Hypothyroidism help.

LadyFlexible
LadyFlexible Posts: 108 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Is there anyway for me fix my Thyroid problem enough so that I can join the Army? Without meds?

Replies

  • pastamomma
    pastamomma Posts: 34 Member
    Sorry, probably not. I am currently on a generic synthroid product and as long as I take it as directed, get regular blood tests and have my dr visits, I have absolutely no problems. I wouldn't be afraid of the medicine, but that's me and you may have a very good reason for your desire to do it without.
  • MakingMyDreamsComeTrue2015
    MakingMyDreamsComeTrue2015 Posts: 163 Member
    I have pretty bad hypothyroidism and there really isn't anything you can do about it. If you have it you have it. Sorry :/
  • LadyFlexible
    LadyFlexible Posts: 108 Member
    Is there other ways besides the medication and weightloss to better control?

    According to the Army it's a disqualifier but it also says it's a disqualifier if it is uncontrolled. Mine is controlled.
  • jamosteph
    jamosteph Posts: 1
    Have you spoken with a recruiter? They are the only ones that can answer your question with authority.
  • Kayden1986
    Kayden1986 Posts: 189 Member
    thyroids suck. Why is that a disqualifier if you have medication? it makes you as good as anyone else.
  • LadyFlexible
    LadyFlexible Posts: 108 Member
    Jamosteph, yes I have but he said he would talk to his superior and I was reading online that if it is uncontrolled that is a disqualifier. That's actually what he showed me, right under metabolism disorders on the regulation site. Do there tend to be contradictions or is it specifying?
    I guess he thinks it is because they haven't talked to my doctor or the doctors at MEPs. According to my endocrinoligist I could simply take my levothyroxine in the evening or miss a day and make it up.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    I have read that if you are "sub clinical" no other medical issues, numbers over 5 and up to 10 in the UK particularly considered normal range with symptoms. It is possible to increase your iodine intake with other vitamins and minerals. Iodine is available in fish, as well as milk, goat is better than cow, ewe is only available as cheese at least here in the UK. This might give you some hope with no certainty. Sorry. I am in the UK with a T4 of 8.8 and I can't take salicylate, the filler in most pills is maize starch and this is high in the stuff so my only option is to try to improve with dietary iodine without "dark" greens veg etc.

    Please try doing an on line search for more information on supporting your thyroid. There are people out there who try to sell you things which can't help because the iodine is in the wrong format to be absorbed properly. Make sure you follow well qualified science.

    All the very best.
  • LadyFlexible
    LadyFlexible Posts: 108 Member
    Okay, I looked at the DOD instruction. I think there was a case of mistaken identity.
    Hypothyroidism as long as it is controlled I do fall under regulation
    He highlighted something hypoparathyroidism
  • LadyFlexible
    LadyFlexible Posts: 108 Member
    I feel so wrapped up...I can't wait for a reply.
  • irleshay
    irleshay Posts: 102 Member
    I hope you get in! I've never heard of hypoparathyroidism.
    I've been on Synthroid about 10 years, and I don't know of other successful treatments besides medication. Even severe treatments like radiation destruction of your thyroid would involve taking hormones to replace what your thyroid would have produced. But glad it won't be an obstacle to joining.
  • princessofredrock
    princessofredrock Posts: 382 Member
    http://www.amazon.com/Optimox-Iodoral-12-5-180-tabs/dp/B000X843VG/ref=pd_sim__1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K4MJC6ZKRXEEN0QWXM8

    I take this twice a day- 1 pill. You should start out at 1 pill a day to see how you feel. Thyroid issues can stem from Iodine deficiency.

    Good luck

    ; )
  • chunt87
    chunt87 Posts: 161 Member
    I would say you need to talk to your doctor and as far as the recruiter, you may have to request a waiver. If you get the waiver you are probably good to go. And you should also talk to your Dr about any supplements you are considering taking as I have this condition and have been told to take nothing because it could risk interfering with my medication, for me, for you it may be different
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    MFP has a Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/770-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism

    The only treatment for hypothyroidism is hormone replacement. Either Synthroid (T4), or Symthroid + Cytomel (T3), or Armour (dessicated pig or pig + cow thyroid glands).

    Untreated thyroid disease would make you a serious liability. Hypothyroidism symptoms include:
    Fatigue
    Muscle weakness
    Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
    Joint pain, stiffness or swelling
    Depression
    Impaired memory
  • mzfrizz15
    mzfrizz15 Posts: 135 Member
    Regardless of what the recruiter tells you, GET TREATED. I was a dummy as a younger person and went untreated for my hashimoto's (hypothyroidism) for months! Take your meds, get your levels checked and you should be feeling fine within weeks. :)
  • RunMyOregonBunsOff
    RunMyOregonBunsOff Posts: 862 Member
    I would think that taking meds for it and having your numbers in the normal range while on meds is having it controled. You should be aware though, that an increase in activity level often requires your doseage to be increased. Also, I was told by my doctor that if you have an intolerance to other foods, it can trigger your hypothyroidism, so if you have cilliac and go gluten free, you may see improvement in your thyroid function. If you have no food intollerances then diet may not fix much other than things like enough iodine.

    Also, my doctor doesn't recomend armour because at times it can be in short supply and also because of how they measure it, it can be less consistant than some other medications. I am not trying to discourage you from using it, just saying what my doctor told me when I asked about it.
  • chunt87
    chunt87 Posts: 161 Member
    Regardless of what the recruiter tells you, GET TREATED. I was a dummy as a younger person and went untreated for my hashimoto's (hypothyroidism) for months! Take your meds, get your levels checked and you should be feeling fine within weeks. :)
    I would think that taking meds for it and having your numbers in the normal range while on meds is having it controled. You should be aware though, that an increase in activity level often requires your doseage to be increased


    THIS. For me its still a battle, it has been 9 months since diagnosis with meds being changed every 6 weeks. However, I am very active at 4400 exercise calories a week bro! Increasing activity since diagnosis.

    If your MD says you need to get treatment, get treatment. you should be able to get into the military once it is controlled and you have a stable dosage. With a note from your doctor they should give you a waiver. If the army doesn't want to take you there are 4 other branches to look at too.
  • LadyFlexible
    LadyFlexible Posts: 108 Member
    If it helps anyone. I am on synthroid, and I have been on synthroid since I was 8 days old.
    My issue is finding away to improve my thyroid function

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