How to Boost Your Thyroid Function Naturally Part One

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How to Boost Your Thyroid Function Naturally Part One

Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) affect every cell and all the organs in the body by regulating the rate at which the body uses energy. This affects weight loss or weight gain and is called the metabolic rate. Thyroid hormones impact the metabolism, growth, and development of organs and body tissues; they also affect your heart rate. The thyroid receptors belong to the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. Let’s dive into the functions of different thyroid hormones. T4 is the main thyroid hormone, which is high in hyperthyroidism or too much T4 medication. It can be low for untreated hypothyroidism or those who take T3 medication only. Reverse T3 is a form of deactivated T4, which is high in those with inflammatory conditions. Instead of creating T3, your body starts to create reverse T3 due to inflammation, toxicity, poor gut health, and sleep deprivation, which blocks the function of T3, leading to a decreased metabolism. Thyroid hormones and more specifically, T3, which is the active thyroid hormone, control gene expression by binding to the thyroid receptors. Thyroid hormones trigger mitochondrial protein synthesis and increase total mitochondrial volume, which is directly linked to energy production and metabolism. T3 helps deliver oxygen and energy to all the body cells; its effects on target tissues are roughly four times more potent than those of T4. The number of receptors on a target cell can increase or decrease in response to hormone activity. T4 and T3 circulate almost entirely bound to specific transport proteins. If the levels of these transport proteins change, there can be changes in how much bound T4 and T3 is measured. The “free” T4 or T3 is the hormone that is unbound and able to enter and affect the body tissues.

What is the most important way to boost your metabolism besides diet and exercise? It is not what you think! Let’s find out.
Reverse T3 is a biologically inactive protein that is structurally very similar to T3, but the iodine atoms are placed in different locations. Reverse T3 is created by degradation of the T4 under specific circumstances like high stress, starvation, hepatic dysfunction, and severe infections; therefore, measuring this active thyroid hormone gives a more complete picture of what is happening within the body that is contributing to thyroid dysfunction. It appears that reverse T3 can be elevated when the body is undergoing a crisis. Interestingly, serum reverse T3 was also significantly higher in diabetics than in a nondiabetic population, while serum T4 and TSH were within normal range. Once the diabetic patients received treatment, not only did the blood glucose levels improve, so as reverse T3 levels. Some studies suggest that those with hyperthyroidism have a higher reverse T3/T3 ratio than those with hypothyroidism. This indicates it can be a more sensitive marker for evaluating thyroid dysfunction and overall thyroid health than T4 and T3 alone.

There are many medications that can affect thyroid function testing. Some common examples include:

Estrogens, such as those in birth control pills, cause high levels of total T4 and T3. This is because estrogens increase the level of the binding proteins. In these situations, it is better to check both for TSH and free T4 for thyroid evaluation.
Biotin, a commonly taken over-the-counter supplement, can cause the measurement of several thyroid function tests to appear abnormal; therefore, Biotin should not be taken for 2 days before the blood test for thyroid function to avoid this effect.

T2 refers to 3, 5-diiodo-L-thyronine, which is considered to be a bio-identical hormone that looks identical to the same T2 that your body produces in a healthy state. T2 appears to be one of the most important thyroid hormones for regulating metabolism. The higher your basal metabolic rate is, the easier it is to lose weight. Unlike white fat, brown fat is more metabolically active if you want to lose weight because it helps your body burn fat and increases heat production, also known as thermogenesis. For a long time, T2 has been considered only from your body by breaking down T4 and T3. But there is clear evidence now that your thyroid is actively making T2. If you have thyroid disease, you may be low in T2, and it is often ignored how important T2 is to your body. Some studies showed that people who had their thyroid removed only produce half the amount of T2. Studies have shown that those with low levels of thyroid hormone often have higher levels of blood cholesterol. T2 is required to activate many detoxification enzymes. T2 also increases the energy production from mitochondria. People who take thyroid hormone replacement are not producing enough T2 compared to healthy populations; this also applies to pregnant women, who are not producing enough T2. T3 is the active thyroid hormone precursor to T2. Low in some on T4 medication and high in hyperthyroidism, or those who are on T3 medication. T2 is an important thyroid hormone that is low in those who take thyroid medication or the elderly. Lack of T2 can cause hypothyroidism symptoms. Currently, there is no test for it.

Here are some important functions of T2:

Increases basal metabolic rate and boosts weight loss.
Increases brown fat and optimizes muscle mass.
Prevents insulin resistance.
Increases mitochondrial energy production.
Improves cholesterol profile.
Prevents cancers.

An interesting point about T2 is that it is available over the counter, which means you don’t need a prescription to get it. However, synthetic T2 in the pills is not the same as the T2 your body produces, and it can be dangerous. A few studies suggest that the dosage of T2 should not exceed 300 mcg per day. Higher doses of T2 can cause damage and have been shown to cause cardiac damage in just four weeks. T2 does have a weak affinity for the T3 receptor, but it can cause hyperthyroid symptoms when dosing exceeds 300 mcg per day. Another problem is that T2 supplementation can bioaccumulate to dangerous levels within the liver. The best way to optimize your T2 production is to optimize your thyroid function with a healthy diet and nutritional supplements.

Let’s talk about some important nutrients to support your thyroid function.

Iodine

Iodine is a key mineral for helping convert and release thyroid hormone. You can obtain iodine from iodine-rich foods such as seaweed, certain wild-caught fish, and some fermented foods. You might also benefit from iodine supplements. However, excessive iodine intake may negatively impact thyroid function.

Selenium

Selenium helps balance levels of T4 hormones. Selenium has been shown to reduce antibodies and the symptoms associated with Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. People with Graves’ disease are more likely to have lower selenium levels. Foods high in selenium include Brazil nuts, spinach, yellowfin tuna, halibut, sardines, grass-fed beef, turkey, and beef liver. A supplement of selenium may be needed in the case of severe deficiency.

Vitamin B12

Low levels of vitamin B-12 impair the synthesis of thyroid hormone, which can lead to hypothyroidism symptoms. Many people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s have a vitamin B12 deficiency. This prevalence may be due to the high association between anemia and hypothyroidism. Since thyroid hormones determine our metabolism throughout the entire body, including the digestive tract, hypothyroidism can affect the absorption of minerals and vitamins from our food sources, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Most people with thyroid disorders also have low stomach acid (hydrochloric acid or HCl). B12 is released for absorption with the help of stomach acid and protease, an enzyme in the stomach; therefore, low stomach acid can lead to B12 deficiency for many people with hypothyroidism. Another risk factor for B12 deficiency is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, commonly known as SIBO, which may be present in up to 50% of people with Hashimoto’s. The bacteria in the gut consume B12 and produce a molecule that is similar to the structure of B12 — this molecule competes with vitamin B12 receptors and results in B12 deficiency.

Let’s find out natural ways to enhance your digestion and increase nutrient absorption.

Zinc

Zinc plays a crucial role in thyroid hormone metabolism and function, and its deficiency can affect thyroid function. Zinc is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and the proper function of the T3 receptor. Studies suggest that zinc supplementation, alone or in combination with other nutrients, may improve thyroid function in those with hypothyroidism. Zinc-rich foods include oysters, beef, poultry, seafood, legumes, nuts and seeds, eggs, etc.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can positively impact thyroid health by reducing inflammation and supporting thyroid hormone function. Due to their role in immune function, omega-3 fatty acids are especially important for those with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s. Omega-3 rich foods include fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, as well as nuts and seeds such as walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.

Vitamin D

Research suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with higher levels of thyroid antibodies, and supplementation with vitamin D may decrease them. Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce thyroid antibodies. The best way to activate the vitamin D in your body is the sunlight. Vitamin D-rich foods include fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, egg yolks, red meat, liver, etc.

Iron

Iron is essential for the activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme that catalyzes the iodination of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin, a precursor protein for thyroid hormone synthesis. TPO is a heme-dependent enzyme, which indicates it requires iron to function properly. Iron deficiency can impair the production of thyroid hormones. It can lead to reduced conversion of T4 to the active thyroid hormone T3. This can result in lower levels of active thyroid hormone, potentially lead to hypothyroidism. Iron deficiency can also affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis, leading to altered thyroid hormone levels and a decreased response to thyroid-stimulating hormone. Therefore, iron deficiency is associated with thyroid dysfunction. Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, seafood, beans, lentils, spinach, and dried fruits. Heme iron, found in animal products, is absorbed more efficiently than non-heme iron, which is found in plant-based foods.

This may be surprising that iron deficiency may not be the real cause of anemia. Let’s find out.

I hope you enjoy the information. Stay tuned for part two.

I offer many healing modalities, including nutrition, TCM treatments, energy healings such as Reiki and Theta Healing, intuitive readings, such as medical palm reading, face and tongue reading, Quantum healing hypnosis, and Medical Vedic astrology analysis, especially related to past life traumas and chronic health challenges. Please check a variety of healing modalities that I offer.

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About the author: Lucy Liu

As a Holistic Health Practitioner, Registered Dietitian, TCM Practitioner, Energy Healer, Master Hypnotist, Reiki Master, Advanced Theta Healing Practitioner, Author and Speaker, Lucy Liu, the founder of optimalhealthsolutions.ca, has gained a good reputation in holistic health after many years of serving patients and clients as a holistic health practitioner. Lucy has developed a unique and comprehensive approach, which combines Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Energy Medicine, and Alternative Medicine together, to help others achieve optimal health by creating harmony between the body, mind, and spirit, and maintain long-term success for healthy lifestyle changes.
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Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause a range of symptoms. The early symptoms of Lyme disease typically begin within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and may include: fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, etc.

Lucy LiuJuly 7, 2025August 11, 2025