Thyroid problems have increased in Sweden. Today, nearly half a million people have been diagnosed, and Karin Björkegren Jones interviews Patrick Wahlberg about the thyroid. The interview contains several practical tips and nutritional advice for thyroid health. This article is an excerpt from Karin’s book Balance – A Natural Way to a Healthier Thyroid, where Patrick is interviewed by Karin.
Contact our customer service at [email protected] to receive free nutritional advice, as well as other free self-care tips and health protocols you can follow if you suffer from thyroid-related issues.
Karin:
Thyroid problems have increased in Sweden. Today, nearly half a million are diagnosed; what do you think the reason for this is?
Patrick:
Although one cannot give a definitive answer as to why more people, relatively speaking, are being treated for thyroid diseases today compared to ten years ago, I would venture to say it is not due to improved diagnostic methods but rather other factors. I would also like to point out that I believe there is a significant number of undiagnosed cases, especially when it comes to hypothyroidism, that is, an underactive thyroid. I believe more people than we realise live with thyroid-related issues without knowing that the problems are actually caused by a dysfunctional thyroid, and I sadly believe that the healthcare system often misses these diagnoses. An important part of the increase in thyroid disease cases, which is, by the way, quite large, I think is related to a combination of lifestyle factors. To understand how lifestyle and the thyroid are connected, one must first look at the physiology of the thyroid and its relationship with other organs in the body.
The thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) regulate basal metabolism, and every cell in the body needs thyroid hormones to regulate its metabolism. However, increased thyroid production has more consequences than just raising body temperature and increasing heart rate. As the body’s cellular metabolism increases, it also affects the growth of the body and brain in children, and the nervous system is more activated.
Thyroid hormones are not just important for humans. For example, tadpoles will not develop into frogs if thyroid hormones are removed from the tadpoles. Furthermore, an increase in thyroid hormone production will lead to more stored energy being burned in the form of glycogen, and the opposite occurs with decreased thyroid hormone production.
Thyroid hormones regulate fat metabolism, and higher levels of thyroid hormones mean increased fat metabolism, which in turn means that plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides increase with hypothyroidism, i.e., cholesterol and triglycerides are inversely correlated with thyroid hormone levels. This could be important to know if you are diagnosed with elevated lipids; the primary issue may actually be that you suffer from subclinical hypothyroidism?
Thyroid hormones will also help blood vessels dilate, increase blood flow, and even lower blood pressure. Bone growth requires thyroid hormones, as do the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system. What is also worth mentioning is that an underproduction of thyroid hormones can make you feel mentally sluggish, and underproduction is also linked to infertility.
On the other hand, excessive production can make you feel nervous and anxious. The thyroid also affects the menstrual cycle and fertility. Hypothyroidism can lead to excessive production of prolactin, the hormone that helps a woman produce breast milk, but it also inhibits ovulation, so trying to get pregnant with an underactive thyroid is neither easy nor advisable. The same applies to hyperthyroidism; it is not a good idea to try to get pregnant with an overactive thyroid.
The thyroid is influenced by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is produced in the hypothalamus in the brain. It stimulates the pituitary gland to produce Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which in turn tells the thyroid to produce and release thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. If there is a lot of T3 and T4 in the blood, TSH decreases, and vice versa. This is a classic negative feedback loop. There is not an organ in the body that is not affected by thyroid hormones, and it is crucial that the thyroid functions properly for us to feel well. So why are more and more people being diagnosed with thyroid diseases?
I dare say that an increase in chronic stress among the population is one of the more invisible factors contributing to thyroid problems. The adrenal glands, which produce several important hormones, including the stress hormone cortisol, are clearly linked to the thyroid. Research shows that chronic stress reduces levels of T3 and T4 in the blood.
Another factor I believe contributes to more people developing thyroid diseases is the increased exposure to toxins. Among other things, halogens like chlorine, fluorine, and bromine negatively affect the thyroid. Iodine, which is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, is also a halogen, and the other halogens are similar enough to iodine that they can be taken up by the thyroid instead of iodine, which is not good for either the thyroid itself or the production of thyroid hormones.
The thyroid is also negatively affected by heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, and herbicides. Another toxin that affects the thyroid is mercury. It counteracts selenium, an element essential for the thyroid. Add to this the fact that we have selenium-poor soil in Sweden. This does not make the situation any better. We are exposed to more toxins today than before, and I believe this significantly negatively impacts the thyroid.
Increasing numbers of people with digestive issues, I believe, also affects the statistics for thyroid diseases. Autoimmune diseases and inflammations in the body have been linked to a person’s gut microbiome, and I think we will see more research correlating gut health with thyroid health.
It might be far-fetched, but chronic exposure to blue light in the evenings from phones, tablets, and screens negatively impacts sleep quality, which in turn increases the risk of stress hormones being released outside the normal curve. I believe this also contributes to thyroid problems and many other health issues more than one might think.
Dietary deficiencies are of course a factor in thyroid issues, and in the Nordic countries, we have poorer eating habits. Simply put, a larger proportion of the population is eating worse, and the thyroid, like all other organs and glands, requires a constant intake of specific nutrients. If they are not available in the required amounts, the organs cannot function as they should.
It is also possible that defective thyroid hormone receptors in target cells, i.e., thyroid hormone resistance, has increased among the population, but this is pure speculation. I wouldn’t bet my money on that factor.
I believe all these factors together contribute to the relatively higher number of people diagnosed with thyroid diseases today.
Karin:
Most of these are women. Why do you think women are more affected by this?
Patrick:
Eight out of ten people diagnosed with thyroid conditions are women. Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from the big C in the thyroid. There is a significant difference, which makes the issue particularly important. As we know, women produce much more oestrogen than men, and oestrogen affects the thyroid both directly and indirectly. Oestrogen increases the liver’s production of thyroxine-binding globulin, the transport protein that binds to T3 and T4. If oestrogen levels increase, it will primarily lead to a reduction in free T4, which in turn raises TSH. When you add the issues with oestrogen dominance to the thyroid equation, it could perhaps provide another explanation for why more people are affected today and why more women than men are affected. Another reason more women are affected than men is that women are more sensitive to the effects of iodine deficiency on the thyroid.
If I may speculate freely, it could also be that our culture and society, which places unreasonable demands on women today, contribute to why more women than men develop thyroid problems. Women are expected to carry, give birth to, and nurse children while simultaneously making a comet career in the workforce. They should look 35 when they are 55, have a perfect home, be happy, and never be failing mothers, daughters, and partners. It is also not uncommon for women to take on more responsibility for family logistics than men, dealing with everything from daycare and school pickups to drop-offs. Moreover, there is a glass ceiling, meaning competent, capable women often struggle to advance in their careers and are not valued as highly, salary-wise, as their male counterparts. It would surprise me if this doesn’t create some form of chronic stress for women, and as I mentioned earlier, stress is a crucial factor in thyroid problems.
Karin:
How can supplements help?
Patrick:
Every cell, process, and function in the body requires the right nutrition, not just the thyroid. If you suffer from nutritional deficiencies, you can do everything else right in terms of health, but you still won’t feel much better. You simply must correct nutritional deficiencies to feel truly well, and this is especially true for the thyroid.
Iodine: Everyone knows that iodine is absolutely necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. 100–300 micrograms of iodine per day is usually sufficient for normal production of T3 and T4. If you lack iodine, the thyroid will enlarge in an attempt to produce more thyroid hormones, which over time leads to goitre. Iodine deficiency is the most common reason worldwide why the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. One problem with today’s lifestyle is that sea salt, which is very popular and which I use myself, contains little to no iodine. Even though I use Celtic sea salt, I know it doesn’t provide the iodine I need. I get my iodine from fish and shellfish, but I also take extra iodised salt regularly—not the cheap potassium iodide though. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism, i.e., an overactive thyroid, I would, however, personally check if iodine deficiency is really the issue before taking extra iodine.
Vitamin D: Most people probably know that vitamin D is important for more than just strong bones and calcium metabolism in the body. Research refers to vitamin D as a prohormone involved in inflammation, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and issues with both the heart and vascular system, as well as autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's and Graves'. Research also shows that the expression of vitamin D receptors and the enzyme 1-α-hydroxylase, which is used to convert inactive vitamin D into its active form, increases in cases of breast cancer. The highest concentration of vitamin D receptors is actually found in the gut, kidneys, and thyroid. You need to get vitamin D in adequate levels for a well-functioning thyroid system. All vitamins are important, and you must avoid deficiencies if you want to feel well, but if I had to pick one I definitely wouldn’t want to be deficient in, it would be vitamin D. Studies show that patients with hypothyroidism often suffer from vitamin D deficiency. It’s really important not to be deficient in vitamin D, especially if you have thyroid issues.
Selenium: Selenium is really important for the thyroid. It is the organ in the body that contains the most selenium per gram of tissue. Selenium acts as an antioxidant in the thyroid but is also important for the metabolism of thyroid hormones. Research also shows that people with autoimmune thyroid diseases (i.e., those who have antibodies like TPO-ak, TG-ak, or TRAK) have reduced levels of antibodies, better thyroid status according to ultrasound, and even improved quality of life when they take selenium supplements. This also applies to Graves' ophthalmopathy, the eye disease that can occur with toxic goitre; selenium supplementation seems to improve outcomes for these patients according to research. In Sweden, as mentioned, we have selenium-poor soil, so it’s especially important for us here.
Zinc: Zinc is important if you have thyroid problems. Zinc, like selenium and copper, is needed to form thyroid hormones and convert T4 to T3. On the other hand, thyroid hormones are needed for zinc to be properly absorbed. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, it is especially important to take zinc since hypothyroidism can result in zinc deficiency. Research suggests that hair problems, such as dry, thin, and brittle hair caused by hypothyroidism, do not improve until you supplement with zinc. Zinc, as we know, helps maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Iron: Iron deficiency negatively affects the thyroid. There is a correlation between hypothyroidism and iron deficiency, as people with hypothyroidism tend to have lower iron levels than healthy individuals. A combination of low iron and low iodine reduces free T3 and increases TSH.
Tyrosine and Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6: 40% of all hypothyroid patients are deficient in vitamin B12, and vitamin B12 deficiency is very common among vegetarians and vegans. It is also not uncommon for vegetarians and vegans to be deficient in L-Tyrosine. L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that converts dopamine to noradrenaline with the help of vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. Noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system that stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to activate the production of thyroid hormones in the thyroid via the hormones TRH and TSH. You need enough Tyrosine, Vitamin C, and B6 for a well-functioning thyroid, especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan.
Herbs: There are also herbs that have beneficial effects on the thyroid. Liver function is crucial for the thyroid because the liver helps convert T4 to T3. I also think Ashwagandha in the Sensoril form, a powerful adaptogen, is incredibly good if you suffer from thyroid issues due to its effects on the adrenal glands.
When it comes to supplements, quality is key. It is easy to say that you should take vitamin X, Y, Z, but people often forget that it’s just as important to be careful about which form of X, Y, Z you take. Often, it’s better not to take supplements at all than to take poor-quality ones. I believe that Innate Response and MegaFood surpass anything I have encountered before.
Karin:
How should one care for their thyroid? What should one consider?
Patrick:
I think you need to approach the healing of an underperforming thyroid from a very broad perspective. A lifestyle change is crucial, where diet, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, avoiding blue light, recovery, meditation, and a strong focus on stress management must be part of the recipe. I have written a book about health PXP – Your Best Self that covers much of what I think is important to consider. Unfortunately, I don’t believe you can disregard some parts of the health equation and expect to feel completely well, and this might especially apply to thyroid issues.
Karin:
I think I might have had hypothyroidism before I developed breast cancer, and I see a connection. I will try to research that. But what do you think when I say that?
Patrick:
Absolutely. There was a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology in 2016 that discussed whether there is a link between thyroid issues and breast cancer, but the researchers concluded that they found an increased risk of breast cancer with hyperthyroidism and a slightly decreased risk with hypothyroidism. The logic behind this is that high levels of thyroid hormones have an oestrogen-like effect in test tube studies. Of course, more studies are needed, but I think the researchers are onto something, even though we can’t talk about a causal relationship yet.
