Feel Like Something’s Not Quite Right?
You might be suffering from thyroid imbalance

Oprah Winfrey’s recent diagnosis of a hormone disorder has brought the thyroid gland into the limelight. Turning 55 this year, Oprah is at an age when thyroid problems become increasingly common for both sexes and yet are frequently overlooked or, for women, misdiagnosed as part of “the change.” Her willingness to share her experience has opened a dialogue that perimenopausal and menopausal women are especially excited to join.

As Oprah relates, she was completely “offkilter”, a common sentiment of those suffering from thyroid imbalance.

“My body was turning on me,” Oprah shares. “First hyperthyroidism, which sped up my metabolism and left me unable to sleep for days. (Most people lose weight, I didn’t.) Then hypothyroidism, which slowed down my metabolism and made me want to sleep all the time. (Most people gain weight. I did! Twenty pounds!)…I craved balance.”

The Thyroid Gland: What it does…

Balanced thyroid function is dependent upon a small butterflyshaped gland found at the base of the throat, just below the larynx or voice box. It uses iodine found in the foods we consume to produce essential hormones that help regulate metabolism, heart rate and even healthy skin: triiodothyronine (T3), reverse triiodothyronine (Reverse T3) and thyroxine (T4).

Stress, along with imbalanced hormones, health issues and/or nutritional deficiencies, can inhibit or intensify the production of these hormones, ultimately causing severe problems in the body.

…and how do I know if mine is functioning properly?

“The main hormone produced by the thyroid gland is the minimally active T4,” said Alicia Stanton, BodyLogicMD Chief Medical Officer. “T4 in turn is converted to T3, which is much more active. Several factors can lower this conversion rate (as found in hypothyroidism) or heighten this conversion rate (hyperthyroidism). Among these factors are the high cortisol levels produced by stress, which will result in low conversion. In fact, stress can cause the body to convert T4 into reverse T3, which possesses no activity. Reduced conversion is also caused by diminished levels of vitamin A, selenium and iodine.”

It is estimated by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists that nearly 50 percent of the 27 million Americans with thyroid disease remain undiagnosed. Partially to blame is the fact that the majority of doctors test only TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). To make matters worse, the Society of Endocrinologists announced in 2002 that the standard testing ranges for thyroid hormone levels, still in use, were inaccurate.

“As a result of these inaccuracies, hypothyroidism has been under diagnosed,” adds Dr. Stanton. “And many who were told that their thyroid hormone levels were normal may actually have been misinformed – and misdiagnosed. To this day, many thyroid lab tests have not been corrected to test for the accurate range of thyroid hormone levels. However, there are a number of other tests that we use at BodyLogicMD to get the best picture of thyroid function, including free T4, T3 and reverse T3 tests.”

“BodyLogicMD physicians do not prescribe synthetic thyroid treatments due to the high variability between individuals as well as potential side effects common to synthetic hormones,” says Dr. Stanton. “Treatments used to balance the thyroid hormone levels vary upon which condition the patient is suffering from. Levoxyl and Synthroid (T4 hormone variations) are two options that are often effective when the body does not have difficulty converting T4 to T3. For those who do have difficulty with T4 and T3 conversion, Armour is often used which is a combination of both T4 and T3.”

Are you at a higher risk for thyroid disease?

Thyroid conditions are eight times more likely to strike women, especially during peri-menopause and menopause. While more research is required, this is indicative of a connection between sex hormones in women, like estrogen and progesterone, and the thyroid hormones.

In addition, thyroid diseases often run in families and, due to the chemical connections, those with Type 1 diabetes (or other autoimmune disorders) and rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk to develop a thyroid condition. Further, some symptoms of thyroid disease coincide with symptoms of depression; it is even possible that the thyroid hormones may be a factor in depression.

Hyper or Hypo: What’s the difference?

Hyperthyroidism

An elevated thyroid level, also known as hyperthyroidism, indicates an overactive thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism and produces symptoms including:

• Anxiety
• Breathlessness
• Fatigue
• Hair Loss
• Heat Intolerance
• Heart Palpitations
• Increased Bowel Movements
• Insomnia
• Muscle Weakness
• Trembling Hands
• Weight Loss
• Osteoporosis (in severe cases)

Hypothyroidism

Having an underactive thyroid gland, referred to as hypothyroidism, is more common than hyperthyroidism and occurs in as many as 1 in 7 adults. The extremely low thyroid levels cause a significant decrease in metabolism and some or all of the following symptoms:

• Cold intolerance
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Weight gain

Treatment Options

Before considering treatment for a thyroid condition, it is vital to get your hormones tested to determine what condition, if any, you possess. In the meantime, add thyroid-boosting foods to your diet that are rich in:

• Iodine – shrimp, salmon, pineapple, eggs
• Selenium – Brazil nuts, lobster, scallops
• Zinc – pecans, peanuts, fresh oysters
• Vitamins E, A, C and B-vitamin complex – sunflower seeds, veggies, brown rice, strawberries

If you believe you are at risk for – or are already experiencing the symptoms of – a thyroid imbalance, don’t delay. Contact a BodyLogicMD physician today.