Healthline
Stress and hypothyroidism
Your thyroid works in tandem with your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands, which are above your kidneys, can handle small amounts of stress well. When you encounter stress they release cortisol, which enhances various bodily functions.
The most common thyroid disorders are autoimmune disorders where the body attacks its own tissue, in this case the thyroid gland. There are two types, Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Graves’ disease causes the thyroid to be overactive while Hashimoto’s causes it to be underactive. Stress alone will not cause a thyroid disorder, but it can make the condition worse.
The impact of stress on the thyroid occurs by slowing your body’s metabolism. This is another way that stress and weight gain are linked. When thyroid function slows during stress, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormone levels fall. Also, the conversion of T4 hormone to T3 may not occur, leading to higher level of reverse T3.
Insulin resistance and issues balancing blood sugar often occur alongside hypothyroidism. Increased levels of glucocorticoids lower the levels of TSH in the blood. A delicate balance between stress hormones and cortisol must exist for proper thyroid function. If this delicate balance changes, your thyroid symptoms may increase.
Stress relief tips
You can help your overall stress levels and thyroid health by making some simple changes in your daily life.
Eat right
A healthy, balanced diet looks different for everyone. In general, plan to eat three well-balanced meals full of fruits, vegetables, and protein each day. Start your morning off with a good breakfast, one low in sugar but high in protein and fiber. Reducing alcohol, caffeine, and sugar in your diet will help with your overall energy levels.
Also, think about how you’re eating. Make sure to take the time to sit and enjoy a meal, which will help your body digest food better. While this may seem tough to do in your busy lifestyle, your body and thyroid will thank you for it.
Think about vitamins
You may want to consider adding thyroid-supporting vitamins and minerals to your daily routine. An iodine deficiency may be a cause of hypothyroidism. In addition to iodine, consider adding other essential vitamins and minerals, such as:
Lab tests cannot always depict the right picture of how you’re feeling, and medications cannot always keep up with the changes that stress causes. Chronic stress can cause problems in your body for years before lab tests show a problem.
All the while, you may experience hypothyroid symptoms, such as fatigue or weight gain. This prolonged stress may crop up as depression or anxiety when both are actually hypothyroid symptoms.