1. Thyroid hormone is made from a protein called TYROSINE. Tyrosine can be made by converting phenalalinine, another protein, into tyrosine. This is done using iron. If iron is too low, this will not occur.
2. Once tyrosine is made, it goes to the thyroid gland. The mineral mangansese is then used to help convert it into thyroxin. Thyroxin is also called T4. This is the same substance that doctors give as medication. Iodine found in kelp and sea food is also involved.
3. Once thyroxin is made it goes to the liver. Some of it is set aside as reserve.This is called reserve T4.The body puts some in reserve for times of illness or stress. In the liver, it is changed to T3. T3 is actually the hormone the body will later use.
   This conversion is dependent upon zinc. Excessive levels of copper will interfere with this conversion.
4. Once converted, T3 must be accepted by the cells of our body. Our cells are more or less responsive to T3. Excess amounts of calcium make the cells less responsive while potassium makes them more responsive.
5. Once in the cell, the mineral selenium helps the hormone work. Low levels of the mineral will cause inactivity of the hormone. Selenium also helps the production of an enzyme that aids in the conversion of T4 to T3.

The basis of low thyroid conditions that do not show up in blood work is that the nutrients involved in the conversion of T4 to T3 and that help it work become too low. So, while the hormone levels may show up normal in the blood, the hormone is of poor quality and does not work well.

THE SOLUTION!!!

A four step program has recently been developed to help restore proper thyroid function. The first step is to eliminate any infections, particularly viruses, which can attack the thyroid.

The next step is to detoxify the liver and digestive tract so that the nutrients needed for thyroid function can be utilized.

The third step is to detoxify the body from toxic metals such as mercury and copper which are commonly found in excess in low thyroid function. The last step is to rebalance the body with any of the above mentioned nutrients.

When the body has accumulated proper levels of nutrients, the thyroid has a chance to begin working again. We have seen that body temperatures begin to rise again after a few months in most cases.

SYNTHETIC MEDICATION MANY TIMES DOESN'T WORK

Some times patients who are put on medication will find that after an initial improvement, their symptoms either return or even worsen. This is because after taking thyroid medication the thyroid gland will actually stop producing thyroid on its own. Also, some people have an auto-immune problem where their own body is attacking the thyroid gland. It usually does this as a result of a viral or parasitic infection in the gland. Once the infection is eliminated, the person must be very careful to not take anything too stimulating to the thyroid as it can cause the immune system to attack the gland.

The most important thing is to be tested by a nutritionist in order to determine if you have any vitamin or mineral imbalances that are involved in thyroid function. Excesses of vitamins and minerals can also cause this condition by blocking the function of the nutrients above.

Diets low in protein and high in fats can interfere with thyroid function. Adequate protein is required in order to produce thyroid hormone. Fat has been found to be antagonistic to thyroid function and lower metabolism.

Thiocyanates found in vegetables from the cabbage family have an antagonistic effect to the thyroid. Excessive intake of thiocyanates can cause a disease called goiter. Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid also becomes slow and underactive.

The good news is that there is hope in correcting slow thyroid function in many people. Age is not a factor. As long as someone still has a portion of their thyroid gland undamaged, it is possible that it may begin to produce the hormone again on its own.