There are two thyroid problems one is hypothyroid and the other is hyperthyroid. Some people have difficulty with the standard medical prescriptions to treat thyroid problems such as Synthroid and Armour.

Beware: Modern medicine treats the symptom and seldom addresses the source. Hormonal thyroid treatment is one such example where instead of looking for the reason the thyroid is not functioning they force feed it hormones. That is like whipping it into compliance. Force feeding is not healing. Many health experts warn to avoid hormone thyroid drugs or supplements. Industry prepared products for thyroid treatment sold in health food stores and on the internet. Most of them are little different than pharmaceuticals containing animal hormones. Such products do not have regulation or acceptable testing and may adversely effect thyroid health. Check the labels carefully. Obtain only single products for the items mentioned in the quoted research such as iodine, selenium. Be sure it does not also contain other products especially hormones.

Another little known fact everyone needs to know is that copper can weaken the thyroid. Most multi vitamin supplements contain copper. see item (12) below. Also see our copper page.

1. General list of symptoms and they vary for hypo or hyper thyroid problems.

• Tired-fatigue-run down • Mental fog •depression • headaches-migrains • dry skin • Sinus infections •post nasal drip •frequent repertory infections •difficulty swallowing •heart palpitations •indigestion, gas •flatulence •constipation •diarrhea •frequent bladder infections

•infertility •reduced libido •sleep disturbances, •visual disturbances • swelling (water retention)-swollen face/eyes • weight gain (can’t seem to lose weight no matter what you do) • cold hands and feet • poor memory-attention deficit • hair loss • hoarseness/raspy voice/scratchy throat • nervousness/anxiety • joint and muscle pain

• burning or tingling sensations in the hands and/or feet • problems with balance and equilibrium (unsteadiness or lack of coordination) • constipation • hypertension/High Blood Pressure • high Cholesterol • menstrual irregularities • infertility • PMS • fibrocystic breast disease • polycystic ovary syndrome • hypoglycemia/low blood sugar

2. "Celiac Disease can cause thyroid problems and deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron are related. "The basis of treatment for celiac disease is adherence to a gluten-free diet, which may eliminate symptoms within a few months. Patients should also be evaluated for osteoporosis, thyroid dysfunction, and deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins, and iron, and treated appropriately. Serum IgA tTG levels typically decrease as patients maintain a gluten-free diet." PMID: 18217518

3. "Deficiencies in Vitamin A and iodine may cause low thyroid function. "Vitamin A (VA) deficiency (VAD) and the iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) affect > 30% of the global population and these deficiencies often coexist in vulnerable groups. VAD has multiple effects on the pituitary-thyroid axis; VA status modulates thyroid gland metabolism, peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormone, and production of thyrotropin (TSH) by the pituitary." PMID: 18214025

4. "Bacteria may cause hyper thyroid problems. "Another type of bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitica, induces an immune response that attacks the thyroid gland and leads to Grave's disease with a serious overproduction of thyroid hormones." http://www.altcancer.com/lugols.htm

5. Deficiencies in Selenium and micronutritiants may also cause problems. PMID: 18039495

6. "Diet supplement of iodine in rats increased T(4) "The BBDR-HPT axis model was successful in simulating perturbations in serum T(4), TSH, and thyroid iodide stores for low-iodide diets of 0.33-1.14 mug/day." PMID: 18178547

7. "Iodine for Health a report to doctors by Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD reviews the importance of iodine. "There is growing evidence that Americans would have better health and a lower incidence of cancer and fibrocystic disease of the breast if they consumed more iodine. A decrease in iodine intake coupled with an increased consumption of competing halogens, fluoride and bromide, has created an epidemic of iodine deficiency in America." Dr Miller's report to doctors

8. The Iodine Group "Iodine is essential for the body and is detected in every organ and tissue. It is found in high levels in the thyroid, breast, liver, lung, heart, and adrenals. Iodine is essential in pregnancy. There is increasing evidence that iodine is related to numerous diseases, including cancer. Various clinicians and researchers have found iodine effective with hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions, goiter, fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, brain fog, constipation, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, and detoxification issues (mercury, perchlorate, fluoride, bromide)." They report that the FDA is reported to recommend about 150 mcg per day I cannot find validation of this. http://iodine4health.com/

9. "The Food and Drug Administration has issued a guidance on the use of potassium iodide (KI) to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer in children and adults in emergencies involving the release of radioactive iodine into the environment. FDA

10. Wikipedia "Human dietary intake The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends 150 micrograms of iodine per day for both men and women.[5] This is necessary for proper production of thyroid hormone.[5] Natural sources of iodine include sea life, such as kelp and certain seafood, as well as plants grown on iodine-rich soil.[6][7] Salt for human consumption is often fortified with iodine and is referred to as iodized salt.[7]...Toxicity of iodine. Excess iodine has symptoms similar to those of iodine deficiency. Commonly encountered symptoms are abnormal growth of the thyroid gland and disorders in functioning and growth of the organism as a whole. Elemental iodine, I2, is a deadly poison if taken in larger amounts; if 2-3 grams of it is consumed, it is fatal to humans. Iodides are similar in toxicity to bromides.Wikipedia (iodine)

12. Nutrition reported to help the thyroid (either hypo or hyper)

Bladderwrack    source Iodine (see 14 & 15 below) Vitamin B12 Selenium Is a necessary compound for nutritional and immune system function) (researchers who use less than 200 mcg are reporting little results from selenium. Those who use over 800 mcg and even up 2,000 are showing positive results. It seems the saturation point is 2,200 mcg per day. Thus amounts below 800 mcg per day do not make a significant improvement. Selenium was the choice for diabetic II treatment of diabetes before insulin was discovered. Selenium is an insulin mimic. There are many new reports claiming selenium causes or harms diabetics. What is unclear is what type they are studying and it is highly probable that they are using the pharmaceutical or mineral version and not the organic version. There is a lot of miss information on selenium giving it a bad wrap. I suggest you read adverse reports carefully and make sure the articles are from reputable labs and that it is the organic selenium. Three versions Organic version (best for the human body) Once the mineral is processed through a living life form it becomes an organic version such as through brewers yeast. Mineral version (toxic) Avoid the mineral version. Pharmaceutical and similar versions are toxic and harmful Cod Liver oil; The amount of cod liver oil it takes to cause toxicity of vita mine A or D3 is less than a person can take or digest. When any toxicity of A or D3 is if they take a concentrate with massive amounts. Cod liver oil neutralizes the toxic affects of both vita mine A and D3. Green Oats   source Vitamin A (note take only "A" from animal such as fish oils which are retinal, Beta Carriatine or Carritoniads. All plant versions are different and have to be converted into the animal version before it can benefit the human body.) Humans need the animal versions which does not have to be converted.) 3 General versions Plant versions (multiple types available) Human and Animal versions (multiple types available) Recommend to only use the retional version Synthetic pharmaceutical versions (multiple types available) Retinal (The best source for retinal is Cod Liver oil.) (can be toxic in high amounts) (The animal version (Retinal) ie Cod liver oil, protects against toxicity the vitamin A version of retinal.) (not the other vita mine A versions.) Fish oils are highest in Omega 3, but lower level of Retinal and Vitamin D3 than cod liver oil. Cod Liver oil; The best source for Re tonal and Vitamin D3 Krill oil Vitamin D. Animal version is comparable to humans and the plant version has to be converted and is much less helpful to humans especially those with health problems. Avoid pharmaceutical versions and that found in health food stores are also typically the plant versions. (can be toxic in high amounts) 3 General versions Plant versions (multiple types available) Human and Animal versions (multiple types available) Vitamin D3 is the least toxic version of the animal version as in cod liver oil. Synthetic pharmaceutical versions (multiple types available Glutathione. Like other free radical scavengers, glutathione offers protection in the body’s process of converting T4 to T3 in the liver and elsewhere.38 N-acetylcysteine is a precursor of glutathione that is well tolerated and assists the optimization of this metabolite. http://www.garynull.com/documents/AreYouTiredLowThyroidPt2.htm Magnesium. This nutrient plays a role in the regulation of energy production and the functioning of the mitochondria—both of which are closely associated with thyroid hormone. The RDA for magnesium is 350 mg, an amount that often is not met by the typical American diet.34 In fact, as the diet includes more processed foods, adults are consuming an average of only 143 to 266 mg per day. Dr. Feldman often prescribes supplemental magnesium at higher doses, depending on a person’s mineral status. http://www.garynull.com/documents/AreYouTiredLowThyroidPt2.htm L-Tyrosine. This amino acid is a building block of the body’s proteins and the foundation of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3.37 http://www.garynull.com/documents/AreYouTiredLowThyroidPt2.htm Zinc. This mineral is an essential enzyme cofactor in metabolic pathways, and it affects the formation of thyroid hormones. In one study, zinc-deficient rats had 30% less concentrations of T3 and free T4.35 Meanwhile, many Americans have a marginal zinc deficiency. The optimal level of zinc supplementation for an individual may exceed 20 mg per day, depending on his or her status. http://www.garynull.com/documents/AreYouTiredLowThyroidPt2.htm Rubidium. This mineral promotes thyroid metabolism, according to anecdotal reports and case studies. The mechanism by which it does so is unknown.36 http://www.garynull.com/documents/AreYouTiredLowThyroidPt2.htm Herbs. Many herbal preparations are available that can aid the thyroid. They include skullcap (herb), parsley (plant) and uva ursi (leaf)" http://www.garynull.com/documents/AreYouTiredLowThyroidPt2.htm Guggulsterone: Commiphora Mukul   Studies have shown that guggulsterone extracts from the Indian herb Commiphora Mukul can increase the concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood. The herb is especially effective in increasing the ratio of the active T3 form of thyroid (triiodothyronine) to T4 (thyroxine). A corresponding and significant decrease in normal liver damage by free radicals was noticed, which is most interesting considering the fact that the liver is the principal site where T4 thyroid is stored and T3 thyroid is generated. Due to the natural increase in thyroid hormone function, and possibly other factors, guggulsterones have been used to treat overweight patients. During those double-blind clinical studies, a significant fall in serum cholesterol was noticed. Thyroid hormone studies with forskolin extract of the Indian herb Commiphora Mukul, have shown increased thyroid production. http://www.vitalearth.org/thyroid_repair.htm Makandi   source DHEA  "Other studies on patients with low thyroid have shown that body DHEA levels are below normal. DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), is a naturally occurring steroid secreted from the adrenal gland. Some researchers believe that supplementation with DHEA might assist in stimulating thyroid production and alleviating symptoms." http://www.vitalearth.org/thyroid_repair.htm This site recommends coconut oil to treat thyroid. http://www.coconutdiet.com/thyroid_health.htm Micronutritiants

13. "It is a well known fact that an excess of one mineral can cause a deficiency in another. A high amount of copper in the body is common to reduced thyroid function. Too much copper can inhibit the function of zinc, which is essential to the thyroid conversion process along with manganese, iodine, iron, and selenium. Fulvic in the diet assists with maintaining proper balance. Fulvic chelates and removes excess copper ( or other minerals or heavy metals), and helps to nourish by supplying safe natural organic plant forms of minerals, in the proper balance as nature intended." http://www.vitalearth.org/thyroid_repair.htm

14. " We might debate about the optimum dosage but we should find quick agreement that iodine is absolutely necessary for a healthy thyroid as well as healthy ovaries, breasts and prostate. Beside the greater risk for breast cancer in iodine deficient women, there is convincing evidence that iodine deficiency increases also the risk of thyroid cancer. These are just a few of the reasons to become interested in iodine. In an age of increasing toxic exposures we all need more not less iodine because it has very specific protective effects against several common poisons like fluoride, bromide, and to a lesser extent it helps eliminate lead and mercury from the body. Dr. Sebastiano Venturi, in Evolution of Dietary Antioxidants: Role of Iodine, makes it clear that iodine is a crucial antioxidant and apoptosis-inductor with anti-tumoral and anti-atherosclerotic activity. When we supplement with iodine we will see increased antioxidant activity [i] and immune system function [ii]. http://www.health-science-spirit.com/iodine.html

15. " Dr. David Derry said, “Lugol's solution is an iodine-in-water solution used by the medical profession for 200 years. One drop (6.5 mg per drop) of Lugol's daily in water, orange juice or milk will gradually eliminate the first phase of the cancer development namely fibrocystic disease of the breast so no new cancers can start. It also will kill abnormal cells floating around in the body at remote sites from the original cancer. Of course this approach appears to work for prostate cancer as prostate cancer is similar to breast cancer in many respects. Indeed, it likely will help with most cancers. Also higher doses of iodine are required for inflammatory breast cancer. As well we know that large doses of intravenous iodine are harmless which makes one wonder what effect this would have on cancer growth...We since have done a study of twelve diabetics and in six cases we were able to wean all of these patients off of medications for their diabetes. The range of daily iodine intake was from 50 mg to 100 mg per day. All diabetic patients were able to lower the total amount of medications necessary to control their diabetes...Iodine plays a crucial role in the body’s elimination system by inducing apoptosis, or what is called programmed cell death, and this is vital because this process is essential to growth and development and for destroying cells that represent a threat to the integrity of the organism, like cancer cells and cells infected with viruses...Everyone agrees that a lack of iodine in the diet causes a spectrum of disorders that includes, in increasing order of severity, goiter and hypothyroidism, mental retardation, and cretinism (severe mental retardation accompanied by physical deformities). Iodine deficient humans, like endemic cretins, suffer physical, neurological, mental, immune and reproductive diseases. Iodine is important in the proper function of the nervous system and Dr. S. Cunnane [xix] suggests that “iodine is the primary brain selective nutrient in human brain evolution.” http://www.health-science-spirit.com/iodine.html