Thyroid Solutions: Glutathione & The T4, T3 Conversion

Hypothyroidism is a remarkably common health issue today. Essentially there are numerous types of thyroid issues that can arise, and they are not all the same. For example, autoimmune thyroiditis (called Haschimoto’s) is not necessarily the same problem as a non-autoimmune functionally low thyroid state. Even though the conventional medical treatment for both is the same, in actuality they are very different. Holistic nutritional therapies offer a tremendous advantage over conventional approaches to thyroid problems, because they tend to address the multi-factorial convergence of factors influencing thyroid health. This is juxtaposed against a medical approach that essentially throws a thyroid drug at all who have low thyroid problems, without considering the different etiologies, and factors at play.

The low T4 to T3 conversion is one such factor. The most metabolically active form of thyroid hormone is known as T3 (triiodothyronine). T3 is made from a “prohormone” known as T4 (thyroxine). An exceedingly common problem is sufficient T4 production by the thyroid, but insufficient T3. A person may have an ideal TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), an ideal T4 level, but a dramatically lowered T3. These people often have major symptoms of hypothyroidism, including:

• low body temperature
• inability to lose weight
• hair loss
• fatigue

Major Factors Influencing T4 to T3 Conversion

It should be pointed out that a low T4 to T3 conversion is not a thyroid problem per se. The thyroid is producing adequate T4, and the pituitary is correctly releasing TSH to stimulate T4 production by the thyroid gland. While its true that feedback mechanisms control how much of which hormones are being released, a low T4 to T3 conversion is likely being caused by other factors apart from the HPT axis hormone system.

Deiodinase is the enzyme group that is responsible for converting T4 into metabolically active T3. There are 3 deiodinases: D1, D2 and D3. Most of the “deiodination” occurs in the liver, kidney and thyroid gland. A lot has been said for the role of the trace minerals zinc and selenium with regards to T4 to T3 conversion. However, supplementing with these nutrients don’t usually produce any noticeable affect on the conversion of T4 into T3.

One of the major factors influencing the T4 to T3 conversion has been shown to be the antioxidant Glutathione (1, 2). Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants inside of the human body. Its ability to quench numerous free radicals is well documented, as well as its ability to detoxify numerous toxic metals, chemicals, xenobiotics and carcinogens. Depletion of glutathione may be due to numerous factors, including increases in oxidative stress and cellular toxicity.

It is critical to point out that glutathione is a “redox” molecule. Being a redox molecule means that it undergoes a cycle of “oxidation” and “reduction”. When glutathione (GSH) gets “used up”, it looses its electrons and becomes glutathione disulfide (GSSH). It can regain electrons, and be converted back into a “reusable” form, but ONLY in the presence of an electron donor. The primary electron donor  is NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

A person who has a high level of oxidized, used up glutathione and a low level of reduced, usable glutathione is someone who has a good deal of cellular toxicity and oxidative stress. Remarkably, there is a body of research that has found a direct correlation between improved T4 to T3 conversion with the use of NADPH as well as Glutathione (3, 4). The Researchers Sato, Maruyama, and Nomura postulated that: “It is possible that T4 5′-deiodinase may be one of the NADPH-dependent enzymes.”

If this trail of research is correct, this is rather remarkable, and has far-reaching implications for those suffering from a low T4 to T3 conversion. Specifically this evidence indicates that the major problem with the T4 to T3 conversion is oxidative stress, and depletion of vital antioxidant systems such as glutathione.

How Can I Make NADPH and Glutathione?

Glutathione is a tri-peptide, consisting of 3 amino acids: glutamine, glycine and cysteine. It is made via sulfuration reactions, and most of the glutathione in the body is in the liver. By improving methylation cycle function, its possible to improve the synthesis of glutathione. The sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine is a very important constituent of the glutathione molecule. Cysteine is made from cystathionine and homocysteine. Vitamin B-6 and the amino acid L-serine participate in the activation of the sulfuration pathway. Hence B-6’s importance in glutathione formation.

B-6 also is critical to activate the gamma glutamyl cycle (via the GGT enzyme), a pathway that brings cysteine, glycine and glutamine together in the cytoplasm of cells to form glutathione.

The following nutrients are critical for increasing glutathione synthesis:

• Vitamin B-6/P5P
• Vitamin B-12
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Amino acids: cysteine (or NAC), glutamine and glycine
• Possibly the use of low molecular weight antioxidants: lipoic acid and Vitamins C and E

60% of NADPH is generated in a pathway known as the “pentose phosphate pathway”. This pathway is also responsible for generating the 5-carbon sugar Ribose, which is used to synthesize DNA. The major nutrient promoter in the pentose phosphate pathway is Vitamin B-1, thiamine. Thiamine deficiency has been pegged as a major culprit in varying states of oxidative stress, including encephalopathy and lipid peroxidation (5).

Common lab testing to assess thiamine deficiency includes:

• RBC Transketolase enzyme assay
• Urinary branch chain amino acid metabolites: keto acids
• Possibly urinary pyruvate
• Possibly serum LDH levels

The use of glutathione promotion therapy, combined with Thiamine/NADPH promotion therapy may be a viable solution for those suffering from a low T4 to T3 conversion.  Remember that all nutritional therapies must be customized for each person, because “the dose makes the medicine and the dose makes the poison”.