Did you know…?
Thyroid medications are among the top 10 medications prescribed each year.
Thyroid disorders are now more common now than ever before!
The thyroid is an endocrine gland found in the neck. As an endocrine gland, it plays an important role in the hormonal system along with other endocrine glands such as the pituitary, which is located in the brain, and the ovaries or the testes.
The thyroid produces two hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).
- Most of the thyroid hormone that is active in the body is T4.
- The thyroid synthesizes thyroid hormones from the mineral iodine and the amino acid tyrosine.
Did you know that thyroid disorders are more common than ever before? Thyroid dysfunction could be caused by a weak immune system, environmental toxins, and even hormonal imbalances.TSH is something that doctors often look at when diagnosing a thyroid disorder. TSH, also called thyroid-stimulating hormone, is a signal produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It sends out the message: “Hey, make more thyroid hormones!” When TSH is elevated, this can indicate a thyroid disorder.
The most common thyroid disorders are:
- Hypothyroidism, the underproduction of thyroid hormones.
- Hyperthyroidism, the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
- Goiter, the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Several mechanisms play a role in the genesis of thyroid dysfunction. These range from environmental toxins to immune and hormonal imbalances.
Common Mistake #1: Supplement with Iodine
How many times have we heard that any thyroid disorder can be helped with iodine?
How many of us believe that the only cause of goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid, is iodine deficiency?
Why do so many practitioners in alternative health, such chiropractors, acupuncturists, and naturopaths, suggest iodine for thyroid health?
This is because iodine is important for thyroid function and the production of thyroid hormones. However, most of us in the United States get the iodine that we need to avoid hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. While high doses of iodine can be useful, such as when working with fibrocystic breasts, taking supplemental iodine can make some cases of hypothyroidism worse! (1)
In cases of hypothyroidism that are autoimmune, meaning the body’s immune system is attacking its own tissue, supplemental or high dietary iodine can actually cause what is known as a flare-up.
In any autoimmune condition, when a flare-up occurs, tissue destruction is at an all-time high.
The only time you would want to supplement with iodine is if there is a true iodine deficiency, or if you are certain that your hypothyroidism is not autoimmune.
Common Mistake #2: Thyroid Hormone Replacement Can Fix Hypothyroidism
When doctors diagnose hypothyroidism, they see that thyroid hormones are low and that TSH is high.
In cases of non-autoimmune and autoimmune hypothyroidism, hormones replacement may be necessary. But if you have an immune disorder, like autoimmunity, wouldn’t you also want to treat that as well?
Doctors often do not run antibody tests when looking at TSH and thyroid hormone levels. Antibodies are what the immune system produces against invaders, a sort of tagging system.
In autoimmune hypothyroidism, there can be antibodies, or tags, that are made against certain enzymes or proteins involved in thyroid hormone production.
- Running the right antibody tests is a good first step towards the diagnosis autoimmune hypothyroidism.
- Even if an antibody test comes back negative, this does not exclude autoimmunity. Sometimes, the body is too weak to produce antibodies.
- Even if your thyroid has been removed, you can still have autoimmune hypothyroidism.
- Autoimmune hypothyroidism is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the United States, and it is grossly misdiagnosed.
Doctors do not routinely test for thyroid antibodies because low thyroid hormone in the body essentially means the same thing: you need more thyroid hormone.
Once labs come back and verify that the pituitary gland is pumping out extra hormones (TSH) to stimulate the production of more thyroid hormone, then a prescription for Synthroid or Armour is written. Both Synthroid and Armour are thyroid hormone replacement medications.
In order to treat autoimmune hypothyroidism, which is the most common form of hypothyroidism, it is absolutely necessary to address the immune system. If autoimmune hypothyroidism is not fully addressed, the patient never feels better, and the condition will continue to advance.
Whatever form of hypothyroidism you have, it may be in your best interest to take thyroid hormone medication. However, if TSH levels continue to rise, it is time to consider autoimmune hypothyroidism.
Achieving a healthy digestive tract and stable blood sugar levels are both essential when healing an autoimmune hypothyroid condition.
An effective program that supports the healing of autoimmune hypothyroidism will include:
- Regulation of blood sugar.
- Gut support and leaky gut repair.
- Reduction of stress and inflammation.
The seven principles laid out in The Body Ecology Diet give us the tools to do this.
- When we remove food toxins from the diet, such as sugar, grains, and processed oils, we begin to take the steps that will heal an imbalanced immune response.
- When we practice harmonious food combination and listen to the messages from our body, we no longer overburden our system with inflammatory agents.
The Core Program, which contains Vitality SuperGreen, InnergyBiotic, Assist Full Spectrum Enzymes, and Stevia Liquid Concentrate, supports the repair of the intestinal wall and the restoration of a robust inner ecology.
When treating the thyroid, ask more questions and, if necessary, go beyond iodine supplementation or thyroid hormone replacement.
What to Remember Most About This Article:
Thyroid disorders are more common than they have ever been before. The most common disorders include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and goiter. The thyroid can be negatively affected by environmental toxins, an unhealthy immune system, and hormonal imbalances.
When it comes to diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders, there are two big mistakes that are often made:
1. Supplementing with iodine. While iodine is important for thyroid function, most of us get all of the iodine we need to prevent hypothyroidism. The only time that it is necessary to supplement with iodine is if you are suffering from a true iodine deficiency or if you have hypothyroidism that is not autoimmune.
2. Using thyroid hormone replacement to treat hypothyroidism. In some cases, hormone replacement may be necessary, but autoimmune hypothyroidism is often misdiagnosed. It is also the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the US. To treat autoimmune hypothyroidism, the immune system must be addressed, which starts with healing the digestive tract. Removing toxins from the diet can help to heal the immune system and release the toxic burden on your system.
Product Recommendations:
REFERENCES:
- Kharrazian, Datis. Why Do I Still Have THYROID Symptoms? New York: Morgan James, 2010.
So much info, so little time. It has been a blessing to start Armour 5 months ago. I increased the dosage one month ago. Dr. Christiane Northrup has a good section on hypothyroidism in her revised book on "The Wisdom of Menopause".
Posted on Feb 8 at 9:35 pm
I disagree on adding iodine. I have worked with numerous women and have been able to help their thyroid regulate using: gluten free diet, sugar free diet, iodine, tyrosine and selenium. Plus you must avoid: chlorine, fluoride and bromine as these are antagonistic.
Posted on Feb 6 at 3:45 pm
Did Holly F. have any responses to the issue taking thyroid supplements for a long time? Does anyone have recommendations for supplements other than naturethroid, synthroid?
Thank you!
Posted on Feb 6 at 7:27 am
I am very allergic to iodine, I have low thyroid and suspect Hashimottos. I have been gluten free for over 5 years now so my antibodies are low. I know everybody suggest iodine but when I take it I get very sick. i do take Thyrogold- sold by Dr. Lowe. Healing my gut and praying to the Lord for guidance with the rest.
Posted on Feb 3 at 7:28 am
Really valuable and right on information - in my humble oppinion!
Posted on Feb 3 at 6:37 am
i also disagree about the iodine. unfortunately since bromide was put into bread flours in the 1960s instead of iodine, the numbers of people with thyroid disease has steadily increased.
i'm german and come from a country that is well known for having iodine deficiency soil. my family has traced their line all the way back to the founding of frankfurt. literally ALL of my female family members have thyroid disease -- most of them had to have their thyroids removed -- so i am pre-disposed already to thyroid disease.
since i'm allergic to levothyroxine [aka synthroid] AND to nature-throid i'm only using iodine at this point.
next week i will go back to my naturopath to see what we can do. i will probably start on l-tyrosine next and see if that helps.
have been on a gluten free diet for over 2 weeks now and i'm actually liking it.
blessings to all.
Posted on Feb 2 at 8:25 pm
I have a goiter ... and now have grown a mass that is connected to it ... some reason after having the goiter for 10 years or more a mass has decided to grow... My hormone levels are normal ... only they can't tell me in the mass will grow more or not ... I do have pain down the left side and my voice is wraspy now ... but I would rather NOT have an operation .... the pain I can deal with .. with no meds ... high pain tolerance... on the list for surgery ... but haven't really decided ... ??
Posted on Feb 2 at 6:07 pm
I was reading several sources that mentioned that fluoride from various foods and many tap water supplies will combine with trace levels of aluminum to form a stable water soluble product called aluminum tetrafluoride which has a negative charge or AlF4 - and can act in our pituatary gland and hypothalmus gland and cause higher levels of TSH to be generated as well as disrupt the enzymes (diodinasis) that convert the T4 to T3 so clinically, the T4 will be high but the T3 will be very low which should show clinical hypothyroidism. It's been suggested that from experimental studies in vitro at least, the aluminum fluoride complex can substitute for phosphate and act as a false switching device that act's upon the G protein activator system resulting in false "on" signals to be conveyed to the thyroid tissue. It's also been suggested that people who know that they are ingesting fluoride from various sources, they should take a small maintanence dose of reduced and oxidized forms of iodine such as iodide and elemental iodine respectively to help crowd out and displace the fluoride present in the tissues. Either Lugol's solution or a product called Iodoral has been sited as two possible choices. Would you recommend these products in cases like this?
Posted on Feb 2 at 9:13 am
Be very careful with iodine, because excessive use of it (non-organic versions in particular) can completely cause Graves disease, complete with the eye disease and goiter. It is an autoimmune trigger in many people.
Posted on Feb 2 at 9:02 am
I do not agree with the iodine issue. I have HASHI'S and my doc has me on iodine supplements along with my thyroid meds.I take Naturthyroid. I do much better when I take the iodine, than without. The left side of my thyroid is almost gone, it is so small they always have trouble finding it with the ultra sound..and it was that way before I was put on the Iodine...People should read the book written by Dr. David Brownstein,MD.." Iodine Why You Need It, Why You Can't live Without It ". He is a Thryoid expert...
Posted on Feb 2 at 8:26 am
I have hashimotos and I have been on thyroid meds for 13 years. I recently went on a gluten free diet and i had to slowly lower my thyroid meds and I'm not taking any meds at all anymore. I would highly recommend that anyone with thyroid disease try a completely gluten free diet for at least 2 months to see if they can decrease their meds.
Posted on Feb 2 at 8:07 am
What if my thyroid is already destroyed? I was diagnosed with "low thyroid" age 30 and took Synthroid for 10+ years. Several years ago I switched to a wonderful MD who believes in taking a holistic approach first if possible. He switched me to Naturethroid but noticed my T4 levels would not balance so he sent me to an endocrinologist. I had an ultrasound on my thyroid and the Endo said I had Hashimoto's. I told him I had been tested twice in the last few years for that and test was negative. He said that's because you don't have a thyroid any more and so your body isn't producing antibodies. A healthy thyroid looks like a bunch of grapes and mine looks like the burned out surface of the moon. So I continue to take NatureThroid now, but can diet even help at this point? What do you recommend for people with no thyroid left, as I really can't be "cured."
Posted on Feb 2 at 7:29 am
Great advice Donna. For simple hypothyroid it's a good idea to test for iodine and selenium levels nd never just assume you need these things.
Posted on Feb 2 at 6:45 am