| Life with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism can be very | | | | problem, continues to get worse while we throw new |
| frustrating. The reason being is that Hashimoto's, the | | | | medications at it while the patient suffers. |
| most common cause of low thyroid, is an immune | | | | If our theoretical patient above lives in the United |
| problem that affects thyroid function, yet is treated the | | | | States then the most likely and common source of the |
| same way as every other form of hypothyroidism in | | | | problem is from Hashimoto's. Hashimoto's is an |
| conventional health care. | | | | autoimmune disorder where the body attacks and |
| My son is now seven, and I think I can teach him the | | | | destroys it's own thyroid tissue, leading to low thyroid |
| basic treatment approach to managing hypothyroidism | | | | hormone production. |
| from a conventional perspective. | | | | So fundamentally the problem is an immune related |
| Basic Conventional Management of Hypothyroidism | | | | problem, not so much a problem with the actual thyroid |
| (no matter what is the cause): | | | | gland. So what does that mean for the patient getting |
| If the patient complains of fatigue, weight gain, cold | | | | standard conventional treatment only? |
| hands, heart palpitations, or depression then test TSH. If | | | | The thyroid replacement is making up for l0st thyroid |
| the TSH is above 3.0 then prescribe hormone | | | | function, but in the mean time the immune system is |
| replacement. Continue to increase the hormone dose | | | | slowing destroying the thyroid. If nothing is done to |
| until the TSH measures below 2.0. If the patient | | | | address this immune attack then the problem will just |
| continues to experience any of the symptoms after | | | | continue to get worse. |
| the thyroid is "balanced" on the lab tests then treat it | | | | Have you ever had the check engine light come on in |
| as a separate condition and give the appropriate | | | | your car? When that comes on do you put a piece of |
| medication, usually anti-depressants or anti-anxiety | | | | tape over the dashboard to cover up the light or do |
| medication. | | | | you investigate and find out what is going on with the |
| Now what is the glaring problem in that approach? | | | | car so the engine doesn't blow up? Ignoring the |
| 1. Never is consideration given to the actual cause of | | | | immune system's role in most hypothyroid cases is |
| the low thyroid. We never stopped to ask why is the | | | | very much that same thing as taping up the dash |
| thyroid not working? | | | | board. |
| 2. Treating every symptom as a separate problem, | | | | The target of the therapy really needs to be aimed at |
| although it is actually related to the thyroid problem not | | | | quenching the immune attack on the thyroid. This |
| completely addressed can be dangerous and | | | | creates the best possible outcome for the patient and |
| unnecessary. Are you depressed or do you still have | | | | short-cuts a lot of the frustration patients feel when |
| a thyroid problem? | | | | they are diagnosed with this disease. |
| 3. The approach, highly unlikely to change the actual | | | | |