Almond Milk?

I am taking Synthroid for my hypothyroidism.  Is it ok to use Almond Milk as a dairy replacement for breakfast?  it contains 20% of the daily recommended value of calcium and 25% of vitamin D, but the total protein of the breakfast (cereal and a hardboiled egg included) is 15g.  

Thanks in advance.

[TamraW]

I drink almond milk because I avoid dairy. I simply love it. Always wait one hour after taking your Synthroid on a full glass of water.

Why only Synthroid? Is your doctor testing and treating your FT3 levels?

Do you have Hashimoto's? 90 percent of Hypos are Hashis. I sure hope the doc has tested your antibodies. Some doctors think Hashi and hypo are the same. We are not. Do we tell the Lupus patient she's got a kidney and heart problem? No.

Hashimoto's is an auto-immune disease and needs to be treated as such.

Some foods that can make the Hashi condition worse: gluten, refined sugar, corn, soy, eggs, dairy...

Read the book: www.thyroidbook.com

:) Tamra

[halifax_girl]

Thank you so much for your answer!  

This just came around after my blood work two weeks ago.  My doc started me on the Synthroid to at least get started and I am going for more blood work in a month to see the effects and see what else (if anything) is required.  He's a really keen doctor and encourages patient research, discussion and challenge - he recognizes that patients research and knows that I will come in with tonnes of questions at our next appointment - I have no doubt he'll be prepared and thorough.  ha!

I started off taking the Synthroid at night becuase I usually have yogurt with my breakfast and essentially it's the only real dairy I was having.  So, I've decided to cut it out completely and use solely almond milk (I already use it for drinking, baking, coffee, etc...  you're right...  it's delightful!!)

I've slowly been trying to cut out my gluten intake but I simply love cereal in the morning...  and my favorite cereal does have gluten.  Otherwise, I'm mostly gluten-free, with some exceptions...  but I pay for it later (sometimes I just prefer to accept the end-result...  I mean, who can turn down Mom's fresh-out-of-the-oven-homemade-bread?!).

I appreciate your answer, Tamra, as well as the reading resource.  This is all quite new, and I'm sure once I learn more I'll probably take stricter measures where my nutrition is concerned.  

Lori

[stella5349]

Sounds like you are trying to change your diet and hats off to you on ridding gluten overload.

That is a biggy with thyroid for sure.

You should be fine with the milk alternative. Just make sure they aren't packing soy in there in addition to the almond

I am hearing more and more on T4 being more beneficial at night. You can find some great articles on how hormones replenish while we sleep and it can make perfect sense adding that at that time for some.

[halifax_girl]

My doc suggested I try the at night first.  But the stimulating effect of the Synthroid was resulting in horrible sleep.  Of course, being already so low in energy - I need all the sleep I can get when I go to bed.  Which is why I'm trying it in the mornings now.  

Being a carbaholic definitely makes cutting out gluten a challenge...  but one I'm willing to accept!  :)  

This seems to be a great forum.  So glad I found it!

Lori

[TamraW]

You can bake your own bread and if you have a Whole Foods nearby, then you have gluten free baked goods. Also, many cities have GF bakeries. You will find substitutions. Many larger grocery stores sell everything GF from pie crusts to muffins.

Look at your ingredients, especially in salad dressings, condiments and bouillon. Again, there are always GF alternatives.

Some of my favorite GF sites:

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenfreefoodshopping/ss/GFgrocerylist_2.htm

http://www.glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/

http://www.elanaspantry.com/

http://gfrestaurants.com/gluten-free-restaurants/

http://getoffgluten.blogspot.com/

Since giving up gluten, I've cut my dependency on thyroid hormone by 1/4. Synthroid 150 down to 125. Cytomel 10 down to 2.5. Now my leaky gut is functioning again and converting T3.

Stella is right about the soy. Certain brands of almond milk also have soy. Avoid it, especially within four hours of taking Synthroid.

Rice Chex is gluten free. Tastes great with almond milk. I also eat GF oat meal and steel cut oats by Bob's Red Mill. Many of his products, and bread mixes are GF. :)

Tamra

[stella5349]

That Tamra is a goo-roo and learning alot about diet. Thanks.

Insominia is so common and yes - the night administrating T4 meds can set you back more with no sleep. Its a catch 22 for each person to find their sweet spot and as much as we hate it - time runs slow until you learn what works and what doesn't.

[halifax_girl]

Well, Ladies.  It's been just about two weeks since the "official diagnosis" and have moved to morning Synthroid - on the plus side, the stimulating effect has caused me to pretty well cut out coffee... (I was bouncing off the walls at first when I would have a coffee).  Now I just drink decaf tea...  Imagine!

I'm experimenting with the whole gluten-free thing.  Unfortunately we don't have Rice Chex here in Canada (not that I could find, so far).  The only gluten I eat, these days is My Go Lean.  I can't let it go!!  ha!  I do switch it up with Steel Cut oats on the odd mornings and sometimes just fruit and eggs.  My "milk" product is Almond Breeze... Chocolate and Vanilla unsweetened...   it's so delicious - I think I enjoy it more than milk itself.  Though - I do miss cheese...  and decided to allow myself a sporadic treat of good cheese...  I haven't indulged yet...  saving it for a really special occasion!  lol

My next endeavour will be baking with Almond flour.  My closest friends know *I* don't bake.  I cook, because there is no measuring...  so this whole baking and measuring and being attentive thing...  will definitely be a challenge - one I'm willing to accept to have the occasional sweet, or make granola that I love and miss, etc.

Strangely - this whole hypo thing has been a positive.  I've been forced to really look at what I put in my mouth and to take back my active life.  Not a bad thing!

Thanks for a great forum - I lurk regularly.  :)

Lori

[TamraW]

Usually, we don't bake with just one GF flour. Here's a good blend for cookies, etc:
3 cups brown rice flour
1 1/4 cups potato starch
3/4 cup tapioca flour

From Living Without magazine at www.livingwithout.com - All purpose flour

1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour
1/4 cup cornstarch or potato starch


Some Hashimoto's patients have corn allergies. Be mindful of what upsets your tummy. Also, freeze the flour blends and set out for an hour before use.

Also, going partly gluten-free can still cause serious harm to the digestive track.
:) Tamra

[catiness]

Found at ehow website

Almonds are a goitrogenic food, meaning they contain chemicals that can harm your thyroid. Goitrogenic foods such as soy, cabbage, kale, flax, broccoli, and almonds, cause the thyroid to expand, and when consumed on a large level, cause goiters to form because one of the prevalent chemicals found in goitrogens blocks the intake of iodine. While goitrogenic foods can be harmful in large consumption, they are at the same time healthy and beneficial to the human immune system. However, for those with low thyroid functions, restraint from consuming high quantities of goitrogenic foods is critical. Almond milk contains levels of goitrogenic toxins produced from almonds, and should be avoided by those at risk of low thyroid function. For people who have healthy thyroid function, consuming a moderate amount of almond milk daily will have no negative side effects to the thyroid.