| Did you know that thyroid disease can cause | | | | inherent in the normal ranges. |
| unexplained weight gain and fatigue? It can also | | | | So what is the solution? If you or someone you |
| cause depression, hair loss, anxiety, dry skin and | | | | love has symptoms of thyroid disease, such as |
| poor memory. When tested randomly, at least | | | | weight they can't lose or unexplained fatigue and |
| 10% of adults are found to have thyroid disease. | | | | depression, don't give up when the family doctor |
| The funny thing is, many with typical symptoms | | | | runs a test, then says everything is fine. Push |
| of a thyroid disorder are tested and found to | | | | harder and work with a doctor who will listen and |
| have 'normal' thyroid function. Furthermore many | | | | understands the shortcomings of relying only on |
| being treated for thyroid disease still have many | | | | test reference ranges. |
| of the symptoms remain. | | | | Whether you have thyroid disease or not, here |
| Why is it that so many people who have | | | | are a few easy steps everyone can take to |
| symptoms are not diagnosed? And why are | | | | improve your thyroid function: |
| many individuals who are diagnosed with thyroid | | | | 1. Get the Right Amount of Iodine. This is easy, |
| disease and receiving treatment not feeling | | | | you know the little girl with the umbrella on your |
| better? | | | | salt? You want iodized salt for use at home. Sea |
| Simply put, the shortcoming is in the "normal | | | | salt can also be found in iodized forms. All the |
| range" numbers of the thyroid tests that most | | | | extra salt we get in processed foods and at |
| doctors rely on. Laboratory ranges can be | | | | restaurants has no iodine. Eat seafood, any kind |
| determined by consensus of experts or by simply | | | | helps. Have some seaweed every now and then |
| averaging scores. | | | | like Nori found on sushi. Take a multi that contains |
| For blood sugar levels, for example, panels of | | | | about 100 mcg of iodine. Avoid very high doses |
| researchers review glucose levels in people who | | | | of iodine found in kelp and iodine supplements. Too |
| have become diabetic and compared it to what | | | | much is as bad or worse than too little. |
| their blood sugar levels were in the years | | | | 2. Minimize Mercury. Seafood is great but be |
| preceding their diagnosis. Those whose morning | | | | aware of high-mercury seafood. The biggest |
| fasting blood sugar levels are under 99 were | | | | no-no is don't eat tuna daily. The most complete |
| found to have lower rates of becoming diabetic. | | | | current data is from the FDA: Avoid mercury |
| Therefore 99 is considered the upper limit of the | | | | amalgams. Getting new fillings? Get porcelain or |
| "normal range". | | | | ceramic. Got old ones that the dentist says should |
| For thyroid disease the ranges are simply | | | | go? Get them out and ask us about ways to |
| averages. What this means is that a lab will | | | | detox. |
| review 10,000 scores from a thyroid test and | | | | 3. Avoid Perchlorate. This is a toxic by product |
| create a high and low range based on this group. | | | | from rocket and jet fuels. It also forms |
| The low range is the lowest 2.5% of scores and | | | | spontaneously in the arid Southwest soil and ends |
| high range is the highest 2.5%. | | | | up in our water. We absorb it from our skin and |
| The problem with this method is that these | | | | intestines. Once in our bodies it prevents our |
| normal values are only reflective of whomever is | | | | thyroid glands from absorbing iodine. Solutions: |
| being tested. Who gets a thyroid test done? | | | | drink purified water only, not tap water. Ideally |
| Primarily two groups: those known to have | | | | use a filter for your shower also. |
| thyroid disease and those suspected of having it. | | | | In the case of suspected thyroid disease or any |
| These two groups should not be expected to | | | | other symptom, never assume that you need to |
| have the same thyroid blood levels as those with | | | | suffer. Educate yourself and take action. You |
| optimal thyroid function, yet this is the assumption | | | | deserve to feel your best! |