The big question: why do women have more thyroid issues than men? Due to larger amounts of reproductive tissue, women require more iodine to regulate proper hormone synthesis throughout the entire reproductive system. Iodine found in the ovaries is second to the amount found in the thyroid. If your reproductive tissue don’t have enough iodine, it will seek it from your thyroid. Our bodies are so smart!!!
This is why so many women suffer from fybrocystic disease/ovarian and uterine cysts, poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). When the ovaries are starved of iodine, it can lead to infertility, miscarriages, and many other issues. It is also linked to autoimmune diseases, fungi, and inflammation in the body such as arthritis. Iodine is needed to detoxify the body of mercury, fluorides, chlorides and bromides which are all very prominent in many foods and/or products we ingest.
Desiccated thyroid, (porcine) either compounded or Armour thyroid, contains both T4 and T3 hormone. Selenium and iodine are also needed for T4 to T3 conversion in the liver. T4 alone is NOT sufficient. This is why synthetic thyroid drugs such as Synthroid and Levothyroxine do not seem to improve symptoms in most people.
It is also very common for a person to have all the symptoms of hypothyroid with a negative blood test. That is because blood tests do not detect what is happening at the deepest level of function in the body which is CELLULAR.
Both saliva and blood work will detect what is actually happening on the cellular level. If you have these symptoms and have been told all is well with your thyroid, I encourage you to do your research and find a qualified clinical nutritionist or doctor who is familiar with these tests.
If you live in the Houston area, Dr. Mark Schulz, 713-557-1013, is a very knowledgable and gifted practitioner to contact. Next article – how foods and diet can assist thyroid function. Be kind to yourself and be well!!!