Dr. Broda Barnes, called low thyroid function, "The Unsuspected
Illness", because the usual blood tests can be completely normal and
the diagnosis can be easily missed.  The correct diagnosis depends on
noticing symptoms such as low energy, fatigue and tiredness.  Other
symptoms include:  weight gain, cold hands and feet, depression,
slowness of thought, headaches, facial swelling, fluid retention, dry
skin, brittle nails, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, and
fertility problems.  The body temperature may be low and the patient
prefers to set the room thermostat very high (for example, 81 degrees).

The Thyroid Gland and Thyroid Hormone:

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped gland in the neck on
either side of the windpipe.  It is responsible for the secretion of
thyroid hormone which speeds up the body's metabolism by increasing the
number and size of the mitochondria.  The mitochondria are the little
microscopic factories which make energy and heat for the cell
functions.

Iodine Deficiency:

If the diet is deficient in iodine, the thyroid gland enlarges and
forms a goiter along with the usual symptoms of hypothyroidism.  In
1924, iodized salt was introduced into the nation which eliminated the
occurrence of goiter in the population.  The recommended daily
allowance for iodine in the U.S. is only 150 micrograms.  In Japan, the
daily intake of Iodine is 100 times greater and is associated with many
health benefits for Japan.  This observation led Drs. David Brownstein
and Guy Abraham to suggest that a daily iodine intake closer to the
amount in the Japanese diet might also be beneficial for us.

The TSH Thyroid Test:

The thyroid gland's production of thyroid hormone is controlled by the
master gland in the brain called the "pituitary gland" which releases
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).  The TSH then travels in the blood
stream to the thyroid gland and instructs it to produce more thyroid
(T4) hormone. When the thyroid gland has difficulty making T4 due to
Iodine deficiency or damage to the thyroid gland, then the TSH level
can be quite high.  High TSH indicates low thyroid function.

Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism:

So, how is it that hypothyroidism can be missed by today's conventional
medical system?   That's because we now rely  exclusively on the TSH
test and other blood tests to make the diagnosis of low thyroid.  The
fact is that the thyroid blood tests may be normal even though there is
low thyroid.  In recognition of this problem, the normal ranges for the
TSH test have been changed a number of times in the past few years.
(see below). According to Mark Starr, M.D., the best way to diagnose
hypothyroidism is with a careful medical history, physical examination
and measurement of the basal body temperature.

The Basal Body Temperature:

Taking basal body temperature is easy. Simply check your axillary
(armpit)  or oral temperature with an inexpensive thermometer available
at any drugstore.  The best time is first thing in the morning upon
waking for three or four consecutive days. If the average temperature
is below 97.8 Fahrenheit, then the diagnosis of a low functioning
thyroid system is likely.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism with Natural Thyroid Extract:

Once the diagnosis is made based on history, physical examination and
the low basal body temperatures, the next step is a therapeutic trial
of thyroid hormone.  Dr. Broda Barnes preferred to use a natural
thyroid extract such as Armour Desiccated Thyroid Hormone rather than
the more widely used synthetic thyroid medication.  Dosage is started
low and gradually increased every month while monitoring symptoms,
basal temperature and pulse rate.  Dosage is increased while watching
for signs of thyroid excess such as nervousness, difficulty sleeping,
rapid pulse etc.  Should signs of excess appear, then the thyroid
medication is reduced.  Such a trial of thyroid is inexpensive and safe
for most patients.  Many doctors mistakenly believe that once thyroid
medication is started, that patients must continue for life.  According
to Dr. Barnes, this is incorrect, and there are times when a patient
may be weaned off their thyroid medication with return of thyroid
function.

Benefits of Thyroid Treatment:

According to Dr. Broda Barnes, hypothyroid patients who receive thyroid
therapy benefit greatly from reduced risk of heart disease, arthritis,
and cancer.  Dr. Barnes made these statements based upon the review of
cause of death for 70,000 autopsy studies from Graz, Austria which is a
goiter area. He felt that all patients with coronary artery disease
should be checked carefully for low thyroid and treated if found.
Thyroid hormone is often helpful for patients suffering from depression
which is unresponsive to other treatments, even when the blood tests
are normal.

Changing the Normal Values for the TSH Test:

On November 2002, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
changed the normal TSH values.  Previous normal bounds were 0.5 to 5.0,
and these were changed to 0.3 to 3.04.  The National Academy of
Clinical Biochemistry, wants to change them again and says "In the
future, the upper limit of the serum TSH reference range will be
reduced to 2.5 mIU/L

"A serum TSH result between 0.5 and 2.0 mIU/L is generally considered
the therapeutic target for a standard L-T4 (thyroid hormone)
replacement dose for primary hypothyroidism."

Work with your Physician:

As usual, it is important to work in partnership with a knowledgable
physician.  To find one in your area, call the AmericanAcademy for the
Advancement of Medicine (ACAM) 1-888-439-6891, or visit the web site:
http://www.acam.org/

Recommended Reading:

Hypothyroidism: the Unsuspected Illness, by Broda O. Barnes,M.D., 1976,
Harper.
http://www.brodabarnes.org/

Hypothyroidism Type 2, the Hidden Epidemic, by Mark Starr, M.D., 2005
Mark Starr Trust, Columbia, Missouri
http://www.type2hypothyroidism.com/

Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It, by David
Brownstein, M.D.   2005,  http://www.drbrownstein.com

Jeffrey Dach, M.D. is double board certified with 25 years of
experience in the Memorial Healthcare System. His office in Hollywood
Florida is devoted to anti-aging medical solutions with bio-identical
hormones and targeted nutritional supplementation. You are invited to
visit his web site: http://www.drdach.com/

Other interesting health care related articles:

http://barnesworld.blogs.com/barnes_world/2007/01/jeffrey_dach_on.html
http://barnesworld.blogs.com/barnes_world/2006/11/jeffrey_dach_sa_1.html

drdrach drdoch drdach drdask jefrey dash jeffrey dach

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