A
deficiency of thyroid hormones can affect virtually all body functions.The degree of severity of symptoms in adults range from mild and barely
detectable to severe and very serious.Symptoms
of underactive thyroid include fatigue, especially on waking, feeling cold
easily, dry skin, depression, muscle and joint weakness and stiffness,
constipation, general slowness and possible weight gain.
Blood tests are not sensitive enough to diagnose milder forms of
hypothyroidism and therefore many people go undiagnosed.It is estimated that between 10-25 per cent of people suffer from some
degree of hypothyroidism, many of whom are undiagnosed.
Self-assessment
questionnaire
To
see whether your thyroid may be underactive, complete the questionnaire below.
The results of your test and how to interpret them will appear at the bottom of
the questionnaire
Interpreting
your score:
0
- 9
you are unlikely to be suffering from low thyroid function
10
- 22
it is possible that your thyroid function may be low – you could carry
out the Broda Barnes basal metabolic temperature test described below for
further information
23
- 39
it is quite likely that your thyroid function is low – do the Broda
Barnes basal metabolic temperature test described below and consider talking to
your Doctor or qualified nutrition consultant
40
or more
it is very likely your thyroid function is low – your Doctor will be
able
to
carry out a blood test.If the
blood test proves normal, consider consulting a qualified nutrition consultant
Broda
Barnes Basal Metabolic Temperature Test
Your
thyroid gland affects metabolism in the body.Metabolism is not simply how fast you burn food, but any chemical action
in the body, from making hormones and enzymes, to digesting food and re-building
cells.All these actions create
heat as a side-effect, just as a machine when it is worked becomes hot.You can, therefore, estimate the efficiency of yourmetabolism by taking your body temperature.
This
is not a definitive test, but if you find
your temperatures consistently low it would be advisable to visit either a
sympathetic medical doctor or an experienced nutrition consultant, who can also
investigate other possibilities, such as adrenal exhaustion or underactive
adrenal glands, pituitary gland deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome or
post-viral fatigue and anorexia.
Shake down a traditional glass and mercury thermometer (not digital) to
below 95oF
(35oC)
and place it by your bed before going to sleep at night.
On waking, place the thermometer in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.It is important to make as little movement as possible.Lying and resting with your eyes closed is best.
After 10 minutes, read and record the temperature accurately.
Record the temperature for 3-4 days.
Menstruating
women should perform the test on the second, third and fourth days of
menstruation.Men and
postmenopausal women can perform the test at any time.
Your
basal body temperature should be between 97.6F (36.4C) and 98.2F (36.7C).
Low
basal body temperatures are quite common and may reflect hypothyroidism.
High
basal body temperatures (above 98.6F, 37.0C) are less common, but may indicate
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).Common
signs and symptoms of overactive
thyroid include bulging eyeballs, fast pulse, hyperactivity, inability to gain
weight, insomnia, irritability, menstrual problems and nervousness.
Nutrition
Facts & Diet
Advice for Hypothyroidism
Consider the following
nutrition guidelines:
Eat
a generally healthy diet, consisting of fruits and vegetables, fish, skinless
chicken and turkey, whole grains and beans.
Particularly
useful foods for the thyroid include seaweed, kelp, dulse, garlic, radishes,
seafood, watercress, egg yolks, mushrooms and Brewers Yeast.
Avoid
mushrooms and Brewers yeast if you also have Candidiasis.
Avoid
raw cabbage, peanuts, pine nuts, turnips, mustard, cassava root and millet.Cooked versions of these are usually alright.
Health Supplements for
Hypothyroidism
Often, a combination of
supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may
wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice.
Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are
shown below:
3-9
AquaSource Klamath Lake Blue Green Algae.This
algae is very detoxifying, so start with 2 a day and gradually build up to 6 or
more.Drink plenty of clean water
to help the algae do its work.
Caution:
Do not take Thyro-Complex
or T-Lyph shown above
unless you are sure your
thyroid is underactive
We try to place the proper warnings and
product contra-indications about all nutritional facts and health
supplements throughout this web site, but cannot cover every eventuality,
nor are we responsible for errors arising from the translation of the site
contents, which are authored by us only in English, to other languages by
third parties. We recommend that you speak with your health care
practitioner if you are in any doubt about nutrition facts and health
supplements and information given on this site or about using nutritional
supplements sold by health4youonline. Each person is different, and the
way one person reacts to a particular health supplement may be
significantly different to another person. You should always consult your
healthcare practitioner if in any doubt about nutrition and health
problems.