Natural treatments for hypothyroidism focus on proper nutrition that will support the immune system and exercise to improve circulation since this is an autoimmune disease. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the cause of hypothyroidism 90% of the time. Some people change back and forth between hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid).
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid, located in the front of the neck, helps to regulate the metabolism and calcium. The hormones made by the thyroid affect how the body uses energy. People feel fatigued, weak, may have memory problems or feel cold. Cholesterol levels can get higher, raising the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Anyone can have hypothyroidism, but women over 60 are most at risk. This thyroid problem tends to run in families.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause. The thyroid gland is unable to produce sufficient thyroid hormone because the immune system attacks thyroid tissue. If a cancerous thyroid is removed or treated with radiation therapy, hypothyroidism is an expected side effect. Iodine deficiency, lithium or a viral infection may also cause hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone treatment is usually successful but will likely be life-long and will need to be monitored or symptoms will reoccur.
Natural Remedies for Hypothyroidism
A natural whole food, gluten-free diet is critical to thyroid management. Some foods will supply iodine while others should never be eaten raw and only eaten once in a while when cooked. Exercise is necessary to maintain general body health and support the struggling immune system.
Foods That Supply Iodine to Help the Thyroid Function Better
Seaweed (kelp, dulce and nori), shellfish and ocean fish are excellent sources of iodine.
Low fat cheese, yogurt and ice cream, eggs and cow’s milk are also good sources.
Many people do not receive enough iodine from their diet. The average iodine intake per person in the U.S. used to be 250 mcg; it is now 157 mcg. While sea salt has traces of many minerals, it does not have as much iodine as iodized table salt. If you prefer sea salt, iodized sea salt is an option.
Exercise
Regular, daily exercise is important in order to effectively deal with hypothyroidism. Exercise will also help with stress reduction, an important component of a treatment regimen.
Nutrition – Gluten-free and Whole Foods
Proper nutrition is a crucial part of any home treatment for hypothyroidism. A gluten-free diet is necessary, as the molecular structure of gluten and thyroid tissue is almost identical. Eating gluten increases the autoimmune attack on the thyroid. Whole, organic foods will help strengthen the malfunctioning immune system and are indispensable to any home treatment for hypothyroidism. This should not be a low-carb diet. It should include protein in every meal, healthy fat, selenium, B and D vitamins.
Avoid Foods Containing Goitroens
Goitroens, which lower thyroid function, make hypothyroidism worse. This anti-thyroid property of foods containing goitroens may be inactivated by cooking, but anyone with hypothyroidism should eat the following list of foods sparingly, if at all.
- Nuts: almonds, pine nuts, peanuts
- Any vegetable in the broccoli family: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
- Green leafy vegetables: kale, mustard and spinach
- Fruit: pears and peaches
- Misc.: Turnips, corn, millet, soy (isoflavones block iodine), canola oil, caffeine and sugar
Home remedies for hypothyroidism focus on supplying the thyroid what is needed and avoiding foods that will lower thyroid function on a thyroid that is already struggling. Staying gluten-free will be essential for this autoimmune disease. The treatment regimen also includes daily exercise.
Additional Pages of Interest:
Chronic Fluoride Poisoning Q&A by Jason Uttley
Supplemental Iodine
Coconut Oil Remedies
Reply to Lois.
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.
I was diagnosed with low thyroid. I have worked my way up to taking 15 drops of 12% solution of lugol's iodine, over the last 11 months. With all the the necessary supported supplements. I salt load twice a day. This has helped me a lot and got rid of most of my symptoms. I no longer needed to take NDT. Now I am getting aching joints, sleepless nights and low energy ( what I see as low thyroid symptoms, just like in the beginning. ) When I increase to 20 drops a day, I feel better, am I taking too much, I'm just a little concerned as to what the limit is on the amount of Lugols to take? Thank you in advance.
Hi Paula…I think that you are taking too much lugol's iodine. Your dose is too high. The recommended dosage for low thyroid is 8 drops of 5% Lugol's Iodine per day(or 50mgs iodine/day). Taking this dose should easily alleviate or cure a low thyroid condition provided that you are taking all the advised minerals and supplements as well.
Taking 20 drops of 12% lugols is quite a high dose which I doubt that you need. That dose is equivalent to taking 120 mgs of iodine per day. Such a high dose should only be taken for cyst problems or something more serious. And since you have been taking iodine, at a high dose, for the last 11 months then it will probably help if you reduce your drop dosage to 2 drops a day which is equivalent to 9.3 mgs iodine(at 4.65 mgs per drop for 12% lugols iodine). This should be quite sufficient to properly replenish your iodine stores on a daily basis.
More details on supplementing lugol's iodine for you here:
The Guide to Supplementing Lugol's Iodine
LI Companion Nutrients
Possible insight into relationship between hypo symptoms and estrogen:
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.
Cayenne for hypothyroid:
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.
Hi All,
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
Ali,
Although many people recommend the use of "painting" iodine onto the skin as a method of absorbing iodine into the body, it is a very poor way to go as 88% is lost to evaporation and only 12 % actually becomes available within the body. This may explain your lack of response to your use of iodine.
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/updates/UNIOD-02/UNIOD_02.htm
Art
I forgot to mention that people think because the iodine color dissipates that the iodine has been absorbed, but the salt in the skin slowly oxidizes the iodine to form iodide which is colorless and is still on the skin. In any case, if you are buying iodine, it seems like a waste of money to get just 12% absorption.
Art
Hi Art,
Thanks for your response to my request for info on iodine painting. The link you supplied was most interesting. You made an excellent point. I will ask my Dr. to check my iodine level before I proceed with the painting. A big thanks to Earth Clinic for the update on the harm caused by fluoride in our water supply as well as from other sources which affects the thyroid.
On closing, would just like to add that I received some info from Erfa, the company that supplies our NDT here in Canada. Gluten was listed as one of the fillers, I was very disappointed as I had just spent the last month trying to eliminate gluten from my diet, hoping to get the weight issue under control .Still no word from erfa as to weather or not their natural thyroid has been checked for traces of ractopamine. I am beginning to think I will never get this hypo-thyroid thing under control. It is so disheartening.
Wishes for health and wellness to all. Ali
Hi Ali…One of the main reasons that you may not be getting anywhere with your suspect thyroid problem is that the main TSH/T4 checks that the doctors run on your thyroid can be wildly inaccurate. That's a well known fact. Also patented thyroid meds usally only contain T4 and no T3. Triiodothyronine(T3) is the important active thyroid hormone that usually causes all the thyroid problems. So why are the mainstream docs only testing the TSH and T4 levels and medicating with synthetic T4 hormones? In the 1970s, for reasons completely unknown, the docs were suddenly advised(by the drugs companies) to change from testing T3 to just testing TSH/T4. I'm still trying to work that one out…
The other point is that you will need to take more than just iodine to cure a suspect hypothyroid problem that the docs can't confirm. You could try supplementing the Iodine protocol as advised here and here. I would also strongly advise that you should see an iodine-literate doc to help you with this, as hypothyroid problems are not so simple and can be highly individual and complex — many other adverse factors can also be play their part such as diet, liver, adrenals etc.See this website for more info on how to get your thyroid checked properly. This website also has advice on how to find an iodine-literate doc who might also be able to help you.
I still take my lugol's iodine every day — 6 to 8 drops (usually between 37 mgs to 50 mgs) per day. I've been taking this Iodine Protocol for nearly 10 years with no adverse effects. I'm one of the lucky ones. My body is detoxed and clean and fed with love and tender care. Others, when they first start taking lugol's iodine, can't even take one drop without going into a hyper or highly agitated or anxious state. But that's not the fault of the iodine — that reaction is caused by poor personal diet and lifestyle which is due to lack of proper nutrients and poisons in their diet that has persisted — unchecked –for decades. Some articles and further clarification on this and other aspects of iodine for health shown here and here.
Ali,
One thing you can try is using a thermometer under your arm to check your temperature first thing upon awakening in the morning. It should be very close to 98 degrees. If it is lower than that, you may be iodine deficient. Not as accurate as what your doctor can probably find out, but it should give you a clue .
Art
Hi Art ( California ) Thanks for the suggestion that I try taking my temp. on waking as a way to check for low iodine.I will do immediately before I get up. I have a Dr. appt. in two weeks so will request a test than. In the mean time will check this out and hope for a 98.6 reading. As I recall, that is considered normal.
Will also ask about having adrenals checked. I noticed when I had my natural desiccated thyroid dose doubled a month ago, that my skin felt a little itchy and the last week I don't sleep as well and feel little edgy. It might be a little to much, so I take the full dose of 60mg and alternate to 30mg the next day.I may just be feeling edgy from cutting my tea intake . Never realized how much fluoride I was consuming in those six cups a day. Have cut back to two now. Our water supply does not have added fluoride, Thank goodness.
Thanks Art, it is so great knowing that people care enough to take time from their busy lives to give helpful advice to others who are searching for answers. I have learned so much from those who took the time to post on this site. Gratefully, Ali
Hi Bill, (San Fernando, Philippines) Thanks for the links you supplied, I will be ordering a saliva Cortisol test, I did not know it was available without a prescription. I was diagnosed with hypo-thyroid about a year ago after many tests. I have been taking natural desiccated thyroid since that time. Just had my dose upped a month ago after my attempt at iodine painting.
Where you hypo- thyroid before you started on the iodine protocol ? If so do you still take natural thyroid? Thanks again for the links, tons of great info. I read somewhere that thyroid meds should be taken after the blood has been collected for the test, Any thoughts on this? Wishing you good health. Ali
You might be interested in the Iodine Workshop group on Facebook.
My doctor tried to put me on levothryoid for my hypo-thyroidism. I was allergic to it. So I went to a homeopathic dr., and he put me on 2 drops of emulsified vitamin D. When tested a couple of months later, my thyroid levels are now perfectly normal.
Most doctors know hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease. But most patients don't. The reason doctors don't tell their patients is simple: it doesn't affect their treatment plan.
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
Thanks so much for all the posts!! My T4 is 2.04, a bit high, T3 is 139, middle, but my TSH is 0.024, very very low, the synthroid 0.088 made me so sick, I'm afraid to take it now. But reading this site has been so helpful. I'm getting almost everything on here to try to help the tsh,, if there's something else you know that could help me I would be very thankful.
I just joined this site after reading on many subjects over the last week. It's very informative and I'm thankful to have found it.
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.
Hi Bonbon…The alternative regimen you should always follow for lugols iodine supplementation crucially also includes taking the companion nutrients as well. This includes taking vitamins and minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, niacin, B6, Vitamin C, etc on a daily basis with the LI.
This iodine regimen will not just benefit your thyroid. The iodine, vitamin C and niacin will all act to also help reduce your blood pressure issues too.
I'm 64 years old and I've been supplementing 8 drops of iodine with water for the last 8 years due to the severe lack of iodine in food today. I have no aches and pains, heart good, no digestive problems, have lots of energy, sleep well, BP 110/70 and feel about 35 y o.
Supplementing Lugol's Iodine in the correct daily amounts will also help to correct menstrual issues, stop cyst formation and it will help you to automatically lose weight if you are overweight. Iodine also seems to act as an all round hormone balancer and stabilizer for the body's other hormone systems.
References:
A Guide to Iodine Supplementation
More Info on Iodine Companion Nutrients
Recommended Proper Lab Work for Thyroid Issues
Hypothyroid and High Blood Pressure
Bonbon, You need an MD to test your thyroid levels, and probably need some synthetic thyroid hormone. Even though iodine is right for some of the people who have hypothyroidism, you must find out just what your problem is first, before starting to take iodine. I say this because your body may not need iodine at all…and you even might be hurting yourself, if your body doesn't need it, by taking it. Low body temperature can be an indicator of low thyroid function. After seeing a doctor, then ask him if iodine would help you or not.
Also, blood pressure issues are not necessarily from lack of iodine. More likely you need to add some synthetic thyroid hormone, which I find works best, after getting an MD to check your thyroid levels. I am hypothyroid, meanwhile my blood pressure is low….I believe these 2 facts are related.
Bonbon, First go to an endocrinologist, so you can find out why you have thyroid problems. It could be that taking iodine won't help you at all, depending on the reason why you have thyroid problems. Even worse, iodine could be something that is causing you health problems if your case isn't one where the problem is that “you're just lacking iodine”. What you probably might need if you are just running a little low on thyroid, is to take a small amount of Levothyroxine or Synthroid. As we women age, sometimes our bodies produce less thyroid. Feeling cold is a symptom of low thyroid. If this is the case, then adding a little amount of Levothyroxine is perfect, because once you find the minimum amount that you need to add, then your body will add the exact amount you need to the meds, because your body can tell or sense how much it needs. My thyroid gland doesn't produce any thyroid hormone because my thyroid gland was ablated by radioactive iodine when I was 5, so when I take the Levothyroxine meds, then I'm stuck with whatever level is in my blood…my body can't sense and then add the exact, right amount like yours probably can….you see, maybe yours is just a little low, but mine doesn't make any at all.
Hi Everyone…..I have a quick question….does anyone know why every time I attempt to use enzymes, it always cause a burning sensation in my stomach….I am hypothyroid and always feel like anything I eat is not digested the way it should….any advice would be helpful….Thank you…
Lauren, can you experiment with a MUCH lower amount?
Hi Lauren xxx
Go to a website called 'stop the thyroid madness' lots of information and what to do to help yourself on there.
Love Andrea C xx
Thyroid: what is the recomended T3 level? Mine is 4.4, my t4 is 10.1 ans s-tsh is 4.27
Shiehaam, When your blood tests come back from your doctor, then ask for a copy of them. They have the normal ranges printed right there on the paperwork. Also, ask your doctor for a 3rd generation tsh test, instead of a 1st generation one because the 3rd generation test shows results that are much more precise, whereas the 1st generation tsh test is less precise, and only somewhat guesses at what normal is.
Shiehaam, The normal ranges for thyroid tests are printed on the test results. Get a copy of the lab results from your doctor.
Hi Ec….Does anyone know if its safe to use Charcoal for internal cleansing if you are hypothyroid? Please advise….Thanks
Dear Lauren,
I have used charcoal (internally and externally) for years. I also am hypothyroid, though currently symptom free. I just am careful not to take charcoal within two hours of supplements that I take for my thyroid, or any supplements. I have never had a problem with it.
I love charcoal…it is inexpensive, easily accessible, safe and effective.
Have a great day!
~Mama to Many~
To mama to many — just curious what have you used charcoal on externally. Thanks
Dear Suseeq,
I have used charcoal in poultices externally on me and my children and most recently on my father…here are some things on which I have used charcoal…
-insect stings (spider bites, tick bites, bee stings) to draw out the poison and reduce pain and swelling.
-skin infections or wounds that look like they might become infected.
-infected finger (at the nail area. I have seen the poultices draw pus out over several overnight applications.)
-staph infection on the skin (in conjunction with other remedies internally.)
-over a surgical site that I was concerned could become infected.
-over the ovary area for cyst pain.
-mixed in water and strained out to use in the eye for pinkeye or in the ear for an ear infection.
-packed into the hoof a a goat with a hoof infection.
-poison ivy.
-eczema.
Charcoal draws out infection and reduces inflammation. It has been effective for our family in so many ways that I never hesitate to use it.
Have a great day!
~Mama to Many~
Tthank you, mama to many, charcoal is a very handy thing to keep on hand. I didn't know it can do so many things. I always keep it but I'll use more from now on, thanks again
Thank you Mama to many for your response. You are very kind and helpful always. I am curious though…..what did you do to become symptom free from thyroid disease? I have been trying for the past four years to achieve that….I mean I feel like I have taken every vitamin out there, I have drunk every green juice on this earth, I rarely eat junk food and yet I am struggling especially since menopause…any suggestions would greatly help….thank you so much
Dear Lauren,
I would be happy to share what I have tried for my low thyroid…I hope it will be helpful to you. Of course you may have already tried these things if you have been working on healing for so long. It sure can be vexing to try remedy after remedy and not find the answer.
Currently I am taking 2 droppers of Lugol’s 2% iodine and 200mcg of Selenium. I take Vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin D as needed. I use Celtic Sea Salt daily. For a long time I was using 2 T. of extra virgin coconut oil daily, but I have gotten lax about that. We are on well water so I don’t have to worry about the chlorine or fluoride in the water, which apparently can be an issue for some. I eat a pretty good but far from perfect diet. I eat a lot of whole foods but it is not all organic or anything. We eat out some and I love chocolate. 🙂 I try not to worry so much about what I am consuming when out with friends as it is important to me to be able to enjoy times with friends and family without having to stress about food. I think what I eat cheerfully probably is better for my heath than what I don’t eat fearfully, if that makes sense.
That is the short answer…here is a longer version with some other thoughts. Four years ago I was having unquenchable thirst. 20 cups of water a day and I still had a dry mouth. I went to a doctor who tested me for thyroid issues. My thyroid was off and I started to take a low dose of synthroid. My mouth was not dry any more, but I felt awful and my hair was falling out in handfuls. So, I quit synthroid and tried other things. I know the next time I had bloodwork, maybe 6 months later, my thyroid was still off, though I didn’t feel as bad as I had on synthroid. But a year or two later, my bloodwork showed the thyroid to be working. Apparently you can have normal blood numbers and still have a thyroid issue, so I tend to go by how I feel. If I run out of iodine, my dry mouth symptoms return. But it took me a year or two to get the right amount of iodine for me.
So, I wish that this would work for everyone. It seems to work for some. But it seems that everyone is different and there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Some people need to add dessicated thyroid to what they take. Maybe the stuff I am doing only works because of other stuff I am doing and I am unaware of the connection. I do try to walk regularly. I use Apple Cider Vinegar most days. I took Burdock Root for neuropathy for 6 or 12 months. I take 3 capsules of Borage oil daily to help skin issues. Sometimes I take turmeric. Maybe one of those things helps the other stuff to work for me. And but for the grace of God, none of this would work.
If you don’t mind a bit of rambling, I think health is related to things beyond just our intake. I think what we eat is important, but there are so many things that also affect our health. A few years ago I read about a study that linked heart problems and high cholesterol to stress and not to diet. Thousands of years ago, Solomon said that a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor who was imprisoned under dreadfully inhumane conditions with very little and poor quality food, and yet he went on to live quite a long and productive life. God was sustaining him in spite of a horrendous diet and living conditions.
It puzzles me that my children’s health is not identical. They eat the same food, have the same genes, live in the same house. But they recover differently from sickness. One has had some chronic health problems. So, I have to conclude that there is more to it than just supplements and diet. I know people that have “near perfect” diets that still struggle with health problems. I had a friend who had an amazing diet and was so sweet and cheerful and she died of cancer. There are just some things that are beyond our control. (Lots of things, really! )
Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble there a little.
Oh, and I am blessed to not yet be dealing with menopause. That will be a whole new set of things to learn about…I am 47, so I am figuring sooner than later. Anyway, I have read a little bit about Dong Quai and Black Cohosh for menopause symptoms and those will be some things I may try when I get to that point.
Well, keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!
~Mama to Many~
Hi Mama to many…..Thanks a million for your detailed response. You couldn't be more right when you said that sometimes its not just about the diet but many other factors contribute towards illness. I can attest to that cause that's exactly how my life played out….a lot of stress on a daily basis….maybe that's why I can't regain true health. But I am not a quitter…I keep pressing on with the good Lord by my side and hopefully one fine day, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Anyways, thank you again for taking the time to answer my query with such detail. I really do appreciate it and yes I will let you know what worked for me if I find something that does…..I heard about a product called Thyrogold that I am thinking of trying cause I don't want to be on medication all my life. Have you heard of this and if so, what are your thoughts? Looking forward to hearing from you, Take care and have a blessed day….
Dear Lauren,
I admire your attitude!
I have never used Thyrogold, not have known anyone to. However, when I read about it online, it seems like something I would try if I were wanting to get off medications and what I was trying was not working. So much of what I have learned has been trial and error on myself.
Have you ever read any of Dr. John Lee’s books? I have his book called, “What Your Doctor May not tell you about Premenopause.” He also has one for menopause. His writing is somewhat technical, but also interesting and helpful. I mention this because in his Premenopause book, he talks some about thryoid, particularly its relationship to other hormones. The premenopause book is directed towards women in the 30-50 age range and the menopause one for 50 and over. You have obviously done your research and tried many things…there may be a few more “stones to unturn” in his writings.
Keep in touch and God bless.
~Mama to Many~
Thank you Mama to many….I definitely would check out the books…never thought of that and I am a reader….thanks for that tip…take care and have a blessed day……
"Mama to Many" mentioned she wasn't worried about her water because she has well water. I got sick in 2000 with "fibromyalgia" and had a heavy metal test done and arsenic was high. My test said sources of arsenic were well water or run off from an orchard. Had my well water tested and there was arsenic in it, but the fluoride levels in the water were even worse. My 440 foot deep well had less than a grain of hardness (old well had 55 grains of hardness), so I never thought to get the water tested. Just because it is well water doesn't mean it is safe. Fluoride can be naturally occuring as well as heavy metals. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are the same as chronic fluoride poisoning:
http://www.life-enthusiast.com/fluoride-the-cause-of-fibromyalgia-a-3782.html
Ivy
Wow Ivy, thanks for sharing that! It is good to know. It never occurred to me that well water could have flouride in it. I knew what I was dealing with with our water since we had it tested when we moved to our current home. It was orange and we wanted to know what we were dealing with (Turns out it was manganese, which is easily filtered with charcoal.) I should not have assumed that well water in general does not have flouride! I agree that well water is not always safe! Years ago my children were all of a sudden vomiting and had no fever or other symptoms. We finally realized it was when they drank water. We had it tested and it had bacteria in it. We had to treat our well. I guess the moral of the story is that people on well water should get water tests to make sure they know what they are dealing with… Thanks again for the helpful information! ~Mama to Many~
There are SO many external forces that can undermine your health. It is SO true. We all are different, so can I just say LISTEN to your body, and be sensitive to how you are made. Don't let anyone tell you what is right for YOU. Be it a Dr, friend, relative or family, though they may mean well, NO ONE lives in your skin. So get attuned to your body, be kind to it, and gentle. And it never hurts to keep a wellness journel, so you can possibly pinpoint what changed or helped.
My reply to Mama of Many regarding your well water… it's easy to think it's safer than city water. But my brother in law's family were on a well, and two of their four children were diagnosed with diabetes, insulin dependent. It's very sad because now they have to be on diabetic meds for the rest of their lives. They traced the issue to pesticide run off from the farms around their property. So please get your water checked (if you haven't already).
And thank you for sharing your remedies for hypothyroid. I am hypo, and take iodine daily, plus all the vitamins I can afford.
Best wishes, Lauren
Lauren, Your children do not have to be on medications for the rest of their lives…Go to watercure2.org. Then read the testimonials for the close to 50 diseases…Bob Butts will have a coach call you (On their dime) and walk you through the simple procedure…It's ALL free as Mr. Butts cured himself of cancer and is spreading the word about his cure and many other cures through a web site and radio show…He should be sainted…
I am avid supporter of selenium and have been for years. Selenium sources are just as important as the trace mineral itself. Brazil nuts vary widely in their selenium content depending on the soil content where they were grown. I swear by an organic high-selenium yeast with a broad spectrum of selenoproteins because it is safe and guaranteed.
Iodine and selenium are great tools for thyroid health.
Also, a great iron source is Floradix. One of the best organic iron sources out there with superior absorption.
For every good product there are always a plethora of crappy and ineffective ones. Do your research, when you get supplements, choose a pharmaceutical-grade quality instead of wasting your money at grocery stores and retail chains.
Hello mama to many, I know this post was very old, but just came across it. Was curious how much synthroid you took in the beginning? how did you "manage" to get a dr to prescribe the blood work if you were not taking the medicine? I do not have hair falling out, but have mercury toxicity we are working on slowly, but I'm wondering how many of my symptoms are from syntroid or exacerbated by it? I DO have hashimotos also, had a hot nodule and stupidly ( because I felt so bad, and just WANTED relief) took the radioactive iodine, it was probably 8 months then went hypo and 3 weeks after starting synthroid, my sleep stopped or went to 4 hours max. which then snowballed into all this other stuff. Im just searching for hope in the middle of this mercury madness.
Thanks for any input!
Dear I.M Trying
To answer your question…
I first went to a doctor not knowing why I had excessive thirst, thinking it was diabetes. Tests said it was low thyroid. I was given 25 or maybe 50 mg of Synthroid, which I took for about 3 months. When I was retested in that time, my thyroid number was okay, but I was not and ended up weaning off Synthroid and trying natural remedies. A couple of years later I had blood work done for pregnancy and they checked my thyroid as a matter of course. I didn’t mention that I was taking iodine or other supplements. My thyroid level was normal.
I never did have the more complex thyroid panels done. In recent years I can only go by how I feel. If I run out of iodine, my dry mouth comes back. I was not diagnosed with Hashimoto’s specifically, though I wouldn’t be surprised if that would have been diagnosed had I had further testing or gone to an endocrinologist as I had another autoimmune issue going on at the time.
All that to say, I don’t know if iodine would work for you or not. Some say iodine is bad for those with Hashimoto’s. Others say it is necessary. You may want to read what Dr. Brownstein has to say about thyroid and iodine.
And you are dealing with the mercury toxicity, another layer.
I would encourage you to keep reading on EC. You may find another story or two here that will resonate with your situation. Surely you will get many ideas for things to try; just don't try too many at once or you won't know what is helping or not. The wellness tips page is one place to start if you haven't checked it out already.
Keep us posted!
~Mama to Many~
Thank you so much!!! I appreciate you responding, I will read what Dr. Brownstein wrote and discuss with my naturopath.
My reply to "Lauren" (great name btw :-). My brother in law and his family live in the agricultural basin of California (from Sacramento all the way down to below Bakersfield) and were on well water. Two of their four children got diabetes while teenagers, and are on diabetes medications for life. I always suspected it was due to pesticide run-off.
It pays to test your well water and not 'assume' that it is safe. Our underground water is not as pure as it used to be.
All the best,
Lauren
Hi everyone.. My dilema is to whether to ingest 3 tablespoon of organic virgin coconut oil or best to cook with it or do I need to do both to help my hypothyroid condition which has really slows my metabolism down and cause weight gain.. Pls earth clinic help me
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.
Hi am 38 years old on thyroxine for the last 8 years. Ihave been feeling very tired and irratable lately . After reading many post about coconut oil and apple cider vinegar I myself sees difference in my health after starting as in am feeling not as tired and less irratable.
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.
Dear Dee,
Glad to hear that the ACV and coconut oil are helping. I find them helpful, too.
Regarding kelp versus potassium iodide….well, I have tried both in my family. The thing is that if you are truly deficient in iodine, which so many of us are, you would need a lot of kelp to get the amount needed. I don't personally notice much difference when I take kelp. But some do.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago. I took a very small dose of levothyroxine and it made me feel much worse. (But my doctor assured me that I was better since my labwork looked good.) Well, I ended up going off the medication and trying natural stuff. It took some time but I did find things that helped me. ACV and coconut oil being some of them. But potassium iodide made the biggest difference for me. I take Iodoral (the pill form of Lugol's.) I take 1 12.5 mg tablet a day (12.5 iodine/potassium iodide.) Iodine supplements should be taken with Selenium and B-complex. Some also include vitamin C.
If you take some time to read people's stories on Earth Clinic's Iodine page and Hypothyroid page, you can read a lot about what people do and what helps. The one thing is that different things help different people. Some feel a lot better taking iodine. Others do not.
You may find that you need less of your thyroid medicine if you supplement with iodine. It might be helpful to try Lugol's iodine (the liquid form) as it is easier to take less and build up to more.)
Keep us posted on your progress.
~Mama to Many~
Hi Dee…If you have a hypothyroid condition, then this is a condition that occurs when you have low iodine levels in the body and perhaps a lack of certain critical minerals in your body as well. Most people are low thyroid these days but if you lack certain mineral anti-oxidants in your body — like magnesium, zinc or glutathione peroxidase — this can even cause or aggravate hypothyroid and thyroiditis problems.
The protocol that you should be using is the full Lugol’s Iodine Protocol with Companion Nutrients. Never take Lugol’s Iodine just on it’s own for reasons that are all explained here in this link. This link, which is a short excerpt from my book on Candida, describes, in detail, the reasons and causes for higher dose iodine problems.
If you are hypothyroid, it might also benefit you to supplement a natural bio-identical thyroid from bovine or porcine sources(such as Nature Thyroid for example) which contains real T1, T2, T3, T4 and calcitonin (hormone that controls bone formation). This form of thyroid is all natural, whereas allopathic equivalents like Synthroid only contains synthetic T4 to control the thyroid via the TSH from the Pituitary gland.
More reasons to use natural dessicated thyroid.
The Iodine Protocol with companion nutrients should definitely help to relieve your hypothyroid problems. A good series of books has been written by Dr Brownstein to help people to more understand and naturally resolve their own thyroid problems and these are:
Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t live Without It
Overcoming Thyroid Disorders
The Miracle of Natural Hormones
If you prefer to use the potassium iodide then just buy some SSKI (Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide) from the health shop or from ebay.com and take one drop of SSKI in water or juice twice a day. One drop of SSKI is equivalent to 25 mgs of iodide. Therefore 2 drops is 50 mgs which is the minimum dose you should be taking for hypothyroid. Always take the iodine/iodide companion nutrients if you take this as a supplement to avoid problems.
Personally, I would rather take either lugol’s iodine or Iodoral (LI in a pill) for thyroid problems because it does much more than just iodide alone. Iodide is a very useful antioxidant that is needed for absorption by the thyroid gland. Lugol’s Iodine contains iodide and elemental iodine that react together in solution to also produce Tri-iodide(same as nascent iodine) in this reaction:
I2 + I– « » I3-
And as you can see, lugol’s iodine contains all three useful forms iodide/iodine/triiodide, which is much more beneficial for the whole body’s absorption of iodine(not just for the thyroid).
If you have your thyroid checked by the doc then do not have the TSH test — this test is very inaccurate because it only checks T4 levels(inactive form). Get the Free T3/Free T4 blood check for a more accurate check of your thyroid hormone levels. Insist on this from your doctor. If you doctor won’t do the Free T3/Free T4 test then find another doctor or naturopath that will do it.
If you supplement iodine then you should also avoid all foods containing dairy and soy — calcium and soy are goitrogens that tend to inhibit the absorption of iodine into the body and the cells.
What might also help you is to have a hair analysis(not expensive). This will tell you exactly what minerals you are lacking in diet and will also tell you what heavy metals and other poisons like chlorine, fluorine and bromine that you have in excess in your body(which are detrimental to the thyroid gland). This will allow you to more fine tune your protocols to address these mineral deficiencies and other problems concerning chelation and removal of excess heavy metals and halides in the body.
HI Mama to Many. First of all thank you so much for responding me I always read your posts on this site . They are all so useful and I cannot Belive that somebody I adore responded me.. I will definately try liquid pottasium iodide with selenium (can I eat 3 brazil nuts instead selenium pill) and b complex as you suggested.
Am lacking iron (stopped taking iron tablets now sick of taking them) and b12 (taking shots regularly) and vitamin d too. And I am vegetarian not vegan. Its feel so good that somebody lives so far understood my pain and took some time out to respond me back. Thank you so much!!! Am not feeling alone now. Take care.
Dear Bill, thank you million for all the information you shared. I will go for a tFfree t3 and t4 test and also hair analysis test too . And also thank u So much for all the info regarding iodine and how to take it.. Am on the path to heal my self naturally . Your time and support means a lot to me.. This site is amazing!!!! I put my husband on ACV for his allergies issue and heseems to start believing in natural products now.. Thank again. God bless you!!!
Dear Dee,
Hi again! Regarding using Brazil nuts instead of a Selenium supplement, I think that is a good idea. Whenever possible, I like to get the needed nutrients from food. Then they are perfectly balanced with other needed nutrients. I think the recommendation for Brazil nuts is 1 or 2 nuts a day (ideally, one and a half! )
Have you considered Blackstrap Molasses for your iron? It has helped me greatly with pregnancy related anemia. It is wonderfully nutritious. I once saw a naturopath who put almost all of her patients on Blackstrap. She must have seen great results from it. (1 Tablespoon per day.)
Keep us posted on your progress! God bless you!
~Mama to Many~
Hi. I have been under active for nearly 18 years following my last pregnancy. Tuesday I have to have a fine needle biopsy done on my thyroid due to a cyst. Scared!!!!!! A have a build up of calcium that was detected it blood tests and the cyst in an ultra sound I'm on 150 mg thyroxine tablets but today have started taking ACV and Coconut Oil. I have lost 43 kg in weight since 2013 and have that to loose again.
This morning I out 1 tsp coconut oil in my fresh green juice and couldn't taste it at all. I will do this twice daily.
I put 1 dsp ACV in warm water and took this afterwards. I will try and do this three times a day.
Do you think I'm taking enough of the vinegar and oil? Thanks
Dear Sheryl,
When I am taking Coconut Oil for medical purposes, I take up to 3 Tablespoons a day. But less may work fine for you. You could up it slowly and see what you think.
A total of 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar a day is helpful for many people for a variety of conditions. Others end up taking 2 or 3 Tablespoons a day. Again, you could increase if you like and see what you think.
The calcium build would make me suspect the body needs more magnesium. If so, you could try a Tablespoon of Blackstrap Molasses a day, frequent Epsom Salt baths, or Natural Calm. I take about 1.5 teaspoons of that each night. (If you get loose stools, cut back some.)
Yes, getting a biopsy is scary! Let us know how it goes.
~Mama to Many~
Hi Dee, I believe that your problem is that the doctor is giving you way too much thyroid meds. I took 150 mcg when I was a small child because children require more. But as we age, we require less, so a doctor put me on only 100 mcg for over 40 years! Now I realized that the reason why I always feel exhausted is because I need to split the tab, take part in the morning, and part before bed….it was still too much at 100 mcg to take all at once. Your doctor is probably wrong that “you're fine because the test came back normal”. Ask him or her for the more sensitive and precise 3rd generation tsh test, instead of the regular 1st generation one because it is much more exact. Doctors have a way of always saying they are right, or if you question them, then a lot of the time they say it's your fault, not theirs, whatever the problem is! If the doctor ignores you again by telling you there is nothing wrong, then it's time to say sayonara, baby, and get a different doctor that will listen to your problems and concerns, and try out different ideas that may help you. Some doctors that are not endocrinologist (and even some that are ) don't really know very much at all about thyroid disorder. My own Endocrinologist, Dr Yank Coble, had me on 100 mcg for over 40 years, meanwhile I constantly complained of horrible, daily exhaustion where I would sleep in a semi-comatose state for 8 or more hours a day, even though I got enough sleep at night and ate well. During my sleepy time I could be dehydrated, or famished but I was too weak to get up to get something to drink or some food…I must've been very close to death thousands of times. Meanwhile, Dr Coble went on to become the head of the American Medical Association and the head of the World Medical Society, yet he never really listened to my pleas for help, nor changed my dosage. Years later, one day I planned that I would get a written prescription for my blood work, and go get my blood drawn only when I became very exhausted, like what was happening to me, only when I had such exhaustion that I could barely stay awake….and that way I could find out whether my tiredness was due to my meds being too high or too low. The results came back showing a huge amount of T4 circulating in my blood, and an overly suppressed, very low, sub-normal reading on the TSH test. All of that means that I was over medicated on 100 mcg a day. So at that point I started splitting the tab, taking half in the morning and half at night. I also tried out only 88 mcg dosage. Both ways worked better than taking the 100 tab all at once. Now I split the 100 mcg, and even though I feel sleepy and sometimes have to take a nap, I'm not going into a semi-comatose state, and having to sleep 8-12 hours a day until the meds wear off some. Make your doctor allow you to see the results of your tsh test, and discuss it with you. Don't let him get away with just telling you, “you're fine….there is no problem….the test results are normal”. The tsh paperwork should show a range, like from 1 to 10 on it, and your tsh level should fall somewhere in the middle of that 1-10, or 1-5, or whatever the range is.
Lauren, I lowered my thyroid hormone, after being prescribed 100 mcg per day for almost 50 years. Today I took half of the 100 tab in the morning, and half at night. 150 mcg you say? That sounds way too high, …unless you weigh 200 lbs or more. The reason you get exhausted and irritable is because that dosage is way too high. I have been getting exhausted for years, so I decided to get a prescription for blood work, and to force myself to get the blood drawn when I was very exhausted, and could barely even stay awake. That way I could tell if my exhaustion was from the med being too high or too low. The results came back: a huge amount of thyroid hormone was circulating in my blood, and my tsh was a very small, below normal value…this means the medicine was way too high. Yet lowering the dosage made it be that I didn't get enough in a 24 hr time period. So splitting the tab was the best idea for me. 150 mcg is the amount I was on as a child, but as we grow to adulthood, we need far less…even the best endocrinologists don't always know what they are doing. My old endocrinologist became the head of the American Medical Association, and the World Medical society, yet he could never help me, as I was constantly beyond exhaustion, … he just kept giving me 100 mcg, never suggesting that the problem was that my dosage was too high, because he believed that giving me the largest amount of med I could possibly stand was a great idea. After all, my test results showed my tsh was in the normal range. But he was wrong because he was over suppresing my tsh, even though the test results were in the “normal” range, normal, for me, is a different number within that supposedly normal range. There are different tsh tests including 1st generation, and 3rd generation tsh tests. Try to get a 3rd generation test because the results are much more accurate. I found that I was actually being over medicated by taking the whole tab all at once. Now I split the tab and take half the 100 mcg in the morning and half at night. When you feel agitated, it means your dosage is too high. If your doctor won't allow you to lower the med, or want talk with you, or listen to your concerns and problems, then find another one, … perhaps an Endocrinologist knows better than a regular plain MD. Many people think the Doctor is their boss, but in reality, the best Doctors are the ones that listen well to your concerns, and then try new ways to make it better for you. Find someone willing to try new, different ways to help you, … Try lowering the tab to 100 mcg. If that doesn't work, then try splitting the tab in two and taking only part in the morning.