Woes from an Underactive Thyroid (Part 2)

In the previous article, I ended by stating that there are tests available for hypothyroidism and that these will: check the level of the two thyroid hormones (T3 and T4); check the level of the pituitary hormone (TSH) that stimulates the thyroid gland; check the level of brain hormone (TRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland; check the levels of thyroid-attacking antibodies, and; check the level of iodine.

The most common of the above tests is the TSH test, considered the standard 'screening' test for thyroid dysfunction. This test measures the level of TSH - the hormone excreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid to produce more T3 and T4. The relationship between thyroid hormone levels and TSH levels is inverse - in other words, a high TSH level usually indicates that your body has a low thyroid hormone level.

Up until 2003, the range for a 'normal' TSH level was extremely wide: 0.5-5.0. That wide range for normal was reduced in 2003 to 0.3-3.04 ... but would it surprise you to learn that many family doctors are unaware of this change? Many millions of Americans, of course, are now considered 'hypothyroid' with this change in range - and many don't know it. Researchers now suspect that thyroid dysfunction has surpassed diabetes as the number one endocrine gland disease - and diabetes is considered at 'epidemic' levels.

The new range for the TSH test is good news. The bad news, however, is that you can have ALL of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid even with a normal TSH. Unfortunately, most doctors look at your TSH 'screening' test results only, and if this is in the 'normal' range (and remember, many doctors are still using the pre-2003 ranges) then they believe your thyroid function is fine. But there is almost NO correlation between TSH and T3 (the workhorse) hormone levels. Lack of correlation makes sense if you think about it. TSH is a pituitary hormone, T3 is a thyroid hormone.

To compound the problem, if your TSH does happen to fall outside the 'normal' range, the common practice is for doctors to write a one-size-fits-all prescription for a synthetic T4 thyroid supplement - usually Synthroid or Levoxyl. If you have problems converting T4 to T3, or if you have thyroid-attacking antibodies, synthetic T4 is unlikely to fix your underactive thyroid.

If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and still have symptoms - OR - if you have symptoms but have not been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, find a doctor that uses the Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment blood panel for testing. Every single aspect of your health could improve JUST by getting your hypothyroidism under control ... every single aspect. Please - make this investment in yourself! As someone once stated: 'Hypothyroidism has been called the great imitator for the vast number of medical conditions it can mimic.'

Tips for Improving Thyroid Function

It would not be surprising if half (or more) of all baby boomers have subclinical hypothyroidism. Like insulin resistance, hypothyroidism seems to be part of the aging process. The stress hormone cortisol, for example, negatively affects thyroid (hormone) receptors on cells, just as it negatively affects insulin (hormone) receptors on cells.

Insulin resistance (pre-diabetes/metabolic syndrome) and subclinical hypothyroidism make it extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to shed those unwanted pounds. When it comes to losing weight, remember that you need to be healthy to lose weight, not lose weight to be healthy.

There are some additional things you can do for subclinical hypothyroidism. First, supplementing with the mineral selenium is smart. The daily requirement for good health is 70 micrograms (mcg) of selenium. It is not enough, however, if you need support in converting T4 to T3. A better dose of this mineral is 200 mcg daily (but not to exceed 400 mcg). And because selenium is also recommended for protection against several cancers (prostate cancer in particular), I recommend this supplement at 200 mcg. Recall, if you will, Linus Pauling's statement: 'There is no disease, sickness or illness that cannot be traced back to a deficiency of one mineral or another.'

Second, subclinical hypothyroidism is present mostly in the over-40 age group, and so I also recommend a whole-natural thyroid extract supplement. Whole-natural thyroid extract provides both T3 and T4. Supplementation can have a wide range of health benefits - and in many 'anti-aging' programs it is considered important in slowing the aging process.

Final Words: If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, find a doctor that uses the Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment blood panel and get tested - you're worth every nickel this will cost. If you want to supplement with whole-natural thyroid extract as the first step in an 'anti-aging' program, do so - but do it prudently.

Visit http://1healthyboomer.com - where "incompletely healthy" baby boomers learn to get healthy and stay healthy.

Common Herb and Medical Drug Interactions

Many people who take pharmaceutical medication also want to take some herbal remedies. However, there can be difficulties with this as the chemicals in the two preparations can interact - changing the effect of the pharmaceutical drugs and the herbs. If you are taking medical drugs you need to be aware of potential interactions with herbs. Herbs can in many instances provide a safer alternative to pharmaceutical medication (especially when other measures to improve health are also undertaken). However, because of the potential for interactions it is wise to be under the supervision of a health professional as you make changes.

The following is a list of common potential interactions between medical drugs and herbs.

- Anti-hypertensive dugs - used to lower blood pressure.

Grapefruit juice may enhance the effect by reducing their metabolic breakdown. Vitamin B3, magnesium and calcium can also enhance the effect of anti-hypertensives.

- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). NSAIDs are known to irritate the gastrointestinal linking and are linked to the development of intestinal ulcers. This means that they, for preference, need to be avoided. However, if you are taking NSAID then avoid anything else that is likely to increase the irritation of the intestinal lining. This includes all alcohol, coffee Arabica and uva-ursi.

- Corticosteroids such as Prednisone and cortisone. These drugs are used for their anti-inflammatory effects and in having this effect they are immune suppressing. Using with immune stimulating herbs such as astragalus, echinacea, licorice root, alfalfa sprouts, and zinc lozenges may offset the immunosuppressive effects.

- Cyclosporine - sandimmune (an antibiotic). Grapefruit juice may cause increased cyclosporine levels and St. John's wort may decrease levels.

- Digoxin - Lanoxin (a heart drug). Some herbs are digoxin like and have the same effect as the medical drug. Taking these herbs together with digoxin is like taking an overdose. There herbs include hawthorn berry, foxglove, senticosus and Siberian ginseng. Aloe vera, taken in large doses, can irritate the intestine and cause a purgative effect. If this is severe enough - with the loss of sufficient fluid there can be a decrease in serum potassium levels and problems with the heart beat. Also avoid use with quinine, which may increase digoxin levels. (Quinine is found in tonic water.) Avoid use with the herb licorice root (this is the herb and not the candy), as its diuretic effect can result in low potassium levels and toxicity. Fibers, such as psyllium, decrease digoxin absorption, within two hours of taking medication.

- Diuretics - acetazolamide, thiazides (fluid tablets). There are many herbs that have a diuretic effect. These include artichoke, goldenseal, celery seeds, and dandelion. These herbs will increase the diuretic effect of the medical drugs.

- Hypoglycemic agents - Glucotrol, Glucophage, diabeta, insulin. (Used to control blood sugar levels). There are herbs that contain hyper or hypoglycemic components. These include: broom, buchu, dandelion, juniper, karela and the minerals chromium, vanadium and magnesium. Some of these improve glucose tolerance.

- Phenobarbital - ancalixir, barbital, solfoton, luminal sodium. Herbs containing thujones and vitamin B6 may lower seizure threshold. Wormwood may potentiate phenobarbital effects.

- Lithium - Butcher's broom, buchu, dandelion and juniper may enhance the effect of lithium and cause possible toxicity.

- Phenytoin - Dilantin, phenytex. Ayurvedic preparation shankapulshipi diminishes anti-epileptic effect.

- Thyroid medication - Synthroid. Large quantities of horseradish may depress thyroid function. Kelp contains iodine, which may result in excess thyroid levels when taken with thyroid replacement medications.

- Warfarin, Coumadin, sofarin (blood thinners). There are many herbs that act as blood thinners and these taken with the medical drugs can result in increased bleeding. Some of these herbs include cayenne, feverfew, garlic, ginger, white willow bark (aspirin), St John's wort, alfalfa and ginkgo biloba. Taking over 1000 IU of vitamin E or the papaya enzyme papain may also result in increased bleeding.

High doses of herbs such as dong quai, quinine and devil's claw may cause decreased blood thinning activity. High doses of vitamin C, A and K may also result in lessened anticoagulant effect.

The list above contains some of the common potential interactions between medical drugs and herbs. There are potentially many more. This does not mean that you shouldn't use herbs if you are taking medical drugs. You should however understand the potential effects.

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential vitamin and mineral supplement and many other methods, including herbal remedies. She also own http://www.healthproductssite.com which has quality, non-contaminated supplements and other health products

Hair Loss - A Distressing Symptom of an Underactive Thyroid - Help for Hair Loss

I'm not going to beat about the bush - I know you've come to this article becuase you're suffering hair loss due to an underactive thyroid gland.

You're not alone. A huge number of people suffer from HYPOTHYROIDISM, mostly women, & one of the hugely distressing symptoms of thyroid disease is hair loss. My hair bizarrely didn't start to fall out until after I started treatment for hypothyroidism, maybe about 3-4 months in, then it started coming out in huge handfuls. I was convinced that my scalp was shining through like an old lady & that everyone could see how bald I'd become! Fortunately I have curly hair so was able to fluff it all up a bit which helped disguise the thinning.

But there was many a morning when I was oh-so-carefully combing it through that I'd just sit on the floor covered in handfuls of hair crying. I couldn't imagine that I would ever have nice hair again.

I went back to my doctor to see what he could do - he wasn't terribly helpful it has to be said & told me that I'd reacted to having hypothyroidism like I'd been told I had cancer! He just didn't understand what it was like to have what was probably my best feature ruined!

So I had to do a bit of research myself, bought a few books on thyroid disease, surfed a few sites for info on Hashimotos & hypothyroidism. the main thing I learnt is that hair loss should clear up in about 6 months....but if it doesn't - Here's the interesting hypothyroidism tips for all of you suffering hair loss - if you're on a synthetic thyroid hormone like Synthroid (or any of the generic levothyroxine tabs for that matter) if you look up the data card (easy to find online usually if you look up the drug company website) for the drug one of the little known side effects is hair loss!

Go see your doctor. Change your drug! Loads of them won't even be aware of this side effect - take the info with you as proof. Doctors hate internet self-diagnosers as we wield power but even they won't be able to ignore the drug company information!

Also, & this is important, make sure you're not undertreated for your thryoid - demand a blood test. Hypothyroidism is a difficult disease. TSH levels can fluctuate & hair loss is a symptom of the disease itself, make sure you're properly treated & that your TSH is low, & I don't just mean "within the range" that your doc prescribes, make sure it's on the low end of the hypothyroidism scale.

Some people swear by having a combination of T3 & T4 drugs. My doctor prescribed a small dose of T4 hormone & I believe this worked for me, but it doesn't for everyone. Again. it won't be generally prescribed routinely, you have to ask for it!

You can also consider other alternative hypothyroidism options like evening primrose oil - I take it for the dreaded PMS anyway! Lots of people have reported very positive hair results from taking it.

Finally you could consider hair loss drugs - the 2 most popular are Propecia & Regaine - Propecia is a tablet (I used to be a drug rep for Merck who originally sold this drug for something else entirely, it was only when they noticed the hair growth as a side effect that they invested in developing it as a hair loss drug!) & Regaine is a lotion applied to the scalp. With both as soon as you stop taking/applying the drug the hair you regain is lost.

Remember, that lots of other people, not just me & you, are going through this & you will come out the other end. I'm not going to lie & say I have a thick bouncy head of hair like the girls in the TV ads, it's thinner than it was before the hypthyroidism, but it's not raggedy rats tails anymore & looks pretty good most of the time! People compliment me on my hair these days.

Good Luck & check out my blog is you're interested in more information on hypothyroidism. I'd love to hear from you.

Read more about my experience with Hypothyroidism

THYROID DISEASE BY Malarkey fraser

The Thyroid - Often Overlooked or Misdiagnosed

Most MD's use blood tests called T3, T4, and T7 to determine thyroid activity in patients. They then compare these blood readings to what is called "normal" ranges, and if the blood tests fall into these ranges, the patient is told they are "normal" or "OK".

One of the reasons why three tests are used is because none of them are very accurate. I have seen many persons who were told they were in the "normal" range, but when they test themselves with the accurate temperature test below, they were found to be very hypothyroid (low in activity).

Dr. Broda Barnes, a physician way ahead of her time, found over 50 years ago that the body basal temperature was a good indicator of thyroid activity, in particular, the body temperature on arising from sleep. She wrote a book about thyroid activity and the various ills and problems arising from low (hypo) thyroid activity.

I am indebted to Dr. Roy Kupsinel of Orlando Florida for introducing me to Dr. Barnes work, and for various other helps he gave me while I was in practice there, and gradually learning about Alternate and Orthomolecular Therapies.

Testing Thyroid Activity

At night, shake down a thermometer - be sure that it is shaken down and below 95 degrees. Next morning, on awakening, put the thermometer under your arm with the bulb in the armpit with no clothing between it and the armpit. Leave it there for 10 minutes (use snooze alarm if you wake up to an alarm). Just drowse for that time lying still.

After 10 minutes, take the thermometer out, and read it, writing down the result right away. (On waking, most people don't think clearly and might forget the reading). This is known as your Early AM Basal Temperature, and the "normal" should be between 97.8 and 98.2. This reading taken by armpit is somewhat lower and somewhat more accurate than that taken by mouth. If you have a low-grade infection this may read higher than your "normal", therefore if it's in that range above, you should repeat the above procedure every other day for a week or so. If a menstruating female, also do it on the 2nd and 3rd day of your period.

If lower than the above range, you are probably hypothyroid, and if higher, then you are probably hyperthyroid, or you may have an infection somewhere. (Hypo means low in docterese, and hyper means high.)

Just some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be: depression, low energy, fatigue, many infections, chronic headaches, circulatory problems, chronic skin problems, poor memory and/or concentration, eczema, psoriasis, irregular menstrual periods, neuroticism, irritability, hair loss, and lots more.

A serious problem that many who are hypothyroid suffer from is obesity. Because the thyroid governs metabolism rate, and if it is hypo in activity, the body stores energy in the form of fat. A hyperthyroid person is usually always fairly thin no matter what they eat. (We all hate those lucky ones!)

The book by Dr. Broda Barnes is excellent.

To treat hypothyroidism, you can try to find an MD, or a DO, who will write you a prescription for Armour Natural, or Cytomel. Synthroid is what is mostly prescribed, but it has been linked to osteoporosis. There is also Lugol which has been found useful in conjunction with thyroid. Or, you can go to a good health food store and get a "glandular" that contains thyroid (along with other glandulars usually). Start with two glandulars/day for a week, and use the above temperature test to determine if that is correct for you.

Dr Phil Bate is the inventor of the new (Patent Pending) Auditory Brain Wave Training system which does the same thing as EEG Biofeedback/neurofeedback - solving brain problems such as ADD/ADHD. Depression, Insomnia, etc. Dr Bate is a retired Orthomolecular Psychologist who helps people with free advice websites at:http://Alternate-health.com, http://ADHD-biofeedback.com, http://AuditoryBrainWaveTraining.com

Can't Lose Weight? Maybe You Have a Thyroid Disorder

A thyroid disorder called hypothyroidism means you have an underactive thyroid gland. If you have trouble losing weight no matter what you do, it could be because you are hypothyroid. There are almost 30 million Americans with thyroid disease and women are 7 times more likely than men to have it. Hypothyroid is the most common thyroid disorder and often misdiagnosed by doctors.

You may get this because it is inherited, or because of previous problems, such as nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer, previous thyroid surgery, another autoimmune disease.

This is a condition where the thyroid gland, a small butterfly shaped organ located at the base of the neck, does not produce enough hormone to function properly.

What happens is that it takes in iodine, combines it with tyrosine (an amino acid) and converts it into the hormones T4 and T3. If your thyroid is normal, 80% will be T4 and 20% T3. These hormones travel through the bloodstream, converting oxygen and calories into energy. If this process doesn't work properly, then the calories and oxygen cannot convert the energy properly and you may gain weight or incapability to lose weight.

The symptoms can include : weight gain, depression, forgetfulness, fatigue, hoarseness, high cholesterol, constipation, feeling cold, hair loss, dry skin, low sex drive, tingling hands or feet, irregular periods, infertility. You may even experience recurrent pregnancy loss, resistant high cholesterol, difficult menopause, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, or mitral valve prolapse.

Do you feel sluggish and fatigued on a regular basis, or do you get bouts of depression and sadness? Are you always feeling cold, especially your hands and feet, or do you have brittle nails? These are just some of the possible signs of the disease. There may be other causes, but at least this may give you a clue as to why you do not feel well. Check with your doctor in all cases to be sure.

When your metabolism doesn't work right because you have this disorder, you may find that there's no amount of dieting or exercise that takes the weight off. You may in fact put on extra pounds, even though you are doing just what you are supposed to.

What can you do ? Meet with your doctor and ask if you need a thyroid examination and blood test. These likely will be a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test, along with T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 tests.

A drug called levothyroxine (often called Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid) may be prescribed for you. It is usually inexpensive, has minimal side effects, and has uniform potency. However, all thyroid hormone replacement therapies, whether natural or synthetic, have the ability to restore thyroid hormone levels.

Supplements that contain the following might also help :

-L-Tyrosine - is one of the amino acids that your body needs to make thyroid hormones. It is included in some weight control products because it works to stimulate your metabolism. It's also an element in helping your brain operate more efficiently which makes you feel better.

-Guglipid - an extract from the Indian guggal tree, may improve thyroid function and assist in controlling your weight. Scientists are finding that guglipid lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol, and thus can help somewhat to prevent heart disease.

There is always hope and lots of help out there for you. If you suspect that you have this condition and you are not sure what to do, talk to your physician for guidance and advice.

Ken Black is a freelance writer on Health related subjects. Visit http://www.thyroid-supplements.com for more information about hypothyroidism.

Depression and Thyroid Hormones

If you are tired or depressed much of the time, your doctor should order blood tests for the two thyroid hormones called T3 and T4 and for the brain hormones called TSH and prolactin. If your TSH is high and your prolactin is normal, you are probably hypothyroid and need to take thyroid hormone to give you more energy and prevent heart and blood vessel damage.

Doctors treat people with low thyroid function with thyroid pills called T4 (Levothroid, one brand name is Synthroid). Many doctors think that a person needs only T4 because the thyroid gland makes T4 and then it is converted to T3 in other tissues. However, some people become depressed when they take just T4 and their depression can be cured when they take both thyroid hormones, T3 and T4.

When a depressed patient comes to me and is taking thyroid hormone, T4, I immediately order a blood test called TSH to check if he or she is getting the correct dose. If the TSH is normal, I reduce the dose of T4 by 50% and add a very low dose of T3 (brand name, Cytomel) because it safer to prescribe too low a dose, rather than too high a dose. Overdoses cause shakiness, irritability, irregular heart beats, clots, and osteoporosis. The patient returns in one month for a blood test, TSH, to see if the total thyroid dose is correct. If the TSH is too high, the thyroid dose is too low and I raise the T3 (Cytomel) dose by 5 to 10 m5 each month until the TSH is normal. Then once a year I check TSH blood levels to make sure that the person's requirements for thyroid hormone are being met.

For example, the usual replacement dose for low thyroid function is 100 micrograms per day. If a depressed patient has a normal TSH, I reduce the T4 dose to 50 mcg/day and add 5 mcg of T3 per day. One month later, if the TSH blood is still too high I raise the T3 dose to 10 or 20 mcg and continue to increase the T3 level each month until the TSH is normal.

Exciting research shows that the thyroid hormone called T3 can help treat depression. Psychotherapy often fails to control depression. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychotherapy, proposed theories about depression, that many psychiatrists do not accept because his writings were his opinions and not presented as scientific data supported by controlled experiments. The dominant theory today is that depression is caused by low brain levels of the neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine.

The drugs such as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft that treat depression are supposed to raise brain levels of these neurotransmitters. Doctors can also raise brain levels of serotonin by prescribing pills containing T3, a hormone produced by peripheral tissue from T4, which is produced by the thyroid gland. They also prescribe T3 by itself or together with antidepressants. Depression is common among people who have too much or too little thyroid hormone. Doctors usually treat low thyroid function with T4 also known as Levothroid and many people become even more depressed. They treat this depression by prescribing T3 as well as T4.

Try to balance T3 and T4 so you will not be taking too much thyroid and harm yourself. 1)If you now take 100 mcg of Levothroid (T4): 2) Lower T4 (Levothroid) to 50 mcg and add Cytomel (T3) 5 mcg each day. 3) One month later, have your doctor draw blood for TSH. 4) If it is normal, you are on the correct dose and should get blood tests TSH once a year. 5) If TSH is too high, increase Cytomel to 10 mcg and hold Levothroid at 50. 6) Draw monthly TSH until it is normal. Keep on raising Cytomel by 5 mcg until TSH is normal.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Journal references on depression and thyroid hormones

Don't Overlook Getting A Bone Density Test!

Doesn't it seem that lately doctors have increased their recommendation for medical tests? Well, there's a good and bad to this story. I always believed it's better to be safe than sorry. A doctor with good diagnostic skills will also suggest taking additional tests to detect unseen medical problems. Of course there's always a few who like to add revenue to their bottom line.

But for the most part screening tests are important medical tools. Starting in your 30s, your doctor will begin checking your cholesterol levels regularly. Then in your 40s, if you're a woman, your doctor will recommend regular mammograms. And if your man into your 40s, I'm sure your have a routine prostate check up. And when you reach your 50's, your doctor will start keeping a closer eye on the health of your colon.

There are many tests done to ensure you stay healthy but have you had your bone density checked lately? If you are 65 or over, a test of your bone density is also important. It can help you recognize a problem with your bones early on, and that can help you take steps to keep your bones strong.

A Simple, Painless Test

When taking a bone density measurement, you doctor will use x-rays to measure the mineral density of a segment of bone. The doctor looks to see if enough calcium and other minerals are in that segment of bone to ensure strong, healthy bones.

Usually a bone density test is taken of the bones that are most likely to become thin and break easily. The lumbar vertebrae of the lower spine, the upper section of the femur, and the bones of the forearm and wrist are the most common places for a bone density test.

The test is fast and easy. You don't have do anything to prepare for it. And the test is completely painless. In fact, it has become common for pharmacies and health fairs to offer bone density screening. In other words, there's no reason not to have your bone density checked.

When you complete a bone density test, your doctor (or the person doing the test) will give you your results in the form of a T-score. If your T-score is above -1 then your bones are normal, healthy, and strong. If your score is between -1 and -2.5, then your bones are beginning to thin and you are at risk of osteoporosis. A score lower than -2.5 indicates that you already have osteoporosis.

When You Should Have an Early Bone Density Test

The standard guideline for when to get your first bone density test is age 65. However, there are circumstances in which I recommend that you get a bone density test at age 60 or even earlier. This is when you have known risk factors for osteoporosis.

Early intervention-often through diet and exercise-can help slow down or even prevent bone loss. Early detection of osteoporosis is also important-knowing your condition will make it easier for you to take steps to prevent fractures.

If you have any of the following risk factors, please get an early bone density test:

Family history of osteoporosis

Personal history of fractures

A body weight under 127 pounds

Early menopause

Thyriod disease requiring treatment with Synthroid or other thyroid replacement hormones

Rheumatoid arthritis requiring treatment with glucocorticoid drugs

Osteoporosis can be a potentially devastating, even life-threatening disease. By getting a bone density test at the right time, you help make sure your bones stay healthy and strong for a lifetime.

Mark Bromson M.D.

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