A 7-Step Plan to Boost Your Low Thyroid and Metabolism
Last week, I told you about low thyroid function and how it affects more than 30 million women and 15 million men.
So why are we seeing such an epidemic of thyroid problems?
Well, chronic thyroid problems can be caused by many factors …
What Causes Hypothyroidism?
One of the most important factors that leads to hypothyroidism is exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, which act as hormone or endocrine disruptors and interfere with thyroid hormone metabolism and function.
In fact, one study found that as people lost weight they released pesticides from their fat tissue.
This then interfered with their thyroid function and caused hypothyroidism. The toxins created a slow metabolism and prevented them from losing more weight.
This study highlights the importance of overall detoxification. It is quite a significant finding that shows exactly how toxins interfere with thyroid function.
Heavy metals such as mercury can also affect thyroid function. I see many people with chronic hypothyroidism and other thyroid problems because mercury interferes with normal thyroid function.
The other big factor that interferes with thyroid function is chronic stress.
There is an intimate interaction between stress hormones and thyroid function. The more stress you are under, the worse your thyroid functions.
Any approach to correcting poor thyroid function must address the effects of chronic stress and provide support to the adrenal glands.
The next major factor that affects thyroid function is chronic inflammation. The biggest source of this chronic inflammation is gluten, the protein found in wheat, barely, rye, spelt, and oats.
Gluten is a very common allergen that affects about 10 to 20 percent of the population. This reaction occurs mostly because of our damaged guts, poor diet, and stress.
I also think eating so-called Frankenfoods, such as hybridized and genetically modified grains with very strange proteins, makes us sick.
Our bodies say, “What’s this? Must be something foreign. I’d better create antibodies to this, fight it, and get rid of it.”
This chronic inflammatory response interferes with thyroid function -- and contributes to the epidemic of inflammatory diseases in the developed world.
Lastly, nutritional deficiencies play a big role in thyroid dysfunction. These include deficiencies of iodine, vitamin D, omega-3 fats, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, and the B vitamins.
There are so many reasons for low thyroid function, yet I have seen lots of patients with this problem who were just ignored by their doctors.
For example, one young female patient of mine had more than 30 percent body fat and was unable to change her body, no matter how hard she worked. She ate perfectly, exercised with a trainer every day -- and her body still wouldn’t budge.
She also had a slightly depressed mood and other vague symptoms.
So I treated her with a low dose of Armour Thyroid, which is a natural thyroid replacement.
What happened?
Well, she not only lost 20 pounds and improved her body composition, but her mood improved and all her other symptoms went away.
How did I know she had low thyroid function?
Once I have asked about symptoms, done a physical exam, and considered all the potential causes of thyroid problems, I do the right tests.
Most doctors just check something called the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which doesn’t give a full picture of the thyroid. In fact, even the interpretation of this test is incorrect most of the time.
The newer guidelines of the American College of Endocrinology consider anybody with a TSH level over 3.0 as hypothyroid. Most doctors think that only anything over 5 or 10 is worth treating.
Unfortunately, this leaves millions suffering unnecessarily.
There are also other tests, including free T3 and free T4 and thyroid antibodies, which are essential.
I also look for associated problems such as gluten intolerance, food allergies, and heavy metals, as well as deficiencies of vitamin D, selenium, vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3 fats.
There are many things to consider in a careful approach to hypothyroidism.
It is one of the most common problems I see, and treating it properly makes one of the biggest differences in my patients’ quality of life.
Unfortunately, by using the old guidelines and thinking, conventional medicine misses millions who suffer with hypothyroidism.
In fact, in one study, researchers tested everybody who walked through the gates of a county fair with conventional thyroid testing. They found that according to even conservative conventional standards, half of all the people who had hypothyroidism were undiagnosed, untreated, and suffering.
So what’s the solution?
How You Can Overcome Hypothyroidism
I encourage you to take the following steps to rebalance your thyroid:
1. Make a thorough inventory of any of the symptoms that I mentioned in last week’s blog to see if you might suffer from hypothyroidism.
2. Get the right thyroid tests including TSH, free T3, free T4, TPO, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
3. Check for celiac disease with a celiac panel.
4. Consider heavy metal toxicity.
5. Check your vitamin D level.
Once you have confirmed that a sluggish thyroid is contributing to your symptoms, the good news is that there are many, many, many things you can do to help correct thyroid problems.
I have developed a seven-step plan to address hypothyroidism:
1. Treat Underlying Causes - Identify and treat the underlying causes of hypothyroidism, like food allergies, gluten, heavy metals, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.
2. Optimize Your Nutrition - Support your thyroid with optimal nutrition, including foods that contain iodine, zinc, omega-3 fats, selenium, and more.
3. Minimize Stress - Eliminate adrenal exhaustion and minimize stress by engaging in a comprehensive stress management program.
4. Exercise - Engage in thyroid stimulating exercise, which boosts thyroid function.
5. Supplement - Use supplements to help enhance thyroid function, including all the nutrients needed for proper thyroid metabolism and function.
6. Heat Therapy - Use saunas and heat to eliminate stored toxins, which interfere with thyroid function.
7. Thyroid Hormones - Use thyroid hormone replacement therapy to help support your thyroid gland.
I believe a comprehensive approach is needed to address chronic thyroid issues and to diagnose them. Unfortunately, most of the options for healing by conventional care are quite limited and only provide a partial solution. But by following my seven-step plan you can achieve lifelong vibrant health.
Now I’d like to hear from you…
If you have low thyroid function, how was it diagnosed?
Did you face any resistance from your doctor?
Which of these steps have you tried to treat it and have they helped
Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment
Mark Hyman, M.D. practicing physician and founder of The UltraWellness Center is the author of The UltraMind Solution. Dr. Hyman is now sharing the 7 ways to tap into your body’s natural ability to heal itself. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, watch his videos on Youtube and become a fan on Facebook.
Email this Article
Comments
Armando
Dear Dr. Hyman:
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 6 years ago by a holistic practitioner (muscle test). I´ve been reading about thyroid disorders since then. I´ve been taking many different supplements for this condition and improved my symptoms somewhat. The one that has helped me the most is a supplement called Thyiodine, that has dry bovine thyroid, thimus, and adrenal gland, iodine, bladerwrack, dulse, selenimu, zinc, and two homepathic herbs. I´ve also found that I have symptoms of low and high thyroid function simultaneusly, which in opinion are caused by a condition called autoimune thyroiditis (based on my studies). I was tested once by a holistic practitioner and I was positive on the TPO factor, although he considered not serious, and did not get treatment for that.
I would like to know what would be your best approach to this condition, and where, and how I can get the supplements I might need.
Thank You very much!
God Bless!
Cry of the Carrots
Hi, June 2008 I visited a doctor about a possible type II diabetes problem, and I was diagnosed by a blood test, Triiodothyrodine free serum too low.
My chiropractor told me that chlorine in the shower was a big factor, after I bought a filter, showers are refreshing and my skin doesn't break out in a rash anymore.
I'm now taking 125 mg Armor Thyroid/day.
I now take 2000 mg Lovaza too.
With core exercises, and interval workouts, I dropped from 257 to 225 over the last year, low carb eating drops the A1c below 5.0 but occasional tortillas and the odd binge or two make it difficult to keep it there. the 225 is proving a difficult barrier to overcome. I see 175 pounds in the mirror, and the 50 pounds of fat leaving me, but the scale just has not dropped for three months.
I have nearly eliminated processed food from my diet, meat, and low glycemic vegetables and fruits, and nuts are all I can eat now. My doctor does give me one day off/week, but binges are not part of those days off(most of the time) :P
I can now ride my road bike up bigger hills, and see that that last 50 lbs would make it far easier to climb and sprint, maybe even be fast enough to compete. This motivation is entirely new to me, and I envision myself getting past this hump.
Danny
I have had anxiety and panic attacks for about 15yrs ..In the past year they have gottenin more severe.I am over weight
and started having dizzy spells.A doctor friend of mine told me to get my thyroid tested and that thyroid problems could cause
anxiety and panic attacks ...Is this true,, ????????????????
Reiki
Sounds like just one more thing to get panic over ;)
Have you heard of the medicine free way to relax and even let go of these attacks? Both EFT (Emofree.com) and Tapping are great to learn and only take minutes to work. You can scan youtube for EFT for panic attacks to get the idea. Emofree is full of world wide testimonials from practitioners and us mere mortals alike. It gives the word for word things to say as you tap various parts of your upper body. Feel free to try this energy release. May you come into balance. Peace.
Anonymous
Reguarding gluten allergy, most people can have oats as long as they are not rolled oats. Flour is added when oats are rolled.
Beach Man
Danny,
That's true, however in your case because of the overweight situation it's more likely that it's a blood sugar problem, specifically low blood sugar. That's not unusual as we become older, and particularly if we've gained several pounds over the years. If you haven't done so already, eliminate all caffeine, including chocolate from your diet. There are also a number of other dietary adjustments that you need to make, including eliminating simple carbohydrates and including more protein and complex carbohydrates. Here are some Links which will explain the problem and needed adjustments as well as accounts of what has worked well for others. I suggest you read each one through first, and after reading all of them, then go back to study sections that interest you.
Start by reading "Panic Attack or Low Blood Sugar: How to Tell" by Carla Bell at: http://www.associatedcontent.c...
Next read this brief article:
http://www.natural-cure-remedy...
Then read, "How I Deal With Anxiety and Panic Attacks" by Kathy Love, but ignore the promotions - just read the advice:
http://www.home-remedies-for-y...
Then read, "Low Blood Sugar Problem - Panic Attacks and Low Blood Sugar by Chandramita Bora at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles...
Note some of the cited causes, "...genetic predisposition, hyperthyroidism, vitamin B deficiency, emotional trauma, significant changes in life, medications, phobias of certain situations or objects, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs and stimulants like caffeine, nicotine and marijuana".
Finally, read the Post by avit, dated 01-09-2009, entitled, "hypoglycemia, low blood sugar = severe anxiety":
http://www.healthboards.com/bo...
For immediate relief, read about this supplement put out by Life Extension at the first Link. If you are not a member and do not wish to become one nor pay the higher price for non-members, you can still purchase it at the second Link (vitacost.com) for an excellent price:
http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Su...
http://www.vitacost.com/Life-E...
Two other helpful supplements you may wish to purchase after reading the customer Reviews are (scroll up and down):
http://www.vitacost.com/Jarrow...
and
http://www.vitacost.com/Twinla...
Last, if you are reluctant to access the Links for fear of SPAM, do this. Put the following into your SEARCH box and read the various hits - anxiety low blood sugar panic attack - Then for the products, put both vitacost and Life Extension into your SEARCH box and use each company's respective SEARCH box (at the upper left or right of the HOME page) to locate the product information.
Anonymous
I agree with most everything you say about treating hypothyroidism, EXCEPT for pharmaceutical thyroid supplementation. I had a severely low thyroid function and started on 3 tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil and within 30 days, my thyroid was within normal range and has stayed that way 3 yrs now.
Ginger
In 2001 I had lost a tremendous amount of weight and I was sleeping all the time. Part of this was due to stress and depression I was going through at the time, however I asked to be checked for diabetes. The test came back negative and I continued to have symptoms that concerned me such as cold chills and fatigue. I began to look up disorders for my symptoms in a nutrition book and found that my symptoms were consistent with thyroid problems and I asked to have it checked. They eventually found a tumor on my right lobe, and this lobe was removed. Before the surgery I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and after the removal of the right lobe I gained fifty pounds in a year and now I am diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I started off with .15 mg of synthroid in 2005 and now take .225 mg of of synthroid daily and it continues to be increased. Now I am being told that there appers to be a problem with my pituitary gland and this is the reason for the increase in synthroid. Another poster asked about anxiety and/or panic attacks and in the reading I have done regarding my thyroid and pituitary gland problems, I have found a link to anxiety.
Kathy
About a year and a half ago I realized my hair was thinning and it wasn't my imagination. I went to my doctor in March 2008 finally and gave him my symptoms: bad concentration, can't remember anything (thought I had Alzheimers at 42), hair loss, sore joints, fingernails feel real cold, body temperature never normal. Had bloodwork done 3 times when finally my TSH was 4.58, doctor wouldn't do anything while blood works were normal. I was put on Synthroid. My hair loss has continued even though my thyroid is supposedly "normal" now. Since my symptoms still weren't real good I was later put on Cytomel as well and my hair loss seems to be less though I am still not growing hair and yes I am still losing hair all the time..just not as much as when I don't take Cytomel.
Can a personal emotional trauma cause hypothyroidism? I ask because my face used to break out all the time. Four years ago I was laid off from my employers of 16 years and I was totally dumbfounded shocked depressed you name it. Right after that my face never broke out again but that seems to be when I started losing hair? Can a personal trauma like that cause hypothyroidism and if so can it be reversed? Help!
Post new comment