Supporting Your Thyroid Health with Naturopathy and Acupuncture

Your Master Gland

At the front of your neck is your thyroid, shield-like shaped gland that secretes two hormones, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). These hormones influence the metabolic processes throughout your entire body; instructing your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, your digestion to absorb food and your cells to convert that food into energy. For something so small, your thyroid plays a large role in your overall vitality!  However, due to numerous factors, your thyroid can easily be thrown out of balance, leading to many aspects of your health also being affected. Knowledge is power, so let’s find out more.

When the Thyroid Goes Amiss…

There are several different conditions that can arise when the thyroid becomes dysfunctional:

Hypothyroidism

This is the most common thyroid condition, and refers to an under-active or sluggish thyroid.  

As this slows down your metabolism, hypothyroidism results in symptoms such as;

fatigue

hair loss

weight gain

depression

intolerance to the cold

dry skin and constipation.

Hyperthyroidism

On the flipside, the thyroid can also become overactive, speeding up the metabolism. This displays symptoms like:

rapid heart rate

excessive sweating

weight loss

fatigue and agitation.

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Autoimmunity refers to the body’s immune system attacking itself. In the thyroid, this manifests as either Hashimoto’s (creating an underactive thyroid), or Graves’ disease (creating an overactive thyroid).

Goitre

A goitre is the enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland. It can occur with both an under- and overactive thyroid, as well as an iodine deficiency.

Driving the Thyroid to Dysfunction

There are many factors that contribute to an unbalanced thyroid gland, however two of the biggest drivers are stress and an iodine deficiency.

Stress: Physical or emotional stress can reduce the level of hormones your thyroid makes, and can also flare an existing autoimmune thyroid condition.

Iodine deficiency: Iodine is a component of thyroid hormone, making it vital for healthy thyroid function. Unfortunately, the average Australian diet is extremely low iodine-rich foods, which can lead to an underactive thyroid or goitre formation.

Contrary to popular belief, Iodine supplementation without being sure of your iodine levels may actually be detrimental for those with the autoimmune thyroid condition Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. - I have seen some terrible outcomes with those choosing to self-prescribe iodine in high doses.

Nourish Your Thyroid Naturally

There are key nutrients and herbs that can address the drivers of thyroid issues, helping your thyroid to function optimally.

Iodine: If you are deficient, supplementation of this mineral will help to support the production of thyroid hormones, and reduce your risk of hypothyroidism and goitre growth. *Be mindful to check your iodine levels before supplementing - urine is best.

Magnesium: This mineral helps to reduce the activation of the stress system, saving the thyroid from strain. Magnesium also assists cells utilise iodine.

Under Active thyroid: Withania / Ashwaganda: When the thyroid is underactive, this herb can work to boost the synthesis of thyroid hormones, whilst also helping the body to cope when stressed.

Overactive thyroid: Bugleweed, Lemon Balm / Melissa officinalis.

How may acupuncture may help with thyroid conditions.

Acupuncture can help balance thyroid function by gently stimulating specific points on the body that influence the thyroid gland and overall hormone regulation. This treatment promotes better blood flow, reduces inflammation, and helps calm the nervous system, which supports healthy thyroid hormone levels. Research shows that acupuncture may improve symptoms of thyroid disorders like fatigue and mood changes and can also help regulate immune system activity in autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Many people experience improved energy, better sleep, and reduced stress with acupuncture as part of their thyroid care. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10906624/

Thyroid Lifestyle Loving Tips

What you can do to support the optimal function of your thyroid gland:

Food as Medicine Iodine containing whole foods: iodine rich foods include oysters, fish, seaweed, dairy and beans. If not currently consuming these foods regularly, plan to increase your iodine intake with food.  Gluten is seen to be an issue for many people with both under active and overactive thyroid conditions.  Excluding it focussing on a mainly whole food diet is recommended.

Sleep hygiene: Quality sleep is essential for good thyroid function; ensure you are getting 7-9 hours per night. Additionally, turning off all electronic screens and bright lights at least 1 hour before retiring will assist in good quality sleep.

Stress management: Take some time out each day to reduce your stress levels. This might be going for a walk twice daily, chatting with a friend, attending a regular restorative yoga class or completing a guided meditation.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that can be associated with thyroid issues, speak to your Practitioner.  They will be able to provide you with further guidance on assessing and managing your presentation. 

Remember - "Self-care isn’t selfish, both you and your thyroid deserve it!"

Christine Carley is a qualified naturopath with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in acupuncture, based in Melbourne’s west (West Footscray, close to Yarraville).  She focuses on supporting optimal health and wellness through a holistic, person-centred approach.

Christine works with clients experiencing autoimmune conditions, fertility and IVF optimisation, menopause, hormonal imbalance, and gut health issues - the foundation of wellbeing.

Earlier in her career, Christine was the Principal Naturopath at a specialist chronic and complex condition clinic in Melbourne, where she collaborated with cardiologists, psychologists, podiatrists, and allied health professionals.  This gave her extensive experience in managing chronic and complex health conditions.

She is passionate about helping people reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, believing these are the fundamentals of lasting health.

Christine now offers consultations from her private clinic and provides national and international Telehealth appointments.

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