noel (merced, CA) on 10/28/2024
MH (Eastern North Carolina) on 05/19/2023
MH (Eastern North Carolina) on 05/19/2023
Betty (CA) on 01/04/2022
Endo doc told her stop using hand sanitizers now because she is taking synthroid (sp) and he is seeing off levels of this. Seeing an uptick in thyroid problems, he connects it to hand sanitizer. If hand washing is not available use hydrogen peroxide in spray bottle. Mist on hands then wipe off.
Bj (Michigan) on 10/22/2021
SamE (HI) on 03/17/2020
Rubbing medical grade or watered down vetrinarian grade iodine, (yeah the yellow stuff) on the palms of your hands once a day or paint the bottoms of your feet at night for bioavailable iodine. Especially for those of us who have hypothyroid related SIBO or other gut problems. Bypass that area entirely. I noticed substantial results in under a month. Of course also cutting out all sweets and comfort foods except white rice and furikake with all the meat you never ate!
Theresa (United States) on 11/07/2019
Rick C. (Pompano Beach, Fl) on 04/23/2018
Replied by Lois (Honeoye Falls, Ny) on 01/20/2015
Why hasn't your Dr.'s put those of you with hypothyroidism on Synthroid? That in itself is the replacement for loss of thyroid hormones. I also, take ACV every morning & night in combo with honey & black strap molasses. Great for losing and maintaining a good weight for your height and bone structure.
Synthroid (a/k/a Synthetic Thyroid) is only ONE way to treat hypothyroidism and, while it is the drug of choice for a great many medical practitioners in the US, it is often NOT the best choice.
Synthroid contains thyroid hormone T4 only - T4 is the storage hormone, it is not the active hormone. The only thyroid hormone that can actually be utilized by the body is T3, so the T4 of synthroid must be converted to T3 to actually be utilized by the body. Many people cannot make that conversion, and Synthroid is totally useless to those people. Rather than using the synthetic thyroid hormone replacement, many people have had much more success using what is considered to be the Natural Hormone replacement: Desiccated Pig Thyroid (such as NP Thyroid, WP Thyroid, Naturethroid, Westhroid, Armour, Erfa at al) contains all the natural thyroid hormones T1, T2, T3 and T4 so that NO conversion is needed for the desiccated pig thyroid to provide the patient's needed thyroid supplementation. Because all of the pharmaceutical advertising dollars have been behind Synthroid for so many years, it is hard to find a doctor who will prescribe the desiccated pig thyroid, but all hypothyroid patients should be aware that the desiccated pig thyroid is available, and quite often provides MUCH better results than Synthroid.
Additionally, Synthroid is, in my opinion, very dangerous for women, as my mother was on Synthroid for 45 years, and she developed osteoporosis so bad that her bones starting breaking of her own body weight at age 80. This is a known problem with Synthroid, but one that is seldom mentioned so you should question your doctor about this side effect of Synthroid. I personally have been on desiccated pig thyroid since October, 2011, and have had excellent results.
Paula (Anon) on 09/14/2017
Smokymtnlady (Nashville, Tn) on 08/24/2016
Ted, I have had neck and jaw and thyroid pain 10 months now with some other hypothyroid symptoms as well. (outer third of eyebrows gone, slow digestive function, 4 menstrual periods in the past 9 months, receding gums, kidney pain)
I have been researching how to resolve this including your page which has helped me too many times to count. Today I ran across TWO articles linking excess ESTROGEN with thyroid problems. Ted, I switched birth control exactly the same month these problems started. But I have always taken progestin-only birth control. Or so I thought! After seeing these articles I checked my birth control. The former birth control was progestin. But 10 months ago I switched to combo progestin/estrogen. (I didn't realize I was taking estrogen!) I am going to take 90 days off and let you know what happens with my thyroid pain.
Innerheat (Middle Tennessee) on 01/31/2016
I used to run on the warm side all my life, then got to where I felt chilly a lot, did not sweat hardly in hot weather, felt sluggish.
I have been taking Lugol's iodine (2%, 5 drops a day) for many moons, cooking with coconut oil, avoiding bread with brominated flour, mostly avoiding fluoridated water, never use fluoride toothpaste...still was not consistently warm by any means.
Recently I got a nasty and persistent lung congestion that was going around, which gave several people I know pneumonia. I said to myself, "That ain't gonna happen to me! " I thought about that old "Back to Eden" book, and how the old herbalists talked like cayenne would practically raise the dead!
Seeing as its been years since I ate habaneros every day, or even that many jalapenos, I went at it cautiously. Every day I would heat up about 4 ounces of water, add a mere 1/8th teaspoon measure of cayenne powder, and drink it.
I did this for maybe a week. Been comfortably warm ever since, including through a recent cold spell. I think all the other things I've been doing played a part, but I believe cayenne was the real "magic bullet".
Everyone is different, your mileage may vary! Some people get along well with hot peppers, others may not.
Ali (Ontario, Canada) on 11/10/2015
Having read that many suffering from hypo-thyroid are iodine deficient, I decided it would be a good idea to test myself by painting a small two by four inch area with iodine to see how long it would take to absorb. Six hours was the average time needed. Five days a week, for a month and a half I painted with the iodine. My prior blood test indicated that I was just in the top of the upper normal range. The blood test after six weeks of use, showed my TSH was 4.21, the normal range indicated was between 0.30 and 4.00 mlU/L my TSH two months prior was 3.96, my free triioddothyronine was 4.2and my free T 4 was 12, these falling within the excepted normal range.
Recently I read that ninety percent of all hypo-thyroids have Hashimoto's and should not take iodine. It would seem this was true in my case so just wanted to warn others that might be considering using this protocol. Guess I will have to ask to have my iodine levels checked next blood work. Right now I am totally confused. I am also wondering if anyone else knows if NDT has ever been checked for traces of ractopamine? Could it be a part of the reason we are gaining weight even while being careful of our diet? I don't even want to think about having to use synthroid. My NDT does not seem to be working even after having my dose doubled from 15mg to 30mg.
Is anyone else having this problem? Any input on the subject would be appreciated. Thanks to all who make this site such a success.
All the best, Ali
Wendy (Sacramento, Ca) on 02/26/2015
Nat (Denver, CO) on 02/22/2015
Studies show that 90% of people with hypothyroidism are producing antibodies to thyroid tissue. This causes the immune system to attack and destroy the thyroid, which over time causes a decline in thyroid hormone levels. This autoimmune form of hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto's disease. While not all people with Hashimoto's have hypothyroid symptoms, thyroid antibodies have been found to be a marker for future thyroid disease.
The following are the five major thyroid patterns that don't show up on standard tests
1.HYPOTHYROIDISM CAUSED BY PITUITARY DYSFUNCTION:
TSH below the functional range (1.8 ? 3.0) but within the standard range (0.5 ? 5.0). The T4 will be low in the
functional range (and possibly the lab range too).
2.UNDER-CONVERSION OF T4 TO T3.
This common pattern is caused by inflammation and elevated cortisol levels. T4 to T3
conversion happens in cell membranes. Inflammatory cytokines damage cell membranes
and impair the body's ability to convert T4 to T3. High cortisol also suppresses the
conversion of T4 to T3. it doesn't matter how
much T4 you take; you won't be able to use it. you'll have hypothyroid symptoms, but your TSH and T4 will be normal.
If you have your T3 tested, which it rarely is in conventional settings, it will be low
3. HYPOTHYROIDISM CAUSED BY ELEVATED TBG.
Thyroid binding globulin (TBG) is the protein that transports thyroid hormone through the
blood. When thyroid hormone is bound to TBG, it is inactive and unavailable to the
tissues. Elevated TBG is caused by high estrogen levels, which are often often associated with
birth control pills or estrogen replacement. When TBG levels are high, levels of unbound (free) thyroid hormone will be low, With this pattern, TSH and T4 will be normal. If tested, T3 will be low, and T3 uptake and
TBG will be high.
4. HYPOTHYROIDISM CAUSED BY DECREASED TBG.
But too much free thyroid hormone in the bloodstream causes the cells to develop
resistance to it. So, even though there's more than enough thyroid hormone, the cells
can't use it and you'll have hypothyroid ? not hyperthyroid ? symptoms. Decreased TBG is caused by high testosterone levels. In women, it is commonly
associated with PCOS and insulin resistance. Reversing insulin resistance and restoring
blood sugar balance is the key to treating this pattern.With this pattern, TSH and T4 will be normal. If tested, T3 will be high, and T3 uptake and
TBG will be low.
5. THYROID RESISTANCE.
In this pattern, both the thyroid and pituitary glands are functioning normally, but the
hormones aren't getting into the cells where they're needed. Note that all lab test markers will be normal in this pattern, because we don't have a way
to test the function of cellular receptors directly.
Thyroid resistance is usually caused by chronic stress and high cortisol levels. It can also
be caused by high homocysteine and genetic factors.
Causes (read more in the Chris Kressser free ebook"Thyroid Disorders"):
-The Gluten-Thyroid Connection
-Iodine for Hypothyroidism: Crucial Nutrient or Harmful Toxin?
-Selenium ? The missing link for treating hypothyroidism?
-Thyroid, Blood Sugar, and Metabolic Syndrome
-The Thyroid-Gut Connection
Bonbon (Pierson, US) on 09/24/2014
I'm a 52 yr old woman with, if it's not one thing it's another type issues. I know I have thyroid issues. My temp runs very low among other things. I tried a iodine product recommended by my local health food store last year. Within days my fingers started to feel numb. I knew it was the iodine because that was the only thing new I added. I don't feel confident it was good quality.
I just ordered the Lugol's iodine. I know I need this but I'm nervous about starting it. I saw where a salt solution protocol is likely needed and since I have blood pressure issues, which is probably from a lack of iodine, I'm just not sure how to handle this.
How should I begin this process? Would love some advise.
Lauren (Orlando, FL) on 08/25/2014
Shiehaam (Cape Town) on 06/11/2014
Lauren (Queens) on 04/02/2014
Deepa (Melbourne) on 01/28/2014
Which oil should I use to cook ( mainly curries) with and how much coconut oil should one need to take to see the results?
Does virgin coconut oil lose its power if you heat it up to saute vegies on medium flame ?? Pls help me!!!! . Want to feel good and energetic. I also take apple cider vinegar everyday.
Dee (Melbourne) on 12/02/2013
Even though my thyroid report according to doc to its all good and wants me to continue take 150 ug everyday . But I don't feel good and want it addd some supplements to support my thyroid function . I will continue taking coconut oil and apple cider vinegar everyday but also want to add kelp too. But after reading many sites it found that it can be full of toxin but it says pottasium iodide is very safe to take it
So my question is how much pottasium Iodide to take it everyday and where to buy in Australia and which brand? And also does It actually help thyroid or kelp is better option
Please help me I want to feel good and energetic since I have kids to chase after. Will be very grateful if someone could help me. Thank you for reading. Waiting for HELP.
