HEALTH 101—RECOGNIZING HIDDEN THYROID ISSUES
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As you may have heard, Oprah recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. She didn't realize she had it and neither did her doctors. It was her fans who recognized the symptoms  she was describing and urged her to have her thyroid appropriately tested, even telling her what tests to have done to accurately diagnose it.

Oprah is not alone. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists:
* 10% of Americans are affected by thyroid problems—more than the number of those with diabetes and cancer combined
* over half of those with a thyroid problem are not being diagnosed
* for those diagnosed, the standard conventional treatment is noteffective

Why is this? According to one of my mentors, Dr. Jonny Bowden, most American doctors are trained in diagnosing acute symptoms, relying on lab tests, and treating things with drugs or surgery. Therefore, "they often fail miserably when it comes to addressing subtle symptoms in your body that affect the quality of your life."

Keep reading to learn more about the standard vs. ideal tests (even one you can do easily at home) to recognize thyroid issues, symptoms to pay attention to, and ways to effectively treat (and even prevent) the most common thyroid problem—hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

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The thyroid is the "master of metabolism." Critical functions include:
* controlling metabolism
* controlling organ function
* controlling digestive enzymes and stomach acid production
* controlling breakdown of protein and fat
* controlling synthesis and release of hormones and white blood cells
* secreting calcitonin, which is required for calcium metabolism
* basically affects the operation of all body processes

Possible Thyroid Issues
- Hashimoto's Disease (an immune disorder whereby the body destroys the thyroid)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

The most common thyroid problem is hypothyroidism. It is perhaps the most commonly occurring hormonal disturbance in America today. Although women are the most likely to suffer from this condition, it afflicts millions of men and women of all ages.

Why is Hypothyroidism Such an Epidemic?
Unfortunately, while this problem can often be genetic or hormonal (events such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause), or occur after physical illness or severe injury, the more common factors seem to be lifestyle-based.

Lifestyle Factors
Diet—low-fat/high-carb or vegetarian diets
      low-cal., nutrient-deficient
      insulin-resistance
      lack of protein, lack of fatty acids
      too many refined carbs and sugars
Certain medications (barbiturates, sulfa drugs, ainti-diabetic meds, aspirin)
Stress
Substances—alcohol, hydrogenated fats, excessive amounts of polyunsaturated fats (soybean, safflower, canola, corn oils), caffeine, tap water with fluoride and chlorine (consumed or absorbed through skin), fluoride in toothpaste, mercury from silver amalgam fillings, and excess estrogen (from birth control, synthetic hormones, herbal estrogens, pesticides, hormone-injected meats).
Goitrogens—a substance found in raw cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts; deactivate them by at least lightly steaming these vegetables.

What Are Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?
* Weight gain
* Chronic or cyclical fatigue/Poor sleep/Oversleeping
* Depression
* Muscle aches/weakness
* Low body temperature/Cold hands/feet
* Irregular periods
* Impaired memory & concentration/Mental slugishness
* Anemia
* Oversensitivity to cold
* Brittle nails
* Hair loss
* Skin problems—Dry, scaly, psoriasis, eczema, burning/prickling sensations

Testing for Hypothyroidism
Self-Tests
I recommend that you start with these simple tests you can do yourself that are highly suggestive of thyroid impairment. Armed with the self-discovery through these tests along with your list of common symptoms, you will bemore confident in having the discussion with your doctor and insisting he/she do not only the standard TSH, but also the more reliable TRH test.

Basal Temperature Test
Dr. Broda Barnes, a pioneer in thyroid research and author of "Hypnothyroidism: An Unsuspected Illness" developed the basal (resting body) temperature test and found through 40 years of research that a consistently low basal temperature is a dependable indicator of low thyroid function.

To perform the test, place a thermometer in your underarm area first thing upon awakening before getting out of bed. For digital thermometors, check when it beeps; for mercury, check after 10 minutes. Lie still and relax while taking.  Record the temperature and repeat for 3 successive days. (Note: if during menstruation, take on 2nd and 3rd day only; avoid all alcohol for several days before doing the test). Normal temps should be between 97.8-98.2 degrees F.

Resting Pulse Test
According to Dr. John Lee, one of the foremost authorities on hormone function, a healthy resting pulse rate should be about 85 beats per minute, though the national average seems to be about 72 bpm. A RPR under 80 can be due to hypothyroidism.

Medical Tests
The standard test done today is known as the TSH test. It checks T3 and T4 cell functioning, which are operators of the thyroid. Unfortunately, this is a less extensive test (i.e., quicker and less expensive) than the previously standard TRH test, and has been shown to have a 35-40% "false negative" result when compared to the TRH test (meaning, 35-40% of patients who were told the TSH test showed normal thyroid function despite their extensive symptoms yet were shown to have underactive thyroids through the TRH test). This is one reason why so many in this country are going undiagnosed.

If your list of symptoms and your home tests are indicating hypnothyroidism, trust what that's telling you and insist your doctor (and insurance company) allow you to conduct the more reliable TRH test. Take charge of your health or no one else will.

Treatment Protocol
Standard treatment for hypothyroidism is medications such as Synthroid (which, by the way, has to my understanding, never been approved by the FDA). However, the majority of people report little to no improvement of their symptoms and/or a list of negative side effects from the medicaton.

Alternative medicine practitioners, however, treat the condition by first working on intestinal health and digestion, including detoxification regimens and  instituting dietary changes, as well as a good exercise program. Natural thyroid-supporting nutrients such as dessicated thyroid or thyroid glandular (created specifically to each patient by a compounding pharmacist), iodine, B vitamins, various minerals, GLA, COQ10, and Progesterone (for women) or DHEA (for men).

Additional Resources
The more informed you are, the more likely you are to be able to talk to your doctor in an intelligent and confident way about your diagnosis and treatment options. Here are some additional resources that I have found or that have been recommended to me by those who have been suffering with hypothyrois issues and have found relief:

"Alternative Medicine's Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and Environmental Illness," Dr. Burton Goldburg
"Thyroid Power," Shames & Shames
"The Thyroid Solution," Ridha
"The Ultra Thyroid Solution," Dr. Mark Hyman
"Hypothyroidism 101" at http://www.drhotze.com/EN/free_ebooks/
http://www.icarecafe.com/video/39
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Most importantly, trust yourself and if your doctor is not helping you, find one who is educated and experienced in the subject, will treat you with respect, and help you effectively repair your thyroid!

Live Fully!

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