The Tongue-Thyroid Connection
The tongue is directly connected to our DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, which makes it an excellent indicator of digestive and thyroid health.
Examining the tongue can reveal a great deal about your health, including the status of your thyroid. In fact, many DEFICIENCIES and IMBALANCES will show up in the tongue before they manifest in other parts of the body and sometimes even before symptoms are present.
What to Look For
Here are the main indicators of thyroid problems that can be identified by examining the tongue:
Color
A healthy tongue should be PINK IN COLOR.
If your tongue is a different color, such as RED or BEEFY, it may suggest a vitamin deficiency, especially the B VITAMNS and FOLIC ACID. B vitamins are especially important for proper thyroid utilization, and low levels of these micronutrients can suggest a problem with absorption.
Texture
A healthy tongue should be SMOOTHE and similar throughout. If your tongue is FISSURED, CRACKED, or has CREVICES, it generally indicates that there are underlying FOOD SENSITIVITIES. These sensitivities often develop after many years of damage to the gut, and when the gut is damaged, it becomes “LEAKY.” This “LEAKY GUT” sets you up for the development of food sensitivities.
Size
If your tongue looks like it is too big for your mouth, has indentations on the sides, or is SCALLOPED, it may suggest that your body is full of TOXNS. Toxins can hamper the thyroid in a couple of different ways. They can have a blocking effect on the cell receptors so the thyroid hormone has a tough time doing its job inside of the cells. Additionally, there is evidence that toxins can actually damage the thyroid gland, making it less effective and more prone to disease and underactivity.
Coating
If there is a COATING ON THE TONGUE, that suggests there is a YEAST OVERGROWTH. Yeast is an opportunistic infection, and when the healthy gut bacteria has been disrupted, then yeast can overtake residence in the digestive system. Yeast can disrupt the thyroid in a couple of different ways, but one of the most important ways that yeast affects thyroid hormone is that it decreases the CONVERSION of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (active thyroid hormone).
Optimizing Your Thyroid Functioning
If your tongue is unhealthy, then it is much more likely for your thyroid to be unhealthy. Therefore, it is important to optimize your thyroid functioning. Here are some steps you can take:
Hydrate
Drinking more water can enhance DETIFICATION, which is essential for thyroid health. Most people are looking for a special “Detox Diet or Pill,” but optimizing detoxification often starts with making sure that the body is optimally hydrated. HALF YOUR WEIGHT in ounces is usually a good goal.
Supplement
If your tongue is red or beefy, you may want to have your MICRONUTRIENT levels checked and supplemented. Additionally, if your tongue is fissured, cracked, or has crevices, you may want to have your THYROID ANTIBODY levels checked (Anti-Thyroglobulin and Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) because a cracked tongue has been a good indicator that your IMMMUNE SYSTEM is attacking your thyroid. This is an AUTOIMMUNE condition that is the leading cause of HYPOTHYROIDISM.
Elimination Diet
If your tongue looks like it has fissures, cracks, or crevices, you may want to try an ELIMINATION DIET to get off of the two biggest protein offenders: wheat (GLUTEN) and dairy (CASEIN). Most people will notice a significant improvement just by cutting out those two foods.
Heal Your Gut
If your tongue is unhealthy, there is a good chance that your gut health needs to be addressed. In FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE, we recommend fixing your absorption by healing your gut, which can be done by REMOVING FOOD SENSITIVITIES, taking PROBIOTICS and adding gut-healing nutrients like L-GLUTAMINE and ZINC.
Detoxification
Enhancing detoxification can also be beneficial for thyroid health. As mentioned, one of the easiest things that almost everyone can do to enhance detoxification is to drink more water. Additionally, SAUNAS, exercise, and supplements like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and MILK THISTLE can also be helpful.
Other Lifestyle Changes to Support your Thyroid
In addition to the steps outlined above, there are other lifestyle changes that can support thyroid health. Getting enough sleep, managing stress levels, and engaging in regular physical activity can all have a positive impact on thyroid function. Furthermore, it is important to be aware of any changes in thyroid function and to seek medical attention if necessary.
Symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and depression can all be indicative of thyroid dysfunction and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
By taking a holistic approach to thyroid health, including examining the tongue and addressing underlying issues, individuals can support their thyroid function and improve their overall health and well-being. With the right tools and guidance, achieving optimal thyroid health is possible.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the tongue can provide valuable clues about thyroid health.
Examining your tongue can be a useful tool in detecting underlying thyroid issues. By looking for specific signs and symptoms, you can gain insight into your thyroid health and take steps to optimize it. By following the steps outlined above, you can help support your thyroid function and improve your overall health and well-being
While it is important to have regular check-ups with a healthcare professional, examining the tongue can offer a glimpse into what may be going on with the body before symptoms appear.
By addressing underlying issues such as nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, gut health, and detoxification, you can help support your thyroid function and improve your overall health and well-being. Taking steps such as supplementing with important micronutrients, trying an elimination diet, healing the gut, and enhancing detoxification can all be beneficial for optimizing thyroid function.
Remember to always consult with a FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or supplement regimen.
Dr. Bob was born and raised in Florham Park, New Jersey.
He loved the philosophy of vitalism, which teaches about the incredible, innate intelligence of our bodies and its power to self-heal when given the opportunity.
0 Comments