Hypothyroid?

Question

Hey,

I'm slightly hypothyroid but I don't take any medication for it.
The doctor says it's not serious enough for medicines and that I can live with it.
The problem is that my metabolism is slow because of the thyroid and it's very hard for me to lose weight. I would like to know if there are any natural ways to speed up my metabolism. I know iodine is good, and I already try to eat a little more fish. But what else could help?

Answer 1

Do you know why your thyroid is underactive. Occassionally it is due to iodine deficiency, in which case increasing iodine and kelp will help.

More often, hypothyroidism is an autoimmune condition, in which case iodine won't help.

Whatever the cause, aerobic exercise does help, but is very difficult (the last thing you feel like doing).

Dry skin brushing, with a soft bristle brush or skin glove, before you get into the shower helps increase your metabolism slightly.

Stimulating your liver, by eg lemon juice in hot water first thing in the morning may help.

Increasing chilli, ginger, fennel and dill helps increase metabolism. Dill is particularly good for helping lose weight too.

Avoid foods such as the brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli), mustard, horseradish, millet, pine nuts, sago, pears. They are all goitrogenic ie they slow the thyroid. Cooking usually inactivates the goitrogenic effect, but it is a good idea to minimise them. Especially - no coleslaw!

I hope this helps and wish you all the best.

Answer 2

Hypothyroidism or Hosimoto's disease is really quite common, more so in women. The test that you took tests for thyroid stimulating hormone and T3/T4 differential. These markers help your MD determine how much replacement medication to give you to regulate your thyroid so that you can live a normal life. Your Menstruation cycle will stabilize in just a few months. When you decide to finally have children you can continue to take the medicine and that are no known side effects to the fetus. I have been taking levothyrozine for 13 years, have two absolutely beautiful daughters ages 9 and 11, and have been symptom free for years. I urge you to talk to your Doctor with any and all of your concerns. Write them down on a piece of paper and don't leave the office until you've gotten the answers that your looking for. Never let a doctor push you out the door because he/she is busy. I pray that everything works out well for you. God bless.

Answer 3

Left untreated for long periods, hypothyroidism can bring on a myxedema coma, a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate hormone injections.
An underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism, means your thyroid gland does not produce enough chemicals called hormones.
Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.

you can know more information related to hypothyroid treatment through a useful book at: http://adola.net/go/hypothyroidismrevolution/

Hope for useful!

Answer 4

Get a second opinion.

I have a slight degree of hypothyroidism also and I failed to take my medicine for years. I have an incredible amount of energy - always have. I don't feel cold (another symptom of hypothyroidism). As a matter of fact, I'm usually too hot and I LOVE to be in air conditioned environments. However, if your doctor didn't discuss other long-lasting effects that you could experience down the road, you need to find a physician who will. Just because you don't notice the symptoms doesn't mean your body isn't being affected.

Find another doctor who will talk with you, give you a presciption, and get your body back on track in more ways than one.

When your older, you'll be glad you did.

Answer 5

I have hypothyroidism and do take meds and it is difficult as ever to lose weight1 The only true way is to exercise regularly and build up your muscles - that burns calories and you will trim down and it will help your metabolism. There's no magic pill or easier way. The good thing is that after you get a regular exercise routine going you will feel soooo much better!

Answer 6

Ehhh coffee? I don't think that's very good though. So I'm afraid the only natural thing I can think of is exercise. Which is hard because it's not what you feel like when you're hypo, is it? But if you get started it will become easier.

It depends what's causing your hypothyroidism, is it iodine deficiency? Sometimes it is not caused by that in which case iodine doesn't always help. But if it is for iodine you can go for fish like you are, as well as tablets of kelp, and iodised salt.

Answer 7

What exactly do they mean by slightly hypothyroid? The TSH test is a lousy test to go by, as you can take the test first thing in the morning and it will be higher than if you took it at 2PM. If your TSH is over 2.0, you need to be on thyroid medication for your heart as a TSH over 2.0 can cause heart problems and elevated cholesterol. You may have no symptoms, but damage is happening. Your slow metabolism is a sign of this.

Free t4 and free t3 tests are much better tests, than the TSH test. Low free t3 indicates that one should be on a T4/T3 thyroid med like Armour.

About iodine, you only want to take it if you are indeed iodine deficient. Yes, iodine can be helpful if you are deficient, but it can also make matters worse if you supplement with it and you do not need it.

As far as weight loss. Once you get the morning TSH around 1.0 if on T4 or the free t4 midrange and the free t3 high in range on T4/T3, then you should be able to lose weight with diet & exercise

Answer 8

Hypothyroidism refers to any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. There are many disorders that result in hypothyroidism. These disorders may directly or indirectly involve the thyroid gland. Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes, inadequate thyroid hormone has widespread consequences for the body.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle.
Common symptoms are listed below:
* Fatigue
* Depression
* Modest weight gain
* Cold intolerance
* Excessive sleepiness
* Dry, coarse hair
* Constipation
* Dry skin
* Muscle cramps
* Increased cholesterol levels
* Decreased concentration
* Vague aches and pains
* Swelling of the legs
Natural or synthetic thyroid hormones are used to restore normal (euthyroid) thyroid hormone levels. Synthetic hormones are more effective than natural substances, but it may take several months to determine the correct dosage. Patients start to feel better within 48 hours, but symptoms will return if they stop taking the medication.

Most doctors prescribe levothyroxine sodium tablets, and most people with hypothyroidism will take the medication for the rest of their lives. Aging, other medications, and changes in weight and general health can affect how much replacement hormone a patient needs, and regular TSH tests are used to monitor hormone levels. Patients should not switch from one brand of thyroid hormone to another without a doctor's permission.

Regular exercise and a high-fiber diet can help maintain thyroid function and prevent constipation.

Coconut Oil: There is new evidence which suggests that supplementing your diet with coconut oil can help thyroid function. It is possible that it can also boost your metabolism, which can help with the weight problems so many hypothyroid patients encounter. The oil can be used in cooking, or taken by the spoonful as a supplement. An organic, extra-virgin oil is recommended.

Diet: The diet which seems to help alleviate symptoms for hypothyroid patients is high in protein, high in complex carbs, low in sugars and simple carbs. This means staying away from sugary, starchy foods like desserts, pasta, rice, white bread, and sodas, and increasing your intake of non-starchy vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and low fat proteins. “Good” fats (Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids) should be included in your diet. Sources include cold water fish, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, oysters, shrimp, leafy greens, sea vegetables, walnuts, and soybeans.

Foods to avoid: Certain foods can interfere with thyroid function. These should be eaten in moderation, and include: soy (soy milk, tofu, etc.), cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, spinach, Brussels sprouts, peanuts, strawberries, mustard greens, and carrots. (Cooking may reduce or eliminate any problems.)
There is no need to eliminate these foods completely, eating them in moderation should be sufficient (although soy, in particular, should be eaten at least four hours apart from the time you take your thyroid medication).

Exercise: Everyone feels better when they exercise, and this is no different for those with thyroid problems. At the bare minimum, a daily half hour walk is recommended. There is evidence that exercise such as yoga and Pilates can be especially beneficial for the thyroid. One yoga pose in particular is said to support thyroid function, it is known as a “shoulder stand”. You lie on your back, with your legs together. Slowly raise your legs until they are perpendicular to the floor, rolling all the way up to support your hips with your hands. Your chin should be tucked into your chest, and the weight of your body should be on your shoulders. Start with shorter time spans, but try to work your way up to two minutes per day in this position.
Consider joining a local yoga or Pilates class in your community, or try out some of the available videos and DVDs. Small changes such as those mentioned above can make a big difference in how well your thyroid functions, and in how well you feel. Everyone is different, and some things work better than others for different people, but it is worth experimenting a little to find the optimum health plan for yourself. It is advised that you work with a naturopath or holistic physician (and possibly a nutritionist) while you make these changes, and it is important to monitor your thyroid levels frequently to see if your medication dosage needs to change.

Who knows – with the right combination of natural therapies, you may be able to eliminate your medication altogether!

Answer 9

Eat enough protein for your body weight, a minimum of about 90 grams a day, generally speaking.
You can also try taking some tyrosine

Answer 10

Coconut oil is a miracle fluid. It can help with thyroid issues such as yours. It can also help rev up the metaboilism and enable you to lose a little weight.