A Naturopathic Approach to Thyroid Dysfunction

The thyroid gland. That little gland on your throat has a mighty role to play, and with us in Southern Ontario living in the ‘goiter belt’ and the thyroids’ delicate nature, dysfunctions of the thyroid are a major concern to Ontarians. 

The thyroid gland is your master regulator of growth and metabolism.  It is involved in weight loss or weight gain, digestion, energy, reflexes, mood – the list goes on, but these are the big ones.  Over 50% of causes are undiagnosed as the medical world is only now acknowledging that testing can lead to false negatives and more credence has to be taken on symptoms than lab numbers.

The Thyroid is more complicated than we give it credit for

TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) is the most commonly tested thyroid hormone.  The most active thyroid hormone is T3 however, which can be free or bound, or can be convert to rT3 (reverse T3) which is believed to be metabolically inactive.  The body needs the necessary micronutrients such as iodine and selenium to convert T4 to T3 in the first place, so even if the thyroid is optimally being stimulated by TSH to produce the T4, it doesn’t necessarily mean the correct proportions of the other thyroid hormones are being produced.

Sub clinical hypothyroidism

If your thyroid lab numbers are ‘normal’, but your body says otherwise, you many be suffering from ‘sub clinical hypothyroidism’.  The most common presentation is low energy, cold hands and feet and an inability to lose weight.   See below for other signs and symptoms associated with thyroid issues.

Thyroid and other disease

Its not just about feeling tired and increased weight, but untreated thyroid can lead to cardiac disease, lupus, reproductive difficulties, diabetes, arthritis as well as many other health issues which are associated with a poor functioning thyroid gland. Research has shown that early thyroid treatment can, in many cases, reduce the incidence or severity of these high profile diseases.

Adrenal function and thyroid

The adrenal glands are two little glands that sit on top of your kidneys and help you regulate stress.  The adrenal gland and thyroid work closely together.  In fact, the adrenal-hypothalamus-pituitary loop is the bodies major regulator.  When the body is constantly under stress, this sets off a chronic inflammatory response in the body causing major dysregulation in numerous organs and glands, with the thyroid being one of the most affected.

Infection and Autoimmune thyroid disease

Infectious disease is proving to be a culprit of numerous autoimmune diseases, and Hashimotos thyroiditis is no exception.  EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) has been shown to change the immune status in susceptible individuals.  Other autoimmune conditions EBV is responsible for include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis.  As a side note, EBV and Streptococcus (my personal nemesis, learn more about my experience with PANDAS in my blog) are known co infections, opening the door for even further auto immune conditions, and / or inflammatory conditions, such as neurological conditions (depression and anxiety), cancer, heart disease and diabetes. 

Why didn’t my doctor say anything before

This is a question we commonly get, and the answer is quite simple.  Conventional medicine doesn’t have the tools to support a subclinical thyroid imbalance.  As a matter of fact, even your Naturopath may first want to treat something else, such as your adrenal glands, nutritional status or toxicity level (underlying cause) instead of jumping right at the thyroid.

Thyroid supplementation or medication

There are many choices for thyroid treatment.  Supplementing with the cofactors such as Iodine, selenium, tyrosine are a common first step.  Certain herbs such as Bladderwrack have been shown to support thyroid function, and bio-identical thyroid such as Armour or Natural thyroid can also be extremely helpful.  BUT, like all disorders, treating the underlying cause such as adrenal dysfunction or infection is essential. 

Cause of thyroid dysregulation

The thyroid is very sensitive to chemicals, inflammation, infection, toxins and stress.  As a matter of fact, thyroid replacement has been reported as not beneficial during acute stress.  Lacking needed cofactors such as iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, Vitamin A, and fats are another very common cause.  Finally, genetics plays a leading role so if you have a close family member with thyroid dysfunction, take extra care to ensure you don’t follow the same route. (Naturopathic medicine can help with prevention of turning on those genes).

Medicine has only scratched the surface of this complicated gland, and patients are often reporting symptoms that respond well to thyroid treatment that aren’t on the ‘main list’ of commonly associated signs for thyroid disorder.  If you are starting to feel ‘off’, with low energy, brain fog, digestive issues or difficulty with temperature regulation, talk to your Naturopath about solutions – don’t wait until the lab numbers come back positive, so much can be done to prevent full thyroid disease from developing.

Hypothyroidism symptoms

·        weak slow heart beat

·        muscular weakness and constant fatigue

·        sensitivity to cold

·        thick puffy skin and/or dry skin

·        slowed mental processes and poor memory

·        constipation

·        goitre (increased size of the thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism symptoms

·        rapid forceful heartbeat

·        tremor

·        muscular weakness

·        weight loss in spite of increased appetite

·        restlessness, anxiety and sleeplessness

·        profuse sweating and heat intolerance

·        diarrhea

·        eye changes

·        goitre (increased size of the thyroid)

Ref (A possible link between the Epstein-Barr virus infection and autoimmune thyroid disorders) (A possible link between the Epstein-Barr virus infection and autoimmune thyroid disorders) (Anna Dittfeld, 2016)

Get Sick This Winter

No, it’s not a typo, we want you to have at least 1 cold per year. When people tell us they haven’t been sick in years, we worry slightly.  Are the body’s defense systems too weak to mount a response? 

Colds, flus and coughs actually serve a very important purpose. These infections are one of the ways the body cleanses itself and how the immune system reboots itself. By producing fever and phlegm the body is able to purge and kill off the infection-causing bugs.

When you suppress these healthy and necessary immune processes with fever reducers or other over-the-counter medication, you are only down-regulating the body’s attempts to get you well; resulting in much longer illnesses and weaker immune systems.

Here are some easy ways you can strengthen your body and boost your immune system this winter:

Immune Boosting Vitamins

Vitamin D: proven anti-viral and anti-cancer effects

Vitamin C: in powder form or chewable tablets, antioxidant, anti-viral

Fish Oil: promotes healthy cellular membranes

Probiotics: healthy gut bacteria keep the digestive and immune systems healthy

Zinc: immune boosting, great as a lozenge for sore throats

 

Immune Boosting Lifestyle

Sleep: 6 to 8hrs of uninterrupted sleep allows the immune system to recharge

Exercise/Movement: keeps your lymphatic system flowing, crucial for immune health 

Balanced schedules: constantly hectic schedules are not good for your immune system. Recognize when you need to slow down and take a break

Self care: allow your self some “me time” every once in a while to recharge your whole body

 

Immune Boosting Herbs & Remedies

Natural Flu Remedy Pascoleucyn: given orally to children and as an injection to adults, this is our favourite flu prevention remedy

Deep Immune: a mixture of immune enhancing herbs, great for strengthening the lungs

Echinacea: our well-known immune boosting herb taken at the start of cold symptoms for no more than 10 consecutive days

Pleo-Not: our most favourite anti-bacterial remedy

Pleo-Quent: our most-favourite anti-viral remedy

Immune Boosting Diet

Greens: these vitamin and mineral-packed veggies can be added to smoothies and soups

Berries: full of antioxidants and vitamin C making them the perfect immune foods

Say no to sugar: unfortunately the immune system’s arch enemy. Wonder why the “flu” comes out in full force after Halloween???

Ease up on alcohol: this is where moderation is key. Too much alcohol will not only compromise liver function but it will also deplete the immune system.

Find easier-to-digest dairy and grains: cow’s milk and whole wheat are mucous-forming foods. Look for goat milk or non-dairy milk and cheese alternatives and give sprouted grain products a try.

The Skinny on Fats

We’re seeing it everywhere; peanut butter, breakfast cereals, heck, even granola bars are now being fortified with omega 3’s, because yes, they are THAT important for you. Heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, ADD, depression, neurodegenerative diseases (MS, Parkinson’s etc.) IQ, and skin diseases like eczema have been helped with the right combination of Omega 3 fatty acids. But are all omega 3’s created equal?

Readily available (and cheaper) plant sources of omega 3 (such as Flax and Hemp seed oils) need to be converted by the body into the usable forms- EPA and DHA. The sad truth is that our bodies have a hard time converting the plant-source omega 3 (ALA) into EPA and DHA. This cheaper and tastier ALA form is unfortunately what is being used to fortify your favourite cereal. Fish oils on the other hand, require no conversion whatsoever. They enter our bodies as EPA and DHA, the usable forms of omega 3.

So it seems that fish oil is the best choice for omega 3, but beware, as not all fish oils are created equal! We looked at a number of different criteria before choosing the right fish oils for our clinic and patients.

Type of Fish and Contaminants.
Another sad fact is that fish today are highly polluted with mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, PCB’s and Dioxins. Professional line essential fatty acids are regularly tested and a ‘safe’ level mandated by government of 0.1ppm (parts per million) for most metals – 2.0 pg for Dioxin. Some companies go far beyond this, having less than 1/10 the acceptable levels, virtually undetectable. The safest and least toxic fish are the smallest ones such as anchovies and sardines.

Extraction Process. There are essentially two ways of extracting the oils out of fish: Supercritical CO2 (carbon dioxide) extraction or Steam/Heat distillation (the most common form). Studies have demonstrated that Supercritical CO2 extraction produces less contaminants and higher-quality fish oils as it is spared the damaging oxidizing effects of heat stress.

Pill size. You typically need a good 1000mg of fish oil for efficacy. Depending on concentration, that can equate to a massive ‘horse’ pill. What about liquid you ask? Fish oil oxidizes so quickly when exposed to the air that as you near the end of your months’ supply of liquid fish oil (even if has been stored in the fridge or freezer) chances are it could be doing more harm than good. Sigh*, I know, I loved the liquid too…

Concentration. Unless you’re under 2 years old, EPA is the most beneficial form for your body and brain. I hear a collective gasp – DHA has gotten all the publicity for brain health and EPA for inflammation. I know, intuitively it would seem so as structurally, the brain is more DHA, but research shows that for therapeutic effect, EPA wins out, click on the research links below for more information.

A ration of 2:1 (EPA:DHA) is most beneficial for cholesterol, pregnancy and lactation, neurodegenerative disorders like parkinsons, Huntigton’s, Alzheimer’s, MS and ALS.
While a ratio closer to 7:1 (EPA: DHA) is most beneficial for inflammation, depression, ADD, concentration, cardiovascular disease and memory.

Armed with this information, Naturopathic Living now carries 2 types of fish oils: all encapsulated (but in relatively small capsules), stored at room temperature, and both of the highest quality with a 2:1 and a 6.5:1 EPA:DHA ratio respectively.
Our children’s chewable fish oil has already been a tremendous success with all of our little patients!

contact Naturoapthic Living at 905-604-2491 or go to our website www.natliving.ca

Winter Home Medical Kit and House Hold Remedies

It's that time of year again - the leaves have turned to their majestic red and yellows and have begun to fall. Meaning winter - and flu season, is just around the corner.  Prepare your medical kit now with some of the following remedies.

1. Echinacea and Goldenseal – boost immune system and fight infection
2. Vitamin C and Zinc – boost immune system and fight infection
3. Oregano oil – anti viral, bacterial and fungal
4. Lymphdirol – increase drainage in the lymphatic system, decreases length of illness
5. Homeopathic Arnica and/ or Traumeel
6. Oscillococcinum – homeopathic for cold and flu

Colds and Flu

Warming socks Procedure This hydrotherapy technique will increase circulation, increase white blood cells thus fight infection and decrease cold and flu symptoms such as congestion

Step 1: Prepare for bed.
Step 2 (Optional): Soak your feet in a bucket of hot water for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Remove your feet from the hot water, soak nylon socks in cold water, wring them out so they are not dripping and put them on your feet.
Step 4: Cover the nylon socks with your cotton socks.
Step 5: Cover the cotton socks with your wool socks.
Step 6: Good to bed and get some sleep.
When you put all the socks on your feet you should go to sleep. When you sleep, your body will start the 'cook' the wet socks (and your cold) and dry them out. If you can't get to sleep, don't lay in bed with cold socks on your feet (this will not help your cold).

Ear Infections

Ginger and carrot root poultice: rub liberally into lymphatic chain and external ear - combine with lymphatic drainage and hydrotherapy or warming sock procedure.
Onion poultice: dice onion, sauté in oil with 1 cup cornmeal or flax meal.  Add vinegar, stir and cook for 3 minutes.  Place on cotton muslin and apply to area.  Cover with warm town and leave for 1 hour.  Seal well as mixture may irritate skin.

Cold and Flu Prevention

Proper hygiene – wash your hands often

Adequate rest and proper sleep hygiene

Whole food diet with high vegetable and fruit intake, increase onions, garlic and ginger, limited sugar and fried foods

Stress prevention – stress lowers the immune system

Berries – antioxidants and immune boosting

Astragalus – immunoprotective, one dose 3 X a week during flu season

American Ginseng – immunoprotective, one dose 1-2 X a week during flu season

Echinacea and goldenseal – immunoprotective, one dose 2 X a week during cold and flu season

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids – immunoprotective,150 mg of each daily to prevent cold and flu

Probiotics – the heart of the immune system is in the gut, take 2-3 X a week during flu season