What is low thyroid dysfunction?

Function and dysfunction.
I get asked about low thyroid dysfunction often. Your thyroid system affects the production of energy in every cell of your body. It affects energy, mental focus, moods and temperature---in Minnesota we have cold weather and if your thyroid is low you get slow metabolism and cold extremities to boot.This is often called hypothyroid.  I published a research paper on Diagnosis of Low Thyroid Dysfunction.  There is a difference between dysfunction and disease.  An example of disease would be thyroid cancer, which is rare. Most people that have thyroid problems actually have dysfunctions, not disease.  T4 (thyroxine) is the main hormone that the thyroid produces. Often patients are "treated" with synthetic thyroid hormone(T4)  replacement therapy such as Synthroid. Yet most that are given synthetic thyroid do not notice much difference.  Why is that?  It is because your thyroid system is a functional system. There are many functional components to your "thyroid".  For example a major problem is that the most active thyroid hormone is T3--not T4.  To get T3, your body system must convert T4 to T3.  T4 is converted to T3 in the liver, small intestine, kidney and other tissues in your body. So T3 is more active.  So why not test for T3?  That's what I do.  If you have a conversion problem ie your body is not converting T4 to T3--then you have a conversion problem.  That is a dysfunction. Correct the dysfunction and you improve. And taking more synthetic T4 will not help. Another major functional  problem is that most low thyroid or hypothyroid patients actually have an autoimmune problem known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  The real problem here isautoimmune--that the immune system is attacking the thyroid. Taking more Synthetic T4 will not correct the autoimmune dysfunction.
So what to do?  Why not get proper testing. For example,  I test for low T3 levels and for autoimmune.  Most clinics will not test for these 2 dysfunctions.  Why?  Because these tests are usually considered "medically unnecessary". That means that nothing can be done if there is no drug or surgery--- so why do the test? However there are natural ways to assist the body to function better.  Reduce the "dysfunctions". When your body functions better then you feel more energetic, joyful, and focused.  Life can be significantly better. There is help for your hypothyroid or low thyroid. Go to my website LifeSpring Wellness Center for more info-- Low Thyroid Dysfunction  Remember, health is based on proper function and physiology.  You can be in control of your own health!

Low Thyroid T3 Conversion Problems

When a patient has been diagnosed with hypoythyroid, she is usually given synthetic T4 hormone such as Synthroid.  In most cases, this does not solve the fatigue and low energy problem.  T4 must be converted to T3 to be effective.  Taking more synthetic T4 usually does not help that. The problem lies in the conversion of T4 to T3.  That process occurs in the liver, small intestine, and kidneys. Also stress has an effect on conversion.  For more info go to LifeSpringWellnessCenter.  Attending a Minnesota thyroid seminar helps your understanding of this process.

Women with Low Thyroid Dr. Phil Gilman DC FMA,located in Bloomington MN, offers hope for women with low thyroid in Minnesota who have spent many years treating symptoms, yet still have their symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue, insomnia, foggy thinking, cold hands, loss of hair, depression, digestive complaints. Symptoms of low thyroid often have similar symptoms of many other conditions, and the problem can be easily misdiagnosed. And, quite often, the basic medical tests such as TSH look “normal”, but you still don’t feel well. Traditional medical treatments won’t ultimately help the most common type of thyroid condition, which is Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition. It’s important to find the cause of low thyroid, which usually is your immune system. Our process includes a customized approach to your situation with diet and nutritional supplements. We’ll monitor your progress and revise diet and supplements as needed to you reach your goal for a better quality of life.

Hypothyroid and low energy

Minnesota hypothyroid patients now have the opportunity to get relief from low energy, low mood, and brain fog. As a doctor of chiropractic in Bloomington at LifeSpring Wellness Center, Dr. Phil Gilman DC FASBE FMA has 30 years of helping hypothyroid patients enjoy life more by increasing their energy, mood, and focus. What is important is finding out why one has low thyroid symptoms. Dr.Gilman has noticed that most patients that have been diagnosed as hypothyroid and are on medication do not feel any better. If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroid and are on medication and do not feel any better, then something is being missed. Finding the missing link can make all the difference in the world!

CRP Level and Brain function

Elevated CRP Level Linked to Decline in Executive Function and Frontal Lobe Damage. CRP has been linked to heart disease, and Alzheimers. Inflammation is involved in many other health problems. Hashimoto's thyroid often has inflammation markers such as CRP

A new study shows a link between elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an indicator of low-grade inflammation, and decline in executive function.

That means that inflammation is linked to frontal cortex executive function ie decision, focus etc.

Low Thyroid and Autoimmune

Most low thyroid problems are actually autoimmune problems, that is Hashimoto's. The medical treatment for Hashimoto's is synthetic T4. However since Hashimotto's is not really a thyroid problem, but an autoimmune problem that attacks the thyroid, we look to see what triggers or aggrevates the immune system.

Sleeping Well

Sleeping and Health

Six tips for optimal sleep
Running around frantically just before slamming your head onto your pillow is not an effective way to achieve optimal sleep patterns for most people. Getting into a pattern of consistent, optimal sleep takes some time and can be greatly helped by following some basic sleep hygiene tips. Take a look at the list below and consider integrating a few into your routine for the next week to see if you can complete the following optimal-sleep challenge: Fall asleep within five minutes of lying down, sleep through the night without waking, and rise the next morning feeling rested and refreshed.

Find out why you do not sleep well.

1. Shut down your computer and turn off your cell phone and television 30 minutes prior to sleep. Create an environment that is quiet and calm.

2. Remove stimulants (television, stereo, computer, bright lights) from your sleeping area. Keep the bedroom clear from clutter -- remove any unnecessary furniture, piles of clothes, papers and books so things are kept out of sight and the space looks and feels calm and simple.

3. Make sure your sleeping area is as dark and quiet as possible. Consider a fan or other source of white noise to create a consistent environment.

4. Dab a drop of essential oil behind the ears. It should be a scent you've chosen only for sleep time, not something you might associate with your shampoo, dryer sheets, hand lotion, etc. The idea is to associate this scent with the sensation of feeling relaxed and tired.

5. Establish a set sleeping time and try your best to stick to it -- even if your work schedule requires that you work odd hours and even if that means you're sleeping each day from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m.

6. Find out WHY you have difficulty sleeping. For example, if you cannot fall asleep, you may have insulin resistance or hyper adrenals. If you cannot stay asleep you may have low blood sugar or adrenals. Are you waking up tired and with fatigue? Do you feel fatigue and get sleepy after noon lunch? Getting at the underlying cause is the most important factor. Blood sugar, adrenals, and thyroid problems could be causing your problem. We test to find that out for you. No guessing. Sound sleep is critical for health.

Just as we all need air, water and food to survive, we also need sleep to be healthy. By making optimal sleep a priority in your life, you may be amazed at the positive impact you can have on your mental and physical outlook. With a few simple rituals in place, and getting at the underlying cause, you lay the foundation for attaining optimal wellness. At LifeSpring we look for the cause of your fatigue.