Hypothyroid Natural Treatment?

SeaJules · 07-07-2008, 02:04 PM

I'm wondering if anyone knows of or can recommend a natural supplemental treatment for hypothyroid, as opposed to the traditional pharmacutical drug treatments.

Thanks for your imput. Sorry if it's been asked before.

SJ

italianplaya30 · 07-07-2008, 02:35 PM

i dont think there is anything u can do....just eat alot

Catchol · 07-07-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaJules

I'm wondering if anyone knows of or can recommend a natural supplemental treatment for hypothyroid, as opposed to the traditional pharmacutical drug treatments.

Bladderwrack seems to work well for a lot of people. If you do seek pharmaceutical treatment, I urge you to seek combination T3/T4 treatment. I have found that T4-only treatment is only marginally effective in some, and completely ineffective in others, because conversion of T4 to rT3 (a biologically inactive form of T3) is extensive in some people. Unfortunately, T4 ---> rT3 conversion cannot be controlled. So if you're an "extensive converter", T4 isn't going to do much for you, if anything.

SeaJules · 07-07-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italianplaya30

i dont think there is anything u can do....just eat alot

Thanks but that would be HYPERthyroid and unfortunately for me that's not what I have. I have the opposite symptoms. Low metabolism, lethargic at times.

SeaJules · 07-07-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catchol

Bladderwrack seems to work well for a lot of people. If you do seek pharmaceutical treatment, I urge you to seek combination T3/T4 treatment. I have found that T4-only treatment is only marginally effective in some, and completely ineffective in others, because conversion of T4 to rT3 (a biologically inactive form of T3) is extensive in some people. Unfortunately, T4 ---> rT3 conversion cannot be controlled. So if you're an "extensive converter", T4 isn't going to do much for you, if anything.

Thank you I will look into that. I admit ably don't know alot about it. I was on pharmaceuticals for it (levothyroxine) and I think you are right. I believe it only treats the T4. I didn't find it did too much to help. The symptoms are cyclable. Sometimes it's worse than others. It's not interfering with my work outs but I do sleep a ton and I am sure it effects my results.

Anyway thanks for your insight and your input!

Bushmaster · 07-07-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaJules

I'm wondering if anyone knows of or can recommend a natural supplemental treatment for hypothyroid, as opposed to the traditional pharmacutical drug treatments.

Thanks for your imput. Sorry if it's been asked before.

SJ

Armour Thyroid is natural.

It's dessicated pig thyroid and also contains both T4/T3.

http://www.armourthyroid.com/

SeaJules · 07-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

Armour Thyroid is natural.

It's dessicated pig thyroid and also contains both T4/T3.

http://www.armourthyroid.com/

Thanks! What is dessicated pig thyroid though? I mean is it what is sounds like? lol Is something you found to be effective?

Bushmaster · 07-07-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaJules

Thanks! What is dessicated pig thyroid though? I mean is it what is sounds like? lol Is something you found to be effective?

Yes, it really is pig thyroid. And "dessicated" simply means "dried."

You'll never know it though because it looks just like any other pill. I've never tried it though because I'm on a combination of T3 and T4 which seems to work ok..

Browse through here though and you'll find an enormous wealth of info.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

Best of luck! I know this isn't the easiest thing in the world to deal with. Also you can PM me if you have any more questions..

SeaJules · 07-07-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

Yes, it really is pig thyroid. And "dessicated" simply means "dried."

You'll never know it though because it looks just like any other pill. I've never tried it though because I'm on a combination of T3 and T4 which seems to work ok..

Browse through here though and you'll find an enormous wealth of info.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

Best of luck! I know this isn't the easiest thing in the world to deal with. Also you can PM me if you have any more questions..

Thanks so much BushMaster. I appreciate it.

Bushmaster · 07-07-2008, 06:16 PM

no prob.

Catchol · 07-07-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

Armour Thyroid is natural.

It's dessicated pig thyroid and also contains both T4/T3.

Good call! I forgot to mention that one.

Catchol · 07-07-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaJules

Thank you I will look into that. I admit ably don't know alot about it. I was on pharmaceuticals for it (levothyroxine) and I think you are right. I believe it only treats the T4. I didn't find it did too much to help. The symptoms are cyclable. Sometimes it's worse than others. It's not interfering with my work outs but I do sleep a ton and I am sure it effects my results.

Anyway thanks for your insight and your input!

Levothyroxine is T4. The problem with T4 is that stress (actually, glucorticoids) seems to turn on the rT3 pathway (in some people more than others), so if you find that T4 works sometimes but not others, this very well may be the case.

T3 (liothyronine, AKA triiodothyronine) is the end product of thyroid hormone metabolism, so it is immune from the rT3 conversion pathway.

My mom has a thyroid disorder, and after initially being prescribed T4, it stopped working after about 6 months. She's now on T3-only, and all of her hypothyroid symptoms have vanished. Incidentally, I take 20-40 mcg of T3 every single day, even though I've never been diagnosed with any kind of thyroid disorder. I just find that I function better with it than without.

Good luck with your situation!

Bushmaster · 07-08-2008, 06:25 AM

T3 is a wonder drug...

I've been on it for about six months now and I swear by it. My mood is better, memory is better (don't lose my car keys anymore woohoo!!), energy levels are better and I wake up an hour earlier than I used to without an alarm clock..

Too bad doctors are still stuck on T4 only..

Lnacen · 07-17-2008, 11:13 PM

make sure you support you adrenals with Isocort or find a doctor who prescribe hydricortisone. if your hypo, you have adrenal problems as well. and yes, go with armour thyroid!

WannaGetLean · 07-23-2008, 09:48 AM

Wow so glad I found this thread!! I was diagnosed w/ hypothyroid about 2 weeks ago..and placed on the Levothroxine as well @50mcgs'.. I found out that it's only a T4!
Like hte poster said it's cyclical one day i feel ok and the next even moer tired, brain fog..etc.. it's so weird! I have been doing some reading/research and it seems like the Armour is the best route to go 1) being natural, 2) being both a T3/T4! I'm going to ask my DR today about being put on Armour instead of the generic synthroid. Also i think my adrenals are messed up too, I haven't taken any stims lately at all beacuse they don't do anything for me anymore at all i get tierd from them.

Glad i can across this!

Bushmaster · 07-23-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaGetLean

Also i think my adrenals are messed up too,

By all means get your adrenals checked! If they're not putting out then your thyroid meds won't work.

Good luck.

WannaGetLean · 07-23-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

By all means get your adrenals checked! If they're not putting out then your thyroid meds won't work.

Good luck.

I will get it checked out, i'm not sure if the endo ran those tests or not?

He ran a ton of tests to find out if i was hypo or if something else was going on, so i wil lbe sure to ask him today for my apt @ 11!

This has been soo frustrating to say the least.. I'm really hoping that he will listen and switch me to a T3/T4 prod, instead of the T4 synthroid..If not I will most likely move to a diff dr. and get another opinion.

What brand do you have of thyroid meds? Or ar you just taking a t3?

girl81 · 01-23-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catchol

Levothyroxine is T4. The problem with T4 is that stress (actually, glucorticoids) seems to turn on the rT3 pathway (in some people more than others), so if you find that T4 works sometimes but not others, this very well may be the case.

T3 (liothyronine, AKA triiodothyronine) is the end product of thyroid hormone metabolism, so it is immune from the rT3 conversion pathway.

My mom has a thyroid disorder, and after initially being prescribed T4, it stopped working after about 6 months. She's now on T3-only, and all of her hypothyroid symptoms have vanished. Incidentally, I take 20-40 mcg of T3 every single day, even though I've never been diagnosed with any kind of thyroid disorder. I just find that I function better with it than without.

Good luck with your situation!

What is the prescription name for straight T3?