Reduce Liver Congestion to Improve Hashimotos {and How}

Your Hashimotos symptoms might be from liver congestion

You’ve heard it by now that your liver is responsible for over 500 functions in your body. That’s pretty impressive! The problem is that liver congestion impairs the organ’s ability to perform those five hundred vital functions resulting in a cascade of Hashimoto’s symptoms.

In the day and age we live in, with the onslaught of chemicals and pollutants our liver has to metabolize each and every day, it’s no wonder our livers are bogged down and not working well.

To remit Hashimoto’s, replenishing and supporting optimal liver function is critical.

Loving your liver is one reason why I always recommend taking my Gut Renew Course so you can improve your overall digestive health – including your liver! Good digestion isn’t just about the intestines – there are many organs involved. Plus, full healing always starts with digestion.

The Role of the Liver for Thyroid Health

There are significant factors that contribute to overall thyroid health that come directly from healthy liver function.
Here are some of them:

1 | In order for your thyroid to convert the T4 hormone to T3, your liver has to work well and be healthy.

According to Dr. Mark Ryan, L.A.c The liver is where 60% of T3 and T4 are glucuronidated and sulfated.

2 | The liver is one organ responsible for balancing blood sugar. For your blood sugar levels to stabilize (VERY IMPORTANT for reducing Hashimoto’s symptoms) your liver cannot be congested.

3 | For your body to conjugate toxins to be excreted out of your body, your liver has to be unburdened and working optimally.

4 | Interestingly, the liver synthesizes hormone-like IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), estrogen, progesterone, steroid hormones like cortisol which all connect to thyroid gland function or dysfunction.

5 | Low thyroid hormone can impede the liver detox pathways and cause toxins to build-up. Conversely, elevated T3 levels can cause an increase in bilirubin which can become toxic to the liver.

6 | Lipid metabolism happens in the liver. This means that the liver (through bile) breaks down fats. Some triglycerides are also stored in the liver. Adequate fat assimilation is crucial for hormone synthesis and immune function.

7 | The liver stores certain fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K. All fat-soluble vitamins help build a robust immune system. Vitamin A activates thyroid hormone cell receptors and helps regulate thyroid hormone metabolism. Low levels of vitamin D are often associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Lack of vitamin E depletes TSH levels but can cause the thyroid to create too much thyroid hormone. Vitamin K deficiency can lead to a disruption in bile production.

You can see that optimal liver health is crucial to overcoming Hashimoto’s and it’s a circular process where one organ’s health affects another!

Symptoms of Liver Congestion

Though there are several areas to examine when trying to heal Hashimoto’s, like sleep, stress, toxins and oral health, your digestion and liver health top the list!

Giving the above lifestyle factors some TLC is truly the best place to start.

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Congestion:

• Circles Under the Eyes
• PMS symptoms
• Estrogen Dominance
• Low Free T3
• Night Sweats
• Hormone Imbalances
• Chemical Sensitivities
• Disrupted Sleep
• Acne
• Outbursts of emotion (in Chinese Medicine the liver is the organ responsible for emotion, anger and anxiety)
• Lack of Focus
• Sudden allergies to foods or environment (this has to do with intestinal health as well)
• Malnutrition – nutrients are filtered by the liver
• Constipation
• Itchy Skin, Hives, Rashes, Eczema
• Chronic Fatigue
• No appetite
• Bloodshot eyes

Causes of Liver Congestion

In the 21st century, there is a heavy burden to bear for the liver. Since we live in highly populated industrialized nations and mostly have our food shipped to us, as well as working in office spaces more than 8 hours a day, the liver absorbs the brunt of what comes in contact with our body (on it or in it).

Specific Stressors for the Liver

• Bacterial and Viral exotoxins like viruses and bacteria that cause food poisoning, immune response and tissue damage
• Fungal Toxins like molds (mycotoxins) in peanuts, grains, and corn causing skin issues, respiratory problems and neurotoxicity.
• GMO’s in various foods like corn, papaya, and soy which causes increased triglycerides in women and potential joint toxicity of the liver and kidney.
• Viral Toxins require a host to live in and are also common in infections and cancers which compromise the immune system.
• Chemical Toxins produced by man like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and food dye which result in a variety of behavioral problems, cognitive dysfunction and slow the liver function.
• Heavy metals found in conventional dentistry, in high levels in certain non-organic food, tobacco, fish and even water. These cause an immune burden and lodge into the fatty tissues of the body and can often be a root cause of Hashimotos.
• Halogens like chlorine and fluoride used in pools, toothpaste, water, and conventional dentistry. These hinder uptake of iodine to the thyroid gland and clog the liver causing hepatoxicity.
• VOC’s like formaldehyde, solvents, fossil fuels and fragrance are in fabric, soaps, toiletries, candles and more. All of these the liver has to break down and excrete. They can cause headaches, eczema, kidney, liver and central nervous system damage.
• Plasticizers like Phthalates, BPA and BPS found in water bottles, food storage, dental materials and even receipts. These are endocrine disruptors and cause PCOS, infertility and thoroughly burden the liver.
• Medications always have to be metabolized by the liver which takes energy and moves processing away from other items it needs to break down.
• EMF’s are electromagnetic frequencies from technology and things like 5G, wireless earbuds, wireless routers, and more. These break the bonds of certain molecules and damage biological structures.

Now I know this is a long list and can seem overwhelming. Never fear! With baby steps, you can start to protect yourselves from these liver burdens by overhauling your lifestyle.

You can’t cleanse the liver overnight. Depending on the burden it can take 3 months to over a year. Pick one or two of these things above and remove them from your life. As you have mastered that, move on down the list.

How to Gently Decongest Your Liver

I’ve have shared with you why the health of your liver matters, as well as many of its functions when it comes to thyroid health.

Additionally, I have also helped you understand that the symptoms you may be experiencing are likely coming from liver congestion.

At this point, you may be asking HOW do I help my liver and reduce the burden it carries.

I created a special cheat sheet that shares with you 32 ways to gently and slowly detoxify your liver. Click below to get the free cheat sheet.

Reducing Liver Congestion will Improve Your Hashimoto’s Symptoms

Now that you know the symptoms of liver congestion and can identify specific ones you may have and you understand that causes of a burdened liver as well as the importance of reducing that burden, be sure that you learn how to gently decongest your liver by getting the cheat sheet above.

As you give your liver the TLC that is needs so badly, you will notice a huge improvement in your Hashimoto’s symptoms.