57—Finally, a device that accurately checks thyroid activity...
57

The Thyroflex

Naturopath Lisa Fitzgibbon tests the Thyroid function of her client with a Thyroflex device

Not so good at chemistry, huh?

Imagine that you’re in science class — and you’re the beaker!
You’re full of the right chemicals, but your reaction is sluggish. You know you’re supposed to be doing something useful, but you can’t seem to muster the energy.

Then — someone lights a flame under your bottom and suddenly you’re all action! You become bubbly and energetic. You feel alive and you delight everyone with your capabilities. You’ve been given the right catalyst!

Think of the thyroid as the flame that makes all your chemical reactions fire. However your thyroid doesn’t just regulate your metabolic rate — its effects in the body are far reaching. Optimal thyroid function raises your general constitution and therefore your overall wellbeing.

Note: To find out more about the role of thyroid function in the body, check out my previous blog-post: Thyroxine (the Thyroid Hormone)

But there’s nothing wrong with your thyroid function, right?
Because you’ve had it checked using blood tests. And, the results indicated that you’re fine, and that the real problem ‘is all in your head’. You may have even been prescribed anti-depressant medication for your trouble (or rather your troubles)!

Note: You may have even been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).

You're not 'losing it' — your thyroid is.

Trying to find out if you have mild to moderate thyroid dysfunction via blood-work is like trying to get blood out of stone.

Being diagnosed with an under-active thyroid is not as clearcut as you may have been lead to believe. It’s not as simple as having or not having an under-active thyroid.  Like most things in life, there are many ‘shades of grey’.

Blood tests are often not sensitive enough to diagnose mild to moderate forms of thyroid dysfunction (subclinical hypothyroidism). And as such, mild hypothyroidism (which is the most common form of hypothyroidism) often goes undiagnosed.

Note: Subclinical Hypothyroidism means that you have all the symptoms, but the blood test says that you’re ‘normal’. This type of Hypothyroidism is not acknowledged by the medical establishment as it doesn’t warrant the use of medication. This is where Naturopathy can be extremely beneficial.

In NZ, routine blood tests only check for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). TSH is produced by your pituitary gland; a master gland in your brain. This hormone instructs the thyroid what to do. The thyroid gland itself isn’t actually checked.

Note: In the past, routine blood tests used to include checks for T4 (pre-active Thyroid hormone), and T3 (active Thyroid hormone), meaning they directly tested the blood levels of the thyroid gland.

Get inside information

I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating it has been for me over the years, to witness so many of my clients exhibiting obvious signs + symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. But, I never had a ‘back-up’ on which to base a corrective treatment regime (as their blood tests appear normal). I’ve had to rely on assessing Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) via a temperature testing protocol. Timely (and accurate) data can be somewhat difficult to obtain via this method, as the client is required to perform the testing themselves.

However, I’m excited to inform you, that I’ve started using The Thyroflex — a thyroid function test — to assess my clients thyroid activity. This innovative device accurately identifies if your thyroid function is under-active, over-active, or within optimal range (Euthyroid). The Thyroflex is also used to record and monitor your progress.

Note: Even if you are already taking thyroid medication, The Thyroflex can help to determine whether it is working effectively for you. 

The Thyroflex provides information about what’s happening inside your cells, rather than what’s happening outside your cells (in your blood). With the Thyroflex you get to find out how the body is utilising its thyroid hormone1. As well as this:

The Thyroflex is noN-invasive
It’s a simple procedure that tests a reflex point in your arm.

Note: The sensation of the electronic reflex hammer on your arm can prove mildly uncomfortable.

The Thyroflex is fast
It gives results in real-time (within 5 mins).

The Thyroflex is 98.5% accurate
(and is FDA certified)

Note: Before blood testing came about, health practitioners would assess thyroid function by taking into consideration the symptoms + reflexes that the patient exhibited.

The Thyroflex uses a ‘hammer’ (which is connected to a computer) on a reflex point on your arm. When the hammer strikes your arm a message is sent up the spine, to the brain, and back down again, initiating a reflex response.  The Thyroflex measures how long this takes to happen. This speed directly correlates with thyroid activity.  A delayed reflex time indicates low thyroid function. The Thyroflex therefore measures:

Your reflex response time
through brachioradialis reflexometry

Your neurotransmitter speed
your brain function

Your resting metabolic rate (RMR)
how many calories you burn daily

Click the links below to see The Thyroflex feature on the following popular American television shows:

The Dr Phil Show
The Today Show
The Doctors

The various parts of the Thyroflex device are displayed on a table

Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?

Naturopath Lisa Fitzgibbon tests the Thyroid function of her client with a reflex hammer

Lisa says:

Make a Thyroflex appointment with me

If you scored over 3 in the hyperthyroid section or 8 in the hypothyroid section you could benefit from coming to see me for a Thyroflex test.

I can determine if it’s possible to help you with supplements and/or herbal remedies, or whether you may need to be referred to an Endocrinologist (a hormone specialist) for bio-identical hormones — or even synthetic hormones.

This testing is comprehensive, it takes into consideration:

— Your individual set of symptoms
— Your specifics e.g age, height, and weight
— The involvement of other hormones, neurotransmitters, and nutrients. (As well as the possibility of auto-immune issues.)

Note:  The thyroid cannot (and should not) be treated in isolation.

THIS is a new SERVICE that I’m offering – it is AVAILABLE FROM WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2015. 

Take advantage of comprehensive blood, urine, and saliva testing

If need be, we can also2:
— Order more specific thyroid hormone blood testing (out of Australia), and
— Use urine + saliva testing to see how well your cells are ‘taking-up’ iodine.

Note: Iodine not only supports Thyroid function, but (among many things) it also fights + prevents infection, and protects against toxins, heavy metals, and chemicals.

Get more OOMPH — trim down, tone-up, look good, feel great, think straight, and pep up!

Make an appointment with Lisa

Lisa Fitzgibbon is a degree qualified (2006), experienced and registered Naturopath & Medical Herbalist. She runs her own private practice – OOMPH in Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand.

Lisa has been involved in the Natural Health industry for 16 years. She draws on her professional training and experience, as well as her own personal experience to bring you realistic, holistic health advice.

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