Thyroid Malfunction And Sleep Problems

Low thyroid or Hypothyroidism is mostly secondary to other metabolic issues and frequently the overarching problem is adrenal malfunction. Chronic adrenal stress affects the relay system between the brain and the thyroid hormones. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands direct thyroid activities. With chronic stress they may mis-communication with the thyroid.

Occasionally a low thyroid burns out the adrenals and often low adrenals burn out the thyroid. In any event, the cascade of metabolic imbalances associated with an under-performing thyroid gland include blood sugar imbalances and poor gut health. The shut down in these vital body systems results in unnatural circadian rhythms at night. When the body’s natural rhythms are out of sync, insomnia is a standard result.

Which comes first the chicken or the egg? Insomnia is almost always a problem that begins in the Neuro-Immune- Endocrine system. Often it is something simple such as a disturbing event—perhaps the a death of a family member or a divorce—that raises the output of the Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) axis and the resultant signals to the adrenal glands. This leads on to the production of more cortisol.

In cases like these, when the event is over and the person has mourned correctly, the body returns to normal with ordinary sleep. However when this stress goes on, ultimately the body loses homeostasis and the system fails. The result can be disastrous to sleep, energy, and joie de vive.

Cortisol is the steroid hormone that mobilizes us and permits us to “run from the tiger” so to speak. But our bodies aren't designed to run from tigers each day. In America, levels of stress are so high that this is precisely what occurs though. Over time , with elevated levels of cortisol (can’t go to sleep), the adrenals burn out and lead to low cortisol (can’t stay asleep) and eventually in, the state of adrenal exhaustion, one won't be able to fall or stay asleep.

1. Scott Brown, Denver Chiropractic Neurologist, stays at the leading edge of current clinical science with intense continuing education studies on thyroid problems , diabetes, headaches, and balance problems.