Q: Dear Dr. Sears,
What is the reason behind a goiter starting to grow? Recently I had a few blood tests done and twice it said normal. Once it said I was border line. How can a Free T3 and Freet4 test show it is normal when the goiter is GROWING? It is uncomfortable and I can not wear clothing that touches around my neck. My chest must be open, otherwise it feels like I am being strangled. I cannot dress too warmly because it feels like my body is overheating. I cannot wear closed shoes for more than two hours because then my feet start swelling, it feels very uncomfortable and my feet are wet when I take my shoes off. However, I cannot go to long wearing open shoes because my feet are so cold and become numb and painful. I also feel very uncomfortable when in a home or shop and the heating is too high. I did discover recently that I was iron deficient and took iron tablets. After taking the iron tablets, my bowel movements were normal (once a day) only to discover that after a certain period it reverted back to maybe twice a week only. I find it very difficult to keep my weight down. I have gained 20 pounds in two years. For the last year on and off I suddenly become very nauseous. This can happen on a daily basis. I become very exhausted having only climbed a few steps up a staircase and then find it difficult to breath, and my heart is racing. For no apparent reason I get heart palpitations where my heart just starts pounding for very fast beats, then goes back to normal. I would not be doing anything strenuous. I would only be sitting still doing nothing. I was diagnosed with angina in 2002 and took medication for it. However, we moved to my husband’s home country, and the doctor I saw then took me off medication and soon after that my goiter started growing. Would it help if I go and see an iridology person who could see what health issues need checking? I also believe that health issues can be seen and told by looking at finger nails and toe nails. Hoping you could shed some light on all this.
Regards, Brenda
A: Dear Brenda,
There can be many causes or underlying conditions that could increase the growth of a goiter, i.e. iodine deficiency, hypo/hyper thyroid, and thyroiditis to name a few. Thyroid problems are often linked to poor eicosanoid balance and hyperinsulinemia. The Zone diet and high-dose OmegaRx supplementation (5g/d) should improve the condition. All the information you need to understand and apply the Zone diet is at www.zonediet.com. A reference for thyroid problems: http://www.brodabarnes.org/ We hope that working with a qualified physician and following the Zone principles would provide some improvement.