Achieving Thyroid Balance with Natural Remedies and Nutrition

Hi! I'm hoping you can help me. I am a woman in my mid-50's. I have autoimmune thyroid disease. I am also in menopause. I have lost almost all of the outer half of my eyebrows. I have an area about 2 inches by 2 inches on the front top of my hairline where my scalp meets my forehead that is almost bald. It's so embarrassing to me. The hair on the sides of my head is thinning considerably and you can see my scalp. The thinning of hair is getting worse, the older I get. In the past when I get my thyroid medication regulated, it still does not effect my hair growth at all. I use to have beautiful hair when I was younger. Can you recommend some sort of herbal remedy that is not full of heavy metals that could help me? My sister says that taking about 5,000 mcg of biotin daily could help me. Someone told me possibly the herbs nettle or saw palmetto and horsetail could help me. For a while I took an over the counter remedy for hairloss with fo-ti in it that I got from a pharmacy, but I worried about taking something with fo-ti in it long term. Could you please help me by suggesting some herbs that are safe that I could take to help me grow my hair back? Any help you can give me is so greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Most of South India (Kerala particularly) uses coconut oil. As (in effect) do people in Thailand, because to do a proper coconut-milk-based Central-Thai style curry you have to "crack" the coconut cream to release the oil and cook it for a while with the wet curry paste before doing anything else. No one there has any problem with cooking with coconut.

I cook both styles of food, and use coconut oil when I do. This sounds like bogus advice.

Coconut oil is the best oil to cook with actually. I'm not sure why that person's mom told them not to cook with it? I only use virgin coconut oil in my baking and frying. Other oils are not healthy or stable at high heats. I also use EVOO in dressings but not for cooking. Anyhow, coconut oil is awesome - for both external and internal uses. You can use it with confidence! :)

Perhaps my head traumas prevent me from reading between the lines... It is still unclear to me why CO should not be heated before consumption... please advise because I use it to cook with and even add it to my coffee.

In the Caribbean, Philippines and in other regions, coconut oil is prepared by squeezing milk from coconut and then the butter is separated. This butter is heated and melted into coconut oil.

In India, a coconut is broken and sun dried, then the white flesh (solid endosperm) is ground and the oil is extracted. The traditional oil milling machine is made of wood, similar to pestle and mortar. The pestle will be moved by Bull in a very slow motion. So heat is not generated much, this is similar to COLD PRESSED OILS.

This is what we used to cook and apply in skin and in hair too. And it has wonderful fragrance and taste. It is predominantly used in KERALA state of India, which I mentioned in another post.

Industrially produced coconut oil uses steel machinery, which produces heat when extracting the oil.

I wanted to ask the same question... I have been using CO to cook my eggs... please tell us why we should not heat it.

Sindee, isn't coconut oil made by cooking it?? So why not cook with it?

I remember my mom telling me never to heat coconut oil to cook with because something happens to it so I haven't, but we used coconut oil for our hair which made it thick, shiny and healthy. We used it on our skin in place of lotion, also as dressing for salad. After 30 years of no EVCO I am back on it again and I can't rave enough about it. But I don't cook anything in coconut oil, my mom knew best I suppose. I know it's not scientific but everything she taught me is right on the money so far.

Although coconut oil has many health benefits, too much of a good thing is usually just that - too much. There is some evidence that VCO decreases gallstones, but overindulgence can have the opposite effect and cause gallbladder pain which mimicks heart attack symptoms. Hope this helps. Good health to all.

I too have been getting chest pains from coconut oil. I have 100% confirmed this several times by eliminating it from my diet then reintroducing it. It is concerning because sometimes it feels like I am having a heart attack. All the healthy stuff that is indicated by taking coconut oil, I am really concerned about the risks.

I have never taken thyroid meds, or any other meds. Just had to changed my diet to veggies fish and some meats over the past year. Coconut oil was helping my diet not be so bland, but despite what I just read on this forum about it possibly being a godo thing, the chest pains don't seem good to me. I'd like more science behind this.

PS: I have also found a few other cases of chest pains with coconut oil from google search.

Ask your doctor to try Thyrolar or Armour thyroid. Good luck.

Kelli, Synthroid only contains T4 and your body must convert some of it to T3. Sometimes the body can't do this effectively. The natural thyroid hormones, like Armour, contain both T4 and T3, and are much better for the body. Your body does not have to convert anything, either. Read "Stop the Thyroid Madness" to learn how thyroid problems can be best diagnosed and managed, and join this well versed group to ask any questions,

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormones/

You can feel a lot better. Best wishes!

As I understand it, Synthroid depletes iodine. Also, bromine, flouride, and chlorine deplete iodine. Iodine helps with cognitive functioning, energy, breast health, etc. You can read all about it in Lynne Farrow's new book: The Iodine Crisis: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life.

Kelli, there is a natural thyroid medicine, I forget the name now, but read up on it, it seems to work much better than Synthroid. Also read up on Iodine.

I am 40 yr old female. I had my thyroid removed about 5 yr ago. It was by far the biggest mistake I have ever made. But relying on my Dr. recommendations I had it removed as it was getting larger. I have felt like a completely different person since then. I forget, can't focus, stay cold, headaches, very tired all of the time, can't sleep, leg cramps, serious hair loss, just don't care really. I feel as though I am becoming dumb over time. I take 175 mg of synthroid, weight 135lb, Dr. exclaimed that was high for someone my size? weigh is not and has never been an issue for me. I believe Synthrroid is causing some of these problems. I want to stop taking it, however I can't find a Dr. That seems to know what is going on. They just keep upping the synthroid??? Looking for a natural substitute to help me get back to the old me. I dont even take cild medicine. I don't know what my levels are anymore just got tired if going to the Dr and nothing being done.

You might want to read: The Iodine Crises: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life by Lynne Farrow. You can read parts of the book at Amazon.com

Hey Ec... Happy Memorial day to everyone.... Quick question guys... Anyone heard of these products for hypothyroid? T-100, GTA Forte, Spectra 303T and Thyrostim. I was reading a book recently that listed these supplements and since I am trying without success to get off meds, I was thrilled to find something that I have never tried or even heard of. Please anyone who has tried these, I would love to hear your comments. Thanks guys...

There's an interesting website called toxic metals stored in the body and how to displace them naturally.... and a watercure website to aid in your search for thyroid health..... Also, Mary Shomon wrote a book of reviews of all things that help thyroid health.

Distilled water removes flouride from the body, and decalcifies the pineal gland, when one drinks around a gallon/a day, two glasses at a time. Amazing stuff!

Hello all, I have just rediscovered why low thyroid is becoming a major problem. It's the fluoride in tap water, juice, tea, wine, tooth paste etc that supresses thyroid and can cause a long list of chronic illnesses. It was actually originally used to lower thyroid in people who produced too much, therefore if you have too little, you need iodine and to avoid fluoride. Please see the Fluoride Action Network for facts and studies and in the mean time only drink and eat non-fluoridated water and foods! Http://www.fluoridealert.org/

Carbon filters cannot remove fluoride. You need ideally acess to a spring or to install a reverse osmosis water filter in your home if you live in a fluoridated community. I highly recomend you try to get fluoride out of your water at the local level.

Thank you Lou from Tyler, TX for the info about "Escape the yeast-thyroid fat trap" - I don't have access to the magazine but when I did an Internet search, a PDF version showed up. Very interesting! I'm going to the health food store today to check out seaweed products. Cheers, Bess

The magazine For Women First (April 8 2013) includes an article called "Escape the yeast-thyroid fat trap!" and is VERY informative. It discusses how yeast is the cause of a sluggish thyroid (which I suspected) and how to overcome it with seaweed foods available at Amazon. It says seaweed lowers fat absorption by 75%!!! This is great news!

To Charine from Singapore, one cause of belly fat is too much of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. If you experience a lot of stress in your life, this may be the cause. Check out the supplement relora. It reduces high levels of cortisol. I take it in the morning and again in the evening when it helps me to achieve calm in my body and a better night's sleep than before I started using it.

Do you do exercise to strengthen your core muscles?

You can just apply iodine (about a square inch patch) to an area of the body where the skin is thin and your body will absorb what it needs. Check every 6 hours or so to see if the iodine has been absorbed and apply more if so.

Regarding cruciferous vegies - you always need to heat them up before you eat them if you have any type of thyroid issues to deactivate the engoiterins in them. You can let the cabbage cool off before useing it in a slaw - it's still yummy that way.

Some people's thyroids respond well to maca root, but your body must be free from any type of hormone supplements like natural progesterone for a couple of weeks before starting it. Do a lot of research about it before deciding to try it.

A very easy to read and understand article on The Proper Assessment and Treatment of the Thyroid.

Tina

I just wanted to add I have never used non-stick pans. I have for years used good stainless for sauces and my favorites are my cast iron pans for frying. They are heavy, but if they are properly cared for and seasoned they will not stick like stainless will. A good cast iron pan will cook your food evenly and last not only you lifetime but beyond your grand children's life times.

Dear Ted, I have been reading many of your replies on thyroid and would like your advice please. I have been taking iodoral for a few months (3) as I am hypothyroid and it has improved my symptoms. I was due to have Breast Augmentation in a weeks time but it has been cancelled by my consultant becase they said that my TSH level was 16 and it would not be good to have breast augmentation as it may decrease wound healing. I am really disapointed, they want my TSh level to get more normal before I can have my opp.

I have now come off Iodoral as I know even though I feel great and my symptoms have greatly improved, it is the Iodine that initially increases the TSH level.

How long will it take for my TSH level to drop and get back to normal now that I have stopped taking iodine? So that I can have my opp?

What can I do to make my TSH get normal more quickly without taking Levothyroxine?

Do you think having breast augmentation would be a problem if I am hypothyroid or my TSH is high?

I can't postpone my opp for too long and wonder what is the chances of the TSH getting normal within a month of stopping iodine?

I would appreciate your reply as I am going to meet with my consultant to discuss this issue and see if he will allow me to have the breast augmentation.

Kind regards, Miss E

There are several good thyroid websites, if you join the forums and post your results, somebody will interpret them for you. My numbers never matched my symptoms.. The "doctors and specialists" didn't know what to do with me.

Hi, Can anyone help me to understand what is going on with my thyroid, the consultant said everything is fine, however I have so many horrible symptoms. My recent TSH reading was 2.17. T4 Reading was 13.5. Then T3 Is 4.5 Would anyone be able to help interpret these readings. Feeling very anxious and so unwell also have a 2mm nodule can this affect my voice which has started to weaken lately, then becomes quite tender.

I see a lot of people using Armour Thyroid. Armour changed their 'recipe' a while back and although it works in the beginning, subsequent use brings back all of the same symptoms. Read on website 'Stop the Thyroid Madness' and see all the alternative natural desicated thyroid prescriptions that work. They list the ingredients and what people prefer. Just good luck on getting the doctors to listen to you when you bring up something other than Armour--if they are even open to that.

Hi Carolyn, Can you tell me how you take the Coconut Oil, I don't think I could swallow a tablespoon of oil, do you wash it down with something, it sounds a great remedy, I had a Thyroid test yesterday, and I have been suspecting something has been wrong for awhile, I am not keen to take meds, the side effects etc.. And if I can take a simple thing like Coconut oil I am all for that. Thank you and the very best to you and all you other sufferer's,

Kind Regards, Jacqui

I have been taking VCO for the past 5 months. I was a lot of thyroxine - 900mcd a day and I still felt incredibly tired all the time. Through these forums I read that VCO could help with the symptoms of an underactive thyroid so I started taking 1 tbsp a day. I love the taste and quickly increased to 3 tbsp a day. I had SO much energy I had to make sure I took it in the morning so I could get to sleep at night! After 3 months I had my blood done and it turns out the VCO was working so well I had to drop my meds and am back on 100mcg a day. I am an elite athlete so really push body constantly and have kept up with the 3 - 4 tbsp of VCO a day however am much more tired than before. My friend pointed out that whist "Hyper" thyroid I was actually feeling a high! This is the greatest natural thyroid help anyone could ask for. I imagine if you were only slightly hypo it would cure you. I'm wondering if if I increase the dose of VCO again will it help more? I'm scared of negative side effects obviously due to long term use.

Hi, I have hypo thyroid, I was a hyper at a time but now I m a hypo patient. My body is skinny but I have big stomach even I control on my food and exercise regularly. Is virgin coconut oil able to cure my big stomach?

Plenty of exercise will convert your bad cholesterol into good. I'd had a period of eating lots of junk food. When I went for check up, only my good cholesterol was high due to walking several hours per day.

This is very interesting about raw food helping with your weight loss and thyroid. I have been eating raw vegan food for the past 3.5 months and ever since then my thyroid went from 2.8 (TSH test) to 3.7! My lipid panel is still within normal range but it was better 4 months ago (before the raw food). When I used to eat only chicken and fish for protein and vegetables I lost the most weight and my sugar levels went from 7.2% (A1C test) to 6.2%. Since going raw vegan I only impoved my sugar by. 2% so I'm now at 6.0%. I don't understand what's happening, especially to my thyroid. I avoided the cruciferous vegetables for that same reason. I feel like going back to chicken and veggies, maybe that will help my thyroid go back the way it was?

Some years ago I was diagnosed as having Graves Disease because I had double vision. I was always eating and drinking soy products, being allergic to dairy. After having the Graves disease and double vision for some years, a cousin sent me an article saying soy could cause Graves and also diarrhea. I stopped all soy then and there... My diarrhea stopped within a few days, and 6 months later when I had my usual check up, the Graves disease had also gone, but I have been left forever with the double vision.

Cat, For the eczema, you can try soaking in the bath a couple of times per week for 15 min. or more with a mixture of Tea Tree oil and Lavender. This will help with the eczema :) You can also try controlling your blood pressure with another natural supplement. Use this site to your advantage. I know I am. I love this site. It has really been a savior to me. Don't give up on the coconut oil.... Until you try the tea tree and lavender.

Hi, I've been looking tirelessly for the "link [Ted] provided to Dr. Denham Harman's reasearch on Free Radicals provided the clue into my finding my very own personal cure." but I could not locate it. Would you mind giving me some pointers? I've looked through google search engines outside of the website and within the website and within several topics on every single page. It would be so much appreciated if you could point me to the right article.

Thanks a lot for the help.

Wow, I am going through this but had no idea it had anything to do with my thyroid. I am hypo and been on Synthroid for about 20 yrs. Wish I could find a natural way as I have a lot of complications from Synthroid.

@ Vic from Florida: Buyer beware on bioidentical hormones, the places that tout those are usually upscale sales people under the guise of a doctor's care (and also very very expensive even with insurance). I have heard this from many people after talking about my experience about a year ago... They put me on thyroid meds, turned out I didn't need them, actually started affecting my heart and vision- all this from a "doctor's office". For iodine, there are lots of online places you can buy it from for cheap. Do your research before buying into anything.

Sorry for getting to this reply for this particular feedback sooo late. For my thyroid, I also went on a gluten free diet as well as eliminated all soy from my foods. This two prong approach took my neck - in 3 months - back to normal. It is smooth and doesn't hurt when I swollow. I've also lost that "husky" voice I had acquired, and the choking. Anytime I eat soy, knowingly or unkowningly at restaurants, I feel my neck aching and know what to do - No Soy, No Grains, and a tsp. Of coconut oil with a drop of lugol's iodine, by mouth. Doesn't take long to work - about a day. I do make my own dressing and grab it whenever we plan to eat out , or, I use lemon juice on my salad. Check out your store's dressings. Soy is used even in the ones that list olive oil or cheese as main ingredients. By the way, I'm within 40 lbs of my goal weight so have added 8 minutes of jumping roap on a thick rubber mat to my routine. The rope-skipping is making my stomach disappear! How cool is that?! See ya, CAT

When I first began taking coconut oil, I did experience a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure that worried me. I was taking daily tablespoons as Fife and many on earth clinic recommended. I think it was an over-load; too much, too fast! I believe that when first taken, if it is foreign to the body, some people may experience system cleansing or allergy, over-load, or inflammatory related problems. Starting with a small amount, every other day may be the ticket. For example, instead of ingesting a tablespoon, start with 1/2 teaspoon every other day. This works for me and my weakened (but getting better) immune system. So, I advise small amounts at first. Small and/or infrequent amounts may be ALL that your body needs. CAT

Yes, Alimaacdes, I agree, and find corn & wheat a huge problem for my digestion, hair (loss, ) and skin. Eating the same inflammatory foods over and over also presents a problem. But, knowledge is power! I esp. love these 2 books: wheat belly and victory over diabetes - I recently added them to my health library. (not selling these just found the informaton within them so helpful) For example: how many gluten free eaters know that most oatmeal is processed in wheat factories? This could be why I always had terrible stomach aches (a gluten intolerance symptom) after eating oats, a gluten free food. It now shows on the oatmeal box whether the oats were processed in a factory that processes other grains & nuts. If it says nothing abou it, it probably is.

As far as coconut oil is concerned, for me, it's a wonderful aid for stomach aches, topical cleansing, and helpful for getting a sound sleep. If I don't ingest it every day, and limit that ingestion to tsps. rather than tablsps, then I can take full advantage of its many great benefits -- like softer skin, better bowels, alleviating thyroid problems... My face is the deciding barometer of what I am eating and if I'm eating too much of the same inflammatory food. If I am not eating right, my skin is a rashy mess for weeks at a time. I say again to new mothers of preemie babies, please, please, please, do not feed your baby grains for at least 6 mos. The preemie gut is just too immature to handle grains. Mashed or stewed, fresh fruits and veggies (and mother's milk protein) are perfect for the gut-immature, preemie baby starting on solds. This is of course, my very own opinion coming from my very own experiences and observations. Peace out, ..... CAT!

My eczema got worse with VCO. I also saw a Homeopath to treat emotions from the inside. Very good! MUST DO IT. I also saw a nutritionist. CALENDULA cream is my ALL TIME HERO.. until now.

To GNOSIS of Shelton CT, tell me more about brain foginess please, thank you.

@ Carmel - Thank you for bringing garlic and thyroid! I had no idea and after checking it out I'm going to slow down on my supps for them. Many thanks.

Also if you take a lot of garlic you can end up with an under active thyroid where you need to take iodine.

I went on coconut oil for 2 months. My skin looked radient and it cured my psoriasis. Then I went for a check-up and my cholesterol had gone way up to 248. The good cholesterol went up too but so did the bad. Just have yours checked when you are using the oil. I am going to try coconut water instead.

To Msnataie, I read your comment and immediately had to respond. I am very new to this site. I happen to find it when I got a nasty virus Sept. 2011 which erupted my nodular goiter and I've been sick ever since. It caused hyperthyroidism but I too for the first time in my life had lost my job resulting in no insurance. What a nightmare!!

I have candida that I have been battling since the 80's but other than that I have been ok. I'm 55 but have been told I look very good for my age but it's only because I'm thin. I was 135 pounds and then I got sick and got down to 108!! It was scary, no insurance and no help!!

So I started to research. I believe I had thyroiditis, it's caused by an infection and will evenually get better. I was able to go to an endocrinologist once to get a beta blocker and anti thyroid meds. I have had to play doctor so as not to kill my thyroid and finally here it is Feb 2012 and I'm off of all of it. But my muscle weakness, especially my shoulders are killing me. I've been reading about the iodine and I am going to research it and see what else I can do on a limited budget to get rid of this goiter. Has anyone ever heard of bio identical hormone replacement? I'm sure you have. We have a facility here in Orlando Florida that I had wanted to go to but it's costly. I wish you the best and I hope that others can give any advice that has helped them. Thank you and God bless! Vic

I am wondering this too and cannot find any info anywhere on what can help peeps with no thyroid.

My god I'm totally blown away by this website. It is without doubt the best website on the planet. For many years I have suffered with back pain, chronic fatigue and depression. I keep telling my doctor that all my symtoms point to a thyroid issue but she will not listen. I did have some thyroid tests done but they came back normal. Symtoms are hair loss on shins, calves, eybrows, cold hands, cold feet, zero sex drive, depression, chronic fatigue, unable to lose weight, lower back pain, knee pain, pain in wrists, pain in ankles, pain in all joints, constipation and yes even thoughts of suicide. I thought I was almost on to finding the solution when I started taking my Nascent iodine supplement last week. The reason why I thought I might be iodine deficient is after spraying a cut with iodine about an hour later I started to feel great, no brain fog and felt happy. I assumed wrongly or rightly that is must be an iodine defiency. Anyway I went out and purchased some Nascent iodine. According to the Nascent instructions you take 1 drop in 3 to 6 oz water or topically for the first, increasing 1 drop each day for 5 days. On the 5th day I took 5 drops and later felt very faint and light headed. Also it felt as though my heart was pumping faster and I must admit I was quite scared. I then read about Virgin Coconut oil and decided to give it a go. I took a tablespoon in the morning together within my muesli and with an hour I started to feel that a great weight had lifted from me. I couldn't believe it, I went out for a run and actually felt happy and motivated for the first time in many years. I am also losing weight, for some reason it seems to raise your metabolism. I take a tablespoon in the morning with breakfast, a tablespoon with my lunch and a tablespoon with my dinner. It is nothing short of amazing, thanks so much for all the wonderful people on earthclinic. Coconut oil may not work for everyone but it certainly works for me. Good luck to all.

Hi Andrea - on those Coconut oil soft geltabs how many did you start with and how many do you continue to take today? I am hypo as well (12 years) and have the geltabs -- don't want to take 4 though unless necessary. Have heard should start slow and ramp up? Thanks!

Pranic healing is an alternative healing that is very effective on glandular issues. Please google it and find a reputable healer to do this for you. Within a few sessions you will see results.

Has anyone had experience with hyper- functioning thyroid nodules. Possibly Plummer's disease. I am at the point of either surgery or radiation. I would really appreciate any successful stories of healing such naturally. Thank you in advance.

Hi Debbie, Further to my post to you earlier in the week (re iodine & my dream update) my husband reminded me that his cold feet returned and now that we are back on the iodine his feet are normal again.

From where do I buy Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in Mumbai. I would like to try that.

Hi Debbie, Well I finally have had some dreams. Hardly remember anything from them though.

Have not been well and have had hardly any iodine then started back again on the 4 drops 2% twice a day and the next day went to 3 x a day (= 12 drops) and got the symptoms of a cold, headache and legs starting to swell. Stayed off the iodine (and gave my liver some support) till they went, which was about 4 days for the legs. I guess I have now had some detox reactions. Next time I will start low again after a break.

How is your son going with his speech? I don't know if anyone has suggested signing to you but thought I would mention it.

Am 57 and thyroid was removed when 17 and it has been a long journey from there to here, and I am glad for how I chose to respond to the situation -- to become my own doctor. Thanks to the internet, my learning machine, and listening to my body signals.

Currently take Symplex F and T-100. I can identify with all of the issues and experiences of the posters.

I spend less money on supplements now. I juice all of my dark leafy greens and sprouts, very little to no fruits or fruit smoothies. Green apples and local strawberries okay. Started the apple cider vinegar and baking soda regimen. Take a "Long Fast" twice yearly. Predominant oil is coconut and occasionally stone-crushed (Bariani) olive oil.

Actually spend same and most likely less on groceries than in my meat eating days. Although the Klamath Lake Blue Green algae is a bit of an initial investment, but it has a shelf life of 3 years. 2.5 teaspoons most days and a sun-brewed algae tea.

No regular consumption of various caffeinated products, nor cruciferous vegetables.

Periodically track myself by taking a.m. temperature.

Took up meditation a few years ago and that is helping me get out of the mental ruts that reinforced the feelings of tiredness and brain fog for decades. Body-mind-me. Dropped the hectic material-based middle class must-have lifestyle and have not looked back.

Dr. Robert Cassar's Food Pyramid, and Markus Rothkranz's verve and vitality and e-books motivate me in my raw foods transition.

I love this website, written by real people for real people who simply want to share and to help and to enhance and to be enhanced. Thank you everyone.

Hello I have been on eltroxin for 17 years for my thyroids and have been on iron medication from the doctor for 12 years. I had my blood analyzed at a heath food store and her advice was to get off my iron pills that I was on from the docs because she said that it is not being absorbed into my blood, so now I am on easy iron from the heath food store for 3 years. So would it be a good or bad idea that I start to take acv? If it's ok, then what should my intake be for the day and the dosage and which way would better benefit my condition? Thanks

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your wife, please check this link and see how it can help you. He seems to be well versed on thyroid issues.

http://jeffreydach.com

Hi I am new member here. My wife having hypothyroid for last 7 years and on thyrosine since then.

Every year she will test the blood and result is normal since she start taking thyrosine. Her thyroid gland size always change especially before and after menstruation. Sometimes she can feel something blocking when swallow any food.

After 7 years her doctor advice to do total thyroidectomy which comes with some disadvantages.

Please anyone give some advice.

Can virgin coconut oil cure her problems? If yes, can she take the oil together with thyrosine?

Please help.

Hi Debbie, No there have been no detox symptoms partly because we did start slowly with only one drop a day of 2% but also I have now been treating my liver with an ayurvedic product and herbs for two years. I also take magnesium, selenium, vit c & vit d (sunshine exposure).

Hi Maria, yes it is interesting re the soils. I read that Gippsland is particularly deficient in them so you are on the right track!

Yes the dreams are amazing, colourful and the storylines amazing. Interesting your husband is also experiencing it. I also found by adding the brazil nuts every day (around 2 nuts) the dreams really started.. I should write them down. Vitamin C before bed does make you dream more as well, but nothing as in depth as I am having now. They seem to go on forever.

Have you had any detox symptoms? I had a few days of headaches and waking up with a metallic taste in my mouth, so I needed to back off a bit and have the salt treatment. But happy because it means it is working.

No Debbie I haven't but my hubby has started to have some dreams and can remember them, he has never had dreams as an adult. Interesting that Australian soils are deficient in iodine and selenium.

Maria, since I have started on iodine, I have been having the most amazing dreams... They seem to be very long and very detailed. Are you finding the same thing?

In addition to iodine you need to take the companion nutrients as well. The attached link sets out what you need to take with the iodine.

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/iprotocol.html

Bill from Philippines on Earthclinic has some great info for the thyroid.

https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/iodine2.html

Hi Scorpioempress, I also have read that taking two drops will replenish our supplies but it takes at least a year at this dose plus it was the 5% not the 2% one. Which would mean that you are taking under half the dose. Usually whenever Lugol's iodine is referred to without a percentage it is the 5% one. I don't believe there is one size fits all dose as we come in different sizes and also some of us have been deficient for longer etc. Increasing the dose slowly is what we are doing, we are now at 4 drops (2%) twice a day. As we are seeing some benefits now we will stay at this dose for the time being. You could add a second dose making it 2 drops (2%) twice a day for a week or two then if you still have no detox reactions add another drop.

To increase your milk supply try fenugreek it is amazing. You can buy the seeds and soak them overnight or just buy the capsules which is much easier and works. All the best.

I am a long time Earth Clinic reader. I started taking Lugol's because my thyroid meds weren't really working, because I was suffering from Candida, and a few other reasons. I have been able to stop my thyroid meds--yay--, but I have noticed that with 2 drops of 2% lugols that I still have thyroid pain.

I need clear dosing instructions. I thought that 2 drops was the maximum, but am reading that you can take as many as 30???? I am tired, cannot produce enough breast milk, and have thyroid pain, to name a few low thyroid symtoms. 2 drops is better than nothing, so can I take more?

Thank you Maria and Elly for your response. I really do appreciate it. To answer your questions Elly - Yes I have considered using almond butter as a replacement and also, the peanut in question is not organic. One thing I know for sure now is that I am going to say no to peanuts/ peanut butter in the future.

Hi Laura, I remember reading about this before that peanut butter contains goitrogens which can slow the thyroid down. Cooking goitrogen foods like soy and cruciferous vegetables (e. G. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc) is said to remove most of the goitrogen effects. Are you eating raw peanut butter or peanut butter made from roasted peanuts? Roasted nuts should have very little goitrogens. Of course, some people can be more sensitive than others. Is it organic peanut butter? Non-organic has a lot of pesticides that can affect people too. Have you considered almond butter?

Hi Laura, Peanuts are on some lists as a goitrogen food, although it is said that if these foods are cooked they loose it. Peanut butter is usually hydrogenated so it is not good unless it is the non-hydrogenated version. If your symptoms are getting worse when you eat it then I would not have it as a regular food and have it as a treat food. I do not know what is used to kill or prevent molds from forming on the peanuts but maybe (and I stress maybe) the chemical/s that are used are displacing your iodine. So it would be worth looking at supplementing with some iodine if you are not already. All the best.

Hi Everyone, I have noticed that whenever I eat too much peanut butter, all my hypothyroid symptoms seems to reappear. Can anyone tell me if peanut butter affects the thyroid in a negative way and therefore should I stay away from it? Thank you everyone for your prompt response.

This message is for Bill from San Fernando or anyone else with an answer. Why is it that everytime I try to wean myself off my thyroid meds I would do well for about ten days then its downhill from there? Usually I would attempt to do this when I do my labs and all my levels are where it should be but its always the same. I rarely eat junk food, watch my diet, take a multi vitamin, vit c, selenium, iodine religiously, but yet I can't seem to get off these meds. I have read so many success stories of people who have done this and am asking myself why can't I? If you can give me any input on this I would so be grateful. Also, is it normal for hypothyroid patients to feel breathless sometimes even when their labs are perfect? Thank you in advance for a prompt response and also for all your awesome posts. I always look forward to reading them!

How much coconut oil did you take?

Hi, I read your post and I hope you receive this. I also experenced mucus in my throat, had throat pain at times, and my speech was affected. I was on medication for underactive thyroid. I kept going to Doctors for 10 years and no one ever mentioned the simplest test, thyroid untrasound. Long story short, thyroid cancer, stage 3. So please if you have symptoms get this checked.

Levothyroxin is not a good drug. It is also not usual to increase a dose that much that quickly. I would certainly want to know why the doctor is suggesting that large of an increase. levothyroxin has a lot of problem with the time release not working well. Meaning that you get surges of the medication rather than a slow dose throughout the day. A lot of generic drugs have problems with the time release element of the medication. I would ask to be placed on synthroid, the trademark med, if your insurance carries it and you can afford it. The doctor can write out a prescription to state that you cannot take generic if your insurance requires that. Good luck.

Just received a call today from my doctor. She stated that she needed to increase my levothyroxin medication from 200 mcg to 300 mcg. I was wondering if this is normal as I usually was only increased by 25 mcg increments? Also, what should I expect and what can I do to help myself?

Thanks Laura for this wonderful post. I heard a lot of Standard Process supplements but was always wary of using them because most of them contain animal products. I am especially scared of the ones that are made with beef. Do you know if this is an ingredient in the one you are using? I have been using meds for low thyroid for 2 years now and am dying to get off them. Also, how long were you on thyroid meds? Thank you so much once again for this wonderful post. It's people like you that make EC the place to be.

When I was a teen my thyroid was so low that I had the highest TSH score my doctor had ever seen. He said my thyroid was most likely dead. I believed him for twenty years. After a lot of research, I was lead to try alternative methods and found a good "muscle tester". She said my body did NOT like my Rx, (Levothyroxin, but I had used Synthroid in the past with similar results being that I was still very symptomatic) and replaced it with a whole foods supplement. I was VERY wary about stopping my meds. I expected to see the exhaustion and mental fog I feel the next day when I accidently skip a dose, but I was shocked to see an INCREASE in energy and in my ability to focus mentally. I was able to sort clutter all day for four days straight in preperation for an upcoming move. This would have been a nightmare for me before. I have been off my medication and taking the supplements for over a month now and I feel so much better! The supplement I use for thyroid is called Thytrophin PMG and is made by Standard Process (www.standardprocess.com). It is very reasonably priced and it's all natural. It is supporting my body to make its own hormone which I never dreamed would be possible.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have muscle testing done to determine the needed dose. You can also learn to self test. It's actually pretty simple. The good news? My tester said it's pretty common that people can eventually stop taking the supplements once their bodies recieve the necessary nutritional support. I figure I will probably always have to check up on my thyroid and use this natural support on and off, but that's a far cry from a "dead" thyroid with lifelong Rx requiring blood work, etc.

I feel so good I can't even explain what this has done for me! PLEASE look into this. It's really true that you can get off your meds. Chiropractors are licensed to carry this, so they would be a good place to start.

THANK YOU

A million years ago I read ACV depletes iodine, it's 2011, and can't find that straight up as an information footnote in general ACV praises. Stumbled across this, and I SAID I KNEW IT, I'M NOT CRAZY!!! Someone below stated they removed iodine from their diet, as did I, LOADED UP on cruciferous vegetables, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli; so Double Whammy! My weakened system, weakened thyroid allowed YEAST CANDIDA ALBICAN over growth. What a vicious cycle, in between 106 beats a minute, No MEDICAL INSURANCE...... I can barely live.