More than you'll ever need to know about the Thyroid Gland.

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More than you'll ever need to know about the Thyroid Gland.

 

 

The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland regulating

metabolism in every cell of our body.

 

1) The Thyroid Gland

2) Estrogen Dominance and Thyroid

3) Hypothyroidism

4) Cretinism

5) Myxedema

6) From Childhood On

7) Hyperthyroidism

8) Iodine

9) Iodine and the Thyroid Gland

10) Iodine Functions in the Body

11) Iodine and Apoptosis

12) Iodine Excretion in the Urine

13) Iodine and Lipids

14) Iodine and Pregnancy

15) Functions of Iodine in the Human Body

16) Other Challenges

17) Mercury Toxicity

18) Thyroid and Mercury

19) Posterior Pituitary Gland

20) Suicide

21) Frequent Urination

22) AdrenalGlands

23) Perchlorates

24) Health Risks of PCBE's

25) Just One Does may be Harmful

26) Nutritional Considerations

27) Basal Temperature Test

 

Until a little more than one hundred years ago, the single

controlling force for all of the complex processes that go on in the

human body was thought to be the nervous system. But there were too

many phenomena that, when carefully analyzed, seemed to have no

relationship to the nervous system, too many differences in people--in

size and energy, for example--that could not be accounted for

satisfactorily in terms of nervous activity alone. The explanation was

to be found in certain glands, the endocrines, of which the thyroid is

one and, in fact, one of the first to be discovered. Because commonly

used tests for thyroid function are not accurate particularly when it

comes to mild and even some moderate forms of hypothyroidism, and many

if not most of those with low thyroid function remain undiscovered.

 

Since the hormones of the thyroid gland regulate metabolism in

every cell of the body, a deficiency of thyroid hormones can affect

virtually all bodily functions. The degree of severity of symptoms in

the adult range from mild deficiency states which are not detectable

with standard blood tests (subclinical hypothyroidism) to severe

deficiency states which can be life-threatening (myxedema). There is

an old medical saying that just a few grains of thyroid hormone can

make the difference between an idiot and an Einstein. It aptly

characterizes the thyroid as a quickener of the tempo of life. All of

the endocrine glands play remarkable roles in the body's economy.

Unlike the many millions of other glands such as the sweat glands in

the skin, the salivary glands in the mouth, the tear glands in the

eyes, which perform only local functions, the endocrine glands pour

their hormone secretions into the bloodstream which carries them to

all parts of the body. From the pea-sized pituitary gland at the base

of the brain come hormones that influence growth, sexual development,

uterine contraction in childbirth, and milk release afterward. The

adrenals, rising like mushrooms from atop the kidneys, pour out more

than a score of hormones, including hydrocortisone and adrenaline

needed for the body's response to stress and injury. Also in the

endocrine system are the sex glands—ovaries and testes; the pineal

gland in the brain whose hormones play a role in nerve and brain

functioning; the thymus behind the breastbone which appears to be

involved in establishing the body's immunity function; and areas in

the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans, which secrete insulin.

 

A large majority of the thyroid hormone secreted from the thyroid

gland is T4, but T3 is the considerably more active hormone. Although

some T3 is also secreted, the bulk of the T3 is derived by

deiodination of T4 in peripheral tissues, by the enzyme thyroid

peroxidase especially liver and kidney. Deiodination of T4 also yields

reverse T3, a molecule with no known metabolic activity. Deficiency of

thyroid hormone may be due to lack of stimulation by the pituitary

gland, defective hormone synthesis or impaired cellular conversion of

T4 to T3 (often caused by mercury toxicity). The pituitary gland

regulates thyroid activity through the secretion of

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The combination of low thyroid

hormone and elevated TSH blood levels usually indicates defective

thyroid hormone synthesis, which is defined as primary hypothyroidism.

When TSH and thyroid hormone levels are both low, the pituitary gland

is responsible for the low thyroid function, a situation termed

secondary hypothyroidism. Normal blood thyroid hormone and TSH blood

levels combined with low functional thyroid activity (as defined by a

low basal metabolic rate) suggest cellular hypothyroidism.

 

Most estimates on the rate of hypothyroidism are based on the

levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. This may result in a large

number of people with mild hypothyroidism going undetected. Before the

use of blood measurements, it was common to diagnose hypothyroidism

based on basal body temperature (the temperature of the body at rest)

and Achilles reflex time (reflexes are slowed in hypothyroidism). With

the advent of sophisticated laboratory measurement of thyroid hormones

in the blood, these " functional " tests of thyroid function fell by the

wayside. However, it is known that the routine blood tests may not be

sensitive enough to diagnose milder forms of hypothyroidism. The

diagnosis of hypothyroidism by laboratory methods is primarily based

on the results of total T4, free T4, T3, and TSH levels. The typical

blood tests measure thyroxine (T4), which accounts for 90% of the

hormone secretion by the thyroid. However, the form that affects the

cells the most is T3 (triiodothyronine) which cells make from T4. If

the cells are not able to convert T4 to the four-times more active T3,

a person can have normal levels of thyroid hormone in the blood, yet

be thyroid-deficient.

 

The enzyme thyroid peroxidase, converts T4 to T3 and is blocked by

mercury in the body, primarily from dental mercury amalgam fillings

and thimerosol, a mercury preservative found in vaccinations and other

medicines. Genistein and daidzein from soy also inactivate thyroid

peroxidase enzyme. In the case of T4 and T3, more than 99% is normally

protein-bound in the blood. Less than 1% is free. Only the free

hormone exerts biologic activity. The protein-bound hormone is

inactive. The saliva test is a more accurate and sensitive way to

assess thyroid function because new technology allows for direct

measurement of the free thyroid hormones.

 

A better way of assessing thyroid function is to measure its

effects on the body. This is done by measuring a person's resting

metabolic rate, which is controlled by the thyroid gland. Dr. Broda

Barnes found that measuring basal body temperature (description

follows) was a good way of assessing basal metabolic rate (BMR) and

thus the body's response to thyroid hormones, regardless of their

blood levels. As mild hypothyroidism is the most common form of

hypothyroidism, many people with hypothyroidism are going undiagnosed.

The basal body temperature is the most sensitive functional test of

thyroid function. Nonetheless, using blood levels of thyroid hormones

as the criteria, it is estimated that between 1 and 4% of the adult

population have moderate to severe hypothyroidism, and another 10-12%

have mild hypothyroidism. The rate of hypothyroidism increases

steadily with advancing age. Using only blood tests, thyroid function

is commonly low in older adults. When using medical history, physical

examination, and basal body temperatures along with the blood thyroid

levels as the diagnostic criteria, estimated rates of hypothyroidism

approach 90% or more of the adult population.

 

The Thyroid Gland

 

It is the thyroid gland, lying in front of the throat below the

Adam's apple and just above the breastbone, which regulates the rate

at which the body utilizes oxygen and controls the rate at which

various organs function and the speed with which the body utilizes

food. Thyroid secretion is essential for the operation of the cells

and, in effect, determines how hot the fire gets in the cell and the

speed of activity in the cell. The influence of thyroid secretion on

body processes and other organs is incredibly widespread and

important. When the thyroid gland is removed from an otherwise normal

animal, all metabolic activity is reduced. After removal of the

thyroid gland, excess amounts of water, salts, and protein are

retained within the body. Blood cholesterol also goes up.

 

The thyroid, the body's thermostat, secretes two hormones that

regulate body temperature, energy usage, and calorie burning. The

thyroid has many effects on all the cells in the body, including the

synthesis of RNA protein and consumption of oxygen by cells, affecting

overall bodily metabolism. Thyroid function influences and is

influenced by the pituitary, adrenals, parathyroid, and sex glands,

all of which work together. The pituitary produces TSH

(thyroid-stimulating hormone), which helps regulate thyroid hormone

production. Thyroid malfunctioning is also influenced by abnormal

immune responses and the adrenals. People with type-O blood are said

to be genetically prone to hypothyroidism and low levels of iodine.

Approximately 46% of people are blood Type-O.

 

The thyroid plays an important role in growth processes. In the

human, growth and maturation fail to take place normally when the

thyroid is absent or functioning far below normal. Children lacking

normal thyroid function may remain small; their stature can be

improved considerably by thyroid supplementation and detoxification

started at an early age. Growth of the skin, hair, and nails may be

retarded in thyroid deficiency and accelerated again by thyroid

treatment. Healing of bone is delayed in thyroid deficiency. A rather

severe anemia may develop in severe hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone is

essential for normal nervous system functioning and reaction time, and

hypothyroidism may produce slow reactions and mental sluggishness.

Muscle health too is dependent on thyroid secretion and with marked

thyroid deficiency the muscles may become sluggish and infiltrated

with fat. There are interrelationships between the thyroid and the

other endocrine glands. When, for example, thyroid deficiency is

marked, the effect on the sex glands is shown by subnormal sexual

development and function and impairment of libido. In hypothyroid

women, menstrual disturbances are present frequently.

 

Estrogen Dominance and Thyroid

 

Estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones are interrelated. The

thyroid is the hormone that regulates metabolic rate. Low thyroid

tends to cause low energy levels, cold intolerance, and weight gain.

Excess thyroid causes higher energy levels, feeling too warm, and

weight loss. The thyroid gland makes two versions of thyroid hormone

from tyrosine and iodine.

 

Both versions are then enveloped in a relatively large

glycoprotein complex called thyroglobulin and stored in the thyroid

gland. To be released into the bloodstream for circulation throughout

the body, the hormones are separated from thyroglobulin and bound to a

much smaller globulin thyroxin-binding globulin or albumin. However,

only 0.5% of thyroid hormone is " free " to be biologically active.

Thyroid's action in the cell is to increase the biosynthesis of

enzymes, resulting in heat production, oxygen consumption, and

elevated metabolic rate. Thyroid stimulates the oxidation of fatty

acids, and reduces cholesterol by oxidizing it into bile acids.

Thyroid also stimulates enzymes for protein synthesis and, when

present in excessive amounts, can catabolize (destroy) muscle protein.

Estrogen causes food calories to be stored as fat. Thyroid hormone

causes fat calories to be turned into usable energy. Thyroid hormone

and estrogen have opposing actions. Estrogen inhibits thyroid action

in the cells, interfering with the binding of thyroid to its receptor.

Both hormones have phenol rings at a corner of their molecule. The

respiratory enzymes of cells are thyroid-dependent. When thyroid

function is low, cellular oxygen is low (cellular hypoxia). Thus,

estrogen-induced thyroid interference contributes to less-than-optimal

brain function. Excess estrogen may compete with thyroid hormone at

the site of its receptor. In so doing, the thyroid hormone may never

complete its mission, creating hypothyroid symptoms despite normal

serum levels of thyroid hormone. Progesterone, on the other hand,

increases the sensitivity of estrogen receptors for estrogen and yet,

at the proper level, inhibits many of estrogen's side effects. GABA

(gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid that acts as a

neurotransmitter-inhibitor and tends to have a calming effect. When

estrogen interferes with thyroid production and slows the metabolism

of brain cells, it indirectly decreases GABA production and increases

brain cell excitability, a factor in epilepsy.

 

Hypothyroidism

 

Hypothyroidism occurs at all ages. Hypothyroidism has been

estimated to affect as many as 90% of people in the United States, 90%

of which are women. In children, mild deficiency may be the cause of

behavior problems, or of a mild degree of mental slowness, which often

is not abnormal enough to be given much consideration. In children of

this type startling results occasionally follow the administration of

small doses of thyroid extract. At puberty and in the early teens

diminished endurance and a tendency to anemia, nervous disorders,

problems with menstrual cycles or digestive disturbances often are

explained by a mild degree of hypothyroidism. Extreme physical and

nervous exhaustion in young adults, the depressions of middle life,

and aggravated symptoms of menopause may be partially explained on the

basis of low thyroid. Late symptoms which simulate senile changes

frequently are distinctly improved by the administraion of thyroid

extract or iodine supplementation. Undiagnosed thyroid problems can be

behind many unidentified symptoms of fatigue, many recurring

illnesses, and non-responsive health problems.

 

The body systems affected by this disorder are quite variable. A

lack of thyroid hormones leads to a general decrease in the rate of

utilization of fat, protein, and carbohydrate. Moderate weight gain

combined with sensitivity to cold weather (cold hands and feet) is a

common finding. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are increase in

even the mildest forms of hypothyroidism. This elevation greatly

increases the risk of serious cardiovascular disease. Studies have

shown an increased rate of heart disease due to atherosclerosis in

individuals with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism also leads to

increases in capillary permeability and slow lymphatic drainage. Often

this will result in swelling of tissues (edema). Circulation symptoms

are referred chiefly to the heart and are caused by myocardial

degeneration. Hypothyroidism predisposes to premature

arteriosclerosis. Hypothyroidism can also cause hypertension, reduce

the function of the heart and reduce heart rate. Nervous disorders,

such as headaches, neurasthenia, mild psychic disturbances, especially

affective disorders (depression), fears, anxieties, poor memory, and

difficult concentration are frequently seen. Gastrointestinal symptoms

are extremely common, including anorexia, distress after eating,

belching of gas, vomiting, obstinate constipation, and occasional

diarrhea.

 

A variety of hormonal symptoms can exist in hypothyroidism.

Perhaps the most common is a loss of libido (sexual drive) in men and

menstrual abnormalities in women. Women with mild hypothyroidism have

prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding, with a shorter menstrual

cycle. Every type of disturbance may be seen from amenorrhea (no

period), to profuse menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), especially at

menopause. Infertility may also be a problem. If the hypothyroid woman

does become pregnant, miscarriages, premature deliveries, and

stillbirths are common. Rarely does a pregnancy terminate in normal

labor and delivery in the overtly hypothyroid woman. Muscle weakness

and joint stiffness are predominate features of hypothyroidism. Some

individuals with hypothyroidism may also experience muscle and joint

pain, and tenderness. Dry, rough skin covered with fine superficial

scales is seen in most hypothyroid individuals while the hair is

course, dry, and brittle. Hair loss can be quite severe. The nails

become thin and brittle and typically show transverse grooves. The

brain appears to be quite sensitive to low levels of thyroid hormone.

Depression along with weakness and fatigue are usually the first

symptoms of hypothyroidism. Later, the hypothyroid individual will

have difficulty concentrating and be extremely forgetful.

 

Frequently, blood tests of hormone levels are normal, but basal

body temperature is abnormally low. Shortness of breath, constipation,

and impaired kidney function are some of the other common features of

hypothyroidism. This condition is often associated with Wilson's

syndrome, physical and emotional stress, and Hashimoto's disease.

Fortunately, cretinism and myxedema, the extreme forms of

hypothyroidism, are relatively rare. Occipital-cervical aching with

radiation to the shoulders or intrascapular area is common. Also

rheumatoid pains may occur in various joints and parts of the body

without evidence of inflammation. Blood cholesterol is often elevated.

If the cholesterol is elevated, it is a presumptive diagnosis of

hypothyroidism. All of these symptoms have been treated with thyroid

extract and iodine supplementation successfully. The only reliable

diagnostic tests worth doing are the basal metabolic rate, saliva

test, and serum cholesterol.

 

Cretinism

 

Cretinism is a condition found in infants and children resulting

from a deficiency of thyroid hormone during fetal or early life. The

thyroid gland may be entirely absent or greatly reduced in size. In a

cretin child, the skin is thick, dry, wrinkled, and sallow; the tongue

is enlarged; the lips thickened; the mouth open and drooling; the face

broad; the nose flat; the feet and hands puffy. The child is dull and

apathetic. Although a cretin child may be unusually large at birth,

development is defective and, if the child is untreated, he becomes

small for his age in childhood and a dwarf in adulthood, suffering

mental retardation along with growth failure. With early and adequate

thyroid treatment for cretinism, growth may become normal and mental

status may improve.

 

Myxedema

 

Myxedema is the reaction in adulthood to lack of thyroid hormone,

either because the thyroid gland wastes away or has to be removed, or

because of failure of the pituitary gland to stimulate thyroid

activity. Myxedema brings with it gradual personality changes along

with marked physical changes. They include a general, progressive

slowing of mental and physical activity, an increase in weight, and a

decrease in appetite. Facial changes occur and may progress steadily

to produce a mask-like appearance, as the skin becomes thick and

somewhat rigid, interfering with expression. The skin also becomes

dry, cold, rough, and scaly; it appears waterlogged and swollen.

Characteristically, the upper eyelids become waterlogged or edematous

and the eyebrows may be elevated because of efforts to keep the eyes

open. The hair becomes coarse, brittle, and falls out; the nails

become brittle and grow slowly; there is sensitivity to cold with

feelings of being chilly in rooms of normal temperature; and

perspiration is decreased or absent even during hot weather.

 

Many myxedematous patients are troubled by joint pains and

stiffness. Resistance to infection is decreased, wounds heal slowly,

and ulcers may be persistent. The tongue and lips become large and

thick and, because of this and also because of retarded mental

reaction and decreased muscular coordination, the speech becomes slow,

thick, and clumsy and may resemble that of a slightly intoxicated

person. A myxedema victim generally appears slow, drowsy, and placid.

Normal mental effort cannot be maintained. A tendency to drop off to

sleep during the day may be present. Anemia is usually present in some

form; constipation is nearly always present; depression is common as

is decline in libido and sexual function. Yet, all of these

manifestations are dramatically controllable when thyroid treatment is

administered in suitable form. Virtually no system of the body may

escape the effects of severe lack or complete absence of thyroid

hormone secretions. Yet, even in extreme forms of hypothyroidism,

there are variations in manifestations, some being more overt and

troublesome than others. Hypothyroidism of milder degree can be far

more subtle. It, too, may affect many systems of the body but not all

to the same degree. One patient may have manifestations that another

does not. There are variations among individuals in organs and systems

which are most susceptible to thyroid deficiency. Such varying

susceptibility is well known in allergy. In the allergic person, a

food, pollen, or other material to which there is sensitivity may

produce varying symptoms depending upon the " target " organs

affected--the organs with greater allergic susceptibility.

 

From Childhood On

 

Relatively mild thyroid deficiency in a newborn may not be readily

apparent. Such a child may be quieter than others and may sleep more.

Sometimes, the face may be broader than normal and may rarely change

expression, breathing may be somewhat noisy, and the baby may appear

to have a cold much or all of the time. Preschool children with low

thyroid function may have a somewhat dull and apathetic appearance and

be less active than normal youngsters. Yet, paradoxically, a few will

be very nervous, hyperactive, and unusually aggressive. Emotional

problems are frequent. A low thyroid child may cry for no apparent

reason and object vigorously to any restrictions. Temper tantrums are

common, probably related to undue fatigue. The child may sleep longer

than other youngsters of his or her age, be a slow starter in the

morning, have a short attention span, and flit from one activity to

another. And infections are common. Once a low-thyroid child starts to

school, other problems may arise. With low energy endowment, the child

may lack self-confidence and have difficulties in associating

successfully with other children. He may be unable to sit quietly and

study and his progress in school may be slow. His susceptibility to

respiratory infections from other youngsters has increased and with

his resistance weakened by low thyroid function he acquires far more

than his fair share. Removal of tonsils may end repeated resistance to

other respiratory infections, sore throats, earaches, and the like.

With puberty, other problems may develop. Sports may further deplete

low energy endowment; so may any part-time jobs; and school failure

may occur. Girls beginning the menstrual cycle may develop low-grade

anemia as the result of periodic blood loss, and this further depletes

their energy. Although in childhood growth may be stunted by a marked

thyroid deficiency, there may be a seemingly paradoxical effect of a

minor deficiency at puberty. The individual may become unusually tall.

Growth stops with the closing of the growth centers at the end of each

long bone. Thyroid hormone plays a part in causing these centers to

close normally. With thyroid deficiency, growth may continue for some

time. In adulthood, many of the effects of low thyroid function

experienced in childhood may be carried over and new ones may emerge.

The " problem " child--who was experiencing the effects of low thyroid

function--may become an adult who all too easily may be mislabeled a

- " neurotic- " or " hypochondriac " because of persistent or even

accentuated fatigue, headaches, circulatory disturbances, and other

manifestations of low thyroid function.

 

Hyperthyroidism

 

In a person with normal thyroid function, when there is a need for

more thyroid secretion, a signal is received by the pituitary gland

which then releases a substance to stimulate thyroid function. As soon

as the needed amount of thyroid secretion has then been released into

the bloodstream, the pituitary gland gets the message, stops releasing

its thyroid-stimulating substance, and less thyroid hormone is

produced. Through this sensitive " feedback " mechanism, the amount of

thyroid hormone in the bloodstream is maintained in an effective,

narrow range. When thyroid function is deficient, the gland cannot

respond adequately to the stimulus from the pituitary. If the

pituitary gland is toxic from mercury or other heavy metals, it can

lose its sensitivity to thyroid hormone in the blood and the body's

precise control of thyroid level in the bloodstream is thwarted; and

it is possible that the patient may even have too much hormone in the

blood and may develop some or many of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of overproduction of thyroid hormone include: weight loss,

fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, tremors, difficulty

sleeping, moist skin, excessive sweating, sensitivity to heat,

elevated temperature, bulging eyes, goiter, diarrhea, other

gastrointestinal disturbances, and chest pain. This condition is often

called Graves' disease.

 

Iodine

 

Iodine-containing compounds are found in ashes of burnt seaweed,

salty oil-well brines and Chilean saltpeter, which is sodium iodate

(NaIO3). Iodine is extracted in huge amounts by Japanese seaweed

farming. Originally, during the formation of the earth, iodine

dispersed throughout rock formations. Much later ocean water, plants

and animals also contained iodine in low amounts. It was abundant,

however, in seaweeds. Detoxified Iodine can be supplemented by placing

a few drops in water daily to provide adequate amounts to the body.

 

Iodine is widely dispersed in rocks but the concentration is

extremely low and even the leeching of iodine from soil over ages did

not raise the ocean's concentration significantly. Early development

of single celled organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and

protozoa arose without iodine. Because of iodine's low concentrations

everywhere on the planet, almost without exception single celled

micro-organisms did not use iodine for any purpose. Erosion of the

rocks by rain, glaciers, ice age, and later melting, leeched these

small amounts of iodine out of the soil and rocks and washed them into

the oceans where concentrations of sea salt is so low it does not

prevent goiter in humans. The earliest signs of iodine use are in

diatoms (algae), but significant iodine concentration occurred in

seaweeds.

 

Because rains containing iodine from the ocean, older soils seen

in New Mexico, contain more iodine than younger soils. Also, soil

areas stripped of topsoil by glaciers, such as the North American

Great Lakes regions, became endemic goiter areas. Dogs, humans, fish

and likely other animals were iodine deficient and had goiters

(enlargement of thyroid gland) . In humans, goiter incidence fell

below 1% because of iodine salt supplementation, but fish of the great

lakes still show goiter formation. Iodine replacement of soil depleted

by rain is a slow process. Soils depleted of iodine by the last ice

age are still deficient in iodine.

 

The most significant evolutionary event for eukaryotes (nucleated

celled organisms), including humans, occurred when seaweeds

concentrated iodine. From this process came multicellular organisms,

vertebrates and humans. Because iodine was not available in

significant concentrations for much of evolution, single-celled

organisms reproduced themselves with structural membrane proteins

having the amino acids tyrosine or histidine exposed to the

surrounding medium or extra-cellular fluids. Iodine kills single

celled organisms by combining with these same two amino acids. All

single celled organisms showing tyrosine (tyrosyl) linkages exposed in

the membrane proteins are killed by this simple chemical reaction that

denatures proteins and destroys enzymes, killing the cells.

 

Seaweed was the first to start capturing iodine from ocean water

by a membrane transport mechanism that today still concentrates iodine

to 20,000 times the ocean's concentration. What is not generally

appreciated, and perhaps not thought of in this light, was that the

high concentrations of iodine in seaweed, whether the seaweed was dead

or alive, gave birth to a brand new environment chemically different

from the rest of the planet up to that time. This was the world of

high iodine. Never before had such an environment been created. For

the first time there were no bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa

present. Archea are a different form of bacteria capable of growing in

harsh environments and might have been the type of organism to

colonize this niche. However, any new microorganism trying to grow

here would be under the influence of iodine and thyroxine. As

iodination of proteins is a simple easy and predictable chemical

reaction, which automatically produces thyoxine within the protein, so

intracellular iodination of proteins likely was an original source of

thryoxine to these early developing cells. These cells did not need to

have an outside source of thyroxine.

 

Soon, in evolutionary time, the precursor of the thyroid, the

endostyle or thyroid-hormone-making site in the pre-vertebrate animals

arrived. This organ, in the back of the pharynx of primitive

pre-vertebrates, excreted protein bound thyroxine into the gut and

there it was hydrolyzed, absorbed and delivered all over the body.

Later, in early vertebrates, at a site close by to where the endostyle

was, the first thyroid gland follicles can be discerned. By then

thyroid hormone was being secreted internally into the blood. At this

point, there was no brain, pituitary or hypothalamus control

mechanisms to influence the thyroid function. Thyroid hormone is the

first endocrine hormone to arrive in evolution and it is the first to

arrive during fetal life. But almost simultaneously with the

development of the thyroid gland, the central nervous system started

to develop since the nerve cells were assured of a constant supply of

thyroxine and this in turn depended upon a constant supply of iodine.

 

Thyroxine controls all endocrine organs which is what we would

expect if the thyroid controls the genome and also was the first to

arrive in evolution and in fetal development. Later the brain evolved

into our present system of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system

giving the hypothalamus overall control of the output of the thyroid

gland. It appears that the most important event in the life of the

pituitary/thyroid system occurs at birth. Because the hypothalamus and

the thyroid hormone controls the body temperature at birth there is a

surge in TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which greatly increases the

thyroid hormone excreted into the blood at birth. This relates to

metamorphic changes in the lungs and other systems as the baby

switches over to air breathing.

 

After birth, the thyroid starts putting out a fairly constant

supply of thyroid hormone for the rest of the human's life. The

reserve of the thyroid gland to stress and its ability to respond

appear related to adequate iodine intake before the age of puberty,

which is the first real test of the thyroid's reserve abilities.

Stress on the thyroid can be detected and the size of the thyroid

gland measured accurately by ultrasound. The thyroid enlargement from

physiological stress found in areas of borderline low iodine intake,

occur during adolescence, pregnancies and menopause. These

enlargements are good indicators of borderline iodine supplementation

indicating a degree of iodine deficiency, but at the same time this

illustrates the increased needs for thyroid hormone during period of

physiological stress during life.

 

Disturbance of the thyroid system relates to disease. A low output

of thyroid hormone will not provide the cellular DNA with adequate

thyroid hormone for proper maintenance. Also as each tissue controls

its own thyroid metabolism, the same levels of thyroid in the blood

may not be adequate for the tissue adaptation mechanisms in another.

There is no feedback system from individual tissues to tell the

thyroid TSH system to rise higher because one tissue is not getting

enough. The brain seems to have the highest priority for maintenance

of thyroid hormone levels. For example, if the patient has a thyroid

gland that by lab tests is normal, but the patient has a low thyroid

dependent depression, the depression will continue until somehow the

level of thyroid hormone is raised above its current levels. Although

cretinism and related goiters have been noted throughout all ages, it

wasn't until the discovery of iodine that some progress was made in

the understanding of the thyroid gland.

 

But clinically the most historic document on thyroid occurred in

1888. This committee described a variable syndrome in persons whose

thyroid had been removed or were suffering from a completely failed

thyroid. To this was given the name myxedema to stand for the presence

of a peculiar type of mucin that gathered in almost all the connective

tissues of the body. One of the characteristics of extreme low thyroid

is to find this mucin in virtually every organ of the body. With the

realization that there are receptors for thyroid hormones in the cell

membrane, the cytosol (intracellular fluid), the mitochondria and the

nucleus, we begin to understand how important this thyroid control

system is.

 

Iodine and the Thyroid Gland

 

The thyroid gland is a factory. To produce its secretions it must

have raw material. If it lacks adequate raw materials, its production

slumps. When this happens, when the slump is great enough, there may

be signals from elsewhere in the body that amount to exhortations for

the gland to increase its output. Trying to oblige, the gland may

increase in size in a kind of blind effort to add to its output even

though it cannot increase production for lack of raw material. The

gland may enlarge until a noticeable lump may appear in the throat.

And the swelling, or goiter, may become large enough to interfere with

breathing or swallowing. The cause of goiter is lack of sufficient

iodine in the soil and drinking water, or from inability to utilize

iodine because of mercury toxicity from amalgam dental fillings and

from mercury in immunizations.

 

The thyroid gland is the principle user of iodine in the body.

Two-thirds of the body's store of iodine is located in the thyroid

gland. In a normal person, dietary iodine is absorbed from the gut

into the blood and then, in the thyroid, it is removed from the blood,

" trapped " in the gland, and incorporated there into compounds, which

in turn are assembled into thyroid hormone secretions. The average

iodine intake of a normal adult on an ordinary diet in a non-goiter

region is about 0.03 milligrams, a day. This tiny amount is only about

one-seventh of what is needed for daily thyroid hormone production,

but the body practices great economy and re-uses much of its iodine

store repeatedly in producing hormone secretions. In goiter regions,

not even the 0.03 milligram per day is available in the food and

water. Goiter regions are to be found all over the world. No continent

is free of them. Generally they are the mountainous and inland areas

of the globe. A high incidence of goiter is found in the Himalayas in

Asia, in the regions of the Alps and the Carpathian and Pyrenees

mountains in Europe, and in the high plateaus of the Andes in South

America. In North America, the goiter zone is the Great Lakes basin

and the area of the St. Lawrence River, extending westward through

Minnesota, the Dakotas, and the neighboring Canadian territory as far

as the northwest and including Oregon, Washington, and British

Columbia. This great belt extends an arm southward in the rocky

Mountain area and another in the Appalachian area.

 

It is in such high and inland areas that, through the ages, the

soil has yielded most or all of its soluble iodine content to water on

the way to the sea. In areas close to the sea, the soil as well as

drinking water is usually rich in iodine. Fruits and vegetables grown

in such soil contain iodine in abundance and this is equally true of

sea food and sea vegetables. The incidence of goiter in high and

inland areas in the past was extremely great. In some Alpine areas,

for example, the incidence approached 100%. The most important

discovery in relation to goiter was that the disorder could be

prevented by administration of iodine. The iodine could be added to

community water supplies in goiter regions, or it could be

administered in the form of tablets or drops, or it could be taken in

the form of iodized salt. Today, the use of iodized salt is the most

widely accepted method of goiter prevention. But even though goiter is

now far less of a problem, it is not so with hypothyroidism. For low

thyroid function can be--and commonly is--present in the absence of

goiter, especially with the " fear of salt " introduced by the medical

establishment.

 

The basic unit of the thyroid gland is the follicle. The thyroid

gland captures dietary iodine, synthesizes thyroid hormone from it,

and stores thyroid hormone until it is needed. Colloid, the material

in the center of the follicles, stores thyroid hormone in a large

protein called thyroglobulin. Hydrolysis (digestion) of thyroglobulin

releases thyroid hormone into the circulation in the form of thyroxine

(T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Iodination of almost any large protein

results in the formation of thyroxine (T4). Iodide, which is ingested

in food and water, is actively concentrated by the thyroid gland,

converted to organic iodine by thyroid peroxidase, and incorporated

into tyrosine in thyroglobulin within the thyroid follicular cell. The

tyrosines are iodinated at one (monoiodotyrosine) or two

(diiodotyrosine) sites and then coupled to form the active hormones

(diiodotyrosine + diiodotyrosine = tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine, T4);

diiodotyrosine + monoiodotyrosine = triiodothyronine (T3).

 

Radioactive tracing of iodine shows that much of the iodine goes

to the thyroid gland, nasal secretions, gut, breast, stomach, bone and

in the extracellular fluids and connective tissue of almost all

organs. Iodine can be found everywhere, for example, iodine appears in

the cervical mucus within two minutes after injection. In evolution

the gut served as the source of iodine before the thyroid gland

appeared and now the gut serves as a reservoir of iodine for immediate

needs of the body.

 

Iodine Functions in the Body

 

The main function of the iodine is synthesis, storage and

secretion of thyroid hormone. What iodine is left over is taken up in

other tissues especially extracellular fluids and excreted in the

urine. From extracellular fluids iodine travels in the lymphatics and

re-enters the blood stream via the main lymphatic channel, the

thoracic duct. In the 1960s it was established that if the daily dose

of iodine was increased to over 2-3 mgs of iodine per day, within two

weeks, the thyroid became saturated and no longer took up iodine in

significant amounts. So a normal person who raised their daily dose of

iodine above, say 3 mgs, within two weeks their thyroid was almost

completely stop taking up iodine as it became saturated, but more

important to the body, all of the dietary iodine now went to perform

other body functions.

 

Iodine and Apoptosis

 

In areas of the body, where many cells die, (apoptosis) there is

always an endless source of iodine. All the sites in the body of high

apoptosis (natural death of cells on a regular and predictable

schedule) find iodine in plentiful supply. The secretions into the

nasal passages and lumen of the stomach, for instance, have both a

high death rate and an endless supply of iodine. Not only is iodine an

antiseptic against bacteria, it also is an anticancer agent.

 

Iodine Excretion in the Urine

 

Iodine has an unusual excretion pattern in the urine. There are no

reabsorption mechanisms or preservation mechanisms in the urinary

tract to keep this element from excretion in the urine and hence loss

from the body. Iodine is the trigger mechanism for apoptosis and it is

imperative that a constant source of iodine in the urine be available.

If the body was capable, and it is not, of holding the iodine inside

and therefore allowing urine with no iodine to flow through the renal

system, then the renal system would be deprived of iodine. This would

immediately lead to abnormal cells and cancer. The Western diet

contains nowhere near the levels of iodine needed to saturate the

thyroid. An increase of at least 10 times would be helpful, but more

effective would be levels that are comparable to the Japanese, having

the highest daily intake of iodine and the lowest rates of cancer in

the world.

 

Iodine and Lipids

 

One of the ways to measure the number of double bonds in fat is to

measure the amount of iodine 100 grams of fat will take up. This is

called the iodine number or value. The most unsaturated fat has the

highest iodine value. Dietary fat removes iodine from the diet. Iodine

protects double bonds while they are being transported to the sites

where they are needed such as blood vessels and synaptic membranes of

the central nervous system.

 

Iodine and Pregnancy

 

During pregnancy the placenta captures iodine to the point of

raising the levels in the fetal circulation to five times the mother's

level. As there are a huge number of cells dying by apoptosis during

fetal growth, so iodine is of importance to the fetal development. The

brain has more apoptosis going on during development than most other

organs, so it follows that low iodine can cause abnormal brain

development. Early fetal development is partly under the guidance of

maternal thyroid hormones that have crossed the placenta, but it is

theorized that the primitive cells at the beginning of fetal

development still have the ability to make thyroid hormone themselves

for their own use as in the early evolution of eukaryotes.

 

In 1912 it was shown that thyroid hormones would change a tadpole

into a frog. This metamorphosis is complex at all levels. The tails

dissolve away, legs are developed on the side, the lungs are changed

over to air breathing, and the liver, without any detectable change in

the DNA or cellular morphology, changes over biochemical mechanisms

from an ocean water animal to a land animal. Although the effects of

thyroid hormone appear to be systemic in the tadpole, in fact, thyroid

hormone is affecting each cell individually. But more importantly, if

the thyroid gland is removed and iodine is given in any

form--injection, orally or in the bathing solution--metamorphosis will

carry along at the same rate as if thyroid hormone was present. This

suggests that the ability of tadpoles to synthesize thyroid hormone

from iodine alone is retained inside every cell. If these phenomena of

intracellular synthesis of thyroxine have been carried over from the

first days of eukaryote genesis, it is likely that human fetal

development, also in its early stages, is dependent on thyroxine

manufactured from iodine within the cells. The only factor which

completely eliminates cretinism, hypothyroidism in the fetus, and

mental retardation is iodine, given by any means, as long as it is

adequate--before conception.

 

Japanese women, who consume the highest amounts of dietary iodine

per woman in the world, have the lowest rate of stillbirth and

perinatal and infant mortality in the world. Among the folklore of

Japanese mothers is the interesting concept that seaweed will prevent

cancer.

 

Functions of Iodine in the Human Body

 

1. Used to make thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland.

2. Main body surveillance mechanism for abnormal cells in the body.

3. Triggers apoptosis (programmed death of cells) in normal

cells and abnormal cells.

4. Detoxifies chemicals.

5. Reacts with tyrosine and histidine to inactivate enzymes and

denature proteins.

6. Antiseptic to bacteria, algae, fungi viruses and protozoa.

7. Detoxifies biological toxins food poisoning, snake venoms etc.

8. Anti allergic process. Makes external proteins non-allergic.

9. Anti-autoimmune mechanism by making intracellular proteins

spilled into blood non-allergic.

10. Protection of double bonds in lipids for delivery to

cardiovascular system and synaptic membranes in brain and retina.

11. Fetal source of apoptotic mechanisms during development in

fetus and breast-fed children.

12. Protection from apoptotic diseases such as leukemia.

13. Possible initial source of thyroxine in early fetal development.

14. Antiseptic activity in stomach against helicobacter pylori.

 

Other Challenges

 

Many factors influence thyroid function. Commonly unrecognized

causes of thyroid underproduction have been attributed to excessive

consumption of soybean products. Mercury binds to the sulphur in

thyroglobulin and renders it unavailable for the production of thyroid

hormones. Fluoride in tap water and toothpastes as well as chlorine in

tap water both block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland that result

in lowered thyroid hormone production. Sulfa and antihistamine drugs

aggravate iodine uptake by the thyroid. Synthroid and other synthetic

thyroid drugs can cause as much as a 13% loss of bone mass, according

to a study done at the University of Massachusetts. Underactive

thyroid conditions respond best when supplemented with detoxified

iodine, kelp and dulse, essential fatty acids, thyroid glandulars and

other nutrients that nourish the thyroid gland.

 

Mercury Toxicity

 

The affinity of mercury for the pituitary gland was first

identified by Stock in 1940. Autopsy studies in 1975 revealed that,

contrary to accepted belief that the kidney was the prime accumulator

of inorganic mercury, the thyroid and pituitary retain and accumulate

more inorganic mercury than the kidneys. It has been well documented

that mercury is an endocrine system disrupting chemical in animals and

people, disrupting function of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland,

enzyme production processes, and many hormonal functions at low levels

of exposure. People with high mercury levels in their bodies have more

hormonal disturbances, immune disturbances, recurring fungal

infections, hair loss and allergies. Hormones that are most often

affected by mercury are thyroid, insulin, estrogen, testosterone, both

anterior and posterior pituitary, and adrenaline. Almost all hormones

have binding sights capable of connecting to metabolic cofactors, but

mercury can bind here, too. Mercury frequently has a stronger affinity

for these binding sites than the normal activators; even though the

hormone is present in the bloodstream, it may not be able to act as it

is supposed to act.

 

Mercury (especially mercury vapor or organic mercury) rapidly

crosses the blood-brain barrier and is stored preferentially in the

pituitary gland, thyroid gland, hypothalamus, and occipital cortex in

direct proportion to the number and extent of dental amalgam surfaces.

Mercury, through its affects on the endocrine system, is documented to

cause other reproductive problems including infertility, low sperm

counts, abnormal sperm, endometritis, PMS, adverse effects on

reproductive organs, etc. In general, immune activation from toxins

such as heavy metals, resulting in cytokine release and abnormalities

of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, can cause changes in the

brain, fatigue, and severe psychological symptoms such as depression,

profound fatigue, muscular-skeletal pain, sleep disturbances,

gastrointestinal and neurological problems as are seen in CFS,

fibromyalgia, and autoimmune thyroiditis. Symptoms usually improve

significantly after amalgam removal. A direct mechanism involving

mercury's inhibition of hormones and cellular enzymatic processes by

binding with the hydroxyl radical (SH) in amino acids, appears to be a

major part of the connection to allergic/immune reactive/autoimmune

conditions such as autism/ADHD, schizophrenia, lupus, scleroderma,

eczema, psoriasis and allergies.

 

Mercury inhibits the activity of dipeptyl peptidase (DPP IV) which

is required in the digestion of the milk protein casein as well as

xanthine oxidase. Studies involving a large sample of autistic and

schizophrenic patients found that over 90% of those tested had high

levels of the neurotoxic milk protein beta-casomorphine-7 in their

blood and urine and defective enzymatic processes for digesting milk

protein. Elimination of milk products from the diet improves the

condition. ADHD populations have high levels of mercury and recover

after mercury detoxification. As mercury levels are reduced, the

protein binding is reduced and improvement in the enzymatic process

occurs. Additional cellular level enzymatic effects of mercury binding

with proteins include blockage of sulfur oxidation processes,

enzymatic processes involving vitamins B6 and B12, effects on

cytochrome-C energy processes, along with mercury's adverse effects on

mineral levels of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and lithium.

 

Thyroid and Mercury

 

Organic mercury causes severe damage to both the endocrine and

neural systems. Studies have documented that mercury causes

hypothyroidism, damage of thyroid RNA, autoimmune thyroiditis

(inflammation of the thyroid), and impairment of conversion of thyroid

T4 hormone to the active T3 form. Large percentages of women have

elevated levels of antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) or antithyroid

peroxidase antibody (anti-TP). Slight imbalances of thyroid hormones

in expectant mothers can cause permanent neuropsychiatric damage in

the developing fetus. Hypothyroidism is a well-documented cause of

mental retardation. Maternal hypothyroidism appears to play a role in

at least 15% of children whose IQs are more than 1 standard deviation

below the mean, millions of children. Studies have also established a

clear association between the presence of thyroid antibodies and

spontaneous abortions. Hypothyroidism is a risk factor in spontaneous

abortions and infertility.

 

In pregnant women who suffer from hypothyroidism, there is a

four-time greater risk for miscarriage during the second trimester

than in those who don't. Women with untreated thyroid deficiency are

four-times more likely to have a child with a developmental disability

and lower I.Q. Mercury blocks thyroid hormone production by occupying

iodine-binding sites and inhibiting hormone action even when the

measured thyroid levels appears to be in the proper range. There are

several aspects of iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism-related

effects on fetal and perinatal brain development that can be

aggravated or otherwise affected by the presence of mercury. Mercury

has the ability to reduce cerebellar brain weight through significant

reductions in total cell population of the cerebellum. Reductions of

total body weight at birth are related to maternal exposure to

mercury. Lead and mercury also have a direct effect on neuronal

development leading to learning deficits. These are the same type of

birth defects produced by maternal iodine deficiency and

hypothyroidism. Mercury can have a negative effect on both iodine and

thyroid status. A pregnant woman with a mouthful of mercury amalgam

fillings has a much greater chance of experiencing some degree of

hypothyroidism and/or iodine deficiency during pregnancy than one

without amalgam fillings.

 

Both the pituitary and the thyroid display an affinity for

accumulating mercury. The enzymatic effects of mercury intoxication

can be overcome by the administration of the thyroid hormone

thyroxine. Through a feedback loop, the pituitary releases

thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which in effect tells the thyroid how

much thyroxine hormone to release into the blood. Mercury first

stimulates and then suppresses the thyroid function. Chronic intake of

mercury for more than ninety days results in signs of mercury

poisoning, together with decreased uptake of iodine and depression of

thyroid hormonal secretion. The thyroid and hypothalamus regulate body

temperature and many metabolic processes including enzymatic processes

that, when inhibited, result in higher dental decay. Mercury damage

thus commonly results in poor body temperature control, in addition to

many problems caused by hormonal imbalances such as depression. Such

hormonal secretions are affected at levels of mercury exposure much

lower than the acute toxicity effects normally tested. Mercury also

damages the blood brain barrier and facilitates penetration of the

brain by other toxic metals and substances. Hypothyroidism is also a

major factor in cardiovascular disease.

 

The thyroid gland has four binding sites for iodine. When mercury

attaches to one of these sites, the hormone activity is altered. There

is a relationship between thyroid function and the nutritional status

of folate, vitamin B12, and methionine. There is also a strong

association between lowered zinc intake, lowered basal metabolic rate,

lowered thyroid hormones and lowered protein utilization. Mercury

affects the nutritional status of folate, vitamin B12, methionine, and

zinc, as well as protein. The thyroid is one of the important glands

influencing dental decay.

 

There is a fluid flow from the pulp chamber, through the dentin,

through the enamel and into the mouth in people who have no dental

decay. Thyroid is part of the endocrine function that controls the

direction of this fluid flow. Low thyroid hormone production allows

this fluid flow to run in the opposite direction--from the mouth, into

the enamel, dentin, and pulp chamber. This fluid brings bacteria and

debris from the mouth with it, leading to dental decay. When the teeth

are susceptible to decay, the whole body is susceptible to

degenerative disease. The thyroid is involved with maintenance of

proper body temperature. Most mercury toxic patients have lower than

optimum body temperatures. The most toxic persons may have

temperatures as low as 96.2. When the amalgam fillings are removed,

there is a trend for the temperature to approach 98.6, sometimes

within 24 hours of removing all of the amalgams. The thyroid gland is

controlled by the pituitary gland. When the thyroid is influenced by

mercury, there is a high incidence of unexplained depression and

anxiety. A person may have adequate levels of T3 and T4 hormones, but

if the hormones are contaminated, the person is functionally thyroid

deficient. Thyroid imbalances cause chronic conditions such as clogged

arteries and chronic heart failure. People who test hypothyroid

usually have significantly higher homocysteine and

cholesterol--documented risk factors in heart disease.

 

Fifty percent of those also have high levels of homocysteine, and

90% are either hyperhomocystemic or hypercholesterolemic. The major

regulator of adrenocortical growth and secretion activity is the

pituitary hormone ACTH (adreno-cortico-tropic hormone). ACTH attaches

to receptors on the surface of the adrenal cortical cell and activates

an enzymatic action that ultimately produces cyclic adenosine

monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP, in turn, serves as a co-factor in

activating key enzymes in the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex is

able to synthesize cholesterol and to also take it up from

circulation. All steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands are

derived from cholesterol through a series of enzymatic actions, which

are all stimulated initially by ACTH. Steroid biosynthesis involves

the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, which is then

enzymatically transformed into the major biologically active

corticosteroids. cAMP is produced from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by

the action of adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase activity in the

brain is inhibited by micromolar concentrations of lead, mercury, and

cadmium. One of the key biochemical steps in the conversion of adrenal

pregnenolone to cortisol and aldosterone involves an enzyme identified

as 21-hydroxylase.

 

Mercury causes a defect in adrenal steroid biosynthesis by

inhibiting the activity of 21a-hydroxylase. The consequences of this

inhibition include lowered plasma levels of corticosterone and

elevated concentrations of progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone

(DHEA). DHEA is an adrenal male hormone. Because patients with

21-hydroxylase deficiencies are incapable of synthesizing cortisol

with normal efficiency, there's a compensatory rise in ACTH leading to

adrenal hyperplasia and excessive excretion of

17a-hydroxyprogesterone, which, without the enzyme 21-hydroxylase,

cannot be converted to cortisol. The inhibition of the 21-hydroxylase

system may be the mechanism behind the mercury-induced adrenal

hyperplasia. Adrenal hyperplasia can stress the adrenal glands by

their accelerated activity to produce steroids to the point that

production begins to diminish and the glands will atrophy. The result

is a subnormal production of corticosteroids. Both lead and mercury

can precipitate pathophysiological changes along the

hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis that may seriously

affect reproductive function, organs, and tissues. Leukocyte

production, distribution, and function are markedly altered by

glucocorticosteroid administration. In Addison's disease (hypofunction

of adrenal glands), neutrophilia occurs 4-6 hours after administration

of a single dose of hydrocortisone, prednisone, or dexamethasone.

Neutrophilia is an increase in the number of neutrophils in the blood.

Neutrophils are also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).

Mercury not only causes a suppression of adrenocorticosteroids that

would normally have stimulated an increase of PMNs, but at the same

time also affect the ability of existing PMNs to perform immunity by

inhibiting a reaction that destroys foreign substances.

 

Posterior Pituitary Gland

 

The pituitary gland controls many of the body's endocrine system

functions and secretes hormones that control most bodily processes,

including the immune system and reproductive systems. One study found

mercury levels in the pituitary gland ranged from 6.3 to 77 ppb, while

another found the mean levels to be 30 ppb, levels found to be

neurotoxic (toxic to nerves) and cytotoxic (kills cells). Amalgam

fillings, nickel and gold crowns are major factors in reducing

pituitary function. The posterior pituitary hormone joins forces with

the thyroid in influencing emotions. Posterior pituitary hormone is

really two hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin. High blood pressure is

related to the function of the posterior pituitary hormone

vasopressin. It is a short trip for mercury vapor to leave a filling,

and travel into the sinus, and then travel an inch through very

porous, spongy tissues to the pituitary gland. Mercury is detected in

the pituitary gland in less than a minute after placing amalgam in

teeth of test animals.

 

Suicide

 

Part of the reason for depression is related to mercury's effect

of reducing the development of posterior pituitary hormone (oxytocin).

Low levels of pituitary function are associated with depression and

suicidal thoughts, and appear to be a major factor in suicide of

teenagers and other vulnerable groups. As a profession, dentists rank

highest in suicide. Autopsy studies in Sweden showed that the

pituitary glands of dentists held 800 times more mercury than people

who were not in dentistry. Suicidal thoughts are not limited to dental

personnel though. Suicide is close to the number-one cause of death in

teenagers. Braces increase the electrical and toxic load people are

carrying if they have amalgam in their mouths. Amalgam can create

suicidal tendencies by itself, but the addition of braces, nickel

crowns, or even gold crowns evidently increases the exit rate of

mercury, and the glands react--or actually stop reacting. Suicidal

tendencies tend to disappear within a few days of supplemental

oxytocin extract, along with dental metal removal. Menstrual cycle

problems, also normalize and fertility increases and endometriosis

symptoms subside.

 

Frequent Urination

 

The center that controls the need to get up several times each

night to urinate is the posterior pituitary gland. There is a certain

amount of solid material that must be disposed of daily in the urine.

If the concentration of these solids is high (yield a specific gravity

of 1.022 to 1.025) then the proper volume of urine will be excreted in

a day. Should the concentration be half that, or yielding a specific

gravity of 1.012 for instance, then it will take double the amount of

urine to rid yourself of the same amount of solid. In other words, the

solids remain the same. If the concentration of the urine is reduced,

the total volume of urine is increased substantially. This ability of

the kidney is controlled by the posterior pituitary.

 

Adrenal Glands

 

Mercury accumulates in the adrenal glands and disrupts adrenal

gland function. During stress, the adrenal glands increase in size as

a normal reaction in order to produce more steroids (hormones). Both

physical and physiological stress will stimulate the adrenal glands.

The outer shell of the adrenal gland is called the cortex, and the

inner core of the gland is called the medulla. The cortex produces

three types of steroids called glucocorticoids. Cortisone is a

corticoid essential to life and functions to maintain stress

reactions. Mineral corticoids, such as aldosterone, regulate the

balance of blood electrolytes and also cause the kidneys to retain

sodium and excrete potassium and hydrogen. Mineral corticoids are also

involved in gluconeogenesis, which is the process whereby your body

converts glycogen to glucose (blood sugar).

 

Small amounts of corticoid sex hormones, both male and female, are

also produced by the adrenal cortex. Two primary nutrients for the

adrenal glands are pantothenic acid and vitamin C. A deficiency of

pantothenic acid can lead to adrenal exhaustion (chronic fatigue) and

ultimately to destruction of the adrenal glands. A deficiency of

pantothenic acid also causes a progressive fall in the level of

adrenal hormones produced. One of the largest tissue stores of vitamin

C is the adrenals; it is exceeded only by the level of vitamin C in

the pituitary.

 

Physical and mental stress increase the excretion of

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary, which is the

hormone that tells the adrenals to increase their activity. The

increased adrenal activity, in turn, depletes both vitamin C and

pantothenic acid from the glands. Humans cannot produce vitamin C.

They therefore attempt to replenish the needs of the adrenals by

taking the vitamin from other storage locations in the body. If your

overall ascorbate status is low, there may be an insufficient amount

available to satisfy the needs of the adrenals. Under this condition,

normal adrenal hormone response may become inadequate, leading to an

inadequate immune function.

 

Mercury builds up in the pituitary gland and depletes the adrenals

of both pantothenic acid and vitamin C. Stress and the presence of

mercury will have a very negative effect on the adrenal production of

critical steroids. The ability of the adrenal gland to produce

steroids is called steroidogenesis and is dependent upon reactions

mediated by the enzyme cytochrome P-450. Cytochrome P-450 reacts with

cholesterol to produce pregnenolone, which is then converted to

progesterone. Cytochrome P-450 can then convert progesterone to

deoxycorticosterone which is then converted to corticosterone or

aldosterone by other enzymes in the adrenals. These adrenal functions

are also affected by metal ions. Still today, the ADA and other

governmental agencies tell us that the mercury in your mouth, or from

vaccinations, is perfectly safe. Scientists say this is a ridiculous

statement that is in violation of science and common sense.

 

Perchlorates

 

Perchlorate, the explosive main ingredient of rocket and missile

fuel, contaminates drinking water supplies, groundwater or soil in

hundreds of locations in at least 43 states, according to

Environmental Working Group continued.........