The Thyroid
The Thyroid: The Body’s Master Regulator
The thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a huge role in keeping the body healthy. Found in the front of the neck, this butterfly-shaped gland helps regulate metabolism, energy, growth, and even mood. When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, every system in the body feels the effects.
In my book Toxic Inflammation, I explain how thyroid dysfunction is often not just a thyroid problem—it’s an inflammation problem.
The Thyroid–Inflammation Connection
Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism. But when it becomes chronic, it turns from a healing response into a destructive process. Toxic inflammation disrupts the way cells communicate, damages tissues, and interferes with hormone balance.
The thyroid is especially sensitive to inflammation. Chronic stress, poor nutrition, toxins, infections, and autoimmune activity can all create an inflammatory burden on the thyroid. This often shows up in how the thyroid produces and converts hormones.
Understanding Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid doesn’t just produce one hormone—it makes several, and they all play different roles in energy and health.
T4 (thyroxine): The main hormone produced by the thyroid. Think of it as the “storage form.” It doesn’t do much until it’s converted into T3.
T3 (triiodothyronine): The active thyroid hormone. T3 powers metabolism, energy, mental clarity, and cellular repair. Without enough T3, people feel sluggish, foggy, and worn down.
Reverse T3 (rT3): The “brake pedal.” Under stress or inflammation, the body converts more T4 into reverse T3 instead of T3. This slows metabolism and conserves energy, but too much reverse T3 leads to fatigue, weight gain, and burnout.
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO): An enzyme needed for making thyroid hormones. When the immune system mistakenly attacks TPO (seen in Hashimoto’s disease), thyroid function declines and inflammation skyrockets.
Symptoms Often Overlooked
Because thyroid hormones touch every cell in the body, dysfunction can show up in surprising ways. Beyond fatigue and weight changes, people may experience:
Cold hands and feet
Digestive issues (constipation or diarrhea)
Hair thinning or dry skin
Sensitivity to stress
Depression, anxiety, or brain fog
Hormone imbalances
These symptoms are often dismissed as “just getting older,” but they may signal deeper inflammatory issues rooted in thyroid dysfunction.
Addressing the Root Cause
Supporting thyroid health means addressing the underlying drivers of toxic inflammation. In Toxic Inflammation, I outline a comprehensive approach that includes:
Chiropractic care – Restores nervous system balance, which directly influences hormonal communication.
Nutrition – Removing inflammatory foods and replenishing the body with selenium, zinc, and iodine to support proper T4-to-T3 conversion.
Stress management – Calming the stress response to prevent excess reverse T3 production.
Detoxification – Supporting the body in removing toxins that interfere with thyroid hormone production and TPO activity.
Healing Is Possible
When we reduce toxic inflammation, the thyroid often begins to recover. Patients frequently report better energy, clearer thinking, improved weight balance, and restored vitality.
The thyroid is not just about metabolism—it’s a window into the overall health of the body. By focusing on reducing inflammation, you can restore balance, energy, and long-term wellness.
