Hypothyroidism, the under production of thyroid hormones T3 or T4, has a list of symptoms, the most noticeable: weight gain and water retention, arthritis, depression, constipation, fatigue, brittle fingernails and hair (along with possible rapid hair loss), and low heart rate. Affecting between 3 and 5 percent of the population, the low production of thyroid hormones is most commonly attributed to either low iodine consumption, or a heredity condition causing an autoimmune attack against the production of thyroid hormones. In developed countries the number of cases of hypothyroidism has been relatively low since the practice of supplementing normal table salt with iodine began(iodized salt), but iodine deficiency is still a major cause of the condition in developing nations. Hypothyroidism is treated with natural or synthetic thyroxine (L-T4) and triiothyroinine (L-T3), or animal based dessicated thyroid extract. These treatments have proven effective and safe over an extended period of time and should be viewed positively by patients dealing with thyroid dysfunction in light of that high grade.

A natural source of iodine other than through iodized table salt is sea greens, particularly sea kelp and sea dulse, both of which are also loaded with other rare trace minerals. For active individuals, it is important to know that thyroxine supplementation can cause heart palpitations and arrhythmias, so it’s important to let your treating physician know if you experience any heart abnormalities during exercise. For most individuals on this ‘once a day’ medication, exercise is still prescribed medicine as well, combating a spectrum of other illnesses that are obesity and lack of conditioning related.

In previous articles we have discussed the important role of insulin in regulating a healthy body weight. When there is a low production of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), insulin resistance can also result, resulting in a negative one-two punch, making fat loss a challenge. A consistent exercise program hand in hand with good nutrition and proper thyroid medication will make the odds of success much greater.

When ‘diagnosed’ with a thyroid abnormality, it is a normal part of the process to grieve the news. For most individuals with a hypothyroid or hyperthyroid condition, exercise is a prescription that ought to be filled, and re-filled. Any activity that increases the heart-rate into a training zone will release endorphins, hormones that elevate mood and help us to see not just the valleys, but also the blessings in life. When treating any health condition, maintaining a positive mental and spiritual attitude has been shown to greatly enhance both healing and dealing…healing or stabilizing the body and dealing positively with the affects that any illness will have on life in the future.

With a hypothyroid condition (producing low or non-existent T3 and T4 hormones), sudden and significant weight gain can bring a significant amount of emotional and physical stress on an individual. Until these hormone levels are increased and maintained consistently, ‘bounces’ in bodyweight can also be a part of the journey until medication levels are right. A disciplined training schedule, consistently followed, can help minimize those bodyweight bounces, and the positive mental outlook that training will bring to life will help minimize the emotional rollercoaster this time can become.

Working a Plan
Upon discovering that you have a dysfunctional thyroid there can be mixed feelings. Frustration that life has thrown this wellness obstacle in your path, and relief in finding the cause of symptoms that at first you ignored but which continued to increase in severity until pretending was no longer an option…and further relief on discovering that the condition is a common and treatable one, with few long term adverse affects when proper treatment protocol is followed. Still, there can be feelings of resentment that your body has somehow ‘let you down’. This is a natural and understandable feeling to have, and is addressed rather poorly by many wellness professionals who too often believe that sending patients away with a prescription is a job well done. An important part of any rehabilitative program is the consistent and daily utilization of journaling, and those who read this Wellness E-Zine on a regular basis know the emphasis I place on consistently documenting life’s journey. When thyroid medication is prescribed there can be a considerable lag time before a patient notices improvement, and sometimes progress comes in small, incremental steps that are hard to notice.

Through journaling, patterns and trends that on a day to day basis might not be apparent become more so when reviewing a previous week or month of entries. If making good wellness and life choices, those trends and patterns will reflect those good choices. With thyroid dysfunction, this kind of positive feedback loop can contribute to improved mood and a perception of having a better future ahead. Detailed journaling will help adapt to a new reality in life, as well as provide a framework by which negative experiences can be documented, reviewed, and used to determine better courses of action in the future.

For most of us, although thyroid disease is not something we’ll have to face, it reminds us of how intricately the body is created, and how well it performs most of the time, for most of us. This reminder serves to sometimes jolt us into seeing the need we have…the responsibility we have…in treating these bodies with respectful and proper treatment from start to finish.