Thyroid Hormone Replacement

The thyroid is the gland responsible for taking control of the body's metabolism, protein production, and other processes related to growth and development. The hormone, produced by this gland is an important hormone that the body needs to grow and properly develop.

Iodine and Its Role in the Body

To produce the hormone, the thyroid needs iodine. However, iodine is a trace element and the body cannot produce it on its own. Having a sufficient amount of iodine in the body is essential for the production of the thyroid hormone. Lack of iodine in the body can cause problems that specifically affect the thyroid gland.

There are two leading problems experienced by the thyroid; hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. These conditions lead to over production or an underactive thyroid gland respectively. Symptoms vary but some include weight loss or weight gain depending on the condition, feeling stressed, hair falling out, diarrhea, and problems with the bowel.

Another problem that directly affects the thyroid gland is Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Hashimoto's disease. It is a form of auto immune disease where the body registers the thyroid gland as a foreign body and attacks to destroy it. In severe cases, the thyroid cells are destroyed and the gland can no longer produce the thyroid hormone.

When this occurs, a person may suffer from symptoms of hypothyroidism with some instances of hypothyroidism. The irregularity of thyroid hormone production is not good but when the thyroid is destroyed, it is permanent.

What is Thyroid Hormone Replacement?

The good thing is that hormone replacement is available for individuals who need help with thyroid issues. Some conditions of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can last for long periods of time and during this period, it is best to consult a doctor to see if hormone replacement is an option that an individual can have.

Hormone replacement therapy is done when an individual has permanent or long term need of thyroid hormones that the gland is failing to produce. Hormone replacement is done by using synthetic hormones similar to the thyroid hormone of the body. The synthetic hormone will then make up for the low or overproduction of hormones from the malfunctioning thyroid gland.

When a person's thyroid is not functioning normally, a blood workup can be done to determine whether that person will need thyroid hormone replacement therapy, especially is the hormones are already too high or too low.

Consulting a doctor to determine the proper dosage of replacement for thyroid hormones is advised for people who have been suffering from thyroid problems for a long time already.

Dr. Marc Ott, D.C. opened what is today Integrative Physical Medicine of Orlando, where he has been making changes in peoples lives by helping them overcome and in many cases reverse thyroid dysfunction.

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This Is the Best Way to Heal Hypothyroidism Naturally

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Hypothyroidism is a condition where the Thyroid gland starts to under perform and this can manifest a whole lot of symptoms. This is because the Thyroid gland is like the gas pedal of the body and controls how energy is used and distributed so when the Thyroid gland is running slow energy decreases and symptoms affecting many parts of the body occur. Conventional methods of treating Hypothyroidism only treat the symptoms by topping up with hormones whereas natural methods will treat the root cause which allows healing to occur. This article will outline the steps needed to heal Hypothyroidism naturally.

To heal Hypothyroidism naturally it is essential to make healthy lifestyle changes. So what is meant by healthy lifestyle changes? Firstly, diet should be addressed and if it is not healthy then it needs to be looked at. This means avoiding junk foods and unhealthy snacks and drinks and consuming more things life organic vegetables and fruit. This may seem horrible to you at first but after a little while you'll feel a great deal better just by making this change alone.

It is possible that a build up of toxicity in the body has occurred and this can be from environmental toxins, parasites and heavy metals. To eliminate toxins from the body, a protocol using herbal supplements and/or tinctures should be used. Herbal tinctures and supplements may also be used to provide additional nutrients in order to aid in the restoration of ones health.

Additionally, I want to point out the importance of exercise because without any exercise there is not much chance that you will feel any better. This is because exercise helps to get the blood circulating round the body as it should flushing out toxins which may have accumulated. It is also a great way of raising your body temperature!

By following the advice above it can be possible to heal Hypothyroidism naturally but you may be thinking what foods can I eat or what supplements should I take. I strongly advise you to only take supplements and/or tinctures under the guidance of a qualified naturopath (natural doctor) or for an inexpensive option, by following one of the many books written by a qualified naturopath. Fortunately there are many books on healing Hypothyroidism naturally available. The lifestyle changes may seem momentous at first but I can promise you that after a little while, when you start to see all the health benefits,you'll wonder why you made all the fuss.

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The Problem With T4 Medicines

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The dismal decade of the 1960s introduced a typhoon of cultural catastrophes. And heading the list were thyroid blood tests and Synthroid.

If you know anything about the 60s, your boggled mind can only try to comprehend catastrophes capable of topping all the other debacles of that decade.

And, thanks to your government in action, they still work their woe. Patients from sea to shining sea-and around the world-suffer endlessly and needlessly because of thyroid blood tests and Synthroid, so we need to talk about this.

While the tests and Synthroid are equally disastrous, let's look at Synthroid today.

Natural thyroid has five parts, T4 (the amino acid tyrosine plus four iodine molecules), T3 (tyrosine with three iodine molecules), T2 (tyrosine with two iodine molecules), T1 (tyrosine with one iodine molecule) and calcitonin.

T4 doesn't do a whole lot, while T3 has mucho mojo to energize our cells. When your body needs more of the good juice, it converts some T4 to T3 to keep the party going.

The T4/T3 conversion, which happens mostly in the liver, can't happen without adequate vitamins and minerals-Vitamin B, iodine and selenium as three examples. Label this as problem #1, since most of us are deficient.

But it means we can help-and sometimes correct-thyroid problems just by building a strong vitamin/mineral program and sticking to it. Did you know, for instance, that a simple copper/zinc imbalance can make you hypo or hyper, depending on which way the imbalance tilts? But I digress.

How did we get in this mess? When we don't crank out enough thyroid hormone, we spend our days doing beached whale impressions, and all this misery made visions of dollar signs dance in the heads of crackerjack drug developers. "Let's make synthetic thyroid hormone," they cried, and so Synthroid was born.

But it's not actually synthetic thyroid hormone; it's synthetic T4, only one part of the real thing.

Since T4 converts to T3, they skipped the T3 part. And since they decided T2, T1 and calcitonin were unnecessary, they skipped them, too.

But their synthetic T4 doesn't look much like the real thing, and our bodies really, really don't like ugly synthetics. Convert it to T3? How? It doesn't even recognize this stuff.

As a consequence, then, we don't get T3, which you'll remember is where the mojo is.

And it gets worse. It turns out T2 and T1 do a lot of the stuff T3 gets credit for, and they're nowhere to be seen in this scenario.

So Synthroid patients get a synthetic drug their bodies don't know how to handle, and no T3, T2, T1. And you wonder why you're dragging bottom?

But here's the kicker. While Synthroid doesn't treat hypothyroidism, it does make the blood tests look normal. You're still hypothyroid-and at major risk of heart disease, cancer and all sorts of stuff, but the tests say you're fine.

And still the bad beat goes on. Low thyroid leads to low calcitonin, and low calcitonin leads to osteoporosis. Synthroid has no calcitonin to take up the slack, and now there's increasing chatter that Synthroid actually eats our bones.

Doctors say osteoporosis comes only from a thyroid overdose. Fact is, no dose of natural thyroid causes osteoporosis, no matter how high, but any dose of Synthroid does, no matter how low.

Bottom line: While the tests look really good, Synthroid doesn't treat hypothyroidism; it just causes osteoporosis.

But governments around the world insist it's the only medicine hypothyroid patients can have.

The UK's National Health Service allows only Synthroid or one of its ugly generic cousins. Same with most of the European Union. In the U.S., military doctors are forbidden to prescribe natural thyroid. Same with Medicare. And probably Medicaid.

What are those famous words? "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." It's a payoff, pure and simple, but nobody seems to be of a mind to stop it.

Bette Dowdell has studied how the body works-or doesn't-for years to dig herself out of the ditch of endocrine problems when doctors didn't help so much. Now she offers an e-zine to share her knowledge with you-what's good, what's bad and what's the difference. Subscribe to her free weekly e-zine at http://toopoopedtoparticipate.com/. Start discovering how to get your energy and enthusiasm back.

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The Importance of Iodine in Thyroid Hormone Production

The most common thyroid problems arise from either overproduction or under-production of the thyroid gland. These most common thyroid problems are both directly related to iodine as it plays a very important role in thyroid hormone production.

Hyperthyroidism is also known as an overactive thyroid disease where there is production of too much thyroid hormone. This can happen as a result of taking too much iodine, whether in diet or drug intake. An example of which drug is amiodarone, which is commonly used to treat persons with irregular heartbeats.

Hypothyroidism is also known as under-active thyroid disease where there is under-production of thyroid hormones. This can happen as a result of iodine deficiency.

Iodine plays a very important role in thyroid hormone production. It is one of the essential minerals needed by the thyroid gland for production of thyroid hormones. The right amount of iodine is, therefore, needed for optimal thyroid function..

Severe iodine deficiency is known to cause hypothyroidism, developmental brain disorders, and severe goiter. A less severe iron deficiency is known to be linked to both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and thyroid enlargements. From this, we can see the utmost importance of just the right amount of iodine in our system..

Studies showed that a daily intake of 150 micrograms of iodine a day is needed for optimal thyroid function. The two thyroid hormones namely thyroxine and triiodothyronine are dependent on iodine, as well as, the amino acid tyrosine..

How to Avoid Iodine Deficiency

Iodine sufficiency is usually a result of not having enough iodine in one's diet. Our body cannot make iodine. We have to rely on external means of getting it into our system. Iodine is naturally present in the soil but since most soils today are also iodine deficient, we have to opt for the iodized table salts to get our daily supply.

Iodine is also naturally present in seawater. It is also present in some foods but since iodine amount is not listed in food packaging, here are some of the foods that are rich in iodine:

Dairy productsSeafood especially shellfishMeatBreadsEggsMultivitamin containing iodineYogurt/Frozen yogurt/Ice creamSeaweedSoy milk/Soy sauce

Persons with known thyroid problems should always consult a physician first before taking any iodine supplement or medication. Any kind of iodine supplementation should be maintained at a safe level to prevent any adverse and opposite effects that could potentially make problems even worse.

Dr. Gerry Hinley, D.C. believes Chiropractic's philosophy that teaches a person could heal from within, without drugs, surgery or their harmful side effects. He opened Integrative Physical Medicine of Chicago, where he has been making changes in peoples lives by helping them overcome and in many cases reverse thyroid dysfunction.

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The Difference Between Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism

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What Is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is also known as over-active thyroid. It is a medical condition where the thyroid gland is over-active as it produces too much thyroid hormone making metabolism go at a faster pace than it should.

Here are some of the factors, diseases, and conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism:

Too much iodineThyroiditis or thyroid gland inflammationBenign growths in the thyroid or pituitary glandToo much thyroid hormoneReproductive gland tumorsGrave's disease - An autoimmune disease where one's immune system attacks the thyroid gland itself.

Here are the most common signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

Concentration difficultyIncreasing fatigue, restlessness, and nervousness.Mood swingsRapid heart rateShaking handsHair falling outSkin flushing and itchingIncreased appetite but does not gain weightIrregularity in menstrual periods and flowIncreased bowel movements

Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment

Physical exam and blood tests are the most usual tests done to determine whether you have hyperthyroidism or not. Most times, this condition is detected without the intention of doing so.

Here are the different kinds of treatment your physician might offer you:

Beta-blockers - For symptom control.Radioactive iodine - The most common treatment that intends to destroy a part of the thyroid gland without harming other glands.Anti-thyroid medicine - Works for those persons with very mild symptoms.Surgery - Always the last option.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition where in the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone making metabolism go at a slower pace than it should. This condition is the entire opposite of hyperthyroidism. It is also known as under-active thyroid.

The most common cause is thyroid gland inflammation and Hashimoto's disease. These viral and autoimmune types of diseases severely damages thyroid gland cells destroying them. Here are the other causes:

Congenital birth defectsHashimoto's thyroiditisRadiation treatmentsThyroid gland removalViral thyroiditis

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism:

Decreased bowel movementsDepressionFatigueDry skinBrittle hair and nailsUnintentional weight gainMemory problems

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is just the same with hyperthyroidism. However, treatment is the exact opposite. The most common treatment is taking the hormone lacking. Doctors usually prescribe levothyroxine.

Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism at a Glance

Most thyroid gland diseases or conditions can be hereditary or genetically linked, while some is due to certain situational triggers like pregnancy. Both thyroid conditions are very treatable especially if caught early on.

These two medical conditions are totally inversely related to each other. One is too much while the other is too low.

For hyperthyroidism, the downside with the treatment is that they tend to reverse the hormone production of the thyroid gland too much that sometimes, it ends up to having hypothyroidism. Should hyperthyroidism be left untreated, it could lead to some serious consequences.

Dr. Jonathan Berns, D.C. helps people everyday in the Tampa, Florida area overcome the very misunderstood and often mistreated conditions caused from dysfunctional thyroids. Visit Tampa Thyroid Program at Integrative Physical Medicine of Tampa to learn more about thyroid management.

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Review Of The Thyroid Gland: What It Is And What It Does

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The thyroid gland is a small soft piece of tissue in your neck. It weighs only 15 to 25 grams-less than an ounce. It is often said it is shaped like a shield the word thyroid comes from the Greek for shield. It sits in two halves on either side of your trachea, or windpipe, although, there is a small bridge of tissue joining the halves. Each half, is known as a lobe, and is about 4cm long and 1 to 2cm in width. The bridge of tissue is known as the isthmus. Because your thyroid is connected to the muscles around your throat, it moves when you swallow. You cannot feel it normally only when it is swollen or when there is something wrong with it. Your thyroid is easiest to feel from behind while you are swallowing. This is why your doctor may have asked you to sit down and drink a cup of water, whilst he or she felt your neck from behind. The thyroid's main role in life is to control how quick your body works. It does this through two hormones that it produces. Hormones are chemicals produced within the body which circulate through the bloodstream and affect particular cells in a particular way. For example, the hormone insulin makes the thyroid easier for cells to absorb the glucose they need for their energy. The female hormone oestrogen affects the uterus and many other parts of a woman's body to give her the normal female characteristics.

The male hormone testosterone controls men's gender attributes. If the thyroid gland just secreted hormones when it felt like it, your life would be a rollercoaster ride of too much, then too little, then too much again. Some control is needed. That comes from the brain. A small part of the centre of your brain known as the hypothalamus secretes a chemical known as TRH, or thyrotropin releasing hormone. TRH travels to the pituitary, which is a small gland sitting at the bottom of your brain, and stimulates the release of the thyroid-stimulating hormone. TSH is also sometimes called thyrotropin. TSH then travels through the blood supply to the thyroid, where it rouses the production and release of the thyroid hormones. About 1 in 40 people to America have some sort of problem with their thyroid. There are two different types of problems you can have. One type of problem occurs if your thyroid grows abnormally, or forms a lump. The other type of problem occurs if your thyroid starts working too fast or too slow. Sometimes these problems occur together. At other times, you can have one type of problem without the other. If your thyroid is working properly but looks abnormal, you might or might not need to have any treatment. That is a topic for you and your doctor to decide. If your thyroid is not working properly, your whole body metabolism is thrown out of kilter, and you will need to see your doctor for some medical attention. If your thyroid is working too hard, everything in your body speeds up. That is known as hyperthyroidism. "Hyper"comes from the Greek, meaning "over", "beyond" or "over much". If it is working too slowly, your metabolism slows down. That is known as hypothyroidism, "Hypo, also, comes from the Greek, meaning under".

Are you having problems with your thyroid gland, pituitary gland or any other thyroid symptoms? Then I would highly recommend taking a visit to this link http://www.vitaminssupplementsnutritionalmedicines.info/

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Low Thyroid Symptoms and Stress Are a Dangerous Combination

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Low Thyroid Symptoms and Stress are a Dangerous Combination

We all know stress is bad for us. But how does it relate to the way you are feeling when you have low thyroid symptoms?

First of all, when you are stressed, you release interleukin 17, or IL 17 for short. They are cytokines that are highly inflammatory in nature.

As I have talked about in many other posts, the majority of people suffering with low thyroid symptoms in the United States have an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It is a condition where your thyroid tissue is attacked and destroyed by your own body. As you can imagine, when the body attacks itself, there is a large amount of inflammation produced. So when you release these other chemicals in the body that cause more inflammation, it only makes your symptoms worse.

Symptoms that are commonly associated with low thyroid or high TSH are:

• Often feeling cold
• Cold hands and feet
• High or rising cholesterol
• Constipation
• No eyebrows or thinning outer eyebrows
• Exhaustion in every dimension-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional
• Dry Hair
• Sore feet
• colitis
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• painful bladder
• Heart disease
• Hair Loss
• Requires naps in the afternoon
• Depression
• Raised temperature
• Headaches and migraines
• Joint pain
• Major anxiety/worry
• Acne on face and in hair
• Breakout on chest and arms
• Hives
• Bizarre and Debilitating reaction to exercise
• Hard stools
• Less stamina than others
• Less energy than others
• Long recovery period after any activity
• Chronic Low Grade Depression
• Palpitations
• Hard stools
• Dry cracking skin
• Insomnia
• Brain Fog
• Decreased sex drive
• Nausea
• Aching muscles
• Lack of motivation
• Swollen ankle
• Inability to lose weight (even with exercise and low calorie diet)
• Sleep Apnea
• Inability to get pregnant; miscarriages

So when you have any of these symptoms, and you get stressed out, it is like throwing gasoline on the fire.

Another reason that stress is bad for low thyroid sufferers is because the pituitary gland gets suppressed secondary to elevation of cortisol. Cortisol is produce by your adrenal glands and is released when you have stress. The adrenal glands are part of you autonomic nervous system. It is the system that has to do with fight or flight and with all the organs in the body, including the heart, lungs, stomach, GI system, pancreas, etc. What controls the autonomic nervous system? Your brain controls the autonomic nervous system, and the brain doesn't like large fluctuations in the cortisol either.

Chronic stress can cause elevation in the cortisol which causes suppression of the pituitary and reduces the amount of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) released. I won't get into all the pathways associated with the brain, thyroid, and adrenal glands because you don't have to know them. But your doctor does.

Don't go run out and buy supplements to support your adrenals. That mentality could just rob Peter to pay Paul. You have to look at how all of the body is functioning before you ever start thinking about supporting the adrenals.

The easy answer is to not get stressed out.....but that is unrealistic.

The key to stress is finding a way to deal with it in an appropriate manner.

Find something that you enjoy and that relaxes you, and then do it on a daily basis. Some of you reading this are probably saying that you love to exercise, but can't due to fatigue, pain, etc. I understand. There is another key to stress.

The other key to stress is finding out why you are not feeling the way you should. It is not normal to have symptoms.

You need to find a doctor that understands what we have talked about and who can look over your lab results, sit down and listen to your symptoms, examine you, and come up with a way to get your body to heal itself back up, the way it was designed to do. You need a doctor that will look at everything happening in your body- not just your thyroid or adrenals.

Dr. Chris Heimlich is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and treats people from around the world. You can request his free report that explains why 90% of people diagnosed with hypothyroidis will never feel normal with thyroid hormone replacement alone at: http://scottsdalethyroiddoctor.com/

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Learn Why Hashimoto's Disease Turns Your Body on Itself

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is also known as Hashimoto's disease. It is the first auto immune disease discovered. Hashimoto's thyroiditis affects the thyroid gland and its production of the thyroid hormone.

The thyroid gland is in control of protein production, regulation of the metabolism, and distribution of energy use for various processes in the body. This disease affects the body's normal functions related to the tasks of the thyroid gland.

People with Hashimoto's have inflamed thyroid glands. Being an auto immune disease, the body attacks the gland and damages the said gland. Two types of antibodies are responsible for inflaming the thyroid gland; Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies. They attack the thyroid and damage its epithelial cells. A blood test can determine whether a person has Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Symptoms include:

Weight gain due to imbalance of metabolismIntolerance to the coldDry hair that could eventually lead to hair falling outLack of focus and energyConstipationSwelling of the legs

Common Causes for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

When the thyroid gland is not in its normal condition, production of the thyroid hormone is affected. The thyroid can either produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroiditis) or be under active and not produce the enough hormones needed (hypothyroidism).

Hypothyroidism is most commonly caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thus, the symptoms of an individual with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are very similar to those of one with hypothyroidism. Sometimes, Hashimoto's disease is misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome, or even depression.

Genetically, Hashimoto's can be present and common among family members. This auto immune disease is related to the HLA-DR5 gene and the CTLA-4 gene. There are also environmental factors that can lead to Hashimoto's disease.

Too much iodine intake and exposure to tobacco or smoke from cigarettes can lead to this as well. People with a family history of Hashimoto's should avoid such environmental factors.

What Can Be Done?

Individuals with Hashimoto's can experience bursts of hypothyroidism. Consistently getting checked by a doctor for the rate of thyroid hormones produced or needed is advised. In some severe cases where the thyroid gland is too damaged or inflamed, thyroid hormone replacement may be needed. This will balance the thyroid hormones in the body. Undergoing thyroid hormone therapy is one of the leading solutions for thyroid problems.

Leaving the condition untreated may lead to body malfunctions like muscle failure which can lead to heart failure. In children, growth may slow down because of the thyroid gland's abnormal condition that affects the processes needed for proper maturation.

Dr. Gerry Hinley, D.C. believes Chiropractic's philosophy that teaches a person could heal from within, without drugs, surgery or their harmful side effects. He opened Integrative Physical Medicine of Chicago, where he has been making changes in peoples lives by helping them overcome and in many cases reverse thyroid dysfunction.

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Is Your Floridated Water Making You Fat?

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And the battle against fluoride in the water continues as we learn more about what this chemical can do. As early as 1961 studies found that fluoride was a lethal substance and that although it is found naturally in nature, the concentrations in a water supply that are added with the intention to support strong bones and teeth are actually lethal. They build up in the system and if you drink a lot of water, or use water to make drinks like coffee, tea,or soft drinks, you probably get even more than most people.

Keep in mind that we are not talking about the naturally occurring fluoride. Calcium fluoride, the naturally occurring form of fluoride, is not toxic, but this form of fluoride is not used to fluoridate water, and is not used in toothpaste.

According to an article by Ron Harder, Nutritional Health Consultant, Iridologist, and Author of "How to DEFEAT CANCER NATURALLY without Chemo, Radiation, or Surgery, "The salts used to fluoridate your water supply, sodium fluoride and fluorosalicic acid, are industrial by-products that are so notoriously toxic that they are used in rat poison and insecticides. This is the fluoride used in your water supply"

This is the toxic fluoride I am referring to in this article.

New studies are finding that people are suffering weight gain triggered by the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland uses fluoride to trigger weight gain by producing an imposter hormone. You could also feel fatigued, depressed or even have a loss of hair. This is because the artificially introduced fluoride blocks the iodine receptors in the thyroid gland.

Iodine is required by the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine, the metabolism boosting hormone. The imposter hormone that is produced by a blocked thyroid is measured as thyroxine in blood tests. This makes detection nearly impossible.

Al this leads to an increase in weight, especially if you are on one of those diets requiring you to drink lots of water and you opt for tap water, even if it is filtered by one of those household filters like Brita or Pur. They don't remove fluoride.

If you want to remove fluoride from your drinking water you have a couple of options. You can get a reverse osmosis or ceramic purification filter. Doulton Undercounter Water Filter can be acquired for around $135 as an example.

You could avoid the problem by drinking only bottled fluoride free water. Arrowhead and Crystal Geyser are a couple of companies that provide water that is free of fluoride.

Next you need to restore your thyroid to normal. Plan to eat more iodine-rich foods like eggs, potatoes, shrimp, cod, or seaweed. Consuming a serving of these each day can help restore normal iodine levels to give your thyroid the building blocks it needs to jump-start your metabolism.

As always, talk to your medical team to decide if you are suffering from an under or over active thyroid gland. After my sister was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, we all suddenly became aware of how important this little gland really is. I hope you will take a moment to think about how important it is to your overall health.

Not sure if your area uses fluoride in the water supply? Go to apps.nccd.cdc.gov/mwf/ to find out if you live in one of the sixty percent of American households that have fluoride added to their water.

I am Barbara Cagle. As Chief cook and bottle washer for our family, teacher, and sales and Marketing professional, I have picked up some great tips that I love to share. Be sure to check out all the free content available to you at Cagleonline and its associated sites. For great cooking tips and recipes visit us at Mealtime.us.

I am Mealtime | Cagleonline 'Cutting my own way... sharing the life I have grown since 2001.

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Iodine If You Don't Know Where, What and Why, Prescribe Ye Then K and I (Old Medical Saying)

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In clinical practice, the number of women easily identifiable as thyroid deficient has grown to epidemic proportions. Many have gone to their Doctors, have had the standard test; are re-assured they are fine, but are not. It seems the test is unreliable. Dr. David Brownstein in his book; "Iodine why you need it, why you can't live without it", quotes from a NHAES study showing iodine levels in the USA have dropped by 50% over the thirty years spanning from 1970 until 2000. Iodine plays a key role in thyroid health. More frighteningly he also points out low iodine levels in pregnant women have increased by 690%. Something is wrong, and we need to ask what!

In spite of massive spending on health care; money that mostly goes on pharmaceutical products, overall health is declining. True, acute disease has lessened significantly, but chronic illness has risen. Maybe, many of the things we are told that are beneficial for us, are not! As a population, we have been misinformed, but why? Most people have never heard of the Georgia Guidestones. The structure, also known as "The American Stonehenge", is located in Elberton, Georgia. The center cluster of the stones was erected in 1980; the site is dedicated to, "The Age of Reason". On the tablets are written ten guidelines in eight different languages. The first principle states: "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature." Today, the world's population is a little over seven billion; to reach half a billion requires culling six and a half billion! Conspiracy theorists tell you this is the intention of the Illuminati or New World Order. As I consider the drastic consequences of poor health, it seems that the conspiracy theorists might be right after all!

We were told the thyroid problem was solved by the introduction of iodized salt in the 1920s. Women, who lived remote from iodine rich soil, usually found near the life-giving influence of the sea, suffered thyroid enlargement. As the deficient gland had to overwork it increased in size producing a strangulating goiter. They found adding a 5% potassium iodine solution to table salt, gave just enough iodine to prevent goiters growing, but not enough to remedy more subtle thyroid dysfunctions. Sadly, the refining also removed most of the minerals in sea salt. Table salt is now found widely around the world. Seventy-nine percent of households in Thailand, for example, use it.

Until 1950 underactive thyroid was treated with iodine supplementation. No, this is not the product you buy in the pharmacy to dab on wounds! This form is poisonous because it contains alcohol which must never be ingested. Instead, Iodine and its relative iodide are available in liquid and tablet variety. The popularity of iodine, hit a brick wall when the "Wolff-Chaikoff" study emerged from the University of California, Berkeley in 1947. It flew in the face of contemporary thinking; stating any iodine intake in excess of 2 mgs was excessive and potentially harmful. They claimed greater amounts caused hypothyroidism. This was not a scientific fact because hormone levels were never measured to support the argument. This warning then entered the annals of medical knowledge. So Doctors stopped prescribing iodine for thyroid conditions.

The other successful treatment option is by means of protomorphogens this translates as a substance taken from an animal source, normally porcine. Armor Labs have been producing their animal derived extract from as early as the 1930s. When the pharmaceutical companies started producing synthetic thyroid extract in the late 1950s, they swamped the market. Physicians stopped prescribing the natural thyroid extract: now it is pretty difficult to find.

At the same time, bromide ingestion has grown tremendously. Bromide is an iodine antagonist. It is to be found in soft drinks, white bread, toothpaste, fluoridated drinking water, beauty products and hair dyes. Up until the 1970s potassium iodide was added to bread, thanks to Wolff-Chaikoff the practice ceased; it was replaced by potassium bromide. No wonder the thyroid problem has blown up like a balloon. Oh, I haven't mentioned increased radiation levels either! There is also the question of fluoride and chlorine added to drinking water. These halogens are iodine antagonists, too!

In view of all of this information, everybody needs to increase iodine intake. Eating Wakame seaweed is an excellent remedy, as is eating mussels and seafood. But you require quite a lot as a recommended daily dose to prevent low thyroid and excessive radiation, would be in the region of 30mg. If you have any doubts, it is never recommended to self-prescribe but instead go and see your health care practitioner who will check the problem out for you.

Alister Bredee is a freelance author specializing in articles on health related topics. He is a health care practitioner and partner in the Health Ambit Consultancy. He lives in Thailand, is available for consultations and can be contacted via his website: http://www.healthambit.com/. He publishes a regular blog and Health Ambit Consultancy has a page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-Ambit-Consultancy/121188917919338

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