posted September 04, 2006 06:40 AM         

I may have to go through more tests to confirm it… I don’t have any of the symptoms: I’m not overweight or put weight on easily, my neck is not swollen, I’m not too exhausted with no reason, not too slow… It must be very mild… My TSH counts are 6 and the maximum is 4…

I have been told that many people, especially young women, have this condition and don’t know it… I’m a bit worried because I don’t want to be taking pills until the end of my life..

A friend of mine has this and her dose has been increasing over the years… Is this happening because her thyroid is even becoming lazier with the extra tiroxine she is getting artificially??? Like with myopia and dioptres increase I suppose…

Does any of you suffer from this condition??? Is it curable?

Do you know if there is any diet supplement that can help your thyroid to go back to normal?

posted September 04, 2006 11:44 AM         

No, I also got confused about the ranges... It's hypothyroidism... A higher than normal TSH count means that the hypotalamus is trying to stimulate a lazy thyroid by segregating more TSH trying to get more tiroxine out of it because its levels are low...

posted September 04, 2006 06:30 PM         

Anything over 3.0 is hypothyroid.

Anything under 0.3 is hyperthyroid.

You should also have your T3 and T4 checked.

I would suggest you read the books written my Mary Shomon, who has done enough research as a patient advocate to be considered an expert. She is without a doubt the best place to start. I'm sure you can find her books on Amazon.com. Also, she has a weekly column on about.com. Just do a search on the website for Mary Shomon, or hypothyroidism. I subscribe to her newsletter.

The book Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled? is also an important one. It will help you pinpoint exactly what your problem is, and it offers steps and herbs you can use towards self-healing.

There are several threads here in Health and Healing about hypothyoidism; a simple search will lead you to them. I think you might find some valuable information. Gia once wrote about the herbs she used to heal herself.

I do not use synthroid (which is also known under several other names), as I felt it was an inferior product. There are other choices, if you choose medication.

Start your research, and make informed decisions.

I wish you good health.

posted September 06, 2006 09:15 AM         

I’m sick at the moment (my throat again… This time tonsilitis…), that’s why I took time in replying… I’ve been in bed most of yesterday and today…

Back to the subject: Hypothyroidsm… I’m a bit confussed about it. I don’t know how I should be feeling… Happy?? Because I found out and I can do something about it? But can I do something about it? I don’t like the idea of taking pills and drugs for the rest of my life… Plus the fact that trying to help my body I may be poisoning it or aggravating the root problem…

I’m a bit angry at myself because I don’t know if I did it to myself, because I won’t be able to do anything to sort this out, because I will always be dysfunctional… Or won't I? Can I help my thyroides to go back to normal?

I suppose I should wait until I see the specialist (at this point only a family doctor has flagged out the problem seeing the TSH count in a blood test). It’s so confusing…

I intend to visit a naturopath that I have been recommended… I always thought herbs won’t hurt me, but will they? Can they decompensate my thyroid even more?

What if I wait to see if the natural treatment works and the problem increases, making it worse for the conventional chemical one?

posted September 07, 2006 04:21 PM         

first, in regards to coconut oil, while I can't attest to its ability to alter or cure your thyroid, I do believe it's gotten a bum rap. I don't believe it will raise your cholesteral, and is actually quite beneficial. It's a healthy oil for your body, but only if you buy the raw, unprocessed cold-pressed coconut oil (which is also true, of course, of olive oil). Otherwise, the beneficial nutrients are cooked right out of it. You can read more about coconut oil on many sites, including Dr. Mercola's site. Like so many other things that are good for us, coconut oil has been the victim of a smear campaign for many years by marketers whose interestes are vested. It's a shame. But by all means, try it and see how it feels for you, if you are feeling inclined to do so. Generally, 3 tablespoons a day are recommended.

As to your other questions. I am not an expert. I have not healed my own thyroid, despite several attempts. I take Armour Natural Thyroid, which is prescribed by Doctors. In fact, it is my one huge compromise in life. I am vegan-ish, but Armour Thyroid is made from dessicated pig thyroid. I will continue to find my own personal cure, and have initiated talks with my health care providers about switching drugs.

The problem, as I said, is that Synthroid, IMO, is an inferior drug. I never felt as well taking it as I do with Armour. Synthroid (which is the name brand) provides TSH, but lacks T3 and T4, which many practioners believe are necessary to feel well. Thyrolar is a newer drug that provides all three, but it needs refrigeration.

There is another drug (if memory serves, it's called Cytomel, but I'm not sure about that) that provides T3 and T4, so in conjunction with Synthroid, it may make a difference.

I would urge you once again to read the books written my Mary Shomon. You can probably buy them used and inexpensively on amazon.com, or half.com, or abesbooks.com. They provide a fabulous education about your thyroid. What I can tell you is minimal. And, steelrose, I think it would be best for you to become familiar with hypothyroidism before self-diagnosing your treatment.

Like you, I would prefer not relying on a drug for the rest of my life. I will continue to work on my cure. But for now...I prefer to feel better.

As for what can hurt your thyroid more...yes, there are things that can decrease the function of your thyroid further. Soy is commonly believed to further inhibit thyroid function, as well as certain cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Consume them in modest amounts.

Don't be angry with yourself. View this as an opportunity to become more familiar with a part of your body/your self. Yes, in the grandest of terms, you did it to yourself! And by that I mean that all that exists in your life, you have created; the good, the bad, the beautiful, etc. So see this is an opportunity.

Have you read through the symptoms of hypothyroidism? Do you feel any of them apply to you?

I'm afraid at the moment I must go, but will try to write more. Here is a link for you:
http://thyroid.about.com/blthyroid.htm

I would read everything ever written by Mary Shomon, and familiarize myself with this condition.

Don't fret, dear one. Yes, you can heal your thyroid.

posted September 08, 2006 05:08 PM         

OK, symptoms…

• Weight gain – Not really… My weight is about 10st (around 60kg) and I’m 5ft7inch tall (1’65 m) Not skinny but slender… You can see me here: http://groups.msn.com/LindalandPhotoShop/steelrose.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1932
  I have no trouble losing weight, in fact I have lost a bit recently… My diet is low in fat because I like eating healthy… Not much exercise though…
  
• Constipation – I had a tendency to that but I normally don’t have problems because my diet includes enough veggies and fibre.
  
• Exhaustion – A bit… I have a stressful life, only come home to sleep Always slept long hours, an average of 10 to feel energetic and I only can scratch an average of 6 during the week.
  
• Depression – Yes, maybe… I have been feeling a bit down for the last 3 years. Demotivate and sad. Several heartbreaks and coming close to 30, you know Trying to figure out my life purpose.
  
• Mood change – No
  
• Irregular menstrual cycles – I used to be very irregular. But I’ve been OK for the last 5 years or so. Long periods but regular.
  
• Difficulty in concentrating – It was never a problem… Maybe a bit more now because I’m more demotivated…
  
• Dry hair, skin – Not really…
  
• Hair falling out – I always lost hair… My hair is long and fully bodied though…
  
• Snoring – No
  
• Lack of sex drive – Never was a problem Maybe a bit less interested recently…
  
• Vertigo – No
  
• Difficulty in breathing – No
  
• Infecctions – Common in my throat.
  

posted September 23, 2006 12:03 AM         

I have hypothyroidism as well. DITTO to everything Trillian said (except that I'm not vegan).

I tried Synthroid, and it did nothing for me. I had to go to several doctors to find one that would prescribe Armour Thyroid. To me it was worth it. It contains T4 & T3 naturally.

I got the book "The Thyroid Diet" by Mary Shomon. I just started reading it, but it already covered some of the DON'TS, like soy & cruciferus veggies (which I already knew about).

Maybe between us all we can find the answers.