Get Healthy with Tina

Thyroid Dysfunction

The most common causes of acquired thyroid disorders are

• Iodine deficiency

• Heavy metals

• Auto immune disease

• Nutritional deficiency

• Surgery, drugs and radiation

• Primary Hypothyrodism, loss of functional tissue in thyroid gland

• Chronic Auto immune thyroditis

• Functional defects in thyroid hormone biosynthesis and release, peripheral conversion, can be genetic.

• Environmental factors, PCB’s in plastic, growth hormone in foods, zenoestrogens in cosmetics and personal care products, halide toxicity (chlorine, bromaline, florine)

• Thyroid hormone resistance, inherited dominant gene, can be tested for

• Metals, cadniumum and mercury

• Raised cortisol levels can induce hypothyrodism

• Hyperinsulemia, affects level of free thyroid hormone circulating.

• Peripheral Conversion of T4 to T3 requires hepatic, renal, mitochondrial function

• Thyroid and adrenal tissue very sensitive to stress

• Oral estrogens in any form, strong thyroid inhibitors

• Excessive levels of cortisol and stress induced imbalances in thyroid function can also adversely affect bone health. Underactive thyroid function leads to reduced bone turnover with prolongation of bone remodelling cycles and a net loss of mineralised bone.

Thyroid Blood Tests

T4 Tsh T3

Normal High

To normal Normal Mild, subclinical

low High Low or normal Hypothyrodism

Normal Low normal Mild hyperthyrodism

High Low high hyperthryodiism

Low or normal Low Low or normal Rare, pituitary hyperthyrodism

Bloods, optimal TSH is 1-2. Low Basal body temp under 97.5F

Reverse T3, competes with T3 for conversion of thyroxine, common in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue clients, often overlooked. Need slow release T3 therapy.

Dealing with Nutritional Deficiencies

Zinc 25-50mg daily. Zinc is involved in the production of thyroid hormone, and also for it to work efficiently.

Tyrosine 1500-2000mg daily

Selenium, increases T4 to T3 conversion 200-400mcg daily.

Maintence 50-100mcg daily.

Useful to treat Hashimoto’s thryoiditis inflammation, and reduce antibodies.

Vitamin D3 linked to auto immune thyroid conditions and presence of thyroid antibodies.

Dosage 1000-1000 iu per day, as indicated by blood tests.

Vitamin E 500-1000iu per day. Has beneficial effects on oxidative damage caused by thyroid imbalance. Reduces cardiovascular risk by reducing LDL damage to blood vessels. Also regulates mood.

Maintainace 150-200 iu per day.

B Vitamins, if you have a thyroid disorder you need to increase your consumption of Vitamin B6 and B1. This helps to support mood, improve congnitive levels and reduce high homocysteine levels.

Iron levels, best check for stores is ferritin, optimal is greater than 150

Copper toxicity, can affect zinc levels. Copper excess is associated with oestrogen dominance.

Iodine

How much Iodine is Enough

Adults 150mcg

Pregnant and Lactating Woman 200mcg

Children 6-12 years 120mcg

Infants 0-5 years 90mcg

Approximately 30% of iodine is utilised by the thyroid and 70% is concentrated in mammary and salivary glands, gastric mucosa, skin, liver and kidneys.

Iodine Sufficiency is associated with a sense of wellbeing, lifting of brain fog, feeling warmer in cold environments, increased energy, needing less sleep, achieving more in less time, experiencing regular bowel movements and improved skin complexion. It is noted that a low iodine intake is the world’s leading cause of intellectual deficiency.

Japanese Woman ingest 13.8mg iodine on average daily in the form of seaweed, have significantly lower levels of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. Japanese men have significantly lower levels of prostate cancer.

Urine Iodine Testing

Conditions where iodine status should be determined:

Fatigue

Infertility

Cancer

Thyroid abnormalities

Auto immune diseases

Keloids

Parotid gland duct stones

Headaches/migraines

Impaired brain function

Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, (excess oestrogen symptoms)

Fibrocystic breast disease and other conditions related to breasts as an early screening for breast cancer, particularly when there is a family history.

Halides

Fluroide, Chlorine and Bromide, interfere with the absorption of iodine.

Bromide and fluoride are non-essential toxic halides which avidly compete with iodine/iodide for uptake into the cells.

Excessive intake of antagonistic halides can accumulate in tissues and displace iodine, compromising the production of thyroid hormones and the integrity of the thyroid hormones and the mammary glands. Antagonist bromide is abundant in commercially baked goods, soft drinks, pesticides, brominated chemicals and some medications.

Primary sources of fluoride include fluoridated water, beverages, toothpaste, mouthwashes and some medications.

Testing

Iodine/Iodide sufficiency can be readily assessed by analysis of urine excretion.

Talk to your natural therapist for the best test for you.

Doctors Data 24 hour Urine Iodine Test

Doctors Data 24 hour Urine Iodine and Halides test (gives a complete picture of the need for iodine replacement)

Concerns with using high levels of Iodine

Using higher than RDI levels with proper monitoring and dosing is safe and effective with no adverse effects like.

Allergy

Autoimmune thyroid illness

Detoxification reactions

Iodine induced hypothyrodism and goitre.

Iodine induced hyperthyroidism

Iodism

Thyroid Cancer

Treatment for Detoxification of Halides

Ensure Iodine sufficiency

Salt 10mgs/day- celtic sea salts to remove bromide

Ingestion of adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins

Vitamin C helps all detoxification.

Environmental toxicity

Talk to your therapist about natural remedies to remove heavy metals, herbs maybe indicated for organ support.

Living a Thyroid Friendly Life

Besides getting the right supplements it is essential that you follow a lifestyle that includes eating healthy food, following an exercise regimen and practising relaxation techniques. All of these activities are essential for you to reach optimal physical and mental health.

We have seen the role of stress in triggering a thyroid disease, but lifestyle factors can also influence the likelihood of your developing a thyroid imbalance, including your diet and whether you exercise. Your genes may make you susceptible to developing a thyroid condition but whether you actually develop one is also linked to how you live your daily life.

Healthy Nutrition, Healthy Life

Increase your consumption of complex carbohydrates , it will increase tryptophan and serotonin levels to help alleviate depression.

Soya

A soya based diet traditionally eaten by the Japanese does not appear to impair thyroid function who have a normal thyroid gland and iodine intake. But if your gland is compromised and iodine intake is low, soya foods may make your gland become underactive.

Avoid eating regularly high amounts of raw foods containing goitrogens. Foods such as turnips, cabbage, mustard greens, soybeans, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, radishes, peanuts, pinenuts, peaches, apricots, strawberries and millet. Cooking usually neutralizes goitrogens, so it is quiet safe to eat these foods. I prefer lightly steamed vegetables.

Foods Rich in Essential Nutrients

Selenium wholegrains, wheat germ, oatmeal, mushrooms, cabbage, garlic,

Egg, brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, lean beef, tuna

Zinc Seafood, wholegrains, green vegetables, ginger, dairy and nuts

Vitamin E Wholegrains, almonds, wheat germ, corn, soyabeans, sunflower seeds, liver, cereals, vegetable oil, leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin B Wholegrains, brown rice, Quinoa, dried beans.

The thyroid gland uses iodine and L-tyrosine to make T4 and T3

The production of thyroid is controlled by a negative feedback loop, hypothalamus senses not enough activity, stimulates TSH to be produced by the pituitary, and T4 to be produced.

Risks of Untreated Hypothyrodism

Neurological- headaches, incoordination, deafness, ringing in the ear

Cognitive- calculation, memory, reduced attention span, sleep apnoea, depression, schizophrenia

Joints- stiffness, carpel tunnel syndrome

Other risks- hypertension, high blood fats, diabeties, double alzheimers risk, pregnancy complication, heavy bleeding.

If you have an overactive or underactive thyroid disease your risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher.