If you have an underactive thyroid, unfortunately diet will not magically 'heal' it.

Have you been diagnosed with Hashimoto's? Hashi can make the levels of hormones produced by your thyroid fluctuate - sometimes quite dramatically - making frequent testing to make certain your medication level is correct for your thyroid's current functionality a necessity.

You could try reading up on ideas from functional medicine, much can be done with dietary supliments. There are several American practices who are putting out information these days. Make sure you look into their qualifications before you accept all that is said. There is a video, thyroid secret, being put out on line from today, by someone who titles herself the hypo pharmacist or similar, she says she used her background to build up a wider picture of hypo situations. I've seen this referenced from two places.

There is nothing simple about being hypo. Being Hashi, identified by antibodies is very different to being hypo from being deficient in some essential mineral or vitamin. Discovering what triggers ones antibodies is helpful as is addressing other digestive function issues. In both situations stress is a powerful player. I'm sure most doctors give us the idea, "just take this, and all will be well", true it helps some but others need more to address their own quirks and with some 300 possible symptoms to have our own selections it makes each case very different. INV.

Yes, I weaned off of medication after being on them for 10 years. I was at a point where I was eating very "clean" and was within 20 lbs of my ideal weight. At the time I went off the meds, I felt like the meds made me anxious. My doctor supported me in my experiment. Important note: I was initially prescribed meds in my early 40's due to symptoms including a thyroid nodule - blood tests for hormone levels were within normal ranges (never showed a deficiency). Going off of the meds, in my 50's, was a bit of a jolt - I felt very tired at first, but then adjusted. I was definitely less anxious, and happy overall, that I made the decision to stop taking the medication. Now in my 60's, recent tests indicated that my thyroid is still producing acceptable levels of hormone. On the other hand, the nodule that I have has enlarged tremendously. I am now scheduled to have half of my thyroid surgically removed. Not sure how I will feel afterwards, but I can update within a few months. I know I will be prescribed meds again, and am curious to see how I feel afterwards. I have felt sluggish the past few years, but attributed that to life events and less healthy eating habits.

llbreuer2006 wrote: »

I would think it's unlikely that not taking thyroid meds would ever be an option because in spite of eating right, exercising, etc. Your thyroid will still not make adequate amounts of thyroid hormone.

^^ this! I have no thyroid at all, had it removed due to thyroid cancer this past march. And talk to your Dr before doing anything

As one poster above said, the meds may help keep nodules in check. I take it due to some very tiny nodules the doc felt about 10 years ago and it has kept them stable - sono every other year or so to check. So, although my levels are within normal range without the synthroid, it does held to keep the nodules in check. It is possible that just with age, they may get worse anyway which is why we check....