Classic (Type I) Hypothyroidism is an inherited disorder that is
known to affect about seven percent of the American population.  Caused
by the thyroid's failure to secrete adequate hormone levels, it is
typically diagnosed early in life through blood tests. However, there is
a far more prevalent form of the disease (some say up to 50-80% of the
population) that cannot be detected with blood tests and is therefore
ignored by modern medicine.  Is your healthy future being stolen by your
genes, your environment and by the ignorance and arrogance of current
medical dogma?

In order to better understand this growing epidemic
that lurks undetected beneath many of our nation's most pressing health
challenges, we must first look at a similar epidemic disease of
glandular/hormonal failure that has long been acknowledged and targeted
by the medical establishment.  

Lessons From Diabetes

Diabetes
Type 1 is an inherited disorder in which the pancreas is unable to
produce adequate insulin to manage blood sugar levels. Patients are
managed with insulin injections from computerized pumps.

Likewise,
Classic Hypothyroidism requires permanent hormone replacement therapy
to offset a particular glandular deficit. Patients are typically placed
on Synthroid, a synthetic version of levothyroxine (T4) - one of a
number of thyroid hormones.

Diabetes Type 2 has a delayed onset
because although it too may have predisposing genetic factors, the
likelihood of it affecting our adult lives has a lot to do with our
dietary and lifestyle choices. This is because the root problem is not
inadequate insulin production from the pancreas, but rather a
conditioned response in target tissues known as insulin resistance.  

A
steady diet of refined carbs prompts the pancreas to flood the body
with insulin repeatedly until eventually the cellular response to
insulin is impaired... kind of like "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".  The
message is there but the cells are no longer listening.

Hypothyroidism Type II - Peripheral Resistance to Thyroid Hormone

Hypothyroidism
Type II is a similar problem... peripheral resistance to thyroid
hormones at the cellular level... only here the issue appears to be a
breakdown in cellular metabolism of thyroid hormone (inability to
convert T4 to T3 or other metabolites).

Doctors are being
confronted with increasing numbers of patients who present with "normal"
thyroid blood panels and yet may have profound symptoms of thyroid
suppression. Regardless of blood levels, when thyroid hormones are
lacking in the cell, cellular energy levels plummet, affecting virtually
all aspects of metabolism. According to Lawrence Sonkin MD, a pioneer
of endocrine research, cellular energy declines impact the central
nervous system, heart and skeletal muscle, kidneys and hormone producing
tissues - in that order.

Primary Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Type II

The
thyroid is the master gland of the endocrine system. It determines the
basal metabolic rate for the body, so one of the most noticeable signs
of thyroid malfunction is low body temperature (below 97.6 degrees) and a
resulting intolerance to cold. Puffiness along the jaw line and around
the eyes are another telltale sign.

Hair loss, brittle nails, dry
skin, migraines, immune suppression, asthma and allergies, heart
arrhythmias, anxiety, depression, stubborn weight gain, menstrual
problems and infertility are all common symptoms of thyroid
insufficiency. Left untreated, this type of thyroid suppression can lead
to:

• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis 
• High blood pressure and cholesterol 
• Diabetes 
• Chronic Fatigue 
• Rheumatoid pain and joint deformations

Factors That Complicate Diagnosis and Treatment

1.    Heavy Metal Toxicity
- The thyroid is highly susceptible to the damaging effects of
environmental toxins. Detoxification protocols to reduce the toxic
burden on the body are critical to successful recovery.

2.    Chemical Toxicity and Fungal Overload - Many chemicals and fungal mycotoxins have an estrogenic effect on the body, further suppressing thyroid function.

3.    Nutritional Deficiencies
- Mineral deficits are common, particularly magnesium, zinc, selenium
and of course, iodine.  These and any others present must be addressed.

4.    Adrenal Exhaustion
- Suppressed adrenal function has an adverse effect on both diagnosis
and treatment due to the closely interrelated functions of the glands.

Only
the finest of physicians are capable of diagnosing or effectively
treating Hypothyroidism Type II today, because it requires a thorough
family history and physical exam, a sound understanding of human
physiology, a willingness to treat the patient as a whole, the wisdom to
see and the courage to admit that the disease exists in the first
place.  

Sadly, most patients who suffer from this disease have
symptoms that are being ignored because the blood tests do not match the
diagnosis. Instead of getting the help they so desperately need, they
are offered anti-depressants, beta blockers, statins, synthetic hormones
and anti-resorption (bone loss) drugs. And it seems that our government
wants to keep it that way...

Natural Treatment Options Under Fire

Years
ago, before the advent of synthetic (but patented) hormones and thyroid
blood panels, physicians used iodine and natural glandular therapy to
treat symptoms of thyroid insufficiency with tremendous success.  Full
spectrum dessicated glandulars like Armour Thyroid are much more
effective at restoring glandular function than isolated synthetic
hormones because they contain a cross section of all the thyroid
hormones, peptides and other metabolites.  

Synthetic isolates
cannot deliver the greatest advantage of glandular therapy: not only
does it offer gland specific nutrition, but it conveys information
encoded in the RNA and DNA of the glandular tissues that simply cannot
be transmitted any other way. Besides, if a person lacks the ability to
metabolize T4 to T3, what good does it do to give them more T4?

Unfortunately,
the FDA has recently ordered Armour and several other manufacturers of
dessicated thyroid to stop production, and soon it may no longer be
available at all. First they limited its access to prescription only
(even though it is a natural glandular preparation), and now it appears
they want to ban it altogether.  What a travesty that will be if it is
allowed to happen!  

Just another way that your health freedom is
being threatened, and chances are slim that you will hear anything about
this on the news.