​Thyroid and Adrenals Many people specifically come to me because they want help with their thyroid. The thyroid is a popular topic in the health world because dysfunction in the thyroid is typically associated with weight gain (an abnormal metabolism), body temperature dysregulation (including cold hands or even hot flashes), a lack of energy, thinning hair, dry skin, and sleep problems. Research is even linking thyroid problems with plaque accumulation in the arteries.15 A leading thyroid doctor, Dr. Broada Barnes MD of the Broada Barnes Institute, says that 90% of American men and women have subclinical hypothyroid (symptomatic but undiagnosed). 80% of diagnosed thyroid conditions are in women and 80% of that group have an autoimmune thyroid, meaning that their immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in an attempt to protect itself from a perceived threat.16 According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), 27 million Americans suffer from a thyroid condition. Out of the 27 million, only half have been diagnosed. Therefore over 13 million people are likely experiencing symptoms related to their dysfunctioning thyroid but don’t know what is wrong. Being properly evaluated is essential because it affects your quality of life and thyroid disease leaves you predisposed to many other degenerative dysfunction. Look at these statistics: • People with thyroid disease are  twice as likely to have a blocked aorta or experience a heart attack.• 50% of all depression could be caused by an undiagnosed thyroid condition.• Types of autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s Disease can lead to psychosis, seizures, dementia, and mood changes.• People with thyroid disease often suffer from other hormone problems, especially women during perimenopause and menopause.17 The thyroid impacts more than just your metabolism. Clinically, a low functioning thyroid seems to be common in women who have fertility problems or have suffered miscarriages. Increased thyroid activity is common when the body releases progesterone (the hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy).18 If the thyroid is malfunctioning before a pregnancy, the change in activity after conception often exacerbates the situation. A low functioning thyroid also causes intestinal motility to slow down.19 Thyroid dysfunction can even negatively affect the liver’s ability to detoxify!20 It’s incredible how one small gland has such an impact on the entire body!Interestingly enough, 80% of the Vitamin C your body stores is in the adrenal glands!21 This is why I always recommend Vitamin C supplements in an adrenal repair program. HypothyroidFoods to avoid for hypothyroidism, Charanya Vijay  Health & Lifestyle  Thursday, November 19, 2015If you are hypothyroid, choosing the right food is essential to stay healthy and undoubtedly there are certain foods to avoid for hypothyroidism. . Hypothyroidism is known as under active thyroid, where the thyroid gland is under producing the thyroid hormones which is not sufficient for your body.  Consuming some foods may not be friendly for your thyroid gland and that may end up in further aggravating low thyroid. Choosing the right food and eliminating the food which is not good for your thyroid is significant for a wholesome well being. This article helps you with a list of foods to avoid for hypothyroidism. SoyIt is believed that soy can infringe your thyroid function and sometimes it can also create trouble in absorption of thyroid hormones (pills) if consumed within some hours of taking the pills. Avoiding or restraining soy from your diet is extremely good for a healthy thyroid. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, raddish and bok choy.:These are called cruciferous vegetables that potentially interfere with secretion of thyroid hormones. Having these foods may enlarge your thyroid gland causing goiter. So it is better to completely get rid of these veggies in your diet. Wheat, barley, semolina, rye, malt & speltThese are some of the foods that come with gluten content. Gluten containing foods may be detrimental to your thyroid health and it is considered as a key trigger for endocrine diseases. Go for a gluten-free diet to guard your thyroid health. Fatty foodsConsuming fatty foods can worsen your thyroid conditions as poly unsaturated fat is linked with complication of the under active thyroid gland. Butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat, crackers, cookies, cakes, pastries and French fries are some of the fatty foods that not only affect thyroid but also can increase your cholesterol levels and the risk of weight gain. Sugary foodsAdded sugar foods can disrupt with your thyroid functioning leading difficulty in managing your weight, appetite and energy. Sugar, syrups, sweeteners, soft drinks, candies, dry fruits, cookies, cakes, pies, jams, sauces are some of the sugary foods to avoid for hypothyroidism. Processed foodsConsumption of processed foods such as pasta, pizza, bread, cakes, pretzels, cookies can be harmful for your thyroid gland as it contains high carbohydrates, sugar and gluten. Too much fiberExcess fiber in your diet can impede with absorption difficulties if you are in the hypothyroidism synthetic pills treatment. Though dietary fiber is necessary, it is recommended to avoid too much fiber in your diet. CaffeineExtra dosage of caffeine intervenes with thyroid function and result in enlarged thyroid gland. Having more cups of coffee can cause problem in absorbing T4 hormones and affects the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones. It is wise to avoid coffee, tea, chocolates and other caffeine based products are the harmful foods to avoid for hypothyroidism. AlcoholAlcohol directly impacts the thyroid health thereby leading to lot of negative effects to the thyroid gland. Say no to alcohol and adopt a healthy lifestyle for an optimal thyroid health. If chosen right, food can be your best medicine. Considering these categories of foods to avoid for hypothyroidism can help you to prevent and manage the condition.                     Five steps to boosting your thyroid function almost immediatelyLearn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037147_thyroid_function_boosting_remedies.html#ixzz3mfVArg8L Best foods to eat to kick-start a sluggish thyroidLearn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036632_thyroid_foods_remedies.html#ixzz3mfWAsg7o many articles here http://www.planbeforedo.com/search?updated-max=2015-11-11T23%3A27%3A00%2B05%3A30&max-results=6                     Are all CFS patients low thyroid?As explained in our previous articles, it is clear there is a distinct hormonal disturbance in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients, with a general suppression of the hypothalamic – pituitary – adrenal axis (HPA axis). It is the pituitary which is the “conductor of the endocrine orchestra.” If the pituitary is malfunctioning like in CFS patients, then this will affect the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, sex hormones, possibly the pineal (produces melatonin for normal sleep), as well as hormones for growth and urine production. Symptoms Of An Underactive ThyroidHypothyroidism symptoms are very similar to the ones experienced by CFS sufferers. Lethargy, sensitivity to cold, heat intolerance, mood swings and depression, poor memory and concentration, joint pains and morning stiffness, headaches, vertigo and deafness, pre-menstrual tension, voice changes, loss of libido and susceptibility to viral infections are all found with both conditions. Visible signs experienced by hypothyroid sufferers are: weight gain, fluid retention, puffy face, puffy eyes, hair loss (classically the outer third of the eyebrows), cold extremities and dry skin, rashes, eczema and boils and enlargement of the tongue. One may also suffer from hoarse voice, hypoglycaemia, constipation, menstrual problems, skin problems and tendency to infections, slow pulse, goitre, infertility, digestive problems, slowed Achilles tendon reflex and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Connection Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Low ThyroidStudies demonstrate that in addition to an increased incidence of primary hypothyroidism in CFS, there is a combination of secondary, tertiary and thyroid resistance in the overwhelming majority of CFS patients, despite having normal thyroid tests. Why is this happening? These latter forms of tissue hypothyroidism are not detected by standard thyroid function tests. Thus, many CFS patients are erroneously told that their thyroid levels are fine. In fact, standard thyroid tests fail to detect tissue hypothyroidism 80-90% of the time in patients with CFS. There are multiple abnormalities in CFS that result in undetectable tissue hypothyroidism, such as :* TSH is secreted by the pituitary and stimulates the thyroid to produce T4, the non-active thyroid hormone. However, hypothalamic dysfunction results in the production of TSH that has diminished biological activity so there are lower T4 and T3 levels for any given level of TSH. T3 is the active thyroid hormone. In addition, the pituitary dysfunction results in a diminished secretion of TSH, masking low tissue thyroid levels as the TSH is usually in the normal range. Very few doctors understand the significance of this and incorrectly state that the thyroid is fine based on a normal TSH level. * diminished T4 to T3 conversion and a relatively increased T4 to reverse T3 conversion result in low tissue levels of active thyroid hormone levels despite having a normal TSH. *type II deiodinase that converts T4 to T3 is down regulated in CFS, while the type III deiodinase enzyme that increases T4 to reverse T3 (rT3) is unregulated in these conditions. * there has been shown to be a peripheral thyroid hormone resistance found in these patients, meaning that there is a diminished thyroid effect for a given amount of thyroid hormone in the blood. As you see, the combination of factors present in CFS, including hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction, diminished T3/rT3 production ratios and thyroid resistance, results in most, if not all, CFS patients having inadequate tissue thyroid effect. What Is An Adequate Treatment For Low Thyroid in CFS?T4 preparations such as Synthroid and Levoxyl rarely work and Armour thyroid, a pig glandular product, is somewhat better, but definitely not adequate for most patients. The treating physician must know when to use a T4/T3 combination or straight T3. T3 works the best for many of these patients, but Cytomel, a very short acting T3 available at normal pharmacies, is also a poor choice, because the varying blood levels can cause significant side effects. Compounded timed release T3 is usually the best treatment. However, to achieve significant improvement, the treating physician must be very knowledgeable about T3 and must realize that when on T3, standard blood test will lead one to dose incorrectly and not obtain significant benefits. This includes doctors who previously felt that they were thyroid experts and had been using thyroid in CFS patients for a long time. Ultimately, it is the expertise and dosing of the T3 or T4/T3 combinations and the makeup of the medications that determines the optimal treatment regimen and is one major component in the treatment of CFS. The experts at Holtorf Medical Group can help with your CFS and thyroid treatment.                     Holtorf Medical GroupResources: Are All Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Patients Low Thyroid?Hypothyroidism – A Common Hormonal Problem in CFSHow to treat thyroid naturally, Charanya Vijay  Health & Lifestyle  Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Once you become hypothyroid, you think of how to treat thyroid naturally. Hypothyroidism is a state where in your thyroid hormones level is significantly low and this deficiency obstructs your physical and mental health.  This post suggests some natural home remedies which will answer your question how to treat thyroid naturally. Coconut oilPeople wonder how to treat thyroid naturally using coconut oil. You can use coconut oil for cooking as it raises your metabolism and improves your thyroid functioning. You can also add a spoon of virgin coconut oil to your morning cup of milk or fry your eggs using it. GingerGinger has compounds that help in stimulating thyroid function. Ginger can be simply peeled and chopped to add on to your dishes. It can be grounded or can also be used in powder forms. Pears and applesPears and apples contains nutrients that will balance your hormones and nourish thyroid functioning. You can make a scrumptious fruit salad, delicious juices or just eat it as whole fruit. EggsIncluding one or two large eggs a day is good to regulate your thyroid function as eggs contain three rich nutrients required for a healthy  thyroid namely tyrosine, iodine and selenium. AvocadosAvocados are good sources of copper, iron, selenium and also contain essential fatty acids that help your thyroid to function better. You can add some avocados to your salad or make a flavorsome smoothie. KelpKelp is seaweed rich in iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron and also contains abundant vitamins. Adding it in to your diet promotes a healthy thyroid functioning. But doctors recommend to 158 to 175 micro grams of kelp a day and not more than that. Fish oilFish oil comes with essential fatty acids and intake of fish oil boosts the thyroid function. Recommended dosage is not more than 3-4 grams. Apple cider VinegarApple cider vinegar helps to detox your body and stimulates the thyroid function. You can add few drops of apple cider vinegar in your diet regime or mix 2 spoons of it in warm water along with some honey for taste. Carrot juiceA glass of carrot juice a day perks up your thyroid function as it is the rich source of Vitamin A. MushroomMushroom is loaded with essential nutrients that benefit your thyroid gland. It also promotes your immune functions and just taking 3 mushrooms can get you a daily requirement. Now you are very much apparent about how to treat thyroid naturally and these home remedies are so easy and you can simply include in your everyday food regime.                     Common hormonal disturbances in CFS – hormones are the controllers - in this case the accelerator pedal and the  gearbox! It is now quite clear there is a distinct hormonal disturbance in CFSs with a general suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It is the hypothalamus-pituitary which is the “conductor of the endocrine orchestra”. If the pituitary is malfunctioning then this has knock on effects for the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, sex hormones, growth hormone and possibly the pineal (produces melatonin for normal sleep). In practice I invariably measure thyroid hormones (TSH, T4 and T3), often prescribe melatonin and often check adrenal function. I very rarely use sex hormones. Many CFSs are substantially improved by correcting thyroid hormones and I insist all my CFS patients get fully tested. A useful book on the subject is The Thyroid Solution by Prof Ridha Arem ISBN 0-345-42920-6. Underactive thyroid glandLow levels of thyroid hormones in the blood means the “accelerator pedal” is set slow so the body will go slow. This can be underactive for three reasons – either the gland itself has failed (primary thyroid failure), or the pituitary gland which drives the thyroid gland into action is under-functioning (secondary hypothyroidism), or there is failure to convert inactive hormone T4 to active T3. The symptoms of these three problems are the same. In primary thyroid failure, the blood tests show high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and low levels of T4 and T3. In pituitary failure, the blood tests show low levels of TSH, T4 and T3. In conversion problem, TSH and T4 may be normal, but T3 is low. There is another problem too which is that the so-called “normal range” of T4 is probably set too low and TSH set too high. I know this because many patients with low normal T4 often improve substantially when they are started on thyroid supplements. Indeed Dr Skinner, who is a consultant virologist at Birmingham, has shown how many patients with CFS have low normal levels of thyroxine (T4) and do well when their levels are increased to average levels. The laboratory I use has a normal range of 12-22 pmol/l and I am finding many levels coming back at 9-14. In these patients there is an indication for trying T4, especially if symptoms suggest this. Furthermore the normal range for TSH is set too high. In UK the normal range is up to 4.4mIU/l and often higher. In America anyone with a TSH above 3.0 is now started on thyroid hormones – this is because a high TSH is a risk factor for arterial disease. Symptoms and signs of an underactive thyroidChronic fatigue syndrome may be a symptom of hypothyroidism – that’s why all sufferers need their thyroid checking! Other symptoms: weight gain, lethargy, sensitivity to cold, heat intolerance, fluid retention, mood swings and depression, poor memory and concentration, hair loss, joint pains and morning stiffness, skin  problems  and  tendency  to  infections,  headaches,  vertigo  and  deafness, hypoglycaemia, constipation, menstrual problems, pre-menstrual tension, digestive problems, infertility and loss of libido. Signs: puffy face, puffy eyes, hair loss (classically the outer third of the eyebrows), cold extremities and dry skin, rashes, eczema and boils, enlargement of the tongue, hoarse voice, soft pulse or bradycardia, goitre, slowed Achilles tendon reflex. Further useful information is the basal body temperature. Use a mercury thermometer to take the temperature in the armpit over 10 minutes immediately on wakening. Temperatures consistently below 97.8°F (36.6°C) indicates slow metabolic rate, which may be due to hypothyroidism. Treatment of an underactive thyroidThis depends on the bloods tests and the clinical symptoms.If the T4 is low and T3 commensurate with a low T4 - I would start with thyroxine 50mcgms (25mcgms for a small person or child or someone very debilitated) and increase in 25mcgms increments every month up to 100mcgms (or 75 mcgms in a small person or child or debilitated person) at which point the blood needs retesting. The aim is to get into the middle or upper half of the “normal” range. If I had a patient who was very small or very debilitated I might even start with 12.5mcgms. If the T3 is low, and T4 normal, then I would use generic thyroid, which is a physiological mix of T4 and T3. I would start with ½ grain daily for one month, then ½ grain twice daily for one month, then 1 grain plus ½ grain daily for the third month at which point the blood need retesting. Take the second dose not later than 4pm or it may interfere with sleep. Some people like to take the second dose at lunch time to get an afternoon boost.If the dose of thyroid was too high, then side effects would develop - hotness and sweating, fine tremor and palpitations. In this event, stop the thyroid supplement immediately. Taking additional thyroid will clearly make this situation worse. If in doubt, please phone in. Some of my patients do seem to get the symptoms of over-activity despite the blood levels being normal. This may be due to receptor hypersensitivity. In this event cut the tablet into smaller doses and build up slowly. Thyroxine is only available on prescription and I am able to supply if your GP is not happy to prescribe. However I do insist on the patient being seen by a doctor to ensure there are no signs or symptoms of thyrotoxicosis and obviously I need to write to the GP to tell them what I am prescribing. Once stabilised I like to check levels once a year. Obviously, your GP needs to be informed. If you are taking thyroid supplements at any time, it is always possible that you could become thyrotoxic – not through any fault of the tablet but because the thyroid gland suddenly decides to. This is unusual! If you suspect this because you develop symptoms of toxicosis such as hotness and sweating, anxiety, fine tremor, palpitations and possibly sleeplessness, then stop the thyroid supplement immediately and get your levels rechecked. Treatment with thyroid hormones is nearly always for life.For more information see: “Understanding thyroid disorders” by Dr Anthony Toft; ISBN: 1 903474 19 1, available from http://www.familydoctor.co.uk Also see my information handout THYROID – THE CORRECT PRESCRIBING OF THYROID HORMONES – AND WHY THIS IS NOT HAPPENING IN THE UK Underactive Adrenal Gland  (DHEA and cortisol) – the gear box of the car The adrenal gland is responsible for the body’s hormonal response to stress. It produces adrenaline, which stimulates the instant stress hormone response (fight or flight reaction). It also produces cortisol and DHEA, which create the short and long term stress hormone responses. Cortisol suppresses the immune system, breaks down tissues and has a generally catabolic effect. However, these effects are balanced out by DHEA, which has the opposite effect – activating the immune system and building up tissues. All these hormones are made from cholesterol – just one reason why running a low cholesterol is not necessarily a good thing! The sequence or events is as follows:Cholesterol¯pregnenolone ® progesterone  ® cortisol¯ ¯DHEA ® androstenedione ® testosterone ¯ ¯Oestrone ® Oestrodiol Both cortisol and DHEA are essential for life – too little cortisol causes the life threatening disease Addison’s disease, too much causes the debilitating condition Cushing’s syndrome. Then name of the game is to get the right balance. To achieve this both hormones must be measured. This can be done with the adrenal stress index (ASI) test. By measuring and supplementing within the physiological range, with biologically identical hormones, one is not going to get any unpleasant side effects i.e. we are trying to copy Nature and restore normality. The ASI test looks at cortisol and DHEA levels over 24 hours. This test entails taking salivary samples through the day (yippee, no needles!). Indeed, salivary sampling is felt to be the most accurate way of assessing steroid hormone levels. An abnormal result may be a symptom of other problems or it may cause problems in its own right. The response of the body to stress (any stress – infectious, nutritional, emotional, physical etc) is to increase the output of stress hormones. This gears the body up for action by raising blood pressure, increasing heart rate, improving mental alertness (which can cause anxiety), increasing energy supply and so on. It is actually metabolically very inefficient because it uses up lots of energy, but totally desirable if one has to fight for one’s life! This reaction is essential for short term stress, but unsustainable long term. So time for rest and recovery is equally essential. Problems arise when the stress is unremitting because eventually the output of the adrenal gland will reduce making one far less able to tolerate stress. Indeed this is often a complaint of my CFS patients – they simply do not tolerate stress at all well. The pattern of the result from the adrenal stress test gives some idea where one is along the stress response time line. A typical CFS adrenal stress profile test result showing low levels of cortisol and DHEA. chartInterpretation of the Adrenal Stress Index test for DHEA and cortisol  levels Levels of DHEA and cortisol vary according to the level of stress and for how long that stress has been applied. Increasing cortisol production is the normal response to stress and is highly desirable, so long as the stress is removed and the adrenal glands can recover. On-going, unremitting stress means the adrenal gland and the whole body is in a constant state of alert, does not get time to recover and eventually packs up. So, there are several stages of adrenal function gradually leading to failure: 1. Normal levels of cortisol and DHEA. Normal result. Normal adrenal gland 2. Raised cortisol, normal DHEA. This indicates a normal short term response to stress. 3. Raised cortisol and raised DHEA. The adrenal gland is functioning normally but the patient is chronically stressed. So long as the stress is removed, the adrenal gland will recover completely. 4. High levels of cortisol, low levels of DHEA. The body cannot make enough DHEA to balance cortisol. This is the first sign of adrenal exhaustion. This is the first abnormal response to chronic stress. The patient needs a long break from whatever that chronic stress may be – the commonest chronic stress is HYPOGLYCAEMIA, but also consider insomnia, mental, physical or emotional overload or whatever. DHEA can be supplemented to make the patient feel better, but it must be part of a package of recovery without which worsening can be expected. 5. Cortisol levels low, DHEA levels low. The gland is so exhausted it can’t make cortisol or DHEA. By this time patients are usually severely fatigued. 6. Cortisol levels low, DHEA borderline or normal. This probably represents the gland beginning to recover after a long rest. DHEA may be used to help patients feel better whilst they continue their programme of rest and rehabilitation. In Addison’s disease there is complete failure of the adrenal gland not because of chronic stress but because of autoimmunity. This too is a life threatening disorder and the patient is severely ill. The main clinical symptom is severe postural hypotension and chronic hypoglycaemia. Addison’s disease is tested for by a short synacthen test in which cortisol levels are measured before and after an adrenal gland stimulant ACTH. Many patients with CFS are given this test, which is found to be normal resulting in the patient being told their adrenal gland is fine and no action is required. The problem with this test is it only shows where the adrenal gland is completely non-functioning, it does not diagnose partial adrenal failure or adrenal stress and no measurements of DHEA are made. This makes it potentially misleading. TreatmentThe idea with treatment with cortisol and DHEA is to stay within physiological ranges. By doing this there are no side effects in the short or long term. Many doctors and patients recoil at the prospect of taking steroid hormones. Remember all the side effects of steroid hormones are created by the dose. Using physiological as opposed to pharmacological doses avoids all these problems. A normal adrenal gland produces about 10-50mgs of DHEA daily and 20-25mgs of hydrocortisone daily. Steroid side effects would appear after a few weeks of 100mgs a day or a few months at 50mgs a day. DHEA is available over the counter in the USA, where the FDA has classified it as a food supplement up to a daily dose of 25mgs. It is also available from www.pharmwest.co.uk. It is better absorbed taken sublingually – ie allow it to dissolve in the mouth. I start my patients on 12.5mgs for small people and 25mg for larger people of DHEA a day taken in the morning. I like to recheck a single DHEA after 3 months to make sure I am staying within physiological ranges and because a few patients need 50mg. Cortisol again needs to be used in sub-physiological doses – ie. up to, but not more than 10mgs a day. (Please note that the usual steroid most often used is prednisolone. 5mgs of prednisolone is equivalent to 20mgs of hydrocortisone). Both these are prescription only drugs. After 3 – 6 months if the patient wishes to continue taking DHEA then levels need to be re-checked by doing a single sample salivary DHEA (you can order this test from my website – “DHEA (saliva) single”. Cortisol levels replete reliably well and it is not necessary to recheck levels. As the patient improves, usually hydrocortisone can be stopped typically after 1-2 years. I suspect DHEA is an acquired metabolic dyslexia – that is to say as we age we get less good at making it. Young people can often stop DHEA as they improve and maintain levels, but older people often benefit from taking DHEA long term.                     A New Hydrocortisone TrialAnother randomised, controlled, crossover trial of low-dose hydrocortisone treatment for CFS has recently been published. 32 participants, fulfilling both the Oxford and CDC 1994 criteria, completed this short-term trial. Participants received 5mg or 10mg of hydrocortisone for 28 days and placebo for 28 days. The results revealed modest, statistically significant improvements in fatigue with this low-dose hydrocortisone treatment compared with placebo. The degree of disability was also reduced with hydrocortisone treatment but not with placebo. There was no significant difference in changes in fatigue score when 5mg and 10mg doses were compared. The authors suggest that, in view of the lack of dose response in this study, 5mg is a sufficient low dose of hydrocortisone. Participants who responded to this hydrocortisone treatment did not differ from ‘non-responders’ in terms of their pre-treatment cortisol levels. Although none of the participants in this study had a current psychiatric illness, those who responded to hydrocortisone treatment had fewer psychiatric symptoms prior to treatment. Based on the results of the insulin stress test, this short-term, low dose hydrocortisone treatment was not found to cause significant suppression of adrenal gland function. None of the participants dropped out of the study and only minor side effects were reported. The authors conclude that this low-dose hydrocortisone treatment resulted in “significant reduction in self-rated fatigue and disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome”. CommentThis study sheds interesting light on the possible role of low cortisol levels in the disease processes involved in CFS. Caution is required, however, in interpreting the results. Participants’ baseline cortisol levels could not predict their response to hydrocortisone treatment and participants appeared to have baseline cortisol levels within the normal reference range. In another randomised controlled trial of hydrocortisone therapy ( see Interaction 29, page 21 for a review), McKenzie at al., used a higher ‘low-dose’ hydrocortisone treatment of 25 - 35mg daily. They found that this dose was associated with some improvements in symptoms but caused significant adrenal suppression. Neither of these research teams currently recommended the use of hydrocortone as a treatment for CFS. The present study assessed the effects of hydrocortisone treatment in the short-term only. As the authors point out, further studies, involving longer durations of treatment and follow-up are required to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of this treatment. Reference: Cleare et al; The Lancet, 1999, Vol. 353 February 6, p455-458                     Also see: THE ROLE OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) AND SECRETOGOGUES TO IMPROVE PITUITARY FUNCTION Considerations regarding Improper Functioning of Thyroid and Adrenal Glands and/or Sluggish MetabolismIodine levels, thyroid, adrenals and other glands and hormone levelsFluoridated water could be attacking your thyroidLack of iodineRadiation from FukishimaJapan herbivore men low drive, estrogen n disruptorsHormonesIt is possible I have 'burned out' my adrenal and/or other glands.Article on Thyroid and Sluggish Metabolism http://www.besthealthnutritionals.com/blog/category/thyroid-2   M.A.T. Is Just 5.4% Of Your Bodyweight, But Burns More Than 50% Of ALL Your Daily Calories!Are You IGF-1 Deficient? IGF-1 RESETS YOUR BIOLOGICAL CLOCKResearchers recently “re-discovered” how to stimulate this natural compound found inside all humans. It suffocates fat cells, and triggers a whole-body calorie burn like nothing seen before.This enhanced calorie burn shifts your key organs into a higher gear:Your brain process information faster, remembers better and focuses longer...Your heart pumps more blood, carrying precious nutrients to starving cells...Your lungs process more oxygen, enhancing your energy levels...Your bones, ligaments and cartilage strengthen, allowing you to move more freely...Your aging skin rejuvenates while saggy muscle tones and tightens...Plus, your metabolism accelerates as your thyroid produces more fat-burning hormones... Everything just works better. And you look and feel 10 years younger.However, Its Metabolic Power is Silenced in Most of Us...By the time you’re 40, levels of this compound have dropped 25%... and a full 56% by your 60s. Plus, studies show that environmental toxins, our inactive lifestyle, and certain foods act like metabolic vampires, sucking the life out of this powerful compound. That’s unfortunate because studies also show that low levels of this compound not only block calorie burning, but also increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. How to Unleash Its Power Inside You...Now, researches have worked out how you can boost levels of this calorie-burning compound naturally. A very specific combination of foods, eaten at the right times, commands your body to produce more. Surprisingly, some of these foods are the very foods you’ve been told to stay away from. Prescription medications for hypothyroidism are very common in the United States. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists studies have shown that as many as 10 percent of women and 3 percent of men have hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity). The thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck below your Adam’s apple. It secretes thyroid hormones that have pronounced effects on the cells of your body. The two main thyroid hormones include T3 (liothyronine) and T4 ( L-thyroxine). Another thyroid hormone known as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates the secretion of T3 and T4. This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland when it senses blood levels of thyroid hormones are getting low. It also receives messages from the brain (hypothalamus) that influences TSH secretion. When the hypothalamus senses blood levels of thyroid hormones it signals the pituitary gland to release more TSH. It is secreted by the pituitary and then signals the thyroid gland to release more of T4 and T3 hormone. Thyroid hormones control the metabolic activity in every cell. This is important for temperature control, weight regulation, heart rate, and energy production. Thyroid activity even influences one’s mood and neurotransmitter balance and affects the balance of other hormones in the body. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is under active. This leads to a shortage of thyroid hormones. The most common cause is a disease known asHashimoto’s thyroiditis.This is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system produces antibodies to the thyroid gland. This attack on the thyroid gland leads to the suppression of thyroid hormone production and secretion. Other reasons for hypothyroidism may include iodine and other nutritional deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, medications such as lithium or estrogen therapy, and an under functioning pituitary gland. Hypothyroidism is most common in middle-aged and older women. It can occur at any age though, including infants and teenager. Untreated hypothyroidism can be life threatening. Thyroid damage caused by fluoride in the waterPosted by: Dr. Mark Stengler on March 10, 2015Thyroid destroying toxin dumped into your drinking water Reach a certain age, and it hits you like an oncoming train. You’re drained of energy… flabby around the middle… and sadder than a country song about a girl who left you and took your dog. Complain to a mainstream doc, and he’ll say you’re just getting older. But I know the REAL reason, and it’s got nothing to do with your age. It’s your thyroid — the “master gland” in charge of energy, metabolism and your overall wellbeing. And right now, it’s coming under constant attack from a toxic metal in your own home. Most American communities deliberately pollute their water with fluoride, and you don’t have to be a card-carrying conspiracy theorist to believe it’s wrecking your body from the inside.                     Metformin linked to thyroid dysfunctionPosted by: Dr. Mark Stengler on October 16, 2014 Risky diabetes drug does a number on your thyroidYou don’t have to be a diabetic to get a prescription for the diabetes drug metformin.These days, docs are passing out this bad-news drug like candy on Halloween. Pre-diabetic? Docs claim it can prevent full-blown diabetes (it can’t). Heart disease? Some docs say it can protect your ticker (it won’t).Read more…Categories: House Calls, Thyroid.Boost energy and focus and lose weight with Thyroid Performance PlusPosted by: Dr. Mark Stengler on October 3, 2014                     Feeling fat and sluggish? Here’s whyIt happens to the best of us. You’re chugging along full of zip, sharp as a tack and lean as a rail when suddenly — out of nowhere — the tables turn. You’re left feeling tubby, a bit fuzzy, and ready to hit the hay by 8:00… and you have no idea why. If you go to see your doc he’s likely to tell you this is to be expected, that we all slow down as we age. But the truth is for many of us who find ourselves suddenly feeling sluggish and fat there’s a lot more to it than that. There’s a REASON we feel this way.Read more…Categories: Energy, House Calls, Thyroid.                     Sluggish Thyroid? Take These 4 Steps and Improve Your Thyroid Function TodayPosted by: Allison Davis on August 12, 2014 If you’re suffering from a sluggish thyroid, you probably want to improve your thyroid function — so you can have more energy and avoid feeling tired all the time. And because you strive for overall health, you want to do so naturally, without turning to chemicals that may do more harm than good. That’s why Dr. Mark Stengler created Thyroid Performance Plus, your latest weapon against feeling fat, sluggish, and unmotivated.Read more…Categories: Adrenal, Energy, Herbs and Supplements, Thyroid.                     Thyroid Performance Plus Reviews – Real Information You’re Looking ForPosted by: Allison Davis on July 30, 2014 Thyroid Performance Plus energy support You’re feeling fat and sluggish and you are over it!So you’re looking for Thyroid Performance Plus reviews to hear from other people who wanted more from life, in order to find out if Thyroid Performance Plus really worked for them. You want more energy that keeps you more active. You want to feel better and you want it fast. That’s exactly what the people who wrote in with these Thyroid Performance Plus reviews were looking for, too – and they found it!Read more…Categories: Energy, Herbs and Supplements, Thyroid.                     Natural Metabolism Boosters: 6 Ways to Boost Your MetabolismPosted by: Allison Davis on July 26, 2014Thyroid Performance Plus for weight loseIf you’re looking for some natural metabolism boosters, it may be because you feel like even if you starved yourself and spent your life on a treadmill – you’d still have trouble reaching your perfect healthy weight…Or because you feel “run down” and aren’t sure why…Or because you’re dog-tired all day and just don’t have the kind of energy you used to…Or maybe it’s a combination of all of those. Whatever has you looking for natural metabolism boosters, you know what you’re hoping for. You’re hoping for something that will help… Those sluggish, heavy feelings to start to disappear Make you feel a little better, every day. Kick start your metabolism. Amplify your energy and weight loss. Give you a brand new lease on lifeRead more…Categories: Herbs and Supplements, Thyroid.                     Best Natural Thyroid Supplements – Amplify Your Energy. Posted by: Allison Davis on July 19, 2014 Thyroid Performance Plus for energy Best Natural Thyroid Supplements – Amplify Your Energy You’ve been feeling draggy and sluggish recently. Your weight loss goals are no closer than they were when you started. And you just don’t have the get-up-and-go that you used to. So maybe it’s time to start looking at natural thyroid supplements – but how do you know? Where do you start? Which ones actually work? And which ones are the best?Read more…Categories: Energy, Herbs and Supplements, Thyroid.-----------Thyroid Performance Plus Ingredients–Wake Up Your Sleepy Thyroid. Posted by: Allison Davis on July 16, 2014 Thyroid Performance Plus Supplement If you’re feeling fat, sluggish and worn out, you may not need another diet, another cup of coffee, or another fad – you may just need Thyroid Performance Plus. We know, it goes against conventional wisdom, but thinking outside the box is what Dr. Mark Stengler does – and he’s done it again with the Thyroid Performance Plus ingredient formula that could help improve how you look and feel, no matter how long it’s been. Imagine… Waking up every morning alert, happy and eager to face the day…Staying sharp and focused from sunup to sundown…Diet and exercise efforts seemingly magnified by some unseen force, helping the pounds to melt away…Having your friends say you’re sparkling with energy and confidence…Because all this could happen when your thyroid gets the functional support it craves.Read more…Categories: Energy, Herbs and Supplements, Thyroid.---------[Video] Boost thyroid function with this breakthrough supplementPosted by: Allison Davis on June 18, 2014 You won’t hear about this in the mainstream media. But your thyroid is UNDER ATTACK.New research is revealing man-made chemicals that wreak havoc on the delicate balance of your endocrine system — especially your thyroid. It’s tough to swallow, but these chemicals can actually keep you feeling fat and sluggish — even if you’re doing everything else right to boost thyroid function…-----Nearly everyone over the age of 40, who doesn’t know how to fight it is currently undergoing stages of sarcopenia.  In fact, did you know that between the ages of 30 and 60 the average man or woman loses 15lbs of muscle?  And… Did you also know that 1lb of muscle can burn 30-50 calories per day? That means by your 40’s your metabolism will drop by burning 150-250 less calories per day...By your 50’s your metabolism will drop by 300-500 calories per day... And... by your 60’s if you don’t do anything about this, your metabolism will have reduced by 450-750 calories per day!  Looking at this information, it’s no wonder that people gain weight year after year all while feeling hopeless! After all, by the time you’re 60, you would have to eat 450-750 less calories then you did at 30 just to maintain your body.  

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