General Feedback
A very easy to read and understand article on The Proper Assessment and Treatment of the Thyroid.
Tina
(Tyler, Tx)
03/28/2013
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!
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
03/29/2013
General Feedback
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
General Feedback
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.
(Edison, Nj)
11/02/2012
(Columbus, Ohio)
09/05/2013
Good site to help you interperate your thyroid test results: http://www.westonaprice.org/metabolic-disorders/low-metabolic-energy-therapies
General Feedback
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
General Feedback
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.
General Feedback
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.
(Gippsland, Australia)
10/06/2011
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.
(Topeka, Kansas)
10/06/2011
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?
General Feedback
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?
(Blaine, Mn)
08/01/2011
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.
(Midway Ky)
12/13/2015
General Feedback
I am female, 49, and have been oil pulling for about two and a half weeks. My positive experience with oil pulling has been a definite clearing of sinuses. I have always been a mouth breather and now find that I can breath through my nose. In the past, I felt as if I was not getting enough air when breathing through my nose.
Last Tuesday (day 10) I woke up with a swollen thyroid on the right hand side of my neck. Blood tests show my thyroid function is fine. Ultrasound shows that several nodes on the left side of my thyroid are swollen as well. Docs are not worried about the large swollen node on the right but are concerned about the smaller ones on the right that are considerd complex - part liquid, part solid. Any chance the oil pulling could have triggered this?
They took more blood yesterday and are running additonal tests. My liver function is also normal.
Thanks! Mary B.
(Knoxville, Tn)
04/14/2011
General Feedback
Hi everyone: Has anyone heard of a product called Chinese bitters and if so does anyone know if its safe for thyroid patients? Thanks everyone for yr comments. God bless
General Feedback
I have been doing hardcore UT for about 3 months. When I say hardcore, I mean drinking almost all of it everyday. Before that I drank about 8 0z. Three times a day for three months. I was on 180 mg of Armour thyroid for 15 years. I am 42.
After about a month on the "hardcore" regimen, all of my chronic fatigue, achiness, and all the rest of the stuff that comes with chronic illness disappeared. I started having a reaction to my Armour and started cutting back on it. I felt better than I ever had. In about a month I was off of my medicine completely and felt great. About a week after going off of it I started having the worst pms ever, followed by a horrible period, cramps, migraine, the works. I decided to wait a couple of weeks to get my thyroid checked so it could regulate.
I waited three weeks and have felt pretty bad the last two. I got my TSH tested yesterday and it was 11.5.
Needless to say, I am dismayed because I thought the UT was helping my thyroid. Also, I am afraid if I go back on my full dose I won't be able to tolerate it. What I experienced before was chest pains, jumpiness, general hyperthyroid symptoms that went away when I cut down the meds. This is very confusing for me because I have an 18 year old son with a low thyroid too and he is about a month behind me on the UT. He also had the same experience with intolerance to his Synthroid and has been off of it for two days. He feels great but is now worried that his will go back down. I didn't have it tested when I was cutting back, I only went on how I felt. Has anyone had experiences like this? I would really appreciate any insights.
(York County, Maine)
03/24/2011
Hi Tiamat, I have no experience with UT but have been on over 200 mcg of Levothyroxine or Synthroid for several years; at one time, I decided to stop taking it and felt fantastic for about a week..... When I started feeling bad and began the meds again, it took a couple of weeks to feel better. You and your son, Please be careful.
(Cypress, Tx)
03/30/2011
(Indiana)
04/15/2017
I am interested in what you drink for the thyroid, what is UT?? I know it's been yrs since you posted, and wonder if you still drink this hardcore? And how is your thyroid doing by now? TIA! Blessings!
EC: Poster probably means Urine Therapy. You can check out all the feedback on our page here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/urine_therapy.html
General Feedback
Do thyroid problems have any link to hair color dyes? A lot of persons use it and head of hair is close to thyroid gland. Any correlation?
General Feedback
This message is for Joyce from Joelton, Tn: i am hypothyroid and since my diagnosis 3 months ago, I have noticed a sudden appearance of liver spots on my back. Would you know if this is related to poor thyroid function? Also, After about 2 months on thyroid meds, i also notice a sudden rash on my arms/ tummy. Could the meds have something to do with this? Hope to hear from you soon. I would have asked my doctor but I am not due to see her until the end of this month. Any feedback you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless.
(Maryland, Usa)
10/16/2009
I'm not Joyce but I hope you don't mind the reply. May I ask what meds you're taking? I've read that too much thyroid hormone can cause a rash.
Have you been checked for thyroid antibodies? With the rash and the spots, it might be a good idea to get those tested. TPOAb and TgAB are the tests you'd want.
(Queens, Ny)
10/18/2009
Hi T: Thks for responding to my query. To answer yr question, I am currently on T3 (5mcg) and T4 (16mcg). I usually get these from a compounding pharmacy and my pharmacist says that they are plant based. He also did mention that it is a very small dose. Thats why I didn't think it might be too much meds. As for the antibodies test I had those and it was elevated but very slightly. Its been about 3 months since my diagnosis so I am kind of new to this. Any advice would be helpful.
General Feedback
My problem started two years ago, and the Doctors have yet to find out what causes it. They put me on Zebeta, it was to keep me from having the rapid forceful heartbeats, but I still have them about ever 4 months, My doctor tells me that I now need to go on Synthroid because my TSH has gone from 4 to 9.11 in two years. I took a lot of research to my last appointment in which he was not really interested in. I told him I had all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but he is telling me I am Hypothyroidism because my TSH going from 4.0 to 9.11 in two years. I ask him about Adrenal and he just ignored me basically, I have been to several doctors and none of them can help me. I had one tell be that medicine was not a perfect science. He was actually the only doctor I liked he would atleast listen. but he is hard to ge an appointment with. The clinic I go to has 7 doctors and you never know which one you will actually get to see, if you need on right away. I read the article about putting the iodine (which I do have lugols) and am going to see what happens with that. I was wondering if anyone had tried Natrabio Thyroid Support and if it had helped anyone. I bought some and have planned to try it. I also bought natrabio adrenal support and was wondering if anyone had tried that. I have tried to find a certified Natrapathic doc in my area and can not find one as of yet. Please help if you have any information. (in the past two years I also had a web grow accross the top of my esphogus. which my GI doc says is rare, has anyone had this problem. i am hoping I don't have that problem anymore. but I still have the rapid forceful heartbeat probelm. I have found that a few sips of apple cider vinigar during one of thes epesiodes seems to start the heart to slow down about the time the ambulance gets to my house but during this rapid forceful heartbeatt my blood pressure rises very high. when the ambulance got to my house the other night my bloods pressure had slowed down to 210/110 and my heart beat had slowed down to 110. I am about stressed out about it all.
ANN
To Ann from Dothan, Al.
Hello Ann, Sorry you are having those palpitation problems, but start paying attention to what you are eating or drinking within a few hours of them starting. Our processed foods are heavily laden with monosodium glutamate and aspartame, both excitotoxins known to cause palpitatations, panic attacks, mood swings, seizures,brain tumors, brain cancers, parkinsons disease, alzherimers disease, Lou Gehrigs disease, among other things.
Magnesium is another mineral that has a lot to do with blood pressure & heart rate control. To build yours up, start taking about 500 mgm 2/day orally, but I would also be putting a cup of epsom salts in my bath water daily to bring it up without flushing it right through
the GI tract, thanks to its laxative properties.
That lugol's should help on the low thyroid, but so would a kelp supplement. Another thing your thyroid needs to operate properly is a good supply of the B complex vitamins. Get you a good B l00 complex to take daily or even better get a good stress tablet (Bcomplex + vitamins C & E) and take one at meal time & bedtime. This should give that thyroid what it needs to function properly.
To get an idea of your MSG/aspartame intake go to that page in EC & print out the list of names they hide MSG under, Take that into your kitchen and start reading ingredients list on everything in there that goes into your GI tract. I'll bet if you tossed out everything containing either or both, you wouldn't have much left in there, because it is hard to find any broth, bouillon, sauce, salad dressing, ketchup, or even raw meats without those natural flavors, natural flavorings, hydrolyzed plant proteins, or lately just (pea, corn, soy, etc) plant proteins.
(Maryland, USA)
01/11/2009
I'm sorry I have no input on the supplements you mentioned, but I would strongly suggest blood testing for TPO and antithyroglobulin antibodies. Having symptoms of both hyper- and hypothyroidism could mean Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disorder in which your own system attacks the thyroid. Elevated antibodies are a good indicator of Hashimoto's. Unfortunately, when you have doctors already ignorant of thyroid disease, they're likely going to be even worse when it comes to Hashimoto's. For the longest time I figured I couldn't have thyroid disease as I am not overweight (everything I had heard seemed to mention weight problems for thyroid patients) and I had symptoms of both hyper and hypo, which I didn't know could be possible. It was only when I finally became devastatingly ill that I started researching and began realizing what was going on. After being brushed off despite dozens of symptoms and family history of thyroid disease, I got my own blood work done and diagnosed myself. It took over $2000 out of my pocket to get the quacks to give me an $11 bottle of medicine I had told/shown them I needed from the start. Ridiculous!!
Many doctors are appallingly ignorant of thyroid disease (a good read around thyroid forums will show you just how epidemic, entrenched, and damaging that ignorance is). My own struggle with this is how I became interested in natural medicine in the first place. It's what made me realize what uncaring, arrogant, ignorant moneysuckers too many in the medical profession are. Not all are that way, but sadly I haven't seemed to find one of the good ones for myself as yet.
My synthetic med (Levoxyl) has helped some, but I am still nowhere near up to par despite adding in excellent dietary changes and vitamins, etc. I'd like to try Armour natural thyroid medication, but they just won't listen (apparently quite the big pharma influence there; they have absolutely no other reason not to let me try it). Your quality of life means nothing to them; in fact, any problems you have after they medicate you their way must all be "in your head". As you found, that one single lab number (TSH) is the entire picture as far as they are concerned. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thyroid problems can be highly complex and are not "one size fits all" by a long shot. Do some research around the web as it's just too big a topic to really cover here, but the bottom line is get tested for those antibodies and see if you do have Hashi's - and if they won't test, there are online labs where you can order them for yourself, as I did. You should also have Free T3 and Free T4 tested. Take those results in with some good research backing you up and insist on proper treatment. Don't take their word for what is 'normal'; check it out for yourself. Thank God we have the internet to learn for ourselves and share information. You will find thyroid forums extremely helpful, and you might be able to get a recommendation at some for a good doc in your area.
I supplement with calcium/magnesium/D3, and also selenium (I take 100 mcg a day). Selenium supports the thyroid. Magnesium may help with the palpitations (seems to be helping with mine). Make sure you're getting adequate potassium intake; this too will affect the heart. Taking organic unrefined coconut oil (work up slowly to a few spoons a day - see other posts here on that) may also help the thyroid from what I've been reading. I am still looking into iodine and have not tried that yet. As you're having blood pressure problems, be sure to monitor that closely as you try things.
I wish you the very best of luck, and please let us know how it goes!
(Orlando, Fl)
01/11/2009
(Rocky Ridge, Ohio)
01/13/2009
I've had palpitations off and on for as long as I could remember, but last summer they started happening all day long.
After awhile I started worrying and did some research on the web. What I found was that magnesium deficiency could cause them, so I went out and bought a bottle of Natural Calm Magnesium Citrate that you take at night dissolved in hot water.
The effects were immediate, not only did I fall asleep faster that night, the next day the palpitations were gone. I believe there is some magnesium in ACV and that's why it had a positive effect for you.
The thyroid and the adrenals work hand in hand, all of the endrocrine glands do. They are like dominoes, if one has trouble, others follow suit. I have adrenal fatigue and thyroid resistance and in my research it was said that magnesium was vital to the recovery of adrenal fatigue, as is vitamin C.
I had a tubal ligation, (tubes tied) and that's when a lot of my problems started. The reduced blood flow to the ovaries cause then to shrivel and all but die. The adrenals have to do the work of producing a lot of my female hormones that the ovaries just couldn't handle anymore. This is talked about on the web too. I want to say it's called tubal ligation syndrome but I'm not 100% on that. That plus chronic sinus infections and a very stressful life living with an abusive ex husband was a further drain on my adrenal glands resulting in adrenal fatigue.
For about 100 years Dr.'s used to treat adrenal fatigue with much success using vitamins, mineral, herbs, glandulars, rest and lifestyle changes. At some point, they stopped even teaching about this once cortisone was developed and the result is Dr.'s out there that don't even know this ailment exists or how to treat it. They don't go by symptoms, they go by tests and all they know to test for is the two extremes on the scale, Cushing's disease and Addison's disease, leaving nothing to diagnose in between.
Check out www.adrenalfatigue.org for more information and remedies for this ailment. The book sold on this website and in stores is an excellent source of information.
If you cannot find a Naturopath in your area, often an Environmental Physician will know about the disorder. Some of them know what to do about the thyroid as well.
I also supplement with Lugol's Iodine, kelp or bladderwrack capsules for my thyroid, when I remember that is.
Blessings and goodluck!
(Dothan, AL, USA)
02/24/2009
I appreciate everyone's input on my problem with thyroid and heart palpations, I am going to try some of these suggestions. I have actually started, I will keep you up to date. I did go back for another blood test and my thyroid had dropped from 9.11 to 8.13, I tried to talk to the doc about my concerns, I wanted to try armour thyroid, he would not listen he just upped my mcg of synthroid, which I can't take because it makes me shake all over.. I told my cardiologist and he said that I need to make the doc listen or see someone else. My cardiologist just ran another eco-cardiogram and a stress test, I am waiting on results. I am trying to find a medical/naturopathic doc that I can see. None in my area in a 5 mile radious. still looking though. I am not sure which part of my home remedies that made my TSH drop down to the 8.13 so I am going to keep doing what I am doing and add some of your suggestions. I will keep you all posted.
Dianna from Austin, TX said she took VCO for her thyroid. I was wondering what is VCO?? Thanks Ann from Dothan, AL
EC: VCO = Virgin Coconut Oil.
(Socaldesert, Ca/usa)
10/12/2012
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.
Homeopathic Remedies
★★★★★
hyperthyroidism: i was devastated when i heard i got grave's disease. After that doctor told me about my different options of treatment. one of them was radioactive iodine. i didn't want any radioactive treatment in me. so i read about bugleweed. i already started to have tachycardia. but after 4 days of this combination of tx. i feel today i am back to myself. give your body some time to heal yourself. they don't work immediately. go for homeopathic. i consulted different homeopathic. homeopathy can eradicate your disease forever, but it takes time.
EC: Neelam, can you please send us more information about what you took exactly? Was it bugleweed tea or homeopathic remedies containing bugleweed? Thanks!
Information about bugleweed here: http://earthnotes.tripod.com/bugleweed.htm
(Regina, Sk, Canada)
04/02/2011
Hi Neelam and EC, I agree with you: they don't have to take out your thyroid, or irradiate you. That is just silly. I mean unless you have an excessively serious form of it. Removing the thyroid to treat Graves' disease is like punishing the victim. Graves' is a disease where the immune system is working too hard, not an issue with the thyroid, really.
I was diagnosed with Graves' in Mar. 09 and was off work from then until Apr. '10 with hyperthyroid symptoms and adrenal fatigue symptoms. I am way way better now, thank God!
Adrenasense is a remedy that supports the adrenals. I take 4 capsules a day: 2 in the morning, and 2 at lunch. This has been a lifeline remedy for me! When I was off work there, for some of the time I could only stay awake one hour and then had to sleep 2 or 3 hours to get my energy back. When I started to take Adrenasense, I was gradually able to do more and more. When I went off it, my energy level went very low. I remember one day after I had run out a week before, it took me 1/2 and hour to walk very slowly across the park to the library becuase I had to stop and rest on 2 park benches and take a nap at a table in the library. That walk usually takes about 5 minutes. It took 2 weeks to get my previous energy back when I started back on the Adrenasense.
Also, a special diet from my naturopath helped immensely: no wheat, dairy, sugar, refined or processed things. Brown rice, freshly cooked veggies and meats. Organic as much as possible. No fruit for the first 2 weeks and then just a few, b/c of the sugar. I felt sooo good on this. I went off it, to go to my cousin's wedding and will get back on later I hope!
I took Tapazole for a long time, and a beta blocker for my heart, which I was very very happy to get off of. I work half time now, and am just tweaking my intake of remedies. I take a motherwort tincture, which you can get, straight, from Wild Woman Herbals, or other companies. And another one from Genestra Brands, Motherwort Combination #3, which my Naturopath had recommended. These helped me a lot! I'm going to try EVCO now, because it sounds promising!
I was on Tapazole for 2 years, down to 1 pill a day from the initial 4, but then stopped it to see how I would do, in January. My levels went up above normal again, even on the motherwort. But not very far up and the only symptom I had was a bit of anxiety. Then I restarted the Tapazole and for some reason started getting palpitations, pain in my thyroid, and a sad, discouraged feeling, which I think is my thyroid reacting to being suppressed. Anyway, I told my doctor about the heart and pain issues and so now I'll stop the Tapazole for a bit, at least, and try the coconut oil and other things.
Now I want to try meditation, really, truly. Before I did it sort of, but now that I am off Tapazole again, I see this is a great opportunity to try connecting with my thyroid and becoming one with it, seeing things from its perspective and then encouraging it to make less hormone, and to feel safe in my body. I do this, connecting to God, asking for God's guidance, and other healing guides. If you want to know how to get into that, you can write to me. My Dad's meditation manual, The Prayer of Silence, will be published in a couple of months, if you want to look at that, too. He discusses basic silence, and advanced inner work in the silence, and how he used meditation to heal his broken back and heal himself from encephalitis, with God's help and also Jesus' inner guidance.
These are some things I suggest. Best wishes!
Oh, have any of you tried THYROSOOTHE? It is a remedy made by a company... It is 37$ on sale! Plus 10 bucks shipping. Is it worth it? The Genestra motherwort combo 3 that I've been taking is only 16$. Can anyone give feedback re. Thyrosoothe? Thank you! Rachel
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
35% food grade Hydrogen peroxide
I used this product for about two years, and I had thyroid problems, but after taking this my thyroid was fine, and I was off medication for it. My doctor was really surprised because he said no one gets off thyroid medication.
(Idaho)
01/10/2023
How did you use the hydrogen peroxide to help your thyroid?