Awaremed Medical Institute

Thyroid Issues

The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland, located in the neck, wrapped around the windpipe, and is located behind and below the Adam's Apple area. The thyroid produces several hormones, the main two are: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help oxygen to get into cells, and regulate metabolism.

When blood thyroid hormone levels are low the hypothalamus in the brain releases Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH)   which orders the pituitary gland to release Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).  When TSH reaches the thyroid gland it induces the production and release of thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. This feedback loop is affected by emotions, stress, nutritional and the overall state of health of the body including the nervous and endocrine system.

T3 is the most potent thyroid hormone and is required throughout the body for cell metabolism. T4 must be converted to T3 in order to interact in the cells metabolically. T3, however, has an extremely short life span so the thyroid produces significantly more T4 than it does T3. Most synthetic thyroid hormones are primarily if not exclusively made of T4 while natural or bio-identical thyroid hormones contain a balanced ratio of T3 and T4. If your body is unable to convert T4 to T3, the synthetic T4 will not be effective in treating your hypothyroid condition and the symptoms will still be present. DR.  Dolly restores thyroid function by using natural thyroid hormones such as Armour Thyroid, Nathroid or Westhyroid.

Hypothyroidism or Diminished thyroid activity decreases metabolic rate, depresses the activity of all other endocrine glands in the body and ultimately harmfully affects every single tissue and cell in the body.

Problems associated with thyroid imbalance include obesity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, frequent illness, feeling cold all the time, heart and arterial disease, as well as depression

The thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, which participates in the regulation of parathormone and phosphate metabolism in the bones. Calcitonin also acts to regulate calcium levels in our bodies. Low calcium levels in the blood will inhibit the calcitonin output. Calcitonin is the single-chain polypeptide containing 32 amino acids. This biochemical conversion process is not possible without oxygen.

The thyroid gland can be the cause of many other health problems. Our sex glands, parathyroid glands, pituitary gland and our bodies metabolism are influenced by our thyroid gland function.

Healthy Thyroid Gland Function

For proper growth and development, the thyroid needs the right nutrients to function. Iodine and all the amino acids are necessary for the body to complete this natural cycle of synthesis as well as oxygen, hydrogen and other elements. The complete process will not occur unless the body has every component.
Iodine Functions

• Iodine is a natural antibiotic and it is capable of destroying germs including bacteria and viruses. If our iodine intake is low, the thyroid function will be compromised and our ability to fight infections will be limited..
• In addition iodine is a calming mediator in the body and it helps relieving nervousness and tension. Unchecked tension leads to sleep disturbances and Insomnia. Iodine will lessen nervous tension, relax the body, and enable it to reorganize. Iodine acts synergistically with other essential thyroid nutrients to restore a healthy mood.
• Furthermore iodine has a vital function in maintaining our cognitive functions and clear thinking. The brain works better when iodine supplies are optimal. The thyroid gland needs iodine in order for it to manufacture thyroid hormones.

Twenty first Century food and our thyroid function

Our animal based food is derived from animals that are continuously fed antibiotics, synthetic hormones, steroids, drugs, toxic chemicals; furthermore the matter is complicated by the fact that prior to human consumption the meat is radiated. When we eat this meat, we ingest these toxic residues that are proven carcinogenic substances that cause cancer and depress our immune system. This is the reason why we are plagued by an ever-increasing incidence of immune system diseases. In addition recently the food industry adopted the practice of removing good fats from foods and replacing it with hydrogenated fats and trans-fats. These dangerous practices adopted by the food industry are now creating serious man made disease of the 21st Century.  These risky practices by the modern food industry are posing serious problems to our human race. The civilization made diseases include obesity and weight related diseases including but not restricted to heart disease, diabetes, and even cancers. The lack of energy that most of us experience nowadays is due to a dysfunctional thyroid gland that is depleted of the essential food and mineral necessary for its proper function.  Good fats are essential for proper production of bile for digestion, for a vigorous lymphatic system and for dynamic thyroid gland. The higher incidence of breast cancer in women today may be attributed to of poor functioning system including unhealthy gallbladder, liver, lymphatic system, and thyroid gland.

Dr Akoury places a lot of emphasis on the adverse affects of chlorine, bromine and fluorine in the water supply, toothpaste and other sources on the thyroid gland. Chlorine, bromine and fluorine are very near iodine on the periodic chart and can act like iodine from a chemical perspective. These elements, therefore, chemically replace iodine and interfere with iodine metabolism. As a preventive measure it makes sense to filter water to remove these chemicals and to avoid exposure from other sources. Fluorides are commonly added to toothpaste and drinking water and bromides are added to bread products and used to treat water in hot tubs and swimming pools.

In addition to chemical and environmental factors, thyroid function can be depressed by imbalances in other endocrine glands. Increased insulin levels from sugar handling stress can depress thyroid function and increase cortisol levels. Increased cortisol levels caused by all forms of stress can depress thyroid function as well. Hypoadrenia or adrenal exhaustion often precedes or occurs concomitantly with a hypothyroid state. To correct hypothyroidism by addressing the cause, one must engage in an effective stress reduction strategy, correct sugar handling stress and provide adrenal support.

Foods rich in iodine are asparagus, bananas, carrots, chard, cod-liver oil, egg yolks, garlic, lettuce, lima beans, kelp, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, peas, radishes, rhubarb, seafood, spinach, strawberries, squash, and tomatoes.

Foods that may block the utilization of iodine (in excessive amounts) are Brussel sprouts, Brassica (cabbages), cassava root, cauliflower, kale, millet, mustard, peaches, peanuts, pears, pine nuts, soybeans, and turnips. Chlorine in drinking water and excessive amounts of white table salt will also deplete iodine levels. Use sea salt with the cell salts and iodine. Some forms of synthetic drugs and x-rays will also inhibit the action of iodine in the thyroid gland. The recommended daily dosage for adults is about 200 mcg. When the body becomes saturated with an excess of iodine, there is an increase of moisture in the nose. Cut back on your iodine intake until the runny nose returns to normal.

Essential nutrients for an under active thyroid gland consist of all the amino acids, Vitamin B complex, beta-carotene, Vitamins A-C, E, iodine from sea kelp in liquid, iron, zinc and unsaturated fatty acids. Herbs like bayberry, black cohosh and goldenseal can help with thyroid gland function. Eat foods like apricots, cheeses, chicken, dates, fish, molasses, eggs yolks, parsley, and raw milk for the under active thyroid.

Essential nutrients for an over active thyroid gland consist of multi vitamins and mineral complex, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, E, essential fatty acids, and lecithin. Eat foods like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, rutabagas, spinach, and turnips to suppress thyroid function.