Wellness

[gabstoomuch]

@Trinity11 Dr thinks 10??!!?? At 10 one would feel teribble! If you can find a Dr who truly understands the thyroid, they try for a TSH of 1. Someone with anything above 2-3 feels like poop, I cannot imagine waiting until 10, that is crazy

The TSH is not even testing the thyroid, it is testing the pituitary.

The tests you really want is FREE T-4 and FREE T-3. That would tell you more. FREE means how much hormone is available for use. (T-4 inactive hormone, converts to active T-3 in the liver). So just "totals" does not break it down enough.

If you are on Facebook, there are some really good pages for thyroid  info. I learned so much from just reading there. Hypothyroid affects every system in the human body, so when it is not functioning right, the symptoms can be unbearable.

I started off reading on a website at ABOUT .com, search for Mary Shanon. She is a thyroid advocate for people to fight to get the right treatment, and she is a thyroid wizard. If one does not do Facebook, her website is awesome.

Suzy Cohen is great too, there are a lot of great thyroid websites because unfortunately, very few Drs know how to dose, and what meds to use, and how to get a patient into "optimal" range, not just "in range".

Optimal range for T-4 should be in the upper half of the labs range, and T-3 should be in the upper quarter. There is so much more to thyroid disease than just testing the TSH.

Another good book is "The Autoimmune Solution" by Amy Myers MD. She got Graves disease in college, was sick all through med school, was an ER DR and was so very ill. Unable to find a regular Dr who understood how to treat her, she went back to school and became a functional Dr. She now has a big clinic in Austin TX, and she is so knowledgeable.

90% Hypothyroid people actually Hashimotos, an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks the thyroid. The ones who are not Hashi's are either the thyroid was injured in some way during their life, or if there is thyroid cancer. The rest really have Hashimoto's. Read up on Hashimoto's. There is a lot of info to wrap your brain around, but once you understand it all, and make all the lifestyle changes needed, get your meds right, it is possible to feel well again.

There are approx 59 million+ people in the United States alone that are under-treated, or not even diagnosed and live every day feeling horrible.

Hashi knows no age either. It is familial, so even kids get it. Checking the thyroid just recently was put onto the newborn check list, so I guess that is some progress, but the medical community has a long way to go.

[Trinity11]

Gabstoomuch, thank you for your informative post. I truly appreciate your taking the time to reply... 

[Trinity11]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

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@BExplorer wrote:

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

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@Lucky Charm I recently started taking Ashwagandha for other reasons, had my routine thyroid check, and now I am almost hyperthroid.  I had been on levothyroxine for about 10 years, and now am only taking the Ashwagandha for the past month.  I learned it is an adaptogen herb that regulates, among other things, the thyroid.  I will have my thyroid checked on another month to see if my levels are in range. HTH 😊

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I guess my question is, to *overcome* hypo is to get closer to hyper? 

I don't know if I want to be that close to hyper.  I saw what Grave's did to my sister in law's eyes (4 hr. surgery and they are still 'off'.)

I could NEVER figure out, (maneuver the Stop the Thyroid Madness) site.  Made no sense to me--ever.

Wondering if this book would be a help or just cause more confusion.

I'm willing to do anything to help my thyroid.  Do what's the best for it.  Drs. want to just usher me out of the office when I mention this.....

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Hi, if you go on Amazon, you can read excerpts of the book.

[BExplorer]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

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@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

---

@Lucky Charm I recently started taking Ashwagandha for other reasons, had my routine thyroid check, and now I am almost hyperthroid.  I had been on levothyroxine for about 10 years, and now am only taking the Ashwagandha for the past month.  I learned it is an adaptogen herb that regulates, among other things, the thyroid.  I will have my thyroid checked on another month to see if my levels are in range. HTH 😊

---

I guess my question is, to *overcome* hypo is to get closer to hyper? 

I don't know if I want to be that close to hyper.  I saw what Grave's did to my sister in law's eyes (4 hr. surgery and they are still 'off'.)

I could NEVER figure out, (maneuver the Stop the Thyroid Madness) site.  Made no sense to me--ever.

Wondering if this book would be a help or just cause more confusion.

I'm willing to do anything to help my thyroid.  Do what's the best for it.  Drs. want to just usher me out of the office when I mention this.....

---

@Lucky Charm I apologize, I don't think I explained myself well.  I wasn't trying to get close to hyperthyroid, it was a side effect of taking both Levothyroxine and Ashwagandha that I didn't realize. I am hoping now I can only take the Ashwagandha and my thyroid will be in a normal range. 

I don't have any advice to offer, but thought I would just throw the Aswagandha side effect out there in case anyone is interested in looking into it as a possible alternative to thyroid medications. I hope you find something that works for you.  😊

[Lucky Charm]

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@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

---

@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

---

@Lucky Charm I recently started taking Ashwagandha for other reasons, had my routine thyroid check, and now I am almost hyperthroid.  I had been on levothyroxine for about 10 years, and now am only taking the Ashwagandha for the past month.  I learned it is an adaptogen herb that regulates, among other things, the thyroid.  I will have my thyroid checked on another month to see if my levels are in range. HTH 😊

---

I guess my question is, to *overcome* hypo is to get closer to hyper? 

I don't know if I want to be that close to hyper.  I saw what Grave's did to my sister in law's eyes (4 hr. surgery and they are still 'off'.)

I could NEVER figure out, (maneuver the Stop the Thyroid Madness) site.  Made no sense to me--ever.

Wondering if this book would be a help or just cause more confusion.

I'm willing to do anything to help my thyroid.  Do what's the best for it.  Drs. want to just usher me out of the office when I mention this.....

---

@Lucky Charm I apologize, I don't think I explained myself well.  I wasn't trying to get close to hyperthyroid, it was a side effect of taking both Levothyroxine and Ashwagandha that I didn't realize. I am hoping now I can only take the Ashwagandha and my thyroid will be in a normal range. 

I don't have any advice to offer, but thought I would just throw the Aswagandha side effect out there in case anyone is interested in looking into it as a possible alternative to thyroid medications. I hope you find something that works for you.  😊

---

Oh, I see.  I know that with my levothyroxine, I can't take calcium and zinc supplements in tandem with my morning med.  I also have to avoid walnuts (boo).

I've read things like kale, spinach and a few other great veggies are a no no for those with hypo.  I still eat some....

Most recently I've read that it's not good to work up a sweat when exercising, if you are hypo.  Which is totally against what the health professionals WANT you to do daily.

It's hard to figure it all out.

[BExplorer]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

---

@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

---

@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

---

@Lucky Charm I recently started taking Ashwagandha for other reasons, had my routine thyroid check, and now I am almost hyperthroid.  I had been on levothyroxine for about 10 years, and now am only taking the Ashwagandha for the past month.  I learned it is an adaptogen herb that regulates, among other things, the thyroid.  I will have my thyroid checked on another month to see if my levels are in range. HTH 😊

---

I guess my question is, to *overcome* hypo is to get closer to hyper? 

I don't know if I want to be that close to hyper.  I saw what Grave's did to my sister in law's eyes (4 hr. surgery and they are still 'off'.)

I could NEVER figure out, (maneuver the Stop the Thyroid Madness) site.  Made no sense to me--ever.

Wondering if this book would be a help or just cause more confusion.

I'm willing to do anything to help my thyroid.  Do what's the best for it.  Drs. want to just usher me out of the office when I mention this.....

---

@Lucky Charm I apologize, I don't think I explained myself well.  I wasn't trying to get close to hyperthyroid, it was a side effect of taking both Levothyroxine and Ashwagandha that I didn't realize. I am hoping now I can only take the Ashwagandha and my thyroid will be in a normal range. 

I don't have any advice to offer, but thought I would just throw the Aswagandha side effect out there in case anyone is interested in looking into it as a possible alternative to thyroid medications. I hope you find something that works for you.  😊

---

Oh, I see.  I know that with my levothyroxine, I can't take calcium and zinc supplements in tandem with my morning med.  I also have to avoid walnuts (boo).

I've read things like kale, spinach and a few other great veggies are a no no for those with hypo.  I still eat some....

Most recently I've read that it's not good to work up a sweat when exercising, if you are hypo.  Which is totally against what the health professionals WANT you to do daily.

It's hard to figure it all out.

---

WOW!  I know not to take other medications within a few hours of Levothyroxine, but I had no idea about any of those other things to avoid if hypothyroid.  

[morganjen]

I watch many health summits and saw this (free) one coming up:

http://healinghashimotossummit.com/

I never buy the packages during these summits, but try to watch as many of the speakers as I can. I have learned sooo much from them.

[Lucky Charm]

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@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

---

@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

---

@BExplorer wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

---

@Lucky Charm I recently started taking Ashwagandha for other reasons, had my routine thyroid check, and now I am almost hyperthroid.  I had been on levothyroxine for about 10 years, and now am only taking the Ashwagandha for the past month.  I learned it is an adaptogen herb that regulates, among other things, the thyroid.  I will have my thyroid checked on another month to see if my levels are in range. HTH 😊

---

I guess my question is, to *overcome* hypo is to get closer to hyper? 

I don't know if I want to be that close to hyper.  I saw what Grave's did to my sister in law's eyes (4 hr. surgery and they are still 'off'.)

I could NEVER figure out, (maneuver the Stop the Thyroid Madness) site.  Made no sense to me--ever.

Wondering if this book would be a help or just cause more confusion.

I'm willing to do anything to help my thyroid.  Do what's the best for it.  Drs. want to just usher me out of the office when I mention this.....

---

@Lucky Charm I apologize, I don't think I explained myself well.  I wasn't trying to get close to hyperthyroid, it was a side effect of taking both Levothyroxine and Ashwagandha that I didn't realize. I am hoping now I can only take the Ashwagandha and my thyroid will be in a normal range. 

I don't have any advice to offer, but thought I would just throw the Aswagandha side effect out there in case anyone is interested in looking into it as a possible alternative to thyroid medications. I hope you find something that works for you.  😊

---

Oh, I see.  I know that with my levothyroxine, I can't take calcium and zinc supplements in tandem with my morning med.  I also have to avoid walnuts (boo).

I've read things like kale, spinach and a few other great veggies are a no no for those with hypo.  I still eat some....

Most recently I've read that it's not good to work up a sweat when exercising, if you are hypo.  Which is totally against what the health professionals WANT you to do daily.

It's hard to figure it all out.

---

WOW!  I know not to take other medications within a few hours of Levothyroxine, but I had no idea about any of those other things to avoid if hypothyroid.  

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The calcium and zinc supplements along with the mention of walnuts is in the *brochures* that the pharmacy gives you that accompanies my levothyroxine (sodium).

The greens and working up a sweat, I've read from other doctors' sites online. hth.

[NickNack]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

---

@Lucky Charm  My doctor told me that this is one drug I will have to take for life.  She said you could never go off of it.  I don't mind taking it at all if it's going to regulate my thyroid as well as it has all these years.

[Lucky Charm]

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@Nicknack wrote:

---

@Lucky Charm wrote:

Ugh, the only med I have to take and I wish I didn't.

Is there hope to get off of levothyroxine (et al)?

It's all I want to know!?!

---

@Lucky Charm  My doctor told me that this is one drug I will have to take for life.  She said you could never go off of it.  I don't mind taking it at all if it's going to regulate my thyroid as well as it has all these years.

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I don't mind taking it, BUT if there was something I could do myself so I didn't have to take it, I would.

I do feel good, no symptoms such as tiredness, hair loss, etc.  But I always wondered what made me 'get' this illness.  No one else in my family, tons of aunts, great aunts, sisters or male relatives for that matter.  Just me!