Natural Hypothyroid Suggestions

staceybrewer

I am dealing with what I think is Hypothyroidism. Don't judge - but I can't go to the doc. I have no money for that.

I am looking for natural ways to deal with it. I have never had a problem with it until this year. I cannot get my weight to move on the scale no matter what I eat or don't eat and no matter what I do with workouts. I am tired all the time and my body wants to sleep at least 10 hours per night. I am ALWAYS cold and it's almost 100 degrees outside.

Are there any ways to attack this naturally?

MidwestAngel

You could research foods that help support thyroid function, but I am not recommending this. I went undiagnosed for a long time and my levels were really low. The doctors were surprised I was not in a coma. I really think you should put your health first and save some money for a consultation and an initial lab test. I bet you could find a clinic near you that has a sliding fee scale. Good luck!

alerica1

From your profile...."I am a mom of 3 little girls. I am a newlywed. And, I work 4 jobs. To say I am a busy person is an understatement." Are you sure its hypothyroidism? I suffer from hypothyroidism and take 300 mcg of synthroid a day.

fatboypup

i pay like 10 bucks for 90 days worth of synthroid at wally world

RobynSnow

I tried a lot of the "natural" fixes, the right diets, the motivation for my thyroid also. None of them worked very well if at all.
I am on medication for mine now and it is still a struggle. I wish you luck with yours, but please try to get to a doctor if you
can soon, the thyroid is nothing to mess with, it has control over a lot of functions in your body. Try googling the womans day
thyroid diet, that was one that I did for a while and it was easy and seemed to work for a bit.

Good Luck.

holly1283

Sorry! I've had this condition for the last 21 years and know of no way to replace your thyroid stimulating hormone without meds. It costs me about $27.00 every 100 days. I don't think that is too expensive. If you have been diagnosed you should be able to get the prescription. I wish you well. There is NO WAY that I will willing go back to without. BTW I don't have good Rx insurance.

JenniBaby85

Um, I'd like to know that too. But the only way to be sure is to see a doctor. I am on levothyroxine fo rmy hypothyroidism, and the prescription is very inexpensive. Also, a lot of medical centers and organizations are willing to work out a billing situation with people who don't have the money. My hubby works for one!

what are your symptoms?

alerica1

i pay like 10 bucks for 90 days worth of synthroid at wally world

^^This^^. If you can get the lab work to find out if its truly hypothyroidism....the meds aren't expensive.

zellagrrl

I would *really* try to find a low cost doc to check it out-- look for health fairs in your area, because they often do screenings there for little to no cost.

I take selenium for my thyroid, but that's <I>as directed by my doctor</I>. I really wouldn't recommend going this alone.

TanyaGirl76

I know this sounds weird but they say there are certian veggies you can NOT have raw when you have thyroid issues..like spinach, cabbage....because it messes with thyroid function and then avocados are suppose to help with it. Check out naturalnews.com..great site! I don't blame you for trying to go natural. I would try to do the same if it were me, but do whatever you think it best for your self!

75Juniper

The pills are inexpensive and they could save your life. There are a lot of clinics that have flat fees per visit and are reasonably priced if you don't have insurance.

TanyaGirl76

At the same time check this out...pros and cons..http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2009/08/07/the-real-effect-of-raw-cruciferous-vegetables-on-the-thyroid

laurielegg

If you live on city water services then you likely have water treated with chlorine. (Even some wells are treated with chlorine). Chlorine inhibits the thyroid from working properly. You may consider switching to distilled drinking water. Also, your body requires iodine which can be found in iodized salt. I have an issue with my thyroid and actually needed to increase medicine because I switched from iodized table salt to sea salt which does not have any additives. You can also visit the health store and find supplements in the form of kelp and seaweed. However, this can be pricey (that is why I am on the Levothyroxin script). You may want to check your local hospital lab and see if they offer any special prices for lab fairs. These do not require a prescription from a doctor and they will mail the results directly to your home. I paid $10 for mine in Florida. If your lab results are out of range then you would need to see a doctor for a prescription. I get the generic Levothyroxin for $10 for a 90 day supply. Sometimes doctors will allow you to haggle the cost of a visit when yodon't have insurance but this has to be done prior to the appointment. Most doctors do not receive the full payment from insurance companies that they bill for. They usually get about $50.

MadgieDO

Hey, I'm sorry to hear about your health struggles. Something that few people know is that many family docs/nurse practitioners are willing to work with you if you don't have health insurance. All you need is 1 lab test (the TSH) and that can tell you if it's your thyroid that's acting up. While I'm not sure how much that lab work costs in your area, I'm sure it's waaay less than a hospital visit costs which is what can happen when you go into a hypothyroid coma (which does happen and is terrifying). Many docs are very reasonable and will let you do a payment plan/offer reduced-cost visits or can help you qualify for insurance.

While there are a lot of things that claim to provide "natural thyroid support" etc, most of them are quack offerings. Now, I am a huge proponent of alternative medicine and use a lot of it in my own life and practice. But, looking at the research really most of that stuff is unsubstantiated. Levothyroxine (the generic of synthroid) is literally like 10 bucks for a 3 month supply and the doctors visit is totally worth it.

How I know this: I'm a medical student and have had hypothyroidism for 8 years.

nicolio8699

i have a friend who has hypothyroidism and she is a holistic all the way type of person! however, she has told me that there is no treatment that does not utilize a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone. although dr. visits are expensive, i know that my levothyroxin (typical rx for hypo) is a very cheap drug, $4/month, so realistically you'd only have to see the dr enough times to get the meds situated. absolutely consider this, you will be amazed at how much better, and more vital you feel when this is taken care of. take it from someone who knows it. the otc, non fda approved stuff is DANGEROUS! for yr own sake, don't do it ! <3 n-

kacarter1017

You could research foods that help support thyroid function, but I am not recommending this. I went undiagnosed for a long time and my levels were really low. The doctors were surprised I was not in a coma. I really think you should put your health first and save some money for a consultation and an initial lab test. I bet you could find a clinic near you that has a sliding fee scale. Good luck!

This. There are usually free clinics or very low cost clinics that can evaluate for this easily. Also, if you made an appt at a clinic, you can usually set up a payment schedule that is reasonable. If this is hypothyroidism, the bill later to take care of your health issues will make a $300-400 visit and lab test look like chump change.

theartichoke

If you're not completely sure that it's your thyroid, leave it be. Please. There are ways to mess with thyroid levels through supplements but without constant monitoring through bloodwork you can do serious damage.

You can do this safely:

Avoid any and all soy products. Check salad dressing for soy bean oil. No soy.

Use your muscles. Resistance training, light weights, heavy weights...doesn't matter. Just use them.

Be cautious with vitamins. Zinc, magnesium, potassium...it's so easy to throw your levels off with too much of these and a few others.

Let food be thy medicine. Pay insanely close attention to how you feel when you eat certain foods. You crash or get sluggish, drop it from your diet.

Rest. I know this is easier said than done. Try to treat yourself with kindness.

nc_moon_beam

IF you are hypothyroid, the only way to fix it is RX meds.

If you want to try other avenues first, I suggest vitamin D, vitamin B-12, and iron -- as separate supplements -- every day, along with eliminating all sugar and white carbs such as white bread, rice, pasta, packaged junk food, etc. Try to make your diet as natural as possible and include as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.

30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. Walking is fine, as long as you are moving with a purpose and breaking a sweat.

7-8 hours of sleep per night. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Limit your coffee. No soda or sweet tea.

If I have time to do it, YOU have time to do it. (I work two jobs, help my husband run his business, and I'm raising 2 teenagers...)

If you follow this and you still feel crappy in two weeks, you need to see a doctor.

Good luck.

DISCLAIMER - I am not a doctor or nutritionist. I've just lived in a body with a dead thyroid for more than half my life.

susanswan

I've had hypothyroid disease since age 19. Mine came on with EXTREME fatigue and severe joint pain even in walking.

Medically, hyporthyroid disease is easy to treat but is nothing to ignore. It can can cause serious, serious health problems if left untreated. As someone said earlier, are you sure you have it? It goes way beyond just "not losing weight". If you are poor like me, saving money by cutting back on a few things won't take too much if you can find a cheaper alternative like a clinic to go to to get a blood test. It is one of the cheapest medications you can buy if you need it. You are jeopardizing your health if you seriously have symptoms but ignore them.

Here is a link to an interesting website all about the thyroid: http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone

Here are some of the symptoms:
Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Below are major symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight (despite reduced food intake)
Coarse, dry hair and dry skin
Hair loss
Sensitivity to cold
Muscle cramps and aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido
Slowed speech (severe cases)
Jaundice (severe cases)
Increase in tongue size (severe cases)

You don't have to encounter every one of these symptoms to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Every patient's experience with the disorder is different. While you may notice that your skin and hair have become dry and rough, another patient may be plagued more by fatigue and depression.

_VoV

If your state allows direct lab testing, where you can order the test yourself without an MD's order, check out your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). It rises as your thyroid is working harder to crank out the thyroid hormone your body needs. I have used Direct Labs here in CT with good results, and it's not all that expensive.

Also, should you prove to need thyroid replacement therapy, generic synthroid is inexpensive at places like Walmart. I strongly suggest figuring out if it's really your thyroid giving you trouble. Some hypothyroid symptoms are non-specific and can resemble other things.

staceybrewer

Symptoms include -

Fatigue
Used to have very messed up periods but had a hysterectomy in March to deal with that
Fatigue
Fatigue
Weight issues
Fatigue

I know my life seems busy. And, I agree, it is very busy. However, I have always done well at this pace and it just seems to have changed in the last year. I went to help with yardwork the other day and just had to go inside. I couldn't hang. That is so not me!!

sunshine79

I dealt with this previously and was able to manage it naturally (although I understand this isn't always the case for everyone). I took sea kelp as it is rich in iodine and often if you are hypothyroid you may be deficient in iodine. I also sped up my metabolism by eating little and often - every 2.5 - 3hrs. It was a huge commitment at first but it became second nature. Also I began strength training as this also raises your rmr. I'm not a doctor and I'm not saying this is the answer, just wanted to share what helped me as I struggles with this for a few years and I know how frustrating it can be.

Please feel free to msg me if you need more info.

sschroth69

You could try getting blood tests on your own before spending money on a doctors visit. There is a web site called Healthcheckusa that has a good thryoid profile for $85.00 which you can order yourself. The hospital in my area offers a type of blood work panel that is common profile (cholesterol, kindey, liver, thyroid function) and includes a base thryoid test called TSH. The cost of that service is $30.00 which is the same as what our local public health fair provides.

If you are hypothyroid, there is a prescription medication that is considered more natural than the synthetic thyroid preparations. It is usually referred to as Armour thyroid but it can be challenging to find a doctor who will prescribe it.

Best of luck to getting some help.

staceybrewer

What a wealth of information and support. I am calling my doctor.

Thank you!!

penrbrown

There ARE certain foods that can slow down your thyroid. However, who knows how much? and without blood work there's no way to tell for sure if you have hypothyroidism or not.

Until you can see a doctor, do some google research. You'll find sources that will warn you about foods that can potentially slow down thyroid function (like broccoli, cauliflower, etc).

There are MANY things that copy hypothyroidism, that's why diagnosis is so important. My sister has ALL the symptoms I have with my hypothyroidism but she does not have hypothyroidism! Go figure eh? Her problem is stress and allergies.

Anyway. I'm sorry I can't tell you what you want to hear. The bottom line is, you need blood work to confirm your self diagnosis and then medication. That's the only thing that will really help a slow thyroid.

cmriverside

I've been on Synthroid for 25years. Like everyone said, it's cheap, even the blood test is inexpensive.

How can you not want to be healthy? If you are working four jobs and have kids, they need you! Take care of yourself!! :noway:

susanswan

I follow Dr. Furhman (Eat to Live) and looked through his "Ask the Doctor" forums as I've always heard stuff about soy and even cruciferous veggies being bad for you. Below I've copied and pasted the "conversation" that I found between a website member and the doctors of dr.fuhrman.com These answers answered my own questions about whether I should be eating cruciferous veggies, too.

QUESTION:
I have a close friend whose mother is planning to make a dietary change to a nutritarian lifestyle, with whole, plant-based foods. She is overweight, pre-diabetic, addicted to sugar and refined carbohydrates, and suffers from hypothyroidism, for which she is taking Armour Thyroid Hormone (http://www.armourthyroid.com/cons_aboutArmour.aspx).

He is concerned about whether the dietary change will cause any thyroid problems or interact badly with the medication. My questions below are in the context of a whole foods, plant-based diet:

* Are there any foods that promote thyroid function, so that someone with hypothyroidism should eat more of them?
* Are there any foods that interfere with thyroid function, so that someone with hypothyroidism should eat less of them?
* Are there any symptoms she should look out for that would indicate her thyroid function has increased as a result of dietary change, meaning she should cut back on her medication?
* Are there any risks to making this dietary transition, based on her condition?

DOCTOR'S ANSWER:
Foods that support thyroid function include all of the foods in a nutritarian diet as well as some sea vegetables. Gluten sensitivity is a common cause of thyroid problems so eliminating gluten should be a consideration. Cruciferous vegetables have been implicated to cause thyroid problems but they have so many health benefits that the potential risk is negligible. Studies have shown no detrimental effect with whole soy foods like tofu, tempeh, edamame in moderate quantities. Avoid any processed foods, including soy processed foods. Supplements that support thyroid function include iodine, zinc, omega 3 fats and Vitamin D. You can review the supplement section for assistance on what to take. Regarding symptoms, she will know when she begins to feel better. The risks would arise from not adopting this diet style. This diet and other lifestyle changes are crucial in reducing her risks of diabetes, stroke, heart disease, dementia and cancer.

Just to be more accurate with the semantical choice of words. Cruciferous vegetables do NOT cause thyroid problems. They prevent thyroid problems lowering the risk of developing thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. However, a very large amount of raw cruciferous could reduce may an iodine deficient person more likely to develop mild hypothyroidism, but this is almost never clinically relevant.

QUESTION:
My husband is on Synthroid for 4+ years. Since following ETL for 3 months and eating a lot of raw cruciferious as well as juicing raw cruciferious (about 20 oz per day) he recently had blood work and his doctor increased the Synthroid from 100 mcg/day to 112 mcg/day. Might this from the cruciferous intake or iodine deficiency? If he adds iodine supplement (kelp?) can he continue eating raw cruciferous?

ANSWER:
He should not be juicing 20 oz of raw cruciferous a day. One glass of juice per day max (8 oz and it should not be more than half greens.

QUESTION:
Okay, I'll let him know to restrict the juice. Can he still continue to eat salads with raw cruciferous and would an iodine supplement be beneficial?

ANSWER:
Yes, one more reason why I recommend the Gentle Care, cause the iodine is in there.
..................................................................

Back to me ~ In another post 1/5 tsp of kelp was advised to get iodine. I imagine this would be done by weighing it out rather than trying to figure out what the heck 1/5 tsp is! Less than 1/4 in any case!

geminai

I'm late to the game here, but just wanted to mention that once you see your doc, even if your TSH test comes back ok, if you still present with hypothyroid symptoms, you may want to talk to him/her about a "free T4" test. If your body is not converting T4 to T3 properly, this test will tell you, and that is a form of hypothyroidism, as well. Synthroid/Levothyroxine are pure T4 meds, but it is entirely possible (although not all that common, I don't think) that your body has a proper T4 production, but it's not getting converted properly to T3, giving you similar problems. The medication for T3 is also not terribly expensive, but is a bit more than T4 medications. I have a fantastic endocrinologist who has changed my life. I hope you can find someone to help you feel better.

firstsip

You could research foods that help support thyroid function, but I am not recommending this. I went undiagnosed for a long time and my levels were really low. The doctors were surprised I was not in a coma. I really think you should put your health first and save some money for a consultation and an initial lab test. I bet you could find a clinic near you that has a sliding fee scale. Good luck!

Low levels would be hyper High levels mean hypo.

Just trying to keep clear information out there!

kdhaile

I have been struggling with thyroid problems since 1998 when mine was removed due to thyroid cancer. Medication is the best way to treat it. The medication is not really expensive (but you should really have the real synthroid not the generic). If you are hypothyroid it will make a huge difference. It is pretty easy to know for sure but it will make a world of difference for you.

wolfchild59

I would go to the doctor before trying to self-treat. I went to the doctor a while back and she was convinced that from all of my symptoms I had hypothyroidism and/or was low on any number of vitamins and minerals. She ran a ton of tests on me, up and down the bracket, and everything came back negative for any thyroid issues and I was about the recommended levels on every single vitamin and mineral test she did.

Mind you, we still don't know why I'm having the symptoms and the issues, but even after a second round of tests at a later time, just to make sure, it was all the same results. So if a doctor can misdiagnose based on external symptoms alone, I definitely wouldn't start self-treating on a self-diagnosis.