Thyroid Health from Women's Health Network personal health program.
"Your thyroid is one of the most important glands in your body. It controls the way you metabolize food, the way you use energy, lose and gain weight, how well or poorly you sleep, and much, much more. We know that women are more prone to thyroid conditions than men, and that many of these problems first manifest during times of hormonal flux, such as perimenopause and childbearing.
One of the best ways to support the thyroid gland through all of life's important changes is by eating more carefully. As we approach these transitions, perhaps it’s time for everyone to take a look at how the foods we eat can help — or hurt — our thyroid function. You may have heard conflicting information about iodine, soy, or even broccoli. Let’s get the facts straight by looking at how specific foods and supplements influence this master gland, and learn what you can do to support your thyroid health.
...
Some studies have shown that the isoflavones in soybeans inhibit the enzyme responsible for adding iodine to thyroid hormone, thyroid peroxidase (TPO). These and other studies also demonstrate, however, that soy’s effect on the thyroid involves the critical relationship between your iodine status and thyroid function. This means that if you have low iodine in your body, the soy isoflavone could bond to what iodine you do have, leaving you with an inadequate reserve for thyroid hormone production. Evidence suggests that if you have sufficient iodine in your body, eating soy will most likely not be a problem. And I’ve seen soy help so many women with menopausal symptoms that it would be a shame not to consider it as an option. (Just be sure it is not genetically modified soy.)
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Start with whole food, and supplement as needed. Getting as many pro-thyroid nutrients through wholesome foods is ideal, but I know this isn’t always easy or even possible in our busy lives. Supplementing with a top-quality multivitamin–mineral complex, like the one we offer in our Personal Program, will provide the foundation you need for preventive thyroid health. If you already have thyroid imbalance, talk to your practitioner about using supplements before a prescription. The problem with prescriptions like Synthroid (levothyroxine) is that once you go on them, your thyroid backs down, and it can be difficult to get off of thyroid replacement drugs.
Get tested. I recommend having a full thyroid hormone panel, which is routine for many practitioner visits. But I also recommend testing your iodine, selenium, and vitamin D levels. Together, the results of these various tests should give both you and your practitioner a better sense of underlying conditions and how to begin your treatment.
Too much can be as bad as too little. While all of the micronutrients I’ve discussed above are important, overloading on just one will not help your thyroid or resolve your imbalance! There are many complex interactions between the pro-thyroid nutrients, especially iodine and selenium, so please work with your practitioner to find a gentle balance that is right for you.
Support your adrenals. I’ve so often seen that the underlying problem in a thyroid imbalance is overworked adrenal glands. To learn more about the intimate connection between stress, your thyroid and adrenal glands and how to better support them, see our articles on adrenal health.
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This is perhaps one of the most overlooked pieces of advice in our modern lives: sit and enjoy your food! As women in today’s world, we are expected to do and be so many things that eating while standing at the kitchen counter, driving, or seated at your computer seems normal. But as you may have read in my article on hypothyroidism in menopause, the thyroid is very sensitive to stress. Give your mind, your body, and your thyroid a break by sitting in a comfortable space while you eat. Enjoy your meals in peace with friends and family, and talk, laugh, and allow the food you consume to nourish your thyroid, too. You deserve this break, and your body will thank you for it!"
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Showing posts with label Thyroid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thyroid. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Report on Thyroid and Autoimmune Disease
Thyroid Deficiency
Preventing a Metabolic Meltdown
By Raphael Kellman, MD
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Low progesterone in women between the ages of 30 and 50 may lead to autoimmune hypothyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s disease, as a consequence of immune stimulation by the dominant estrogen.
In this condition, the body’s immune system develops antibodies to thyroid cell components, resulting in self-destruction of the thyroid gland; specifically, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin are generated pathologically.
Twenty-five percent of such cases may also result from a genetic predisposition.
This attack by the immune system on the thyroid results in damage to the cellular mitochondria, the energy producers in the cytoplasm, and the progressive destruction of the thyroid itself.
Stress can also provoke this mitochondrial response, which in turn can result in other types of inflammation and allergies.
To improve mitochondrial function, we use N-acetylcysteine (a precursor to glutathione), coenzyme Q10, and alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant for liver and nerve health that also works to regenerate coenzyme Q10.37
This treatment also improves cholesterol and fat levels in the liver, and helps the gall bladder.
Looking for the Cause
In addition to treating both symptoms and organic dysfunction, it is important to identify and eliminate all other possible causative factors. These may include:
Iodine deficiencies.
Iodine is an important component of T4 and T3. Although dietary iodine deficiencies are now almost nonexistent in the US, some people need to supplement their iodine intake with kelp, seaweed, or iodine tablets. Iodine is also found in dietary supplements such as Thyroid &; L-Tyrosine Complex™ capsules, which contain other trace minerals needed for optimal endocrine function—such as iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese—as well as tyrosine, the precursor to thyroid hormone.
Toxicity/heavy metals.
Metal toxicity, determined by hair analysis, can be addressed with chelation, both intravenous and oral. Selenium supplementation can also help remove heavy metals by working in conjunction with glutathione peroxidase, a compound found in asparagus, garlic, and mushrooms. A blood test can determine if selenium supplementation is needed; if so, there are several options, including Se-methylselenocysteine caps.
Candida.
Candida is detected using stool testing for overgrowth of yeast and yeast antibodies. Eliminating yeast, sugar, and wheat from the diet helps to starve out candida. People suffering from this disorder should eliminate even honey and fruit sugars from their diet at first, and then slowly reintroduce them into the diet later. Twinlab Yeast Fighters include biotin, fiber, acidophilus, and herbs to support a healthy intestinal environment.
Environmental radiation.
Radiation can cause free-radical damage to the thyroid, as has happened in Ukraine as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. The cell mitochondria are also prone to free radical damage. I recommend turning off cell phones and unplugging bedside electronic and electrical devices (including the telephone) at night, even though these devices produce relatively low levels of radiation. Because electromagnetic radiation in food can also be problematic, eating organic food whenever possible is also recommended.
Treating Hypothyroidism
Conventional treatment calls for patients to take an oral, synthetic form of T4. Synthroid®, the most popular such medication, is used by about 8 million Americans. Especially in older people for whom the side effects can be more problematic, it is important to advance the dosage slowly until TSH blood levels return to normal. This medication usually must be taken for life.
Dr. Kellman has discovered that many people respond better to Armour® Thyroid, which is desiccated porcine thyroid.
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine claimed greater improvements in mood and brain function with Armour® Thyroid than with Synthroid®.
Dr. Kellman recommends starting treatment with a dose of 60-120 mg of Armour® desiccated thyroid, and then retesting in a month.
One patient, a woman in her early forties, complained of fatigue along with dry scalp and hair loss. She had gained 10 pounds and had irregular periods of depression. Because her blood test results were in the “normal” range, she went from doctor to doctor, until one physician prescribed birth control pills and Prozac®. Dr. Kellman noticed that her TSH level was 3 mµ/ml; this score, though considered to be within the normal range, may indicate low thyroid. Dr. Kellman treated her empirically with Armour® Thyroid. Dr. Kellman also tested her adrenals and found that they were hypofunctioning, and thus prescribed ashwagandha and Panax ginseng.42,43 Two weeks after treatment, the woman regained her energy and told me, “I have my life back!” The weight also disappeared—she dropped 10 pounds in eight weeks, her skin returned to normal, and her mood lifted."
Preventing a Metabolic Meltdown
By Raphael Kellman, MD
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Low progesterone in women between the ages of 30 and 50 may lead to autoimmune hypothyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s disease, as a consequence of immune stimulation by the dominant estrogen.
In this condition, the body’s immune system develops antibodies to thyroid cell components, resulting in self-destruction of the thyroid gland; specifically, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin are generated pathologically.
Twenty-five percent of such cases may also result from a genetic predisposition.
This attack by the immune system on the thyroid results in damage to the cellular mitochondria, the energy producers in the cytoplasm, and the progressive destruction of the thyroid itself.
Stress can also provoke this mitochondrial response, which in turn can result in other types of inflammation and allergies.
To improve mitochondrial function, we use N-acetylcysteine (a precursor to glutathione), coenzyme Q10, and alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant for liver and nerve health that also works to regenerate coenzyme Q10.37
This treatment also improves cholesterol and fat levels in the liver, and helps the gall bladder.
Looking for the Cause
In addition to treating both symptoms and organic dysfunction, it is important to identify and eliminate all other possible causative factors. These may include:
Iodine deficiencies.
Iodine is an important component of T4 and T3. Although dietary iodine deficiencies are now almost nonexistent in the US, some people need to supplement their iodine intake with kelp, seaweed, or iodine tablets. Iodine is also found in dietary supplements such as Thyroid &; L-Tyrosine Complex™ capsules, which contain other trace minerals needed for optimal endocrine function—such as iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese—as well as tyrosine, the precursor to thyroid hormone.
Toxicity/heavy metals.
Metal toxicity, determined by hair analysis, can be addressed with chelation, both intravenous and oral. Selenium supplementation can also help remove heavy metals by working in conjunction with glutathione peroxidase, a compound found in asparagus, garlic, and mushrooms. A blood test can determine if selenium supplementation is needed; if so, there are several options, including Se-methylselenocysteine caps.
Candida.
Candida is detected using stool testing for overgrowth of yeast and yeast antibodies. Eliminating yeast, sugar, and wheat from the diet helps to starve out candida. People suffering from this disorder should eliminate even honey and fruit sugars from their diet at first, and then slowly reintroduce them into the diet later. Twinlab Yeast Fighters include biotin, fiber, acidophilus, and herbs to support a healthy intestinal environment.
Environmental radiation.
Radiation can cause free-radical damage to the thyroid, as has happened in Ukraine as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. The cell mitochondria are also prone to free radical damage. I recommend turning off cell phones and unplugging bedside electronic and electrical devices (including the telephone) at night, even though these devices produce relatively low levels of radiation. Because electromagnetic radiation in food can also be problematic, eating organic food whenever possible is also recommended.
Treating Hypothyroidism
Conventional treatment calls for patients to take an oral, synthetic form of T4. Synthroid®, the most popular such medication, is used by about 8 million Americans. Especially in older people for whom the side effects can be more problematic, it is important to advance the dosage slowly until TSH blood levels return to normal. This medication usually must be taken for life.
Dr. Kellman has discovered that many people respond better to Armour® Thyroid, which is desiccated porcine thyroid.
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine claimed greater improvements in mood and brain function with Armour® Thyroid than with Synthroid®.
Dr. Kellman recommends starting treatment with a dose of 60-120 mg of Armour® desiccated thyroid, and then retesting in a month.
One patient, a woman in her early forties, complained of fatigue along with dry scalp and hair loss. She had gained 10 pounds and had irregular periods of depression. Because her blood test results were in the “normal” range, she went from doctor to doctor, until one physician prescribed birth control pills and Prozac®. Dr. Kellman noticed that her TSH level was 3 mµ/ml; this score, though considered to be within the normal range, may indicate low thyroid. Dr. Kellman treated her empirically with Armour® Thyroid. Dr. Kellman also tested her adrenals and found that they were hypofunctioning, and thus prescribed ashwagandha and Panax ginseng.42,43 Two weeks after treatment, the woman regained her energy and told me, “I have my life back!” The weight also disappeared—she dropped 10 pounds in eight weeks, her skin returned to normal, and her mood lifted."
Friday, April 23, 2010
Your thyroid, your voice
This information is from the Women's Health Network Program:
In Eastern medical paradigms, the thyroid is associated with “sacred voice.” As a component of the fifth chakra, thyroid issues are linked with difficulty speaking our truth, following our dreams, or fully expressing ourselves.
Anatomically, the thyroid sits right over the voice box, and one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction is a gravelly or “muted” voice. When the thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t hurt to step back and evaluate how well you’re expressing your individual needs, wants, and opinions to those around you.
Find ways to diminish stress and speak your truth. Speak up, share your opinions, explore the things that make your life meaningful. Don’t feel guilty about asking for, and receiving, more support.
Remember that your voice doesn’t serve to merely communicate — it is connected to your whole being. Likewise, your thyroid doesn’t simply produce thyroid hormone. It is connected to every cell in your body and subject to both physical and psychological influence. My advice is to look at the whole picture when it comes to your thyroid, and you will find the dynamic balance your body is naturally seeking.
Support your thyroid by supporting your adrenals.
As the great balancer of more than 50 hormones in the body, the adrenal glands have a broad impact on your health and energy. The adrenals are primarily responsible for activating your stress (“fight or flight”) response, shifting energy away from restorative processes like digestion and toward the organs of action — your heart and skeletal muscles — by pumping adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream.
“If you feel happy and well, have steady energy and emotions, sleep soundly seven to nine hours a night, wake up feeling rested, recover well from stress, and maintain a healthy weight without dieting, then your adrenals are probably doing just fine!”
If, on the other hand, your energy lags during the day, you feel emotionally off-kilter much of the time, you sleep poorly or less than seven hours a night, you can’t shed excess weight even while dieting, and you rely on caffeine or carbohydrates as “pick-me-ups” — these are all red flags indicating adrenal imbalance.
If this is the only thing you do… this will benefit your health on many levels. Not only will supporting your adrenals lighten the burden on your thyroid, it will also help restore your energy levels and overall well-being.
The natural approach to thyroid health.
Astragalus root (A. membranaceus). Astragalus aids in the body’s natural ability to adapt to stress, bolstering the immune system so you stay well while helping to regulate normal blood sugar levels and alleviate insulin resistance.
Cordyceps (C. sinensis). Cordyceps is a prized antioxidant fungus that can slow aging and take a load off the adrenals by supporting the immune system, balancing the inflammatory response, and helping to stabilize blood sugar.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus, formerly called Siberian ginseng). Eleuthero is an adaptogenic herb that can help protect us against the negative effects of stress, while decreasing fatigue, enhancing mental clarity, helping to balance blood sugar, and even perhaps supporting bone remodeling as well.
Rhodiola rosea (“golden root”). Rhodiola is another adaptogenic herb that protects against stress-related fatigue and “burnout;” increases mental clarity; and offers immune and blood sugar support. An added benefit of Rhodiola is its antidepressant and antianxiety effects.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Well known for supporting adrenal balance, licorice root aids in increasing energy and endurance. Though many of the above herbs can be used relatively freely of restrictions, certain forms of licorice can increase blood pressure and lower potassium and thus, licorice should be used with care and guidance. Adrenal fatigue, in many instances, is accompanied by low blood pressure, so licorice taken at the appropriate times and dosages can be of benefit in those cases. However, this herb is best taken under the care of an herbalist or a functional medicine practitioner.
Take a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin–mineral complex. Ensuring a rich foundation of nutrients for the daily production and activity of thyroid hormones may be all you need to get yourself back on track.
Phosphatidylserine (fos-fuh-tie-dul-SEHR-een)(PS) is a phospholipid that is vital to your brain cells and helps reduce high cortisol levels. Cortisol is elevated in response to stress. If your adrenal glands are producing too much cortisol, you may develop conditions such as weight gain, especially around the abdomen, depressed immune function with all of the consequences, accelerated aging and stomach ulcers. If you have too little cortisol, you may suffer from fatigue, chronic fatigue, or exhaustion.
Also consider supplementing with selenium and iodine. Ask your practitioner to test your iodine levels, and talk about boosting your iodine and selenium levels in addition to your multivitamin.
You can do this through the foods you eat or with supplements, but if you do use selenium or iodine supplements, please work with a professional healthcare provider to monitor your levels appropriately… do not recommend taking more than 200 mcg/day.
Nutrient-rich foods to replenish thyroid health:
Iodine (I): seaweed (e.g., nori), clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines, pineapple, eggs.
Selenium (Se): smoked herring, smelt, wheat germ, Brazil nuts (just one nut provides ~139 mcg), apple cider vinegar, scallops, barley, lobster.
Zinc (Zn): fresh oysters, ginger root, pecans, dry split peas, Brazil nuts, egg yolk, whole wheat, rye, oats, peanuts.
Vitamin E: wheat germ oil, olive oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts.
Vitamin A: dark green leafy veggies, liver, winter squash, cantaloupe, stone fruits, papaya, and cod liver oil.
B vitamin complex: brewer’s yeast, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, beans, peanuts.
Vitamin C: Red chili, guava, parsley, dark green leafy veggies, strawberries, papaya, citrus fruits.
Remember to work with a professional healthcare provider to monitor your health and any supplements appropriately. See a doctor who specializes in functional medicine, a naturopathic practitioner, or a wholistic nutritionist for a program that best fits your personal needs — dosage, timing, blood pressure, cortisol levels, and other factors should be taken in to consideration.
In Eastern medical paradigms, the thyroid is associated with “sacred voice.” As a component of the fifth chakra, thyroid issues are linked with difficulty speaking our truth, following our dreams, or fully expressing ourselves.
Anatomically, the thyroid sits right over the voice box, and one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction is a gravelly or “muted” voice. When the thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t hurt to step back and evaluate how well you’re expressing your individual needs, wants, and opinions to those around you.
Find ways to diminish stress and speak your truth. Speak up, share your opinions, explore the things that make your life meaningful. Don’t feel guilty about asking for, and receiving, more support.
Remember that your voice doesn’t serve to merely communicate — it is connected to your whole being. Likewise, your thyroid doesn’t simply produce thyroid hormone. It is connected to every cell in your body and subject to both physical and psychological influence. My advice is to look at the whole picture when it comes to your thyroid, and you will find the dynamic balance your body is naturally seeking.
Support your thyroid by supporting your adrenals.
As the great balancer of more than 50 hormones in the body, the adrenal glands have a broad impact on your health and energy. The adrenals are primarily responsible for activating your stress (“fight or flight”) response, shifting energy away from restorative processes like digestion and toward the organs of action — your heart and skeletal muscles — by pumping adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream.
“If you feel happy and well, have steady energy and emotions, sleep soundly seven to nine hours a night, wake up feeling rested, recover well from stress, and maintain a healthy weight without dieting, then your adrenals are probably doing just fine!”
If, on the other hand, your energy lags during the day, you feel emotionally off-kilter much of the time, you sleep poorly or less than seven hours a night, you can’t shed excess weight even while dieting, and you rely on caffeine or carbohydrates as “pick-me-ups” — these are all red flags indicating adrenal imbalance.
If this is the only thing you do… this will benefit your health on many levels. Not only will supporting your adrenals lighten the burden on your thyroid, it will also help restore your energy levels and overall well-being.
The natural approach to thyroid health.
Astragalus root (A. membranaceus). Astragalus aids in the body’s natural ability to adapt to stress, bolstering the immune system so you stay well while helping to regulate normal blood sugar levels and alleviate insulin resistance.
Cordyceps (C. sinensis). Cordyceps is a prized antioxidant fungus that can slow aging and take a load off the adrenals by supporting the immune system, balancing the inflammatory response, and helping to stabilize blood sugar.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus, formerly called Siberian ginseng). Eleuthero is an adaptogenic herb that can help protect us against the negative effects of stress, while decreasing fatigue, enhancing mental clarity, helping to balance blood sugar, and even perhaps supporting bone remodeling as well.
Rhodiola rosea (“golden root”). Rhodiola is another adaptogenic herb that protects against stress-related fatigue and “burnout;” increases mental clarity; and offers immune and blood sugar support. An added benefit of Rhodiola is its antidepressant and antianxiety effects.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Well known for supporting adrenal balance, licorice root aids in increasing energy and endurance. Though many of the above herbs can be used relatively freely of restrictions, certain forms of licorice can increase blood pressure and lower potassium and thus, licorice should be used with care and guidance. Adrenal fatigue, in many instances, is accompanied by low blood pressure, so licorice taken at the appropriate times and dosages can be of benefit in those cases. However, this herb is best taken under the care of an herbalist or a functional medicine practitioner.
Take a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin–mineral complex. Ensuring a rich foundation of nutrients for the daily production and activity of thyroid hormones may be all you need to get yourself back on track.
Phosphatidylserine (fos-fuh-tie-dul-SEHR-een)(PS) is a phospholipid that is vital to your brain cells and helps reduce high cortisol levels. Cortisol is elevated in response to stress. If your adrenal glands are producing too much cortisol, you may develop conditions such as weight gain, especially around the abdomen, depressed immune function with all of the consequences, accelerated aging and stomach ulcers. If you have too little cortisol, you may suffer from fatigue, chronic fatigue, or exhaustion.
Also consider supplementing with selenium and iodine. Ask your practitioner to test your iodine levels, and talk about boosting your iodine and selenium levels in addition to your multivitamin.
You can do this through the foods you eat or with supplements, but if you do use selenium or iodine supplements, please work with a professional healthcare provider to monitor your levels appropriately… do not recommend taking more than 200 mcg/day.
Nutrient-rich foods to replenish thyroid health:
Iodine (I): seaweed (e.g., nori), clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines, pineapple, eggs.
Selenium (Se): smoked herring, smelt, wheat germ, Brazil nuts (just one nut provides ~139 mcg), apple cider vinegar, scallops, barley, lobster.
Zinc (Zn): fresh oysters, ginger root, pecans, dry split peas, Brazil nuts, egg yolk, whole wheat, rye, oats, peanuts.
Vitamin E: wheat germ oil, olive oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts.
Vitamin A: dark green leafy veggies, liver, winter squash, cantaloupe, stone fruits, papaya, and cod liver oil.
B vitamin complex: brewer’s yeast, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, beans, peanuts.
Vitamin C: Red chili, guava, parsley, dark green leafy veggies, strawberries, papaya, citrus fruits.
Remember to work with a professional healthcare provider to monitor your health and any supplements appropriately. See a doctor who specializes in functional medicine, a naturopathic practitioner, or a wholistic nutritionist for a program that best fits your personal needs — dosage, timing, blood pressure, cortisol levels, and other factors should be taken in to consideration.
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