Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland, usually caused by an autoimmune attack (in postpartum thyroiditis or silent thyroiditis) or by a viral infection. Thyroiditis can make the thyroid release its whole supply of stored thyroid hormone into the blood at once, causing brief HYPERthyroidism (an overactive thyroid); once all of the stored hormone has been released, the thyroid becomes underactive. Almost all patients with viral thyroiditis recover their thyroid function, but about one-fourth of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have permanent hypothyroidism.

Medicines
Medicines like amiodarone, lithium, interferon alpha, interleukin-2, and radioactive iodine can interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to make thyroid hormone. These drugs are most likely to trigger hypothyroidism in patients who have a genetic tendency to autoimmune thyroid disease. It’s also possible that treatment with thalidomide for multiple myeloma can cause hypothyroidism.

Too little or too much iodine
The thyroid gland must have iodine to produce the thyroid hormone. Keeping thyroid hormone production in balance requires the right amount of iodine. Worldwide, iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Taking in too much iodine can also cause or worsen hypothyroidism. Proper thyroid hormone production is optimal with a balanced iodine intake.

Damage to the pituitary gland
The pituitary tells the thyroid how much hormone to make. If the pituitary is damaged, it may no longer be able to give the thyroid the right signal instructions, and the thyroid may stop producing enough hormone.

Environmental contaminants.
Certain man-made chemicals (such as PCBs) found in the local environment at high levels may also cause hypothyroidism.

Aluminium, Silica, Beryllium - All activate the Gq11 protein.

Heavy Metals - Block the uptake and use of selenium to convert T4 to T3. These include mercury, lead and cadmium which are produced by industry, contaminate the food chain and are found in cigarette smoke and some vaccines.

Dioxins - Produced in combustive processes, they have historically been produced in large amounts by heavy industries. Dioxins are highly toxic chemicals that interfere with the uptake of iodine and its processing into thyroid hormones.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - PCBs were used in many electrical products, plasticizers, surface coatings, inks, adhesives, flame-retardants, and paints. PCBs affect thyroid function in the same way as dioxins and can remain in the fatty tissues of the body for many years.

Vitamin B-12 (as cyanocobalamin)

In 2001 Tufts University came out with a study found that as many as 40% of men and women have low levels of B-12, based on the B-12 blood levels of 3,000 adults. Vitamin B-12 also known as cyanocobalamine or cobalmin, is an essential vitamin that is required for the development of red blood cells. It is also used to make the protective coating surrounding nerves. B-12 is found mainly in animal based foods such as meat, poultry, milk products, eggs and fish.

In the study, they found that low B-12 levels were common in the entire population, but of those tested 39% had levels on the boarder or slightly below the cutoff, 17% had very low levels and 9% had levels so low that they are clinically deficient. When a person is deficient in B-12 it can cause a type of anemia that is characterized by fewer but larger red blood cells. Other effects of a B-12 deficiency are walking and balance disturbances, a loss of vibration sensation, confusion and in advance cases dementia.

Iodine (from kelp)

Iodine makes up less than a hundred thousandth of a percent of your body weight, but your thyroid cannot function without this trace mineral. If you have too little iodine in your diet, hypothyroidism and weight gain will occur. "I believe that an insufficient intake of organic iodine in today's modern diet has led to a serious and chronic form of low-grade hypothyroidism," writes Donald R. Yance, Jr. in Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer. Increasing your iodine level will allow your thyroid function and metabolic rate to return to normal.

Zinc (oxide) and Copper (as oxide)

Thyroid diseases caused due to unbalanced levels of copper and zinc are:

Hyperthyroidism

Copper and zinc work together in the body as important antioxidants. Deficiency of zinc causes a deficiency of the antioxidant enzyme Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and leads to oxidative stress and ant oxidative response in the patients of hyperthyroidism. Deficiency of copper also causes hyperthyroidism because the thyroid gland produces excessive hormone when the body is copper deficient.

Hypothyroidism

An imbalance of zinc and copper ratio in the body causes hypothyroidism, which is a thyroid disease that causes the thyroid gland. Research has shown that supplementation of the diet with first zinc, then copper, helps in hypothyroidism treatment and increases thyroid function. Zinc deficiency also causes low metabolic rate, which often results in immune dysfunction, so this is why it is important to get the right levels of zinc first.

Selenium (amino acid chelate)

Along with iodine, selenium is a critical mineral for maintaining proper function of the thyroid gland. For the thyroid gland to produce the most active form of the thyroid hormone T3, selenium is essential but also helps regulate the amount of hormone that is produced.

Manganese (amino acid chelate)

Manganese deficiency can reduce thyroid activity. Manganese is required for T4 production. Manganese deficiency or biounavailability are very common today.

Deficiency is associated with a hair manganese level less than 0.04 mg%, although the hair is not a very reliable indicator. Dr. Eck felt that most people are manganese deficient today, and I agree. A level greater than 0.07 mg% often indicates biounavailability of manganese, another problem that might be related to thyroid imbalances.

Adrenal exhaustion causes manganese to become biounavailable as the binding protein, transmanganin, is not produced in sufficient quantity.

Hair calcium and magnesium levels are associated with cell permeability. Biounavailable calcium and magnesium stabilize cell membranes. This causes reduced cell membrane permeability that decreases thyroid hormone uptake into the cells. This might contribute to a cellular thyroid hormone deficiency even when the level of circulating hormones in the blood is normal or even high. This may account for the common finding that a person’s serum T3 and T4 levels are normal, but the person has many symptoms of hypothyroidism.

This fact led Dr. Broda Barnes, MD and others to use the person’s morning temperature to assess thyroid activity.

Molybdenum (amino acid chelate)

Trace mineral closely tied to proper thyroid function.

L-Tyrosine 300 mg*

An amino acid which like iodine is a component of thyroid hormones and is therefore essential to their production. ND recommended for depression and fatigue.

Schizandra (herb powder)

Schizandra--a Chinese herb that is used for fatigue.

Ashwagandha Root (herb powder)

"...These findings reveal that the Ashwagandha root extract stimulates thyroid activity and 'that Ashwagandha extract] also enhances the anti-peroxidation* of 'liver] tissue." Emphasis added.

*Peroxidation can destroy tissue. Therefore, Ashwagandaha is somewhat protective to the liver.

Ashwagandha and Under-Active Thyroid Bibliography
Journal of Pharm. Pharmacol., vol. 9, 1998. By: Drs. Panda & Kar, School of Life Sciences, D.A. University, Indor, India.

Bladderwrack (powder)

I believe that an insufficient intake of organic iodine (kelp and bladderwrack) in today's modern diet has led to a serious and chronic form of low-grade hypothyroidism, a major contributing factor to breast and ovarian cancers. Even a mild low thyroid function can cause an imbalance of other hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and androgen, hormones that play a pivotal role in reproductive health as well as in the prevention of cancerous and noncancerous tumors, such as fibroids and fibrocystic breast disease. Low thyroid function frequently coincides with low adrenal function—what I call a "hypo-overall endocrine system"; it's just not working up to speed. This condition manifests itself in many ways, including fatigue, low energy during the day, insomnia, low body temperature, very low blood pressure, low-grade depression, dry skin, dry hair, pear-shaped figure, weight gain, infertility, PMS, sensitivity to cold (particularly the extremities), calcification buildup, hardening of the arteries, cystic breasts and/or ovaries, and cancers of the breast and ovaries.

Herbal Medicine Healing Cancer by Donald R Yance Jr, page 161, 85

Cayenne Pepper (powder)

One of the most remarkable qualities of Cayenne is its ability to act as a catalyst. Cayenne intensifies the beneficial effects of other herbs by ensuring speedy and thorough distribution of the herb’s active components to the important functional centers of the body such as those responsible for metabolism, data transmission, cellular respiration and neural hormonal activity.

The herb itself contains many nutrients essential to the health of the circulatory system including alpha-tocopherols, vitamin C and minerals. Cayenne also contains a high amount of vitamin A (beta-carotene) which aids in healing ulcers... Cayenne’s high mineral content, including sulphur, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, makes it an effective treatment for diabetes, gas, arthritis, pancreatic and throat disorders.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food And Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.