Are Your Meds Affecting Your Thyroid Function?

There are many contributing factors to potential thyroid dysfunction. Your practitioner will have already mentioned some factors, such as the halides – bromide, fluoride and chlorine which compete with the metabolically essential Halide Iodine in your body, a vital mineral required by your thyroid for optimal function as well as many other organs. Bromides, fluorides and chlorine are prolific in our environment. They are in our drinking water, in food, over furniture, carpeting, clothing, and even in our medication (1).

“Some patients who think they are experiencing cardiac distress, menopausal symptoms, hyper or hypothyroid states, or nervous system symptoms may in fact be suffering needlessly due to amount of these halides in their tissues (2)”.

Halide related symptoms may include drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, acne, skin rash, blurred vision, dizziness, mania, hallucinations, increased thirst, hunger and urination, pancreatitis, muscle weakness, hypothyroidism, poor memory, psychosis, coma, possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) in children (3). The natural chloride content of unrefined/unbleached salt such as pink Himalayan or grey Celtic sea salt will assist the body in bromide excretion (4) but the health benefits may be limited if you still have regular intake and exposure to these toxic halides.

The following is a list of medications that contain bromides and fluorides, but the main issues practitioners and patients alike often struggle with in the ongoing changes. Newer medications, newer generics, different bases and tablets used in drugs, the list of which medications absolutely do and do not contain these toxins may fluctuate. Nevertheless as an informed patient, you do have the rights to know what you are taking. These examples are some of the most commonly prescribed amongst our patients which you need to look out for:

Anaesthetics examples: Desflurane, Droperidol, Ethrane, Flumazenil, Halophane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane, Midazolam or Sevoflurane (5,6)

Anti-fungals examples: Fluconazole (eg diflucan) or Flucytosine (5,6)

Antacids examples: Lansoprazole (prevacid) or Cisapride (propulsid) (5,6)

Arthritis (Rheumatoid) examples: Celecoxib (nsaid- Celebrex), Diflunisal, Flurbiprofen, Leflunomide, Sulindac (5,6)

Anti-anxiety examples: Flurazepam, Halazepam, Hydroflumethiazide (5,6)

Cholesterol lowering examples: Atorvastatin (eg Lipator), Cerivastatin sodium, Ezetimibe, Fluvastatin sodium (5,6)

Psychotropic/Anti-psychotics examples: Fluphenazine HCI, Haloperidol, Trifluoperazine HCI (5,6)

Antibiotics examples: Ciprofloxacin, Enoxacin, Flucloxacillin, Gatifloxacin, Gemifloxacin mesylate, Grepafloxacin HCI

Levofloxacin, Linezolid, Lomefloxacin, Moxifloxacin HCL, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Temafloxacin, Trovafloxacin mesylate (5,6)

Anti-malarial examples: Halofantrine or Mefloquine (5,6)

Anti-inflammatory and steroid examples: Amcinonide, Betamethosone diproprionate, Clobetasol, Clocortolone, Dexamethasone, Diflorasone, Dutasteride, Flumethasone Pivalate, Flunisolide, Fluocinolone Acetonide (5,6)

Antihistamines examples: Astemizole, Levocabastine(5,6)

Anti-depressant examples: Citalopram, Escitalopram (prozac), Fluoxetine HCI, Fluvoxamine maleate, Paroxetine

Progabide(5,6)

Chemotherapy example: Fluorouracil (5,6)

NEVER stop taking your medications without consulting your doctor. Suddenly discontinuing some medications may result in unwanted side effects. If you are on any medications mentioned above, it is best to discuss if there are alternative options with your doctor. In the meantime however, additional natural therapies, treatment and support is most likely required in order to achieve optimal health.

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