Guest guest Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 Hi All, I came upon this article while trying to understand hypothyroid. I learned a lot and wanted to share: http://www.womentowomen.com/LIBhypothyroidism.asp?id=1 & campaignno=hypothyroidism\ & adgroup=adgroup1 & keywords=hypothyroid Just wondering in if anyone had treatment from them? They sound great! take care, Hypothyroidism in perimenopause and menopause by Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP Over 20% of menopausal women in the U.S. are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that millions more suffer from subclinical problems but are undiagnosed. Notably, women are far more likely than men to be afflicted. The great majority of these women suffer from hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid - which leads to fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol and other symptoms. A fraction suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid. What accounts for this epidemic of thyroid dysfunction? And what should you do about it? Before answering these questions, let's remember that the thyroid can't be viewed in isolation from the rest of your endocrine system. On the contrary, it sits at the very center of the action. And it is just as vulnerable to stress and lack of support as every other part of your body. Understanding how those stresses create illness and disease will also show us how to create balance and wellness. What does the thyroid actually do? Located behind the Adam's apple, the thyroid controls the rate of function of every cell and gland of the body, including growth, repair and metabolism. Its hormones affect the chemistry of the brain, playing a key role in mental function, moods and emotions. It greatly influences the activity of the sex hormones, which in turn affect thyroid function. What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism? An under-active thyroid may cause fatigue, weight gain, depression, muscle aches, joint pain, loss of mental clarity and function, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, breast milk formation, constipation, a constant feeling of being cold, and many other symptoms. Subclinical hypothyroidism may present itself with mild versions of these symptoms, or often just fatigue or depression. Hypothyroidism is also clearly associated with elevated levels of LDL, the " bad " cholesterol, and a heightened risk of heart disease. In some cases, hypothyroidism leads to a goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid sufficient to be noticeable. The gland enlarges to try and produce more. Hyperthyroidism may also cause a goiter, as the gland enlarges in response to attacks by antibodies. It's important to note that without treatment or relief of the underlying causes, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will generally worsen over time, resulting eventually in permanent damage. What triggers hypothyroidism? Thyroid dysfunction develops more often during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause than at other times, suggesting that fluctuations in hormone levels act as triggers. Dr. Lee has long argued that an excess of estrogen combined with low progesterone - the " estrogen dominance " typical of early perimenopause - is also a major trigger. Strong synthetic estrogens, such as those in Premarin, may exacerbate estrogen dominance. Dr. Lee argues that curbing estrogen dominance prevents many problems in perimenopause, including hypothyroidism. Supplemental progesterone can offset estrogen dominance, but women taking prescription-strength estrogen will generally need prescription-strength progesterone as well. How do I know how well my thyroid is functioning? Testing for thyroid function has become controversial. For many years the conventional approach was to measure the pituitary gland's stimulation of the thyroid, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ( " TSH " ). The theory was that high levels of TSH indicate the thyroid is sluggish and needs a push from the master gland to get its job done. In this simple approach, the range considered " normal " for TSH can be quite wide (0.5-5.0). Within the " normal " range many practitioners won't diagnose a problem, even if your thyroid actually is struggling. Outside this range many practitioners will prescribe a one-size-fits-all prescription for a synthetic thyroid supplement. We use the TSH test mostly as a screener. We consider it ideal when a woman reports she is thriving and her TSH is less than 2.0. If she reports symptoms, or a higher TSH level, she may have subclinical hypothyroidism. We would evaluate several forms of intervention (discussed below) to push the thyroid to heal and function more optimally. If medication was indicated we would adjust dosages according to test results and other factors. In our experience this personalized approach yields better outcomes. For women with more pronounced symptoms, we feel that the TSH test is inadequate because it doesn't tell us enough about the underlying problem. To do that, we need more detailed tests to show what the thyroid is producing and what is available for the body to use. The predominant product of the thyroid is T4 (Thyroxine), which is then converted by the liver into the usable form T3 (Triiodothyronine). There are many causes of inadequate T4 production, including adrenal stress, poor nutrition and autoimmune thyroid disease. Similarly, many factors cause inadequate conversion of T4 into T3, including lack of adequate nutrients and minerals and poor liver function. There are tests now that provide a complete picture of how well the thyroid produces T4, how much of the active form T3 is created, how well the body converts and uses the T3, and if there are significant antibodies present. In our clinical practice we use the " Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment " blood panel from Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory (www.gsdl.com). We highly recommend this panel; you can ask if your practitioner is familiar with it, or find a practitioner who is. A skilled practitioner also learns a great deal from a woman's medical history and physical examination, especially skin, eyes, hair, energy level, bowel habits, and body temperature. Is it really just a thyroid problem? In many cases the thyroid problem is itself a symptom of something else. Adrenal stress, for example, impairs thyroid function. Cortisol blocks the efficient conversion and peripheral cellular use of the thyroid hormones at many levels. For this reason we evaluate and if appropriate test for adrenal function in combination with thyroid testing. Similarly, insulin resistance presents many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism, is often found to co-exist with it, and may play a role in contributing to its development. Insulin resistance is itself tied to poor nutrition, which impairs thyroid function. Testing saliva or blood Progesterone levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may also be of great value, so that gentle replacement can be implemented if needed to reduce the negative impact of excess estrogen on the thyroid. How do you treat hypothyroidism? This too is the subject of recent debate. What your health care provider chooses to do is a function of training and experience. Most practitioners just prescribe synthetic T4 (Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroid) for hypothyroidism. But that works only if the patient has no difficulty converting T4 into T3. For women who are poor converters, synthetic T3 (Cytomel) is sometimes added to improve low T3 levels and their related symptoms. Not every practitioner believes in using T3 since it is very short-acting, somewhat a matter of trial and error, and difficult to monitor. There is also desiccated thyroid taken from pigs (Armour Thyroid), which provides both T4 & T3. Armour was the most common form of replacement until the 1970's, when practitioners abandoned it for synthetic T4, under the argument that a synthetic version was healthier because it was produced in a laboratory. It is still available and often yields excellent results. The overall goal with either formula should be to tailor dosage to symptom relief, achieving levels of TSH less than 2.0 as well as optimal levels of T3 and T4. What about natural alternatives? Alternative practitioners try to resolve the underlying causes of poor health. In our experience, we can often reverse suboptimal thyroid functioning well before a woman develops permanent dysfunction. Success in this largely depends on how early we intervene and on the degree of autoimmune antibodies (if any) that are present. Poor nutrition is probably the origin of many thyroid problems, and rich nutrition is vital to reversing them, or at least to prevent further decline. Healthy thyroid function is dependent on a range of nutrients, especially selenium, folic acid, and iodine. A medical-grade supplement (such as our Essential Nutrients) is therefore vital. Of course, supplements should be used to complement, not substitute for, a balanced diet. Stress in all its forms is another key culprit. Most of us experience a high degree of the most damaging kind - unremitting stress. We often see the symptoms of hypothyroidism totally reversed when a woman commits to a program that supports balance through nutrition and daily self-care. It's important to zero in on unresolved emotional issues as a source of stress. In naturopathic medicine, the thyroid reflects a woman's voice in her life. Many women have experienced a " trapped voice " , and by the time perimenopause arrives the accumulated effect gives rise to symptoms, including poor thyroid function. As Dr. Christiane Northrup has written, menopause pushes women to find their voice and start using it. Over and over we have seen that when women make progress in using their voices, their thyroid symptoms subside. Lastly, many women with hypothyroidism respond well to homeopathic remedies, Chinese medicine, herbal support and acupuncture. However, in our experience the nutritional, stress and emotional factors must be dealt with directly. Our Personal Program is a great option. The Program supports healthy endocrine function during perimenopause and menopause with nutritional supplements, Natural Progesterone Cream and dietary guidance (the plan we use was devised by a noted endocrinologist). This support can be vital whether you are on or trying to avoid thyroid medication. To learn more about the Personal Program, click here >> To check out what other symptoms you may have, take our online Hormonal Health Profile. For further reading about thyroid health in perimenopause and menopause, we recommend: " The Wisdom of Menopause " by Christian Northrup MD " The Thyroid Solution " by Ridha Arem MD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 Awesome article. Thanks for shareing. I have yet to find out if this is what I have but I am currently on HRT and could play a major role in what is happening. Thanks for the info. Jenna > Hi All, > I came upon this article while trying to understand hypothyroid. > I learned a lot and wanted to share: > http://www.womentowomen.com/LIBhypothyroidism.asp? id=1 & campaignno=hypothyroidism & adgroup=adgroup1 & keywords=hypothyroid > Just wondering in if anyone had treatment from them? They sound great! > take care, > > Hypothyroidism in perimenopause and menopause > by Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP > > Over 20% of menopausal women in the U.S. are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that millions more suffer from subclinical problems but are undiagnosed. Notably, women are far more likely than men to be afflicted. > > The great majority of these women suffer from hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid - which leads to fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol and other symptoms. A fraction suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid. > What accounts for this epidemic of thyroid dysfunction? And what should you do about it? Before answering these questions, let's remember that the thyroid can't be viewed in isolation from the rest of your endocrine system. On the contrary, it sits at the very center of the action. And it is just as vulnerable to stress and lack of support as every other part of your body. Understanding how those stresses create illness and disease will also show us how to create balance and wellness. > > What does the thyroid actually do? Located behind the Adam's apple, the thyroid controls the rate of function of every cell and gland of the body, including growth, repair and metabolism. Its hormones affect the chemistry of the brain, playing a key role in mental function, moods and emotions. It greatly influences the activity of the sex hormones, which in turn affect thyroid function. > > What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism? An under-active thyroid may cause fatigue, weight gain, depression, muscle aches, joint pain, loss of mental clarity and function, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, breast milk formation, constipation, a constant feeling of being cold, and many other symptoms. > > Subclinical hypothyroidism may present itself with mild versions of these symptoms, or often just fatigue or depression. Hypothyroidism is also clearly associated with elevated levels of LDL, the " bad " cholesterol, and a heightened risk of heart disease. > > In some cases, hypothyroidism leads to a goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid sufficient to be noticeable. The gland enlarges to try and produce more. Hyperthyroidism may also cause a goiter, as the gland enlarges in response to attacks by antibodies. > > It's important to note that without treatment or relief of the underlying causes, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will generally worsen over time, resulting eventually in permanent damage. > > What triggers hypothyroidism? Thyroid dysfunction develops more often during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause than at other times, suggesting that fluctuations in hormone levels act as triggers. > > Dr. Lee has long argued that an excess of estrogen combined with low progesterone - the " estrogen dominance " typical of early perimenopause - is also a major trigger. Strong synthetic estrogens, such as those in Premarin, may exacerbate estrogen dominance. > > Dr. Lee argues that curbing estrogen dominance prevents many problems in perimenopause, including hypothyroidism. Supplemental progesterone can offset estrogen dominance, but women taking prescription-strength estrogen will generally need prescription- strength progesterone as well. > > How do I know how well my thyroid is functioning? Testing for thyroid function has become controversial. For many years the conventional approach was to measure the pituitary gland's stimulation of the thyroid, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ( " TSH " ). The theory was that high levels of TSH indicate the thyroid is sluggish and needs a push from the master gland to get its job done. > > In this simple approach, the range considered " normal " for TSH can be quite wide (0.5-5.0). Within the " normal " range many practitioners won't diagnose a problem, even if your thyroid actually is struggling. Outside this range many practitioners will prescribe a one-size-fits-all prescription for a synthetic thyroid supplement. > > We use the TSH test mostly as a screener. We consider it ideal when a woman reports she is thriving and her TSH is less than 2.0. If she reports symptoms, or a higher TSH level, she may have subclinical hypothyroidism. We would evaluate several forms of intervention (discussed below) to push the thyroid to heal and function more optimally. If medication was indicated we would adjust dosages according to test results and other factors. In our experience this personalized approach yields better outcomes. > > For women with more pronounced symptoms, we feel that the TSH test is inadequate because it doesn't tell us enough about the underlying problem. To do that, we need more detailed tests to show what the thyroid is producing and what is available for the body to use. > > The predominant product of the thyroid is T4 (Thyroxine), which is then converted by the liver into the usable form T3 (Triiodothyronine). There are many causes of inadequate T4 production, including adrenal stress, poor nutrition and autoimmune thyroid disease. Similarly, many factors cause inadequate conversion of T4 into T3, including lack of adequate nutrients and minerals and poor liver function. > > There are tests now that provide a complete picture of how well the thyroid produces T4, how much of the active form T3 is created, how well the body converts and uses the T3, and if there are significant antibodies present. In our clinical practice we use the " Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment " blood panel from Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory (www.gsdl.com). We highly recommend this panel; you can ask if your practitioner is familiar with it, or find a practitioner who is. > > A skilled practitioner also learns a great deal from a woman's medical history and physical examination, especially skin, eyes, hair, energy level, bowel habits, and body temperature. > > Is it really just a thyroid problem? In many cases the thyroid problem is itself a symptom of something else. Adrenal stress, for example, impairs thyroid function. Cortisol blocks the efficient conversion and peripheral cellular use of the thyroid hormones at many levels. For this reason we evaluate and if appropriate test for adrenal function in combination with thyroid testing. > > Similarly, insulin resistance presents many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism, is often found to co-exist with it, and may play a role in contributing to its development. Insulin resistance is itself tied to poor nutrition, which impairs thyroid function. > > Testing saliva or blood Progesterone levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may also be of great value, so that gentle replacement can be implemented if needed to reduce the negative impact of excess estrogen on the thyroid. > > How do you treat hypothyroidism? This too is the subject of recent debate. What your health care provider chooses to do is a function of training and experience. Most practitioners just prescribe synthetic T4 (Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroid) for hypothyroidism. But that works only if the patient has no difficulty converting T4 into T3. For women who are poor converters, synthetic T3 (Cytomel) is sometimes added to improve low T3 levels and their related symptoms. > > Not every practitioner believes in using T3 since it is very short- acting, somewhat a matter of trial and error, and difficult to monitor. There is also desiccated thyroid taken from pigs (Armour Thyroid), which provides both T4 & T3. Armour was the most common form of replacement until the 1970's, when practitioners abandoned it for synthetic T4, under the argument that a synthetic version was healthier because it was produced in a laboratory. It is still available and often yields excellent results. The overall goal with either formula should be to tailor dosage to symptom relief, achieving levels of TSH less than 2.0 as well as optimal levels of T3 and T4. > > What about natural alternatives? Alternative practitioners try to resolve the underlying causes of poor health. In our experience, we can often reverse suboptimal thyroid functioning well before a woman develops permanent dysfunction. Success in this largely depends on how early we intervene and on the degree of autoimmune antibodies (if any) that are present. > > Poor nutrition is probably the origin of many thyroid problems, and rich nutrition is vital to reversing them, or at least to prevent further decline. Healthy thyroid function is dependent on a range of nutrients, especially selenium, folic acid, and iodine. A medical-grade supplement (such as our Essential Nutrients) is therefore vital. Of course, supplements should be used to complement, not substitute for, a balanced diet. > > Stress in all its forms is another key culprit. Most of us experience a high degree of the most damaging kind - unremitting stress. We often see the symptoms of hypothyroidism > totally reversed when a woman commits to a program that supports balance through nutrition and daily self-care. > > It's important to zero in on unresolved emotional issues as a source of stress. In naturopathic medicine, the thyroid reflects a woman's voice in her life. Many women have experienced a " trapped voice " , and by the time perimenopause arrives the accumulated effect gives rise to symptoms, including poor thyroid function. As Dr. Christiane Northrup has written, menopause pushes women to find their voice and start using it. Over and over we have seen that when women make progress in using their voices, their thyroid symptoms subside. > > Lastly, many women with hypothyroidism respond well to homeopathic remedies, Chinese medicine, herbal support and acupuncture. However, in our experience the nutritional, stress and emotional factors must be dealt with directly. > > Our Personal Program is a great option. The Program supports healthy endocrine function during perimenopause and menopause with nutritional supplements, Natural Progesterone Cream and dietary guidance (the plan we use was devised by a noted endocrinologist). This support can be vital whether you are on or trying to avoid thyroid medication. > > To learn more about the Personal Program, click here >> > > To check out what other symptoms you may have, take our online Hormonal Health Profile. > > For further reading about thyroid health in perimenopause and menopause, we recommend: > > " The Wisdom of Menopause " by Christian Northrup MD > " The Thyroid Solution " by Ridha Arem MD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hey : Thanks for the info. I printed everything off and bookmarked the page. Barb <suser@...> wrote: 4 out of every 100 women have thyroid disease. Get checked! It's your body and it's your life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Barb wrote: <<<Hey : Thanks for the info. I printed everything off and bookmarked the page.>> > > From: BARBARA SCHULZ <beschulz@...> > Date: 2004/02/27 Fri AM 08:42:53 EST > hypothyroidism > Subject: Re: women to women.com You are very welcome! Saw your other post earlier & I'm looking forward to the nice weather in New England this weekend too! Hopefully - we'll both have some positive energy and will enjoy it to the fullest! I'd love to get out and wash the cars, they look disgusting this time of year- we'll see! My husband had a sleep study in September. Said it wasn't bad at all. He had the study due to fatigue and because of my complaints trying to sleep with him. He moves his legs almost constantly - it turns out he does not have apnea (thank goodness) but does have PLMD - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. He moved his legs while sleeping at least 25 times per hour. That's why he was so tired....they have medications and dietary guidelines that help. take care & hope your bother gets better! We have a similar situation in my husband's family. My sister in law just learned she has breast cancer (just found out she has a 75% chance of survival:o) and she doesn't want my mother in law to know - who is a chronic worrier. all the best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Thanks for a great article, . I sent this onto my mom! Have a great weekend! Hugs, Sheila <suser@...> wrote:Hi All, I came upon this article while trying to understand hypothyroid. I learned a lot and wanted to share: http://www.womentowomen.com/LIBhypothyroidism.asp?id=1 & campaignno=hypothyroidism\ & adgroup=adgroup1 & keywords=hypothyroid Just wondering in if anyone had treatment from them? They sound great! take care, Hypothyroidism in perimenopause and menopause by Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP Over 20% of menopausal women in the U.S. are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that millions more suffer from subclinical problems but are undiagnosed. Notably, women are far more likely than men to be afflicted. The great majority of these women suffer from hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid - which leads to fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol and other symptoms. A fraction suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid. What accounts for this epidemic of thyroid dysfunction? And what should you do about it? Before answering these questions, let's remember that the thyroid can't be viewed in isolation from the rest of your endocrine system. On the contrary, it sits at the very center of the action. And it is just as vulnerable to stress and lack of support as every other part of your body. Understanding how those stresses create illness and disease will also show us how to create balance and wellness. What does the thyroid actually do? Located behind the Adam's apple, the thyroid controls the rate of function of every cell and gland of the body, including growth, repair and metabolism. Its hormones affect the chemistry of the brain, playing a key role in mental function, moods and emotions. It greatly influences the activity of the sex hormones, which in turn affect thyroid function. What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism? An under-active thyroid may cause fatigue, weight gain, depression, muscle aches, joint pain, loss of mental clarity and function, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, breast milk formation, constipation, a constant feeling of being cold, and many other symptoms. Subclinical hypothyroidism may present itself with mild versions of these symptoms, or often just fatigue or depression. Hypothyroidism is also clearly associated with elevated levels of LDL, the " bad " cholesterol, and a heightened risk of heart disease. In some cases, hypothyroidism leads to a goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid sufficient to be noticeable. The gland enlarges to try and produce more. Hyperthyroidism may also cause a goiter, as the gland enlarges in response to attacks by antibodies. It's important to note that without treatment or relief of the underlying causes, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will generally worsen over time, resulting eventually in permanent damage. What triggers hypothyroidism? Thyroid dysfunction develops more often during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause than at other times, suggesting that fluctuations in hormone levels act as triggers. Dr. Lee has long argued that an excess of estrogen combined with low progesterone - the " estrogen dominance " typical of early perimenopause - is also a major trigger. Strong synthetic estrogens, such as those in Premarin, may exacerbate estrogen dominance. Dr. Lee argues that curbing estrogen dominance prevents many problems in perimenopause, including hypothyroidism. Supplemental progesterone can offset estrogen dominance, but women taking prescription-strength estrogen will generally need prescription-strength progesterone as well. How do I know how well my thyroid is functioning? Testing for thyroid function has become controversial. For many years the conventional approach was to measure the pituitary gland's stimulation of the thyroid, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ( " TSH " ). The theory was that high levels of TSH indicate the thyroid is sluggish and needs a push from the master gland to get its job done. In this simple approach, the range considered " normal " for TSH can be quite wide (0.5-5.0). Within the " normal " range many practitioners won't diagnose a problem, even if your thyroid actually is struggling. Outside this range many practitioners will prescribe a one-size-fits-all prescription for a synthetic thyroid supplement. We use the TSH test mostly as a screener. We consider it ideal when a woman reports she is thriving and her TSH is less than 2.0. If she reports symptoms, or a higher TSH level, she may have subclinical hypothyroidism. We would evaluate several forms of intervention (discussed below) to push the thyroid to heal and function more optimally. If medication was indicated we would adjust dosages according to test results and other factors. In our experience this personalized approach yields better outcomes. For women with more pronounced symptoms, we feel that the TSH test is inadequate because it doesn't tell us enough about the underlying problem. To do that, we need more detailed tests to show what the thyroid is producing and what is available for the body to use. The predominant product of the thyroid is T4 (Thyroxine), which is then converted by the liver into the usable form T3 (Triiodothyronine). There are many causes of inadequate T4 production, including adrenal stress, poor nutrition and autoimmune thyroid disease. Similarly, many factors cause inadequate conversion of T4 into T3, including lack of adequate nutrients and minerals and poor liver function. There are tests now that provide a complete picture of how well the thyroid produces T4, how much of the active form T3 is created, how well the body converts and uses the T3, and if there are significant antibodies present. In our clinical practice we use the " Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment " blood panel from Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory (www.gsdl.com). We highly recommend this panel; you can ask if your practitioner is familiar with it, or find a practitioner who is. A skilled practitioner also learns a great deal from a woman's medical history and physical examination, especially skin, eyes, hair, energy level, bowel habits, and body temperature. Is it really just a thyroid problem? In many cases the thyroid problem is itself a symptom of something else. Adrenal stress, for example, impairs thyroid function. Cortisol blocks the efficient conversion and peripheral cellular use of the thyroid hormones at many levels. For this reason we evaluate and if appropriate test for adrenal function in combination with thyroid testing. Similarly, insulin resistance presents many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism, is often found to co-exist with it, and may play a role in contributing to its development. Insulin resistance is itself tied to poor nutrition, which impairs thyroid function. Testing saliva or blood Progesterone levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may also be of great value, so that gentle replacement can be implemented if needed to reduce the negative impact of excess estrogen on the thyroid. How do you treat hypothyroidism? This too is the subject of recent debate. What your health care provider chooses to do is a function of training and experience. Most practitioners just prescribe synthetic T4 (Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroid) for hypothyroidism. But that works only if the patient has no difficulty converting T4 into T3. For women who are poor converters, synthetic T3 (Cytomel) is sometimes added to improve low T3 levels and their related symptoms. Not every practitioner believes in using T3 since it is very short-acting, somewhat a matter of trial and error, and difficult to monitor. There is also desiccated thyroid taken from pigs (Armour Thyroid), which provides both T4 & T3. Armour was the most common form of replacement until the 1970's, when practitioners abandoned it for synthetic T4, under the argument that a synthetic version was healthier because it was produced in a laboratory. It is still available and often yields excellent results. The overall goal with either formula should be to tailor dosage to symptom relief, achieving levels of TSH less than 2.0 as well as optimal levels of T3 and T4. What about natural alternatives? Alternative practitioners try to resolve the underlying causes of poor health. In our experience, we can often reverse suboptimal thyroid functioning well before a woman develops permanent dysfunction. Success in this largely depends on how early we intervene and on the degree of autoimmune antibodies (if any) that are present. Poor nutrition is probably the origin of many thyroid problems, and rich nutrition is vital to reversing them, or at least to prevent further decline. Healthy thyroid function is dependent on a range of nutrients, especially selenium, folic acid, and iodine. A medical-grade supplement (such as our Essential Nutrients) is therefore vital. Of course, supplements should be used to complement, not substitute for, a balanced diet. Stress in all its forms is another key culprit. Most of us experience a high degree of the most damaging kind - unremitting stress. We often see the symptoms of hypothyroidism totally reversed when a woman commits to a program that supports balance through nutrition and daily self-care. It's important to zero in on unresolved emotional issues as a source of stress. In naturopathic medicine, the thyroid reflects a woman's voice in her life. Many women have experienced a " trapped voice " , and by the time perimenopause arrives the accumulated effect gives rise to symptoms, including poor thyroid function. As Dr. Christiane Northrup has written, menopause pushes women to find their voice and start using it. Over and over we have seen that when women make progress in using their voices, their thyroid symptoms subside. Lastly, many women with hypothyroidism respond well to homeopathic remedies, Chinese medicine, herbal support and acupuncture. However, in our experience the nutritional, stress and emotional factors must be dealt with directly. Our Personal Program is a great option. The Program supports healthy endocrine function during perimenopause and menopause with nutritional supplements, Natural Progesterone Cream and dietary guidance (the plan we use was devised by a noted endocrinologist). This support can be vital whether you are on or trying to avoid thyroid medication. To learn more about the Personal Program, click here >> To check out what other symptoms you may have, take our online Hormonal Health Profile. For further reading about thyroid health in perimenopause and menopause, we recommend: " The Wisdom of Menopause " by Christian Northrup MD " The Thyroid Solution " by Ridha Arem MD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 OMG I have taken my mother to both these women. Women to Women is in Maine. Neither of them understands adrenals. They talk the talk but they don't walk the walk. Maybe they can be taught. Gracia > Thanks for a great article, . I sent this onto my mom! Have a great weekend! Hugs, Sheila > > <suser@...> wrote:Hi All, > I came upon this article while trying to understand hypothyroid. > I learned a lot and wanted to share: > http://www.womentowomen.com/LIBhypothyroidism.asp?id=1 & campaignno=hypothyroidism\ & adgroup=adgroup1 & keywords=hypothyroid > Just wondering in if anyone had treatment from them? They sound great! > take care, > > Hypothyroidism in perimenopause and menopause > by Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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