Thyroid Brain Connection - Why Hypothyroid and Hashimoto's Biggest Problem Is Brain Degeneration

By Dr. Ian Beckingham D.C.

People come in to my West Los Angeles Thyroid Institute every day with symptoms suggestive of a hypothyroid condition. It shocks me that these patients have very little understanding of the thyroid-brain connection. People think about low energy, thinning hair, and weight gain as the primary evils of hypothyroidism. One very common symptom is brain fog, these are the people who say "Dr. Beckingham I can't remember things like where my keys are, why can't I focus, I forget people names". I have to educate these people that the weight and energy issues are valid but my real concern is the neuroendocrine component of low thyroid function, as well as the blood sugar issues. The blood sugar issue is for another story. I want to focus on the Brain and nervous system for now.
It has been clearly demonstrated that thyroid hormones exhibit very powerful microglia modulating properties. Microglia are a type of glial cell that are the resident macrophages of the brain and spinal cord, and thus act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia constitute 20% of the total glial cell population within the brain and spinal cord. Each neuron in the brain can have around 10 glial cells to work with it. Basically microglia kill bad things that should not be in the brain. Some studies go on to imply that excessive microglial reactions in the brain are associated with the lesions of neurodegenerative diseases. So brain degeneration is linked to excessive immune response in the brain.
I give patients the easy to understand example of a pimple. In a common pimple on the body the bacteria and oil present cause a noticeable immune response. The pimple becomes inflamed, red and tender to the touch. The same principle holds true in most immune reactions. So immune reaction in the brain causes inflammation in the brain tissue. It is this inflammation that causes damage. Clearly stated inflammation in the brain slows down the brain by blocking nerve conduction (communication) hence the brain fog. Microglia reaction causes inflammation that over prolonged periods causes brain damage.
If thyroid hormones help to regulate the brain immune response and keep in it check what happens if your thyroid does not work properly, brain degeneration! Thyroid hormones have been shown to promote neurogenesis (new cell growth), dendretic/axonal growth (the communication end pieces of nerve fibers), myelinnation (the insulation of a nerve), and synaptogenisis (the building of communication points of the brain). Thyroid hormones help promote serotonin reception which in turn activates the frontal cortex of the brain. So low thyroid could cause depression, lack of motivation, bowell issues, and poor coordination. How many thyroid patients have we seen with this presentation?
As we dig deeper it has been shown that T3 hormone (the active thyroid hormone) works hand in hand with acetylcholine and low T3 will result in poor brain function causing brain degeneration in particular the cerebellum (balance center, fear/pleasure response, posture control, coordination). So bad cerebellum function equals poor movement with balance problems. On top of that the things in life patients used to enjoy they do not anymore, I see this in my clinics all of the time.
Low thyroid function hurts memory by slowing hippocampus function by damaging glutamate receptor activity which also causes low dopamine levels. If you have low dopamine you are likely to get Parkinson's disease. When I see my Parkinson's patient's they have been mismanaged because they have been diagnosed far too late. Parkinson's for me functionally speaking has 8 stages with #1 being loss of smell, #2 loss of proper gut movement, all the way to #8 shaking of the body. A true text book diagnosis does not happen until stage 8, extremity shaking. My goal is to catch it early and modulate the Parkisonian reaction before too much damage is done. This is a whole other story.
The worst part of all of this is the previously mentioned brain neurotransmitters; Serotonin, Dopamine, and acetylcholine all play a role in helping the thyroid gland work. This causes a vicious cycle. Bad thyroid causes bad brain function which in turn causes worse thyroid. This is why just giving patients thyroid hormones without a full lab workup and brain assessment is borderline negligent practice. Remember most thyroid problems in the first place are autoimmune and the thyroid is just a victim of the body attacking itself.
To find out if you have an autoimmune disease I insist on antibody testing on all my chronic condition patients. An antibody is a protein marker. The body's immune system produces antibodies in response to unwanted material like molds, virus, bacteria, and parasites. These substances are labeled antigens. Antibodies can be produced when the body has a reaction to a food it is sensitive to or comes in contact with a harmful chemical. Antibodies can mistakenly be produced against a bodies own healthy tissue when the immune system becomes confused. The antibody marks the tissue for removal and signals the immune response. This is the cause of autoimmune reactions. I like to check for gluten antibodies, myelin (fatty sheath around the nerves) antibodies, cerebellar (back part of the brain controlling balance, coordinated movement, and spinal muscles) antibodies.More examples of this could be antibodies to skin tissue often called psoriasis, antibodies to the thyroid tissue called Hashimoto's disease, or antibodies to the nerve cells conductive coating known as multiple sclerosis.
In summation we have to focus on the whole patient not just one system, we have to look at the whole symptom presentation, we have to do full lab testing panels including antibodies, and we have to do a full neurotransmitter assessment. Educate our patients and help give them control over the condition without it controlling them.
Dr. Ian Beckingham DC specializes in helping patients suffering from chronic conditions such as hypothyroid, Hashimoto's, fibromyalgia, diabetes, vertigo, insomnia, Parkinson's, Lupus, MS, autism, Asperger's syndrome, ADD/ADHD, chronic pain, and other autoimmune conditions. Dr. Ian Beckingham has two chronic condition centers in Glendale and West Los Angeles. He enjoys talking about all health issues and speaks often. To schedule a free consultation, sign up for a workshop, get more information on Dr. Beckingham, his clinics, or to receive free information go to http://WestLAThyroidDoctor.com/ or http://DrBeckingham.com/ His email is DrBeckingham@gmail.com
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Hypothyroidism Natural Treatment - Tips For Improving Thyroid Health

By Bradley Clayton

Hypothyroidism natural treatment options are being sought after by many people affected by hypothyroidism. This is mainly due to the side effects, costs and problems associated with traditional hypothyroidism treatment. In this article we will discuss how hypothyroidism works as well as some small things you can do to improve your overall thyroid health.
Background on hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is a problem where the thyroid gland produces little thyroid hormone. This condition is an outcome of a dysfunction in the thyroid gland. While there are lots of reasons why the thyroid can become impaired, alternative hypothyroidism natural treatment options are showing people new ways to combat hypothyroidism.
How hypothyroidism works:
The thyroid is made up of two connected lobes near the front of the neck. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland control the body's metabolic rate. When the thyroid gland doesn't perform correctly, each and every organ with the entire body may be impacted.
Hypothyroidism (otherwise known as an under-active thyroid) creates a general depression on the cellular systems which are needed for energy manufacturing. An under-active thyroid will cause the metabolic activities in these cells to go down. When this happens, metabolic wastes than filtrate in to the organs and this causes them to become sluggish.
How hypothyroidism affects the body:
Hypothyroidism will make a person constantly feel tired and low on power. As one's metabolic process slows down, weight gain and constipation normally occur. Other indicators of hypothyroidism are fatigue, lack of energy, inability to tolerate chilly temperatures, menstrual irregularities, depression, sluggish reflexes, hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails, and puffy eyes.
Hypothyroidism natural treatment suggestions:
What many people fail to realize is that their daily routine could be contributing to their poor thyroid health. Here is a list of some natural adjustments you can make to help combat hypothyroidism.
* Eliminate saturated fats from your diet.
* Reduce or eliminate your soy consumption. Soy is known to depress thyroid performance and can cause an enlargement of your thyroid gland.
* Alkalinize your body. This really is an efficient way of stopping thyroid dysfunction.
* Vitamin B3 has been proven to reduce thyroid hormone levels.
* Women must take into consideration a hormonal balancing plan with progesterone cream to revive a wholesome balance.
* Eat kelp and other sea vegetables that are large in iodine. Iodine is needed for making the thyroid hormone.
* Radishes can help keep thyroid hormones balanced.
* If depression is an issue, try St. John's Wort which is a natural mood elevator.
* Chronic constipation can be alleviated by including additional dietary fiber to your diet plan.
* Consider supplementing with zinc and selenium. Severe zinc or selenium deficiencies can trigger decreased thyroid hormone levels.
* Coconut oil stimulates the thyroid gland and may perhaps help these suffering from hypothyroidism.
In the end, hypothyroidism natural treatment options are becoming more and more popular as people start to educate themselves on how hypothyroidism works. While the suggestions pointed out above are some small things you can do to combat hypothyroidism problems, there are also complete hypothyroidism natural treatment programs available that can produce fantastic results.
Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment Does Exist! Discover how hypothyroidism sufferers are finding real relief WITHOUT side effect ridden drugs and prescriptions.
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Hypothyroidism and Hormonal Imbalances

By Jonathan Berns, D.C.

Our thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones through the use of iodine found usually in bread, salt, as well as seafood. One common condition affecting thyroid's is called hypothyroidism. This condition is very common that according to survey, more or less 5% of the population has some form of it. Also, according to surveys, hypothyroidism occurs in more women rather than men and as the age increases, the number of affected women increases, too.
When a certain person has hypothyroidism, he or she has abnormally low thyroid hormone production. Thyroid hormones are necessary for the development of mind and body of babies while for older people, thyroid hormones are essential for metabolism. When there is hypothyroidism, many other disorders may occur in a person's body.
There are several causes of hypothyroidism in adults and this list includes thyroid destruction, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lymphocytic thyroiditis, pituitary or hypothalamic disease, medications and massive iodine deficiency.
In the US, the most common reason of hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The condition is derived from the name of Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, the first doctor to describe it. When you have this condition, your thyroid gland, more commonly called as goiter, is bigger than usual and your thyroid now cannot produce as much hormones as it usually does. Hashimoto's can be an inherited condition.
Another cause of hypothyroidism is called lymphocytic thyroiditis. This condition usually occurs after pregnancy wherein inflammation of thyroid gland happens. The inflammation is caused by lymphocyte, a certain type of white blood cell so it is called as lymphocytic thyroiditis. This condition can last up top 6 months.
Those people who have undergone radioactive iodine may suffer malfunctioning thyroid tissue or in some cases, no functioning thyroid tissue at all. If this situation continues the result will be hypothyroidism.
The thyroid glands are also one of the primary glands along with hypothalamus and pituitary glands that are responsible for producing reproductive hormones. When the thyroid glands fail to function, hormonal imbalance occurs and if not addressed properly, female infertility may result. All these primary glands may be affected due to changes in weight, stress, medication.
Most of the time, it is hard to determine whether a person already has hypothyroidism. These symptoms are not very specific so it is hard to recognize them. The symptoms only become more visible if the condition is already getting worse. Simple symptoms include fatigue, depression, dry hair and constipation. On the other hand, severe conditions show puffiness around the eyes, heart rate is slower and there's a drop in body temperature.
Dr. Jonathan Berns, D.C. helps people everyday in the Tampa, Florida area overcome the very misunderstood and often mistreated conditions caused from dysfunctional thyroids [http://iphysicalmedicine.com/tampa_thyroid/hypothyroidism.html]. Visit Tampa Thyroid Program at Integrative Physical Medicine of Tampa to learn more about thyroid management [http://iphysicalmedicine.com/tampa_thyroid/thyroidlearn.html].
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