The Autism-Thyroid Link

July 02, 2014
1133 Views

Mothers with low maternal thyroid hormone while pregnant were 3,89 X more likely to have an autistic child.

Children’s health starts with mother’s health. A woman low on iodine risks having children with low intelligence, short stature, underdeveloped jaws, and dental problems.

A 2013 study out of Houston Methodist Neurological Institute shows:

  • Mothers with low maternal thyroid hormone while pregnant were 3,89 X more likely to have an autistic child.
  • Autistic children’s symptoms are more pronounced if their mothers were severely deficient in T4 (defined as < 5% of normal T4 but with normal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).

It’s rare that a new patient comes in with warm hands when we shake hands. That’s one red flag in the Whole Health view. Fatigue and waking up tired and achy are also very common complaints. Common signs and symptoms of low thyroid:

  • fatigue and weakness – 99%
  • dry and coarse skin – 97%
  • cold intolerance – 89%
  • Thick tongue (tooth prints on its sides) – 82%
  • facial puffiness – 79%
  • coarse hair – 76%
  • memory impairment – 66%
  • constipation – 61%
  • weight gain – 59%
  • hair loss – 57%

Thyroid hormones plays critical roles in brain development, regulates body temperature and metabolism, i.e. energy burn and storage.

  • Lack of dietary Iodine is the most common cause of thyroid deficiency.
  • Toxins blocks Thyroid: pesticides, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, bromine, etc.
  • Iodine Supports Thyroid, but requires careful professional monitoring
  • Other Thyroid Support: magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, and the new modified citrus pectin (MCP) — recommended new book by Karolyn Gazella, New Twist on Health: Modified Citrus Pectin for Cancer, Heart Disease and More.

What To Do

  • See your doctor for Iodine Test using healthier reference ranges
  • Discuss with your doctor the need to detox thyroid blockers
  • Read Hypothyroidsim Type 2 by Mark Starr, MD

Recent Blogs

Why is My Jaw Clicking When Chewing?

Jan 15, 2025

Is your jaw clicking when chewing? You might be alarmed to hear a clicking sound coming from your jaw as you eat your meal. A popping jaw can be a sign of many health conditions, including TMJ disorders. In this blog, we will discuss the possible causes of a clicking jaw and more. Continue reading […]

657 Views Read more

Can Tongue Thrust Cause Dental Health Issues?

Dec 30, 2024

Tongue thrusting is when you press or rest your tongue against the back of your front teeth. While it is a natural instinct for babies, some children keep doing it when they get older. This is especially true if the baby uses pacifiers and engages in thumbsucking. However, tongue thrusting can be detrimental to dental […]

1547 Views Read more

Are Jaw Exercises Bad For Your Teeth?

Dec 15, 2024

Everyone is raving about jaw exercises — mewing, chin-ups, and other devices — and they claim to define your jaw and give you the ‘lethal face card’ if you will. But, from a dental point of view, are jaw exercises bad for your teeth? In this blog, we will talk about the effects of jaw […]

826 Views Read more

4 Possible Causes of Sleep Apnea & How a Holistic Dentist Can Help

Nov 30, 2024

Imagine you had a long day, and finally, you got into bed to sleep, but there is an issue: you have disrupted sleep due to a sleep-breathing disorder called sleep apnea. It can affect the quality of your life if not treated. While there are a number of treatments for sleep apnea in traditional dentistry, […]

630 Views Read more

Does Dry Mouth Cause Cavities?

Nov 15, 2024

When your mouth does not have enough saliva to keep it wet, it is known as xerostomia, also called dry mouth. It is not rare to deal with a dry mouth, but it requires proper attention because a dry mouth can increase the risk of dental health issues. So, does dry mouth cause cavities? Continue […]

802 Views Read more

Can a Toothache Cause Ear Pain?

Oct 30, 2024

It can be pretty painful and frustrating to deal with a painful tooth, so imagine if your ear starts hurting, too. You may think the universe is against you as you suffer from tooth and ear pain at the same time, but there might be a connection between the two. So, can a toothache cause […]

1046 Views Read more

What Happens if You Don’t Brush Your Teeth

Oct 15, 2024

A core part of daily hygiene is oral care, and neglecting your dental health can lead to dire circumstances. Not only does it lead to bad breath, decay, and yellow teeth, but not brushing teeth can actually cause severe health issues. Children, especially, are reckless about their dental care. In this blog, we will talk […]

951 Views Read more

Can TMJ Cause Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Sep 30, 2024

Are you suffering from neck and shoulder pain? While there are many reasons why you may have discomfort in these areas, the temporomandibular joint disorder is also a possible cause. You may be wondering if it is really true — can TMJ cause neck and shoulder pain? The answer is yes, and we will talk […]

1084 Views Read more

What is the Gagging and Tongue Thrust Reflex in Babies?

Sep 15, 2024

Are you concerned about your baby’s frequent gagging and tongue thrust reflex? As a new parent, there are so many things about infants that we don’t understand, and it’s alright. From birth to early childhood, everything your infant does is a milestone, like when they begin rolling over, crawling, and walking, and not to forget […]

815 Views Read more