Is It Really A Thyroid Problem?
Is It Really A Thyroid Problem? posted by Dr. Andrew Lange edited by Dr. Brian Bartholomew
Many people with thyroid issues have trouble getting well. Many individuals diagnosed with hypothyroid disease actually have an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto thyroiditis. As an autoimmune disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis is when the body attacks its own cells in the thyroid, slowly destroying its ability to function normally. Unfortunately, even when the disease is diagnosed correctly, the common treatment is just to replace the diminished thyroid hormone, usually with an oral tablet or pill of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4 or levothyroxine), a synthetic analog.
According to conventional medical practice, most patients with hypothyroidism will need to be on T4 treatment for the rest of their lives. The problem with only giving hormone replacement, is it does nothing to stop the progression of the true disease; it only masks some of the symptoms. So initially your thyroid tests come back normal. Meanwhile your immune system is still attacking your thyroid. Eventually your symptoms may get worse and more thyroid hormone may be prescribed. So while you are increasing your levels of thyroid hormones, making your levels of thyroid look normal on the lab results, you are still getting worse.
Autoimmune thyroid problems can present as hyperthyroid (too much) or hypothyroid (too little). It may be marked by an inability to regulate properly even with thyroid medications.
Symptoms common to hypothyroidism are:
• Enlarged thyroid (or goiter)
• Trouble swallowing
• Intolerance to cold
• Mild weight gain
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Heavy and irregular menses
• Infertility
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
(Source: The Hormone Foundation)
So how should it be treated? Autoimmune diseases are multi-factorial in their causes. That means that further tests must be done to properly evaluate the real underlying source of the disease. Some of the most common factors are:
- Nerve system imbalances caused by subluxations, especially pinched nerves in the neck area
- Wheat (gluten) sensitivities or celiac disease as well as dairy sensitivity
- Sudden changes in the hormone estrogen that may occur after pregnancy, abortions or menopause
- Heavy metal toxicity commonly from dental fillings, the environment or vaccinations
- Vitamin D deficiency (from living in NY :))
The important FACT is that without a more complete assessment of a complex situation, proper care is unlikely. And despite most usually reliable sites such as the mayoclinic.com, there is mention that the problem is autoimmune, but it’s treatment as such is not addressed. The two major tests endocrinologists recommend are Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Ab and Thyroid Peroxidase Ab. People with Hashimoto’s disease have these antibodies in increased amounts, but people whose hypothyroidism is caused by other conditions do not.
Regardless of the test outcomes how can you find natural safe answers to the underlying causes of your thyroid problem? We have seen many individuals have incredible results utilizing our healing diet, adding more raw live foods, practicing heavy metal detoxification strategies and getting their nerve system improving with corrective chiropractic care.
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