Replied by Sharik (Arcata, California) on 10/23/2009

Simply because your blood test says you're "borderline hypo" does NOT mean that one size fits all! Talk to your Dr. about trying Synthroid (I hope that will pass the site, as there are other pills out there that don't work as well). It's just about the only pill I do recommend. My blood tests always say I'm low on my dosage, but if I take more, I find myself crawling across the ceiling. (As in very hyper.) We were not punched out by a cookie cutter and each person has the responsibility of fighting for his/her health and what is best for them. I have Hashimoto's disease, and have been dealing with this for over half my life (I'm 67), and it certainly sounds like that might be the problem. There isn't anything out there in the natural world I have found (and I've looked!) that is safe and effective for thyroid problems, but the Synthroid has worked for me for over 33 years.

Wouldn't hurt to drink and cook with distilled water. It's been found that there's a lot more in your water than they report, all of it bad. I get mine by the gallon at my local grocery store.

Hope this helps.
Peace, Sharik

Replied by Mrs Cloud (Dallas, Tx) on 10/23/2009

Thanks so much for your kind reply. Yes, I have been taking Synthroid for almost 2 years. It reduced the antibodies. That is the only reason I was diagnosed borderline--I had antibodies even though my numbers looked ok for TSH. Anyway, I recently stopped the meds because they do not make me feel better and I am now more than 20 lbs heavier than when I started them. I gained five pounds this week alone and I have no idea how! It was very stormy so I did not do my morning walk and we had family in town so I had a few more beer and wine than usual, but even my dad says he cannot believe I do not lose weight because I eat very little compared to my skinny family.

Thank you again for your comments. I am trying 50 mg Iodoral and ACV diluted in warm water each morning with honey and cinnamon (instead of coffee). Cooking with coconut oil or taking it in yogurt.

I am at wit's end....

Replied by Sharik (Arcata, California) on 10/24/2009

If you have antibodies, you have Hashimoto's disease, and nasty little disorder where the body in effect becomes allergic to its OWN thyroid hormone. It will produce antibodies against its own thyroid tissue. (I come from a long line of sufferers.) Have you had an iodine absorption test? Taking iodine in any form (I prefer kelp and iodized salt) doesn't do any good if the thyroid can't absorb it

As to the Synthroid, it can take as much as 6 months to find the correct dosage (it took my mother almost two years, but that was back in the 50's) and the dosage doesn't always remain the same so that you have to adjust it over time (both up and down). If I could recommend a book that I use (always) it might help you understand Hashimoto's. It's called 'Prescription for Nutritional Healing' by Phyllis A. Balch (EC: I am in no way connected to the writing, publishing or selling of the book.) There is a nasty little side effect of an underactive thyroid called myxedema coma and is exactly what it sounds like. Poor Mom would lie down for an afternoon nap, go into a coma and have to be taken to the hospital for a day or two. This happened on a regular basis during the two years it took for the Dr.s to find the right dosage, but don't forget, that was almost 50 year ago and, hopefully, things ( and medicine) have improved somewhat. Although you couldn't prove it by me..... Oh, by the way. Mom gained weight during this period, but lost it all when they found the right dosage. But she had to cut out the beer to do it.

If you would like to correspond privately, ask EC for my email. I'll be glad to help any way that I can.
Peace, Sharik

Replied by Sarah (Dallas, Tx) on 08/19/2011

What finally worked, and I have lost 20 lbs since, is keeping a food journal. I noticed that food I thought would surely make me gain, like beef, chocolate, Snickers bars, etc. --did not!! I noticed that any food that contained soy, cabbage, broccoli (even cooked), peaches, etc. would cause me to gain 2 lbs overnight. As these are goitrogens, I got 2 tsh tests done, and they both came back normal.

At the same time, my instincts told me to quit eating wheat. Turns out, a wheat sensitivity can cause our bodies to attack our thyroids--because the proteins in both are very similar. I eat a lot of mexican food, keep corn tortillas on hand, and cook and refrigerate a week's worth of whole grain rice at a time. Basically, my healthy carbs are corn, rice, and potatoes.

Two years later, goitrogenic foods only make me gain 1 lb overnight--I think my body is healing. Also, I avoid using bleach, drink only Culligan water (refilled at any grocery)--not tap. What's weird is Bath and Body body spray made me gain also--but I couldn't figure out why. Vitamin D will also help compensate for thyroid trouble--I take a 2000 IU gel cap daily.