herbs for hypothyroidism
mamadragon
Posts: 110
My doctor will not help me since I'm "within peramaters" but from searching the internet and such, I do have hypothroidism. I'm looking into taking herbs and wonder if anyone else has gone this way. Which herbs worked? Which didn't? I'm currently taking some (started yesterday) so I know it'll take time before I can tell if it works or not.
thanks
thanks
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Once upon a time my doctor said my thyroid was borderline low. Not quite to the point where I needed synthroid, but close. He told me to take a Vit B12 every day because in some people it has been known to help. It helped a little with me
However, all it did was delay needing synthroid for a few years.0 -
mamadragon wrote: »My doctor will not help me since I'm "within peramaters" but from searching the internet and such, I do have hypothroidism. I'm looking into taking herbs and wonder if anyone else has gone this way. Which herbs worked? Which didn't? I'm currently taking some (started yesterday) so I know it'll take time before I can tell if it works or not.
thanks
If your doctor says you are within normal parameters, you do not have hypothyroidism, regardless of what you read online.
Hypothyroidism (real not self diagnosed) is treated with medication, not herbs. Herbs will not help.0 -
Assuming you've had your bloodwork tested from your comment about being in parameters- by chance did your doc include Vitamin D levels? I'd assumed for a long time I was hypothyroid because of my own symptoms and family history, but always got that same "you're fine, you're within normal range" speech. My last bloodwork included Vitamin D and found out I'm WAY below normal there. I was put on vitamin D supplements and felt a big difference.0
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Self-diagnosing based on the internet is unwise. If I went by what the internet tells me I've got MS and a brain tumor.
If you're unhappy with your doctor seek a second opinion, but don't self-diagnose/medicate.0 -
mamadragon wrote: »My doctor will not help me since I'm "within peramaters" but from searching the internet and such, I do have hypothroidism. I'm looking into taking herbs and wonder if anyone else has gone this way. Which herbs worked? Which didn't? I'm currently taking some (started yesterday) so I know it'll take time before I can tell if it works or not.
thanks
*Parameters.
If you're thyroid is normal, you're normal. Adding to this, there's no herb that can alter your thyroid hormone levels.
So, you do not have hypothyroidism. What makes you think you do?0 -
If your doctor says you are within normal parameters, you do not have hypothyroidism, regardless of what you read online.
Hypothyroidism (real not self diagnosed) is treated with medication, not herbs. Herbs will not help.
What she said. And OP, how would you determine if the herbs were working?
I know some people want to go the "natural" path, but I'm sticking to my Synthroid. I think if it was as easy as herbs or diet alterations, we'd all be doing it.0 -
Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.0 -
I haven't personally done enough research yet (working on it, though) to decide whether or not I truly believe in this, but there is some compelling evidence out there that someone can have all of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and greatly benefit from traditional treatments for hypothyroidism even though their bloodwork falls into "normal" parameters. Some doctors live and die by the blood test results, some doctors are willing to try to treat the symptoms despite what the tests say. OP, if you truly feel that you may need treatment for a health condition, I urge you to get a second opinion rather than try to self-medicate with potentially dangerous herbs.0
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If your doctor says you are within normal parameters, you do not have hypothyroidism, regardless of what you read online.
Hypothyroidism (real not self diagnosed) is treated with medication, not herbs. Herbs will not help.
What she said. And OP, how would you determine if the herbs were working?
I know some people want to go the "natural" path, but I'm sticking to my Synthroid. I think if it was as easy as herbs or diet alterations, we'd all be doing it.
I agree with these too. I wish my doctor would tell me my thyroid was in normal parameters. That'd be the best news I've heard in years.
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Doctor Google is the worst doctor ever. According to him, I've had cancer at least 4 times.
Thyroid symptoms aren't enough to diagnose the problem, and are vague enough to be signs of plenty of other things.
The only way to properly diagnose hypothyroidism is through blood testing. If you've been tested and test within normal parameters and you don't have antibodies, you don't have it in any form.
If you're tired, eat well and exercise and practice good sleep hygiene. Feeling more tired than usual is part of getting older.
If you feel cold, it's winter. Are you getting older? Feeling colder as you age is normal.
Are you putting on weight? Are you getting older? Your caloric needs change as you age. Plug your stats into the site, create a caloric deficit, weigh and measure your food and you'll lose weight.
Hair and nails dry? Again, it's winter. This happens in winter.
I just gave a few examples of common hypothyroid symptoms that are very easily explained in other ways.0 -
I haven't personally done enough research yet (working on it, though) to decide whether or not I truly believe in this, but there is some compelling evidence out there that someone can have all of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and greatly benefit from traditional treatments for hypothyroidism even though their bloodwork falls into "normal" parameters. Some doctors live and die by the blood test results, some doctors are willing to try to treat the symptoms despite what the tests say. OP, if you truly feel that you may need treatment for a health condition, I urge you to get a second opinion rather than try to self-medicate with potentially dangerous herbs.
The doctors who treat things despite normal parameters are the ones losing their licenses, usually. Treating symptoms is also not the same as treating the cause. It's why I had to wait 2 years for my numbers to go out of the parameters to be treated, to make sure what was suspected was true. It's also the reason I wasn't treated for diabetes when it was suspected, because it turned out not to be diabetes. There's a reason the tests are there, and it's to prevent the kind of quackery you're promoting.0 -
Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
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mamapeach910 wrote: »Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
perhaps it was a growth that caused that FNA.
I'm set up for one of those due to a growth on my thyroid. If you only go by my TSH levels, everything is groovy. The others I had to pitch a fit to make them check and they are off to say the least.0 -
"My doctor says I'm fine, but the INTERNET says I'm not." Who needs medical doctors and exams, when obviously Google is so much more accurate.
:huh:0 -
Danilynn1975 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
perhaps it was a growth that caused that FNA.
I'm set up for one of those due to a growth on my thyroid. If you only go by my TSH levels, everything is groovy. The others I had to pitch a fit to make them check and they are off to say the least.
Oh, I understand a growth leading to having a FNA performed. I don't understand a lack of a Hashi's diagnosis during initial bloodwork and until the FNA. That's bad doctoring, right there.
ETA: They only ran your TSH on your initial work-up? Is that standard now? When I was first diagnosed (a looooooooong time ago), they ran a full panel and an antibody screen.
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mamapeach910 wrote: »Danilynn1975 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
perhaps it was a growth that caused that FNA.
I'm set up for one of those due to a growth on my thyroid. If you only go by my TSH levels, everything is groovy. The others I had to pitch a fit to make them check and they are off to say the least.
Oh, I understand a growth leading to having a FNA performed. I don't understand a lack of a Hashi's diagnosis during initial bloodwork and until the FNA. That's bad doctoring, right there.
there's been a big thing lately that a lot of doctors refuse to test more than the TSH levels in some areas. some insurance companies are only paying for that one test.
I had to pay out of pocket to get my others tested. Even after the ultrasound showed something off. It was the combination of the ultrasound and a visible lump in conjunction with my out of pocket paid for tests that got me a referral insurance would cover to the endocrinologist0 -
Danilynn1975 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »Danilynn1975 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
perhaps it was a growth that caused that FNA.
I'm set up for one of those due to a growth on my thyroid. If you only go by my TSH levels, everything is groovy. The others I had to pitch a fit to make them check and they are off to say the least.
Oh, I understand a growth leading to having a FNA performed. I don't understand a lack of a Hashi's diagnosis during initial bloodwork and until the FNA. That's bad doctoring, right there.
there's been a big thing lately that a lot of doctors refuse to test more than the TSH levels in some areas. some insurance companies are only paying for that one test.
I had to pay out of pocket to get my others tested. Even after the ultrasound showed something off. It was the combination of the ultrasound and a visible lump in conjunction with my out of pocket paid for tests that got me a referral insurance would cover to the endocrinologist
I am sputtering with rage on your behalf. And on the behalf of all the other people who come up against this nonsense.
They should at least cover antibody screening, especially since Hashimoto's is the leading cause of hypothyroidism.
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OP, think about this...you may have something completely different that is causing whatever symptoms you have. Or you may have nothing. Either way, self-medicating using herbs suggested by teh interwebz isn't a good idea. Best case scenario, they'll do nothing for you. Worst case, you could be ignoring something that needs a doctor's care and making yourself worse.
Or another worst case, you could make yourself sick taking shady supplements. That does happen.0 -
mamapeach910 wrote: »Danilynn1975 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »Danilynn1975 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
perhaps it was a growth that caused that FNA.
I'm set up for one of those due to a growth on my thyroid. If you only go by my TSH levels, everything is groovy. The others I had to pitch a fit to make them check and they are off to say the least.
Oh, I understand a growth leading to having a FNA performed. I don't understand a lack of a Hashi's diagnosis during initial bloodwork and until the FNA. That's bad doctoring, right there.
there's been a big thing lately that a lot of doctors refuse to test more than the TSH levels in some areas. some insurance companies are only paying for that one test.
I had to pay out of pocket to get my others tested. Even after the ultrasound showed something off. It was the combination of the ultrasound and a visible lump in conjunction with my out of pocket paid for tests that got me a referral insurance would cover to the endocrinologist
I am sputtering with rage on your behalf. And on the behalf of all the other people who come up against this nonsense.
They should at least cover antibody screening, especially since Hashimoto's is the leading cause of hypothyroidism.
out of pocket to me to get that appointment..$1500.00 not counting a doctor visit to authorize it so I could pay out of pocket. Had to drive 3 hours to New Orleans on top of it to get that blood work and doctor willing to let me.0 -
My sister in law put her mother in the ICU trying to cure her thyroid with herbs. I don't recommend it.0
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mamapeach910 wrote: »
I don't understand why you needed an aspiration if you have Hashi's. An antibody screen is a normal part of an initial thyroid work-up. Your Hashi's would have been picked up that way. You've got an interesting doctor for sure.
Nope, my blood work was within parameters. I also had many symptoms of hypothyroidism. I went to quite a few doctors, (2nd and 3rd opinions), and all said I was fine. One suggested I see a psychiatrist. Most washed their hands of me.
Finally someone suggested I go see another endocrinologist. What did I have to lose? So I went and saw him, and he felt lumps in my thyroid. That's when the FNA was discussed. He was pretty sure I had Hashi's even though my blood work was inconclusive. The FNA proved it.
It's actually common for blood work to be negative with Hashi's. The second step is usually an FNA if goiters are present.0 -
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My boss's wife has thyroid problems. It was completely missed for 10 years. It wasn't until she had a thyroid storm and an ambulance ride that hers was caught. she nearly died, 4 days in ICU.
All they repeatedly tested on her was TSH.0 -
So basically the OP should listen to you and not his doctor? I swear some of you people online are unreal. Reckless.
No, the purpose of my response was to say to get a second opinion. I actually got a few, because I knew in my soul something was wrong. I didn't give up but learned to be an advocate for myself. I was encouraging that.0 -
Are you seeing your primary care doc or an endocrinologist? A primary care doctor will tell you that TSH levels below 5 are normal, but an endocrinologist will want to see you below 3 for TSH. I'd go to a specialist if I were you if you really want a second opinion. I just started seeing my Endo because my TSH levels weren't going down to normal levels after 18 months on meds from my PCP, and she nearly doubled my dose and I'm feeling loads better already.0
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Never posted here, but I read regularly and felt the need to comment. I had undiagnosed hypothyroidism because my previous doc only went by labs, specifically TSH. With "normal" TSH, I grew nodules that eventually had to be removed(with half my thyroid). I have never tested positive for Hashi antibodies, but have been treated for the last several years based not on TSH but on my Free T3 and Free T4 levels. Not everyone who has a normal TSH test is healthy.
Just another point of view...0 -
Blood work may be inconclusive when diagnosing thyroid problems. I have Hashimoto's and had to get a Fine Needle Aspiration before I was correctly diagnosed. Blood work showed nothing, so get a second opinion. Don't count on the internet, it's 99% crap with a 1% of maybe.
But if you want to help your endocrine system, vitamin D, b12 and regular bs are very good. There's a few other "natural" things coming up on the horizon, but unfortunately, if it wasn't for levothyroxine / synthroid, I'd be dead.
Same here, hypo and hyperthyroidism is still, although quite common, a bit of a mystery. They still don't know 100% what causes it, so of course it's incurable and unpreventable. Your best course of action right now is a second opinion. Sometimes they will do the bare minimum of tests that show normal but a more complicated (and expensive) test will show more. One thing I do know for sure is this condition can be totally different from person to person, sometimes one person's baseline is way different than the next.0 -
mamadragon wrote: »My doctor will not help me since I'm "within peramaters" but from searching the internet and such, I do have hypothroidism. I'm looking into taking herbs and wonder if anyone else has gone this way. Which herbs worked? Which didn't? I'm currently taking some (started yesterday) so I know it'll take time before I can tell if it works or not.
thanks
if you are within parameters you by definition are not hypothyroid - you may have subclinical hypothyroid but that is much different they hypothyroidism
iodinated foods will make the biggest increase in thyroid function and most foods in the US are so heavily packed with iodinated salt that herbs/green leafs or whatever will not make a difference
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