Hypothyroidism and the Thyroid Gland

Hypothyroidism is an extremely common condition which apart from causing well known symptoms like fatigue, overweight (though 40% of hypothyroid subjects are underweight), and sensitivity to the cold, it ensures that almost every system in the body is at a low ebb. The list of possible symptoms include (but are not limited to):-

• weight gain
• heat and / or cold intolerance
• headaches and migraines
• low motivation and ambition
• irritability, anxiety and panic attacks
• depression
• fluid retention
• decreased memory and concentration
• unhealthy nails
• brittle nails
• low sex drive
• insomnia
• hives
• asthma
• allergies
• slow wound healing
• acne
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• low blood sugar
• attention deficit disorder (ADD)
• pancreatitis (from hypothermia)
• adrenal exhaustion from excess secretion of adrenaline
• gallbladder disease (six times higher in women with excess estrogen or on birth control pills or ERT)
• female problems (fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PMS, cramps, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, spontaneous abortion, cyclic seizures, dry vagina and infertility)
• osteoporosis (from excess eostrogen leading to excess adrenaline and then to excess cortisol).
• poor appetite
• intestinal symptoms which can include irritable bowel syndrome, dysphagia (swallowing problems); poor digestion (low acid and pancreatic enzymes, decreased gall bladder motility); nutrient malabsorption; gas and wind; colic; decreased peristalsis; and especially chronic constipation.

Dr Broda Barnes demonstrated in the early 70's that supporting the thyroid improved diabetes symptoms (but not the blood sugar imbalance), namely improved wound healing, weight loss, energy levels improve, and most importantly of all atherosclerosis.

Rabbits, on a vegetarian (i.e. cholesterol free) diet have been shown to develop atherosclerosis if their thyroids are removed. If given thyroid hormone the atherosclerosis was prevented. Led by the 'heretic' doctor Barry Durant Peatfield (who has greatly irritated some of his colleagues in the medical profession), a number of doctors maintain that the same is true of humans and that the primary cause of atherosclerosis is thyroid deficiency, made far worse by the revolting habit of cigarette smoking.

According to Dr Peatfield, the Barnes Thyroid Temperature Test (originally developed by another heretic doctor - Broda Barnes) sometimes will pick up a sluggish thyroid that was not spotted by a blood test.

Underarm temperature should be recorded for ten minutes before arising in the morning. This means as soon as you wake up. Not after making a cup of tea, or having a shower! This procedure should be followed for at least three mornings in a row (seven would be better) and the average temperature calculated. The correct temperature should be within the range 97.8 - 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit (36.6 - 36.8 degrees Celsius). An average temperature of below 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit (36.6 degrees Celsius) may suggest hypothyroidism. A mean temperature of below below 96.4F (35.8C) usually may suggest a more severe hypothyroidism.

Note for women: Premenopausal women should not perform this test during their periods when their temperature is higher than normal.

Although it is not proof, failing the temperature test + having about 5 or more of the typical low thyroid symptoms may indicate hypothyroid.

The underarm temperature test can be used to monitor progress and the goal of treatment is to normalize this temperature. Bear in mind that this condition does not come on overnight and is not resolved overnight. Be willing to give this product 8-12 weeks minimum. Please note if you are taking conventional thyroid medication (thyroxine) you should not stop or reduce it, unless you have discussed it with your doctor and he has has advised you to do so.

Quite often laboratory tests will demonstrate that the thyroid is within the "normal" range yet the person will show all the signs of hypothyroidism. Please note the following in relation to this paradox:-

1) The first point to make here is, as Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield states in his book "The Great Thyroid Scandal", the tests might be wrong. Dr Peatfield has been villified by his colleagues as heretic for stating in his book that the tests can be so inaccurate that they "should be placed where the sun doesn't shine" (at least he doesn't mince his words). For the most part the conventional test of choice is the test for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, not the thyroid itself. If it is normal it is inferred that the thyroid function is OK. But, as Dr Peatfield explains, this does not always appear to be reliable. Some hapless victims have had the same test repeated 4 to 5 times before a low thyroid has been indicated, sometimes over several years.

2) The normal figure may be at the lower end of the normal range. So the patient is told they are 'normal' when it might have been borderline.

3) Thyroxine itself is metabolically inert, and must be converted to tri-iodothyranine (T3) before it does anything. This conversion requires zinc, copper, and iron, and a deficiency of these nutrients can produce hypothyroid symptoms. (Please note Thyroid Support Formula contains these nutrients). Further, this conversion is blocked by mercury toxicity, so this must be dealt with if relevant.

4) Candida binds thyroxine, thereby inactivating it. Indeed it has long been appreciated that some 90% of Candida victims have low thyroid function, and this may well be an important mechanism. It is therefore important to treat candidiasis if that is part of the problem.

Kelp Formula In many cases our botanical product, Kelp Formula (consisting of Nettles, Damiana, Siberian Ginseng, Parsley, Irish Moss, Maca, and Kelp) is stand-alone support. Kelp itself is a good source of iodine - a vital mineral for the thyroid gland, though the other herbs also greatly contribute to maintaining healthy thyroid function. We have received reports of weight losses of one stone in 6-12 weeks on this product, as well as a tremendous sense of well-being. For others it may be necessary to treat any related candida problem and / or support the adrenal glands since hypothyroidism is sometimes secondary to hypoadrenia. We usually recommend Licorice Formula for this. This is because adrenal exhaustion can make worse or even cause the thyroid to under perform.

Thyroid Support Formula. The core ingredient in this product is the amino acid Tyrosine. Tyrosine may can be very useful for both the thyroid and the adrenal glands (incidentally tyrosine may also help some cases of depression, as well as chronic fatigue). Thyroid Support Formula also contains the core nutrients needed by the thyroid gland for optimal function. 

Detoxadine. This is our best selling (though we would hesitate to claim "best") product for thyroid support. Detoxadine is a high-quality nascent iodine daily supplement made ​​from dietary transformative iodine in a bio-nanocolloidal elemental state. Iodine in plays a role in metabolic (thyroid), cardiovascular, liver, bone and central nervous system health. 

Please note the information and statements made below are not intended to replace the advice or treatment by your health care professional. The Finchley Clinic Ltd does not dispense medical advice, prescribe or diagnose illness.