Review of ‘Overcoming Thyroid Disorders’

“Forty percent of the American people today are suffering needlessly, and many are dying for lack of an ingredient vital for health. Is this ingredient unknown? No. Unavailable? No. For years medicine has recognized the role of the deficiency in some areas of health and disease. This knowledge too often has not been used because of the unreliability of laboratory tests, which may only identify 2-5 percent of hypothyroid cases, often leaving many individuals classified as “normal” while their thyroid deficiency leaves them vulnerable to heart disease, depression, and a host of other problems. Many hyperactive children are on Ritalin whose actual problem is low thyroid. Depressed adults are taking psychotropic drugs which often have serious side effects and merely treat symptoms. Prior to the reliance on blood tests for diagnosing low thyroid, nearly all infertile women and those suffering from repeated miscarriages, were given natural thyroid hormone. In most cases the infertility was resolved.”
Dr. Broda O. Barnes, Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, 1976

It has been a generation since Dr. Broda Barnes‘ research showed that blood tests are inaccurate for measuring thyroid hormone, because it is not used in the blood, but in other cells. His research also proved that natural desiccated thyroid worked more efficiently in the body, because it was more similar to the body’s own T hormone. Yet doctors continue to prescribe Synthroid® for most patients, even though many are not helped, or are insufficiently helped by it.

Dr. David Brownstein, who has successfully treated thousands of patients based on Dr. Barnes’ research and wrote about his experiences in Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, concludes, “Often conventional medicine does not search for or treat the underlying conditions of an illness. The most commonly used drug therapies primarily treat the symptoms rather than the underlying cause(s). Unfortunately, most of these drugs cause numerous side effects.”

A holistic treatment program, on the other hand, can include natural hormones, vitamin and mineral supplementation, dietary changes, and detoxification. And, according to Dr. Brownstein, correcting thyroid problems has implications for a wide range of medical conditions that millions suffer from.

“It has been known for over 70 years that hypothyroidism

Dr. Brownstein also provides numerous case studies throughout his book.

One of the thyroid’s main functions is to regulate the metabolism of every cell in the body. When adequate amounts of thyroid hormone are produced, the metabolic machinery inside each of the billions of cells runs at a normal pace. One byproduct of this is heat, which keeps the body warm on cold days. But in a low thyroid condition, the metabolism runs much more slowly. These people will complain of feeling cold much of the time, with cold hands and feet. One way to test your thyroid function is to measure your basal body temperature. Low thyroid patients often show poor eyebrow growth, especially the outer third of the eyebrows. They may also have swelling under the eyes.

One can also have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid), which can be equally unpleasant. When a foreign invader (bacteria, virus, or parasite) attacks the body, the immune system goes into high gear to fight the infection, producing antibodies to neutralize the organism. But sometimes the immune system malfunctions and produces antibodies against its own tissue. This is called an autoimmune disorder. Graves’ and Hashimoto’s diseases are examples of autoimmune disorders of the thyroid. The result is that the thyroid becomes inflamed and releases excess hormone, causing the problems listed below.

Conventional medicine isn’t very successful in treating autoimmune diseases, because there is no consensus as to why someone gets them, or what causes them. So they resort to treating the symptoms with toxic medications such as steroids and chemotherapeutic drugs, like methotrexate. These things primarily block inflammation in the body, which is the consequence, not the cause. About 75 percent of the time, the cause is a mycoplasma bacterium infection. About 70 percent of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients have the same problem. By treating this, many times the symptoms of the autoimmune illness will significantly improve or resolve.

Radioactive iodine is frequently used by physicians in the treatment of hyperthyroid symptoms. It is effective at killing the thyroid gland, but it may also cause cancer, not only of the thyroid, but also other areas of the body where iodine is used, such as the ovaries in women. Dr. Brownstein believes radioactive iodine should be the last resort for those suffering from hyperthyroid symptoms.

Dr. David Derry, M.D., PhD., a thyroid expert and researcher, believes that reliance on the TSH blood test has resulted in the huge rise of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. He describes how a few years after the medical profession began to rely on the TSH test to diagnose hyperthyroidism instead of evaluating clinical signs and symptoms, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and CFS began to appear. These diseases were almost non-existent before 1980. Treated early, they were easily fixed with thyroid in adequate doses. But even then, clinicians noticed that it became more difficult to treat all the symptoms when low thyroid was left untreated for too long.

Sugar impacts hormones

Dr. Brownstein also presents evidence that rising sugar consumption and high carbohydrate diets are underlying causes of thyroid problems. In 1821, the average American consumed 10 pounds of sugar per year. It is now up to 170 pounds! Americans drank twice as much soda in 1997 as they did in 1973. A 12-ounce can of non-diet soda contains about 10 teaspoons of refined sugar. And diet soda is no better. Aspartame has been shown to cause a variety of problems. Aspartic acid in aspartame kills brain cells, resulting in neurological problems and hormone issues. Phenylalanine (also in NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) slows brain electrical discharge which can lead to Alzheimer’s. A third ingredient in aspartame, methanol, is a component of antifreeze. It breaks down into formaldehyde, which can cause peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis, heart and brain “attacks,” and reduction of blood flow to and swelling of the brain. Other artificial sweeteners can be equally dangerous, as there has not been adequate research on their safety.

Refined carbohydrates (pasta, cereal, cornstarch, cookies, cakes, bagels, doughnuts, etc.) are very damaging. Their overuse leads to obesity, thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and heart disease. Choose unrefined carbs, especially those which are low on the “glycemic index.”

Dr. Brownstein believes water should be the beverage of choice, as the body is 70 to 80 percent water. Signs of dehydration include fatigue, dry or coated tongue, vertical ridges on nails, dry skin, and poor skin elasticity. Many of the signs of aging are primarily due to the body’s cells losing water. This can be accelerated by inadequate water intake, diuretic medication, or the consumption of excess caffeine, sodas, or alcoholic beverages. Bottled water can contain chemicals leached from the plastic, and known to disrupt hormones. Part of the reason there has been such a rise in chronic illness is that food and water are often contaminated with xenoestrogens (chemicals that bind to the body’s own hormone receptors and have hormonal effects). Unlike natural hormones, which are short-lived and don’t accumulate in the body, these foreign substances stay in the body for a long time

They constantly stimulate hormone receptors and accumulate in fatty tissues where they are difficult to expel. These xenoestrogens are added to food and are used in common household chemicals, pesticides, plastics, etc. There is evidence that they may be responsible in part for the rise in hormone-related cancers (prostate, breast). Many also disrupt thyroid function. This is why Dr. Brownstein says organic food should be chosen when possible. Tap water often contains chlorine and fluoride, which have been shown to interfere with iodine uptake by the thyroid, and can cause increased incidence of low thyroid. Dr. Brownstein recommends a water filter that removes these chemicals, as well as bacteria and parasites. He also suggests avoiding products which contain partially hydrogenated oils. Eating the right types of fat is essential in the production of hormones. This is the reason low-fat foods should be avoided.

Dr. Brownstein recommends that if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of low thyroid, get it checked out. Select a doctor who takes a holistic approach using natural desiccated thyroid extract, and balances your other hormones.

Overcoming Thyroid Disorders and other books by Dr. Brownstein contain much valuable information, not only for those with thyroid issues, but also for those desiring to attain and maintain good health. His books are available from Medical Alternatives Press by calling 888-647-5616, or at www.drbrownstein.com.

Ed Hill and his wife, Kathy, have been Samaritan members since 2003.

The information provided is for educational purposes and is not meant as medical advice. Please contact your own physician for advice on your particular situation.