Thyroid imbalances affect millions of people. Some people have too little thyroid hormone, while others have too much. While thyroid issues have been well understood in terms of symptoms and treatments for some time, the way that the gland itself turns on (i.e. releases hormone) has been a mystery.

If your thyroid is under- or overactive, you may experience symptoms like weight gain or loss, mood changes, infertility or sleep issues.

Recently, a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry revealed the answer to the question, “what turns the thyroid on?”. To learn more about this fascinating discovery, check out the Science Daily article, here.

If you suspect that you may have a thyroid imbalance, it may be caused by cortisol, a stress hormone. You can find out if your cortisol levels are normal by doing a simple saliva test. If you do have an issue with your cortisol levels, you should talk to your doctor about having your thyroid tested.

There are natural ways to support your thyroid, especially through your diet. In some cases medication may be necessary, but by catching any issues early, you may be able to avoid that potential outcome.

Find out if cortisol is causing your weight, sleep or mood issues.