About Hypothyroidism
A
deficiency of thyroid hormones can affect virtually all
body functions. The degree of severity of symptoms in
adults range from mild and barely detectable to severe and
very serious. Symptoms of underactive thyroid include
fatigue, especially on waking, feeling cold easily, dry
skin, depression, muscle and joint weakness and stiffness,
constipation, general slowness and possible weight gain.
Blood
tests are not sensitive enough to diagnose milder forms of
hypothyroidism and therefore many people go undiagnosed.
It is estimated that between 10-25 per cent of people
suffer from some degree of hypothyroidism, many of whom
are undiagnosed.
Thermostatic Control for the Body
The thyroid gland acts
as the body’s thermostat and controls the metabolic rate
of the body. As metabolism affects every cell of the body,
if the thermostat is malfunctioning (either set too high
or too low) it naturally affects all parts of the body.
If
cellular metabolism drops too low, widespread dysfunction
of the body can occur and conditions such as depression,
anxiety, memory impairments, hair loss, weight gain, loss
of libido, fatigue and cold hands and feet can ensue.
Michael Schmidt and Jeffery Bland, in a paper published in
Alternative Therapies in 1997, explain how there is a very
strong relationship between the health of the thyroid
gland, the environment and nutrition, and even very subtle
changes in the thyroid gland’s homeostasis can cause a
plethora of physiological symptoms.
Thyroid decline most often affects women over 40 but men
and younger people can also suffer. Statistics suggest
that up to 20% of the female adult population may have
reduced thyroid function, although many practitioners of
alternative and complementary medicine believe the figure
is far higher.
Standard
Laboratory Tests versus Temperature Tests
Many people who
undertake to have a standard laboratory test for thyroid
function will receive results that indicate they have no
abnormal thyroid pathology. However, if the same person
were to test their basal temperature using the Auxiliary
temperature test (see below), the results would probably
indicate the need for nutritional support for the thyroid
gland. More and more doctors and practitioners today feel
that “normal” ranges of thyroid function are too broad and
that the Auxiliary temperature test, if carried out
properly, is a more accurate way of testing for thyroid
function.
If a person does
present with reduced thyroid function the only way out
seen by many is for a lifelong prescription of thyroxin
hormone. However, nutritional support containing
synergistic blends of herbs and nutrients can be
successfully utilized in a regime and prevent the patient
from descending the downward spiral of ill health.
Broda Barnes Basal Metabolic
Temperature Test
Your
thyroid gland affects metabolism in the body. Metabolism
is not simply how fast you burn food, but any chemical
action in the body, from making hormones and enzymes, to
digesting food and re-building cells. All these actions
create heat as a side-effect, just as a machine when it is
worked becomes hot. You can, therefore, estimate the
efficiency of your metabolism by taking your body
temperature.
This
is not a definitive test, but if you find your
temperatures consistently low it would be advisable to
visit either a sympathetic medical doctor or an
experienced nutrition consultant, who can also investigate
other possibilities, such as adrenal exhaustion or
underactive adrenal glands, pituitary gland deficiency,
chronic fatigue syndrome or post-viral fatigue and
anorexia.
-
Shake down a traditional glass and mercury thermometer
(not digital) to below 95F (35C) and place it by your
bed before going to sleep at night.
-
On
waking, place the thermometer in your armpit for a full
10 minutes. It is important to make as little movement
as possible. Lying and resting with your eyes closed is
best.
-
After 10 minutes, read and record the temperature
accurately.
-
Record the temperature for 3-4 days.
Menstruating women should perform the test on the
second, third and fourth days of menstruation. Men and
postmenopausal women can perform the test at any time.
Your
basal body temperature should be between 97.6F (36.4C) and
98.2F (36.7C).
Low
basal body temperatures are quite common and may reflect
hypothyroidism.
High
basal body temperatures (above 98.6F, 37.0C) are less
common, but may indicate hyperthyroidism (overactive
thyroid). Common signs and symptoms of overactive thyroid
include bulging eyeballs, fast pulse, hyperactivity,
inability to gain weight, insomnia, irritability,
menstrual problems and nervousness.
Food Suggestions for Hypothyroidism
Eat a
healthy diet, consisting of fruits and
vegetables, fish, skinless chicken and turkey, whole
grains and beans.
Particularly useful foods for the thyroid include seaweed,
kelp, dulse, garlic, radishes, seafood, watercress, egg
yolks, mushrooms and Brewers Yeast.
Avoid
sugar, coffee, soda beverages.
Nutrients
and Herbs to Support Thyroid Function
Amino Acids
Amino acids play a
major role in supporting thyroid health. It is important
when choosing supplements of amino acids that they are in
the L configuration, or in the case of phenylalanine the
DL configuration. This is the form found in nature and
utilised by the human body.
L-tyrosine
is a non-essential amino acid that the body
synthesises from phenylalanine. Amongst its plethora of
functions including the formation of the
neurotransmitters, tyrosine is a major component of the
thyroid hormones.
People with low thyroid function may well benefit from
supplementation of tyrosine. People with depression often
have low levels of tyrosine. Depression is linked with a
low thyroid function and studies suggest tyrosine
supplementation may well be beneficial. See
Thyroid Support.
L-carnitine
is
made in the body from the amino acids lysine and
methionine. Carnitine plays an important role in the
metabolism of energy from fat. In order for carnitine to
be utilised fully it requires vitamin C, iron, niacin, B6
and methionine.
DL-phenylalanine
is a mixture of
the amino acid L-phenylalanine which is converted in the
body to L-tyrosine. D-phenylalanine is converted primarily
to phenylethylamine which is a mood elevating chemical in
the body as well as helping to influence certain chemicals
in the brain which relate to the sensation of pain. By
taking DL-phenylalanine, levels of tyrosine are increased
and hence this can influence levels of thyroid hormones.
Several nutrients are required for the conversion of
phenylalanine to tyrosine; these are vitamin B6, iron,
vitamin B12 and vitamin E.
Minerals
and Thyroid Health
There are many
minerals essential to the health of the thyroid gland; the
most well researched is iodine. Iodine is required to
manufacture the thyroid hormones. Seafoods, iodised salt
and sea vegetables such as kelp, as well as foods grown in
iodine rich soil, are rich sources of iodine. With today’s
intensive farming techniques it is thought that trace
minerals including iodine have been depleted and so many
foods no longer contain substantial amounts of these trace
minerals. Iodine has now been added to salt and therefore
people eating a large amount of processed foods may be
consuming too much iodine. However, people whose diets are
low in sources of iodine may well benefit from taking
supplements of this mineral to help support optimal
thyroid health.
Zinc is another
essential mineral for optimizing thyroid health. In a
study of fourteen healthy people with primarily high or
low serum zinc levels, thyroxin levels tended to be lower
in those people with lower serum zinc. By supplementing
with zinc in those individuals whose serum was low,
thyroxin levels increased.
There are many different zinc supplements available today
and some are absorbed by the body better than others, one
of the best sources being zinc picolinate.
Selenium plays a role in thyroid hormone metabolism. It is
now thought that severe selenium deficiency may be a
possible cause of goitre.
In
relation to thyroid health copper is another mineral which
plays an important role in the metabolism of the amino
acid tyrosine. Although copper deficiency is uncommon,
people taking zinc supplements for more than a few weeks
should take copper (unless they have Wilson’s disease) as
zinc interferes with copper absorption. The safest way of
ensuring balance is to take a good quality multivitamin
and mineral supplement.
Manganese is required to transport thyroxin hormone in
the cell.
Other
Nutrient Co-Factors
Intracellular
conversion of T4 to T3 is known to require zinc, selenium,
copper and iron. The production of T3 is dependent upon
vitamin A.
Stress and
Thyroid Function
Stress is known to
affect thyroid function. The amino acid tyrosine is
necessary for the production of steroid hormones
adrenaline and noradrenalin. When the body is under stress
more of these hormones are required and tyrosine reserves
are depleted, leaving the thyroid hormone pathway under
functioning. Stress depletes many of the essential
nutrients required for thyroid function : the B
vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and selenium especially.
Individuals who are stressed may therefore require
additional adrenal support in order to improve their
thyroid function. There are many nutrients and herbs,
which can help support the adrenal glands.
Licorice root is one such herb. It contains active
flavonoids and glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin has been shown
to inhibit the breakdown of
cortisol in the body. People with an increased demand
on their adrenal glands may well benefit from taking
supplements of licorice.
Health Supplements that may help
Hypothyroidism
Vitawave (Liquid Vitamin Supplement with herbs and amino
acids) or Master
Gland
Thyroid Activator
TS II
7-Keto
Proactazyme
Do
not stop medication for thyroid complaints without medical
supervision. If you have an underlying health problem and
wish to incorporate some of the recommended measures into
your life, please consult with your doctor.
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