Hypothyroidism...is there a natural solution?
Question: from Susan
Unless you know of a natural solution to hypothyroidism, I am destined to be taking levothytoxine the rest of my life, even though I detest having to use pharmaceuticals. I would welcome any information on "curing" my underactive thyroid if there is any out there. Otherwise, pharmaceuticals are a necessary part of my life which I simply can't avoid.
Comment: from Warren
This is a difficult one Susan. We researched this subject some time ago but it is not really possible at this time to design an effective natural supplement that is potent enough to replace the medication…and to be a ‘one size fits all’.
However, we have had good experiences with our Total Balance (at the full dose rate) which seems to help prevent the situation getting any worse and in some cases people have been able to reduce their medication after getting their annual blood check for Thyroid.
I also put this question to Joanna for further comment and here are some suggestions from her. Sorry that we cannot provide a complete ‘fix’.
Response: from Joanna (Medical Nutritionist for XtendLife)
Here is what I would suggest for Susan.
Total Balance Women's Plus at 6 per day and Omega 3/DHA at 4 per day initially (unless on any heart or blood thinning meds), looking at reducing down to 2 per day maintenance after the first 3-4 month checkup.
The reason for the Total Balance Women's Plus is because it contains essential vits and minerals that can be helpful for rebalancing glandular functions - A, E, C, B complex, as well as amino acids (essential for balanced function), enzymes and other essential digestive ingredients (often upset by reduced thyroid function).
Total Balance Women’s specifically also contains Black Cohosh, which is helpful, and most essentially iodine and l-tyrosine amino acid, both essential parts of correct thyroid function. Plus the essential fatty acids in the Omega 3 are necessary for proper functioning of the gland, so an initial boost of these may help, followed by maintenance with our 2 per day dose.
I would advise a test for anaemia, if this hasn't already been done.
An additional intake of Kelp, dosage indications suggest initially up to 2-3,000mg per day for 4 weeks (although lower than this I believe can have effect, as this higher dose can be hard to come by unless via a naturopath) may be useful for the additional iodine content, followed by regular re-evaluations, and consequent reductions in the amount as necessary (her doctor should be able to monitor this)
Additional L-tyrosine at up to an additional 400mg 2 x day can also be used to help increase plasma levels (and monitored as above for Kelp for progressive need).
The above are all natural alternatives to help reduce the need for drugs such as levothyroxine.
Additionally, in her diet: Try to eat plenty of: apricots, dates, egg yolks, molasses, parsley, potatoes, prunes, raw seeds, whole grains, fish, chicken.
Eat in moderation: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, peaches, pears, radishes, spinach, turnips - these foods contain natural chemicals that can further suppress thyroid function.
Aside from this of course try to follow a good healthy diet, such as our nutritional guidelines.
Finally, and importantly: If she HAS to stay on Levothyroxin, or similar, I would advise perhaps taking our Bone-Protec formulas, as thyroid meds can potentially cause loss of bone mass when used long-term.
Reader Comments (10)
This is a message for Susan.
Susan, like you, I have an underactive Thyroid and have been on medication for 20 plus years. I have been on Levothyroxine (a generic drug) for about 19 years and was switched by my insurance plan to Levoxyl (a brand name) about a year ago. Much to my amazement that switch enabled me to reduce the dosage from 0.088mg to 0.075mg.
The other thing is, Joanna has a very good point to recommend their Bone-Protec formula. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis about a year ago after taking calcium carbonate plus vitamin D for 20 years which was a complete waste of time and money. You need a lot of other ingredients for the calcium to be absorbed and the Bone-Protec formula is the best I have found so far. Get a Dexa scan to establish a base line of your bone mass so you can monitor your bone health and know if you are losing ground.
Antje Gunnar
April 1, 2008 | Antje Gunnar
I am a 46 yo man with mild? Hypo-thyroidism...100mcg. Any differences in information that what Joanna provided before??
April 3, 2008 | Jay
You might try Iodoral. It is available on many sites. I'll include one where I get it. http://www.quackcenter.com/iodoral.html
Thanks, Don.
April 3, 2008 | Don L Childress
Jay, thanks for your added query. There are only a couple of differences in your case. You say it is only a mild condition in your case, and you are on 100mcg per day of Levothyroxine, or similar thyroid medication?
Of course you would need the Total Balance Men's Plus version instead of the Women's Plus. Still at 6 per day. Also the Omega 3/DHAs. If you haven't been on your medication for long, and your condition causes no symptoms at present, then you could take the minimum 2 per day dose of Omega 3/DHAs, instead of what I recommended for Susan.
All other recommendations would be the same. Although you may wish to see how you get on with the above first, and the dietary recommendations, etc, prior to looking at the need to add further ingredients such as I recommended above (kelp, l-tyrosine). If you do wish to add these, you could try a lower dose of them, and see how you get on, whilst at the same time monitoring continually your thyroid condition and degree of symptoms.
If you find you need more specific help, please let me know as much more information as possible and I will do my best to help you further. You can reach me at jo@livehealthierlonger.com.
Hope this helps Jay.
April 3, 2008 | Joanna Machin
i couldn't disagree more. Broccoli-kale-brussel sprouts and cabbage are wonderful foods, eat all you want. maybe cut back on the molasses--sugar ! potatoes--insulin spike.
April 3, 2008 | mike
Hello
Could you explain please,
'Eat in moderation: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, peaches, pears, radishes, spinach, turnips - these foods contain natural chemicals that can further suppress thyroid function'.
What chemicals are you referring too?
I have not be diagnosed with Hypothyoridism, but was told that possibly I have a mild form. I stay away from medications as much as possible and to be quite honest I don't take vitamins very often either as I have allergies.
Thanks
Sue
Canada
April 4, 2008 | Susan Bellefeuille
Thank you all very much for your help with my thyroid problem.
Joanna -- You suggested that I try taking Total Balance Women's Plus, but I am 62 yrs. old and very post menopausal. Should I use the women's formula even though I'm way past the age that it is recommended for?
April 5, 2008 | Susan
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 2.5 years ago. I have been on Synthroid .88 most recently, moving to that dosage over the first year from the very lowest dosage. It took quite some time for the diagnosis, apparently my thyroid will work perfectly fine for a couple of months and then almost shut down completely for more than a couple of months at a time, constantly.
I just recently asked to switch to a non synthetic medication, Armour. I am now at Armour 90mgs. I still feel like I have a lot of the same symptoms as I did before though, but it's only been a month. I am looking to just feel better in general. I hate feeling tired all the time, not getting good sleep, losing focus, and being irritable and emothional. I don't think I should feel this way at 30.
A friend recently pointed me to your site and told me to try the Total Balance Womens Plus. I was thinking of trying the Bone-Protec as well.
Any other suggestions?
April 9, 2008 | JP
Hi JP,
You really need to keep up your medication. I am not aware of an alternative to eliminate it. However, what we have found is that over time those women who are using Total Balance Women's plus have either been able to reduce their dosage or maintain it and seem to be less affected if they miss taking it for a few days.
So, it would seem to indicate that by helping with general health using Total Balance that there are some flow on benefits to the thyroid.
Your friends recommendation to take Total Balnce is a sound one. Bone-Protec is also an added benefit but not if it means that you cannot take the Omega 3 DHA. The Omega 3 should always be part of your supplement foundation.
April 11, 2008 | Warren Matthews
Hi Warren,
Thanks for the response. So your recommendation is to take all three? I just figured bone-protec because of the potential for bone loss due to they hypothyroidism and medication I am taking for that.
April 15, 2008 | JP
Reader Comments (0)