Last night a friend told me her story. . . her doctor put her on two synthetic thyroid meds and she still can’t lose weight – despite adding 6 hrs of Zumba a week and following a low carb diet. She also continues to suffer from constipation, a symptom of hypothyroidism. Complaining about her weight gain/inability to lose weight, her doctor told her to increase her protein intake and decrease her carbs.

Exhausted with trying to lose weight/belly fat and already consuming good protein/low carbs, she didn’t know where to turn. She approached me to ask what additional protein she should add to her diet.

My recommendation? Read the book Stop the Thyroid Madness by Janie A. Bowthorpe, M.Ed. A testimony on the book cover says it all, “I was shocked when I stumbled onto Janie’s compiled information that explained why I had depression and weight gain, both of which have now gone away.”

I shared with my friend my own personal story. When Armour Thyroid (natural porcine thyroid) was temporarily pulled from the market (anything to do with the pharmaceutical industry?), I too was placed on synthetic thyroid compounds.

The result? The hair on my head fell out like the leaves from the tree in the fall of the year. I was horrified that I would go bald. I am so grateful to compounding pharmacist Jed Dunaway, Dunaway’s Pharmacy, Henderson, KY, for compounding a natural replacement from USP porcine powder until Armour was brought back on the market.

Thyroid expert Mary J. Shomon in her book The Menopause Thyroid Solution states, “Many patients who have switched from synthetic to natural thyroid swear by the improvements in health and symptoms they’ve enjoyed after taking the natural medication.”

Janie Bowthorpe and I and thousands of other patients agree. After 17 miserable years, Bowthorpe was able to stop her thyroid madness. Her book is devoted to helping others stop theirs.

Synthetic vs natural thyroid replacement is one issue. Other questions I would ask: what lab tests have been done? Have you had lab to also check your sex and adrenal hormones? What is your Vitamin D level? What thyroid tests have been ordered? Do they include a TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO? If all your lab came back “within normal limits,” has your doctor listened carefully as you described all your symptoms? Do you have a family history of thyroid problems?

If someone is doing 6 hours of Zumba a week, has an active lifestyle, is eating a healthy diet and monitoring carb intake, and is still not losing weight/gaining weight, something else is going on. Increasing protein intake is not going to fix it.

In the past, I have written several blog articles about the thyroid and other hormones. My “Rosie Recommends” section on my web site lists some key thyroid resources to help you become aware of thyroid imbalance and what you can do about it. For further information, go to www.RosieBrownRN.com.  You deserve to feel great, and you can.

When is it going to stop?

For months I have been coaching an individual to research the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Now almost 30, his doctor has had him on two blood pressure medications since high school. At a checkup a month ago, the doctor ordered still yet a third medication for the uncontrolled hypertension.

This patient has a long list of symptoms – and has had for his entire life. Every time I would suggest the symptoms could possible point to a thyroid issue, he would comment, “My current and my previous doctor have both tested me for that. They both say I am within normal limits.”

“Within normal limits” – whenever I hear those words, it is the identical feeling that comes over me when I hear a fingernail scratching along a chalkboard. If you study the literature, you will find that it is estimated that 30% of the population has an undiagnosed thyroid problem. These same people helped set the lab ranges for what is considered “normal.”

This patient has struggled with his weight his entire life. Exercise programs and diet control do not remove the weight. He has been using a c-pap machine for sleep apnea for several years. Depression has been a lingering problem for him, particularly in the winter months. His hair is thinning. He has funny skin rashes. The list of symptoms go on and on. In addition, he has a strong family history of thyroid disorders.

Finally one day, I gave him the book Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr, M.D. I begged him to read it prior to his next visit. The week before his appointment, the text messages started flying. In complete and total shock, he read all about his symptoms, one by one.

The day came for his appointment. Totally prepared, educated, and armed with notes, he courageously approached his physician. The physician would hear none of it. “You do not have a thyroid problem,” she exclaimed. “Your lab was normal.”

He quickly and politely reviewed his entire medical history and family history. The doctor would hear none of it. He finally insisted that she order a TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO.  In exasperation, she wrote the order just to appease him.

The lab report came back, and the physician phoned the patient the results – sarcastically stating that all were “within normal limits.” Sad, depressed, and in total despair, he relented, “It must just all be in my head.”

Oh, but wait, I commented, “Do you have a copy of your report?”

The patient called the office and requested a copy of the lab report. The office personnel told him they could not fax him the lab report. The patient called me and asked what to do.

“What? Why can’t they fax the report? It is your lab. You are giving them permission to fax the report to you.” I assured him he did have the right to a copy of his lab report, and he should simply call back and insist upon the report.

Guess what the lab values are? You guessed it. Clearly he has a problem with his thyroid. With lab report in hand, he is now in the process of scheduling an appointment with a different physician – one who understands the necessity of correlating symptoms with those numbers that appear at the very low point on that “normal” scale.

What is the message for today? Please be your own health care advocate. No one knows your body like you do. It is your body. It is your life. It is your lab. Do not cave it. Be courageous. Keep after it when you suspect there is something wrong.

If you know it, if you feel it, then your intuition is not lying to you. There is something going on. Pursue it till you do find someone who is willing to help you. Your happiness and health depend upon it.

Did you know that, unsuspecting to you, lurking in your food and environment are agents that are adversely affecting your thyroid?

At my seminar this week, one of the attendees shared a pretty shocking story. Judging from the comments she made and her appearance, this lady is obviously very focused on her health. When I spoke about toxins in the environment affecting the thyroid, she raised her hand to share an incredible story.

She and her husband are very focused on maintaining excellent health. She shared many of the practices and efforts that they go through on a daily basis.

One day both she and her husband were diagnosed with hypothyroid disease. Shocked, they went on a search of what could be contributing to their condition, thinking it odd that they both had the same new diagnosis.

They observed that one of their daily practices was the regular consumption of a vitamin enhanced water beverage. She researched the ingredients and found that an artificial sweetener was a listed ingredient. Both she and her husband immediately stopped the water consumption. The hypothyroid problem completely went away.

Interestingly enough, today I read an article written by Dr. Mercola in which he commented that the presence of potassium bromate, a dough conditioner found in commercial bakery products and some flours, is a major, but hidden cause of thyroid dysfunction. He referenced a previous article which can be found at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/22/Another-Poison-Hiding-in-Your-Environment.aspx.

Dr. Mercola’s article listed the following information:

Bromides are a common endocrine disruptor. Because bromide is also a halide, it competes for the same receptors that are used in the thyroid gland to capture iodine. This will inhibit thyroid hormone production resulting in a low thyroid state.

Bromine can be found in a number of places in your everyday world, including:

Pesticides (specifically methyl bromide, used mainly on strawberries, predominantly in California).

Plastics, like those used to make computers.

Bakery goods and some flours that contain a “dough conditioner” called potassium bromate.

Soft drinks (including Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Sun Drop, Squirt, Fresca and other citrus-flavored sodas), in the form of brominated vegetable oils (BVOs).

Medications such as Atrovent Inhaler, Atrovent Nasal Spray, Pro-Banthine (for ulcers), and anesthesia agents.

Fire retardants used in fabrics, carpets, upholstery, and mattresses.

Bromine-based hot tub and swimming pool treatments.

If you are interested in learning more about the impact of chemicals on the thyroid, Dr. Mark Starr, M.D.,  devotes 39 pages to this topic in his book Hypothyroidism Type 2.

It is said that 20% of the population is taking thyroid medication, but 30% of the population is undiagnosed. Unsuspecting foods and agents in our environment are contributing to what researches are calling an “epidemic” of thyroid dysfunction.

Isn’t it about time to blow the whistle on all these culprits that are having such a negative impact on your thyroid?

Today I engaged my hairdresser in an interesting conversation about thyroid disease. She stopped the blow dryer and shared her very indepth knowledge about hair – healthy hair and unhealthy hair.

Every day, all day long she works on someone’s hair. It is incredible the knowledge she has. Four weeks ago when I saw her, I was so distressed about my hair. It was falling out like dead leaves from a tree on a fall day.  Previously, I was ecstatic about my hair. After starting on the Armour thyroid, my hair was becoming thicker, shiny, and full of life. What a change, and how exciting!

Then the FDA (and pharmaceutical companies?) made such restrictions on the natural thyroid supplement companies, that they had to shut down their operations. When my prescription ran out, I could no longer get my natural thyroid supplement. It was back to the synthetics. Any correlation to the changes in my hair texture?

My hairdresser told me the story of one of her clients. This client was on some sort of thyroid medication. My hairdresser kept telling her that something was not right with her thyroid. Her hair did not grow. It was dry and unhealthy appearing. At her urging, the client finally went to her doctor, and her prescription was changed. Shortly thereafter, her hair “started growing like crazy.”

Thyroid imbalance shows up in the hair, skin and nails. My ND recommended that I start applying “Biosilk” to my hair and to take “Hair, Skin, and Nails” supplement. My NP friend told me an active ingredient in “Hair, Skin, and Nails” is Biotin, which some health care providers use for hair loss.

My hair is limping along this month. My prescription has been changed to different synthetics, trying to find something that attempts to match where I was on the Armour thyroid. My prayer is that the natural supplement companies can overcome the restrictions placed upon them by the FDA. 

It is unbelievable what gets endorsed in this country. Please pray for the good to prevail in the end.

The thyroid epidemic has been the focus of this week’s articles:

9-21: FDA Taking Natural Thyroid off the Market?

9-22: How Do You Know if You Have a Thyroid Problem?

9-23: Why Are Thyroid Lab Tests Inadequate?

9-24: Why is Hypothyroidism Growing at Epidemic Proportions?

 Today I would like to focus on what to do if you suspect you may have a thyroid problem.

 The approach I teach and explain in my book that will be released in October, Stop the Needless Suffering, is the LOVE Method. What is the LOVE METHOD, and how can it help you?

L: Learn all you can.

O: Obtain help.

V: Validate with lab data.

E: Engage in a plan of action that’s right for you.

 For the “L,” Learn all you can – this week’s articles and references have been designed to assist with creating awareness of the thyroid epidemic that is upon us. If you suspect that you or someone you love may have a thyroid problem, please consult the references given in the articles so that you can become your own health care advocate.

 For the “O,” Obtain help – it is very important to locate a health care provider who is knowledgeable about the proper diagnosis, care, and treatment of thyroid disorders. Two resources I recommend are www.canaryclub.org and the ZRT Laboratory, and Dr. Whitney Gabhart, N.D., www.whitneygabhartnd.com .

For the “V,” Validate with lab data – it is important, if thyroid disorder is suspected, to have lab work done, but most importantly, to be cared for by a practitioner who understands the  proper tests to order and the proper interpretation of the results.

 For the “E,” Engage in a plan that’s right for you – next week I will share information and resources to assist you in helping to support thyroid health and wellness.

 Remember, one the best things you can do for your adrenals, and consequently your thyroid, is to decrease stress. We are just about ready to begin a weekend – find something fun and relaxing to do – just for you…because you deserve it! :  )

“Never in the history of modern medicine has there been an epidemic of such proportion that has gone unrecognized,” begins the Introduction of Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr, M.D.

“Proper recognition and treatment of hypothyroidism would prevent much of our illness and suffering. Many millions of lives can be changed for the better and astronomical medical expenses spared if the proposals put forth in this book are accepted.”

 Two major causes seem to be at the root of this growing thyroid epidemic:

     1.       Adrenal stress

     2.       Environmental toxins

Regarding adrenal stress, Dr.  Mercola (www.mercola.com) in his September 19, 2009 newsletter article stated:

“The vast majority of people’s thyroid glands become impaired as a result of weak adrenal glands. The thyroid gland tries to compensate for this and eventually just gives up and stops working.

Adrenal impairment is frequently due to emotional stress, and unless you have these previous emotional challenges resolved, there is little likelihood of recovering your thyroid function without hormonal replacement.”

In today’s fast-paced, noise-polluted society, we are forever on the go. We pride ourselves in multi-tasking. We have more than full time careers. “Full time” used to equate to forty hours per week. Now with all the budget cuts and the need to “do more with less,” full time equates to fifty, sixty, or more hours per week. In addition, we take work home with us, and, thanks to technology, we are connected to our work at home.

The flurry of activity all around us causes us to continuously push bedtime later and later into the evening. With less and less hours of sleep, we compromise the natural restorative powers of our body. We wake up feeling exhausted, and grab a caffeinated drink or cup(s) of coffee to help us make it through the day.

It used to be that women didn’t work outside the home. Today, women have full time careers, and they rear their children. It used to be that families lived near each other so that grandparents, aunts, and uncles were available to assist with caring for the children. In our mobile society today, relatives may reside on the other side of the globe.

Today, working moms and dads transport their children to and from piano lessons, scouts, dance, cheer, ball, and play practice. After sitting on the bleachers all evening, parents go home to help with homework and bake cookies for tomorrow’s PTA classroom party. Today, parents are also caught in the sandwich generation between their children and their elderly parents. To top it off, the cost of living and financial concerns are on the increase, causing people to lie awake at night worrying about how they will survive the bills.

Mark Twain also captures a major root cause of much of our stress…

“I have been through some terrible times in my life, some of which actually happened.”

Wow, is there any reason our adrenals are tired?

The second major cause of the thyroid epidemic is our exposure to environmental toxins.

Per Dr. Shames in Thyroid Power:

“We believe the thyroid epidemic is due in large part to excess chemicals in food, air, and water, confusing and stressing our immune system.

As the number of immune-sensitizing chemicals proliferates in our environment, we are seeing an increased incidence of autoimmune illness.”

In Hypothyroidism Type 2, the chapter title, “Environmental Toxins = Hormone Havoc,” tells it all. Dr. Starr devotes thirty-nine pages to the topic of environmental toxins. He states:

“About 70,000 new synthetic chemicals were introduced into our environment during the twentieth century. Three-quarters of the 20 most toxic chemical pollutants are known to be poisonous to our nervous systems.”

Dr. Starr explains that the most disturbing aspect of chemical toxins may be their ability to disrupt the function of thyroid hormones. Thyroid metabolism is one of the most frequent targets of synthetic chemicals. Recall that the thyroid gland affects every cell in the body. 

In tomorrow’s article, I will focus on what we can do offset the hazards of  today’s environment in order to build healthy thyroid and adrenal glands.

Chances are, you may be one of the thousands of people walking around with undiagnosed hypothyroidism, and you don’t even know it. Why? Three major reasons:

1. Since signs and symptoms may occur gradually over the years, the insidious progression may mistakenly be attributed to “normal” aging.
2. The gradual progression and insidious nature of onset, as well as the myriad of possible symptoms, makes hypothyroidism difficult for doctors to diagnose.
3. Standard laboratory tests used to diagnose hypothyroidism, as well as laboratory reference ranges, are inadequate and inaccurate.

Can any of you relate to the following story?

I thought I was doing myself a favor by having an annual physical. Oftentimes my thyroid would be “checked” – always “within normal limits.” (Look for more information on that fallacy in tomorrow’s article.)

I didn’t pay attention to which tests were done. I just saw the range and how my numbers fell within the range. Nevermind the symptoms I had been collecting over time, all just part of getting older, right? 

It wasn’t until I had the complete hormone panel (www.canaryclub.org) and I took my results to Dr. Whitney Gabhart, N.D. (www.whitneygabhartnd.com) did I realize I had a problem…not only with my thyroid, but also my adrenals.

In a frenzy, I started reading everything I could get my hands on regarding the adrenals and the thyroid. I took a pen and pad of paper and started listing my insidious signs and symptoms of “normal” aging. Do you experience any of these?

1. Elevated Cholesterol
2. Dry eyes
3. Insomnia
4. Recent onset of sleep apnea
5. Skin/arm rashes
6. Constipation
7. Dry hair
8. Dry skin
9. Nail deformities
10. Fatigue
11. Low libido
12. Vaginal dryness
13. Weight gain
14. Inability to lose weight despite proper diet and exercise
15. Hair loss/thinning – head and pubic
16. Toenail fungus
17. Sensitivity to alcohol/caffeine
18. Sweet cravings/salt cravings
19. Hypoglycemia
20. Sensitivity to cold
21. Inability to remember things

 Additional symptoms listed in the literature include:

Lethargy, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, low testosterone, candida (yeast infections), adult acne, eczema, premature aging, miscarriage, infertility, PMS, repeated infections, headaches/migraines, high blood pressure, birth defects, irregular menses, excessive menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, nervousness, anxiety, panic attacks, heart attack/stroke, intolerance to heat/cold, nutritional imbalances, muscle weakness, low immune function, arthritis/gout, arthralgia (pain in a joint), low blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis, heart palpitations, menstrual disturbances, cystic breasts, swelling of the eyes/face, hyperinsulinemia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

 See why it is so difficult to diagnose?

 If you experience symptoms, I strongly encourage you to become your own health care advocate. Some excellent thyroid books on the market include:

1)      Richard Shames, M.D. and Karilee Shames, Ph.D., R.N., Thyroid Power and Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled?

2)      Mark Starr, M.D., Hypothyroidism Type 2

3)      Janie A. Bowthorpe, M.Ed., Stop the Thyroid Madness, A Patient Revolution Against Decades of Inferior Thyroid Treatment

 Based on Dr. Mercola’s recommendation, I bet I soon add to my list Mary Shomon’s newly released book: The Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause by Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems.

 The following lab tests, along with my symptoms, confirmed hypothyroidism: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies – a test for autoimmune thyroiditis).

 Join me tomorrow when I discuss laboratory testing and the reasons behind the inaccuracies associated with lab results.

Dr. Mercola’s article posted on 9-19-09, www.mercola.com, explains why I haven’t been able to get my Armour Thyroid for the past month! I will include snipits of the article below, but anyone with a thyroid issue must read the information he posted and take action.

The title of the article is “Is the FDA Poised to Ban a Century-Old Natural Remedy?” The article starts out with this shocking news:

“Major Pharmaceuticals has put out a press release saying that they’ve been forced to shut down production of all natural desiccated thyroid drugs, a treatment for hypothyroidism that has been in use for over a century. Major received notice from the FDA that their complete line of desiccated thyroid drugs can no longer be manufactured, and that the FDA is pulling the designation that allowed them to sell these drugs.

Major is also saying that the FDA is requiring that all manufacturers that wish to continue manufacturing submit an NDA or ANDA (New Drug Application or Abbreviated New Drug Application) for approval. Desiccated thyroid drugs were in use in the early 1900’s, and already on the market when the government regulatory groups to oversee medications were formed, so they never went through the new drug application process.

Biotech, Time Cap Labs, and Major are no longer manufacturing natural desiccated thyroid drugs. RLC and Forest are now the last makers of natural desiccated thyroid drugs in the U.S., and their products are unavailable or in short supply in throughout the nation.”

Dr. Mercola cites the work of Mary Shomon, the www.about.com thyroid expert, crediting her as one of the leaders in the field. Shomon raises the warning flag about a very important issue for many people – the potential elimination of bioidentical hormones from the market.

Based upon Dr. Mercola’s endorsement of Shomon, I immediately ordered and can’t wait to read her new book, The Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause by Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism this spring, I have been reading everything I can about the significance of the Adrenal Glands and Thyroid Gland on hormone balancing. From all I have studied, I totally agree with her title. Hormone balancing is much bigger and much more complex than simply looking at a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels.

What is not commonly known by the medical establishment and public is that there is an epidemic of thyroid problems, the reasons for which I will explain in subsequent articles this week.

What is so alarming is that according to Shomon’s report, “the FDA has already shut down natural desiccated thyroid drug production and distribution by three firms:

• Biotech
• Major
• Time Cap Labs

Two other major manufacturers/distributors now have long-term backorders for their bioidentical hormone products, which include Armour, Nature-Throid, and Westroid.

Dr. Mercola explains: “The uncertainty about the future of natural thyroid drug options has led patients and practitioners to form a new coalition designed to help protect your right to choose, under the banner “Save Natural Thyroid.”

They’ve also formed a Save Natural Thyroid Facebook Group to strategize and help keep thyroid patients informed. If you or anyone you love uses bioidentical hormones, you may want to join this group to keep up on the latest updates.”

It was comforting to read that Dr. Mercola and Shomon have had strategic discussions on the next step to preserve this important resource.

I personally plan to research and join the two groups Dr. Mercola has informed us about. I encourage you to do all you can to help spread the word so that we as the public can lend support to stop this travesty from occurring.

I intend to focus on the topic of the adrenals and thyroid in my upcoming articles. Their impact on our hormonal health and balance is huge!