By George E. Springer, Jr. D.C., N.M.D., D.C.B.C.N.

 Did you know:

● an estimated 27 million Americans have Thyroid disease?

● more than half are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed?

● thyroid problems in women occur seven times more often than

in men?

● thyroid problems can be triggered by things as simple as your

drinking water or  swimming in your pool?

On a global scale, a staggering 200 million people have problems with their thyroid glands, with over 50 percent remaining undiagnosed. In the US alone, the instance of thyroid disease is running close to epidemic levels and equally as worrying is the number of un-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed cases. So just what is responsible for these runaway statistics?

The Thyroid Gland – So Small, Yet So Vital

Most people would locate their thyroid gland in the neck area, and many know it is somehow linked to weight-gain or weight-loss. How many times have you heard an over-weight person say “I have thyroid problems”? Well, what does that really mean?

The thyroid gland sits wrapped around the windpipe behind and below the Adam’s Apple area. This small bowtie-shaped gland produces several hormones in both men and women, the two most important being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help convert oxygen and calories into energy, making the thyroid the master gland of metabolism. The hormones are also essential for the proper functioning of all our organs, including our heart, musculoskeletal system and brain.

Hypo or Hyper?

The two most common forms of thyroid disease are Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism and as their names suggest, they are at opposite end of the scale.

When it functions as it should, the thyroid will produce T3 and T4 at a 20% – 80% ratio. An under-production of these hormones will slow down the body’s metabolism, causing Hypothyroidism. Common symptoms of this condition are weight-gain despite eating sensibly, feeling cold, fatigue, depression and possibly increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when an excess of T3 and T4 speeds up the body’s metabolism and, if the mild condition is left untreated it can lead to complications such as severe weight-loss despite a healthy appetite, nervousness, accelerated heart rate and insomnia.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

- Autoimmune thyroiditis, where the body’s own immune system attacks the thyroid gland, is the major cause of hypothyroidism.

- A lack of iodine in the body. Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, and iodine deficiency due to inadequate intake can lead to problems.

- This is also true for a deficiency of protein in the body and a deficiency of magnesium and zinc .

- Heavy metal poisoning (as with mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium) of the thyroid can also lead to hypothyroidism; chemicals and pesticides can also be a factor.

- Root canal teeth can leak toxins into the body and enter the thyroid gland, producing malfunction.

- Babies can be born without a thyroid gland, or with one that is not properly functioning.

- Surgical removal of the thyroid gland or treatment with radioactive iodine, often for hyperthyroidism, can also lead to hypothyroidism.

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

- In 70% of people with hyperthyroidism, the cause is a genetic disorder called Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease may be secondary to dental infections, root canals or mercury fillings.

- Lumps or nodules in the thyroid may gradually grow and increase in activity also leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormones.

- Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), where the thyroid gland leaks thyroid hormones into the blood.

- Overmedication with triiodothyronine (T3) and/or levothyroxine (T4) may also cause hyperthyroidism.

 Why This Epidemic?

Thyroid disease is one of the silent epidemics of our time. The shocking fact is that nearly half of all women and a quarter of all men in the US will die with evidence of an inflamed thyroid.

As with many of today’s illnesses, the increased incidence of thyroid disease can be linked to an over-burden of toxins caused by pollution through air, water and food. If you have a concern about your thyroid, you may want to note the following potential causes of problems:

Iodine – deficiency is one cause of hypothyroidism. However, studies are also showing that in the case of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, the highest prevalence occurs in countries with the highest intake of iodine, such as the US and Japan.  So, although iodine supplementation should be implemented to prevent and treat iodine-deficiency disorders, supplementation should be maintained at a safe level. 

Soy - high soy consumers and users of isoflavone supplements can be at risk of thyroid disorders since soy isoflavones can damage thyroid function. This is actually a rare occurrence.

Smoking – has a negative impact on thyroid function and can cause a 3- to 5- fold increase in the risk of all types of thyroid disease.

Tap water – Standard water-treatment plants cannot remove the chemical perchlorate from the water supply. According to one researcher, “There is a statistical association between low-level contamination with ammonium perchlorate and elevated or abnormal thyroid function.” Also, chlorine content in the water can displace the much-needed iodine.

Fluoride – is an enzyme poison which accumulates in the body. Since the body can only eliminate 50% of its total fluoride intake, this build-up can cause harm to the thyroid by blocking the use of iodine.

Pesticides - such as sumithrin (Anvil) and resmethrin (Scourge), are coming under considerable criticism for their adverse chronic effects on the thyroid.

Family history – of thyroid disease is a warning signal. Also a family history of depression, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue or weight issues can signify thyroid problems.

Radiation and X-Rays – are known to cause damage to the thyroid and technicians should always cover the patient’s throat.

Stress – is a factor in almost every kind of disease and can affect the thyroid.

Pregnancy – It is estimated that between 5-10% of all pregnancies will result in PPT (Postpartum Thyroiditis).

Menopause – hormonal changes during this period of a woman’s life can wreak havoc on her thyroid.

Why This Misdiagnosis?

The statistic that more than 50 per cent of thyroid disorders remain un-diagnosed is alarming. Why is this? One problem is that because symptoms of hypothyroidism often vary from person to person and are non-specific, the correct diagnosis can easily be missed. Many cases remain undiagnosed because some practitioners and the patients themselves, mistake the symptoms of hypothyroidism for depression, obesity or menopause.

Hyperthyroidism tends to run in families, occurring most often in young women. It is often misdiagnosed as an eating disorder, anxiety or stress.

Thyroid Treatment

The thyroid affects all the other hormones in the body and its proper regulation is essential to good hormonal balance and health.  With the disturbing increase in thyroid disease, we suggest that an annual screening of thyroid function be done. This would include blood tests that check on thyroid hormone levels and body iodine levels.

When a patient is suspected to have a thyroid disorder, a comprehensive thyroid profile is ordered, in the form of a blood test. The test results will give precise measurements of Free T3 and T4 and their ratios to each other. If the results indicate that for example, the patient’s T3 level is too low, then the patient will be checked for deficiencies in essential nutrients which are required for hormone production. Many times this will correct the thyroid without the need for prescription hormones.

Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment of thyroid problems has made a difference to a lot of people’s lives and it could do the same for you!

Success Story

 “For 13 years I have had thyroid and health issues that nobody seemed to be able to help me with. It was one test after another with negative results and still no-one seemed to know what, if anything, could be done.

Then I decided to try treatment with Dr. Springer. I can now report that my life and health issues are turning in a positive direction and I am losing weight when I never could before. I feel so much better, especially because they give me answers to the questions that could not be answered in the past. Thank you.” Christy N.

 

By George E. Springer, Jr. D.C., N.M.D., D.C.B.C.N.

Do you have:

● Silver (amalgam) fillings?
● Fatigue?
● Loss of memory?
● Tremors?
● Unexplained symptoms?
● Chronic illness?
● Heavy fish consumption?
● Thimerasol vaccinations?
● Lead paint exposure?
● Handling toxic materials?

If you have any of the above and are experiencing symptoms such as lack of energy, poor circulation, weight-gain, high blood pressure or unexplained aches and pains, the answer to your health riddle may be Heavy Metal Toxicity.

The Role of Heavy Metals

Many of today’s diseases and health problems are linked to an over-burden of toxins in the body. We live in a polluted environment where our food, air and water are contaminated with hundreds of heavy metals that easily pass into our digestive tract to invade us.

Leading the charge in the toxic army are the Heavy Metals, which comprise; lead, mercury, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, bromine, cadmium, nickel, thallium, tin and uranium.
Mercury is probably one of the best-known and one of the worst environmental poisons. It can come from: leaking amalgam/silver fillings, which are about 50% mercury, heavy fish consumption, residues from volcanic ash and coal burning.

It’s been over 30 years since the government banned lead from paint, and started to phase it out of gasoline but it seems like almost every day there is a news report about a product containing un-safe levels of lead, from children’s toys to lipsticks. Compared to several hundred years ago, the lead level in our bones is hundreds of times higher than it was at that time.

Of course, all of this just adds to the toxic burden and does nothing to handle the underlying problem – toxic contamination.

A “Silent” Condition

Undetected for years, many people are victims of a serious accumulation of Heavy Metals, the effects of which may only become apparent when a general debilitation of health begins to occur. This “silent” condition mimics many other illnesses, often making it hard to detect. Heavy Metals don’t actually hurt and have no obvious symptoms but the neurological destruction they can cause can result in very serious illness.

Fecal and urine analysis can be done to establish the heavy metal toxicity levels present in a patient’s body. If a complete detoxification is required, the liver, lymph system and digestive system of the patient is evaluated to ensure they are in good enough condition to support the detox process.

Heavy Metal Detoxification

The Heavy Metal Detoxifcation protocol involves a cutting-edge protocol which eliminates from the body almost totally via the bile-bowel route which is the natural way the body detoxifies heavy metals. Urine levels remain low and the kidneys are not stressed by the detoxification program.

Heavy Metal Detoxification is not a one-time, quick-fix process and it can’t undo neurological damage caused by Heavy Metals but it can help to reduce any further damage. Patients overloaded with Heavy Metals must use a small dose and gradually increase as they begin to feel better.

Patient Testimonial

“I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia which affected the nerves in my face and left me in constant excruciating pain. I had previously been told that my only options were to either take pain meds for the rest of my life or have surgery. Under Dr Springer’s guidance, I started following a detoxification program and over time my condition improved by at least 70%.” GD

By George E. Springer, Jr.  D.C., N.M.D., D.C.B.C.N.

Do you lack the energy you once used to have? Is that extra cup of coffee just not hitting the spot? Are you starting to experience mysterious aches and pains? If you answer “yes”, then like millions of Americans you may be suffering from a very prevalent modern malaise – Fatigue.

The annoying thing about fatigue is that it’s hidden. It doesn’t usually show up on our annual physical results – it’s not like high blood pressure. Unless we are confronted with really debilitating symptoms, most of us are great at covering up our feelings of fatigue. We learn to cope with it; we blame it on stress, late nights, not enough exercise, bad relationships, poor food choices, lack of sleep. There always a good excuse for feeling tired and run down.

Fatigue comes in many forms, but the three biggest hitters on the ball-park of weariness are Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Adrenal Fatigue.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition of prolonged and severe tiredness or weariness (fatigue) that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. The majority of CFS cases start suddenly, usually preceded by a flu-like illness severe stress.

Symptoms

● A new onset of unexplained, persistent fatigue or tiredness, unrelated to exertion and not relieved by bed rest, that causes a significant reduction in previous activity levels.

● Fatigue that is severe enough to restrict activity.

Other symptoms – 4 or more lasting 6 months or longer
Post-exertional fatigue, un-refreshing sleep, impaired memory or concentration, headaches, different from previous headaches in quality, severity, or pattern, joint pain, lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit, muscle weakness, all over or multiple locations, and a prolonged sore throat.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia produces widespread pain, achiness, disturbed sleep, and overall exhaustion. People with fibromyalgia have pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons—the soft fibrous tissues of the body. Fibromyalgia is a very real, painful, and sometimes debilitating health condition.

Symptoms:

Pain – Deep muscular aching, throbbing, or intense burning. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning
Fatigue – Patients may feel as if their bodies are completely drained of energy.
Memory and Concentration – Difficulty concentrating and retaining new information.
Sleep Disorders – Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and an un-refreshing quality of sleep.
Exercise Difficulties – Moderate intensity exercise can make the pain of fibromyalgia worse.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – 40-70% of firbomyalgia patients report constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain and bloating, abdominal gas, and nausea.
Chronic Headaches – Recurrent migraine or tension headaches are experienced by 50-70% of fibromyalgia patients and occur at least twice a week.
Jaw Pain – jaw-related face and head pain affects one-quarter of fibromyalgia patients.

Adrenal Fatigue

People with Adrenal Fatigue report feeling tired for no reason, they struggle to keep up with daily life, feel stressed all the time and very often crave salty or sweet snacks. Adrenal Fatigue is often triggered by life events such as crises at work or home, emotional trauma, major surgery, sudden change in financial status and drug and alcohol abuse.

Symptoms

● Weight gain
● Fuzzy thinking
● Weight gain
● Depression
● Mood swings
● Difficulty in getting out of bed in the morning
● Reliance on caffeine to keep going
● Decreased sex drive

We have treated many people with different forms of fatigue successfully. The key is to find the underlying influences that have disabled the body’s energy producing systems. This is rarely just one thing, but more usually a number of subtle imbalances that combine to create problems.

We endeavor to discover the real cause of the condition a person has. We are not treating with band-aids to cover up symptoms, but to rehabilitate the body to rightful health. We can’t promise that we do it every time, but you will find no office that works harder to help you regain your energy and pain free life.

Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment of fatigue problems has made a difference to a lot of people’s lives and it could do the same for you!

Testimonial

“Shortly after going through menopause in my early fifties, I developed a nagging lack of energy. I resigned myself to the hard fact that I would never feel the energy of my youth again. I was growing old.  However, I turned to Dr. George Springer. Thanks to his wise evaluation and the regimen of natural supplements he prescribed for me, after only four months, I feel that my aging process has reversed itself! I have so much energy that I can once again keep a fast-paced and energetic schedule all day long (no naps needed). I truly feel that I have regained the fifteen years I lost after menopause.” A.S

By George E. Springer, Jr.  D.C., N.M.D., D.C.B.C.N.

So, you are saying to yourself, “Enough is enough!  I want to be able to have more control over my health.  Why can’t I get answers instead of another prescription?  I want to get to the actual CAUSE behind my issues and not just keep chasing symptoms. There has to be some way of getting my health back using natural solutions.”

Having practiced integrative/natural medicine for some 30 years, I understand your frustration.  I have increasingly heard these kinds of thoughts and ideas being expressed about what you want for yourself and your family’s health.  Your dissatisfaction with most methods of treatment has resulted in your desire for new approaches to health care and your thirst for knowledge has led you to become more determined about finding ways to help yourself.

However, with so many options available, how do you begin putting the pieces together?

If I asked you how to go about assembling a jigsaw puzzle, you would likely have a strategy of matching colors or using the straight edge pieces of the border to get things started. Of course, even as it comes together you need to have all the pieces otherwise the picture would be incomplete.

Resolving your health issues is similar. For example, while detoxifying your body from everyday exposure to chemicals and toxins is beneficial, some people come to me feeling awful from a detox program they were trying.  Usually they began the process before their body was able to detoxify efficiently. Others are exasperated because, although their research revealed that enzymes and probiotics would be the answer to their intestinal problems, they are still suffering. They simply may be missing some of the other pieces their body needs to complete the picture of their digestive health.

It is essential to emphasize that it is just as important to correct health issues in their proper sequence as it is to have all the pieces.

Throughout many years of observing the results of patient treatment, I have repeatedly found there are four key areas in the body that are vital for regaining or optimizing health which need to be addressed in the following order:

1. Digestive system

2. Lifestyle/Metabolism

3. pH and toxicity

4. Energy Integration

The digestive system is critical for good health and is the entry point for correcting imbalances in many people. Obviously, the proper processing of the food we eat is essential if we are trying to rebuild the body. However, the digestive system also houses 70-80% of the immune system in its associated lymphatic structures. So, food allergies and other imbalances in the digestive system can directly cause or contribute to a host of conditions ranging from everyday allergies to more chronic problems such as IBS, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and Lupus. If that isn’t enough, some 80% of the nervous system’s serotonin is stored in the digestive system. Serotonin is known as the “happy” neurotransmitter and deficiencies caused by digestive imbalances contribute directly to anxiety and depression. So, it is not hard to see why balancing the digestive system is a key place to start.

Once the digestive system is working correctly, it makes sense that moving on to step #2 and implementing dietary and other lifestyle changes will have a better opportunity to be effective for weight loss or generating more energy since you are now getting more nutrients out of the food you are eating. And, this is the appropriate place to mention how subsequent steps can also impact on the previous step. For example, if you balance your digestive system but then continue eating a high level of processed foods or sugar, it won’t be long before your intestinal health reverts back to its imbalanced state.

Each step leads you into the next, and in turn, it supports the previous step in the process.

With digestive balance and lifestyle changes in place, you are already progressing into correcting your body’s pH and reducing toxicity.  A digestive system that is free of “bad” micro-organisms certainly reduces your toxic load and a diet high in fruits and vegetables goes a long way toward alkalizing your body. At the same time, a good functioning digestive system makes it much easier for toxins to be removed from your body, reducing many of the adverse symptoms that can accompany a detoxification program.

Implementing the first three steps causes the health barriers to be either greatly reduced or eliminated, causing your body’s “energy” to run into fewer obstacles and to flow much easier and cleaner throughout your entire system.  As a result, you are more grounded, centered and in touch with your environment with a higher vitality.

So…now that you have the sequences to follow, you still need to be able to discover all of the correct pieces of the puzzle to complete the whole picture of each step.  Any pieces that are missing stick out like a sore thumb, limiting your outcome.

For example, you may be taking enzymes and probiotics for your digestion but still experience more gas, bloating and problems with bowel movements than you would like.  Your digestive puzzle is not complete until you learn you also have food allergies as a primary problem.  Other individuals may find they have an overgrowth of bad bacteria and need something additional to help them get rid of their uninvited guests.

This frames an important point.  One size does not fit everyone!  Everyone does not have food allergies or yeast or bacteria or enzyme deficiencies.  So, your digestive puzzle may look completely different from your friend’s picture.  And, to add another slight twist, YOUR body’s metabolism may require a totally different nutritional supplement than your friend needs to balance the same type of issue in their digestion.  What works to eliminate your yeast may fail miserably for someone else, creating some potential confusion in the process until you simply understand this “one size does not fit everyone” concept.

Fortunately, there are muscle testing procedures you can learn to help you not only uncover your own missing health pieces, but also to determine which specific supplements work best with your individual metabolism.  During my 30 years of clinical practice, I have found these procedures to be an invaluable tool in helping me with the most difficult of cases.

In closing, following the steps in the correct sequence and learning to uncover the unique pieces of the puzzle will allow you to reclaim your health.

Dr. Springer has practiced functional/natural medicine for 30 years and is the co-founder of Personal Health Connections which delivers a series of hands-on training workshops to empower you with the skills and knowledge to take back your health.  You can learn more by calling 727-244-5630.