the most common, and they contribute largely. While others play a minor role and are rare. Out of all these chemicals, three are the most common ones because they have been found to have a major contribution to thyroid disruption. Those three culprits are:
- Perchlorate
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Dioxin
Perchlorate
Perchlorate is a basically synthetic and extremely reactive compound. Although a small amount of perchlorate can be found in dusty climates, these perchlorates do not play a huge role in causing harm.
Soil, surface and groundwater, food that grows in polluted soil are the places where perchlorate piles up. Due to this reason, it is highly likely that drinking from contaminated places and consuming the dairy products of animals raised in such places will uplift the levels of perchlorate.
Perchlorates are extensively used in military applications like explosives and rocket fuels, but apart from this, it is used in other areas as well like paint, batteries and rubber production.
How perchlorate affects the thyroid gland
In the human body, the thyroid gland is the main target of perchlorate toxicity. Modern research shows that both high and low levels of perchlorate can cause significant harm to our thyroid glands. High perchlorate levels are linked with reduced thyroxine and elevated thyroid-stimulating hormones.
Perchlorate consists of chlorine. Chlorine and iodine are halogens having identical charges. Now, because of this identical charge, chlorine competes with iodine for the absorption of the thyroid gland.
This uptake of iodine is mandatory for the production of thyroxine hormone, but due to the interception of chlorine, the absorption of iodine is reduced, which leads to less production of thyroid hormones.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls are industrial toxins that provide huge resistance to pressure and temperature. Due to this property, they resist degradation and prevail in the environment for a long time.
Polychlorinated biphenyls are synthetic chemicals that are mainly used in lubricants, electrical equipment and in the production of plastics.
How PCBs Affect the Thyroid
Polychlorinated biphenyls harm the functioning of the thyroid different mechanisms. The resemblance of structures and the existence of chlorine is enough to guess the harm it would cause to the thyroid.
- PCBs repress the production of receptors required for thyroid hormones to bind with different sites within the body.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls also reduce the amount of circulating thyroxine by binding with transport proteins and damaging the enzymes that convert T4 into T3.
- PCBs play a role in raising the levels of thyroid antibodies.
Dioxin
Dioxin is another most common industrial toxin which affects females more in comparison to men. Dioxin is a man-made chemical and is the byproduct of the production of plastics and pesticides.
How Dioxin Affects the Thyroid
- Dioxin copies the structure of the thyroid hormone.
- It reduces thyroxine by binding to the receptors of cells that elevates glucuronidation.
Glucuronidation is a biochemical process that helps the body to get rid of unnecessary hormones.
Pesticides and Herbicides Inflict Harm on the Thyroid
Pesticides and herbicides are also the most common environmental toxins and are responsible for a large number of health hazards. For decades, they have attacked human races silently. Modern research shows that pesticides and herbicides are involved in causing thyroid problems.
For hypothyroidism in women, the herbicide paraquat and pesticides organochlorine are considered responsible. On the other hand, carbamates and organophosphates are believed to cause hypothyroidism in men.
How Pesticides and Herbicides Affect the Thyroid
Pesticides and herbicides damage the functioning of the thyroid in the following ways.
- They suppress the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland.
- They enhance the elimination of thyroid hormones from the body.
- They decrease cellular uptake of thyroid hormones by binding to the transport proteins of thyroid hormones.
Toxins in Household Products and the Damage they Cause to the Thyroid
In this modern era, our homes are no safer for our physiological well-being. This may sound frightening because if homes are not safe, we are extremely vulnerable to unlimited health hazards.
You may ask, why? Well, we are here to tell you why we are saying this. Nowadays, our homes are filled with bundles of synthetic products that contain toxic substances. Using these products every now and then makes us more vulnerable to harm.
Certain products are responsible for disrupting thyroid functioning because they contain toxins. The following details will make it clear how the toxins in common household products affect the thyroid.
Plastics
If you look around in your home, you will see that plastics are everywhere. A large number of household products, from water bottles to the toys of children and from cosmetic products to personal care products, all are made of plastics.
How plastics affect thyroid function
Plastics like phthalates and BPA copy the structure of certain hormones and thus easily affect the function of the thyroid gland.
Phthalates are used in plastics and personal care products, and they cause harm to the thyroid functioning by suppressing the binding of thyroid hormone to its receptors.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in plastic bottles, which serve as an enemy for T3 in hormone receptor sites. It also plays a crucial role in changing the structure of the thyroid gland.
Triclosan and PFOA
Triclosan and PFOA are common household toxins found in liquid hand soap and stain-resistant fabrics, respectively.
How Triclosan and PFOA Harm Thyroid Function
Both triclosan and PFOA disturb the function of the thyroid by lowering the T4.
Flame Retardants or PBDEs
Flame retardants are also known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). This group of toxins can be found in TV screens, computers and furniture. PBDEs have bromine (a halogen), which is why its presence in the body is a threat to thyroid functioning.
How Flame Retardants Disturb Thyroid Function
By imitating the structure of thyroid hormones, flame retardants are able to disturb thyroid function. Flame retardants challenge T4 for receptor sites and also hamper their transport. Postmenopausal women are extremely receptive to its damaging effects because it disturbs the activity of estrogen hormones.
Heavy Metals: A Real Enemy of Thyroid
Heavy metals are ubiquitous in our surroundings, and their harmful effects are blindingly obvious. It causes a large number of health problems and imbalances in our bodies.
Following are some common heavy metals found in our surroundings.
Toxic Heavy Metals: contributors in Thyroid Disruption
Here is the list of some common toxic heavy metals that contribute to disrupting thyroid function.
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Aluminum
Effects of Arsenic on the Thyroid
Arsenic is an element of the earth crust and acts as an environmental toxin in our surroundings.
Contaminated groundwater is a major source where arsenic can be found, while some minor sources include seafood, fruits and rice.
Arsenic causes problems in thyroid functions by competing with selenium which is a necessary element for the production of selenoprotein antioxidants. Arsenic hampers the serotonin from binding with the particular receptor sites.
Effects of Mercury on the Thyroid
Mercury is one of the most common metals, which is released to the environment through certain human activities like coal-burning. Once mercury becomes airborne, it contaminates the water, where it accumulates largely inside the fish. So, when we eat fish, we are consuming mercury as well.
Mercury affects thyroid function by inhibiting thyroid hormone production. This inhibition occurs due to two reasons. First, mercury lessens the iodide uptake. Second, it binds with selenium and prevents it from forming antioxidant enzymes.
Effects of Cadmium on the Thyroid
Cadmium is heavy metal to which we get exposed by mining. After getting released from burning fossil fuels, they accumulate in air and soil. Tobacco plants are also the main source for the accumulation of cadmium, due to which smokers have double the amount of cadmium in their bodies as compared to non-smokers.
Cadmium directly affects the thyroid gland because it accumulates inside the thyroid gland and harms its tissues. Cadmium can cause multinodular goiter and may lead to thyroid cancer.
Effects of Lead on the Thyroid
Our exposure to lead has mainly increased with industrialization. Ancient homes and metal jewelry contain a large amount of lead.
Lead affects thyroid function in many ways. It causes disturbance by deiodination of T4 and uplifting the levels of TSH.
Effects of Aluminum on the Thyroid
Aluminum is a heavy metal that is found in cookware, body care products and antacids. Some food additives also contain a certain amount of aluminum.
Aluminum indirectly affects thyroid functioning by triggering the immune response. The immune system then produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland.
Important Tips for Minimizing Exposure to Thyroid-Disrupting Toxins
If you have abnormal levels of heavy metals, your body may face certain problems, including thyroid disruption.
For this, we highly suggest using TRS for detoxification. As TRS is one of the best ways to detoxify your body from environmental toxins, your body will be protected from thyroid problems as well.
Detox with Coseva’s TRS (Toxin and contaminants Removal System) Stonesdetox.CosevaTRS.com
Eat organic food
Organic foods contain no pesticides and herbicides and thus prevent one from consuming industrial toxins.
Stop using antibiotics
Antibiotics may contain heavy metals, so avoiding these would help in controlling toxins.
Reduce plastic use
Plastics are everywhere and cause a huge amount of toxicity in our bodies. Reducing its use would help a lot in dealing with toxicity.
Use water-filter
Municipal tap water contains a large number of environmental toxins. Use a high-quality water filter to prevent your body, and your thyroid in particular, from harmful toxins.
Maximum levels of iodine and selenium
Always make sure that your body has maximum levels of iodine and selenium because it makes your thyroid less receptive to toxins.
Conclusion
By following the above tips, you will be able to keep your thyroid gland safe from environmental toxins (including heavy metals).
But if you already have toxins in your body, we highly recommend using TRS as it is the most effective way to free your body from toxicity.
Why TRS?
TRS will remove any toxin with a positive charge and that includes heavy metals and toxic elements (aluminum, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, fluoride, barium, strontium, uranium, lead etc), pesticides and herbicides, plastic residues, toxins from molds and yeasts, chemicals from smoke and air pollution and also any radioactive material in the body.
Learn more at
https://www.stonesdetox.com/what-makes-coseva-trs-unique/
https://stonesdetox.coseva.com
TRS Testimonials
“I am 4
months into taking TRS.
My
thyroid levels just came back in the normal range for the first time in about 2
years since I got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease and have been on thyroid
medication for low thyroid ever since. I stopped taking my thyroid medication
about 2-3 months ago. “
Anne R
“ Just
finished my 6th bottle!
16 weeks pregnant after 13
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tolerating everything well, the baby is perfect. Endometriosis isn’t growing
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Thyroid
antibodies are still zero after decades of them being in the tens of thousands.
My thyroid meds reduced from 200mcg a day to 17mcg a day and my doc is suuuuper
confused”
Leslie O
Compliance:
TRS is simply a mineral compound, not a drug or medication.
TRS does not cure or heal anything. TRS removes the heavy metals
from the body so that the body can function optimally and heal itself
