Common Reasons Your Thyroid Isn’t Working

Have you ever wondered why your thyroid may not be working as well as you’d like it to?

Millions of people suffer from thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, but sadly many of them are not aware of it due to being mis-diagnosed or under-diagnosed.

If you are among those individuals who are still experiencing a thyroid problem despite taking your medication religiously, it is probably not just because you are getting older or you are depressed.

Here are the most common reasons why your thyroid may not be working properly:

Common Reasons Your Thyroid Isn’t Working Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism

Fillers in Medication

Most thyroid medications come in tablets with a number of inactive ingredients and additional fillers.

One that many individuals struggle with is cellulose, a fiber component used as the bulk material for the tablets themselves. This can pose a problem for individuals who have weak digestive systems.

They are unable to completely break down the fibers, so the thyroid hormones contained in the tablets are not absorbed or released. When your digestive tract cannot break down the tablets, you cannot obtain the benefits of the medication.

Other common ingredients in thyroid medications that many are sensitive to are corn, gluten, and nightshades (like potato starch).

For a regularly updated list of the ever-changing ingredients and quality of thyroid medications, please visit this resource by Stop the Thyroid Madness.

Decreased Absorption

The hormones produced by the thyroid are sensitive to foods, nutrients, and medications that alter the absorption or activities of T4.

These may include commonly prescribed drugs such as:

Antibiotics

Antifungals

Antacids

Diuretics

Pain medications

Cholesterol-lowering medications

Anti-arrhythmic medications

Diabetic medications

Hormone replacements

There are also some foods that may decrease the absorption of thyroid hormones when taken close together:

High-fiber foods

Soy-based foods

Grapefruit

Coffee

Certain supplements may also inhibit the functions of thyroid hormones:

Calcium

Magnesium

Zinc

Iron

According to drug manufacturers, it is always best to take your medication approximately four hours after or before you have ingested other drugs, food or supplements that can affect their effectiveness.

Learn the 3 Power Nutrients for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism.

Inflammation

Inflammation significantly inhibits the functions of your thyroid hormone.

Addressing this means identifying the underlying causes of inflammation, like toxins, stress and poor diet. Thyroid resistance is one reason why your thyroid is not working despite the medications that you are taking.

One of the best things that you can do is to work with a qualified functional health practitioner to address or uncover chronic inflammation, but you can start right now by reducing your stress and getting gentle movement in with Yoga for Thyroid Health.

Elevated Reverse Triiodothyronine (RT3)

This is extremely common for many individuals dealing with thyroid issues.

Elevations in stress reverse T3 formation from the inactive T4 (thyroxine), simultaneously decreasing the active T3 formation. So, while you’re taking your thyroid medication and thinking that your thyroid problem will be resolved, you may not convert T4, which contains usable thyroid hormones.

The full dosage of medication for your thyroid function can increase the reverse T3 formation and may mean that you are only able to utilize ¼ of it. Therefore, it will just have ¼ of its overall therapeutic effect.

How to Know if You Have a Thyroid Issue.

Time for a Doctor Visit?

When it comes to taking care of your thyroid functions, it is always important to keep in mind that talking to a doctor is the first option for everyone.

Need accurate, targeting thyroid testing and easy access to better thyroid doctors without leaving your home?

I want to share my special Paloma Health discount code with you so that you can get accurately diagnosed and fully manage your thyroid disease, all from the comfort of your own home.

Learn more about Paloma Health kits and their wonderful doctors here.

Take $30 off your first Paloma kit with code CAVEWOMAN