Thyroxine Effects
- Increases Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) > increased heat production
Hypothyroidism
What Lowers TSH Release (1)
Pituitary (hypophysis) hormone TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) stimulates thyroid to release thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 and T3, when they reach a certain level, lower release of TSH by negative feedback loop. In low T4/T3 (hypothyroidism) TSH will be high, and in high T4/3 (hyperthyroidism) TSH will be low (1). Other factors that lower TSH level:
- Long term stress
- Prolonged cortisol excess
- Aging
- Infection
- Fever
- Trauma
- Caffeine
- Somatostatin
- Dopamine or L-dopa
- Adrenaline (sometimes)
- Amphetamine
Above factors may cause that TSH will be normal, despite hypothyroidism (2).
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (3):
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Decreased memory
- Inability to concentrate
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Puffy face, swollen eyelids
- Dull facial expression
- Swollen legs and feet, swollen hands, swollen abdomen
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Brittle nails
- Dry skin
- Elbow keratoses
- Yellowish discoloration of the skin
- White patches on the skin (vitiligo)
- Diffuse hair loss
- Coarse dry hair
- Menstrual irregularities
- Poor circulation
- Muscle and joint pain
- Morning stiffness
- Muscle cramps
- Reduced heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Slow movements
- Decreased sexual interest
- Low body temperature
- Cold intolerance, cold hands and feet
- Husky voice
- Increased LDL
Thyroid Function and Cortisol
Cortisol controls thyroxine activation at the cell level. Often, symptoms of hypothyroidism are due to adrenal hormone imbalances. If a trial of thyroid hormone resulted in significant but temporary relief of symptoms of hypothyroidism, blood cortisol levels and rhythm should be checked (4).
References:
- Thyroid function (endocrineweb.com)
- What lowers TSH release (doctorsaredangerous.com)
- Hypothyroidism symptoms (worldhealth.net)
- Cortisol influence on thyroxine activity (nutrition4health.org)
Tags: hypothyroidism, T3, T4, thyroxine, TSH
My 70 year old brother has had a huge stomach for a while now and can’t lose it. He has gained weight with it. It looks like a huge basketball in his stomach, below the waist. He has had constipation for years or a sluggish colon, and recently was told he had a low testosterone count. Is it his thyroid, a hernia of some sort, a liver problem, or a heart problem and fluid. He also has high blood pressure and trouble with his veins in his legs.
Thank you.
Sandra,
hypothyroidism causes water retention. If he actually has low levels of thyroxine hormones, this should be treated by endocrinologist. Without this it is hard to lose weight.
If he has weak heart, he has to get appropriate drugs. Weak heart causes enlargenment of liver, and water retention in the stomach, and in legs. High blood pressure is probably the first to treat, since it represents a burden for the heart.
I guess he should visit an endocrinologist, and cardiologist. It won’t go away by itself, and it sounds like severe threat for his health.