The Hypoactive Thyroid Gland
One of
the most common (but often undiagnosed) causes of a variety of seemingly
unrelated symptoms…is that of underactive thyroid function.
Dr. Rhoda Barnes, M.D., a brilliant, intuitive physician and
scientist, estimated that over 40% of the adult population… suffers
from this condition. Most of the
information on the manifestations of hypothyroidism, its diagnosis, including
the technique for measuring and interpreting basal body temperatures… and
therapy guidelines were compiled and described by Dr. Barnes, M.D. He is the author of the book Hyperthyroidism:
the Unsuspected Illness. His
work is disseminated to physicians and the public by the foundation bearing his
name, The Broda Barnes Foundation…which is located in Trumbull,
Connecticut.
Diagnostic Failures
Although
many people exhibit symptoms of hypothyroidism, they usually don’t receive
treatment for this condition…if they have normal blood test readings.
Their physicians often tell them that their symptoms are due to other
causes…or that their problem is “all in their head.”
Many patients have been referred to psychiatrists to treat their
so-called “psychosomatic” problems. However,
when they were later given thyroid replacement therapy, they improved
dramatically.
There
are two primary forms of thyroid hormones, T4 and T3.
T4 is the storage form of thyroid hormone…and T3 is the
intracellular active form. The
inside of the cell contains a concentration ratio of 75:1…of T3 to T4.
T4 is produced within the thyroid gland and is later converted to the
active T3 outside the thyroid gland…in peripheral tissues.
Under certain conditions, such as chronic stress… the thyroid
gland may produce sufficient amounts of T4 to obtain normal thyroid blood tests,
but its conversion to T3 may be inhibited…causing a relative insufficiency
of active T3. Under these circumstances…the patient will have hypothyroid
symptoms…in spite of normal thyroid blood tests.
SOME OF THE MORE COMMON
SYMPTOMS CAUSES BY AN UNDER ACTIVE THYROID GLAND:
-
Weight gain…or increased difficulty
losing weight
-
Fatigue or low energy levels…especially
in the morning
-
Dry rough…and pale skin
-
Cold hands and feet…most often feeling
cold all the time
-
Thinning hair
-
Nails tend to be brittle…and break
easily
-
Stiffness of the joints
-
Muscle cramps…and frequent muscle aches
-
Mental confusion
-
Memory Disturbances
-
Swelling of the face or…fluid retention
in general
-
Depression
-
Irritabilty
-
Abnormal menstrual cycles…and PMS
-
Decreased libido
A Better Way
In the 1940’s, Dr. Barnes realized that blood
tests for the thyroid…were usually inaccurate.
Consequently, he developed a simple test to confirm suspected low thyroid
function… using an ordinary glass thermometer.
He found that normal oral temperatures immediately upon awakening in the
morning (while still in bed) are in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees
Fahrenheit. His research found
that…a temperature below 97.8 indicated hypothyroidism; and one above 98.2,
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Dr.
Barnes recommended that a 2-minute oral temperature be taken immediately…upon
awakening be used to diagnose a low thyroid state.
At the same time…checking your resting pulse rate (which should e
between 65-75).
The Basal Temperature Test
Menstruating women should only
take the basal temperature test for thyroid function on the 2nd, 3rd
or 4th day of menses (preferably beginning on the 2nd
day)…to get the most accurate readings. Women
using oral or topical progesterone should not take progesterone the day before
…or on the days that the basal temperatures are taken.
In summary, to perform the temperature test:
-
Shake the thermometer down before retiring
-
Upon awakening, place it in your mouth and
leae it there for 2 minutes before getting out of bed.
-
Record the temperature
-
Take the average of 3 days of temperatures
How Does One Interpret the Results…Of the Basal Body Temperature Test?
If the average temperature is below 97.8
Fahrenheit…then the diagnosis of a low functioning thyroid system is very
likely. An average temperature
between 97.8 and 98.2 is considered normal.
An average temperature above 98.2 is considered high and might reflect an
infection or a hyperthyroid state.
Clinical Research on Thyroid Supplementation:
A recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine (Vol. 340, No. 8,
pp.424-29, 429-70, Feb. 11, 1999) demonstrated that patients with hypothyroidism
showed greater improvements in mood and neuropsychological functioning…if
they received treatment with Armour Thyroid (Dessicated Thyroid)(T3,T4)
rather than Synthroid (T4). The
authors also detected biochemical evidence that thyroid hormone action was
greater…after treatment with Armour Thyroid – which
is a dessicated form of thyroid hormone.
Why Dessicated Thyroid Hormone…is More
Effective:
Synthroid, the most commonly
prescribed hormone for hypothyroidism, contains only 1 fraction of thyroid
hormone, T4. Although our thyroid
gland normally produces T4, T4 is
converted by the body into T3…which is the active form of thyroid hormone.
Many hypothyroid patients are unable to efficiently perform this conversion E.g.
Chronic stress decreases this conversion process and as normal aging progresses
the body decreases the ability to perform this conversion as well.
Compounded Dessicated Thyroid hormone, on the other hand…contains both
of the thyroid hormone factors – T3 and T4. Dessicated Thyroid hormone is
formulated to standards approved by the United States Pharmacopoeia (U.S.P),
which assures that its potency is accurately stated on the label.
Conclusions:
Treatment of Subclinical
Hypothyroidism with Thyroid Hormone …Is very SAFE.
There is little risk of excessive thyroid dosage if:
-
Patient feels well
-
The temperature remains below 98.2
-
The pulse is less than 75 beats per minute.
-
The
thyroid function tests remain normal.
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