Thyroid Health, Metabolism & The Role of Stress  Registered Nutritonist, Counselling. Psychotherapy, Medical Hypnotherapy Limerick Cork and ONLINE 

The Thyroid Gland and Your Metabolism and Energy

Your thyroid gland plays a central role in managing your metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, and overall sense of wellbeing. It does this through the production of two key hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)—which influence how efficiently your body converts food into energy. When thyroid hormone levels are unbalanced, it can lead to a range of physical and emotional symptoms.

Do These Symptoms Sound Familiar?

  • Persistent fatigue or low energy

  • Feeling unusually cold

  • Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain

  • Puffy face or water retention

  • Thinning hair or brittle nails

  • Poor skin tone

  • Low mood, anxiety, or irritability

Even if your thyroid blood tests (TSH, T4) return as ‘normal’, these symptoms may indicate your thyroid isn’t functioning optimally. You may benefit from nutritional, emotional, and lifestyle support to rebalance and nourish your thyroid gland.

How Does Thyroid Function Work?

The thyroid gland produces T4, which is largely inactive until it is converted into the more active hormone T3, primarily in the liver and kidneys. These hormones determine your metabolic rate, affecting everything from energy to digestion to temperature control.

This process is regulated by a negative feedback loop:

  • Low T3/T4 levels signal the hypothalamus to release TRH (Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone).

  • TRH prompts the pituitary gland to produce TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).

  • TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce more T4 and T3.

High TSH levels are often a sign your body is compensating for under-functioning thyroid activity.

What Affects the Thyroid?

The thyroid is highly responsive to several internal and external factors, including:

  • Nutrient deficiencies (iodine, selenium, zinc, B vitamins)

  • Environmental toxins (heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine)

  • Poor blood sugar regulation

  • Chronic stress, Trauma, PTSD  and elevated cortisol

  • Inflammation and autoimmune triggers (e.g. gluten sensitivity)

Thyroid hormones influence nearly every cell in the body, so any dysfunction can have far-reaching effects—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

How Stress Impacts Thyroid Health

One of the most overlooked but powerful disruptors of thyroid function is chronic stress. When under prolonged stress, the body produces high levels of cortisol, which can suppress TSH production, block T4 to T3 conversion, and increase inflammation—all of which strain thyroid function.

This is where emotional support and therapeutic intervention become essential.

Emotional Wellbeing & Thyroid Support: The Role of Therapy

As a qualified and Registered Nutritionist and practitioner also offering counselling, psychotherapy, and clinical medical hypnotherapy, I support clients in reducing the emotional burden that often accompanies thyroid imbalance:

  • Counselling can provide a safe space to explore anxiety, low self-esteem, or burnout related to chronic fatigue or body image changes.

  • Psychotherapy offers deeper insight into long-standing stress patterns, trauma, or lifestyle blocks that may affect thyroid health.

  • Clinical medical hypnotherapy can support the nervous system, improve sleep, and help rewire habitual stress responses—all of which benefit hormonal and metabolic balance.

Many clients find that when they begin addressing emotional stress, physical symptoms also start to improve.

Diet & Lifestyle: What You Can Do to Support Your Thyroid

Key Lifestyle Recommendations

  • Get a comprehensive thyroid check. If tests are borderline or symptoms remain, consult a holistic or functional practitioner for further testing.

  • Manage stress proactively. Regular mindfulness, meditation, good sleep hygiene, and emotional support (through therapy or hypnotherapy) can lower cortisol and support thyroid balance.

  • Avoid environmental toxins. Minimise fluoride (tap water) and chlorine exposure (swimming pools), as these halides can displace iodine and inhibit thyroid function.

  • Exercise regularly—but gently. Low to moderate activity supports hormonal sensitivity and blood sugar regulation, but avoid overtraining which can further stress the thyroid.

Smart Nutritional Support

  • Stabilise blood sugar with a diet rich in lean protein, healthy fats, and fibre. Avoid high sugar and high-carb diets that can worsen inflammation and fatigue.

  • Increase iodine, selenium, and zinc through food:

    • Seafood, seaweed, and Brazil nuts are excellent natural sources.

    • These nutrients are essential for thyroxine production and the conversion of T4 to T3.

  • Be cautious with goitrogens, especially if consumed raw. These include soya, pine nuts, and brassica vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cabbage.

  • Support your gut health. A healthy microbiome contributes to better thyroid function and nutrient absorption.

  • Consider a gluten-free diet, especially if you have autoimmune tendencies, as gluten may trigger cross-reactivity with thyroid tissue.

  • Limit alcohol, which disrupts gut flora, liver detox pathways, and thyroid hormone regulation.

Understanding Thyroid Dysfunction: Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism & Autoimmunity

Thyroid dysfunction is more common than many realise and can have a significant impact on energy levels, mood, metabolism, and overall wellbeing. Two of the most frequently diagnosed thyroid issues are hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), both of which can stem from underlying autoimmune conditions.

In the case of hypothyroidism, the thyroid fails to produce sufficient hormone. This condition affects an estimated 12% of adults in the U.S., with rates increasing with age. One of the leading causes is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, impairing its ability to produce hormones. This condition is particularly common in women and is estimated to affect 7.5% to 11.4% of the global population, depending on region and economic factors.

Conversely, hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid becomes overactive, producing too much hormone. While less common, it still affects approximately 0.2% to 2.5% of people worldwide, with a higher prevalence in women. The most common cause is Graves’ disease, another autoimmune disorder in which the immune system produces antibodies that overstimulate the thyroid gland, leading to excess hormone production.

These autoimmune-driven conditions highlight the delicate balance of the immune system and endocrine system, and why a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach—including nutrition, stress reduction, and emotional support—can be so beneficial for restoring balance and promoting long-term health.

In Summary: A Whole-Body, Whole-Life Approach

Supporting your thyroid is about more than just nutrients. It’s about creating an internal and external environment where your body can heal, balance, and thrive. Addressing chronic stress, emotional burdens, nutrient levels, and environmental factors all play a role.

If you’re ready to go beyond surface-level symptom management and take a holistic approach to your thyroid, emotional wellbeing, and energy, I invite you to explore how my integrated therapy services can support you.

Contact me today to book an appointment or discuss how I can help

Or Phone / Text Claire Russell Therapy directly on 087 616 6638