Thyroid Conditions

Anyone with thyroid problems should read this blog. If you have trouble losing weight, or feel depressed or tired, it could be your thyroid. The thyroid sets your metabolism and energy level. Learn how to detect reduced thyroid function, the causes of thyroid problems, and how to heal your thyroid.

What is the Thyroid?

This remarkable gland in the neck affects every cell in your body, regulating cell metabolism like a thermostat. Your body needs a constant level of heat to perform its functions. There’s a huge difference in how your cells function, depending on whether they are cold or warm. When your thyroid function is low (what is called a ‘sluggish’ thyroid or hypothyroid), it doesn’t produce enough active hormones, your own immune system is fighting your thyroid or something is preventing the hormones from getting into cells, so your whole system slows down.

And that is the way you tend to feel if your thyroid is not able to do its job well. Receptors for thyroid hormone are found throughout the body, and disturbance in thyroid functioning can cause problems in almost every system of the body from the heart and GI tract and blood pressure to sleep, mood, even the growth of hair, skin and nails.

Common Thyroid Problems

Thyroid imbalance and disease is one of the most common conditions in the Western world today. Thyroid problems are worse in women. Common types of thyroid imbalances include:

  • Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid
  • Grave’s disease or hyperthyroidism, overactive thyroid
  • Thyroid nodules, benign growths on the thyroid
  • Goiters, swelling of the thyroid gland (see photo)

All of the conditions above can usually be handled better with natural methods of care than with regular medical treatments. The only time that hormone therapy is needed is if one has absolutely no thyroid gland left due to surgery or radioactive iodine treatments. Your thyroid can be completely healed and restored to normal function. In almost all cases, thyroid hormone replacement therapy may give symptomatic relief, but it will impair complete healing of your thyroid.

This article discusses all methods that are used to treat thyroid conditions, but highlights a more effective way to handle most thyroid conditions through Myers Detox Protocol with hair mineral analysis. The correction is slower, but it is permanent.

Symptoms

Symptoms of low thyroid often develop gradually and can sometimes take years to manifest. If you suspect you may have a thyroid problem, look at your symptoms and your history carefully, yourself. Nothing is more important than your own sense about how our own body is working — or not working. You always want to look at symptoms of thyroid problems, instead of relying only on tests, as most medical doctors do. You can’t always rely on tests because they are not sensitive or comprehensive enough to diagnose everyone’s thyroid issues. The thyroid can become sluggish in many ways, many of which will not show up on tests your doctor performs. Just because your tests are normal does not mean much. If symptoms strongly suggest there is a thyroid problem, you should ignore negative test results and treat your thyroid.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

  • Uncomfortably heavy since childhood
  • Family history of thyroid problems
  • As a child, played quietly rather than vigorously
  • Weight gain began when you got your period, had a miscarriage, gave birth, or began menopause
  • Low energy, fatigue, need lots of sleep (more than 8 hours), trouble getting going in the morning
  • Tendency to feel cold, particularly in the hands and feet
  • Tendency toward excessive weight gain or inability to lose weight
  • Hoarseness, gravelly voiceimages4
  • Constipation
  • Depression, including postpartum
  • Low blood pressure
  • Low heart rate
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Poor concentration and memory
  • Swollen eyelids and face, general water retention
  • Cellulite formation
  • Thinning or loss of outside of eyebrows
  • Weak, brittle nails
  • Coarse, dry hair
  • Hair loss
  • Tend to have a low temperature (under 97.8)
  • Headaches (including migraines)
  • High cholesterol
  • Lump in throat, trouble swallowing (e.g. pills)
  • Goiter; enlarged, swollen, or lumpy thyroid (look at the base of your throat, below your Adam’s apple)
  • Infertility, impotence
  • Fibrous or fibrocystic breasts
  • Development of ovarian cysts
  • Menstrual problems, including excessive bleeding, severe cramping, irregular periods, severe PMS, scanty flow; early or late onset of first period; premature cessation of menstruation (amenorrhea)

Symptoms more Common in Menopausal or Older Women

Menopause symptoms and thyroid symptoms overlap. Don’t let your doctor dismiss your thyroid symptoms as menopause. Investigate.

  • Pale skin
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Hair loss
  • Labored, difficult breathing
  • Swollen feetimages-25
  • Nervousness, anxiety, panic
  • Enlarged heart
  • Premature graying
  • Gallbladder pain
  • Pain in joints
  • Angina
  • Heart palpitation, irregular heartbeat
  • Muscle weakness
  • Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
  • Strong-smelling urine
  • Tongue feels thick
  • Vision and eye problems
  • Excess ear wax

Causes

For most people, there is more than one trigger for low thyroid function.

Genetics. You have relatives that have thyroid problems.

Low-Calorie Dieting and Nutrient-Deficient Diets. Within hours of restricting calories, the thyroid will slow down and remain slow until the ordeal (the famine, the diet) is over. Many dieters suffer a metabolic decline that never ends until the condition is treated. For them, the permanent slowdown of calorie burning results in the familiar post-diet rebound weight gain.

Hormonal Events. Hormonal events throw many vulnerable people into low-thyroid states. Even if you passed through puberty normally, a miscarriage, abortion, or pregnancy may have depressed your thyroid function. The final hormonal trigger, menopause, is often confused with low thyroid function, as symptoms look very similar.

bigstock-water-splash-in-glass-isolated-15040283-201x300Chemicals in Water. The water supply is loaded with halogens like fluoride, chlorine, and bromine, which compete with iodine for absorption in our bodies and suppress thyroid function. Perhaps this is why so many people seem to have low thyroid symptoms; most water supplies are treated with fluoride and chlorine. Every time you take a shower, your skin absorbs both these chemicals. Get a shower or whole house filter. Every time you swim in a pool or jacuzzi, you absorb chlorine or bromine. Drink spring water or be sure your water filter removes chlorine, fluoride and hydrocarbons (another thyroid suppressor). Time to switch to fluoride free toothpaste!

Excess Estrogen. Increased estrogen and progesterone bind to thyroid hormones, preventing them from being used by the body. A common cause of thyroid problems is increased estrogen due to birth control pills. Excess estrogens in the body can also be caused by poor liver function or break down of estrogens and excess body fat (which actively produces estrogen). Even if you have low estrogen levels, you can be plagued with estrogen-mimicking substances that block thyroid hormones. For a complete list of estrogenic substances to avoid, see my article Estrogen Dominance Syndrome.

Copper and Mercury Toxicity. Copper and mercury interfere with the thyroid by antagonizing or opposing zinc, manganese and selenium needed for thyroid function. Unfortunately, copper and mercury toxicity are almost universal today. Mercury gets into our bodies from dental fillings, fish except small ones like sardines, and the burning of coal, which releases mercury in the air. To learn more, read Mercury Toxicity. Copper toxicity can be due to adrenal insufficiency, vegetarian diets, zinc deficiency, stress, etc. To learn more, read Copper Toxicity Syndrome. You can also listen to this fantastic podcast about Copper Dysregulation.

Nutrient Deficiencies. These include low levels in our food of bioavailable zinc, selenium, iodine, manganese and others needed for proper thyroid functioning. The thyroid also needs protein, though many people don’t eat enough.

Parasites. Parasites can exacerbate thyroid problems. You can do Infrared Saunas to kill them, as parasites can’t stand the heat. Additionally, you can follow a Myers Detox Protocol program, which addresses parasites with supplements. When the body is nourished and detoxed on a Myers Detox Protocol program, parasites cannot survive. This method treats the host by making them healthier, rather than just treating the parasite. If the host is not healthy, a parasite can be very hard to kill, even taking years.

Vegetarian Diets. Eating a vegetarian diet can cause you to become anemic or iron deficient, needed for vigorous thyroid function, along with other nutrients such as selenium and zinc. These nutrients are found plentifully in red meat but are more difficult to get from foods on a vegetarian eating plan, especially if you are vegan (no animal products). I advise eating red meat once a week for healthy thyroid function.

Soy. Soy can have a powerfully negative effect on your thyroid, actually inhibiting its ability to produce its primary hormone, T4. Soy is in all fast food and most processed foods. If you are having a lot of soy milk, edamame, tofu, soy burgers, soy shakes, soy bars or you’ve started on a diet program where the meal replacement shakes/bars/snacks use soy as their protein source, you may want to reconsider. For more information, see my article Little Known Dangers of Soy.

Goitrogens. Goitrogenic foods (members of the cabbage family) contain thiocyanates, which inhibit thyroid function. Cooking only destroys this compound in goitrogenic foods to a degree. These include Chinese cabbage, broccoli, watercress, kale, rutabaga, turnips, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, radish, horseradish, kohlrabi, collard, rape and mustard greens. Millet is the most goitrogenic food on earth. Beware of it in gluten-free products. They beauty is that you don’t have to worry about avoiding goitrogenic foods as long as you have sufficient iodine in your diet. Goitrogens only present a problem to your thyroid in the absence of sufficient iodine.

Iodine. Our thyroid hormones are composed of tyrosine (an amino acid, protein building block) and iodine. Tyrosine is easy to find in all animal, and in many vegetable, protein sources. Iodine is harder to find. So, the government began iodizing salt to prevent goiter (caused by too little iodine). As a result, autoimmune thyroiditis, aka Hashimoto’s (caused by too much iodine), became epidemic. Too much iodine can also cause hyperthyroidism. One quarter of men and up to half of women are iodine deficient. If you squirm at the thought of eating fish or seaweed, Hain makes iodized sea salt or you can take Kelp supplements. I love Oregon’s Wild Harvest Kelp. Many need three capsules a day. Not all the iodine in the kelp supplements are absorbed so you are getting much less than what is stated on the bottle. You must also figure in all the iodine that is blocked in your system by halogens like fluoride, chlorine and bromine. We are constantly bombarded with these iodine blockers, so you need to ingest far more than the recommended 200mg per day to account for this effect.

Salt. What kind of salt should you use? One-quarter teaspoon of iodized salt delivers 130 micrograms. The daily minimum requirement of iodine for survival is 150 micrograms. Sea salt contains many minerals (about 100), but almost no iodine, while iodized salt has been stripped of all minerals (except sodium chloride). So, if you use sea salt, be sure to eat plenty of fish and seaweed.

Intolerance to Gluten. Wheat, rye, and barley contain a thyroid-irritating substance called gluten. Gluten intolerance is a common cause of Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition that often clears up when victims stop eating breads, pastas, pastries, etc. Many people achieve normalization of their thyroid function when adopting a gluten-free diet. For more information, see my article Gluten Sensitivity Affects 1 in 3.

Excessive Stimulant Use. Many stimulants such as sugar, caffeine, cocaine and others temporarily increase thyroid activity. However, when the stimulant dose wears off, a rebound action causes lowered thyroid activity. Reduced thyroid function and adrenal fatigue (which negatively impacts the thyroid) can happen if you abuse stimulants for too long.

Prescription Drugs. Estrogen (including the estrogen in birth control pills) and lithium are well known thyroid-inhibiting drugs. Sulfa drugs and antidiabetic drugs also slow thyroid function. Prozac is full of fluoride, another thyroid inhibiting substance. There are many thyroid inhibiting medications too numerous to list.

Stress.  Stress weakens the thyroid gland. The stress can be physical, emotional, financial, or other.

Tension in the Neck. Tension can overstimulate or irritate the nerves going to the thyroid gland. One must release the tension on the nerves leading to the thyroid that are in the neck and cervical spine area. This can be accomplished with Reiki or other healing modalities.

Injury. Head injuries often adversely affect the thyroid. Whiplash, which affects the throat, often seems to affect thyroid function.

Thyroid Malfunction 101

Problems can occur at any stage of the production, release, conversion or utilization of thyroid hormone. Thyroid gland metabolism involves many steps, all of which must work properly. Here I offer you a broad view of the problems that can interfere in your thyroid function:

The Pituitary Gland must Secrete the Right Amount of TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.  This causes the thyroid to secrete thyroxine, T4. T4, tetra-iodothyronine, consists of the amino acid tyrosine plus four iodine molecules. It is the primary hormone manufactured by the thyroid gland. Sixteen percent of T4 is used directly by the cells. The rest is converted into its sister hormone T3.

Hormone Production in the Thyroid Gland. T4 production requires manganese, iodine, selenium, tyrosine, vitamins C and B-complex, and many other micronutrients that are low in our food today. If you eat poor quality food, raw food except dairy products, refined foods, or a vegetarian diet, you will not get enough nutrients to supply the thyroid with all its nutritional needs to make thyroid hormones.

Conversion of T4 to T3. T3, tri-iodothyronine, consists of the amino acid tyrosine plus three iodine molecules. It has the greatest effect on the body’s metabolic function. Once inside the cells, thyroxine, T4 must be converted to T3, a more active form of the hormone. Many people are unable to perform this conversion due to nutrient deficiencies.

unknown3Absorption Into the Cells. T4 must be absorbed into the cells to be utilized. For this to occur, the cell membranes must function properly. Accumulation of biounavailable calcium and magnesium reduce cell permeability. Oxidative stress from lack of antioxidants or a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids can also block absorption of T4. Copper affects absorption by altering calcium and potassium levels. Cadmium or nickel toxicity affect hormone absorption by influencing levels of calcium, sodium and other critical minerals.

Utilization in the Mitochondria. The mitochondria are the energy production powerhouses of the cells. Any problem with them and you’ll have low energy and low metabolism. Potassium plays a role in sensitizing the mitochondria to thyroid hormone. Without this, the mitochondria simply do not respond to thyroid hormones. The mitochondria, however, also require many nutrients such as B-complex vitamins, iron, copper and many others to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is like refined gasoline that our bodies use for fuel. If any nutrients are deficient, or toxins block critical steps in the energy production pathways, thyroid hormones or hormone replacement will be ineffective in increasing energy production. This is why some people will find that their tests come out normal or they take thyroid meds and they don’t work.

Infection in the Thyroid. Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition, is the term used to describe when your body’s own immune system is attacking your thyroid. Many experts believe this is the reason for the majority of low thyroid function. If not corrected, it can result in the complete destruction of the thyroid, requiring medication for life. Testing for thyroid antibodies easily indicates Hashimoto’s. Some believe this is merely an infection in the thyroid the body is trying to kill, but in effect harms the thyroid in the process.

Poor Binding of Thyroid Hormone. Another reason for low thyroid symptoms is poor binding of T3 to protein complexes inside cells. These protein complexes have three parts. If any one of these parts is missing, then the complex cannot be made. They consist of Vitamin A, Vitamin D and cortisol. A deficiency in any of these items can cause low thyroid symptoms. Cortisol is made by the adrenal glands, illustrating why low adrenal function affects thyroid function.

Excess Binding of Thyroid Hormone. Thyroid hormones are ‘free’ or bound to proteins. When the majority of thyroid hormones are bound and cannot get into cells, a person will experience low thyroid symptoms. Estrogen is a common binder of thyroid hormones. A vast number of people have what is called estrogen dominance due to numerous estrogenic substances in our environment — even if testing shows they have low estrogen (e.g. menopausal women). For more information on how to reduce estrogen levels and estrogen-mimicking substances that bind thyroid hormones, read my article Estrogen Dominance Syndrome.

Inadequate Circulation to the Thyroid Gland. Good circulation allows nutrients and TSH into the thyroid. Tension in the neck area can impair circulation to the thyroid area. Chiropractic, inverted yoga postures, postural work, Rolfing, and other types of body therapies can correct this. Stress reduction is important.

The Adrenal Link. The adrenal glands manage your stress response by releasing adrenaline, cortisol and other hormones when you’re stressed. Too much stress can lead to adrenal fatigue. Because adrenal fatigue can reduce thyroid function, it is crucial to test your adrenals as well as your thyroid. The adrenals and thyroid work as a team. If the adrenals become overactive during chronic stress, the thyroid may slow down to try to calm the system. If the thyroid fails, the adrenals can get overworked and run down. If you have thyroid problems, but hormone treatment isn’t working, your adrenals may be exhausted. See my article Epidemic Adrenal Fatigue to learn ways to heal your adrenals. Unless both the thyroid and adrenals are functioning well, your energy, weight, and general health cannot be optimal.

A Myers Detox Protocol program will address and heal all aspects mentioned above to heal your thyroid for good. You do not need to take thyroid hormones for the rest of your life.

Diagnosis and Treatment

I am going to cover all the ways in which thyroid treatment is approached so that you can see the weaknesses and strengths of diagnosis and treatment in each modality. Choose the method you are most comfortable with.

Conventional Western Medicine

The most common test for thyroid function in conventional western medicine is the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test. The TSH measures the thyroid-stimulating hormone sent by the pituitary gland, which communicates to the thyroid gland how much thyroid hormones the body needs at any given time. The ideal range is 1-2. Levels greater than 2 indicate that the body needs more thyroid hormone. However, many doctors don’t believe in treating a thyroid issues until the levels reach 5-6, considering it ‘subclinical’ if it’s 3 or 4. So, you walk out of the office being told your tests were normal.

Since many thyroid problems are caused by reasons other than lack of TSH, your doctor will miss it. Often T3 and T4 are normal. High TSH is a better indicator, but most doctors do not know what to do with it provided the T3 and T4 are normal. Giving more thyroid hormones is not indicated here. Too often, doctors tell patients their thyroid tests are normal.

Once a doctor has finally diagnosed you as hypothyroid, he will prescribe a synthetic T4 hormone replacement therapy with common brand names including Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl, or Euthyrox. This may work for some people, but is an overly simplistic approach, as many thyroid issues do not resolve with just supplementing this one hormone. If these medications are ineffective, he may suggest a synthetic T3 like Cytomel. However, the body almost always responds better to natural hormone therapy. This should always be tried first, though some do better on synthetics, like people with Hashimoto’s.

Conventional medicine also maintains the premise that once hormone replacement therapy begins, the thyroid will stop producing hormones and replacement must be continued for life. While the thyroid will reduce hormone production, as the body knows they are not needed when you supplement, you do not have to take medication for life. Modern medicine simply does not provide a solution to heal the thyroid.

Holistic Medicine

A naturopathic physician, doctor of osteopathy, or very good holistic physician or endocrinologist, is more likely to run a full battery of tests, including free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and antithyroglobuin and antimicrosomal antibodies (signaling an autoimmune thyroid dysfunction). While this is certainly more thorough, it does not cover all the bases. Thyroid physiology is very complex. Just measuring the serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH, and perhaps thyroid antibodies is just touching the surface of the problem and wholly inadequate.

Your naturopath or progressive doctor will recommend taking a natural thyroid replacement hormone, derived from pig hormones. Pigs have the most humanlike thyroid glands. Brands include Armourthroid, Westhroid, Naturethroid (I like this one the best), and Thyrolar (contains artificial food coloring). These typically include T4 and T3 hormones, but also have the added benefit of containing T2 and T1 like your own thyroid produces. The natural products contain many nutrients like iodine, selenium and other minerals vital for thyroid activity.

As everyone has different physiology and different thyroid problems, these will work for most people, but not all. Be patient with thyroid medications. Finding the right medicine or combination and dose takes time and care. Some people feel better within days; others take months to find the right dose or combination. Hormone replacement can reduce symptoms, but does not address or heal the cause of your thyroid malfunction. Additionally, one’s one thyroid begins making less and less thyroid hormones because it doesn’t need to since you’re supplementing. This can result in you having to increase your medication over time.

images-11

Problems with taking thyroid replacement hormones of any kind, natural or synthetic, include:

  • Hormone therapies do nothing to improve the conversion of T4 to T3.  However, one can supplement with T3 hormones if this is the problem.
  • They do not assist passage of thyroid hormone through the cell membrane.
  • They do not assist the absorption of T3 into the mitochondria.
  • They do not assist the normal production of ATP in the mitochondria, which require many nutrients.
  • They do not assist the body to “burn” or utilize ATP, the molecule the body uses to produce energy.
  • They do not address excess estrogen in the body.
  • A poor diet can offset the effects of hormones.
  • Overwhelming stress can offset the effects of hormones.
  • Hormone replacement completely mixes up the delicate feedback system that regulates pituitary TSH production, thyroid hormone synthesis, and all the other steps in this complex process.
  • Without adequate mineral supplementation, too much thyroid medication over a long period can demineralize your bones.
  • Common adverse symptoms include a wired, agitated feeling, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, feeling hot, and diarrhea.
  • Allergic to corn? Do not take Armourthroid.
  • Allergic to milk? Do not take Synthroid.

Myers Detox Protocol

Myers Detox

Myers Detox Protocol is a system of balancing your body’s biochemistry with diet, supplements and detox methods. This program is typically completely successful in restoring normal thyroid activity by healing all the factors that contribute to thyroid disorders. It assesses your thyroid, and overall health, with a hair mineral analysis. It takes 2-3 years to remove all the chlorine, bromine and fluoride compounds from the thyroid gland, replenish nutrients, and balance the body chemistry. Daily infrared sauna therapy and coffee enemas will usually speed up this process.

Hair mineral assessment of the thyroid via hair mineral analysis is totally different from blood level hormone testing typically performed. The usual test you get from your doctor shows you a snapshot of your thyroid from one angle, but it’s not the whole picture. The hair test has the advantage of being a cellular test – it looks at a different angle. The hair analysis measures a metabolic or cellular effect of the thyroid hormones upon the metabolic rate. If your calcium is too high, this will block your thyroid hormones form entering cells effectively, thus diminishing their effect. It also measures the levels of certain trace minerals and toxic metals that affect the thyroid. It does not measure the levels of circulating serum hormones like you would with your doctor. It is showing what is happening to the thyroid hormone once it leaves the thyroid.

The hair test provides an average reading over a three-month period. This is also advantageous because thyroid activity can vary depending on the time of day, or one’s activity level. Thyroid hormone tests are merely a snapshot of your thyroid activity at the time you have your blood drawn. Hair assessment is often far more accurate, though not always. The hair tests from TEI labs used in Myers Detox Protocol are not like other hair mineral tests, as the hair mineral analysis serves as the basis to provide a complete healing program including diet, supplementation, detox and lifestyle recommendations.

The hair mineral test detects thyroid dysfunction a number of ways:

1. Hair calcium. The higher the level of hair calcium, in general, the lower the effective activity of the thyroid gland. This occurs because one of the effects of T3 and T4 is to lower calcium levels in the tissues and blood. Lower calcium is associated with increased cell permeability. This may allow more thyroid hormone to enter the cells, increasing the cellular effect of the same amount of circulating serum thyroid hormones.

2. Hair potassium. Lower hair potassium is associated with reduced cellular effects of thyroid hormones. Dr. Eck felt this occurs because it is known that low potassium is associated with reduced sensitivity of the mitochondrial receptors to thyroid hormone. Also, low potassium and sodium are associated with reduced cell permeability to thyroid hormones. This means that even if serum T4 and T3 thyroid hormone levels are normal, when tissue potassium is low they may not be utilized, resulting in a low thyroid effect.

3. Manganese deficiency or biounavailability. Manganese deficiency or biounavailability are very common today. Manganese is required for energy production in the mitochondria of the cells. Adrenal exhaustion may contribute to manganese deficiency.

4. Copper Dysregulation. Copper toxicity or deficiency can stimulate the thyroid in an unnatural way. It may play a role in hypothyroidism and in Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism). Copper assessment is tricky using hair mineral analysis. One cannot go by the copper level on the first test. Instead, one must look for hidden copper indicators or look for increased copper on future tests. Copper imbalance is very important in thyroid conditions.

5. Selenium. Selenium is required to produce thyroid hormone and to convert T4 to T3. It is also required to detoxify and remove most heavy metals and toxic chemicals from the body. Hair analysis show selenium levels. Most people need more selenium today.

6. Mercury. Mercury can accumulate in the thyroid gland, altering its functioning. Mercury in your hair is almost guaranteed given that mercury toxicity is epidemic today. A very low level is no guarantee that it is not present and may show more on subsequent tests.

Based upon the causes of thyroid dysfunction, one can see why the accepted medical method of just giving more thyroid hormones to those with low circulating levels of T3 or T4 is inadequate. They may address the symptoms, but they do nothing for the cause of the problem. It is at best a partial and artificial solution. For faster progress on a Myers Detox Protocol program, do not take thyroid replacement hormones. Stopping the use of synthetic or natural thyroid hormones will significantly speed up deeper healing.

My Personal Success with Myers Detox Protocol Science

I can attest that Myers Detox Protocol works to heal the thyroid. When I began having trouble losing weight after the birth of my daughter, I sought testing from my naturopathic doctor. However, it took me 18 months before I finally decided to seek help! My T4 and T3 levels were normal, but TSH was too high. The doctor also found a problem with my adrenals (my estrogen was the level of a menopausal woman), but only recommended hormone replacement therapy with estrogen. No thanks! She also recommended a trial of natural thyroid hormones, as it couldn’t hurt. I declined treatment because I felt that these were not long-term solutions. My hunt for how to heal my thyroid began.

Then I discovered a program called Nutritional Balancing (upon which I based Myers Detox Protocol) researching a blog. Upon testing, I had all the indicators of someone with adrenal fatigue and thyroid problems. I had too much biounavailable calcium, preventing my thyroid hormones from getting into my cells. Even though my estrogen was very low, too many estrogenic substances were binding T3 and preventing it from getting into my cells. Additionally, my adrenals were very fatigued, affecting my thyroid function.

After starting the program, I was feeling better within a couple months and my symptoms began clearing. However, the metabolism takes time to rev up so you can begin losing weight. It takes time to balance your body’s biochemistry. After being on the program for a year, I went back for testing with my doctor out of curiosity. Sure enough, my adrenal function improved (which affects the thyroid) and my TSH was back in the normal range. Needless to say, I am thrilled I discovered Nutritional Balancing Science. Over the years I formulated my own similar program called Myers Detox Protocol.

Start a Myers Detox Protocol Program

Learn more about my Myers Detox Protocol and how this amazing holistic program can heal your thyroid, your whole body, help resolve your health issues, and give you optimum health. Health is more than just the resolution of symptoms. You can reverse your health problems and experience more energy than you thought possible.

What has resolved your thyroid issues? Tell me your story by leaving a comment below. I want to know!

This material is for educational purposes only. The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Click Here for References+

1. Haskell, Alexander, ND. Low Thyroid Hormone Symptoms. Advancing Care Publishing, 2010.
2. Hypothyroidism. Analytical Research Labs, 1992.
http://www.arltma.com/Articles/HypothyroidismDoc.htm
3. Shomon, Mary. Armorthroid and Thyrolar. January 26, 2013.
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/thyroiddrugs/a/armour.htm
4. Shomon, Mary. The Menopause Thyroid Solution. Harper Collins, 2009.
5. Shomon, Mary.Living Well with Hypothyroidism. Harper Collins, 2005.
6. Weil, Andrew, MD. Hypothyroidism. Condition Care Guide.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03192/Hypothyroidism.html
7. Wilson, Lawrence, MD. Thyroid Disease and its Healing. July 2011.
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/thyroid.htm 

in Articles/Health Conditions/Survive

Dr Wendy Myers, ND is a detox expert, functional diagnostic nutritionist, NES Bioenergetic Practitioner, and founder of Myersdetox.com. She is the #1 bestselling author of Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue . Additionally, Wendy is the host of The Heavy Metals Summit, the Myers Detox Podcast, and the Supercharged Podcast. Passionate about the importance of detox to live a long and healthy life, she created the revolutionary Myers Detox Protocol , and Mitochondria Detox kit after working with thousands of clients, as well as a range of supplements to help you detox from everyday living and maintain a healthy lifestyle!

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Kylee
Kylee
10 years ago

This is the best article I have read on the subject. Thank you for doing your research and making this so easy to read. I am getting my thyroid tested after my dr found it to be swollen. I am hoping for the best and this article really lays out the options. Thanks again.

Jody
Jody
9 years ago

Do i have to take thyroid hormones after my thyroid has been removed? It was removed 4 years (Graves disease/choking softball size Goiter).

Wendy Myers
9 years ago
Reply to  Jody

Yes. If you have had your thyroid removed you must take thyroid hormones for life.

Debbi
Debbi
8 years ago

Hi Wendy, love your article. I just wish that I would have discovered you when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I had a benign nodule removed on my thyroid when I was nineteen and am now sixty. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism six years ago. Doctors have been watching and testing the nodules since then. They are getting larger and it has been recommended that I have my thyroid removed. I have also been told I have Hashimoto’s. I never had weight problems until menopause. One of my fears after I have surgery is that the doctors will not be able to regulate my hormones. Do you have any advice that may help?

Debbi

Forsythia1
Forsythia1
8 years ago

Thank you for the article. If you know of any essential oils that would be good for the thyroid let me know.

Stassi
Stassi
7 years ago

On one of your podcasts you mentioned that you prefer thyroid glandular over NDT. What is a good brand of thyroid glandular?

Wendy Myers
7 years ago
Reply to  Stassi

I like Ecothyroid by Professional Health products. The benefits of thyroid medication are that you can control the dosage. With glandulars you cannot.

NORMA
NORMA
7 years ago

Love the article – so much amazing information. But…I had my thyroid removed due to papillary cancer and seem to have no choice but to use Synthroid – and I’m allergic to milk. Not sure what applies to me. Also don’t know how 3grams of supplemental calcium daily due to hypocalcemia/hypoparathryoid affects the synthroid and thyroid function. Any thoughts? Thank you for all you do and the inspiration you are!

Wendy Myers
7 years ago
Reply to  NORMA

HI there!
You do have to take thyroid hormones for life. Don’t worry about it. This is fine if you need it. I would not take calcium unless you have testing that shows that you need it. An HTMA is the best way to determine need.