• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Everblossom

  • Oils
  • DIY Beauty
  • Garden
  • Herbs
  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Oils
  • DIY Beauty
  • Garden
  • Herbs
  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • About
×

Home » Blog » Holistic Wellness

Holistic approaches to thyroid disease

Published: Mar 6, 2018 Modified: Mar 5, 2018 by Everblossom Team This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

0 shares
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Guest post by "Sick to Death" director Maggie Hadleigh-West | I have the uncanny ability to spot thyroid disease in a heartbeat, where traditional medicine cannot.   Why, you might wonder? In medical school, doctors are taught to rely on a single blood test–the TSH Test, which measures the thyroid hormone in the pituitary gland, as opposed to the circulating thyroid hormone in the rest of the body.  It is estimated that the TSH test misses 85% of individuals that are hypothyroid.  

Almost all thyroid disorders and/or cancers ultimately render patients hypothyroid or with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  I have been diagnosed with both Graves Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis both forms of autoimmune thyroid disease, both diagnosed after decades of symptoms.  

In the process of learning to advocate for myself, I learned how to test myself, was shown a medical book (now out of print) which makes very clear the symptoms of hypothyroidism and have learned the signs of thyroid disease from the most progressive thyroid advocates and experts in the country.

Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism can include: cold hands and /or feet, slow metabolism, low body temperature, low blood pressure, difficulty losing weight, depression and the most egregious for many of us–brain fog–the inability to think well and short term memory issues.  

As a patient advocate, I have found the things that work best for my thyroid health now include: finding a doctor who gets it, taking Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) as opposed to Levothyroxine drugs, which undertreat 90% of patients, maintaining a regular exercise routine that is not so strenuous that it negatively impacts my thyroid function, avoiding goitergens and gluten, weekly acupuncture and all kinds of other healthy, natural and holistic practices.  

Although traditional medicine failed me in early diagnosis and original treatment, I now treat myself as a precious entity, and believe that everything that enters, touches or influences my mind, body and spirit, matters and proceed accordingly.

About the Author

Maggie Hadleigh-West is the Director of the film, Sick to Death! , is a social justice filmmaker with an emphasis on racism, sexism and health advocacy.  Her work can be seen at www.sick2death.com and www.yomaggie.com

Watch the Sick to Death! Teaser from Maggie Hadleigh-West on Vimeo

« How trust faciliates healing
14 quotes about the strength of women »
0 shares
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer Pellicone

    March 07, 2018 at 11:16 am

    I have discovered Kefir which I culture myself and consume daily. I think this has resulted in a decrease in the amount of synthroid I require.

    Reply
  2. Tracie Wilson

    March 10, 2018 at 10:04 am

    This is wonderful. I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease in my 20's, but really didn't know how serious it was until my 40s. I have started reading more about it now that I am "older and wiser". LOL

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Everblossom Your guide to learn how to use nature-based self-care, herbalism, aromatherapy, and nutrition to naturally support your overall health and well-being.

More about Everblossom →

Popular Articles

  • 15+ Self-Care Tips To Help You Make It Through Winter
  • How to Prioritize Self-Care for A More Consistent Routine
  • DIY Avocado Guacamole Bath Bombs
  • 100 New Moon Rituals

Seasonal Posts

  • 15+ Self-Care Tips To Help You Make It Through Winter
  • Winter Wisdom Essential Oil Blend
  • Is it the winter blues or something more?
  • The Best Natural Remedies for Dry Winter Skin

Footer

↑ back to top

Emily Kyle As Featured In

Contact

  • About

Important

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Emily Kyle Nutrition, LLC · Emily Kyle, MS, RDN, HCP · All Rights Reserved