schoolmate Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Hello everyone, Was diagnosed with hypothyroid a few weeks back - have had the symptoms like some weight gain, extreme hair loss, low energy, and lack of motivation/ depression. I will really appreciate feedback/ experiences from members on whether its possible to normalise hypothyroid without medication - I am taking KELP everyday and am vegetarian but can eat eggs. Mine is borderline hypothyroid so I am wondering if I can bring my thyroid levels to normal without medicine ---dont like the idea of being on the pill for the rest of my life. Any suggestions/ feedback! Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Since this could turn out to be somewhat serious perhaps you want to contact people on this site What is Hypothyroidism | ATA It's bizarre to me that people come on an interpersonal realtionship website for advice with serious health issues 2 Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I dunno, man ... this is NOT something you want to tackle without medical intervention, because its some serious shxt. To the point where all other health problems will build upon it and then you're having some REAL problems that could've been addressed with one little pill. just sayin' 1 Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Eating kelp could make things worse depending on the type of hypo. Hashimoto's for example. If you want to do it the natural way, you can take natural hormones -- Naturethroid is what I take. It's dessicated pig thyroid. You have to find a doctor who knows how to prescribe it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I checked carhill's pharmacy and found something like what FitChick suggested which my mom took for about 50 years successfully, that I know of anyway. It's a dessicated pig thyroid gland product called 'Armour Thyroid'. The pills still have that same distinctive smell I remember as a child. I don't recall her TSH levels as she's been dead a couple years but it was a moderate hypothyrodic condition and she took 90mg once a day. As TSH levels fluctuating markedly affected her psychosis (paraphrenia), we switched to a pharma product called Synthroid to stabilize the levels. The pig hormone wasn't consistent enough for her case, but that shouldn't be an issue for a sane person. It worked great for her and with no side effects. Also, read up on the the health forums for other natural alternatives which can help your condition. If you are hypothyrodic, you may end up being so, just like my mom was, for your entire life. Maybe not. Hard to know. Experiment a bit, update your TSH tests and see how it goes. Good luck. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 If it's Hashimoto's, consider going on a gluten-free diet. Levothyroxine's no big deal. If the doctor's prescribed it, take it. Your rationale is to go on something else for the rest of your life, so you don't have to take pills for the rest of your life, makes no sense. There's no cure for hypothyroidism. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author schoolmate Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share Posted August 31, 2012 Thanks for your responses -- I do see the point in that a little pill cant hurt! My only thing is that mine is a bordeline case and I am wondering if this has been caused by some stress that I have been under lately and also didnt pay attention to my diet. Not to mention that I have always had salt with iodine added except the last few years. Wondering if these have all affected my thyroid and can I bring it back to behave itself by taking care of my diet, doing some yoga etc. Any input will be great! Cheer:)! Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Borderline means nothing. Ask your doctor to put you on the lowest dose for a month and see if you feel better. I stopped using sea salt and went back to iodized table salt on the advice of my endo. I also eat a lot of fish. Do any close family members have thyroid problems, either hypo or hyper? That is usually an indication that you have it. Link to post Share on other sites
Author schoolmate Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 Many thanks to all of you for the responses. Am I to conclude that its pointless to try and fight it and that I should start the medication. Has anyone been able to come off the medication ever - does the thyroid ever get back to normal!???:confused: Link to post Share on other sites
William Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Everyone I've known (family and friends) who's been hypo has been that way consistently throughout time. Since you're a vegetarian, you can try avoiding/reducing consumption of raw goitrogenic foods, if normally consumed. Brussel sprouts and broccoli are two examples. Over or under-consumption of iodine can cause issues, as the thyroid absorbs iodine and converts it to a couple of thyroid hormones. If you're getting sufficient levels without the kelp, you could be over-consuming, as an example. An endocrinologist IMO would be your best source of advice regarding lifestyle changes affecting your condition. Not every doctor is a pill pusher. It's good to find and develop a relationship with a competent specialist since you'll need advice and tracking for as long as the condition remains an issue, regardless of eventual resolution. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 If you have Hashimoto's, and you will only know with a blood test, it is an autoimmune disease -- your body attacks its own thyroid and eventually it just shrivels up. I don't like the idea of being dependent on medication but what can I do? I foresee stem cell therapy in the future for most things but don't know if it will be in my lifetime. Link to post Share on other sites
eleanorhurting Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Hypothyroidism can be caused by so many different things I really suggest you seek an endocrinologist. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
jayy23 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Well I'm 24 was told just over 2years ago I had graves disease over active thyroid went and had radioactive iodine treatment to kill my thyroid so now I am underactive it took the docs about a year and a half to balance out the pills I will need to take for the rest of my life I went through hell in that time. before all this happend I was fit healthy and allways on the move. Since I have went underactive I gained weight lost confidence in my sell and developed really bad anxiety but I pushed through it don't get me wrong I'm still not in the best shape but I'm working on it and my anxiety is a lot better than it was. When I got told I would need to take pills everyday for the rest of my life it was hard to take in but like anything that life throws at you the only thing you can do is fight it and push through it... its not the end of the world there is people out there with far worse problems in there life. So go see your doc and get it sorted out. And don't worrie to much it's not goina kill you. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 My doctor said the thyroid is the only organ you can replace with a pill. Link to post Share on other sites
Author schoolmate Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 Well I'm 24 was told just over 2years ago I had graves disease over active thyroid went and had radioactive iodine treatment to kill my thyroid so now I am underactive it took the docs about a year and a half to balance out the pills I will need to take for the rest of my life I went through hell in that time. before all this happend I was fit healthy and allways on the move. Since I have went underactive I gained weight lost confidence in my sell and developed really bad anxiety but I pushed through it don't get me wrong I'm still not in the best shape but I'm working on it and my anxiety is a lot better than it was. When I got told I would need to take pills everyday for the rest of my life it was hard to take in but like anything that life throws at you the only thing you can do is fight it and push through it... its not the end of the world there is people out there with far worse problems in there life. So go see your doc and get it sorted out. And don't worrie to much it's not goina kill you. Thanks for sharing and for your advice - I can so relate to you! I went to see my doc again and shared my concern about being on the pill for something I can possibly reverse. Dont know if you saw my earlier posts but to cut it short....last 6-8 months have been very stressful for me and my diet got very neglected - this combined with non-iodised salt - I have always had iodised salt. IMO this may have triggered my hypothyroid. The doc seems to have understood why I am worried and has asked me to get another test done to see if I have autoimmune --or something like that in which case there is no alternative to the pill. I am beginning to think that whatever the test results I will take the pill since I am struggling through my days and because I feel tired I am not able to exercise or even pay attention to my diet....eat anything and everything I see in the kitchen. Did your doc suggest any special diet or things to avoid. I do consume a lot of black tea with milk - wonder if that will worsen the situation or interfere with the medication. Thanks again and goo luck! Link to post Share on other sites
jayy23 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Thanks for sharing and for your advice - I can so relate to you! I went to see my doc again and shared my concern about being on the pill for something I can possibly reverse. Dont know if you saw my earlier posts but to cut it short....last 6-8 months have been very stressful for me and my diet got very neglected - this combined with non-iodised salt - I have always had iodised salt. IMO this may have triggered my hypothyroid. The doc seems to have understood why I am worried and has asked me to get another test done to see if I have autoimmune --or something like that in which case there is no alternative to the pill. I am beginning to think that whatever the test results I will take the pill since I am struggling through my days and because I feel tired I am not able to exercise or even pay attention to my diet....eat anything and everything I see in the kitchen. Did your doc suggest any special diet or things to avoid. I do consume a lot of black tea with milk - wonder if that will worsen the situation or interfere with the medication. Thanks again and goo luck! Once you need to start taking the pill everyday (if you do) it just becomes part of your routine and isn't a hassle. To be honest I haven't really spoke to my doc about certain foods to eat and not to eat so I couldn't tell you if it would make a diffrence to how you feel or not. I have been to a dietition to talk about weight lose and explained my situation to her and she didn't mention to much about certain foods to do with thyroid problems I have had a look myself but not tried any special diet for my thyroid. to be honest I try not to think about it and just get on with my life feeling sorry for yourself gets you know wr trust me on that. Along as you get it sorted out by your doc then things will be fine. Link to post Share on other sites
LittleTiger Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I was considered 'borderline' for almost a year. My thyroid was thrown off by stress when my exH left me. I was feeling so sh*t the doc did a load of blood tests but told me everything was fine. A year later she admitted my thyroid was a little hypo and could be the reason why I was so ill - she had been waiting for it to go back to normal by itself - which, of course, it never did. One little tablet and I've been like a different person. Unfortunately, this condition is for life but some people are lucky enough to keep it 'under control' with low meds and a very healthy diet - I read recently that a paleo diet can work wonders. It's quite extreme (no sugar, pasta, potatoes etc) but I have been considering it myself - anything is worth a try IMO. Link to post Share on other sites
seren Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 If the tests come back and show you have hypothyroidism and the doc says take the tablets, then take the tablets. I have an autoimmune disease, Lupus and Sjorgens along with a whole raft of others, hypothyroid being just one of them, I hate taking meds, but, there are some things a natural substitute can help, there are also others where they cannot and a replacement is needed. Hypothyroid is one of those. Listen to your doctor, don't try an muck about with iodine, kelp or whatever, it is quite rare for this disease to be caused by stress or low salt, if your diet is that lacking in non iodised salt you would also have low potassium levels too, which is very bad for you. I was told to stay away from the low salt and back on the real stuff, potassium was low, palpitations etc, sometimes it is OK to look for a non meds route and others not so. Yours is one where doc really knows best. Once on meds, always on meds, but thank whatever that these days we have the opportunity to do so. Link to post Share on other sites
Author schoolmate Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Just to update - I saw another Doc today and he has asked me to get some bloodwork done to find if I have autoimmune and also he suggested that my Iron levels might be low. So I will be getting the tests done -- and will let you know of the results and recommended line of treatment. i will also get to know if taking Kelp and switching to iodised salt have had any effect at all on my Thyroid levels...Fingers crossed --- I am a bit scared but at least I will know for sure where I am headed. Thanks all for all the advice and support -- do appreciate it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author schoolmate Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hello Coming back to update on my test results. My blood test results came back about 2 weeks back and my thyroid levels were more or less unchanges only slightly better ( i wanted to give credit to switching to iodised salt and having kelp supplement - and my doctor said it may have possibly helped. What I did want to share with everyone here was that my doc had asked for my Ferritin levels to be checked and they came out really really low. My symptoms of fatique and extreme hairloss had made my doc think that my iron levels could be low and so he had ordered the test. And the results did show that the levels were extremely low - so he put me on iron supplements and to my surprise it has helped. I can see the difference even though its only been a couple of weeks. And the doc also said that the iron levels in turn could affect the thyroid levels so if one improves it could help the other improve too. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. I wil have my tests done again in Dec to see if my iron levels are better and also if it has impacted my thyroid. I did want to share that iron levels could be a contributing factor to thyroid disorder so getting it checked too might not be a bad idea. I will come back to post on my Dec results. Link to post Share on other sites
GirlontheLam Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 I am about 2-2.5 years in on the levothyroxine. And it took me most of this time to get adjusted. I think I am off again, but getting closer. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
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