Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis : a chronic inflammation of
the gland caused by auto-immune factors.
Subacute thyroiditis : acute inflammation of the thyroid gland
caused by a virus.
Silent thyroiditis : a mild thyroid enlargement often in post-partum
women
Euthyroid
Goiter
An enlargement of the thyroid gland due to diminished thyroid
hormone but without clinical hypothyroidism.
Thyroid
Cancer
This includes Papillary, Follicular, Anaplastic and Medullary
Carcinoma
Conclusion
Overt hypothyroidism is easy to diagnose by a simple blood
test. Low levels of T3 and T4 are signs that you do not have
enough thyroid hormones. Also, an elevated TSH is a sign of
thyroid deficiency. When your TSH is high, it means the pituitary
gland is trying to make the thyroid gland produce more hormones.
If, however, someone is suffering from the classic symptoms
of thyroid deficiency but has normal test results, the thyroid
slowdown could be slight or age related and is not easily
detected by a blood test. A way of detecting a possible thyroid
deficiency is to take your basal body temperature.
The Basal Body Temperature Test
Broda O. Barnes, M.D., developed the basal body temperature
test. Barnes recommends the following procedure:
-
Upon awakening, with as little movement as possible, place
the thermometer firmly in your armpit or under your tongue
(menstruating women should do this test only on the second
and third days of their menstrual flow) keeping the thermometer
there for 10 minutes.
- Record
the readings on three consecutive days.
- A
normal functioning thyroid should have a reading between
36 degrees and 34.5 degrees. Basal body temperatures below
this range are quite common & may reflect hypothyroidism.(
Int. Jrnl of Integrative Med Vol 3 No 3,Nov 2001)
-
A reading of 97.8F (approx 36.2 degrees) or lower, according
to Dr. Barnes, may indicate low thyroid function.
Pathology
Tests
Leading pathology laboratories routinely test for TSH, free
T3 and free T4 levels. Some functional laboratories are capable
of testing TRH (thyroid releasing hormone) & rT3 ( reverse
T3) as well.
Examples
of reference ranges (Ref Melb Pathology)
Serum Free T4 …11-23pmol/l ; Serum Free T3 …2.2
to 5.2pmol/l ; Serum TSH ………0.305pmol/l
Treatment
If left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause anemia, low body
temperature, and heart failure.
Conventional treatment calls for the oral replacement of deficient
thyroid hormones. A synthetic form of T4 (Thyroxone) is most
often administered, being taken for life. The dose is gradually
increased until TSH levels in the blood return to normal.
Dietary Supplementation for Thyroid
Deficiency
Thyroid USP, a natural synthesised porcine derived hormone,
contains T4 and T3 (ratio of 4:1) and most closely resembles
natural human thyroid hormone. This is appropriate where the
body is unable to convert T4 to the active T3.
Supplementation includes vitamin
A; vitamin B complex, B12, C, and E; as well as Coenzyme Q10;
and especially the minerals magnesium, manganese, selenium,
and zinc, & kelp, a rich source of Iodine. Deficiencies
of any of these minerals can prevent the conversion of T4
to T3 and should be corrected. Sufficient protein iodine and
especially the amino acid tyrosine are necessary to make T4
in the thyroid gland. Soy supplements are known to boost thyroid
output.
The amino acid tyrosine is converted
into thyroxine, or T4.
DHEA, a hormone that enhances the
body's metabolic functioning, may also be deficient in individuals
with hypothyroidism.
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