Four WORST thyroid buddies

Four buds your thyroid should NOT be hanging with:

1. Stress: Excess stress will increase Cortisol, which inhibits thyroid hormone production!
   
2. Infections: These can include more obvious infections like Epstein Barr and/or something more subtle like pathogen presence in your GI tract that may not even be associated with GI symptoms! However, pathogen presence *will* impair thyroid function.
   
3. Fluoride: This is an interesting one…Fluoride can compete with Iodine in the cascade of making thyroid hormone. Given Iodine is essential, fluoride throws off the production line!
   
4. Toxins: Most commonly I would consider heavy metals, like Mercury/Cadmium/Lead which can inhibit thyroid hormone production as well.

Stress is by far the biggest barrier to proper thyroid hormone….but, now you have the full list! Consider these villains as you work with your doctor to manage your HYPOthyroidism!