Can't lose weight no matter what? Could the weight loss culprit be something as inconspicuous as mercury build-up in your body?
It is widely accepted that metal toxicity can impair neuroendocrine function. Simply put, this means that normal thyroid function can be impaired from toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and others.
What are Toxic Metals?
Toxic metals are metals that are not required or of use to your bodies chemistry. Mercury is the example we are all probably most familiar with. Toxic metals can also be variations of metals for which there is a biological use, but in the wrong form are toxic.
What is the Weight Loss Connection?
For the purpose of weight loss, or an inability to lose weight no matter what, the effect of toxic metals on thyroid function and estrogen production becomes of particular interest.
Impaired thyroid function, specifically the impairment of T4 to T3 conversion will act like an invisible force field around your body fat. No amount of diet or exercise will be of use for someone with sufficiently impaired thyroid.
There is good scientific evidence that metal toxicity can impair endocrine (thyroid) function.
What we can say for sure is this:
- Toxic Metals in your body are undesirable
- Toxic metals may impair thyroid function in certain individual
- If you cannot lose weight, and have high levels of heavy metals, you may consider a protocol to remove toxic metals.
The Best Test to Objectively Measure Your Level of Heavy Metals
I recommend having your physician order the 3 or 6 hour urinary heavy metal toxic test using a challenging agent such as DMSA or DMPS.
** I also recommend the QuickSilver Scientific Tri-Mercury/Toxic Metal Testing.
The following test was ordered on a patient who had an impossible time losing weight. She simply was unable to convert T4-T3.
I recommend having your physician order the 3 or 6 hour urinary heavy metal toxic test using a challenging agent such as DMSA or DMPS.
** I also recommend the QuickSilver Scientific Tri-Mercury/Toxic Metal Testing.
The following test was ordered on a patient who had an impossible time losing weight. She simply was unable to convert T4-T3.
The mercury levels were "significantly" elevated
Once the patient was treated and the mercury and lead were reduced and removed her weight problem was solved. Her T4-T3 conversion issue was again solved.
How Can You Rid Yourself of Toxic Metals?
- Find a doctor thoroughly trained in the evaluation and treatment of heavy metal detoxification
- Be certain your phase I and phase II detoxification pathways are functioning optimally
- Eliminate all heavy metal exposure (we provide guidelines to all of our patients on potential exposure)
- InfraRed Sauna
- After a careful evaluation by your health professional, they may recommend DMSA, DMPS chelating agent or the QuickSilver Toxic Metal Protocol.
To find a healthcare professional certified in functional medicine, go to www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com. These are clinicians who have been trained at Functional Medicine University (www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com)
Always remember one of my mantras., "The more you know about how your body works, the better you can take care of yourself."
For more details about the natural approach I take with my patients, take a look at the book I wrote entitled: Reclaim Your Life; Your Guide To Revealing Your Body's Life-Changing Secrets For Renewed Health. It is available in my office or at Amazon and many other book outlets. If you found value in this article, please use the social sharing icons at the top of this post and please share with those you know who are still suffering with chronic health challenges, despite receiving medical management. Help me reach more people so they may regain their zest for living! Thank you!
ALL THE BEST – DR. KARL R.O.S. JOHNSON, DC – DIGGING DEEPER TO FIND SOLUTIONS
Thanks to Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S. for this guest blog post
References:
Ursinyova M1, Uhnakova I, Serbin R, Masanova V, Husekova Z, Wsolova L.The relation between human exposure to mercury and thyroid hormone status.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012 Sep;148(3):281-91.
Gallagher CM1, Meliker JR.Mercury and thyroid autoantibodies in U.S. women. Environ Int. 2012 Apr;40:39-43
Hybenova M1, Hrda P, Procházková J, Stejskal V, Sterzl I. The role of environmental factors in autoimmune thyroiditis. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010;31(3):283-9.
