May 20, 2019 - When The Thyroid Kills Waistlines and Energy

Signs and Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Thyroid

●     Nervousness

●     Low Energy

●     Depression

●     Menstrual changes

●     Mental fogginess and poor concentration

●     Feeling bloated

●     Racing heartbeat

●     Aches and pains

●     Heat intolerance or constantly feeling cold

●     Dry skin

●     Hair loss

●     Change in bowel habits

●     Sleeping too much or too little

●     Loss of interest in intimacy

●     High cholesterol levels

●     Weight gain or excessive weight loss (even if you’re eating more)

Are You Hyper or Are You Hypo?

Your thyroid has a Goldilocks zone that varies from person to person. Doctors used to measure BMR (basal metabolic rate) but many physicians no longer use it. It has shown to be ineffective, to be used alone, for weight management. There are too many factors to be considered.

It is important to evaluate blood tests, such as T3, T4 and TSH, but what’s normal for one person may not be for another. Still, if your T3 and T4 are low and your TSH is high, you have an underactive thyroid. If the situation is reversed, then it’s overactive. Both scenarios can lead to seemingly incurable weight gain.

Both hyper and hypo can be genetic and require treatment. Dr Harris’s genetic testing, that he teaches across the country, can be an answer to prayers.  The prognosis can improve to achieve good to great function with exacting, lifelong treatment to create proper epigenetic expression. Synthetic drugs can correct thyroid hormone levels, but long term use is demonstrating complications in many cases.  Long-term levothyroxine treatment, in young adults with congenital hypothyroidism, is associated with impaired diastolic function and diminished exercise capacity and increased intima-media thickness.”¹ To put it plainly: heart problems are a potential complication.

Getting thyroid medication right and keeping it right requires regular blood work. Things change over time and serious health risks come with taking too much or too little thyroid medication, including bone loss and heart rate abnormalities.²

Medication and genetics aside, a number of dietary and environmental factors can influence thyroid hormone production and function. For instance, some chemicals and compounds interfere with iodine uptake and thyroid function, such as fluorine, bromine and chlorine.  Consider using Opti-Metals Detox and Opti-Enviro Detox.



Still, scientists believe roughly 70% of the risk for developing thyroid problems is genetic.  Take Dr. Harris' Genetic Testing Seminar.  (Call OHS for registration at 800-890-4547.  The other 30% can be triggered by infections, stress, inadequate iodine intake or uptake, smoking, taking certain medications, like amiodarone, living in polluted environments and living in certain geographical locations. More research is needed to understand these many triggers.

Sufficient nutrient intake is crucial as a host of nutrients are needed to support not only the production of thyroid hormones but the health and function of the thyroid gland itself. Your thyroid depends on iodine, B vitamins, selenium, zinc, tyrosine, vitamin D, and more to function well.

Nutrients Your Thyroid Needs to Stay at Peak Function

The thyroid gland uses iodine from food and supplements to make the hormone thyroxine (T4), which is converted to the more potent, bioactive form called triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid function works in concert with the pituitary gland, adrenals, parathyroid, and sex glands, all of which work together to maintain hormonal balance in the body.

For example, the pituitary gland produces TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which helps regulate thyroxine hormone production. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis serve as avenues of communication for these crucially important glands.

Opti-Thyroid

Part of our OHS formulations, Dr. Brimhall’s line, has all of the ingredients mentioned for optimal function.   This formula has stood the test of time with their effectiveness. Opti-Thyroid provides whole food micronutrients that are essential for the production of thyroid hormones, providing a foundation that best supports the thyroid gland. It is the ONLY predigested formula including both glandulars and whole food ingredients. The predigestion process sets this formula above the rest because it guarantees delivery at the cellular level and up to 300% better nutrient absorption.

Opti-Thyroid provides tyrosine, iodine, and selenium, micronutrients that are essential for the production of T4 and its conversion to T3. B vitamins from a whole food cultured media blend are present to support energy production, while vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene provide support for antioxidant activity and tissue protection. Chelated minerals, choline, betaine hydrochloride (HCl), and glutamic acid provide further support for metabolic functions. Glandular support comes from an Argentinian bovine source. They are predigested to ensure safety, purity and usability by your body.
 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18445676
2. https://www.goodrx.com/blog/thyroid-hormone-replacement-therapy-beginners-guide-levothyroxine-synthroid/