Thyroid and Vitamin C Best answer on the web
Thank you! I found what you said very helpful. I was diagnosed with Graves and after a year on Tapozole pronouced "cured." However, I cannot get my body temperature regulated. If it is over 65 degrees I am sweating profusely. It is amazing how much the disease affects ones body and quality of life. I have many other symptoms, but don't seem to find any support groups, etc. for Graves. In less than 3 months I lost and put on 60 pounds. It just never seems to end.
http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/thyroid.htm
Some useful information about Hypothyrodism that links to Vitamin C is available in the following link: http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/thyroid_over.htm vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a key role in boosting immune system?and thyroid gland?function. It's important in the treatment of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Leading Food Sources of vitamin C: Cabbage, red, Potatoes, Strawberries, Tangerines & other mandarins, Peppers, bell, red, Oranges, Kiwi fruit
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First off, I'll take any ascorbic acid/adrenal links you can send me. Secondly, though, you say my question is pointless. Aside from the fact it surprised me a researcher would opine in this way, you've got me curious: why do you say this?...
When we read about Vitamin C deficiency, the word "thryoid? is almost never seen. Likewise, when we read about the thyroid gland, Vitamin C is almost never mentioned. There is a connection, albeit not a prevalent one. Very few people in developed countries suffer from Vitamin C deficiency, particularly since Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a common food preservative, making ?C? deficiency quite rare.
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate protein, carbohydrate, fat, and vitamin metabolism, along with generation of body heat. Thyroid hormones also regulate the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Hormone levels secreted by the thyroid are controlled by the pituitary gland's thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH), which in turn is controlled by the hypothalamus.
The primary hormones produced by the thyroid gland are T3 and T4. T3 needs 3 atoms of iodine, and T4 needs 4 atoms of iodine to be effective. Why are we talking about iodine? In order for iodine to be utilized properly, it requires the presence of tyrosine, an amino acid and precursor of thyroid hormones, as well as being necessary for adrenaline and noradrenaline production. Vitamin C is necessary for tyrosine metabolism, and it is quite a delicate balance! http://www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/start/factsheets.asp?article_ID=410
?Stress is known to affect thyroid function. The amino acid tyrosine is necessary for the production of steroid hormones adrenaline and noradrenalin. When the body is under stress more of these hormones are required and tyrosine reserves are depleted, leaving the thyroid hormone pathway under functioning. Stress depletes many of the essential nutrients required for thyroid function ? the B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and selenium especially. Individuals who are stressed may therefore require additional adrenal support in order to improve their thyroid function. There are many nutrients and herbs, which can help support the adrenal glands.? http://www.ventris.org.uk/article_underacvtive_thyroid.htm
?The thyroid hormones travel through the bloodstream to every cell in the body, where they keep everything working optimally, like oil in an engine. Without enough thyroid hormone in its active state (T3), the metabolism slows down, resulting in lowered pulse rate, coldness, weight gain, and fatigue. Other body functions slow down as well?the mind can't function normally, skin becomes dry and flaky, hair falls out, muscles become cramped, and so on.? http://www.bites-medical.org/hypo/function.html
?Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps in the absorption of iron, aids in the maintenance of normal connective tissue, and promotes wound healing. It also helps the body's immune system.? http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/002404.cfm
Vitamin C does play a role in thyroid hormone production, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center: ·Avoid foods that suppress thyroid function, including broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, turnips, soybeans, peanuts, linseed, pine nuts, millet, cassava, and mustard greens. ·Avoid refined foods, dairy products, wheat, caffeine, and alcohol.
·Essential fatty acids (1,000 to 1,500 mg three times per day) are necessary for hormone production. ·Vitamin C (1,000 mg three to four times per day), vitamin A (10,000 to 25,000 IU per day), B complex , selenium (200 mcg per day), iodine (300 mcg per day), vitamin E (400 IU per day), and zinc (30 mg per day) are necessary for thyroid hormone production. ·L-tyrosine (500 mg two or three times a day) also supports normal thyroid function. May make high blood pressure worse. ·Calcium (1,000 mg per day) and magnesium (200 to 600 mg per day) help many metabolic processes function normally. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsConditions/Hypothyroidismcc.html
However, once Vitamin C reaches a certain level, our kidneys excrete amounts over that threshold. This means don't overdo the "C"! ?Ascorbic acid in excess of bodily requirements is excreted, largely unchanged, in the urine. There is a renal threshold of about 14 mcg/mL, and increasing amounts of ingested ascorbic acid are excreted unchanged in the urine when the daily intake exceeds 200 mg. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/a/Ascorbicacidinj.htm
What's wrong with taking high doses of vitamin C?
?Some people believe that because vitamin C is water-soluble, it is safe to take in high doses. While it is best to not exceed the recommended upper intake level of 2,000 mg a day, the most serious possible consequence of an intake above this dosage is diarrhea. One myth about vitamin C is that it is an antioxidant, but that is not completely true. Vitamin C is a redox agent, meaning that it acts as an antioxidant in some cases, and an oxidant in others. Antioxidants are important because they inhibit chemical reactions with oxygen or highly reactive free radicals. These reactions (oxidation reactions), cause damage to cells. Vitamin C only acts as an antioxidant in some circumstances. Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy diet. It is not a miracle drug, and may cause harm if taken in extreme excess. A well-balanced, varied diet will ensure that you receive more than enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy and other potential health problems.? http://home.howstuffworks.com/vitamin-c3.htm
Diseases such as goiter and Graves? cause a thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism), which requires a larger than normal amount of Vitamin C to maintain production of T3 and T4. ?Most patients with Graves? disease have T3 thyrotoxicosis while they are hyperthyroid. That is, levels of T3 in their blood are proportionately higher to T4 than the ratio seen in normal people. This excess T3 contributes to many of our symptoms. Our cells also begin to depend on it more for proper function. Suddenly deprived of T3 when we become hypothyroid and begin T4 treatment, symptoms of T3 deficiency emerge. For many of us, those symptoms never abate until we?re treated with either a combination of synthetic T4 and T3 or glandular extract?
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/graves_disease/68414
?Thyrotoxicosis increases vitamin C requirements?
http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section1/chapter3/3q.jsp
?Many nutrients are important for maintaining the health of the thyroid gland. Vitamin C, vitamin E and the B complex vitamins may help in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism because they play key roles in improving the overall healthy function of the thyroid gland and the immune system. If you have a sluggish thyroid you may need to take prescribed supplements under a doctor's supervision.? Readers Digest, British Edition
http://www.readersdigest.co.uk/health/thyroiddisease.htm
?Vitamin C plays a key role in boosting immune system?and thyroid gland?function. It's important in the treatment of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.? http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hk/remedies/disp/1,1459,520,00.html
Additional Reading:
You can see an illustration here on the connection between the thyroid, hypothalamus and pituitary glands. http://www.thyroidmanager.org/Chapter4/4-frame.htm
Thyroid Hormones
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormone
The Thyroid Gland
http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/735/
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-104.shtml
http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/organ/thyroid.html
An interesting story on Hamburger Thyrotoxicosis
http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/thyroid/hamburgers.html
I hope this answers your question. If any part of my answer is unclear, or if I have duplicated information you already had, please request an Answer Clarification, before rating. This will allow me to assist you further, if possible.
Regards,
crabcakes
Search Terms
Role ascorbic acid thyroid function
Role ascorbic acid T3 T4
T3 T4 synthesis
Vitamin C production thyroid hormones
It just seems pointless.
I know of a link of ascorbic acid with adrenal, though.
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