habit, coupled with her lack of exercise and general sluggishness, served to further increase her weight.
After four years of ill health, Liz had become trapped in a vicious circle of exhaustion, depression, obesity and anxiety. Her natural optimism and self-esteem were at zero.
When Liz discussed her symptoms with her doctor a few months after her operation, she was told that she was simply suffering the after effects of major surgery, and the consequences of an overnight menopause. He requested a blood screen including full biochemistry, haematology and thyroid profiles. The only test ‘out of range’ was a slightly raised cholesterol. There was no evidence of anaemia and the thyroid hormone levels appeared normal. Liz was told that her blood pressure was also normal, but she was advised to lose weight by reducing the fat and sugar in her diet. She was prescribed a low dose HRT and an antidepressant. Unfortunately after trying several antidepressants and attempting unsuccessfully to diet, Liz was still overweight, depressed and exhausted. Moreover, she was confused, the doctor had said her tests were ‘normal’ and yet she felt far from her ‘normal’ self.
MY DIAGNOSIS
Although the thyroid test showed results within the medically-defined normal range, I considered that Liz had many symptoms that one could attribute to a low grade or mildly underactive thyroid. I therefore requested another thyroid profile (her last test being four years earlier), and instructed her to test her morning temperatures (see pages 127-30) for three consecutive days.
The blood test showed a blood thyroxine to be at the lower end of the normal range. The average morning temperature was 96.8°F (36°C) (the normal range is between 97.8°F [36.6°C] and 98.2°F [36.8°C]).
THE TREATMENT
The combination of a borderline blood test result, a low morning temperature and her symptoms confirmed for me that Liz was suffering from mild hypothyroidism. She was advised to follow a suitable diet and to take nutritional supplements to support the thyroid. Thyroid extract (animal thyroid) in tablet form was also prescribed. Liz began to show symptom-relief and reduced depression within six weeks.
After three months of treatment her blood test showed an improvement. Her average basal morning temperatures rose to 97.2°F (36.2°C).
After six months of treatment Liz’s weight was 135lb and her energy was much improved. Other symptoms including the headaches, muscle stiffness, pain and poor concentration were all at least 50 per cent better. The depression had cleared and Liz had stopped taking the anti-depressants.
Does this story strike a chord with you? Do you feel constantly tired, depressed and confused? Do you find it difficult to explain why you feel exhausted all the time — and maybe have even forgotten what it is like NOT to feel tired?
These feelings are common emotions for a sufferer of hypothyroidism.
CHAPTER ONE ‘What is the Thyroid?’
The Thyroid Gland and Your Body
Most of us have read or heard about the thyroid gland and have some idea of what it does in the body. However, few of us have a completely accurate picture of the thyroid and if asked what function it holds in our bodies, would simply reply: ‘It controls our metabolism. Overweight people have slow metabolisms, slim people have faster metabolisms.’
However, there is a lot more to the thyroid than weight or energy. In fact, your thyroid can be compared to the choke on your car: increased fuel increases engine revs, while decreased fuel reduces the revs. Consequently, if your choke does not work properly the rest of your body will suffer. You will feel slow, lethargic and find it impossible to get going in the mornings.
Indeed, the thyroid does regulate our metabolism, but this does not merely influence our weight, it also directly controls oxygen turnover in every cell in the body as well as temperature control and hormones. Our hormones direct nearly every system or process in the body, including: growth, energy, sex drive, circulatory efficiency, muscle and joint flexibility and immune efficiency. Our entire blood supply — approximately 10 pints — circulates through the thyroid gland once every 60 minutes.
The thyroid gland has a mental, as well as physical role. Our brains are influenced by a decline in our metabolic rate and symptoms similar to premature ageing can develop, including: poor short-term memory, mental fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, anxiety and moodiness. Therefore, you can see that if our thyroid is not working efficiently we may experience a whole range of different symptoms!
Where is it Located?
Your thyroid gland lies at the front of your neck, between your breastbone and Adam’s apple. The gland lies across your windpipe and has a butterfly-like appearance; two lobes are joined by a narrow band of tissue known as an ‘isthmus’.
You can palpate your own thyroid gland by stretching your neck and pulling your head back. If you then swallow you may see or feel the gland rise and fall. Not all of us can see or palpate our thyroid, so do not be concerned if this exercise does not work. Men’s thyroids can usually be located more easily than women’s.
How Large is it?
There is considerable variation in the size and weight of the thyroid. The weight can vary from 8g to 50g. It is also possible to be born without a thyroid gland (this is called cretinism). Thyroid tissue can exist and function some distance from the main gland, this aberrant or anomalous tissue — coupled with the great range in size and weight — demonstrates that there is no standard thyroid gland.
What is ‘Hypothyroidism’?
In some people, the thyroid gland does not work correctly and this can be due to any number of causes (see Appendix). When the thyroid does not work as hard as it should and becomes ‘underactive’ the patient is diagnosed with ‘hypothyroidism’, (‘hypo’ is Greek for ‘under’). Hypothyroidism can also be called ‘myxoedema’. This term is used in more severe cases of hypothyroidism and refers to a type of body swelling which can occur. ‘Euthyroidism’ means a normal thyroid and ‘hyperthyroidism’ refers to an overactive thyroid.
Around 10 per cent of the adult population of Great Britain suffer symptoms caused by mild hypothyroidism. American doctors and researchers have put the figure in the US even higher.
As I have mentioned, when the gland becomes underactive every aspect of our metabolism is acted upon and the levels of water, proteins, fats and cholesterol all increase. Therefore, the functions mentioned above — including temperature, immunity, energy, growth, sex drive, memory — are all adversely affected and usually decrease.
It is quite incorrect to say that hypothyroidism
