Thyroid Adrenal Connection
Information and Resources
WELCOME to the Thyroid Adrenal Connection website!
This site is designed to help you find resources and information that you can use for your own health and well being! It was created to share the information that we found the most helpful in our own research into Thyroid and Adrenal issues. Please bookmark this site and return often for further information and updates. this site is updated regularly.
The Hypothyroidism Epidemic
"At any given time in the United
States, more than 20 million people suffer from a thyroid disorder, more than
10 million women have low-grade thyroid imbalance, and nearly 8 million people
with thyroid imbalance remain undiagnosed.".."at any given time, more than
half the patients in our population with low-grade hypothyroidism remain
un-diagnosed." Ridha Arem, MD
"Although extremely common, low thyroid is largely an "unsuspected illness".
Even when suspected, it is frequently undiagnosed. When it is diagnosed it
often goes untreated. When it is treated, it is seldom treated optimally." Drs. Shames and Shames
Thyroid and Adrenal Treatment Resources
Learn all you can! Use the search engines available on the web. Type in the word or words you want such as Thyroid, Adrenals, etc. and you will be rewarded with site after site of information. Learn to discriminate about what you read; check it with those who have both experience and knowledge.
Coexistence of Thyroid and Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal Insufficiency and Hypothyroidism often go together. A normal Cortisol level is necessary for thyroid hormone to be converted from inactive T4 to active T3 and to be utilized by the thyroid receptor cells.
.. raised serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone TSH in the absence of primary thyroid failure can be a feature of adrenal insufficiency and may resolve after Glucocorticoid replacement....
Failure to reach a correct diagnosis in patients with a raised serum concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone who have Addison's disease (even in patients with only borderline adrenal failure can lead to an adrenal crisis if Thyroxine is introduced before Glucocorticoid replacement. It is imperative that Addison's disease be excluded when a patient's clinical state deteriorates shortly after the introduction of Thyroxine.
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine is *very*
important for the production of Thyroid and Adrenal Hormones and for every cell in the
body....The thyroid gland needs Iodine to make Thyroid Hormone which is
primarily composed of Iodine and the amino acid Tyrosine.
Unfortunately, the other Halogens: Chlorine, Bromine, Fluorine, will replace
Iodine and cause problems with the thyroid gland. This is particularly true if
a person is iodine deficient, which many people evidently are these days....Iodine
levels in the US have declined 50% since 1971, according to Dr. Brownstein.
Recently, I read his fascinating book on this subject which I highly
recommend to all. It is recommended that you check your Iodine levels through the
"Iodine Loading Test" before you start on
Thyroid Hormones. An Iodine Deficiency may be contributing to your hormone
problems.
"Iodine" - book by Dr. David Brownstein M.D.
Dr. Browstein Videos: Short, informative videos about Iodine
More informative
Sites on Iodine
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/opt_Iodoral.htm
Nancy
Adams' informative Site about Iodine
she is
also a supplier of Iodoral with free shipping....
http://www.quackcenter.com/iodoral.html
Information about the link between Iodine and Cancer
including Breast Cancer
Thyroid Information Websites
Thyroid information: Mary Shomon
Subscribe to Mary's Informative Newsletter
There is a lot wrong with the way Thyroid Illness is dealt with these days, leaving many people undiagnosed and under-treated: you will learn ways to help yourself here.
A friendly group of folks that have probably gone through what you are now facing
Thyroid Information - English, French, German
Thyroid and Adrenal Mailing Lists
New England Journal of Medicine Study
The New England Journal of Medicine 1999;340:424-429, 469-470
Effects of Thyroxine (T4) as Compared with Thyroxine (T4) plus Triiodothyronine (T3) in Patients with Hypothyroidism
"Patients with Hypothyroidism show greater improvements in mood and brain function if they receive treatment with T4 plus T3 thyroid hormone rather than T4 alone.
Hypothyroidism, where the gland has ceased to function or has been removed, is usually treated with daily doses of Synthetic Hormone (T4 only). But the researchers found that substituting T4 plus T3 thyroid (T4 + T3 as found in natural thyroid) led to improvements in mood and in neuropsychological functioning.
Armour thyroid , Nature-throid, and Westhroid are prescription medications that contain desiccated thyroid hormone derived from the thyroid gland of the pig. Natural thyroid hormone contains not just T4, but also T3, the active form of thyroid hormone, plus T2, T1 and Calcitonin. Armour Thyroid tablets are manufactured from only domestic pigs that are fed a plant derived diet.
Natural thyroid extracts have been used since 1892 and were approved by the FDA in 1939. Armour thyroid and most other natural glandular preparations are made to standards approved by the United States Pharmacopoeia (U.S.P.), which ensures that its potency is accurately stated on the label.
Armour Information Pack for Patients and Doctors in the UK
How To: Switch From Synthroid To Armour Thyroid.
Conversion chart on the Armour site
Nature-Throid and Armour is available without a prescription online:
Nutri-meds: Whole Thyroid and Whole Adrenal Dessicated Glandulars
International Pharmacy ( for those outside the U.S. only)
Thyroid testing that you can do yourself:
If you are going to test, test not only TSH
but also Free T4, Free T3 and Thyroid Antibodies
You can have a "normal" TSH and still be sick and tired.
Additional Laboratories
If you feel you need blood tests, saliva tests etc. you can get them yourself
The Canary
Club is a self-empowerment tool
for those concerned about health
(especially hormone imbalance),
and the environment.
Medical Alert Identification
If you are taking Hydrocortisone, (Cortef), Thyroid Hormone, or any other vital medication on a regular basis, you should have a medical alert card in your wallet. Here is a site to print your medical alert cards free. http://www.medids.com/free-id.php
Medic-Alert 24 hour Emergency Response Center
http://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx
Valerie Taylor's Ebay Jewelry Store - Lovely Medical Alert Bracelets http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations
Books About The Adrenal-Thyroid Connection
"The Safe Uses of Cortisol" by William McK. Jefferies. MD
Signs and Symptoms: Adrenal Fatigue vs. Low Thyroid Function
Adrenal Glands and Adrenal Fatigue
Management of Thyroid Deficiency
Adrenal Support Supplements and Drugs
Both DHEA and Progesterone Cream are available on-line and in health food stores. Saliva Testing and Serenity Progesterone Cream are available from 'Serenity For Women' a natural progesterone from
Nutritional Supplements are readily available on-line at most of the sites dedicated to Thyroid and Adrenal issues and also at most Health Food stores. One of my favorites is iHerb.com. There are vitamins, minerals and herbs that support the Thyroid and Adrenals. Enough Vitamin C is very important for the Adrenals and good health in general. Some others are the B Complex Vitamins, Iron (if needed), EFA's Essential Fatty Acids, Siberian Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Licorice, Gota Kola, Iodine-small amount as in seaweeds, Zinc, Selenium. Also L-Tyrosine which supports the creation and conversion and distribution of thyroid and adrenal cortex hormones, as well as increased brain function and reduces stress and builds muscle. Magnesium, Co-Q 10 and Flax Seed Oil.
Good source for Information and Supplements:
Books: I have read and recommend:
If you only buy only two books buy these two:-))
# 1 Dr. Broda Barnes: "Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness"
#2 Dr. Jefferies: "The Safe Uses of Cortisol"
Dr. Philip G. Young: "Thyroid Guardian of Health"
Dr. Broda Barnes: "Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness"
Mary J. Shomon: "Living Well With Hypothyroidism"
Dr. Stephen Langer: "Solved The Riddle of Illness"
"Thyroid Balance" by Glen S. Rothfeld MD and Deborah S. Romaine.
Dr. David Brownstein: "Overcoming Thyroid Disorders" and
"Miracle of Natural Hormones"
Jacob Teitelbaum: "From Fatigued to Fantastic"
Drs. John C and Gina Honeyman Lowe: "Your Guide To Metabolic Health"
Dr. Jefferies: "The Safe Uses of Cortisol"
James L. Wilson: "Adrenal Fatigue"
Drs. Shames: "Feeling Fat Fuzzy or Frazzled?" - Hormone Balance
How To Test Yourself for Hypothyroidism
Barnes Basal
Temperature Test
Place a thermometer at your bedside, and as soon as you wake up, before you
step out of bed, place the thermometer under your tongue for at least 3
minutes. If you are T3 deficient, you will find your basal temperature to be
below 97.8°F. If your
first-thing-in-the-morning temperature is consistently low, it likely means
that your basal (resting) metabolic rate is also low. You may also feel cold
and tired.
Alternately you can place the thermometer under you arm for 10 minutes. If your basal temperature is below 97.6 you _may_ be Hypothyroid.
GO BY HOW YOU FEEL!
If you have a knowledgeable doc and insurance, you are exceptionally lucky, but you don't have to suffer in silence if you don't. Read the two books recommended above and learn all you can, join one of the Thyroid and Adrenal Mailing lists and learn from those who have years of experience treating their own thyroid and adrenal problems. You can feel better and you will if you take charge of your own health and well being.
Some places to find
progressive or holistic docs:
Armour Thyroid
American College for Advancement in Medicine
Thyroide: English, French, German
Broda Barnes Foundation
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Wishing EveryOne the best of Health and Happiness!
"Health is thy birthright - not disease.
Strength is thy heritage but not weakness;
Efficiency but not inefficiency;
Courage but not fear;
Bliss but not sorrow;
Peace but not restlessness;
Knowledge but not ignorance;
Immortality but not mortality."
Swami Sivananda
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*Legal Disclaimer. Information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Since every individual is unique you may wish to consult with your health care practitioner.
© Copyright 2005 updated 2006, 2007, 2008 by Beverly B. Ferguson
"Thyro-Butterfly"
