Kristi Whitley

Healthy Living

Fat? Cold? Constipated? Lethargic?

My functional medicine doctor says that the majority of Americans have under-active thyroid glands. Also called hypothyroidism, it makes you tired, cold, constipated, unable to lose weight, and makes your hair fall out among other symptoms. I believe hypothyroidism and poor vitamin b absorption from poor gut health affects everyone in the country to some degree. Stressful lifestyles with long commutes, rushed weekends, coffee, sugar, and wheat addictions all contribute to vitamin b deficiency and hypothyroidism. 

Normal Isn't Good Enough

Add to the problem, your doctor will test your thyroid function and say that all is "normal". Dr. Mercola points out in the attached article that the ranges for "normal" thyroid function are too broad. There are four common parameters used to measure thyroid function; T4, T3, reverse T3, and TSH. Any one of these can indicate hypothyroidism. If you are on the low end of the "normal" range and have symptoms of hypothyroidism you are not in the normal range for YOUR best health and should treat your thyroid. But wait, the doctor only knows to put you on synthetic thyroid hormone replacement therapy. It will raise your T4 number but the other numbers won't change. Meaning your body is not using it properly. 

Functional Medicine

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A functional medicine doctor like my Dr. Ann Farmakis in Orlando treats hypothyroidism with bio-identical thyroid hormone replacement that will treat all four parameters of thyroid function. She also uses iodine therapy. 

Supplement with Iodine

I wouldn't point out a problem unless there is also a solution. Start today adding iodine to your diet via sea vegetables and iodized sea salt. Every organ in your body needs iodine to function properly. Americans do not have a constant source of iodine since the farm soil has been depleted of it and we do not eat seaweed everyday.

There is a great product in the health food store called "Sea Seasonings Kelp Granules". It is tasteless and looks like pepper when you sprinkle it on your food. Just 1/4 teaspoon provides 20 times the RDA of iodine. Another healthy sprinkle is "Eden Organic Seaweed Gomasio". It adds sesame seeds, sea salt and seaweed to your food. I use it on my salads and in my salad dressings. The kelp goes on everything from salads to cooked food, just like sprinkled pepper. 

All the best,
K

Rom 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Hypothyroidism