Did you know that people with a thyroid conditions and adrenal imbalances may be more prone to dehydration caused by electrolyte imbalance?
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential minerals that help keep our bodies functioning properly. They turn into ions through a biochemical process and can conduct electrical signals in the body. These signals are crucial for nerve and muscle function, fluid balance, muscle contraction, blood pressure, and other vital processes.
Electrolytes include:
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Chloride
Phosphate
Bicarbonate
Potassium is mainly found inside cells, while sodium is found outside cells.
Electrolytes are important for heart health, especially in regulating heartbeat and blood pressure. Potassium, in particular, helps regulate heartbeat, and abnormal levels can lead to serious heart issues.
Electrolyte Imbalances
Keeping the right balance of electrolytes is important for health. An imbalance happens when one or more electrolytes are too high or too low.
Causes of electrolyte imbalances include:
Vomiting and diarrhea
Medications like diuretics
Laxatives
Dehydration from sweating, exercise, sauna use, or hot climates
Low intake of electrolyte-rich foods (like fruits and vegetables)
Eating disorders
Kidney diseases (e.g., diabetes, kidney disease)
Thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s
Low-carb or ketogenic diets
Too little or too much water intake
Nutrient deficiencies
Adrenal issues
Pregnancy
Low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia) is common in people with hypothyroidism, especially older adults and those with high blood pressure, heart disease, adrenal issues, and kidney disease. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and fainting. Severe cases can lead to disorientation, seizures, brain damage, and coma.
High sodium in the blood (hypernatremia) is less common in people with Hashimoto’s. Symptoms include weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle twitching, and severe cases that can cause mental confusion and brain bleeding.
Low potassium in the blood (hypokalemia) can cause fatigue, constipation, frequent urination, muscle weakness, and, in severe cases, can lead to muscle paralysis and abnormal heart rhythms.
High potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia) is also linked to abnormal heart rhythms, a slowed heart rate, and weakness.
If you have any of these symptoms, monitoring your electrolyte levels, even if they seem normal is important. Subtle imbalances can still affect your health, especially if you feel fatigued.
Common symptoms of low electrolyte levels:
Fatigue (even after a good night’s sleep)
Salt cravings
Low blood pressure
Feeling faint from standing
Brain fog
Low blood sugar
Hitting the snooze button
Feeling “wired, but tired”
Mild depression
Decreased resilience to stress
Headaches
Muscle aches or cramps
Diarrhea or constipation
Frequent urination (including drinking water and feeling the urge to urinate right away)
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Increased thirst
Anxiety
Dry skin and lips
What is the connection between electrolytes & Hashimoto's?
The symptoms of both hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, such as fatigue, weakness, low blood pressure, and GI symptoms, resemble the symptoms of hypothyroidism. This is because the thyroid and electrolytes are closely linked. According to research, electrolyte imbalances are directly associated with thyroid imbalances. One reason for this is that thyroid abnormalities can affect kidney function, which can cause electrolyte imbalances.
Thyroid hormones also play a role in mineral metabolism. Hence, those with hypothyroidism, especially those with advanced cases, typically have a slower metabolism, leading to electrolyte abnormalities. However, the precise mechanisms of how thyroid hormones influence electrolytes still need to be fully understood.
Effectively managing thyroid hormone imbalances and maintaining good hydration is essential for correcting electrolyte imbalances and promoting recovery from Hashimoto’s.
Where do our adrenals fit in?
Dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and adrenal issues are all connected, and they also link to thyroid disease. Fixing adrenal imbalances can help with some symptoms of Hashimoto’s.
Adrenal Glands and Electrolytes
The adrenal glands produce many hormones that are crucial for balancing electrolytes. One of these hormones is aldosterone, which helps regulate blood volume, blood pressure, and sodium/potassium levels. When the adrenal glands are weak (in advanced adrenal dysfunction), sodium levels can drop too low, causing an electrolyte imbalance. This often leads to low blood pressure seen in adrenal and thyroid imbalances.
The adrenal glands also produce cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone. High cortisol levels can suppress thyroid hormone production and impair the conversion of T4 to T3 by suppressing the 5’deiodinase enzyme. This is likely a protective mechanism by the body to conserve nutrients and resources for healing during stress.
Modern Stress and Hashimoto’s
Today, we face constant stressors like toxins, negative thoughts, balancing work and family, and traffic. These stressors can trigger unwanted symptoms of Hashimoto’s, such as weight gain, depression, and fatigue. Chronic stress is common and can lead to adrenal dysfunction. High cortisol levels can deplete potassium and magnesium, as well as zinc, iron, copper, vitamin C, and B vitamins. Symptoms like dizziness upon standing, fainting, thirst, and craving salty foods may indicate adrenal dysfunction.
Addressing Adrenal Health
Understanding and addressing adrenal health and electrolytes is a key approach to healing, you do not need to struggle through this alone! Schedule a consultation with Naomi to address the root cause and begin your healing journey.