02/13/2009: Jake from Chicago, IL replies: "To Cathy from Villa Park. I think you should definitely increase the coconut oil but also look into iodine - as in iodoral. Take a look at this site: http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller20.html Best of luck."

03/27/2009: DrJ from Bombay, India replies: "Regarding comments above, i would be wary of Iodoral. Iodoral is Lugol's in tablet form! Lugols is a mixture of Elemental Iodine (Toxic internally) and Potassium Iodide (safe form internally). For best results go for "Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide" (SSKI), you just need 5 drops in water twice daily for 2-3 weeks. On Coconut Oil, make sure your Coconut oil is "Coldpressed" if it doesnt say it, then its not going to work for you medically!!! Most Hypothyroid is not Iodine deficiency, the reason why Coconut oil and Iodine assist thyroid function is they are both antifungal/bacterial, this is why Lugols Iodine works well for bladder infections amoung other infections!!! Fungals and other bacteria cause poor circulation and immune function in the throat area decreasing the glands function resulting in hypothroid or autoimmune hypothyroid. My understanding that SSKI in small dosages stimulate thyroid while mega doses reduce "thyroid storm". Poor hygein in the form of unclean diet combined with mercury from teeth amalgums etc cause hypothyroid and Chronic Fatigue. Acupressure on hand/foot thyroid & Adrenals reflex points (which work with the thyroid)can also help wonders! If you feel your body is lacking Iodine then supplement with green algae's & Kelp supplements and unrefined sea salt which is rich in natures Iodine."

04/07/2009: Barb from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada replies: "Hi Cathy,

I also have hypothyroidism (which I believe came on after the birth of my second child. - postpartum hypothyroidism) Anyway, after a few years of being on synthroid I just felt terrible. Like you I felt the "brain fog", I experienced depression, loss of hair, fatigue, cold hands and feet, etc... I had no "zest" for life for lack of a better term so I went to see a naturapath. She said that I have to start taking desiccated thyroid (Armour in the states). After about 3 appointments with my endocrinologist I finally convinced him to put me on it. (He did not want to have anything to do with it) I felt a HUGE difference in the way I felt (also with my libido). However, due to the ignorance of my doctor with this medication I stupidly agreed to go back on synthroid. Becasue he didn't know how to control my t4 t3 levels with natural thyroid he was basically saying he couldn't continue with it. Now that I've been on the synthetic medication I have never slept so much in my life, no sex drive, no "zest" for life, depression worsened (already on meds for depression for about 6 years now).

The BEST thing you can do for yourself is get on Armour. It is so hard to get doctors in Canada to prescribe this medication because no one is willing to learn about it. It has been used to treat thyroid issues since the 1800's. My doctor (like so many others out there) says "It's not reliable. The amount of T3 and T4 in it are not regular even amounts". Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Believe it or not, they have improved on this drug since the 1800's. It seems to be much more available in the states. I've been trying to order it over the internet. It's a shame naturapaths can't write rx's. I may have to travel 5 hours to Toronto, Ontario to see a doctor that will prescribe desiccated thyroid for me.

Please try this medication. If you don't see any changes after a reasonable amount of time (3 months) you can always go back on the synthetic hormone. If you decide to try it - please email me and let me know how you did! Thanks for listening,

Barb"

05/06/2009: Sangeetha from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands replies: "Hi Cathy

I am so glad I stumbled upon your post. I am a regular visitor at EC since last 5 months. I have hypothyroid, but somehow I didn't get to check on that page on the website until now. As suggested on this website, I was taking ACV for my kidney stone and food allergies and it worked great on both. But I stopped taking ACV 3 weeks ago as I was noticing other symptoms, which I didn't know what to call, until I read your post...now I know what to call them...brain fog. I have bypothyroid for the last 14 years and have been on Eltroxin (100mcg for most of the time) but never had this symptom of brain fog in the last 14 years. My thryoid was totally regulated with Eltroxin (though my skin has become dry and my hair falls) that I had almost forgotten about this condition and so I didn't check if taking ACV would have any side effect on my hypothyroid. I guess it did and my thyroid seems to have gone bad due to which I have the brain fog and just like you I have had problems in the office in the last 3 weeks, which I have never had in 23 years of my career. My doctor has done blood tests for thyroid yesterday and the results are expected by Monday. I don't mind increasing the dosage of Eltroxin if that could rid me of the brain fog and change me back to the person I have always been.

As regards the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, did you increase the quantity? Did it help or did it cause any heart palcipitation like others have complained of? If it did, did you reduced your medicine? Did it feel better then?

I am a bit scared to use the coconut oil without asking the doctor because I started the ACV without consulting my doctor and while it helped me with what I took it for, it seems to have had a side effect on my thyroid.

I would appreciate if you could respond re your coconut oil intake. Thanks."

05/07/2009: Marlene from Surrey, BC Canada replies: "I am also hypothyroid and am taking Synthyroid. I was going to take ACV because it seems useful for so many things. Then read the information about Synthyroid; you cannot take iron or antacids within four hours of taking Synthyriod, they will affect the absorbtion of the medication. I think maybe ACV is like an antacid and affect the absorbtion of your medication. I now will have ACV but always at least four hours after my Synthyroid."

05/07/2009: Sangeetha from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands replies: "Hi Marlene

Thank you so much for sharing the inforamation. That may be it. I used to take ACV within 2 hours of taking Eltroxin, so maybe Eltroxin didn't have enough time to get absorbed. I too take iron tablets which I take around 7 hours after taking Eltroxin.

I take my Eltroxin in the morning, about half or one hour before my breakfast. Are you aware if that is when thyroid medicines should be taken?

Sangeetha"

05/07/2009: Marlene from Surrey, BC, Canada replies: "Sangeetha, My medication says to take on an empty stomache 1 hour before meals or 3 hours after meals. I get up early and take it at least 1 hour before breakfast. It also says to take with lots of water. I take Iron, which I then take at lunch time. I also take coconut oil, molasses and kelp as they are supose to help the thyriod. I have also just started to take nutritional yeast. I keep telling my doctor that I am going to get off the Synthyroid!"

05/08/2009: Sangeetha from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands replies: "Hi Marlene

Thanks for responding.

my thyroid results will not be out at least until Monday (or may be later). Meanwhile, I am considering taking EVCO, but I don't want to take too much or take at the wrong time and have heart palpitations r any other problem.

Could I ask you how much EVCO you take and when? Is it ok to take it with breakfast (which will only be around an hour after taking my Eltroxin)? You mention you take Synthyroid so I guess you wouln't be consuming a lot of ECVO either. I want to get rid of this brain fog that has developed since the last 4 weeks and am willing to try the natural remedy to get rid of it. Once my brain fog is cleared and hopefully my thyroid medication dosage altered, I wouldn't mind coming off it.

I would also consult with my doctor re prolonged use of 3 tbsp of EVCO daily and to reduce my thryoid medication if need be, in which case I guess I will have to get blood tests done every 2 weeks in the beginning.

Does anyone else have anything to add on the usage of EVCO with while on Eltroxin.

Thanks."

05/10/2009: Marlene from Surrey, BC, Canada replies: "Hi Sangeetha,

I take coconut oil in the morning with my tea at breakfast. I take approximately 1 tablespoon, it's hard to be exact because the coconut oil is solid most of the year as it isn't warm enough here, so I likely take a bit over the 1 tablespoon. I was taking more but it started to bother my stomache. It might have helped to spread the coconut oil through the day (maybe a tablespoon at breakfast, lunch and dinner) but I don't like the taste or texture, so would try to get it over with.

Also it seems by reading other post, that you should work your way up a tablespoon at a time.

I have not had any side effects except the upset stomache.

I think the last time I had my blood tested, I was taking the ACV in the morning, to close to the Synthyroid, affecting the absorbtion and the doctor uped my medication. I was not to happy.

I have noticed my temperature has gone up in the last month or so. I hope this means things are getting better."

05/10/2009: Sangeetha from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands replies: "Hi Marlene

Thanks for responding. Yesterday I took the 2nd tbsp before dinner and had a upset stomach till the morning. I wil try 1 tsp now before dinner.

I live in a hot place so the EVCO I bought was completely melted when I took it out of the shelf the 2rd day to drink. It looks beautifully clear and for me it tastes delicious.

ACV close to Eltroxin seems to have done the same to my hypothyroid. I would have the results out tomorrow and will probably be on increased dosage of Eltroxin. Are you still on increase dosage of Synthyroid? I mean even after you started EVCO?

I have had hypothyroid for 14 years but never felt this bad. I hope to be back to my normal self soon.

Deidre, ACV is wonderful, but may be you should post a warning for people with thyroid (and may be other conditions) to give a gap of at least 4 hours between taking thyroid medication and ACV, because otherwise ACV seems to interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicine and the results are not what we would like to see. This might also be true for iron supplements.

Regards
Sangeetha"

EC: Thanks for the great suggestion! I copied part of your post and put it on the apple cider vinegar page under Warnings and Caveats.

06/03/2009: Sangeetha from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands replies: "I found out the cause of my brain fog. No, it wasn't my hypothyroid, nor my anemia. And ACV seems to have been totally innocent. IT WAS CANOLA OIL.

I have been very sensitive to not-so-good quality of oil from my childhood. As we couldn't find the regular vegetable oil I use at the supermarket around beginning of April, I bought Canola oil. As the container was leaking, I transferred it to the vegetable oil container I had at home which was empty and forgot all about canola oil. Shortly after I had started using it, I had trouble with my memory and concentration, but I had forgotten all about my sensitivity to oils and about canola oil as it was coming out from the vegetable oil container. Just 5 days ago I remembered my sensitivity and researched about canola oil on the internet and found others who have had similar problems. It was also mentioned that it effects the central nervous system and could cause blindness in the long run. I stopped using it right away and started feeling better the next day itself.

I am glad I am sensitive to not-so-good oils as I feel the effects immediately. My family members who are not sensitive, would have seen worse effects after a few years if we continued to use it.

While I was reading about oils, I also found that the vegetable oil (the container of which has pictures of vegetables on the front) is actually a soy bean oil. I never read the ingredients as the name says vegetable oil and it has has pictures of vegetables. I found that soy bean oil is not at all good for thyroid and generally.

I have been using olive oil for normal cooking and vegetable oil for deep frying (sometimes) since. But since the vegetable oil isn't good and olive oil is not suitable for deep frying - it leaves the question...which is the best oil to use?

I would appreciate input from others as to which oil to use - which will not be hard on thyroid and which will also not cause brain fog or any other health issues.

Sangeetha"

06/03/2009: Madhur from Brisbane, Australia replies: "Sangeetha --You can try Grapeseed Oil for cooking, it is very good. Also, there are light olive oils available that are more conducive to cooking (frying) than the thicker EVOO, which has a lower burning temp. Hope this helps.

Madhur"

06/04/2009: Sandhya from Bangalore, India replies: "Mustard oil and Coconut oil for deep frying or otherwise. Both are very good oils. Sesame oil is also an excellent oil for consumption--dont know if you can deep fry with sesame oil. Search on the net for health benefits of these oils, and you will get good info. Mustard oil should always be heated for consumption, as is traditionally used in North India."

06/05/2009: Luis from Cali, Colombia replies: "Bringing back the sex drive for women

To Cathy from Villa Park, Illinois:

Please, test your blood:

DHEA-S: 150-200 for women
Testosterone: 45-85 for women

Best luck."

06/07/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hi Cathy,

For a sluggish thyroid, you need kelp or another source of iodine, and you also need a good stress tab (B complex with added vitamins C & E) meal times and bedtime. Yes, the container says once a day, but take l tab 4 times a day.

If the vitamin E in the stress tab doesn't add up to at least 800mgm. per day, also get some vitamin E which is recommended for fibrocystic breasts, a total of l200 mgm. daily won't cause any problems and has a lot to do with the sexual functions of the body."

11/22/2009: Jgmurphy from Skokie, Il, USA replies: "If you get the "brain fog" with the apple cider vinegar you could have a yeast sensitivity. All fermented foods---cheese, vinegar, mushrooms, wine, etc----have some yeast and this has been known to cause "brain fog." Get rid of the yeast and see if there is improvement."

07/30/2011: Julie from Tarboro, North Carolina replies: "Hey, vinegar kills yeast though. I have also heard that canola oil is toxic and that yeast and soy prevent vitamin absorption which can lead to hypothyroid. I have had thyroid problems since having my second child. With no insurance I have only seen one doctor about it and she has refused to treat me since my tsh wasn't high enough. The whole thing is stupid. I have all the symptoms. It could be that only one tc level is affected and so it doesn't show up on the test. Anyway I have a question. Is it ok to use regular coconut oil until I can find some evco. I live in a rural area and it may take me a while to find some. Thanks for everyone's input it is greatly appreciated."

09/09/2011: Jacquelynna from Cincinnati, Oh replies: "To Julie from Tarboro--

Coconut oil is beneficial as long as it is NOT hydrogenated. Obviously extra virgin organic would be preferable, but get what you can. I've found you can find EVCO in the natural foods section at commercial grocery stores, such as Kroger."

10/21/2011: Spectre from 29 Palms, California Usa replies: "In answer to the question of canola oil being toxic, No It Is NOT! The false rumor began when someone foolishly associated Canola oil with being toxic because it is used in pesticides. The fact is it is used for its oily properties in pesticides so they stick to the plants being sprayed and therefore the pesticide stays where it belongs. The oil is in no way toxic. This is like saying you can get lead poisoning from the grips of a pistol because it is made to have lead bullets fired from it. Bad Conclusion, from lazy analytics."

10/21/2011: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada replies: "Hi Spectre - Unfortunately, at least 80% of canola oil (originally called rapeseed oil – yum! ) is genetically modified. The way I see it, there are so many excellent oils on the market (coconut, olive, grapeseed, sesame, etc. ), you don't have to use a frankenfood like canola oil.

There is an interesting history behind canola oil which was published in Nexus Magazine by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig.

Rapeseed has been used as a source of oil since ancient times because it is easily extracted from the seed. Interestingly, the seeds were first cooked before the oil is extracted. In China and India, rapeseed oil was provided by thousands of peddlers operating small stone presses that press out the oil at low temperatures. What the merchant then sells to the housewife is absolutely fresh.

Modern oil processing is a different thing entirely. The oil is removed by a combination of high temperature mechanical pressing and solvent extraction. Traces of the solvent (usually hexane) remain in the oil, even after considerable refining. Like all modern vegetable oils, canola oil goes through the process of caustic refining, bleaching and degumming -- all of which involve high temperatures or chemicals of questionable safety.

And because canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which easily become rancid and foul-smelling when subjected to oxygen and high temperatures, it must be deodorized. The standard deodorization process removes a large portion of the omega-3 fatty acids by turning them into trans fatty acids.

I wouldn't chance my health on ingesting something like canola oil - a heavily subsidized, genetically modified oil. Just saying... Bess"

10/21/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Sprectre, I can't understand why you would come to a website like Earth Clinic saying Canola Oil is safe to eat. There is much evidence saying it (and other unsaturated fats) is toxic to the body. It is a GM crop... And is not stable over long periods or when heated. Vegetable oil will go rancid quickly. Also Cancola Oil depletes the body of Vitamin E at a dangerous rate. Vegetable oils are notoriously bad for the arteries. You may as well eat plastic because that is what a lot of vegetable oils or margarine turn into in your body.

People should eat natural saturated FATS found in nature like butter and coconut oil - coconut oil being more stable for cooking at temperature. Olive oil is also good but you have to be careful of how it is processed (and that nothing else has been added). Unlike what we have been told saturated fats are very healthy for us.

If you choose to consume canola oil do so at your own peril but don't spread untruths saying Canola oil is safe to consume. No vegetable oil (except olive oil) is that safe to consume...

People should do their own research anyway don't take my word for it or yours. The Weston Price website has some great info on fats and oils.

Truth: The fatty acids found in artery clogs are mostly unsaturated (74%) of which 41% are polyunsaturated. (Lancet 1994 344:1195)

http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/health-topics"

10/22/2011: Shaun from York, Uk replies: "Spot on. 'Nuff said."

01/12/2012: Grannykeeperpdx from Portland, Or replies: "Regarding your inquiry about bringing back the sex drive, try the recommended dose of a good quality of flax oil. Make sure it is refrigerated and doesn't smell rancid. Start with a small bottle to see if it works for you. You should be able to find it at good health food store."

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