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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
Thyroid/Synthroid question
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
Thyroid/Synthroid question
by sharron623, Aug 24, 2008 03:34PM
I started taking .1mg thyroxine for hypothyroidism 1 week and 1/2 ago. I started feeling so much better a couple days ago. My thyroid gland (or pituitary) has defeintly gotten a kickstart. I do not want to stay on this medication though. I want to pursue alternative therapies (nutrition, acupuncture,supplements). I will be discussing this with my doctor but am looking for a little background on how this all works. Do the involved glands get dependent on the medication and then stop doing what they're suppsoed to naturally so that it's difficult weaning off? The longer I'm on the medication the harder it would be? With the natural therapies - should I get my thyroid levels checked monthly or every few months? Thank you for your help. I feel blessed to have found this website and look fwd to hearing from you.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Aug 25, 2008 05:59AM
, Aug 25, 2008 05:59AM
There is not a natural, proven treatment for hypothyroidism. There may be some benefit in patients with borderline hypothyroidism, but this is inconsistent. So if you have definite hypothyroidism, you ned to be on thyroxine. It does not shut down the thyroid's function. The medication is a bio-identical copy of the thyroid hormone your thyroid is under-producing - works well in most cases and is necessary for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
Member Comments (2)
by candy808, Aug 24, 2008 04:30PM
To: sharron623
0.1mg thyroxine? I wish that I was on that dosage, lol, I was just on 200mcgs of synthroid and 5mcgs of cytomel for my TT. I understand about wanting to take the natural route for your hypothyroidism and I could not agree more. I was told that the body can be weaned from the synthetic medications and that no problem would occur. I have been on synthroid for 3 years and my levels have never stabilized. Usually, if your thyroid levels are stable then you will not need to be retested unless there is a change in your body ie, weight loss or increase, development of any diseases, pregnancy, and basically anything hormonal. I too hope to use the natural route once I am stabilized. I wish you must happiness and luck.
