Do you sometimes feel tired for no reason? Is your concentrating power and memory sliding or do you lack the energy you use to have?
Don’t be too quick to chalk it up to “Old Man Winter.” You could be suffering from the very common syndrome of an under-functioning thyroid gland.
Thyroid dysfunction may be the most commonly missed diagnosis in modern times.
Equally concerning is that if you have a thyroid disorder your doctor likely prescribed the synthetic drug called Synthroid.
Some of the many reported side effects of Synthroid include: headaches, excessive sweating, diarrhea, hair loss, hives, weight gain/loss, mood swings, and heart palpitations.
But you don’t have to go through all that.
Today I’ll show you how your thyroid functions and how to spot symptoms of malfunction.
I also tell you why natural thyroid is a better treatment than the synthetic form. You’ll also discover three natural thyroid boosters you can use to help you feel better starting today.
Thyroid function begins in the pituitary gland with TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). The thyroid gland produces two different hormones, T3 & T4. The T4 hormone regulates cellular metabolism or your body’s energy. T3 regulates body temperature, digestive metabolism and helps burn body fat.
Proper function of T3 prevents you from feeling cold and getting fat. The thyroid gland also regulates function of the liver, your kidneys, and skin.
The side effects of a thyroid disorder include:
|
Weight gain or trouble losing weight |
Sensitivity to cold |
Low Blood Pressure |
|
Hair loss (especially the eyebrows) |
Depression |
Constipation |
|
Low energy |
Mood Swings |
High Cholesterol |
|
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
Memory problems |
Dry skin |
|
Brittle nails |
Low libido |
Aching joints |
Eighty percent of malfunctioning thyroids are low thyroid hormone function, or hypothyroidism. Unfortunately thyroid disorders often go undetected because the symptoms can be attributed to a variety of other disorders. Some people also just attribute the less bothersome symptoms as a normal sign of aging and never get treatment.
Or, they take the synthetic drug. The problem is that Synthroid contains only T4 and no T3.
What’s worse is that a total of 100 million Synthroid tablets were recalled under 10 different recalls. The recalls occurred because the tablets were either found to be sub potent or too potent.1
A 1999 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that patients benefited in mood and neuropsychological function from a combination of T3 and T4 as opposed to T4 alone.
Another study published in Endocrinology in 1996 also supported the theory that T4 alone was not enough to fully restore thyroid function for those suffering from hypothyroidism.2
Hormonal imbalances or malfunctions respond better to natural hormones and natural solutions. I don’t treat my patients with chemically-synthesized hormones. Natural hormones are also safer and generally less expensive.
If you are being treated for hypothyroidism with Synthroid and you have side effects, ask your doctor about switching to natural thyroid hormone. It is available at almost all pharmacies although many doctors don’t know it. Like is so commonly the case, they are only taught the synthetic drug option.
But even before taking natural hormones, you might want to try using three simple and natural thyroid boosters that I use with my patients who have low thyroid function:
1. You probably already know that iodine is your thyroid’s number one nutrient. The easiest way to get enough iodine is to season your food with iodized sea salt. You can also try eating edible marine plants, such as wakame and nori, which are high in iodine. Or you can take iodized oil capsules and supplements. I recommend getting 300 mcg of iodine daily for optimal thyroid health.
2. Almost as important is the amino acid L-tyrosine. Your thyroid uses tyrosine as the second primary nutrient, along with iodine, to make thyroid hormones. You can get it from protein-rich foods, or take it as a supplement. 500 mg a day is a good amount for thyroid health.
3. Also, did you know that a well-known sleep secret is a thyroid protector? Melatonin is a sleep hormone, but it’s also an extremely powerful antioxidant that research shows can protect your thyroid from the effects of environmental toxins and metals.3
You don’t need very much. I recommend a small dose of 0.3 mg about a half hour before bedtime. You may have to break a tablet into pieces to find this appropriately small dose.
1. Federal Register 62, No. 157, 14 August 1997, pp 43535-8.
2. Rosick, E.R. “The Benefits of Whole Natural Hormone.” : Life Enhancement, January 2004: 11-14.
3. Rao M, Chhunchha B. “Protective role of melatonin against the mercury induced oxidative stress in the rat thyroid.” Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Jan;48(1):7-10.