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Did you know that the amount of estrogen in your body can affect the function of your thyroid?  It is surprising to think about, but it totally made sense to me after my experience with Hashimoto’s disease.  Shifting hormones can really impact your health.

Estrogen dominance is a common problem for women today.   High levels of estrogen in relation to low levels of progesterone cause an unbalanced ratio leading to estrogen dominance.  Estrogen dominance and thyroid health go hand in hand.

Historically, women are more likely to be affected by thyroid disease than men.  And thyroid disease is more often discovered between the stages of puberty and menopause.  

I developed Hashimoto’s after my first pregnancy– a time when our hormones are rapidly changing.  These critical shifts in our hormones seem to set the stage for our body to shift into a potential health crisis.

What is it with unbalanced hormones?  We know hormones have a powerful effect on how our bodies function. And yet, it’s hard to understand how hormone fluctuations can be a tipping point for disease.

ESTROGEN AND THYROID FUNCTION

Our estrogen levels play an essential role in the growth and development of the female body as well as in the regulation of our menstrual cycles and reproductive system.

Estrogen is a hormone that can cause growth in thyroid cells.  This helps to explain the strong correlation in women developing thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules.  The way estrogen promotes this growth is mediated by our estrogen receptors.

Estrogen affects thyroid regulation by increasing the need for thyroid hormone in women with hypothyroidism.  Excess estrogen seems to lower the ability of the thyroid to create the needed amount of thyroid hormones.

It is easy to become estrogen dominant in our world.  We are surrounded with xenoestrogens found in plastic, birth controls containing synthetic estrogens, and phytoestrogens from foods containing flax or soy.  

Not only this, but there are also environmental toxins, from things like pesticides or even cosmetics, that mimic the effect of estrogen in our bodies.

REGULATING YOUR ESTROGEN

In order to allow your body to regulate your balance of estrogen and progesterone it is essential to avoid the estrogens surrounding us.

You can do this by avoiding endocrine disruptors found in plastics such as BPA (xenoestrogen bisphenol A).  Also, avoid synthetic hormones found in birth control.

Remove items containing soy or flax from your diet and eat organic foods to minimize the threat of toxins from the environment.  

Many cosmetics contain estrogen contaminants that are absorbed through the skin.  Check your cosmetics, lotions, shampoos and detergents for endocrine disruptors.  EWG has a database you can access to evaluate the score of your favorite products.

Exercise can also help to detoxify the body of excess estrogen.

While healing my Hashimoto’s I discovered I was estrogen dominant.  However, as my body healed so did my balance of hormones.  I was amazed to see my heavy cycle slowly lighten up (by a lot!).

My functional medicine doctor used a DUTCH urine test to determine the balance of my sex hormones as well as assess my adrenal function.  I did not have adrenal fatigue, but we found that I was estrogen dominant.

While fighting estrogen dominance, I used DIM Detox to help my body push the excess estrogen down the correct path in the body.  It is the natural detoxification pattern for estrogen.  However, my body was overwhelmed and burdened by the excess estrogen.

I also used this magnesium spray to ease my PMS symptoms.  It made a HUGE difference.  I like to spray it on my lower back before bedtime since magnesium is calming.  Some people prefer to spray it on the tops of their feet. 

Your skin absorbs magnesium much easier than your digestive tract so this is the preferred method.  However, I should mention it can be itchy and some people may be sensitive to it.  If that happens, try spraying on a different location on your body. 

I found I would get a small rash on my stomach, but I had no issues spraying it on my lower back.  Your skin sensitivity may vary so consult your doctor.  Epsom salt baths are great for magnesium too!

I had no idea that I was estrogen dominant before I became educated about my hormones.  It was easy to think it was the new normal before becoming informed. Looking back there were many signs that my body was way out of whack besides my development of Hashimoto’s.  

Tell me about your experience.  Have you ever experienced estrogen dominance?  Did you notice an effect on your thyroid function?