A relative has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. She is in her early 30s with two young active children, eats healthily and works out but is always tired. She has been advised to take medicine. Are there other things she can do and will she have this condition for the rest of her life?
Conventional remedy:
By Dr Muiris Houston
The thyroid gland is in the neck. It produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are released into the circulation and control the speed of the body's metabolism.
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is underactive not producing enough of the hormones. The result is a slower metabolism, which gives rise to a wide range of symptoms, including tiredness, dry skin, hair loss, constipation and weight gain. It can also affect the efficiency of the heart and lead to breathlessness. For women, periods can become heavy.
Not all people with hypothyroidism will experience all of the symptoms, and some may have none at all. Occasionally, the diagnosis is picked up by their doctors, who may notice minor changes in appearance.
It is a common condition, affecting 1per cent of people. Hypothyroidism is thought to be inherited, although treatment for an overactive thyroid can also cause it.
Treatment is by oral medication, using a form of thyroxine that is taken daily. Starting with a low dose to allow the body to adjust, the dosage is gradually increased, then monitored through blood tests and check-ups.
The condition usually improves within a couple of weeks, but, yes, the need for thyroid tablets continues for life. Without treatment, symptoms reappear.
Your relative should experience improved health and renewed energy levels once she has been been taking her optimum dose for a few weeks. Treatment should be stopped only under medical supervision.
Alternative remedy:
By Maria Costello
Hypothyroidism must be diagnosed by a doctor. If it is not corrected, the patient will have to take medication for life. I would advise your relative to ask what level she is being rated at: mild, moderate or severe. It If it is mild, she may ask to try a nutritional programme for up to six months, to see if she can get her system to rebalance itself. On-going Ongoing monitoring of the condition by her doctor is very important, and, ideally, the alternative-health-care practitioner and the GP should liaise.
Nutritional support is very effective for mild forms of hypothyroidism and will even modify more severe forms. She should avoid goitrogenic foods, which prevent the thyroid using iodine, such as peanuts.
Instead, she should eat iodine-rich foods such as seaweed, clams, lobsters, oysters and sardines. Iodine should be supplemented only under the care of a qualified therapist, however. Patients shouldn't self-prescribe nutrients, and consulting a registered practitioner is essential.
Nutrients that help manufacture thyroid hormone include vitamins A and E and zinc. B nutrients, notably B2, B3and B6, and vitamin C are also part of thyroid-hormone manufacture and utilisation. She should therefore opt for non-goitrogenic foods (preferably fresh, and organic) that are rich in these nutrients, such as eggs, oats, beet greens, parsley and carrot juice. Food rich in essential fatty acids (nuts, oils, fish and salad greens) may also help. Tea and fluorinated or chlorinated .
I would also advise her to reduce her workout levels to 15-20 minutes of aerobic walking a day, as her hypothyroidism may be an effect of hormonal stress brought on by her pregnancies.
Maria Costello is a nutritionist based in Limerick. She is a member of the British Association of Nutritional Therapists (00 44 870 6061284)
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