Page 19 - Summer2009

seem to have an inverse relationship. How we VWDUWOH UHÀH[ LQVRPQLD DQG XQUHIUHVKLQJ VOHHS ORZ EORRG SUHVVXUH DOOHU-
appear (physically, emotionally and biochemi- gies and autoimmune problems.
cally) seems to be a function of how the thyroid Most people have a mixture of poor thyroid and poor adrenal function
and adrenals relate to each other. Low adrenal rather than purely one or the other, and therefore a mixture of symptoms.
function can appear like excessively high thyroid Within my practice I have developed several tools that assist in diagnosing
function—that is, sufferers of both may be thin the causative problem and facilitate treatment (see sidebar, page 18). They
and pale, nervous, have palpitations, and have provide very useful feedback tools for proper diagnosis and treatment of
unstable temperatures. By contrast, low thyroid low metabolic energy.
function may have symptoms similar to high
adrenal function—that is, sufferers of both may TREATMENT FOR LOW METABOLIC ENERGY
be heavier than normal, have a reddish facial :KHUH GR ZH VWDUW ZLWK WKH DGUHQDO RU WKH WK\URLG LQVXI¿FLHQF\" ,I both
complexion, have stable temperatures and a calm the thyroid and the adrenals are weak, adrenal repair must precede thyroid
demeanor. repair (see the Metabolic Scorecard™, page 20, to determine whether
If poor thyroid function is the only cause problem is adrenal, thyroid, or both).
of low metabolic function, we typically see a If the adrenals are weak, then even normal thyroid activity places an
reddish complexion, thinning of the outer eye- excessive burden on them. One may begin to feel “hypoadrenal” (cold-
brows, easy weight gain, depression, sluggish- ness, weight loss, dryness, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety) and then the
ness, excessive sleep, high blood pressure and a body innately turns down its own thyroid energy production by increasing
GHFUHDVHG DELOLW\ WR ¿JKW LQIHFWLRQ &RQYHUVHO\ production of RT3. Conversely, if the adrenals are strong and the thyroid is
if poor adrenal function is the only cause of weak or unable to keep up with the adrenals, one begins to feel “hypothy-
low metabolic function, we typically see pallor, URLG´ KHDW LQWROHUDQFH ZHLJKW JDLQ DQG ÀXLG UHWHQWLRQ WLUHGQHVV H[FHVVLYH
IXOO H\HEURZV GLI¿FXOW\ JDLQLQJ ZHLJKW LI WKH need to sleep and depression). A very common error made by medical
SUREOHP LV VHYHUH GLI¿FXOW\ ORVLQJ ZHLJKW LI practitioners is to focus entirely on the thyroid and ignore the adrenals.
the problem is moderate), anxiety, exaggerated In a weakened adrenal state, prescribing thyroid medication that contains

SYMPTOMS OF LOW METABOLIC ENERGY

Although many of the symptoms below seem unrelated, they may all stem from the same root problem of low
metabolic energy.

GENERAL: Low body temperature. Coldness. Low energy or fatigue. Weight problems (can’t lose or gain it). Slow heal-
ing.
BRAIN: Depression and/or anxiety. Poor memory, focus or concentration. Sleep disorders.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Under-reactive or over-reactive; that is, frequent infections (skin, sinus, bladder, bowel and yeast
problems); allergies; auto-immune disease.

MUSCULOSKELETAL: Fatigue, fibromyalgia (muscle or joint pains); generalized aches and pains; repetitive use injury
and carpal tunnel syndrome. Weak connective tissues (ligaments, bones, etc.); headaches.
SEXUAL: Loss of libido and function; menstrual disorders; infertility.

VASCULAR: Low blood pressure; high blood pressure; Raynaud’s disease.
BOWELS: Constipation; gas or bloating; digestive disorders; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

NERVOUS SYSTEM: Numbness of hands and/or feet (usually symmetrical); dulling or loss of senses such as vision, taste
or smell.

SKIN: Dry; pallor in light skin, darkening or dark patches in dark skin; acne.

HAIR: Brittle, falling, coarse, dry or oily.

SUMMER 2009 Wise Traditions 17