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If you seem to be losing energy and having more difficulty handling cold temperatures, it may be more than just “old age.” One of the most important glands in your body might be malfunctioning, and if that is the case, the symptoms could get a lot worse. But there is hope for an ailing thyroid, and there are steps you can take to minimize and prevent this common health problem.

Hypothyroidism

Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

 

If you seem to be losing energy and having more difficulty handling cold temperatures, it may be more than just “old age.”  One of the most important glands in your body might be malfunctioning, and if that is the case, the symptoms could get a lot worse. But there is hope for an ailing thyroid, and there are steps you can take to minimize and prevent this common health problem.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid disease, is a chronic condition whereby the body’s thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are critically important to the body’s metabolism, and play a key role in regulating heart rate, physical and mental development, digestion, and other essential functions. Insufficient thyroid hormones can literally affect every cell in the body, and lead to a myriad of health problems.

 

Hypothyroidism is thought to affect up to 13 million adults and children, and in fact is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the United States. It is estimated that about 20% of women and 10% of men are afflicted with an under active thyroid.  The odd thing about it is that up to 66% of individuals with this disease may not even be aware that they have it. A person may have low levels of thyroid hormones for many years before it is discovered. In the early stages of the illness, the symptoms may be minimal and will frequently mimic other conditions. They are often attributed to such things as the effects of aging or menopause. Therefore, some researchers believe that the number of hypothyroidism victims is vastly underestimated, and place the figures at closer to 27 million.

 

The thyroid is a butterfly or bow tie shaped gland that is located in the front of the neck, just below the voice box and Adam’s apple, which is actually part of the thyroid cartilage. It is sometimes referred to as “Gland Central” because of the importance of its role in affecting the operation of the entire body.  The thyroid stores the mineral iodine that is gained from food supplies, and uses it to produce two critical thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The “T” numbers refer to the number of iodine atoms in each respective molecule of hormone. T4 steals the spotlight, impacting the function of every cell in the body, but T3 is essential as well.

 

There are four major types of hypothyroidism:

 

• Primary hypothyroidism, the most common form, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of T4 for the body to function properly.
• Secondary hypothyroidism is the result of the pituitary gland failing to release enough of a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is responsible for stimulating the thyroid to make T4.
• Tertiary hypothyroidism is caused when a section of the brain called the hypothalamus does not function properly. The hypothalamus controls the endocrine system, which produces and manages most of the hormones in the body.
• Drug-induced hypothyroidism is a rare condition caused by the effects of certain medications, and is found in only about two out of every 10,000 individuals.

 

There are certain factors that increase your risk for developing hypothyroidism:

 

• Gender:  Women are about twice as likely to have an under active thyroid as are men.
• Age:  Women over 50 and men over 60 are at increased risk.
• Weight:  Obesity is also a risk factor for hypothyroidism. Just another good reason to stay trim and fit.
• Health history:  If you or members of your family have a history of certain conditions, your chances of having hypothyroidism are increased. These include: 

 

ü       Diabetes

ü       Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

ü       High cholesterol

 

What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a chronic progressive disease that usually develops slowly over time. The first symptoms that often appear are fatigue and lethargy, and many folks just write these off as an inevitable consequence of growing older. As your body’s metabolism continues to slow down, other common symptoms may begin to manifest:

 

§         Drop in body temperature

§         Decreased heart rate

§         Lower tolerance for cold

§         Unexplained weight gain

§         Difficulty losing weight

§         Hoarse voice

§         Puffy face

§         Swollen eyelids

§         Muscle soreness and stiffness

§         Swelling and pain in the joints

§         Pale, dry skin

§         Elevated blood cholesterol level

§         Depression

§         Difficulty concentrating

§         Constipation

§         Menstrual problems, including heavier than normal periods

§         Headaches

§         Hair loss and premature graying

§         Recurring infections

§         Lowered libido

§         Numbness or tingling in the hands

 

If the condition is not treated, an enlarged thyroid (goiter) may result. This occurs due to constant stimulation of the thyroid in an attempt to get it to produce more hormones. Certain foods can aggravate and accelerate the goiter process because they interfere with the body’s ability to process and use iodine. These foods are referred to as goitrogens, and include:

 

§         Cabbage

§         Peaches

§         Soybeans

§         Peanuts

§         Spinach

§         Radishes

§         Turnips

§         Mustard greens

§         Cassava root

§         Pine nuts

§         Millet

 

These foods all have many nutritional benefits, so I would not totally eliminate them from your diet, unless you find they are particularly troublesome. They are much more likely to contribute to goiters if eaten raw, so if you do consume them, cooked would be best.

 

If hypothyroidism is allowed to progress unchecked, a condition known as myxedema can develop, which is really a fancy name for advanced hypothyroidism. Myxedema is a rare occurrence, but it is serious and can in some cases even be fatal. Signs to watch out for include hypotension (low blood pressure), decreased body temperature, decreased respiration, unresponsiveness, and ultimately coma and death.  Metabolism becomes so slow, that life simply cannot continue.

 

Most hypothyroidism is found in middle-aged and older women, but it can also occasionally affect younger people, from infants on up to teenagers. Some children (stastically, one out of 4000) are born with a congenital defect that either leaves them with no thyroid or one that does not function properly. Surprisingly enough, even without the presence of a thyroid gland, many babies will have no to very few symptoms. Some warning signs to be aware of for hypothyroidism in infants are:

 

§         Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes).

§         Large, protruding tongue

§         Persistent and frequent choking.

§         Excessive drowsiness

§         Poor muscle tone

§         Constipation

 

It is critical to catch signs of hypothyroidism in infants. Prompt treatment usually leads to full recovery, but left untreated it can lead to stunted physical growth and severe mental retardation. Teens who have hypothyroidism can experience:

 

§         Delayed puberty

§         Poor mental development

§         Shorter than normal stature

§         Delayed permanent teeth

 

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

About 95% of hypothyroidism cases are considered to be primary hypothyroidism. This means that the problem is with the thyroid gland, not the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. The following are the most common causes for hypothyroidism:

 

§         Hashimoto’s thyroiditis:  This autoimmune disease causes inflammation of the thyroid gland, and results in decreased output of T3 and T4. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body produces antibodies that mistake healthy tissues for invaders to be attacked. When this occurs in the thyroid, hypothyroidism is the result. Sometimes this condition will damage or completely destroy the thyroid. Hashimoto’s is responsible for the majority of hypothyroidism cases.

§         Hyperthyroidism treatments:  Another condition of the thyroid is called hyperthyroidism, and is characterized by the production of too much thyroid hormone. This is often treated with various anti-thyroid medications that seek to inhibit the production of T3 and T4. One of the problems with these drugs is that it is difficult to find the right dosage, and many folks end up taking too much. This results in an under active thyroid, or hypothyroidism.

§         Medications:  Some medications can have side effects that impact the operation of the thyroid gland and result in hypothyroidism. One of the most common offenders is lithium, a drug that is used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you are taking lithium, be sure you keep abreast of how your thyroid is working via various tests that are available through your health care provider (or test yourself by checking your basal temperature—more on that in a moment). Nitroprusside, a drug given for hypertensive (high blood pressure) emergencies, can also trigger hypothyroidism.

§         Cancer treatments:  Many cancers of the head, neck and throat are treated with radiation. One of the many possible side effects of these radiation treatments is damage to the thyroid, which can result in hypothyroidism.

§         Surgery:  Sometimes, usually due to cancer, part or all of the thyroid is removed. Thus, hypothyroidism can occur.

§         Pituitary gland dysfunction:  This relatively rare condition is often caused by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland. When the pituitary is damaged, it cannot release enough TSH, which is needed in order to stimulate production of T4 in the thyroid. This is the cause of secondary hypothyroidism.

§         Infections:  Some viral and/or bacterial infections can cause permanent suppression of the thyroid gland.

§         Environmental:  Certain toxic chemicals that are found in food, water, or the air in high concentrations can affect the thyroid and cause hypothyroidism. One such example is polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These hazardous pollutants from industrial coolants and lubricants have been banned in the Unites States since 1977, but still can be found in some environments. Certain types of fish are common source of PCBs. The larger the fish, the greater the chance of PCB exposure.

 

How Can Hypothyroidism Be Treated?

The typical treatments recommended by mainstream medical involve the use of synthetic thyroid hormones to replace the ones that your thyroid gland is having trouble producing. However, there is a natural alternative made from the thyroid glands of pigs. Many studies have shown that this natural form of thyroid hormones works more effectively than the synthetic, and is better tolerated by the body.

 

Many individuals with mild hypothyroidism may be able to control it without the use of any hormone supplementation. Diet plays a key role. Make sure you avoid goitrogen foods (see discussion above), and get ample iodine in your diet. Many vegetables are a good source of iodine, providing they were not grown in iodine-depleted soil. Most Americans get plenty of iodine these days thanks to iodized salt. Some folks have found supplementing with zinc, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids has been helpful in managing their hypothyroidism as well.

 

One of the best ways to monitor the condition of your thyroid is to keep an eye on your basal (at rest) body temperature. Simply put a thermometer under your armpit first thing upon rising in the morning. Crimp your arm tight to hold it there for about ten minutes. Do this for three mornings, and average the readings. Between 97.6 and 98.2 degrees F is normal. Anything below 97.6 may point to possible hypothyroidism. Many health care providers believe this is the most accurate indicator of thyroid function, especially for patients with mild hypothyroidism that may not show positive results on other available tests.