Liver + Thyroid Connection

You may not know this, but your liver is one of the unsung heroes of your thyroid hormone status! It’s true, the liver plays a big role in the body, but when it comes to your thyroid hormone health, the liver in an integral player.

The liver is a dynamic and critical organ that has over 500 different functions inside the human body.

Some primary functions of the liver:

  • conversion of T4 into T3
  • detoxification of toxins, byproducts of metabolism (like ammonia, for example) and hormones
  • creation of glucose (gluconeogenesis AKA making glucose from the hepatocytes, or the liver cells, during more prolonged periods of fasting)
  • release of glucose from glycogen stores (a storage form of glucose) in the liver (a process called glycogenolysis)
  • creation of bile (which is stored in the gallbladder and then secreted for digestion)
  • produces proteins for carrying nutrients and hormones through the body as well as proteins that support the immune system
  • storage of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals)
  • production of cholesterol
  • … and much more!

The Liver is HUNGRY!

With all of the functions the liver is responsible for doing, it is safe to say that this organ requires a lot of fuel! Not only does the liver need ample amount of calories, it requires a good balance of those calorie from each macronutrient group (proteins, fats, carbs) as well as a robust supply of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids). Nutrient-dense macro-nutrients provide an ample amount of micro-nutrients, which is why paying attention WHAT you’re eating as well as HOW MUCH your eating is a more success approach than calorie and macro counting alone! After all, 100 calories of broccoli and 100 calories of sugar and 100 calories of chicken behave very differently in the body!

Detoxification:

One of the most notable functions of the liver is detoxification. Detoxification is a process in which toxins, which are predominantly fat-soluble, are transformed into more water-soluble molecules to allow for ease of excretion via bowels, sweat, urine, and breath. Detoxification occurs in 2 phases in the liver.

  • Phase 1 (AKA Biotransformation) is highly dependent on vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Phase 1 includes the processes: oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, hydration, and dehalgenation.
  • Phase 2 (AKA Conjugation) is predominantly fueled by amino acids that are supplied through protein rich foods. Phase 2 processes are methylation, sulfation, acetylation, glucuronidation, and glutathione conjugation.

Thyroid Conversion:

With the high energy and nutrient demand, suboptimal status due to poor supply or increased needs can lead to a slow-down of sort in many of the liver’s functions. Think of it sort of like a battery running low or a light-bulb flickering. With inconsistent or unavailable resources, certain functions must take priority because they’re vital while others can begin to down-regulate in an effort to be as conservative as possible with the resources available.

Sluggish Liver & Sluggish Thyroid… what came first?

Much of the thyroid hormone conversion from less active T4 to more active T3 occurs inside the liver. The conversion of T4 to T3 requires adequate energy, carbohydrates, selenium and zinc. When the liver experiences a degree of sluggishness, whether related to toxic burden, inadequate supply of energy resources, or other impairing factors like fat infiltration (fatty liver), this can slow the process of conversion. Slowed conversion can lead to lower than ideal levels of T3 and then to hypothyroid symptoms.

The opposite is true wherein lower than ideal levels of thyroid hormones negatively influence the liver. Thyroid hormones set the pace of many metabolic functions including digestion. The liver is an extension of the digestive tract and hypothyroidism can slow the pace of the hepatocytes (liver cells), impair bile production, and decrease fat clearance from the liver (which can be a cause of fatty liver).

What are some factors that can lead to a sluggish liver?

  • undernourishment (AKA not getting enough fuel)
  • high amounts of stress (stress can be both physical and emotional. Physically, things like high toxic burden or high exertion with little fuel can be stressful. The liver detoxifies as well as produces glucose in times of need, so think about how under-eating, over-exercising, and being in an environment with a lot of pollution can stress the liver)
  • nutrient deficiency (the liver has a lot of jobs to do, so if the pool of resources is low, it has to conserve somewhere!)
  • lots of demands (frequent alcohol, a lot of pollutants, toxic fragrances, etc.)
  • hypothyroidism
  • bogged down by liver-cloggers (like excess fat being stored there)
  • high amounts of refined carbohydrates (the liver packages excess sugar into triglycerides in the liver)
  • … and more

Want to know the coolest thing about the liver?

  • It is the ONLY organ in the body that can regenerate. Yep, it’s SUPER resilient. BUT it needs adequate building blocks to get back to its full working glory.

A juice cleanse just isn’t going to cut it, unfortunately!

How to identify what is having the biggest influence?

There is a big crossover in the set of symptoms both sluggish liver and thyroid will present. It can be a bit of a challenge to know, but working with a practitioner skilled in assessing symptoms as well as labs alongside your unique story can help to identify where to place most of your targeted efforts. While many of the same nutritional approaches can have positive outcomes for different areas of the body, knowing which may need a little extra support can help up the ante a bit for either focusing more on the liver or the thyroid.

This is not a complete DIY guide nor is this an exhaustive list, but rather a list of things to consider when assessing which may need more attention– the liver of the thyroid.

Some of my favorite liver supportive foods include:

  • broccoli sprouts
  • cruciferous veggies
  • arugula
  • dandelion
  • animal proteins
  • seafood
  • eggs
  • bone broth
  • collagen peptides
  • organ meats
  • dark chocolate (my fave LOL)
  • organic coffee
  • green tea
  • beets
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • garlic
  • oregano
  • getting enough fluids

Practices that help to improve a sluggish liver:

  • daily movement
  • castor oil packs
  • epsom salt baths
  • lymphatic drainage massage
  • sweating/sauna

Nicole

Hey There, I'm Nicole!

Nicole Fennell is a functional nutrition dietitian and fellow Hashimoto's patient with first-hand experience navigating the ups and downs of living with thyroid and immune system dysfunctionn. Her unique approach to nutritional management of chronic disease and nagging symptoms includes focusing on nourishing and building the body up versus tearing it down with low-calorie diets and high amounts of exercise.

Nicole has a real food approach and believes healthy eating, physical activity, and peace of mind are key to disease prevention and management. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys being active with her husband and three kids, lifting weights, practicing yoga, walking cooking, eating, and being outdoors.
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