Hi Cavegirl, I found a thyroid article for you: >From: "nutritionmagician" <[log in to unmask]> >Is you thyroid under-functioning? > >Hypothyroidism is a frequent and frequently undiagnosed condition, >especially among women. Many doctors fail to test for thyroid because >the symptoms of an under-functioning thyroid fit other diagnoses, yet >it may be the thyroid that is the root problem. Potential symptoms of >a thyroid that is under active include: depression, obesity, inability to >lose weight, headaches, migraines, high cholesterol, feeling cold a lot, >cold extremities, thinning hair or hair loss, pms, hypoglycemia, fatigue, >difficulty getting going in the a.m., atherosclerosis, menstrual >difficulties, ovarian cysts, brittle nails, poor memory, fibrocystic breast >disease, eczema, acne, and psoriasis. > >It is not uncommon for the blood test for thyroid function to give a normal >result even if your thyroid is under active. For this reason if you have >the symptoms above, it is a good idea to use an alternate method of testing >which you can perform yourself. ><> Use a basal thermometer (the kind with the mercury > that goes under the tongue). You need to take your temperature by > placing the thermometer under your armpit. ><> Do this for five consecutive mornings, as soon as you wake up-don't > up or move around. Have the thermometer on your nightstand, shaken > down, ready to go, the night before. ><> For menstruating women, take your temp beginning with the second day of a > period. For men and postmenopausal women, any time is okay. ><> The normal range is 97.8-98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are below this > it may indicate a hypothyroid condition and you should check with your > doctor. Realize though that not all doctors are informed of this test > or of the fact that the blood test may not tell the whole story. > >When you have blood work done for thyroid function, request TSH, T4 and T3. >Usually a doctor will request the first two but not T3. If TSH or thyroid >stimulating hormone is high, it indicates the thyroid is overworking to >produce enough hormone, a sign of an under active thyroid. T4 is the >inactive form of the hormone which has to be converted to T3. So even >though T4 levels appear normal, if there is a problem with the conversion >process, you could still be hypothyroid. > >If you need supplementary thyroid hormone, ask your doctor to prescribe >Armour Thyroid which is a natural hormone, instead of the usual Synthroid or >L-Thyroxine. The natural form more closely resembles human thyroid and is >more effective. The synthetic ones are in the T4 form and the body still >needs to convert them. Not every pharmacy carries natural hormones so you > may have to seek out a "compounding pharmacy". The International Academy >of Compounding Pharmacies can give you a referral. They can be reached >at 1-800-927-4227. > >To read more about healing with natural hormones, I highly recommend "The >Miracle of Natural Hormones" by David Brownstein, Medical Alternatives >Press, 1-888-647-5616. > >~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= > >Copyright (c) 2000, all rights reserved. >U.S. Library of Congress Digest >ISSN: 1530-3152 > >You may copy or distribute ED so long as this copyright >notice and full information about contacting the author are >attached. The author is: Judy Stone, MSW, CN Contact >her by email: [log in to unmask] or at (734) 994-5549 > >"Every bite you take is a choice you > make about how well you care for yourself" ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> > Nutrition Magician tm > Bringing Good Health to Life! > Consulting, Coaching, Corporate Wellness > Subscribe to Eater's Digest >http://www.nutritionmagician.net