Misunderstanding and Missing Data on Thyroid
By Michael C. Biamonte CCN. N.D.
INTRODUCTION
There is a great deal of data that is not known by doctors on thyroid function. Most doctors are concerned with blood levels of thyroid hormone and nothing else. However, the correct blood tests and their interpretation as discussed by Dr. Westin Childs will yield more functional data then any other system that has gone before. The mineral ratios of copper to zinc and calcium to potassium, as demonstrated by Dr. David L Watts from Trace Elements Inc and shown in a hair mineral test, tell us the body utilization of the thyroid hormone at a receptor site level which a blood test cannot. The ultimate effect of thyroid hormone will be found in one’s body temperature as demonstrated originally by Dr. Broda Barnes and then carried forward and advanced by Dr. Bruce Rind. Combining the knowledge of these 3 great researchers has allowed me to develop thyroid testing and protocols far superior to any program in the past. It is the purpose of this article to simply explain the data and how it can be used without reading like a Hemingway novel, here is the truth and nothing but the truth.
The Problem
Many patients who have indications of low thyroid in their blood work are treated by the doctor with T4 medication such as “Synthroid”. Results on this medication vary but very often patients will tell me it’s doesn’t seem like this is enough. Their blood values may improve but their symptoms often do not improve to a satisfactory level. What’s more it has been observed that their body temperature DO NOT elevate into a normal range and will be typically lower then 97.8, with normal temperatures being between 98.2 and 98.6.
What We Learn from the Correct Blood Tests
The work of Dr. Denis Wilson (Wilson’s syndrome) and Dr. Westin Childs, has proven that reverse T3 levels, insulin levels and Leptin levels are critical in determining functional thyroid activity, not just what a test says. The following chemistries are needed from a blood test for the blood test to tell us all it can about thyroid function.
TSH this is thyroid stimulating hormone made in the Anterior Pituitary gland for the purpose of stimulating thyroid gland production of thyroid hormones. It increases when the body senses it’s thyroid function is inadequate and decreases when it senses thyroid function may be excessive, therefore high TSH means low thyroid and low TSH means high thyroid. The only exception to this is where we the find the BUN level less then 8 or 9 which could indicate the Anterior Pituitary itself is malfunctioning.
Free T3 is the most powerful of the thyroid hormones.
Free T4 is the thyroid hormone that is converted to T3. It does physiological actions on its own.
Reverse T3 is T3 that the body is storing that it cannot utilize. It does this under times of stress and sickness. This is bad.
Thyroid antibodies are antibodies that reflect your immune system attacking and suppressing your thyroid. This is common in Candida, Leaky Gut, Mercury toxicity and other auto immune related issues.
Cortisol is the adrenal hormone that wakes us up and acts like slow acting adrenalin. When it elevates, it disrupts many functions and it suppresses thyroid hormones.
Iron total is a measurement of the iron levels in the blood. Iron is used for thyroid function.
Leptin is a hormone that your fat tissues release which regulates your hunger and gives a feeling of fullness.
Ferritin is a protein that transports iron.
Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that works with iron to form red blood cells which carry oxygen.
Vitamin D is a vitamin that helps calcium form our bones and teeth, helps fight bacterial infections and many, MANY other functions.
Estradiol is the most active of the forms of the female hormone estrogen.
Testosterone total and free are the male hormones that build muscle and burn fat.
Progesterone is the hormone that balances estrogen and helps thyroid hormones to work.
Insulin is released by the pancreas and this hormone stimulates growth of tissues and regulates our blood sugar. Too much insulin suppresses thyroid function.
What We Learn from a Hair Mineral Test
In Guytons book of physiology, Guyton wrote that calcium in some way not yet fully understood acted to suppress thyroid receptors and therefore down regulate thyroid hormone activity while potassium would up regulate the thyroid receptor. We later learned that copper was synergistic to calcium in this action, while zinc was synergistic to potassium in its effect. Therefore, the calcium to potassium and zinc to copper ratio’s in a hair mineral test are known as the thyroid ratio’s. This does not apply to a blood test or urine test but only to hair. Because hair is a tissue, it reflects tissue storage which shows the level of the element in the cells. Blood is a medium of transport and not storage, urine shows excretion and again not storage. Also, elevated levels of copper, arsenic, lithium and mercury and other heavy metals have been demonstrated to suppress thyroid hormone activity. Mercury has been found to store in the thyroid gland disrupting its functions.
How to Support Thyroid Function
To properly support thyroid function, we need the blood test, the hair test and to regularly check body temperatures. Special nutritional formulas made by Dr. Westin Childs can help the body utilize and produce thyroid hormones as well as stopping the production for reverse T3.
Dr. Childs also makes available as a supplement, T2 the thyroid hormone that all thyroid hormones are derived from. With the information gained thru the blood work we can balance thyroid hormones and correct elevated insulin and cortisol levels which will depress thyroid activity.
Trace Elements Inc. make special nutritional formulas that balance the thyroid ratio’s shown on the hair test. They also can assist in detoxing toxic or heavy metals that are stored in the thyroid gland or in the body that suppress thyroid function.
While this is being done, a weekly check of body temperatures per the work of Dr. Bruce Rind will reflect progress.
Things To Avoid for Thyroid
In general, foods from the Brassica family have been shown to have a Goitrogenic effect on thyroid. These substances are known as “thiocyanates”. They cause thyroid hormone synthesis to change and can alter the gland itself. Luckily, they are destroyed by cooking and are leached into the water. However very high consumption can suppress thyroid activity.
The nutrients: calcium, copper, Paba, lithium, molybdenum, vitamin D and B12 in amounts higher than for normal function can suppress thyroid function and must be avoided and rebalanced to be at normal levels in your tissues and cells. A blood test or urine test will not determine this.
Mercury, lead and bromine also suppress thyroid function.
The hormones cortisol, estrogen, insulin and parathyroid hormones are antagonistic to thyroid function.
Medications that reduce thyroid function include; Anti-Hypertesnsives, Anti-Seizures, Anti-Convulsants and Lithium in a drug form for depression.
Hormones that are synergistic with thyroid include DHEA, Testosterone and Progesterone.
The Basic Rundown to Optimize Thyroid
Get the blood tests, the Hair Mineral test and take your body temperatures. Also consider doing the “Dutch” hormone test for further information.
Find someone qualified to interpret them. (This is the hardest part. The average doctor does not know how to).
Get a program to balance the Blood and Hair mineral test parameters.
Follow a thyroid-friendly diet.
Take your body temperatures daily to chart your progress.
Repeat the Blood and Hair tests every 3 to 4 months.
Call our office today to schedule your initial consultation for only $79. Have Dr. Biamonte go over your history and make specific recommendations and/or to order all of the proper tests.