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 and 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 at the Stop The Thyroid Madness website.
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 for TSH
but also FREE T4, FREE T3 and both kinds of Thyroid Antibodies
You can have a "normal" TSH and still be very 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"
Glen S. Rothfeld MD and Deborah S. Romaine. "Thyroid Balance"
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
Products That Help Me To Feel Better
Manna Green and White Tea Extract
Now with White Tea added for even more benefits!
I created Manna Green and White Tea Extract for my own use and now it is available to everyone.
Anti-oxidants, Antibacterial, Energy, and Weight loss!
To Order Manna International Green & White Tea Extract On-line
1oz./30ml/ Dropper bottle of Manna Green & White Tea Extract™
(You may have to hold down the Control key to allow pop-ups to open another window when you press the "Add To Cart" button)
4 oz./120ml. Refill bottle of Manna Green & White Tea Extract™
(You may have to hold down the Control key to allow pop-ups to open another window when you press the "Add To Cart" button)
Did you know that what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in your mouth?
Neal's Yard Organic Skin and Hair care products, for women and men, are my favorites!
Scented with Essential Oils based on Aromatherapy!
Beneficial for body, mind and spirit.
Buy Organic Skin and Hair Care products at our Neal's Yard Organic Shop online
https://us.nyrorganic.com/shop/OM1008
You are also welcome to join us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NYOrganicBeverlyFerguson
The Most Efficient Form of Exercise
Low Impact Aerobic Exercise That Is Fun to do right in your own home!
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
Click Here to Download the Lesson of the Butterfly
Be A Butterfly!
The flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil could set off a storm in Texas. Isn't that an amazing statement? The "Butterfly Effect" theory suggests that the power released by a butterfly's wings can amplify over time to eventually affect weather patterns thousands of miles away. Now imagine the impact of 4 million butterflies.
Thank you for visiting...please fly in again soon!
You might also enjoy our other sites on the web.
Subscribe to our "To-Your-Health" Mailing List
Kombucha Manna Drops Home Page
Manna International Green & White Tea Extract
Kombucha Manna International Newsletter
Visit our Spiritual Inspiration site: OM's Home
Subscribe to Kombucha Manna International Newsletter
Kombucha and Holistic Sites on the Web
Neal's Yard Organic Skin and Hair Care
*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 about the use of anything you read here in your particular situation.
© Copyright 2005, updated 2012 by Beverly B. Ferguson
"Thyro-Butterfly"
