Thyroid Function!

THYROID FUNCTION AND STRUCTURAL SHIFTS

Millions of people have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Many more are still undiagnosed. Unfortunately, most of us do not realize the serious role the thyroid plays in our overall health. Thyroid conditions, left untreated, can cause serious health problems and sometimes death.

According to The Rotterdam Study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, “Older women with subclinical hypothyroidism were almost twice as likely as women without this condition to have blockages in the aorta. They were  also  twice  as  likely  to have had heart attacks.”

The  latest  polls  suggests  that over 60% of Australians are either overweight or obese. Thyroid dysfunction often leads to obesity, which in turn causes diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol.

Pregnant women – low thyroid levels can cause babies with birth defects. Hypothyroidism in pregnant women can also cause miscarriages, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery.

Some studies show that up to 50% of depression is caused by an undiagnosed thyroid condition. Thyroid problems can lead to serious depression and ongoing mental illness.

Hypothyroidism can cause Hashimoto’s encephalopathy which attacks neurons in the brain possibly leading to confusion, psychosis, coma, seizures, dementia, and speech difficulties.

An estimated twenty-seven million Americans have some form of thyroid disorder with as many as thirteen million of these cases being un- diagnosed. A low functioning thyroid may be one of the most commonly misdiagnosed health problems.

 

In Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health, Richard Shames, MD call low thyroid a “large scale epidemic that has been inadequately addressed”

Thyroid problems are among the most common medical conditions, but because their symptoms often appear gradually, they are often misdiagnosed.

 

CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THYROID DISORDERS

 

• Nervousness and Anxiety

• Elevated Blood Pressure

• Weight gain

• Hyperactivity

• Insomnia

• Depression

• Severe Fatigue

• Muscle weakness

• Muscle complaints

• Elevated blood pressure

• Increased bowel activity

• Restless sleep

The thyroid gland is located on the front part of the neck below the thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple). The gland produces thyroid hormones, which regulate body metabolism.

Thyroid hormones control metabolism and virtually all other processes in the body. Without thyroid hormones, the body cannot form RNA, which is needed for the process of transcription necessary to produce proteins and enzymes. Consequently, without thyroid hormones, the body cannot produce proteins to repair damaged tissues, or enzymes, which catalyze virtually all reactions within the body

 

Disorders of the thyroid gland can result in either the production of too   much   (hyperthyroidism)   or   not   enough   (hypothyroidism) hormones

Scientific and clinical evidence has shown that certain cases of thyroid disorders result from the malfunction of the nerves pathways that control the thyroid’s production of thyroid hormone. Whether too little or too much thyroid hormone is produced, the abnormal level can be due to a malfunction between the brain, pituitary, spinal cord, and thyroid, and can be caused by certain types of trauma to the spine.

 

Traumatic and micro-traumatic injuries that affect the spine and nervous system have been shown to adversely affect the function of the thyroid.

One study published in the Journal of Manipulative Therapeutics examined 100 whiplash patients and found that  many suffered from poor thyroid function after their injury. Another study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association reported a correlation between cervical spine problems and thyroid abnormalities.

“Studies have shown that more than fifty percent of hyperthyroid patients have damage to the pathways in their nervous system”- Journal of Neurology

 

“Neural dysfunction associated with acute or chronic subluxation syndromes basically manifest as abnormalities in sensory interpretation and/or motor activities. These disturbances may be through one of two primary mechanisms, either direct nerve or nerve root disorders of a reflex nature.”- CERVICAL SPINE TRAUMA

 

“Hyperfunctional or Hypofunctional neurons along a neural chain prevent normal nerve transmission causing disturbances in the homeostasis of the cells, tissues and organs.” – Dr. T. Lee, Academy of Pain Research

 

 

A growing body of clinical research shows that Chiropractic may often help people who suffer from thyroid conditions. This would stand to reason since Chiropractic’s  purpose  is  the  restoration  of  nervous  system  pathways, which is accomplished by physically adjusting the spine. Chiropractic is not a treatment for thyroid disease and Doctors of Chiropractic do not claim to be able to cure thyroid conditions, but by removing nerve interference from the spinal column, they allow the body to maximize its inherent healing ability.