Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism affects approximately 40% of the American population and is becoming more and more rampant. The thyroid is a gland that is located in the front of the neck and it secretes several life sustaining hormones. Thyroid hormone controls our metabolism by regulating energy production in the powerhouses of our cells known as mitochondria. Symptoms of hypothyroidism consist of the following: fatigue, low sex drive, cold hands and feet, dry skin and hair, hoarse speech, facial swelling, constipation, inability to lose weight/weight gain, excessive menstrual flow, inability to concentrate or “brain fog”, depression and feeling tired yet finding it hard to get a good nights sleep.
Western medicine’s approach is prescription drugs such as Synthroid, Levothyroxine etc., but unfortunately many will still have symptoms because the underlying cause(s) has not been addressed. Most of the drugs consist of only T4-the inactive form of thyroid hormone. T4 is converted into T3-the active form of thyroid hormone in the liver, gut, and kidneys. This conversion is selenium-dependent and is heavily influenced by adrenal and pancreatic hormones and heavy metals. So what if there is a conversion problem of T4 into T3? Taking T4 may not correct the underlying problem and that is why I see so many patients with all the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism yet they are still taking these medications. The prescriptions Armour thyroid or Naturthroid are dessicated animal gland extracts and they contain both T4 and T3. Even with these prescriptions, it still may not be addressing the underlying cause of the problem. Primary hypothyroidism is the correct diagnosis in less than 10% of the thyroid cases here in the US. Your thyroid may have been checked by your physician but were the right tests run to find the cause of the problem?
The diagnosis of hypothyroidism has many flaws. Most physicians only look at TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone and maybe T4. The TSH is not a thyroid hormone! It is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain so it is only one small piece of the puzzle. T4 is only one hormone of the thyroid and even if it is low, it doesn’t tell the doctor why. The more appropriate lab tests would include TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies to see if the body is attacking the thyroid gland. Gut, liver, and kidney function need to be assessed as well to determine conversion issues. The adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA could also be looked at because abnormalities with these hormones can influence thyroid hormone production and its effects on our cells. Heavy metal toxicity can influence thyroid hormone and blood sugar problems can have a negative affect as well. The autoimmune component is also rarely addressed which does the patient a great disservice because the body’s attack can be greatly reduced sparing the thyroid gland for a much longer period than without treatment. Traditional medicine continues to treat Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroiditis) with synthetic T4 (thyroxine) and when the TSH is in the normal range, the patient is considered to be treated successfully. Not only does that allow the autoimmune condition to worsen, many times it begins to affect other organs as well. It has been shown that patients who have autoimmune thyroid disease many times also have pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) and gluten intolerance. In addition, Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to autoimmune disease. Vitamin D influences the immune system by keeping immune cells in balance that may become overactive and attack tissue cells. Many of these patients continue to take synthetic thyroid hormone but still have symptoms of hypothyroidism.
So as you can see, managing hypothyroidism does not consist of solely treating the thyroid, but the entire body as well. Many times patients can regain normal thyroid function by using functional medicine and a thyroid-friendly diet. If you feel like you have the symptoms of hypothyroidism or have been diagnosed and still don’t feel quite right, there are alternative ways to regain your health. Call 925-718-8759 or learn more on our Thyroid Page here.
Edited from Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg, D.C., D.A.B.C.I.
Hypothyroidism affects approximately 40% of the American population and is becoming more and more rampant. The thyroid is a gland that is located in the front of the neck and it secretes several life sustaining hormones. Thyroid hormone controls our metabolism by regulating energy production in the powerhouses of our cells known as mitochondria. Symptoms of hypothyroidism consist of the following: fatigue, low sex drive, cold hands and feet, dry skin and hair, hoarse speech, facial swelling, constipation, inability to lose weight/weight gain, excessive menstrual flow, inability to concentrate or “brain fog”, depression and feeling tired yet finding it hard to get a good nights sleep.
Western medicine’s approach is prescription drugs such as Synthroid, Levothyroxine etc., but unfortunately many will still have symptoms because the underlying cause(s) has not been addressed. Most of the drugs consist of only T4-the inactive form of thyroid hormone. T4 is converted into T3-the active form of thyroid hormone in the liver, gut, and kidneys. This conversion is selenium-dependent and is heavily influenced by adrenal and pancreatic hormones and heavy metals. So what if there is a conversion problem of T4 into T3? Taking T4 may not correct the underlying problem and that is why I see so many patients with all the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism yet they are still taking these medications. The prescriptions Armour thyroid or Naturthroid are dessicated animal gland extracts and they contain both T4 and T3. Even with these prescriptions, it still may not be addressing the underlying cause of the problem. Primary hypothyroidism is the correct diagnosis in less than 10% of the thyroid cases here in the US. Your thyroid may have been checked by your physician but were the right tests run to find the cause of the problem?
The diagnosis of hypothyroidism has many flaws. Most physicians only look at TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone and maybe T4. The TSH is not a thyroid hormone! It is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain so it is only one small piece of the puzzle. T4 is only one hormone of the thyroid and even if it is low, it doesn’t tell the doctor why. The more appropriate lab tests would include TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies to see if the body is attacking the thyroid gland. Gut, liver, and kidney function need to be assessed as well to determine conversion issues. The adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA could also be looked at because abnormalities with these hormones can influence thyroid hormone production and its effects on our cells. Heavy metal toxicity can influence thyroid hormone and blood sugar problems can have a negative affect as well. The autoimmune component is also rarely addressed which does the patient a great disservice because the body’s attack can be greatly reduced sparing the thyroid gland for a much longer period than without treatment. Traditional medicine continues to treat Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroiditis) with synthetic T4 (thyroxine) and when the TSH is in the normal range, the patient is considered to be treated successfully. Not only does that allow the autoimmune condition to worsen, many times it begins to affect other organs as well. It has been shown that patients who have autoimmune thyroid disease many times also have pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) and gluten intolerance. In addition, Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to autoimmune disease. Vitamin D influences the immune system by keeping immune cells in balance that may become overactive and attack tissue cells. Many of these patients continue to take synthetic thyroid hormone but still have symptoms of hypothyroidism.
So as you can see, managing hypothyroidism does not consist of solely treating the thyroid, but the entire body as well. Many times patients can regain normal thyroid function by using functional medicine and a thyroid-friendly diet. If you feel like you have the symptoms of hypothyroidism or have been diagnosed and still don’t feel quite right, there are alternative ways to regain your health. Call 925-718-8759 or learn more on our Thyroid Page here.
Edited from Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg, D.C., D.A.B.C.I.