hypothyroid - just found out - please help with treatment options!!

[nurturebaby]

Just found out that my tsh measured .013, which I think is pretty low, isn't it?

Wanting to know if there are any alternatives to try before starting meds - have I heard that once you start meds, than you're on them for life, or is that totally off?

Could it be something simple like iodine deficiency? i've often wondered about that as I don't eat iodized salt.

I'm really lost here and want some info quick before my next appt!

Also - after my first pregnancy 4 years ago, I was actually hyperthyroid - doc didn't worry as he said it was pregnancy related - weird now that I'm hypo!!

Thanks for any help!!

[nurturebaby]

wait a minute - I did a little research and it looks like I'm HYPERthyroid instead. argh - I really don't know anything about thyroid issues!!!

Any thoughts on that? I think my thyroi levels returned to normal last time - it was considered 'postpartum thyroiditis', which is probably (hopefully) what this is.

I'm wondering if my diet can affect this? I've been eating terribly lately

[lil_miss_understood]

Have they run thyroid antibodies tests on you?

ithyroid.com has some great info on the nutritional aspect
You may also want to check out The Thyroid Thread (HUGE).

[leafwood]

How many months post-partum are you now? That could account for your levels.

For me, my levels were both low (hyper-thyroid) after birth. However, I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which means I have antibodies to my thyroid (autoimmune disorder). So I was on synthroid throughout both pregnancies and my levels were adjusted after birth. BUT, my endo was really careful b/c the trend is for your thyroid to swing hyper a bit right at first and if you start medication or lower the dose too much it can then rebound and swing hypo between 6-12m post partum. For me, I went through a 6m period where I was slighltly hyper but then adjusted nicely w/ my usual dose of synthroid.

Sorry if it's confusing! My advice is to seek a good endo and discuss your particular situation.

[JacksMommy07]

Have you found any alternatives to meds? Was it iodine deficiency? I'm in the same situation as you. I'm 4 months post-partum. Thank you!

[nurturebaby]

lol - I forgot about this thread - my doc did more tests and now I've swung to slightly hypothyroid with a positive test for antibodies - so Hashimoto's it is!! My test results were still in the conventional 'normal' range, but my doc is somewhat alternative and mentioned that it's still too high. She wants to wait another couple of months and then retest and start me on armour thyroid if necessary.

I'm 7 months postpartum now...

How do you know if you need more iodine? I use himalayan salt, so I don't get supplemental iodine from our salt - could I be deficient? Should I just start by consuming more sea veggies? Or is there a test?

[nurturebaby]

jacksmommy - the reason my doc wants to wait to start treatment is because she suggested I change my diet - hashimoto's is apparently an inflammatory condition, so I'll start with more anti-inflammatory foods. She also suggested that if I didn't want to do meds, then I could try a homeopath to get on a remedy that could really support my unique needs.

HTH

[Eklecktica]

Measuring TSH is a little like measuring your water pressure when the lights go out. It's a pituitary hormone, and not accurate for determing thyroid function.

Free T3 and Free T4, RT3, Anti-TPO and anti-TBG are a better picture of thyroid function.
Check out www.realthyroidhelp.com Lots of help there...I've been there for quite some time-good information at www.stopthethyroidmadness.com as well.

Per Dr Brownstein, hypo AND hyper thyroid are different reactions to the same problem-iodine deficiency. Hashis and thyroiditis can also be helped with iodine. Iodoral is the 'drug of choice' as it were.

Hashi's can be excacerbated by small amounts of iodine, and larger (50 mgs /day) can calm it and help it. The only way to truly eliminate the AI reaction though is to supress thyroid function completely with meds-I prefer dessicated thyroid, which I've been on for well over 10 years. Synthetics are to thyroid what margerine is to butter. Close, but not quite.

Keep in mind that postpartum thyroiditis often stays with you, and DOESNT go away, it just creeps into a hypO phase-which will cause you grief in the long run.
My .02.

[nurturebaby]

very interesting - thank you! I will check out the sites you linked.

So what do you feel is the best way to supplement with iodine? I've heard good and bad things about things like sea veggies (arsenic contamination or something like that?) and lugols solution - is that right?

I'm going to begin seeing a nutritionist (a sort of alternative one) soon, so perhaps she'll have some insight for me as well...

[mclisa]

Good luck finding armor thyroid. We can't get it around here anymore.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by nurturebaby

lol - I forgot about this thread - my doc did more tests and now I've swung to slightly hypothyroid with a positive test for antibodies - so Hashimoto's it is!! My test results were still in the conventional 'normal' range, but my doc is somewhat alternative and mentioned that it's still too high. She wants to wait another couple of months and then retest and start me on armour thyroid if necessary.

I'm 7 months postpartum now...

How do you know if you need more iodine? I use himalayan salt, so I don't get supplemental iodine from our salt - could I be deficient? Should I just start by consuming more sea veggies? Or is there a test?

The antibodies should decrease with supplemental selenium. IME there are more nutrients involved than just iodine, zinc and selenium are involved, supplemental B vitamins also help. There's a nice discussion at the site Jacqueline mentioned, ithyroid.com.

I use Iodoral, it's a high dose iodine supp. Some people have bad reactions to starting it, I didn't so all I know is there's a long, helpful thread on that topic (The Iodine Thread, I think JaneS started that thread, lots of good links).

Originally Posted by nurturebaby

jacksmommy - the reason my doc wants to wait to start treatment is because she suggested I change my diet - hashimoto's is apparently an inflammatory condition, so I'll start with more anti-inflammatory foods. She also suggested that if I didn't want to do meds, then I could try a homeopath to get on a remedy that could really support my unique needs.

HTH

I'd consider removing gluten and possibly dairy from your diet. Gluten seems problematic in a lot of different ways for different people. Is it possible there's celiac in your family? I've read of some people reducing antibodies to normal just removing gluten because celiac was a bigger underlying issue for them, and the inflammatory reaction to gluten was involved. I don't have celiac in my family (at least based on symptoms/overall health) but removing gluten and dairy has been helpful.