Autoimmune Disease

Too Fast = Too anxious, not sleeping
Too Slow = Too Tired, can’t get going? Dry Skin? Exhaustion?
BOTH??!! = The majority of my patients have some of both indicating an imbalanced thyroid.

In my body systems approach, I explain to clients how the thyroid and the adrenal glands work together to make energy and how they are linked up to the brain and the ovaries in women, testicles in men on a feedback loop.
Menopause and andropause can create some issues in this feedback loop, turning up the volume in the whole as we age. I call this condition overdrive, if the body is tired, but trying hard to keep going and there is inflammation, and digestion issues…

So, what do you do?

1. The Thyroid can be checked in on by ordering some lab tests.
Thyroid Stimulating hormone or TSH should be at about 2. If it is less than 2, you can be going too fast or in OVERDRIVE as I call it and struggling to sleep, anxious, irritable. The lower the number, the worse it is. If it is higher than 2, your thyroid is going too slow. The higher the number, the more likely they are to recommend levothyroxine or synthetic t4. (Guess where t4 converts to t3? – remember my last blog? – 80% converts in the liver.)
You can also test FREE T3 and Free T4. Those numbers help me know if we have a liver problem of conversion or a thyroid problem or not creating enough hormone (which can also be a digestive problem of not breaking down fats).

2. Give the Thyroid what it needs.
Your thyroid also needs adequate blood flow and it needs iodine and zinc. Iodine and zinc are cancer preventative. A lot of women develop thyroid issues after having babies because the iodine and zinc start going to make milk and to the breast tissue.

3. A Great Starting Point is the Standard Process 21 day cleanse
Your thyroid will respond well to an annual cleanse which frees up the ports in the thyroid from plastics and halogens. I recommend the Standard Process Cleanse. They have several different choices and I usually tailor the choice to my client so that even for those who are reluctant to do big diet changes they get results. And I measure those results with a before and after system survey.
Worried a 21 day cleanse is too much? There are several easier, less stressful ways I like to cleanse. Email me if you want to know how to order and get a recommendation for something easier!

4. Start a treatment plan for low and high thyroid, or for autoimmune thyroid conditions.
There are herbs and nutrition protocols that lower a fast thyroid or speed up a slow thyroid. I prefer to prescribe and monitor these individually. In my experience in some the thyroid shifts very quickly. In others, it takes a longer time and we have to make sure to cleanse and support the liver where thyroid hormone converts. A guided approach can help you stay on track. Some of my clients see me for nutrition every 2 months to check back in for change.

5. Integrate your doctor prescribed Western Medicine with some additional protocols.
I love integrating Western Medicine with these protocols. It is definitely not an either/or – you can have it both ways. However, if you get tested and your doctor recommends a medication, you can definitely consult with me about a natural approach and ask your doctor to give you a little time to try to restore function before taking medication.

6. Add some Acupuncture to help regulate the body and decrease inflammation.
Acupuncture is really awesome. Acupuncture regulates the body and decreases inflammation. It also increases blood flow to the area and all by itself it helps to reduce “overdrive” the condition where the thyroid and the adrenal are going too fast. For some people, the acupuncture is just right. It feels good and relaxes them and helps to reset their system. Acupuncture treatments depend on frequency of the treatment and length of treatment. To get results with acupuncture you need to set a regular schedule and persist with it and it needs to be frequent enough to change your thyroid symptoms.

The thyroid is a complex and key piece of your puzzle, that unlocks energy and the weight that you want to be!! I love treating the thyroid with natural approaches to long term production of your own thyroid hormones. Schedule your consultation today to help support and heal the thyroid naturally.

Schedule Now!