A Journal in Retrospect

H7N9 bird flu: Symptoms, causes, and risks

2017-10-15T10:14:00.003-07:00

Excerpt from Article By Yvette Brazier, Reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, School of Medicine Tue 1 Aug 2017

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272784.php

H7N9 is a type of bird flu. It can pass from birds to humans. A disease that can pass from an animal to a human is called a zoonotic disease. H7N9 rarely passes from one person to another.

Fast facts on H7N9 bird flu:
Here are some key points about the H7N9 bird flu. More detail is in the main article.

H7N9 is a bird flu virus. It does not normally affect humans.
However, the virus has mutated or changed, and it has become able affect some humans.
Humans do not have immunity to new viruses, and this is why a new virus is dangerous.
Early symptoms include a fever, headache, and a cough. Pneumonia can then develop.
Avoiding birds and poultry markets, especially when traveling, can reduce the risk of catching H7N9.

Vitamin D Is More Effective Than Flu Vaccine, Study Says

Excerpt from article by Dr. Mercola

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/02/27/vitamin-d-better-than-flu-vaccine.aspx

February 27, 2017

Mounting research suggests vitamin D deficiency may actually be a major cause of influenza. People with the lowest vitamin D levels report having significantly more colds or cases of the flu.

Scientific review confirms vitamin D optimization boosts immunity and cuts rates of cold and flu. Among people with vitamin D blood levels below 10 ng/mL, taking a supplement cut risk of respiratory infection by 50 percent.

To prevent influenza in one person, 40 people must receive the flu vaccine whereas one case of the flu can be prevented for every 33 people taking vitamin D. If you’re severely vitamin D deficient, vitamin D supplementation is 10 times more effective than the flu vaccine.

If it's very low, you may need 8,000 to 10,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per day in order to reach and maintain a clinically relevant level of 45 to 60 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The only way to know how much you need is to get tested at least once or twice each year.

If you've been supplementing for some time and your levels are still below 45 ng/mL, you then know you have to increase your dose further. If using an oral supplement, also make sure to boost your vitamin K2 and magnesium intake, as these nutrients help optimize vitamin D levels.

By Dr. Mercola

Azodicarbonamide (ADA) Poisoning, or Candida Overgrowth?

2016-06-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Azodicarbonamide Poisoning is being confused with Candida Overgrowth symptoms since there are some similarities. Azodicarbonamide is also known as Carbamoyliminourea, and (E)-carbamoyliminourea.

Are you getting random illness? You think it might be food but can’t be sure?

This is what happens to me when I ingest this stuff, even in small amounts:

1- 5 hours

Unpleasant feeling in the back of the throat, can’t really identify the source.

Coughing or sneezing episodes.

3 - 8 hours

Reflux Acid or GERD like symptoms.

5 - 14 hours

Gas, Bloating, and intestinal noise with IBS like symptoms. Headache that becomes increasingly severe eventually becoming a Migraine Headache, accompanied by severe High Blood Pressure 200/100+.

11 - 24 hours

General Malaise with severe gastric upset. Eating becomes very uncomfortable and there may be a distinct craving for bread or bakery products.

Beyond 24 hours as the cycle intensifies.

Interrupted sleep due to reflux acid episodes. Drinking water activates something that causes severe acid reflux and may cause regurgitation. If left unchecked, I will start smelling exhaust when I exhale and everything seems to makes me sick.

The cravings for bakery products reinforce the whole process and make it more unpleasant as it worsens until you are too sick to do anything.

I find that Baking Soda in warm water, ¼ tsp in ½ tsp water, can help to counter the problem, but it will not stop the effect until the ingestion of Azodicarbonamide stops. It’s very hard to get Azodicarbonamide out of your system once it has made you its home.

I don't know how many people are having negative reactions to Azodicarbonamide, but I suspect a lot of us are. The UK has a $15,000 fine for anyone caught using it in food. In Singapore use can result in up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $450,000.

Our FDA allows it. It's in everything. https://youtu.be/eqJPAb_2Eow a short video showing brands that use the chemical.

Once the reactions to the chemical starts in your body it may take weeks to flush it. If you keep eating bakery products, you keep the reaction going and it gets stronger day by day.

I wonder how many people this stuff has killed without ever being suspected?

2014-04-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

I has been awhile since I wrote anything, so I though I might update my status. After the myriad of health issues I have suffered for most of my life it turns out that most of them were from chronic oxygen deprivation due to excessive bleeding from Colon Polyps that caused Iron deficient anemia. The other part of the problem was B12 and Folate anemia.

I did the genetic test with 23and me.com and then ran the Geneticgenie translation program on the reults, and it turns out I have a lot defective genes dealing with B12 recycling and Folate processing. After discussing this with my Naturopath I am on a vitamin program to address my additional needs for Folate and B12.

The result of this is treatment has been better mental and physical health, and specifically NO chronic depression! I don't get physically tired as easily, or mentally fatigued which has caused me to be short tempered in the past. I've been pretty happy with a very good outlook on my life.

It's been about a year since I went on the full dose of Folate and I have to say the changes in my life have been impressive!

Anyone struggling with health should consider taking the genetic test to evaluate your methylation cycles. Then see someone who practices functional medicine to help interpret the results and suggest a course of action. Your best bet may be to look at naturopathy, functional medicine, or holistic medicine practitioners who can advise you on how to use the result of this breakthrough technology to your own advantage!

Good Luck!

Head Lice, Scabies, Crab Lice and other arthropod infestations

2012-12-14T20:18:00.001-08:00

This blog is a little out of character for me. I usually talk about adult medical issues particularly fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and thyroid issues.

So, the other day I was at the pharmacy to pick up something and I overheard a distraught mother begging the pharmacist for something to get rid of her daughters head lice. She had tried it all! I couldn’t help myself because I know for a fact that Ivermectin (drug name) is approved for head lice and it’s been approved for humans for that purpose since 1996.

I spoke up. The pharmacist responded, “ well it’s really expensive.” I said how can that be? I can dose a 1,200 lb horse for $4.

So here’s the deal, why is this drug not in the PDR, not offered for the treatment of head lice to parents of distraught children, and so expensive that the pharmacist recommended against it? I don’t know!

The dose rate for Humans and Horses is the same. 200 mcg per Kilogram usually represented this way. 0.02 mg/Kg. It has been used in veterinary medicine since the 80’s in several forms, injectable, oral, and drench (liquid preparation applied externally). It has been given to millions of people worldwide, but you can’t get it in the country that developed it for your own kids. Why?

It has already been superceded 3 times in veterinary medicine. Ivermectin belongs to a drug family known as the Avermectins and there are several newer preparations in use currently. We are up to the 4th generation, Selamectin, now. Moxidectin and Doramectin came previously after Ivermectin. So, you see it is NOT a new drug! Why would it be so expensive as an older drug way past any drug trials? It’s already been used on hundreds of millions of people worldwide with no adverse effects. What’s really going on here?

“Ivermectin, under the brand name Mectizan, is currently being used to help eliminate river blindness (onchocerciasis) in the Americas, and to stop transmission of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis around the world. Currently, large amounts of ivermectin are donated by Merck to fight river blindness in countries unable to afford the drug. The disease is endemic in 30 African countries, six Latin American countries, and Yemen, according to studies conducted by the World Health Organization. The drug rapidly kills microfilariae, but not the adult worms. A single oral dose of ivermectin, taken annually for the 10- to 15-year lifespan of the adult worms, is all that is needed to protect the individual from onchocerciasis.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin

“This drug (ivermectin) was released for human use in the US in 1996, for onchocerciasis. It is taken orally, at a dose of 0.02mg/kg, or two-6mg tablets for a 60kg person. It does not protect against reinfestation, though, so may require a follow-up course of treatment. Merck, who developed ivermectin, has donated over a million doses for the treatment of onchocerciasis in Africa. This eradication program occurred without significant side effects.” http://www.skintherapyletter.com/2000/5.1/1.html

“Another alternative is ivermectin. This drug binds selectively to specific receptors of neurotransmitters that function in the peripheral motor system of invertebrates. Ivermectin is FDA approved for treatment of strongyloidiasis (worm) and onchocerciasis (nematode, a kind of worm). There are numerous articles on its use for scabies, but a dearth of information in its use for head lice. Oral ivermectin exerts its insecticidal effects only on lice that are feeding from their hosts. Because the plasma half life of oral ivermectin is 16 hours, a second dose on day 8 is recommended in order to kill nymphs that hatch after the initial dose, before they become fertile. Ivermectin at 200 micrograms per kg given on days 1 and 8 appears to be very effective treatment for pediculosis capitis. There is concern about using this drug in patients who weigh less than 15 kg, or those who are pregnant or breast-feeding.”
http://dermatology-s10.cdlib.org/126/reviews/lice/burkhart.html

The next quote is from a New England Journal of Medicine in an article on a drug trial of Ivermectin VS Malathion. This trial in my opinion is of a drug VS a pesticide.

“CONCLUSIONS
For difficult-to-treat head-lice infestation, oral ivermectin, given twice at a 7-day interval, had superior efficacy as compared with topical 0.5% malathion lotion, a finding that suggests that it could be an alternative treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00819520.)”
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0905471

Another interesting fact. Ivermectin is in your system for about 14 days so it does somewhat protect against reinfestation. However, to be sure about achieving no reinfestation there are several recommendation about taking more later. What they didn’t mention is that the plasma half life for Ivermectin is relatively long and it remains fairly high. It reaches peak plasma levels quickly and then drops to about half that, and stays there fairly stable and dropping slowly for up to three weeks. So, I like to give it again 10 days later. In my opinion that gives the widest range of protection against reinfestation and protects against toxicity build up. Any drug can be dangerous in high doses and just because it may be safe for some people to go to a higher blood plasma level, it may not be safe for everyone. Definitely follow the instructions of your healthcare provider, I am not a healthcare practitioner, just an animal observer.

My opinions are my own and should not be consider as medical advice. Follow your medical providers directions.

Folic Acid is POISON -- it is NOT the same as Folate!!

2012-12-09T06:56:00.004-08:00

DO NOT take multivitamins

that contain folic acid.

and

If you are pregnant,

DO NOT take prenatal vitamins

that contain folic acid!

Folic acid supplementation is dangerous – especially for pregnant women!

Lots more info here including links to many kinds of cancer including prostate:
http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/folic_acid_dangers_and_prenatal_vitamins.aspx

Folic acid is POISON to the body!

Folic acid is being looked at as the real reason for the many brain disorders such Autism. Many mental disorders, and ADD are increasing since it first became widely used.

Therefore, do NOT take things like B complex, B-100, or B-50 that contain folic acid! Please pass this along to anyone concerned or struggling with their health. We all know someone who is.   It is mind blowing! Start looking for folic acid that has been added to your food. This stuff is really dangerous to your health! I thought we were told it was good for us?

What is folic acid?
Folic (FOH-lik) acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body make healthy new cells "Folic acid" and "folate" mean the same thing. Folic acid is a manmade form of folate. Folate is found naturally in some foods. Most women do not get all the folic acid they need through food alone.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/folic-acid.cfm

Don’t believe for a microsecond that they are the same!

Did you know you were being given synthetic vitamins instead of the real thing? That they were pretty much force feeding it to pregnant women! Folic acid is NOT the same as real vitamin B9, known as Folate.   Now, they are talking about giving (folic acid) to everybody in the country: “Fortifying all flour with folic acid is potentially a national health disaster. Folic acid is the synthetic version of the B vitamin folate. But although it's vital (Folate not folic acid) for health, it (folic acid is dangerous to our health and it) has a dark side.
Giving extra amounts to everyone in the country? whether they need it or not? could lead to more than 3,000 new cases of colon cancer, a rise in prostate cancer and put as many as 150,000 elderly people at risk of anaemia and memory problems.”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-484229/Adding-folic-acid-diets-recipe-disaster.html#ixzz2EUPmoVKx

Folic acid is a form of the water-soluble vitamin B9. Folic acid is itself not biologically active, but its biological importance is due to tetrahydrofolate and other derivatives after (until) its conversion to dihydrofolic acid in the liver. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folic_acid

What about people who can’t convert a synthetic vitamin to a real one? What about the dangers of taking a synthetic version of a natural vitamin? What about the fact that it blocks the real vitamins from doing their job?

If you take Synthroid/levothyroxine this may sound all too familiar!

We know levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid which must also be converted by the Liver) doesn’t work for most people and causes more harm than good, so what do you think the chances are of this working? The real question is “Who came up with this and why?”

“Posted
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Last year I warned about the dangers of folic acid fortification and cancer. Today’s study in the Journal of the American Medical Association supports this concern.
The issue is that folic acid is known to prevent healthy cells from becoming pre-cancerous, but may encourage the growth of pre-cancerous cells. Therefore, while the intention of preventing spina bifida by fortifying foods with folic acid is laudable, many eminent scientists predicted that it would increase the risk of cancer, and especially colo-rectal cancer, since a number of older people will have precancerous cells in the colon, then exposed to more folic acid.
Today’s study in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed up a group of Norwegian people with cardiovascular disease, given either folic acid (800mcg) with B12 and some with B6 versus placebo over 6 years. Norway hasn’t fortified food so this is a good population to study. They found that 10% of those receiving folic acid were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 8.4%. That is a relative increased risk of 24% although an absolute increased risk of 1.6%. The relative risk of dying from cancer was 38% higher in those taking folic acid and the absolute increase in risk was 1.1%. These are not great increases but they were statistically significant.” See more here: http://www.patrickholford.com/index.php/blog/blogarticle/578/

Maternal periconceptional folic acid intake and risk of autism spectrum disorders and developmental delay in the CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment) case-control study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22648721

Keep in mind when you see case studies involving Folic acid and natural Folate they are typically being considered as the same thing, when they are NOT the same thing!

There are a dozen or more studies being done to see if folic acid is the primary cause of Autism. Folic acid will bind to all the Folate receptors, thereby blocking any natural Folate you might ingest, but it will not complete the process necessary to be chemically effective to do its intended biological function.   Instead it simply gums up the whole process.

“For over a decade, folic acid (FA) supplementation has been widely prescribed to pregnant women to prevent neural tube closure defects in newborns. Although neural tube closure occurs within the first trimester, high doses of FA are given throughout pregnancy, the physiological consequences of which are unknown.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21867686

If you have increased need for Folate, and many people these days do or if you are pregnant or the chances of pregancy are increased, the right kind of Folate is L-Methylfolate. Stay far away from the synthetic form, folic acid, and get it out of your vitamin cabinet and your diet!

If you are struggling with a lot of health issues, then Folate deficiency may BE the primary cause, because of a genetic mutation of a genetic process known as MTHFR. People with this mutation have to take high doses of the right kind of Folate, as much as 10 to 20 mg. These are prescription doses.

Since MTHFR affects methylation, a process that affects every cell of the body, and having only one defective allele can still affect you, it’s a good idea to have it checked out. It is estimated that at least 50% if the US population has at least one allele. See someone who knows how to treat MTHFR. It will absolutely change your life for the better! So far, only Naturopathic Doctors seem to know about it at this point. So, call around.

Why were we given, and in-fact near force fed, synthetic vitamins while pregnant?

Terri

MTHFR gene mutation and Hypothyroidism

2012-11-21T04:08:00.000-08:00

I have been searching for answers to the mystery of Type 2 Hypothyroidism and finally found out about the MTHFR gene, short for Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, from my new Naturopath. Look at the list of symptoms and see how many you have. This list is not complete by any means and Dr Ben works on it all the time.

MTHFR Mutations and the Conditions They Cause
http://mthfr.net/mthfr-mutations-and-the-conditions-they-cause/2011/09/07/
Updated: November 16, 2012

Autism
Addictions: smoking, drugs, alcohol
Down’s syndrome
Miscarriages
Pulmonary embolisms
Depression in Post-Menopausal Women
Schizophrenia
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chemical Sensitivity
Parkinson’s
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Pre-eclampsia
Stroke
Spina bifida
Esophageal Squamous cell carcinoma
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Vascular Dementia
Bipolar disorder
Colorectal Adenoma
Idiopathic male infertility
Blood clots
Rectal cancer
Meningioma
Glioma
Congenital Heart Defects
Infant depression via epigenetic processes caused by maternal depression
Deficits in childhood cognitive development
Gastric Cancer
Migraines with aura
Low HDL
High homocysteine
Post-menopausal breast cancer
Atherosclerosis
Oral Clefts
Type 1 Diabetes
Epilepsy
Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma
Alzheimer’s
Tetralogy of Fallot
Decreased telomere length
Potential drug toxicities: methotrexate, anti-epileptics
Cervical dysplasia
Increased bone fracture risk in post-menopausal women
Multiple Sclerosis
Essential Hypertension
Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Prostate Cancer
Premature Death
Placental Abruption
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Methotrexate Toxicity
Nitrous Oxide Toxicity
Heart Murmurs
Tight Anal Sphincters
Tongue Tie
Midline Defects (many are listed above)
Behcet’s Disease
Ischemic Stroke in Children
Unexplained Neurologic Disease
Asthma
Shortness of Breath

“I believe the MTHFR gene mutation is a highly significant public health problem that is completely ignored. Yet, millions are suffering from pulmonary embolisms, addictions, fibromyalgia, miscarriages, schizophrenia, severe depression, cancer and autism to name a few.

What do these conditions have in common?

They all may be linked to a MTHFR gene mutation in the individual expressing these symptoms and health conditions.” Dr. Ben Lynch http://mthfr.net/

“What does the MTHFR gene do?
The MTHFR gene codes the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme reduces b9 (folate in natural form or folic acid in supplemental form) into 5-MTHF. 5-MTHF interacts with homocysteine and methionine to produce SAMe. SAMe is a critical methyl donor crucial to the body's detoxification. Also, because SAMe is created from homocysteine, it automatically reduces homocysteine levels.
What it is: What happens when the mthfr mutation occurs?
When a person has a damaged MTHFR gene, that gene has reduced ability to process folate. This is usually not a severe problem with just one damaged copy, although there is emerging research that may prove otherwise. Having two damaged copies, however, can result in severe folate deficiency.”
http://www.squidoo.com/mthfr-gene-mutation-what-is-it-and-why-you-should-care
“What does the MTHFR mutation do? Having a MTHFR mutation means that the enzyme that converts folic acid into its activated form (5-MTHF) acts in a sluggish manner. Having two defects at the same point makes it more sluggish than just having one. As taught in basic chemistry, enzymes are the “rate limiting factor” to any biochemical reaction. Thus when an enzyme is sluggish, the biochemical reaction that relies upon it occurs slower than it should. When one pathway is working slower than others, the other pathways that depend upon it either back up or find a detour to shunt their excess product. Similar to what you may see on a highway, detour pathways are usually not as efficient, using more energy (ATP), and are prone to back ups, often causing new problems to be managed.

The MTHFR enzyme metabolizes folic acid into 5-MTHF, needed to combine with homocysteine to break it down and to facilitate methylation processes in the body. Thus, what is often seen with MTHFR mutations are: elevated homocysteine levels and defective methylation.* High homocysteine is associated with increased heart disease risk, strokes and blood clots. When the MTHFR mutation is correctly supported through vitamin supplementation (nutritionally bypassing the mutated enzyme and redirecting the pathway with B12 and sometimes P5P), homocysteine levels decrease, often quickly and dramatically, and patients see results clinically.

Methylation is required for many processes in the body, from breaking down histamine, serotonin and dopamine to turning DNA on and off. Consequently, having a defective methylation capability is associated with psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar, as well as autoimmunity disorders, ADD, autism, spina bifida, Down’s syndrome, miscarriages, and cancer. Defective methylation can come from not having the 5-MTHF or not having enough B12, so the disorders and symptoms associated with the MTHFR mutations often overlap with those due to B12 deficiency. Many may simultaneously have deficiencies in both. As B12 helps to redirect the detour to the more efficient pathway, I always recommend that my patients with MTHFR mutations take both 5-MTHF and B12.

I find that knowing your MTHFR status is far more empowering than it is scary. Rather than keeping your head in the sand, it allows you to provide your body with what it needs to function most efficiently and hopefully prevent disease. Finding that you have a mutation, or even two, also encourages you to get your other family members tested. Parents and siblings may likely also carry this mutation and often benefit greatly from the additional knowledge and support.”
http://healingthewholechild.com/2012/03/01/mthfr-mutations/

“If we can prevent the turning on of the MTHFR gene mutation in unborn infants, how huge would that be? MASSIVE.

If we can reduce mental illness, addictions, cancer and cardiovascular disease related deaths, how huge would that be? MASSIVE.

If we can get MTHFR mutations on the map and get standardized medicine to begin screening for it, we can truly make a difference. The lab test to determine which MTHFR mutations are present is only about $150.00. That is nothing.” Dr. Ben Lynch http://mthfr.net/

Allopathic or Alternative? My opinion of these two medical systems.

2012-09-03T03:46:00.001-07:00

“What is Alternative Medicine”? If you ask your corner MD, or doc in the box, this question he or she will roll their eyes and tell you it is hocus pocus, not real medicine, dangerous, kooky, harmful and ineffective, and it will do nothing to help you because it is a waste of time.

So, what is Alternative medicine? Well to start with we have to identify what conventional medicine is called, so we have a level field. Conventional medicine has a name too, it is called “Allopathic Medicine,” “Alternative Medicine” is NOT Allopathic medicine, therefore it is an Alternative to Allopathic medicine.

Lets talk a little about Allopathic medicine now that we know its name. Allopathic medicine is the type of medicine your conventional family doctor or general practitioner follows. It’s the type of medicine practiced by hospitals, nursing homes, counselors or family psychologists, medical specialists in any field of medicine, HMO’s, dieticians, rehabilitation specialists, pain specialists, nursing staff, and pretty much everyone you see is in “Conventional” medicine is practicing Allopathic medicine.

Allopathic medicine functions under the rules of statistics, flowcharts, diagnostic laboratory tests, blind and double blind trials. Allopathic medicine analyzes all the small parts of the body individually as if they were separate pieces that function alone, and it treats each part individually. Allopathic medicine is unable to respond to a constellation of symptoms because every symptom is seen as a separate problem to be treated with a barrage of individual pharmaceutical drugs and conventional therapies. Allopathic medicine does not consider the energy systems of the body at all in treatment because they don’t believe in them, despite the fact that the current understanding of our Universe is that everything in it is made of only energy. Allopathic medicine only uses pharmaceutical drugs for therapy, never natural preparations. Allopathic medicine is medicine run for the benefit of pharmaceutical companies and other entities that PROFIT from illness. In this type of medicine only profit matters. When no more money can be made on you because you are dead, there is always someone to replace you. Your allopathic physician is usually completely unaware that he or she is getting limited information designed to sell you drugs, not make you well. They have been lied to all the way through medical school.

Alternative medicine is practiced with the understanding that the whole is not simply the sum of its parts, but rather a product of the combination of everything that affects it. Alternative medicine is not limited to information such as that obtained from statistics, flowcharts, and diagnostic laboratory tests because these things cannot analyze an integrated living organism effectively. Alternative medicine is an integrative approach to medicine where problems are solved by treating the whole body. Diagnosis is based on symptoms. Investigation of symptoms is conducted with the understanding that bodily functions are closely related to one another and can seriously impact one another. Treatments are formulated to respond to the whole constellation of symptoms. Alternative medicine can include traditional “Eastern Medicine” where the energy channels of the body are analyzed, and manipulation of these energy channels is included in an integrated treatment plan. Alternative medicine can use natural herbs as well as conventional drugs for therapy. In Alternative medicine your overall health is the most important thing.

Unfortunately, for Allopathic medicine, more and more people are figuring out the truth. The truth is that in Allopathic medicine all of the medical reference material is directly written or indirectly influenced by Pharmaceutical companies who pervert the truth just a little to greatly improve their profits, which unfortunately negatively affects your health if it doesn’t kill you outright.

There are alternative healthy approaches to treating and curing all chronic diseases and ailments today, including Cancer, and they work! The Alternative treatments that are available always involve intelligent choices of foods and medicines, and lifestyle changes as well as a personal attitude adjustment. The reason the treatments work is because you adjust your life to include good organically grown food and plant based medicines that are good for you. You exclude processed food in any form and exercise regularly. You try to live like people did before the golden age of “Living Better with Chemistry” came along. A time when there were no magic glowing rainbow pills, or magic beams of golden radiation, a time when Cancer was mostly unheard of.

Curing epidemic outbreaks of Tuberculosis, Smallpox, Typhus and other infectious disease with antibiotics has caused a whole new population to appear that survived those outbreaks, but these survivors are still susceptible to the chronic diseases that came to replace the legacy of infectious diseases. Nothing has really changed except this; conventional medicine has become hugely profit motivated, so the ones who stand to gain the most money from your illness will milk every system they can for all the money they can get before letting you die. The drug treatments rarely work for the long run. However, lifestyle changes tend to work when combined with real nutrition and holistic medicine and there is a mountain of evidence to prove it!

One of my favorite sources of good information on the web is Dr. Mercola’s website. He has had quite a lot of discussions about allopathic medicine vs. alternative medicine and he advocates that our nation's health care systems should include alternative medicine and treatments. Here is a link to Dr. Mercola’s website and an article titled “How the American Medical Association (AMA) got rich.” Dr. Mercola says “the people behind the AMA were not about protecting your health; they were interested in gaining power and getting rich.” See more here: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/05/03/how-the-american-medical-association-got-rich.aspx

There is a movie called “Dying to Have Known” by filmmaker Steve Kroschel that anyone struggling with any health issues especially Cancer should watch. The movie is about the Gerson Therapy, an alternative, non-toxic treatment for cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases. The Gerson method of Cancer treatment is not available in this country thanks to the AMA. Click on the movie title to go to the full length documentary on the web. Do not start the Gerson Therapy without referring to Charlotte Gerson’s book, Healing the Gerson Way, or without the supervision of a Gerson doctor. Gerson Therapy full website: http://gerson.org/gerpress/the-gerson-therapy/

Iodine -- Why is it so important?

2012-08-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

Iodine:
Iodine is a chemical element with symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is from Greek ἰοειδής ioeidēs, meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor. ~ definition from Wikipedia

"Iodine, a non-metallic trace element, is required by humans for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is an important health problem throughout much of the world. Most of the earth's iodine is found in oceans, and iodine content in the soil varies with region. The older an exposed soil surface, the more likely the iodine has been leached away by erosion. Mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Alps, and flooded river valleys, such as the Ganges, are among the most severely iodine-deficient areas in the world (1).

Fetal iodine deficiency is caused by iodine deficiency in the mother. One of the most devastating effects of maternal iodine deficiency is congenital hypothyroidism. A severe form of congenital hypothyroidism may lead to a condition that is sometimes referred to as cretinism and result in irreversible mental retardation. Cretinism occurs in two forms, although there is considerable overlap between them. The neurologic form is characterized by mental and physical retardation and deafness and is the result of maternal iodine deficiency that affects the fetus before its own thyroid is functional. The myxedematous or hypothyroid form is characterized by short stature and mental retardation. In addition to iodine deficiency, the hypothyroid form has been associated with selenium deficiency (see Nutrient Interactions) and with the presence of goitrogens in the diet that interfere with thyroid hormone production (see Goitrogens) (8)." see more about iodine and it’s effect on human health here: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/

Thyroid hormones are a means to transport essential Iodine to all cells of your body. Thyroid Hormones are made by the thyroid gland and are called: T4, T3, T2, T1, and Calcitonin. T4 contains 4 Iodine atoms, T3 contains 3 Iodine atoms , T2 contains 2 Iodine atoms, and T1 contains 1 Iodine atom. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone, it helps regulate calcium levels in your body and is involved in the process of bone building. The thyroid gland and Liver conversion process also produce Reverse T3 (RT3) to regulate T3 uptake. The ratio of RT3 to T3 is about 60:40. Thyroid hormone T3 is the active hormone in metabolism regulation. The storage hormone T4 (thyroxine) is converted to the usable hormone T3 (triiodothyronine) in the liver. The other hormones--T2, T1 and Calcitonin--help regulate the effects of T3 on the body.

Here is what Dr. Jarvis has to say about the Halogen's, one of which is Bromine, and their effect on displacing Iodine in the body: (In Chemistry) "There is a well-known law of halogen displacement. The halogen group is made up as follows:
Halogen’s     Relative Atomic Weight (found primarily in)
Fluorine                  19.            (drinking water and dental products)
Chlorine                  35.5                  (drinking water)
Bromine                  80.                    (agricultural pesticides)
Iodine                   127.                    (Kelp and Sea Salt)
The critical activity of any one of these four halogens is in inverse proportion to its atomic weight. This means that any one of the four can displace the element with a higher atomic weight, but cannot displace an element with a lower atomic weight. For example, fluorine can displace chlorine, bromine and iodine because fluorine has a lower atomic weight than the other three. Similarly, chlorine can displace bromine and iodine because they both have a higher atomic weight. Likewise, bromine can displace iodine from the body because iodine has a higher atomic weight. But a reverse order is not possible. A knowledge of this well-known chemical law brings us to a consideration of the addition of chlorine to our drinking water as a purifying agent. We secure a drinking water that is harmful to the body not because of its harmful germ content but because the chlorine content now causes the body to lose the much-needed iodine."
http://www.jcrows.com/hypothyroidism.html

Good health is dependent on Iodine bioavailability. The body is very good at conserving and recycling Iodine. The recent decline in the use of Iodized salt and intake of foods containing Iodine has lead to increased hypothyroidism and resurgence in the development of Goiters, a problem that was once thought solved.

Excessive Iodine use by someone who has already begun developing a Goiter due to Iodine deficiency can cause hyperthyroidism.

Iodine: The Anticancer Agent
Iodine contains many cancer-fighting and cancer-preventing properties.

For one thing, iodine has been shown to cause apoptosis (or cell death) in breast and thyroid cancer cells.

Plus, iodine functions as both a strong antioxidant as well as an oxidant in the body. This dual effect makes it a strong anticancer agent.

Iodine can cause tumors to shrink and die from the center out.
see more here: http://w3.newsmax.com/newsletters/brownstein/iodine4.cfm

What happened to all those children who were saved by modern antibiotics?

2012-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

We know that around the turn of the Century infant mortality was high. It was 50% in the US and higher in other countries.

We cheated Mother Nature's “Survival of the Fittest” protocol with the discovery of antibiotics, but to what end? What happened to the population we started saving with antibiotics? What happened to the infants and young children that were rescued from diseases and infections that would normally have killed them? After several generations of saving people who would not have survived childhood without intervention, how do they fare as adults?

According to several researchers those (weak) individuals were mostly born with genetic defects in their mitochondria. “Mitochondria are the energy factories that convert the food we eat into the chemical currency that our bodies use to function. Mitochondria are responsible for 90% of the production of energy that our tissues, organs, and bodies require for metabolism. The Textbook of Physiology, states, “It seems almost to be an obvious deduction that the principal function of thyroxine (thyroid hormone) might be simply to increase the number and activity of mitochondria.” ” (1)(55)

“Mitochondrial mutations appear to be largely responsible for metabolic defects at the cellular level, which results in a hypothyroid like condition. Modern thyroid blood tests do not detect this because thyroid hormones levels may be normal, but they are not high enough to stimulate the genetically defective mitochondria into normal activity. The increased basal temperature that results from administering desiccated thyroid is a direct result of enhanced mitochondrial activity.” (1)(59)

The trait for mitochondria is passed from the mother (only) through special DNA that is separate from the 46 chromosomes that dictate humans inherited traits. The father contributes nothing to the inheritance of mitochondria.

Dr. Mark Starr calls the multiple hypothyroid like symptoms resulting from this mitochondrial defect “Type 2 Hypothyroidism.” Type 2 Hypothyroidism therefore cannot be determined by standard Thyroid blood tests since the problem is not hormone related. People with Type 2 Hypothyroidism typically have normal Thyroid blood tests. The term used to refer to defective mitochondria has been “Thyroid Hormone Resistance,” but the name “Type 2 Hypothyroidism” seems to fit this condition a little better.

It seems the average doctor is not equipped to deal with Type 2 Hypothyroidism. They have been wrongly told that all “Thyroid Hormone Resistance” is rare, and always results from a bad gene that occurs in 1 in 50,000 live births. “Usually dominantly inherited, RTH is associated with diverse, heterozygous THRB gene mutations impairing hormone binding and/or transcriptional activity of receptors (3–5).” (2) This information comes from statistics collected in the 1960’s and refers only to “General” Thyroid Hormone Resistance where the Pituitary Gland is resistant to thyroid hormones and Thyroid blood tests show a High TSH reading. In “Peripheral” tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance the Pituitary Gland is NOT involved and reacts normally to Thyroid Hormones, so Thyroid blood tests will show normal TSH with normal levels of all Thyroid Hormones. “Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance” is the type of Tissue Resistant Hypothyroidism that Dr. Starr is talking about that presents as “Type 2 Hypothyroidism” where all blood tests are normal. It is NOT rare! Current estimates indicate that at least half the population has it because it is always inherited through the mother.

Remember that 50% mortality at the turn of the Century? Several generations of those saved 50%, and many more saved accumulated annually, have now reproduced this trait consistently for the last 60 years! These people now make up the majority of our population that suffer from Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Obesity, Chronic Fatigue, Fertility and Reproductive Problems, Skin Disorders, Liver disease, Gastrointestinal disorders including IBS and Constipation, Fibromyalgia and other Pain disorders, Sleep disorders, Depression and assorted Mental Illness’. Defective mitochondria cause massive problems at the cellular level!

(1) Starr, Mark. Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic. 4th printing. Published by Mark Starr Trust; 2010
(2) Multiple Authors, American Society for Clinical Investigation, Published in Volume 120, Issue 4, (April 1, 2010);120(4):1345–1354. doi:10.1172/JCI38793
Retrieved from: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/38793

Women-- Just Say No to Statin Drugs

2012-06-28T06:56:00.001-07:00

Cholesterol Lowering Statin Drugs for Women

Just Say No to Statin Drugs

by Jeffrey Dach MD

"The reality is that there is no mortality benefit from lowering cholersterol with statin drugs: Both lines on the mortality chart below are superimposed meaning the number of deaths in the statin drug group was identical to the number of deaths in the placebo group. Chart Courtesy of (Eddie Vos).

Just say NO When Your Doctor Prescribes a Statin Drug.

The truth is that NO woman should ever be given Lipitor or any other statin drug for elevated cholesterol. Dr. Rose says, "There are no statin trials with even the slightest hint of a mortality benefit in women and women should be told so". (5). In other words, statin drugs don’t work for women.

No Female Should Ever Take A Statin Drug

Let me repeat that so this is very clear: No female should ever take a statin drug to lower cholesterol for primary prevention of heart disease. They don’t work for women. Women who take Lipitor or any other statin drug to lower cholesterol do not live any longer than women who don’t take the drug. There is no benefit in terms of prolonging your life for women.

Adverse Side Effects of Statin Drugs:

On the other hand, there are plenty of adverse side effects which include muscle pain, cognitive impairment, neuropathy, congestive heart failure, transient global amnesia, dementia, cancer and erectile dysfunction (impotence).Read about Statin Drug adverse side effects on this message board and this message board. The side effects are thought to be caused by Co-Enzyme Q10 depletion.

Are you still not convinced that women should NOT take Statin Drugs? Don’t take my word for it. Take the word of Judith Walsh MD who wrote this in JAMA, 4 years ago in an article entitled, Treatment of Hyperlipidemia in Women: "For women without cardiovascular disease, lipid lowering does not affect total or CHD (Cardiovascular Heart Disease) mortality. Lipid lowering may reduce CHD events, but current evidence is insufficient to determine this conclusively. For women with known cardiovascular disease, treatment of hyperlipidemia is effective in reducing CHD events, CHD mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization, but it does not affect total mortality."(8)

Translation: Cholesterol lowering with statin drugs does not reduce total mortality in women, PERIOD. It doesn’t reduce mortality in women without heart disease, called primary prevention. It doesn’t reduce mortality in women with heart disease, called secondary prevention."

See more at:

http://jeffreydach.com/2008/01/27/cholesterol-lowering-statin-drugs-for-women-just-say-no-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx

Dr. Mark Starr quotes Dr. Broda O. Barnes work in his book "Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic

2012-06-26T09:08:00.001-07:00

“Dr. Barnes presented his research on the coexistence of diabetes and hypothyroidism at a 1971 American Medical Association meeting.”

“He also met with prominent doctors…”

“Unfortunately, he found no sympathetic ears, despite the wealth of evidence he had gathered from the autopsies, his own patients, and Dr. Eaton’s report.”

“In my opinion, every diabetic patient seen in my practice has suffered hypothyroidism.”

http://fatnews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/4154

Contact Information

Dr. Starr’s Contact Information

Here is contact information for Dr. Starr.

Mark Starr, MD
21st Century Pain & Sports Medicine
10565 N. Tatum Blvd Suite B-115
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(480) 607-6503
(480) 607-6533 fax
http://21centurymed.com
http://type2hypothyroidism.com

Type 2 Hypothyroidism, my search for help

2012-06-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well so far no luck in finding someone to treat me for my Peripheral (tissue) Thyroid Hormone Resistance. Pac Med failed to have someone who has even heard of it and the Poly Clinic had someone who has heard of it but has no idea how to manage, or diagnose it. The UW is pretending it doesn’t exist. Probably because they receive lots of money for Drug research from pharmaceutical companies. http://sop.washington.edu/porpp

Thyroid Hormone Resistance is called Type 2 Hypothyroidism and it is claimed to be an untreated epidemic in the US.

"blood tests do not detect Type 2 hypothyroidism." "The pervasiveness of Type 2 hypothyroidism has yet to be recognized by mainstream medicine but is already in epidemic proportions."
http://www.type2hypothyroidism.com/Type1VsType2.html

Thyroid hormones transport essential Iodine to all cells of your body (called Iodine uptake). Thyroid Hormones are made by the thyroid gland and are called: T4, T3, T2, T1, and calcitonin. The thyroid gland also produces Reverse T3 (RT3) to regulate T3 uptake. The ratio of RT3 to T3 is about 60:40. Thyroid hormone T3 is the active hormone in metabolism regulation. The storage hormone T4 is converted to the usable hormone T3 in the liver. The other hormones--T2, T1 and Calcitonin--help regulate the effects of T3 on the body.

Here is what Dr. Jarvis has to say about the Halogen's, one of which is Bromine, and their effect on displacing Iodine in the body: "There is a well-known law of halogen displacement. The halogen group is made up as follows:
Halogen’s     Relative Atomic Weight (found primarily in)
Fluorine                   19.                 (drinking water and dental products)
Chlorine                  35.5             (drinking water)
Bromine                   80.              (agricultural pesticides)
Iodine                    127.               (Kelp and Sea Salt)
The critical activity of any one of these four halogens is in inverse proportion to its atomic weight. This means that any one of the four can displace the element with a higher atomic weight, but cannot displace an element with a lower atomic weight. For example, fluorine can displace chlorine, bromine and iodine because fluorine has a lower atomic weight than the other three. Similarly, chlorine can displace bromine and iodine because they both have a higher atomic weight. Likewise, bromine can displace iodine from the body because iodine has a higher atomic weight. But a reverse order is not possible. A knowledge of this well-known chemical law brings us to a consideration of the addition of chlorine to our drinking water as a purifying agent. We secure a drinking water that is harmful to the body not because of its harmful germ content but because the chlorine content now causes the body to lose the much-needed iodine."
http://www.jcrows.com/hypothyroidism.html

US Gov medical site: "A metabolic basis for fibromyalgia and its related disorders: the possible role of resistance to thyroid hormone."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12888300

"Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism and the Theories of Dr. John Lowe"
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/fibromyalgiacfs/a/drlowe.htm

"In some patients, the inadequate tissue regulation by thyroid hormone results from cellular resistance to thyroid hormone. In others, the inadequate regulation results from a thyroid hormone deficiency. So, when I refer to fibromyalgia, I'm referring to a certain set of symptoms and signs of too little thyroid hormone regulation of tissues."
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/drlowefms.htm

"Some experts believe that like most cases of hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia is also autoimmune in nature. Others believe that fibromyalgia may be one manifestation of an underactive metabolism – hypometabolism – and is therefore one variation on thyroid dysfunction."
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/fibromyalgiacfs/a/fibrothyroid.htm

FYI - There are a several million people on the web complaining about the lack of good diagnosis and treatment of Hypothyroidism and its related Adrenal issues, which I suffer from as well.

This next site, The National Academy of Hypothyroidism is the best one I have found that explains how the Thyroid Hormones get to their intended location. It is NOT by diffusion as was previously thought.

“Changes in pituitary conversion of T4 to T3 are often opposite of those that occur in the liver and kidney under similar circumstances. The presence of this pathway of T3 production indicates that the pituitary can respond independently to changes in plasma levels of T4 and T3…Given these results, it is not surprising that a complete definition of thyroid status requires more than the measurement of the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. For some tissues, the intracellular T3 concentration may only partially reflect those in the serum. Recognition that the intracellular T3 concentration in each tissue may be subject to local regulation and an understanding of the importance of this process to the regulation of TSH production should permit a better appreciation of the limitations of the measurements of serum thyroid hormone and TSH levels (148).”
http://nahypothyroidism.org/deiodinases/9

Book:   Lowe, J.C.: The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia. Boulder, McDowell Publishing Co., 2000. The only definitive test I have found for Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance (it's listed in all the pharmacy and hospital computers by the way) is "TSH suppressed to Zero, and patient can take 125mcg of, T3, liothyronine and it doesn't hurt them, but makes them better," as referred to in "The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia" by Dr. John C. Lowe.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/679258.The_Metabolic_Treatment_of_Fibromyalgia

"At a dose of 125 mcg per day, she began feeling better, her skin and hair improved, and she lost 20 pounds over two months." Dr. Jacobs
http://www.neuroendocrinology.org/thyroid-hormone-resistance.html

Book: "In Dr. Starr's description of Type 2 Hypothyroidism, he presents overwhelming evidence showing a majority of Americans suffer this illness, which is due to environmental and hereditary factors." Mark Star MD
http://www.ei-resource.org/related-conditions-books/thyroid-disorders/hypothyroidism-type-2:-the-epidemic/

I have talked to Alan R. Jacobs, M.D., neuroendocrinologist, Mark Star MD, and several fibromyalgia clinics that take Cash only. Apparently they are all a step ahead of the endocrinologists that I have already seen at Pac Med and the Poly Clinic who can't help me. There are also several Naturopaths that are treating this disorder, but I am curious as to why they all take Cash only, or very limited insurance in some cases? Unfortunately, I have no money due to the lifelong struggle with this disorder that destroyed my life.

Because of what I have learned from my own intensive research in an effort to save my own life, I have come to the conclusion that this is an area of medicine (thyroid hormone resistance - Type 2 hypothyroidism) that is grossly ignored, and very misunderstood.

It is important to note that there are 3 types of Thyroid Hormone Resistance. 'General' Thyroid Hormone Resistance (RTH) is the one that has been identified as most often (85% of the time) having a Genetic cause, however there is also 'Peripheral" (tissue) Thyroid Hormone Resistance (PRTH), and Partial 'Peripheral" (tissue) Thyroid Hormone Resistance (partial PRTH). The statistics of 1 in 50,000 live births (less than 10,000 people using 2010 population statistics) are about the prevalence of 'General' Thyroid Hormone Resistance and the numbers are from the 1960's. This informations seems to be what the community of practitioners is relying on. Yet, current information indicates there may be as many as half the US population affected by 'Peripheral' Thyroid Hormone Resistance and it is genetic, but may also be environmental! So, not enough attention is being paid to this phenomena.

"Defects in THRB are the cause of selective pituitary thyroid hormone resistance (PRTH) [MIM:145650]; also known as familial hyperthyroidism due to inappropriate thyrotropin secretion. PRTH is a variant form of thyroid hormone resistance and is characterized by clinical hyperthyroidism, with elevated free thyroid hormones, but inappropriately normal serum TSH. Unlike GRTH, where the syndrome usually segregates with a dominant allele, the mode of inheritance in PRTH has not been established."
http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P10828

"Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is an uncommon disorder, characterized by elevated circulating thyroid hormones with non-suppressed thyrotropin (TSH) levels, reflecting resistance within the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis but variable refractoriness to hormone action in peripheral tissues (2). Usually dominantly inherited, RTH is associated with diverse, heterozygous THRB gene mutations impairing hormone binding and/or transcriptional activity of receptors (3–5). In addition, mutant receptors inhibit the action of their wild-type counterparts in a dominant-negative manner when they are coexpressed (6, 7). The clinical phenotype of RTH is variable: most subjects are either asymptomatic or have nonspecific symptoms and are deemed to be in a compensated euthyroid state termed generalized RTH (GRTH); in contrast, a subset of affected individuals can exhibit some clinical features of hyperthyroidism, suggesting greater central or pituitary RTH (PRTH) than in peripheral tissues. Although imprecise, this clinical distinction may remain useful in the management of the disorder (8). The basis of and mechanisms underlying variable tissue resistance in RTH are not fully understood."
http://www.jci.org/articles/view/38793

I need someone who understands the nature of Peripheral Thyroid Hormone Resistance and is willing to treat me with the supraphysiologic doses of liothyronine (125mcg) I need, according to my symptoms, to help me stay alive and well. Someone who will listen to me, and provide assistance in the management of this tricky disorder and the Adrenal Fatigue that goes with it. Preferably someone I can see in person and takes my insurance. (I have plenty of offers for Cash.)

In my research I came across a lot of evidence indicating that Insulin Resistance is strongly linked to Thyroid Hormone Resistance in obese diabetics. These two conditions may have the same cause.

UW Medical Center and Thyroid Hormone Resistance

2012-06-21T09:33:00.003-07:00

I was told by the office staff that the Medical Director of the University of Washington Medical Center said, "There is no such thing as a Type 2 Hypothyroidism epidemic." "Tissue resistance to Thyroid Hormones is very rare" "We can't help you with the supraphysiologic doses of thyroid you need."

Please read the book: "Hypothyroidism type 2 : the epidemic" by Starr, Mark, M.D. In Dr. Starr's description of Type 2 Hypothyroidism, he presents overwhelming evidence showing a majority of Americans suffer this illness, which is due to environmental and hereditary factors."

http://www.ei-resource.org/related-conditions-books/thyroid-disorders/hypothyroidism-type-2:-the-epidemic/

The UW is supposed to be a leader in Medicine, but they don't BELIEVE a problem exists. The last time I checked belief was NOT required for a thing to exist! You must apply some time to Research and Observation to verify if something exists or not. Could this be because the UW gets Pharmaceutical Company Money (to make the truth go away) for RESEARCH ???

"The University of Washington Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program (PORPP) conducts research and provides graduate and external training in health outcomes and policy research on health care technologies, with a focus on drugs," "PORPP is a nationally and internationally recognized center for pharmaceutical economics," http://sop.washington.edu/porpp

So, it is obvious they are in it to help the Pharmaceutical Company's economics, NOT the health interests of the people!

Please let them know how you feel about this. DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE
University of Washington School of Medicine Administrators Contact Link:

http://depts.washington.edu/medweb/directory/admin.html

Reposted: by Pain Center of Orlando, Inc. Saturday, June 13, 2009

2012-06-21T08:11:00.001-07:00

Hypothyroidism: The Silent Epidemic

by Pain Center of Orlando, Inc. on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 11:56am ·

Hypothyroidism: The Silent Epidemic

Hypothyroidism can be loosely defined as a medical condition that results from the under-secretion of Thyroid Hormone. The difficulty with this traditional approach to diagnosis of hypothyroidism is that it relies on ‘normal values,’ or reference ranges that are defined by the population itself. It has been estimated that as many as 50 million American suffer from undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

Fact #1: Thyroid hormone is necessary to maintain basal metabolic rate, or the amount of fuel that is consumed to sustain health. The manifestation is that of temperature.

a. When a person is generating too little thyroid hormone, or if the individual has an imbalance that involves thyroid metabolism, body temperatures will fall.

b. These persons may be told that they ‘normally have low temperatures.’

c. This bit of nonsense is causing tremendous problems for society.

d. The result is weight gain, depression and elevations in cholesterol levels.

Fact #2: The traditional approach to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism involves measurement of a hormone released by the pituitary gland, TSH. If the central nervous system senses that there is inadequate thyroid hormone in the blood stream, TSH levels will increase. Increase in TSH should lead to increases in the release of Thyroid Hormone from the Thyroid Gland. As levels of Thyroid Hormone reach adequate levels, TSH release decreases.

Problem #1: Unfortunately, a lot can go wrong between the brain, pituitary gland and the thyroid gland, itself. Inadequate levels of thyroid hormone can persist, and the brain will ‘reset’ to new and lower levels of this hormone. Factors that can cause this include:

1. chronic stress

2. pregnancy

3. trauma

4. chronic disease states.

5. autoimmune conditions

6. fasting or famine conditions.

As TSH levels drop back to normal, the diagnosis of hypothyroidism becomes more difficult, if all the practitioner relies upon is the TSH level. Unfortunately, this is the case more times than not.

Problem #2: Thyroid Hormone does not work alone. It requires adequate levels of estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, insulin, DHEA and a host of other hormones, peptides, fatty acids and humoral elements. If any one of these necessary pieces are missing, out of balance, or in excess, thyroid hormone may not work properly, leading to a state of ‘functional hypothyroidism.’

TSH levels, thyroid hormone levels are ‘normal,’ but the body does not function properly and resembles the hypothyroid condition.

Problem #3: Thyroid Hormone replacement may be inadequate or improper for the patient. That is, not all thyroid replacement works for all patients. There are chemicals in some of the commercially available thyroid preparations that cause all manners of problems. One such substance is ‘Acacia,’ which is a family of shrubs and trees, and portions of this plant are used in some medications to provide form and shape to tablets. Lactose is also used in the most popular of the Thyroid Replacement Hormones. Not only is Lactose an allergic trigger for people with lactose intolerance, but it may actually block the absorption of the thyroid replacement, itself. Signs of lactose intolerance include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

It is very common to hear patients tell the doctor that the thyroid medicine that they are receiving is ‘making me sicker.’ Unfortunately, the practitioner does not often make the effort to figure out why this might be the case.

Problem #4: Certain foods make thyroid conditions worse. Patients with auto-immune disorders may be more sensitive to soy-protein than other persons. Soy contains two chemicals that inhibit an important enzyme that is necessary for thyroid hormone replacement. If a person is already ‘on the edge,’ taking soy protein can make the condition worse. To a lesser extent, peanuts, pinto beans do this, as well.

Recommendations:

1. In order to sort through the diagnosis of thyroid related problems, it is important to determine not only the levels of thyroid hormones and TSH, but it is important to determine the presence of antibodies to the binding protein and converting enzymes.

2. If you suspect that you have hypothyroidism, it is necessary to cease eating anything that contains soy, soy lecithin, peanuts and pinto beans.

3. Replacement of thyroid hormone should be accomplished with products that do not contain lactose, Acacia, and artificial colorations.

4. Thyroid hormone must be taken on an empty stomach.

5. Determination of hormone imbalances that affect thyroid metabolism must be accomplished.

David S. Klein, MD, FACA
Pain Center of Orlando, Inc.
225 W. SR 434 Suite #205

Longwood, Florida 32750 dsklein@earthlink.net

www.suffernomore.com

www.stages-of-life.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=110687236795

The truth about thyroid testing is finally told

2012-06-04T04:05:00.000-07:00

An article form the National Academy of Hypothyroidism Copyright © 2012 about Thyroid Hormone Transport

Thyroid hormone transport is an extremely important topic. It must be clearly understood by any physician who hopes to accurately evaluate an individual’s thyroid status and to appropriately treat thyroid dysfunction. Unfortunately, only a small fraction physicians and endocrinologists understand even the basics of thyroid transport, because what they have learned in medical school and continue to be taught regarding this topic is incorrect. When one understands the physiology involved with thyroid hormone transport, it becomes clear that standard blood tests, including the TSH and T4 levels, cannot be used to accurately determine intracellular and tissue thyroid level in the presence of a wide range of common conditions, including chronic and acute dieting, anxiety, stress, insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, depression and bipolar disorder, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis), migraines, cardiomyopathy, and aging.
http://nahypothyroidism.org/thyroid-hormone-transport/

“It is clear that serum thyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations cannot be used with any degree of confidence to classify patients as receiving satisfactory, insufficient, or excessive amounts of thyroxine replacement…The poor diagnostic sensitivity and high false positive rates associated with such measurements render them virtually useless in clinical practice…Further adjustments to the dose should be made according to the patient’s clinical response.” (121)
http://nahypothyroidism.org/thyroid-hormone-transport/

In a study published in the British Medical Journal, Meir et al also investigated the correlation of TSH and tissue thyroid effect. It was shown that the TSH level had no correlation with tissue thyroid levels and could not be used to determine a proper or optimal thyroid replacement dose. The authors concluded that “TSH is a poor measure for estimating the clinical and metabolic severity of primary overt thyroid failure. … We found no correlations between the different parameters of target tissues and serum TSH.” They stated that signs and symptoms of thyroid effect and not the TSH should be used to determine the proper replacement dose (122).
http://nahypothyroidism.org/thyroid-hormone-transport/

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zulewski et al also investigated the accuracy of TSH to determine proper thyroid replacement. The study found that the TSH was not a useful measure of optimal or proper thyroid replacement, as there was no correlation between the TSH and tissue thyroid levels. Serum T4 and T3 levels had some correlation, with T3 being a better indictor than T4. In contrast, a clinical score that involved a thorough assessment of signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism was shown to be the most accurate method to determine proper replacement dosing. The authors also agreed that it is improper to use the TSH as the major determinant of the proper or optimal doses of thyroid replacement, stating “The ultimate test of whether a patient is experiencing the effects of too much or too little thyroid hormone is not the measurement of hormone concentration in the blood but the effect of thyroid hormones on the peripheral tissues [symptoms] (124).”
http://nahypothyroidism.org/thyroid-hormone-transport/

From The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2005; 90(12):6403–6409
This study showed that increased T4 and RT3 levels and decreased T3 levels are associated with hypothyroidism at the tissue level with diminished physicial functioning and the presence of a catabolic state (breakdown of the body). This study adds to the mounting evidence that giving T4 preparations such as Synthroid and Levoxyl are inadequate for restoring tissue euthyroidism and that a normal TSH cannot be relied upon as as an indication of euthyroidism, as it has a very low sensitivity and specificity for hypothyroidism. This poor sensitivity and specificity is further decreased with the presence of one or more systemic illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, systemic inflammation, asthma, CFS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, insulin resistance, obesity, chronic stress and almost any other systemic illness.
http://www.holtorfmed.com/index.php?section=downloads&file_id=12

Is "Synthroid" effective to treat normal hypothyroid symptoms such as weight gain?

2012-04-14T08:04:00.001-07:00

"most common sign of hypothyroidism is increase in body weight, with almost half of the affected dogs demonstrating this sign"
http://www.atlanticstatesbriardclub.org/thyroid.htm

"In patients with normal thyroid levels, doses of SYNTHROID within the typical range used for hormone replacement are not effective for weight loss."
http://www.synthroid.com/hypothyroidism/default.aspx?s_mcid=google-ppc&cid=ppc_ppd_synth_ggl_synth_1546

I am going to interpret this statement to mean that the synthetic thyroid hormone brand name "Synthroid" is ineffective to treat normal hypothyroidism side effects, such as abnormal weight gain.

Conclusion: Synthroid is INEFFECTIVE to treat normal hypothyroid symptoms!

They said it--not me!

Fibromyalgia and PTTHR-Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance

2012-03-04T04:21:00.066-08:00

Prior to effective treatment in 2007, and for all of my life, I've felt like I was living in a dark and lonely corner of an amusement park, in a horror house of mirrors, travelling very fast on a roller coaster that wouldn't let me off! Lots of caffeine and exercise gave me brief moments of clarity, but not enough to save me from the constant disasters I created over and over again. I tried to outrun the weight gain, and I spent most of my time putting out the fires I created because of my confusion. Happiness was an elusive illusion that only other people could find. I lived my life without knowing what happiness or joy was. I was unable to craft relationships with others, so I had no people to call friends. Almost all of my family is dead. At the homestrech of this raod to death I was so sick I couldn't take care of myself. I fell victim to the greed and abuse of others who were "trying to help me."

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which is a major key to the discovery of "Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance" -- PTTHR. Most Fibromyalgia is caused by low thyroid hormone levels such as Hashimoto's, or a condition known as Pituitary Thyroid Resistance, or my condition known as PTTHR. "The main underlying mechanism of Fibromyalgia is too little thyroid hormone regulation of the patient’s cells. Too little thyroid hormone regulation results from one or both of two abnormalities: (1) thyroid hormone deficiency, and (2) partial cellular resistance to thyroid hormone. Both abnormalities cause symptoms and signs mainly through the same mechanism—inadequate thyroid hormone regulation of gene transcription in the cells of affected tissues. http://www.drlowe.com/geninfo/explain.htm

I have ADHD. I was diagnosed as a young child, I was medicated for it, and I was sent to a special school. It still disturbs my life. ADHD has been determined to be a part of this disorder: "Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a human syndrome mapped to the thyroid receptor β(TRβ) gene on chromosome 3, representing a mutation of the ligandbinding domain of the TRβ gene. The syndrome is characterized by reduced tissue responsiveness to thyroid hormone and elevated serum levels of thyroid hormones. A common behavioral phenotype associated with RTH is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)." http://learnmem.cshlp.org/content/5/4/289.full

RESISTANCE to thyroid hormone (RTH) is an inherited condition caused by defects that reduce the responsiveness of the target tissues to TH. The presence of goiter, tachycardia, hyperactivity, or abnormal findings on routine thyroid testing usually lead to further investigation and, ultimately, the diagnosis of RTH. Characteristic thyroid function tests are elevated free T4 (FT4) and free T3(FT3) concentrations with nonsuppressed TSH. Since the first cases described by Refetoff et al. in 1967 (1), more than 700 individuals with RTH belonging to about 250 families have been identified (2) (personal information). The prevalence of RTH is probably 1 in 50,000 life births (3). http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/84/11/3919.full

The diagnostic proof of Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance is the fact that I take extremely large doses of T3 and it doesn't hurt me, but instead relieves all of my symptoms. "Patients with peripheral resistance must take TSH-suppressing dosages of thyroid hormone to have normal peripheral tissue metabolism. But there is nothing whatsoever harmful to these patients in having their TSH suppressed by these dosages of thyroid hormone. In fact, it would be harmful for most of them not to take such dosages. The adverse consequences include conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and liver, and cardiovascular diseases." http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/resistnc.htm

My original thyroid tests in the late 1990's and early 2000 before any treatment were always "normal." "Patients who have peripheral tissue resistance to thyroid hormone have normal thyroid test results before treatment with thyroid hormone" http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/resistnc.htm

I was obese and miserable, with no energy, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, IBS, mental confusion, my body temperature was frequently below 96 degrees and as low as 94.5 degrees. "If you suffer from chronic fatigue and have achy muscles and joints, heavy periods, constipation, easy weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, thin hair, a change in your ankle reflexes called a delayed relaxation of the deep tendon reflex (DTR), or a body temperature that tends to be on the low side of normal," http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-thyroid_hormone_deficiency.html

All of my adult life beginning with my first period, I suffered from very heavy and painful periods usually very brief lasting only 3 to 4 days. My short term memory was so bad I found I had difficulty maintaining relationships, and I was too tired to try harder. I was chronically anemic and I had symptoms of IBS. "chronic pain; tight muscles; poor memory; extreme fatigue, especially during your menstrual cycle; heavy menstrual flow; and anemia. These are classic symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism." http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/femaleproblems.htm

In 1999 I had an unexpected 'period' that didn't stop and wasn't normal. I ended up in 2 different hospitals with severe anemia and excessive blood loss. The first hospital gave me a drug to build red blood cells. The second hospital tried to find out what the problem was, but couldn't pinpoint it.

In 2000 a mental health clinic diagnosed me as depressed in one visit and prescribed a Psych drug. The drug altered my behaviors and got me into trouble. In 2002 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatique and treated with various Psych drugs again, none of which did anything for the fibromyalgia. But once again they altered my personality. I wasn't sleeping well, so they prescribed more Psych Drugs to help me sleep. I was in pain, so again more Psych drugs, plus Opiates. "This problem is not limited to depression. Low thyroid hormones, and the common occurrence of sluggish, poorly functioning adrenals, can play a role in a variety of emotional and behavioral symptoms and disturbances, including anxiety, excessive fear, mood swings like bi-polar, rage, irritability, paranoid schizophrenia, confusion, dementia, obsessive/compulsive disorders, and mental aberrations." http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/thyroid-depression-mental-health/

All of these symptoms are consistent with my diagnosis of Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance. If I am under-treated I develop Coronary Artery Disease, Obesity, Diabetes, Rage, and Severe depression, and the risk of death is very real. If I am adequately treated I recover, and I am fine. My Cholesterol tells the tale of whether my treatment is adequate or not. "I only wish that physicians had the same concern for the potentially harmful effects of patients not being treated with thyroid hormone when it is needed, or with denying them a high enough dosage. These possible effects include elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, enlarged heart, ischemic heart disease, vacuolated degeneration and fibrosis of the heart, congestive heart failure, primary biliary cirrhosis, learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, and suicidal depression." http://www.drlowe.com/jcl/comentry/drloblay.htm

There is a manual written about me and it seems to be completely accurate about my condition. It is:

The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia, By John C. Lowe, McDowell Publishing Company Boulder, CO
ISBN 0-914609-02-5 Hard Cover; 1,260 pgs. $99.95

"This award-winning book, The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia, is considered by thousands of readers—patients and doctors alike—to be the most thorough, well-researched, and overall important book ever written on four subjects: fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone resistance, and the clinical care of patients with these diagnoses." http://www.mcdowellpublishing.com

Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance

2012-02-29T11:12:00.015-08:00

This is what I have. I take a VERY large dose of T3--100mcg, plus 120mg (2 Grains) of Armour thyroid for a total of 118mcg of T3. This is a large enough to KILL, or at least cause a lot of harm, to a normal person. For me this dose is required to keep me alive. If I don't get it I will drown in Cholesterol (over 400), my body temperature will plummet into a severely sub-normal range (94.6) and I will get severe headaches and various very disabling body aches and pains. Death from Heart Attack or Stoke will be next.

The information about my condition has been well documented. It is in both Pharmacy Computer Systems and Hospital Computer Systems. There are many books written about it and it's all over the Internet. There is NO excuse not to know about this if you are a Doctor. I know because I have checked.

In my opinion there is NO reason any Doctor should dispute my treatment since it Reversed Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes and Obesity. Furthermore, I have been on these high doses for over 4 years. I would be long dead if it wasn't the right treatment.

What should I do if a Doctor in charge of my care at a Nursing Home refuses to give me my medicine and we have the records to prove he didn't? He literally interfered with my ability to live and has done serious damage to my body's ability to function. However, they gave me something, it had to be a placebo. So, my question is; did they charge Medicare for the full price of a drug the didn't give me? What should I do to have this facility investigated?

My Cardiac health and Cholesterol have been perfect for 4 years. Suddenly they are not. We have records from 2 sources to prove my Cardiac and Cholesterol health before I went into the Nursing Home.

"The adverse consequences (of insufficient treatment) include conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and liver, and cardiovascular diseases." http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/resistnc.htm

I have severe fibromyalgia (had)

2012-02-28T16:18:00.000-08:00

Sunnier Times for Fibromyalgia Patients--by Dr. John C. Lowe

"Another development that fibromyalgia/thyroid patients may find interesting is the growing movement of self-treating patients. This movement arose from fibromyalgia patients' understandable frustration and impatience with the medical system. In this movement, people take full control of their own health and well-being, not leaving these to medical practitioners. They learn what they need to know, often by taking part in Internet groups of self-treating people who share with others what they've learned. And they put their knowledge to work to improve or recover their health. We at FRF praise the self-reliance of these people, and we'll do everything we can to provide information they need to better understand fibromyalgia and the methods they can use to achieve optimal health."

See the entire post here: http://www.fibromyalgiaresearch.org/

Definition of the difference between "General Thyroid Resistance" and "Peripheral Tissue Thyroid Hormone Resistance"

2012-02-28T15:29:00.000-08:00

This is the best explanation about Thyroid Hormone Resistance I have found so far.

Dr. Lowe gave this answer:

When supraphysiologic dosages of thyroid hormone fail to suppress TSH secretion, the patient has "general" resistance to thyroid hormone. This classification of thyroid hormone resistance is different from the one that manifests as fibromyalgia in many patients. The latter classification is termed "peripheral" resistance to thyroid hormone. I will explain the difference between general and peripheral resistance.

The classification of thyroid hormone resistance is based on whether (1) the pituitary gland and (2) the other tissues of the body (referred to as "peripheral" tissues) are involved in the patient's resistance. In general resistance, both the pituitary gland and the peripheral tissues are partially resistant to thyroid hormone. The patient's thyroid hormone levels are elevated, but his TSH level and his peripheral tissue metabolism are usually normal. Here's why:

In normal functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, when the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood reaches an appropriate level, it then inhibits secretion of TSH by the pituitary gland (this is a normal "feedback" mechanism). But, when the pituitary tissue is resistant to thyroid hormone, much larger amounts are necessary to suppress TSH secretion. When the peripheral tissues are also partially resistant, large amounts of thyroid hormone are needed to "override" the resistance and drive the subnormal metabolism in the periphery to a higher, normal rate. Typically, when these large amounts of thyroid hormone (secreted by a thyroid gland stimulated by large amounts of TSH from a resistant pituitary) finally increase enough to normalize the metabolic rate of the patient's peripheral tissues, the pituitary tissue also finally responds to this amount by reducing its secretion of TSH into the normal range. Thus, patients with general resistance usually have clinically normal peripheral tissue metabolism with high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood, and a normalized level of TSH (finally suppressed only by the high blood levels of thyroid hormone). In this way, the circulating levels of thyroid hormone are kept high enough to override the peripheral tissue resistance (with normalized metabolism) and the pituitary resistance (with normalized TSH). In other words, many general resistance patients appear clinically normal except for the high thyroid hormone levels.

In peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone, only the peripheral tissues are resistant. The pituitary tissue responds normally to a normal amount of thyroid hormone in the blood, and it decreases its TSH output when the blood levels signal that it should do so. Normal blood levels of thyroid hormone, then, properly suppress pituitary gland release of TSH, and keep the circulating TSH levels normal. What's important to realize in this scenario is that the feedback between the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland is normal, and both glands secrete normal amounts of their respective hormones. But the normal thyroid hormone levels are insufficient to override the partial resistance of tissues other than the pituitary--that is the peripheral tissues. As a result, metabolism in the peripheral tissues is subnormal. To speed peripheral tissue metabolism up to normal, the peripheral resistance patient must use large dosages of thyroid hormone. But the effect of these large dosages on the normally responsive pituitary tissue is suppression of the TSH. Thus, secretion of TSH, and its circulating level, are extremely low.

Unfortunately, most physicians become alarmed when they measure the TSH level in such a patient and find it extremely low. Physicians have been taught that a low TSH level means only one thing in a patient taking thyroid hormone--the dosage is too high and is going to harm the patient. It will take some years for physicians to learn about peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone and to understand the odd test values these patients have when taking effective dosages of thyroid hormone. Patients with peripheral resistance must take TSH-suppressing dosages of thyroid hormone to have normal peripheral tissue metabolism. But there is nothing whatsoever harmful to these patients in having their TSH suppressed by these dosages of thyroid hormone. In fact, it would be harmful for most of them not to take such dosages. The adverse consequences include conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and liver and cardiovascular diseases.
To see the entire post go here:
http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/resistnc.htm

Dr. Lowe's comments on the Pharmacuetical Companies strong arm tactics.

2012-02-28T05:47:00.005-08:00

I came to the same conclusion as Dr. Lowe and I stated it in "Roadblocks to the Cure" at the beginning of this blog, but he is far more eloquent than I am! So, here it is.

"I learned early during the last 16 years that the endocrinology specialty's judgment is corrupted by financial inducements from drug companies that profit from the TSH test and T4 replacement. All those years ago, my intention was to help revise the often harmful standard of care imposed by the endocrinology specialty for commercial rather than scientific reasons. After careful consideration in the last several years, however, I realized that the specialty has its heels dug in; it's clear to me that the specialty won't volitionally rehabilitate itself into a rational, scientific, ethical, and respectable medical specialty (endocrinology).

Rather than rehabilitate, to this day, the specialty practices thuggery on a par with that of traditional organized crime. It does so by intimidating and persecuting clinicians who fail to cooperate in restricting their patients to T4 replacement—an often ineffective and harmful approach to therapy that's hugely profitable to Big Pharma and, by quid pro quo, to the specialty itself.

The well-intending persecuted clinicians are guilty of recognizing that T4 replacement doesn't work for and harms many patients. And they are guilty of having the courage to abide by the Hippocratic oath in using thyroid hormone therapies that get their patients well.

The thuggery of the specialty is in highly active gear. We know this because regularly, clinicians contact us and tell us of actions being taken against them by medical regulatory boards. Invariably, the action involves testimony against the clinicians by members of the endocrinology specialty or affiliates of theirs.

And what is the ultimate consequence of these actions against so many well-intended clinicians? Patients who need safe and effective thyroid hormone therapy are restricted to T4 replacement—an approach that published studies clearly show to be ineffective and harmful for many patients.

It seems that most every community has members of the endocrinology specialty who function as thugs. They act as enforcers of the command that clinicians use only TSH testing and T4 products. These thug endocrinologists file complaints against noncompliant clinicians. Then they testify against the clinicians before regulatory boards and courts and walk away scot-free after giving scientifically-false testimony in courts of law and other legal venues.

Experience tells me that the endocrinology specialty won't relent—not until it's forced to do so, probably by class action law suits and by forcible complaints for violations of medical ethics to purveyors of medical regulatory boards. To me, the final solution lies in the education of patients, clinicians, and legislators; legislation to disempower the endocrinology specialty from further harm to patients, clinicians, and the public welfare; and litigation against the specialty and its corporation supporters.

The force of unforgiving corruption by the specialty and its affiliates has long loomed over me and my medical colleagues. Because of this, at the beginning of 2010, I decided to preemptively remove from my back the target known as "licensed clinician." Having divested myself of that particular easy target, I'm now free to communicate with people (patients, their loved ones, and their clinicians) simply as a clinical researcher, educator, and natural health advocate."

Dr. John C. Lowe is a fibromyalgia, thyroid, and metabolism researcher. As Director of Research for the Fibromyalgia Research Foundation, he has spearheaded the scientific study of two related topics: the metabolic causes of fibromyalgia, and the relief of fibromyalgia symptoms through the treatment approach he developed and named "metabolic rehabilitation." see more here: http://www.drlowe.com/

Undiagnosed Thyroid Disease May Be the Reason for Your High Cholesterol

2012-01-30T09:34:00.001-08:00

Although Web MD does not say so directly, you can see they do link problems with your cholesterol test to thyroid disorders. What they do not say is that thyroid function controls the levels of cholesterol in your body. Look at the next article for some more information about this. My cholesterol did not come down until my hypothyroidism was controlled effectively.

From Web MD:

Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests

What Affects the Test?

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

· Medicines, such as diuretics, corticosteroids, male sex hormones (androgens),tranquilizers, estrogen, birth control pills, antibiotics, and niacin (vitamin B3).

· Physical stress, such as infection, heart attack, surgery.

· Eating 9 to 12 hours before the test.

· Other conditions, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.

· Alcohol or drug abuse or withdrawal.

· Liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis), malnutrition, or hyperthyroidism.

· Pregnancy. Values are the highest during the third trimester and usually return to the prepregnancy levels after delivery of the baby.

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/cholesterol-and-triglycerides-tests?page=4

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, which regulates the way the body uses energy.

A low thyroid level can cause symptoms of fatigue, weakness, lethargy, weight gain, depression, memory problems, constipation, dry skin, intolerance to cold, coarse and thinning hair, brittle nails, or a yellowish tint to the skin.

Hypothyroidism usually develops slowly. It often results from a problem in which the body's own natural defense (immune) system attacks the thyroid gland (autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Hypothyroidism may also develop following radiation treatment or surgical removal of the thyroid.

Hypothyroidism is treated with medications to replace the thyroid hormone. Symptoms usually disappear within a few months after treatment begins, but most people need to continue taking thyroid hormones for life.

http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/hypothyroidism

You can see that although Web MD hints at the connection, but they never come out and say it directly. Here is what you need to know:

The High Cholesterol Thyroid Connection

Undiagnosed Thyroid Disease May Be the Reason for Your High Cholesterol

By Mary Shomon, About.com Guide

Updated: November 20, 2009

As many as ten million Americans with high cholesterol levels may not know that their cholesterol is elevated due to undiagnosed thyroid problems.

High cholesterol affects an estimated 98 million people, half the American population, and is a major contributor to heart disease, America's number one killer. But the most commonly known cholesterol raisers -- diet or insufficient exercise - are not necessarily the problem for everyone. Undiagnosed and undertreated hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol, and of the estimated 13 million Americans with thyroid disease, at least half are undiagnosed and millions more are not sufficiently treated, opening them up to the risk of continued hypothyroidism symptoms despite treatment.

Some experts even believe that the numbers of undiagnosed are underestimated, and that the current thyroid diagnostic criteria are too narrow and rigid, and are missing many millions more with subclinical and low-level hypothyroidism.

· Fewer than half of the adults who had been diagnosed with high cholesterol know if they had ever been tested for thyroid disease, despite the well-documented connection between the two conditions.

· Ninety percent of those surveyed were unaware of the thyroid gland's impact on cholesterol regulation.

According to AACE President Richard A. Dickey, M.D., "Patients who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol should ask their physician about having their thyroid checked. If they have an underlying thyroid condition in addition to their high cholesterol, the cholesterol problem will be difficult to control until normal levels of thyroid hormone are restored."

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/symptomsproblems/a/cholesterol.htm

The medical books your doctor relies on do not come out and say it either. I have found that most MD’s have no idea about how to deal with the endocrine system (thyroid and other functions). This lack of knowledge is literally killing people!

There is hope however. Naturopathic physicians get a lot of training in the Endocrine system. Some insurance providers cover Naturopathic Doctors. There are low-income clinics that work on a sliding scale.

If you have elevated Cholesterol please see a Naturopath and get help before you end up with a bypass surgery or diabetes!

WHY is Vitamin D deficiency so bad? Even in placed like Sunny Texas?

2012-01-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

Geo-engineering!

Watch a video on YouTube for some answers!

"What in the world are they doing to us?
Vitamin D deception discovered--the light frequency needed for Vitamin D production is being blocked by aluminum dust spraying. The source of many disease is this intentional or sickening of world population by deflection of essential energy waves. The controllers are killing their own. Accident or fate. You decide."
12 min version: http://youtu.be/NWXEsnFZhBI
Full version: http://youtu.be/jf0khstYDLA

Take Vitamin D3 in an Oil form and get tested! It is my opinion that you will need to be in the top of the range for Vitamin D3 in order to help you maintain your health in the world to come!

The best weapon against ill health is the knowledge of what creates good health. Do not be prejudiced against the information that may save your life because you have been conditioned to think that words like "conspiracy" or "collusion" are 'bad'. They are just words.

Do not let anything keep you from knowing the truth!

Important information about Vitamin D

2011-10-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Vitamin D works in conjunction with calcium to promote the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D is also essential in the modulation of neuromuscular and immune system function and in the reduction of inflammation. The primary focus is placed on preventing undue bone demineralization. Virtually no thought is put toward the levels our species evolved with. Vitamin D conversion is variable based on many factors, including skin pigmentation.

At northern latitudes, there is not enough radiation to convert vitamin D, especially during the winter, and after the age of 70 the skin does not convert vitamin D effectively. It turns out that darker skinned people have lower vitamin D levels. Things like altitude, such as living in the mountains, and body weight affect Vitamin D levels. Obese people have lower levels than thin people.

The following is a series of direct quotes form:

The Vitamin D Deficiency Pandemic: A Forgotten Hormone Important for Health, by Author Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD

“The association of living at upper (and lower) latitudes (i.e., above or below the 35th parallels of latitude) with increased risk of dying from cancer, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and hypertension is well documented…. The skeletal consequences of vitamin D deficiency on bone health include osteoporosis and increased risk for fractures, especially of the hip, vertebrae and forearm with serious impact on quality of life and survival... What is less appreciated is that vitamin D deficiency causes muscle weakness, increasing risk of swaying and falling, thus further increasing risk of fracture in the frail elderly…Osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency have also been linked with increased risk of many chronic diseases including: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune and infectious diseases, asthma and other wheezing disorders. It is well documented that living at upper and lower latitudes increases risk for multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes…. Children in Finland who received 2000 IU of vitamin D/day during their first year of life and followed for 31 years were found to have a 78 percent reduced risk of developing type 1 diabetes….Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a 50 percent increased risk of having a myocardial infarction. Hypertension, congestive heart failure and peripheral vascular disease have been associated with vitamin D deficiency. Vascular smooth muscle, and cardiomyocytes have a vitamin D receptor, and it has been estimated that up to 2000 genes related to cardiovascular health may be directly or indirectly influenced by 1,25(OH)2D… It has been estimated that for every 100 IU of vitamin D/day that is taken, the blood level of 25(OH)D is increased by 1 ng/mL (2.5 nmol/L)… Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is pandemic and is seen in essentially every country in the world. There are many causes (Figure 3), but lack of awareness of the importance of this deficiency is crucial in individual and public health. Oily fish, cod liver oil and mushrooms exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation are the only natural sources.”

See the entire Abstract at: http://www.publichealthreviews.eu/show/f/35

The current recommendation or intake of Vitamin D depends on many variables especially where you live. Many studies suggest that if you live above or below the 30^th Latitude you can’t get sufficient Vitamin D even if you stay outdoors all day, every day.

From Dr. Joseph Mercola:

“Please -- if you supplement with vitamin D3, have your vitamin D levels tested routinely to ensure you do not overdose with it. You and your physician need to be aware of your vitamin D levels so you can adjust your supplementation accordingly. This is a customized approach -- not a one-size-fits-all.

Vitamin D Dose Recommendations

Age Dosage

Below 5 35 units per pound per day

Age 5 - 10 2500 units

Adults 5000 units

Pregnant women 5000 units

WARNING:
There is no way to know if the above recommendations are correct. The ONLY way to know is to test your blood. You might need 4-5 times the amount recommended above. Ideally your blood level of 25 OH D should be 60ng/ml.”

Dr. Mercola has an excellent site for all health related matters. This is a link to Dr. Mercola’s

Vitamin D resource page where the above information comes from: http://www.mercola.com/article/vitamin-d-resources.htm

There are two types of tests that are currently done by laboratories to determine Vitamin D levels. Here is the table for converting one to the other from Wikipedia:

Conversion of Vitamin D from ng/D to nmol/L for Vitamin D is:

1.0 nmol/L = 0.4 ng/mL

Because of how I feel, and my medical history I am personally trying to maintain my Vitamin D level at between 80 -100 ng/ml. There has been some research that suggests that this level is not dangerous and may be even more beneficial.

I encourage you to do your own research on this subject and consult with your doctor.

Never undertake a Vitamin program using Fat soluble vitamins without lab tests, and the supervision of a Medical Professional!

For more in depth information watch the video:

Vitamin D and Prevention of Chronic Diseases

Controversy about the use of Synthroid

2011-09-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here is some controversy about Synthroid (levothyroxine) which is artificial thyroid hormone.

The difference between the animal and the human explanation of its authorized uses are completely opposite!

Human protocol:

Levothyroxine (Synthroid) should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems. http://www.drugs.com/levothyroxine.html

Animal protocol:

What response can you expect from (Synthroid) treatment? You should see an increase in activity levels and mental acuity within the first week and some weight loss should be apparent by the end of the fourth week.

http://www.angelfire.com/biz4/MastiffBreeder/hypothyroidism.html

Here’s a great example!

Merck’s Manual of Veterinary medicine and Merck’s Manual (the human version) DO NOT Agree on the outcome of Hypothyroid treatment.

The Veterinary manual expects results including weight loss!

The human version DOES NOT expect any results at all! The human version of Merck’s manual is written with the idea that the TSH and T4 tests are the only necessary tests and it at no point mentions any expected results of treatment other than numbers on paper!

Check it out for yourself!

This link will take you to the Human version of Merck’s Manual Hypothyroid treatment page, scroll down to where you see “treatment” at the lowest part of the page: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec13/ch162/ch162f.html#v981960

This link will take you to the Veterinary version of Merck’s Manual Hypothyroid treatment page, scroll down to where you see “treatment” at the lowest part of the page:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/40602.htm

Did you notice the complete difference in protocol and the fact that the human version is devoid of results? Yet, the veterinary version expects results!

So, now what? How deep are the lies really?