What are your thoughts about how blockage of thyroid hormones effect can cause fibromyalgia?
Dr. Michael McNett: Thyroid hormone works by binding to large proteins covering genes on our DNA. If these proteins are strongly attached to the DNA, the genes are inhibited. If the proteins lift off and expose the DNA, the genes act as a “blueprint” for making enzymes to do various functions in the cell. There appear to be two main DNA regions covered by proteins affected by thyroid hormone. The first one covers genes for a number of enzymes involved in energy production, and, when thyroid binds to it, it lifts up, causing more of these enzymes to be made. The other covers genes responsible for the production and detection of Substance P, which is responsible for pain sensation. When thyroid binds to this protein, it sticks tightly to the DNA, reducing production and detection of Substance P. Thus, low thyroid effect causes decreased metabolism (fatigue, poor mental functioning, etc.) and increased pain sensation. These are exactly the problems experienced by patients with fibromyalgi
