ADVICE AND TIPS:
Tired of being TIRED??

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1. • CommentAuthorsuesingleton
   • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2009

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   *** Advisory Board Member ***

   Millions of people complain of being tired. For some, this condition is simply due to sleep deprivation, or not getting enough sleep in a 24-hour period. For others, the source may be an endocrine dysfunction, including hypothyroidism or adrenal fatigue. 

        A sluggish thyroid frequently causes symptoms including: Cold hands and feet, dry skin, dry, brittle, and/or thinning hair, weight gain, grogginess and puffy face in the morning, sluggish metabolism, drooping, swollen eyes, depression, painful menstrual cramps, high cholesterol, poor quality sleep, constipation, fluid retention, low body temperature, frequent respiratory infections, fatigue, loss of mental clarity and function, muscle aches, joint pain, and more.

          Practitioners estimate that over twenty percent of those suffering from hypothyroidism or adrenal dysfunction are either totally undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as having depression, anxiety or high cholesterol.  This stems from a lack of consideration for the "whole person" and the true Root Cause of the client’s symptoms.  For example, a significant percentage of perimenopausal women experience thyroid suppression. If you experience a number of the common symptoms listed above, it’s wise to explore further.

    THREE IMPORTANT STEPS include proper:

    ·      Diagnosis of hypothyroidism or adrenal dysfunction.  Blood tests should include "free" and total T-3  and T-4 levels, TSH and cortisol, and require a medical doctor. Time sensitive urine or saliva panels over a 24-hour period are even better, and are available through some medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths and other holistic practitioners. TSH levels within the reference range, yet above 2.0, as well as free T-3 and free T-4 levels in the low end of the reference range may likely indicate at least mild hypothyroidism.  Adrenal fatigue often accompanies sluggish thyroid, and thyroid treatment may be ineffective or cause side effects if the adrenal fatigue is not treated simultaneously.  Reasonably accurate self-tests include basal body temperature and iodine patching, which you can do at home.  Consult with your holistic practitioner for the self-help test instructions.

   ·      Determination of the Root Cause behind the hypothyroidism or adrenal dysfunction.  The underlying trigger for thyroid or adrenal issues may be a mild or serious illness, perimenopause, emotional or physical traumas and stresses, exposure to environmental toxins, etc. It can frequently co-exist with, or be causal for diabetes or insulin resistance.  If some other factor has caused the endocrine issues, those underlying Root Cause issues must be addressed for the thyroid or adrenal treatment to be successful.  You may need appropriate practitioner support for this.

    ·       Treatment of the thyroid, adrenal and other potential causal factors. Depending on the severity of the dysfunction, it may need to be treated by an allopathic medical doctor.  Unfortunately, synthetic T-4 (Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroid) prescription drugs are the most prescribed in the U.S., but they only provide T-4 support.  If your body’s conversion mechanisms (such as the adrenals, poor liver function, etc.) that turn T-4 into T-3 are not properly functioning, this treatment may be ineffective.  Either a second synthetic T-3 (Cytomel) can also be prescribed, or a NATURAL PRESCRIPTION instead of both!  The good news is there are now four natural pharmaceutical prescriptions for hypothyroidism that provide both T-3 and T-4 support, including: ArmourThyroid, Bio-throid, Naturthroid and Westhroid. Read more on www.thyroid-info.com/drugs.  Note that prescription drugs made of desiccated thyroid are NOT the same as over-the-counter (OTC) glandular supplements, and OTC versions often vary in active ingredient dosing from pill to pill or batch to batch.  Non-prescription choices include Detoxified Iodine, Thyodine, Sea Kelp, and other natural glandular supports, available through your holistic practitioner or local healthfood store.   

   © 2009 The Way To Balance, LLC. All Rights Reserved.  Nothing contained herein is intended to diagnose or treat any illness or medical condition, and should never replace a consultation with a qualified health care practitioner. www.TheWayToBalance.com

2. • CommentAuthoramyzuckerman
   • CommentTimeJul 28th 2009

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   Interesting, Sue. I've been assessing my tendency to chug on adrenaline and then crash - a trait learned in childhood with a hurry-up-and-stop parent, then in the newsworld where a similar sprinting pattern was encouraged.

   
   NEWSWEEK had a great cover story on this in February that explained the new science linking adrenalin OD with cell death and then heart disease/stroke. It's been saving my life as I remember I don't NEED TO SPEED up and can actually STOP DOING.

    

   I am considering having my adrenal glands tested (per above). An endriconologist says my thyroid is just fine.

    

   Amy Zuckerman