Hypothyroidism

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Hypothyroidism

 

The thyroid is a two-lobed gland usually situated in the front of

the lower neck. It stores and secretes thyroid hormones that play a

major role in regulating various metabolic rates throughout the

entire body. Any abnormality in thyroid function can affect every

cell in the body.

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Hypothyroidism, or a slowing of thyroid function, can range from

subclinical deficiency, with only subtle symptoms, to severe life-

threatening myxoedema. Major symptoms of under-active thyroid

include: unusually slow pulse; cold intolerance; fatigue;

depression; dry and coarse skin; lethargy; tingling and/or numbness

in the hands and feet; dry hair; hair loss (particularly the outer-

third of the eyebrows); high cholesterol; muscle cramps; heavier and

more frequent menstrual periods; digestive changes such as

constipation, bloating, heartburn and loss of appetite; and

unexplained weight gain.

 

Hypothyroidism is often caused by Hashimoto's Disease, an

inflammation of the thyroid that can occur alone, or may appear in

conjunction with Graves' Disease. Hypothyroidism can also result

from iodine deficiency or damage to the pituitary gland.

Subclinical thyroid dysfunction, which does not usually present any

symptoms, may occur in as many as 10% of women over the age of 60

and is often mistaken for other diseases. It has been linked to many

problems including heart disease, depression, elevated cholesterol,

bone loss and poor circulation (Woeber, 1997). Returning your

thyroid to normal function can decrease blood levels of

homocysteine, thereby reducing your chances of developing coronary

and cerebrovascular diseases (Hussein et al., 1999).

 

It is a mistake to assume that clinical blood tests for thyroid

function are infallible. In fact, it is my clinical experience

(shared by other holistic doctors) that persons whose blood tests do

not show problems often continue to have symptoms. When treated with

either thyroid hormone or herbal alternatives, many of these

patients improve dramatically. The simple tried and true method of

taking the basal body temperature with a thermometer is often a more

accurate way to assess thyroid status, and is certainly less

expensive than laboratory evaluations. Blood tests measure the

amount of thyroid hormone that is produced by the body and

circulated in the blood, but they cannot tell if the body is

utilizing the hormone properly at the cellular level.

 

Interpreting your blood tests

 

Patients are often confused by their blood tests, so here is a

simple summary of the most common ones:

 

• TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone or thyrotrophin) stimulates the

thyroid to release more thyroid hormone. If it is high, it means

your thyroid is underactive, and TSH is trying to stimulate it. If

the TSH is low, it means the thyroid is overactive. Because TSH is

high before other tests show problems, it is used to detect

hypothyroidism. It is not as sensitive for hyperthyroidism.

 

• Total serum T4 Thyroid hormone (Thyroxine or T4) is the iodine

based compound that is released by your thyroid gland to stimulate

metabolism. This number is high if you have hyperthyroidism, with a

greater than 90% accuracy. Other more complex tests are used if this

test is uncertain, such as serum T3, a precursor.

 

• Serum Thyroid antibodies - This test measures if your immune

system is attacking your thyroid. High levels indicate Hashimoto's

thyroiditis.

 

Herbal Treatment of Hypothyroidism

 

Treatment of thyroid problems with natural means can take a long

time. It is important to continue to take your thyroid medication

and work with your doctor. If these herbal methods are successful

you may be able to decrease your medicines, but this is by no means

certain. The basic strategy is to improve general health and

stimulate metabolism.

 

To measure your basal temperature, keep a thermometer by your bed at

night. Upon waking (don't leave the bed at all), shake it down below

95 degrees, and place it in your armpit for a full ten minutes. Move

as little as possible. Record the temperature for three days.

Menstruating women need to do this on the second, third and fourth

day of menstruation. Normal basal temperature should be between

97.6 F and 98.2 F. Low temperatures may indicate hypothyroidism,

and high temperatures may indicate hyperthyroidism.

 

• Deficiency of any one of many basic nutrients, especially iodine,

can slow thyroid hormone production and utilization. Daily intake of

a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral can help solve this problem.

 

• Goitrogens are naturally-occurring substances that block the

body's utilization of thyroid hormone. These substances can range

from chemicals in the water supply to common foods such as cabbage,

mustard, cassava root, soybeans, peanuts, pine nuts and millet. The

cooking process can inactivate goitrogens, so be sure to avoid raw

forms of these foods (reported in Murray, 1991). Authorities such

as Dr. Jim Duke believe that cruciferous vegetables (such as

cabbage) exert a deleterious effect only when there is iodine

deficiency, and may be beneficial in the presence of sufficient

iodine.

 

• Kelp fronds (Fucus versicolor) are a very rich source of micro-

nutrition, minerals and trace minerals. They are especially high in

iodine and potassium, useful for increasing under-active thyroid

function and for alkalizing blood chemistry. Experienced clinician

Dr. William Mitchell, ND has observed that low T-4 levels often

increase slightly with 6 kelp tablets once a day at lunch (Mitchell,

1998). Other varieties of seaweed are also natural sources of

iodine and can serve as beneficial dietary additions in cases of

hypothyroidism. It is important to moderate your dietary intake of

iodine-rich foods, especially when taking prescription thyroid

medications. An overdose of iodine can interfere with thyroid

tests, and can even lead to hyperthyroidism or a goiter. Even excess

use of kelp can suppress the thryoid, so I recommend using kelp only

a few days a week.

 

• TCM doctors believe hypothyroidism is a Yang deficiency disease

(see research note below), and they prescribe combinations of

purified aconite, deer antler, astragalus root, ba ji tian root

(Morinda officinalis ), epimidium herb, dry ginger root and

cinnamon bark. The dosage is usually about six to nine grams per day

of the 4:1 concentrated powders. These herbs are very strong, and

need to be prescribed by a qualified TCM practitioner.

 

• The unique herb coleus (C. forskohlii) can be used to strengthen

thyroid function by increasing intracellular cAMP levels.

 

• Thyroid inflammation is sometimes cause by an underlying

intestinal dysbiosis problem or candida infection, and if so, the

digestive system must be treated properly first.

 

• DHEA can be used as a general aid to normalizing general hormone

levels, including thryoid.

 

• Naturopaths use dessicated thryoid (bovine) to nourish the thyroid.

 

• In addition to prescription medications and herbal remedies,

regular exercise also helps stimulate healthy thyroid activity.

 

 

 

Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 09:05AM by posted by Dr.

Tillotson in Disease encyclopedia |

 

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