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Any condition that causes malfunction of the thyroid gland results in thyroid disease. The thyroid gland is an important gland that lies at the front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. The gland stores 90 per cent of the body’s iodine, which it uses to produce the hormones thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). These hormones act on almost all the tissues and organs of the body to:
HypodthyrodisimThe classic medical model states hypothyroidism in adults is almost always caused by an autoimmune disease (called Hashimoto’s disease), in which the body’s immune system reacts against the thyroid gland. The damaged gland is unable to produce normal amounts of T3 and T4. This type of thyroid disease is much more common in women than in men. But as you read below you'll see the model is out dated. A recent study showed that nearly 13 million Americans may be unaware of and undiagnosed for their thyroid conditions. Are you one of them? Another study showed that if you are a pregnant woman and you have a low thyroid your child's IQ will be affected. Yet another recent study showed that if you an elderly woman with thyroid problems you will have an increased risk of heart disease The big myth that persists regarding thyroid diagnosis is that an elevated TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level is always required before a diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be made. Normally, the pituitary gland will secrete TSH in response to a low thyroid hormone level. Thus an elevated TSH level would typically suggest an underactive thyroid. Click here to read an interview with Mary Shomon, the Thyroid guide from About.com. HyperthyrodisimWhen the human body is exposed
to excessive amounts of thyroid hormone the result is a disease known as
hyperthyroidism (or thyrotoxicosis). The most common cause of
hyperthyroidism is
Graves' disease, named after the Irish physician Robert J. Graves, who
was among the first to describe it. It is noteworthy that hyperthyroidism is
at least seven times more common in women than in men, although the reasons
for this are poorly understood. Because there is a complex, hereditary
tendency for the production of thyroid autoantibodies, it is not rare for
Graves' disease to occur in many family members. Hyperthyroidism typically begins with a gradual onset of a constellation of symptoms, including increased nervousness and emotional instability associated with a fine tremor of the hands. The patient feels warm, perspires freely, and is intolerant of heat since a greater proportion of the body's energy is dissipated as heat. The pulse races, the heart thumps, and the systolic element of the blood pressure is elevated. In severe cases of hyperthyroidism, heart failure may occur. The drive to physical overactivity is dampened by increasing weakness and easy fatigue. Bowel movements may be normal, but they are often punctuated by bouts of diarrhea. Menstrual periods may become scant or may disappear entirely. Perhaps most striking is the apparent paradox of an increase in appetite associated with a loss of weight, the result of the fact that the excess of thyroid hormones leads to an increased metabolism. There is often, but not always, a swelling in the neck, and the physician's fingers may often detect the outline of an enlarged thyroid gland. Enlargement of the thyroid gland
Thyroid disease can result in either an underactive gland, with a reduced output of T3 and T4 (hypothyroidism) or an overactive gland (hyperthyroidism). Rarely, hypothyroidism can occur from birth if the gland has failed to develop. Because a fully functioning thyroid gland is required for normal development of the brain, any reduction in function (for example as a result of iodine deficiency) can cause mental retardation. Adults may develop hypothyroidism from dietary iodine deficiency, although this is rare because iodine is added to salt, breads and cereals to prevent deficiency. The most common causes of thyroid malfunction are as follows: 1) Increased exposure to the cold
especially without properly clothing the extremities will via the
hypothalamus
and
pituitary cause an increase in thyroid hormone output which over time
can overwork the thyroid thus leading to dysfunction. When you look at the various symptoms of a low functioning thyroid, you'll soon see that diagnosis by symptoms is indeed fruitless. However, this long list gives you a good idea that the thyroid can affect many body sytems.Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Goiters
Hypothyrodisim DiagnosisYour Doctor Does Not Likely Understand How To Interpret Your Tests ProperlyThyroid function tests have always presented doctors with difficulties in their interpretation. Laboratory testing is often misleading due to the complexity and inherent shortcomings of the tests themselves. Many doctors not having an adequate understanding of what the test results mean, will often make incorrect assumptions based on them or interpret them too strictly. A narrow interpretation of thyroid function testing leads to many people not being treated for subclinical hypothyroidism. Old Laboratory Tests UnreliableMost all older thyroid function panels include the following: These tests should be abandoned because they are unreliable as gauges of thyroid function. The most common traditional way to diagnose hypothyroidism is with a TSH that is elevated beyond the normal reference range. For most labs, this is about 4.0 to 4.5. This is thought to reflect the pituitary's sensing of inadequate thyroid hormone levels in the blood which would be consistent with hypothyroidism. There is no question that this will diagnose hypothyroidism, but it is far too insensitive a measure, and the vast majority of patients who have hypothyroidism will be missed. Key Thyroid Function Tests
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Goiters
are benign (not cancerous) enlargements of the gland. They may occur as a
result of iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease or quite normally during
pregnancy. Other swellings of the gland may be caused by benign cysts or
cancer in the gland. The majority of thyroid enlargements are not malignant.
Test / Name |
Normal Range |
Interpretation |
| "TSH" Test -- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone / Serum thyrotropin | 0.4 to 6 | Under .4 can indicate possible hyperthyroidism. Over 6 is considered indicative of hypothyroidism. Note: increasing numbers of doctors are finding that a TSH of around 1 - 2 is optimal for most people to feel well and avoid having hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptoms. There is now research out that provides some scientific basis for this, saying that values above TSH of 2 may in fact represent abnormal levels. See the British Medical Journal article. |
| Total T4 / Serum thyroxine | 4.5 to 12.5 | Less than 4.5 can be indicative of an underfunctioning thyroid when TSH is also elevated. Over 12.5 can indicate hyperthyroidism. Low T4 with low TSH can sometimes indicate a pituitary problem. |
| Free T4 / Free Thyroxine - FT4 | 0.7 to 2.0 | Less than 0.7 is considered indicative of possible hypothyroidism. |
| T3 / Serum triiodothyronine | 80 to 220 | Less than 80 can indicate hypothyroidism. |
Basal Body Temperature
The basal body temperature was popularized by the late Broda Barnes, M.D. He found the clinical symptoms and the body temperature to be more reliable than standard laboratory tests. This is clearly better than using the standard tests. However the patient must:
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Not sleep under electric blankets or water beds as they falsely raise temperature
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Acquire a sensitive and accurate thermometer
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Be compliant and do the procedure as instructed
To purchase Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness by Broda Barnes, click here.
Another Way To Check for Hypothyroidism
This revised method of diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism seems superior to the temperature regulation method promoted by Broda Barnes and many natural medicine physicians. Most patients continue to have classic hypothyroid symptoms because excessive reliance is placed on the TSH. This test is a highly-accurate measure of TSH but not of the height of thyroid hormone levels.
New Range for TSH to Diagnose Hypothyroidism
The basic problem that traditional medicine has with diagnosing hypothyroidism is the so-called "normal range" of TSH is far too high: Many patients with TSH's of greater than 2.0 (not 4.5) have classic symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism (see below).
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So, if your TSH is above 2.0 there is a strong chance your thyroid gland is not working properly.
Free Thyroid Hormone Levels
One can also use the Free T3 and Free T4 and TSH levels to help one identify how well the thyroid gland is working. Free T3 and Free T4 levels are the only accurate measure of the actual active thyroid hormone levels in the blood.
When one uses free hormone levels one will find that it is relatively common to find the Free T4 and Free T3 hormone levels below normal when TSH is in its normal range, even in the low end of its normal range. When patients with these lab values are treated, one typically finds tremendous improvement in the patient, and a reduction of the classic hypothyroid symptoms.
Secondary or Tertiary Hypothyroidism
There are a significant number of individuals who have a TSH even below the new 1.5 reference range mentioned above, but their Free T3 (and possibly the Free T4 as well) will be below normal. These are cases of secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism, so, TSH alone is not an accurate test of all forms of hypothyroidism, only primary hypothyroidism.
Low Metabolic Energy
Many people suffer a wide variety of symptoms that have one common denominator: low metabolic energy. This most commonly involves two of the "primary players" in the endocrine system - the adrenal and thyroid glands. An excellent article explaining the relationship of these two important glands and how we can diagnose which organ is causing the problem can be found here.
Part 2
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