Brith Control Pill and Weight Gain: A look at “Functional Hypothyroidsim”

More Notes, More Info!

• The birth control pill (BCP) contains small amounts of estrogen (female dominant hormones).
• Estrogen can increase Thyroid Binding Globulin (taxi service for thyroid hormones). The more thyroid hormones are bound to these taxis the slower the person’s metabolism= weight gain.
• This can cause “Functional Hypothyroidism” meaning that your laboratory test may look OK but you will not.
• Excess estrogen from the BCP can build up in body tissue and “leak out” over time creating a hypothyroidism state even after quitting the BCP.
• Excess estrogens can be detoxified by increasing phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification. However, blood sugar issues (functional or pathological (i.e. diabetes)) must be stabilized first. Many young women today are functional hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) which can alter thyroid function.
• Those who refuse to quit the BCP, phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification must be supported
• Those who are on the BCP for other feminine problems and want to minimize long term side effects, the cause of those underlying problems (acne, irregular periods, etc.) must be identified first. From there a comprehensive plan can be developed to restore normal function. That means a healthier you and not someone who becomes dependent on medication.

We encourage you to take action in your health goals whether it is addressing a chronic health problem or creating a wellness plan to prevent disease in the future. Become part of our team. True health is not easily achieved alone.

If you mention this blog post, we will grant a %10 discount off your initial consultation.

Our goal is to identify and address the “spider web” of biological dysfunctions that play a role in chronic diseases.   We do this through our clinic  in Atlanta, Georgia and around the world through our TeleHealth phone/video consultation service.

Dr. Brady Hurst
True Health Center for Functional Medicine + Chiropractic.
www.TrueHealthDC.com

Dr. Brady on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

• Symptoms: Amenorrhea (few or absent periods), infertility due to anovulation (ovaries do not release eggs), Hirsutism (excess body hair), thin scalp hair, acne, weight gain, depression
• Signs: irritable if meals are skipped, fatigue after meals (eating relieves symptoms), depends on coffee or caffeine to get started in the morning
• PCOS is triggered by high testosterone levels
• Insulin creates the production the testosterone
• Insulin helps lower blood sugar when high
• Insulin will also cause the liver to produce excess cholesterol. This can further alter hormones since sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, etc.) are made from cholesterol.
• Women with insulin resistance and/or diabetes will experience the highest testosterone levels.
• The key is to control insulin surges. Best signs of insulin surges or insulin resistance- fatigue after meals and/or irritability in between meals.
• Insulin drives high testosterone, high testosterone drives insulin. This creates a “vicious cycle” that feeds itself. Even though diet and exercise are KEY, breaking that cycle is just as important. There are peer reviewed studies that show specific botanicals and nutrients that help break that cycle.
• High testosterone is the MOST COMMON hormonal shift in menstruating women.
• PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in the USA.
• Simple test can be done in office or remotely to determine the many factors that drive PCOS.
• Most mainstream healthcare options do not offer this comprehensive approach. For help contact our office.

Our goal is to identify and address the “spider web” of biological dysfunctions that play a role in chronic disease. We provide the most comprehensive care to those with chronic conditions and those who want to prevent chronic conditions, which make up the top ten most common causes of death.  We do this through our home office in Atlanta, Georgia and around the world through our TeleHealth phone consultation service.

If you mention this blog post, we will grant a %10 discount off your initial consultation.

Dr. Brady Hurst
True Health Center for Advanced Alternative Medicine and Chiropractic.
www.TrueHealthDC.com

Dr. Brady on~ Functional Laboratory Testing

The Adrenal / Thyroid Connection

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Low Vitamin D Levels

• Low Vitamin D levels are very common in the United States because of diminished nutrition in our food supply, the overuse of sunscreen, and the overall lack of outdoor activity in the summer and in winter.
• AT LEAST 15 minutes (30 minutes for African Americans) of direct sunlight or 30 minutes to 1 hour of shade time is required for adequate Vitamin D production. We have not yet evolved enough to produce more Vitamin D with less sunlight. Our prehistoric ancestors lived near the equator receiving direct UV rays and therefore receiving adequate amounts of Vitamin D…and sadly enough, their food supply was also more nutritious than ours today.
• Low Vitamin D levels substantially increase the risk of a variety of diseases including several cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, infections (such as Candida), multiple sclerosis, and is linked to an increase of death FROM ALL CAUSES.
• Low Vitamin D levels in children are linked to a higher risk of death from the H1N1 Swine Flu virus.
• Optimal levels of Vitamin D should read around 50-90 ng/ml. About 90% of my patients show less than 20 ng/ml which is considered an EXTREME DEFICIENCY.
• Adults and children should be tested once each season. Our office can easily run this test.
• The majority of us are Vitamin D deficient and should supplement. Vitamin D should be taking in a cod or flax based formula. Vitamin D works best when taken with its co-factors and synergist.
• I STRESS THAT FULL PERSONAL BALANCE OF ALL VITAMINS, MINERALS, FATTY ACIDS, ENZYMES AND CO-FACTORS ALONG WITH DECREASING THE BURDEN OF HEAVY METALS, VIRAL/BACTERIAL LOADS, AND OXIDATION ARE KEY TO TRULY REGAINING HEALTH.

Our goal here at True Health is to identify the spider web of metabolic dysfunctions that occur in the chronically ill and those of us who are healthy and want to prevent chronic illnesses. We find these dysfunctions through objective laboratory tests. Your personalized plan includes lifestyle, environmental, and dietary changes with an individualized supplement plan.

Because our office has accounts with international laboratories, we are not only able to care for loved ones in-house but now across the world through our unique TeleHealth Service. Finding a good doctor is now made easy.

Dr. Brady Hurst
True Health Center for Advanced Alternative Medicine and Chiropractic.
www.TrueHealthDC.com

Clearvite Detoxification and Weight Loss Program

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Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and the Immune System- The Functional Medicine Approach

Summery

• Thyroid Gland- Gland that sits just below your “Adams Apple”. It helps control rate of energy production and conservation.
• Hypothyroidism- “Turning down the thermostat” for most of your biological activities.
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an auto-immune disease where your body attacks it’s own Thyroid tissue. Imbalances are seen in the immune system’s TH1/TH2 responses, imbalances that typically come about when chronically exposed to an antigen (virus, bacteria, foods, everyday chemicals ect.) Immune Imbalances can lead to auto-immune diseases like Hashimoto’s.
• Suspect Hashimoto’s if you are on medications for hypothyroidism like Synthroid and they “just don’t work”.
• Functional Medicine Practitioners like Dr. Brady may test for “Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies” and “Thyroglobulin Antibodies”, which are the white blood cells that attack the Thyroid gland. This is also where traditional medicine stops and you become a professional patient. Since most of people with Hashimoto’s have an inborn error in processing vitamin D, (strong immune balancer) the inactive and active form of vitamin D would also be tested. Comprehensive testing is crucial.
• Things that make Hashimoto’s worse:

• Gluten Intolerance- 95% of symptoms will go away when eliminated!
• Iodine- This can increase oxidative stress on the Thyroid (see Jodbasedow phenomenon).
• Sugar handling issues (hypoglycemia/insulin resistance/diabetes).
• Intestinal infections- Theses go undetected most of the time (AKA YOU CAN NOT FEEL THEM). Testing, again, is crucial.
• Unbalanced hormones.
• Heavy metal burdens- We all have a degree of heavy metal burden. Again, this can be tested for by a Functional Medicine Practitioner like Dr. Brady.

• Goals:

1. To stabilize antibody spikes by balancing the immune system
2. Reduce oxidative damage done by the auto-antibodies

• The majority of today’s traditional healthcare practitioners would have stopped at step 1 and you would have been on the long, downward spiraling, road of medication. Dr. Brady see people suffering like you from all around the nation. Dr. Brady is a Functional Medicine Practitioner in Atlanta Georgia and uses cutting edge medical technology and knowledge to restore ones normal function in both the sick and the well. When there is no box, It CAN be done!

We have developed a TeleHealth Service designed to help people worldwide. Our use of advance laboratory testing helps identify any potential blockades that keep you from losing weight and being healthy in every moment.

If you mention this blog post, we will grant a %10 discount off your initial consultation.

If this information helped you, please pass it on to others so they may be helped in the same way.

Dr. Brady Hurst
www.TrueHealthDC.com

Hypothyroidism and the Gut Connection

• Vitamin A and D are needed to allow thyroid hormones to work.
• Vitamin A has to be in the form of retinoic acid (still vitamin A). This is done by enzymes in the intestines.
• Intestinal dysfunctions is the most overlooked condition in America.
• As much at 70% (90% in my practice) are severely deficient in vitamin D when levels are checked in the blood.
• What to we do? A few things:
  • How is your gut functioning? Specific lab tests can be done to find out. Find and build a relationship with a doctor that practices Functional Medicine. Most doctors are only concerned with disease therefore function will be overlooked.
  • Make it a point to go outside for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day WITHOUT sunscreen. Longer than 30 minutes? Combination of coconut oil and iodine (careful of iodine Hashimoto Hypothyroidism people). Commercial sunscreens are toxic and it’s compounds can easily be absorbed through the skin. Many of these compounds can alter thyroid function. Do your homework when using them.
  • Supplement vitamin D: At least 2500 IU/day, upwards of 4,000 IU/day for severe deficiencies (several months). Get your vitamin D levels checked to find out if you’re deficient. Buy vitamin D (all products) from a professional sources (doctors). Those companies are held to stricter standards. DO NOT PURCHASE FROM DISCOUNT STORES ECT.
  • Since these suggestions are very simplistic, getting thoroughly checked out by a Functional Medicine practitioner will expose the web of factors that is driving your hypothyroidism.

We have developed a TeleHealth Service designed to help people worldwide. Our use of advance laboratory testing helps identify any potential blockades that keep you from losing weight and being healthy in every moment.

If you mention this blog post, we will grant a %10 discount off your initial consultation.

If this information helped you, please pass it on to others so they may be helped in the same way.

Dr. Brady Hurst
True Health: Functional Medicine + Chiropractic.
www.TrueHealthDC.com