This is a real problem which does not have to exist. The fact that there is an epidemic of thyroid problems among women (estimate is 15%-25% of the female population) and that it is also a major problem among our elderly of both genders as well as those with chronic illness would seem to bring this into focus. These are facts. What is also a fact is that standard practice medicine often does not test properly for thyroid difficulties, if it tests at all. What do I mean by properly? To explain, I will have to go into how the thyroid functions. Thyroid function is dependent on a hormone cascade that begins in what is called the Hypothalamus. This part of our endocrine system has big responsibilities. It synthesizes information received from both within the body and outside of it, transforms this information into its messengers, (which are hormones or neural transmitters) which tell the body how to respond minute to minute. It is a command center for our bodies ( along with the pituitary, adrenals and thyroid, all of which form the central hormonal axis ) This endocrine system along with the central nervous system are the hard frame which all systems wrap themselves around.
The thyroid sets metabolic rate: it regulates how fast the cells work. That is its final destination functionally. Two of the first few signs of thyroid deficiency are getting cold easily and feeling tired often. Hyper thyroid is the opposite and can be more dangerous, but is much less common. (Both conditions can be treated successfully with Natural Medicine) The thyroid receives its orders from the pituitary in the form of a hormone called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). The pituitary receives its orders from the Hypothalamus, in the form ofanother hormone. You can see from this brief description that thyroid function is dependent on a hormone cascade that begin in the Hypothalamus, then goes to the pituitary and finally to the thyroid. So this is the confusing part. If this is so, then why does standard practice medicine only check THS (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), the last part of the cascade, when asked to perform a thyroid test. Not only can things be wrong in other parts of the cascade, but auto-immune dysfunction is common in thyroid problems. A full thyroid panel consists of TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO and Thyroglobulin antibodies. Testing only for TSH is not comprehensive by any measure and insufficient in of itself to determine the other possibilities that could be creating thyroid problems. Let’s take an example. TSH is checked and it is high. This could be indicating that the thyroid is not producing enough of the hormone T4, so the pituitary gland produces more TSH to try to force production of T4 from the thyroid (TSH tells the thyroid to make more T4). This patient is cold and tired often. From here the Dr. would prescribe the thyroid hormone T4, to be taken; forever. In order for T4 to work it has to be converted to T3 (so that it is smaller and can get into the cell). Now the Docs will add a little T3 to it or prescribe T3 only. Problem solved: The person is no longer so cold or tired, just pharmaceutically dependent for the rest of their life. Natural Medicine would say lets’ get to the source of the problem starting with a complete thyroid panel, not just TSH. A comprehensive test may show the following. TSH is high, T4 is normal,T3 is low and Reverse T3 is high, all of which means this person is low in Selenium. T4 it is not being converted to T3 (because it needs selenium to do so) and therefore cannot get into the cell (T4 is too big). Selenium depletion is common in the U.S. If T4 does not covert to T3 you will be cold and tired. Natural Medicine supplements with L-selenium methionine (as well as a number of other natural substances) and gets the same result as Standard Practice Medicine without the use of hormones. Supplementing selenium will not only help normalize the thyroid in this case, it will also do about 10 other positive things in our body and you will not be dependent upon a drug.
Auto immune disorders are not uncommon in thyroid problems. Toxic metals are rarely tested for as the culprit. The thyroid is very sensitive to a branch of the periodic chart known as the Halogens. This small category consists of 4 gaseous metals. Iodine, Bromine, Fluorine and Chlorine. The thyroid needs Iodine to function. The problem is that iodine is less active then the other three; meaning that, if any of those 3 other toxic metals are in our bloodstream, they will bind to the thyroid receptors first (blocking the iodine from being used by the thyroid). If that happens, it could easily trigger an auto-immune response. Fluorine is in tooth pastes and some drinking water supplies. Bromine is added to lots of commercial baked goods. Chlorine is a common household cleaner and is often used in drinking water supplies as a disinfectant. A simple and effective test for toxic metals is through hair analysis.
Rebuilding thyroid function is not impossible to do, but you have to find out what’s wrong first. Approach is global, the same way it is in all aspects of the Natural Medicine. Without sufficient information a successful program to heal the thyroid (really, the whole body) is close to impossible.