Hypothyroidism and Candida

Poor intestinal flora may be caused by Candida overgrowth. Low thyroid function or hypothyroidism is often present when there is poor intestinal flora. There are several reasons for this.

1.    Immune alterations. The flora in the gut alters the immune system. Alterations in the immune system can lead to thyroiditis or central hypothyroidism. In particular, poor intestinal flora can increase cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. Increased IL-1 is associated with autoimmune thyroidal diseases. Increased IL-1, IL-6 and TNF can cause central hypothyroidism.

2.    Toxins from the gut. The liver must remove toxins generated in the gut. Poor intestinal flora puts a strain on the liver’s ability to function properly. When the liver has trouble removing estrogens and phytoestrogens, this depresses the thyroid. (Bioflavonoids will reduce the liver’s ability to remove estrogens, so don’t overdo bioflavonoids.)

3.    Polyunsaturated oils. The typical American diet is loaded with corn, safflower, soy and other polyunsaturated oils. These oils interfere with thyroid. They interfere with the release and transport of the thyroid hormone. In their free fatty acid state, they interfere with the conversion of thyroid into its active form. These oils also set up conditions for poor intestinal flora by altering the immune system. The omega-6 polyunsaturated oils depress the Th1 immune system. This part of the immune system is responsible for keeping yeast, viruses and parasites under control.

4.    Hypothyroidism makes your more susceptible to acquiring poor flora. Thyroid hormone helps maintain the proper motility of the intestines. Without proper motility, you are more likely to succumb to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The thyroid hormone is also important for your immune system. It helps you keep yeast growth in check.

Here is a list of hypothyroid symptoms. If you have several of these symptoms, then perhaps you need to look into the possibility that you need a supplement of thyroid hormone.

fatigue
dry skin
brittle nails or nails that grow slowly
hair loss or slow hair growth
difficulty with focusing in school
poor athletic ability
sleep disorders
not sweating
sensitivity to cold or sometimes to heat
cold hands and feet
anemia
bedwetting
eczema
rough gray elbows
edema (water retention)
puffy hard swelling of skin (especially noticeable on face)
acne
loss of memory
loss of concentration
mental confusion
mood swings
headaches
poor teeth and gums
asthma
allergies
depression
weight gain or sometimes weight loss
constipation
arthritis
aching joints (especially in the morning)
high or low blood pressure
bladder problems
cystitis
high cholesterol
low libido
menstrual disorders
infertility
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
slow Achilles reflex (the muscle takes longer to relax after the tendon is struck)
yellowish cast to skin (especially on palms of hands or around eyes or cheeks)
poor or soft heart tones
visual disturbances
night blindness
carpal tunnel
deep voice or hoarseness
hyperlaxity of joints (hands bend easily, or flat feet)
poor muscle strength (a child may present with a weak grasp or a protruding belly due to poor muscle strength)
low basal temperature (body temperature at rest)
susceptibility to infections like tuberculosis (TB), colds, flu, and bronchitis.

Currently, doctors tend to be overly reliant on thyroid blood tests. One has to be very careful about how much credence a person gives these blood tests. The blood may show normal levels of thyroid hormone, but the person is still hypothyroid. This is because the body is conserving the hormone. The body is not using it as quickly.

In a lecture tape available from the Broda Barnes Foundation, Jacque Hertoghe, MD explained some of the reasons why the blood tests can’t be relied upon. Essentially, there is a slow clearance of thyroid hormone from the blood, and the blood volume is reduced. When a person is hypothyroid, there are fewer cellular receptors for T4 and T3 thyroid, and there is a lower intracellular demand for thyroid hormone. Also there is a slower conversion of T4 thyroid to T3 thyroid. In hypothyroidism, there is an accumulation of waste products and mucopolysaccharides in extracellular spaces. These act as a barrier for thyroid getting into the cells.