• Hormones/HRT
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Male Menopause
  • Female Menopause
  • Hormone Pathway Chart
    • Thyroid
    • Human Growth Hormone
    • Pregnenolone
    • DHEA
    • Melatonin
    • Progesterone
    • Estrogen
    • Testosterone
  • Synthetic vs. "Natural"
  • Sexual Enhancement
• Chiropractic
• Acupuncture
• PC3 & Supplements
  • Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Formula
  • Antioxidant Formula
  • Calcium Magnesium Aspartate
  • Gluco-Flex
  • Coenzyme Q 10 and Vitamin E
  • Fish Oil
  • Flax Oil
  • Vitamin C 1000
  • Vitamin E 400
• Seminars & Practice Building
  • Pharmacies
• News
  • IV Therapy
  • The Scientific Justification
  • Weight Loss
  • Neutraceuticals
  • DHEA and Stress
  • Health & Beauty Magazine - Revitalize Your Life

Hormones: Thyroid

Thyroid like all our hormones decrease as we age. It regulates temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function. Thyroid hormone levels that are less than optimal can produce symptoms such as: mental confusion, forgetfulness, lethargy, depression, arthritic-like pain, a susceptibility of being cold and catching a cold.

Thyroid hormone:

• Metabolic hormone secreted by the thyroid gland
• Regulates temperature, metabolism and cerebral function
• Results in increased energy, temperature and warmth
• Increased fat breakdown resulting in weight loss, lower cholesterol
• Protects against cardiovascular disease
• Improves cerebral metabolism, prevents cognitive impairment
• Relieves symptoms of thin, sparse hair, dry skin, and thin nails

Over time, the amount of thyroid hormone decreases (as all hormones) secondary to a decreased production by the gland, decreased conversion from T-4 to T-3 and less effectiveness on the receptor sites.

Thyroid function begins with the hypothalamus secreting thyroid-stimulating hormone releasing factor (TRF) to stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) to stimulate the butterfly shaped gland in the neck, the thyroid, to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid secretes approximately a tablespoon of T4 and T3 a year—80% T4, being the weaker hormone, and 20% T3, being four times stronger than T4. T3 also plays the role as the active thyroid hormone.

Malfunction of the thyroid can occur anywhere from the hypothalamus to the cellular receptor sites that have recently been discovered to become insensitive with aging. Sometimes there are sufficient levels of TSH and T4 but not enough of the T3 (free T3). These low T3 levels will again present thyroid insufficiency.

Another problem that can occur with self-imposed fasting, aging, stress, and famine is the production of rT3, a transposed thyroid. This hormone, rT3 (reverse thyroid 3), mimics T3 and binds to the thyroid receptor sites in cells blocking the normal T3. Once again, this will lower the body temperature, decrease energy production, and cause physical and mental sluggishness.

An easy test to do, if you suspect that you have low levels of the thyroid hormone, is to take your body temperature several times a day for 3-4 consecutive days. If it is subnormal, ask your physician for a blood test that includes a TSH, free T4 and a free T3 to check your thyroid function.

Insufficient thyroid levels have symptoms that are gradual and diverse:

• Basal metabolic rate falls – weight gain
• Temperature drops – cold sensitivity
• Cardiac output drops
• Constipation
• Thin hair, skin and nails
• Increased body fat
• Increased cholesterol
• Weak, cold, tired, fatigue

Low T3 Syndrome:

• Probable cause for hypothyroid symptoms
• Poor conversion of T4 to T3 – resulting in low Free T3 levels
• Constipation
• Thin hair, skin and nails
• Increased body fat
• Increased cholesterol
• Weak, cold, tired, fatigue
• Treatment = improve Free T3 levels by administering T3/T4 combinations. The T3/T4 combinations are prescribed by your physician and can be compounded by a compounding drug store.