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Tag: hyperthyroid

Having lower TSH levels when taking thyroxine not unsafe, says recent research

(Though this post was first written in 2010, it still works for today and is very pertinent!)

I am amazed.

The Society for Endocrinology in the UK reported that taking higher doses of thyroxine (which will lower the TSH lab result) may be safer than has been purported for decades.

And how low a TSH lab result did they find to be safe? As low as 0.04-0.4, the research found. It’s still safe enough to not cause an increased risk of  “heart disease, abnormal heartbeat patterns and bone fractures”, aka HYPERthyroid symptoms.

And those of us worldwide who know about the superiority of having T3 in our treatment (like a working natural desiccated thyroid, T4 with T3, or even just T3-only), can also use these research results in our fight to be on enough with TSH-obsessed doctors. They tend to view research as the end-all to the truth rather than solid clinical presentation, sadly.

Because when we have enough T3 to feel fabulous again with all symptoms removed (in the presence of good cortisol levels, adequate iron levels, B12 and digestive issues), our TSH lab result is always low, aka suppressed, and without one iota of hyper symptoms.

Patients have experientially known this truth about the lousy TSH lab test, without research, for years!

P.S. You WILL feel good most of the time with a midrange free T3, but it eventually backfires. We have to get that free T3 optimal. <—Read the latter.

But here’s what’s missing from their research:

  1. Those “safe, low levels” of an ink spot on a piece of paper do not mean the 16,426 patients they followed will be without numerous issues related to being on a storage hormone alone.  i.e. the body is not meant to live for conversion alone! A healthy thyroid will convert T4 to the active T3, but it will also provide direct T3 in addition to the T2, T1 and calcitonin…none of which a T4-only med provides directly.
  2. Additionally, the TSH lab test only reveals the action of a pituitary messenger hormone called the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).  The lab test does NOT measure whether your tissue is receiving enough thyroid hormone, which is why so many patients on T4 end up with depression, rising cholesterol, high blood pressure, low B12, low iron, and many symptoms, as well as adrenal fatigue thanks to the inadequate treatment of T4.
  3. Raising T4 often encourages an excess production of Reverse T3 over time, which will block cell receptors and increase the very symptoms the researcher state is avoided, as well as far more hypothyroid symptoms.

On the positive side

This is just one more research study that ends up being on our side!  i.e. it fits our experiences. I have also included mention of this study on the following page on STTM, where I keep a ongoing list of research which supports what patients already know by their experience and clinical presentation:  www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/medical-research/

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A toxin which could explain why SO many of us have thyroid disease

perchlorate_manuf_users_mapEver heard of perchlorate?? It’s a salt taken from perchloric acid, and it’s used in rocket fuel and explosives.  It was also once used in a medication to treat hyperthyroidism.

And guess where residues of it are hiding? In our drinking water and in infant formula. (EPA map shows where perchlorate is manufactured just in the US—nearly every state)

In a recent article by the Environmental Working Group,  it’s estimated that 15 brands of infant formula are contaminated with it, and two of the most contaminated brands of those 15 made up 87% of powdered formula used in 2000…all according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

As bad as that is, this goes beyond infant formula. It’s estimated that the drinking water of 28 states is contaminated by perchlorate, and other estimates are 35.  In addition,  the majority of women who breastfeed have it in their milk.  And you can find it in water-rich foods such as tomatoes and melons, or carrots and spinach.  It could even be found in milk.  Ouch.

So we not only have millions of US babies being exposed to a toxin which can diminish thyroid health, but adults who can be drinking their water and eating their food.

But guess what can counter the toxic effect of perchlorate? Iodine supplementation, if you take enough. In spite of some controversy with the use of iodine supplementation, this gives one pause in favor of it.

Luckily for all of us who know that desiccated thyroid like Armour is a better thyroid treatment, it also contains iodine. And some go beyond that, adding iodine to their supplements via Lugols or Iodoral.  It might be worth looking into.

P.S. The buck doesn’t stop with perchlorates in our water. We could also be exposed to a variety of pesticides, chemicals from deposed prescription drugs, and even mercury in our water.  Sad.  Our poor thyroids are assaulted.

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