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About HomeopathyNationally Renowned
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Under-diagnosed for an Underactive Thyroid?by Cindee Gardner, Ph.D., HD (RHom), D. Hom., C. Hom. A common disorder that is frequently being misdiagnosed is an hypothyroidism; an underactive thyroid. It affects over 5% of the population; four times as many women as men; and mostly in people age 30-65 years old. The main function of the thyroid gland is to synthesize, store and secrete two main thyroid hormones. One is thyroxine (also known as T4) and the other is triodothyroxine (T3), of which iodine is an essential constituent. You secrete a mixture of about 90% T4 and 10% of the T3. Both of them together regulate the bodies metabolism as well as some other important biological functions. When the thyroid is secreting too much hormone it is known as hyperthyroid. When it is not secreting enough it is known as hypothyroid. What are the symptoms of hypothyroid?Low basal body temperature is how some people check for hypothyroidism. the most common symptoms are fatigue, weight gain, depression, difficulty concentrating, difficulty losing weight, sensitivity to cold and hot, hair loss, constipation, fluid retention, menstrual problems (including scanty menstual periods or lack of periods), infertility, low body temperature, dry skin, reactive hypoglycemia, yellow palms, puffiness around the eyes or the ankles which is fluid retention, elevated serum cholesterol and hair loss, especially on the eyebrows. On physical examination some symptoms include thick tongue, the eyeballs appear protruding, indentations on the tongue and insomnia. What about bloodwork?When people go to their Doctors for bloodwork related to the thyroid the test range is too broad to depend on the readings to detect a malfunction. If the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels are high this may show an imbalance in the pituitary or other related organs involved in the process as well. What are my choices?The conventional system of medicine routinely treats any hormonal disorders by using a synthetic hormone replacement. When the levels from the bloodwork are "out of range" without knowing excatly what the problem is they use guesswork and give everyone the same hormone therapy and if there are enough symptoms following, they adjust the dosage. In many cases they use radiation therapy to destroy the tissue of the person's thyroid, and then use a replacement. The side effects are sometimes worse than the original problem. The latest fad is to use a "natural replacement", something that, in my opinion, isn't natural at all. They use thyroid tissue from pigs instead of a synthetically produced one. It has fewer side effects but, nonetheless, still cripples the function and puts a band aid on the problem. We have found that using a Homeopathic remedy to stimulate the body to reactivate the hormone secretions and an herbal combination that replenishes and restores the thyroid tissue through the pituitary and other glands as a whole allows the body to heal itself. Cutting the function of organs and glands, rather than repairing them, is not the wisest choice. Conventional drug therapies should be reserved as a last resort, not the first choice. As we learn more about the hormonal system we understand that the body produces cells that we aren't even familiar with. Many times modern medicine cuts off or destroys what it doesn't fully understand. As an animal lover and advocate I hate to see the torture and slaughter of innocent animals to make drugs that work against the body and leave it in a weaker state, especially when the US Homeopathic Pharmacoepea has at least fifty clinically proven remedies that we can be reaching for as a healthier alternative. I truly feel that you can't murder with one hand and heal with the other. Why doesn't everyone use Homeopathic therapy?It takes much more time and effort to study the patients history and take all aspects of their lifestyle, including diet, into consideration. It is easier and faster to give a cookie cutter drug and treat the disease instead of treating the person. When done properly, a full case analysis can take a Homeopathic Physician many hours of patient study, as opposed to a ten minute visit followed by a written prescription of the latest drug. Also, you can't put a patent on these remedies, so who would fund research on anything that will not guarantee financial returns? This is one of the reasons that we (Homeopathic Physicians) use European research instaed of the limited information available in the American Medical Journal. Finally you don't have to continue using the Homeopathics and Herbs once the body has recovered. This alone does not please the drug manufacturers. What can I do on my own?If you suspect your thyroid is underactive there are several things that you can try on your own before seeking professional Homeopathic Treatment. • European therapies include Hydrotherapy: Soak feet in water with sea salt then rub the feet with a mixture of castor oil and kelp tincture, wrap with plastic and put on socks overnight, then remove in the morning. • Personality Types: The most common personality to develop hypothyroid is the "type A" personality who takes care of everyone else except themselves. In their heart they question when it is their turn to be taken care of. Using "stressbuster" or Stress b Complex and other stress reduction therapies may be useful along with the hypothyroid program. • Use Homeopathic Remedy called Thyroidinum in an 8x potency and follow the directions. It may help stimulate the natural thyroid to start producing. • Tap the thyroid gland gently 10 times, three times a day to try to stimulate gland. • A good supplement to add is Tyrosine 400. It is an amino acid that has had promising results in aid the regulating hypothyroid conditions. Also I suggest using either "Herbal Vitamins" made from whole food products to ensure proper nutritional assimilation of the needed nutrients, or adding a variety of fresh vegetable juices in to the diet at least three days a week. I wish I knew about this before...If you are already on thyroid mediciation or have had previous therapies that destroyed your natural thyroid gland you'll have to work with a qualified Homeopathic Physician because you will need to be monitored month by month and have the program adjusted. In most cases they will send you back to your origional Doctor and have them wean you off of the drugs as there is no longer a need for them after there are signs of recovery. Never give up. Your body is capable of healing itself of just about anything. You are worth the time and the state of your health can only improve all the way around from using the a healthier type of therapy. Using herbs as superfoods...I use a custom formulated herb combination that regulates the cells to carry the hormones to the receptor sites. It has a domino effect on the body and helps with all of the hormonal functions in the system. When a person is not stimulating the thyroid correctly or when there is high TSH levels I find it useful, safe and effective when used for several months as indicated. It is safe and effective. It has superior form of Licorice root, Ginger root, Jujube dates, Buplerum, Coleus Forsloki, Feverfew, and Fucus in it. This combination is excellent. It is a very difficult formula to find in exact proportions needed. It's called the Intracellular Formula and can be ordered through Archeus Supply at 412-243-7475. If you are already on thyroid mediciation or have had previous therapies that destroyed your natural thyroid gland you'll have to work with a Homeopathic Practitioner who will work month by month with you to see if you can recover the use of what is left. In most cases, you can! If there is nothing to work with you can always strenthen the supporting glands and help with any known side effects from the drugs. After several months of using the Homeopathic program, your Homeopathic Practitioner should recommend that you go back to your original Doctor and asked to be safely weaned off of the drugs as there is no longer a need for them. The office of Dr. Cindee Gardner Ph.D., D.Hom., C.Hom. is located at 2324 Marbury Road Pittsburgh, Pa. 15221. I'm tired of struggling with this on my own, and would like to work with a professional homeopath. Return to the index of articles Return to the top of the page. |