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Live a Healthy, Balanced Life

Hypothyroidism: Is it your thyroid? Part 3

August 11, 2009 by Tracie

“There’s nothing wrong with you.  Your lab tests are normal.”

Does this sound familiar? Many of my clients have gone to the doctor feeling tired, depressed, constipated, bloated, anxious, or generally just not themselves.  The doctors run lab tests that come back normal and they tell the patients that they can’t find anything wrong.

This is a terrible place to be – knowing something isn’t right and feeling like there’s nowhere to turn.

Tracie Before Me, Before

A friend of mine encouraged me to share my own experience here so you can see what kind of transformation can take place when you get to the bottom of your health issues.  I am not going to waste a lot of space giving you my health history.  If you are interested in the details, you can find them on my website.  To make a long story short, I had severe endometriosis when I was in my early twenties.   This diagnosis led to surgery and drug treatments that had many side effects. (Suffering fifteen hot flashes a day at any age isn’t fun.  When you’re twenty years old, it’s awful.)  This experience sent me on a quest to reclaim my health without drugs.

With the help of a Naturopathic doctor, I made some progress over the next four years, though I was still experiencing fatigue, bloating, and constipation. I also had 20 pounds I couldn’t get rid of, no matter what I tried.

                             Me, After

I’d had many alternative lab tests done (food allergy, metabolic profiles, and gut function tests) and spent thousands of dollars in supplements. In the end, it really didn’t get me the results I was looking for.  I was baffled, because I was eating a so-called “healthy diet,”  yet I wasn’t feeling much better.

One day, I was reading about hypothyroidism online and realized that many of my symptoms, including endometriosis, were related to this condition (click here for an online thyroid questionnaire). I decided to go to my doctor and request a thyroid test.  I decided to request a thyroid test.  The doctor screened my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, released by the pituitary gland) and my numbers came back normal.  I remember thinking that was interesting, since I had 20 signs of hypothyroidism, according to the online quiz, and nothing I was doing was making me feel better.  I started taking my basal body temperature and found my “normal” was between 96.6°F and 97.0°F.  In my mind, it just wasn’t adding up.  I had low body temperatures and multiple symptoms for hypothyroidism, yet my doctor told me I was fine.

Around this time, I met an M.D. who took a more holistic approach. She told me I needed to have a FULL thyroid panel taken.  She explained that simply testing TSH doesn’t tell the whole story.  You also need to measure the Free T3 (active form of the hormones) and the Free T4 (which is converted to T3 in your liver).  My full panel indicated that even though my TSH was normal, my T3 was low.  With those results, my doctor prescribed a bio-identical (desiccated) thyroid hormone called Armour (Naturethroid and Westhroid are other brand names).

Desiccated thyroid hormones have been used around the world for over 100 years and it was the primary type of drug used to treat hypothyroidism until the 1960s, when pharmaceutical companies developed and marketed inexpensive synthetic versions.  The difference between desiccated thyroid and synthetic thyroid drugs (Synthroid and Levoxyl) is that desiccated thyroid contains both T3 and T4, whereas Synthyoid and Levoxyl contain only synthetic T4. One of the main problems in using just T4 is that many individuals have a problem converting T4 into active T3 in the liver.

There is a huge debate in the medical community about the use of synthetic vs. desiccated thyroid medications.  You can read about both sides of the issue on the internet, though I’d caution you to remember that a lot of the research you read is funded or influenced by pharmaceutical companies.  Because of this (in my opinion), most mainstream doctors only prescribe synthetic medications.  This is unfortunate, particularly since many of my clients have fully recovered from their hypothyroid symptoms after switching to bio-identical hormones.

Hypothyroidism Type 2, by Dr. Mark Starr, is a fantastic book that goes into great depth on this topic.  He scientifically explains why synthetic drugs don’t work for most people and what options you have if you suffer from this condition.  He discusses why current lab tests aren’t an accurate reflection of thyroid conditions, either in individuals, or, for that matter, on the national landscape. And Dr. Starr explains why you might be hypothyroid, even if your full thyroid panel comes back normal.

I want to leave you with a couple of last thoughts:

  • If you are currently on a synthetic medication and you are not getting better, do your own research on this topic and talk to your doctor as an informed patient (resources below).
  • Ask your doctor to run a full thyroid panel (Free T3, Free T4, TSH)
  • If you are symptomatic with low body temperatures, find a doctor that will treat you with a holistic approach.

You are your own best advocate.  No one can fight for your health as well as you can, and when you’re confronting hypothyroidism, you really need to understand what you’re dealing with, in your own body and regarding the medical community.  I know, through my own experience and in working with a number of clients with thyroid issues, that sometimes it’s an uphill battle.  The best things you can do are to become informed, to learn how to talk to doctors, and to learn where to get the information that they either can’t or won’t give you.

In October 2008, I began the process of healing.  I gave my diet a complete overhaul, and made a concerted effort to include foods that support the metabolism (what these foods are might surprise you).  I began taking bio-identical thyroid in June 2008. I’ve lost 12 pounds by following the same recommendations that I give my clients.  My body temperatures have risen from 96.6°F to 98.2°F.  Since I started taking thyroid medication, I have lost an additional 8 pounds.  I feel better than I have in years.  I hope my story encourages you to do your own research, to continue to dig until you find an answer and start to feel better. More often than not, proper thyroid function is a key to the equation.

Update: 2011 – Since originally posting this article in 2009, I continue to feel great and have lost an additional 10 pounds.  My energy levels are consistent and my digestion has improved significantly.  I also discovered in the last 2 years that adequate vitamin D levels are important to good thyroid function.  Please have your Vitamin D levels checked by your doctor if you’re having (or think you might have) thyroid issues.

Visit www.itsyourplate.com for more information about my services and available programs. You can download a temperature and pulse chart on my website to track your progress.

Tracie Hittman Nutrition, LLC

Resources for further study:

Barnes, Broda and Lawrence Galton. Hypo-thyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. NY: Harpers & Row Publishers, 1976.

Peat, Ray. “TSH, Temperature, Pulse Rate, and Other Indicators in Hypothyroidism.” Ray Peat.com 2007. 9 Sept. 2009. <http://raypeat.com/articles/articles /hypothyroidism.shtm>.

Shomon, Mary. Living Well with Hypothyroidism. NY: HarperCollins, 2000.

Starr, Mark. Hypothyroidism Type 2. Columbia, MO: Mark Starr Trust, 2009.

Websites/articles:

http://thyroid.about.com/

http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/thyroid.shtml

http://www.brodabarnes.org/

http://www.longnaturalhealth.com/library2.asp?A=59

http://www.longnaturalhealth.com/library2.asp?A=105

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

Tracie Hittman, MS, is a Nutritional Consultant and, as such, the nutritional consulting services provided are for information and education purposes only. Information provided is not to be substituted for a physician’s medical attention and professional judgment for diagnosis and hands-on treatment. Tracie Hittman MS, of Tracie Hittman Nutrition doesn’t provide medical advice or medical and/or diagnostic services. Follow suggestions as your own risk.

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Filed Under: Thyroid Info.

Comments

  1. Rufus Campagne says

    June 23, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    I want to see more videos on your site, I really think everyone would like them.

        

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Tracie was a presenter at a seminar I attended. I was so impressed with her presentation and information that I signed up for her 8 week class on the spot. I was simply amazed at what I learned in class each week. You will be amazed to learn what is healthy for and why what you thought you were eating that was healthy really isn’t. I had previously seen a Nutritionist at my clinic. The comparison of what I learned and the help I received goes vastly beyond day and night. I have lost 25 pounds and feel so much better. The only complaint I have is that the class ended. Tracie is one of those special people who’s main objective is helping you improve yourself and reach your goals. Maybe part of that is she practices what she preaches, after all they say “You are what you eat.” Shouldn’t you know what’s really good for you to be eating? Shouldn’t you learn from a proven experienced guru?

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This note is way overdue. Just a BIG THANK YOU! For all you have done for me via education on food. My life is totally different now and I have never felt this good. So much I did not know or understand. Once I was told I was pre-diabetic it was a big kick in the pants. The reality of what I was doing to myself loomed over me and I finally had to put on my big girl pants and deal with it. But without the knowledge I had gained from you, I am not sure that putting on my big girl pants would have been enough. I needed to understand how the food affected my body. As of now, I have lost more than 15 pounds. My body is still healing, but that is the difference, Tracie…it is healing. So thank you and God Bless!!!

LS – Madison   

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Dave   

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I honestly have nothing to offer for critiques and anything I’d like to see different on the class…it totally exceeded my expectations and I feel so lucky to have found you, this information, and to live where I live with all the resources I have around me. This was truly a phenomenal class that was exactly what I needed to get me to the next level in nutrition and health. I have believed since I was little that healing ourselves should be natural and from our food sources.

Well done..I like the power point since I’m visual, I love the recipes and meal plans, snack ideas, especially the calorie count of them as well as the info on the handouts to reference.

I just want to tell everyone!!

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My name is Aaron Stecker and I am 10 year NFL veteran. I was injured at the end of last season but I did not want that injury to be the end of my career. I wanted to make a come back. My fantastic trainer recommended that I meet with Tracie and discuss how diet changes could help me reach my performance goals. I was happy that he recognized how a balance between the right exercise and nutrition can make all the difference. Tracie taught me how to balance my protein, carbs and fats so that I was able to have better workouts and less cravings. I also learned about the best types of foods to support metabolism and to decrease inflammation. The food recommendations surprised me but they worked. I am now at the weight and speed that I was during my rookie season and I am really excited to have a great year.

Thanks Tracie!

Aaron Stecker   

Angie heals her digestive issues.

I sought Tracie’s guidance amidst a whirlwind of dietary confusion after versing myself on many conflicting diets. She cleared my frustrations with sound advise and teachings that fostered an understanding of her recommendations. This allowed me to focus my efforts and enact distinct changes consistently to my diet. This consistency produced results in the form of my health goals.

I came to Tracie wishing to regulate my appetite, have more energy, increase my sense of well-being, allieviate digestion problems, and recalibrate a healthier metabolism after years of damaging dieting. I am achieving these goals with more stability every day using food as my health catalyst and metabolic medicine. At first, it took dedication, patience, and involved trusting Tracie. As I started to see and feel my body construct better health with nutritional materials, I knew I was reaping a cornucopia of health. I began to demolish old nutritional beliefs and patterns not serving my health goals. I replaced them with new, nutritional tools and blueprints that actually worked to repair and build better health. I improved my health and quality of life substantially.

I am very grateful for the gift of health Tracie guided me to create for myself. I now know how to fuel my body vehicle for maximum efficiency and function, and Tracie provided me with the education, encouragement, and support to achieve this.

Angie   

Sara dropped her soda and pounds!

With no real intentions and my Diet Pepsi in hand, I attended a Lunch n’ Learn hosted by our company’s wellness team. The presenter was Tracie Hittman and with my limited knowledge about nutrition she easily caught my attention, and I knew I wanted to learn more. I joined her program and it was honestly money well spent.

The program included weekly meetings with Tracie, bi-weekly testing, and monthly classes on a variety of topics. I started off by changing when and what I eat. Because you want to keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, it is best to eat every 2-3 hours. I always now have balanced snacks near by which helps me avoid cravings around lunch and dinner time.

Figuring out what to eat was a bigger challenge. Many of the foods I was being told to eat were completely opposite of what society has drilled into our heads for so long. I stick to a balanced diet with protein, fruits, and fat (healthy fat, of course). It isn’t about counting calories or avoiding foods with fat; it’s about looking at the ingredients and avoiding foods with hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, etc. If you don’t know what an ingredient is, it’s most likely not good for you.

I have lost almost 30 pounds and feel great!

Thanks Tracie!

Sara   

Jenny shares her successful conversion!

(This is a message that one of our clients sent out to her contacts.)

Hello all,
Some of you may have heard me talk about the nutrition consultant that I began seeing several months ago. She is now starting a seminar series that I would highly recommend. I am forwarding this on because it is sooo interesting!

So far, this change in my eating habits has helped me feel way more energetic, have less “crashes” after eating, I ENJOY the food I eat, I have learned a ton of delicious new recipes, I don’t feel guilty about what I’m eating and I am not eating so much processed, junk-filled food! I’ve even lost weight! Also, I’ve decreased my cravings and feel satisfied when I’m done eating. Overall, I just feel better!

It is really amazing what Tracie can teach you about food and it all makes sense. I no longer read calorie and fat content, but instead I read the ingredients. My rule of thumb is if I can’t pronounce the word, then I don’t eat it. ;-)

Oh, and Steve really likes food too so that makes it so much easier!

Jenny   

Lisa gains energy and drops depression.

When I went to Tracie, I was in a panic mode. No matter how I ate, I was consistently gaining a pound a week or so. I already knew I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but doctors weren’t putting me on medicine yet to deal with it. I also felt lethargic, slightly depressed, irritable and often couldn’t sleep at night.

Not only did Tracie get me eating healthier—which immediately helped me feel better—she hooked me up with a doctor who understood thyroid issues and prescribed the right medicine. Now I’m losing weight, feeling positive and having all the energy I need to get through the day.

Although my journey is continuing because it took years for me to get to this point, I am making much better choices, getting closer to my health goals and feeling like I’m in control for the first time in years.

Thank you, Tracie!

Lisa   

Amy loses pounds and headaches.

Working with Tracie is a wonderful experience! She has helped me make some important lifestyle changes. I have already seen an increase in energy, a decrease in headaches, and have lost over 10 pounds. I would recommend Tracie to anyone looking to improve their health and well-being.

Amy   

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