Thyroid 101

[Pat Robinson]

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There are specific nutrients which are related to hormonal balance. Have you had saliva testing done? There is commonly an association between androgen levels and estrogen levels. Both can be elevated. Read on the iodine thread also about the relation to thyroid receptors being blocked by halides also. The hormones are all interrelated. My understanding is that all 5 hormones need to be saliva tested: thyroid, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen and cortisol, multiple times during the day.

This is my Cliff's Notes to thyroid stuff:

This post has more info about T3 and T4 testing and meds. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=6652836&pos...

Here is "Recommended Labwork": http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/recommended-labwork/

Mistakes Patients Make: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make/

This post is about the nutritional issues and thyroid function.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=8402241&pos...

This is a list of supplements and how they function in the body. http://ithyroid.com/supplement_list.htm

I always recommend whole foods for nutritional support. Check the site "World's Healthiest Foods". It lists each of those nutrients and the foods most dense with that nutrient. http://www.whfoods.com/nutrientstoc.php

Also, elimination of specific foods: cabbage, peaches, radishes, soy, peanuts, spinach and rutabagas which can interfere with thyroid hormone production, if consumed in large quantities..

Most of our diets are depleted in magnesium. We use Natural Calm. It is most bio-available. You want magnesium citrate. We also supplement with CLO for Vit A and Omega 3, zinc and selenium and kelp for iodine and liver for B-vitamins, vit C, iron. I eat my two Brazil nuts (maximum, cause more can be too much selenium). And other food sources for the nutrients. Here is a list of
nutrients to be sure are adequate in your diet:http://webhome.idirect.com/~wolfnowl/thyroid13.htm
Hormones are also influenced greatly by the types of fats you eat. You need healthy saturated fats (avocado and coconut), and essential fatty acids: cod liver oil.

Iodine supplementation is another avenue to research:http://www.iodine4health.com/disease/disease.htm

Here is more info about this important nutrient: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=8330625&pos...

Kelp is the seaweed highest in iodine and for example, you would need approx. 1 teaspoon a day of organic, heavy metal tested kelp to get 12.5 mg. Iodized salt is not a good source. Real sea salt
is good source, but not sufficient. Selenium in conjunction is important.


Adrenal fatigue is also interconnected with stress, cortisol exhaustion, and thyroid levels.

I'd also strongly recommend seeing a classical homeopath. Homeopathy can help to address hormonal balance.

My understanding is that the blood test for thyroid function is not as accurate for *bio-available* levels of thyroid function. See this old post of mine with more info: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=11781897&po...

The recommendation is to have *saliva* testing done for progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, AND thyroid. The hormones are interconnected. Basically, the thyroid, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and cortisol levels all need to be evaluated, as they change over the course of day.

Also, evening primrose and magnesium help with hormonal balance. Gut health is important to nutrient absorption which impacts hormone production and weight gain, new studies show.

So, I'd start with the "Healing The Gut-cheat sheet" : http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=434071

Where to Start, Help 101


Also, consider PCOS issues and the related hormonal imbalances: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=13936257&...


Also, read Bruce Rind's article in the latest Wise Traditions called Low Metabolic Therapies Addressing Thyroid and Adrenal Insufficiency. Dr. Rind discusses the importance of treating the adrenals *BEFORE* trying to heal the thyroid since trying to fix the thyroid will result in further weakening the adrenals.

Dr. John Dommisse articles and interviews at About.com:Thyroid
http://thyroid.about.com/sitesearch.htm?terms=dommisse&SUName=t...


There were some really informative articles about iodine in the latest Wise Traditions. Read Best Kept Secret.

And, The Great Iodine Debate by Sally Fallon Morell - 15 pages about iodine!


THE Iodine Thread

THE Adrenal Fatigue Thread and Adrenal Fatigue Thread (Part II)

The Thyroid Thread (Part II)

My story, my cure...

Start at the back of those long threads, then read the first page or so.


Thyroid and food

This site says that Brassicas are rich in iodine. However, brassicas contain thioglucoside compounds that may disrupt the function of the thyroid gland, this could be an important consideration for people deficient in iodine, who may need to monitor iodine levels, take iodine tablets, or limit the intake of brassicas. http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-sprout-information/the-brass...

This site recommends, "1 cup of raw brassicas in normal thyroid or 1/2 cup of lightly cooked but not nuked, for abnormal thyroid history." http://milliesays.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/millie-says-december-10/

BTW, the goitrogens (thyroid-inhibiting substances) found in brassica veggies may be neutralized by fermentation! http://www.bodyecology.com/06/11/16/cook_vegetables_maximum_nutriti... Although, WAPF, says fermentation does not neutralize the goitrogenic effects: http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/177-bearers-of-the-cr...

Also, there is a "something" called I3C which is present in raw and fermented Brassica-type vegetables (e.g., cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts) which inhibits breast cancer cell growth. But, it is deactivated when the brassica foods are cooked. http://www.cbcrp.org/research/PageGrant.asp?grant_id=2552

This woman states, "Most agree that in a person with a healthy thyroid, the amount of isothiocyanate needed to inhibit thyroid function would be virtually impossible to get from food alone." "You may be able to get the best of both worlds....cancer protection and thyroid health... by eating raw brassicas daily and adding sea vegetable, especially laminaria digitata kelp. (1-2 ounces a week depending on severity). And please, if you have any thyroid problems, avoid gluten 100%." "Gluten often triggers and autoimmune reaction sending antibodies after your thyroid. So going gluten free is a good idea regardless of whether you also have Celiac."
http://raw100.ning.com/forum/topics/goitrogenics-1?page=3&comme...

Selenium, the trace mineral facilitates the process of conversion of iodine.

"Conventional dairy contains estrogenic hormones and pesticides that damage the thyroid. Vegetables and whole, pre-soaked grains should continue to be staples of your diet, with soaked nuts and seeds, fermented foods, and if you're a meat eater, organic and hormone-free meats only. Estrogenic foods, including peanuts and processed and raw soy (including soy milk and tofu should be avoided; fermented soy (tamari, miso, tempeh) is fine but should not be overused.

Brassicas (broccoli, kale, cabbage, collards, and other vegetables in their family) are goitregenic foods, which means they sap iodine from your system and should be avoided. Cooking or fermenting decreases the goitregenic properties, but do not entirely eliminate them; limit cooked or fermented brassicas and eliminate raw brassicas. Choose chard, spinach, or lambsquarter over kale or collards for your leafy greens; chard contains iodine, lambsquarter and spinach contain L-tyrosine. Coconut oil, which contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) can improve metabolism for hypothyroid people.

One Brazil nut a day supplies all of the selenium your body needs to fuel the conversion of iodine and L-tyrosine to thyroid hormone. Just keep a jar of Brazil nuts in your fridge and pop one per day; one nut contains a healthy daily dose. The most significant thyroid-healing herbs are seaweeds, packed with the iodine that builds thyroid in our bodies. Digesting iodine from plant-based sources (rather than simply pouring on the iodized salt) is the most effective approach." http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bringing+the+thyroid+to+lifeBeth+Trig...

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Pat Robinson, Wellness Educator

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[Christine Anderson]

Just one comment, Pat. My fabulous Nurse Practitioner (who has advanced certifications in health and wellness) recommends Magnesium Glycinate not Citrate. It has helped me immensely with sleeping through the night. Two at 3 p.m. and two at bedtime. Wonderful! Thank you for all this fantastic information.