Thyroid

Thyroid, Cholesterol and Statins

2011-10-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

Half of us have thyroid problems-most without realizing it. And thyroid problems can cause high cholesterol levels. Few doctors know this however.

Besides, it's easy to prescribe a statin drug, but harder than blue blazes to figure out thyroid problems. So guess what you're getting, Bunky!

Well, now there's an oops.

Not treating thyroid problems causes big problems. Low thyroid levels-even a little bit low-when left untreated or undertreated double your risk of heart disease-along with a couple hundred other never-wished-for diseases.

It's not the cholesterol; it's the thyroid. Adding to the mess, statin drugs make thyroid problems worse.

When you don't eat enough saturated fat, your liver leaps into action to create the cholesterol your brain and endocrine glands need so much. Now, that's not as good as saturated fat in the diet, but it's something. But the whole point of statin drugs is to march in and prevent the liver from creating any cholesterol.

So your thyroid-your entire endocrine system, in fact-doesn't get the cholesterol it needs to be able to create the hormones that keep the ship afloat. The thyroid can't create thyroid hormone very well. The adrenals, same thing, And so on.

By not allowing your endocrine glands to get the raw material, cholesterol, they need to do what they do, statin drugs slow things way down. To add to the merriment, your endocrine glands do their one-for-all, all-for-one thing and feverishly try to help each other. It's futile, though, because none of them have any oomph to offer.

You want more bad news? The liver and the thyroid are an item. Going after the liver always whacks the thyroid, too.

Our thyroid hormone-even the little we can produce whilst taking statins-consists mainly of T4, a pre-hormone that's put into action as our body needs it. And where does this activation take place? In the liver, which is under the statin gun and struggling to do anything right. Activation ain't gonna happen.

Your health is headed south at a terrific rate of speed.

And all for no good reason. Cholesterol doesn't cause heart disease, and statin drugs do not prevent heart disease.

Inflammation in the arteries that carry blood to your heart causes heart problems. Vitamins and minerals reduce the inflammation nicely-no muss, no fuss. But don't plan on a doctor sharing that information with you.

Here's how the cholesterol bogey-man came to be.

When arteries get inflamed, they develop rough spots, rashes you might call them. Well, one of cholesterol's many functions is to keep arteries in good shape for the smooth passing of the blood. Rough spots are hard on the heart because they're hard on the blood. So the cholesterol White Hats ride to the rescue and cover the rash.

But we keep doing the stuff that causes inflammation, so more patches are needed. And more. Sometimes, a bit of cholesterol breaks off, and that's never good.

When researchers saw arteries loaded with cholesterol, they shouted, Eureka! and called the problem solved. But they quit their research too soon.

The cholesterol they saw was not the problem; it was the body trying to fix the problem-which was, and is, arterial inflammation.

No matter; here came the statins.

Artificially lowering cholesterol levels to 180 via statin drugs increases the overall death rate. And things get worse at 150 because that's when you start inviting cancer and stroke to join the party. At 130, get your estate in order.

So, we're in a mess of major proportions.

If you don't consider their huge negative affect on the thyroid, statins help men a tiny bit. Not because cholesterol gets lowered, but because they decrease inflammation a tad. Women receive no benefit whatsoever from statins, just side effects-including a big-time whack at the thyroid.

Vitamins and minerals do a far better job with inflammation than statins ever could, and they don't cause any of statins' disastrous side effects. And more than just eliminating inflammation-which saves you from dread diseases-vitamins and minerals also give a dandy boost to the thyroid.

A healthy cholesterol level is at least 200. Don't listen to anybody who tells you it needs to be lower. Especially since higher cholesterol levels are a heart and health bonus once you hit your fiftieth birthday, give or take.

Top 4 Signs That You Might Have a Thyroid Problem

2011-10-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

It is approximated that 59 million Americans have a thyroid problem, and don't even know about it. Here I want to discuss the top 4 signs that you might have a thyroid problem.

Fatigue

Feeling tired or exhausted throughout the day or when you first wake up. Feeling like 8 to 10 hours of sleep is just not enough, or not being able to get through the day without a nap are all good indicators that you might have a thyroid problem.

Many people do feel exhausted due to work or just a heavy load throughout the day, but this might not be caused by over exerting yourself, this might be a thyroid problem. If you feel tired and miserable on a day to day basis and are questioning yourself why? Then it would be a good idea to take a further look into the problem. I am not going to say you have a thyroid problem, but this is good sign that your thyroid functionality could be at fault.

Weight Changes

Many people wonder why they never lose weight when they get on a diet, or start an exercise routine. Weight loss and weight gain are both affected by abnormal thyroid functionality. If you have joined a diet program or exercise routine and have not noticed any changes in your weight or body fat percentage, this could be an indicator of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

If your thyroid is malfunctioning it can lead to abnormal weight loss or gain. Many people just don't understand why a diet or workout regime doesn't work but it just might not be your fault. Your thyroid regulates a lot of your bodily functions and fat cells are part of what it regulates. Take a closer look if this is happening to you.

Depression and Anxiety

Depression, Anxiety, and panic disorders, are growing dramatically in America today. If you're are suffering from manic depression, anxiety attacks, or panic attacks and getting treatment for these issues, but they are just not working it is a good idea to look a little further into what might be causing this.

Getting on a pill program, as I like to call it, is not always the best solution. Yeah it does help for a temporary solution, but long term healing is not addressed when you are taking medication for any 3 of these disorders. Too many people think that medication is the solution to many of their problems, and that might not be the case.

Thyroid dysfunction can lead to depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Let us not get a temporary solution to a long term problem, let's get a long term solution. If you look deeper into what may be causing this it isn't always a pill that will solve your problems, take a look into possible Hypothyroidism which is most commonly associated with depression, anxiety, and panic disorders.

Cholesterol Issues

High cholesterol is very common in the world today, and many diets, and medications are out there to help with this issue. Some work, and some don't as we all know, but if you are non-responsive to diets or medication it may be an indicator of undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

If you are experiencing lower than normal cholesterol levels, which is also not too good for you, it might be a sign of hyperthyroidism. Don't always rely on medication to solve your problems, we need to always be looking into the route of the issue and getting it taken care of permanently.

If you are not feeling like yourself or have not felt good for a long period of time it is time to take action. Thyroid dysfunction is serious and needs to be addressed. Being healthy in this world is a #1 priority to me and taking care of yourself is critical. Please act on you instinct, start to take an inventory of symptoms that you might be feeling, and take note if they are on an everyday basis.

If something is wrong with you it is not a very smart decision to let it go for a long period of time, now remember that you might not even know you have a thyroid problem so this is key to getting healthy. If you don't know what you body is doing and you are in the dark please go and get checked out, or look into herbal remedies (not pills) and see if they make a difference. I know this might be common sense, but I am going to say it anyway; if you let a problem go to long there could be serious consequences in the long run.

A thyroid gland dysfunction can come from family history, so take a moment and ask you parents or siblings if they are experiencing any symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. If they are this is a good indicator that you may have some sort of thyroid disease, which you might not be aware of.

The Hypothyroid Diet

2011-09-21T04:39:00.000-07:00

What is The Hypothyroid Diet, how is it different, and will it work for you?

The Hypothyroid Diet is a simple step-by-step program designed to help jumpstart your thyroid so you can lose weight, beat fatigue, and feel normal again. This diet is not a low calorie diet, and you don't have to keep track of every calorie you put into your mouth. It's not a low fat diet, and it's not a high protein diet, and there's no counting of points or weighing of foods. The Hypothyroid Diet helps you detoxify your body from harmful substances that may be blocking thyroid hormone production. It shows you what foods you need to eat, so you can feed your thyroid the nutrients it needs in order to thrive. It helps you eliminate food allergies/sensitivities and it will show you how to stabilize your blood sugar. Within The Hypothyroid Diet is a system, and I call this system the DES system, which stands for Detoxification, Elimination, and Stabilization.

Here's how it works...

Every day, harmful chemicals get into your body that you're unaware of. These chemicals look just like the minerals your thyroid needs to make thyroid hormone. However, if you are low on the minerals your body needs to produce thyroid hormone, which most Americans are, your body will try to use these harmful chemicals instead, because they look just like the minerals it needs. The result is your body will be unable to make thyroid hormone. This program will help you identify and eliminate the nasty chemicals your body doesn't need, and it will show you which minerals you do need to make thyroid hormone.

The second part of this system helps you eliminate food sensitivities. This is important because most people have food sensitivities and don't even know it. And if you have food sensitivities, your immune system will be working overtime, because your body thinks there's a foreign invader inside and it will be constantly trying to fight it. The result can be symptoms similar to hypothyroidism: fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, constipation, aches/pains, etc. Plus, when some of these foods get digested and sneak into your blood stream, they resemble thyroid tissue. So, your body will inadvertently attack your thyroid.

The last part of The Hypothyroid Diet helps you stabilize your blood sugar. If you can stabilize your blood sugar, you can eliminate cravings, reduce body fat, and have abundant energy throughout the day. This program is different from any other diet because it focuses on jumpstarting your thyroid - the gland that is responsible for your metabolism. Some diets may focus on Detoxification, Eliminating food allergies, or Stabilizing blood sugar, but no program addresses all three. That's why it works so well. This program is very safe and will work for anyone who has a thyroid problem. In fact, it will help anyone who has an autoimmune disorder, food allergies, or if they just want to lose weight. The beauty of the program is that it works fast.

Another reason why the Hypothyroid Diet works so well is it helps the immune system work more efficiently. If you have hypothyroidism, there's a great chance that you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the number one cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. Hahsimoto's is an immune system problem. And if you don't help your immune system, you will always struggle with hypothyroidism. There's nothing that affects your body more than the food you eat and the liquids you drink 10-12 times a day. Learn what you need to eat and drink and what you need to avoid so you can jumpstart your thyroid, lose weight, beat fatigue, and feel normal again.

Eliminate Hypothyroid Symptoms in Three Simple Steps

2011-09-08T04:38:00.000-07:00

In this article, I'm going to share with you the three hidden pillars to overcoming hypothyroid symptoms.

I accidentally discovered these three hidden pillars when I was looking for a natural solution to my wife's hypothyroidism.

These hidden pillars are used by doctors who treat life-threatening illnesses including cancer.

My discovery occurred after my wife had her thyroid removed.

Her thyroid was removed due to cancer.

You see, conventional medicine had failed her. I HAD to find a solution.

So, I went to seminars, I spoke with specialists, I researched and read any material I could get my hands on that dealt with hypothyroidism.

I studied how some doctors were curing patients from chronic disease and even cancer.

And I started to see a common theme...

I noticed most doctors had a clinic where people would stay for a period of time during treatment.

And then I read this statement, "95% of all disease occurs because of the environment and diet." And this is from a reputable source.

Think about that for a moment...

This means cancer, and yes, even hypothyroidism can be prevented and possibly cured with the right environment and diet.

So, if you're going to get over hypothyroid symptoms, you must control your environment and diet.

One of the myths that I would like to address is that one pill is going to cure your hypothyroidism.

It's just too difficult for one pill to overcome ALL the possible causes of hypothyroidism.

Let's look at one cause, the environment.

Whether you know it or not, your environment is dumping nasty chemicals into your body every day through the air, water, and food. And you need to get these nasty chemicals out of your body.

You can do this through a process called detoxification. This is the first hidden pillar to eliminating hypothyroid symptoms.

DETOXIFICATION

The best way to get the chemicals out is to not let them in at all.

So, filter the air you breathe, the water you drink - and shower in. You need to do this because there are hormone disruptors in the water and air.

If you're not filtering the water you shower in start, start doing it. The skin is the largest organ in the body; anything that goes on the skin goes into your blood stream.

On to diet...

The second thing I discovered was that some doctors focused on diet. They removed any foods that patients were sensitive or allergic to.

Make sense?

If you are constantly putting foods into your body that it doesn't like, your immune system will be working overtime and unable to help with your condition.

So, the second hidden pillar to eliminating hypothyroid symptoms is eliminating food allergies and sensitivities.

ELIMINATION

The third pillar is one you may be familiar with.

Everyone knows how bad sugar is for you; it makes it hard for you to lose weight, it ramps up your cravings, it causes mood swings and fatigue.

However, all of my colleagues agree that sugar is the worst thing you can put into your body.

It feeds cancer, bacteria, viruses, and it slows down the immune system.

But it's just not candy, cake, and cookies. I'm referring to most manmade products: rice, breads, certain veggies and fruit.

The last of the three hidden pillars to eliminating hypothyroid symptoms is stabilization of blood sugar.

STABILIZATION

When you combine all three pillars, you have a recipe for overcoming almost all disease - even hypothyroidism.

Detoxification removes nasty chemicals that interfere with thyroid hormone. Eliminating food sensitivities jack-up the immune system. And the Stabilization of blood sugar helps you lose weight, boosts energy, eliminates cravings and supports the immune system.

This is the exact formula my wife used to beat hypothyroidism.

My wife was able to lose 8 pounds in two weeks and she got a major energy boost.

There are hundreds of folks who have used this same program.

I described the whole system in the book, The Hypothyroid Diet.

The system is safe for anyone, even if you're on meds. It's easy to implement, and, most of all, it works quick.

In just 21 days, you too can lose weight, beat fatigue, and start feeling normal again.

Hypothyroidism and Weight

2011-09-05T04:38:00.000-07:00

As you probably already know, the most common symptom of hypothyroidism is weight gain.

So, if your thyroid is running at half speed, how can you lose weight with hypothyroidism?

Well, aside from the obvious recommendations of diet and exercise, you need to get the right treatment. And getting the right treatment is not an easy task.

First of all, before you can get the right treatment you need the right physician.

How do you find THE best doctor?

By asking the right questions...

1. What test(s) do you run to determine hypothyroidism?
If the doctor just runs a TSH test, move on and keep looking for a doctor.

2. Do you use a pathological or functional reference range to compare test results?
Make sure the doctor uses a functional reference guide.

3. How often will you test my thyroid if I need medication?
If the doctor doesn't initially run a monthly thyroid panel, move on.

4. What are my treatment options if I have hypothyroidism?
Some people will respond better to some medications than others, so ask about medication options. If there is only one type of medication they use - look for another doctor.

5. How many types of thyroid problems are there?
If he or she mentions there is only hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism - move on.

6. Can you tell me what caused my hypothyroidism?
If the doctor tells you there is no way of knowing what caused your hypothyroidism - run! If they can't figure out what caused it, they will not be able to treat it successfully.

7. Will you run an antibody test on my thyroid?
If your doctor won't run a thyroid antibody test, find another doctor because most forms of hypothyroidism are Hashimoto's and this is determined through a thyroid antibody test.

8. How do you treat the immune system?
The number one cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's, which is an immune system problem. If you have Hashimoto's, you will need to address your immune system. If your doctor doesn't do this, you will need one that will.

9. Will eating a certain way make my condition better or worse?
If the doctor suggests your diet has no controlling factor of how you feel, find a good nutritionist.

10. Can you tell me some success stories about your patients?
If they don't have much to say or they are not specific and mention names or references chances are they might not have too much success with your condition.

Once you think you have the best doctor the experiment begins...

It's an experiment because your biochemistry is different from others. Therefore, your body can react differently to the same medication and dosage.

Here's the bottom line...

Years ago before testing was available, doctors determined if treatment was working by what their patients told them.

Today, doctors are armed with sophisticated testing, yet the best evidence to determining if treatment is working is your testimonial.

This is why it is so important that you are aware of how you're feeling. One of the last symptoms to improve with hypothyroidism is weight.

However, there are many symptoms of hypothyroidism that will subtly change with the right treatment. So, you need to pay close attention to how you feel day in and day out.

Here's your homework...

List all symptoms that were bothering you before treatment and make note of them and grade them. Then, during treatment, grade your symptoms and determine if you are getting better.

This won't happen overnight, but you should start to feel better within a few weeks. If you see no improvement, let your doctor know and demand changes whether it be a different medication or a higher dosage.

If your doctor doesn't agree with you or refuses to make changes, then you need to find another doctor that will LISTEN.

Your weight and hypothyroidism go hand in hand. And if you focus on your weight, it will drive you nuts. You will only get more frustrated if dieting and exercise haven't moved the number on the scale.

Signs of Thyroid Cancer

2011-08-16T04:36:00.000-07:00

The signs of thyroid cancer are similar to the signs of other forms of cancer...SILENT...

- Unless you're listening.

What do I mean?

Well, you have to be very in-tune with your body, otherwise you'll miss what your body is trying to tell you.

You see, your body is communicating with you every minute of the day. The problem is, you're not paying attention.

There are very subtle signs of thyroid cancer. They may even mimic an under-active thyroid.

These signs are the same signs you would get if you neglected your body for a few weeks with late nights, drinking, and fast food.

The Subtle Signs of Thyroid Cancer

In February of 2010, my wife was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. However, she and her doctors didn't know she had cancer until her thyroid was removed.

Months leading up to this point, she had subtle signs that something wasn't quite right.

She started to gain a few pounds and she was tired ALL the time.

I mean, she would get up after sleeping 9 or 10 hours and feel like she was hit by a truck - exhausted.

Now, here was the problem; she was working, we had two kids; our daughter Brook just turned 4 and Dean was still a baby, 1.5 years old.

On top of that, we were living with her parents, because we just sold our home and had to be out quick!

It was very hard for my wife to distinguish whether she had a health problem or it was the lifestyle of stress from work, living with her parents, and looking for a new home.

Plus, when you have two little people running around, you know you're not sleeping.

She was living a life she was not accustomed to, and it was hard for her to pay attention to herself when life was moving 100,000 miles per hour.

Can you relate?

There is research that suggests that cancer starts with a major stressful life event. It could be mental/emotional, physical trauma, or illness.

The point is...you have more control over your health than any doctor, hospital, or group of specialists.

It's the day-in-day-out habits you practice that will most likely decide your fate; this includes learning how to manage stress.

Your routine and habits might be the determining factor if you get thyroid cancer. And these habits will also determine how you overcome your disease.

However, it's not your fault.

You see, the medical community does a poor job of educating patients about their role in overcoming disease and preventing it.

It all starts with education.

If you don't know any better, how could you take the necessary steps toward protecting yourself?

But I'm here to tell you that it is my mission to create awareness.

The first thing you need to do is start listening to your body.

This is by far the most important skill in staying healthy.

AWARENESS.

Pay attention to how you feel everyday in the morning, before meals, after meals, midday, and at night. How are you sleeping?

Your body will change when your habits change; e.g., if you have a stressful event or a couple of nights of not sleeping, you'll feel the effect.

This is normal.

It's the signs that stick around, even when your routine hasn't changed, that are important to note.

Signs of Thyroid Cancer

So, what are the signs of thyroid cancer?

The same signs you would get if you had other forms of cancer and even some disease.

The number one symptom that something is not right is FATIGUE.

I'm not talking about the day after a late night out.

I'm referring to fatigue that won't let go.

Think about my wife who was still exhausted after sleeping 9 or 10 hours. That's fatigue.

When you don't think you're going to make it through your day without falling over - this is fatigue.

Fatigue doesn't mean you have or are going to get cancer, it just means there is something definitely wrong with your system.

Start making note of how you feel. Journaling would be a great idea. In fact, you could not only mark down how you feel, but also keep track of your sleeping and eating as well.

The more you know about how your body reacts and feels day in and day out, the better off you'll be.

Your job is to listen, because your body is talking.

The signs of thyroid cancer and some diseases are silent, but if you listen to your body and act quickly, you can overcome almost anything.

Knowing the Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease

2011-08-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

If you are a person who has been having problems losing weight, even though you've been very loyal to your diet and exercise plan; or if you are someone who finds themselves tired when they have had plenty of rest and no other obvious reason for it; or someone who is also having a problem with their hair getting thinner and thinner, you may have a thyroid dysfunction, and it could be caused from Hashimoto's disease. Now just because you have a few symptoms, there isn't a reason to panic as you need to go to a doctor and have yourself tested to find out if this really is the case. Tell the doctor of your symptoms and what you suspect, and he'll be able to test you and find out for sure.

The symptoms of Hashimoto's disease is the follows: Myxedematous psychosis, weight gain, depression, mania, sensitivity to both heat and cold temperatures, paresthesia, fatigue, panic attacks, bradycardia, tachycardia, high cholesterol, reactive hypoglycemia, constipation, migraines, muscle weakness, cramps, memory loss, infertility and hair loss.

It is possible that you may have some but not all of the symptoms listed above and you may not have this disease. After all, many of these symptoms can have other causes. You could have PMS, which causes a lot of emotional problems as well as pain and temporary weight gain. You could be eating foods that are high in cholesterol and this would cause the symptom. There are a number of different things that can go wrong with the body. The best thing to do is you recognize a preponderance of symptoms is to get yourself tested.

If you do have a hypothyroid, then you will need to take some medication once a day, and very likely for the rest of your life. It's quite simple though, you just need to take a pill once a day, every day, and the symptoms will disappear.

It is important that you get tested and if you do have hypothyroidism, take your medication. There are two that are preferred for this condition. They are called thyroid hormone replacement agents; one is Levothyroxine and the other is called Desiccated Thyroid Extract. Your doctor would be able to determine which one is right for you.

Cold Intolerance And The Thyroid

2011-08-01T04:33:00.000-07:00

Over ten million Americans suffer form Thyroid Hormone Deficiency, and most are unaware of it. Thyroid deficiency can cause many problems such as the ability to lose or gain weight, heart rate, motor coordination, fertility and sensitivity to temperatures. A classic symptom of poor thyroid function is being too cold. When you are one of these people you need to see a health care provider and research natural supplements that can provide the help you are looking for.

The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that is located in the neck under the voice box (larynx). It has a very big purpose, to keep your body healthy and well balanced by regulating the body's metabolism. The thyroid produces triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones that regulate the rate of metabolism that affect many other functions of the body. These hormones are entered into the blood stream and are carried to every tissue in the body. They are essential for every tissue and organ to function properly.

One of the many functions of the thyroid is to control the body's tolerance to cold. Cold intolerance is usually due to the thyroid not producing enough hormones. This is an acute condition called hypothyroidism, a sign of an under active and sluggish thyroid. Cold intolerance is a physical condition where the body looses its resistance to cold, resulting in constant shivering and the inability to cope with even the slightest cold temperatures.

Hypothyroidism usually develops early and worsens progressively. It can be brought on by previous inflammation, autoimmune thyroiditis (immune system failure), surgery to or removal of the thyroid. Sensitivity to cold often tends to get worse progressively as we get older and we find ourselves constantly chilly, cold or freezing.

If you fit into this category you always want the thermostat set higher or you find you need an extra set of clothing. Cold hands and feet can be linked to hypothyroidism. You find yourself going to bed with socks on your feet or you want extra blankets on you. Being sensitive to environments and temperatures is common for people suffering from this condition, and they find themselves cold in warm weather and freezing in cold weather.

Thyroid Support Capsules can provide you with an all natural, safe and effective alternative treatment for the symptoms of hypothyroidism. These capsules contain a special combination of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for proper thyroid function. This unique combination of ingredients will nourish and maintain the thyroid glands health, regulate the production of T3 and T4 hormones and help symptoms relating to hypothyroidism.