Nutritional Therapy for Thyroid Health and Hypothyroid Support

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland, located in the neck, wrapped around the windpipe, and is located behind and below the Adam's Apple area. The thyroid produces several hormones, of which two are key: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The hypothalamus in the brain releases Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH) which tells the pituitary gland to release Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). The circulating TSH in your bloodstream is what tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormones and release them into your bloodstream. T3 is the most potent thyroid hormone and is required throughout the body for cell metabolism. T3, however, has an extremely short life span so the thyroid produces significantly more T4 than it does T3. Most synthetic thyroid hormones are primarily if not exclusively T4 while natural thyroid hormones, derived from animal sources contain a balanced ratio of T3 and T4. If you are taking thyroid medication and still don't feel better, contact your physician and ask him to consider prescribing a natural thyroid product like Armour Thyroid, Nathroid or Westhyroid. Diminished thyroid activity, or hypothyroidism, decreases metabolic rate, makes it impossible to assimilate food properly, depresses the activity of other glands in the body and ultimately adversely affects every cell and tissue in the body. Some problems associated with thyroid imbalance or malfunction include weight problems, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, frequent illness, feeling cold all the time, heart and arterial disease, and feeling down or depressed. Some alternative physicians place a lot of emphasis on the adverse affects of chlorine, bromine and fluorine in the water supply, toothpaste and other sources on the thyroid gland. In addition to chemical and environmental factors, thyroid function can be depressed by imbalances in other endocrine glands. Increased insulin levels from can depress thyroid function and increase levels. Increased levels caused by all forms of can depress thyroid function as well. Because of this, Dr. Broda Barnes (in the 1940's when blood test technology was less well developed) developed the basal temperature test as an alternative method of detecting hypothyroid function. These include hypoadrenal function, illness (which can elevate temperature) and menstruation (which elevates temperature). A temperature below 97.8 degrees F may indicate an underactive thyroid. Another point of view is that T4 and possibly T3 or a natural thyroid product should be supplemented to get the TSH level down into the lower normal range. The intent is to give the thyroid gland a rest period. The doctor then gradually decreases the dosage of the thyroid medication to allow the thyroid gland to resume natural operation. Another point of view is that thyroid disorders of most if not all types are often caused by deficiency. Bear in mind that while a large quantity of soy foods can depress the thyroid, soy supplements are beneficial for women in the prevention of osteoporosis and other post menopausal conditions. The amino acid Taurine is an essential nutrient for the production of thyroid hormones. Cyclic AMP is essential to synthesize and regulate thyroid hormones, growth hormones, cortisol, DHEA, testosterone, melatonin, and other hormones. It is possible that some individuals taking this herbal extract and prescription thyroid hormones may require less medication. These cofactors play an important role in the oxidation and transport of to tissues (thyroid, muscle, ovary, breast, etc.).