HGH and the Thyroid Glandby Lisa Wells, RN

The Thyroid Gland and Thyroid Hormone

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland that is located over the trachea (wind pipe) just below the larynx (voice box). The thyroid gland plays a very important role in most all the metabolic processes of the body. The thyroid gland with its thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating metabolism.

How Thyroid Hormone is Made

The hypothalamus, often referred to as the body's "thermostat" is responsible for making sure the thyroid blood levels are normal. When the hypothalamus notices the thyroid blood levels decreasing it releases TRH (thyroid releasing hormone). The TRH then signals the pituitary gland to release TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to begin producing thyroid hormone.

When the body's levels of thyroid hormone become normal and the body is functioning normally the pituitary gland will cease its release of TSH and the process stops until the hypothalamus notices the thyroid hormone levels decreasing again.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is caused by insufficient production or absorption of thyroid hormone that causes abnormally low blood thyroid hormone levels. This problem with the thyroid gland is usually brought about as a result of iodine insufficiency, a tumor, a damaged thyroid gland, or vitamin deficiencies. This type of hypothyroidism is called "primary hypothyroidism".
Hypothyroidism can also be a result of the pituitary gland and/or hypothalamus failing to function properly. This type of hypothyroidism is called "secondary hypothyroidism".

Low thyroid hormone levels may not only make you feel old, they can propel you into the conditions and diseases associated with aging. Low levels of T4 can be responsible for weight gain, since T4 plays a role in controlling the body's metabolism. The changes that are brought about as a result of the aging process such as changes in the fat to muscle ratio and the shrinkage of organs can also be caused by a lack of thyroid hormone. A decrease in the amount of lean body mass can in turn interfere with the activity of an enzyme that converts thyroxine (T4) into triodothyronine (T3). T3 is about 5 times more potent than T4.

Adequate levels of thyroid hormone are needed to regulate blood sugar, so a deficiency of thyroid hormone can lead to mature-onset diabetes. Low levels of thyroid hormone can also greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease due to an increase in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and may cause high blood pressure. Also, iodine is essential to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, several studies that have been done have shown a correlation between low iodine levels and an increased risk of cancer.


Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

weakness, fatigue, and lack of energy
dry, flaky, pale skin
dry, coarse, dull hair, loss of hair
lack of appetite
weight gain
thinning of eye brows
sensitivity to cold
brittle nails
cold hands and feet
constipation
low body temperature
headache
depression
bruises easily
mental sluggishness with poor memory
stiff joints including mild arthritis
mood swings and emotional instability
persistent low back pain
susceptibility to viruses and colds
muscle cramps
frequent respiratory problems
irregular menstrual cycles
labored breathing
decreased libido
atherosclerosis
lack of energy for sex
decrease in heart contractility

Hypothyroidism is a fairly common problem. About 1 in 10 women and 1 in 20 men over the age of 50 will develop some symptoms of hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone production decreases as we age, however the usual age related decrease in thyroid hormone production is not considered true hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed when the thyroid hormone level drops below what is considered "normal for age".

The general opinion of many in the medical community has been that the drop that occurs in hormone levels is a normal part of the aging process and replacement is not necessary.
Although some of their aging patients are having clear symptoms of insufficient thyroid hormone levels, some physicians refuse to place these ailing patients on thyroid medication because they consider their ailing condition a normal part of the aging process. These physician's poor patients are missing out on thyroid replacement therapy that should alleviate or improve most, if not all their symptoms. Thankfully this negative opinion is slowly changing.

In the older population hypothyroidism is one of the most overlooked conditions.

Self-Detection of Hypothyroidism

A test called the Barnes Basal Temperature test can show you if your thyroid hormone level may be low.

Place a thermometer next to your bed before going to sleep. Be sure to shake the thermometer down if it is a mercury thermometer.
As soon as you awake, place the thermometer under your arm, lie quietly and leave the thermometer under your arm for about 10 minutes. Be sure to check your temperature before you move around much because an increase in your activity can cause an increase in your temperature. You want to take your temperature as soon after coming out of sleep as possible.
Record your temperature this way for 2 days. If your temperature is below 97.8° to 98.2° for two consecutive days, you may very likely be hypothyroid.
Women should wait until after the first day of their menstrual period before taking this test.
If your Barnes Basal Temperature test is positive you should take the results to your doctor and request he/she do a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overactive thyroid gland which leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormone. Many diseases and conditions can cause this problem. These include Graves' disease, noncancerous growths of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland, tumors of the testes or ovaries, inflammation (irritation and swelling with presence of extra immune cells) of the thyroid due to viral infections or other causes, ingestion of excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, and ingestion of excessive iodine. Graves' disease accounts for about 85% of all cases of hyperthyroidism.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets certain tissues and attacks them. This causes an overactivity of the thyroid gland which is called hyperthyroidism.

Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. The production of thyroid hormone is increased, causing a wide range of symptoms from anxiety and restlessness to insomnia and weight loss. In addition, the eyeballs may begin to protrude (exophthalmos) causing irritation and tearing.

Graves' disease is caused by inappropriate immune system activation that targets the thyroid gland and causes overproduction of thyroid hormones. Graves' disease is usually seen in women over 20 years of age, although the disorder may occur at any age and it can affect men.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Weakness, fatigue
Increased appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Frequent bowel movements
Protruding eyes (exophthalmos)
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Nausea and vomiting
Palpitations (bounding heart beat), heartbeat sensations
Clammy skin
Skin blushing/flushing
High blood pressure
Itching
Nervousness, restlessness
Hair loss
Hand tremors
Menstrual irregularities, absent menstruation
Heat intolerance, increased sweating
Breast development in men
Goiter (visibly enlarged thyroid)

HGH and its Effects on the Thyroid Gland

Dr. Ronald Klatz states "Human growth hormone exerts its actions either directly or indirectly through its intermediary insulin growth factors to every organ system of the body, ........almost nothing escapes its magical touch."

Jens Sandahl Christiansen of the Aarthus Kommunehospital of Denmark stated in a report "untreated HGH deficient adults have been shown to have increased cardiovascular mortality, reduced exercise capacity, reduced muscle strength, subnormal glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, defective sweat secretion and defective thermoregulation, reduced energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate, abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism, reduced myocardial function and clinical signs of premature atherosclerosis. Body composition has been found abnormal with increased fat mass, decreased lean body mass, decreased muscle fat ratio, visceral obesity, reduced extracellular fluid volume, and reduced bone mineral content

Improving the body's release of and use of HGH is known to help to improve the function of other organs in the body and help to stabilize other hormones in the body, this includes the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone.

Many patients who undergo successful HGH therapy see improvements in their hypothyroidism condition. This includes a decrease in their need for thyroid medications.

Patients with thyroid problems should consult their private doctor before beginning any HGH therapy.

Anyone with hyperthyroidism should not take any HGH product unless it is specifically prescribed to them by their private physician.

Anyone with hypothyroidism should see improvements with HGH therapy, however they too should consult their private physician and get permission to begin HGH therapy.

When a patient with hypothyroidism begins taking one of my HGH products I always tell them to pay close attention to their body. They should have their thyroid levels checked before beginning therapy with my product, and they should continue to monitor their thyroid levels as the therapy progresses. The reason for this is because the product should improve the function of the thyroid gland, and as the function of the thyroid gland improves, its release of thyroid hormone should also improve and so the need for thyroid medication should decrease. The thyroid levels should be checked after the first 3-4 weeks of therapy with my product, even sooner if the patient notices any symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The patient's private physician will decide if and when the thyroid medication should be decreased or stopped.

Caution! How my ProBLEN Pharmacy HGH Plus IGF-1
Affected One Hypothyroidism Patient

When taking my HGH products usually the improvement in thyroid function is a smooth, easy improvement, and the need for less thyroid medication comes about over a few months. However I have had one case where the HGH Plus IGF-1 product caused the thyroid gland to improve its function dramatically within the first 6 weeks of therapy.

This particular patient, a very nice lady, had heard about me and my product from one of my other patients. She phoned me because she was impressed with the results my patient was seeing and she wondered whether the product might also be of benefit to her. We talked about what benefits she might expect to see with the product. I asked her if she had any health problems and she told me about how her thyroid gland had been damaged nine years earlier as a result of her cancer treatments. Since that time she had needed thyroid mediation. During the nine years she had taken the thyroid medication her thyroid levels had never become high.

She is also a nurse so we spoke at length about her thyroid condition. Because my product is homeopathic we both thought her doctor might not take it seriously, and he might not believe my product would be capable of doing anything to help her thyroid gland. I stressed to her the importance of consulting her doctor and having him closely monitor her thyroid levels once she began taking my product. I told her there was a possibility that the product would help to heal her thyroid gland and so might improve its function. If this happened, her thyroid medication would need to be decreased or stopped to prevent her thyroid levels from becoming too high. She understood this and agreed to consult her doctor and have her thyroid levels checked.

When she began taking my product she made an appointment to see her doctor to have her thyroid levels checked. She stated that she could feel the HGH Plus IGF-1 working after only a few days so she decreased her medication slightly herself while waiting for her appointment with her doctor. Unfortunately the appointment with her doctor was canceled due to an emergency he was called to. Her doctor's appointment had to be rescheduled to a later date. So her thyroid levels were not yet checked and she continued to take the thyroid medication and the HGH Plus IGF-1.

This patient was very sensitive to the homeopathic formula, more sensitive than most. After about 6 weeks of taking the HGH Plus IGF-1 and also her thyroid medication she became ill because her thyroid levels had become too high. She was hospitalized for treatment of her hyperthyroid condition. Her doctor's were astounded that the HGH Plus IGF-1 product had actually caused her thyroid gland to began functioning again and they were amazed at how fast her thyroid levels increased.

She was discharged from the hospital after a few days. Her doctor had stopped her thyroid medication and the HGH Plus IGF-1. From what she told me it seemed that her doctor was baffled that he could not explain what happened. He was not ready to accept the fact that a homeopathic HGH product could actually do what the HGH Plus IGF-1 did. My patient stated that she knows the product helped her in other ways also. She said she would like to resume taking the HGH Plus IGF-1 in the future. We both agreed that she would definitely need to take only partial doses because she is so sensitive to the product, and we agreed that she should only take the product again if she can find a doctor who is knowledgeable in homeopathic products and who can manage her therapy appropriately.

I am sharing this story here because I want to make sure that any others who suffer with thyroid problems who may be interested in homeopathic HGH therapy understand that homeopathic HGH therapy should be taken seriously. I don't want what happened to this nice patient to happen to anyone else. So, although your doctor may not believe in homeopathy and may tell you it won't work, please get permission from your doctor before you begin homeopathic HGH therapy. Also insist on having your thyroid levels checked before beginning the therapy, and have your doctor continue to monitor your thyroid levels frequently until your body has stabilized on the homeopathic product, and then routine thereafter. Of course you should always follow your doctor's instructions. Lisa Wells, RN.
http://www.hgh-pro.com


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