Thyroid references needed

Training Bodybuilding
1

I have a fellow worker who has a thyroid problem. She say`s that her thyroid is slowly disappearing, and will have to eventually use medical aids to compensate.

I recall reading a thing about a similar auto-immune phenomenon. In short, the body does not accept certain foods and, while attacking said food particles, the thyroid gland becomes a casualty in the process.

Does a precise scientific or medical term exist for this phenomenon?

Thanks in advance!

2

I think you’re talking about Hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This is when the body gradually produces less and less thyroid hormones until the production ceaces. The leading cause of “Hypothyroidism” is “Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.” This condition is more present in women then men. Her metabolism will gradually decrease as time goes because of the gradually decreasing production of her thyroid hormones. The onset occurs more frequently during a womans child bearing years. If she does have this condition make sure she does not wait to get treatment. They are some serious side effects that can happen that she does not want to occur. Two of them being, being more prone to a miscarriage and menstrual cycle issues including prevention of ovulation. The treatment is usually taking a pill every day. Unfortunately if this is her condition she’ll have to take the pill for the rest of her life. I hope this answered all of your questions.

3

Hi Dan C~
Nice of you to show interest and concern in your friend. She’s so lucky to have someone whom is supportive of her, as this disease can at times be challenging. I have Hashimoto’s Disease, which is an autoimmune condition. The body creates antibodies to the thyroid gland and launches an immune response to the thyroid cells, essentially destroying the cells. For a time, the gland’s remaining cells can compensate for the non-functioning cells, but eventually the body’s immune system destroys enough of the cells that the person becomes hypothyroid. Potential symptoms of hypothyroidism may include weight gain, heavy periods, excessive sleepiness/fatigue, exercise intolerance, depression, etc. Supplementation with thyroid hormones is required to alleviate symptoms.

I can attest for my own experience with the disease, in the hope of helping another. Females of childbearing age already commonly struggle with fatigue from the demands of career, children, hormones, etc. This fatigue was no comparison to the fatigue I experienced from the hypothyroidism. Exercise has truly been my key to beating this fatigue. If I don’t train for say, one week, I start to have hypothyroid symptoms even though taking the medication. I believe that the body’s cells uptake and utilize the hormone more optimally when a person exercises. In fact, I believe that all the body’s cells operate in a more optimum fashion, regardless of illness or wellness state, when we exercise, as God created us to be physically active, and not sedentary creatures. A clean, balanced diet is another key for me to beat the fatigue and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

I wish you and your friend Good Luck…

4

Hey Dan C~

You did ask for resources. Here are two links:

An author named Mary Shomon posts lots of useful information about thyroid disease at about.com She too has the disease, and her information is very user-friendly…

5

Thanks! I think ChinaDoll`s description fits more what I was referring to.

Bizarrely, what the girl`s MD said goes along like this:

  • For now, the hypophysis works in tandem with the thyroid and serves as a backup.
  • The MD will let her TSH (or whatever name) levels go down by themselves.
  • When the Thyroid-related levels are almost zero, to prevent hypophysis burnout, then they`ll start using thyroid-related medication.

I recall cauliflower and some forms of wheat were implicated in auto-immune reactions. I haven`t found the webpage that mentionned it yet.

6

goitrogens are chemicals which inhibit thyroid funtion. they are present in uncooked cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage (however not in aged sauerkraut), broccoli, brussels sprouts, califlower etc. also, soy is a powerful goitrogen, so she should avoid eating soy products, especially tofu. soy sauce is generally ok, if it’s naturally aged (not that msg filled, fake stuff). i’ll see if i can find some web links as well.

7

this is one link i had in my bookmarks about flouride and it’s connection to thyroid function, and green tea.

http://westonaprice.org/askdoctor/ask_hypo.htm
this article addresses that type of condition, and talks about what can be done…

8

Thanks!

Sem_Chick: Wow! Thanks a million!

9

Her treatment should be appropriate to the cause of her thyroid condition.

Hashimoto’s Disease is properly diagnosed by tests for high amounts of antithyroid antibodies. It also presents with an enlarged thyroid gland. TSH levels would he high, indicating failure of the thyroid gland to respond with increased production.

It is conceptually similar to type-I diabetes, in which the immune system destroys the pancreatic cells which produce insulin. Both cases appear to be irreversible, but are treatable with the exogenous hormone. These are cases in which you’ve got to be thankful for Western medicine.

There are other causes of hypothyroid conditions, such as fasting, protein malnutrion, anorexia, cirrhosis, kidney failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis. In some cases, the resulting thyroid condition can be reversed if the cause is eliminated. Some drugs produce hypothyroidism, including Prozac, interferon-alpha, and lithium.

The actual content of goitragens in foods is quite low. And cooking inactivates them.

Supplementing with L-tyrosine could be helpful. Power Drive is a great source.