Female Reproductive System and Thyroid Health

Thyroid disease and dysfunction can affect the menstrual cycle and reproductive system through one big axis.

The Hypothalamus Pituitary Thyroid (HPT) and the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA) are intimately connected. And then there is the Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal (HPG) that is associated to ovaries in womxn.

So when one axis is stressed, it can stress the next, which can stress the next, and then you're caught in this cycle. This is why learning tools and modalities to support you during times of stress and help you to navigate through them is KEY to healing any chronic or inflammatory disorder - including the thyroid.

Thyroid dysfunction can effect the reproductive system by:

#1 Causing irregular periods or even loss of menses altogether

  • Hypothyroidism can increase frequency/heaviness of periods by: 

    o Increasing prolactin 

    o Decreasing progesterone 

    o Worsening PCOS 

    o Robbing body of energy for reproductive functions

  • Hyperthyroidism can result in lighter/shorter periods further apart, or even amenorrhea (absence of period) 

#2 Infertility, trouble getting pregnant or miscarriage

  • Hypothyroidism interferes with ovulation by affecting prolactin. 

#3 Pregnancy complications (thyroid disorders are the 2nd most common endocrine issue in pregnancy)

Thyroid disorders are the second most common endocrine issue in pregnancy 

  • Usually with hypothyroidism: 

    • Thyrotoxicosis: Extremely elevated thyroid levels with many serious effects, including spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, low birth weight, stillbirth, and preterm delivery 

    • Subclinical hypothyroidism

  • Hyperthyroidism is associated with preeclampsia, fetal loss, low birth weight, and heart/blood vessel malformation 

  • Thyroid changes are normal during pregnancy, but always refer clients to healthcare professional if you suspect possible complications

    • Look for symptoms like thyroid tenderness/swelling, heat/cold intolerance, and thin, yellowish skin (especially around eyes) 

#4 Postpartum thyroiditis (which affects 5-8% of women)

  • Usually begins 1-8 months postpartum and resolves within 6 months 

  • Early symptoms might be confused with typical postpartum symptoms 

  • Autoimmune disease caused by combination of: 

    • Stress of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period

    • Stress, poor diet, toxins, EMF exposure, leaky gut, too much sugar, infection, gluten intolerance

  • The typical phase is Hypothyroid > Hyperthyroid > Resolution (though 20% stay in Hypothyroid)

How can you improve your thyroid and reproductive health?

  • Avoid radiation and EMF exposure as best as you can (read more about EMF and radiation HERE)

  • Eat a nutrient dense diet that includes grass fed meats, wild caught fish and organic fruits and vegetables

  • Drink and use filtered water and avoid using plastic containers or bottles to store water

  • Avoid sugar and instead opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave and monk fruit sweetener

  • Eliminate gluten

  • Include fermented foods and/or probiotics in daily diet

  • Increase fiber intake

  • Consider supplementing with B-complex to aid estrogen dominance (check with your doctor or healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your regimen)

  • Explore possible non-hormonal birth control options, if possible

  • Limit alcohol 

  • Find ways to limit stress

    • Creating grounding morning routine & relaxing bedtime routine

    • Deep breathing exercises 

    • Epsom salt baths, using essential oils 

    • Journaling 

    • Meditation practice 

    • Prayer 

    • Reading fiction 

    • Quality time with friends 

    • Seek the support of a professional (therapist or coach)

    • Walking barefoot on the earth or beach 

    • Yoga, especially Yin Yoga

For personalized and private support, discover working with me 1-1

Book your free call here

Hair Health for Thyroid Health

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cause changes to hair. 

When hormone production is disrupted, specifically of hormones T3 and T4, it affects other processes in the body - including the development of hair at the root.

Thankfully, changes to the hair are temporary and can be controlled as the thyroid begins to heal.

And as every other organ we have discussed thus far, treating the hair as a separate entity is just as important as addressing the bigger picture.

Ways to Holistically Support Your Hair Health

Optimal Iron Levels

Thyroid issues can affect the body’s ferritin levels, which are associated with your iron stores. Low ferritin may contribute to hair loss. Have your iron and ferritin levels tested periodically, to be sure they are in optimal ranges. If supplementing is needed, discuss with your doctor for best practices.

Treat Nutritional Deficiencies

Even without a thyroid condition, certain nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss. Specifically, check that these are in optimal range and discuss with your doctor for best practices if supplementing is needed.

  • Vitamins B7 and B complex

  • Zinc

  • Copper

  • Vitamins C, E, and A

  • Coenzyme Q10

Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition

We cannot talk about hair health, without mentioning the importance of the foods you’re putting in your body. In general, foods that cause inflammation (sugar, alcohol, fried foods) can cause hair loss, along with other inflammatory conditions. Focus on eating real, whole foods rich in the nutrients needed for thyroid health, including iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, and vitamin A. And add more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet to support your overall health (PURCHASE ANTI INFLAMMATORY GUIDE)

Add Collagen

Collagen gives your hair its strength and while our bodies produces collagen on its own, the production of it decreases as we age. If you are chronically ill or stressed, that production is reduced even more. Consider adding a high quality collagen to your drinks, smoothies, oatmeals and incorporate more bone broth into your diet. Further Foods is my favorite brand of collagen, use discount code furtherwithneeyaz10 for a discount.

Incorporate Herbs

Nettle, rosemary, peppermint and burdock all have properties that help with hair regrowth. Drink these herbs as a tea infusion or put them in a smoothie, soup or stew.

Make Hair Care Part of Your Routine

Coat your hair, from scalp to end, in a nourishing hair mask once a week. Castor oil is one of the best to help encourage hair regrowth and thickness. Apply it to your scalp and run it down the length of your hair. Coat the rest of your hair in coconut oil or avocado for soft subtle hair.

Give yourself a scalp massage weekly, using something like a bamboo brush bristle. The pores on our scalp are the largest on our bodies, making scalp health upmost priority. Consider a scalp rinse every week or two to wash off any build up from product use using a mixture of apple cider vinegar.

Rinse your hair with cold water, as hot wash dries out the scalp and can lead to further inflammation and dandruff.

Limit your use of hot tools and be sure to get a routine haircut, to reduce the growth of split ends.

Balance Your Hormones & Address Adrenal Fatigue

For women especially, changes to hormonal profile can cause a multitude of symptoms, including hair loss. Understanding the status of your hormones through diagnostic testing (done with a Functional Practitioner and/or Naturopathic Doctor) can give you a clear picture as to the status of your hormones. By addressing these areas as their own, it can greatly support your thyroid health and in turn, reverse symptoms.

Be Gentle and Patient

When handling your hair, be gentle with it. Avoid pulling it into tight braids or ponytails, as this causes stress to the scalp and slows down hair growth. Treating hair growth can be emotional, as women especially identify with their hair and use it as a form of expression. Please bear in mind that hair regrowth takes time, don’t feel discouraged if you don’t notice regrowth after several months. The healing is happening, trust your journey.

For personalized and private support, discover working with me 1-1

Book your free call here

Oral Health for Thyroid Health

If you want to heal your thyroid, you have to pay attention to how you're caring for your dental and oral health too

"Thyroid dysfunction is the second most common glandular disorder of the endocrine system which may rear its head in any system in the body, including the mouth. The oral cavity is adversely affected by either an excess or deficiency of these hormones." (PMC3169868)

The importance of oral health was not brought to my attention until 3 years ago when I began to hear more about it. And it made so much sense, once I connected the dots. Our digestion for one, starts in the mouth. So shouldn't we also be caring about the products and practices we use that directly affect our entire mouth as well?

As it relates to thyroid health, while treating your thyroid hormonal imbalance can help heal dental ailments, treating the dental problems separately can help you remedy them much faster.

Thyroid Related Dental Symptoms:

In those with Hyperthyroidism, dental symptoms include:

- Burning mouth syndrome

- Accelerated dental eruption

- Susceptible to cavities

- Osteoporosis in the jaws

In those with Hypothyroidism, dental symptoms include:

- Salivary gland enlargement

- Delayed wound healing

- Tongue enlargement

- Gum disease

Below are ways in which you can better care for your oral and dental health, that will greatly benefit your thyroid health and your entire body’s wellbeing as well.

ORAL HEALTH PRODUCTS

Toothpaste Recommendations:

Redmonds

Revitin

Rise Well

David’s

Schmidt’s

Hello

Jason

Auromere Ayurvedic

When looking for a toothpaste, look for ones that are free from damaging ingredients and have sustainable and natural ingredients.

Mouthwash Recommendations:

Essential Oxygen BR

Rise Well

Olas

Schmidt’s

Georganics

Briotech

When looking for a mouthwash, look for ones that are free from damaging ingredients and have sustainable and natural ingredients.

Floss Recommendations:

Silk Floss

Bamboo Floss

Waterpik Water Flosser

When looking for a reliable floss, stay away from plastic flosses such as those from Oral B. Studies have shown that those who used plastic floss overtime had small plastic particulates found in their bloodstream.

ORAL HEALTH PRACTICES

Tongue Scraping:

Tongue scraping is an alternative and holistic practice to remove any residual bacteria from the surface of your tongue. Tongue scraping is meant to supplement a healthy oral routine, one that includes regular flossing and brushing. It is done using a small rounded tool, best to use one made with metal such as copper, versus plastic. Copper is antibacterial and restricts pathogen growth that can lead to bacteria, yeast and viruses.

  • Benefits:

    • Improves sense of taste

    • Improves the appearance of the tongue

    • Reduces bad breath

    • Removes bacteria

    • Decreases oral odor

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is another alternative and holistic practice, that helps to remove excess bacteria from the inside of the mouth. Using sesame, coconut or olive oil, swishing the oil in your mouth encourages the bacteria to be dissolved in the oil, which you then spit out. Oil pulling can also moisturize the gums and encourage an increase in saliva production.

  • Benefits

    • Kills harmful bacteria in the mouth

    • Helps reduce bad breath

    • Reduce inflammation and promote healthy gums

    • Reduce plaque and gingivitis

Vitamins & Minerals for Oral & Dental Health

  • Vitamin A: helps to keep salivary glands active, which helps against tooth decay; saliva helps wash away bacteria from the mouth

  • Vitamins B2 and B3: helps keep oral inflammation down

  • Vitamin D: helps the body absorb calcium and boost bone mineral density

  • Vitamin E: an anti-inflammatory, helps to protect against gum disease

  • Vitamin K: helps block substances that break down bone and helps your body produce osteocalcin, which contributes to bone strength

  • Vitamin C: helps strengthen your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth, protects against gingivitis and protects the teeth from loosening

  • Iodine: has been shown to be more beneficial than fluoride, to protect teeth from decay and gum disease

  • Iron: helps your body fight off infections and disease, such as gum disease and gingivitis

  • Potassium: improves bone mineral density

  • Calcium: supports bone health, hardens the enamel and strengthens jawbone

For personalized and private support, discover working with me 1-1

Book your free call here

Brain Health for Thyroid Health

Thyroid hormones are essential for brain development.

Thyroid hormones influence neurogenesis (neuron processing), neuronal migration (pathway of neurons from origin), neuronal and glial cell differentiation, myelination (formation of the myelin sheath), and synaptogenesis (formation of synapses). Thyroid hormones (which includes TSH, T4 and T3) are essential for brain maturation and functioning all throughout life. When someone has a thyroid dis-ease, the functioning of the brain is also affected and it can lead to a variety of clinical manifestations.

Hypothyroidism causes lethargy, hyporeflexia, poor motor coordination, bipolar affective disorders, depression, and loss of cognitive functions, especially in the elderly. It can also cause mood disorders, dementia, confusion, and personality changes.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is often associated with memory impairment

Hyperthyroidism causes anxiety, irritability, hyperreflexia, mood disorders, dementia, confusion, and personality changes. (NBK285549)

The good news is that most of these disorders are usually reversible with proper treatment and care.

When thinking about treating the thyroid, many mistakenly think to treat the thyroid first. What should be nurtured first, especially in the case of someone newly diagnosed, is the state of mental health and any neurological symptoms that person may be experiencing. This is one of the reasons why thyroid disease often goes undiagnosed, because if we’re looking at just the neurological symptoms without adequate lab work, someone could be categorized under a general category and not given the care they truly need.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms at minimum and have a history of thyroid disease on either side of your family, I urge you to ask your doctor to fun a full thyroid panel on you. A full thyroid panel includes:

  • TSH

  • Total T3

  • Total T4

  • Free T3

  • Free T4

  • Reverse T3

  • TBG (transporters)

  • TPOab (for Hashimotos antibodies)

  • TSI (for Graves’ antibodies)

Furthermore, if you have been diagnosed with thyroid disease and haven’t turned your attention towards nurturing your brain health, here is where you can start.

Ways to Holistically Support Your Brain Health

Nutrition

The foods you eat, play a large role in your brain health. Having a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, healthy fats such as olive oil and avocados and a limit on red meat contributes to a healthy mind.

Movement

Your brain is a muscle, therefore practicing in movements to support this muscle is key to optimal brain health. Regular exercise increases the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to regions of the brain that are responsible for thought. Exercise also helps to develop new nerve cells and increases the connections between synapses, brain cells. Aim to practice a form of movement daily, even if for 20 minutes a day. This can include walking, yoga, pilates, swimming, aerobic exercise such as tennis or dance. Find something that you love, practice a variety of movements and have fun with it.

Mental Stimulation

If you brain is a muscle, then you need to use it. Keeping your brain sharp and in shape helps stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological "plasticity. Challenge and activate your mind, any mentally stimulating activity will help to build up your brain. Reading, taking courses, word puzzles, drawing, painting and card games are all accessible ways. Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain.

Quality Sleep

Those with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, often have trouble with sleep. Sleep plays an important role in brain health, with some theories stating that sleep can help clear abnormal proteins in your brain and consolidate memories, which boosts your overall memory and brain health. Aim to get 7 to 8 consecutive hours of sleep per night. Creating an evening ritual is just as important as a morning ritual. Use tools such as candles, essential oils, sound therapy and meditation to create a tranquil environment. Keep electronics away at minimum 30 minutes prior to sleeping and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark and comfortable.

Communication and Socialization

For those struggling with depression or anxiety especially, having a safe and supportive outlet is so important and vital for deep rooted healing. Having a support system that you can turn to as a sounding board and shoulder to lean on can do wonders for supporting the health of your mental landscape. If you feel that you need emotional and mental support beyond friends and family, seek professional help through therapy or coaching. As someone who suffered from debilitating anxiety for years, I wasn’t well until I dealt with the “stuff” going on up there *points to head*

Social interaction can also help ward off feelings of depression, anxiety and overall stress. Remaining socially active can help strengthen the health of your brain. Pursue activities that are meaningful to you - join a club, charity program, sign up for a class or simply share activities with friends and family.

Sources: Harvard Health, Alzheimer’s Association, MayoClinic

For personalized and private support, discover working with me 1-1

Book your free call here