Hypothyroidism: Natural Support for a Sluggish Thyroid, Part 2
By J. Erika Dworkin, Certifi ed Lifestyle Educator The purpose of treating
hypothyroidism is to maintain nor- mal metabolism by correcting a defi cient output of thyroid hormone. Once replacement therapy begins, the thyroid will stop producing hormones all to- gether, and replacement must be continued for life.
Many patients...have
reported benefi ts from practicing a yoga pose called the Shoulder Stand...which increases circulation to the thyroid. ...Hold as long as comfortable, slowly working up to 5 minutes a day. Don’t do this pose if you are pregnant or menstruat- ing...[or] if you have glaucoma, sinus problems or high blood pressure. The Shoulder Stand may be more effective if you...[visual- ize] the thyroid gland waking up from a long period of inactivity and producing more TH.
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DrWeil.com, Hypothyroidism
(20%) of women over age 60 have subclin- ical hypothyroidism (SCH, without defi nite or readily observable symptoms)? Part 1 of this two-part article (July/August 2017 issue) discussed how the thyroid gland functions, the tests and symptoms that practitioners have available to diagnose hy- pothyroidism and SCH, and diet guidelines to support healthy thyroid function. Below is a discussion of the dietary supplements that can set you on the path to long-term thyroid wellness.
D
The Conventional Approach Traditional endocrinologists most com-
monly treat hypothyroidism with synthetic thyroid hormone (TH) replacement therapy (T4 as levothyroxine, such as Synthroid® or Levoxyl®). They determine dosage based on TSH levels and symptoms, proceeding cautiously with cardiovascular patients (to give the heart time to adjust to an artifi cially increased metabolism). They may change dosage following a two-month evaluation.
id you know that fi ve times more women than men suffer from thy- roid diseases, and twenty percent
Side effects of excess administration of thy- roid medication include insomnia, shaki- ness, palpitations, and appetite changes. According to Alan R. Gaby, MD (Gaby), while TH is “generally well tolerated, it has the potential to cause signifi cant side effects and should, therefore, be used with caution and respect.”
Human and animal studies have dem-
onstrated that T4 (thyroxine) replacement alone is not always the right solution. In 2010, one study compared the T3 and T4 levels of 56 hypothyroid patients treated with T4 alone with the levels found in 27 healthy control subjects. The researchers concluded that T4 supplementation alone resulted in a lower free T3-to-free T4 ratio in the hypothyroid subjects in comparison to the healthy subjects, and that future studies should seek improved clinical outcomes from treatments that would produce higher plasma concentrations of T3.
In another 2001 study, research- ers examined whether T4 treatment (100 mcg) was effective in 25 patients who had hypothyroid symptoms but tested within the normal reference range on thyroid function tests. They concluded that T4 was no more effective than placebo in improving cogni- tive function and psychological wellbeing in patients.
tsachsmd.com 32 Natural Nutmeg - September 2017
Supportive Dietary Supplements While traditional practitioners gener- ally oppose the use of dietary supplements to treat hypothyroidism, the supplements discussed below nevertheless have proven to support thyroid function. Ideally, any hypothyroid patient wishing to incorporate dietary supplements into her daily regimen, especially if she is taking prescribed medi- cation, should fi rst discuss her options with a knowledgeable holistic practitioner.
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