Thyroid cancer is on the rise, says Dr Leigh Erin Connealy. Here’s how to keep your thyroid gland healthy and cancer-free
We live in unprecedented times. Statistically, one in every two people will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and this scourge of a disease is being diagnosed in younger and younger people every day. Several factors influence these skyrocketing cases.
Our surroundings and lifestyle choices are major contributors. Compared to 50 years ago, the environment has completely changed: Our air, water, soil, and food supply are polluted with toxins, chemicals, and pesticides.
Our stress levels are at an all-time high. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by our phones, computers, Wi-Fi devices, power lines, microwaves and other appliances wreak havoc on our bodies daily.
Most clothing is manufactured with toxic chemicals. In general, people sit more and exercise less, and diets filled with empty carbohydrates, added sugars, harmful seed oils and processed foods tend to be the norm.
Compounding the problem, people worldwide are taking excessive prescription medications to address health issues that could be treated naturally. Often, these drugs create additional side effects and issues that can be as bad—if not worse—than the original disease.
According to a recent Institute report, “Global use of medicines grew by 14 percent over the past five years, and a further 12 percent increase is expected through 2028, bringing annual use to 3.8 trillion defined daily doses.” The same report notes that the medications with the most growth potential in the next five years include “oncology, immunology, diabetes and obesity drugs.”1
Our toxic environment, coupled with less-than-optimal lifestyle choices, throws the body into chaos, disrupting the preferred balanced state (homeostasis) and creating a breeding ground for cancer and other diseases.
Disturbingly, I’m seeing an uptick in thyroid cancer in my younger patients. In recent months, multiple patients in their 20s and 30s have come to the Cancer Center for Healing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, this is common.
Worldwide, thyroid cancer is the seventh most prevalent type of cancer; 821,214 cases were reported in 2022.2 It’s nearly three times more common in women than in men, and the average age of diagnosis is 51.3
There are four main categories of thyroid cancer:
Our approach to thyroid cancer treatment begins with a thorough evaluation and early detection. We use physical examination, ultrasound, fine-needle biopsy, blood tests and genetic testing (if warranted) to ensure patients receive a prompt diagnosis.
From there, we blend conventional treatment with integrative approaches that offer patients the best possible outcomes. Treatment protocols vary from patient to patient depending on individual circumstances but may include thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid), radioactive iodine therapy and hormone replacement therapy.
Holistic and integrative medicine shines in its ability to look at and treat the whole person rather than just the tumor or disease. This is why, in addition to the abovementioned treatments, we carefully curate therapies that enhance overall wellness and help patients regain strength and vitality.
Whether we use therapies such as IV vitamin C that enhance the immune system, acupuncture to manage side effects, or targeted vitamin and mineral supplements to counteract inflammation and boost overall health, we do everything we can to improve all aspects of our patient’s well-being—mind and body.
However, prevention is the best medicine, of course. It’s vital to look after your thyroid so you can avoid serious health issues down the line.
The thyroid gland is the small, butterfly-shaped organ on the front of the neck that influences heart rate, metabolism, digestion, brain function and body temperature regulation. I often refer to it as the “battery” of the body because it supplies energy to every cell via the production of specific hormones.
Two of these hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), dictate how cells use oxygen and nutrients to generate energy. Returning to the battery analogy, the thyroid is electrical in nature—it powers all cellular processes, giving the mitochondria the fuel they require to keep cells functioning optimally.
Thyroid hormones, particularly T3, play a critical role in the voltage in our bodies, which has systemic cellular effects. When thyroid function is low (hypothyroid), cellular energy falters, which can lead to imbalances across all bodily functions and set the stage for diseases—like thyroid cancer—to take hold.
Low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, has been linked to several health issues. Chief among them are weight gain, intolerance to cold, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, lower heart rate and depression. These symptoms arise because the body simply isn’t getting the thyroid hormones it needs to fuel optimal cellular function.
Dr Broda Barnes—a pioneer in thyroid research—quite literally wrote the book on the multitude of health problems associated with diminished thyroid function. In Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness (Harper, 1975), she notes that in addition to the symptoms listed above, hypothyroidism may well be connected to other conditions including chronic headaches, skin abnormalities, unresolved infections, heart disease, circulatory issues, and cancer.
Fortunately, testing for and treating low thyroid is straightforward and easy to do. Dr Barnes is credited with developing the Barnes Basal Temperature Test, which sheds light on thyroid function in relation to metabolism in real time. See below for the protocol.
First, you need to assess the health of your thyroid. Pay attention to your body, and if you have unexplained symptoms such as fatigue or weight gain, try the Barnes Basal Temperature Test. Next, have your physician run a full thyroid panel that checks for the following:
I strongly suggest you work with an integrative physician who is well versed in natural treatments for hypothyroidism. Excellent resources for finding one in your area are the American College for Advancement in Medicine (acam.org) or the Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org).
If low basal body temperatures and blood tests indicate you have depressed thyroid function, several actions can be taken to help bolster thyroid health. Talk to your doctor about the following options:
Consider desiccated thyroid. Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) comes from bovine thyroid glands and is an excellent option. It provides both T4 and the active hormone T3, along with other thyroid hormone precursors (T1 and T2). More comprehensive than T4-only medications, NDT can help support a sluggish thyroid and protect against age-related declines in thyroid function.
Supplement with iodine. Even though iodine is added to salt and foods in most developed countries, if you have low thyroid function, supplementation may be necessary. Adequate levels of iodine are essential for the thyroid gland to work normally.
Suggested dosage: 2–4 drops applied topically to the neck (mix into a carrier oil, such as coconut oil)
Get more selenium and zinc. These trace minerals play key roles in the production of all thyroid hormones. You can eat foods rich in these minerals, like seafood, eggs, poultry and nuts. Ask your practitioner for dosage and usage guidelines if you choose to use supplements instead.
Suggested dosages: 30–50 mg/day zinc; 200 mcg/day selenium
Cut out processed foods and seed oils. Opting for clean, natural, non-processed food items is ideal for good health, and the same goes for supporting healthy thyroid function. Anything processed—meats, chips, crackers, baked goods, etc.—or full of heat-treated seed oils should be avoided if you want to support optimal thyroid function. It’s also a good idea to eliminate gluten from your diet.
Manage stress levels. We live in a stressed-out world, but undue stressors wreak havoc on thyroid gland function. Do what you can to eliminate unnecessary stress and manage the unavoidable by practicing deep breathing, meditation or yoga; engaging in regular physical activity; and taking time each day to practice gratitude.
Keeping the thyroid gland in tip-top shape and doing what we can to protect against thyroid cancer aren’t rocket science. Supporting overall health with a nutrient-dense, clean diet and targeted supplements and keeping stress at bay are a great start.
If you need additional support for thyroid-related issues, please visit us at the Cancer Center for Healing or the Center for New Medicine. Or find a like-minded physician near you.
As author Jim Rohn once quipped, “Take care of your body; it’s the only place you have to live.” That’s solid advice, indeed.
Early warning signs and symptoms don’t typically occur in thyroid cancer cases. Per the Mayo Clinic,1 as the disease progresses, however, people may experience the following:
Consider seeing a doctor if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Early detection is always preferable.
You can test for low thyroid function using basal body temperature in the comfort of your own home. Here’s how:
This axillary measurement will record your lowest body temperature of the day, which correlates with thyroid function. Normal axillary temperatures range from 97.8°F to 98.2°F (36.6°C to 36.8°C).
If your five-day average is 97.4°F (36.3°C) or lower, treatment will likely be recommended to increase thyroid function. Or if your temperature is 97.0°F (36.1°C) or lower on three consecutive days, you likely have low thyroid function, and treatment is probably warranted.
For women, temperatures should be recorded starting the second day of menstruation. Considerable temperature shifts can occur around ovulation, which may skew results. For men and menopausal women, temperature can be taken at any time. The only caveat is that you shouldn’t test if you have an active infection or any other condition that could raise your body temperature.
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