Thyroid Problems: What If CBD Could Help?

CBD is making a big splash in the health world. In fact, this natural ingredient appears in almost every type of product, helping to alleviate all sorts of issues. From supplements and oils to shampoos and cosmetics, CBD is everywhere. Since it has only recently become widely available, we’re still trying to understand exactly how it affects various bodily systems. For those with thyroid issues, here’s what we know so far about how CBD might affect the thyroid and associated thyroid hormone levels.

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of the most active compounds in cannabis. It is found in greater quantities in its sister plant, hemp. When used on its own, CBD does not get you high and does not contain any psychoactive compounds such as THC.
 

CBD oil is an oil derived from hemp seeds. This oil is often rich in healthy fats. It is commonly found in beauty products such as moisturizers and facial serums.

One of the best-known and most well-established medical uses of CBD is the relief of symptoms associated with certain types of epilepsy, particularly in children. In fact, even an FDA-approved medication (Epidiolex) contains CBD to treat a specific type of seizure. Aside from CBD treatment for epilepsy, there is no concrete scientific evidence to support the use of CBD for other conditions.

That said, many patients and their healthcare providers believe that CBD may help address a wide variety of health issues and conditions, such as chronic pain, cancer-related pain, and joint pain. Despite the lack of sufficient scientific evidence, consumers also use CBD oil for anecdotal relief from:

• sleep problems;
• anxiety disorders (PTSD, panic disorders, etc.);
• pain relief;
• reducing inflammation;
• hot flashes; 
• migraines
• neurodegenerative diseases;

The endocrine system is a group of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that help one part of the body communicate with another part of the body.

Endocrine glands are distributed throughout the body, and hormones constantly send and receive information to ensure that the body functions optimally. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland are located in the brain. The thyroid and parathyroid glands are located in the neck. The thymus is located between the lungs. The adrenal glands are above the kidneys. The pancreas is behind the stomach. The ovaries or testicles are located in the pelvic region.

Hormone levels naturally fluctuate depending on the time of day and stage of life (pregnancy or menopause, for example). However, hormones can also become imbalanced in a way that requires medical treatment. This is the case with hypothyroidism, a condition in which an underactive thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid helps regulate the body's metabolism, including blood pressure, blood temperature, and heart rate. When thyroid hormone production decreases, the body's processes slow down and change.

Science is beginning to understand how the body reacts to cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are molecules that the body naturally produces in small amounts and that act on cannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid system is a highly complex cellular signaling system that plays an important modulatory role in brain, endocrine, and immune functions.
 

The body's endocannabinoid system plays a role in:

• Sleep;
• Appetite; 
• Reproduction; 
• Mood;
• Memory. 

In particular, this system appears to play a vital role in regulating reproductive hormones and our response to stress. This system also helps control food intake and the associated energy expenditure.

Within this system, the mechanisms include endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes. The body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which are molecules similar to cannabinoids. The cannabinoid receptors in this system respond to endocannabinoids, but they also bind to THC. This is one of the reasons why THC can have so many effects on your body.
 

Because CBD is different from THC, it interacts differently with the endocannabinoid system. CBD does not appear to bind to receptors in the same way that THC does. Instead, it may prevent endocannabinoids from breaking down or from binding to a receptor that scientists have not yet been able to identify.

Since the endocannabinoid system has the potential to affect all of the body's systems, it is possible that CBD also affects the endocrine system.
 

We know that endogenous cannabinoids (those produced by our bodies) help regulate our appetite, energy levels, and homeostasis. They also affect the endocrine glands, including the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland. Researchers do not yet know how exogenous cannabinoids (such as CBD) affect these glands and serum levels of thyroid hormones such as TSH and T4.

The thyroid is a small gland located at the front of the neck that is responsible for producing hormones involved in a number of important bodily functions. More specifically, the thyroid releases and regulates the hormones that control metabolism. When the thyroid is functioning properly, the body has the right balance of hormones to keep metabolism running smoothly.

Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland produces too much or too little hormone. Each of these conditions can lead to health problems, including fatigue, weight gain or loss, and an inability to tolerate cold temperatures.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain types of hormones. It can be caused by autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy, certain medications, treatments for hyperthyroidism, pituitary disorders, congenital conditions, and even certain medications. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include muscle weakness, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, thinning hair, memory problems, weight gain, and high cholesterol.

This condition is diagnosed through blood tests to determine the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. Treatment involves taking a synthetic thyroid hormone medication daily. These medications can successfully treat hypothyroidism. However, taking too much of this medication can cause problems. These may include tremors, palpitations, increased appetite, and/or insomnia.

Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed through a combination of physical exams and blood tests to confirm low TSH levels. Additional tests may be performed to determine why the thyroid is overactive. Treatment may include antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine, beta-blockers, or surgery to remove most of the thyroid gland. Each of these options has side effects, including liver damage, skin rashes, joint pain, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue.

Cannabinoids and thyroid hormones play a role in regulating metabolism. Although we do not know exactly how CBD affects metabolism, it is possible that synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medications and CBD may compete with each other in regulating metabolism.
 

In addition to the uncertainty surrounding the interaction between CBD and thyroid medications, there is evidence that CBD may help reduce the inflammation underlying Hashimoto’s disease, one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism. In fact, it has immunosuppressive properties, making it a potentially valuable substance for certain autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s disease.

Suppose you have a thyroid problem and are treating it with medication. In that case, you should exercise caution when introducing other substances that could affect the system.

Optimizing thyroid levels with thyroid hormone replacement medication is generally the first step in minimizing symptoms. 

Finding a balance in your thyroid levels can take a lot of trial and error and time. People often need to try different doses of thyroid hormones to see what brings their thyroid hormone levels back to therapeutic ranges. Many people also find that factors other than the medications they take can affect thyroid function, including starting new medications and changing their diet.

If you want to try CBD, check with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe to use with your current treatment. It’s important to know that CBD is not a controlled substance if you get the green light. This means that some CBD products may lack standardization. As a result, concentrations and dosages can vary, even within the same brand.
 

Also note that some CBD manufacturers may falsely claim that CBD is a cure-all, even for diseases such as cancer. It’s important to remember that CBD is poorly regulated and that there is no concrete evidence of its effectiveness in treating conditions other than certain types of epilepsy. Therefore, it’s best to discuss the use of CBD with your doctor.

If you decide to try CBD and have consulted your doctor to rule out any drug interactions, try to take your thyroid medication at a different time than when you use CBD. This helps minimize the impact on the absorption of your thyroid medication.