Guts and Girl Bits – Podcast Episode #46

I am joined once again by Naturopath Lisa Costa-Bir to discuss the topic of thyroid nodules.

Thyroid nodules are typically identified via an ultrasound and indicate the presence of growth of abnormal cells within the thyroid gland. Nodules vary in their sizes and impact, and while some may wish to manage this, many people may be told they have a nodule yet can observe no negative impact from it. It can be a diagnosis that brings uncertainty and confusion, and so we would like to share information about what thyroid nodules can mean, as well as how to help manage them naturally.

The Podcast

Have a listen here or on the embedded player below:

iPhone   Stitcher   Youtube   Soundcloud  Spotify 

Get in touch with Lisa…

Lisa is a leading Naturopath in the Sutherland Shire. Lisa strives to show her clients that good health is not be simply the absence of disease but rather a state where they find mental, physical and spiritual balance in all aspects of their life.

Lisa is also a lecturer and clinical supervisor at Endeavour College of Natural Therapies where she mentors students completing degrees in Nutrition and Naturopathy and has  taught nutrition to dancers at ED5 performing Arts School.

• https://www.lisacostabirnaturopath.com
• 0404 070 142
• lisa@lisacostabirnaturopath.com

Check out previous podcasts that have featured Lisa here:

• PMS and PMDD
• Thyroid Health
• Ayurvedic Medicine
• How to lose weight without changing your diet (much)
• Adrenal fatigue (part 1)
• Adrenal fatigue (part 2)

Featured Webinar

Understanding Underactive Thyroid – Webinar

Have you been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism?

Do you struggle trying to understand the right things to do to help your thyroid out?

Perhaps you’re on thyroid medication but you still don’t feel any better for it.

Maybe you feel like you’ve got some symptoms that suggest your thyroid might be a bit sluggish, but your blood test come back as “normal”.

If that sounds like you then this webinar is for you. It will shed some light on the topic of under active thyroid and provide you with some tips to help yourself.

We will talk about:

• What are some of the common symptoms of under active thyroid
• How to interpret your test results and what to do if your test come back as normal but you still feel like something’s going on
• What it means if you’ve got high antibodies but your hormones are in normal range
• How to get the most out of your thyroid medication
• What are the nutrients that your thyroid needs to work properly
• What is peripheral thyroid hormone conversion and why is it important
• The right type of exercise to do for someone with hypothyroidism
• How your thyroid affects the hormones in your body such as in PCOS and adrenal fatigue
• How your diet can make a big impact on thyroid health
• What a naturopath can do to help thyroid problems

 

This webinar is awesome value at only $25 so to register today to get access .

 

As a bonus you will get my cheat sheet to understanding your thyroid hormone test results, plus 5 recipes to nourish the thyroid.

$27.50

Shop now

The post How to Manage Thyroid Nodules Naturally appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

How to Know if your Thyroid isn’t working properly.

Ever suspected your thyroid might be out of whack? Have a read through this articicle and see if you might be on the right track.

Thyroid problems are quite common, affecting approximately 5.4 in 1000 women in Australia¹.

In this article I discuss the functions of the thyroid, signs that your thyroid isn’t working properly and describe the common tests that are done, with some tips on understanding these tests.

What does the thyroid do?

The thyroid is a gland that sits in your neck, and is responsible for functions such as energy production, metabolism, foetal development, brain growth and body temperature. It receives messages from the brain in order to know whether it needs to make more or less hormones, and then it sends those hormones out to the body to be further converted into their active state, and to carry out actions in your periphery.

If the thyroid becomes sluggish, or underactive, this is referred to as hypothyroidism.

If the thyroid becomes overactive, this is referred to as hyperthyroidism.

In some instances the thyroid can be affected by antibodies, which is when the immune system inadvertently causes damage to the thyroid gland, affecting it’s function.

Possible Signs of a Thyroid Imbalance

Testing for Thyroid Problems

The test that a doctor will typically run when looking for thyroid issues is a hormone called TSH. This hormone is produced by the pituitary and it’s role is to tell the thyroid gland how much hormones to produce – hence it’s named ‘Thyroid Stimulating Hormone’.

There is a problem however, that while it’s commonplace for this hormone to be used by itself to screen for thyroid imbalances, it can actually allow many sub-clinical thyroid issues (and a few more overt cases) to slip through the cracks.

Let’s look at some of the other hormones that may be assessed. This information is covered in detail in a bonus handout in my webinar Understanding Underactive Thyroid, including typical (and ideal) reference ranges. Other hormones and tests that may be helpful for understanding thyroid health are included in this too.

Key Thyroid Hormone Tests

T4 – The Storage Form of Thyroid Hormone

Once TSH signals to your thyroid to ramp up production of its hormones, it produces the four different types of thyroid hormone – T1, T2, T3, and T4. The primary output of your thyroid is T4, which is a storage form of the hormone. It is circulated throughout the bloodstream and stored in tissues so that it’s available when needed.

If FT4 is high – it can indicate an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism

If FT4 is low – it can indicate an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism

Free T3 – The Gas

When each local area of your body determines that it needs more power, it converts storage T4 into Free T3, which is the active form of the hormone. These hormones attach to receptors inside of your cells to power your metabolic processes.

If FT3 is high – indicates that your thyroid is overactive or hyperthyroidism

If FT3 is low – you may not be converting T4 to FT3 very well and you could have hypothyroid symptoms even if your TSH and FT4 are within range.

Thyroid Antibodies – Your Immune System’s Attack on Your Thyroid

The vast majority of thyroid conditions are autoimmune, which means your immune system is attacking your thyroid. The hypothyroid form of autoimmune thyroid is Hashimoto’s, and the hyperthyroid form is Graves’ Disease.

This is an important marker to get included if you have a family history of thyroid disorders, or have symptoms yet your TSH is showing as normal.

It is also a good idea to get this tested during pregnancy and in the postpartum period (that time when you’ve just had a baby).

Thyroid ultrasounds and other imaging may be performed if your thyroid is more strongly suspected as being out of balance.

One of the points to remember is that the reference ranges are quite large so while aiming to be within the ‘normal’ reference range may be suitable for some, many people need to aim for the ‘ideal’ reference ranges. Also keep in mind that if you are pregnant or interpreting results for a child, the reference ranges are different.

If you need assistance in supporting your thyroid naturally, get in contact with your health care practitioner.

Contact Page.

References

1. O’Leary PC, Feddema PH, Valdo PM, et al. Investigations of thyroid hormones and antibodies based on a community health survey: the Busselton thyroid study. Clin Endocrinol 2006; 64: 97–104.
2. So M, MacIsaac RJ, Grossmann M. Hypothyroidism. American Family Physician 2012; 41(8): 556-562.
3. Topliss DJ, Eastman CJ. Diagnosis and management of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The Medical Journal of Australia 2004; 180(4): 186-193.

The post Signs your Thyroid Might Be Struggling appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Ours isn’t a gluten free household, but I do like to cut down the amount of wheat consumed, and I also like to experiment with recipes for my patients. So in the search for gluten free cookies that are easy to make and toddler friendly, this recipe was born.

Millet is a gluten-free ‘ancient’ grain. It is one of the oldest crops known to man, and was one of the first grains that man made bread from. It is more closely related to corn than to wheat. It is usually better digested than most grains, and being free from gluten it is a good alternative to wheat.

It has a nutty taste usually, but there is a potential for slight bitter aftertaste if the flour is a bit older which means the fat has started to oxidise. This can be lessened by keeping the flour in the freezer, or grinding the flour fresh (this would be ideal as you are going to retain more nutrients, but not an option for many people). Use the flour within a few weeks of opening.

Millet is rich in magnesium, as well as vitamin B3 (niacin).

It does have a caution – it acts as a goitrogen, which means it can reduce the uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland. In the ocassional meal (and you know I love to vary up the diet) it’s not going to be an issue, but as a staple it would potentially cause an issue. For those with hyperthyroidism or iodine excess, this is actually a bonus. And if you have enough iodine in your diet, the effect of millet is likely not an issue.

Gluten Free Choc Chip Cookies

These are easy to make and toddler approved. I like to get Ash involved with cooking by measuring out the flour and other ingredients into the little measuring cups and and then getting him to tip it into the mixing bowl. I also ask him to help stir, which he does a little and then I finish up the rest.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup plus 1/2 cup millet flour (140g)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips, or more if desired
• 1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp butter or melted coconut oil
• 3-5 tbsp milk of choice, as needed

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190 C.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Add wet ingredients and mix through well.
4. Now you can separate into the cookies by taking a small handful, or a large spoonful and rolling it between your palms to form a ball (approximately golf ball size).
5. Bake for 7 minutes, then remove and let stand on tray for 10 minutes. They will be slightly under cooked when you take them out of the oven but that’s okay because they will finish up on the tray when they’re resting.

The post Gluten Free Choc-Chip Cookies appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Health & Wellbeing Podcast #1

I’m excited to share with you my first podcast! In this recording I discuss with fellow Naturopath Lisa Costa-Bir thyroid health. Lisa has personally experienced both hyperthyroid and hashimotos, and she has a passion for supporting thyroid health and stress so I’m super grateful she helped out for this podcast.

Want to subscribe to get podcasts automatically? You can do that here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/health-wellbeing-podcast/id1006574743

Unfortunately there are a few recording hiccups in this podcast where I found that the recording had stopped itself so it sounds a bit funny in some bits, (still getting used to the software), but the message is still there, and these problems should be ironed out for the next ones :).

Podcast breakdown:

1:30 The prevalence of thyroid conditions; sub clinical thyroid problems are frequently going undiagnosed and taking into consideration more factors than just blood test results, the rate of thyroid problems (hypothyroidism in particular) would likely be much higher. TSH alone is not enough.

3:50 TSH can be artificially suppressed.

4:30 Reverse T3

6:15 Causes of elevated thyroid antibodies

7:47 Foods Lisa recommends for people with thyroid disorders

10:45 Wheat and thyroid

12:00 Soy and thyroid

14:14 Nutrients for the thyroid and how thyroid problems can cause reduced absorption of nutrients

16:35 Look the adrenals and stress first

18:38 Oestrogen, progesterone, PMT and thyroid

20:43 Thyroid medications – You need nutrients for it to work properly

22:00 Iodine and the building blocks for thyroid hormones

23:40 Vitamin D

25:30 Thyroid and Iodine in Preconception, Pregnancy and Post-Partum

30:22 Thyroid and Depression

31:26 Thyroid and Cholesterol

34:30 How long does it take to improve thyroid function?

35:35 Sleep for thyroid

37:44 Basal body temperature and salt in the morning

38:20 Our favourite thyroid herbs

The post Thyroid Health appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

This article discusses the thyroid gland and the differences between and over and underactive thyroid.

Thyroid Health

The Butterfly-Shaped Gland

 The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland, situated in the front part of your neck, which produces hormones needed for normal metabolism. Essentially, you can think of your thyroid hormones as the drums in an orchestra or band; thyroid hormones set the rhythm and the pace for most of our body functions – they regulate our metabolic rate and how fast or slow our organs and tissues function. Disordered thyroid function, therefore, upsets the whole rhythm of the body.

The Highs and Lows of Thyroid Function

Dysfunction of the thyroid can cause a number of different symptoms. Thyroid problems can affect weight, energy levels, appetite and mood; but the effects will be different depending on whether the thyroid gland is over functioning or under functioning.

Hyperthyroidism is a state of over-activity of the thyroid gland with excessive production of thyroid hormones and an increased metabolic rate – it’s as if the drums that set the rhythm for our bodies have sped up too much and are making everything function too fast. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:

• Feeling hot and intolerant of hot weather
• Weight loss
• Anxiety, restlessness and insomnia
• Excessive sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Fine tremors of the fingers
• High blood pressure

Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is a state of under-activity of the thyroid gland with an underproduction of thyroid hormone – it’s as if the drums have slowed down and the beat that is running how our body functions is too slow. When your body does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone, the body’s metabolism slows so much that you can experience symptoms such as:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Depression
• Irritability
• Weight gain
• Intolerance to cold weather
• Brittle hair
• Slow heart rate
• A croaky, hoarse voice

Herbs to Calm The Thyroid

An overactive thyroid can make you feel anxious and restless and can also be a contributing factor to insomnia. A combination of traditional calming herbs may help to manage these symptoms and slow that beating drum that is increasing your metabolism too much. Lemon balm, Rehmannia, Bugleweed and Phyllanthus emblica are traditional herbs with anti-anxiety actions which can help to calm an overactive thyroid. They also provide anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant protection, reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress and inflammation on the thyroid. Lemon balm is easy to grow and makes a delicious tea. (It’s also great for a nervous tummy!)

Eat more of these foods to calm your thyroid:

Photo by Disiana Caballero on Unsplash

Cabbage, brussel spouts, cauliflower, broccoli (all raw)
Radish
Apples
Almonds and walnuts
Soy milk, tofu and soy fibre

Herbs to Balance The Thyroid

On the other hand an under-active thyroid can make you feel tired, cold and depressed. To increase the rhythm of the drum and improve the activity of the thyroid gland, you can use a combination of herbs traditionally used to energise and warm the body. Ginger, goji berry and rosemary are energising herbs which improve circulation, warm the body and are a great source of antioxidants. Ginger and rosemary are easily included in meals as spices, and goji berries are a great snack. Other herbs that help to balance the thyroid which care available with prescription are Withania, Bladderwack and Bacopa.

As well as these herbs to stimulate thyroid activity, there are some vital nutrients required for an under-active thyroid, including:

• Iodine – Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is common in many areas of the world, leading to depletion of iodine stores and reduced production of thyroid hormones.
• Selenium – This trace element has many important roles in the body, including crucial roles as a cofactor in enzymes essential for production of thyroid hormones.
• Zinc – Low zinc levels are associated with poor thyroid hormone production and reduced basal metabolic rate.

These foods can assist in balancing underactive thyroid function

• Apricots, dates, egg yolks, parsley, molasses, potatoes, prunes, raw seeds, and whole grains.
• Make sure all foods from the brassica family (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are well cooked).
• Iodine rich foods such as seaweed.

Testing for thyroid problems

Blood tests

These are the most commonly performed and well known forms of testing done, and you can get these tests done by your GP.

The thyroid has a few different hormones and common practice is to first test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), and if that is out of balance they will then go on to test the main hormones T3 and T4. If these are out of balance, they will then go on to test for thyroid antibodies, which are an indicator of an issue where the immune system attacks the thyroid, being responsible for the imbalance. Another less frequently tested hormone is rT3 (reverse T3).

 Below is a brief guide to thyroid tests:

• TSH: High in hypothyroidism | Low in hyperthyroidism
• T4: Low in hypothyroidism (may appear normal) | High in hyperthyroidism
• T3 (tested less frequently): Low in hypothyroidism | High in hyperthyroidism
• rT3: Higher levels may lead to hypothyroidism symptoms.

 Symptoms

 Symptoms are a good indicator to a practitioner to investigate further. As well as the symptoms listed above, a sign of thyroid imbalance can be a combination of the following:

• Dull facial expression (drooping eyelids)
• Cold intolerance (with cold extremities)
• Poor circulation
• Dry skin, elbow keratosis, brittle nails
• Prolonged Achilles tendon reflex time
• Diffuse hair loss and lateral 1/3 eyebrow
• Slow speech, movement, heart rate
• Puffy face, swollen eyelids
• Fluid retention (body, legs, feet, hands, belly)
• Low body temperature
• Acne
• Fibrocystic breast disease

Basal body temperature

Basal temperature is controlled by the thyroid and can be a good indicator of how much T3 is active inside cells.

1.  Shake down a thermometer to below 35°C and place it by the bed before going to sleep.

2.  Upon waking, place the thermometer under the armpit for a full 10 minutes.

3.  Remain as still as possible, resting with the eyes closed.

4.  Record the temperature for at least 3 consecutive mornings, preferably at the same time of day. Menstruating women must check basal body temperature on the second, third and fourth days of menstruation. Men and menopausal women can check on any 3 consecutive days.

 Ideal basal temperature: 36.5°C- 36.8°C

 Scanning

The thyroid gland itself can be scanned with a radioactive isotope or radioactive iodine scan. This will show whether the gland is enlarged, whether there is a goitre on one or more nodules, and whether particular areas are ‘hot’ (that is, are active and take up the isotope or iodine). An ultrasound can also show up a goitre or nodule and whether it is solid or not. In some cases a needle biopsy of a goitre or nodule may be needed and tissue sent to a pathologist for examination to determine whether it is benign or malignant.

The post Thyroid Health – Part 1 appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.