THE THYROID
Hyper and Hypothyroidism are two of the common thyroid disorders and may mimic depression/mental illness.
An underactive (hypo) thyroid can lead to a progressive loss of interest and initiative, a slowing of mental processes, poor short term memory, a fading of the persons vitality and liveliness, general intellectual deterioration and depression. Other signs are: dry, rough skin; pale and puffy complexion; loss of hair; change in voice; weakness; an intolerance to cold; weight gain; constipation; muscle cramps; increased menstrual flow; a slowed heart rate; indecisiveness; confusion and/or forgetfulness (often mistaken for dementia in seniors). Because the hormones T3 and T4 are lacking, the body’s metabolic rate and organ functions slow down. Symptoms are not always obvious and may be mistaken for other diseases. If not treated, a severe form can develop called myxedema whereby the body temperature can drop, anemia can occur and there is a risk of congestive heart failure. Hypothyroidism is the most common of the thyroid disorders
An overactive (hyper) thyroid may show itself in a person as: marked anxiety and tension; emotionally unstable; impatient and irritable; overactive/skittish; overly sensitive to noise; a fluctuating depression; sleep and appetite disorders; and in extreme cases, signs of schizophrenia.
Many studies have shown a clear relationship between the onset of thyroid disorders and stress. It could be that the person is predisposed to the ailment or that the illness itself is contributing to the situation of stress. Long term use of psychiatric medications used to stabilize moods can cause hypothyroidism, particularly in middle aged women and can cause depression, which is the very problem that the treatment was to alleviate.
Thyroid disease can run in families and is more common in females. There also seems to be a higher than normal occurrence in people with type 2 diabetes and almost one-third of people with type 1 diabetes have thyroid disease. Type 1 diabetes is a type of autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks a gland or organ in the body. Thyroid disorders can have a significant effect on blood glucose levels. Thyroid imbalance symptoms can be easily misdiagnosed in the case of diabetes as they quite often are symptoms that a diabetic might experience anyhow.
The diagnosis is very often overlooked and could be due to the fact that the usual test that is ordered by the doctor is “less expensive” than the more extensive “expensive” testing. Years can go by, where a patient goes undiagnosed and the disease develops slowly and insidiously.
Once diagnosed, what treatments are available?
Treatments for Hyperthyroidism are;
-anti-thyroid drugs to slow down the hormone production
- radioactive iodine therapy to destroy thyroid cells
- surgical removal of the thyroid
The last 2 options would then require a life long commitment to hormone replacement therapy.
Treatment for Hypothyroidism is usually done by taking a synthetic thyroid hormone daily.
There has been much discussion in the past few years on the correlation between taking thyroid medications and that it would eventually lead to osteoporosis and there is quite a bit of evidence that would support that.
We could have many people taking antidepressants that actually just need to balance their thyroid. We also have many diabetics that could ‘control’ their condition much easier; seniors on dementia drugs that could just have a thyroid problem; many people (mostly women) struggling with weight issues….
There is hope! I will tell you my experience. Over the past 30 years, I have moved a lot, so have never had the same doctor for long but have been sent many times, by many dr.s,
for thyroid tests as my symptoms pointed in that direction. The tests always came back fine - no thyroid issues UNTIL my dr. visibly noticed that my thyroid was enlarged about 8 years ago. He sent me for a biopsy and more thorough testing and then to an endocrinologist. The tests showed that the growth was benign but my thyroid wasn’t working properly. Immediately, the specialist wanted to book me in to surgically remove my thyroid! I asked if he would do an ultrasound and then in 6 months, do another. If the growth was growing, then I would possibly agree to removal. I never heard from him again. My GP even tried to reach him but I obviously ticked him off. I started taking Kelp and I found my dosage through trial. If I took too little, I was tired & indecisive and if I took too much, I had heart palpitations. I soon found that if I didn’t take it for a week or so, that I had to nap (3-4 hrs) in the afternoons and was useless for the rest of the day. At times, I could not even make a decision as what to cook or what to wear (so I just didn’t get dressed that day). I learned never to run out of my kelp. I learned of Victor’s new blend #40-Vit-Min-Plus in the spring of 2007 and ordered a bottle of it occasionally but never took it on a regular basis. In December of 07, I started taking 2 twice daily faithfully. I was still taking kelp at this time but found in a month, that I had to lower the mg of kelp and by the end of January, I couldn’t take any as I’d have palpitations. Then a really great thing happened. My brain seemed to kick in and the weight started coming off. It’s now the beginning of June and I’ve gone from a size 14 to a 10. #40 also seems to have also taken my craving for junk food away. YAY! Some days I actually take 2 capsules 3 times if I want an extra boost but I’m still on the #2-Vigor-X (Supervite) and
will probably always be as my kidneys are my obvious weakness. Victor suggests the #36 Velvet G or #5A Glandex or #6B Cir-q-lation LKT for an added boost to the thyroid. And something to remember - Whether you have a hyper OR a hypo thyroid, out blends are made to BALANCE the organ energy. #40 is an incredible formula and is now called QUANTUM BALANCE.
Yours in Health
Maureen Zelmer
