Most of us think of the thyroid as the gland that regulates metabolism and controls body temperature but the thyroid also helps maintain physiological well being; regulates energy levels and is crucial to a healthy immune system. In fact, health conditions such as chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, menstrual difficulties, and sleep apnea are all linked to low thyroid function.
The thyroid has been called the master gland. The thyroid is actually one of eight glands in the endocrine system (see diagram). This “system” regulates reproduction; growth and development; cellular metabolism; the balance of nutrients, electrolytes and water and acts to mobilize the body’s stress response. Each of the eight glands in the endocrine system works in concert to initiate or respond to the body’s requirement for hormones. When a dysfunction occurs in one gland, another gland will respond to try and address the imbalance and this is why it is important to look at how the whole endocrine system of glands is functioning when looking at how to address the root cause of the problem.
Chronic stress on the adrenals is also frequently found in combination with thyroid problems. Restoration of healthily functioning to both glands is important.
Conventional lab testing -
When you have your blood work done to check your thyroid most physicians look at three types of thyroid hormone; TSH, T4 and free T3. Some physicians also check reverse T3/T4. All of these should be checked, however some physicians will only check one or two of these. Under diagnosed hypothyroidism is extremely common due to many people having either sub-clinical or functional hypothyroidism. Both of these conditions are not accurately detected using standardized serum blood testing. An older test that is called the Broda Barnes Basal body temperature is a test that you can perform yourself, at home. This was the test used for many years until a blood test was developed in the later part of the 20st century.
*See how to perform this test on yourself at the end of this post.
Another problem with conventional blood tests for thyroid function is that the acceptable (considered normal) diagnostic ranges for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and even T3 and T4 are quite broad. So your physician may read your blood test as normal yet you may be suffering from many symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.
Symptoms that may be related to thyroid dysfunction:
FatigueWeight gain
Heightened sensitivity to cold weather (cold hands & feet)
Increased cholesterol and triglycerides
Edema
Loss of libido
Dark circles under the eyes
Heavy menstrual periods with a shorter cycle
Dry, cracked skin; coarse, dry hair and thin brittle nails
Depression with weakness and or fatigue; forgetfulness & difficulty concentrating
Delayed reflexes
Muscular weakness & joint stiffness & pain
Hyperlypidemia & increased C-reactive protein & homocysteine levels
Constipation, impaired kidney function
Thyroid dysfunction is more common that most people realize. One estimate is that at least 10 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Women are more likely than men to be effected and as we age thyroid disease seems to be more prevalent. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most un-diagnosed conditions of our modern day.
Why the increase?
Many holistic health experts and functional clinicians believe we may be seeing more people affected by thyroid deregulation due to sodium restriction advised by the media which has resulted in a reduction in iodine. These experts believe the low iodine intake is then compounded by eating an excess of foods (known as goitrogens) which inhibit the small amounts of iodine ingested from being absorbed and converted from T4 to T3. Plus a commonly prescribed medication used to treat high blood pressure (Inderal) can actually inhibit the T4 to T3 conversion process. Finally, in a society that finds itself chronically stressed and tired the adrenal glands are being strained and this also creates adverse effects on the thyroid.Personally I believe our stressed out society is also contributing to this condition. Remember that the adrenal glands and the thyroid work closely together and adrenal burn out is at an all time high these days.
How to perform the Broda Barnes basal Temperature Test:
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 by mouth.
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 by mouth.
If you have a low-grade infection this may read higher than your "normal", therefore if it is 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 you find your basal temperature is consistently low (under 97.8 F) and you have other physical symptoms listed here you should seek care from a holistically trained physician.
Unfortunately, the American Medical Association does not teach doctors about this method of testing which is more accurate of sub clinical or type II hypothyroidism. If you do present this information to your MD or DO do not be surprised for them to tell you that they rely on blood tests only and thus they will not b of any help to you. This is exactly what happened to me and I have since begun working with a holistic MD and am now on Armor Thyroid.
Supportive nutrients for a healthy thyroid:
Natural iodine from Celtic Sea salt
Iodine from sea vegetables such as kelp, kombu, nori, wakame ad dulse
Iodine is also found in most seafood’s such as haddock, cod, shrimp and tuna
Selenium – highest source is Brazil nuts; shrimp, crab, pork, brown rice
Tyrosine – sea vegetables, sprirulina, eggs, turkey, pork, wild game meats, avocado, almonds, dairy products
Zinc- oysters are highest; crab, beef turkey
Vitamins A, B complex, C and E are also required to help make proper conversions in manufacture of thyroid hormones.
Vitamins A, B complex, C and E are also required to help make proper conversions in manufacture of thyroid hormones.
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