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By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine
Have you been feeling a little “off” lately? Waning energy, irritability, dry skin and weight gain could be a sign of an underactive thyroid. It’s a growing problem, particularly among women. In fact, over the past week, I’ve met two women who have been diagnosed with low thyroid function—a condition known as hypothyroidism.
11 Million Americans
Hypothyroidism is estimated to affect 11 million Americans, and nine million of them are women. Since the thyroid gland is responsible for regulating many functions in the body, including metabolism, it makes sense that the underproduction of thyroid hormones would lead to a host of symptoms ranging from weight gain and fatigue to high cholesterol levels and possibly even infertility. Treating the condition can be simple: A daily dose of thyroid medication can effectively alleviate the problem. However, some experts believe certain foods such as soy may interfere with absorption of the medication, thus requiring that treatment be monitored. And because symptoms mimic those of general malaise and fatigue, the tricky part is establishing that you do in fact suffer from an underactive thyroid in the first place.
Your thyroid is a small gland shaped like the outspread wings of a butterfly that sits at the base of the throat. It excretes two critical hormones—thyroxine, known as T4, and triiodothyronine, known as T3. The primary job of these hormones is to help cells convert calories and oxygen into energy. The problem is that this process can be temporarily interrupted by a variety of factors such as an iodine deficiency or pregnancy. But long-term thyroid problems are often due to an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, in which antibodies attack the thyroid and render it inactive. Most doctors routinely test thyroid function in people over 50. If yours doesn’t or if you suffer from unexplained fatigue or weight gain, ask to be tested.
Get Treated
If you do suffer from hypothyroidism—even if it’s a mild case—get treated. Thyroid dysfunction generally worsens over time and early intervention can prevent more serious health problems down the line. Most conventional practitioners treat hypothyroidism with a daily dose of synthetic T4 (levothyroxine). T4 is typically prescribed alone because, in theory, the body will produce T3 from T4. But, even though levothyroxine is synthetic, it isn’t a drug. It’s a bioidentical hormone that exactly mimics what your body normally produces.
Adopt A Thyroid Friendly Diet
Diet can also make a huge difference. Some foods, such as soy, sweet potatoes and brassica vegetables like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, contain natural goitrogens—chemicals that suppress the function of the thyroid gland by interfering with the body’s absorption of iodine. Many holistic physicians prescribe dietary changes and supplements that support thyroid balance. For example, kelp and other sea vegetables, fish and unrefined sea salt—all sources of iodine, the mineral most associated with the thyroid—can help. But too much iodine can be as harmful as too little, so iodine supplements are not recommended unless you’re iodine deficient. If your diet is already rich in saltwater fish and sea vegetables, or if you use iodized salt, you may not need supplemental iodine. Other minerals important to healthy thyroid function include zinc, selenium and copper. All of these can be obtained in a high-quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.
Guggul- Boosts Thyroid Function
Guggul, best known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, can also boost thyroid function. This Auyrvedic remedy effectively increases the uptake of iodine by the thyroid. A key component in herbal weight-loss formulas (thanks to its dual effect of increasing fat metabolism and stimulating thyroid function), most herbalists advise taking 25 mg. of guggul extract three times a day for a total of 75 mg. daily. Dosage is based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract and most are standardized to contain 5 to 10 percent of these compounds.
If your doctor doesn’t prescribe levothyroxine, you may want to consider thyroid-supporting glandular products containing thyroid and pituitary extracts. Glandular extracts do not contain active hormones but rather supply glands such as the thyroid and pituitary with the ingredients they need for optimum performance. To improve and support thyroid function, take one thyroid glandular and one pituitary glandular capsule or tablet three times daily on an empty stomach.
Whatever route you take, don’t ignore thyroid problems. Hypothyroidism will get progressively worse over time and can certainly put a crimp in your lifestyle. But addressing low thyroid function with medication, diet and supplements can boost your energy levels, improve your mood, perk up your complexion and maybe even help you drop those stubborn pounds!
References:
Arroyo Bros J, et al. Primary hypothyroidism: Considerations for a rational use of levothyroxine therapy. Medicina Clinica. 2009 Jul 29. [Epub ahead of print]
McDermott MT. Subclinical hypothyroidism is mild thyroid failure and should be treated. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2001 86: 4585-4590.
Panda S, et al. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) potentially ameliorates hypothyroidism in female mice. Phytotherapy Research. 2005;19:78-80.
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