Thyroid Health?

Q: I have low thyroid and I am taking thyroid medication. At first my symptoms improved—now they are back. My doctor wants to increase my dose but I have heard too much thyroid hormone can increase my risk of osteoporosis. My friend, on the other hand, has all the symptoms of low thyroid but keeps getting normal thyroid test results. What’s up?

A: Over 20% of the population has low thyroid. Symptoms can include hair loss, low mood, weight gain, dry skin, no energy or sex drive, heavy periods, infertility, miscarriage, or raging hot flashes and night sweats. Low thyroid is common in Canada for several reasons: we are not getting adequate sunshine on our skin to make vitamin D, we are avoiding salt and therefore not getting iodine in our diet, our foods are mineral depleted, we are not eating adequate sources of protein containing tyrosine and all these are needed to make thyroid hormone. Also, if you are on estrogen replacement it blocks the uptake of thyroid hormone.

One of the concerns is the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test. Many researchers believe the range of normal on the TSH test is too broad and as such it can take many years of low thyroid symptoms before you finally get a test that shows low thyroid needing medication. Your friend has subclinical low thyroid. Meaning she has the symptoms but normal test results. In your case it is not uncommon for those taking medication to initially have results then have their symptoms return. My suggestion for both you and your friend is to include nutrients that have been clinically researched to improve the function of your thyroid. It is not recommended that you go off your thyroid hormone. These recommendations are in addition to taking thyroid hormone. Or in the case of your friend she should take the following nutrients to eliminate her symptoms.

Ashwagandha and Guggal are two herbs that enhance T4 thyroid hormone while Guggal enhances the conversion of T4 to the more potent T3 directly on the thyroid gland. Ninety-five percent of all cases of low thyroid are due to impaired conversion of T4 into T3 in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Tyrosine found in protein and potassium iodine are essential for healthy thyroid hormone levels.

These nutrients and other cofactors are found in ThyroSense which I developed for my subclinical low thyroid symptoms. Within weeks you will start to feel fabulous again.