This presentation details many thyroid conditions, possible tests, causes and treatments. Holistic solutions to improve your thyroid health.

1. • The thyroid gland is a soft
smooth fleshy gland which
sits below the larynx
(voice box).
• This gland produces
thyroid hormone which
controls the metabolic rate.

2. • The thyroid gland produces the hormone called
Thyroxine (T4) – this contains 4 molecules of
iodine
• T4 is converted into the much more active form
of thyroid hormone called Triiodothyronine (T3)
– this contains 3 molecules of iodine
• T4 is converted into T3 in the liver, muscle,
kidney and to a lesser degree in all other body
tissues

3. Disorders of the thyroid
• Hypothyroidism (underactive)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive)
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of thyroid tissue)
• Goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland)
• Thyroid nodules (lumps within the thyroid)
• Thyroid cancer (malignant growth in the thyroid)

4. Hypothyroidism
Underactive = inadequate thyroid hormone
Causes include:
• Auto-immune disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis)
• Poor nutrition
• Environmental toxins – petrochemicals, fluoride, bromide
• Radiation
• Hereditary factors
• Some prescribed medications e.g. Lithium
• Ageing

5. Symptoms of hypothyroidism
• Weight gain
• Low body temperature
• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Dry flaky skin
• Fluid retention
• Slow reflexes
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness

6. Symptoms of hypothyroidism
• Rapid ageing
• Slowness of thought
• Depression
• Increased sensitivity to the cold
• Loss of interest in sex
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
• Infertility

7. Myxoedema
is a sign of
severe
hypothyroidism

8. Hyperthyroidism
Over production of thyroid hormone
Causes include:
• Stress & lack of rest
• Autoimmune disease
• Hot nodule
• Over dose of thyroid hormone
• Amiodarone (heart medication)
• Iodine toxicity (rare)

9. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
• Rapid heart beat
• Shortness of breath
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Intolerance of heat
• Irregularity of menstrual cycle
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Insomnia

10. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
• Tremor
• Malaise
• Muscle weakness
• Diarrhea
• Infertility
• Exophthalmos – eye disease – not always

11. Blood tests for thyroid function
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
(TSH)
• Free T3
• Free T4
• Reverse T3
• Thyroid antibody levels
Feedback circuit

12. Thyroid hormones - normal ranges
• Free T3 2.5 – 6.0
• Free T4 8.0 – 22.0
• TSH 0.30 – 2.5
Auto-immune antibodies against the thyroid
• Anti-thyroglobulin = negative ....... (< 100)
• Anti-microsomal = negative .......... (< 100)
• TSH receptor antibodies
Genetic test for gluten intolerance
Serum vitamin D blood test: a healthy serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D value is
between 75 nmol/L and 125 nmol/L (30 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL)

13. Thyroid antibodies are like missiles.
They travel through the blood
& find the thyroid gland and attack its cells

14. • Men should take their basal body temperature for
four consecutive days
• Women should take their basal body temperature
for first 10 days of your menstrual cycle; this
avoids confusion with the normal spike in body
temperature which occurs after healthy ovulation
• If your temperature is below 36.0º C or 96.8º F,
your thyroid gland function is less than desirable;
this should be confirmed with a blood test

15. Other thyroid tests
• Urinary spot iodine test
• Basal body temperature
• Ultrasound of thyroid
• Nuclear scan of thyroid
• Needle biopsy of nodule

16. Goiter = Enlarged thyroid
Causes include:
• Iodine deficiency
• Selenium deficiency
• Auto-immune inflammation
• Nodules within the thyroid
• Tumours – benign & malignant
• Physiological – During pregnancy & puberty
• Goiters can compress the trachea or esophagus
causing difficulty breathing or swallowing

17. Thyroid Nodules (lumps)
• Single nodules
• Multiple nodules
• Hot nodules
(functioning)
• Cold nodules
(non-functioning)
• Often no symptoms

18. Toxic Multinodular Goiter
• Multinodular goiter – one
or more hot nodules, which
produce excess thyroid
hormone, resulting in
symptoms of
hyperthyroidism.

19. Thyroid hormone replacement may be required;
• Thyroxine (T4) tablets eg. Synthroid or Oroxine
• Cytomel or Tertroxin (T3) tablets
• Porcine desiccated thyroid capsules
• Thyroid cream

20. Treatment for hypothyroidism
Selenium (100-200mcg)
• Vitamin D3 (1000-2000IU)
• Iodine (160-320mcg)
• Zinc (5-10mg)
• Tyrosine – maybe useful in high doses (500mg-3000mg)
• Omega 3 fatty acids – fish, flaxseed, hempseed oil
daily doses given

21. Treatment for thyroid problems
• Bowel and liver detox plan
• Gluten free diet if thyroid antibodies present
• Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt,
kamut and many processed foods
• A reduction of dairy products may be required if
thyroid nodules contain a mucus secretion
called colloid

22. Treatment for thyroid problems
• Magnesium supplement
• Fish oil – 1 tablespoon daily before food
• Selenium - 100-200mcg daily
• Vitamin D3 – 1000-2000IU daily
• Zinc – 5-10mg daily
• Iodine (maybe required but needs to be tested)
• Good quality sleep & more rest
• Stress management

23. Natural progesterone cream
• Can help women who have stubborn or hard to
help thyroid problems
• Unfortunately this is often completely overlooked
and is not considered to be significant
• However it can make the difference between
success or failure
• Daily doses vary from 25-100mg

24. Capsules for thyroid health
• Must contain Iodine, Selenium, Vitamin D
and Zinc
• Easy to swallow capsules

25. Iodine
• 70 – 80% of the iodine in your body is stored in
your thyroid gland
• Required for healthy thyroid tissue
• Required for production of thyroid hormones
• Required for healthy breast tissue
• Reduces thyroid & breast cancer
• Iodine deficiency is common worldwide

26. Dietary sources of Iodine
• Seafood and seaweed
(Such as Kelp or Nori)
• Iodised salt
• Plant & animal foods
Contain variable
amounts

27. • Iodine and/or selenium deficiency is a common
cause of under active thyroid gland
• Long term iodine deficiency, particularly in
conjunction with selenium deficiency, can cause
the thyroid to enlarge and form a swelling called a
goiter.
• Selenium and/or iodine deficiency increases the
risk of thyroid and breast cancer.
• Obtaining adequate iodine during pregnancy is
vital for the healthy intellectual development of
the infant. Iodine deficiency in infancy can lead to
reduced IQ

28. Selenium
• Essential for the conversion of T4 to T3
• Essential for healthy thyroid tissue
• Anti-tumor effect and helps to shrink nodules, most
types of warts & some types of skin tags
• Has been shown to stimulate cell death (apoptosis)
in tumor cells
• Reduces anti-thyroid antibody levels – essential for
autoimmune disease
• Geographic studies have shown that people who
live in areas with selenium deficient soils have
higher cancer mortality rates

29. Dietary sources of Selenium
Many areas of the world have
selenium deficient soils
Brazil nuts are the best dietary
source of selenium

30. • The incidence of thyroid cancer
has more than doubled in the
USA since the 1970s
• Regular checkups from your
local doctor of your thyroid are
essential – the most important
being a physical exam of your
gland (palpation)

31. Vitamin D
• Promotes a healthy immune system
• Helps cell differentiate (become specialized) and
inhibits cell proliferation (growing in an out of
control way)
• It is thought that these are the reasons why
Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of at least
17 different types of cancer, including breast
colon and prostrate cancer
• Vitamin D works with the parathyroid glands to
control calcium metabolism and bone strength

32. Sources of Vitamin D
• Skin exposure to
Sunlight
• Sardines, Tuna,
salmon, mackerel,
herring and catfish
• Eggs
• Fortified dairy
products

33. Statistics
• Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in
those that work indoors
• Vitamin D deficiency affects more than 1 in 3
women during summer, and 1 in 2 during winter
• Sunscreen stops manufacture of vitamin D
• Prolonged sun exposure can be hazardous and
inconvenient and vitamin D is found in very few
foods; therefore supplementing with vitamin D
may be the best option

34. Zinc
• Helps maintain a healthy immune system
• Required for binding of thyroid hormones to
receptors inside cells, therefore zinc is essential to
activate thyroid hormones and enable them to
carry out their functions.

35. Dietary sources of Zinc
• Seafood, esp. Oysters
• Beans, lentils, yeast,
nuts, seeds and
wholegrain cereals.
• Pumpkin seeds (one
of the most
concentrated
vegetarian food
sources of zinc)

36. Capsules for Thyroid Health
Herbal extract equivalent to dry: 533mg
Fucus vesiculosus whole plant
(Kelp) providing 160mcg of iodine
Nutrients:
Selenium (as selenomethionine) 100mcg
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 1000IU
Zinc 5mg

37. For additional technical
support, please call our
Health Advisory team on
(1623 334-3232)
or
email us from
www.liverdoctor.com