Diagnosed with hypothyroidism...?

Question

My doctor just diagnosed me with hypothyroidism, and I'm wondering if it makes any sense to get tested somewhere else? Or will the test basically come out the same anywhere I go? I'm thinking doctors can't really go wrong with blood work... Anyone?

Answer 1

Hi Redlox

If it ends up being true then here is how to heal your condition.

Cause: Hypothyroidism can be caused by food allergies, excess stress, environmental toxins, insufficient exercise, B vitamin deficiencies, lack of iron, lack of digestive enzymes, liver disease, hormone imbalances, and/or parasites. All of these factors need to be screened for and addressed before lasting relief can be achieved.

Sulfa drugs, lithium, synthetic estrogen, and antihistamines can exacerbate hypothyroidism symptoms. In addition, if you are on thyroid medication, increase calcium supplementation to reduce the risk of bone loss.

Low thyroid function may also be due to Hashimoto`s disease, a condition in which the body becomes allergic to its own thyroid gland and forms antibodies that attack it, thus lowering thyroid hormone output.

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Natural Cures

Broda Barnes Home Thyroid Test: The following simple test was developed by Broda Barnes, one of the first physicians to recognize the widespread incidence of hypothyroidism. Place a thermometer by the side of your bed before you go to sleep. In the morning before getting out of bed, lie still and place the thermometer under your armpit for 15 minutes, then check your temperature. A temperature below 97.5° F may indicate a problem with the thyroid gland. Take the temperature in this manner for three days, except for the first few days of the menstrual cycle and the middle day of the cycle, and calculate the average temperature. If it is consistently low, it is an indicator that your have hypothyroidism. The lower your body temperature is, the greater your degree of hypothyroidism.

Diet: Eat an organic, whole foods diet, emphasizing foods that are naturally high in iodine such as fish, kelp, vegetables, and root vegetables (such as potatoes). Also, increase your daily consumption of foods rich in vitamin B complex, such as whole grains and raw nuts and seeds, and foods rich in vitamin A, such as dark green and yellow vegetables. But avoid foods that slow down production of thyroid hormone, such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, broccoli, turnips, kale, spinach, peaches, and pears.

Herbs: Mild cases of hypothyroidism can be helped by herbal bitters such as gentian or mugwort, while constipation due to low thyroid function can be improved by yellowdock, butternut, or cascara sagrada. St. John`s wort can also be helpful.

Homeopathy: Calc carb. in a dose of 1M once a day is very useful for treating hypothyroidism and improving overall thyroid function.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. I suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments.

Lifestyle: Regular aerobic exercise can play an important role in helping to regulate thyroid hormone production.

Nutritional Supplementation: Organic thyroid glandular extracts can help restore normal thyroid function, but should only be used under the supervision of your physician. Other useful nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin B complex, essential fatty acids, iodine, kelp, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

Alternative Professional Care: If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating hypothyroidism include: Acupuncture, Biofeedback Training, Cell Therapy, Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Homeopathy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yoga.

Best of health to you

Answer 2

It doesn't make sense to get a second opinion in this case. Bloodwork is bloodwork and no, doctors can't screw that up. If your TSH is high (above 3.0) or your T4 is low (below 4.5) you have hypothyroidism and should be treated for it. It's a simple pill or two once daily of a hormone your body is not making enough of. With it, you will function; long enough without it, you will be very miserable and could potentially die.

Hypothyroidism is a serious illness that cannot be treated herbally or organically or with anything other than thyroxine (synthetic or derived from an animal). Yes, there are changes you can make in your diet to improve your body's absorption of thyroxine and your autoimmune function, BUT you should not do any of this without a doctor's supervision and you should NOT stop taking your medication unless your doctor says so. My friend did that once for about a week and she passed out and had to be taken to the emergency room. It's nothing to play with. Follow your doctor's advice on the matter.

If you don't like your doctor, get a new one. But don't change simply because you don't like your diagnosis, particularly in a case like this where it's almost certain to be the correct one. It's very hard to screw up bloodwork. What were your numbers? Are you having symptoms?

Good luck!

Answer 3

Hypothyroidism can diagnosed through blood test only. To get the accurate results, you need to give the blood samples with an empty stomach. If you are uncomfortable with the results, take the test again with empty stomach. Ask for total thyroid profile so that you can understand your situation. If you're diagnosed with hypothyroidism, then take the medication for the problem, it will help you to control the situation. Here i found more information that is useful at http://seahealth.org/hypothyroidism.

Answer 4

If you want a second opinion that is your choice, but hypothyrodism is fairly common. I have it, and all I do is take a little pill everyday which regulates my thyroid. I don't have any side affects from the medication. Untreated it can cause weight gain, leg cramps, depression, thinning hair, low body temperture etc... If you think your doctor made a mistake definately get the 2nd test and find out if you have it, couldn't hurt.
I always had a problem losing weight so I went and got tested about 5 years ago. I found out I had it and have been taking the medicaion ever since. I have also discovered that it gets worse as you grow older, at least mine has. But I feel fit and healthy with the medication.
Anyway, goodluck!
p.s. for anyone who doesn't know, it is just an underactive thyroid, it has nothing to do with your blood, it just means your thyroid is producing enough chemicals to regulate your metabolism.

Answer 5

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 7 mths ago and i am freakishly slim. My doctors and parents were guessing for hyper but then it turned out to be hypo. I have to get another blood test b4 i start medication. Some ppl have mixed symptoms so dont worry about it. Btw i am 49 kg , 19 yrs and 5'9 .

Answer 6

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of the neck. Your thyroid lies below your Adam’s apple, along the front of the windpipe. The thyroid has two side lobes, connected by a bridge (isthmus) in the middle. When the thyroid is its normal size, you’re unlikely to be able to feel it.
All types of hyperthyroidism are due to overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can develop in several ways.
Thyroid hormone production can be suppressed or halted completely in these ways: https://tr.im/B4KYK

Answer 7

This is a good resource I found about hypothyroidism. It opened my eyes http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=560
Hope it helps.

Answer 8

Well, as we say on the other side of the fence, get a second opinion. Whenever you don't feel comfortable with the info delivered to you, you have a right to know. Get a copy of your lab report and take it to the local medical school. Or get it and post it on here.

Answer 9

The doctor has no control over the outcomes of blood work. I'm not sure why you would consider changing docs over that, unless you are dissatisfied with him/her over something else. The results should be the same regardless of where you go unless it was an internal problem with the lab.

Answer 10

that is a rare blood disorder . ?