Is Your Thyroid Under Active?
The Power of that Butterfly Shaped Thyroid Gland
This subject has been on my list of blog posts to write for months and each time I consider the subject, I get overwhelmed with all of the information. Well, the time has come to jump in! Partly because two awesome bloggers have helped me pare things down to the basics with their blog posts that I'll be borrowing from heavily! Many thanks to Hypothyroid Mom and Wellness Mama. First up, lets start the conversation!
The thyroid is the master control center for the metabolic function of every single cell in your body. Because of this, it has the power to disrupt every part of your body and produce serious changes in every aspect of your life including serious disease, mood, weight gain and low energy levels.
How would you know?
This is where it gets really interesting and, a little overwhelming, the symptoms. Let's start with the well known symptoms first:
Depression
Fatigue or flat out exhaustion
Cold feet and hand - sometimes a tingling
Puffy eyes
Memory loss and difficulty focusing
Dry, possibly pale skin
Coarse, thinning hair
Brittle nails
Constipation
Trouble sleeping
Thinning of the end of the eyebrow
Unexplained weight gain with proper diet and exercise
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Brace yourself. Dana, creator of Hypothyroid Mom took things further and compiled a list of over 300 signs and symptoms that can point to an under active thyroid. The list includes serious illness, disease, even miscarriage...all from the misfiring of the thyroid. This blog is a wealth of information on cutting edge Hypothyroidism, she dedicates herself to this!
If any of these symptoms feel familiar or helps you to connect the dots this is what Katie AKA Wellness Mama recommends we start doing of which I find to be sound advice! EOs are awesome but a healthy diet is the foundation of health.
"I suggest doing a two-week experiment of completely avoiding gluten and soy. Gluten intolerance and autoimmune conditions of the thyroid gland are inextricably linked. In this situation when one eats gluten, the immune system gets the wrong signal to attack the thyroid".
"Then there's soy. I have written and talked a lot about soy and spoken out about it for years. Basically, soy blocks the uptake of iodine, an essential mineral the thyroid needs. 60% of the iodine in our bodies is found in the thyroid gland. Iodine is also an essential mineral to protect us from breast and prostate cancer.
How Your Diet can Support the Thyroid
Iodine Rich Foods
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- Kelp - Seaweed (found on the Asian aisle of the large groceries or health food stores)
- Onions
- Artichokes
- Pineapple
Selenium
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Selenium maintains the production of various thyroid hormones produced in the thyroid gland.
- Pasture raised eggs
- Shellfish
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Sunflower seeds
- Brazil nuts
Essential Fatty Acids - Omega 3s
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- Fish oil
- Dark leafy greens
- Flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
Coconut Oil and Coconut Butter
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Raw saturated fat that contains essential fatty acids that promote thyroid health. The fat in these foods is quickly converted to energy, which helps regulate thyroid function. This is why coconut oil and coconut butter can help you lose weight because they contain the good fats that help you burn the bad fats!
Copper and Iron Rich Foods
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- Cashews
- Clams
- Organ meats
- Oysters
- Red meat
- Beans
- Leafy greens
Food can be medicine or the slowest form of poison. Adding the above mentioned food groups will give your thyroid essential nutrients it needs to function properly and do it's job; giving you more mental clarity, perfect digestion, balanced weight and lots of energy!
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Two EO protocols to assist in balancing Thyroid hormones
{if you suspect they're low}
Protocol 1
___________________________________Two blends used a week at a time, alternating to the next.
Blend 1 (week one)
1 part Lemongrass
1 part Myrrh (can substitute with Peppermint)
1 part carrier oil
*Frankincense
In a 5ml roller bottle. Apply topically over thyroid area and reflexology points (big toe), massage in 3x daily.
*Whenever I can, I layer a drop of Frankincense over the Lemongrass/Myrrh blend. If it's not convenient (traveling etc.) I take 2 drops of pure Frankincense under my tongue morning and night. Frankincense will help the other EOs along and calm inflammation.
At the end of the first week, begin Blend 2 and apply in the same manner. After week 2, begin Blend 1 again.
Blend 2 (week 2)
1 part Zen
1 part Geranium
1 part carrier oil
*Frankincense
Protocol 2
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25 drops Lemongrass
25 drops Clove
10 drops Frankincense
25 drops carrier oil
In a 5ml roller bottle. Apply topically over thyroid area and reflexology points (big toe), massage in 3x daily.
Lastly, a comment from Dana of Hypothyroid Mom that was eye opening for me!
My hope is that this post finds the millions of people worldwide who are not aware of their condition. They are suffering from multiple health complications but they have no clue their thyroid is to blame. Their doctors are prescribing medication after medication for illnesses that could be treated by addressing the underlying hypothyroidism. It is a tragedy.
Then there are those who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and treated with thyroid replacement medication, however they still suffer from many of the symptoms on this list. Their doctors have no idea the real reason for their ill health is the improperly treated hypothyroidism. They too are being prescribed multiple medications for conditions that could be treated by proper thyroid treatment. Others are mistakenly considered hypochondriacs and prescribed sleeping pills and anti-depressants by their doctors. Others are told their symptoms are just part of normal aging and shrugged off as unimportant. Doctors are relying solely on laboratory tests for diagnosis, not investigating fully the patient’s medical history, symptoms, family history and thorough physical exams. Does this sound like you? It may be time to change doctors.
One last word to the wise, if you're currently on medication for hypothyroid, don't go off it without consulting with your doctor first. If any of the information I shared rings true for you, please do your due diligence and investigate your symptoms until you have answers!
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posted by Rebecca @ 8:46 PM
22 Comments
22 Comments:
Seriously?! You got Wellness Mama?! I have followed her for awhile now but I couldn't even get her to answer my e-mail! Great post!
I am so interested in this! So what if I'm on Synthroid and use the protocols, how will that affect the medication? Also , since there are 2 protocols, does it mean use one or the other? And is it continuous use? Do I ever stop using it?
I have the same question in regard to if I am taking medication already do I do the protocol and the medication?
I can't tell you to go off your medication ladies...these protocols are geared for those like me that suspect an under active thyroid and aren't taking any medication. This something you'll need to discuss with your doctor.
Beth, there are 2 protocols to choose from - protocol 1 requires alternating 2 blends and protocol 2 is simpler with only one blend.
Thank you so much for this post! My sister found oud 2 days ago she was miscarrying for the third time since july of last year. Shr also has the other symptoms. One question i had was can we replace the frankincense with anything?
You can do protocols like this in addition to your medication and your thyroid levels should show a dramatic change when your labs are reviewed by your doctor. Never know, he may adjust your thyroid meds.
After each protocol application, layer a drop of Frankincense over the thyroid area. Then, add a warm rice bag for 15-30 mins over the thyroid area will help emulsify the oils (especially the Frankincense) to drive it deeper into the thyroid area. I would ask your Dr about Armour Thyroid med (there's generic's like it now - Google Armour Thyroid). It's safer than Synthroid although most Dr's don't like this alternative because it's a desiccated thyroid drug. Your body = your choice.
This gives great info (and a link to a "form letter" to your dr about your preference to use Armour thyroid).
http://thyroid.about.com/b/2009/01/27/the-desiccated-thyroid-controversy-why-endocrinologists-dont-like-armour-thyroid.htm
I found out that I had hypothyroidism when I was 27yrs old. When I was 45 I found out that I was born with a rare type of Adrenal Disease. It is believed that this Adrenal Disease is what triggered my thyroid problem. Thank you for this post. I would encourage anyone that has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism to have their adrenals checked also.
Carol, I would do whatever I could to get the Frankincense. If you don't have any yet and want to get started, by all means start one of the protocols and add the Frankincense when you can.
Thanks Rebecca!
What about hyPERthyroism? Any suggestions?
From what I've read it would be much the same protocol Dana, Lemongrass, Myrrh and Frankincense....Frankincense is key!
I love this article! I appreciate very much that you included Hypothyroid Mom. I will be sure to try the two EO protocols that you mention for balancing thyroid hormones.
www.stopthethyroidmaddness.com is a GREAT website for hyopthyroid! Please Please DO NOT go off your meds! I made well the doc I was seeing made the mistake (twice) of me going off my thyroid medication for months! and to make this super long story short I went to a compounding doctor who was completely shocked that I was not DEAD or in ICU for how my thyroid blood work readings were off the chart and all my insides were shutting down and lets put it this way I was unable to go potty #2 for months and months! I am a firm believer of oils and think that they will help your thyroid but make no mistake just like your thyroid pills, they have to be taken at the same time everyday, if you don't they will not work at all or you will not get the best effects of your thyroid medication. I am currently on compounded thyroid medication that specifically made for me and my thyroid and I have to take it twice a day. But PLEASE PLEASE do not go off your medication! Learn from my mistakes
Sorry miss spelled the web address wrong! this is the correct web address http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com
Awesome info Rebecca ... is this something you use 'always' or just for a 'while'...a certain time frame?
Pam, if this helps you balance and regulate you can continue use indefinitely.
Question: I'm interested in trying protocol 2. (I wouldn't be good at the a week of this a week of that required for protocol 1.) My only concern is this...In your blog post on the 4 Essential EOs, you recommend putting 2 - 3 drops of Frankincense under the tongue 2 times daily. If I'm doing that would the Frankincense in this be like double dosing? In other words, can you get too much Frankincense? Should I skip the under the tongue doses?
I really want to try this. I've lived with hypothyroidism for nearly 17 years. I've taken everything. Finally, about two years ago I was able to convince my doctor to put me on Armour Thyroid. Best thing I've ever taken, but still have some of the symptoms listed above. Thanks for taking time to answer my question!
Good question! I don't think you need to do both Rhonda - the Frankincense with each topical application should be enough :)
Re: Protocol#2-I don't currently have clove oil, but I have plenty of frankincense and lemongrass; could I substitute one of the ones from protocol #1, like myrrh? I was trying to use the oils I currently have on hand, and unfortunately I do not have all of the ones for protocol#1, like Zen or geranium. I plan on getting Zen soon, as it sounds awesome.
Yes Aurora, you can substitute clove with myrrh and add the other EOs when you get them.
I have never been officially diagnosed with hypothyroidism (The Dr. always says "it's low normal, so you don't need anything"), but I have many, many of the symptoms shown above. Is it OK for me to start on the protocols, either one of them, without an 'official' diagnosis? I really need to get to feeling better. I just found your site thru FB and would like to get started on this as soon as possible, if applicable. Thanks for your help.
Judy, in my opinion...absolutely! EOs are a natural alternative that our bodies find very agreeable.
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