HYPOTHYROID (Part 1 of 3)
Are you struggling to lose weight despite a clean diet? Experiencing hair loss? Low energy levels? Overly sensitive to cold weather? Is the outer 3rd of your eyebrow thinning? Feel anxious? Depressed? If so, you may be suffering from a sluggish thyroid despite what your labs tests indicate.
A healthy functioning thyroid is vital to your health; it’s the master gland of metabolism and the body’s internal thermostat, regulating temperature by secreting two hormones, T3 and T4 that control your ability to burn calories and use energy. Every cell in the body has receptors for thyroid hormone. The thyroid controls energy levels, weight, body temperature, heart rate and menstrual regularity.
Thyroid hormones directly act on the brain, the G.I. tract, bone metabolism, the cardiovascular system, red blood cell metabolism, gall bladder and liver function, hormone production, glucose metabolism, lipid and cholesterol metabolism, protein metabolism and body temperature regulation.
Thyroid hormones directly act on the brain, the G.I. tract, bone metabolism, the cardiovascular system, red blood cell metabolism, gall bladder and liver function, hormone production, glucose metabolism, lipid and cholesterol metabolism, protein metabolism and body temperature regulation.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped, hormone-producing tissue the size of a walnut located at the lower front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. Every cell in your body needs small amounts of thyroid hormone to function optimally.
Hypothyroidism is a health condition in which there’s insufficient thyroid activity. Approximately 20 million Americans experience thyroid dysfunction and that number continues to rise. It's estimated that 60 percent of individuals are completely unaware that they have a thyroid dysfunction.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland is responsible for approximately 90 percent of hypothyroid cases in the U.S.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland is responsible for approximately 90 percent of hypothyroid cases in the U.S.
Numerous individuals with thyroid disorders have been improperly diagnosed or treated. Some of the early symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are mistaken for fatigue, depression, anxiety, or aging. Left untreated, hypothyroidism dramatically increases risk of serious health problems and degenerative diseases.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted by the pituitary gland in the subconscious brain. In early stages of hypothyroidism, the pituitary gland releases more and more TSH, causing elevated TSH levels. This causes the thyroid to work overtime to secrete more thyroxin, T4 and T3, the biologically active form of thyroid. Most of the T4 produced is converted to T3 by the liver.
Measuring different hormones in the blood can determine if the thyroid is working properly, however subjective indicators must be taken into consideration and should not be overlooked. To most effectively screen for hypothyroidism and other thyroid imbalances, blood tests must include thyroid antibodies. Often TSH is the only lab value tested, which by itself is not a thorough screening of thyroid function.
- Download the List of Labs here.
- Order your own lab tests (no doctor required)!
Data from a study of 25,000 participants whose TSH was measured argued that the ideal TSH level is 2 or less, not the usual 5.5 limit still cited by some labs. One study found that those with TSH values >2.0 have an increased risk of developing clinically significant thyroid deficiency over the next 20 years (Vanderpump MP et al 1995). Other studies show TSH values >1.9 indicate risk of autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland (Hak AE et al 2000). Another study found TSH values >4.0 increase the likelihood of heart disease in postmenopausal women (Hak AE et al 2000).
“Ninety percent of the time the patient is normal on the lab test. If you know the symptoms, numbers become useful.” -Harry O. Eidenier, Jr., Ph.D.
SUGGESTED THYROID TESTS- At Home Thyroid Test Before going to bed, set a thermometer on your nightstand. The moment you wake up, place the thermometer under your left armpit for 10 minutes. (This would be the perfect time to set your intention for the day). Monitor your temperature for 5 consecutive days. Total the number. Divide by 5 for an average temperature.
A morning temperature consistently <97.3˚F may suggest hypothyroidism, whereas temperatures consistently <97.0˚F are highly probable of low thyroid function
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Beware most all of the so called “normal” ranges are simply dead wrong. The optimal TSH is between 1 and 1.5 mIU/L.
- T4 panel
- Free T4 – The normal level of free T4 is between 0.9 and 1.8 ng/dl.
- T4 Thyroxine – optimal levels are 8-12.5
- Free Thyroxine Index – optimal levels are 1.5-5
- T3 Panel
- Free T3 – Optimal ranges are between 1.8-5.4
- T3 Uptake – optimal levels are 27-37
- T3 Total – optimal ranges are 72-170
- Reverse T3 (often increased with infection, diabetes, malnutrition, anorexia, but the major causes are adrenal hyperfunction and excess use of thryoid hormones)
- Thyroid Antibodies, Anti-TPO and Anti-thyroglobulin. Use range provided by the lab. Optimum range: less than 75% of the reference range.
- Thyroxin Binding Globulin (TGB). Important for determining overall binding of T-4
- Palpation and ultrasound. Insist that your doc does a careful head and neck exam routinely and an ultrasound regularly.
- Adrenal Insufficiency: Cortisol levels (8 a.m. and 4 p.m.); DHEA and DHEA-S; Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) and ACTH.
- Rule out viral infections such as Epstein-Barr, Heavy Metal Toxicity, Candida and Infections in the Gut. I cannot emphasize this enough! Candida, bacterial, yeast and parasite infections, leaky gut, viral infections and Heavy Metal Toxicity are very common in those with hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s. It's estimated that over 95% of thyroid disorders stem from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
- Homocysteine Clinical research has shown that increased homocysteine (>8) is found with many cases of primary and secondary thyroid hypo-function.
Read Part 2 Conditions & Symptoms of a Sluggish Thyroid Read Part 3 30 Natural Remedies to Heal Thyroid Dysfunction As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of any thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune disorder, hormone imbalance, as well as any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," one by one, and design a healing protocol and comprehensive LIFESTYLE plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, thrive, experience vibrant health, balanced hormones, optimal thyroid function, and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men and women around the world, all over the U.S. and with clients locally in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!
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