Here is a list of a few of the questions that where submitted during last nights talk at Whole Foods Wellington:
Q – I’ve been diagnosed with hyperthyroid but now I am hypothyroid, why?
A – You are either definitively hypo- or hyper-thyroid. If you have symptoms of both you should be tested for Hashimoto’s disease by running antibodies on your next lab. This disease is the only thyroid disease that will give these “mixed” symptoms. There are no drugs that support Hashimoto’s you must act naturally.
Q – Why does the medical profession not treat these things correctly AND why do they just give meds?
A – Unfortunately, at this time the medical profession does not look to alternative methods of treatment. Their only recommendations are drugs and surgery. Neither of these corrects the problem; they merely mask the symptoms which can be dangerous and unhealthy. This is the very reason that patients choose our office in search of non drug solutions after years (and decades) of thyroid medications.
Q – Does nursing effect my thyroid?
A – Nursing has shown some benefit in helping thyroid function. The true answer to this question explains that pregnancy commonly brings out or “turns on” thyroid conditions. The stress placed on the body causes changes to the pituitary gland which in turn leads a worsening of thyroid function. You must reduce stress (physical – from the spine and muscles; chemical - medications, alcohol, dietary; and emotional – relationships, job, finances) levels first then fix the thyroid. When the stress is removed often the thyroid returns to normal.
Q – What foods can I eat to help improve my thyroid function?
A - Iodine has long been considered a staple for hypothyroid patients. It combines with an amino acid tyrosine to make thyroid hormones. Fish, oats, sesame seeds, bananas, avocados, and almonds are all good sources of tyrosine. Foods such as mustard greens, spinach, and cabbage are high in tyrosine, but should be cooked to help the body use their nutrients for thyroid production.
Foods and/or supplements containing Zinc, niacin, riboflavin, B6, B12, antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E) have been shown to help improve thyroid function.
Caution – Consider avoiding fluoridated water. Fluoride has been shown to reduce thyroid function. Hashimoto’s patients should strictly avoid iodine and wheat. Iodine can effect the conversion of T4 to T3, which is the form of thyroid hormone that your body uses! Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body considers its own thyroid hormone as being an invader (i.e. bacteria and virus) and attacks it. Wheat has a similar chemical structure to thyroid hormone which causes the body to attack it too. Each time you eat wheat you raise the attack against wheat itself and your thyroid.
Q – I stopped taking my thyroid medication and I don’t feel any different, does this mean I do not need medication?
A – First and foremost you should check with the doctor that prescribed the medication. Secondly, as mentioned in the book “Why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my lab tests are normal?” only 1 in 6 thyroid conditions actually benefit from medication, you may be one of the lucky ones. However, if there is an underlying problem, which it seems as if there is since drugs were prescribed, you must find out what is causing the thyroid not to function well. Is it your adrenals, pituitary, diet, liver, etc.?
Q – My hands are cold and sweaty all the time is there help?
A – Look at thyroid and adrenal function. Next, search your diet for areas that could be improved.
Q – I have thyroid problems, with acid reflux, high blood pressure, depression, etc. Do I stop everything and start over?
A – No. Continue with all the medications you are currently on. Schedule an appointment in our office to find out if there is one cause, or multiple causes. OR find a doctor that will address your: nervous system, endocrine system (hormones, including male/female), diet, lab values and can give natural solutions to your problems. I frequently find that there are 1 or 2 main causes that are leading to a myriad of symptoms as described above. Fix the cause and fix the problem, permanently.
Q – I can’t sleep!
A – Check and address your adrenal stress system. Over 85% of all sleep problems (including insomnia) have an adrenal component. With appropriate treatment, it takes about 14-30 days to see a change in sleep patterns in our office and the cost is under $100. Patients say it is well worth the price after a few quality nights of sleep. Try to avoid medicating your sleep problems with drugs, look to address the cause!