|
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.]
Note: The above information is not intended for self-diagnosis
or self-treatment. Please consult a qualified health care professional
for assistance in applying the information contained in the Cayce Health
Database. |
From the Edgar Cayce Health Database
