Your body's metabolism can be compared to the engine of a car that burns petrol to release the energy that makes the vehicle run. The cells in your body have their own energy factories called mitochondria, which burn fuel (the food we eat) to make the energy that keeps us alive. Your energy level greatly influences the quality of your life.

THE THYROID GLAND

At the base of your neck on both sides of your windpipe lies your thyroid gland. This small, butterfly-shaped gland has the job of extracting iodine from the blood to produce the thyroid hormones - thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) - that regulate the energy of virtually every cell and organ in the body. The thyroid, therefore, plays a major role in controlling your body's metabolism and energy production.

UNDERACTIVE THYROID

The commonest thyroid problem is that of the underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. It is four times more common in women than in men. Medical research indicates that there has been a rapid increase in the incidence of this disease in recent times, making it the second most common hormonal problem after diabetes. Yes, we are now facing a virtual epidemic of hypothyroidism.

Common features of this problem include: weight gain, fatigue, sluggishness, trouble getting up in the morning, depression, poor memory, dry skin and hair, hair loss, cracked or chipping fingernails, constipation, fluid retention, menstrual problems and PMS, infertility, low sex drive, muscle aches and cramps, low heart rate, low blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.

As a lot of those symptoms are common and unspecific, some cases of underactive thyroid often go undetected as many doctors focus primarily on blood tests that can be misleading. Because the disease can be so subtle, doctors even talk about subclinical hypothyroidism. If you notice any of these signs, please bring them specifically to your doctor's attention.

There is also an excellent simple self-test that you can do to evaluate your thyroid function. It is called a Barnes Test, in honour of Dr. Broda Barnes, the doctor who created this test. This involves taking your resting body temperature, first thing in the morning. If the resting temperature is consistently below normal, this is a strong indicator of low thyroid function. In my experience, it will often reveal the problem even when the usual blood tests do not. Instructions on how to do the test can be obtained from the Vendryes Wellness Centre.

CAUSES OF LOW THYROID

Several different conditions may cause low thyroid function:

Immune disorders can damage the thyroid gland, leading to a type of underactive thyroid called Hashimoto's disease, named after the Japanese doctor who first described it.

As many as 25 per cent of women develop a low thyroid state after childbirth or abortions. This reaction is also noted after periods of major stress.

The thyroid hormones depend on the presence of other hormones, particularly the hormone progesterone, to function properly. Low levels of progesterone, commonly seen in pre- and post-menopausal women, can worsen hypothyroidism.

Many chemicals disrupt hormonal function. The chlorine in your tap water creates chemicals called perchlorates that interfere with thyroid function. Some experts believe that chemical pollution is a major cause of the current hypothyroid epidemic.

Some of the popular treatments by doctors for an overactive thyroid are radiation therapy and surgical removal.

Iodine is essential for normal thyroid function, and hypothyroidism may be due to a low-iodine diet. A number of popular foods like soybeans, peas, broccoli and cauliflower contain substances called goitrogens. These are chemicals that have been shown in the laboratory to block the actions of thyroid hormones. In my opinion, this is of little practical significance, as you would have to consume vast quantities of these foods to produce any such effect. Furthermore, the problem only occurs when the individual is deficient in iodine. I say, eat up your soy, peas and vegetables.

TREATMENT

1) General measures:

Good nutrition is essential with particular emphasis on adequate iodine and protein in the diet. I recommend the cellular nutrition programme, exercise, stress management and adequate exposure to sunshine, as they are all important in hormone balancing.

2) Specific Measures:

Hormone replacement therapy is often necessary. I use a non-synthetic product called Armour Thyroid that often gives better results than the popular thyroid drugs used. I use the patient's basal body temperature readings to adjust the dosage of medicine they require. Balancing the other hormones, especially progesterone and testosterone, is also important for optimal results.

Looking out for this often overlooked problem and treating it in a holistic and natural way, can tremendously improve the quality of life of the person affected by an underactive thyroid.

Email Dr. Anthony Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com, visit the website www.anounceofprevention.org, or listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on Power 106 FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.