Sluggish thyroid: hypothyroidism

[gbat]

Hi,

I am a male bodybuilder that is very concerned for 2 of my non-bodybuildng co-workers which are women. They have hypothyroidism which according to my net reseach is much more common among women. They both take Synthroid and both have an awful time. The symptoms:

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido


They have all of them. Their drug does not seem to work so good. They are always getting it adjusted. Anyone here have knowledge of this condition and any insight on natural ways to combat it? Sure appreciate your help. I know their doc has the best advice but sometimes the medical folks are a bit narrow minded.

Thanks.

[jmccarthey]

If your friends would start getting out and doing some activity, be it walking during lunch, or weight training, they could naturally help their condition. Usually a thyroid problem occurs because of slow metabolism, which is caused by inactivity. If they naturally increase their metabolism through cardio and weight training, this would probably help their thyroid problem.

About the doctors...I have found that doctors really aren't into practicing preventative measures for some types of conditions. Because if they prevent these problems, there wouldn't be much business left for them. Most medical conditions are in fact preventative.

Good luck, and I hope your friends can get back into a health state.

[TrishB]

Gbat....

It can take quite awhile to get the correct dosage of Synthroid....they need to have monthly blood tests done for awhile. And once the homone levels are correct, then it still takes another few months for the symptoms to abate.

Synthroid is the drug of choice, but some people have had improvement in thyroid function adding iodine into their diet. The easiest way is to take kelp supplements.

Fortunately, inactivity is not a cause of hypothyroidism. And a low metabolic rate is a symptom of it, not a reason for it.

BTW... I consider myself pretty open minded :)

[gbat]

Trish,

Oops! Sorry I slandered the medical profession, not imagining that one of our esteemed forumites was involved. I taste foot quite often through my disengaged brain days. I will take more Ginseng or something. :)

They have been on Synthroid quite a long time. Seems like such a waste of effort for the lackluster and unpredictable results they are getting. Seems the only ones benefitting are the doc and drug companies. I was just searching around for a more proactive approach. The better I feel from my newly acquired bodybuilding and keto lifestyle, the more I hurt for them.

I have found references to high quality coconut oil being of benefit as well as guaifenesin. Also, the floride and chloride in the water is being spotted as a culpret. This has credibility with me, I suspect the water from these parts is loaded with nightmarish concoctions, having been a swamp here at ancient times. But, as with all things internet derived, a grain of salt becomes an essential supplement.

I shall research the kelp supplements. Thanks for that steer.

[TrishB]

LOL....It's ok honey....apology accepted. :)

Toxins are becoming a big reason for thyroid disease....as well as so many other ailments. Pesticides being one of the worse, with the effects not showing up for 15-20 years later. And lots of what was banned years ago is still showing up in our water supply.