Of the many hormones in your body, thyroid hormones are probably the most important because they regulate your metabolism and are required for almost every physiological process in your body. It is safe to say, your thyroid is the master regulator.
Your thyroid function affects your energy levels and overall health. Lifestyle factors like stress, poor diet, and high intake of PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) can contribute to low thyroid function. If your thyroid levels are unbalanced, it can lead to serious health issues such as weight gain, eczema, autoimmune disorders, gum disease, irritable bowel disease, and fibromyalgia, to name a few.
How does the thyroid work? Your thyroid gland is located on your neck just under your voice box and secretes four hormones: T1, T2, T3, and T4. The number indicates the number of iodine molecules attached to the hormone. Nearly 90% of your thyroid hormone is released in an inactive form of T4. Your liver then converts T4 to T3 with the assistance of an enzyme.
When everything is working properly, your body makes enough T4 that is converted to T3 to control the metabolism in every cell in your body. Nutritional imbalances, toxins, allergens, stress and infections can disrupt this hormonal balance, leading to complications such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer.
Learn how to easily assess, support and protect your thyroid function by reading the full article from Rick on our website by clicking on the button below. | 
