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Thyroid Information |
Edward Lichten, M.D.,PC 180 East Brown Street Birmingham, MI 48009 248.593.9999 |
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TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone: measures
pituitary dysfunction ANATOMY: The thyroid gland is positioned below the Adam's apple and is shaped like a bow-tie. This walnut sized gland secretes the thyroid hormones that regulates all the functions of all the cells in the body. Thyroid hormone is necessary for every cell to forge energy (in the Krebs's cycle). Without thyroid, there is a lack of efficient energy product and therefore lethargy and carbohydrate craving. This is called thyroid deficiency syndrome, A small decline in the production of thyroid hormones can have dramatic effects on the cells of the brain, heart, liver, kidney, skin and bones. Hypothyroidism, left untreated, is called myxedema. The swelling that is seen in the face of severe hypothyroid individuals can also occur in the lungs and heart. One hundred years ago, myxedema (fluid retention and heart failure) was a major cause of death. What was recognized by Broda Barnes,
M.D. in the 19330's is that there are more than one thyroid hormone. The
commonly prescribed thyroid preparations, Synthroid™, Unithroid™, and
Levothryoid™ are varieties of thyroxin (T4). However, tri-iodothyronine
(T3) which is marketed as Cytomel™ is the more active form of thyroid.
Although young people are able to convert stored T4 to active T3, this
does not occur as commonly in elderly. At 50 years of age, at least
one-third of women are hypothyroid, probably more. Most of us in
clinical practice and research believe that more than two-thirds of
everyone over 50 is hypothyroid. Replacement of T4 without T3 often fails
to relieve all the symptoms listed above: cold hands, fatigue, depression,
and dry skin and nails. Medical references to the benefits of T3 can be
found at MEDLINE. Do not use Cytomel CLINICAL MEASUREMENT: Broda Barnes, M.D. recognized that one of the primary effects of thyroid is to raise body temperature. A fat, hypothyroid child will be one degree Fahrenheit cooler than a thin, active child. The measurements of thyroid function include TSH, T3 (free), T4 (free). But normal blood tests do not tell the complete picture of thyroid disease. The control of the thyroid gland is TRH, thyroid releasing hormone, in the hypothalamus, deep within the brain. With age, the hypothalamus fails to release adequate stimulation: it acts like it is asleep. This is called 'down-regulation.' Under normal conditions, the TRH triggers the pituitary in the midbrain to release TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone. TSH causes the thyroid to produce T3 and T4 from precursors: iodine, tryptophan and T2 (di-iodothyronine). Doctors have been taught to look for elevated levels of TSH. This implies that the pituitary cannot recognize adequate blood levels of either T3 or T4. A TSH over 100 means the individual is severely hypothyroid. A TSH less than 1 (when not on thyroid replacement) implies that the individual is on thyroid replacement or that the thyroid overactive and out-of-control. But, those of us researching thyroid disease have learned that these thyroid tests are just 'tests at best.' If the patient complains of a low body temperature on awakening (basal body temperature) then there is inadequate thyroid hormone no matter what the blood tests show. If there is fatigue, dry skin, brittle hair and weight gain on a low calorie diet, then there is insufficient thyroid hormone. This is one of the thyroid resistant syndromes or thyroid insensitive syndrome. The pituitary does not respond properly and produce enough TSH. THYROIDITIS: Some hypothyroidism, clinically diagnosed as thyroid deficiency syndrome, may be caused by a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune defenses destroy its own thyroid gland. Most cases occur in women; the reason is unknown. Other cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis occur in other autoimmune diseases, including insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia and myasthenia gravis. It may also occur with greater frequency in people who are left-handed or who have prematurely gray hair. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by drug treatments (e.g. alpha-interferon, used to treat hepatitis C) or destruction of thyroid tissue by radioactive iodine treatment or surgery for conditions such as Grave's disease or thyroid cancer It can also have a genetic origin, in which case it may manifest shortly after birth. NATURAL THYROID REPLACEMENT: We will continue patients on synthetic T4 if they insist and offer them the option of using a slow release compounded T3 product. The pharmacist mixes Cytomel™ (T3) into a medium to slow the absorption over 12 hours. Cytomel™ is not used because it is absorbed and destroyed in less than 2 hours. According to a classic study conducted in 1974 by Dr. James Issacs, a pioneering cardiovascular surgeon from Baltimore, people who took ½ grain of thyroid along with vitamins and minerals over a period of ten years showed significant improvement in cardiovascular function. Some doctors recommend this for people over age 40 who have no overt endocrine disease. It has been pointed out that, even if one is not experiencing symptoms, all endocrine glands are beginning to slow down at this stage of life. The most common comment from people taking 1/4 grain of natural thyroid is "I just feel a little more energetic overall. My thinking seems a little clearer, and my bowel function is a little better." Even if someone is already taking thyroid supplementation, most can still take a 1/4 - ½ grain of natural thyroid, iodine and tyrosine. "Unless you are in very brittle condition -- and brittle means to an endocrinologist that the amount you take has to be exactly right on -- you might consider adding 1/4 grain of the natural thyroid gland itself, as it also nourishes the rest of the endocrine network." And since everyone in the United States eats insufficient iodine sources (seaweed), eats bread loaded with Bromide, drinks water with Chloride and Floride it is no wonder that the needed iodine is displaced by elements of similar electronic configuration. Note that the discontinuation of iodine in bread leavening resulted in a 400% increase in thyroid disease in the subsequent 50 years. I load all my patients with 10 mg (not micrograms) of mixed iodine daily. See my letter to the Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association 2004;291: 1445 at http://www.usdoctor.com/jamathyroid.htm. At worse, Armour Thyroid is equal and cheaper to Synthroid!
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Thyroid After Treatment
and before treatment
LICHTEN's PEARLS 1. Measure TSH, T3free, T4free, TBG, Thyroid peroxidase antibodies, Thyroid antibodies, Reverse T3, on all with fatigue, cold hands/feet, weight gain & FIBROMYALGIA. 2.. Measure cortisol and DHEA levels in saliva at 7AM, 11 AM, 4 PM and 10PM for those having problems stabilizing thyroid replacement. 3. Measure serum cortisol, pregnenolone, progesterone, and DHEA-S in the AM for those with memory problems. 4. Screen for zinc, magnesium, and selenium deficiency in hair analysis. Iodine deficiency is noted in all. 5. Replace thyroid slowly and immediately. Add cortisol in low doses if indicated by saliva test or clinical parameters. |