| On a global scale, a staggering 200 million people have | | | | Why This Epidemic? |
| problems with their thyroid glands, with over 50 | | | | Thyroid disease is one of the silent epidemics of our |
| percent remaining undiagnosed. In the US alone, the | | | | time. The shocking fact is that nearly half of all women |
| instance of thyroid disease is running close to epidemic | | | | and a quarter of all men in the US will die with |
| levels and equally as worrying is the number of | | | | evidence of an inflamed thyroid. |
| un-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed cases. So just what is | | | | As with many of today's illnesses, the increased |
| responsible for these runaway statistics? | | | | incidence of thyroid disease can be linked to an |
| The Thyroid Gland - So Small, Yet So Vital | | | | over-burden of toxins caused by pollution through air, |
| Most people would locate their thyroid gland in the | | | | water and food. If you have a concern about your |
| neck area, and many know it is somehow linked to | | | | thyroid, you may want to note the following potential |
| weight-gain or weight-loss. How many times have you | | | | causes of problems: |
| heard an over-weight person say "I have thyroid | | | | Iodine - deficiency is one cause of hypothyroidism. |
| problems"? Well what does that really mean? | | | | However, studies are also showing that in the case of |
| The thyroid gland sits wrapped around the windpipe | | | | chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, the highest prevalence |
| behind and below the Adam's Apple area. This small | | | | occurs in countries with the highest intake of iodine, |
| bowtie-shaped gland produces several hormones in | | | | such as the US and Japan. So, although iodine |
| both men and women, the two most important being | | | | supplementation should be implemented to prevent and |
| triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These | | | | treat iodine-deficiency disorders, supplementation |
| hormones help convert oxygen and calories into | | | | should be maintained at a safe level. |
| energy, making the thyroid the master gland of | | | | Soy - high soy consumers and users of isoflavone |
| metabolism. The hormones are also essential for the | | | | supplements can be at risk of thyroid disorders since |
| proper functioning of all our organs, including our heart, | | | | soy isoflavones can damage thyroid function. This is |
| musculoskeletal system and brain. | | | | actually a rare occurance. |
| Hypo or Hyper? | | | | Smoking - has a negative impact on thyroid function |
| The two most common forms of thyroid disease are | | | | and can cause a 3 to 5 fold increase in the risk of all |
| Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism and as their | | | | types of thyroid disease. |
| names suggest, they are at opposite end of the scale. | | | | Tap water - Standard water-treatment plants cannot |
| When it functions as it should, the thyroid will produce | | | | remove the chemical perchlorate from the water |
| T3 and T4 at a 20% - 80% ratio. An under-production | | | | supply. According to one researcher, "There is a |
| of these hormones will slow down the body's | | | | statistical association between low-level contamination |
| metabolism, causing Hypothyroidism. Common | | | | with ammonium perchlorate and elevated or abnormal |
| symptoms of this condition are weight-gain despite | | | | thyroid function." Also, chlorine content in the water can |
| eating sensibly, feeling cold, fatigue, depression and | | | | displace the much-needed iodine. |
| possibly increased blood pressure and cholesterol | | | | Fluoride - is an enzyme poison which accumulates in |
| levels. | | | | the body. Since the body can only eliminate 50% of its |
| Hyperthyroidism occurs when an excess of T3 and | | | | total fluoride intake, this build-up can cause harm to the |
| T4 speeds up the body's metabolism and, if the mild | | | | thyroid by blocking the use of iodine. |
| condition is left untreated it can lead to complications | | | | Pesticides - such as sumithrin (Anvil) and resmethrin |
| such as severe weight-loss despite a healthy appetite, | | | | (Scourge), are coming under considerable criticism for |
| nervousness, staring eyes, accelerated heart rate and | | | | their adverse chronic effects on the thyroid. |
| insomnia. | | | | Family history - of thyroid disease is a warning signal. |
| Causes of Hypothyroidism | | | | Also a family history of depression, autoimmune |
| - Autoimmune thyroiditis, where the body's own | | | | disease, chronic fatigue or weight issues can signify |
| immune system attacks the thyroid gland, is the major | | | | thyroid problems. |
| cause of hypothyroidism. | | | | Radiation and X-Rays - are known to cause damage |
| - A lack of iodine in the body. Iodine is necessary for | | | | to the thyroid and technicians should always cover the |
| the production of thyroid hormones, and iodine | | | | patient's throat. |
| deficiency due to inadequate intake can lead to | | | | Stress - is a factor in almost every kind of disease |
| problems. | | | | and can affect the thyroid. |
| - This is also true for a deficiency of protein in the | | | | Pregnancy - It is estimated that between 5-10% of all |
| body and a deficiency of magnesium and zinc. | | | | pregnancies will result in PPT (Postpartum Thyroiditis). |
| - Heavy metal poisoning (as with mercury, lead, | | | | Menopause - hormonal changes during this period of a |
| arsenic, and cadmium) of the thyroid can also lead to | | | | woman's life can wreak havoc on her thyroid. |
| hypothyroidism; chemicals and pesticides can also be a | | | | Why This Misdiagnosis? |
| factor. | | | | The statistic that more than 50 per cent of thyroid |
| - Root canal teeth can leak toxins into the body and | | | | disorders remain un-diagnosed is alarming. Why is this? |
| enter the thyroid gland, producing malfunction. | | | | One problem is that because symptoms of |
| - Babies can be born without a thyroid gland, or with | | | | hypothyroidism often vary from person to person and |
| one that is not properly functioning. | | | | are non-specific, the correct diagnosis can easily be |
| - Surgical removal of the thyroid gland or treatment | | | | missed. Many cases remain undiagnosed because |
| with radioactive iodine, often for hyperthyroidism, can | | | | some practitioners and the patients themselves, |
| also lead to hypothyroidism. | | | | mistake the symptoms of hypothyroidism for |
| Causes of Hyperthyroidism | | | | depression, obesity or menopause. |
| - In 70% of people with hyperthyroidism, the cause is a | | | | Hyperthyroidism tends to run in families, occurring most |
| genetic disorder called Graves' disease. Graves' | | | | often in young women. It is often misdiagnosed as an |
| disease may be secondary to dental infections, root | | | | eating disorder, anxiety or stress. |
| canals or mercury fillings. | | | | The thyroid affects all the other hormones in the body |
| - Lumps or nodules in the thyroid may gradually grow | | | | and its proper regulation is essential to good hormonal |
| and increase in activity also leading to an | | | | balance and health. With the disturbing increase in |
| overproduction of thyroid hormones. | | | | thyroid disease, at LifeWorks Wellness Center we |
| - Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), where | | | | suggest that an annual screening of thyroid function be |
| the thyroid gland leaks thyroid hormones into the blood. | | | | done. This would include blood tests that check on |
| - Overmedication with triiodothyronine (T3) and/or | | | | thyroid hormone levels and body iodine levels. |
| levothyroxine (T4) may also cause hyperthyroidism. | | | | |