First let’s be clear about one thing, post-partum depression is not caused by a deficiency of drugs.

What just happened? We just gave birth!

Since the beginning of the third trimester of her pregnancy her body has been secreting progesterone abundantly. Progesterone is a “feel good” hormone, hence the cliche of the “radiance of pregnacy” expectant mothers experience near childbirth.

Suddenly the secretion of progesterone stops.

She may already have had low levels before she became pregnant, and  now finds herself without adequate levels of the “feel good” hormone.

How about testing her progesterone level and giving her some?

Isn’t this more logical than anti-depressants?

Also, how much blood did she lose? What if she was borderline anemic or anemic just before giving birth?

The quality of her blood may have become poor. Whenever a new mother comes to me feeling rundown and depressed I address her blood first. I suggest a supplement with Iron, B-12, folic acid and B6. Plus a potent B complex and trace minerals supplement.

For her diet, I tell her to eat blood sausage, rare or medium steaks, plenty of greens, sleep when the baby sleeps and take some fresh air.

A third aspect of post-partum depression is a low thyroid function. I refer you to a previous blog I wrote called The Thyroid Connection. You’ll find it as you scroll down.

So, what do we now know that can help us if we are suffering from post-partum depression or trying to help a friend who is?

There’s a  possibility of three organic causes of post-partum depression: low levels of progesterone, poor blood and low thyroid function. All three can be addressed with proper nutrition and supplementation.

You’ll probably think, reading this, of Andrea Yates, the woman who struggled with post-partum depression and eventually drowned her five children. Her problem at that time was beyond post-partum depression,  she may have become psychotic.

Do you know that one of the side effects of anti-psychotic drugs is psychosis? And if one stops taking these suddenly without proper weaning, one of the documented side effects is psychosis.

Why get so complicated when post-partum depression is actually easy to treat?

I hope this helps you. Talk to your doctor and insist on the proper lab tests so you can be treated adequately.

Did you know it is estimated that more than half the american population has some sort of thyroid condition?

Did you know that the american girl could start showing signs of hypothyroid function as early as 14 years old?

The basic cause of thyroid problems is low or no iodine in the diet.

Consuming iodized table salt is not the best recommendation but iodized sea salt is a good way to start an iodine supplementation. Eating fish from salt water, kelp, sea food and seaweed all help. It is rare a person will get enough iodine in the diet, so supplementation is important.

The thyroid problem has been recognized since 1829. The Lugol Solution was then introduced by a French Physician, Dr Jean Lugol. It contains 5% iodine and 10% potassium iodine. The recommended intake is 2 drops a day corresponding to 12.5 mg, you can still get this solution at www.clearwaterherbs.com.

I find it a little hard on the stomach. Standard Process provides Prolamine Iodine, the iodine is bound to a protein making it easier to absorb. This supplement is sold in doctors’ offices only: Chiropractors, MDs, Naturopaths and Acupuncturists. Your adrenals may need some support as well, so it is important to consult and get the correct nutritional progarm.

Here are some of the signs of a slow thyroid:

Tired, always tired, so tired I can’t do anything, overweight, hair loss, brittle nails, gaining weight but not eating that much…any one of these would get any one depressed  and grumpy.

Dr David Perry, in his book “Breast cancer and Iodine” makes the connection between breast cancer and thyroid conditions– a very good read. According to him the following conditions could all be due to a thyroid deficient in Iodine:

-infertility

-fibrotic disease of the breast (FDB)

-anemia

-weight gain

-constipation

- high cholesterol levels

-menopausal hot flashes

-depression

-menstrual cramps

- in children: growth retardation, delayed teething and mental deficiency.

I have found the lab tests not to be relayable anymore. I think the tested persons used to establish the markers for normalcy may have been suffering themsleves of hypothyroidism… a doctor should not only rely on testing but also on observation and the taking of a good medical history.

If you want to know how your thyroid performs here is the test which has been used successfully for decades: your BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE.

Put a thermometer on your night stand before you go to bed, making sure you brought it down to 96.

As soon as you wake up the next morning put the thermometer under your arm, in your armpit. DO NOT go to the bathroom or do anything, it could bring your basal temperature up. Just leave the thermometer there for 10 minutes.

A normal read is between 96.8 -97.8, a lower temperature  indicates a lowered thyroid function.

WHAT TO DO TO HELP YOUR THYROID:

-get some iodine supplementation

-take some essential fatty acids, fish oils

-Vitamin C

-B-complex

-minerals and selenium, it helps your cells accept the iodine

-L-Thyrosine, take it in the morning as it could keep you up, it’s an amino acid

- calcium (1,000 mg) and Magnesium (200-600 mg)  they act as co-factors for many metabolic processes.

FOODS TO AVOID as  they are known to suppress thyroid function:

- broccoli

-cabbage

-soy: soy milk, soy oil, soy nuts

-peanuts: peanut oil, peanut butter, peanut oil

-corn: corn chips, corn bread, popcorn, corn oil.

If your blood cholesterol is high it may be a sign of low thyroid function. No matter how much you exercise, how careful you are with eating fat free, your cholesterol level will never budge. The solution would be to look into your thyroid, not drugs.

ALLERGIC TO IODINE?

A good way to test if you are allergic to iodine is to apply some iodine tincture on your forearm and wait a few hours. If there is no reaction you are safe.

Some people have taken iodine in the past and have had diarrhea, headaches and/ or flu like symptoms. It may be due to a rapid detox not an allergic reaction. Simply stop taking the iodine and tell your doctor.

BOOKS ON THYROID

I beleive in educated decision about our own health. Here is a list of books, I hope will help you to a better health.

“Iodine”  “Why you need it, why you can’t live without it” by David Brownstein MD. Available at www.amazon.com or www.drbrownstein.com

“Breast cancer and Iodine” by Dr David Perry. MD, PhD

“Hypothyroidism-The unsuspected illness” by Dr Barner

“Solved: the riddle of illness” by Stephen F. Ludger MD

“Living well with hypothyroidism. What your doctor doesn’t tell you…that you need to know” by Mary J. Shomon.

I hope this helps you.