Thyroid Disease and sleep
Low thyroid or Hypothyroidism is usually secondary to other metabolic problems and frequently it 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 will mis-communicate with the thyroid. Sometimes a low thyroid burns out the adrenals and sometimes 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 important body systems results in abnormal circadian rhythms at night. When the body’s natural rhythms are out of sync, insomnia is a common result.
Which comes first the chicken or the egg? Insomnia is ALWAYS a problem that begins in the Neuro-Immune- Endocrine system. Sometimes it is something simple such as a stressful event such as a death of a loved one or a divorce that raises the output of the Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA)axis, and the resultant signals to the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol. In this case when the event is over and the person has grieved properly, the body returns to normal with normal sleep. However when this stress goes on and on, eventually the body loses homeostasis and the system fails. The result can be disastrous to sleep, energy, and joy de vive.
Cortisol is the steroid hormone that mobilizes you and allows you to “run from the tiger” so to speak. However, our bodies are not designed to run from tigers every day. In America,the stress levels are so high that this is exactly what happens though. Over time, with high levels of cortisol (can’t fall asleep), the adrenals burn out and produce low cortisol (can’t stay asleep) and eventually in the state of adrenal exhaustion, one may not be able to fall or stay asleep.
If you have wondered if chiropractic neurology and functional medicine can help you, see a chiropractor. Better yet, see a chiropractic neurologist such as myself, Dr. Scott Brown.
How are we different? We specialize in neurological, immunological, and endocrine rehabilitation without the use of drugs or surgery. Conditions treated include: Sleep Disorders, Cognitive Disorders, Mood Disorders, Balance Disorders (Vertigo, Dizziness, etc.), Headaches, Migraines, Peripheral Neuropathy, Movement Disorders (Tics, Tremors, Tourette’s, etc.), Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ADHD, ADD, OCD, CDD, PDD, Asperger’s, etc), Fibromyalgia, Autoimmune Disorders, Thyroid Disorders, Hormone Disorders, Adrenal Disorders, and Blood Sugar Disorders (Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Hypoglycemia).
Call us today at (303) 986-7600 for a free consultation. We proudly serve Denver, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Golden, Morrison, and Evergreen.