How can I make my thyroid grow back?

[HelenCastro]

In Dec 2002, I had my thyroid completely removed both left and right lobes.  Recently, it occurred to me that it was possible for my thyroid to grow back.  I searched online to see if there had been any cases and I found on this website where a man claimed his thyroid grew back. If this is possible how is it possible?  What is the worst that can happen If I completely stop taking Synthroid?  And is there an herb or plant or food I can take that can provide the necessary hormones I need to function without a thyroid and without the medications?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

If the thyroid is surgically removed, you need levothyroxine for the rest of your live -- you cannot stop this medication, it would be life-threatening.

[1ph]

I was taken off synthroid many years ago, by accident.
my body started to shut down. it took a month or so , but, my heart stared going very slow, same for breathing, brain wasn't thinking right, bowel and kidneys were almost not functioning. in effect i was dying but couldn;t thin enough to know that.
wouldn't suggest it.

[Backgammon48]

I had a TT on 7/29 and it is my understanding that 6 weeks to 2 months without thryoid replacement and you are in a coma.  I don't believe that the thyroid grows back but if you find proof of that, I'd love to know about it.

[WD10]

I had to be off meds for a treatment and I will NEVER go off my thyroid meds again if I can help it. After 2 weeks my TSH was 193 and I had swelling, no energy, awful reflux....  Occasionally people have remnant tissue remaining after an ovary or thyroid is removed and this remnant tissue can enlarge.  It is not growing back and I would suggest you talk to your Dr before trying to go off your medication.  I do not think you should try this as I feel awful and am VERY happy to be back on my medication even though I am not back to normal yet.

[HelenCastro]

I ran out of my medication.  I normally take 175.  Since I ran out of my medication I found my old synthroid medication, it's about a year old and it's a different dosage of 150.  I have no medical insurance and I have been unemployed for over two years.  No pharmacy in my area will ever give me synthroid without a prescription.  It's a complicated situation without going into details. Miracles happen everyday and I am so sure that too many scientist have spent time on finding alternative methods instead of searching to grow back the parts.  Many organs in the body have the capability of growing back.  A pill is not as effective since I have been without my thyroid I have had noticeable physical changes as well as functional changes.  Fortunately, my TT levels have been kept normal and even so it's not the same.  I want my thyroid to grow back.  It may be medically impossible but if I find a way, I'm sure to let you know.   A pill won't save my life when I can't get it.

[Super_sally888]

Hi Helen,

Not being on meds when you have had your thyroid removed is life-threatening.

If you can't afford a specialist, surely you could go to a regular doctor and explain the situation and he/she will give you the prescription you need.

Taking the 150 is better than nothing, but you need to get back to your regular dose and brand as soon as possible.

Hope you can work this out.  You are in a difficult situation there.

Sally

[GrammaJean]

I had a TT almost 18 years ago.  Someone messed up in scheduling my post op procedures for a body scan & I went without thyroid medication for 7 weeks.  In that time, I began to sleep approximately 22 hours a day.  I was so exhausted I couldn't walk, breath well, tolerate cold, had heart palpitations and felt as if I would die.  My mind was alert, but the body wouldn't respond.

I was told the thyroid regulates EVERYTHING.  So, DON'T STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATION!  IT CAN KILL YOU!

[lcarter6]

There are free people's clinics in many states.  Surely, you could go to one of these and get the dr there to prescribe this medication for you so that you could get it at a local pharmacy.  Some drug companies have special programs for people not able to afford their needed medication --look on the internet. Also, Merck makes Eutirox, synthetic thyroid medication, in Mexico.  It only costs about $4 for 50 pills. Can you find a way to import what you need or have someone bring it back?  Most other countries in Central America do not require a prescription to buy medicines unless they are narcotics.  Don't listen to the US pharm folks as they would have you believe anything made in another country is no good.  It isn't true!  There's a well kept secret that these companies hide from the American people, and that is that many of the medicines we take in the US are really manufactured in foreign countries under a subsidiary name and then shipped back to the US for repackaging to appear they were made in the US.  Cost differences, if you can find a way to get it sent into the US, are staggering!!!!!

[1jitterbug]

HelenCastro,

Walmart pharmancy sells generic Synthroid for $4.00 for 30 pills. $12.00 for 90 days  worth. Try to get into a free clinic & get a prescription. This is one medicine you cannot live without.

Good Luck, TJ

[HelenCastro]

A related discussion, I believe my thyroid is growing back was started.