Hypothyroidism is an under active thyroid which results when the thyroid is under functioning, usually due to lack of iodine. The thyroid is the body’s thermostat. It regulates how you burn energy. If the body is not metabolizing properly, the system slows down, fatigue sets in and weight stays on. Symptoms are numerous, including chronic fatigue, cold hands and feet, extreme mood swings, depression, excessive menstrual flow, severe headaches, rapid weight gain, cracked heels, thinning of lateral one-third of eyebrows and poor memory. Additionally, coarse, brittle hair often with accompanying hair loss, constipation and dry, scaly skin are other common symptoms. Much of the current heart disease is caused by unrecognized hypothyroidism. Cholesterol levels increase and metabolism slows down in hypothyroidism. It causes poor circulation (arteriosclerosis), impaired immune function with vulnerability to infections and mental confusion.

Causes of Hypothyroidism
Fluoride in our water directly interferes with thyroid function Estrogen Dominance is cause by petrochemicals, fuel exhaust we breathe, estrogenic hormones in meat and chickens, plastics, propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulphate (foaming agents) in skin care products, herbicides and pesticides. These potent ‘fake’, estrogen-like substances block the production of thyroid hormone and greatly magnify the incidence of estrogen dependent cancers. Most males and females in developed nations have estrogen dominance.

Antibiotics, chlorine from our water purification systems, fluoride, and NSAID drugs used for arthritis all kill the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract. This results in overgrowth in the intestines of Candida, fungi, mycoplasma, and anaerobic bacteria (Yeast syndrome).

These dangerous organisms release powerful neuro-toxic sub- stances into the bloodstream that damage the hypothalamus often resulting in multiple endocrine disorders including an under-active thyroid gland.

Mercury released from dental amalgams is toxic to the thyroid gland. Lack of iodine on our soil and diet leads to decreased thyroid hormone production diagnostic x-rays injure the thyroid gland (dental, neck spine)

Diagnosis and Treatment
Here is how the thyroid works: the brain releases TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to cause the thyroid to make T4 (inactive ver- sion) which is then sent to each cell of the body. In the cells it is converted to the active version called T3, which regulates the cells’ metabolism. With low T3 the ‘octane’ for the cells is missing and a person feels tired and sluggish (see symptoms).

Diagnosis
Hypothyroidism is traditionally diagnosed with a blood test analyzing TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels. An elevated level may indicate a sluggish thyroid. However, many times the other important and much more accurate indicators of hypothyroidism are not checked – these are Free T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) and Free T3( active version). In addition, a complete lab test should include levels of TPO (an indicator of possible auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own thyroid) and RT3 (Reverse T3). Elevated RT3, often in conjunction with low T3 (Wilson Syndrome), indicates that our body is in ‘Hibernation Mode’. This slows down the body’s metabolism and causes any excess calories to be stored as fat. Hence, we gain weight easily and permanent weight loss becomes just about impossible.

So a truly COMPLETE THYROID PANEL should consist of: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TPO Antibodies, RT3.

Problems with traditional thyroid testing:
There are 3 problems with the current traditional approach:

1. Many patients are treated with medications such as Synthroid/Levoxyl/Levothroid (levothyroxine) and still feel unwell; because these products only contain T4 hormone, they have no T3. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people can not convert the T4 to the active form of thyroid which is T3.
2. The so-called "normal range" of TSH is far too high: Many patients with TSH’s of greater than 2.0 (not the traditional 4.5) have already classic symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism (see above). If your TSH is above 2.0 there is a strong chance your thyroid gland is not working properly.
3. There are a significant number of individuals who have great TSH levels, but their Free T3 (and possibly the Free T4 as well) will be below normal. These are cases of secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism. A TSH test alone is not an accurate test of all forms of hypothyroidism, only primary hypothyroidism.

Treatment
Various options are available:

1. Supplementation with Iodine for mild cases or prevention.
2. Compounded T3 or T3/T4 combination to your body’s exact needs. Pharmaceutical versions only have set dosages but ‘one size simply does not fit all’!

Want to learn more about your thyroid’s current state of health? Schedule your appointment with Dr. Howton – a specialist thyroid disorders. Radiant Clinic’s comprehensive thyroid panel is covered by most insurance plans. The cash price of $145 for this comprehensive thyroid panel is available to clients with no insurance or high deductibles. Combine thyroid and adreanal dysfrunction treatments with HCG Weight Loss and Bioidentical Hormones to lose weight and keep it off!

Under-eye puffiness can also result from fluid retention, which ironically can be exacerbated by dehydration, so making sure you’re drinking enough water every day might help reduce that swollen look.

You can also try the old potato trick, which seems to work better than cucumbers. Potatoes contain catecholase, which is actually used in some cosmetics as a skin lightener. Placing a half-moon slice of potato underneath each eye for about 20 minutes while you’re resting can help reduce the swelling and brighten dark under-eye circles.

Another key to maintaining a youthful appearance and brighter, clearer skin is regular exercise, though not in excess, as excessive exercise can also cause wrinkles.

Last, but certainly not least, a good night’s sleep and properly addressing emotional stresses are essential keys to maintaining or regaining your optimum physical appearance.

Nearly 11.7 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2007, according to the latest statistics collected by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Cosmetic surgical procedures (including eyelid surgery, which was the third most popular type of cosmetic surgery) increased 8 percent between 2006 and 2007.
Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery lifts the sagging tissues underneath your eye that make you look tired and sad, into more youthful proportions.  Read the rest of this entry »

A review article in the July 19, 2007 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine makes a compelling argument for Americans to supplement with more vitamin D.

The authors point out that between 40% and 100% of elderly people in the United States and Europe have insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D. They also highlight disturbing findings that even children and young adults who supplement with 400 IU/day of vitamin D and consume vitamin D containing foods often suffer from a vitamin D insufficiency.

The authors show meticulous data showing that far higher doses of vitamin D are needed and that it is the amount of vitamin D in one’s blood that determines disease risk reduction rather than how much is actually swallowed.

The authors have calculated the rates of carious diseases affected by vitamin D status and have come up with the following startling numbers:

• 78% reduction in Type 1 diabetes in children taking 2,000 IU /day of vitamin D in the first year of life

• 200% increase in Type 1 diabetes in vitamin D-deficient children

• 22% reduction in Type II diabetes in those taking 800 IU/day of vitamin D plus calcium

• 72% reduction in number of falls in elderly people taking higher-dose vitamin D

• 30-%0% more cancers in vitamin D-deficient people

• 42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women taking more than 400 IU/day of vitamin D

Conclusion: Government-based recommendations of 200 IU/day for children, 400 IU/day for those aged 51-70 years, and 600 IU/day for those over 70 are horribly outdated.

Vitamin D status can be assessed by having one’s blood tested. Optimal levels are considered to be in the range of 30-50 ng/ml (75-125 nmol/L) of 25-hydroxyvitmain D in the blood.

A meticulous study in a group of men to determine how much orally supplemented vitamin D is required to increase vitamin D blood levels revealed the following data over an eight-week time period:

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