Dr. Mercola May 06 2008 78,029 views
I haven't read all of the comments, but I wanted to add something that might help some women. My thyroid problems were directly related to female hormones. Over the years, I was on various hormonal birth control (from various forms of the pill to Depo Provera to the mini pill to the Nuva Ring), and over time, each one of them affected my thyroid levels. I still don't know why, but the connection was undeniable. I'd be okay for about a year, then the symptoms would start to set in. I also had pre-eclampsia with my first pregnancy and hypothyroid-like symptoms with my second two.
From various blood tests, it appears that my T3 and T4 numbers would be low while my TSH number stayed relatively low (usually below 2.0). That's not the way the numbers usually relate to each other. Usually, as T3 and T4 drop, the TSH number goes up. The few times that my TSH number was captured at more than 2.0 was during times when I felt as if I were going to die, but my T3 and T4 were "low normal," so most doctors wouldn't treat me for hypothyroidism. My free T3 and free T4 were low, but most of the doctors who I had the misfortune of dealing with didn't test for those.
When I saw Dr. Mercola as a patient a number of years ago, I brought in all of my previous blood test results. He took one look at them and wrote me a prescription for Armour Thyroid. That action saved my life. Eventually, I became well enough again that I could see how my birth control led to the hypothyroid conditions. If I didn't take my birth control for a few days, the symptoms would lessen. As soon as I got back on it, the symptoms came back full force. I got off of all hormonal birth control, and I was able to wean myself off of the thyroid medication as well. I'm now entering perimenopause, and I can sometimes feel my thyroid becoming sluggish again. A few days of half of a thyroid pill per day (taken until I can feel my own thyroid picking up again), and I feel better.
I hope this helps someone.
Donna
Interesting. Thanks for sharing DJones3423!
My Mum is the one in our family who has suffered from low Thyroid. As a baby she was fed Soy Infant Formula because she couldn't tolerate the dairy kind. Foolish, yes? If my Grandmother had been encouraged, there was no reason she couldn't have nursed her, but in that time it wasn't what was promoted. So sad...
When Mom was engaged to be married she went on the pill. She became so ill she said it was a wonder my Dad married her. She finally got off the pill, but she felt it messed her up hormonally for many years afterwards. After she had all of her children she had a brush with melanoma and recovered from the cancer (using natural treatments and surgery) but did not become fully healthy. It was difficult for her, she had many symptoms: flying off the handle, feeling tired, uptight, and just overall not herself. She continued to search for answers. At last her N.D. put her on Armour Thyroid and she says that is what gave her stability.
So, I want to offer a BIG THANK YOU to all of the wonderful N.D.'s out there who help us regain our health! You people rock!
I TOTALLY agree! I went to 5 different doctors; each one recommended something different...exercise or more sleep, or do an anxiety program, manage stress, take a vacation. Two of them just looked at me, shrugged their shoulders and had NO answers or suggestions, maybe even referral to someone else...but I can say that one of those doctors wrote down ANXIETY on my paperwork!
They are not trained well enough. I also think that some of the doctors I saw before I was dx'd are not taking the time to read journals, go to seminars, network with other physicians, or take the initiative to take time after they have their degrees to LEARN. (at least around us they seem not to) I have talked to several people that have used the same hospital network of doctors I use. SHe stated that she was having headaches, blurred vision, dizziness and her BP was high in the MD's office which the MD said was "normal nervousness in the MD's office". Sure! For 5 visits?!!! She got fed up with these west suburban MD's and went to Park Ridge.(she is NOT the first person I know that has done this either!) That first doctor she saw there NAILED IT! Did not surprise me. I had an issue too and went to an MD in Glenview and he was passionate about his field and really WAS (not seemed, WAS!) interested in ME! WHAT a breathe of fresh air! I have found the west suburban (Illinois) MD's I have seen are great for sinus infections, colds and some minor issues but most do not work evenings, no office hours on Friday and FORGET Saturday because they are close too, closing for 2-3 hours for lunch, no appointments after 5pm with some MD's except for 1 day a week and then you need to wait 6-8 weeks because everyone else that works is booking those times. With SO much time not seeing patients I would think they would have time to read. I know all cannot know everything, and that is fine...REFER me to someone else. Some rather not as it shows their lack of knowledge maybe? Egos can (and do) hurt people though!
Amen to that!!!
Pertaining to the adrenals
www.drrind.com
Thanks for the link.
I got "lost" on this site for over an hour and found the info and links on cancer and paleolithic diets also very interesting. Lot of good information.
Dear Wellness Mom:
If your doctor ignores you, find another doctor. A couple of years ago my doctor turned me onto the website Wilsons Temperature Syndrome (WTS)after I had tried Armours and a synthetic with resulting bad reactions. Check it out, it has done wonders for me. BTW, what is your temperature? It should be around 98.6 and if it isn't (according to Dr Wilson) that is a sure sign of Hypothyroidism no matter what your blood test says. Mine, since, my teens ran around 96.4, it's now up around 97.7. I do feel much better, but still working on getting it up to 98.6.
I don't know where in California ((my home state too(Ramona)) you live, but you will find physicians, in California, on Dr Wilson's list who understand his methods (WTS Protocol) and will work with you. If you can't find a physician near you, the website has supplements that work absolute miracles.
The best to you. Catryna.
Catryna,
Thanks for the info on Dr. Wilson. I'll check it out. I have never taken my temp as it suggests to do in the morning before getting out of bed. I have had my thyroid tested a few times. My first doctor jumped on the results with one option, to take Synthroid even though my results were borderline. When I refused and told her I wanted to find something natural, she blew a gasket.
I then had it tested by my Homeopathic doctor and he said he is more liberal than regular doctors and didn't see anything wrong with my thyroid. I had been taking a product called Thytrophin PMG for several months before the second test. My chiropractor who is very much into natural medicine, told me about it. You can read more about it here: www.standardprocess.com/.../displayFile.aspx
Thanks again for the info.
Seq,
Thank you also for the info. I will look in my area for one of the experienced doctors you suggested.
Teresa (WellnessMom)
I heard of WTS 3-5 years ago. When I started taking my temp, I averaged 97.1. My doctor would not do anything because my blood test showed it barely being in the 'normal range'. I also have very low testosterone for my age (49), and low adrenals.
Another useful site, healthline.cc and look at the Quantum Reflex Analysis. They located a practitioner near me (lst week), and her diagnosis is that I'm pretty much the walking dead. I have a heavy metal block, mostly because of the metal in my mouth, something called an 'interference' block, parasites called 'flukes' which are lovely little things from what I've read... Oh, also not working are my sacrum, kidney, lymphatic, parathyroid, spleen, liver, pituitary and a couple more. (I can't read her writing) I'm now on a bunch of their Grade 10 herbs and supplements, sipping liquids throughout the day, and doing a mud-pack on my hands and feet. By the way, she only got 1/3rd the way through the testing when she said we need to stop the testing and start with this stuff first!
Going natural is the way to go. One of the first statements out of her mouth was that western medicine has no concept of how the old eastern ways of healing work.
Hi Wellness Mom:
I'm familiar with the Standard Process supplements. They are excellent!! My Chiropractor (does muscle testing also) turned me onto those a couple of years ago. They did pretty well for me, but I found the Thyrocare from WTS website seemed to do more.
If you suspect, or have, adrenal fatigue, Safe Uses of Cortisol, by William McK Jefferies MD, is a must read. Hypothyroidism is discussed also. Prescription cortisol is a natural adrenal hormone.
Some people really do have thyroid problems...but...
it's amazing how many of these "thyroid" problems disappear when these people get off the 100% junk diet and into some serious exercise and a real lifestyle.
Another possibility could be type 2 hypothyroidism. Dr. Marc Starr wrote a book titled "Type 2 Hypothyroidism" and it is very interesting. It is very similar to diabetes where in Type 1 the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. In type 1 hypothyroidism the thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. Type 2 diabetes the pancreas produces enough insulin but the receptors are blocked or not working correctly to use it correctly. In type 2 hypothyroidism the thyroid produces enough thyroid hormone (shows normal on blood tests) but the receptors are either blocked or not working correctly. In the book it talks about multiple ways to determine if it is Type 2 Hypothyroidism that you may have. One is by measuring your temperature in the morning before getting out of bed and if it is below 97.2 you may have Type 2. Also if your body shows areas of Myxadema in the face and back of the arms. Get the book and read it, it is really easy to understand. Treatment is with iodine and Armour Thyroid or dessicated thyroid. Been on it for 4 months and I am experiencing huge improvements.