double checking for thyroid conditions---self checks

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If you've ever wondered about a connection between thyroid and other

physical conditions you may be experiencing, perhaps this article can

she some light on possible connections for you. The range of problems

that might have thyroid imbalance as a factor is larger than one

might suppose.

Some problems associated with thyroid imbalance or malfunction

include weight problems, fatique, frequent illness, feeling cold all

the time, and feeling down.

An underactive thyroid makes it impossible to break down food

properly and assimilate nutrients from the foods you eat. The

efficiency of the other glands in the body is also impaired by

thyroid imbalance, often severely. Ultimately, every organ, tissue

and cell is affected by the output of the

thyroid.

Many experts maintain that regular laboratory tests are not adequate

predictors of the true state of the thyroid. In addition, standard

thyroid tests do not isolate the active thyroid hormones, T4 and T3.

There is a direct connection between thyroid function and weight

problems due to the fact that the thyroid is responsible for our

basal metabolic rate, or the rate the body burns calories for energy.

There is a simple at-home procedure for testing your own thyroid

function. Even if your last medical test report indicated no thyroid

problem, it would be good to do this test for yourself though this is

not be, in any way, construed as a substitute for any medical

attention you might need:

THYROID FUNCTION AT-HOME TEST FROM Dr. Balch's Prescription for

Nutirtional Healing

Keep a thermometer beside your bed. When you awaken in the morning,

before moving around (yes, even before you make a trip to the

bathroom), tuck the thermometer snugly in your armpit and keep it in

place for 15 minutes. Keep as still as possible. Then, remove the

thermometer, take a reading, and write down the results.

Follow this procedure for three days, then determine an average

reading by adding all three readings together and dividing by three.

If you're average temperature is below 97.5 degrees F., in all

probability you are suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism and

should discuss your findings with your doctor.

If you are of childbearing age, time your three day temperature test

to avoid the first week of your menstrual cycle and the few days when

you are ovulating, which occur in the middle of the cycle.

Of course, as mentioned before, this test is not to be used to

replace any needed medical tests or attention to problems you may

have.

REFLEXOLOGY FOR HEALTHY THYROID FUNCTION:

According to Eunice Ingham, known as the mother of foot reflexology,

trouble in the ovaries often affects thyroid function and vice versa

so, if the thyroid is out of balance, working both the thyroid and

ovary reflexes on the feet would be good.

The main thyroid reflex is between the bottom of the big toe and the

foot, where the toe connects to the foot. The ovary reflexes are

located on the outside of each foot, straight down from the ankle.

Reflexology will be beneficial whether the thyroid is overactive or

underactive.

To work the reflexes, just use a firm but not overly hard pressure on

the reflex area. Using the thumb, gently massage in little circles

for about 3-5 minutes. click here for easy-learn reflexology guides

Remember that, if you are currently taking any medication,

alternative or prescription, you will need to check with your chosen

healthcare provider before adding these or any other new supplement

to your health regimen.

How is hypothyroidism diagnosed? Hypothyroidism is relatively easily

to diagnose by means of a blood test to check TSH levels (the thyroid

stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and T4 levels

(the main thyroid hormone).

Remember that these levels can vary considerably from individual to

individual and what is 'normal' for one person is not necessarily

normal for another.

Doctors must be sensitive to the correlation between symptoms and TSH

and T4 levels in the individual. Because the 'normal' range varies

from person to person, some people may have hypothyroidism or

hyperthyroidism (and their symptoms), while blood tests show that

their TSH and T4 levels are normal.

What is a Goiter? - A goiter is an enlargement or swelling of the

thyroid gland. The result is a bulge or a painless swelling or

disfigurement of the neck, sometimes so large that it can easily be

seen as a mass in the neck. There are different kinds of goiters. A

simple goiter is classified as either an endemic (colloid) goiter or

a sporadic (nontoxic) goiter. This type usually occurs when the

thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism) and can not produce

enough thyroid hormone (thyroxine) to meet the body's requirements.

The thyroid gland enlarges to compensate and produce the necessary

hormone. Another form of goiter, called toxic nodular goiter, appears

when one or more nodules in the thyroid get out of control and

produce too much thyroid hormone. A nontoxic goiter is an enlargement

of the thyroid which is not associated with overproduction of thyroid

hormone or malignancy. read more about goiter and thyroid disfunction

here and find natural alternatives to prescription drug treatments.

You may also order any or all of the beneficial herbs and vitamins

listed below, at excellent online prices.

In accordance with FDA regulation, we do not make any therapeutic

claims for any Dietary Supplements in accordance with the Dietary

Supplement Health and Education Act. However, the following dietary

supplements are suggested when addressing goiter:

Kelp Sea Weed is an excellent antioxidant and contains iodine to

assist thyroid function.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that help increases plasma levels, helps

with weight loss and is a crucial building block of thyroid hormone.

Spirulina has beneficial nutrients for overall health.

Vitamin B Complex improves cellular oxygenation and energy, and helps

with digestion, immune and thyroid function.

Essential Fatty Acids, such as Primrose Oil, are important for proper

thyroid function.

Bladderwrack is high in iodine, which is beneficial for under-active

thyroid conditions.

Irish Moss nourishes the thyroid and endocrine system.

Agnus Castus supports the pituitary gland and helps balance estrogen,

which is known to interfeer with normal thyroid funtion.

Black Cohosh helps balance estrogen levels and may be useful in

thryoid conditions.

Siberian Ginseng helps the adrenal and thymus glands, which help

support thyroid health.

REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition,

Phyllis Balch, CNC; F. Balch, M.D.