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For those that completed the Adrenal Gland and/or Thyroid gland tests as shown in September’s newsletter, this is a follow up to those functions.
When we (my co-workers and I) worked the retail stores, we utilized the Body Language Questionnaire, but we also asked additional questions regarding a nutrient, or an area, considered to be deficient. The reason being, so many nutrients have similar deficiency symptoms, so by asking additional questions we were able to ascertain more definitively as to which nutrient was the one in question. For instance, there were times (I still see it now upon visiting our local supplement stores) when a customer tells the salesperson they have, for instance, leg cramps, “You need calcium,” is the usual response (which is prescribing). Leg cramps fall into many categories from calcium to magnesium to a lack of blood flow, etc., so additional questioning is necessary to determine the true cause (unless it is other than a nutrient deficiency).
I have listed most of the additional questions we would ask in determining if the client was indeed showing signs of Adrenal and/or Thyroid problems. If, after completing these tests and the results show you have either adrenal glands that need attention or the thyroid gland, you can read the additional list of symptoms and now say, “That’s why I have this or that symptom, my adrenals/thyroid appear to be low (or high/hyperthyroid).”
Reprinted once again for your convenience, are both the Adrenal Gland Function test and the Thyroid Function test. Following each test is the list of additional questions we would ask regarding the signs of Adrenal problems and/or thyroid problems.
Adrenal Gland Function Test
The systolic blood pressure is about 10mm. higher when a person is standing than when a person is lying down.
Procedure for testing:
1. Lie down and take the blood pressure.
2. Stand and take the blood pressure.
3. Rest for 6 minutes lying down.
4. Stand up and immediately take the blood pressure.
Interpretation of test:
1. If the blood pressure is lower after standing, suspect adrenal gland weakness.
2. The greater the drop in blood pressure the greater the degree of adrenal dysfunction.
Signs of Adrenal Problems
Abdominal pain Apprehensions
Binge eating…and related disorders Chronic pain in lower neck, shoulders, upper back
Clenching/grinding of teeth during sleep Clumsiness
Compulsive behavior Constipation…sometimes alternating with diarrhea
Cravings for salt Cravings for sweets
Depression Depression that is often relieved by eating
Difficulty gaining weight Difficulty in building muscle
Difficulty relaxing (unless working) Dizziness when standing up from sitting
Dry, thin skin Easily distracted
Easily frustrated Excessive hunger
Excessively low cholesterol (below 150) Extreme sensitivity to odors and/or noise
Fainting spells Feelings of frustration
Food allergies Hair loss
Hair loss on outer parts of lower legs Hard, pebble-like stools
Heartburn Heart palpitations
Headaches Hypoglycemia
Inability to concentrate Inability to cope with stressful events
Indigestion Infrequent urination
Insomnia Intolerance to alcohol
Intolerance to cigarette smoke and/or exhaust fumes
Irritability Lack of appetite
Lack of thirst Light-headiness
Low blood pressure Low body temperature
Moments of confusion Mood swings
Muscle weakness Nervousness
Ongoing fatigue Pain or tightness in upper neck and/or scalp
Panic attacks Paranoia
Phobias PMS
Poor memory Poor resistance to infections
Scanty perspiration Skin rashes, hives
Sodium Wasting Syndrome Sweating or wetness of hands and feet
Tendency for yeast or fungal infections Tendency to cry easily
Tendency to have guilt feelings Tendency toward inflammation
Tenderness in the adrenal area Tightness of the armpits
Those things that tax the adrenal glands:
Alcohol
Caffeinated products (soda, coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, etc)
Chronic illness
Chronic inflammation
Chronic pain
Chronic/severe allergies
Chronic, severe, or prolonged infections
Depression
Excessive exercise
Foods naturally high in otherwise “healthy” sugars (molasses, honey, freshly squeezed fruit juices, oranges, pears, apples, etc)
Light cycle disruption (awake at night, asleep during day)
Ongoing negative emotions (anger, fear, worry/anxiety, guilt)
Overwork (physical or mental strain…late hours/insufficient sleep)
Refined sugars and grains
Surgery
Temperature extremes
Toxic exposures
Trauma/injury
Thyroid Function Test
Keep a thermometer beside your bed. When you awaken in the morning, before moving around (yes, even before you make a trip to the bathroom), place the thermometer snugly in your armpit and keep it in place for ten minutes. Keep as still as possible. Then remove the thermometer, take a reading, and write it down. Follow this procedure for three days, and then determine an average reading by adding all three readings together and dividing by three. If you average is somewhere between 97.3 and 97.8. in all probability you are suffering from sub clinical hypothyroidism and should discuss your finding with your health care professional. If you are a menstruating woman, start this test on the 3rd day of your menstrual cycle.
Signs of Thyroid Problems
Cardiovascular
Enlargement of heart Heart pain
Hypertension (high blood pressure) Increased risk of arteriosclerosis due to increase in
cholesterol/triglycerides
Pains in the diaphragm Palpitations
Reduced heart function Reduced heart rate
Sense of compression in chest
Ears
Inner ear adhesions
Fluttering in ears with feeling of warm waves washing through
Loss of hearing
Endocrine (hormonal)…
Chronic glandular imbalance Impotency
Infertility Loss of libido (sex drive)
Menstrual abnormalities Miscarriages
Premature deliveries Prolonged/heavy menstrual bleeding
Shorter menstrual cycle Spontaneous abortions
Stillbirths
Eyes
Cataracts Occasional stinging
Poor vision Puffiness/swelling under eyes
Mental
Depression Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue Forgetfulness
Frustrated self-expression Inability to “drag” one’s self out of bed
Lethargy Mental illness (bi-polar/manic depressive)
Nervousness Painful shyness
Restlessness Tendency to cry easily/excessively
Worry when stomach is empty
Metabolic…
Cold hands and feet Constipation
Decreased sweating Hypoglycemia
Increased cholesterol/triglycerides Intolerance to cold
Intolerance to heat Loss of appetite
Low body temperature Mucus accumulation in entire body
Parched, dry mouth that water doesn’t seem to help
Poor digestion (especially animal products)
Poor digestion of minerals Slowed lymphatic drainage
Spleen/liver problems Swelling of lymph nodes (neck, armpits, groin,
inner thighs)
Swelling of tissues (edema) Swelling in throat
Swollen face Swollen feet
Thick tongue Ulcers
Weight gain Weight loss
Muscular/skeletal…
Calcium deficiency (lack of absorption) Left arm weakness
Muscle/joint weakness/pain Numb fingers
Spinal cord softening Stiff neck
Tender lower ribs
Nervous System
Alternating hot/cold waves over skin Flashes of sharp pain in head/nerves
Sound sleep first portion of night…restless remainder
Respiratory
Chronic catarrh of head/nose Degenerative bronchitis
Exhausted feelings in lungs Gasping occasionally for air as if suffocating
Loss of smell Quest for fresh air/abhorrence for closed, warm
stuffy rooms
Shortness of breath
Skin, Hair, Nails, Teeth…
Bad teeth Coarse/dry/brittle hair
Dry/rough skin Gnashing and grinding of teeth
Hair loss Nails that are thin, brittle, grooves
Pale skin and lips
Other…
Impaired kidney function Muttering or even screaming while asleep
Tendency to yarn/feel sleepy day and night
What feeds/strengthen the thyroid?
Dulse
Kelp
Organic iodine
What depletes the thyroid of iodine?
Air pollution
Emotional stress
Standard American diet
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