Interesting article

sometimes_blondie

I was looking for info on Hashimoto's Thyroidism and came across this article that I thought was interesting. What do you guys think?


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/a-7-step-plan-to-boost-yo_b_247369.html

islandmonkey

I think this is a pretty good article - comprehensive enough while still being concise for a specific audience. His first 5 steps are bang on -- record your symtoms, get the proper lab tests done (including testing for autoimmune thyroid disease), etc. It's also great that he pointed out getting your Vit D levels checked; super important for thyroid hormone to act on your cells, and most people are deficient. I would also include getting your iron, ferritin, selenium, b12, and iodine tested.

I do actually like that he talks about thyroid hormones last. Because there are definitely things you can do - including adding in essential vitamins and minerals - to help with thyroid management. Controlling stress is huge, especially in people with autoimmune thyroid disease.


The only thing I'd add is around #7: consider the APPROPRIATE meds for your thyroid management. This is most often a combo med that contains both T3 and T4, and not just a T4 med lik Synthroid and Levothyroxine.

sometimes_blondie

Very true! I'm very interested in trying a NDT for my hypo. Unfortunately I go to a clinic where they seem to have a general way of thinking and I think that alternative treatments are frowned on. I would switch docs, but right now I'm on the Capitol One health plan and I am reaching my credit limit very quickly. :grumble:

islandmonkey

The Nature Thyroid site has a "find a doctor" link at the bottom. If you are ever able to look at a new doctor, I would start there.

I would at least as your doctor, just to see if they're open to it? You never know, and I certainly wouldn't call an NDT an alternative treatment - it's an Rx just like synthetic meds.


American health care scares me.

shirleygirl910

I was told by my doctor Thyroid is one of the hardest things to diagnose because it naturally swings like a pendulm. I was sent to the endocrinologist in 2003. My tests showed I was just barely hypothyroid, but outside of the normal range. Then in 2008, I had extreme stress from home and my job, and my thyroid was off the charts in the hyperthyroid direction. I had gained 60 lbs in 9 months, but I was hyperthyroid. by the time my doctor did the tests, then sent me to the endocrinologist again I was having heart palpatations, hair loss, extreme heat coming from me, and had gained more weight. My doctor ended up radiating my thyroid, so now I am on Synthroid for the rest of my life.

Since changing health care, they now discovered I was deficient in vitamin D, and B-12. I currently take omega-3 along with mega doses of vitamin D and B-12 (doctor monitored), calcuim, a multi. I feel the best I have my whole life. I've also been able maintatin my weight loss.

sometimes_blondie

I was told by my doctor Thyroid is one of the hardest things to diagnose because it naturally swings like a pendulm. I was sent to the endocrinologist in 2003. My tests showed I was just barely hypothyroid, but outside of the normal range. Then in 2008, I had extreme stress from home and my job, and my thyroid was off the charts in the hyperthyroid direction. I had gained 60 lbs in 9 months, but I was hyperthyroid. by the time my doctor did the tests, then sent me to the endocrinologist again I was having heart palpatations, hair loss, extreme heat coming from me, and had gained more weight. My doctor ended up radiating my thyroid, so now I am on Synthroid for the rest of my life.

Since changing health care, they now discovered I was deficient in vitamin D, and B-12. I currently take omega-3 along with mega doses of vitamin D and B-12 (doctor monitored), calcuim, a multi. I feel the best I have my whole life. I've also been able maintatin my weight loss.

I started taking vitamin D3 too, and have felt much better too!

islandmonkey

I was told by my doctor Thyroid is one of the hardest things to diagnose because it naturally swings like a pendulm. I was sent to the endocrinologist in 2003. My tests showed I was just barely hypothyroid, but outside of the normal range. Then in 2008, I had extreme stress from home and my job, and my thyroid was off the charts in the hyperthyroid direction. I had gained 60 lbs in 9 months, but I was hyperthyroid. by the time my doctor did the tests, then sent me to the endocrinologist again I was having heart palpatations, hair loss, extreme heat coming from me, and had gained more weight. My doctor ended up radiating my thyroid, so now I am on Synthroid for the rest of my life.

Since changing health care, they now discovered I was deficient in vitamin D, and B-12. I currently take omega-3 along with mega doses of vitamin D and B-12 (doctor monitored), calcuim, a multi. I feel the best I have my whole life. I've also been able maintatin my weight loss.

I started taking vitamin D3 too, and have felt much better too!

I'm on 4000 IUI daily, and possibly going up to 6000 daily!