Thyroid decline affects everycell in our body, resulting in a wide range of age-related problems

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located just under the Adam's apple inthe throat. It secretes a hormone into the bloodstream called thyroxine, whichcontrols the body's metabolism, the rate at which the body burns calories forenergy. It also controls the body's utilization of fat. A decline in thesecretion of hormones from the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can result inpoor concentration, confusion, memory problems, cold hands and feet, weightgain, menstrual problems, sleep disorders, dry skin, thinning hair and lowenergy levels. An under active thyroid is also a major cause of a commonpainful musculoskeletal condition known as fibromyalgia.

Who is at risk?

Aging often leads to hypothyroidism, and is considered by some in this field tobe an under-diagnosed epidemic. Taking thyroid supplements can redresshypothyroidism and subsequently overcome a broad range of aging disorders.

Thyroid deficiency most often affects women over 40, but men and teenagers canalso have reduced thyroid function, especially if it runs in the family.According to some estimates, as many as 15 to 20% of women over age 60 may havesub-clinical hypothyroidism (meaning they would benefit from thyroidsupplementation even though most doctors would say, based on standardlaboratory test results, that they had no thyroid pathology requiringtreatment). Each year, 5 to 15% of these women develop symptoms, some of whichmay contribute to shortening their lives.

Some hypothyroidism, clinically diagnosed as thyroid deficiency syndrome, maybe caused by a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This is an autoimmunedisease, 90% of sufferers being women, in which the body's own immune defensesturn on the thyroid gland, causing an inflammatory process that eventuallydestroy it. Immunosenesence, immune decline with aging, is associated withincreased autoimmune reactions. This progressive destructive process is a majorreason why thyroid function commonly declines with age.

Whole-natural or synthetic supplements?

Thyroid supplements come in two forms. Whole-natural supplements and syntheticsupplements. It is almost always better to use a whole-natural thyroid extractbecause the synthetic versions usually only comprise of one of the thyroidhormones, (such as, T3 or T4), whereas, whole-natural thyroids cover a fullerspectrum of thyroid hormones (including T1, T2, T3 and T4).

By measuring a particular hormone known as Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) itcan be determined whether supplementation is necessary. The relationshipbetween thyroid levels and TSH levels is inverse, which is to say that asthyroid hormones levels rise in the body, TSH levels normally fall. Becausethyroid function changes with age, it is helpful to monitor TSH levelsperiodically to insure that the quantity of thyroid supplement being takenmaintains appropriately youthful levels.

Scientific data, both clinical and experimental, strongly supports the ideathat a small daily serving of whole thyroid extract as a dietary supplement canhave a wide range of positive influences. Dr. James Isaacs, a pioneeringcardiovascular surgeon from Baltimore, conducted a classic study in 1974 andfound that those who took 1/4 grain of thyroid (whole thyroid is measured ingrains, 60mg = 1 grain) combined with minerals and vitamins over a period of 10years showed significant improvement in cardiovascular-protective function.