First, let’s make sure we understand what the adrenal glands are AND what the thyroid gland is.
The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped organs located on top of each kidney (mid-lower back). The adrenal glands act as "bodyguards" that regulate nearly every organ in your body through managing the “Fight or Flight” response. They release cortisol to provide an energy boost during emergencies (like increasing heart rate, faster breathing, quick breakdown of stored nutrients for fuel) as well as manage long-term stress.
Your thyroid is the master regulator of your metabolism. It is a small, butterfly-shaped organ at the base of your neck and it takes iodine from your diet and converts it into thyroid hormones: T4, T3 and calcitonin (as mentioned earlier).
What’s amazing is how intertwined these 2 glands are. Take a look:
I’m going to spend some time explaining this diagram because it is critical for you to understand this so you can grasp how your adrenal function (high, low) could be causing your Hashimoto’s.
On the left hand side, you will see what is called the HPA axis.
- H = Hypothalamus
- P = Pituitary
- A = Adrenal glands
This side of the diagram shows what happens to your Adrenal Glands when you experience stress:
- The brain, starting with the Hypothalamus, sends CRH hormone to the Pituitary gland.
- The Pituitary turns around and sends ACTH hormone to the Adrenal glands to kick in gear.
- The Adrenals release cortisol → THE STRESS HORMONE!
Now on the right side of the diagram, you will see what is called the HPT axis. Interestingly, the “H” and the “P” in both of these hormonal axes, are the same (Hypothalamus and Pituitary):
- H = Hypothalamus
- P = Pituitary
- T = Thyroid gland
This side of the diagram shows what happens with the thyroid gland when you experience stress:
- The brain, starting with the Hypothalamus, sends TRH hormone to the Pituitary gland.
- The Pituitary turns around and sends TSH hormone to the Thyroid gland to kick in gear.
- The Thyroid gland releases T4 → the major thyroid hormone (which will later convert to T3 as the body needs).
Clearly both the Adrenal glands AND the Thyroid gland are involved in the STRESS RESPONSE.
But here’s what’s fascinating:
When we are in fight/flight mode for a long period of time (chronic stress), high, consistent levels of cortisol inundate the body and reduces the brain’s communication to the thyroid (by blocking TSH)
AND
High, consistent levels of cortisol blocks the conversion of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) into T3 (the active thyroid hormone).
As you can see above this in the orange box, It’s a double whammy effect => Hypothyroidism. This is how stress causes your thyroid to stop working and leads to:
- Fatigue
- Can’t tolerate cold well
- Weight gain
- Memory problems
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Infertility
- Brain fog
To reclaim your thyroid gland and your overall health - you’ve got to figure out what’s actually going on with your adrenals and thyroid….
- This requires comprehensive testing that your insurance company doesn’t want to pay for
- This requires an understanding of the testing and how to address these imbalances from a natural, diet & lifestyle perspective
- And finally, and this is important, this requires working with a Doctor who is not interested in masking the problem with a drug (levothyroxine, synthroid, armour thyroid, NP thyroid) because that’s what the insurance company says or what they’ll pay for.
Since you’re reading this, my guess is that you or someone you love, is on a thyroid medication and has been for quite some time. Why? Because your Doctor (your primary or your endocrinologist) tells you that you need to get on this medication and mentions nothing (and I mean ZERO) about what’s actually causing the problem. Then for years, you might be on this medication that is “masking” the problem but not addressing the real cause.
And that’s where I come in.
I offer a free, 15-30 minute phone call consultation (a Discovery Call) to determine if you're a good fit for my office and to have any of your questions answered. From there we can discuss what tests you need (that your Doctor has ignored) and get some answers. Click here to take advantage of this offer - schedule that free call and start your journey to finally fixing your issue.
Don't suffer with thyroid problems / Hashimoto’s any longer. Let's find out what’s causing your hypothyroidism, and stop masking the problem - let's finally solve it!
