THYROID HEALTH
By Dr. Steven M. Johnson, D.O.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam’s apple of your neck. It secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3), which regulate the body’s metabolic rate. It has a profound effect on almost every organ of the body and is, therefore, very important.
The symptom profile of low thyroid includes weight gain, intolerance to cold or heat, dry hair, hair loss, low heart rate, constipation, poor concentration, apathy, depressive mood, shortness of breath, fatigue, heavy menstrual flow, tingling in the fingers or toes, muscle cramps, impaired hearing, dry skin and puffiness (fluid retention) in the hands, face and feet. If you have at least three to four of these symptoms, your thyroid should be checked.
Depression and low thyroid may be linked. Both thyroid hormones and the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine (mood stabilizers) use the amino acid tyrosine as their main building block. In depression the depletion of tyrosine can also lower the thyroid hormone, which exacerbates feelings of sadness and flat affect. The cause for the two may be linked, so treating both may be a more effective therapy. In my practice I find this to be true about 50% of the time. Low thyroid function has also been linked to accelerated heart disease and chronic problems associated with a low metabolic rate.
In the emerging field of energy medicine the thyroid is located along the energy center connected with the power of “speech.” People with thyroid problems tend not to feel empowered through their speech. They have “swallowed” their words for many years and are unable to express their mind, truth and creative voice. Speaking your mind may be part of your therapy. Don’t hesitate to discuss this with your doctor, friends or family.
Many things can affect thyroid function. Perimenopause, insulin resistance and estrogen dominance are a few. Drugs such as beta-blockers, steroids, seconal, dilantin and cholesterol lowering drugs can lower thyroid function. Also supplements such as alpha lipoic acid can inhibit T3. Stress can also affect thyroid, as can adrenal function. You may have symptoms of low thyroid without a strongly positive test. This is a common condition called sub-clinical hypothyroidism.
Tests for Thyroid Function
The most common tests are a TSH (thyroid
stimulating hormone) and a T4. Because we are looking for function and not
just overt thyroid problems, I will usually recommend a more complete test
including:
TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Total T3 and reverse T3 (this increases with stress).
I also employ a thyroid history profile, which can sometimes uncover an under active thyroid. Feel free to take this inventory and share it with one of our other physicians or myself. Testing times of thyroid can also affect results. For instance, an afternoon thyroid test may reveal a slightly low thyroid not picked up on an early morning test.
Thyroid Treatment
There are many possible treatments for
thyroid support. These should be taken on the advice of your health care
practitioner.
Thyro-stim by Douglas Labs—Herbal Vitamin Formulae.
L-tyrosine 500 mg daily.
Selenium 150–200 micrograms daily helps increase active hormone. Zinc may also play a role in this function.
Iodine 300–400 micrograms daily or even a few times a week can enhance thyroid activity. Do not take this if hyperthyroid. Many people are deficient in iodine.
Copper and manganese are important trace minerals needed for active thyroid production.
Ashwaganda is a common herb to boost thyroid and adrenal function. Often adrenal and thyroid functions need to be considered together for optimal treatment.
* It is important to note that many natural supplements can inhibit thyroid activity. If you take natural supplements, you might review this with an informed practitioner. It is also important to note that adrenal function and diet can be closely linked with the clinical results of thyroid treatment, as is the reverse. Also, as mentioned earlier, other hormone imbalances such as insulin resistance, and adrenal and estrogen imbalance add to thyroid symptoms. Often all of these functions need to be balanced for optimal results.
Hormone Treatment
This needs to be discussed with your doctor. Thyroid tests often under-diagnose hypothyroidism, and a doctor familiar with testing can be helpful.
Synthroid or Levothyroxine are what most patients take for hormone treatment. This is primarily the storage form of Thyroid called T4. Some patients who don’t convert to active T3 may do better on Armour thyroid, which has both T4 and T3. This is a bovine extract, which has gone out of favor with many doctors. I have found this to work very well and even better in many patients. Cytomel is pure T3, and this is an option frequently overlooked by doctors. Adding some T3 directly can be very useful in some types of hypothyroidism.
Also, special compounding pharmacies can manufacture long-acting forms of thyroid hormone, which improves efficacy via slow release. Many people feel most fatigued in the later part of the day. A slow release thyroid and some adrenal support often treat this situation effectively. I have even seen thyroid measurements appear lower in the afternoon on testing. Consider late afternoon testing of thyroid function. Speaking with a knowledgeable physician can help you make good decisions about your thyroid treatment.