{Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.}
The Low Thyroid Epidemic
Thyroid problems are a growing mega-trend in America RIGHT NOW. You may have heard that your thyroid controls metabolism and works as the body's thermostat, but what is it?
It is the thyroid gland, lying in front of the throat below the Adam's apple and just above the breastbone, which regulates the rate at which the body utilizes oxygen and controls the rate at which various organs function and the speed with which the body utilizes food," Broda Barnes, M.D. in Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness.
The following signs and symptoms can indicate your thyroid function may be low:
- Can't lose weight
- Edema
- Depression
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Dry skin
- Sluggish, lack of initiative
- Chronic constipation
- Poor digestion
- SAD Seasonal affectiveness disorder
- Easily fatigued, sleepy
- Poor circulation
- Cold hands and feet
- Hair loss
- Waking body temperature of under 97.8 degrees
- Hormonal imbalance
- High cholesterol
If this describes you, it might be a good time to THYROID PROOF your diet!
How to support your thyroid naturally:
1) Add an abundance of "whole animal" proteins. Why? Your body (especially your liver) needs the amino acid balance that is achieved when you eat the "whole animal." When you eat only particular proteins from the animal, for example, mostly just muscle meats, your body trends toward inflammation.
2) Include more nutrient rich sources of sugar (read: carbohydrates). If the word "sugar" is scary to you or you have blacklisted it from your diet, you might want read this for some context.
3) Eat meals that support blood sugar balance. Poor blood sugar handling causes the adrenal glands to release stress hormones and signal the liver to break down proteins and fats for energy. This process releases amino acids that are anti-metabolic to our thyroid. “Muscle catabolism also releases a large amount of cysteine, and cysteine, methionine, and tryptophan suppress thyroid function,” Dr. Ray Peat, PhD.
4) Reduce plant toxins in the diet that can give the liver 'more work' to do as well as get the undigestable foods out of your diet (especial soy products). Instead focus on easy to digest foods that are high in nutrients while low in plant toxins.
5) Adopt a nutrition plan that gives you enough food and calories to support your body's cellular metabolism and energy production.
6) Reduce stress and get enough sleep. If you struggle with insomnia, these tips are for you.
7) Address vitamin A toxicity and be aware of the dangers of thyroid-suppressing fluoride and get tips on how to reduce your daily exposure.
8) Learn your copper, zinc and iron levels to see if any imbalances are impairing your body's ability to produce energy properly.
9) Address gut infections that can impair thyroid hormone conversion.
10) Find out what your calcium and potassium levels are using hair analysis. By assessing the ratio of your calcium to potassium levels, you can see how well your thyroid hormones are doing their job (high calcium levels slow down your body, especially when paired with low potassium levels). This allows you to make supplemental adjustments to bring the ratio into better balance, supporting healthy thyroid function naturally.
But wait — what about taking thyroid HORMONE instead?
I personally think taking thyroid hormone without a solid nutrition plan is a dangerous game plan. Why? Because hypothyroidism can be self-induced by not meeting your body's energy needs (ie. dieting and/or over exercising)!
{note: over-simplified analogy ahead}
Do you like credit cards? They have the amazing ability to let you spend money that you may or may not have. They can be an incredible tool for getting things you want, but they can also be very dangerous if the right money management is not in place to back up what you are "spending". So let's talk about why I see taking thyroid hormone as like using a credit card!
Let’s say you are Jane Doe, you feel tired, fatigued and feel like you have no energy — all the time. So you go to the doctor and he finds you have low thyroid function, and he puts you on Cytomel (T3) or some combination of T4 and T3. You may feel better because T3 is the body’s form of energy- so in a sense, you are taking an “easy button” to get more energy. With this increase in energy, you may start working out, doing more around the house, and all those things you need energy to do that you have missed. You feel a lot better at first, but then maybe you start feeling worse because you didn't change your diet and lifestyle habits to back up that energy production with a nutrient dense diet. So you go back to your doctor and he increases your dose...
What is the problem here? If you take thyroid medication without addressing the root cause behind it, which is most often a nutrient and cellular energy deficient, you are essentially purchasing that "increased energy" with a credit card! If your body doesn't have the nutritional stores to pay for that energy, that thyroid medication could be digging you deeper and deeper into a nutritional deficit.
I’m not saying that all thyroid replacement is bad, not at all. I do think there is a place for it, especially for those who have had their thyroid removed, and need it. The message I am trying to get across is that if your energy is low, then there is a nutritional aspect that needs to be addressed.
If you're ready to build your nutritional wealth with real food therapy so you can support your energy production and thyroid function naturally, subscribe below to get nutrition tips in your inbox every week!
Time to share YOUR thoughts — what do you think?
{Please note: I cannot legally give out specific advice to non-clients.}
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References:
Barnes, Broda. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspecting Illness. Harper and Row: New York, NY, 1976.
Induction of low-T3 syndrome in exercising women occurs at a threshold of energy availability. Loucks AB, Heath EM.Am J Physiol. 1994 Mar; 266(3 Pt 2):R817-23.
Peat, Ray. Tryptophan, serotonin, and aging. 2006. Retrieved on November 22, 2013 from http://raypeat.com/articles/aging/tryptophan-serotonin-aging.shtml
Weatherby, Dicken. “Liver and Gallbladder.” Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Nutritional Therapy Association, 2004. Print.
Photo Credits: Depositphotos.com
Nikki
I have been using coconut oil for the past 2 years and have been off my thyroid meds since. Just had blood work done again and my numbers are perfect. Coconut oil is wonderful and I don't know what I would do without it.
minnie
Nikki, i've read about coconut oil, can you share how do you use it?
Have you tried Seleniun?
Bryn
Minnie, I love just spreading it on toast like butter. I'm not a big fan of cooking plain eggs with it, but some people like it. Some people briskly blend a tablespoon or so in their coffee. It's excellent for cooking or frying, bur I understand you lose a small amount of the nutritional benefit past a certain heat. Even when you cook with it it has some substantial benefits, even over olive oil. It's fantastic for baking, especially scone-type things or anything with chocolate.. The flavor is perfectly complementary with chocolate.
Paula Henderson
I like it on a baked sweet potato for breakfast and a little in my coffee. Also when I stew apples or pears.
usgri begum
Please eat kind of coconut oil is this and where do u get them from
Gjina merditaj
I have a question did you decide yourself to stop taking the thyroid pill or did. Your levels become normal and the doctor told. You to stop? I have also started using coconut oil to but it's only been 2 months I'm dieing to talk to ppl who go through what I go through
Chris
hi Gjina, I have been on thyroid medication for 20 years after being diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (low thyroid). Several years ago under the guidance of a Naturopath I was told to wean dosage slowly over the period of a month & now use a Natural product called ThyAdren Support which helps my thyroid & adrenals. My thyroid is back to normal. I also drink coconut water 100% organic & take a desert spoon of coconut oil internally. I also use coconut oil to cook with. Hope this info may help you.
Pam
What kind of coconut oil are you taking and how much? Do you just eat it or put it in something? Thank you.
Paula Henderson
I put mine on a sweet potato which I eat for breakfast and I put some in my coffee. I also use it to stew or sautee apples and pears.
Annette
How much do you consume a day andante you on a vegan or regular diet
tammy
I ran out of coconut oil (I use it everyday in a cup of coffee) and keep forgetting to buy more. I can tell a difference, but really didn't think it was due to no coconut oil in my diet. This is good to know.
camille
Just had blood work done for my thyroid, im hypothyroid. Ive been doing everything natural, no synthroid, and the test results show my thyroid is fine, so why do i still have 10 of the symptoms of a low thyroid, if the levels are good. I eat lots of leafy greens, and eat healthy, i take supplements in place of synthroid, but still cannot lose weight no matter how hard i try, or what i take. I do not understand any of what is going on with my thyroid. Im a firm believer in coconut oil, chia seed, hemp seed, anything natural over a prescription pill. Any help here?
Jenn
Research iodine supplementation, also some thyroid problems have to do with auto immune disorder, like hashimotos, you have to keep getting tested and trying different things till you find what works for you. If you do have hashi's then you have to go really slow with the iodine supplementation when you start out.
camille
Can seeing an internal doctor help, because my regular gp, says my blood work shows my thyroid is its normal range, even though i still have all the symptoms of a low thyroid. I take selenium, zinc, bladderwrack, ashwagandha, iodine, vitamin A,C, B-complex, E, Calcium, Magnesium, daily. Still have no energy, cant lose weight....etc. Im at wits end on what to do next. Nothing is working. I even started taking synthroid again, thats did not work either. Any suggestions?
Nicole
Yes---get the free t3 and free t4 checked. If they are not in the upper range-check out stop the thyroid madness.
Synthroid makes hypothyroidism worse!
Gjina merditaj
Are you serious GOD DAMN IT THATS WHAT I TAKE SO WHAT SHOULD I DO? Ohhhh my lord this thing is really hard to get a handle on I used to be SOOO ifit and in shape
Annette
Nicole, That is exactly what I suspected. But now how to get off that synthroid the Dr`s put me on 6 years ago?
Also I don`t believe anyone who still has a thyroid is past the point of no return unless their thyroid has been damaged intentionally by radiation, a treatment often used to treat hypothyroidism.
I believe you have to quit smoking (like I did) and you have to detox and also stimulate the pituitary gland to restart `knocking` on the thyroid`s door again. However, maybe now that is not possible because of the damage caused by taking the synthroid in the first place. 🙁
Annette
Camille, I know how you feel because I am frustrated that with my gp over my tsh levels. I don`t believe the results for tsh because my gp says you have to wait 12 weeks to recheck your tsh because it takes that long for your blood to show any shift in levels. But, if I check my tsh once a week or more often while on that synthroid my levels are always different anywhere from 1.0 to 7.9 or 9.0 then back down to 2.1.
The only constant is that my weight keeps going up (currently 238 or more, I stopped checking).. I am not taking supplements but I tried taking iodine on my own however it negatively interacts with synthroid.
I`m going to look at reading `stop the thyroid madness` but I think I already read it. I have read a number of books on the thyroid and they all seem to indicate to keep taking the synthroid unless you have Hashimoto`s or something. .... Sign!
Wendi
After two months of my hair clogging the shower drain , I started taking an iodine supplement after doing some research on mercola.com, Dr. Mercola recommended iodine plus-2, found on amazon, took one little pill twice a day for three days and my hair dramatically stopped falling out. Now one month later with consistent use of iodine I had literally no hair loss in shower today and I have little baby hairs sprouting out everywhere,, so relieved! I've also been taking a biotin supplement(natrol brand) in conjuction.
Keren
I see a difference in taking Biotin hair loss is much less and see regrowth ....not sure about iodine i take Hawaiian spirulina most days.
Bicky
Go and see an endocrinologist. Ask for a full thyroid panel. You may need a different thyroid medication such as Armour Thyroid.
Donna
I had thyroid surgery and take armour. It is working great for me!
anne marie
eat sweet potatoes with protein and a green veggie twice a day , drink coffee with milk and eggs are great
cut out white flour rice and processed foods get on wp thyroid if needed eat every 4 -5 hour
dont worry or stress socialize moften
Shirley
Tammy, how does coconut oil taste in coffee? I use it for cooking or baking, but that''s about it.
Melissa
I don't even taste it in my coffee.
kathleen Hertel
If you take some organic cocoa powder,and mix with coconut oil and a bit of Stevia,it tastes like nutella.organic cocoa is good for you too
Jennifer Miller
Can't taste it but if you mix in a blender it makes it frothy and delicious.
Annette
This is very interesting. Various doctors had tried to put me on synthroid but I kept refusing to take it because when I actually tried it, it didn't make me feel good. However, no doctor ever told me that it was diet related and I had been dieting severely for years. I followed the Atkins diet for years which tends to really restrict your nutrition. I have been on synthroid since 2007 now because my body started shutting down and I was getting severely sick all the time and landed in the hospital 3 times in 2007.
But now I'm all for a nutrient dense diet but still cannot improve my thyroid function. I dream of getting off synthroid but no matter what I do I just can't get my thyroid to function without thyroid.
I just recently heard of using coconut oil to treat low thyroid so we'll see how that works.
Lora Reynolds
Annette, I have been hypothyroid for 9 years now and my thyroid does not work at all. It depends on your thyroid function. You may want to try NDT like Armour instead of Synthroid. I know I cannot get off my meds because my thyroid does not work at all (runs in the family as well). You may want to look into; Stop the Thyroid Madness. You can like them on FB and they also have a book. Every person is different. I use coconut oil every day and it does help me but not enough to stop using a thyroid replacement. It has taken me years to learn all that I know and I know there is more to learn.
Annette
Hi Lora, thanks for your help but I tried the Armor Thyroid already but it seems that I'm converting T4 to T3 just fine so that didn't help.
I just don't understand someone's thyroid not working. Unless you've had it removed because of cancer or something it should work or re-start working once you start treatment whether it is eating better or exercising or both. I even went vegan last summer while taking advantage of the summer weather to ride my bike vigorously up and down hills every other day and drinking plenty of water..... sigh..... didn't lose even an ounce and was exhausted all the time w shortness of breath all summer. 🙁 Thats my main concern, its not having any energy and not fitting any clothes!
Lisa
I know you made this comment a month ago, so I hope you see this. Please have your adrenals checked. You want the "24 hour adrenal saliva test" that requires you to spit four or six times in 24 hours. NOT the two-spit test! Check out the adrenal information on Stop The Thyroid Madness. If you are not already, you need to supplement with chelated magnesium, selenium, zinc, and D3. You shouldn't take the magnesium at the same time as the other minerals. Make sure you are getting enough C in your diet or take a sodium ascorbate supplement to help your body use the minerals you'll be taking. GL!
Carey Huyser
Interesting concept that (healthy) sugars can be good for our health. I like news like this 🙂
levi jacob
how does this apply when there is no thyroid
Nicole
Synthroid is a storage hormone only. It does not help hypothyroidism. It actually makes your hypo worse by stopping the stimulation of the TSH and does not affect the free t3 and free t4. It tells the pituitary gland (tsh) to stop "knocking" on the thyroids door to make more thyroid hormones.
This post is great about nutrition and thyroid. But it will not cure everyone's hypothyroidism. Some people are just past the point of no return.
You can look into stop the thyroid madness. They explain the unfortunate hell you are living.
Nicole
You die without a thyroid-medication is needed.
Julie
I have all symptoms but thyroid is functioning completely fine. What could that be all about?
Annette
Julie, I just learned from a reputable alternative Dr. who has successfully treated people with low thyroid in our area that if your body is toxic with chemicals, heavy metals, candida, ...etc. then your liver is toxic and that in turn affects your thyroid and how it works so, cleansing your liver supposedly helps your thyroid.
JC
i see several people mention the book "stop the thyroid madness" but a book i read that has made a huge difference is "overcoming thyroid disorders" by dr. brownstein. he advocates an entirely holistic approach to treating thyroid disorders. i started taking several of the supplements/vitamins/minerals he suggested and i could feel a difference within a week. and, another issue i had that i never thought was related to nutrition was cured in this week by adding supplements so i am convinced. the book is well worth the read.
Sarah
I appreciate this article, but it is of no help to me.
I have been eating pastured meat, eggs and plenty of organ meats,
coconut oil, no grains, bone broths, fermented foods, butter and raw dairy and plenty of other nutrient dense foods for months and my health has gotten worse compared to when I just ate whatever I wanted.
My body temperature when I rise is generally 96.1 -96.7!!!! That's not right!
Something is not working here, nutrient dense foods aren't all they are cracking up to be with my body.
Janelle
It sounds like when you started eating more nutrient dense foods your carbohydrate intake in the form of sugars dropped. Like this blog talks about you need to balance heavy protein like meat and eggs, even dairy with plenty of sugar.
Lea
I have also had my thyroid tested numerous times by my gp. My father and a younger sister both had thyroid cancer and there is concern that anyone in my family could develop this disease as well. My tests always come back just fine but still I am sluggish, cannot lose weight, have all the classic symptoms. All of that being said - I do know that I don't have a lot of will power either, possibly due to the sluggish workings of my thyroid. I have been treating myself with herbs. Cilantro/coriander is an excellent antioxidant and is said to help aid the cleansing of heavy metals from the body, primarily from the liver. I have started using it in just about every salad or chicken dish I make! People think I am CRAZY! Good thing I love cilantro! Cannot tell any difference but I caught a cold on Tuesday and by Friday evening it was virtually gone. That was faster than I have ever gotten rid of a cold in my life. I am tired of taking pills all the time so am looking to more natural ways of "healing" by adding my "supplements" to my food. Hope it works.
Leann
I had a thyroid storm 3 years ago and ended up in the hospital and was told if I didn't have the radiated iodine to kill my thyroid, due to graves disease, I would die. So I did it and have regretted it ever since. I'm on 325 synthroid and my levels are ok, but I want off synthroid, I'm scared of the long term effects. My diet is now gluten free and all organic. I've lost 155#. Has anyone here had their thyroid killed and still been able to do something other than synthroid??
Ingerlise
Help!
I am so afraid of my diet now. Energy is low, as low as I ever have experiences. I eat alot of homemade kefir, honney and dried fruit(after incorporating this to my diet I have gained alot of wight....really not comfortable- might this just be for a while? my body are not used to sugar or carbohydrats at all...), egg-jolks, liver, meat on the bone, broth, butter and coconut oil. Also cod liver oil and lots of salt and spices.
I just started using progesterone cream because of missing menstruation. Perhaps my body ust need some time to rest while its working progress:)
Steven e
Finally, someone that recommends carbohydrates for thyroid issues. I think people get into low thyroid states for various reasons. I'm inclined to think that toxicity is a major issue. Low iodine coupled with thyroid blocking halides, chemicals and metals seem like a likely culprit. No doubt though that carbohydrate restriction in today's diet crazed society is a major cause too. I read so much stuff recommending carb restricting diets for thyroid health, or concentrating on nutrient density only. All those nutrients ain't gonna do you no good without cellular energy to put them to use. Like having materials to build a house, but no labor to build it with. Even if I can manage to choke down enough of them, fats just don't fuel my body that well on their own. Even everyone's darlings coconut oil and butter, which I eat plenty of, but generally on my carbs, where they taste even better :D! I was able to get my body temps up to normal by eating whatever my body asked for, and at first, that was tons of carbs. Not all nutrient dense sources either. Before that my body temperature was chronically low. Now that I'm topped up, my interest in very sugary stuff is minimal and I mostly want to eat more nutrient dense foods. It didn't solve all my problems, but re-feeding ala Matt Stone had a major, measurable and obvious effect on my physiology, kicking me out of the starvation response. I wouldn't go back for anything. Check out 180degreehealth.com . The dominant attitude now is that sugar cravings must be bad and that your stupid body is going to kill you making you want all that evil sugar. Don't ignore those sugar cravings, they're trying to tell you something important.
Lisa
I go to a fairly good environmental medicine type Dr. He has checked my thyroid and the numbers were normal. I still think I have quite a few of the symptoms. Is it possible that the tests could read normal but be deceptive? I don't know which specific tests were done.
Connie Kirkpatrick
What happens when we cannot eat meats? I get serious heartburn and aches eating meat. Fish works, but not all fish. Suggestions?
Jana
How much coconut oil would you use a day? I am on a very low thyroid med. Do I keep taking it with the coconut oil until I have done this for awhile and then have it checked?
Bryn
How can you write this article and not mention soy? Soy phyto-estrogens are a known thyroid depressant and 90% of all packaged food in the U.S. has soy oil or 'protein' in it. Seriously, there's probably no greater, more widespread influence on hypothyroidism in this country today. I will give you good odds on a bet that studies eventually determine that this is a key element of our obesity epidemic.
Tania
seems soy flour is in most breads these days. whats up with that. So would this also make hormones unbalanced?
Bryn
Yep. Soy flour is another name for soy protein. It's the original waste product from the production of soy oil. They tried feeding it to pigs initially, but they found that even 10% of soy protein/flour added to pig food caused substantial vitamin and mineral deficiencies, their growth was stunted, and they had a much higher sickness and mortality rate. In order to avoid the costs of dumping millions of pounds of the stuff every year, they eventually found a market for it. You.
Heidi
Soy is only good for women whom are in their stages of menopause. Otherwise, for us hypothyroid sufferers soy is an endocrine disruptor. Soy sauce, soy protein isolate, soy lecithin...soy whatever, run for the hills!
Evelyn
You should not be spreading the message to avoid using thyroid medicine. If a thyroid condition is present, and people do not take proper medications, they can have serious and life threatening health problems. I am an endocrinologist, so I see clients that come into the clinic often that say "I read (insert article name) here, and it said I don't need to take my thyroid medicine". It's true, you should certainly change your lifestyle. However, advising someone to go without medication (prescribed by a real MD that understands what the medication actually does) will only hurt hypo-thyroid patients in the end.
Catherine
Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for reading and joining the conversation. I think you may have mis-understood the goal of the article, that was taking thyroid hormone without a solid nutrition plan can be a dangerous approach. The article says nothing suggesting anyone should stop taking their medication.
"Now I’m not saying that all thyroid replacement is bad, not at all. I do think there is a place for it, especially for those who have had their thyroid removed, and need it. The message I am trying to get across is that if your energy is low, there is a nutritional aspect that needs to be addressed."
Abundantly,
Catherine
Aimee
I thought you were very clear about Thyroid medication? You said if you need it take it! But also help your body by making healthy changes.
Chava
There are now millions of us vegetarians and vegans, however, you seem to be addressing nutritional bests only for those who eat animals.
Regina
I have neen reading a lot of information about hypothyroidism trying to find a better way of managing my Hashimoto disease which I was diagnosed with 30 years ago. The doctors I have gone to just blow it off, say yes you have it just take this Synthroid pill every day the rest of your life or you will die. I didn't even know that an auto immune disease can cause hypothroidism. I need help, I am disabled and in need of loosing weight and feeling better. I had to go without medical insurance for swhile before Medicare started and when I got to a doctor my thyroid antibodies were 270. She changed my medicine and I went back in a month and they were 26. How does that happen?
Debby
Regina, what was the medicine she put you on that lowered your antibody level?
Also, did it help you feel better and how are you doing now?
Dorian
wow my antiobidodies were over 400!!!
Dorian
over 400
Kathy Rogers
One of the things that helped relieve my hypothyroidism wan to increase my protein consumption.
Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues. Eating a bit of protein with every meal can help normalize thyroid function.
You can get protein from nut and nut butters, quinoa, legumes, and hormone and antibiotic-free animal products.
Jan
Help... I have a few of the symptoms including can not lose weight, no matter what i do.. Called my doctor to have my thyroid checked TSH 1.190 T4,Free 1.7 she says its normal and try weight watchers.. Im so frustrated
Thoughts?
Karen
I have lived with the symptoms of thyroid deficiency most of my life and I am 74 years old! My first doctor when I was in my 20's had me on synthroid. He died and I gained so much weight, etc. so I went to another doctor who looked at me from across the room and advised Weight Watchers!!! Talk about frustration! I am so tired of being cold all the time, no energy, etc. I have given up. Tried to find holistic doctor, but no can do. I have mentioned it to a few doctors over the years and they just ignore me. My th3 and th4 levels are in the normal range, they tell me, but on the low side of normal. So they refuse to do anything. It is so frustrating. Dr. Brownstein's books on thyroid are good and I have them, but need to read them through. I feel so sorry for those of you in the same boat I find myself. (Titanic? LOL)
Aimee
If I am already on Tyroid medication but if I change my diet can I go off of the medication. I only take 35 mcg.
My Thyroid issues came sbout I think from poor nutrition (I was mostly vegetarian) and excessive exercise
Ashley
I think you should be cautious when telling people what not to take for hypothyroidism. It is healthy to both follow doctors orders and eat healthy to support thyroid healthough, but to tell readers out there (when there is so much misinformation already) not to take the replacement hormone could be damaging for others health.
Catherine
Hi Ashley,
Can you point out where I actually tell people what not to take? I don't actually tell people what not to take in the article, I simply explain some complications that can come about from taking medication and not making other lifestyle and diet changes.
Abundantly,
Catherine
Bonnie
Excellent article. Very clear you did not adivise to stop meds. And it is after all a three minute read people. Much food for thought. Not intended to diagnose or treat. Love the suggestions. Also people look into LDN treatment for auto immune disease. Low Dose Naltroxene. Has made all the difference in the world for my daughter with hashi. Finally found and endo dr that has helped her. Also saw she was carrying all her weight in the middle and did some blood tests and put her on metformin. She has lost almost 50# in the last 6 months and has her energy back. She is on terasint. Not sure if it is spelled correctly. Peace and love
Sonja
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism as a 16-year old. Four years later I stopped medication and began applying peppermint essential oil on my thyroid reflexology points (base of thumb, base of big toe, and on top of thyroid gland). Retested my thyroid levels 6 months after stopping meds and no longer have hypothyroidism. Granted this is also combined with meditation to help manage stress.
Kassia Batista
I am just so confused about what to do next. Without spending a fortune on more testing and more doctors/nutritionists. I have almost all of the hypothyroid symptoms listed above, yet I am following nearly all of the lifestyle/nutrition tips listed. Have been for years. I have had 3 kids, each 2 years apart, which is one of the causes for how I'm feeling. I struggle with managing stress and getting enough sleep (hello, baby, toddler, and preschooler). I'm really at a loss of how to proceed.
Kassia
Oh, I forgot to mention that my thyroid numbers are awesome and I'm taking the lowest possible dose of synthroid (but not feeling better).
asdc
for those of you dealing with fatigue, get your iron levels checked, and raise to 80/90 at least, and maintain there. i started iron high dose for my hair loss and while it has not helped that, i do have a ton more energy. i do not know what my levels are yet (testing next week) but i would imagine i’m well into the target range. also seems to have improved my mood. few important things: make sure to take with vitamin c at the same time (i’ve read 3 mg c per mg iron.is best?) and:or small portion of meat, and make sure to have plenty of vitamin a in your diet so your body can properly use the iron/lower potential for toxicity, and keep balanced with other vitamins and minerals (taken at at other times of day via food or supplements) : calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, molybdenum, manganese. do your research to make sure you’re taking the right way. hope this helps .