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Category: Related conditions due to hypo

Aging Thyroid Patients: 7 Issues To Consider

sttm-graphic-for-blog-thyroid-patients-getting-older

We all age. And as our bodies are aging as thyroid patients, so can the wonderful optimal functions our bodies once had. Here are 7 areas which can go south, and what to do about them.  ~Janie, hypothyroid patient and site creator

NOTE that when the words “aging” or “getting older” are mentioned, there’s no way to actually say “this or that age”, unless mentioned below. Some of these issues can start at even younger ages, but older than you were before!

1) DIGESTIVE ENZYME FUNCTION CAN GO DOWNHILL — what aging patients are doing about it

Most of our lives, we get benefit from naturally-made digestive enzymes which help digest/break down that food we eat in order to absorb important nutrition for the running of our bodies.

For example, eating can tap our pancreas to release “pancreatin” which contains several different enzymes (amylase, lipase and protease)1. These enzymes can break down the protein, carbs/starches and fats you eat. i.e. specific enzymes work on specific foods. Amylase targets those carbs/starches like fruits, potatoes, sweet products, etc). Lipase targets those fatty foods like cream, oils, nuts and fat on meats, etc). Protease targets the protein foods such as eggs, cheese, meats and even nuts.

There’s also another important enzyme not released by the pancreas, but made via bacteria, called Cellulase. Cellulase breaks down fiber and cellulose. There are more enzymes, but you get the drift.

But as the body ages, the body’s ability to trigger (due to less stomach acid) and produce all these digestive enzymes may decline, thus, you start to see lowering of important nutrients, as well as less energy. And in some, it can happen sooner than others!

Check out “digestive enzymes” on a site like Amazon or others and read the reviews on various brands. I find this to be an excellent way to find a good product. 

2) STOMACH ACID LEVELS CAN FALL — what aging patients are doing about it

I, Janie, especially saw this in my mother-in-law as she aged. Her worsening acid reflux was a sure sign. And this becomes even worse if we are still on T4-only meds, which in itself causes a fall in stomach acid at any age. Then you add the aging cause of lowered stomach acid on top of a poor thyroid treatment and you’ve got a disaster.

Why is stomach acid so important? It plays a role with enzymes in breaking down your food and supplements for digestion, plus the absorption of nutrients. And breaking down the food better empties the stomach better, which means less stomach problems.

What to do? Adding 2-3 teaspoons of either Apple Cider Vinegar or lemon juice into every drink with meals brings the acid back into the stomach, say thyroid patients, which improves absorption of nutrients from better digestion.

3) THE ABILITY TO CONVERT THE THYROID STORAGE HORMONE T4 to THE ACTIVE T3 CAN DECLINE — what aging patients are doing about it

There are a variety of issues which can affect conversion of the storage hormone T4 to the active hormone T3, and aging appears to be one of them. i.e. there’s an enzyme called 5′-deiodinase, and it’s responsible for the breakdown of T4 to T3. And even research underscores that it can become less effective as one ages.2

Based on comments by older individuals, they are making sure to have direct T3 in their treatment, whether adding synthetic T3 to our T4, or using Natural Desiccated Thyroid–the latter which contains all five thyroid hormones. Healthy levels of T3 appear to end up towards the top “area” of the range–not a specific number, just up there. ***Optimal iron and cortisol are important to achieve it. And contrary to what doctors are being told, older individuals seem to need direct T3 in their treatment even more because of conversion problems…and they report needing optimal amounts to counter the feedback loop! SHARE THIS PAGE WITH YOUR DOCTOR if he or she is being influenced by false information. SEE GRAPHIC BELOW.

4) GENE MUTATIONS MAY REAR THEIR UGLY HEADS — what aging patients are doing about it

Gene mutations can be activated at any age. But with aging, there may be more mutations expressing themselves more acutely than before.

That’s where using 23andme.com to get one’s genetics (then uploading the raw data to a site like livewello.com to see what’s going on) may open up ideas as to what just might start expressing itself. It’s a guessing game, of course. But if we see things that imply a gene mutation is now active, there is all sorts of information we can look up to see what we might do about it, as well as forums. Many doctors are becoming more informed about genetic mutations, as well, and can help. 

5) B12 CAN FALL (or go too high) — what aging patients are doing about it

B12, which is one of eight B vitamins, is such an important nutrient! It contributes to…

  • brain and memory health
  • better mood
  • optimal functioning of your nervous system
  • the formation of red blood cells
  • overall good health

Conversely, if B12 falls low, or if the MTHFR with the COMT mutations become active in older age, which causes you not to break it down well for use (making it above the range), you might notice issues like

  • memory problems
  • depression
  • paranoia
  • numbness sensations in your little fingers, hands, legs or feet
  • overall weakness or fatigue
  • even a swollen tongue and more.

Studies3,4,5 show that B12 can start to fall after age 60 due to decreased absorption, and you might not even realize it until symptoms take over.  What to do about it? Many doctors recommend supplementation.

On the label, B12 is called cobalamin and there are four types:

  1.  Cyano- version, though cheap, is the least recommended as it’s the least absorbable.
  2. Methyl- version is more highly recommended since it’s already broken down for use. But if you have both MTHFR and COMP mutations, B12 can build high in your blood and not break down for use…so if this happens…
  3. Hydroxy- version is then recommended if you have these mutations. It’s easily broken down to the active B12 and safe for more people, say studies.  
  4. Adenosyl- version of B12 is also recommended, as it’s stored in the mitochondria and helps break down carbs and proteins for energy. 

6) THE ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM STRESS MAY DECLINE — what aging patients are doing about it

Studies show that as we age, we tend to have higher levels of cortisol in response to stress, plus lower levels of DHEA–the latter which have been falling substantially with every decade. And those higher levels of cortisol can have a negative impact on our brain6 and immune function, just as low DHEA can decrease one’s immune function.

What to do about it?  For one, experts recommend taking certain adrenal-supportive supplements when we are under a lot of stress. Herbs which help counter stress include:

  • rhodiola
  • ashwagandha
  • schizandra
  • astragalus
  • gingko
  • holy basil
  • korean ginseng
  • licorice root (though this can lower potassium and patients report other side effects, so many say no about this one)

We all have to make sure we don’t have any known allergies or sensitivities to to any of the above. Also, many preparations will include many of the above, and can also have adrenal glandular with the herbs. Any good health food store on internet websites can have these adrenal supportive supplements. DHEA supplementation is also recommended with aging–your doctor can help you with the amount.

Sometimes, we may not treat the stress in time, and we end up with low cortisol. For the latter, herbs won’t be enough. This is where we order the 24 hour adrenal saliva test to see how we stand. 

If cortisol is low, patients have taken adrenal cortex if only minorly low, or a prescription of Hydrocortisone from our doctors for more serious low cortisol. It’s all explained what patients have learned in Chapter 6 of the revised STTM book, also called STTM I. You would need to work with your doctor on this information.

Also recommended when under stress is taking comfortable walks, eating as healthy as you can, napping, and sleeping as long as we can during the nighttime.

7) LEVELS of CoQ10 CAN FALL — what aging patients are doing about it

CoQ10, know as Co-enzyme Q10 or ubiquinone, is a substance similar to a vitamin and known to be a powerful natural antioxidant. Besides having a major positive effect on heart health and your mitochondria’s ability to produce energy, Life Extension7 states that CoQ10 also has “protective effects in the brain and nervous system, in asthma and chronic lung disease, in diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, on ocular health, and even on the aging immune system.”

Studies even show a correlation between the right amount of CoQ10 and lowered risk of dementia as you age.8

And with the aging of your body, your ability to break down ubiquinone to the active ubiquinol may be decreased, as well as your ability to absorb CoQ10 from food. Also note that statins, which many older folks are put on due to rising cholesterol, can lower CoQ10!

The solution? Cutting edge doctors recommend supplementation. And the majority seem to agree that taking “ubiquinol”, the active form, is a better choice than “ubiquinone”. Recommended doses range from 100 mg to 600 mg depending on who you read. Work with your doctor on this.

From Janie: the above is not an exhaustive list of what can go downhill with aging, but gives you a great start!

JanieSignature SEIZE THE WISDOM

P.S. Being on Natural Desiccated Thyroid or even T4/T3 and an optimal dose can halt rising cholesterol, rising blood pressure, bone problems and other aging issues, many patients have reported.

** HAVE YOU LIKED THE Stop the Thyroid Madness FACEBOOK PAGE?? Similar to the STTM website and books, it’s strongly based on reported patient experiences and the wisdom gained from them. STTM is the MOTHERSHIP of those reported experiences. 

** Check out the Laughing Grape Publishing page for both STTM books. 

FOOTNOTES
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatin
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2917513
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10448529
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15103481
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC490077/
  6. https://www.degruyter.com/dg/viewarticle/j$002frevneuro.1999.10.2$002frevneuro.1999.10.2.117$002frevneuro.1999.10.2.117.xml
  7. http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2013/1/coq10-the-longevity-factor/page-01
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25463064
133 replies

Electrolytes, Stress, A1C and diabetes, FDA, Las Vegas and more!

I’m amazed at lingering problems since being on T4: Though I’ve been on desiccated thyroid for 8 years, and do quite well since correcting low ferritin twice thanks to the lousy T4-only treatment, I discovered that my RBC magnesium is low, as I suspect my RBC potassium is, as well–all probably down due to chronic economic stress from this lousy economy. But it underscores that we all have to be vigilant and not hesitate to periodically get minerals and electrolytes tested, especially RBC (Red Blood Cells), as well as anything else your doctor recommends, or you read about. Labs you can do yourself are here, then share with your doc. You can read about potassium issues here.

Under stress with the economy or the holidays? When stressed, I love and use the herb Ashwagandha. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic healing, helping your immune system and stress response. High dose B-vitamins are said to help counter anxiety and depression. Vitamin C is huge for your adrenals like the B’s, and has been known for years to counter the effects of stress. In fact, stress depletes it, so they state you are wise to raise it when under stress. (Is Vit. C why I never got adrenal fatigue when I deserved to get it? I always took a lot.) Also recommended include the herbs Valerian Root, Marshmallow, Lemon Balm, Chamomile tea, Passionflower, and more. But first do research on any herbs and talk to your doc.

Hypothyroidism can falsely raise your A1C, implying you have diabetes even with normal blood glucose. Just got word from thyroid/adrenal patient Jackie about this study concerning the A1C test, here. In turn, those on thyroid treatment saw their A1C fall. We don’t know what the thyroid meds used were, but imagine even better results if on desiccated thyroid, which many patients report does a much better job than T4, especially in the presence of optimal ferritin/iron and adrenal function.

Don’t be complacent: register yourself: Sheila of TPA-UK is working to create a register of patients who have had continuing hypothyroid symptoms while on T4. After she creates this register of patients, which right now only involves a couple of questions, she will create the a Worldwide Register of Counterexamples to Levothyroxine (T4)-Only Therapy for. Register yourself here. This will also run alongside Dr. Gordon Skinner’s Worldwide Register, which you can also be a part of here.

Listen to a new video produced by the FDA about drug shortages here. I wonder what our own 2009 shortages with Armour and Naturethroid played a role in this video? Wonder if the FDA will ever admit that they were partly to blame for this shortage by shutting down the 2009 generics? Has anything been left out of this video?

No, Las Vegas Review-Journal. Hypo get undiagnosed because of the lousy TSH, not “subtle” symptoms. Yes, this journal did a recent article, quoting AACE as stating half of thyroid patients remain undiagnosed. The article then states it’s probably due to symptoms being very “subtle” or “very similar to other health problems such as anemia, fatigue, depression, slow metabolism and a wide array of other diseases.” GROAN. It would be nice if these articles on hypo got it straight: hypo remains undiagnosed because of the lousy TSH lab test, which too many Endocrinologists worship, and because they fail to noticed the obvious symptoms of a hypothyroid state, which include anemia, fatigue, depression, slow metabolism and a wide array of other diseases. i.e. those ARE the symptoms of hypo, not “other health problems”. When oh when will reporters DARE to state what patients have learned?? (Oh, and guess who included a link to this article in their email Thyroid Weekly? The Endocrinologist-loving, TSH-loving American Thyroid Association.)

Have a great holiday season!!

Janie

P.S. HO! HO! HO! The publishing company will send a book for you to a friend or loved one for a Christmas present. Go here.

15 replies

A continuing MEDICAL SCANDAL which is just too close to home and I grieve. WAKE UP DOCTORS!!

Tonight was a beautiful night to do my aerobic walking. It had poured this afternoon for 30 minutes, so the early evening air was slightly cool and very clean.

And on the last leg of my journey, I stopped and said to Carlin as she was walking out of her front door “Where you have been lately? I haven’t seen you out walking with your husband.”

Carlin and her husband Clint are probably in their late 70’s–both vibrant individuals and frequent walkers in the same area.

“Well”, she said wistfully as she glanced down the street I had just walked, “I have to go in Monday for a Pacemaker.”

Turns out she has fibrillations and other heart issues, and even walking from her bedroom to her living room can exhaust her. I told her how well my mother-in-law has done with her pacemaker. She told me she’d be in the hospital for at least 3-4 days for the surgery and observation.

And as we were chatting over the low white fence, I couldn’t help but notice the scar on her neck–the same scar my own mother had from the removal of her thyroid years ago. And the rest of Carlin’s story, and the reality of her story, made me want to punch the nearest electrical pole in disgust.

Carlin’s thyroid was removed over 40 years ago. She remembers being on “2 grains of something”–clearly it was desiccated thyroid. And she says she felt really good. But she wasn’t on it long, as her doctor removed it and put her levothyroxine over 30 years ago. You know, that “new and modern” T4-only CRAP which doctors fell for like the blind following the blind beginning in the 1960’s until today. (The story behind the introduction of T4 onto patients in the early 1960’s is in Chapter One of the STTM book)

So I knew. Her heart troubles could be one of the many side effects of the inferior treatment of T4-only medications (which also include Synthroid, Levoxyl, Eltroxin, Oroxine…all of them). My own mother suffered the same fate while on Synthroid her entire life. And patients chat about this all the time on thyroid groups–heart issues while on T4.

I started probing. She has had issues with high blood pressure. Another typical side effect of the crap T4-only medication, and which is removed with desiccated thyroid. She has had issues with depression–another typical side effect of the crap T4-only medication, and which is removed with desiccated thyroid. She talked bitterly about the slew of medications she’s had to be on for years to counter all her problems, and which had given her bad side effects.

And the next worse thing she told me? She had acid reflux so bad a few years ago that they did surgery on her stomach. She had surgery for a condition which is VERY common with thyroid patients who are on T4 meds–low stomach acid from a lower metabolism, which causes acid reflux. i.e. a symptom of continued hypothyroidism which is CORRECTED when on desiccated thyroid.

It was hard to contain myself. Here was this vibrant, life-loving, intelligent woman who has been on T4-only for over 30 years and has endured health problems, surgeries, side effects from all sorts of money-grubbing pharmaceutical pills, and now, has to go in Monday for a pacemaker. And in all probability, most of what she has gone though could have been prevented if some doctor had been WISE enough to keep this woman on desiccated thyroid.

I am livid and sick to my stomach.

****************************

  • Are you chewing up your Armour or Naturethroid? It will make the treatment far better, as it will release the desiccated thyroid from the excess cellulose. If you are on compounded, you need to tell the pharmacist to stop using cellulose as a filler. On Erfa? You can do it sublingually.
  • If you are reading this right on STTM’s blog, and would like to be notified of each blog post, just sign up to the left and under the links.
  • Have you done labs and found yourself with high RT3? Get off Selenium for the time being, as it can help convert T4 to the RT3 along with the other reasons you make too much.
  • Want to spread the word about far better treatment? T-shirts and bumper stickers are here.
9 replies

Psoriasis, rosacea and hypothyroidism–did you know there’s a connection?

STTM red noses(This page was updated in 2015. Enjoy!)

A thyroid patient and mother of two just informed me that her daughter’s psoriasis on her body completely went away thanks to being on desiccated thyroid, and all that’s left is some on her head. And, her son’s psoriasis completely went away thanks to desiccated thyroid.

Connection? Pretty obvious, isn’t it. Here are three skin conditions that can be related to your thyroid issue:

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that appears on the skin chronically due to an immune system going awry. It results in red scaly patches with a white dead-cell buildup. You can often see it hand-in-hand with Hashimotos.

Rosacea

Rosacea is another skin problem, though not autoimmune, that causes a redness of the skin, including the cheeks and nose, or the forehead and chin.

I personally had rosacea on my nose for years—my oh-so-romantic “clown nose”. But just like the mother’s son and daughter with psoriasis, my rosacea eventually went away, as well, after I had started on desiccated thyroid and raised it high enough to remove my hypo symptoms—the latter which did not totally happen on Synthroid and got worse the longer I stay on.

Pretibial Myxoedema

Another condition called Pretibial Myxoedema, also called thyroid dermopath, can present itself with either hyperthyroidism like Graves or hypo. It often affects the feet with swelling, lumpiness or lesions, or you can have it on other places on your skin. It’s caused by excess hyaluronic acid. It can also be associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Chronic skin disease is just another reason to be adequately treated with desiccated thyroid, or at the very least, add T3 to your T4—a much better option than being only on the latter.

Namaste Janie

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41 replies

Thyroid Patients sending a big KISS to this British Doctor!

kiss2

I recently discovered a very humorous and appropo medical blog on the net, written by a United Kingdom General Practitioner who wisely stays incognito. His blog is called The Jobbing Doctor.

And his most recent and humorously brilliant post is titled Hairy legs are better than blood tests! He describes his occasional confusion when blood tests don’t agree with the patients symptoms.

Says the UK doc: “The textbooks teach that the level of circulating thyroid hormones (which are called T3 and T4) are inversely related to the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). If your T3 and T4 are low, your TSH will be high: this suggests an underactive thyroid gland. If the T3 and T4 are high and the TSH is low, then you have an overactive thyroid gland. That’s easy, huh!”

But his confusion sprang forth when a patient’s labs showed “a highish TSH, T4, and a normal T3.” Yet apparently her symptoms didn’t imply there was any problem, so he chose to do nothing as far as changing her treatment.

A month later at her next appointment, this patient expressed her approval that he didn’t change anything…because her leg hair and eyebrows were coming back.

And his conclusion? “Pah! Who needs blood tests!”

Jobbing Doctor, you are discovering what thyroid patients have been learning over and over for years: it’s SYMPTOMS (or lack up) which need to pull the cart, NOT labwork. Sure, we love our labwork. They can give clues to areas where our bodies are screaming for help. But they definitely do NOT tell the whole story.

Look at the ignoramus TSH lab test. Countless patients have walked into their doctors offices with clear and obvious hypothyroid symptoms–and desperate for a diagnosis–yet the ink spot on the office piece of paper called the TSH lab result proclaims they are “normal”. And that dubious “normal” diagnosis can go on for years before it rises high enough to reveal what was already there by SYMPTOMS.

Or, while on thyroid medication, patients will have a lamebrain “normal” TSH lab result, yet will continue to have their own brand and degree of continuing hypothyroid symptoms which the clueless doctor dismisses as an hysteric female interpretation, motherhood, stress, a need for psychological help….or just “something else”. Uh huh.

In fact, Jobber Doctor, patients have learned that when they are optimal (on desiccated thyroid), along with optimal ferritin and cortisol), they will generally have a free T3 in the upper part of the range, and a SUPPRESSED TSH, with no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. That is general, and there can be some exceptions, but overall, it has spoken volumes to patients on how inadequate thyroid lab tests can be. i.e. being in the “normal” range—anywhere in the normal range–can be mean squat.

Thanks for a great post, UK Jobber Doc. And P.S. Desiccated thyroid is an even better treatment than thyroxine. 🙂

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1 reply