By Paula Jager CSCS as published in Natural Muscle magazine October 2012
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An estimated 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid disorders and an overwhelming majority of them are women—75% to be exact. What is happening to the nation’s thyroid gland—why this huge increase in the problem? I have worked with numerous clients over the years and despite their best efforts through exercise and nutrition they have struggled to lose the weight and symptoms of their thyroid problem persist despite being under the “care” of an endocrinologist. And many of them are on side effect ridden medications that do very little to nothing to help them and in some cases even make things worse. Perhaps, just perhaps it’s not the thyroid at all.
Western, allopathic or conventional “medicine” and I use that term loosely is usually far, far off the mark when treating any kind is dis ease. They treat symptoms after the fact. And they treat with drugs and surgery. If someone has high blood pressure they prescribe a pharmaceutical to lower it. With the case of high blood sugar read diabetes again they give pharmaceuticals to lower it. Along with poor dietary advice to continue to eat “healthy whole grains”. Neither of these remedies addresses the root cause—the reason the blood pressure or blood sugar is high. Both of these “cures” will only make the problem worse and create others to which they will prescribe more pharmaceuticals. Someone is getting very, very rich at the expense of Americans’ health.
90% of all thyroid disorders are actually autoimmune disorders. The body’s immune system malfunctions and begins to attack itself. In the case of thyroid, the body mistakes it for a foreign invader sometimes through molecular mimicry and attacks. Allopaths “fix” the problem by ignoring the cause and prescribing replacement hormone since left untreated the gland will eventually be destroyed anyway. It’s like when the check engine light comes on and you remove the light to resolve the problem. Did anyone ever think of checking the engine?
A fairly recent book on the market “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms” by Datis Kharrazian is doing just that. And guess what—all you “doctors” out there that routinely prescribe thyroid replacement medication without checking the engine, dismiss the patients’ symptoms or add antidepressants to the mix—it’s the immune system!
Dr. Kharrazian’s treatment protocols are non pharmaceutical for the majority of people, leading edge and taking the nation by storm through its many successful patient testimonials. If someone’s thyroid has been surgically removed or destroyed beyond salvation thyroid medication will be necessary. Several qualified practitioners, trained by him are available throughout the nation. If you are struggling with a “thyroid” problem you need to read the book yesterday. In order to successfully treat any dis ease you must first identify the cause. In this particular situation it’s the immune system and something has gone amuck.
What to do? You must first find a qualified practitioner; he will order a thorough blood work analysis. In addition, he will have the patient fill out a lengthy series of questions, ask many questions and pay very close attention to symptoms, behavior patterns and lifestyle habits. The initial appt can take over 2 hours. Yea, quite different than Dr Allopathic looking at the TSH level on a blood work panel and getting out his thick prescription pad. If the patient further complains of not feeling well down the road he will add to it with some Prozac.
The dysfunction in the immune system usually starts with a genetic susceptibility. Beyond that food intolerances, chronic inflammation, infections and viruses, mold, stress, pregnancy, estrogen fluctuations, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome, vitamin d deficiency and environmental toxins can all act as triggers. Through thorough blood work, discussions with the patient and more involved testing the trigger can sometimes be determined. Sometimes there is no trigger.
Step one will be for him to modulate the immune system through proper support, then address other health issues such as adrenal function, blood sugar control and digestive health. Further testing will most likely be needed. While the initial process is being undertaken a very important, very easy and proactive role for the patient is to address the diet. No matter the cause the first thing that should be done is to take gluten out, period. There is no “only once in a while” here, this is for the rest of your life. In susceptible individuals the effects of a single exposure can last up to 6 months. The gliaden protein in gluten very closely resembles the thyroid protein. Scary if you ask me. Let’s not attack home base.
After your affair with gluten is severed the rest is easier. You are simply going to follow a modified version of the the Paleo diet—also known as an elimination/provocation diet. Certain foods will be gone for good and certain foods you may be able to handle depending on the integrity of your gut, blood sugar control and adrenal health. You simply eliminate the foods for 30 days and re introduce them one at a time and monitor your reactions.
Permanently take out
- Gluten
- Grains
- Legumes
- processed foods
- pasteurized dairy
- sugar and artificial sweeteners
- NSAIDS
Do an Elimination/Provocation trial with certain foods that may aggravate autoimmune conditions:
- Nuts
- Eggs (whites only)
- Nightshades (tomatoes, bell peppers eggplant, potatoes and spices such as paprika)
- Raw dairy
- Coffee
- alcohol
And if you feel sorry for yourself, don’t. Letting go of a doughy muffin is a small price to pay to regain your health. If you have doubts about this American staple being bad for you review Natural Muscle’s September article on Wheat Belly and its disastrous effects or pick up the book.
Exercise
Everyone needs it but you need the right type and the right amount. Running 3 marathons a year is not a good idea when you are hypothyroid and/or have adrenal issues. Lifting weights 2-3 times a week and performing short, intense interval training allowing adequate recovery is.
Stress & Sleep
Avoid chronic stress by finding ways to handle it better and by controlling your reactions to it. Be sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night preferably in a dark room with no lcd monitors glaring at you. Avoid electronic stimulation at least 3 hours prior to bedtime.
Finding a qualified practitioner
Check Dr. Kharrazian’s website www.thyroidbook.com for a practitioner in your area. If you live in theTampaBay area or evenFlorida we are fortunate to have such a doctor; Dr. Steven Noseworthy www.drnoseworthy.com who also works with patients online and long distance.
Supplementation
Work with your practitioner to prescribe the appropriate nutritional supplements and dosages to modulate the immune system and correct other underlying issues.
There is help out there to enable you to regain optimal health. It will take work and effort on your part. If your current physician or endocrinologist is not aware of the non pharmaceutical treatment protocols that will work for most thyroid situations, not open to the testing required and not open to discussing it—find a new doctor. And feel free to enlighten him—it’s the immune system!