I have the condition and have had great success approaching it with guidance from a very competent naturopathic physician/nutritionist and a holistically-oriented MD.
You must make sure to eat very high quality food products--organic, whenever possible. Watch your carbohydrate intake--no simple carbs. ABSOLUTELY AVOID: Sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, all white flour products, artficial sweetners of all kinds (some of these can be toxic to the body), caffeine, sodas, processed foods. Basically eat REAL FOOD--good, lean protein--chicken, turkey, fish, buffalo, ostrich, eggs; lots of greens, low starch veggies, low glycemic fruits--kiwi, berries, etc,, macadamia nuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, natural peanut butter, sunflower seeds, pumkin seeds..
The reason I mention these foods is because usually, when one is suffering from hypothyroidism, other organs are affected--especially your adrenal glands and, possibly your pancreas. The thyroid and adrenal glands are like "brother and sister" organs--one effects the other. It is also very common to find people with this condition having blood sugar problems--i.e. hypoglycemia (low blood sugar--opposite of diabetes). You can get a 6 hour GTT--Glucose Tolerance Test to check this out--however, it is stressful on the body. A good and competent Alternative/Holistic MD will be much more aware of ways to help you--if you choose to go that route. Remember, your body works as a whole--what happens in one area may affect many other areas. And, the thyroid is a MAJOR player in regulating many bodily functions.
It could be beneficial to get your entire endocrine system checked out via saliva tests. These are much more accurate than blood tests as they measure hormone levels in the cells/tissues. Blood tests only measure hormone levels circulating within the bloodstream. Your health care practitioner can order these tests and you can do it right at home--very easy and extremely helpful in seeing the "whole picture." It is an excellent way to keep tabs on your thyroid, adrenals and reproductive hormone levels--which are important to know as an underperforming thyroid can often affect levels of the 3 types of estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, progesterone etc.
Also--if you are on any prescribed medication it is important to check the levels much more frequently, than most orthodox MDs realize. For example--there is more of a demand on your thyroid in the winter-- as it helps to regulate your body temperature. You may want to check the thyroid as the seasons change. Also, the body can sort of "adapt" to the medication. Sometimes meds need to be switched or the dosage needs to be changed.
It is vitally important that you have adequate iodine levels. The thyroid can never function properly unless it is receiving the proper amount of iodine. Iodine is also essential to every cell in your body.
FYI: I take (by prescription) Nature Thyroid (actual bovine thyroid--a glandular). This has worked very well for me and I've been able to lower the dosage twice. This happened after discovering that my iodine levels were very low. I take Iodoral (iodine tablet) under my doctor's supervision--this boosted my thyroid function and I LOST THE TIRE TUBE OF WEIGHT that was collecting around my waist and buttocks. It took a number of months for this to occur.
FINALLY--DO NOT EMBARK ON ANY OF THIS (except the dietary changes) UNTIL YOU ARE UNDER THE PROPER, PROFESSIONAL CARE. Regulating hormones is VERY TRICKY and requires correct, up-to-date knowledge, diligence, perseverence and patience.
I've listed some good references for you below. Best of luck!
* 1 year ago
Source(s):
www.diagnos -techs.com (lab and research co for saliva tests), 800-878-3787 or 425-251-0596, Kent, WA
www.helpmythyroid.com (Dr. Flechas website--info on 24 hour urine test to determine iodine levels)--DEFINITELY make s
Answered by
Dinesh
, an ibibo Master,
at
6:31 AM on August 07, 2008
