Insufficient thyroid hormones can leave you exhausted, pack on pounds, and lead to fatty liver.
Disorders of the thyroid, the small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, are increasingly common among women of all ages and stages of life. For those at the height of their reproductive years, a sluggish thyroid can even prevent pregnancy and…that’s not all.
Thyroid hormones exert considerable influence on metabolism at the cellular level, especially the mitochondria (the energy factories in the cells). Not only does an underactive thyroid make you feel tired, but new research also finds that it cuts muscles’ oxidative capacity in half, causing cramping.
“Thyroid hormone has profound and diverse effects on liver metabolism” as well, add scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Their experimental research shows that the active form of this hormone (T3) helps prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease—a condition affecting even obese children today.
Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:
While the American Thyroid Association suggests that 1 out of 8 American women have hypothyroidism, I suspect that the actual rate may be 4-5 times higher. In my experience, subclinical thyroid conditions are epidemic in this country.
How can you tell if your thyroid is sluggish?
Look for these signs:
- the inability to lose weight
- fatigue
- infertility
- depression and irritability
- low body temperature
- weight gain
- dry or itchy skin
- thin, dry hair or hair loss (particularly hair missing on the outside arch of the eyebrow)
- premature graying of the hair
- fluid retention (especially a puffy face, hands and feet)
- decreased taste and smell
- slow heart rate
- constipation
- poor memory
- trouble with concentration
- hoarseness or husky voice
- irregular or heavy menstruation
- muscle aches
- high cholesterol
- goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
There are numerous reasons for thyroid dysfunction—ranging from environmental toxins to an overloaded liver to weakened adrenal glands. Adrenal activity is required to stimulate the liver’s production of ceruloplasmin, the primary copper-binding protein in the body. With diminished adrenal activity, unbound copper can start to accumulate in various organs and glands—like the thyroid— and depress function.
Check for both glandular function with a Tissue Mineral Analysis (TMA) that evaluates mineral ratios that impact both the adrenal and thyroid. The sodium to potassium ratio is key for evaluating overall adrenal function while the calcium to potassium ratio is helpful in assessing thyroid function. It is also interesting to note that excessive amounts of calcium from supplementation and/or dairy intake can suppress the thyroid gland.
If you want to go the more conventional route, the following blood tests can be ordered by your physician who can advise you accordingly:
- TSH — Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- Total T4/ Total Thyroxine
- Free T4 / Free Thyroxine
- Total T3 / Total Triiodothyronine
- Free T3 / Free Triiodothyronine
- Anti-Thyroid Antibodies
And One More Thing…Don’t Forget Iodine
Interestingly, over the past 30 years, Americans’ iodine intake has declined 50% while thyroid disorders have significantly increased during that period. Remember to shore up your iodine levels with mineral-rich sea vegetables (agar, hijiki, kombu, nori, and wakame) at least twice a week. And use iodine-rich Seaweed Gomasio to season your food. While 150 mcg of iodine a day is considered adequate, there are many benefits to taking higher amounts.
Iodine acts as an adaptogen, a substance that helps your body adapt to stress. This essential mineral also plays a significant role in preventing hormonal imbalances and—because iodine is concentrated in breast tissue—can protect against fibrocystic breast disease and even breast cancer.
Sources:
Fat Flush for Life
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20236931
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20336276
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20332062
www.healthywomen.org
I’m curious about the photo – does that depict some type of thryoid treatment or diagnostic tool?
I’ve really gotten so messed up ever since being diagnosed low-thyroid. All the above is true for me..and I HATE it! 🙁
Whilst taking iodine is a good idea, if you have hashimoto’s thyroiditis – an auto immune condition which means your immune system attacks your thyroid… then iodine could make you very ill and much worse, so take care.
You’ll know if you have Hashi’s if you have thyroid antibodies in your system.
Gail sorry to hear your problems. Are you taking T4 (thyroxine) or a natural product?
Research indicates that a natural thyroid is a much better treatment and since being on it I can tell you that I have lost 100lb and have my life back.
Check out http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
@ Karen…
That’s someone having an ultrasound of their thyroid in the pic. It’s a way of scanning the thyroid to detect abnormalities such as nodules or growths.
I have been taking Armor thyroid replacement for a number of years and now find it increasingly difficult to obtain. Is it true that once on Armor a person should not change to a synthetic therapy? If true, what is the reason?
So much is written about hypo thyroid what about hyperthyroid and graves disease. I’m being treated with tapazole – 5 mg daily but gave issues of fatigue and weight gIn. Honestly I feel I have more symptoms of an underactive thyroid but my bloodwork continually suggests otherwise. What are your thoughts? Thank you.
Joan, I order my thyroid through a Canadian pharmacy. A prescription is still required. It’s very affordable. I take Thyroid (Equivalent to ARMOUR THYROID) (Desiccated Thyroid) 60mg. 100 tablets is only $23.49. The shipping is a bit more, due to customs. Shipping is $9.99. Here is the website. http://www.NorthWestPharmacy.com I discovered it while doing research at Drugs.com, which is also an excellent website. You can spend hours at Drugs.com researching illnesses and medications.
I was on Levothyroxine for 6 weeks, & it had no effect on my symptoms at all. It’s also a synthetic medication, which has so many side effects, food & drug interactions, etc. With Thyroid, as long as you are on the proper dosage there are no side effects. How many medications can boast that?! I actually diagnosed myself. Sadly most doctors & labs accept outdated numbers for the TSH tests as being in “normal range”. After listening in on one of ALG’s phone broadcasts, I chose the medication myself & the dosage. ALG’s book, “Before The Change” and Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book, “The Wisdom of Menopause” are both excellent. Most doctors just don’t seem to ‘have the time’ to truly diagnose & treat their patients.
Since I started taking thyroid medicine, I noticed that my vision has been affected. I do not see as clearly as before I started taking the Armour medication.
Is there a connection between thyroid and vision?
Every year at my yearly physical I ask my doctor to check my thyroid because I feel something is wrong. And every year he “humors” me and does, and it comes back fine. He just tells me I need to exercise more and lose weight. I feel that he is missing something. There are things on that list that have nothing to do with weight loss, symptoms that I have had since my twenties. I am 44. What else can I do, what type of test, or doctor should I see? My doctor is doing just a regular thyroid test to see if it is sluggish or low and that would be why I am obese.
But I am constipated, can’t seem to lose weight, tired all the time, dry skin, have depression, itchy skin, puffiness, slow heart rate, low bp, high cholesterol, fatigue, muscle aches all over, poor memory, did I mention I am only 44? This has been for about 10 years… I am looking for the reasons, something I can fix it with.
I just ordered the Fat Flush For Life system, hoping that I can cleanse some toxins out and jump start some weight loss but I think my body is out of whack.
Lisa, is he ordering the RIGHT tests? Ask for the ones ALG outlines above. Correct me if I’m wrong someone, but I think the standard test is not reliable that is why Ann lists the specific tests to ask for.
Annabel – (btw – have a brand new great-niece, a twin, named Annabelle)
I was on Armour for about a year and a half or so to no avail so was switched to Levothyroxine, which has worked better.
I’m the youngest (age 53) of five girls and 4 out of 5 are hypothyroid; including one recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.
Granted, I don’t have the same habits and lifestyle as I did all the years of living in CA; since I now live in the South, but I weigh more than I ever have before in my life.
Low ambition..little desire..tired all the time. Certainly I could exercise and do better..
I also have Fibromyalgia.
Melanie – I would like to know what answer you get for your question. Glad you asked it.
Somewhat difficult to check this periodically. If anyone wants to email, let me know..
Hi,
First let me say that I am eternally grateful to Ann Louise and the Fat Flush Diet! I have used it sporatically for the last 7 years and I always feel so much better when I stick to it! I always lose those creeping 10 pounds and bloat so quickly.
Last month I had my thyroid removed due to a small cancer nodule. There was no radioactive iodine involved due to it’s small size. I started on Synthroid immediately and so far so good. ( i have a personal belief that alot of the thyroid drug symptoms I read about can be eliminated with the Fat Flush Diet)
Now, I just wonder how having no thyroid affects nutritional recommendations for copper and iodine, or anything else? Since I have no thyroid to stimulate or clog, what should I be aware of or concerned about?
Thanks for the info about the Canadian Pharmacy. I have been unable to get my Armour thyroid and have been switched to a compounded formula. Most of my symptoms have returned…I am going to see my PMP this week and ask for a RX to get the med in Canada.
Hi, Sally. You are most welcome! Lisa, ask your doctor if he is using the “accepted”, (AKA outdated!!) standards as far as the results on your Thyroid tests. For example, on your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test the “in range” column you will read on your test results is accepted as high as 4.5 or more. For best results I want mine at a 2 or lower. (See Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book which I mentioned above.) I would advise you to do as much research as possible on the internet, in books, etc. You can learn so much that the doctors don’t take the time to tell you, or that they don’t even know themselves! A lot of what they may tell you is outdated!
Caroline,
Great to hear that the Fat Flush always helps you. I have seen it help many conditions including speeding up a sluggish metabolism and helping the thyroid.
Copper and iodine are needed in in the proper amounts in many body tissues and for many functions. It’s good to know your levels. Many people are low in iodine and high in copper
Lisa,
It sounds from your description of your symptoms that your thyroid is definately low or hypo. But your tests are showing that your thyroid is “normal”. There is a protocol that you can follow with the aid of your physician that can reset your thyroid gland so that it starts to function optimally. Please check out http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com. There is a wealth of information at that site that I believe would be helpful to you.
I don’t understand why after 10 yrs. of taking thyroid medication and the last 3-4 yrs. of it being Armour, why I still have all of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Any suggestions?
@ Christine.
It sounds like your medication is not at a high enough level! It needs to be optimised. You need to take a higher dose until your symptoms are gone!
May patients dose themselves by cutting their tabs in half or quarter…
The problem is that many doctors just go on the results of a TSH test. Unfortunately the TSH test is a ‘vague indicator’ and results can be ‘within range’ whilst you are incredibly ill. There are moves to lower the range so that more people are diagnosed within the range… Thyroid cancer and nodules on the thyroid can also ‘mask’ the results of a TSH test.
A ‘full thyroid panel’ is what’s required. Also liver function, cholesterol, all that stuff.
A ‘numbers’ doctor can’t help you. You need to be treated until your symptoms are gone, regardless of what your numbers say.
Some people do really well on synthetic thyroid, but it’s also possible to have rT3 – or reverseT3 where the thyroxine sits on the outside of your cells and stops the T4 entering… What you need to get rid of this is MORE T3…
If you can’t convert your throxine into T3, where can you get it from? More synthetic stuff?
Thyroid is a hugely complex subject… but to get the optimal treatment, you need to educate yourself so you can worth with your endo.
Top thyroid doctor list can be found here:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/doctors/a/topdocs.htm
Your questions can be answered also on the about.com thyroid boards to be found here:
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=ab-thyroid
Bon Chance!
A great discussion with so many helpful hints! Hypothyroidism has a multitude of underlying causes. One of the most unsuspected is high tissue levels of calcium which can suppress function – as mentioned in the blog. Calcium appears to slow down metabolism according to the research of David Watts, Ph.D. A deficit of selenium, potassium, and iron can also contribute to a sluggish thyroid.
Remember too that hypothyroid (among MANY other things) can also be secondary to Celiac Disease.
Can anyone recommend a good hypo-thyroid treating doctor in NYC or the tri state area. I take Armour, but my Endocrinologist is the pits. I still have stubborn weight gain, fatigue & depression off & on…. help please!!!
Maria,
Sorry I don’t know of a doctor in the NY area for you but have you checked your iodine levels to see how that may be affecting you? Please call UNIKEY to discuss this. There is a test you can take to find out.
I recently started the fat flush diet and, cant say enough, wanted to do it to see if it will kick start the diet. I have been hypo since nine and had my thyroid out when i was 19. they doctor cut my dose thirty two years ago and blam weight. . after all this time very slowly it started doing something again as i was going down maybe a pound a month but still felt all the blah with this. now on this diet, never felt so good and finally one that I am not worried about taking something that will counter act with my medication etc
Great news Pat. I’m so glad this is working so well for you.
Ann- Do you know of a good thyroid specialist on the Coeur d Alene area? My blood test keep coming back normal but I clearly have several hypo symptoms. Getting no help from MD! ;(
Hi Shannon! Why don’t you come in to the UNI KEY store in Hayden? We have many natural and holistic options to help support your thyroid, and all of our products are Ann Louise Approved 🙂
181 West Commerce Drive, you can call at 800.888.4353
We look forward to seeing you!
I will do that…thank you! I am on some natural adrenal support stuff but still feel horrible. That’s why I thought I needed a dr that will treat symptoms not bloodwork.
I have been Levothyroxine for a year now I dont feel much diffrent I feel much worres then ever if i take the meds in the am it makes me tied but at night till the moring I fell little more engies is anyone like me
Everyone has a slightly different response to thyroid medication. I suggest that you take a Tissue Mineral Analysis test and find out how to support your adrenals and thyroid with vitamins and minerals and foods.