Page 29 - Summer2009

These include elevated cholesterol and homo- thyroid hormones into the blood stream, all the

cysteine levels and increased incidence of heart DYDLODEOH / 7K\UR[LQH 7 DQG DERXW SHUFHQW
attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular dis- of the necessary Tri-Iodo-Thyronine or Lio-Thy-

ease. Other adverse effects include infertility and ronine (T3). These are manufactured in the gland
miscarriages; low sex drive; impotence and erec- from one molecule of the amino acid tyrosine and
tile dysfunction; high blood pressure; physical iodine—four iodine atoms per tyrosine molecule
and mental fatigue, sluggishness and apathy; lack LQ WKH FDVH RI 7 DQG WKUHH LRGLQH DWRPV LQ WKH
of ambition and drive; abnormal weight gain case of T3.
and obesity; very dry skin, brittle nails and hair Several minerals and other nutrients are also
loss; constipation, often severe, with impaction; involved, in a supportive way, in the manufacture
depression and mood swings; anxiety, memory of these two thyroid hormones, so it pays to opti-
loss, dementia and “Alzheimer’s”; cold-intol- mize their blood levels as well. These are iodine,
erance; insomnia; increased susceptibility to of course, along with selenium, zinc and mag-
infections and possibly cancer, especially breast nesium. Vitamin A is essential for production
cancer; muscle and joint pains; digestive prob- of thyroid hormone. Mercury, chlorine/chloride,
lems; increased allergies and rashes; personality ÀXRULQH ÀXRULGH SHUFKORUDWH WR[LFLW\ DQG H[FHVV
issues; even lack of leadership ability. copper—and even normal therapeutic levels of
The biggest losers in this neglectful situation WKH PLQHUDO OLWKLXP²DUH NQRZQ WR GHFUHDVH 7
are cardiovascular, infertile, elderly, memory- and, especially, T3 levels. Therefore, the physi-
loss, mood-disordered, chronically fatigued, cian should do a blood test for these levels if there
insomniac and overweight patients. is any suspicion that these levels may be elevated
An indication of the level to which hypo- VXFK DV PDQ\ VLOYHU ¿OOLQJV RU KLJK GHHS VHD ¿VK
thyroidism is underdiagnosed and undertreated, consumption in the case of mercury; or living in
is revealed by the fact that I have never had to D KRPH ZLWK FRSSHU SOXPELQJ DQG QR ZDWHU ¿OWUD-
prescribe a statin drug to normalize anyone’s tion system in the case of copper). Even certain
cholesterol, triglyceride or other lipid blood foods such as soy and cabbage can reduce thyroid
levels. I am treating them not with another drug, IXQFWLRQ ,W VHHPV WKDW JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG VR\
but with what they really need: optimal blood is especially goitrogenic.
levels of the thyroid hormone(s) which they are Only T3 is really active as thyroid hormone,
lacking! 7 EHLQJ D SUH KRUPRQH RU SUR KRUPRQH ZKLFK
has to be converted, that is, de-iodinated to form
THE BASICS OF THYROID PHYSIOLOGY 7 the remaining necessary T3 in the tissues and
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped cells before thyroid function can ensue. Brain Only T3 is
gland that straddles the front of the windpipe cells may initially need to receive a good propor- really active
and voice-box and that can be palpated (felt) tion of their supplies of thyroid hormones in the as thyroid
ZLWK WKH ¿QJHUV HVSHFLDOO\ LI LW LV HQODUJHG RU IRUP RI 7 EHIRUH LW LV FRQYHUWHG WR 7 LQVLGH
has nodules or tumors in it. It secretes two main the cells of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral hormone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Dommisse, MD, MBChB (CapeTown), FRCP (Canada) of Tucson, Arizona, is an expert in thyroid disorders, as well
as in vitamin B therapy. This article is based on a recent paper published in the “Hypotheses” section of Thyroid Science
12
(3(2):H1-14, 2008). Dr. Dommisse has successfully used the approach outlined in this article in over 5,000 patients since
1
1989.
Earlier this year, his state medical board revoked his allopathic medical license (which he is appealing) in spite of his
accomplishments in the field of hypothyroidism diagnosis and treatment. None of his treatments has ever harmed any
patient and he achieves superior results to that of most physicians.
Dr. Dommisse has managed to remain in a consulting practice to in-person and out-of-state phone-appointment
clients by utilizing a novel federal legal structure, based on the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution, which
has consistently been upheld when challenged, for similar usages, in the U.S. Supreme Court. Visit his website at www.
JohnDommisseMD.com or contact him at john@johndommissemd.com, (520) 577-1940.

SUMMER 2009 Wise Traditions 27