You can reach Dr. Scott at:

757-363-8571

drmscott43@gmail.com

http://thyroidvirginiabeach.com

Welcome back to another Episode of Waist Away: The Intermittent Fasting Podcast! Today, Chantel is joined by Dr. Mark A. Scott! He has been in private practice here in Virginia Beach, VA since 1996. Chantel and Mark dive into 10 listener submitted questions in this thyroid information filled episode! Sit back, take some notes, and enjoy this Episode of the Intermittent Fasting Podcast!

TIMECODES:

Question 1- 3:22

Q: It seems like “Gluten-Free” is a big buzz word right now! A lot of my friends eat Gluten Free, and the other day my girl friend told me I should consider eating this way because of my thyroid issues. Could you explain how glutten affects your thyroid?

• Beth in Virginia Beach

A: There is definitely a buzz going around about going gluten free these days! I tell people all the time that no foods should be off limits, UNLESS they negatively affect my body. As for me, I know that when I am only eating gluten in the 20 of my 80/20, my thyroid is going to trying to heal my thyroid, I cut gluten out completely, and went 100% Paleo. Is this sustainable? No, but I recommend people with Thyroid issues doing this for a limited time until they see improvement. Again, I eat gluten now, but it will be included in the 20% of my diet that I am not eating clean. Because of my thyroid issues, I feel better when I’ve cut out gluten, but I know that is not sustainable for the rest of my life, and I don’t like to ever feel deprived.

Most doctors would agree that it is good for people with thyroid issues to eliminate or cut back on gluten. Although there are many factors involved in Hashimoto’s (which I was diagnosed with) and other autoimmune and thyroid-related conditions, going gluten-free can provide a huge benefit.

Unfortunately, the evidence that those with Hashimoto’s benefit from a gluten-free diet is, so far, anecdotal. That doesn’t mean that it’s not true, just that it hasn’t yet been confirmed with science, or atleast any studies that I can find.

My advice would be to try cutting it out for a short amount of time, and see how you feel! I am all about listening to your body!

Question 2- 7:03

Q: My online research leads me to believe that I have thyroid issues, but I haven’t been to the doctor yet. Can you do an overview of the symptoms I should be keeping an eye on, and is there a way I can verify without going to the Doctor?

• Sarah in Arizona

A: I compiled my top 10 Symptoms that I have noticed in myself and in others that I talk to.

• TIRED ALL THE TIME, even if you slept all night.
• Mood swings, depression or anxiety.
• Pain in the muscles and joints
• Being cold ALL the time, esp in your feet and hands.
• Weight gain, or being unable to lose weight.
• General hormonal issues- irregular periods, TERRIBLE PMS, low sex drive, and sadly, sometimes infertility
• Dry skin and hair, brittle nails
• Swelling in the neck
• Forgetfulness, haziness, or general brain fog

10.Constipation

Those are the big things to look out for, but a lot of these symptoms can be the sign of something else as well, so I think it’s a great idea to check your thyroid at home. I recently purchased a Basal Body Temperature Thermometer. A lot of women use these when they are trying to get pregnant and are tracking their ovulation. They are more sensitive than a regular thermometer and allow you to track more closely.

Question 3- 13:50

Q: I’ve been taking Synthroid for almost a year now. Recently, I have read terrible things online about it. Should I try something more natural like Armor Thyroid?

-Erin in Lynchburg

A:

A lot of people have complained of things like anxiety and irregular heart rate while on Synthroid.

Some people also claim that Synthroid may actually worsen your condition, as the synthetic T4 may compete with your body's natural T4 for cellular receptor sites.

I personally HATE taking medication of any kind, and hated that every time I went to the Doctor, he was upping my dose of Synthroid.

I love that you are looking into a healthy alternatives, just like I was! In a previous podcast, I went deep on how I got myself off of Synthroid using Intermittent Fasting and a paleo diet.

As for Armour Thyroid, I haven’t used this personally, but from what I understand, It is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands (usually a pig's). It replaces or provides more T3 and T4 hormones.

When I did some research online, I found a lot of people still complaining of negative side effects still relating to their heartbeat, anxiety, periods, etc.

Even though it is more natural than Synthroid and is natural, it is still a drug and in my opinion is still going to have some sort of side effect. I would recommend you give the Paleo diet a try if you are looking for the most natural way to get off those drugs, and definitely check out the podcast I did about this!

Question 4- 21:25

Q: What is the difference between T3, T4 and TSH? I’ve been trying to do some reading online all about thyroid and I am not understanding the difference between T3 T4 versus TSH. Can you explain these in an easy fashion where I can understand?

-Angela in Pennsylvania

A: So you’re your thyroid produces T3 and T4…a lot of people think that the TSH is a thyroid hormone, but it is ACTUALLY a pituitary hormone. TSH is your body’s gauge, or thermometer for the amount of thyroid hormones you have.  A lot of people also assume when their T3 and T4 are low that their TSH is also low, but the OPPOSITE is actually true. There is actually an INVERSE relationship between T3, T4, and TSH. So If your T3 and T4 are high, TSH will go down. And if your TSH is high, T3 and T4 will go down.  So if your pituitary gland senses that your Thyroid Hormones are low or high, it will send out TSH to help regulate it.   It’s actually pretty cool how these two types or hormones work together!

Question 5- 27:29

Q: I am having trouble pooping since I’ve been doing intermittent fasting. I’ve always been a terrible pooper, and my thyroid is acting up. Do you think me not pooping has anything to do with my thyroid?

• Anonymous

A: Yes, this absolutely has to do with your thyroid, because your thyroid issues will make you constipated! This is one of my least favorite symptoms of my thyroid issues!

Constipation is a classic sign of hypothyroidism. Without enough thyroid hormone, many of the body’s functions slow down, and your digestive track is one of them, as it can weaken the contraction of the muscles lining the tract.

Sometimes when I am really struggling and need to go, I will take a fiber drink like Metamucil which helps me. Coffee with coconut oil also helps me get moving, and of course, you will want to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

Question 6- 33:37

Q: I got some blood work done on my liver, and my doctor said that my liver is not in good shape. Do you think that has anything to do with my thyroid ?

-Tracy in Chesapeake

A: This is such a great question! There are so many people walking around with a thyroid problem but its secondary, or caused by  something else.

The liver and thyroid work closely together since the liver converts thyroid hormones. 80% of thyroid functions actually occur through your liver.

T4, one of the thyroid hormones we talked about earlier, is actually INACTIVE until the liver activates it to become T-3. So without a liver you cannot convert and make your thyroid work.

If  your liver is damaged, chances are that is the source of your thyroid problem. If you have constipation that blocks your liver, that can also be a source of thyroid problems.

It’s so amazing the way each part of our body is designed to work closely together.

Question 7- 36:24

Q: I’ve noticed lately that my nails are super brittle and they have these little lines on them..I started doing some research online and it seems it could be thyroid related? I read that thyroid issues can also make your skin and hair dry- which mine are! Am I overanalyzing this too much…do I just need some lotion and a manicure! LOL Or do you think this is truly thyroid related?

-Ashlyn in North Carolina

A: Absolutely this is thyroid related. If there is a problem with a low thyroid, 1,000 enzymes will be blocked. That’s why you don’t have proteins to make healthy hair, you get vertical ridges on your nails, you get cold feet, you have problems with depression, you are tired, have decreased libido, digestive problems, constipation, you crave carbs! All of the symptoms we have previously discussed in this podcast.  So yes, some lotion and a manicure would help but you should definitely take a look at the deeper issue and look at naturally curing your thyroid.

Question 8- 38:41

Q: How do I know when I started in a fat burning state?

-Tara in Charleston

A:  There is no scientific or precise way to figure this out, but what I recommend is to listen for your stomach growling because that’s when you know that your body is emptied out. The reason your stomach growls is because it’s your signal saying  HEY MY STOMACH IS EMPTY! The growling noise is your stomach contracting as it tries to find any food to eat that it may have missed earlier! This process cleans up any food that was missed earl