Whitaker Eletter - The Natural Approach to a Healthy Thyroid

Most people know that an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause weight gain and fatigue. But did you know that it can also trigger high cholesterol and triglycerides along with a host of other, less obvious symptoms? These include constipation, dry skin, hair loss, slow heartbeat, cold hands and feet, slow wound healing, depression, memory disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. Hypothyroidism can also contribute to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.

This condition is more common than you might suspect. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), about 1 in 8 women ages 35 to 65 has low thyroid function, and 1 in 5 females over 65 are affected. (Although men are not immune to hypothyroidism, its incidence is about seven times greater in women.) If you’re a woman over the age of 50, you may think fatigue, mood swings, and forgetfulness are the consequences of menopause. But many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism mimic those of “the change of life.” As a result, this condition frequently goes undiagnosed in this subgroup of women.

The AACE estimates that half of the 13 million Americans who have thyroid disorders don’t know it. Therefore, the routine blood tests we perform on our Whitaker Wellness patients include screening for thyroid activity. The gold standard for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is the thyrotropin test, a highly sensitive test that measures blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This pituitary hormone acts like an on/off switch, regulating the production and secretion of thyroid hormones. When thyroid function is low, levels of TSH are abnormally high. Other tests measure free or total T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine), which are hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

While these tests will help your doctor monitor your condition, normal levels of these hormones don’t always rule out hypothyroidism. That’s why you should insist on the more sensitive TSH test. I recommend that all women undergo thyroid function testing beginning at the age of 35, and men at age 50.

Thyroid replacement therapy usually returns thyroid activity to normal. While the best-selling brand is Synthroid, I never prescribe this synthetic hormone to my patients with low thyroid function. The reason is simple: Synthroid contains only T4, and T4 is not the only hormone produced by the thyroid gland. T3 and other substances present in the thyroid should be replaced along with T4. This is why I—and most alternative physicians— recommend natural thyroid, derived from desiccated porcine (pork) thyroid, which contains all the active elements of the thyroid gland.

Clinical studies have shown that treatment with the gamut of thyroid hormones results in more dramatic improvement than treatment with isolated T4 (Synthroid), particularly in measures of mood and brain function. In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, 31 women and two men with no thyroid function were given their usual dose of T4 for five weeks. During the second five weeks of the trial, T3 was added. Tests administered during both phases revealed improvements in several measures of mood and cognitive function in patients while taking both thyroid hormones.

Conventional doctors often caution against the use of natural thyroid, but their logic escapes me. Since replacing both T4 and T3 produces the greatest improvement in the quality of life, why should any patient settle for a synthetic form of only one thyroid hormone? Natural thyroid has been around much longer than Synthroid and possesses a long history of safety and effectiveness. If you have hypothyroidism, I urge you to go natural. Your body will know the difference.

Regardless of your age, if you suffer from any of the symptoms described above, talk to your physician about a prescription for a therapeutic trial of low-dose natural thyroid hormone. If your doctor refuses to consider natural thyroid, find a physician who is more open-minded. To locate a physician in your area, visit acam.org. If you’d like to make an appointment at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, call (800) 488-1500.

Hypothyroidism makes losing weight incredibly difficult and frustrating. Supplementing with natural thyroid hormone will help, but it’s critical to eat right and live the kind of lifestyle that’s geared toward maintaining a healthy weight. The most effective way to get rid of unwanted pounds that I’ve come across in my 35 years of practicing medicine is my “mini-fast with exercise” program.

I encourage you to join hundreds of others who are currently following this program as part of my 12-week Diabesity Challenge. It’s easy to do, and can result in significant weight loss and better overall health. Need more incentive? There will be prizes for the top performers. Click here for complete contest details and check back often for helpful tips and updates. I’ve just extended the deadline for getting started to November 30, 2010—but the sooner you get going, the sooner the pounds will start falling off!

On another note, I’m pleased to report that I’ll be speaking aboard AAA’s Cruise to Longevity on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship as it sails through the Western Caribbean in early February, 2011. I’ll be joining six other health and fitness experts for a series of exclusive lectures and workshops. Join us and enjoy some beautiful ports of call along the way. Click here to learn more about the cruise—AAA is accepting reservations between now and November 20th, and I’d love to see you on board!

P.S. The November issue of Health & Healing is hot off the press and it’s filled with exercise tips to keep you motivated during my Diabesity Challenge. You’ll also learn how to protect your memory and cognitive function now and for years to come. Still not a subscriber? Click here to become one today!

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About the
Whitaker Wellness Institute

As the name suggests, the Whitaker Wellness Institute is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health—not just the absence of disease, but a state of true vitality and wellness. Since 1979, Dr. Whitaker and his staff have been utilizing safe, natural therapies to treat—and even reverse—the serious health challenges of more than 40,000 patients. If you’d like to avoid a recommended surgery, reduce your reliance on prescription drugs, get rid of chronic pain, or simply adopt a healthier lifestyle, the Whitaker Wellness Institute is the place for you. Click here to learn more about how the clinic’s innovative approaches to wellness can help you achieve your health goals.

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