Some Simple Q & A’s

What tests are you using for thyroid assessment?

Consider as a minimum using TSH, free T4, free T3 perhaps with total T3, reverse T3, and antithyroid antibodies.

What are the objective indications (per lab) for the use of thyroid hormone supplementation/replacement?

Elevated TSH, low T4 or T3, antithyroid antibodies

Can a patient have a normal TSH, free T4 and total T3 yet still have laboratory indication for the use of thyroid hormone?

Yes, they might have elevated reverse T3, and/or a compelling clinical picture.

What are the differential indications for T4 versus T4+T3 versus T3 alone?

Patient/doctor preference; fragile patients tolerate T4 better and the half-life is about 7 days in contrast to T3’s half life of about 1 day.  T3 is the only treatment that works for functional hypothyroidism defined in this instance as elevated rT3.

What nutrients have been shown to promote proper thyroid function?

Iodine/Iodide, tyrosine, zinc and selenium.

What supplemental nutrients have been shown to impair thyroid hormone metabolism?

L-carnitine

Iodine is an essential trace mineral necessary for the production of thyroxine (T4). Although approximately 80% of the dietary intake of iodine is sequestered by the thyroid gland, other tissues concentrate iodine as well. They include salivary glands, the gastric mucosa, the choroid plexus, mammary glands, and the ovaries. However, iodine is often found lacking in the typical western diet. Consequently, as a result of decreased iodine status, sufficient thyroxine cannot be produced by some, negatively impacting thyroid function. Interestingly, published information suggests iodine/iodide helps to maintain healthy hydroxyl oestrogen ratios.

Nutri-Link has again purchased additional Shelterbox’s each of which will provide immediate support for 10 people, meeting their short term needs and reducing risk of secondary loss of life.

As a health care company we consider it our responsibility to assist where possible, people who through no fault of their own, experience dramatic and life altering events. Shelter box is an international charity geared up for immediate action. Supported by Rotarian’s around the world, they have developed an international reputation for getting to the sites of disaster fast and delivering effective immediate and practical solutions. The boxes contents are carefully selected to meet the actual needs of the people affected and contain items designed to withstand rigorous use for many years if required.

Due to a reduced level of raw material availability, ARG’s New Zealand manufacturing company has suspended indefinitely the supply of Organic Adrenal Cortex.

This supply problem is unlikely to be resolved and as such they have directed their suppliers to concentrate on the whole adrenal glandular product:

In order to best support your patients, Antony Haynes and Michael Ash recommend you consider these alternative products:

Allergy Research Group: Adrenal (whole) Natural Glandular (FKA Organic Glandular) (70460- 75caps)

Biotics Research Corporation: Cytozyme AD (3001 – 60 Tabs, 3028 – 180 Tabs).

These products support the entire adrenal gland, both the medulla and cortex portions. The medulla makes up the outer portion of the gland and is involved in many hormone secretions esp. cortisol. The medulla is the central part of the gland and is involved in adrenaline and nor-adrenaline secretion.

If there is a need to support the endocrine system is a more wholistic manner including the thyroid, then consider using Dr. Wilson’s Adrenal Rebuilder:

Future Formulations: Adrenal Rebuilder® AR90 Tabs, AR150 Tabs

Adrenal Rebuilder® contains high quality whole adrenal, hypothalamus, pituitary and gonad concentrates in the proportions that provide the greatest nutritional support for those experiencing stress and adrenal fatigue. When there is a need to support the adrenals but also the entire endocrine system, do consider the use of this product.

Recommendations.

We suggest you use the whole Organic Glandular Adrenal (ARG) or Adrenal Rebuilder® in the place of the Adrenal Cortex Organic Glandular.  The dose for the Whole Adrenal is the same as the Cortex, i.e. 1 at breakfast and 1 at lunch, whereas the dose of the Adrenal Rebuilder® is 1 at each meal. It is recommended that you assess your patients’ response and adjust up or down as required based on ASI profiles or feedback.

Whilst the ARG Adrenal Cortex product contained 250mg of glandular adrenal tissue and the BRC product contains 80mg, the BRC product is estimated (based on clinical experience only) to be approximately twice as strong as the ARG product. Accordingly, the dosing needs to be approximately 2 of Cytozyme AD (BRC) for each of the Adrenal Cortex (ARG).

Please contact the technical team if you have any further questions. 08450 760 402

The forward is by David S. Jones M.D.  President and Chief Medical Officer of the Institute for Functional Medicine in the USA.

Called Biochemical Imbalances in Disease A Practitioners Handbook and designed to bring up to date information.

The book examines a range of biochemical imbalances, including compromised adrenal or thyroid function, gastro-intestinal imbalances, immune system problems and sex hormone imbalances, and explains how and why such states occur. It pulls together a wide range of evidence to show how such imbalances are involved in the most common chronic diseases. It helps practitioners to understand how to identify the imbalances through appropriate case history taking and laboratory testing, and how to design and implement effective nutritional interventions. Developed by leading academics and practitioners in the fields of nutritional therapy and functional medicine, this evidence-informed approach can be used with all patients who present in clinic, regardless of whether or not they have a ‘named medical condition’.

In the final chapter, a case example illustrates how to use the theoretical information in the practice of treating patients with chronically compromised health.
Biochemical Imbalances in Disease is an essential text for nutritional therapy practitioners, as well as for students, and will be welcomed by complementary and conventional healthcare practitioners alike.

Published by Singing Dragon Press, it will be available from April 2010at a cost of £45.00

A fantastic 336 pages long, it has been written with the practicing therapist in mind

ISBN: 9781848190337 pb

The simplified ‘control-it’ weight loss seminar by Antony Haynes BA DipION held in London on the 9th Feb was well recieved and practitioners were shown simple effective strategies for body composition managment and overall health improvement. To learn more contact our office on 08450 760 402

In particular the role of dessicated thyroid, antioxidants and iodine were explored in terms of their effect on individuals with suboptimal thyroid function. Practitioners unable to attend may purchase access to all notes, slides and audio for 5.5-6 hrs CPD from Nutri-Link. Please call to order access on line.

To learn more, including how registered health care professionals can listen to the lecture, obtain CPD credits and yet not have to leave home, visit his page on our nleducation site.

Nutri-Link brings recognised experts in clinical nutrition from around the world for your educational development and comprehension.

Shelterbox is headquartered in Cornwall under the auspices of the Rotary Clubs around the world. They provide rescue boxes  containing all the essential elements a family or groups of people who have lost all their possessions and access to sanitation and water require to survive.

Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value.

To learn more and if you wish to contribute to this excellent, practical charity visit the ShelterBox website see the first boxes arriving at Port au Prince in this video.

You may have some comments about what we are doing right or wrong on our new site! Your feedback is always welcome and we will within the bounds of the various laws that limit what can be said about food supplements try to meet your suggestions.

Please have a look through and let us know.

Web Team.