1 in 10 Americans has a thyroid disorder, affecting 30,000,000 Americans. 9,000,000 menopausal women have low-grade underactive thyroid. 4,000,000 postpartum women have a postpartum thyroid imbalance. At least 24,000,000 Americans have low-grade underactive thyroid.

How does the thyroid work?

The thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, or “master gland”, which is located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland is protected by a bony socket in the skull called the sella turcica.

The pituitary gland emits signals to the thyroid gland via TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. Thyroid stimulating hormone is the hormone that makes the thyroid gland produce the right amount of thyroid hormone. The pituitary and the thyroid receive feedback signals from one another and are delicately balanced.

Thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism and the functioning of virtually all the cells in your body. Thyroid hormones also regulate mood, behavior, appetite, and sexual function through their effects on brain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, noradrenalin, GABA, and others.

Important trace elements such as selenium, zinc, and other antioxidants are crucial for thyroid hormone to work efficiently in your body and brain. You need the exact right amount of thyroid hormone in your system for your body and mind to function optimally. Thyroid imbalance, even in minor forms, can result in both physical and mental anguish. Most people do not realize how much thyroid imbalance can affect and change their quality of life. Thyroid disease is not a pure physical disorder. It is a bio-psychiatric disorder as well. It is a mind-body ailment. Thyroid imbalance afflicts brutal blows to the brain and can create changes that have long term ill effects on your physical and mental health.