I found out my Thyroid was "a little low beyond normal" per my Doctor. He put me a drug called Synthroid. I have read mixed reviews on this. I have seen more natural remedies for the thyroid online but don't know what to get or if I should stick what the doc told me? Anyone have any insight?
Answers: Hi, there. There are a wide variety of natural supplements and thyroid replacement products that will help your body heal itself. Good for you for wanting to get off of Synthroid! It's long-term effects include hair loss and other negative symptoms, but no doctor will tell you that.
The fact is that “normal” thryoid levels refers to an average for anyone between the ages of 18 – 99, male or female, regardless of other health issues. In other words, "normal" includes such a broad range of values that many folks are hypothyroidic but don't get treated because their blood tests come back "normal". Folks having low thyroid levels but not receiving adequate treatment is an almost universal problem. Be glad your doc is treating you!! The American Thyroid Association raised the levels for "normal" two years ago -- so that what used to be low-level normal is now considered hypothyroidic -- but some doctors still aren't using the new levels.
The good news is that there are some natural alternatives to Synthroid. The problem with Synthroid and other mainstream meds is that they only contain the T4 hormone. The body should automatically convert T4 to T3, but many people's bodies do not. Armour Thyroid makes a natural thyroid replacement that contains both types of hormones. I switched to that several years ago and feel better than I have in years. Armour Thyroid does require a prescription, but some docs won't prescribe it because they don't think it has consistent efficacy. I've had fantastic luck with it and have never experienced any symptoms suggesting fluctuating thyroid levels.
As for over the counter herbs and remedies, you may find that taking a Magnesium supplement will help. Find one that doesn't contain magnesium chloride, as it is not absorbed well by the body. Taking magnesium chloride is almost useless. Magnesium is a necessary mineral for adrenal function, but some studies have shown that over 70% of people are magnesium deficient. Adding a magnesium supplement sometimes increases energy two- or three-fold. It's amazing. Take the magnesium supplement with calcium and vitamins A & D to ensure best absorption of each. I've seen some recommendations that 3 parts calcium is required to one part magnesium for maximum absorption. Bathing in Epsom salts can also help your magnesium levels, as the salts contain high levels of magnesium that may be at least partially absorbed through the skin. Bathing in Epsom salts is also great because it helps detox the body of the toxins that often accumulate in hypothyroidic folks.
I recommend also taking a very strong multivitamin, a loaded B complex vitamin, and extra B12 until you begin to feel better. Taking 400 mg of Selenium every day is also helpful, as it helps the body convert T4 to T3 hormones. You can purchase thyroid extract or raw thyroid from several natural supplement companies. Check with your local health food store to see which brand/strength they recommend. DO NOT TAKE GLANDULARS WHILE TAKING SYNTHROID, as you will become hyperthyroidic. Glandular thyroid supplements are usually cheap, don't require a prescription, and help replace missing thyroid hormones in your body. Again, work with your doctor to figure out if these supplements will be helpful for you.
Great herbs/supplements to use include Gentian, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena and Kelp. Kelp is great because it provides natural iodine and your body will easily excrete any extra.
It's also important to note that soy decreases thyroid gland activity, and some cabbagey veggies can interfere with its function if they are not thoroughly cooked. Some of the foods to avoid include cabbage, peaches, radishes, soybeans, strawberries, peanuts, and spinach.
I hope this info helps. I spent over 10 years being under-treated, so researching thyroid issues became a passion. It's now a crusade of mine to ensure folks are getting adequate treatment. Good luck finding a combination that works for you!
Pamela Reilly
Fruit of Her Hands Organics
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/FOHHO_S...
Life Extension Foundation Recommendations
People with low thyroid are often placed on synthetic hormone preparations, such as Synthroid and Unithroid (synthetic T4), or Cytomel (synthetic T3). A combination synthetic T3 and T4 is available (Thyrolar). Ultimately, which of these drug regimens is best depends on each person’s response.
Natural glandulars, such as Armour Desiccated Thyroid Hormone, Nathroid, and Westhroid, derived from the thyroid gland of the pig, contain T3 and T4 and most closely resemble human thyroid hormone.
The following supplements have been shown to enhance thyroid function:
Iodine—150 micrograms (mcg) to 1.5 milligrams (mg) daily (Note: Take milligram doses of iodine only under a physician’s supervision.)
Zinc—30 to 60 mg daily
Copper—1 to 2 mg daily
Selenium—200 to 400 mcg daily
Vitamin E—400 international units (IU) daily (with at least 200 mg gamma tocopherol)
Vitamin C—2 to 3 grams (g) daily
In addition, patients with low thyroid hormone may be deficient in DHEA, a vital hormone that serves as a precursor of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone (Tagawa N et al 2000). A normal beginning dose is 15 to 75 mg, followed by blood testing.
Below is a good protocol discussing why the vites above are good for 'thyroid regulation'.
I'd also suggest contacting Life Extension and asking them questions based on your condition. (Ask to speak with a 'health advisor'). You can even ask to speak with a doctor(if available - their hours vary) and see what he/she says.
Good Luck!
The treatment of choice preferred by conventional doctors is T4 (Synthroid) because of its long half-life in the body (which helps provide steady T3 levels), once-a-day administration, and effectiveness in the treatment of such cases.
The supplements listed here may be beneficial for those with thyroid disorders, including people already taking conventional drugs. But always check with your doctor first, because some of these nutrients may alter your prescription drug dose. It may take a month or so to notice benefits.
If you have an underactive thyroid, stay away from cruciferous vegetables:such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and collard greens, and eat iodine-rich foods.
A short-term (2-4 week) diet of only raw foods, with heavy emphasis on raw greens, seaweed, nuts, seeds, sprouted beans and seeds, and freshly extracted vegetable juices, can improve thyroid function.
Sometimes a low functioning thyroid gland will improve with the addition of iodine in some form. Seaweeds and kelp have been found helpful.
Vitamin C : 1,000 mg a day. Useful for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Vitamin B Complex : 1 pill each morning for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Look for a B-100 complex with 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins.
Kelp : 10 grains of powdered kelp a day. Should supply 300 mcg iodine.
Tyrosine : 1,000 mg L-tyrosine a day. After 1 month, add a mixed amino acid complex.
Zinc/Copper : 30 mg zinc and 2 mg copper a day. Add copper only when using zinc longer than 1 month.
Synthroid isn't harmful in the least. I have taken it my whole life.
Has anyone ever hear of Dr. Richard Schulze?
Fish pills?
What Chinese herb should a heart attack forgiving avoid?
Answers: Hi, there. There are a wide variety of natural supplements and thyroid replacement products that will help your body heal itself. Good for you for wanting to get off of Synthroid! It's long-term effects include hair loss and other negative symptoms, but no doctor will tell you that.
The fact is that “normal” thryoid levels refers to an average for anyone between the ages of 18 – 99, male or female, regardless of other health issues. In other words, "normal" includes such a broad range of values that many folks are hypothyroidic but don't get treated because their blood tests come back "normal". Folks having low thyroid levels but not receiving adequate treatment is an almost universal problem. Be glad your doc is treating you!! The American Thyroid Association raised the levels for "normal" two years ago -- so that what used to be low-level normal is now considered hypothyroidic -- but some doctors still aren't using the new levels.
The good news is that there are some natural alternatives to Synthroid. The problem with Synthroid and other mainstream meds is that they only contain the T4 hormone. The body should automatically convert T4 to T3, but many people's bodies do not. Armour Thyroid makes a natural thyroid replacement that contains both types of hormones. I switched to that several years ago and feel better than I have in years. Armour Thyroid does require a prescription, but some docs won't prescribe it because they don't think it has consistent efficacy. I've had fantastic luck with it and have never experienced any symptoms suggesting fluctuating thyroid levels.
As for over the counter herbs and remedies, you may find that taking a Magnesium supplement will help. Find one that doesn't contain magnesium chloride, as it is not absorbed well by the body. Taking magnesium chloride is almost useless. Magnesium is a necessary mineral for adrenal function, but some studies have shown that over 70% of people are magnesium deficient. Adding a magnesium supplement sometimes increases energy two- or three-fold. It's amazing. Take the magnesium supplement with calcium and vitamins A & D to ensure best absorption of each. I've seen some recommendations that 3 parts calcium is required to one part magnesium for maximum absorption. Bathing in Epsom salts can also help your magnesium levels, as the salts contain high levels of magnesium that may be at least partially absorbed through the skin. Bathing in Epsom salts is also great because it helps detox the body of the toxins that often accumulate in hypothyroidic folks.
I recommend also taking a very strong multivitamin, a loaded B complex vitamin, and extra B12 until you begin to feel better. Taking 400 mg of Selenium every day is also helpful, as it helps the body convert T4 to T3 hormones. You can purchase thyroid extract or raw thyroid from several natural supplement companies. Check with your local health food store to see which brand/strength they recommend. DO NOT TAKE GLANDULARS WHILE TAKING SYNTHROID, as you will become hyperthyroidic. Glandular thyroid supplements are usually cheap, don't require a prescription, and help replace missing thyroid hormones in your body. Again, work with your doctor to figure out if these supplements will be helpful for you.
Great herbs/supplements to use include Gentian, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena and Kelp. Kelp is great because it provides natural iodine and your body will easily excrete any extra.
It's also important to note that soy decreases thyroid gland activity, and some cabbagey veggies can interfere with its function if they are not thoroughly cooked. Some of the foods to avoid include cabbage, peaches, radishes, soybeans, strawberries, peanuts, and spinach.
I hope this info helps. I spent over 10 years being under-treated, so researching thyroid issues became a passion. It's now a crusade of mine to ensure folks are getting adequate treatment. Good luck finding a combination that works for you!
Pamela Reilly
Fruit of Her Hands Organics
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/FOHHO_S...
Life Extension Foundation Recommendations
People with low thyroid are often placed on synthetic hormone preparations, such as Synthroid and Unithroid (synthetic T4), or Cytomel (synthetic T3). A combination synthetic T3 and T4 is available (Thyrolar). Ultimately, which of these drug regimens is best depends on each person’s response.
Natural glandulars, such as Armour Desiccated Thyroid Hormone, Nathroid, and Westhroid, derived from the thyroid gland of the pig, contain T3 and T4 and most closely resemble human thyroid hormone.
The following supplements have been shown to enhance thyroid function:
Iodine—150 micrograms (mcg) to 1.5 milligrams (mg) daily (Note: Take milligram doses of iodine only under a physician’s supervision.)
Zinc—30 to 60 mg daily
Copper—1 to 2 mg daily
Selenium—200 to 400 mcg daily
Vitamin E—400 international units (IU) daily (with at least 200 mg gamma tocopherol)
Vitamin C—2 to 3 grams (g) daily
In addition, patients with low thyroid hormone may be deficient in DHEA, a vital hormone that serves as a precursor of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone (Tagawa N et al 2000). A normal beginning dose is 15 to 75 mg, followed by blood testing.
Below is a good protocol discussing why the vites above are good for 'thyroid regulation'.
I'd also suggest contacting Life Extension and asking them questions based on your condition. (Ask to speak with a 'health advisor'). You can even ask to speak with a doctor(if available - their hours vary) and see what he/she says.
Good Luck!
The treatment of choice preferred by conventional doctors is T4 (Synthroid) because of its long half-life in the body (which helps provide steady T3 levels), once-a-day administration, and effectiveness in the treatment of such cases.
The supplements listed here may be beneficial for those with thyroid disorders, including people already taking conventional drugs. But always check with your doctor first, because some of these nutrients may alter your prescription drug dose. It may take a month or so to notice benefits.
If you have an underactive thyroid, stay away from cruciferous vegetables:such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and collard greens, and eat iodine-rich foods.
A short-term (2-4 week) diet of only raw foods, with heavy emphasis on raw greens, seaweed, nuts, seeds, sprouted beans and seeds, and freshly extracted vegetable juices, can improve thyroid function.
Sometimes a low functioning thyroid gland will improve with the addition of iodine in some form. Seaweeds and kelp have been found helpful.
Vitamin C : 1,000 mg a day. Useful for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Vitamin B Complex : 1 pill each morning for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Look for a B-100 complex with 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins.
Kelp : 10 grains of powdered kelp a day. Should supply 300 mcg iodine.
Tyrosine : 1,000 mg L-tyrosine a day. After 1 month, add a mixed amino acid complex.
Zinc/Copper : 30 mg zinc and 2 mg copper a day. Add copper only when using zinc longer than 1 month.
Synthroid isn't harmful in the least. I have taken it my whole life.