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Summary part 2 of 3---Parathyroid and Celiac

  4.  C. responded with a helpful Thyroid Health guideline that she uses

     Thyroid Health

The thyroid gland is one of the most misunderstood glands.  It is part of the
endocrine gland system, which in total, produces over 100 hormones.
Therefore, it is like a member of an orchestra.  It is considered a secondary
gland, because it is told what to do by other glands.

     The Role of the Thyroid:

The thyroid is a regulatory gland - it is involved in regulating many body
systems, and some of its roles include:

* Energy in cells

* Body temperature

* Body weight

* Growth

* Reproduction

* Nervous system

* Calcium absorption

It is very involved in our metabolism and influences the body's ability to
recover from any illness.

     Hormones Produced by the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands

1. a)  T4:  thyroxine involved in body regulation

b)  T3:  formed after T4 is released (gives energy and endurance)

      2.   Calcitonin:  Involved in regulation of calcium absorption from
food.

            An imbalance can cause:

* poor calcium absorption

* release of calcium stores from teeth and bones

* kidney stones

     Nutrients Absolutely Essential to Manufacture Hormones:

1. Protein, Vitamin C,  B Complex and Zinc are essential to maintain healthy
glandular tissue.

2. Adequate Iodine, tyrosine and lecithin MUST be available at the same time
in order for the body to manufacture thyroxine.

a. Iodine - in order to make thyroxine, we must have an adequate supply of
iodine from the diet

b. Tyrosine - (a non-essential amino acid manufactured by the body ONLY if
all of the nine essential amino acids are present) ... without adequate
tyrosine, you cannot make thyroxine

c. Lecithin - you cannot absorb iodine from the diet without adequate
lecithin present.

     Two Categories of Thyroid Problems:

Disorders in the thyroid are given many different names, but basically they
all fall into two categories:

1. Organic Thyroid Disease: attacks or interferes with normal regulation of th
e normal regulation of the thyroid (causes 20-25% of thyroid problems)

a. Tumors - interrupt normal function

b. Poisoning - interrupts normal function

c.

2. Functional Thyroid Disorders:  (causes 75-80% of thyroid disorders)

Caused by: allergies, nutrient deficiencies, inhibitions from viruses &
long-term bacterial infections, drugs, caffeine (depresses the thyroid),
thyocyanide in cigarette smoke

    One problem which is rarely recognized, but extremely common is the
imbalance
between estrogen and progesterone.  Cellular utilization of thyroxine is
impeded by estrogen and promoted by progesterone.  Therefore, if a person is
estrogen dominant, even if the thyroid is manufacturing adequate thyroxine,
it cannot be received by the cells, and therefore, is often misinterpreted as
hypothyroidism.

      Main Types of Problems:

1. Hypothyroidism:

a. Functional Thyroid disorders - low production of thyroxine

b. Non-toxic Goiter - low production of thyroxine

2. Hyperthyroidism:

a. Graves Disease:  overactive, enlarged thyroid

b. Thyrotoxicosis:  increased thyroxine production - often caused by heavy
metal toxicity

c.  Toxic Goiter:  increased thyroxine production

     Hyperthyrodism is usually caused by:

* brain accumulation of heavy metals

* lack of detoxification

* hypothalamus deficient in B vitamins

* deficiency in Vitamin C and/or Vitamin E (long term deficiencies of eithe
can cause cells of the thyroid gland to multiply abnormally and secrete too
much hormone)

* tumors on the hypothalamus or pituitary (less than 3% caused by this)

3. Thyroiditis - inflammation - inhibits secretion of thyroxine.  Caused by:

a. Nutritional deficiencies

b. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites

c. Weak immune system

d. Candida

e. Allergies

f. Caffeine, and many drugs

g. Thyocyanide in cigarette smoke

4. Hashimotos's Disease - chronic thyroiditis

      Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Functional Thyroid Disorders)

* Tired & fatigued (low energy & endurance

* Muscle weakness even though exercising

* Painful premenstrual periods

* Dry and scaly skin

* Constipation (digestion slows down)

* Myxedema (drooping, swollen eyes)

* Thinking is sluggish - memory faulty

* Sex urge is weak or asleep

* Intolerance to cold

* Hair:  lifeless & falls out

* Overweight

* Depression

* Recurrent infections

* Slow speech

* Loss of appetite          (to be continued)

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