Hi Dr Hagmeyer Here!
I am often asked these questions or variations of these questions as they relate to Thyroid disease. I am quite confident you are wondering about these as well. So today’s newsletter will help you gain more insight about the Who, What, Where, When, Why about Thyroid disease.
THE MOST COMMON THYROID QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Why can’t I lose weight when I diet and exercise?
One of the most frustrating symptoms of hypothyroidism is the inability to lose weight, even when calories are low and hours logged on the treadmill are high. Hypothyroidism slows the body’s metabolism and its ability to burn fat. It also prevents our cells from responding to lipase, an enzyme that metabolizes fat.
The inability to burn fat then contributes to fatigue and cravings for sweets and starchy foods—the very foods that make one fat. Also, since hypothyroidism hinders human growth hormone, building muscle through exercise is difficult if not impossible when hypothyroid. You will learn more about this in upcoming emails.
2. Why am I exhausted all the time?
The thyroid gland secretes hormones that set the speed of your metabolism. If you’re cold, the thyroid gland speeds up your metabolism to warm you up. If you’re hot, it slows down your metabolism to cool you off.
With hypothyroidism the gland fails to secrete enough thyroid hormones and the body can’t adapt efficiently to these kinds of fluctuations, whether external (temperature) or internal (stress).
Every cell in the body and brain uses thyroid hormones, and when they don’t get enough they lose energy and function poorly. As a result energy production in the body and brain plummet, leaving you tired and mentally foggy.
3. My doctor says my lab results are normal and my medication is working, yet I still have thyroid symptoms. In fact they are getting worse. Why?
Although thyroid medications can boost how you feel and function, they do not address why your thyroid became underactive in the first place. For 90 percent of Americans, autoimmune Hashimoto’s disease causes hypothyroidism.
Hashimoto’s is a disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism.
While thyroid medications may make you feel better temporarily, they do nothing to halt this autoimmune attack. What’s necessary instead is to tame the autoimmune attack and restore balance to the immune system through diet and nutritional compounds.
You will learn more about this in upcoming emails too.
4. What causes hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States, however researchers have identified 22 causes so far.
Other factors include chronic stress, pre-diabetes (insulin resistance), PCOS, the use of oral contraceptives or estrogen creams, a chronic virus or infection, or poor digestive health.
At Naperville Institute, we use state-of-the-art, scientifically sound methods to determine the true cause of your hypothyroidism and how to address it. This is the “BIG” picture
I’ve got more to say about this in future news letters.
5. Are there any foods I should avoid?
Absolutely. If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s you should adopt a strict gluten-free diet. Numerous studies in several different countries have shown a link between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto’s disease.
Gluten is the protein found in wheat, spelt, kamut, oats, barley, and rye. Fortunately, a gluten-free diet is easier today than ever before.
Again, You will learn so much more about the Diet-connection
6. Why am I getting other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type I diabetes, pernicious anemia, or autoimmune neurological problems?
It’s very common for people with Hashimoto’s to eventually develop other autoimmune diseases. This is because the underlying cause of their hypothyroidism, an imbalanced immune system, has not yet been addressed.
This is why it is so important to go beyond thyroid medications and manage the autoimmune disease. Otherwise you are at risk of developing an autoimmune disease against other organs or tissues.
7. Can I get off taking thyroid hormones if I address the underlying cause?
Some people are able to wean off their thyroid hormone medication once they address what is causing their hypothyroidism. For others, however, the thyroid gland is already too damaged and it’s important to stay on your thyroid medication, although you may need a lower dose. If you don’t need thyroid medication, taking it for an extended period of time can create a permanent dependency.
8. Why won’t my doctor run the tests to see if I have Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid disease?
A diagnosis of Hashimoto’s does not change how hypothyroidism is treated in the standard health care model.
At Naperville Institute, confirming whether you have Hashimoto’s is integral to appropriate management of your case.
9. I had my thyroid removed. Why do I still have thyroid symptoms?
Removing the thyroid gland is like removing a wad of sticky chewing gum from the bottom of your shoe—some will remain stuck to your shoe.
It’s the same with the thyroid gland, and these remnants of thyroid tissue continue to be the site of autoimmune attack, producing symptoms.
10. Why do I have hypothyroid symptoms sometimes and hyperthyroid symptoms other times?
When the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, this destroys the gland causing it to spill excess thyroid hormone into the bloodstream.
This excess thyroid hormone overstimulates metabolism, causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, insomnia, a pounding heart, or nervousness.
Over time as the gland is continually destroyed, it loses its ability to secrete sufficient thyroid hormone, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Most cases of Hashimoto’s involve a slow but steady destruction of the gland with gradual worsening of hypothyroid symptoms.
11. Why did my thyroid problems start after my pregnancy?
A woman’s immune system shifts gears during pregnancy, and then again after birth.
Although these shifts are normal, they can trigger a thyroid condition, particularly Hashimoto’s, in a woman who was already predisposed to the condition.
12. Why do I respond poorly to some thyroid medications and well to others?
People with hypothyroidism typically have food intolerances, such as to gluten or corn, and react to cornstarch fillers, artificial colors, or other additives in some thyroid medications. You will learn which ones are found in each thyroid replacement
Also some medications are T4 only while others are T4 and T3. Needs vary from person to person.
13. What sort of tests do you run?
Although different people need different tests depending on their condition, I run a comprehensive blood chemistry panel for everyone, salivary adrenal panel- Cortisol tests, GI testing for infections/parasites, yeast etc, Food sensitivities (help with identifying binders and fillers in meds that might be problems), Hormone levels and other tests depending on the complexity of the case.
The blood panel will illustrate your thyroid condition in more detail and provide other important information relating to immune health, gut health, blood sugar balance, and more.
The key thing to remember is that the follow-up tests are critical to tracking your progress.
14. How soon can I expect to feel better?
Hashimoto’s can’t be “cured,” only driven into remission by balancing the immune system. Progress is the aim and most people see definite, objective improvement within three months.
Do you have Six months? If you can give us Six months and you truly work and do what is needed, it is highly unusual that you will not see improvement.
From there the goal is to continue improving.
Some people experience dramatic turnarounds in days, for others the progress comes in small but steady increments. Each person is different and that is why we test so thoroughly!
Ready To get started?My Personal Thyroid Recovery Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program Thyroid Recovery Program is a Natural holistic Treatment approach for Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism and Graves and Hashimoto’s
Our office utilizes nutritional supplements, Dietary modifications, Nutritional Counseling, Advanced Testing, Hormone and endocrine support formula, and lifestyle guidance.
Our office utilizes nutritional supplements, Dietary modifications, Hormone and endocrine support formula, and lifestyle guidance.
- To Schedule a Free 15 minute Phone Consult to see if this program is right for you take a few momts and fill out our online questionniare its quick and easy start here
- If you’re ready to get started and schedule an appointment take a moment and fill out our Contact us Form and in the comment box let us know what time of the day works best to contact you. One of our New Patient Coordinators will contact you with the next available new patient opening within 24-48 hours.
Still have questions? Our Free 15 minute Personalized phone consult is a great place to start.Dr Hagmeyer offers a Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation for people interested in becoming patients. This is a great opportunity to find out if you are a good candidate for Dr Hagmeyer’s Program. These Phone Consultation Appointments are a limited, one-time opportunity and fill up quickly. When you are ready to get started, Schedule your Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation.
