FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: Not Treating Hypothyroidism?

DrSugar — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:00:18 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I was diagnosed with a hypothyroid a few years back and have just been ignoring it. I am in my early 30s, have a kid with no plans to have another. My only symptoms are memory loss, irritability, a little shaky at times. All of which I can deal with, but I'm wondering, am I hurting my long-term health?
- Endocrine Enigma

I am very glad you asked this question, because hypothyroidism is an important topic. However, I am concerned that you have chosen not to get treatment for this condition. First let's review some of the basics on hypothyroidism and then discuss the serious consequences of untreated hypothyroidism. So keep on reading.

Are You Getting Enough Iodine?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:30:00 PDT

I worry about getting enough calcium, fiber, and iron, but iodine? I've never once given it thought until I read an article saying that iodine is critical when it comes to losing weight. Even though it's a trace mineral, meaning we don't need very much of it, it's important for our overall health because it's needed for metabolism and normal thyroid functioning. Most people get iodine from iodized table salt, but with all the talk about salt being bad for us, many people are cutting salt from their diets, which means they're not getting enough iodine. Woman need 150 micrograms a day (220 if you're pregnant, 290 if you're breastfeeding), and if you're deficient in this mineral, you may experience a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) or hypothyroidism, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.

To make sure you're getting your RDI of iodine, it's helpful to know how much is in the foods we eat so

Does Thy Know About Her Thyroid?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:30:00 PDT

Recently a few of the girls over here at Sugar HQ and I were talking about our thyroids and how we've all had to have them checked out at some point or another. Luckily none of us were found to have anything serious but there are a few things we should all be aware of so we know when to take potential risks to a doctor - after all Oprah's wake up call came from her thyroid. Take this little quiz to see how much you know.

Source

Take the Quiz

DrSugar Answers: Hormonal Imbalance and Obesity?

DrSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
For the past four years, I can't seem to lose weight despite previously losing 90 pounds through diet and exercise. I know my body and think I might have some kind of imbalance. Can you advice me on how to approach this subject with a doctor, like: What kinds of questions should I ask, what kind of tests should I request. I want some real answers? Something is not right with me, but I can't get anyone to talk to me about it. Thank you!

This is not the only question of this nature that I received recently. To see my answer, just

read more. I find that weight issues are often the most frustrating problems for patients. Some people just cannot lose weight despite diet, exercise, and sometimes even more drastic measures. For most people, problems with obesity and weight gain are directly related to dietary issues, inactivity, and genetic predisposition. However, some people, who have long and frustrating battles with weight problems, actually have underlying hormone imbalances that make it nearly impossible to lose weight. Hormonal syndromes resulting in weight gain are thought to affect up to one to two percent of the population and are often overlooked due to under recognition in the medical community. Because weight problems are so common and usually related to lifestyle issues, it is easy for doctors to under diagnose hormonal disorders. There are a number of hormone disorders that can cause weight gain and chronic inability to lose weight. The most common syndromes include Growth hormone deficiency, Cushing’s syndrome, and Hypothyroidism. Each syndrome has its own unique features and rarely is weight gain the only symptom. For example, growth hormone deficiency is associated with short stature, thin and dry skin, low muscle mass and mainly abdominal body fat. Cushing’s syndrome can lead to sweating, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and stretch marks. Hypothyroidism often causes mental slowing, intolerance to cold, fatigue, and constipation. If you are obese or very overweight, it is important to seek help because you are at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and many other medical problems. The good news is that if you have one of these disorders, treatment will often lead to weight loss and improved overall health. If you have any of the symptoms listed, have battled weight problems many years, have gained weight very quickly or are considering more aggressive weight loss methods, such as gastric bypass surgery then I suggest talking to your doctor about the possibility of hormonal testing. For more information check out the website Obesity In America, a good all around resource. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Oprah's Health Wake Up Call Came from Her Thyroid

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Did you know that millions of women suffer from thyroid conditions? In the most recent issue of O Magazine, Oprah shares the tale of her wild health ride with thyroid issues.

She was plagued first by hyperthyroidism, which sped up her metabolism and prevented sleep. Oprah eventually "blew out" her thyroid and experienced classic symptoms of hypothyroidism: Her metabolism slowed and she felt sluggish and tired.

After discovering the cause of her health problems, Oprah decided this was a wake up call. She was determined, not only to get back in balance, but to highlight this particular women's health issue. According to The Wisdom of Menopause author Dr. Christiane Northrup, 25 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women experience some kind of issue with their thyroid at some time, and most women don't know the cause of their deteriorating health.

I, for one, hope that with Oprah highlighting this issue that it receives more attention, both in research and educational outreach. You know Oprah knows how to stir things up! You can read much of the article, which explores the "break down to break through" moments of personal health, online at Oprah.com – hopefully it will help you learn to listen to your body.

Source

Too Much Iodine or Not Enough?

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:41:39 PST

Maybe you buy iodized salt, but that's probably the only thought you give to iodine in your diet. Actually, iodine deficiency is a huge problem across the globe, and not getting enough in utero or during early development is the leading cause of brain impairments. But a recent study shows that getting too much iodine can cause health issues as well. Almost half of the participants in a recent Chinese study who were given higher doses of iodine (800 to 2,000 micrograms a day for four weeks) began developing what's called subclinical hypothyroidism. This condition has no obvious symptoms, but over time, it's linked to heart disease.

Iodine is found in iodized salt, seafood, eggs, dairy products, and some breads. Since most of us get enough from our diets, there's no need for iodine supplements. Americans should aim to get 150 micrograms of iodine each day, pregnant women should get 220 micrograms (low levels of iodine increase the risk of miscarriage), and breastfeeding moms are told to get 290 micrograms. If you're vegan, you might not get enough from your fish- and dairy-free diet, so you probably want to talk with your doctor about taking a supplement. To find out if your diet offers enough iodine or too much, check out the chart after the break.

DrSugar Answers: Dealing With PMS Fatigue

DrSugar — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:25:13 PST

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I have been trying to get back on track with my exercise routine after those dangerous two months of parties, but I notice that each month when my period comes around, it seems impossible to get past the cravings and fatigue. What causes this and what can I do to get around it?
- Crazy Cravings

The symptoms you describe, food cravings and fatigue, around the time of your period sound like they are most consistent with typical symptoms of menstruation, which, when severe, can be called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). I understand your concern and disdain with these symptoms, as they do seem to counteract your desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating healthy. To learn more about what causes these symptoms and what can be done to try to overcome them, keep reading!

5 Surprising Reasons You May Be Gaining, Not Losing

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

So you've really been trying hard to get in daily exercise and eat as healthy as possible but yet you're still not losing weight like you thought you would be. Don't give up, your new routine may not be at fault. WebMD outlined some interesting (and lesser known) reasons you may be gaining and not losing weight, and they may surprise you. Here are highlights:

You Might Be Gaining Weight Because of Lack of Sleep: The body functions best when well rested. "When you don't get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently," says Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work.
You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Stress: "Stress response, whether it is 'fight-or-flight,' juggling too many responsibilities, or coping with financial pressures, triggers a biochemical process where our bodies go into survival mode," explains May. "Our bodies store fuel, slow down metabolism, and dump out chemicals [cortisol, leptin, and other hormones] which are more likely to cause . . . obesity in the abdominal region."

There's three more reasons so

DrSugar on Fibromyalgia

DrSugar — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:30:12 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! Today she's explaining the confusing condition fibromyalgia.

I am taking a break from answering your questions to discuss a medical condition that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years, both in the medical field and the public arena: fibromyalgia, a well-publicized but often misunderstood medical condition that affects two to four percent of the population. To learn more about fibromyalgia, keep reading!

Food	Amount of iodine
1/4 teaspoon iodized salt	95 mcg
3 ounces cod	99 mcg
3 ounces shrimp	35 mcg)
3 ounces canned tuna (half the can)	17 mcg
3 ounces trout	5.4 mcg
1 cup milk	56 mcg
1 egg	12 mcg
1/2 cup navy beans	32 mcg
1 medium baked potato (with skin)	60 mcg
1 cup strawberries	13 mcg
1 ounce mozzarella cheese	10 mcg
1 cup lowfat yogurt	87 mcg
1/4 ounce seaweed (Nori)	4,500 mcg
3 ounces turkey	34 mcg