I have a feeling that my thyroid is the problem behind a lot of my weird, subtle food and mood issues, and I don't want to be on Synthroid for the rest of my life! I've read Diet Cure and Mood Cure, and I have an initial assessment with a holistic nutritionist/acupuncurist this Friday - at a pre-assessment he targeted thyroid as my primary problem. I have already healed so much with TF (my moods are already loads more stable, and PMS is almost entirely gone) so I just wondered about other people's experience. Anyone? TIA!

I have never heard of a thyroid being healed once it has failed. I have hypothyroidism for about two years now. I am currently on Armour thyroid which is a better alternative to synthroid. It is essentially dessicated pig thyroid and works much better than synthroid.

It is best to take good care of yourself, eat TF, take cod liver oil, etc. Finding a good MD is essential, that will prescribe the right meds and is in sync with alternative treatment.

This is a really good website for thyroid information:

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Im not healed yet, but I am working on it! This is my major goal right now. I have NO idea how long it will take, or even if it will heal, but im trying!

Since eating NT, I have been feeling so much better and feel like im on a good path to healing. So, im feeling very optimistic about healing my thyroid.

What actions are you taking to cure yourself?

Mary Shomon had some nice words to say about Sally Fallon and the NT cookbook. This is a great site
www.thyroid-info.com/

I haven't done anything concrete yet, because I'm waiting for the appointment on Friday. I have a lot of the symptoms outlined in The Mood Cure, but I notice that the symptoms are much less severe than they used to be, so I'm really hoping that I can heal (or at least do a large part of healing) through nutrition. My thyroid hasn't failed, and it's probably far from it if I gauge by the severity of my symptoms.

For my overall health I'm taking HV CLO/BO every day or almost every day, eating mostly protein, fat and veggies (a little fruit & raw dairy, and very little grains), using CO regularly, and I'm looking at amino acids. I'm confused about iodine and its role in thyroid function, but I don't use iodized salt unless I'm eating out at a conventional restaurant (pretty rare).

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis which I understand is an autoimmune disease where the thyroid attacks itself. Fortunately my numbers weren't that high and I have some but not most of the hypothyroid symptoms. I did tons of research and what came up for me was megadoses of Coconut Oil. I see you already take it but this was like 3-4 tablespoons before each meal plus more in food. This was also discussed in EFLF in a section on thyroid. Not sure how much CO you currently take. If you just do a search for thyroid and CO you'll find quite a bit. Also there was a strong link between hashimoto's and gluten intolerance, so I'm off gluten now, too. I guess the number one clue that these measures have done some good, for me anyway, was the fact that I got pregnant, which we were trying unsuccessfully to do, and that the doc said I wouldn't even get pg with my thyroid in that state. I don't think you need to be thinking synthroid at this point. See what the tests turns up and if they are out of the normal range, how far out of the normal range, get a second opinion, and check out megadoses of CO. Hope this helps and all the best on Friday.

I had thyroid symptoms mixed in with adrenal symptoms (do you know about the connection between the two?), but my adrenal symptoms were predominant. I did get rid of all my symptoms through a combination of nutrition and sleep. Sleep was vital; my symptoms would come back if I lost sleep, despite all the good nutrition.

I took large doses of coconut oil from the spoon (3-4 TBS a day, I found I wouldn't get enough if I only cooked with it). I ended up cooking just with olive oil, because I was going through CO like mad with both cooking and eating from the spoon!

I also took raw organ supplements from Dr. Ron's site, and that really helped. It was expensive, but it really worked and it was less costly than going to the doctor. I've now just switched to home-made raw liver "pills", but I'm taking it just for general support; not sure what effect it has on thyroid/adrenal issues.

Nettle infusion was also key for me, but perhaps that's because I had a predominance of adrenal symptoms.

And then, of course, at the time I was healing I was doing a really supportive TF diet. I've fallen off the wagon a bit since then, though:(.

Here's a link that describes the connection between the thyroid and adrenals, and why people's symptoms are often mixed:
http://www.drrind.com/article.asp

And here are links to the specific symptoms associated with each, as well as combo symptoms:
http://www.drrind.com/scorecard.asp
http://www.drrind.com/scorecardmatrix.asp

And here's awesome info about how to interpret all those thyroid test results you'll get:
http://www.drrind.com/thyroidscale.asp

Good luck with this. If you've seen some improvement, I bet you can see more! I've heard that people who do large doses of CO alone have been able to get off their thyroid meds.

A couple more links:

coconut oil and thyroid health, including some testimonials:
http://www.coconutoil.com/thyroid_health.htm

Dr. Ron's organs and glands, including thymus:
http://www.drrons.com/organs-glands.htm

Great links and great info. It is sad how many of us and unhealthy because of nutritional issues..... and even when we are spending tons of money on organics and supplements!!

Wow y'all, thanks for all the info and links! Looks like I have some homework to do.:lol That's really good news about the CO - back in the summer I was taking 2T before each meal, but as the cold settled in and my CO turned solid, I haven't been doing it nearly as much - I can't stand the texture when it's solid. But I'm back to cooking more with it, and I guess I'll have to get back to supplementation too. After a long hiatus I downed 2T of it yesterday afternoon, and I was nauseous for much of the evening. Just have to get used to it again, I guess!

And yes fourgrtkidos, I agree! It's kind of amazing that it feels so difficult to really eat healthy, but I think that's largely due to the roller-coaster ride our culture has taken over the last century. I have followed so many diet trends only to find out that they didn't work and now that I'm doing TF, I see that many of those so-called health food regimens were doing incredible damage to my system!:censored Argh!

Forgot to add that the doc who gave me a (more inforrmed and encouraging) second opinion gave me a supplement called Thyrocsin by Thorne Research which nourishes the thyroid so that might be something to try, too, if you tests show up a thyroid problem. If I remember, the main ingredient was amino acid l-tyrosine. HTH

My mom doesn't really follow TF, but she cured her hypothyroidism with a combination of coconut oil and chickweed infusions. She didn't eat very much coconut oil, maybe 2-3 Tbsp/day, but she drank a couple of cups of chickweed infusions every day. After a few months of this she went to the doctor and had her thyroid levels tested again and the doctor told her to stop taking Synthroid because her levels were high. So she's not hypothyroid anymore.

Interesting, Caedmyn! Chickweed infusion...

I'm not going to hold out for such a cure, at least in my case, because my hypothyroidism is genetic (my mom and grandmother have the same condition). I've taken synthroid since age 11. I'm pretty used to it. I've explored natural therapies and they didn't do it, plus tended to be really expensive--a month's supply of synthroid is cheaper than a jar of coconut oil, let alone supplements, herbs, etc.

That said, I have cut most soy out of my diet (when I was veg I ate a lot of it, plus drank soymilk, etc.), just in case, yk?

My mom doesn't really follow TF, but she cured her hypothyroidism with a combination of coconut oil and chickweed infusions. She didn't eat very much coconut oil, maybe 2-3 Tbsp/day, but she drank a couple of cups of chickweed infusions every day. After a few months of this she went to the doctor and had her thyroid levels tested again and the doctor told her to stop taking Synthroid because her levels were high. So she's not hypothyroid anymore.

That's amazing. Does chickweed have some sort of nutrients that nourish the thyroid? Where does one buy chickweed, anyway... How bad was your mom's thyroid condition originally?



**********
Edit: Found some information on Chickweed (stellaria media) but no scientific studies to back any of these claims:

It is a mild herb that isvery nutritious, providing large amounts of protein and minerals. The fresh tops are delicious boiled or as greens in a salad....

Chickweed is an excellent source of many B vitamins and various minerals. It is used to treat bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, colds, and as a blood builder.

Chickweed, a mild herb, is used primarily to support the urinary system. Chickweed provides antibiotic agents that are beneficial for relieving urinary tract inflammation and cystitis.

Chickweed contains vitamin A, vitamin C, some B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Chickweed provides the body with nutrients that are necessary for balancing metabolic functions, and it also contains fiber, which helps improve digestion and relieve constipation.

Chickweed is also beneficial for reducing mucus build-up and may be used to treat a variety of respiratory problems, including bronchitis, chronic coughing and colds.

In addition, Chickweed may be used to soothe sore throat, and alleviate flu symptoms.

Containing anti-inflammatory properties, Chickweed is popularly used to promote healing and soothe irritated tissues.

When used externally, chickweed is known to be effective in the treatment of bruises, skin irritations, eczema, and other skin problems.

Also http://earthnotes.tripod.com/chickweed.htm Said to regulate the thyroid.

Susan Weed says chickweed infusions are good for the thyroid in one of her books...that's where I got the idea. The book's in storage so I can't look it up and see what it says about it. I don't know how bad my mom's thyroid was, not too bad I don't think. I think she'd been on Synthroid for a couple of years (2 or 3) when she started the chickweed and it only took a few months for her thyroid to normalize. She got hers from www.mountainroseherbs.com. I've seen it in the bulk section of some HFS's, too.

I'm not going to hold out for such a cure, at least in my case, because my hypothyroidism is genetic (my mom and grandmother have the same condition). I've taken synthroid since age 11. I'm pretty used to it. I've explored natural therapies and they didn't do it, plus tended to be really expensive--a month's supply of synthroid is cheaper than a jar of coconut oil, let alone supplements, herbs, etc.

That said, I have cut most soy out of my diet (when I was veg I ate a lot of it, plus drank soymilk, etc.), just in case, yk?

There's been quite a bit of research that proves this isn't true. It's not genetic, you just happened to inherit your mother's stores, and she inherited her mother's. Thyroid hormones are influenced by iodine levels. As long as your thyroid hasn't been removed, and you don't have cancer you can improve it. Coconut oil and chickweed are great, but iodine is the biggie. You can very inexpensively test your levels with a urine test. I think it's about $140ish. Then you supplement with iodine along with a specific combination of vitamins and herbs to support uptake and watch it heal. My doc is one of the leading guys on this topic at the moment and has been presenting his findings nationally. You should see his statistics...even with people who believe it's genetic. Don't' give up hope. You can heal anything.

http://drshevin.com/patient_education/nutrition_hygiene/iodine_deficiency.php

Oh-so it's TOTALLY nutritional, some are more predisposed due to the conditions they were "grown" in.

My numbers are almost to the point of being normal and I've been doing hte protocol for about a year and a half intensively. I'm being tested again in January, so I'll post the progression.

Depending on where you live, it may not be entirely nutritional. The Chernobyl disaster has well-documented effects on thyroid function, and its radiation is very widespread:

The disaster forced the evacuation of large swaths of some of the Soviet Union's best farmland and forests. The radiation spread far enough to be detected in reindeer meat in Norway and rainfall in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-14909251_ITM

This product description explains why radiation harms thyroid:
ThyroShield, a liquid form of potassium iodide, has been approved by the FDA, for use as a protective agent in the event of a nuclear accident or release. The product is made by Fleming Pharmaceuticals. Potassium iodide binds to the thyroid, preventing it from absorbing radioactive iodine in nuclear releases, and can protect the thyroid from damage that may result in development of cancer or other thyroid conditions later in life. The thyroid glands of children, infants and babies in utero are at the greatest risk from radioactive iodine, and the liquid is designed to be easier to give to children, particularly when giving potassium iodide is time-sensitive in the event of a nuclear emergency. http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/2005_01.htm


This article talks about thyroid cancer in people who received the highest radiation dose: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040902085844.htm
"After all these years, many efforts have been made by various research groups around the world to study the health effects of Chernobyl, and hundreds of scientific papers have been published. But ours is the first report that provides quantitative estimates of thyroid-cancer risk in relation to individual estimates of radiation dose," said Davis, also chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine in Seattle.


Some food for thought. It caught my attention because we live on the shores of the Pacific and DH has hypothyroidism. On the other hand, I don't have thyroid issues, so clearly not everyone received the same dose of radiation, or not everyone was effected in the same way.

As long as your thyroid hasn't been removed, and you don't have cancer you can improve it. Coconut oil and chickweed are great, but iodine is the biggie. You can very inexpensively test your levels with a urine test. I think it's about $140ish. Then you supplement with iodine along with a specific combination of vitamins and herbs to support uptake and watch it heal. My doc is one of the leading guys on this topic at the moment and has been presenting his findings nationally. You should see his statistics...even with people who believe it's genetic. Don't' give up hope. You can heal anything.

http://drshevin.com/patient_education/nutrition_hygiene/iodine_deficiency.php

Is your doc the one in the link?

There's been quite a bit of research that proves this isn't true. It's not genetic, you just happened to inherit your mother's stores, and she inherited her mother's. Thyroid hormones are influenced by iodine levels. As long as your thyroid hasn't been removed, and you don't have cancer you can improve it. Coconut oil and chickweed are great, but iodine is the biggie. You can very inexpensively test your levels with a urine test. I think it's about $140ish. Then you supplement with iodine along with a specific combination of vitamins and herbs to support uptake and watch it heal. My doc is one of the leading guys on this topic at the moment and has been presenting his findings nationally. You should see his statistics...even with people who believe it's genetic. Don't' give up hope. You can heal anything.


I would love to heal my Hashimoto's hypothyroidism - and that of my ds2. My synthroid/cytomel dose is really high after having 3 children (200 mcg + 5 mcg cytomel) and 9 years of auto-antibodies. I was tested using the iodine patch test by a naturopath a year ago and found to not be iodine deficient. I've read now that this test isn't necessary accurate. I just looked at your doctor's website (he's a 1.5 hour drive away from me), but I don't think it's all that feasible for me to get there. If one were to "blindly" supplement with iodine, do you know of information about self-managing this - doses, start-up issues, etc? I wonder if I can get my Naturopath around here to order the load test...

When I first started seeing him it was a 5 hour round trip drive. FWIW I kept it up because he's worth it!

Any ND should be able to order it. Since you have an existing condition I would highly recommend monitoring your levels. As much as I'm a huge advocate for taking charge of your own health in this instance I would actually recommend that you NOT do this on your own.

firefaeryHow many visits does it entail in the first 7 months? I am trying to decide whether to try to find an ND in Southern Cal where I am now, or go to one up north while I am there for 2 weeks next month as I will have coverage for him after I move back in August. (I will also have to go there in May and/or June to apply for a teaching job)

I know my iodine is low, and I feel great when I am on it..... but, would like to monitor this.

It could be just one...I can't imagine in 7 months it would be more than two. You generally don't test more than every 3-4 months, and that's if you're monitoring something specific (more specific than just iodine levels) or having side effects.

Since you have been on it with no issue I would be suprised if it were more than two. Clearly if you are seeing a new practitioner they may have other things they want to look at, you know? They might want more than one follow up visit...but you don't *have* to make it.

This is all great food for thought. I was told by my OB a few weeks ago that my levels were high. She wanted to put me on a thyroid med. She said Armour was an option. I am considering doing that while supplementing iodine and take dulse. I would love to hear any more suggestions.

I do best eating a higher amount of good fats and less carbs. So I think hte thyroid CAN be healed through persistance. After all, don't our bodies regenerate every 7 years or something?