The Newest Approach to Fix Your Thyroid

October 4, 2012
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

86516699Zap-proof your home and ground your body.

Recently a friend I hadn’t seen for some time complained that she couldn’t lose weight—no matter what she did. A highly skilled massage therapist very attuned to the physical body, this woman had mysteriously put on 30 pounds and also developed a strange growth on her thyroid that even her doctor couldn’t explain nor understand.

As we spoke and I told her about electropollution, the topic of my book Zapped, it suddenly dawned on her that she first began to experience mono-like symptoms of fatigue when her family installed an electronic device to rid their home of mice! In an almost stream of consciousness, she went on to say that she was fascinated with technology, and that the family has no less than five cordless phones throughout the house and numerous wireless laptops because three of her children still live at home. She carries her laptop with her wherever she goes and uses her smartphone nearly 24/7.

I tried to explain to my friend that non-ionizing radiation—from seemingly low dose electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from cell phones, cordless phones, and smart meters—can have negative biological effects on health, especially if that individual is electrosensitive.

We know for sure that the more highly potent X-rays and other high-dose  ionizing radiation medical scans—have been shown— in study after study to zero in on the thyroid gland. It’s as though the thyroid had a target painted on it.

I told my friend that according to my research, animal research in Toxicology Letters reports that exposure to low-level background radiation that’s increasingly common today—both 50 Hz in some electrical systems and 900 MHz emitted by cell phones—lessen the production of thyroid hormone, a marker for hypothyroidism or slow thyroid function. Symptoms of sluggish thyroid include fatigue, depression, joint pain, heart rate variability, and weight gain—and they’re also symptoms common among people who are sensitive to electromagnetic pollution.

I know firsthand how electronic pollution can impact health.

Like my friend, I also suffered baffling symptoms—mine included a benign parotid gland tumor (one of the salivary glands below my ear). It’s a very rare tumor, most often caused by ionizing radiation. But I hadn’t been overly exposed to X-rays or a CT scan previously.

I had, however, been addicted to my cell phone! Like most Americans, I was under the false assumption that this technology was perfectly safe—until I read a study published by Israeli researchers who found that individuals who kept their cell phone against one side of their head for several hours a day were 50 percent more likely to develop a rare salivary gland tumor on that side. The truth is that the very electronic and digital innovations that have made modern life more convenient and efficient are also exposing people to millions of artificial and manmade electromagnetic frequencies and wavelengths never before experienced by human beings.

My own enlightened self interest promoted me to write Zapped two years ago—and try to figure out the ways to protect the thyroid (one of our most vulnerable glands to radiation exposure) and the rest of the body from electropollution caused by cell and cordless phones, digital toys, faulty wiring, microwaves, WiFi and the soon-to-roll-out WiMAX (high powered antennas destined to be part of our landscape within the next few years).

I learned that the subliminal or “stealth” stress caused by electropollution elevates cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Not only does excess cortisol raise blood sugar levels, creating belly fat and weight gain, but it also uses the body’s supply of the amino acid tyrosine—required to make the thyroid hormone. This results in fatigue, weight gain, and hypothyroidism.

The Earthing Connection to Your Thyroid
Just one of the 1,268 solutions in ZappedEarthing or grounding ourselves infuses our bodies with electrons that stamp out free radical induced inflammation and pain, and cool down the nervous system allowing the glands (including the thyroid and adrenals) to naturally rebalance themselves. People have reported less brain fog, fatigue, insomnia and normal thyroid levels.

Much the way that early TV images (back in the days before cable) were marred by flecks (or “snow”) when they were disrupted by electromagnetic interference, our bodies (and thyroids) can be disrupted by the proliferation of EMFs today.

Life in 2012—which includes wearing rubber soled shoes rather than “grounding” leather soles—has insulated us from the natural and normalizing energy of the Earth, while at the same time immersing us in man-made electromagnetic pollution 24/7.

Your Experiences with Earthing
Because it’s hard to go barefoot (as our ancestors did) or walk on the sand throughout the year, UNI KEY offers a variety of products including sheets, floor and desk mats, as well as travel items that bring the Earth’s natural energy inside for use in homes and offices.

I told my friend that I have been using the Earthing products for more than a year—and not only have I never slept better, but my own TSH and T3 levels have completely become balanced—no more Armour!

Here’s what some of my Facebook Fans shared with me about Earthing:
• “I read ‘Zapped‘(loved it). I got ‘Earthed’ (loving it). I have autoimmune thyroid disease. After three weeks of Earthing, my TSH [thyroid-stimulating hormone] levels went from 1.75 (normal) to 0.2 (hyperthyroid)!!! I will need to have my dose [of medication] halved. I mean I felt better right after Earthing, but now I have measurable proof that…this stuff really works. You must try it.”

• “I tried herbs, acupuncture, and other remedies for sleep to no avail. Finally gave in to a friend’s Xanax, but absolutely refuse to take for long term! I decided to go out and stand in our (very cold) sand pile for 20 minutes to try this Earthing thing out. The first night I slept much better, but the second time I slept all night without waking!”

• “My husband and I have been using a grounding sheet for less than three weeks. We’re sleeping better, we don’t wake up with the aches and pains we used to, we’re calmer during the day, and suddenly I didn’t want/need caffeine. I just stopped drinking coffee with zero side effects. I also stopped craving sugar, and it’s helped mitigate some hormone-related symptoms I was having.

The morale of this story: My dear friend is now so motivated to get well and lose weight, that she is buying Zapped for all her friends and family members. She also ordered the Earthing sheets and universal mats for her household. For the first time in a very long time, she has hope and a very good chance of fixing her thyroid by outsmarting electropollution.

Sources:
Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn’t Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution
Hot Times, How to Eat Well, Live Healthy, and Feel Sexy During the Change
www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1667/RR0922.1
www.earthinginstitute.net/commentaries/gaetan_electrical_surface.pdf
www.earthinginstitute.net/studies/earthing_human_physiology_2007_pt2.pdf
www.earthinginstitute.net/studies/grounding_body_2000.pdf
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/11/23/prweb4821354.DTL
www.townsendletter.com/May2010/earthing0510.html

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Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

16 Comments

  1. Debra Duddy

    I am a massage therapist and I have had hypothyroidism since 2000. I think I got my first computer and cell phone in 1999 and your article put it all together for me.

    One week ago, I visited a psychic who told me I needed to ground myself. I thought it meant because I’m a massage therapist I have to remember to wipe myself off after a session to get rid of the other persons energy. This makes so much more sense to me now, and maybe there is an explanation for why I’ve lost some hearing in my right ear. I had a brain MRI for a neuroma but it was negative. Maybe I will have the glands checked too! I do have 2 thyroid nodules that i had biopsied and they were negative so far.

    My husband just had a benign brain tumor removed and we think it might have come from being in the military vehicles that have radar to block IEDs. He was a gunner and his head was outside the vehicle close to this device.

    Thank you thank you thank you for such great information. I will get the book immediately and hope that making some changes will make me and my family a lot better off!

    Sincerely

    Debra Duddy

    Reply
  2. Duey Baab

    Anne Louise-

    I started grounding with a Unikey mat last December, I had a pain in my shoulder for almost 2 years from carrying my work bags. I had also been (diagnosed) hypothyroid for more than 10 years. After 2 weeks, not only did the pain go away (and has not returned) my thyroid blood work showed me as HYPERthyroid for the first time in my life. BUT-My eyes became odd looking, dark circles I’d never had with a sunken-in look… after I stopped using the mat and my T3 was lowered my eyes went back to looking normal.

    I find that grounding with the mat is a double edged sword for me, I use it sparingly but the possible results are interesting.

    Reply
  3. Randon

    In the IT world, we have know about grounding for a long time when working on computers due to static electricity. Is that the same concept here? There are grounding wrist straps, grounding mats and other equipment through the computer industry that could seem to simulate the effect here. Let me know if I am way off with this. Thanks.

    Reply
    • liz

      If you are connecting to the grounding port in the electrical outlet and have something conductive in the wrist strap or mat ( a metal square or carbonized rubber) then you would be doing the same thing.

      Reply
  4. Beth

    I have recently found out I have hashimotos. Was retested recently and my TPO is currently 296.5, in August it was 247. I am wanting to deal with this in the most natural way possible. Any suggestions. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Hi Beth,
      You may benefit from a combination of a few things. Firstly, following a diet like the Fat Flush Plan will probably help more than anything else. Secondly, assessing yourself with a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis would give great insight into why your thyroid isn’t functioning normally. Often times correcting mineral imbalances can make an extraordinary difference in your metabolism. Thirdly, if you haven’t seen a drastic improvement after implementing the first two steps, you may wish to assess your iodine saturation with an Iodine Loading Test. Iodine is crucial to the thyroid, and also breast tissue, and a deficiency can really throw our hormones out of whack. Best wishes!

      Reply
  5. Anke

    Beth, Sierra, while iodine is important, it can make the Hashi’s autoimmune response worse. So be careful when trying this, some of us have had our antibodies spike just from iodine.
    As hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, the key is to heal the immune system, which means mainly, healing the gut and restoring the other important organs. Yes, essential minerals and vitamins will usually be low, and absorption is poor, as most of us have compromised and leaky guts with dysbiosis. Explore autoimmune diet protocols which are a stricter version of paleo, with low allergenic protein, vegetables and good fats. Fat Flush or a version of it may work, but you should not undereat!! Dieting stresses your adrenalsm, and these are usually compromised in thyroid patients. The key is healing and restoring endocrine function so that the metabolism improves, not to starve a weak body that is unable to absorb nutrients anyway. Gluten, dairy, soy, sugar and all known allergens are out. Vit D, glutathione, selenium, zinc and often gut repairing supplements like Clearvite are very helpful. I highly recommend finding a functional medicine practitioner wh can help you get the right labs and design a healing program tailored to your needs. The best Doc in this field is Dr Datis Kharrazian. He has trained many others, many of whom also work via skype and email if necessary. Good luck!

    Reply
  6. carri

    How long did it take for you to notice a positive change in your thyroid? I have been earthing for months and started sleeping grounding 3 weeks ago. Instead of lots of energy I have went backwards. I feel more sluggish since sleeping grounding. I have more hypo symptomss than before. I’m been wondering if I should stop sleeping grounded for awhile or stick it out to see if it turns around.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Carri, have you checked your outlets to make sure that they are properly grounded? And checked yourself with the connection tester to make sure you are receiving the benefit?

      Reply
  7. Carrie

    Antonia,

    If you are correct then everyone would become Hypo when they grounded themselves. Did I read that correctly?
    I earth from an outside connection. I take natural thyroid meds and I have not been able to go off my meds and I have been sleeping earthing for 5-6 months. I have finally worked up to sleeping grounded every night but I began to go backwards again. I have been trying to stick it out but wonder if I should go ahead and decrease again. My TSH level even came back elevated to 4.21 last week instead of the other way around. I have no idea what is going on with my body.
    I sleep better and dream everynight though.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      The benefits of Earthing warrant a conversation with your health care provider about potentially decreasing your level of thyroid support!

      Reply
  8. C M

    Hi,

    I am an otherwise healthy individual 30 year old man except for one problem; I am diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism without any known cause. That is a TSH between 4.5 and 10, with a completely normal untreated free T4 of 16-18 and with negative antithyroid antibodies. Thyroid medication does not help me.

    I seem to get under stress easily and previously had an adrenal fatigue 24 hour saliva test; it showed a high level of adrenal fatigue. The stress seems to visibly come out on my either side of my mouth, where it becomes very red and inflammed when the stress is bad.

    Because I eat healthy, get moderate exercise, and try to live a healthy lifestyle, there is only one cause of the stress that I can find; computer use.

    I’ve tried for seven years to solve this. In my home I have 16 high end computers, which I personally use all by myself, it’s for my work.

    All the pieces fit together that it is something to do with this high technology use that is causing high stress and disrupting my thyroid in blood tests. I’ve been on holiday and my health improved hugely. I also had a period of greatly reduced computer use for a few months and during that time my health improved greatly too.

    I can’t eliminate my computer use and I don’t know for certain the computers are the cause but I am 95% sure they are. I don’t know if this is something anyone can help with?

    What is quite interesting, is that this condition that I have, subclinical hypothyroidism is considered an enigma to doctors and researchers worldwide. Little is known about if it should be treated or what even causes it. However, I believe the problem is technology use, specifically computers.

    I believe the problem may be something to do with the screen itself. I don’t know if it’s the unnatural articial blue light disrupting our biological system or it’s just simply stress from looking at the light for so long.

    I have also considered that it may be radiation coming off the screen. I have evidence to support this theory; a few times in the past an old scar on my face has turned bright red from sitting at the computer for a long period. This only ever happens if I have been in the strong sun for too long. It’s really quite significant that this also happens if I use a computer for a long time. I will note that my computer screens are all flatscreen LCD/TFT monitors; supposedly they are “safe” but I have my doubts due to my experience.

    Make no mistake, I have put a huge amount of personal research into this spanning 7 years. I am determined to solve the problem and all that I have found is pointing towards computer use, most likely the screen, as being the source of the problem. It is bad enough to fool the doctors into thinking I have hypothyroidism. I can track the problem based on how I feel and more importantly by the red areas I get on either side of my lip with either go away or worsen dependant on how much computer time I get. Interestingly, there are medical research papers that have associated mild thyroid disfunction with computer/mobile phone use.
    After hearing my story, do you think grounding is the cause and the solution? Remember, I have no medical reason to have a raised TSH; I do not even have antibodies, which means I do not have an autoimmune disease.

    Reply
  9. S

    I am having worsening of symptoms, too. I’m hypothyroid, taking Armour which is not helping. Started sleeping grounded few nights ago and I can’t sleep! My wife is sleeping better on the same mat, but I just can’t sleep!!! My wife is not hypothyroid.

    Reply
    • mmztcass

      You might want to look into seeing what your thyroid levels of the Free T3 and Free T4 are doing. If not in the right places within the lab reference ranges (most of us feel our best mid to the upper third ranges) perhaps dose adjustments with the Armour is needed? Perhaps you are feeling hypER symptoms rather than hypO since grounding?

      I am the opposite with Graves’ Disease. I have been earthing for a few weeks now and find that I need to adjustment my ATD (antithyroid drug) dose to keep from going hypO.

      Reply
      • Bernie

        Are you still grounding and how are you doing today? My son has Graves Disease and I just started him on earthing products

        Reply
  10. Debby

    I have two large growths on my thyroid Dr. says they have a blood flow is shown on the ultrasound Dr. wants to biopsy and remove he has put me on armor to help shrink bur 6 months the growth has grown I don’t want biopsies I went through this in 2003 a university took 10 needle biopsies in one appointment found inconclusive had me take 10 more guided by ultrasound found inconclusive again. I feel like they are just poking me full of holes for everything to leak into my body has to be a better answer HELP I received radioactive iodine in 2003 to fry half my thyroid Dont know where to turn

    Reply

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