Blog #61:
Thyroid Imbalance: Holistic Medicine Can Help
Do you know what is the most frequently prescribed
medication in the U.S. today? Synthroid,
also known as levothyroxine, which treats hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
has been the most prescribed medication for several years. Sometimes Armour Thyroid hormone is used
instead of Synthroid. Both medications
supply some missing or insufficient thyroid hormones.
Most cases of hypothyroid are actually Hashimoto’s
Disease, an autoimmune condition, when the body’s immune system attacks the
thyroid gland. In addition to
hypothyroid, another condition, hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid), also plagues
the U.S. population. Standard
prescription treatments for hyperthyroid include the medications Tapazole
(methimazole), propylthiouracil, and the use of radioactive iodine. These treatments suppress thyroid function,
either temporarily, or in the case of radioactive iodine, permanently. Grave’s Disease, another autoimmune condition
involving the eyes, frequently accompanies hyperthyroid. And goiter, a sign of thyroid distress, can
arise due to Hashimoto’s, Graves Disease, or simply because of inadequate
amounts of iodine, a mineral necessary for thyroid function. Treatment of goiter can be as simple as
supplying more iodine in the diet or as complex as prescribing medications for
hyper or hypothyroid. These medical
treatments do not get to the root of the problem; instead, they cover up the
imbalance by either supplementation or suppression.
Some people respond well to the above medications or
therapies, especially in the case of iodine supplements for goiter, but others
experience side effects ranging from decreased bone density, increased
fractures, sleep disturbances and musculoskeletal pain to palpitations, mood
swings and more. Some studies have found
a correlation between the use of or exposure to radioactive iodine and later
development of leukemia or thyroid cancer.
For some using conventional medication, symptoms of
thyroid imbalance continue. They feel
depressed, fatigued, struggle with cardiac palpitations, gain or lose weight, or
suffer from digestive issues or hair loss despite medications. For these people, who do not respond as hoped
to medical treatment, the use of lifestyle changes and holistic therapies can
mean the difference between years of suffering and a good quality of life.
Chiropractic adjusting, especially of the neck and
upper back, can help stabilize thyroid function. Acupuncture treatment can also help balance
thyroid function, as well as help balance the whole body as it works to adapt
to thyroid problems. The thyroid gland
is very sensitive to stress, toxins, and inflammatory changes in the body. Sometimes nutritional changes are essential
to stabilize thyroid function, particularly in cases where an autoimmune
component is present. To start with,
consider eliminating gluten, sugar, and dairy from the diet, and consume
organically grown, pesticide-free, and grass-fed foods. It may be necessary to distill or otherwise
purify drinking and cooking water in order to eliminate chlorine and fluoride,
both of which compete with iodine for attachment sites on the thyroid
gland. Eliminating environmental toxins,
such as outgassing plastic products, toxic cleaning supplies, and hair dyes and
cosmetics may also be necessary. Stress
management, through approaches such as regular gentle exercise, self-hypnosis,
and meditation may help improve thyroid function. For optimal health, it is important to get
sufficient sleep, avoid toxic relationships, and find meaning in life.
Better self care equals better thyroid function. This blog does not suggest stopping
medication and replacing it with holistic therapies. Often, both must be used together, and then
sometimes the thyroid eventually finds its balance and prescription drugs no
longer are necessary. For further reading
material and guidance, I recommend Dr. Isabella Wentz’s two books: Hashimoto’s
Thyroiditis the Root Cause, and also
Hashimoto’s Protocol.
This blog’s offer:
check out my webpage: www.ewagnerholistichealth.org or an alternate
blog: www.ewagnerholistichealth.us You may have to cut and paste the website or
blog addresses to your browser in order to find them. Currently my regular blog site is not running
and eventually I may just keep the webpage.
And as always, if you have questions about the information in this blog,
feel free to contact me with questions.
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