TSH Thyroid Test

TSH Thyroid TestA TSH thyroid test is not the end-all, be-all for hypothyroidism diagnosis; TSH means “thyroid stimulating hormone”.  Your TSH results can be absolutely normal, yet you can have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.  Suzy Cohen, RPh, explains that your doctor needs to also test free T3 and reverse T3.

SOURCE:  Suzy Cohen, RPh

 

 

Why Is Gut Dysbiosis So Bad for You?

Why Is Gut Dysbiosis So Bad for You?Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance of good vs. bad bacteria, yeast and other pathogens in your intestines. This is important because most of our immune system is located in our gastrointestinal tract, as most pathogens enter our bodies through our mouths.

Gut dysbiosis can cause lowered dopamine and lowered serotonin, as well as an inability to remember something in the short term, because most neurotransmitters are made in the intestines.

It can also cause leaky gut (intestinal permeability) which means that waste products that should be pooped out are not and are instead leaking out and causing an immune response.

Gut dysbiosis also causes nutritional deficiencies and can lower thyroid function, as well as cause lowered excretion of waste through the kidneys.

In addition, it causes increased ghrelin and lowered leptin, making you feel hungrier than you should, thereby contributing to weight gain.

Toxins produced by gut pathogens impairs your liver’s ability to detoxify, and because they are stressors, your adrenal glands will produce more cortisol, leading to fatigue and an inability to handle stress.

Gut dysbiosis causes inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as damage mitochondria, thereby increasing fatigue and lowering glutathione, the body’s powerful antioxidant.

 

TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS INCREASING

Flame retardants are endocrine disruptors found in almost all new furniture.  They are linked to autism, ADHD, developmental delays, hypothyroidism and more.   Dust tainted by the couches and other household items is “a major route of exposure to people.”  Read more…

SOURCE:  Environmental Health News

 

ALLERGIES LINKED TO CHLORINE

Chlorine in tap and pool water has been linked to a rising number of people with food allergies.  Chlorine is an endocrine disruptor that also kills good gut flora.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Daily Mail

 

KOMBUCHA MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE

Kombucha may not be well tolerated by those with weak immune function, gut dysbiosis or hormonal imbalances, such as people with SIBO, IBS or Candida overgrowth.  Donna Gates of the Body Ecology Diet recommends doing controlled ferments with specific bacteria or yeast instead.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Body Ecology

THE AAP FINALLY RECOGNIZES THE LINKS AMONG AUTISM, INFLAMMATION, LEAKY GUT AND AUTOIMMUNITY

It’s something that biomedical doctors, functional-medicine doctors and naturopaths have known about for years, but the American Academy of Pediatrics is finally recognizing the links among autism and inflammation, leaky gut and autoimmunity.

In this article for Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), Dr. Bob Sears gives a great play-by-play of a supplement to the November 2012 edition of Pediatrics.  Here are some of the highlights from Dr. Sears’ article:

  • “Clinical practice and research to date indicate the important role of GI conditions in ASDs and their impact on children as well as their parents and clinicians.”
  • “Gut-brain connection, immune function, and genome-microbiome interaction.” Yes, it actually said gut-brain connection!
  • “Increasingly, evidence supports a combination of changes in gut microflora, intestinal permeability (intestinal what?), inappropriate immune response, activation of specific metabolic pathways, and behavioral changes.”
  • “Endoscopic analyses of children with ASD and GI symptoms have revealed the presence of a subtle, diffuse inflammation of the intestinal tract.”
  • “Autoimmune responses in children with ASDs and a familial history of autoimmunity have been reported.”
  • “Autoantibodies could indicate the presence of inflammatory processes and/or an autoimmune component that could affect the integrity of the mucosal barrier and contribute to decreased mucosal barrier integrity.”
  • “Leaky gut.” Yes! It actually used those two foreign words that have been scoffed at for so long, and explains the research supporting this theory so that we general pediatricians can understand and begin to believe it.
  • “Nutritional status and nutrient intake are inextricably related in children with autism.”
  • A table on “Biomarkers as potential outcome measures” includes testing for: intestinal permeability to assess leaky gut, calprotectin for intestinal inflammation, celiac disease serology tests to assess gluten sensitivity, food allergy panels (not sure what for . . . maybe food allergies play some sort of role in all this?), organic acid testing for B12 or folate deficiency, and analysis of gut microbiota.”

FLUORIDE LEADS TO HYPOTHYROIDISM

Fluoride suppresses the thyroid by displacing iodine.  To help support optimal function of your thyroid, limit fluoride exposure and add iodine into your diet.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Dr. John Douillard

PLASTICS AND BREAST CANCER

A new study strengthens the tie between breast cancer and toxic exposures to plastics and carcinogens in the workplace.

Specific industrial sectors with elevated risk included: agriculture, bars-gambling, automotive plastics manufacturing, food canning, and metalworking.

Premenopausal breast cancer risk was highest for automotive plastics and food canning.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Environmental Health Journal

A HIDDEN CAUSE OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

Having antibodies against the receptors for thyroid-stimulating hormone is a hidden cause of hypothyroidism, despite having “normal” TSH levels and taking thyroid medication.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Dr. Clark’s Brain Based Blog

EARLY-ONSET PUBERTY

It’s common these days for girls to enter puberty before discovering “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”.

“Over the second half of the 20th century, the average age for girls to begin breast development has dropped by a year or more in the industrialized world.

And the age of first menstruation, generally around 12, has advanced by a matter of months. Hispanic and black girls may be experiencing an age shift much more pronounced.”  Read more…

SOURCE:  ScienceNews