One of my friends discovered that her mother has got thyroid cancer, she is very worried there are other lesions in the rest of the body. Is thyroid cancer quickly disseminating to other organs?
Answer
Asalaam Alaikum Uzma,
May Allah give your friend's mother shifa (healing).
Alhamdulillah that of all the cancers, thyroid cancer is the "easiest" to manage and heal-even using holistic methods.
No, thyroid cancer typically does not disseminate quickly, say like stomach cancer.
This said, you do want to deal with thyroid cancer as well as all cancers very aggressively.
Blessings
www.womenshealingcircle.org
Name
Farina
-
Profession
Question
I’ve heard that there is a new trend for measuring the thyroid hormone in the new born babies by taking a sample from their heels. Is this useful?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Farina,
Yes, there is a move for screening newborns for thyroid hormone levels. It is a screening process that should be done world wide if possible.
It is a very useful preventative measure. As a child develops, if they do not have appropriate amounts of thyroid hormones it can severely retard mental development and retard growth. Even a small deficiency of the thyroid hormone can have a negative effect on a child's physical and mental growth.
It is a worth while test that is both cost effective and easy to do. All four of my children were tested at birth. Also, children of women suffering from hypothyroidism (low thyroid) are at greater risk.
Blessings
Name
Aisha
-
Profession
Question
I was diagnosed with hypothyridism several years ago and it has been under control for several years now. I was also recently diagnosed with severe anemia which I have received treatment for around a month and a half ago.
My problem is that I have been experiencing unusual hair loss which the doctor told me was probably caused by the anemia.
My questions is this: Why hasnt my hair loss stopped even though I have received proper treatment for anemia and my T3, T4 and TSH levels are all normal?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Sister Aisha,
May Allah give you shifa.
This is an issue that I deal with quite frequently in people that consult with me. As a matter of fact, I just received such a question today via my website.
When there is a disturbance with the thyroid, the disturbance is rarely limited to the thyroid alone. The entire endocrine system can and usually is affected by thyroid imbalance. Even if after proper treatment for anemia and the correct thyroid medication, if the entire endocrine system is not stabilized, then hair typically does not grow back. The adrenal glands share an axis with the thyroid and need to be addressed as well.
The other thing is that there really is not a "normal" amount of thyroid T4, T3. We are all unique and require different amounts depending on our size, gender and situation. When under stress for example, we require more thyroid hormone. This is called biochemical individuality. In the medical literature this is termed "set point." Recent studies conducted in Denmark-most notably amongst Danish twins have shed more light on this.
The thyroid gland, once out of balance can be very challenging to correct because of the innate nature of the endocrine system. Many women, up to 30%, according to some thyroid experts, never regain health again due to this.
I am currently under the process of developing a 9 Step program to regain thyroid health that looks at various conventional and holistic approaches. If you are interested, you can check on my website as I release my findings.
Ask your doctor to do a saliva test to check your adrenal glands. The urine test is not accurate and should be avoided.
Blessings,
Anisa
www.womenshealingcircle.org
Name
Amber
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
Assalam alaikum!!
I am 30 years old female and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism approximately three and a half years back. Since then I’ve been on levothyroxine and while my condition has improved generally, the body ache and muscle fatigue has not subsided. Most of the times, my energy levels are very low, I feel tired all the time. A little bit of physical activity leaves me all drained out. Initially as my dose was increased, I felt better and better but after a while, the symptoms returned. Right now I am on 75mcg of levothyroxine sodium, and my TSH levels are within the normal range but at the end of the day, I don’t feel like moving my body an inch. There are times when I am just dragging myself through the day.
I do my TFTs every 3-4 months or when required, depending on how I feel. I’ve tried changing my endocrinologists, changing my brand of thyroxine but after feeling better for a few days, I relapse into feeling miserable and tired all the time. Over the last year, few other medical tests were conducted like fasting sugar, creatinine, SGPT/ALT, cortisol serum and alkaline phosphatase but these all turned out to be fine. I take my tablets early in the morning after fajr prayer, on an empty stomach. I don’t take any calcium supplements or multivitamins. I have read and searched the internet for any thing that I could be doing wrong because of which my recovery is slowed but I’m clueless. I take all necessary precautions, try to eat healthy, include a bit of exercise daily (which makes me feel better momentarily) and Alhamdulillah endeavour to have a positive outlook on life. But there are times when I’m tired of feeling tired and want my former, lively, ambitious self back!!
My questions for you are, what could possibly be the cause of me not feeling well, given my TSH levels are within normal range and secondly, please suggest what kinds of foods/diet should be taken in hypothyroidism. Would you suggest any multivitamins to feel better?
Your help will be greatly appreciated and may Allah bless you for this generous service.
Answer
Asalaam Al`ikum Sister Amber,
I'm in Dubai-glad to hear from you!
You sound like me 4 years ago! May Allah give you shifa (healing) and know that for every disease, there is a cure.
The aches and pains are usually caused by the adrenal glands. If you had a urine test and not a saliva test, I would get retested. I have a hypothyroid client here in the UAE and I am not sure if they are available in this country.
Healing the thyroid can be a challenge when not viewed holistically. The approach has to include a multi faceted approach. If there is a digestive problem, food sensitivities, low grade infection, mercury toxicity, etc. Perhaps the difficulty in setting an approach stems from the complicated nature of the endocrine system and the tentacle-like effect the thyroid exhibits on the body.
There seems to be no smoking gun when it comes to secondary hypothyroidism or functional hypothyroidism, and this may come as no surprise to health care practitioners using a holistic approach. There is not one trigger, but there seems to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. For many women, that straw is pregnancy. This quilt work approach to the cause and healing approaches to secondary hypothyroidism approaches art, but that does not exclude science or assume that the two are mutually exclusive. It may be simpler to prescribe various pharmaceuticals from, thyroid medication, statins and anti-depressants and hope for improvement rather than to take the approach I am suggesting.
As I mentioned in a previous answer, there is no "normal" level. We are all unique. The thyroid rarely gets better on its own. And it seems that the further the treatment is from a holistic approach- the more likely the condition progresses to diabetes, heart disease and/or Hashimoto's.
There are various supplements on the market for thyroid health. If you have weak digestion, you will not want to take a pill, your body will more than likely not be able to break down the coating and you will not absorb. What I have found in the UAE that would be well suited, contain pork. If you can find a liquid, or drinkable vitamin rich in minerals, the B vitamins, C, A, E and Magnesium. I carry such a thing, but it must be shipped from the US, and by US law I can not sell it to someone who is not under my care. You would be better served to find someone to work with who could make a supplement recommendation. If not it really is like wasted money because it may not be what you need.
Foods to Include:
Water
Whole grains, sprouted whole grains
Organic fruits
Organic Vegetables
Sea salt, particularly Himalayan
Sea vegetables (Giant kelp, brown seaweed)
Coconut oil
Yogurt/keifer
Fermented vegetables
Vegetable and bone broth
Foods to Avoid:
Soy
Sugar
White flour
White rice
Fast foods
Soda
Hydrogenated oils
Cruciferous vegetables
Supplements:
High potency B complex vitamin
Sub lingual vitamin B 12
Vitamin C and bioflavonoid
Vitamin D
Vitamin A and carotenes
Magnesium
Vitamin E
Selenium
Zinc
Cod liver oil or Udo’s Oil
Amino Acids- Particularly Tyrosine which is essential to thyroid function. Almandine, L-Arginine, L-Aspartic Acid, L-Cystine, L-Glutamic Acid, L-Clycine, LHistidine,L-Isoleucine, L-Luceine, L-Lysine, L-Methionine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Proline, L-Serine, L-Taurine, L-Theronine, L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, L-Valine
Iodine
Digestive enzymes
Bromelain to decrease inflammation
Herbs:
Guggul (an Ayurvedic herb)
Adaptogenic herbs like astragalus, ginseng.
Burdock, dandelion, milk thistle
Chamomile, marshmallow
Curcumin to decrease inflammation
Raw ginger, garlic and onions for their anti inflammatory and anti oxidant function
Reiki
Shiitake
Maitake
Poolridge Teas (Adrea-Stim, Thyroid Tea, Fem Cycle, Live-Endo, Digest-Stim)
If you have further questions, I can be reached at anisa@womenshealingcircle.org.
Blessings,
Anisa Abeytia
www.womenshealingcircle.org
Name
Nesma
- Egypt
Profession
Question
AsalamAlykom
I would like to ask if the proplems of the Thyroid gland like excess or decreased thyroid hormones are hereditary?
My mother did suffer from the excess of thyroid hormons and she had undergone an operation to treat it, so did my grandmother along with all my aunts and uncles.
Is it possible that i might face the same problem??
Thanks
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Nesma,
Yes it is hereditary. However, this does not mean that you will have it as well; you just have a large risk factor.
I have noticed that many Arab women suffer from thyroid problems, I am not sure why. I think it may be due to diet and how stress is expressed culturally. I have looked at studies conducted in these population groups (Middle East, Gulf and North Africa) and they state that being Arab is not a risk factor. A study that came out of Saudi Arabia that states that rates of hypothyroidism in that country are on par with the rest of the world, but the rest of the world is experiencing an increase in thyroid disorders (primarily hypothyroidism).
Following a preventative diet (especially eliminating white sugar, white bread and white rice) other lifestyle approaches (especially stress reduction and stress coping techniques) will be important.
Blessings,
Anisa
Name
bebe
-
Profession
Question
What is your view on taking thyroxin to help lose weight?
Answer
Asalaam ALikum Bebe,
It can be a very dangerous game if you do not need it or you take too much. In theory, you could cause hyperthyroidism (very dangerous to the heart) and potentially an auto immune reaction (the immune system begins to attack its own DNA) causing what is known as Grave's Disease.
It is better to exercise, eat a balanced diet, sleep well, get enough fiber and water than taking the risk.
Thank you for your question.
Name
Munthir
-
Profession
Question
Are there certain drugs that can cause a change in the thyroid secretion?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Munthir,
Yes it is true that there are drugs that negatively affect the thyroid. They are:
glucocorticoids/adrenal steroids Propranolol (beta-blocker)
Aminoglutethimide (breast and prostrate cancer
Ketoconazole (an antifungal)
Paraaminosalcylic(tuberculosis drug), Sulfonamine drugs
sulfadiazine
sulfasoxazole
acetazoleamide (used in diuretics and anti biotics
Sulfonylureas, including,tolbutamide
chlorpropamide (used in diabetes drugs)Raloxifene/Evista, (used for osteoporosis drugs)
Carbamazepine
oxcarbazepine
valproate (used in epilepsy drugs).
Name
Sasha
-
Profession
Question
I just want to ask what are the alarming things that the woman should notice to discover any disorder in the thyroid early? Is it only the size?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Sasha,
The symptoms reported by people with hypothyroidism are different and may seem unrelated to the untrained eye. These symptoms are often overlooked, ignored or misdiagnosed. Since the most affected group are women, their symptoms are often dismissed as "female complaints" or as complaining (Dr. Ridha Arem). Symptoms include:
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Weight gain for no reason and inability to lose weight
• Dry skin and hair
• Hair loss
• Loss of the outer eyebrows
• Infertility
• Miscarriage
• Inadequate breast milk
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Brain fog and forgetfulness
• Change in sex drive
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Swelling of tissue, puffy face or eyes
• Intolerance to cold
• Constipation
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• PMS/hormonal imbalance
• Slowed heart rate
• High cholesterol
• High triglycerides
• Inability to enjoy life
Name
Uzma
-
Profession
Question
Is it important to do check ups on the thyroid frequently? And how frequent?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Uzma,
Thyroid hormone is necessary in virtually every gland, organ and cell to function optimally, so the function or dysfunction of the thyroid gland can exhibit a number of deleterious effects on the body, mind and personality. The thyroid regulates the rates of metabolism (how the body utilizes energy from food), digestion, consumption of oxygen and has a profound effect on the immune system and brain chemistry. The thyroid gland is also involved in the following processes:
• Proper function of muscular system
• Aids in the function of the cardiovascular system
• Aids in the function of the brain (including mood and emotion)
• Sexual development and function
• Skeletal system
• Digestive process
• Maintain healthy skin and hair
• Regulates body temperature
• Regulates weight gain and loss.
It would be wise to have your doctor check your thyroid during your annual physical.
