Cayce Health Database

OVERVIEW OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

Definition

    Medically speaking, hypothyroidism refers to a deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.  Thyroxine is the principal hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It is synthesized from iodine and an amino acid called tyrosine.
    The major function of thyroxine is to control the rate of metabolism. Cells in the body take their "cue" from thyroxine.  The amount of stimulation the cells receive from thyroxine will determine how "quickly" they perform their functions.
    Thyroxine is a very important hormone.  Lack of thyroxine in children results in mental retardation and dwarfism.  In adults, hypothyroidism causes a condition called myxedema.  The symptoms of myxedema range from weakness, lethargy, headache and cold intolerance to slow speech, angina (heart pain), shortness of breath and a characteristic "moon face" (puffiness caused by water retention).
    The above-mentioned set of symptoms occurs when there is a significant lack of thyroid hormone.  Milder states of deficiency can cause a broad range of symptoms, including cold intolerance, anemia, infertility, constipation, fatigue, easy weight gain, menstrual disorders, memory and concentration difficulties, to name just a few.  Because thyroxine sets the "pace" for nearly all cells in the body, a deficiency can result in "sluggishness" of virtually any bodily function.

Diagnosis

    There is a simple, easy, and accurate test to find out if the thyroid gland is making a normal amount of thyroid hormone.  This test looks at the amount of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) present in the blood.  It is highly sensitive. If one suspects that they may have low thyroid function, the TSH blood test is the first test that should be done.
    If the TSH is high, then blood thyroxine levels are low.  This is because TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary.  TSH "tells" the thyroid gland how much thyroxine to produce.  When blood levels of thyroxine drop too low, the pituitary will send MORE thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to the thyroid gland, in an effort to cause the thyroid to increase its production of thyroxine.
    Even if one has symptoms that suggest hypothyroidism, the TSH test may well be normal.  This means that the thyroid gland is making sufficient thyroid hormone.  In our current, conventional medical thinking, this means that there is no deficiency of thyroid hormone and therefore no condition of hypothyroidism.  There is an incompleteness in this thinking, however, and it may be causing us to miss an important diagnosis in many cases.

The "Other Hypothyroidism"

    Strong evidence exists to suggest that there may be a number of undiagnosed hypothyroid patients.  A growing number of physicians and researchers share this opinion.  As you will soon see, this information is also consistent with much information from the Edgar Cayce readings. To assist the reader, and perhaps the attending physician, understand this problem, an additional bit of biochemical explanation is in order.
    It is a biochemical oversimplification to say that thyroxine sets the metabolic rate of the body.  Thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland. Currently available blood tests measure the amount of thyroxine made and released by the thyroid gland.
    Once the thyroxine (T4) is released into general circulation, most of it is converted to a slightly different biochemical form called triiodothyronine (T3). The triiodothyronine (T3), is four times as potent as thyroxine in stimulating the cells of the body.
    Blood tests can tell us if the thyroid gland is making a normal amount of thyroxine (T4). We do NOT have a blood test that accurately tells us if the body is converting the T4 into T3.  Why is this important?  Because it is the T3 that greatly affects cells.  There may be a normal amount of thyroxine (T4) produced and released by the thyroid gland.  A blood test will show this.  But if the conversion between T4 and T3 is not taking place in a normal way, the cells may still behave as if they are not receiving enough thyroid hormone!  The body will act as if it is hypothyroid, but the blood tests will remain "within normal limits." This phenomenon has been given several names over time.  We might call it "hidden hypothyroidism."

How is "Hidden Hypothyroidism" Diagnosed?

    There are many physical symptoms, as outlined previously, which suggest hidden hypothyroidism.  In addition, a low basal body temperature is quite suggestive.  This means that the body temperature is always below the normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.  Some people with hidden hypothyroidism never reach 98.0 degrees unless they have a fever.
    The achilles tendon reflex, basal body temperature, and serum cholesterol may all give additional diagnostic information as to the presence of this type of hypothyroidism.
    Please remember that this problem is not yet recognized or treated in our conventional medical model.  You will either need to find a physician who is aware of this problem OR you can educate your physician if he/she is willing to examine the evidence.  Please refer to the bibliography at the end of this commentary.

Cayce on Hypothyroidism

    There is a total of 10 readings given specifically for the condition of hypothyroidism.  There are, however, a number of additional readings that relate to a thyroid "imbalance" -- variously called "incoordination" of the glands.  This type of thyroid imbalance was not called hypothyroidism in the readings.  In some 121 readings, thyroid function is discussed along with methods of correction.  The importance of normal thyroid function to the total bodily function is apparent in the readings.  What is not entirely clear, although it is suggested, is that Cayce may have been describing the above-mentioned phenomenon of "hidden hypothyroidism."  To this day, the condition is not a clear medical diagnosis based on a laboratory test.
    Many symptoms described in the readings that relate to "incoordination of the glands" are the same symptoms used today to diagnose hidden hypothyroidism.  In cases of true hypothyroidism as well as "incoordination of the glands," a variety of causes were mentioned.  As happens in the readings, treatments depended on the individual circumstance and the causes of each case.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

    The causes of hypothyroidism were varied, and appear from the readings to relate both to true hypothyroidism as well as "incoordination" of the glandular system.  Commonly, a spinal imbalance was suggested as the cause.  A nutritional deficiency, usually caused by dietary lack, but sometimes caused by improper assimilation, was also suggested.  Mental excitement, acting on the sympathetic nervous system, was causative in some cases and contributory in others.  Lack of normal circulation through the gland itself was also mentioned as a cause for certain individuals.  This lack of circulation was often related to the aforementioned spinal imbalance.  Finally, improper eliminations, or incoordination between assimilation and elimination, was suggested as a cause of hypothyroidism for some people.
    Medically speaking, we know only a few of the causes of hypothyroidism. Lack of dietary iodine or an excess of inorganic iodine can each cause a decrease in thyroid function.  Certain antithyroid substances, such as the drug thiocyanate and the herb bugelweed, will decrease thyroid function.  There are many other cases of hypothyroidism and hidden hypothyroidism for which a cause cannot be identified.

Treatment recommendations

    Treatments in the Cayce readings were always based upon the cause, and therefore they differed from person to person.  The recommendations will be discussed in the order of frequency with which they appeared in the readings.
    Diet was mentioned most often.  A reduction of meats and fats was frequently suggested.  All carbonated drinks, fried foods and alcohol were to be eliminated.  Often, citrus fruits or their juices were suggested.  On occasion, additional calcium was suggested, usually in dietary form but sometimes as a supplement called Calcios.  On one occasion, a decrease in calcium was recommended, underscoring the individuality of the readings.  In general, the basic diet was favored for glandular imbalances, including hypothyroidism.  For example:

    Keep the better diets; that is, keep a more universal diet, and this will aid. fruits, vegetables, nuts; little meats but fish and fowl do take.    (2072-9)

    Spinal manipulation (osteopathic) and massages were mentioned with similar frequency.  Often, they were to be given in combination with each other.  The exact areas of the spine that needed correction were different in each patient.  Here is one example:

    As we find, then, there are certain centers in the spinal system that indicate lesions. These are preventing a coordination between the superficial circulation and the central circulation.  Hence correction osteopathically should be made...   (3385-1)

    Atomidine and thyroid extract were both recommended 25% of the time for true hypothyroid conditions.  In many other cases of "incoordination of the glands," atomidine was recommended almost exclusively.  It appears that thyroid extract was sometimes needed when the gland was underproducing thyroid.
    Thyroid replacement by means of thyroid extract requires medical supervision.  Thyroid extract (U.S.P. thyroid) is a prescription medication.  Self-prescribed thyroid medication can be dangerous.  An overdose of thyroid medication can cause heart irregularities and other problems such as osteoporosis.
    Even Atomidine must be used with care.  It is probably best used under the advice of a sympathetic physician. Small doses of iodine can stimulate (and, according to Cayce, normalize) thyroid function.  Large doses of iodine can suppress thyroid function.  This is why bottles of Atomidine caution not to take internally except under the advice of a physician.
    According to the Cayce readings, Atomidine and thyroid extract were not to be used together.  The combination could result in excess stimulation and worsen a glandular imbalance.
    Attitudes and emotions needed to be constructive according to the Cayce readings, or else an imbalance in the nervous system would result in a glandular imbalance.  Correction of attitude was also recommended some 25% of the cases.  Here's the way Cayce put it to one person suffering from this disorder:

    In the metabolism disturbance we find there are the effects through the nervous system, through worry, through overanxiety here or there, that bring on the greater disturbance...that other disturbances become exaggerated in their activity.  (669-1)

    A number of other remedies were mentioned in the Cayce readings, including hydrotherapy (4 cases), Kaldak (2), Tonicine (2), Calcios (1), the Violet Ray (3), castor oil packs (2), herbal tincture (1), colonics (2), radioactive appliance (2), fume baths (2), Wet Cell Appliance (1), medicated ash (1), powdered elm (1), yeast (1), and Glyco-thymoline (l), homeopathic thyroid (1).

Conclusion

    While the vast number of differing therapies recommended in the readings may seem formidable, certain conclusions can be made regarding the Cayce strategy for treatment of hypothyroidism.
    First, it appears that the basics of treatment include a balanced, alkaline diet accompanied by spinal manipulation and massage if indicated.  The addition of certain substances such as Atomidine and thyroid hormone were a necessary part of the treatment nearly one-quarter of the time.  Correct thoughts were held to be important in restoring normalcy to the glandular system.
    Second, a variety of other treatments can be used on an "as-indicated" basis.  The necessity of any of these will depend on the individual.
    Finally, it must be pointed out that the Cayce readings more often referred to a "glandular incoordination" rather than overt low thyroid production.  Was Cayce referring to what is now beginning to be recognized as "hidden" hypothyroidism?  Perhaps he was.  Symptoms of low thyroid function can be addressed, and probably should be addressed, before there is a diagnosable disease.
    Basic principles of good health, as outlined in the readings, may very well allow a person to correct a "glandular imbalance," including hypothyroidism, even before the condition is diagnosable by conventional, Western diagnostic means.

Bibliography

Solved: The Riddle of Illness   by  Stephen Langer,M.D., Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Conn., 1984
Wilson's Syndrome   by  E. Denis Wilson, M.D., Cornerstone Publishing Co., Orlando, Fl., 1991
Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness   by Broda O. Barnes, M.D., Thomas E. Crowell Co., New York, 1976

[NOTE: The above commentary was written by Dana Myatt, N.D. and is included in the Circulating File for Hypothyroidism.]