The link between ongoing stress, a slow thyroid (& often weight gain)

ongoing stress the thyroid

Our stress response and thyroid function are closely tied, and chronic stress can slow thyroid function. Here’s how...

• When the body perceives stress, the hypothalamus in the brain releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

• This signals the pituitary gland, also in the brain, to produce and release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

• This in stimulates the adrenal glands above your kidneys to release cortisol, a primary stress hormone. While cortisol is essential for dealing with immediate stress by mobilising energy and resources, chronic stress can lead to constantly elevated levels

• High cortisol levels inhibit the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to the active form (T3)

• T3 is the form of thyroid hormone that has the most significant impact on metabolism or energy conversion and biochemical processes

• It can also decrease the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the pituitary gland

• And stress can affect proteins that transport thyroid hormones in the blood, impacting their availability to cells. Alterations in the binding of thyroid hormones to transport proteins can influence their effectiveness in regulating metabolism

hypothyroidism

So over time, continuous high cortisol levels can lead to hypothyroidism.

And hypothyroidism can cause weight gain. A slowed metabolism leads to reduced energy expenditure and an increased likelihood of fat accumulation

What can you do about this?

Every cell has thyroid hormone receptors, so it's important to lower your stress, fix your diet by eating balanced whole foods, fix your gut so your thyroid gets adequate nutrients, and perhaps deep test your thyroid to see what support it might need