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How to Improve Your Memory and Increase Your Intelligence Using the Latest Discoveries In Neuroscience

VOLUME 1 in the Smart Drugs Series

by Ward Dean, M.D. & John Morgenthaler 
$12.95 - 224 pages, softcover (Out of Stock)

Sec 5: Other Cognitive Enhancers

Thyroid Hormone

One cause of poor concentration ability, mental confusion, and memory disturbances that is frequently overlooked by doctors is borderline inadequate thyroid function. Physicians call this condition subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is frequently accompanied by a spectrum of symptoms that include (in addition to mental dysfunction): cold hands and feet, menstrual problems, dry skin, thin hair, and low energy levels. In his book, Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, Dr. Broda Barnes described over 47 symptoms that may be related to poor thyroid function.

Dr. Barnes developed a simple test to confirm suspected low thyroid function using an ordinary thermometer. He found that in the absence of oral infection, the temperatures of the mouth and the armpit were identical when the thermometers were left in place for 10 minutes. He found that normal values for temperatures immediately upon wakening in the morning (while still in bed) are in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature below 97.8 indicates hypothyroidism, one above 98.2, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Because of his finding that the oral and armpit temperatures were identical, he inexplicably recommended the underarm temperature taken immediately upon awakening be used exclusively to diagnose borderline hypothyroidism. It is clear that the oral temperature taken at the same time serves exactly the same purpose. One of the coauthors (Ward Dean, M.D.) advises his patients to avoid the "ritual" of the under­arm measurement and use the standard oral temperature taken immediately upon awakening in the morning as a guide to diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism.

Precautions: Thyroid drugs should only be used under a physician's supervision. Names of physicians who are generally familiar with Barnes' method of diagnosis and treatment can be obtained from the American College of Advancement in Medicine, (714) 583 7666 or (800) 532 3688.

Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone is very safe. To avoid overdose, the resting pulse rate should be recorded each time the temperature is taken. Normal resting pulse should be less than 72 beats per minute. As long as the temperature remains below 98.2, the pulse is less than 72 beats per minute, and thyroid function tests remain normal, there is little risk of excessive thyroid dosage (Barnes, 1976). Although several recent studies indicate that synthetic thyroid hormone (l-thyroxine) may cause bone loss (Coindre, 1986; Kung, 1991), bone loss has never been demonstrated with the natural form of thyroid that is generally prescribed by physicians who adhere to the Barnes protocol.

References:

Barnes, B., Galton, L. Hypothyroidism: the Unsuspected Illness. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1976.

Coindre, J.M., David, J.P., Riviere, L., et al. "Bone Loss in Hypothyroidism with Hormone Replacement: A Histomorphometric Study." Archives of Internal Medicine. 1986, 146, pp. 48-53.

Kung, A.W.C., Pun, K.K. "Bone Mineral Density in Premenopausal Women Receiving Long-Term Physiological Doses of Levothyroxine."

Journal of the American Medical Association. 1991, 265, 20, pp. 2688-91.

Langer, S., Scheer, J. Solved: the Riddle of Illness. New Canaan, CT: Keats, 1984.