Page 32 - LIN_December 2022

UNBALANCED

THYROID

A common condition

commonly overlooked

by Svetlana Kogan, M.D.

Prevention is a foundation of Holistic Medicine, which I practice. When I think of a disease that could easily be
prevented if screened for early—thyroid immediately comes to mind. In fact, almost 10% of the population is
estimated to have some degree of thyroid imbalance, but only 1% is officially diagnosed. This means that 9 out
of 10 people with early thyroid disease will likely not get the preventive help they need.

I think of the thyroid gland as a mirror of our personal lifestyle. As our Another consideration: Is there some sort of nutritional deficiency
environment changes, so does the thyroid. Its function is designed to or a presence of food sensitivity, which could potentially compromise
be activated or suppressed in response to the daily stressors and functioning of the thyroid gland? Getting checked for food sensitivities
metabolic demands we face. or Celiac might get us some answers. The most common deficiencies
Patients with an imbalanced thyroid gland present with variety of identified in newly diagnosed thyroid patients are Vitamin A, Vitamin D,
complaints. Some of them are: Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron, Zinc, and B12. If any such deficiency
• Mental or physical fatigue is identified—prompt supplementation may lead to correction of the
imbalance.
• Unintentional weight gain or loss
I must mention a common dietary question I hear from patients:
• Insulin Resistance or Metabolic Syndrome
how does iodine fit into the picture of healthy thyroid? In truth, there is
• High Cholesterol despite best dietary efforts
no straightforward answer to this question. It seems like iodine defi-
• Depression ciency as well as the excess of iodine in the diet or supplementation,
• Infertility can cause disturbances with thyroid. I typically recommend that the
When holistic doctors consider a thyroid etiology for the patient’s salt the patient consumes for cooking should be iodized, and I do not
presenting symptoms—they usually consider what kind of past or recommend taking any iodine containing supplements which have
current stressors surround their patient. It is a well-known fact that more than 150 micrograms of iodine (a recommended daily value,
stress suppresses thyroid function at multiple levels and should be RDA). Food intake via seafood products is always more natural in my
considered right away. It should come as no surprise that if we con- humble opinion than pushing high doses of supplements.
sider the Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) view of the body chakras, thyroid The takeaway message of this article is this: if you feel that your
anatomical position and functioning appear to relate to blockages symptoms could be resulting from thyroid imbalance—get it checked
in the Throat Chakra. It takes an experienced and a unique skill set out and consider how managing your stress, diet and lifestyle can
to treat thyroid by fusing the best of Western and Eastern healing help you heal this common condition.
modalities. Lifestyle interventions, however small, always improve thyroid
In addition to stress, we should always consider what environmental function, and this is most likely thanks to the mitigation of an inflam-
triggers could the patient potentially have been exposed to? Could matory state, which either directly or indirectly instigated thyroid
an infection or some sort of inflammation create a compromised dysfunction in the first place.
milieu for the functioning of the thyroid gland? Therefore, identification
and treatment of any such underlying infection or inflammation is of Dr. Kogan is a Concierge Holistic Internal Medicine doctor in Naples.
utmost importance. Her website is CustomLongevity.com.

32 Life in Naples December 2022