Hypothyroid Protocol  by Joseph J.Collins, RN, ND

This thyroid health protocol will guide you through the processes that will help you achieve optimal thyroid function. It can be used in the management of hypothyroidism as well as other conditions in which there is low thyroid function, such as subclinical hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone resistance, and reverse T3 elevation.
Symptoms of decreased thyroid function include weight gain, fatigue, depressed mood, cognitive dysfunctions (decreased memory “brain fog”, poor concentration), constipation (or less than one bowel movement a day), cold hands and feet, and any patient specific symptom that suggests lowered metabolism. Low thyroid function often manifests as has “hypothyroidism”, the medical condition in which low levels of thyroid hormones can be demonstrated by blood tests. Hypothyroidism has been called the "great imitator" because it can mimic so many medical conditions.
To get the full benefit from this protocol please read the article on Hypothyroidism & Low Thyroid Function. In addition, you will want to be familiar with the seven specific actions involved in the production and activity of thyroid hormones, as discussed in the article on Support of Thyroid Function.
Insights into the underlying causes of low thyroid function can be made through the use of questionnaires, and/or lab tests. A medical diagnosis can only be made by a licensed healthcare professional.

Download the Hypothyroid Risk Questionnaire™.

Foundations of Thyroid Health
When using ThyroMend™ for supporting optimal thyroid health, it is important to build and maintain a good foundation of hormone health. Foundations of hormone health include lifestyle and dietary choices that support optimal hormone function, a high grade multiple vitamin-mineral formulation, essential fatty acids rich in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and a high count, multiple species probiotic to support optimal health of digestive system and immune system. To learn more about the foundations of hormone health, please see Hormone Health Guidelines series of articles.
Many people struggling with low thyroid function have already tried to get better by following a healthy lifestyle & diet, and are taking essential fatty acids and a high grade multiple vitamin & mineral supplement, but they still struggle with low thyroid symptoms. Adding ThyroMend™  will make all the difference, since it improves all seven actions of optimal thyroid function. It is also important to remember that severe dieting can actually make low thyroid function worse (as discussed in the article on hypothyroidism). So a healthy diet – not starvation – is important.
For people who are just now starting to develop a healthy lifestyle & diet, and need to start taking essential fatty acids and a high grade multiple vitamin & mineral supplement, they can start ThyroMend™ at the same time.

Please review Customized Dosing Guidelines for the protocols on increasing dosages, weaning, and determining maintenance dosage.

This is a modification of Protocol 242™ that allows more gradual restoration of function. Just as ThyroMend™ can improve the function of thyroid hormones made by the body, it can also improve the function of thyroid medications. Thyroid medications may need to be lowered after ThyroMend™ improves their function.

Primary Hormone Health Formulations
The most important Hormone Specific Formulation™ for addressing low thyroid function is ThyroMend™ .
ThyroMend™ is the only formulation that supports all seven specific actions required for the production and activity of thyroid hormones. ThyroMend™  supports consistent dietary intake of bioavialable iodine, uptake of iodine by thyroid cells, production and secretion of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) by thyroid cells, conversion of T4 to T3 by liver cells, maintaining sufficient number of thyroid receptor proteins, pairing of two different receptors (heterodimerization) and expression in target genes.

Dosage Guidelines for ThyroMend™
The label for ThyroMend™ has a Suggested Use of:

Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults may take 2
capsules each day with food for 1 to 2 weeks or as directed by
your healthcare professional.
The dose may then be increased to 4 capsules each day with food
for 2 to 4 months or as directed by your healthcare professional.
After 2 to 4 months, dosage may be lowered back down to 2
capsules each day with food and may continue on that dosage as
needed or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Dosage Guidelines for ThyroMend™ for People Taking Thyroid Medication

Here is a common modification of dosing is for people who are already taking thyroid medication. If you are taking any thyroid medication tell your doctor before you start on this protocol. You may be advised to start on one (1) capsule a day for 1 to 2 weeks, before increasing to two (2) capsules per day for 1 to 2 weeks during the Initiation phase. During the Restoration phase you may also be advised to take three (3) capsule a day for 1 to 2 weeks, before increasing to the full dosage of four (4) capsules per day. ThyroMend™ should be taken at least three months after symptoms are under control before attempting to wean down to Maintenance dosage. It is sometimes better to delay weaning in situations where thyroid function has been adversely affected for years.
People may be able to wean off of thyroid replacement therapy if the thyroid has not been destroyed by autoimmune disease, surgically removed or been subjected to radioiodine ablation.

Please review Customized Dosing Guidelines for the protocols on increasing dosages, weaning, and determining maintenance dosage.
ThyroMend™ should be taken at least two months after symptoms are under control before attempting to wean down to maintenance dosage. It is sometimes better to delay weaning in situations where thyroid function has been adversely affected for years.

Additional Thyroid Support Supplements
In addition to ThyroMend™ other supplements may be considered based on specific lab results. Two important lab tests that reveal the health of thyroid cells (thyrocytes) are the anti-TPO antibody and the anti-TG antibody tests.
The anti-TPO antibodies become elevated when they thyroid cells (thyrocytes) are irritated or inflamed.
The anti-TG antibodies become elevated when the thyrocytes are actually destroyed, which is typically due to inflammation – and most often due to autoimmune disease.
Excessive iodine supplementation may also cause increased anti-TPO antibody levels due to the irritating effect of excessive iodine on thyrocytes. In some cases, excessive iodine supplementation may actually destroy thyrocytes.
Elevated anti-TPO antibody levels may be treated with Seleno-Methionine – one each day.
Elevated anti-TG antibodies may be treated with Wobenzym® N – 5 tablets, three times a day. That dosage is based on a study with 40 patients. The dosage may be modified to 8 tablets twice a day. Wobenzym® N must always be taken away from food. 

Next: Learn about the:  Treatment of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

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