Thyroid, everybody has one and it should work!
In my practice, I am often asked about thyroid gland issues. This is a common problem and is becoming a bigger issue with younger and younger people. Traditionally, women are more affected by thyroid problems than men are, however that is changing and I am seeing younger and younger kids with thyroid problems.
The thyroid gland is located in your neck and has 3 lobes.
The thyroid gland regulates the metabolism of the body. Think of it like the thermostat in your house, if the thermostat is set to low the house will be cold, too high then the house will be hot, because it tells the furnace how much heat to produce.
There are many signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction,
Common Hypothyroid (underactive) symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
- Coarse, dry hair
- Dry, rough pale skin
- Hair loss
- Cold intolerance (can’t tolerate the cold like those around you)
- Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased libido
- Palpitations
- Heat intolerance
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Breathlessness
- Increased bowel movements
- Light or absent menstrual periods
- Fatigue
- Fast heart rate
- Trembling hands
- Weight loss
- Muscle weakness
- Warm moist skin
- Hair loss
- Staring gaze
Now, do not get confused, people will often have symptoms of both hyper and hypothyroid, so when you look at the list you may say “I have signs of both”, either way, your thyroid is not functioning properly. Thyroid issues may present with emotional signs! Insecurity, muddled thinking, sluggish memory, feelings of deserted, abandoned and emotional instability, that is just a partial list.
The medical profession will often check the thyroid with a blood test, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), this hormone is produced by the pituitary. Sadly, this blood test is not an accurate test for the thyroid. The Medical Doctors will also recommend Synthroid (levothyroxine) and sadly this may bring the TSH within normal limits but more often than not the patient does NOT feel that much better.
What is causing all these thyroid issues? Well, certainly the foods we eat. And even some foods can be harmful to the thyroid. These foods are considered goitrogens. Vegetables in the genus Brassica group for instance. The list is long and surprising, to name a few; soy, strawberries, peaches, spinach, cabbage, and peanuts. I suggest you look up a complete list on the internet.
The thyroid is also being poisoned with chemicals that are used to “purify” the water. Chlorine and fluoride used in water are Halogen molecules and will compete with and win over iodine in the thyroid by filling the space reserved for iodine. Also in the 1970’s flour companies stopped using iodine in flour and started using bromide which is also a halogen molecule and will win out over iodine. The thyroid is now getting toxic chemicals instead of the desired iodine.
So what can YOU do to check your thyroid and help it work better?
Dr. Broda Barnes MD was a thyroid expert, and he discovered that you can check your thyroid at home with a simple temperature test. Contact me and I will send you how to do the test, it will cost you nothing and you can check your temperature anytime you desire. This is one of the best tests for thyroid. Why don’t Doctors use it? Cause we can’t make money off of it.
The thyroid like ALL tissues in your body needs the right nutrition. The thyroid NEEDS Iodine! Iodine is found mainly in seafoods and food grown along coastal areas. We can do an iodine patch test to test your iodine levels. The thyroid needs fatty acids found in butter, olive oil, and coconut oil.
Herbs have traditionally been used for thyroid and they include; coleus root, bladderwrack, and Withania.
Thyroid issues can be the tip of the iceberg. There may be other endocrine glands imbalances, adrenals, gonads, and pituitary. Keeping all these glands in balance will give you energy and enjoyment of life!
If you have thyroid issues contact me and let’s discuss what we can do to improve your thyroid. I have helped many people with thyroid issues even while they take the medications.
You can do both safely. Your thyroid will be happier and so will you.
