SMALL GLAND—BIG JOB!
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that wraps its wings around the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box) at the base of your neck. Weighing in at around two ounces or less, this vital endocrine gland is tiny compared to the body’s total weight, but gigantic in importance to our lives.
Normal Energy and Growth Rely on Healthy Thyroids
It makes thyroglobulin proteins that bind to essential iodine particles to produce metabolic and growth hormones. These control the rate at which the body burns energy so that we don’t run out of fuel, and regulates the growth of brain and body cells, and the construction and maintenance of bones.
Naturopathic Doctor (ND PhD) Gez Agolli of Progressive Medical Centers discussed the more technical aspects of thyroids in the last issue. Now he addresses the specific problem of hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. When thyroid hormone levels decrease a number of processes are affected, and, in severe cases, the situation can even be life threatening.
Hypothyroidism Can Exhibit One or More Symptoms
According to Agolli, “As much as 40% of the population may be suffering from hypothyroidism, and yet, normal blood tests don’t reveal the problem. Still, there are symptoms that may indicate the need for more in-depth testing. A partial listing includes: body temperatures that fall below 97.8 F, slow heart rate, excessive hair loss, PMS, depression, cold hands and feet, loss of libido, paranoia, chronic constipation, dry or flaky skin, facial swelling or droopy eyes, and even brittle finger nails. Any of these or a combination of several, should raise questions that can be answered by specific tests that we conduct at our clinic.”
Loss of Hormone Production Causes and Factors
Dr. Agolli lists ten possible causes or contributing factors for hypothyroidism: depressed immune function, poor diet, food allergies, nutrient deficiencies (especially iodine, tyrosine, and B-vitamins), hormone imbalances, parasites, liver dysfunction, certain medications, secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary dysfunction, and other diseases.
Dr. Broda Barnes, a respected physician and scientist, released a study on hypothyroidism in 1976. He identified more than forty symptoms that could be related to poor thyroid function. Barnes realized that standard blood tests were not the answer to detecting the source of many of those problems. He discovered that taking an oral temperature immediately upon awakening can reveal an under active gland when the reading is below 97.8 F. In addition Agolli suggests checking your resting pulse at the same time. Normally, this rate should be between 65 and 75.
If symptoms, heart rate, and/or temperature indicate the need for further diagnostics, then Agolli recommends contacting Progressive Medical Centers to schedule an appointment. His staff not only runs further tests on blood samples, but also on saliva and urine, and uses Barnes’s basal temperature guide. Exercise, diets and supplements are then prescribed to address the conditions that are uncovered.
Treating the Hypothyroid Condition
Treatment may call for Armour Desiccated Thyroid (or natural bovine thyroid) that contains all of the hormone factors needed to restore balance. Many doctors prescribe Synthroid (synthetic T4), which contains only a fraction of the hormone needed. Most patients need all of the thyroid components that consist of T1, T2, T3 (the most active form of the thyroid), and T4. Armour has all of these components and helps nourish the thyroid to a therapeutic level.
In addition, Progressive medical doctors also use non-prescription thyroid replacement when it is in the patient’s best interest. Our approach is not “one-size fits all.” The conventional doctor’s approach is to check only TSH and Total T4. Progressive gets to the root cause with an extensive thyroid and endocrine diagnostic evaluation. Progressive Medical Centers administers treatment only under carefully monitored conditions and under the direct supervision of a licensed provider.
Exercise programs are combined with healthy diets that include proteins and good carbohydrates from vegetables. Supplements are individualized for each patient after complete testing. Typical are minerals such as iodine and zinc selenium, as well as tyrosine (an amino acid), and essential fatty acids.
God made us complete with installed symptoms that act as alarm bells. They tell us that something has gone haywire in this marvelous creation called the human body. Refusing to pay attention to the clanging of an alarm is like sitting in a burning building with our fingers in our ears to shut out the noise. One of Dr. Agolli’s professors said, “If you ignore your health...it will go away permanently!”
Got questions? Call Agolli at (888) 802-4131. His clinic is located at 4646 North Shallowford Road in Atlanta.