Last week, I told you about low thyroid function and how it affects more than 30 million women and 15 million men.
So why are we seeing such an epidemic of thyroid problems?
Well, chronic thyroid problems can be caused by many factors ...
What Causes Hypothyroidism?
One of the most important factors that leads to hypothyroidism is exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, which act as hormone or endocrine disruptors and interfere with thyroid hormone metabolism and function.
In fact, one study found that as people lost weight they released pesticides from their fat tissue.
This then interfered with their thyroid function and caused hypothyroidism. The toxins created a slow metabolism and prevented them from losing more weight.
This study highlights the importance of overall detoxification. It is quite a significant finding that shows exactly how toxins interfere with thyroid function.
Heavy metals such as mercury can also affect thyroid function. I see many people with chronic hypothyroidism and other thyroid problems because mercury interferes with normal thyroid function.
The other big factor that interferes with thyroid function is chronic stress.
There is an intimate interaction between stress hormones and thyroid function. The more stress you are under, the worse your thyroid functions.
Any approach to correcting poor thyroid function must address the effects of chronic stress and provide support to the adrenal glands.
The next major factor that affects thyroid function is chronic inflammation. The biggest source of this chronic inflammation is gluten, the protein found in wheat, barely, rye, spelt, and oats.
Gluten is a very common allergen that affects about 10 to 20 percent of the population. This reaction occurs mostly because of our damaged guts, poor diet, and stress.
I also think eating so-called Frankenfoods, such as hybridized and genetically modified grains with very strange proteins, makes us sick.
Our bodies say, "What's this? Must be something foreign. I'd better create antibodies to this, fight it, and get rid of it."
This chronic inflammatory response interferes with thyroid function -- and contributes to the epidemic of inflammatory diseases in the developed world.
Lastly, nutritional deficiencies play a big role in thyroid dysfunction. These include deficiencies of iodine, vitamin D, omega-3 fats, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, and the B vitamins.
There are so many reasons for low thyroid function, yet I have seen lots of patients with this problem who were just ignored by their doctors.
For example, one young female patient of mine had more than 30 percent body fat and was unable to change her body, no matter how hard she worked. She ate perfectly, exercised with a trainer every day -- and her body still wouldn't budge.
She also had a slightly depressed mood and other vague symptoms.
So I treated her with a low dose of Armour Thyroid, which is a natural thyroid replacement.
What happened?
Well, she not only lost 20 pounds and improved her body composition, but her mood improved and all her other symptoms went away.
How did I know she had low thyroid function?
Once I have asked about symptoms, done a physical exam, and considered all the potential causes of thyroid problems, I do the right tests.
Most doctors just check something called the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which doesn't give a full picture of the thyroid. In fact, even the interpretation of this test is incorrect most of the time.
The newer guidelines of the American College of Endocrinology consider anybody with a TSH level over 3.0 as hypothyroid. Most doctors think that only anything over 5 or 10 is worth treating.
Unfortunately, this leaves millions suffering unnecessarily.
There are also other tests, including free T3 and free T4 and thyroid antibodies, which are essential.
I also look for associated problems such as gluten intolerance, food allergies, and heavy metals, as well as deficiencies of vitamin D, selenium, vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3 fats.
There are many things to consider in a careful approach to hypothyroidism.
It is one of the most common problems I see, and treating it properly makes one of the biggest differences in my patients' quality of life.
Unfortunately, by using the old guidelines and thinking, conventional medicine misses millions who suffer with hypothyroidism.
In fact, in one study, researchers tested everybody who walked through the gates of a county fair with conventional thyroid testing. They found that according to even conservative conventional standards, half of all the people who had hypothyroidism were undiagnosed, untreated, and suffering.
So what's the solution?
How You Can Overcome Hypothyroidism
I encourage you to take the following steps to rebalance your thyroid:
Once you have confirmed that a sluggish thyroid is contributing to your symptoms, the good news is that there are many, many, many things you can do to help correct thyroid problems.
I have developed a seven-step plan to address hypothyroidism:
I believe a comprehensive approach is needed to address chronic thyroid issues and to diagnose them. Unfortunately, most of the options for healing by conventional care are quite limited and only provide a partial solution. But by following my seven-step plan you can achieve lifelong vibrant health.
Now I'd like to hear from you ...
If you have low thyroid function, how was it diagnosed?
Did you face any resistance from your doctor?
Which of these steps have you tried to treat it and have they helped?
Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.
To your good health,
Mark Hyman, M.D.
Mark Hyman, M.D. practicing physician and founder of The UltraWellness Center is a pioneer in functional medicine. Dr. Hyman is now sharing the 7 ways to tap into your body's natural ability to heal itself. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, watch his videos on Youtube and become a fan on Facebook.
Follow Mark Hyman, MD on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markhymanmd
btw, here's a little secret: for many thyroid patients, endocrinologists are the worst doctors to consult. they under-diagnose, under-medicate, deny your symptoms are thyroid-related, and are over-eager to just rip the whole thing out. if all that sounds familiar, check out the website.
Mary Shomon is the About.com "guide" for that topic.
-Jennifer Schonborn, HC, AADP
Holistic Nutrition Counselor
http://www.jenniferschonborn.com
MANY things are improperly diagnosed! How many people have ADHD AND BIPOLAR in this COUNTRY? HELLO??? Most of our children in our country are on Ritlin! Some are stricken with true mental disorders and some are related to other illnesses, such as Hypothyroid!
Just because this is your case, being misdiagnosed, doesn't mean it is true for any, or all of these people!!!
Good for you that you were misdiagnosed and got the correct diagnosis, which is not Hypothyroidism. In this case, you shouldn't be posting your information here at all!!! Go away.
How DARE you say, "What you focus on is what you get?" I have never thought, "I think I'll get Hypothyroidism."
When I went to school not one kid had ADHD or Bipolar Disorder. Not one took Ritlin. When I was young and not so young, not one person in my large network had hypothyroidism. Not one was on thyroid medication. Not so long ago no one had fybromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome -- invented diseases for which to prescribe invented drugs.
In my view, after doing the research, hypothyroidism has become over diagnosed -- the latest catchall for a series of symptoms caused by overweight, poor diets and lack of exercise. It turns out that the medical community, itself, is concerned about a trend of over diagnosing hypothyroidism. Now that's my opinion. It doesn't affect your opinion or make any difference to your health situation, so anger serves no purpose whatsoever.
What we focus on is what we get. I highly recommend you research that idea, because it is very, very true.
If I were diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I would double check the diagnosis. Then, whether the diagnosis was correct or not, I would focus on a healthy diet and daily exercise. When I focus on eating healthy food (no gluten, high density carbs or added sugar) -- lean protein, fruits and vegetables -- and exercise every day, my life turns around. When I lose focus, the cascade of negative effects is swift and sure.
Self-centered? Maybe. I'm
Self-centered? Maybe. I'm not going to go away.
As far as all the people being diagnosed with this and ADHD, I don't believe it's over diagnosis at all, I think we are doing it to ourselves with all the pollution/toxins in our air, water, and yes, processed food as you mention also.
I buy grass-feed organic beef and organic vegetables. And I work out 4-5 days a week at the gym I belong to. So what else do you suggest since you seem to think you know more than this medical doctor?
4 out of the 5 initial steps you've indicated are tests. Expensive tests. Tests not often covered by insurance without significant prodding and paperwork, like a celiac panel. So what's to be done for people like myself: laid off in an oversaturated market with no insurance? I have yet to meet a doctor who accepts grateful thanks as payment.
Also, considering the majority of Americans are living on pretty tight budgets these days, how do you propose someone with a mortgage and no job begin to live a gluten-free life? The average loaf of bread costs $2.50. The average gluten-free bread begins at $5.00.
Your logic is right. Your execution is utopian.
http://gravesdiseaseanswers.blogspot.com/
Symptoms and Complications of Hypothyroidism:
Because the hormones T4 and T3 are lacking, the body's metabolic rate and organ functions slow down. Symptoms aren't always obvious, and hypothyroidism may sometimes be mistaken for other diseases. People with hypothyroidism often experience:
-fatigue/feeling sluggish
-weakness
-cold intolerance
-weight gain
-constipation
-depression
-irritability
-dry, scaly skin
-coarse and dry hair
-hair loss
-muscle cramps
-increased menstrual flow
-slower heart rate
-confusion or forgetfulness
If hypothyroidism isn't treated, the symptoms will progress and, rarely, a severe form of hypothyroidism called myxedema will develop. With myxedema, the body temperature drops, anemia occurs, and there is a risk of congestive heart failure. Myxedema coma occurs in some people with severe hypothyroidism who are exposed to some kind of stress, such as infection, severe cold, trauma, or the use of sedatives. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, seizures, slowed breathing, and lack of blood flowing to the brain.
I have never wished Hypothyroidism on anybody, as this is THE WORST condition one can get, but maybe Neva could learn something by suffering for just one month - - ok, ok I really didn't mean that, but we dont really need the arrogance, holier than thou attitude either. ALL of us, and I'm sure the others would agree, did not chose to develop hypothyroidism, and would gladly return to the days of a normal thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism has to be fixed. That does not negate responsibility for leading healthy lifestyles.
The extraordinary number of people on this thread with thyroid problems motivated me to learn that the misdiagnoses of general ailments as hypothyroidism is becoming a very real concern in the medical community.
No assumptions about the lifestyles. They shout out from most -- not all -- the posts.
I have suffered many of the symptoms: lethargy, swollen joints, exhaustion, malaise, weight gain, trouble sleeping, stress, etc. -- and I could barely walk; I had a Morton's Neuroma. I received all kinds of MISdiagnoses.
That did not change until I admitted the need for a lifestyle change. Fixed a hormone imbalance, started exercising again and stopped eating sugar and high-density carbs. That changed my life. ALL the symptoms disappeared.
Entered a marathon. Started dance classes again. Try to run five miles on the treadmill at least four times a week. I fall off the goal constantly, but start again the next day.
What we focus on is what we get.
That's all. Like it. Shout and scream at me. Or change your focus and change your life.
Morton's neuroma is an enlarged nerve that usually occurs in the third interspace, which is between the third and fourth toes.
Thyroid hormone - Cruise Control for the Body
The thyroid gland's role in the body is very similar to cruise control in the car. Cruise control keeps a car running at a constant steady speed. When we do not want to worry about having to keep a steady foot on the accelerator we turn on cruise control and the car maintains a normal speed without any effort. Thyroid hormone keeps the rest of the body working at the right speed. If thyroid hormone levels decrease, cells throughout the rest of the body decrease in activity. As a result the cells need less energy and thus more energy is available to be stored and the weight increases even though the appetite decreases. Less heat is produced, the person becomes cold, and the sweat glands do not keep the skin moist anymore. The brain just wants to sleep all the time. The heart beats slower. The bowels become sluggish. Everything slows up.
As you can see from the text above, it is not the thyroid's patient's own doing that they are putting weight on, feeling tired, are having brain fog, etc.
While you had to recuperate from one ailment to one part of your body, we have to deal with a PERMANENT impairment to the gas pedal to our
I just let her babble, apparently she is not up to par.
SOOO...BE PROACTIVE!!! TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, because most doctors WON'T, don't have the knowledge or time, don't stay up-to-date on such issues, and DON'T care!!! Most doctors especially do no understand how it affects your mental well being. You are just another person they see in each of their 15 minute slots. DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. BE ANOTHER VOICE!!! AND, MOST OF ALL BE WELL!!! QUALITY OF LIFE IS SO WORTH IT. The end, or the beginning?