Hello, jplay-ga!
The proper function of the thyroid gland is essential to a healthy
metabolism. The thyroid gland works in conjunction with the pituitary
gland, which senses the amount of thyroid hormone secreted in the
body. When thyroid function is compromised, the body's regulatory
functions are affected as well, and an array of symptoms can result.
It is essential to realize that "metabolism" relates to a myriad of
chemical and physical functions within the body at a cellular level
and is not merely restricted to the rate at which we lose or gain
weight. Weight gain or loss is just one of many symptoms of a thyroid
hormone imbalance.
Thyroid hormone levels are measured through diagnositic blood tests.
If an imbalance exists, a physician can provide the proper dosage of
synthroid (or another medication) to bring the hormones back to a
desirable level. This often require experimentation and yearly visits
to determine and regulate the proper dosage. Thyroid hormone
medication is a life-long prescription for most individuals - not a
temporary fix.
Experimenting with thyroid medications without medical testing and a
doctor's prescription can be extremely dangerous. Although there are
online pharmacies that allow an individual to obtain thyroid
medication without a prescription, this practice can wreak havoc on
the body's hormone system and create serious imbalances. Online
pharmacies which provide "physician consultation" are not much better,
since no laboratory testing is required to determine medication
dosage.
If you suspect you have a thyroid imbalance, I urge you to visit a
medical practitioner to obtain the proper diagnosis and medication
dosage. The amount of thyroid medication prescribed by a doctor is
based on the degree of hormone imbalance, and not on the basis of
weight or height. Therefore, anything less would be mere guesswork.
1. HOW MUCH DOES THE THYROID AFFECT YOUR METABOLISM?
=====================================================
Metabolism
--------------
"Thyroid hormones affect the metabolism of your body cells; that is,
they regulate the speed at which your body cells work. If too much of
the thyroid hormones are secreted the body cells work faster than
normal, and you have ?hyperthyroidism?. However, if too little of the
thyroid hormones are secreted then the body cells work slower than
normal, and you have ?hypothyroidism?,"
Pituitary stimulation
----------------------
"The thyroid is controlled by the pituitary, which lies underneath
your brain in your skull and senses the levels of thyroid hormones in
your bloodstream. If the levels drop below normal, the pituitary
reacts by secreting a hormone called the ?thyroid stimulating hormone?
which is often called TSH. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete
more T3 and T4. Should the thyroid hormone levels rise above normal
levels the pituitary senses this and stops secreting TSH, and so the
thyroid gland slows down its secretion of T3 and T4."
- From The British Thyroid Association.
http://www.british-thyroid-association.org/booklet%20no%201.pdf
Thyroid Hormones and Weight
---------------------------
"As main regulators of the body's rate of metabolism, thyroid hormones
have a profound impact on weight. By increasingly enzyme levels in the
cell mitochondria, which produce energy, thyroid hormones control how
the body burns up carbohydrates and fats."
"If the body and its metabolism are likened to an engine, thyroid
hormone levels may be seen as setting the "speed" at which the engine
"idles." These hormones accelerate the basal metabolic rate of most
cells in the body. This is important, because a low resting metabolic
rate has been cited as a strong risk factor for weight gain and
obesity.1
"Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough
"energy-generating" thyroid hormones. Weight gain is a classic symptom
of this dysfunction. In such cases, levels of thyroid-stimulating
hormone (TSH) may rise in an attempt to spur more production and
secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland.
Read "Weight Gain and Thyroid Hormones." Laboratory Assessments. GSDL
http://www.gsdl.com/assessments/finddisease/weight/thyroid.html
Thyroid Hormones - Effect of too little or too much
----------------------------------------------------
"During the course of a year the thyroid produces only a teaspoonful
of hormones. But these hormones have a major effect on many organs."
"Thyroxin, the main thyroid hormone, acts like the accelerator of a
car. Too much thyroxin causes hyperthyroidism, a speeding up of the
body's metabolism. This results in palpitations, a rapid heart rate,
agitation, difficulty tolerating heat, hand tremours and other
problems."
"Too little thyroxin precipitates hypothyroidism, a slowing down of
the accelerator. In this case, a lack of thyroxin triggers a decreased
rate of oxygen consumption and lessened energy production. Patients
complain of fatigue, poor concentration, weak muscles, dry skin,
unexplained weight gain, difficulty tolerating cold and infrequent
bowel movements."
- From "Quiz can help in thyroid diagnosis," by Dr. Gifford-Jones.
http://www.canoe.ca/Health0002/03_jones.html
Measuring the amount of Thyroid Hormone Activity
-------------------------------------------------
"Your doctor will be able to get a good assessment of your thyroid
gland activity by taking a history of your symptoms, and by a physical
examination. However, to gain an exact level of thyroid hormone it is
necessary to take a small sample of blood and measure the level of TSH
in the laboratory to show how much T4 and T3 is being secreted and how
active your pituitary is. These tests are sometimes called thyroid
function tests or TFTs."
- From The British Thyroid Association.
http://www.british-thyroid-association.org/booklet%20no%201.pdf
==
"Metabolism: Thyroid hormones stimulate diverse metabolic activities
most tissues, leading to an increase in basal metabolic rate. One
consequence of this activity is to increase body heat production,
which seems to result, at least in part, from increased oxygen
consumption and rates of ATP hydrolysis. By way of analogy, the action
of thyroid hormones is akin to blowing on a smouldering fire. A few
examples of specific metabolic effects of thyroid hormones include:
"Lipid metabolism: Increased thyroid hormone levels stimulate fat
mobilization, leading to increased concentrations of fatty acids in
plasma. They also enhance oxidation of fatty acids in many tissues.
Finally, plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides are
inversely correlated with thyroid hormone levels - one diagnostic
indication of hypothyroidism is increased blood cholesterol
concentration.
"Carbohydrate metabolism: Thyroid hormones stimulate almost all
aspects of carbohydrate metabolism, including enhancement of
insulin-dependent entry of glucose into cells and increased
gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis to generate free glucose.
- From "Mechanism of Action and Physiologic Effects of Thyroid Hormones."
http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/thyroid/physio.html
What is Metabolism?
-------------------
"Metabolism is the sum of all the chemical and physical changes that
take place within the body and enable its continued growth and
functioning. Metabolism involves the breakdown of complex organic
constituents of the body with the liberation of energy, which is
required for other processes, and the building up of complex
substances, which form the material of the tissues and organs."
- From Neurolab. http://neurolab.jsc.nasa.gov/glossim.htm
Effects of a Disrupted Thyroid Hormone Level
============================================
Hypothyroidism - Underactive thyroid
-------------------------------------
"The major role of the thyroid gland is to produce thyroid hormone,
which controls the metabolic rate. When the production of thyroid
hormone decreases below the normal body's need, the condition is
referred to as hypothyroidism. Without enough thyroid hormone, the
body becomes tired and run down. Every organ system slows -the brain
slows down making it difficult to concentrate, the gut slows down
causing constipation, and metabolism slows down causing weight gain.
Although there are many different causes of an underactive thyroid
gland, the resulting effect on the body is the same."
"Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are very subtle and are
experienced by people without thyroid disease. Thus, a lot of
physicians overlook the symptoms of fatigue, weight gain and
depression and attribute them to other causes. Physicians should check
to see if thyroid disease is the cause of these everyday symptoms,
because an underactive thyroid is very easy to treat. In addition,
patients who are treated for hypothyroidism can regain full control of
their lives and eliminate these symptoms entirely."
"The symptoms of hypothyroidism are mainly dependent on the amount of
decrease in thyroid hormone and duration of time that the decrease has
been present. For most patients, the symptoms are mild and can often
be confused with other problems. The symptoms may include the
following:
fatigue and muscle swelling or cramps (mainly in the arms and legs)
tingling in the fingers
loss of equilibrium
weight gain
dry skin and cold intolerance
yellow skin
coarseness or loss of hair
goiter (enlarged thyroid causing a lump in the neck)
constipation
hoarseness
memory and mental impairment
decreased concentration
depression
irregular or heavy menstruation
infertility or miscarriages
slowed heart rate
myxedema: fluid infiltration of the tissues causing puffiness (mainly in the face)
- From "Hypothyroidism." The New York Thyroid Center
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/HypothyroidismHP.html
Hyperthyroidism - Overactive Thyroid
-------------------------------------
"Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces excess thyroid
hormone. It is a common disorder affecting over 2 million Americans,
most of whom are women. The symptoms can range from mild nervousness,
weight loss and insomnia to a dangerously fast heart beat which can be
life-threatening."
Symptoms:
Nervousness and irritability
Increased resting heart rate causing palpitations
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Heat intolerance and increased sweating
Tremor
Weight loss or alterations in appetite
Frequent bowel movements
Sudden paralysis
Thyroid enlargement (lump in the neck)
Pretibial myxdemia: thick redness on the front of legs (with Graves' disease)
Thin, delicate skin and irregular fingernail and hair growth
Menstrual disturbance (decreased flow)
Impaired fertility
Mental disturbances
Sleep disturbances (including insomnia)
Changes in vision, eye irritation, or exophthalmos: significant
protrusion of the eyes due to swelling of the tissue behind them (with
Graves' disease)
From "Hyperthyroidism." New York Thyroid Center
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/index.html
2. HOW MUCH SYNTHROID DO I NEED TO TAKE TO SPEED UP MY METABOLISM?
==================================================================
The dosage of thyroid medication is based on the degree of hormone
imbalance. It is impossible to guess how much medication will regulate
the thyroid without testing. Since Synthroid has profound effects on
the body, it should * only * be prescribed when a thyroid hormone
imbalance exists. Blood tests are necessary to determine the amount of
thyroid hormone levels in the blood and the potential need for
medication. Concurrent medical conditions must also be considered,
since Synthroid can be potentially dangerous for individuals with
certain medical conditions.
It is often necessary to fine-tune synthroid levels over time to
determine the proper dosage. If the levels prescribed by your doctor
seem insufficient, the dosage may gradually be increased.
Please read all about Synthroid on the Prescription Drug Reference
from Healthsquare: http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/syn1421.htm
Blood Testing
--------------
"Blood tests can diagnose thyroid disorders. The most sensitive test
measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), secreted by the pituitary
gland. When the thyroid is underactive, TSH levels will be high; low
TSH levels signal an overactive thyroid.
- From "Tired? Depressed? Check Your Thyroid," by Paula Dranov.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p51-thyr.html
=
"Synthroid, a synthetic form of the natural hormone, is prescribed by
doctors for hypothyroidism. It steps on the body's accelerator,
increasing the ability to fight fatigue, hair loss, chills in warm
rooms, constipation and muscle cramps. Synthroid is needed for a
lifetime. Newly treated patients will require TSH testing every few
months to determine the optimal dose. Later, TSH can be measured once
a year. Doctors have to be careful in prescribing Synthroid. For
instance, speeding up the body's metabolism too much or too quickly
could cause problems, particularly for the elderly."
- From "Quiz can help in thyroid diagnosis," by Dr. Gifford-Jones.
http://www.canoe.ca/Health0002/03_jones.html
=
"There's no way to cure an underactive thyroid, but treatment can be
as simple as a pill-a-day lifetime hormone replacement. Determining
the right medication and dose, though, may require experimenting. Too
much thyroid hormone increases risk of bone loss, osteoporosis and
cardiac arrhythmia; too little can lead to mild high blood pressure
and elevated cholesterol levels."
"Sometimes treatment for an underactive thyroid may even create the
symptoms of hyperthyroidism and vice versa. A San Jose, Calif., woman
was told she had Hashimoto's disease, and a synthetic thyroid hormone
was prescribed. "One day," she says, "my heart started racing and my
head was pounding. I thought I was having a stroke." It turned out
that the dose was too high and brought on symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Now that her dosage has been adjusted, she is fine."
"Even a small medication mistake may have consequences, especially if
you become hypothyroid at 25 or 30 and aren't checked at least yearly
to make sure the dose is right," says endocrinologist Reed Larsen,
chief of the thyroid division at Boston's Brigham and Women's
Hospital.
From "Tired? Depressed? Check Your Thyroid," by Paula Dranov.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p51-thyr.html
==
Synthroid is NOT a weight-loss drug!
------------------------------------
* While there are online pharmacies that allow individuals to order
Synthroid without a prescription, this is a dangerous practice. Not
only is it impossible to know the correct dosage without accurate
blood tests for hormone levels, but the improper use of synthroid in
hopes of achieving weight loss can create other health consequences if
hormone levels are normal. Synthroid is a serious medication that is
normally prescribed for a lifetime to maintain proper hormone levels.
It is not a drug to use as a "temporary fix" for weight loss.
On the other hand, if a patient is truly suffering from a thyroid
disorder, it is essential to work with a physician to find the proper
dosage levels to correct the imbalance. With proper dosage, weight
problems and other symptoms of low thyroid hormone can be addressed.
"Although Synthroid will speed up your metabolism, it is not effective
as a weight-loss drug and should not be used as such. An overdose may
cause life-threatening side effects, especially if you take Synthroid
with an appetite-suppressant medication."
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/syn1421.htm
=
"People who are overweight often eat significantly less than those who
are lean and yet still gain because they can't waste any extra
calories. Taking thyroid hormone will help someone who is hypothyroid
lose weight.
"Taking too much thyroid hormone will usually cause anyone to burn off
or waste calories and lose weight but much of the weight lost will be
protein and result in osteoporosis and problems with the heart. When
the thyroid hormone is stopped or reduced to normal amounts the weight
will increase again."
"Some individuals, who have been hyperthyroid but have been treated
and now have normal thyroid levels, experience more difficulty keeping
their weight down as compared to before they ever had a thyroid
problem."
"Somehow too much thyroid hormone for a period of time may permanently
impair an individual's ability to waste extra calories and the weight
tends to increase even though the thyroid levels are normal. This
applies to individuals who have been hyperthyroid because of a thyroid
problem such as Graves' disease and those individuals who take too
much thyroid hormone over a long time."
*** "Because of this and the long-term side effects of taking too
much, thyroid hormone is not a good way to lose weight."
"The safest approach is lifestyle modification that results in
decreased caloric intake by changing eating habits and increased
expenditure of calories by exercising more. Even though weight control
may be more difficult after being hyperthyroid, it is still quite
possible."
From "Fatigue, Weight Gain, and the Thyroid (or is the thyroid why I
am so tired and can't lose weight)" by Merril W. Edmonds MD, FRCP(C)
Endocrinologist, London Health Sciences Centre. (Thyroid Foundation of
Canada)
http://www.thyroid.ca/Articles/weight.html
3. IF I AM HYPOTHYROID AND TAKE MEDICATION WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT WHAT
I WANT AND BURN UP FAT?
===============================================================================
If you have a true hypothyroid problem, medication may help you to
lose some weight by bringing your body's thyroid hormones back into
balance. This is not always the case, however, and medication should
never be a substitute for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating
habits.
Taking thyroid medication will not allow you to eat everything your
want, in the amount that you want, and still maintain a slim figure.
Remember, medication is used to correct an imbalance, but does not
provide a miracle drug which allows you to burn more calories than
your body needs. In fact, overdose of thyroid medication can bring on
symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism, which are very unpleasant. (heart
palpitations, anxiety, etc)
=
"In some cases, weight gain may be due to a combination of
hypothyroidism and lifestyle factors such as eating a calorie-rich
diet or getting too little exercise. If you are overweight and need to
take thyroid supplements, cut down on calories and exercise regularly.
While thyroid supplements can help overweight people who?ve been
diagnosed with hypothyroidism, they aren't appropriate for anyone with
normal thyroid function. Taking thyroid medicines when they aren?t
needed can lead to serious side effects, such as a rapid or irregular
heart rate and osteoporosis (brittle bones). Maintain a healthy,
low-calorie diet and exercise regularly to lose weight."
- From "Will taking thyroid supplements help me lose weight?" Ask Your Pharmacist.
http://www.drugstore.com/qxa1816_333181_sespider-will_taking_thyroid_supplements_help_me_lose_weight.htm
==
It is not uncommon for people on thyroid medication to retain weight
despite synthetic hormone regulation. It is also not unusual for blood
tests to provide inaccurate results of thyroid hormone levels in the
individual.
"Could my thyroid gland prevent me from losing weight? My doctor has
checked it and says it is normal, but I can?t seem to drop any weight.
"Yes, your thyroid can certainly affect your ability to lose weight.
An underactive thyroid gland (called Hypothyroidism) is one of the
most common ?overlooked? conditions in medicine. Unfortunately, we are
not always able to discover why this gland becomes underactive and
doesn?t produce enough of the thyroid hormone."
(Read further)
"Your thyroid and weight loss," by Dr Howard Lee. IVillage
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/dietandfitness/wtmngment/qas/0,,240_171995,00.html
Also read "Losing Weight with Hypothyroidism," by Mary Shoman.
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/dietweightloss/a/losingweight.htm
ALTERNATIVES TO THYROID MEDICATION
===================================
If you are unsure about your thyroid hormone level and would like to
try a natural product as opposed to a synthetic hormone that could
cause damaging side effects, you might try a natural thyroid booster.
However, these products must be considered cautiously, since many of
them are nothing more than "quackery."
An example of a natural product can be found below. (Note that I do
not endorse this product or any other product!)
From Wellness Resources:
http://www.wellnessresources.com/catalog/ThyroidHelper.htm
* Naturally enhances the conversion of thyroid hormone (T4) to the
metabolically active form (T3), clearing up many low thyroid symptoms
* Helps weight loss caused by low thyroid functions (eats little and still
can't lose weight or a history of yo-yo or starvation dieting)
* Improves mood, motivation, focus, and energy
* Reduces fat deposition in hips, thighs, liver, and arteries. Helps prevent
the "pear shape".
* Lowers LDL cholesterol, may increase HDL cholesterol
"Over 50% of our culture struggles with some level of thyroid problem.
The symptoms involve at least several of the following: low body
temperature, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, depression, dry skin,
rough skin on elbows, loss of the outside portion of eyebrows, brittle
hair, hair loss, headaches in the morning, energy drops in the
afternoon, and/or elevated cholesterol."
"In most cases the problem is not in the thyroid gland. The problem
lies in activation of the thyroid hormone at the cellular level (the
conversion of T4 to T3). This is why doctors miss 90% of thyroid
problems. They simply don?t show up on a lab test, yet the person has
all the symptoms."
"Many factors interfere with proper thyroid hormone activation,
including stress, many medications, alcohol, pollution, estrogen, soy
protein intake, and physical trauma. Thyroid Helper is designed to
tackle the main problem: restoring the natural, proper, and healthy
conversion of T4 to T3."
(Read further)
BOOKS
======
"Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat? The Doctor's 28-Day Diet That Tests
Your Metabolism as You Lose Weight," by Sanford Siegal, Alan R. Gaby
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0446677108/102-4554980-9459365?v=glance
"Overcoming Thyroid Disorders," by David Brownstein.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966088220/102-4554980-9459365?v=glance
"The Miracle of Natural Hormones," by David Brownstein, David Brownstein M.D.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966088204/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/102-4554980-9459365?v=glance&s=books&st=*
AT-HOME THYROID TEST
====================
I know nothing about this test from Biosafe, but you may be interested
in doing a self-check of your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating hormone).
http://www.ebiosafe.com/frame.asp?Current_Category=1&Current_Product=30&Affiliate=123494
About the test:
http://www.ebiosafe.com/frame.asp?Current_Category=1&Current_Product=30&Current_Sub=82
"Since the BIOSAFE TSH test produces a numerical result rather than a
simple "yes" or "no" answer, both testing approval and professional
review of test results are required by a licensed physician. BIOSAFE
has developed a nationwide network of medical doctors for this
purpose."
=======
I hope the information I have provided helps to answer your
questions. While it would be wonderful to have a simple diagnosis for
hypothyroidism and an easy-to-use medication dosage guide, hormone
imbalances can be quite serious and tampering with unprescribed
medication is unwise.
As a start, you might want to try the at-home hormone test, read some
of the books I suggested, and see where you stand. You may be able to
rev-up your metabolism naturally, rather than be subjected to a
lifetime of synthetic hormone therapy.
If I can help you further, or clarify anything in more detail, please
don't hesitate to ask. I will certainly try to help if I can!
Sincerely,
umiat
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