The Holidays Have Been Pretty Tough
Man, the holidays have been pretty tough. I guess it’s actually a little bit too late to still be using that as an excuse, but I’ve definitely packed on a few pounds. As always, carbs are my downfall. Although some experts point out that it is possible to eat lots of carbs and still lose weight, I think they’re missing the point. Like many people, I seem to have a greater appetite after I eat starchy foods.
A classic example occurred two nights ago. I was eating chicken and salad, then my wife offered me a big baked potato (remember, its always someone else’s fault) No problem, I figured. Just a few hundred extra calories. meUnfortunately, I spent the rest of the night rummaging through the kitchen looking for more starch.
Obviously my willpower was weak, but I’m certain that many of us have a drive to eat high carbohydrate foods that is fueled by, ironically, high carbohydrate foods.
It’s time to get back in gear.
WT: 188.6 lbs.
Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Hormone Therapy
DIAGNOSIS
Usually based on blood tests (TSH and others). I believe that the TSH can be misleading. I look for other evidence of low thyroid such as fatigue, hair loss, depression, dry skin, weight gain, cold hands, constipation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. to help identify this problem. I use blood tests, body temperature testing + urine thyroid testing to confirm the diagnosis. This approach is not widely accepted.
TREATMENT & THYROID DOSING GUIDELINES
I routinely use a thyroid extract such as Armour Thyroid because: 1) it works the best for most people. 2) It contains both active thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (as well as T1 and T2). Synthetic treatments such as Synthroid contain only T4.
For maximum safety and effectiveness, the dose starts low and is gradually increased to maximum effectiveness. Dosage is adjusted to restore normal thyroid function — not simply to restore normal blood test results.
I do not usually rely on the TSH test to adjust doses. In theory, a thyroid dose that causes a “suppressed” (low) TSH automatically leads to heart rhythm problems and bone thinning. This theory is refuted by a century of medical experience as well as scientific analysis*. I am convinced by my research and clinical experience that the TSH test is generally not the best way to determine thyroid dosage.
*USPSTF Report on Hypothyroidism-Annals of Intern Med 2004; 140:125-7.
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