Trust vs Fear

There are many words or concepts that relate to the word trust; openness, freedom, letting go, surrender, being.  Correspondingly there are many related meanings for fear also; ego, defensiveness, doubt, worry, etc.

It is hard for some to feel or imagine what trust truly means or feels like, as it may be such a foreign concept for them.  I think like with everything there are different degrees to which we experience trust.  

I trust that when I breathe in I will breathe in air that contains oxygen, allowing me to continue to live.  This is an unconscious or innate trust.  I may be able to trust that I will have enough to eat and drink for the day.  These days for some that may not always be a given.  But what about trusting yourself?

Can you trust that your body knows what it needs?  I think in the past we had a greater connection to the earth and our environment and probably could answer yes to this question.  These days many turn to doctors whom they only half heartily trust, and so also look to complementary modes of healing, which include Nutrition, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Counseling, Massage and other bodywork therapies, etc.  What about your mind?  Is this something you trust?  Finally, what about your place in the universe, your spiritual connection to divine, God?  Are you someone that truly believes you are cared for, and someone who lives from that place, or do you have doubts, questions, and like many suffer from a disconnection between your mind and your heart?

Did you know you had a choice?  

To Trust is to Surrender

I used to think that I had to work hard at everything, to be good at it, to succeed.  I had to be perfect.

How does that relate to a concept like trust?  Working hard at it, thinking I have to do it a certain way, to be successful, may mean I could fail, it may mean it is all up to me, and my small shoulders.

What if trust wasn't something outside of me, a concept, a state I had to attain, but rather a letting go, a surrender to a deeper gentler relationship with myself.

What would happen if I stopped struggling and fighting and could just be with myself?

How would that change the way I respond to my fear, my pain, my joy?

Would that allow a greater sense of ease, joy and self?

Would this new sense of self simply know...TRUST.

Trust Yourself and EAT.

During and after going through a long illness in my twenties I read everything I could get my hands on that pertained to health, complementary therapies and nutrition.  I myself was a Vegetarian, followed a Rotation Diet, a Candida Diet, a Gluten Free Diet, a, well and some other variation of such.

Everywhere you go and turn you hear about some diet or program that will change your life.  Some are fad diets, some are based on scientific inquiry, others are just, well you decide.

There’s Vegetarianism and Vegan, similar, but being a Vegan means no eggs or dairy either.
There’s the 4 or is it 5 food group standard diet, which really is quite good, except that many people assume all carbs are the same, and can substitute Twinkies for real grains, or processed oils for cold pressed oils.
There’s the Atkins Diet, which actually isn’t that crazy if you read the book, and look at the later stages.  I’ll agree the first stage is extreme.
Then there’s the Caveman Diet.  What can you say, bizarre, yet makes sense if we’re still genetically similar to our ancient ancestors.
Speaking of ancestors, then there’s the Blood Type Diet, which assumes we all came from a Blood Type of O, the caveman, but then due to migration, geography, agriculture, etc. changed the way we eat, and the type of food we eat.  It maintains that as we changed the food we ate over the years our bodies changed, making different blood types more suitable for different diets.
Rotation Diet, suggests you rotate your foods every four days, so that you don’t eat anything everyday.  Difficult in today’s world, but a good idea to some degree.  Many of us are sick from eating foods we’re sensitive to everyday, ie. dairy, corn, gluten, eggs are some of the big culprits.
Gluten Free Diet, simply means eliminating everything with gluten in it; wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt, kamut.  Daunting at first, but once you start it becomes easier.  This is necessary for those with certain digestive and allergy problems.
Raw Food Diet.  This one is kind of self explanatory, but extreme to say the least.  Raw foods are important, they carry enzymes and vitamins which can be lost in the cooking process, but...moderation.

So what is the point of all of this.  I’ve come to believe in moderation.  Nothing to the extreme, seems natural or good for me.  I’ve know people that went Vegetarian for ethical reasons only to have to add meat back into their diets some years later due to health reasons.  I’ve know people who thrive on a Vegan diet.  I’ve known people who swear by the Blood Type Diet.
Also I’ve come to believe in trusting myself, and am continuing to embrace this practice in all areas of my life.  When it comes to food it means trusting that my body, and it does, know’s what it needs...which is not what I may crave.  I eat meat, and feel that 2-3 times a week seems like a good place to be for me at this time.  That may change in the future.  I eat gluten grains now, though don’t eat wheat daily.  I eat dairy, but also not daily.  There was a time when I could eat neither, and when I had to eliminate all grains during pollen season due to allergies, and inflammation.  Yes grains, all grains can cause many people problems.

You are bombarded with information and advertising, and you are restricted by time.  It’s not easy, but more than ever it’s rewarding to slow down and listen to what your body truly needs.  Trust yourself.

Body Meditation

First, take your focus and become aware of your breath moving in and out of your belly.  Notice as your belly moves up and down with each breath.  Breathing in and breathing out, breathing in and breathing out.  Just for this moment nothing is more important than your focus and attention on your breath moving in and out of your belly, noticing your belly rise and fall with each and every breath.  Continue to focus on this movement for some time longer allowing yourself to relax in the rhythm of your breath, breathing in and out, in and out, noticing your belly rise, feeling your belly fall.

As you continue to focus on your belly rising and falling, imagine it as a wave and your body an expanse of water.  Relaxing your body even more, let the energy spread from the movement of your belly rising and falling out into your body.  Feel your breath move all the way down to the very tips of your toes, rocking you ever so gently into a deeper state of relaxation.

As you continue this way of breathing begin to allow your awareness to move throughout your entire body.  Starting first at your feet, become aware of how your feet feel.  Are they relaxed, are they squashed in your shoes?  Are they warm or cold?  Just allow yourself to become aware of any sensations or feelings you may be experiencing here at this time without judgement.  There is no right and wrong in the experience, there is only the experience.  You do not have to try and push any feelings away or be afraid of them, you are simply observing, noticing, becoming aware of, and breathing.  Breathing in, and breathing out.  If at any time during this exercise you feel overwhelmed, simply go back to noticing your belly as you breathe in and out, your belly rising and falling with each breath.  Use this as an anchor.

Continue to move your awareness now up from your feet into your legs and hips, into your abdomen, organs, and chest, allowing your awareness to expand with each breath as you go deeper into the experience of your body and yourself, breathing in and breathing out.  Notice what happens as you bring your loving awareness to yourself and any areas of tension / stress.  Notice what happens as you give them space.  As you bring your attention and breath to these areas notice your awareness continuing to expand and open.  Opening with awareness and breath, experiencing greater relaxation and peace, breathing in and breathing out.

Take some time to feel this throughout these areas.  Noticing gently, and breathing.

Allow your awareness to move to your spine, your shoulders and your neck, continuing to breath, just gently noticing, relaxing more with each breath, as your attention softens, gently expanding your awareness, opening your self to new sensations and feelings.  Finally allow your awareness to move to your head and arms, expanding, breathing, being.

Now let your mind move to your heart.  This is an area where we experience love and compassion for others and other things.  It's also an area where we receive and accept love for ourselves.  I would like you to just become aware of this area for a while, noticing any sensations or feelings you may have here as you breath, gently.

Now visualize one thing you would like more of in your life at this time.  It may be peace, or healing.  It may be abundance, joy, or healthy relationships.  Whatever it is, allow yourself to become clear on what you really need at this time.  Now see yourself as already having this.  Allow yourself to feel what it would feel like to have this in your life now...and with each breath, allow that feeling to expand from your heart to your whole body, breathing in and breathing out.  Gently allow each breath to expand this thought, this desire, this feeling into each part of your body and being, until you aren't just thinking about what it is you want, you are it...breathing and knowing, I am ...... Breathing and knowing I am ......

Now when you are ready, gently let yourself become aware of your feet as they rest of the floor, the chair or cushion you are sitting or resting on.  Become aware of the place you are in, knowing that as you do, you are bringing this new sense of awareness, and experience with you.  You are that ...... that you brought into your attention.  As you come back into the present moment, know that you can come back to this feeling, this experience and awareness at any time.  This is not something outside of you, it is you, and the more you focus on it, the more you allow yourself to relax into it, the more you nurture it, and the more you nurture yourself.

What's wrong with NEWS?

Most of us watch it, and many complain about it, but is there anything wrong with it?  No, not in and of itself.  It's information, albeit sometimes subjective, but nevertheless information.  The biggest problem I have is the type of information that is being focused on.

The other day Christopher Stevens, in a tragic attack on the US Embassy in Egypt, died, after protestors stormed the embassy following news that an anti-Mohammad movie was released or made.
What I would like to hear about besides this side of the story is what else happened.  I would like to hear about the Muslims that came to the aid of those in the Embassy.  I would like to hear of what others in the area are doing to discourage such senseless crimes.  I would like to hear about the moderates, the majority, the regular citizens that want a world where they can raise their children safely, and make a decent living.

Like with our own views and beliefs, there are always many sides to every story and truth that are also valid and need our attention. It is my premise that these areas need our attention at least as much as the main story here. 

As a Counselor I help clients each day to question their thoughts and beliefs, to look behind their thoughts to the meaning of what they are saying.  I ask them to to stop and question the truth of their statements, gently pushing them to see a greater truth, a bigger picture.

We can all do the same, and I would like to see this reflected more in our News programs as well.  It's too easy to focus on what is wrong, and who is wrong, or who did wrong, without stepping back and seeing the whole picture.

My prayers to all those hurt or killed in these senseless attacks.

Don't focus on that, focus on this!?

Focus on what?

Your problems.  Don't focus on your problems, focus on what you want, your hearts desire, what you yearn for, your passion...

Well that makes good sense............but, if it were only that easy!!!

Many of us try to live by this philosophy, only to end up dwelling on our problems or spending all kinds of time and energy trying to avoid them.  This can be very subtle or extreme.  Often we find ways of avoiding by working too much, over-committing ourselves, drugs or alcohol, exercise...  So where does that leave us and what do we do?

It's important that I make a distinction here.  There is a big difference between focusing or rather dwelling on our problems, and all that is wrong in our life and who caused us such pain and anger..., versus focusing or loving awareness of our bodies sensations and feelings.  We all know the first part very well, because we all have done it, or still do it, and yet most will agree that the outcome is always the same, suffering.

So what do I mean loving awareness.  Well let me elaborate.  I have written some in the past on Body Awareness which looks at this in more detail, so feel free to look that up on my Blog.  Let's do a small exercise here...

Sitting with your feet on the floor, allow yourself to take a few deeper breaths, noticing your belly as it moves in and out with each breath, breathing in and breathing out.  Nothing is more important in this moment than your breath, breathing in and breathing out.  Now as you continue to breathe, move your mind or awareness to your pelvis and just notice what you are feeling or sensing in this area.  Slowly moving your attention up from your pelvis to your solar plexus, just becoming aware of any sensations or feelings.  As you do know that just for this moment there are no good and bad feelings, there is no need in this moment to judge, or to make anything right or wrong  You are just noticing, feeling out what is going on, allowing yourself to feel what is going on, knowing it's okay, and that you are okay, regardless of how you feel in this moment.  With this awareness continue to slowly move your mind throughout your body remembering to breathe, as breath will help you to move through or process whatever is going on, breathing in, breathing out.  Just for now whatever I'm feeling is okay, I'm okay...breathing.

Loving awareness is as simple as noticing what we're feeling and where we're feeling it in our body, whether it be a sensation like tension or pain, or a feeling.  We can use words such as, "I am noticing this ...", "I am noticing the feeling of ...", "I am noticing resistance/defensiveness", "I am experiencing the feeling of ..." or "I am experiencing ...".  Whatever works for you.  The idea with using phrases like this is that we are differentiating ourselves, or the greater part of ourselves and the feeling or sensation, which is different from saying, "I am anxious".  See for yourself.  And again, don't forget to breathe.  

On a final note, you can spend longer with any feeling or sensation to explore it if you are able to hold the awareness...which leads me to the next part.  What happens to many of us as why try to maintain any type of awareness is that our minds go somewhere else, a thought, a memory, what caused us to feel this way, etc.  This exercise then serves multiple purposes.  It helps us to actually process an experience without ruminating on it.  It helps us to train our minds to be more present, and to live/be in the moment.  It helps us to build a deeper more kind and loving relationship with ourselves, and it gives us a great tool for taking better care of ourselves.

Now that you are hopefully feeling in a better place, you can focus on your passion with more openness and love.  The way I see it is, now our focus will be clearer, because there won't be so much in the way.  Put in another way, you will have a stronger foundation on which to build what you want!  A suggestion on focusing on your goals; use I statements, and the present tense, and try the word grateful.  Here's an example, "I am healthy", or "I am grateful to be healthy", while allowing yourself to get into the feeling of what that would feel like and seeing yourself as being healthy, if you can.

Happy Journeys.

Mental Health...it's all of our business.

I just read about the shooter from Arizona being sentenced to life after being deemed competent to stand trial.  I felt sad for everyone involved, and thought, like many of you, what could have been done to prevent this tragedy?  Never mind the pain and loss for the families affected directly and indirectly by his actions, but also what about his family?

So my questions come...
Where was everyone in his life; employers, friends, family, schools, doctor, etc?
Why does one have to say, "I'm suicidal and have a plan and the means to carry it out.", or "I'm homicidal and have a plan and the means to carry it out." before anyone takes you seriously?
Why is it okay that people with severe mental illness are walking the streets talking to themselves because they're in ”no imminent danger to themselves or others”?
Why do we not do more, rather then just talk about prevention!
Why is it easier for us as a society to wait for people to commit a crime from which they'll face jail time, rather then offer them access to services before the fact?  Time in jail costs all of us much more then prevention and also rehab, and does nothing to prevent recidivism.

And yet, why ask why.  I know how our society works.  I see people genuinely wanting change and even taking steps to make it happen, but it's something we all need to reflect on.  We all need to look at and take responsibility for ourselves, and also come together as a society with our many talents to grow, learn, and help one another do the same.  There aren't easy cookie cutter answers, don't believe the people who tell you there are.

Everything is Perception?

I have always held the belief that I am afraid of public speaking.  Holding this belief it has always been my perception that I, as the speaker, am the expert.  With this perception then I had to have all the answers.  You the audience therefore, were there to learn and ultimately bathe in my wisdom.

What if, however, I don't know everything?  What if I stumble and fall?  What if you call me out?  ...And there we have the reason for mine, and many others fear of public speaking, I believe.

What would happen if I held a very different belief?  What if I choose to believe instead that I am a student of life, which by the way seems closer to the truth.  Would that change the dynamics slightly?  As a student of life I am forever learning, and therefore can't fail.  If I see myself as a student it allows me to see you and others as students too.  As students, you too perceive all opportunities as potential for growth, for sharing, for change.

How do your perceptions affect your view?

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Part III

So you have PTSD, now what...and can anything help?

There are numerous treatments being used for PTSD at this time quite successfully.  I will discuss a few here.  But let me say this, there are also many ways that you can take care of yourself.  There are many paths to healing, not all are the same for everyone.  The methods described here are therapeutic techniques utilized by either Psychologists (PhD), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT).  (For a discussion of other treatments see PTSD Part II) 


CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) is a structured technique that combines ideas from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Exposure Therapy to create a program specific for PTSD.  By teaching participants to use CBT principles therapists are then able to have them write and talk about their experiences in a safe environment.  The therapist continues to guide the client into further inquiry into their thoughts and beliefs with the idea that the client will be able to begin to construct new healthier ways of thinking about themselves, others, and the world around them.
Here is a link to provide you with more information about CPT.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)  is another very successful treatment modality for PTSD, though different from the others discussed here.  I would put it in a similar category to Biofeedback.  It involves using a simple eye movement technique that affects or accesses different areas in the brain and enables processing of information / trauma in sometimes a very rapid way.  Unlike other treatments which ask clients to re-experience events and emotions from the past, EMDR helps the client process on a different level.
Here is a link to the EMDR Institute for more information, EMDR Institute.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a well known treatment that encompasses a lot of ideas.  On a basic level CBT's theory is that our thoughts create feelings which effect our behaviors.  Many of these thoughts are automatic and go unquestioned.  More often then not a single thought is followed by other supporting thoughts.  The techniques used in CBT teach us to approach one thought at a time and question its truth.  Through the process of questioning our thoughts we hold as truth we open ourselves to new possibilities
and new ways of thinking.
Here is a link from another good source on mental health...CBT

I do want to say a word about Rogerian or Supportive Therapy as well.  The premise is this, the Counselor simply endeavors to understand the client and how the client sees the world.  The Counselor does not try to interpret, direct or teach the client, rather they simply provide a warm and supportive atmosphere in which the client can do some self-exploration.  It may seem logical that this would be helpful to many, but as we all we sometimes like to complicate things. 

The last subject I want to touch on here is that of pharmacology, or medicine.  Medicines can sometimes play a role in recovering from PTSD, either in conjunction with other therapies or by themselves, depending on the needs of the client.  Two FDA approved medications for PTSD are Zoloft and Paxil, though there are other medications used successfully in the treatment of PTSD; Prozac, Celexa, Klonopin, Buspar, Trazedone, etc.

All these therapies have in common the idea that to heal we have to face our demons.  Mind you they do it in different ways, some more gently than others.  Avoiding, which we all learn to do so well, just embeds the pain, and causes more dysfunction on a behavioral and mental level.  When we do this we start to associate non threatening circumstances as a threat, and think of ways to not feel, to not remember the pain, fear, and anger inside, which in turn then begins to control our lives.

The good thing is the hurt is over, the bad thing is, you still carry it inside...not what are you going to do about it?

Since as of this writing I am in Denton, TX., I would like to provide a few links to organizations in the are that can be beneficial...

Friends of the Family
Denton County MHMR
Mental Health of America
Operation Healthy Reunions
US Dept of Veterans Affairs
Veterans services of Denton County
UNT Counseling and Testing Department

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Part II

Most people when they think of PTSD think of Veterans.  The fact is there is a wide range of people suffering from PTSD, and just as wide a range of degree of symptoms.

I suffered from PTSD due to a chronic illness I had in my twenties  I was ill for almost 8 years and came close to dying during the process.  Because I was chronically ill I developed a host of symptoms and problems.

My PTSD symptoms couldn't be categorized as debilitating.  I didn't wake up in cold sweats every night, nor did I hide under my bed during the day.  I did, however, have nightmares occasionally.  I also suffered from anxiety bordering on paranoia, and constantly felt defensive and scared.  I held beliefs such as, "I can't trust myself/others", "The world is not a safe place", and "I'm not safe".  All of this was enough to affect the quality of my life, my relationship with myself, and my relationships with others..

I took care of my physically needs first, which makes sense since my life revolved around getting well and learning about various health practices.  "Getting well" came in stages, however, like peeling an onion.  As my physical health began to improve and my body started to waken, my emotions began to come out; old unresolved issues/thoughts and beliefs began to surface.  Healing was happening.  During my illness I prayed / set the intent that I not only wanted to heal physically but on every level, though I didn't really know what that meant at the time.

This is my journey so it's not going to be the same for everyone.  I approached this process much the same way as I did my illness, with determination, bordering on obsessive-compulsive tendencies.  I continued, and continue to do things to take care of my physical needs, knowing my body, mind, and emotions are all intricately intertwined.

I eat well.  The food we eat becomes the building blocks that create our bodies and all their functions; neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes, besides the more obvious ones.  So yes, the food we eat effects our entire person.

I find time every day to stretch / practice Yoga.  Stretching and Yoga when done mindfully help us to be more present / in the moment.  They help us release stress, increase our flexibility and oxygen intake into our muscles and organs, and increase our energy to name a few benefits.

I go to a Chiropractor every few weeks, though I don't have back problems.  Chiropractic helps the whole body.  As nerves running from the spine effect every organ and system in the body, maintaining good back health effects our overall health.  (though let me say I go to a gentle Chiropractor)

I take breaks throughout the day to take time for myself, to relax, to practice mindfulness, which as I've said helps me be more present.  This among other things has helped me to make friends with my emotions, and also challenge my thoughts and beliefs when they no longer serve me.  (I will be creating a Post called Mindfulness in the near future)

I learned these approaches during the time of my illness and healing.  There are other approaches I used in the past as well, to help me get to this place of healing.  I have been to Counseling, which not only helped me to process with someone in a safe space, but also helped me to become more comfortable with myself.  I have also utilized the services of a Hypnotherapist, an Acupuncturist, and Massage Therapists.  All of these experiences have become part of my journey and life, a tapestry if you will that continues to evolve.

What I have found is that no two people will follow the same path, though there are basic tools that I think make up the foundation for creating a healthy being.  The tools I have discussed in my own practice will be beneficial to anyone willing to spend the time on themselves.  After that, it becomes a personal experience, and each person will have to find what works / fits for them.

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Part I

There's been a lot of talk about PTSD recently because of so many Veterans returning from war.  

PTSD has been around for a long time, however, the label for this disorder and it's symptoms has changed names over the years.  The symptoms of PTSD are normal after a traumatic event. It only becomes diagnosable once the normal recovery process becomes stalled.  By stalled I mean the individual is not able to process the event or events into their views of themselves, others and the world around them.

Many people suffering with PTSD also have other related conditions.  These include Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety and/or Panic Disorder, Personality Disorder, and Substance Abuse to name a few.  These can either precipitate the condition or develop because of it.  Often by treating PTSD many of the related conditions either improve or become resolved.

Symptoms of PTSD follow exposure to a traumatic event or series of traumatic events.  These symptoms fall into three catagories, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive.  Many individuals suffering with PTSD tend to avoid (behavioral) certain situations, people, and places that bring up feelings (emotional) or memories that are uncomfortable.  By using avoidance they try to protect themselves from re-experiencing these uncomfortable sensations.  Meanwhile the cognitive aspect also continues to keep people with PTSD stuck by creating thoughts that continue to manufacture emotions like those experienced through PTSD and others, such as guilt, shame, and blame.  Finally emotional symptoms can also include anxiety, hyperarousal, insomnia, hypervigilance, irritablity, moodswings, and difficulty concentrating, among others.

Your Food is Your Medicine

What if you believed the above statement?

Would that change the way you look at food?

Would it change the choices you make when going to eat or shopping for food?

What does that statement really mean?

What does food do?

What is the definition of medicine?

Food does many things.  On a very simple level it provides our bodies with the fuel to function.  Fuel in this case being the Carbs, but also the Fats and Proteins.  Each serves a different purpose, however, each is essential for suvival.

As an example we receive proteins from various sources; grains, beans, nuts, seeds, meat, and dairy.  Some are complete proteins, some incomplete, meaning our bodies have to build them together to make a complete protein.  These then are used in many functions in the body.

Besides the main nutrients or building blocks, there are also a multitude of micronutrients our bodies need for optimal health; including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, etc.

What if I told you that many of us are not only lacking in the essential nutrients our bodies require, but also the the micronutrients they need? 

What if I told you that many people are actually starving, and yet they not only look well fed, but even over fed.  

Your body can't tell you what it needs, it can only let you know that it's hungry.

Fibromyalgia; Part I

An article written by a medical professional I read stated that everyone with Fibromyalgia has low thyroid function to some degree.  That’s a bold statement and yet I agree.  The question that remains is whether the problem is the thyroid or it’s related mechanisms, or something else affecting the thyroid or thyroid hormones.  Ultimately it may not matter, as treating with hormone replacement helps low thyroid function (LTF) regardless of the cause.

First, what does low thyroid mean?  Many think low thyroid means your blood work for thyroid appears abnormal.  When your doctor checks your thyroid function they usually look at three markers, TSH, T4, and T3.  There are other tests that can be done, reverse T3, anti-thyroid antibodies, as well as other types of tests that can be used to rule out other abnormalities if your doctor finds reason to believe something else is wrong.

There are serious medical conditions that can affect the different mechanisms and structures involved in the production of thyroid hormone.  These need to be ruled out by a qualified medical professional.  This information is NOT intended to be a substitute for such health care.  If, however, everything is ruled out and the blood work shows you have, or even if it doesn’t show you have low thyroid function, you may benefit from thyroid treatment.

TSH refers to Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which is produced in your brain in the anterior pituitary.  TSH tells your thyroid to produce T4 which in turn breaks down into T3.  T3 is the active hormone used by the different systems of the body for metabolism regulation as well as many other functions.  (this is a simple version)

In most cases, Doctor’s including Endocrinologists prescribe T4 (Synthroid, Levothyroxine) for hypothyroidism.  The theory is that your body will break down the T4 into the needed T3 making you will feel better.  Many times, however, even though a patient’s blood work may look better, they continue to feel terrible.  Inevitably they are then prescribed even more T4, and the process continues.  More about this will be said in the section on reverse T3.

Symptoms of Low Thyroid

Depression Insomnia Constipation Neuropathy			no sex drive fatigue dry skin Fibromyalgia
Anxiety weight gain cold hands / feet			brittle nails hair loss
high cholesterol
restless legs
muscle / joint pains low body temperature (below 98.6)
mood swings (sometimes misdiagnosed as Bipolar)
lack of concentration and focus (sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD)

That’s an incomplete list of symptoms one can experience with LTF.

What if you have hypothyroid symptoms but your blood work is normal?  Often times people will have hypothyroid symptoms yet their blood work remains normal.  In fact blood work for TSH levels only started to be used in the early 1970’s.  Before then doctors looked at clinical symptoms such as those above.  The main medication for treating LTF for years was Armour’s Thyroid, which is typically desiccated porcine thyroid which naturally contains both T4 and T3 in a ratio similar to what humans produce.  It has been around since the late 19^th century actually.  If you went to a doctor in 1910 then, feeling lethargic, gassy, constipated, and depressed your doctor may have prescribed Armour’s thyroid. 

Today no doctor would treat you unless your blood work, specifically your TSH, is abnormal.  Yet many people continue to have hypothyroid symptoms even though their blood work continues to fall in normal range.

What are other reasons for treating with Armour’s Thyroid?  If a patient who has been diagnosed with LTF continues to feel poorly despite being given a T4 preparation, most likely it’s because they don’t break down T4 properly or they tend to produce too much reverse T3 instead of the active T3.  Reverse T3 is something we all produce.  Most likely reverse T3 is an old evolutionary mechanism that we still carry that slowed our metabolism during times of hunger or injury until either food was found or we healed.  Once some people start producing reverse T3 they may have a problem turning the mechanism off.  Another theory that may explain the overproduction of reverse T3 is a lack of enzyme to break T4 down into healthy or active T3.  Reverse T3 as the name suggests doesn’t work like active T3, and if you have a tendency to producing too much of this, all the T4 in the world won’t make you feel better. 

The reasons why someone may produce too much reverse T3 are irrelevant.  The only option to taking only T4 is adding T3 to it in a ratio of 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, or even 1:2 of T4:T3.  This can be given as regular prescriptions of Synthroid / Levothyroxine and Cytomel.  Another option is to have them compounded.  And lastly another option is Armour’s Thyroid, Natur-Throid, or a synthetic T4:T3 formula.  I personally take only T3 every day, and every other day add T4 because I don’t feel well taking T4 on a daily basis.