Did you know we can learn about the thyroid from mineral testing? Yes, it’s true. Minerals really are the coolest! Read on to learn more about the thyroid and mineral testing!
One of the main reasons I personally got into mineral testing was because I had all the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, however, my lab results were only slightly out of range.
This left me with no help from my doctor and confusion around how to restore proper thyroid function.
Eventually, I learned about about minerals! Specifically, calcium and potassium are the most important minerals for assessing thyroid function and have been game changers for helping me improve mine!
Thyroid and mineral testing
Thyroid & Calcium
When I see high calcium on HTMA tests, it means calcium isn’t where it should be (in the bones and teeth) and is leaving through your hair, which showing us that it’s likely binding to iodine receptors and slowing down your thyroid function.
Thyroid & Potassium
Potassium is another important piece of the puzzle because it’s associated with the sensitivity of the tissues to the thyroid hormone. When we don’t have enough potassium, it can also impair thyroid function.
The daily requirement for potassium is 4,600mg and most people don’t come anywhere near this amount!!
High Ca/K Ratio
When the Ca/K ratio is high… anything above 6.2 is considered high…
I often see clients struggling with hypothyroid symptoms:
- weight gain
- fatigue
- dry skin
- hair loss
- brain fog
- constipation
- puffy face
I also see hypothyroid symptoms in clients when bioavailable copper is low. Does your thyroid need more copper?
When this ratio is REALLY high, like off the charts high, one of the first questions I’ve started asking is whether they are eating enough calories.
Yes, the Ca/K ratio can be high due to an overconsumption of calcium and/or lack of potassium, but a lot of the time, I’ll see a diet super low in calories.
Oftentimes, clients will see considerable improvements with their symptoms (and body composition) by eating more calories and giving their thyroid the proper fuel it needs to work efficiently. The thyroid does not like to be starved of energy!
If you’re eating ‘clean’ and your Ca/K is off the charts, I recommend tracking your food for a few days to see how many calories you are getting. Many women are surprised they aren’t eating enough calories!
If you think your thyroid needs a little love and mineral testing might be helpful to you, please apply for 1:1 coaching and testing!