Have you ever wondered what came first – MTHFR, oestrogen dominance, toxins and thyroid disorders? These issues are closely linked in a vicious cycle that can make you incredibly unwell.
Let’s take a closer look at these factors and how they interplay, as well as how you can start to rebalance your system.
How are MTHFR, toxins, oestrogen and thyroid function linked?
There are many ways that these factors link together, so let’s look at some common ones.
When we are exposed to toxins, it creates a greater load on your detoxification pathways. If you have underlying MTHFR, this can cause symptoms to arise. It can also slow the detox of excess oestrogen.
Some toxins such as pesticides and herbicides can also directly affect hormone balance. For example, they can increase the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen and also inhibit progesterone.
Then we look to the impact on the thyroid. First, we know that endocrine disruptors can sit on the thyroid receptors, reducing function. We also know that 80% of thyroid cases occur in women, which shows a hormonal aspect.
In many cases, high oestrogen inhibits the thyroid, and low progesterone can have a similar effect. So toxins, MTHFR and oestrogen all feed into thyroid conditions.
From there, the low metabolic rate will slow the elimination of toxins. This exacerbates MTHFR issues and causes a build-up of oestrogen. As you can see, it forms a vicious cycle between them all.
What can exacerbate these health concerns?
There are many factors that play a role in these conditions:
Severe and/or chronic stress. This adds to MTHFR through higher levels of stress hormones that need to be detoxified. It also increase your insulin level, which feeds into oestrogen dominance.
Oxalates. For people who over-methylate, you tend to have low calcium in the cells. So when you add too many oxalates, it interferes with your methylation and thyroid function.
Dietary factors. Gluten is a common issue for those with thyroid issues. Others can be sensitive to dairy, sugar, legumes and additives. This is different for everyone, so you need to judge what doesn’t work for your body specifically.
Low antioxidants. Low zinc/high copper can interfere with methylation. Selenium helps to rid the body of heavy metals, so deficiency can cause issues. You may also see low silica levels caused by high aluminium levels.
Halogens. This includes bromide, fluoride and chlorine. These chemicals inhibit your thyroid function by preventing the thyroid from uptaking iodine. Most exposure is through unfiltered, treated water. However, you can also find bromide in some processed foods such as bread.
So what comes first?
In my clinical experience, exposure to toxins is the starting point. We are exposed to toxins and endocrine disruptors early – as teens, children, infants or even in the womb. This can throw off your hormone balance and lead to oestrogen dominance at a young age.
Over time, MTHFR will surface. This will compound the effects and impact on thyroid function.
Why is this important to know? Because we want to work on the underlying causes, not just the symptoms. If you have endometriosis, thyroid nodules, breast lumps or any other scary symptoms, we want to look at reducing your toxin load.
Steps to reduce your toxic load and the effects of MTHFR
If you are dealing with a cycle between these factors, what can you do to break it? The best bet is always to work with a qualified health practitioner who can tailor your treatment.
However, there are some simple steps that might help you get started:
- Take activated B vitamins. Some people do well with methyl options, and others with a hydroxy form. However, don’t just get a generic multivitamin from a supermarket of pharmacy! These cheaper forms can make your symptoms worse.
- Add glutathione or NAC. These support your mitochondria and keep them healthy.
- Treat low progesterone levels. This will help to rebalance your hormone balance.
- Support the gall bladder to optimise your detox and elimination. Ox bile and ACV are two options to consider adding. This is particularly important if your gall bladder has been removed.
- Take lactobacilli. If you have had your appendix removed, this takes away your good bacteria reserve. To support your gut and overall wellbeing, you want to replenish your good microbes.
- Detoxify endocrine disruptors. You can learn more about how to do so in this blog.
- Consider chlorella. It helps to detoxify heavy metals from the body.
- Reducing your personal dietary triggers. This could include oxalates for over-methylators and gluten for those with thyroid concerns.
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