Thyroid disease

Category: Illness or disabilities

Type

Involuntary

Introduction and description

The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands.  It is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage (which forms the laryngeal prominence, or "Adam's apple").

The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. It participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine which can sometimes be referred to as tetraiodothyronine (T4). These hormones regulate the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 and T4 are synthesized from iodine and tyrosine. The thyroid also produces calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium homeostasis.

Hormonal output from the thyroid is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the anterior pituitary, which itself is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) produced by the hypothalamus.

Even a small decline or increase in the output of these hormones, if sustained over a long period of time, can have profound consequences for health and well being.

Background

Thyroid disorders are common endocrine disorders encountered in the African continent. Environmental and nutritional factors are often implicated in the occurrence of some thyroid disorders that occur in this part of the world. But rather intriguingly, researchers in this area have identified other causes of thyroid problems that may have previously been overlooked.  The section ‘causes’ shows the result of their studies.

Symptoms

The various names given to aspects of Thyroid disease are as follows:

•  Hypothyroidism  - is defined as low thyroid function with a decreased production of thyroid hormones. When thyroid function is less than optimal, metabolic processes slow down. The rate of thyroid hormone production is regulated by the pituitary gland, which manufactures another hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone is responsible for making more thyroid hormones when levels drop too low. Generally, the more severe the hypothyroidism, the higher the level of TSH.  The thyroid gland acts as the body’s thermostat and controls the metabolic rate of the body. As metabolism affects every cell of the body, if the thermostat is malfunctioning (either set too high or too low) it naturally affects all parts of the body.  If cellular metabolism drops too low, widespread dysfunction of the body can occur and conditions such as depression, anxiety, memory impairments, hair loss, weight gain, loss of libido, fatigue and cold hands and feet can ensue.

• Hyperthyroidism - is defined as high thyroid function with a increased over production of thyroid hormones.  For hyperthyroidism, the most common symptoms are associated with adrenergic stimulation: tachycardiac, palpitations, nervousness, tremour, and increased blood pressure. Clinical manifestations are often related to hypermetabolism, including increased metabolism, excessive thyroid hormone, an increase in oxygen consumption, metabolic changes in protein metabolism, immunologic stimulation of diffuse goiter, and ocular changes (exophthalmos).  Symptoms of the resultant hyperthyroidism are mainly " insomnia, hand tremor, hyperactivity, hair loss, excessive sweating, shaking hands, itching, heat intolerance, weight loss despite increased appetite, diarrhea, frequent defecation, palpitations, muscle weakness, and skin warmth and moistness".

• Goitre - A goitre or goiter is a swelling of the neck or larynx resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland (thyromegaly), associated with both hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

• Graves disease - Graves' disease (or Basedow-Graves disease) is classified as an Autoimmune disease, but it is also a Thyroid disease as it most commonly affects the thyroid, frequently causing it to enlarge to twice its size or more (goiter), become overactive, with related hyperthyroid symptoms such as increased heartbeat, muscle weakness, disturbed sleep, and irritability. It can also affect the eyes, causing bulging eyes (exophthalmos). It affects other systems of the body, including the skin, heart, circulation and nervous system.

• Thyroiditis – or inflammation of the thyroid.  There are two types of thyroiditis where initially hyperthyroidism presents which is followed by a period of hypothyroidism; (the overproduction of T3 and T4 followed by the underproduction of T3 and T4). These are Hashimoto's thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis. 

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder.  At the beginning, the gland may be overactive, and then becomes underactive as the gland is damaged. Some patients may experience "swings" in hormone levels that can be mistaken as severe moodswings, or even being bipolar.  Hashimoto's is more common in females than males, usually appearing after the age of 30, and tends to run in families. Also more common in individuals with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis are type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.  So there is an allergen connection

• Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is a rare autoimmune disease associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  In effect it is brain damage caused by thyroiditis.

• Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in some females following the birth of a child. After delivery, the gland becomes inflamed and the condition initially presents with overactivity of the gland followed by underactivity. In some cases, the gland may recover with time and resume its functions. In others it may not.

Clare Balding (38), the sports presenter is

currently battling Thyroid Cancer and has

already had her thyroid gland removed

•  Cancers, cysts and nodules - thyroid cancer presents as a painless mass in the neck. It is very unusual for thyroid cancers to present with symptoms, unless they have been neglected. One may be able to feel a hard nodule in the neck. Thyroid nodules can also be felt but the majority of these thyroid nodules are benign (non cancerous).  A persistent thyroglossal duct or cyst is the most common clinically significant congenital anomaly of the thyroid gland.   Although cancers are linked to toxins, bacteria and viruses, the nodules and cysts are frequently linked to the presence of parasites

 

• ‘Cretinism’ - Pregnant women on a diet that is severely deficient of iodine can give birth to infants with thyroid hormone deficiency (congenital hypothyroidism), manifesting in problems of physical growth and development as well as brain development  - a condition referred to as cretinism. In countries where risk of iodine deficiency is possible because for example the soils are depleted of iodine or the country is a long way from the sea and no sources of fish or sea salt are available, newborns are often tested for congenital hypothyroidism as part of newborn screening. Children with congenital hypothyroidism are treated supplementally as the damage to the thyroid is permanent.

Causes 

Nutritional deprivation

One major cause of thyroid problems whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is Nutritional deprivation, including mineral imbalance and vitamin imbalance

• Iodine imbalance -  Iodine is required to manufacture the thyroid hormones.  Seafoods, iodised salt and sea vegetables – for example kelp, a form of seaweed species called Laminaria are rich sources of iodine, as well as foods grown in iodine rich soil. With today’s intensive farming techniques it is thought that trace minerals including iodine have been depleted and so many foods no longer contain substantial amounts of these trace minerals.

• Selenium deficiency - Converting thyroxine (T4) into active triiodothyronine (T3) requires the enzyme 5’deiodinase. This enzyme contains selenium, fundamental for a normal thyroid metabolism.  Because of the knock on effects of mineral deficiency in general, scientists have speculated that it is severe selenium deficiency that is the ultimate cause of goitre in those that have enough Iodine.  

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• Amino acid deficiency -  Amino acids play a major role in supporting thyroid health. L- tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that the body synthesizes from phenylalanine. Amongst its abundance of functions including the formation of the neurotransmitters, tyrosine is a major component of the thyroid hormones. People with depression often have low levels of tyrosine.  The interaction of all the amino acids is covered elsewhere on the site, but very briefly another amino acid that has a role to play because of the chain of interactions is DL-phenylalanine.  DL-phenylalanine is also converted in the body to L-tyrosine

• Vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency - L-carnitine is made in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine. Carnitine plays an important role in the metabolism of energy from fat. In order for carnitine to be utilised fully it requires vitamin C, iron, niacin, B6 and methionine.  Several nutrients are required for the conversion of phenylalanine [see above] to tyrosine; these are vitamin B6, iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin E

•  Zinc deficiency -  Zinc is another essential mineral for optimising thyroid health. In a study of fourteen healthy people with primarily high or low serum zinc levels, thyroxin levels tended to be lower in those people with lower serum zinc.  By supplementing with zinc in those individuals whose serum was low, thyroxin levels increased.

•  Copper deficiency - copper is another mineral which plays an important role in the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. Although copper deficiency is rare if people eat a normal diet, I other words rely on food as the source of minerals, those taking mineral supplements – particularly those with zinc in them or iron can give themselves copper deficiency as zinc interferes with copper absorption.

•  Manganese deficiency - Manganese is required to transport thyroxin hormone into the cell and activates the enzymes, which increase thyroid function.  A magnesium deficiency seems to alter the peripheral conversion of T4 into T3.

•  Essential fatty acids imbalance - Essential fatty acids are needed for proper functioning of the thyroid gland and are necessary for hormone production. Essential fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) and omega-6 fatty acids.

Stress

Stress and toxins can inhibit the enzyme 5’deiodinase’s ability to convert thyroid hormones throughout the body.  There is another effect from stress however.  Stress and extreme emotion induces the Sympathetic nervous system which is fuelled by Adrenaline.  The amino acid tyrosine [see above]  is necessary for the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline. When the body is under stress more of these hormones are required and tyrosine reserves are depleted, leaving the thyroid hormone pathway underfunctioning. Stress also depletes many of the essential nutrients required for thyroid function – the B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and selenium especially.

Inherited genes

Some children are born with in-built problems, usually due to problems that occurred during gestation.

Intestinal disease

The intestine is where all the absorption of nutrients takes place.  In the intestine there are folds and twists which provide a huge surface area capable of absorbing all the nutrients.  Intestinal disease or damage can result in a deficiency of nutrients, which can cause thyroid disease.

Surgery

Where the thyroid gland is inadvertently damaged in the process of other forms of surgery or where the gland is deliberately surgically removed or altered when it has become diseased.

Toxins

A number of toxins are implicated in thyroid disease, including Nanoparticles [which can cause genetic damage] and a range of Heavy metals.  Both lead and mercury are implicated in thyroid disease, along with amalgam dental fillings, but there are links to iron overdose as well, for example

 

Mineral supplements and vitamin supplements

The following paper has a number of interesting findings.  Both Infertilty treatments and Mineral supplements and vitamin supplements are implicated in diabetes and thyroid disease and there is a spill over effect on the baby - the mothers produced brain damaged children.

Pharmaceuticals

There is a gradually growing realisation that quite a large number of pharmaceuticals upset the entire balance of the thyroid gland causing both hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism.  Examples include [please note this list is not exhaustive]:

• Lithium - can cause hyperthyroidism (but most often hypothyroidism) by affecting iodine metabolism of the thyroid itself

• Infertility treatments - see above for an example link

• Malaria treatments interfere with the biosynthesis of folic acid and THF. Among them are pyrimethamine used to treat malaria and as an antiviral

• Proton pump inhibitors inhibit stomach acid secretion, however, the acids help destroy bacteria, parasites etc, as such inhibition increases the risk of pathogens entering the blood stream, see below

• Auto-immune disease drugs – such as methotrexate, which interferes with the biosynthesis of folic acid and THF.  It is also used as a chemotherapy agent

• Drugs to induce abortions – methothrexate is also used in this context

•  The sulfonamides (competitive inhibitors of 4-aminobenzoic acid in the reactions of dihydropteroate synthetase).are used as antibiotics, diuretics and epilepsy drugs and can also interfere with the biosynthesis of folic acid and THF..  Because sulfonamides displace bilirubin from albumin, kernicterus  - brain damage due to excess bilirubin – “ is another important potential side effect of sulfonamide use”

• Diuretics - In general achieve their effects through manipulation of the minerals in the body – the sodium balance in particular – at various stages of processing in the kidneys.  As a consequence they can cause all manner of mineral imbalances - see above
  
  

• Immunosuppressants - which by damaging the immune system's response allows bacteria etc to enter which can disrupt or damage the Intestine and its flora

• ACE inhibitors - which cause zinc imbalance- see above

• Chemotherapy drugs - which cause zinc imbalance- see above.  A number of drugs also interfere with the biosynthesis of folic acid and THF. Among them are the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors such as trimethoprim and the sulfonamides (competitive inhibitors of 4-aminobenzoic acid in the reactions of dihydropteroate synthetase).

• Laxatives - which cause zinc imbalance- see above

•  Anti-histamines – for example “cimetidine is a well-recognized zinc chelator  PMID:10394044”

• Antibiotics - simply because they interfere with the immune system and the natural protection the Intestine provides against invasion by unwanted substances

• Heart arrhythmia medication – Most arrhythmias are caused by mineral imbalance and nutritional deprivation.  One standard course of treatment by doctors using the symptom based approach, however,  is the pharmaceutical Amiodarone, which is an antiarrhythmic agent used for various types of cardiac dysrhythmias, both ventricular and atrial. “Despite relatively common side-effects, it is used in arrhythmias that are otherwise difficult to treat with medication” - one side-effect is thyroid disease

The eHealthme site separates out a number of different symptoms related to thyroid disease, thus the following list of symptoms takes you to the list of pharmaceuticals implicated in each condition.  The lists were derived from Adverse Drug reports submitted to SEDA and the FDA:

• Thyroid adenoma
• Thyroid atrophy
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid cancer metastatic
• Thyroid cancer papillary
• Thyroid carcinoma
• Thyroid disease
• Thyroid disorder

 Bacterial infection

A number of bacteria are implicated in thyroid disease including [as stated above] the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.  As just one example of the bacteria implicated Yersinia enterocolitica is a species of gram-negative bacterium.  Scientists are beginning to make the link between this bacteria and a whole host of diseases – Graves disease , so called pseudotuberculosis, enteritis/diarrhoea, fever and hyperthermia, so called pseudoappendicitis, liver disease, and spleen disease.  Y. enterocolitica infections are sometimes followed by chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Parasites and Viral infection

Parasites and viruses have a tendency to attack the entire body, as such anyone with parasites or viruses tends to present with a host of diseases. 

The parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects about one-third of the population of developed countries.  It is carried by cats - see being with cats.   It is implicated in numerous diseases.

The following interesting example demonstrates this, these refugees had both viral infections and parasites, mineral deficiency, vitamin deficiency and thyroid disease.

Fungal infection

Once thought rare, it is clear that fungal infection is a cause often overlooked in the pathology of the disease, for example:

Vaccines

The link between vaccines and thyroid disease has already been made " …Oral vaccination with WC/rBS cholera vaccine affects the intestinal flora in human, and the mechanism as well as the implications needs to be further explored.  PMID: 14965834"

But the principal reason that vaccines affect the thryoid is that viruses do.  Although there is a contributory element from the vaccines that have Thiomersal and hence mercury in them, the main problem is that some vaccines contain a live virus. 

Where a vaccine uses a live virus [not all do], we are in effect giving a person the virus in the hope their immune system builds up immunity.  But, many viruses are not destroyed by the immune system, merely subdued.  When the immune system is compromised, the virus will travel round the body to cause subsequent bouts of illness.    Thus any vaccine which uses a live virus has the potential to make us infertile, depending, of course, on the virus [see above].  A different example of viruses implicated

The BK virus is a member of the polyomavirus family.  EBV is the Epstein Barr virus.  HPV is the human papilloma virus.  The current vaccines for HPV do not contain a live virus.  An EBV vaccine is in development.  Two polio vaccines are used throughout the world to combat poliomyelitis (or polio). The first was developed by Jonas Salk through the use of HeLa cells and first tested in 1952. It consists of an injected dose of inactivated (dead) poliovirus. An oral vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin using attenuated - live -  poliovirus.  It was licensed in 1962.

The influenza vaccines contain live viruses:

 Radiation

All radiation whether 'cosmic' or electromagnetic impacts our bodies and depending on its frequency it resonates different parts of us.  The reason that nuclear radiation is so dangerous is that it impacts cells, but what we appear to have overlooked is that all radiation impacts some part of us.

Every aggregate in our bodies - organs, cells, the body itself, has natural ‘resonance’.  Resonance is a substance’s natural tendency to oscillate – vibrate – at maximum amplitude at certain frequencies, known as the thing’s resonant frequency.

And long term exposure at the resonating frequency, or short term high intensity exposure to the resonating frequency of the thyroid gland will cause cell death.

 

References and further reading

• Schmidt M, D.C., CNS; Bland J, PhD. Thyroid Gland as Sentinel: Interface between internal and external environment. Alt Therapies January 1997 vol.3.No.1.
• Budd. M. Mild Hypothyroidism: the missed diagnosis. Int. Journal of Alt Comp Medicine June 1998.
• Cass R., PhD. Axillary temperature test. The Physicians Clinical Reference Manual 7th Anniversary edition 1994.
• Arthur J.R; Beckett G.J. Thyroid function. Br Med Bull, 1999. 55(3): 658-68.
• Harrower; An Endocrine Handbook, The Harrower Laboratory, INC, Glendale, CA. 1939
• Lee. Protomorphology: The Principles of Cell Auto-Regulation 1966.
• Chiaroni P; Azorin J.M; Bovier P, et al. A multivariate analysis of red blood cell membrane transports and plasma levels of L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan in depressed patients before treatment and after clinical improvement. Neuropsychobiol 1990;1-7.
• Hartoma T.R; Sotaniemi E.A; Maattanen J. Effect of zinc on some biochemical indices of metabolism. Nutr Metab 1979:23: 294-300.
• Thilly C.H; Swennen B; Bourdoux P, et al. The epidemiology of iodine- deficiency disorders in relation to goitrogenic factors and thyroid stimulating hormone regulation. Am J Clin Nut 1993; 57(2 Suppl): 267S-70S.
• Mahoney C.P; Alster F.A; Carew L.B. Growth, thyroid function, and serum macromineral levels in magnesium-deficient chicks. Poult Sci, 1992. 71 (10): 1669-79.
• Barnes B.O, Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. 1976
• Budd Martin, Why am I so Tired? Thorsons 2000.
• Epidemiology of thyroid diseases in Africa.  Ogbera AO, Kuku SF.  Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
• J Forensic Leg Med. 2012 Nov;19(8):452-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2012.04.001. Epub 2012 May 1.  Analysis of the hematological and biochemical parameters related to lead intoxication.  Yılmaz H, Keten A, Karacaoğlu E, Tutkun E, Akçan R.

Observations

All the following people had or have Thyroid disease, more specifically Graves disease:

• George H. W. Bush, U.S. president, developed new atrial fibrillation and was diagnosed in 1991 with hyperthyroidism due to the disease and treated with radioactive iodine. The president's wife Barbara Bush also developed the disease about the same time, which in her case produced severe infiltrative exopthalmos
• Missy Elliott, American musician
• Marty Feldman, British comedian]
• Sia Furler, Australian singer
• Heino, German musician
• Ayaka Iida, Japanese singer
• Barbara Leigh, an American former actress and fashion model, now spokeswoman for the National Graves' Disease Foundation
• Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) poet, author
• Dame Maggie Smith, English actress

 

Related observations

Healing observations

• Bioavailability of seaweed iodine in human beings 016979
• Cobalt Toxicity from Hip Replacement: Symptoms and Treatment 025373
• Dr Duke's activity in Caffeic acid 017760
• Dr Duke's list of activities for Chlorogenic acid 017767
• Dr Duke's list of chemicals and activity for the Shallot 017969
• Dr Duke's list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Prunella vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) -- Heal-All, Self-Heal 018270
• Gelder Kunz, Dora van - Diagnoses Paget's disease 004178
• Gelder Kunz, Dora van - Diagnoses Thyroid problems 004175
• Green, Drs Elmer and Alyce – Healing Thyroid disease using Biofeedback 027326
• Impact of titanium dioxide on androgen receptors, seminal vesicles and thyroid hormones of male rats: possible protective trial with aged garlic extract 022805
• Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus 019021
• Low-level seaweed supplementation improves iodine status in iodine-insufficient women 016975
• Lycopus europaeus (Gypsywort): effects on the thyroidal parameters and symptoms associated with thyroid function 019022
• Mudras - Fountain rim mudra - Lower belt meridian 016849
• Nutritional analysis of Vietnamese seaweeds for food and medicine 022701
• Riboflavin Deficiency as a cause of disease 027370
• Seaweed and soy: companion foods in Asian cuisine and their effects on thyroid function in American women 016977
• Suppression of 125I-uptake in mouse thyroid by seaweed feeding: possible preventative effect of dietary seaweed on internal radiation injury of the thyroid by radioactive iodine 016978
• The Healing Power of Sleep 026790
• Tooth and gum disease and its effects on the body 012099
• Vitamin D deficiency and Hyperthyroidism 012197
• Vitamin D deficiency and the Epstein Barr Virus 012199
• Vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disease and obesity 012059

Hallucination

• Allergic reaction to dental fillings produces illness and psychosis 006524
• Auditory Hallucinations after surgery 006865
• Blood thinners produce hallucinations and thyroid disease 006948
• Calcium deficiency and hallucinations 005696
• Children with unexplained seizures 003449
• Cobalt poisoning from hip replacement 006876
• Cytomel 017704
• Endocrine disruptors, Autism and ADHD - Consumer goods manufacturers, Food processing companies, Chemical companies 014498
• Fat boy has hallucinations 006144
• Fluoride induced hyperthyroidism 013015
• Food dyes and genotoxicity - Food manufacturing companies 014505
• Hallucinations from thyroid disease 006914
• Hallucinations in a 15 year old boy 006916
• Hallucinations of a 14 year old 006915
• Hydrocephalus in the elderly 003469
• Levothyroxine, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid 006920
• Mercury amalgam fillings and schizophrenia 012330
• Metal on metal hip replacement and cobalt poisoning 006877
• Mineral imbalance and its repercussions 006922
• Myxedema madness and hallucinations 006919
• Nadolol 019667
• Psychosis and mineral imbalance 006859
• Psychosis delusions and hallucinations 003448
• Psychotic disorder induced by Fahr's syndrome: a case report 012794
• Sandostatin 015707
• Six year old with hallucinations and thyroid disease 006917
• Tapazole 020171
• Thyroid disease mimics manic depression 006918
• Thyroid Storm Presenting as Psychosis 029550
• Thyrotoxic crisis from amiodarone 005078
• Zemplar 020396

Wisdom, Inspiration, Divine love & Bliss

• Light, tunnels and thyroid problems - the story of Maud 006921

Out of time

Near death, Out of time, Out of body, Rebirth

• Light, tunnels and thyroid problems - the story of Maud 006921

In time

Synaesthesia, Pure or enhanced perception, Inter composer communication, Vision, Dream, Perception recall, Exploring group perception

• Gelder Kunz, Dora van - Diagnoses Paget's disease 004178
• Gelder Kunz, Dora van - Diagnoses Thyroid problems 004175

Other observations

• Amiodarone monitoring program 005080
• Cancer and lead 006727
• Food dyes and genotoxicity - Food manufacturing companies 014505
• Human intake of arsenic and iodine from seaweed-based food supplements and health foods available in the UK 016980
• Parvovirus B19 infection of brain: possible role of gender in determining mental illness and autoimmune thyroid disorders 027591
• Radiation-induced inflammation and autoimmune diseases 029355