June 5, 2021 – This week on A Different Perspective, Dr. Patrick Flynn kicks off a multi-part series all about The Wellness Way’s approach to thyroid health.
This series is based on many messages received from viewers regarding thyroid health and how The Wellness Way’s approach differs from that of traditional medicine.
An article in the Journal of Steroids published in 1988 is what originally sparked Dr. Patrick Flynn’s interest in hormone health as it relates to the thyroid. This article presented research that showed how thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) can be used to transport estrogens. This revealed that there is a direction connection between estrogen levels and thyroid function. This led Dr. Patrick Flynn to investigate and come to believe that when one doesn’t understand the estrogen levels in a woman, one cannot have a complete view of how the thyroid is working.
The current medical approach to thyroid health is incomplete. By only measuring TSH or the thyroid hormones themselves, you will not have a complete understanding of the thyroid. Proper assessment of the thyroid requires a multi-faceted approach that focuses on various systems of the body, not just one.
The Complications of Thyroid Medicine
Dr. Patrick Flynn takes a look at levothyroxine, a commonly prescribed medication for thyroid support. He references The Physician’s Desk Reference to point out that one contraindication of levothyroxine is adrenal insufficiency. If a patient has weak or fatigued adrenals, it is important to test for that as it can be a very helpful informant regarding thyroid health. It is essential to treat adrenal insufficiency before treating thyroid problems. The Wellness Way doctors make a point of asking any patient taking levothyroxine if their doctor has looked for adrenal insufficiency. Dr. Flynn notes that in his clinical experience, 100 percent of patients say their doctor has not.
Four Questions You Must Ask About Your Thyroid
- Production: do you make enough?
- Conversion: does your body convert T4 to T3?
- Destruction: is there an auto-immune issue?
- Interference: what’s triggering the problem?
Asking these questions will lead you to the Swiss Watch Principle: the body is like a Swiss watch where every gear interconnects to another gear. For complete wellness, you must address the entire system rather than single out one part alone.
Thyroid Basics
Thyroid function impacts breathing, heart rate, heart health, cholesterol levels, the nervous system, body weight, muscle strength, menstrual cycles, body temperature, digestion, bone health, and the immune system.
Hypo-thyroid (low) symptoms include trouble sleeping, tiredness and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dry skin and hair, depression, constipation, sensitivity to cold temperatures, frequent heavy periods, and joint and muscle pain.
Hyper-thyroid (high) symptoms include trouble sleeping, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, anxiety/irritability, sweating, tremors, loose stool, weight loss, weakness, thin skin and hair, and heat intolerance.
The 6 hormones made by the thyroid are: T4 thyroxine, T3 triodothyronine, Reverse T3, T2, T1, and calcitonin.
What Do You Do If Your Thyroid Has Been Removed?
Nicole Saleske, Nurse Practitioner at The Wellness Way Green Bay, joins Dr. Patrick Flynn to share where thyroid medications are derived from, how they interact with the body’s systems in the conversion process, and various natural thyroid medications currently available on the market.
If your thyroid has been removed, Nicole states it is very important to find a good integrative doctor or nurse practitioner who can prescribe medication for you. Put the time into doing thorough research. Look for a practitioner that can customize your medication dosage carefully to create one that is balanced and works with your body. The goal is to be on the lowest dose of the medication possible to achieve results.
Closing Interview with Jennifer Bridges, R.N.
Dr. Patrick Flynn closes out the show with an interview with Jennifer Bridges, a registered nurse working at Houston Methodist Hospital. She shares her experience dealing with COVID-19 vaccination mandates in her workplace and the legal action she is currently taking as a result. Bridges explains that she is not anti-vaccine but is currently refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine due to the lack of research behind it, lack of informed consent for those getting the shot, and because she has witnessed firsthand very adverse reactions among her staff and patients.
Click here to watch this episode of A Different Perspective!
