low thyroid info

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Chapter 4

LOW THYROID:

The Unsuspected Illness

How can the thyroid affect my health?

During nearly 50 years of clinical practice, Dr. Broda , M.D.,

Ph.D. has seen thousands of people suffering from undiagnosed cases

of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism). His discoveries led him to

write a book called " Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness " .

What is the relationship between the thyroid and heart attacks?

Research over the past forty years has clearly shown a direct

relationship between heart attacks and thyroid deficiency, according

to Dr. Broda . The true culprit causing the increase in heart

attacks is not necessarily how much cholesterol is consumed, but how

the cholesterol is assimilated in the body. Studies have shown that

low thyroid levels causes a glue-like substance called mucin to

accumulate causing a cascade of biochemical changes leading to a

degeneration of the arteries. Other studies have shown that the

removal of the thyroid gland soon leads to atherosclerosis. [10]

Researchers have discovered that mucin can even develop in children

who have insufficient thyroid function. They found out that as long

as thyroid is administered, the tissue would be normal. But if

thyroid therapy was stopped, mucin rose rapidly. If thyroid therapy

was begun again, the mucin content returned to normal. Therefore,

one of the many preventive measures that can be done to prevent the

possibility of heart attacks is to ensure the proper amount of

thyroid is in the body. [11]

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Research has shown that thyroid deficiency causes

hardening of the arteries. Thyroid therapy helps

reverse this and also reduces the risk of heart attacks.

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In his book, Dr. states that 40% of Americans suffer from an

inadequate supply of thyroid hormone, an ingredient vital to health

in the human body.

Since about half of the population suffers from some degree of

thyroid deficiency, it would follow that administering proper

thyroid dosages could save thousands of lives each year. [12]

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It is the opinion of Dr. and the author that

natural thyroid is the best kind to use because it

contains all the essential thyroid components that

are not found in other thyroid drugs such as

Synthyroid®.

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Dr. noted that hypothyroidism often goes undiagnosed because

blood thyroid values are usually inaccurate. He recommends a simple

test, called the Basal Temperature test, which the patient can

perform at home.

Dr. has found the basal temperature to be one of the most

valid tests to evaluate thyroid function. The temperature test

should be done upon awakening in the morning, but before leaving

your bed.

HOW TO TAKE THE BASAL TEMPERATURE TEST FOR DETERMINING LOW THYROID

1) If you are male or a non-menstruating female, take a digital

thermometer or an oral mercury thermometer (which has been shaken

down and placed at the bedside the previous evening) and place it in

your armpit for 10 minutes immediately upon awakening while lying

quietly in bed. Repeat the test three days in a row. Normal

temperature is 97.8 degrees to 98.2 degrees. If your temperature is

low, your thyroid gland is probably underactive.

*************Note*************

DO NOT use an electric blanket for 24

hours prior to taking your temperature.

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2)If you are a female who menstruates, do the above test on the

second and third day of your period in the same manner.

3) If you have a very young child and you are unable to take his

armpit temperature, you can take the rectal temperature for two

minutes. Normal would be 1 degree higher than the above, that is

98.8 degrees to 99.2 degrees.

4)Record your results below and bring this record to your physician.

RESULTS: TEMPERATURE:

Date:________ Day 1: ___________________

Date:________ Day 2: ___________________

Date:________ Day 3: ___________________

Date:________ Day 4: ___________________

Date:________ Day 5: ___________________

What are the symptoms of low thyroid production?

You can think of the thyroid as the body's " carburetor " that

controls the rate at which every cell from hair to toenails burns

energy. It is no wonder that a lack of thyroid hormone production

can cause a wide range of problems inter-related yet separate from

PMS such as those in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Some Possible Common Signs & Symptoms of a Low Functioning

Thyroid (Hypothyroid)

Hair Loss

Cold Hands and Feet

Fatigue

Chronic Colds / Flu

Brittle Nails

Headaches

Memory Loss

Mild Depression

Constipation

PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome)

Worsening of Hot Flash/Night Sweats in Menopause

Weight Gains

High Blood Cholesterol

Of all these, fatigue seems to be the most common complaint, which

no amount of sleep seems to help. People who suffer from this

overall feeling of chronic sluggishness tend to get depressed. They

frequently lose hope, resigning themselves to a life of low level

functioning. These same people are often very pleased to find that a

small dose of thyroid hormone will quickly improve their condition!

Many allegedly " depressed " patients resume normal lifestyles

enriched with exercise and brighter outlook within weeks after being

placed on natural thyroid medication.

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Thyroid deficiency is one of the most common

illnesses entering the physician's office today

and it is a diagnosis often missed!

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How does low thyroid affect susceptibility to infections?

Dr. Broda has shown that many infections, (especially those

of the respiratory tract such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, sore

throats, middle ear infections and sinusitis) can be reduced when

the body has proper amounts of thyroid. He has also shown that cold

hands and feet of the hypothyroid patient signifies poor circulation

to the skin which results in a susceptibility to skin infections.

There are very few people with skin diseases of any kind who would

not be benefited by thyroid.[13]

In severe thyroid deficiencies, the resistance to respiratory

infections may be so low that the antibiotics are relatively

ineffective. [14]

Can a standard blood test indicate a thyroid problem?

Dr. Broda has stated that, on the whole, blood tests are not

sensitive enough to show a moderate thyroid deficiency and usually

only indicate when thyroid levels are extremely low. A person can

suffer from hypothyroidism and at the same time be within " normal "

limits on thyroid blood level tests. An easier (and we might add

more accurate) way to identify low levels of thyroid, is to take a

simple basal (resting) body temperature reading with a standard oral

thermometer, a technique developed by Dr. Broda .

Instructions on how to take this test are found above.

Researchers at the Vascular Research Foundation have observed that

laboratory tests failed to uncover even a minute fraction of

hypothyroids. Although standard tests indicated that 85% of patients

had normal thyroid function, all of them showed marked and

consistent benefits from thyroid supplementation.[15]

Dr. Mark Gold, M.D. at Fair Oaks Hospital in New Jersey found a

significant incidence of low-level hypothyroidism among psychiatric

patients. This convinced him that depression is often the first sign

of low-level thyroid failure which is not detected by the usual

blood thyroid function tests. [16]

What are the relationships between thyroid and reproductive organs?

The reproductive organs need a normal supply of thyroid hormone to

function properly. Any abnormality in the menstrual cycle should be

an indicator to have a Basal Temperature check as well as other

tests. If there are abnormalities in the menstrual cycle, the proper

dosage of thyroid will usually correct or improve the condition.

More than 90% of the menstrual disorders are improved with adequate

thyroid therapy. [17]

Low thyroid can also be a possible cause or infertility by

contributing to ovulation problems in females and low sperm counts

in men.

What are some effects of hypothyroidism in children?

Although some preschool children suffering from hypothyroidism may

have a somewhat dull and apathetic appearance and be less active

than normal youngsters, a few may be very nervous, hyperactive and

unusually aggressive. Emotional problems and learning disabilities

are frequent and a low thyroid child may cry for no apparent reason

and object vigorously to any restrictions. Temper tantrums are

common and are probably related to undue fatigue. These children may

sleep longer than other youngsters of their age, be a slow starter

in the morning, have a short attention span, and compulsively go

from one activity to another. Infections are common. Since some of

these problems often have multiple causes, children frequently

require treatment for allergies, environmental sensitivities,

candidiasis, nutritional deficiencies, parasites, ingestion of lead

and other toxins as well as thyroid therapy.

What are some of the other benefits of proper thyroid amounts?

Thyroid hormone also stimulates protein synthesis, that is, the

buildup of protein from amino acids. Protein is necessary for

replacing worn-out cells and for the manufacture of enzymes. A

proper functioning thyroid also allows for the secretion of the sex-

activating hormones, controls the rate of absorption of nutrients

from the gastrointestinal tract, and is responsible for production

of a compound known as retinene which is essential for visual acuity

at night.

Hypothyroidism should always be considered in the differential

diagnosis of children who are hyperactive. [18]

How does estrogen affect hypothyroidism?

Pharmacologic doses of estrogen depress the secretion of thyroid

hormone by suppressing TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). This is

especially important if a woman is taking oral contraceptive pills.

[19]

Next Chapter 5 : MENOPAUSE

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