Thyroid ?

stayingpositive100

So, I just heard back from my doctors office where I had blood work done. They said my thyroid level was higher than they would like-- it was still in the "normal" range at 4.1, but my doctor would prefer it to be at a 3...especially since I'm trying to get pregnant. So, I have what they call hypothyroidism... after talking with my mom apparently everyone in my family has it---this is news to me. My mom thinks I shouldn't take the prescription to help regulate it-- like they advised and I should look for a more natural approach. I am suppose to go back in 6 weeks to do a blood test to check the level... I've read things though that say once someone is on medicine to regulate their thyroid they are on it for the rest of their lives. I don't want to have to take medicine for the rest of my life--especially since I still fall in the normal range--just on the high side.... any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated!!

GeorgieLove708

This is native remedies list of suggestions.

Surround yourself with a good support system
Educate yourself on your condition
Involve doctors, homeopaths, naturopaths, specialists, therapists, family, friends etc in the management of your condition
Try to maintain a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
Eat a healthy well-balanced diet
Include lots of salt water fish, shellfish and sea weed in your diet as these are rich in iodine – essential for healthy thyroid functioning
Avoid cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale) as these contain a natural thyroid blocker
Try to do regular physical activity or exercise
Take and adjust your medications as necessary
Have your hormone levels monitored on a regular basis
Perform a daily thyroid self-massage. To massage the thyroid gland; gently stroke up and down the sides of the trachea (also known as windpipe).

GeorgieLove708

This is native remedies list of suggestions.

Surround yourself with a good support system
Educate yourself on your condition
Involve doctors, homeopaths, naturopaths, specialists, therapists, family, friends etc in the management of your condition
Try to maintain a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
Eat a healthy well-balanced diet
Include lots of salt water fish, shellfish and sea weed in your diet as these are rich in iodine – essential for healthy thyroid functioning
Avoid cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale) as these contain a natural thyroid blocker
Try to do regular physical activity or exercise
Take and adjust your medications as necessary
Have your hormone levels monitored on a regular basis
Perform a daily thyroid self-massage. To massage the thyroid gland; gently stroke up and down the sides of the trachea (also known as windpipe).

Also... do a search for how coconut oil helps hypothyroidism.

DanaDark

I will not give you advice and I strongly suggest you do not take any advice here regarding a medical condition as reported by your doctor.

Your doctor knows MUCH more about this than pretty much anyone and is far more qualified to give advice than any of us are.

This is a medical condition, and is therefor inappropriate for us to advise on.

artslady96

I, too, have thyroid issues. Out of curiosity, is the doctor giving you medical advice on this issue a GP or endocrinologist? Once you have been diagnosed with a thyroid issue, you really ought to be treated by an endocrinologist since they have the expertise in that area. My doctor actually said that 1.0 is the ideal TSH level for young women who wish to conceive; A TSH level of 3.0 is the highest number in the "acceptable" range, although it is expected that the diagnostic criteria soon will be lowered to 2.5. And I have found a lot of research seems to support her assertion.

I respect your decision to try to manage your condition naturally, but do not be completely closed to the notion of medication. It is a misnomer that you must take the medication for the rest of your life once you start it. Most people will take the medication for life because their thyroid issues are hormonal and, thus, will reappear as soon as the medication is stopped. However, those whose thyroid issues are due to external factors like poor diet can be weened off the medication once external forces have been fixed. It is not impossible to stop the medication once it is started.

I lost the first 25 lbs trying to manage without medication, and I had to practically starve myself to do it. Numbers continued to climb, so I was strongly urged to start the medication. I feel much better and am glad I did.

Ultimately, you need to work with an endocrinologist to figure out a management program that you feel comfortable with. But, you must get it managed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and child.

Please feel free to friend me if you feel I can help you on your weight loss journey.

Jaceeka

You'd be suprised at the difference the medication can make. I have a TSH that ran 3.86 for many years. Finally did some research and found a study by the American Endocrinology association where they recommended patients whose TSH is >2 with symptoms should be on hormone replacement therapy. Took my findings to my doc because I had many of the classic thyroid symptoms and he agreed. He put me on 50mcg of levothyroxine and got my TSH down to 1.6. My hair got thicker, moods balanced out, and within 3 months I was pregnant !!! We had been "trying" for a few years. Holding my almost 2 year old in my arms right now and am thinking it was the best decision ever. I'm no longer on the medication. My TSH has been running 1.8 since my daughter was born. Good luck in your decision.

Michc2

Hi. So basically you have what is called subclinical hypothyroidism- your ranges are within normal, but on the high side. I suffered from hypothyroid symptoms for many years, but my doctors never wanted to treat me because I always fell within the normal ranges. Two years or so ago I was finally put on synthroid after an ultrasound of my thyroid was performed- and it has GREATLY improved my life. It is true that once you start taking thyroid medicine it's a lifetime thing, but the benefits greatly out way the hassle. I don't know of any more natural approaches as the replacement hormone - thyroxine- is very close to the naturally occurring hormone. Also, thyroid conditions tend to run in families, so that's a good indicator that you may have it too. You mentioned that you're trying to get pregnant and there's two things that you should know: 1, your thyroid affects your fertility, some women with undiagnosed hypothyroidism have a harder time getting pregnant. 2, if you choose to take a thyroid replacement hormone and you do/are get pregnant your dosage may have to be adjusted one or several times. My advice to you, as a nurse and fellow "sufferer", is to do some research on "subclinical hypothyroidism" and consider taking a thyroid replacement hormone -there are several out there. If you choose to take medication, your physician should start you on a low dosage (50mcg-100mcg) and titrate you up based upon your symptoms disappearing versus signals that you may have too much replacement hormone.

stayingpositive100

I will not give you advice and I strongly suggest you do not take any advice here regarding a medical condition as reported by your doctor.

Your doctor knows MUCH more about this than pretty much anyone and is far more qualified to give advice than any of us are.

This is a medical condition, and is therefor inappropriate for us to advise on.

I understand I am posting this on a non-medical board and that people here are not my doctor, but I just wanted to hear from others who might have similar experiences and what their experience was with the medication.