Thyroid Disease in Survival Situations
September 11, 2012 
9 Comments
Hey Prepper Nation,
The thyroid gland is positioned just in front of the trachea (the “windpipe”) and produces hormones that help regulate your metabolism. The thyroid produces substances called Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) that regulate growth, energy and the body’s utilization of other hormones and vitamins. The thyroid itself is regulated in turn by the pituitary gland in your brain, which tells the thyroid when to release T3 and T4. To underscore the complexity of this process, the pituitary gland itself is regulated by another gland, the hypothalamus! Thyroid disease usually involves the production of either too little or too much of the hormones from these three organs.
Over 20 million Americans suffer from some form of thyroid disorder. Thyroid malfunction can occur in anyone, but is most commonly seen in women.
Some thyroid problems that are common in third world countries today may one day become prevalent here in a post-collapse situation. One condition you may be familiar with is a “Goiter”; it is an enlargement of the gland that is the result (in 90% of cases) of a deficiency of iodine in the body. We rarely see this in developed countries because we are able to obtain iodine in our diet; indeed, it is the main reason why common table salt is “iodized”. A person may have a goiter without symptoms or even disturbed thyroid hormone levels.
Some thyroid masses may be cystic (filled with fluid) and some may be solid. These masses are usually “cold”, that is, not producing hormone, and have no cancerous or major ill effect. Thyroid cancer is relatively rare, even in the elderly, unless there has been exposure to radiation. Increase in cases of thyroid cancer have been seen, for example, in children raised in the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown in 1986; most occurred many years after the disaster.
Determination of thyroid malfunction depends on certain blood tests and sometimes a scan of the gland. This technology will be gone in a collapse, so it’s important to learn the various symptoms and signs that your patient may exhibit.
Hyperthyroidism
Bulging Eyes sometimes seen in hyperthyroidism
The excessive production of thyroid hormone is known as Hyperthyroidism. Some common signs and symptoms of this condition in adults are:
- Insomnia
- Hand tremors
- Nervousness
- Feeling excessively hot in normal or cold temperatures
- Frequent bowel movements
- Losing weight despite normal or increased appetite
- Excessive sweating
- Weight loss
- Menstrual period becomes scant, or ceases altogether
- Eyes seem to be “bulging out”
- Growth and Puberty issues (children)
- Muscle Weakness, Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath (elderly)
Severe hyperthyroidism causes a condition known as Thyroid Storm, which causes major effects on the heart and brain, and is life-threatening. You may see symptoms such as rapid pulse, angina, irregular heart rhythms, and, eventually, heart failure.
Treatment of hyperthyroidism involves medications such as Propylthiouracil and Methimazole, which block thyroid function. These medications should be stockpiled if you’re aware of a member of your group with hyperthyroidism, as they will be hard to find if modern medical care is no longer available.
Radiation therapy with radioactive iodine (“I-131”) has even been used to destroy the overactive thyroid, which, unfortunately, often results in the patient producing no thyroid hormone. This drastic strategy is useful in severe hyperthyroidism, but is also unlikely to be available in a collapse. Other forms of Iodide are useful in blocking the excessive production of thyroid hormone; kelp, for example, has high levels of Iodide. The anti-radiation medication KI (Potassium Iodide) might be another option in this situation. Unfortunately, Iodides must be used with care, as they can occasionally worsen the condition.
Dietary restriction of nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and other substances that alter metabolism are helpful lifestyle changes for hyperthyroid patients. Vitamins C and B12 are thought to have a beneficial effect on those with this condition. L-Carnitine is thought to be beneficial in that it is helpful in treating elevated thyroid hormone levels without damaging the gland. Some dietary strategies exist to depress production of thyroid hormone, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach. Foods high in antioxidants are thought to reduce free radicals that might be involved in hyperthyroidism. These include blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes, squash and bell peppers, among others.
Hypothyroidism
Classic hypothyroidism before treatment (left) and after treatment (right)
More commonly seen than hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism is the failure to produce enough thyroid hormone. Rarely, a newborn may be born without thyroid function; early diagnosis and the availability of modern hormone replacement drugs may prevent severe mental and physical handicaps. Without these drugs, these infants will be in serious trouble.
Hypothyroidism in adults is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Intolerance to cold
- Constipation
- Poor appetite
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Hoarseness
- Depression
- Menstrual irregularity
- Poor Growth (Children)
The treatment of hypothyroidism is based on the oral replacement of the missing hormone. These come in a variety of dosages, and it is important to determine the appropriate dose for your patient while modern medical care is still available. Once you have determined this, you may consider asking a physician for a prescription for a higher dose, which would allow you to use, say, half of the pill in the present and stockpile the other half for the uncertain future. This strategy depends mostly on the physician asked; you may find your doctor to be sympathetic to your concerns or you may hit a brick wall.
Besides standard thyroid drugs such as Synthroid and Levothyroid, there are a number of other remedies that may have an effect in improving hypothyroidism. A number of thyroid extracts are available which consist of desiccated and powdered pig or cow thyroid gland. The amount of thyroid hormone delivered by a particular extract may differ from bottle to bottle; therefore, the medical establishment recommends against the use of these supplements.
Having said this, in the absence of modern medications, it is better than nothing. From a dietary standpoint, you should avoid foods that depress thyroid functions, such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach. A number of natural supplements, such as Thyromine, are commercially available. These are combinations of various herbs that are touted as beneficial for both low and high thyroid conditions. Unfortunately, scientific studies proving their effect are scarce.
If you choose this route, ask your physician to follow your thyroid levels for a time on the supplement to see how much effect it has on your condition. If your thyroid levels stay within normal limits, the supplement is probably acting as advertised and you should stockpile it. If your thyroid levels drop precipitously, expect no benefit from that particular product and move on.
Learning the various signs and symptoms of a medical condition will help you become an effective medical resource in times of trouble. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed by the survival medic if he or she sharpens those diagnostic skills. Without lab tests, scans and the other accoutrements of modern medicine, your knowledge and supplies will be all you have to keep your people healthy.
Dr. Bones
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In the event of an economic collapse or other disaster and access to thyroid meds have been cut off, how do those of us survive if we have had the thyroid removed? I have a small stockpile of synthroid but not enough to last a year. I know that not taking the meds will result in death.
Interesting… i was diagnosed with yashimotos but actually havnt taken my meds since febuary because lack of insurance and my dr left the area… last year i overdosed on iodine which was from an herbalist and they increased my synthroid but ever since have had shortness of breath and then diagnosed with gout a month later… quincidence? Havnt had my synthroid since febuary and havnt had a gout flare up since then either
Not taking your thyroid replacement will eventually kill you. It is the hormone that supplies the master glands engine. All of our body functions depend on it and this is often overlooked therefor, treating the symptom and not the problem. Please do what you can. I finally found a doctor who would prescribe Armour Thyroid. I was discouraged and almost given up hope to having a quality life as I felt like walking death when we figured out that some bodies reject any form of synthetic Thyroid replacement. There is hope and its not expensive. I buy it without insurance. I still am trying to figure out the herbal replacement just in case…
urban prepper chick here…I love this post. I have graves which is a thyroid thing to. My glands were removed so I need meds. Can die without them. I have 2 years stocked.And have the basic knowledge to extract from rabbits if needed. Which would be a last resort. But if you still have your glands there are some herbs that can be used to help supplement
I have had both underactive and overactive thyroid – in both cases I was able to turn the disease around by my iodine intake. I first contracted hyperthyroidism 10 yrs ago and my pulse was 120 constantly, I thought I was having a nervous breakdown until I discovered what I had. I refused to take the medication prescribed by my doctor because it eventually destroys the thyroid. Instead, after much research and the direction of a naturopath I stopped all intake of iodine and went on a diet of just eating white vegetables and victamin C and magnesium supplements. I turned it around within 3 mths. My hormone specialist couldn’t believe it. Nine years later I developed hypothyrodism and they wanted me to go on thyroxin. I refused to go on thyroxin and instead reversed the treatment I had given myself by increasing my iodine intake. This also included not drinking tap water with fluoride or using fluoride toothpaste as fluoride destroys the iodine – I gargled iodised salt every morning so the iodine would be absorbed in my gums and stopped eating any white vegetables and only foods with high iodine intake. I was tested 6 weeks later (which is the time my doctor gave me to turn it around before going on medication) and my thyroid was normal. Too often we prescribe drugs when we can find the cure in our food intake and with thyroid it seems to me its all about the levels of iodine. I now insist when I go to the dentist and have x-rays that they put a protective cover over my thyroid to stop radiation exposure. I am gobsmacked by the fact that dentist don’t cover the thyroid when they take xrays. Radiation destroys the iodine.
Could you please discuss what to do if you had thyroid cancer and have had your thyroid removed. I am on synthroid and would like to know what if anything you can do to replace synthroid. Thank you for the discussion.
Rabbit glands are the post meds option. I have a few years in stock figuring by then I will have the rabbits ect if needed to make it happen learn were those glands are. My question is without the glands will the potassium iodine work on us??
Does anyone have the recipie for the thyroid replacement via rabbit or other animal? I would appreciate it. I have looked for it but havnt been able to find it.. thanks.