The Role of Vitamins

THE ROLE OF VITAMINS IN THYROID DEFICIENCY

We all know that we should eat the right foods in order to obtain all the necessary vitamins to maintain good health. What I didn’t realise is that if you have thyroid deficiency, the vitamins you are taking in are unable to be processed properly.

Both Stephen Langer in his book Solved: The Riddle of Illness and Dr. Ridha Arem in his book The Thyroid Solution tell us that people with thyroid problems should make sure they get enough of the following vitamins, either by eating plenty of the foods containing these vitamins or by supplements. In my opinion, by the time we purchase, prepare and cook everyday foods, most of the nutrients have disappeared and I believe supplements are essential to maintain a good thyroid. Lack of protein in a vegetarian diet of a thyroid deficient person can also cause problems. One thing doctors don’t tend to do now, unless you go to an alternative therapist, is check you for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. You might be surprised to find that you are deficient in quite a few of these vitamins. I am hearing more and more that a lot of us are suffering from pernicious anaemia. Make sure you are checked for this next time you see your doctor.

VITAMIN A (not carotene)
Carotene is a precursor of Vitamin A. An underactive thyroid gland cannot efficiently convert carotene to usable Vitamin A so however many carrots etc. you eat, it won’t help. Vitamin A must also be accompanied by protein to make it available to the body, so if you are on a low protein diet, you may be deficient in this vitamin. If you are low on Vitamin A, your ability to produce TSH is limited. This vitamin is required by the body to convert T4 to T3. If you find that lights are too bright or night driving is a problem, try taking Vitamin A supplements along with more protein and see if it helps.

VITAMIN B COMPLEX
All the B vitamins are vital for good thyroid function but they all have a different role to play.

Bl (Thiamine)
This vitamin is drastically needed if you have an overactive thyroid.

B2 (Riboflavin)
The lack of Vitamin B2 suppresses thyroid function in that the thyroid and adrenal glands fail to secrete their hormones

B3 (Niacin)
This is needed to keep all the body’s cells (including the endocrine glands) in efficient working order.

B6 (Pyridoxine)
Without this vitamin the thyroid cannot utilise its iodine raw material efficiently to make the hormones. This vitamin is needed even more by an overactive thyroid. Muscle weakness is very common in people with an overactive thyroid and who are also lacking in B6.

B12
An underactive thyroid or people with a non-existent thyroid cannot absorb this vitamin. A serious lack of B12 can cause mental illness, various neurological disorders, neuralgia, neuritis and bursitis. Some doctors believe the “normal range” of B12 is too low and that the normal range should be at least 500 – 1,300pg/ml (rather than 200 – 1,100).

VITAMIN C
The thyroid gland needs this vitamin to keep it healthy. Long standing deficiency causes the thyroid gland to secrete too much hormone. People with an over active thyroid need extra vitamin c as this is actually drained from the tissues in their bodies.

VITAMIN D
It has been found that when people with an overactive thyroid take this vitamin, it counteracts the usual rapid excretion of calcium, and osteoporosis can be avoided.

VITAMIN E
Again, lack of this vitamin encourages the thyroid gland to secrete too much hormone, as well as too little TSH by the pituitary gland. A higher intake of this vitamin is often needed by people with an over active thyroid to counteract the large amounts of the vitamin depleted from the system.

CALCIUM
Many of us consume too little calcium in the form of dairy products. This is needed to combat bone loss, especially important in overactive people. Dr. Arem recommends a supplementation of 1000 milligrams of elemental calcium (calcium carbonate) per day.

MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is required for the conversion of T4 into T3 so this mineral should be supplemented. Dr. Magovern tells us that some people lose Magnesium at a great rate through urination. Also it seems that a diet high in refined food and caffeine will encourage magnesium loss.

SELENIUM
This is a crucial component of the enzyme that converts T4 to T3 in the body. Without it, T3 cannot be produced in the right amounts, and organs will function as if they were hypothyroid even though blood levels are normal.

ZINC
Research has shown that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism result in zinc deficiency. It also plays a role in the functioning of the immune system. Low zinc levels have been found in obese people. Zinc is needed to convert T4 into T3, so this mineral is a must.

Dr. Arem devotes some of his book to how we can stay healthy and he recommends the following vitamin supplementation:

Vitamin C: 250-1,000 milligrams.
Vitamin E: 200-800 iu’s.
Beta Carotene and mixed carotenoids: 1,000 – 5,000 iu’s of vitamin A activity.
Selenium: 50-100 mcg.
Zinc: 15-20 milligrams.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 1.5 milligrams.
Niacin: (Vitamin B3): 15 – 20 milligrams.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): 25 – 50 milligrams.
Folic acid: 400-600 mcg.

He recommends that if you are overactive, you should take them even if your levels are high. If you are hypothyroid, he feels it is safer to start taking them when your levels are normal or close to normal. He informs us that if you take iron at the same time as thyroid hormone, it will bind with some of the thyroid hormone and block its absorption. Fibre and calcium carbonate if taken simultaneously with thyroid hormone, may also interfere with absorption of the hormone.

OTHER SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAY HELP
Dr. Briffa states that sometimes the natural approach will help with a sluggish thyroid. He often offers supplements before hormone replacement. He suggests Kelp, Selenium, Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, the amino acids L-tyrosine, L-glutamine and L-glycine. Thyronal is a specific supplement that has been designed to support thyroid activity and contains the correct proportions of all these nutrients. Parsley also contains iodine and may help.

For the underactive thyroid:

Ginseng, Ginko Biloba, Gola Kola are all good for energy and wellbeing, and Damiana and St. John’s Wort are good for depression.
Old Man Banksia: An Australian Bush Flower Remedy for slow moving and sluggish people.
TH207: A combination of herbs, nutrients and enzymes to help nourish the thyroid gland.

For the overactive thyroid:

Leonorus (Motherwort) may help with palpitations and Tachycardia.
Lycopus (Bogleweed) may help palpitations, tightness, breathing and shaking.

Adrenal support:

AD 206 “ This is a combination of herbs, nutrients and enzymes designed to help support the healthy function of the adrenal glands”

These preparations may alter your thyroid function and therefore your blood test readings.

NB: Supplemented iodine (kelp) may interfere with thyroid drugs. If you are on thyroid replacement, consult your doctor or pharmacist before you supplement with iodine. Some natural practitioners have found that, where patients are taking low doses of thyroxine and are still experiencing hypothyroid symptoms – and where there is a reluctance for any reason to increase thyroxine – the addition of iodine can sometimes “bridge the gap” without having to take more of the hormone. Ref: Pharmacy Magazine Nov. 99.

NON DRUG PAIN RELIEF
I have been to see a friend in Wales this week, who had a lot of joint pain. She now uses something called a Medicur Unit. “Medicur is a fully portable system, which when activated, provides pain relief by promoting the natural healing process, including the regeneration of bone and tissue. It works by releasing gentle, electro magnetic emissions, which penetrate deep into the affected areas. Having no leads or complicated settings it fits snugly in the hand allowing the user to take it wherever he or she wishes to travel.”

My friend swears by it now. She said it took a few weeks before she felt some relief, but now she would not be without it. If you are interested contact: Snowden Healthcare, Pedigree House, Ambleside/Radcliffe Road, Gamston, Nottingham, NG2 6NQ. Tel: 0115 914 1144

They also sell self adhesive plasters warn on the skin, containing high purity zinc and copper in a magnetic field to provide pain relief. I have no recommendations for these yet.

If anyone is using either of these products at the moment, please let me know what you think!

NB: I have had a lady contact me to say that she uses the Medicur Unit to help with relaxation and sleep. She uses it on low to help her get some sleep at night.

WHERE TO GET YOUR SUPPLEMENTS

Contact these companies for their catalogues:

Jucy Trading: 43 Selwood Road, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8HW Tel: 01458 830554. Ask for Cynthia. Or e-mail them at cwilliams@mbzonline.net. This company offer 25% Discount on a range of Biocare products. Telephone them and they will send you their brochure.

International Flower Essence Repertoire: The Living Tree, Milland, Nr Liphook, Hants GU30 7JS Tel: 01428 741 572 Fax: 01428 741 679 email: flower@atlas.co.uk.

PharmWest: 520 Washington Blvd., #401 Marina Del Rey CA 90292 USA. UK Freephone: 00800-8923-8923. This company have their base in America but can be contacted in Ireland. You can obtain your DHEA, Pregnenolone and Progesterone Cream from them, among other things. You can purchase direct or on line http://www.pharmwest.com Email: Infodesk@pharmwest.com. Their prices are very competitive.

Nutrimax: The Old Cottage, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6JP. Sales Tel: 01580 831830 Website: http://www.nutrimax.co.uk Email: info@nutrimax.co.uk.

Goldshield Healthcare Direct: FREEPOST SEA4500, PO Box 789, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7ZW tel: 0808 168 0712 (8.00am to 8.00pm, 7 days a week)
email: info@goldshield.co.uk Website: http://www.goldshield.co.uk

The Nutri Centre: The Hale Clinic, 7 Park Crescent, London W!8 1PF Tel: 020 7436 2155 Fax: 020 7436 5171 Website: http://www.nutricentre.com Email: enq@nutricentre.com. The Nutri Centre is located on the lower ground floor of The Hale Clinic.
If you are a Thyroid UK Newsletter Subscriber, don't forget you can get 25% off all your supplements ordered from Nutri Centre. You also don't pay postage and packing. Details will be sent with your first newsletter.
Please Note: Nutri Limited, as mentioned in Dr Peatfield's book, will not send out supplements if you are not a practitioner.

For more information on your supplements:

The Vitamins and Nutrition Center - http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org - is an exellent place to get information about what you are taking already and what you need to take. The Vitamins and Nutrition Center provides accurate information on vitamins and nutrition, research on vitamins and the different effects of vitamin deficiency.