Your Thyroid Is More Than Just a Gland — It’s the Master Regulator of Your Body

The thyroid is one of the most underrated glands in the body. It controls your metabolism, digestion, body temperature, and even influences your cardiovascular system. I often talk about how emotions are stored in the body, and when it comes to the thyroid, this connection is especially fascinating. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, the thyroid processes the emotion of self-criticism — while the emotion that supports and nourishes it is self-expression.

The thing is, many people are unfortunately undiagnosed. They feel constantly cold, fatigued, struggle with hair loss, anxiety, or an inability to lose weight — yet they often don’t realize that these are all signs of an underactive thyroid. In other words, their thyroid isn’t producing enough thyroid hormones to keep the body running optimally.

It all starts in the brain.

Your thyroid health actually starts in the hypothalamus, which is the body’s control center. It constantly monitors hormone levels and tells the pituitary gland what to do. When the hypothalamus senses that thyroid hormone levels are low, it releases a hormone called TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone).

This signal travels to the pituitary gland, which then releases TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) — the main signal that tells your thyroid gland to start producing thyroid hormones.

For your thyroid to be able to produce T3, it needs enough iodine and tyrosine.

Your liver health matters for a healthy thyroid

Most T4 must be converted into T3 in the liver, gut, and kidneys before your body can use it.
That’s why liver health, gut balance, and nutrient status (like selenium and zinc) are so important for thyroid function.

When there’s enough thyroid hormone in the blood, the hypothalamus and pituitary sense it and slow down TRH and TSH production — keeping everything in balance.

Some of my tips for supporting your liver include eating plenty of bitter foods such as green leafy vegetables, radishes, ginger, taking lactoferrin and turmeric capsules, and incorporating milk thistle and fennel.

Common Signs and Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid

• Sluggish digestion and constipation 
• Hair loss
• Feeling cold all the time
• Inability to lose weight
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Depression and mood changes
• Low body temperature

What Your Body Temperature Says About Your Thyroid

Low body temperature — especially when it’s consistently below 36.6°C — suggests a sluggish metabolism, often due to low thyroid function. The thyroid gland controls the rate of energy production in every cell, so when thyroid activity is low, cells produce less heat and energy

If you are low on T3, your cells cannot use oxygen properly, and less heat is generated.

Dr. Ray Peat suggested monitoring body temperature and pulse:

• Upon waking (before getting out of bed)

• Midday (after meals)

Ideal ranges:

• Morning temperature: around 97.8°F (36.5°C)

• Afternoon temperature: around 98.6°F (37°C)

• Pulse rate: 75–90 bpm (indicating a good metabolic rate)

If temperature or pulse remain low, he believed it’s a sign that thyroid support or improved metabolic nutrition is needed.

What’s Stressing Your Thyroid?

The thyroid is very sensitive, and certain foods, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors can slow it down or impair its function. Here’s what often hurts the thyroid:

Chronic Stress and High Cortisol

Polyunsaturated Fats (PUFAs)

Found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. PUFA consumption can impair thyroid hormone production and metabolism.

Excess Estrogen

Hormonal imbalances, birth control pills, and environmental estrogen (from plastics, cosmetics) can interfere with thyroid function.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of selenium, iodine, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin A can affect thyroid hormone production.

Goitrogenic Foods (in excess)

Raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and kale can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis if eaten in large amounts, especially if iodine intake is low.

 Inflammation

Chronic inflammation from processed foods, sugar, and infections can impair thyroid function.

 Environmental Toxins

Fluoride, bromide, and heavy metals can compete with iodine and reduce thyroid activity.

How to support your thyroid

It All Starts with Your Diet.

           Focus on Pro-Metabolic Foods

• Fruits & Fruit Juices – oranges, berries, pineapple, and grapes provide quick energy and natural sugars that support thyroid function.
• Dairy –  raw milk, cheese, and yogurt supply calcium, high-quality protein, and saturated fats that boost metabolism.
• Gelatin & Bone Broth – rich in glycine, which helps reduce stress hormones and supports digestion.
• Eggs & Shellfish – excellent sources of selenium, iodine, and other nutrients essential for thyroid health.
• Healthy Saturated Fats – butter, coconut oil, and cream help fuel metabolism and promote hormone balance.

Meal Tips

• Eat frequent, balanced meals with a mix of protein, fat, and easy-to-digest carbs (like fruit).
• Include at least one pro-metabolic food at each meal to keep energy steady.
• Avoid skipping meals or fasting, as this can stress the thyroid

Red Light Therapy: A Promising Approach for Hypothyroidism

I highly recommend red light therapy, particularly for individuals with hypothyroidism. In my practice, I have seen firsthand how effective it can be in supporting healthy thyroid function. Both research and my clinical experience suggest that some people are able to reduce their reliance on thyroid medication—or in certain cases, even discontinue it entirely.

A 2023 clinical study found that photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, combined with vitamin D and selenium, significantly improved outcomes for patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to supplements alone.

Participants receiving PBM experienced reductions in body weight, BMI, waist and hip measurements, and waist/hip ratio, alongside improved thyroid function—TSH levels dropped, autoantibody titers (anti‑TPO and anti‑TG) decreased, and the required levothyroxine dose was lower. 

Another trial also showed that PBM plus supplements reduced thyroid volume, reinforcing its potential to support thyroid health and metabolic balance.

Supplements for Thyroid Health

Several nutrients and supplements play important roles in supporting thyroid health. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting supplementation.

Iodine: Essential for thyroid hormone production. Both deficiency and excess can harm thyroid function, so proper intake is key (Dahiya et al., 2022; Delange, 1994).

Selenium: Supports thyroid hormone activation and may reduce autoantibodies. Some studies suggest it can help lower levothyroxine doses, but evidence is mixed (Chaberska et al., 2024; Zuuren et al., 2014).

Zinc: Important for hormone synthesis. Supplementation can improve thyroid hormone levels and may support mental health (Chaberska et al., 2024).

Magnesium & Vitamin A: May enhance thyroid function and reduce inflammation (Chaberska et al., 2024; Rayman, 2019).

Vitamin D: Could help lower TSH in some cases, though large trials show mixed results (Chaberska et al., 2024; Waterhouse et al., 2023).

L-Carnitine & Proteolytic Enzymes: May reduce fatigue and inflammation, supporting autoimmune thyroid health (Chaberska et al., 2024).

I hope you enjoyed this article and discovered some helpful new information about supporting your thyroid health!

SOURCES:

 Berisha-Muharremi V, Tahirbegolli B, Phypers R, Hanna R. Efficacy of Combined Photobiomodulation Therapy with Supplements versus Supplements alone in Restoring Thyroid Gland Homeostasis in Hashimoto Thyroiditis: A Clinical Feasibility Parallel Trial with 6-Months Follow-Up. J Pers Med. 2023 Aug 19;13(8):1274. doi: 10.3390/jpm13081274. PMID: 37623524; PMCID: PMC10455109.

Höfling DB, Chavantes MC, Buchpiguel CA, Cerri GG, Marui S, Carneiro PC, Chammas MC. Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Long-Term Follow-Up Study. Int J Endocrinol. 2018 Nov 4;2018:8387530. doi: 10.1155/2018/8387530. PMID: 30532779; PMCID: PMC6247385.