Hypothalamus not working properly may be a reason for thyroid as well as many other health problems.

After visiting a chiropractor and an applied kinesiologist doctor, I found out that thyroid issues as well as other aliments can be caused by hypothalamus not working the way it should. Doing a little research this is what I found out:

Hypothalamus

    • portion of the brain that is responsible for maintaining the body’s internal balance (homeostasis)
    • it connects the nervous system to the endocrine system through the pituitary gland
    • it is located above the pituitary gland and below thalamus
    • both the pituitary gland and hypothalamus control thyroid

“The hypothalamus is a bit like a command center. This area of the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the autonomic nervous system, which controls such involuntary body functions as breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, and the dilation or constriction of key blood vessels and small airways in the lungs…”

         — Harvard Health Publishing “Understanding the Stress Response“

“When thyroid hormone levels drop too low, the hypothalamus secretes TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH), which alerts the pituitary to produce thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid responds to this chain of events by producing more hormones.”

         — Robert M. Sargis MD, PhD “Thyroid Gland Overview”

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in many important functions, including:
    • regulating body temperature
    • regulating emotional responses
    • managing stress response (4)(5)
    • controlling hormone release
    • maintaining daily physiological cycles
    • controlling appetite and weight
    • balancing body fluids
    • managing of sexual behavior
    • impacting blood pressure and heart rate
    • influencing sleep cycles

Your hypothalamus is where your inner dinosaur lives; this ancient structure that pre-dates humans sits in the middle of your head and is responsible for your body’s rhythmic activities and a vast array of physiological functions, from hunger to sex.”

         — David Perlmutter, MD “Grain Brain” (2013, p. 213)

Focusing on reducing inflammation and oxidative stress is very important.

    • eat a well balanced diet (3)(7)
      • include healthy fats such as fish, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, grass-fed meat, free-range poultry, nuts
      • consume food high in antioxidants (fruit, vegetables, legumes, dark chocolate)
      • drink high quality green tea
      • eat sea vegetables (kelp, seaweed) 
    • reduce stress and get a good night sleep (melatonin)
    • supplement

      • Hypothalamus PMG® from Standard Process (recommended by my doctor)

      • Chromium Picolinate
      • Bioplasma cell salts
    • avoid fluoride
    • exercise

Reflexology and acupressure can be very helpful in healing hypothalamus:

Hypothalamus points in the foot can be found on the squishy bottom of your big toes. You can use “the thumb-walking technique” by yourself to work on the points. Thumb-walk down and then back up the toe few times. Then thumb-walk up and down the side of the big toe. Make multiple passes. Later work on the other toe.

 

More on how to work on your hypothalamus here or a video on a different approach here.

“Complete Reflexology for Life” by Barbara & Kevin Kunz is a great book on reflexology.

Sources:

  1. Thyroid Gland Overview. By Robert M. Sargis Md. Phd. https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-thyroid

  2. An Overview of the Hypothalamus. The Endocrine System’s Link to the Nervous System. By Robert M. Sargis Md. Phd. https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-hypothalamus

  3. 3 Tiny (But Mighty) Brain Glands That Control Your Hormones. By Christa Orecchio. https://thewholejourney.com/3-major-brain-glands/

  4. Understanding the Stress Response. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response

  5. Stress Effects on the Body. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress/effects-endocrine
  6. David Perlmutter, MD “Grain Brain” (2013)
  7. Upstream Healing Tips for a Healthy Hypothalamus. (2017) Deanna Minich, Ph.D. https://www.deannaminich.com/upstream-healing-tips-for-a-healthy-hypothalamus/

  8. Using Acupressure to Release the Power of the Hypothalamus Point. By Cliff Dunston. http://meridianhealingmethods.com/hypothalamus-point-and-acupressure/