Low Iron and Adrenal Fatigue: How They Keep You Hypothyroid

Low Iron and Adrenal Fatigue: How They Keep You Hypothyroid

Learn How Suboptimal Iron Levels Can Keep You Stuck in an Adrenal Crisis and Prevent Your Thyroid from Working Properly

Low iron, adrenal fatigue, and hypothyroidism are three conditions that are often interconnected. Iron is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in adrenal and thyroid function.

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to produce enough hormones to keep the body functioning properly. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones.

Understanding the link between these three conditions is essential for overall health and wellness.

*Looking for more info on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis? Check out this free resource page here.

Understanding the Connection Between Iron and Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands are overworked and no longer able to do their job of keeping the body functioning properly. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing hormones such as cortisol, which helps the body respond to stress.

Iron plays a crucial role in adrenal function, as it is necessary for the production of cortisol. Low iron levels can lead to a decrease in cortisol production, which can contribute to adrenal fatigue.

***It’s important to note that when I mention “low iron” in this post, I am not just referring to the serum lab test “Total Iron.”

I am also referring to multiple functional lab values including Total Iron, % Saturation, Ferritin, and TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity). Per the works of Janie Bowthorpe of Stop the Thyroid Madness as well as Hashimoto’s patients’ experiences, we should focus on all four of these labs in order to determine the state of our iron.

Check here for optimal iron lab values to aim for with your doctor, as optimal is not the same as “within range.”

The Role of Iron in Thyroid Function and Energy Production

Iron is essential for energy production. It is necessary for the production of ATP, which is the primary source of energy for the body. Low iron levels can lead to decreased energy levels and fatigue.

The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Iron is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones.

Low iron levels can lead to a decrease in thyroid hormone production, which can contribute to hypothyroidism.

The Symptoms of Low Iron, Adrenal Fatigue, and Hypothyroidism

The symptoms of low iron, adrenal fatigue, and hypothyroidism can overlap and be difficult to diagnose. For example:

Symptoms of iron deficiency may include fatigue, weakness, insomnia, and lightheadedness.

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue may include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, and difficulty handling stress.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and depression.

This is why it is important to test and not guess if you or your competent doctor suspect low iron, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, or (in many cases) all three.

Evaluating the state of your iron with a full iron panel that includes Total Iron, % Sat, Ferritin, and TIBC is a wise choice if you suspect you have low iron.

Testing your adrenals with a 24-hour saliva cortisol panel is more accurate and comprehensive than testing for a.m. serum cortisol.

Being thorough and checking your thyroid using a functional thyroid panel that includes Free T3, Free T4, and TPO antibodies along with TSH will give you a clearer picture of how your thyroid is working versus just checking TSH, T3, and T4.

Stress can impact iron absorption in the body.

The Impact of Stress on Iron Absorption

Stress can impact iron absorption in the body. When the body is under stress, it may not absorb iron as efficiently, which can contribute to low iron levels. Chronic stress can also contribute to adrenal fatigue.

Iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. When stress levels are high, it can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia.

Stress can affect iron absorption in several ways. First, stress can cause inflammation in the gut, which can damage the lining of the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients, including iron. Second, stress can increase the production of cortisol and interfere with the absorption of iron by reducing the production of stomach acid. Stomach acid is necessary for the absorption of non-heme iron, which is found in plant-based foods.

In addition to reducing iron absorption, stress can also increase iron loss from the body. When we are under stress, our bodies produce more adrenaline and noradrenaline, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This increased blood flow can lead to increased iron loss through sweating.

How Genetic Mutations Can Affect Iron Absorption

Mutations in genes that affect methylation, like MTHFR A1298C, can cause dysregulation of iron, B12, and folate. This dysregulation can leads to via cell death and anemia from inefficient red blood cell production.

Insufficient levels of iron can have an adverse impact on the production of cortisol through the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex contains a significant amount of iron-containing protein that plays a crucial role in the creation of corticosterone. Therefore, if one has low iron levels, it may lead to a decrease in cortisol levels.

As a thyroid patient, cortisol is also significant for you. It increases the glucose level in your cells, which helps in the reception of T3 from the blood to the cells through cell receptors, ATP, and mitochondria. If you don’t have enough cortisol, you will remain in a hypothyroid state.

Treating Low Iron and Adrenal Fatigue to Improve Thyroid Health

Some treatment options for raising low iron may include dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and iron supplements for 6 to 12 weeks of:

*31.5 mg / day of heme iron polypeptide (reported by patients who follow Stop the Thyroid Madness to be the best tolerated and fastest acting)

-OR-

*150mg to 200mg of elemental plant-based iron

Iron supplement choices may include heme iron from bovine hemoglobin or plant-based irons like ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate, or ferrous fumarate. The type you need to take to increase iron levels in the body can vary depending on genetics and other health factors, so it’s extremely important to speak to your functional practitioner before starting iron supplements.

*Note that taking bovine liver supplements have been reported by patients to not be a good choice as they do not raise iron enough and instead raise copper to dangerous levels.

In order to overcome adrenal fatigue, it is vital to also optimize iron levels. Implementing quantum lifestyle modifications and enjoying an ancestral diet are two great ways to naturally support both your thyroid and adrenals.

In Conclusion – Low Iron and Adrenal Fatigue: How They Keep You Hypothyroid

Understanding the link between low iron, adrenal fatigue, and hypothyroidism is essential for overall health and wellness. Symptoms of these conditions can overlap and be difficult to diagnose. Testing for these conditions can help identify underlying issues.

Treatment options may include dietary changes, supplements, and lifestyle modifications. Seeking medical advice if experiencing symptoms of any of these conditions is recommended.

Looking for more support?

1) Download your free Thyroid Checklist here (no signup required)

2) Sign up to receive your free Quantum Thyroid Bundle.

3) Measure and analyze your functional thyroid levels (beyond TSH) at home.

*Not medical advice. Always talk to your competent doctor first.

Sources:

https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/iron/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034

https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/

https://www.aaem.pl/Sweat-iron-concentration-during-4-week-exercise-training,78787,0,2.html

https://methyl-life.com/blogs/mthfr/mthfr-anemia

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1651678/

https://sanguina.com/blogs/all/stress-and-anemia

https://www.scielo.br/j/rbhh/a/QWHhpZbfxGwXnQFtPZpNQQd/?lang=en

http://www.adrenalfatiguesyndrome.com/reviews.php