Did you know your thyroid directly influences your hormones, and in fact, works simultaneously with them? In our neck, we have a small butterfly shaped gland called the thyroid in which produces hormones that directly impacts each and every cell, organ and tissue in our bodies. From regulating body temperature, heart rate, metabolism, to production of proteins, this gland is a powerhouse for its size.
Our thyroid is super sensitive though, like a butterfly. Stress, heavy metals, poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, etc., can disrupt the hormonal production we depend on, which is why it is vital to take care of it.
How it works is that we have something called the HPT axis, also known as the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Thyroid axis. When our bodies require thyroid hormones, our hypothalamus produces Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH), which in turn tells the pituitary to produce Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), signaling to the thyroid to make T4 and T3 by utilizing Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and iodine.  T3 is a lot more potent that T4. The thyroid gland only produces about 10%-20% of T3, as the rest is converted from T4 to T3, primarily in the gut and liver. T3 can be immediately used by cells in this case. About 80-90% of T4 is made in the thyroid, and most of it is converted into T3 as mentioned. It is an inactive thyroid hormone, therefore cannot be utilized until converted to T3. About 60% of T4 is turned into T3 in the liver, a small percentage in peripheral tissues, 20% by bacteria in the gut, and the last bit of T4 is converted to an inactive form of T3 called reverse T3 (rT3) which is excreted from the body.
So why is it so important? T3 is imperative for our cells. Think of it as food, for without it, our cells won’t respond to hormones, vitamins and minerals, and more. It determines how our cells metabolize and withhold nutrients. If we end up with not enough T3, this turns into a cascade of issues affecting our body’s stress hormones, sex hormones, nutrient stores, digestion, etc.