Do you catch “everything that comes around”?
Most people don’t think of their thyroid gland as part of the immune system, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s defenses. Hormones produced by the thyroid help regulate the metabolic rate within each cell and directly influence over 100 different cellular enzymes. Research shows that thyroid hormones affect a long list of different types of immune cells (macrophages, T cells, lymphocytes, natural killer cells) and immune function, including replication, antibody production, and ability to recognize and respond to foreign invaders.
It’s no wonder that people whose thyroid function is low are prone to viral and bacterial infections, especially in their lungs, throat, ears and sinuses. They are susceptible to sore throats, inner ear and sinus infections, tonsillitis, even pneumonia. They tend to have chronic problems that are not easily treated with antibiotics.
If you’re one of these people, it’s a good idea to get your thyroid hormone levels checked. You can do this with a blood test that measures TSH, but this test will not detect all kinds of low thyroid function. That’s why I also suggest you check to see if your body temperature is low. (For complete instructions on how to take your body temperature accurately, see “How are body temperatures measured”.) If it is consistently below 97.8 F (36.56 C) chances are good you have slow metabolism. (If it is consistently low despite having normal thyroid tests, you have a condition called Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome.)
Low metabolism is often caused by low levels of T3, the active form of thyroid hormone. Some people have trouble converting T4 to T3, a problem many doctors simply don’t recognize and that the standard thyroid tests can’t pick up.
People with Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome often have subtle symptoms of low metabolism, including frequent infections, but are told their thyroid is fine. They feel better and get sick less often when they normalize their body temperatures with T3, the active form of thyroid hormone. When their body temperature returns to normal their immune system often functions better.
You can discuss taking a course of T3 (active thyroid hormone) with your doctor. Your doctor can call us at 800.420.5801 to get more information about how to use T3 and to discuss your individual case. The object of T3 therapy is to normalize your oral body temperatures to average 98.6 F. (37 C.) during treatment.
There are plenty of other natural treatments that can help your immune system function better, but none of them may work very well if your underlying problem is slow metabolism. Proper nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep, and herbs can help support a normal body temperature and immune system.
REFERENCES
Hodkinson CF, Simpson EA, Beattie JH, et al. Preliminary evidence of immune function modulation by thyroid hormones in healthy men and women aged 55–70 years. J Endocrinol (2009) 202, 55–63.
Perrotta C, Buldorini M, Assi E, et al. The Thyroid Hormone Triiodothyronine Controls Macrophage Maturation and Functions: Protective Role during Inflammation. Am J Pathol. 2014 Jan;184(1):230-47.
Stevenson TJ, Onishi KG, Bradley SP, et al. Cell-autonomous iodothyronine deiodinase expression mediates seasonal plasticity in immune function. Brain Behav Immun. 2014 Feb;36:61-70.
Pearce EL, Poffenberger MC, Chang CH, et al. Fueling immunity: insights into metabolism and lymphocyte function. Science. 2013 Oct 11;342(6155):1242454. doi: 10.1126/science.1242454.
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