FACTS ABOUT THYROID DISEASES

By: Dr. Jesse A. Stoff

If our thyroid is running way below it's functional capacity to help to support our metabolic rate and our metabolism at large, there are many things that can lead to Thyroiditis or Hypothyroidism. One of them is an inflammation of the thyroid called thyroiditis. Thyroiditis can occur as a result of various toxins that can cause damage to the thyroid or various infections that can hit the thyroid, causing a secondary inflammatory immune counterattack that can also lead to collateral damage and an attack of the thyroid tissue itself, and/or attack of the thyroid hormone.

When the thyroid hormones and/or tissue are attacked, it causes a hypothyroid situation because the person may be producing enough of the thyroid hormone but because it's being shoot up by the antibodies you can't get from point A to point B, as efficiently as it should. Then we suffer the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Some of the symptoms may include things such as weight gain, trouble with focus, memory, concentration, sleep disturbance, swelling of the thyroid tissue, and a goiter that can occur around the lower part of the neck.

Some of the symptoms that occur will include a swelling of the thyroid gland, which is located on the lower part of our neck. And sometimes this swelling of the thyroid can be quite dramatic, so that you can see it quite easily just looking at the person. And on the inside, it can cause pressure on the esophagus, and difficulty with some swallowing. It may feel like we have a little lump in our throat or it's hard to swallow certain things because of the swelling of the thyroid tissue.

When we treat somebody with hypothyroidism, the first thing that we do is take a look at the blood test, and see what's going on there. The blood test will include looking at the pituitary hormone, TSH, which has to stimulate the production of the thyroid hormones. We look at the different active thyroid hormones, free T3, and the hormones that are converted to it, free T4, etc., total thyroid hormones. And another hormone of the thyroid produces called reverse T3, which forms a dynamic balance with the active thyroid hormone and helps to regulate its function.

Another part of the evaluation will be to look at the thyroid gland with a safe, simple painless test called a thyroid ultrasound. This takes some pictures of the thyroid with sound waves. And allows us to look at the structure of the thyroid, and see if there are any lumps or bumps there that shouldn't be. Because unfortunately, one of the things that also causes thyroid disease is thyroid cancer. So we wanna be a little bit on the vigilant side to make sure there's not something like that going on in the background, because then it would have to be treated in an entirely different way.

Assuming that there is no sign of any thyroid cancer, and the hypothyroidism is addressed based upon the inflammatory markers that I mentioned earlier, looking for the production and activity of antithyroid antibodies. And thus from there, we work with the immune system to down regulate the production of these antibodies, stabilize the different arms of the immune system, neutralize the inflammatory molecules with things such as essential fatty acids and Vitamin C, Vitamin E, et cetera. And also the use of thyroid hormone.

I like to use different natural thyroid hormones, whether it be Armour Thyroid, Westhroid, Nature-Throid or compound of thyroid because this is a naturally balanced molecule containing both T3 and T4, so the body can recognize it a little bit easier, and it's a little bit gentler on the biochemistry, I find. And it's easy to adjust the dosage by monitoring the levels of thyroid hormone. Also, if a person has an active thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease, then these natural thyroid products are critical because they act on what are called alternate antigens, they're critical in the treatment of the thyroiditis, helping to down regulate the immune system, and shut off the abnormal antibody production.

By putting together a comprehensive individualized treatment strategy, hypothyroidism can be addressed easily by looking at these blood tests and looking at some of the other organs that support and work with the thyroid such as the adrenal glands. Supporting that organ as well, the person can have a remarkably increased quality of life, feeling better, with more energy, better focus and concentration, enjoying their life to the fullest. This could be done with an individualized treatment protocol. Speak to your doctor, and be well.

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DR. JESSE A. STOFF is an internationally renowned physician with extensive credentials in clinical immunology and holistic medicine. A graduate of New York Medical College, he pursued extensive post-doctoral training including a fellow- ship at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in London, England. He has authored/co-authored countless articles and 8 books including co-authoring the bestseller "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Hidden Epidemic" and The Prostate Miracle.

This article is produced and written by the writing team at IMMUNOLOGY TODAY- The Official Newsletter of Integrative Medicine of N.Y. of Westbury NY-- Edited and co-published by Dr. Jesse A. Stoff exclusively for the purposes of this blogpost (Immunology Today) and rejuvenatesoliutions.com The publisher(s) hold all rights (c) to all elements, images and content herein.  All distribution, sharing or re-posting of this article is only with the express permission from Dr. Stoff and Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness). 265 Post Ave. Suite 380 Westbury, NY 11590  |  516.759.4200  |  www.StoffImmunology.com.   Rejuvenate! is a registered trademark of Intermedia Communications Ltd. All written content in this newsletter is produced by the Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) exclusively for private distribution at the Integrative Medicine of NY ©2016- All Rights Reserved.

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