By Michael Biamonte, C.C.N.

Many years ago Dr. Broda Barnes M.D., wrote a book called HYPOTHYROIDISM THE UNSUSPECTED ILLNESS. Dr. Barnes brought light to low thyroid conditions as an unsuspected cause of numerous health disorders. Dr. Barnes made popular the procedure of testing one’s underarm body temperature the very first thing in the morning to discover one’s thyroid efficiency and clearly proved that a condition of low thyroid function can exist even if one’s blood tests are normal. When Dr. Barnes found a patient who had lower body temperature than normal, the doctor would treat him with thyroid medication. The patient would them miraculously improve. More recently, Dr. Denis Wilson M.D. also wrote a book called WILSON’S SYNDROME. Dr. Wilson expanded the theory of Dr. Barnes and advanced the treatment.

Both Drs. Barnes and Wilson have discovered a condition where the thyroid appears normal based on blood work but, in actual fact, a low body temperature exits and a low metabolism exists.

SYMPTOMS OF LOW THYROID INCLUDE:

• LOSS OF HAIR
• WEIGHT GAIN
• COLD HANDS AND FEET
• CELLULITE
• WEIGHT GAIN ON THIGHS AND HIPS
• DRY SKIN
• LOW BODY TEMPERATURE
• LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
• LOW ADRENAL FUNCTION
• MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITIES
• INFERTILITY
• PMS
• OSTEOPOROSIS
• SUGAR CRAVINGS AND HYPOGLYCEMIA
• UNEXPLAINED FATIGUE
• CHRONIC FATIGUE
• CONSTIPATION
• MUSCLE CRAMPS AND SPASMS
• PROBLEMS DIGESTING FATS AND OILS
• SLUGGISH LIVER
• COPPER TOXICITY
• WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN? Thyroid function can break down for various reasons. Here is a simple explanation of what can go wrong.
  1. Thyroid hormone is made from a protein called TYROSINE. Tyrosine can be made by converting phenalalinine, another protein, into tyrosine. This is done using iron. If iron is too low, this will not occur.
  2. Once tyrosine is made, it goes to the thyroid gland. The mineral mangansese is then used to help convert it into thyroxin. Thyroxin is also called T4. This is the same substance that doctors give as medication. Iodine found in kelp and sea food is also involved.
  3. Once thyroxin is made it goes to the liver. Some of it is set aside as reserve.This is called reserve T4.The body puts some in reserve for times of illness or stress. In the liver, it is changed to T3. T3 is actually the hormone the body will later use.
     This conversion is dependent upon zinc. Excessive levels of copper will interfere with this conversion.
  4. Once converted, T3 must be accepted by the cells of our body. Our cells are more or less responsive to T3. Excess amounts of calcium make the cells less responsive while potassium makes them more responsive.
  5. Once in the cell, the mineral selenium helps the hormone work. Low levels of the mineral will cause inactivity of the hormone. Selenium also helps the production of an enzyme that aids in the conversion of T4 to T3.

  Imbalances of the above nutrients can cause a condition where the enzymes involved in T3 conversion and in helping the hormone to work can be hogged by reserve T4. During times of illness and stress the body forms more reserve T4 thinking it will soon need it.The basis of low thyroid conditions that do not show up in blood work is that the nutrients involved in the conversion of T4 to T3 and that help it work become too low. So, while the hormone levels may show up normal in the blood, the hormone is of poor quality and does not work well.

  THE SOLUTION!!!

  A four step program has recently been developed to help restore proper thyroid function. The first step is to eliminate any infections, particularly viruses, which can attack the thyroid.

  The next step is to detoxify the liver and digestive tract so that the nutrients needed for thyroid function can be utilized.

  The third step is to detoxify the body from toxic metals such as mercury and copper which are commonly found in excess in low thyroid function. The last step is to rebalance the body with any of the above mentioned nutrients.

  When the body has accumulated proper levels of nutrients, the thyroid has a chance to begin working again. We have seen that body temperatures begin to rise again after a few months in most cases.

  There are many approaches to improving thyroid function from the comfort of your own home.  Everyone will respond differently and it is important to contact a specialist if you are not seeing any changes on your own. Look at all the benefits of turmeric to improve thryoid function.

  SYNTHETIC MEDICATION MANY TIMES DOESN’T WORK

  Some times patients who are put on medication will find that after an initial improvement, their symptoms either return or even worsen. This is because after taking thyroid medication the thyroid gland will actually stop producing thyroid on its own. Also, some people have an auto-immune problem where their own body is attacking the thyroid gland. It usually does this as a result of a viral or parasitic infection in the gland. Once the infection is eliminated, the person must be very careful to not take anything too stimulating to the thyroid as it can cause the immune system to attack the gland.

  The most important thing is to be tested by a nutritionist in order to determine if you have any vitamin or mineral imbalances that are involved in thyroid function. Excesses of vitamins and minerals can also cause this condition by blocking the function of the nutrients above.

  Diets low in protein and high in fats can interfere with thyroid function. Adequate protein is required in order to produce thyroid hormone. Fat has been found to be antagonistic to thyroid function and lower metabolism.

  Thiocyanates found in vegetables from the cabbage family have an antagonistic effect to the thyroid. Excessive intake of thiocyanates can cause a disease called goiter. Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid also becomes slow and underactive.

  The good news is that there is hope in correcting slow thyroid function in many people. Age is not a factor. As long as someone still has a portion of their thyroid gland undamaged, it is possible that it may begin to produce the hormone again on its own.

  Michael Biamonte holds a Doctorate of Nutripathy, and is a New York State certified Clinical Nutritionist. He is a professional member of the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists,The American College of Nutrition and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. He is listed in “The Directory of Distinguished Americans” for his research in Nutrition and Physiology.