This is a frequently asked question about thyroid health and nutrition that I get: How can I boost my metabolism when I have very low thyroid function, or none at all? Maybe you have even had your thyroid removed and are struggling with the effects of a reduced metabolism.
I will admit: I do have a big fear of losing my currently “good” metabolism. I fear the hypothyroid state.
So, I figured I would answer this question for all my readers out there, and to help squash my own fears, and let you know that it will be OK. There are many ways to boost the metabolism and make sure you are feeling closer to 100%.
It’s Not Just The Thyroid’s Job
Thankfully, we have other body processes and organs/glands that affect the metabolism. It is not just the thyroid. However, the thyroid plays the largest role in metabolism.
First, make sure you are looking at ALL areas of a health when you address metabolism: everything from hydration to sleep.
Medication Management
Of course I am not a Doctor, so I can not write about medication recommendations. But, make sure you are working with a practitioner who understands YOU. Make sure you are getting the proper dosage that is right for you. If you are getting T4 only medicines (like Synthroid), make sure you research all of your options. You may need to do bloodwork to check how well you are converting T4 to T3 (active hormone). Without enough T3, the metabolism suffers and you may feel more symptoms of hypothyroidism.
The pituitary still will secrete TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) when you do not have a thyroid. Of course, this will change depending on medication. But, remember that the thyroid is only in charge of secreting thyroid hormones: T4, T3, etc. So, in the absence of the thyroid gland, medication provides those hormones which create the rest of the feedback system.
Organ Congestion
Remember how I said other body functions (not just the thyroid) can improve metabolism? Well, if you have a congested liver or gallbladder, for example, your metabolism may suffer. Fats will not be correctly metabolized if your liver is “congested”.
What leads to congestion? Environmental toxicity, poor diets, nutrition deficiencies, excess alcohol consumption.
Iodine for Thyroid Support
Some may be deficient in iodine which leads to lower thyroid function. Iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormone.
A word of caution: Iodine may not be appropriate for those with Hashimoto’s as many report that taking iodine can cause a “flare up” and increase the autoimmune attack. It is best to work with a healthcare professional on this one, and iodine testing may be most appropriate.
Interestingly enough, some research has said that when patients severely restrict iodine, they were able to reduce their autoimmune attack.
Overall, iodine intake recommendations vary from person to person. So, there is no general recommendation. Get tested! I plan to do my iodine loading test sometime soon, and will let you know how it goes. (I plan to use Hakala labs)
Address the Adrenals
If you work on improving thyroid function and health, your adrenal function should also improve. However, if you are still not getting better, you may need to address adrenal health.
In simple words, the adrenals may become so weak that they force the body to reduce the metabolism to conserve.
There are supplements that can help to support adrenal health, but remember to put your focus on thyroid health and total body health first before addressing the adrenals. Meditate, reduce stress, enjoy light exercise, eat a healthy diet. If you try to heal the adrenals first without healing other aspects, you will not get very far!
Productive Sleep
Without it, our whole body suffers! Make sure you are getting 7-9 hours.
Focus on Strength
Are you over the age of 35? If so, muscle mass is on the decline. This means metabolism is on the decline. Make sure to get some form of strength exercise in every week. After all, muscles help increase that calorie burn!
More importantly, find a strength exercise that does not cause too much stress on your body. Traditional heavy weight lifting might not be best for someone with a depressed immune system trying to heal their body.
Try out yoga or pilates, for example.
Diet Rich in Fiber and Whole Foods
Don’t neglect the diet. A diet rich in whole foods will best support the body processes. More importantly, find a diet that causes the lowest level of inflammation in YOUR body.
I have been without my thyroid for 12 years now due to cancer. My energy level is non existent. I take Synthroid. My endocrinologist just says everything is fine.. looking for new doctor!
Your endo is probably one of those that will only do a TSH test, which has a range and is not appropriate for assessing your true thyroid status. I’ve been through everything with thyroid disease, from 2 episodes of subacute viral thyroiditis ( very rare to have it twice), Hashimoto’s, a quack endo that thought I was getting a goiter and OD’d me so bad on Synthroid I was one step away from thyroid storm and about 2 steps away from dying because of it, and who did two 6-stick biopsies with a 16-gauge needle (turns out a small needle will do and he was just a sadist), couldn’t get a single piece of tissue, and did not further address the possibility that I might have thyroid cancer. I finally got another endo who biopsied me with a small needle, and when she couldn’t get any tissue either she got it surgically removed in a week. Fortunately it was not cancer, but that was the only way to tell after 3 unproductive biopsies. The endos who will not do a Free T4, Free T3, and RT3, and go by your symptoms, are frankly breaking their Hippocratic oath to do no harm. Thyroid issues are the ONLY disease I can think of where some doctors refuse to recognize the very obvious symptoms of low thyroid status, and it is wrong and cruel. I do not convert T4 to T3 very well, and convert to a lot of RT3 instead, which keeps you in a hypothyroid state and sick all the time. You need T3, with a little T4, and I am also better after switching from Synthroid, considered the gold standard for some reason by many endos, and now take Levoxyl. Your body cannot convert T3 to RT3, it just uses it as it is the bioavailable form of thyroid hormone. You have to do some labs as you are reducing T4 and taking T3, checking your RT3 amount according to a formula that is on the internet. When you get it right, your energy will return, and all the other symptoms, like brain fog, emotional lability, constipation, dry skin, coldness, fatigue and sleepiness, bad fingernails, and hair loss will all improve or disappear. I was so lucky to finally find a doctor that paid attention to my suffering and almost total lack of any quality of life, and we worked it out with some trial and error. I grew old while I was so very sick, but at least now the rest of my life is and will be better. Other doctors who see my labs think the results look really weird, but it is an individual thing and my symptoms are mostly non-existent now. It’s funny, sometimes things get a little out of whack even when you are consistent with taking your meds, and I’m not sure why, but most of the time I am doing well. I went through what I call Thyroid Hell (and it was ) for many, many years before I found a doctor that helped me, and I will be eternally grateful. This is a serious, serious health issue that affects your heart and most other systems in your body. These cold and uncaring endos and their ridiculous insistence on only doing a TSH test on suffering patients with obvious symptoms should have to go through it themselves, or have a wife or daughter suffering like we have and so many do. Maybe they would climb down off their high horse and actually follow the science. I wish you luck- you can find a doctor that will do the right tests and work with you to restore your health. Just don’t give up!