What Can Impact Thyroid Health?
The thyroid is often called the body’s “metabolism hormone,” and when it’s not working optimally, it can affect everything from energy levels and mood to digestion and metabolism.
The good news- with the right testing and support, we can help your thyroid function at its best.
⚠️Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) Found in plastics, cosmetics, and household products, EDCs interfere with hormone signalling and thyroid hormone production.
💆 Chronic Stress High cortisol blocks conversion of T4 (inactive) to T3 (active), leading to fatigue, low mood, and sluggish metabolism.
🥗 Diet & High Insulin Refined carbs and sugar spikes can disrupt hormone metabolism. Very low-carb diets can also reduce thyroid activity. Balance is key.
😴 Poor Sleep Sleep deprivation disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, affecting hormone balance and metabolism.
Understanding Thyroid Tests
Many NHS tests only check TSH, giving a limited picture. In clinic, we test:
- TSH - Pituitary signalling to thyroid.
- Free T4 & Free T3 - Hormone availability & conversion.
- Reverse T3 (R3) - Can block T3 activity, often elevated in stress or illness.
- Thyroid Antibodies - Detect autoimmune attack on the thyroid, requiring a different support approach than standard medication.
Why Levothyroxine May Not Be Enough
Levothyroxine is essential for many, but absorption can be blocked by: • Coffee, high-fibre foods, soy • Supplements like iron or calcium • Inflammation or high reverse T3 levels
Timing and underlying factors matter, optimising thyroid function often requires more than just medication.
4 Ways You Can Support Your Thyroid Naturally
1️⃣ Optimise Nutrition Include selenium, zinc, iodine, and iron: Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, seafood, lean meats. Supports hormone production & conversion.
2️⃣ Reduce Stress Daily practices like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or mindful movement help cortisol levels drop and improve T3 activity.
3️⃣ Balance Blood Sugar Protein + complex carbs + fibre at each meal prevent insulin spikes that interfere with thyroid metabolism.
4️⃣ Prioritise Sleep & Recovery 7–9 hours of quality sleep with a consistent routine supports hormone regulation and overall metabolism.
Supporting your thyroid is about understanding the root causes and creating the right environment for hormones to function. Testing the full panel, including antibodies, allows personalised support, so we can improve energy, mood, metabolism, and overall wellbeing.
Contact me to book a personalised consultation and uncover what’s really affecting your metabolism hormone.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free 15-minute call with Lucy to talk through your hormones, energy and goals.