Enhancing Thyroid HealthThyroid imbalances affect more than 20 million Americans. Natural therapies can enhance thyroid health without use of medications. Thyroid Basics The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland sits in the front of the neck. It produces thyroid hormones which influence energy, metabolism, hormone regulation, body weight and blood calcium levels. A healthy thyroid gland secretes just the right amount of thyroid hormone to regulate almost all the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders include either an overproduction (hyperthyroidism) or underproduction (hypothyroidism) of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism occurs more frequently than hypothyrodism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: * Weight loss despite increased appetite * Increased heart rate, heart palpitations, higher blood pressure, nervousness, and excessive perspiration * More frequent bowel movements, sometimes with diarrhea * Muscle weakness, trembling hands * Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck) * Lighter or shorter menstrual periods Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: * Lethargy, slower mental processes or depression * Reduced heart rate * Increased sensitivity to cold * Tingling or numbness in the hands * Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck) * Constipation, heavy menstrual periods or dry skin and hair Conventional Diagnosis and Treatment Conventional medicine diagnoses thyroid malfunctions by testing the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. A complete thyroid blood test will also measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a chemical released by the pituitary gland that triggers hormone production in the thyroid. Once diagnosed, a conventional approach involves prescribing replacement thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism, or thyroid-hormone blocking drugs in the case of hyperthyroidism. In some cases of hyperthyroid, conventional medicine will use toxic or radioactive materials to kill the thyroid, or a surgeon will remove the thyroid, in which cases patients become permanently hypothyroid. Use of thyroid hormone replacement “therapy” may or may not relieve your symptoms despite producing “normal” blood levels of thyroid hormone. Such replacement does not rejuvenate the thyroid and in fact may accelerate the decline of thyroid function. Furthermore, in a person with a healthy thyroid function, the amount of thyroid produced varies in very small increments from day to day in response to requirements, a natural variation that artificial therapy can never match. Consequently artificial therapy tends to over- or under- dose the hormone, and long-term thyroid replacement therapy can have side-effects like osteoporosis. The problem with this approach lies in its failure to seek out the cause for the low or high thyroid production. The goal should be to correct the function of the thyroid gland. Most cases of hypothyroidism arise from autoimmune attack on the thyroid, known as Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis. We have good evidence that this autoimmunity arises as a reaction to dietary wheat germ lectin or gluten or both. In other words, it is a result of a toxin present in wheat. The obvious solution is to stop eating wheat, which will stop the autoimmune reaction and allow the thyroid to recover. Hypothyroid Alternative Diagnosis Between 2008 and 2010, several studies have suggested that people who have "normal" thyroid hormone levels but thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the upper end of the "normal" range (above 1.0 mIU/L), constituting about one-fifth of the population, have an increased risk of fatal heart disease, miscarriage, or breech birth. This data suggests that a TSH level above 1.0 indicates hypothyroid even if T4 levels fall in the "normal" range. Some milder forms of hypothyroidism can also be detected by a consistently low basal body temperature. To track your basal temperature accurately, follow these guidelines: • Shake the thermometer below 95°F at night and place it where you can reach it without getting out of bed. • The following morning, before you get out of bed, take your temperature via your armpit for 10 minutes while staying as still as possible. • Keep records of your temperature for at least three days. (Women should do this during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, as their basal temperature may rise during the latter half.) • Normal basal body temperatures fall between 97.4° F and 97.8° F. If your basal temperature is consistently low, you could be mildly hypothyroid. However, some people have normal thyroid hormone levels despite low basal body temperatures. Chinese medicine treats the symptom pattern, not the hormone levels directly. Nutritional Medicine Nutritional medicine for the thyroid includes removing foods toxic to the thyroid and eating foods that supply high quality protein, iodine, selenium, zinc, vitamin A (retinol form), and taking thyroid glandular supplement. Foods that may interfere with thyroid function include wheat, soy products, peanuts, raw cabbage family vegetables, and many others commonly consumed. Seaweeds, supply iodide. Whole grains and fin fish supply selenium. Whole grains and oysters supply zinc. Green and deep orange vegetables provide pro-vitamin A. Thyroid glandulars supply all known and unknown nutritional factors for supporting the thyroid gland. We use a special glandular extract from Standard Process labs that supports thyroid rejuvenation. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine We use acupuncture to restore hormonal balance, regulate energy levels, smooth emotions and help manage sleep, emotions and menstrual problems. Several powerful acupuncture points on the ear and the body that regulate the production of thyroid hormones. Research has shown that some classic Chinese herbal medicine formulas have the ability to stimulate increases in thyroid hormone output in hypothyroid patients, or decrease thyroid hormone output in hyperthyroid patients. Other Natural Therapies The thyroid gland sits in the throat at the level of the throat near the throat chakra. This chakra relates to your ability to express your self and your truth. Problems with the thyroid gland may indicate difficulties with communication, as if something is “stuck” in your throat. Thyroid functions also represent the fire element. Hypothyroid may indicate a loss of passion for life; whereas hyperthyroid may indicate an excess of excitement and stimulation draining the body of reserves. Hypnotherapy and shamanic diagnostic methods may reveal mental and emotional factors underlying thyroid malfunction. If you have a thyroid problem, call for a consultation. We can create a custom-tailored treatment plan so that you can feel better quickly and safely! Barefoot Acupuncture Clinic Location Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler since 2007. 3530 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 2
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