The thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone.  This lowers the metabolism rate of the body’s cells.

A DAMAGED thyroid may not be able to produce enough hormones

A malfunctioning, OVERACTIVE thyroid produces too much hormone.  This speeds up the rate at which each cell functions.

A DAMAGED thyroid may “leak” hormones leading to thyrotoxicosis (high blood levels of TH) and so show symptoms of hyperthyroidism (usually followed by symptoms of hypothroidism,  since a damaged thyroid stops producing thyroid hormones and stored hormones are eventually depleted). 

Hypothyroidism is seen:

When there is an insufficiency of raw materials.  E.g.  iodine, selenium, and/or the amino acid tyrosine for the thyroid to make sufficient thyroid hormones;

In thyroiditis (incl. autoimmune thyroid disease) – generally an attack on the thyroid gland causing inflammation, damage and possible death of thyroid gland cells. Causes include:

• Autoimmune Thyroiditis produces Anti-thyroid antibodies  (most common cause of thyroiditis) – involved in Hashimoto’s disease
• Infectious microbes
• Toxic substances /  Radiation exposure

As a Goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland seen as a swelling at front side of the base of the neck).    It can occur as a result of insufficient thyroid hormone production (hypothyroidism) or excessive TH production (hyperthroidism) or neither. 

Hyperthyroidism is seen:

In patients with Grave’s Disease.    An auto immune disease with antibodies against the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (whilst also activating the receptor); characteristics include hyperthyroidism, high T4, and diffuse goiter.

Graves Disease

In certain phases of thyroiditis:

Thyroiditis

The mainstream medical treatment for hypothyroidism is to supplement thyroid hormones

• However,  the better solution may be to simply provide the missing raw ingredients (such as iodine / iodide, antioxidants and antioxidant-support nutrients (E.g. selenium, manganese, and zinc) – to enable the thyroid to increase its own production of thyroid hormones without creating uncontrolled, damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Over time, supplementing thyroid hormones can result in a “lazy”  thyroid
• And worse, supplementing with SYNTHETIC hormones has been shown to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.

Thyroid Replacement Hormones