I have thyroid disease, and I feel GREAT!

[TamraW]

Just wanted to share an update on my thyroid/adrenal treatment. All this week, I've laid down for my daily nap, and I COULD NOT sleep. I wake up happy and energetic. I sleep through the night. I feel like a healthy 'normal' person, with the exception of some mild fatigue from 2-4 in the afternoon, but NOTHING like before.

BTW - I have Hashimoto's auto-immune thyroid disease. 90 percent of hypothyroid patients in developed countries have Hashi. Most of my thyroid was already eaten and I'd been rendered hypothyroid by the time my clueless doctors figured me out (with a lot of assistance from MH, Google and me).

I've had to make some major alterations to my daily life. Some of my dietary habits would be considered extreme, but in my case, necessary.

I have A LOT of documentation on gluten and its connection to the thyroid, and many of you are sick of hearing about it. I will just say that since giving up gluten four months ago, my antibody attacks have stopped, and I have had to reduce my intake of thyroid hormone.

I no longer eat gluten, processed and fried foods, 99 percent of soy, no corn and dairy (with the exception of butter). I also gave up coffee as it is hard on the adrenal glands.

I have learned to find replacements for the things I love, such as rice and almond milk, Enjoy life chocolate bars and many, many gluten free and allergen free bread mixes, cakes etc. I drink hot lemon water with Stevia - NO SPLENDA or artificial sugar.

I take many vitamins, including Magnesium, B12, D, Selenium, C, A, E, and a good fish oil. I also take a supplement called Clearvite given to me by my holistic doctor. I take X-FLM, specially formulated for the TH1 dominant Hashi patient. Do you know if you are TH1 or TH2 dominant? I also take neurotransmitter support because my urine test revealed many of my neurotransmitters were out of whack. Finally, I  apply adrenal creams to combat my low cortisol in the morning and high at night.

Usually, Hashimoto's is just the icing on the cake and we thyroid patients have many deeper issues, especially within the gut. 70 percen tof the body's immunity comes from the gut. I have gotten to the root of the cause, and I'm happy and healthy again. You may read my journal for more on my treatment.

:) Tamra

[loony56]

I have thyroid and had my gallbladder out. I ended up with gastritis. I changed my diet drastically, no dairy except butter, no gluten except oatmeal smoothies with bananas, no meat except fish. No eggs, I do no chocolate, no condiments, lots of different fruit and vegetables. I do potatoes, No processed foods thats anything in a box and no canned foods. Lots to change but there are so many chemicals that hurt our thyroid! Take vitamin d 3.

[gimel]

Tamra is no longer participating on the Forum, so you won't get a response there.  I think your post will gets lots more notice and response if you will start a new thread under your own name, by clicking on the orange Post a Question button at the top of page and re-post your message.

[jake442]

Hello I was als diagnosed with Hypothryoidism in February 2010, since going on the synthroid medication the have increaed my dosage from .50 to .75. I have gained 15 lbs since Feb 2010 and contiuing to gain. I work out 4-5 times per week doing spin classes and interval training. My TSH level is 1.9 and T3 Free  is 4.6 my T4 Free is 15.5 . Seems teh nubmers are where they should be but the weight gain continues. Here is the history thus far...Here are the dates and my blood tests done through life labs:
My results prior to my 1st prescription Feb 2012
T4 free-11.8
TSH-8.5

My results prior prescription-April 2012
T4 free-15
TSH-8
Ferritin-8
Then he increased it to .75 in April

I went for testing again July 2012
TSH-1.1
Ferritin 8


More testing Sept 2012
TSH-2.8
Ferritin 17

Endocrinologist appt with more testing Oct 2012
B12-238
RDW-15.9
Ferritin-15
T3 Free-4.6
T4 free-15.5
TSH-1.8

I am interested in learning more about diet soutions from anyone. I really find the gluten free aspect interesting. I am seeing a nature path Dr that seems to be pretty good and is tryng to bring my adrenals back to where they should be. I take magnesium calm and realy love the results of how I feel. I thinkI have to do this with diet on my own but a little overwhelmed at where to start.I think starting with a removal of all gluten in my diet would be a good start. Any recommendations or food lists to avoid or good ones to eat? I really appreciate you reading this I am feeling a little defeated at this time but yet kow there is away out of this. I would love to get off these medications some day. Thanks again

[Barb135]

Thanks Bruce.  Yes, this is a very old post and many of the original posters are not even participating members.......

Unfortunately, MedHelp does not have a way "lock" old posts from further comment........ oohh, Bruce you just gave me an idea......

Sarah, please go to the top of the page and hit the "Post a Question" button to get a form to start your own post.......

[Brucergoldberg]

Please do not bump such an old very outdated post.   Please post your own thread so that we may be able to help.  

Sarah, I might be able to help a little since I just went through all this but please start your own post!   This one needs to be locked.

[sarahlovesbostons]

hey how do i get rid of this feeling of sweeling in my throat!!! i go for a biopsy in 2 weeks but i dont know if i can wait that long!! feels like a golf ball lodged in my throat! heeeelllppp sarah

[teri34]

Hello everyone! Does anyone have a doctor close to North Alabama? I cant find a doctor that doesnt think its all in my head. So glad to find this page. To know there are so many I can finally relate too. My parents, my bestfriend(my sister) all think Im just running at the mouth. I am on 75 mcg Synthroid and 2,5 mcg Cytomel. Would love to start Armour Thyroid. Cant find anyone to work with me. My biggest complaint is the heart palpitations & weight management, Can anyone relate. I have read on this site that I probably have hashimoto's and the PVC's are related to that....?????  I too have been very irritated with my precious boys & husband....Please help this Bama girl get her joy back.

[TamraW]

I am no longer bothered by the Cytomel. I am wondering if it was the Beanito chips I'd been eating or maybe the tomatillo salsa. LOL!

I am not sure about ezekiel bread. It must say gluten free on the label before I'll eat it. Sometimes even all kinds of bread will upset our stomachs because of the yeast and our leaky guts.

http://www.leakygut.co.uk/

Virgin coconut oil - starting at one tablespoon a day and going up to two or three as needed, helps soothe the leaky gut.

Sometimes, the more fiber I eat, the more constipated I am, so I've cut back on the high fiber drinks, etc. I have also limited my bread and sugars. On the days that I don't eat gf bread or gluten free cookies, I feel better. Sugar and yeast can exacerbate our leaky guts.

Yes, some of us will have terrible corn reactions. I can't eat gluten free cornbread, but so far, I am tolerating organic blue corn.

:) Tamra

[annamae26]

hi there  i read that you think you' re bothered by the corn based filler in cytomel    is that the same in the generic liothyronine?  i had to quit the 5 mcg lio it was making me constipated i think but it seems that the higher my ft3 is the more constipated i get. since i quit the t3 meds i am much better but was wondering about what you said.   also, i read about your gluten free diet and bought some ezekiel bread since i am type O and i read to start eating it slowly  do you know why?  i hope it won t get me all bound up again!   when i bought it i read that it has gluten in it and was ready to pitch it but i think the process is differenct do you know anything about ezekiel bread?  i think you re right about the gluten.   i seem to feel better when my frees are in the low range for some reason i guess im just different. well thanks for all your great info and glad you' re feeling well--keep feeling well....

[sick and tired 47]

Mac and Tamra,
Thanks for the inspiring posts. I know we ALL love reading some good news for a change. It gives us hope and inspires us to keep "fighting the fight " towards good health.
Good luck to all.

[TamraW]

Thanks so much, hun, for all of your support, especially  of my dietary changes. I'm happy that you have found wellness again.

I do feel great. My daughter and I still have this sinusitis. She's on her second round of antibiotics. I'm not taking anything, and I'm recovering faster. Hubby has had it for two months now.

I lifted weights and ran today, despite my sinus issues.

More proof people! More proof! I will not speak for everyone, but for me and many of my friends, dietary changes, getting those frees up and treating the adrenals, make ALL the difference.  

:) Tamra

[stella5349]

I'm missing the Facebook "like" botton on this post! lol - I am happy T - that you are feeling better. Its been a long haul for you and as one doctor I know says it best

N=1 - which means - the answer lies in the individual needs....

Happy you posted your progress here and hope all stays well for you!

[TamraW]

Thanks, I have an all natural nasal spray. I just need to remember to use it. LOL! I had acupuncture today. A few years ago, I thought acupuncture was for quacks, but it really helped with the pressure and pain. I can look without squinting now.

Strange that I felt flushed and feverish, but my temp is still a 97.3.

:) T.

[Smilerdeb]

Dont use Ethydrine nasal spray...use saline nasal spray to flush out the sinus's.
I use this when my sinus's play up.
Could be just the sinus's Tamraw as that can cause a slight temperature.
Or even Demazine to dry them up but I always use the saline nasal spray.

OTC nasal sprays tend to constrict the blood vessels in the nose which isnt good.
You can buy the saline nasal spray at Chemists and it DOES get rid of sinus pain.
You need to just flush them out and at least you can use the saline spary whenever you want instead of the usual 4 times a day with the OTC products.

[TamraW]

Update:

I have a cold or sinus infection. Lots of pressure around the brow and post nasal drip plus a sore throat and mild body aching. A few months ago, this would have caused me to sleep all day. I am still not needing naps and able to run errands, cook, clean, etc. Bizarre!  :) Tamra

[TamraW]

I'm so glad to see your progress as well.

I don't have Graves, either. LOL! You probably remember my earlier posts when I thought it was Graves because I was going through a terrible hyper stage and losing weight while eating ice cream. I thought I'd invented the new ice cream diet. LOL!

Actually, I did have some nodules that were leaking hormone, making me hyper for up to three weeks at a time. This is common in the early stages of Hashi, which is why some patients and doctors confuse the Hashi patient for a Graves patient. Glad that's over! I'd much rather be hypo than hyper, weight gain and all.

I have seen some people on this forum who've had positive Graves and Hashi antibodies. I couldn't imagine how life could get any worse.

I Googled the Blood Type Diet you referred me to and I'm pretty much eating what I'm supposed to eat. The lifestyle change has been dramatic for me. But, honestly, thyroid disease or not, gluten, soy, processed and fried foods, fake sugars, are not healthy choices for ANY person. My husband feels better when following my lifestyle. When he goes to work and grabs Subway or some fast food for lunch, he feels bloated and miserable. Many people without auto-immune diseases are making the switch for the better.  

:) Tamra

[Smilerdeb]

I also agree with Tamwra....dont use it unless you have consulted your Doctor.

[Smilerdeb]

I cant be sure but have seen it on the Aussie ebay........maybe you could try there...remembering to put au at the end of it.
All the best :o)

[Smilerdeb]

The Psyllium husk is a very fine powder but the 'true psyllium " can only be brought in health food shops.
It is what they put in laxative fibre drinks such as Metamusil but better than that as it is in pure form with no fillers.
It looks light brown and is basically so fine that if it was on a spoon and you moved fast...the fine powder would blow away off the spoon.
Yes it is the whole husk and has been grounded down to a very fine powder that is used in Aged Care Facilities now instead of laxatives (Coloxyl etc).

It doesnt cause diarreah (sp) ...it loosens the bowel motions as it is a natural fibre and also help absorb any fats in the intestines.
Its been used here for years in Australia but more popular now in the last two years.

I have clients who put a teaspoon in their coffee in the mornings with no ill effects and no taste.

Hope that answers your question :o)

[McMillanNelson]

Hi Tamara, I have been watching your progress for a long time and I have gotten some great tips form you along the way! I too have gone gluten free and this has been an important factor in my treatment. I had many problems with gluten that disappeared when I cut it form my diet. You, Like me have proven that change in diet and common sense in treating the underlying CAUSES of the problems are critical if you want to heal.

I have Toxic Multinodular Goiter (Plummer’s Disease) but when I first joined the forum my lab work from my family doctor showed that TgAb tested above normal for me, indicating possible Graves Disease.  When I was tested again by my endo 3 months later,  that test indicated that my TgAb was in the normal range. I do not know how that is possible but I am sure you are remembering those conversations when I was new here.

Plummer’s patients suffer from many of the same symptoms as people with other thyroid diseases, and I can relate to you because you have both Hashi’s and Graves so also hit both ends of the spectrum (HyPO and HyPER)and I am sure that was very unpredictable for you form day to day as it was me with my Plummer’s.

As you mentioned, cutting out GLUTEN, SOY and SPLENDA, all processed foods of any kind and NO MORE fast food were all a critical part of my diet change.  I love Almond milk which I have on my Gluten free cereal on the mornings where don’t have fresh pineapple for breakfast.

I went to a Naturopathic doctor who was very helpful in helping me to make the right choices.  I had my hair analyzed to see if had toxins in my body and to see what my mineral levels were. This test was amazing, it cost $139 and I got a 30 page report about toxins, mineral deficiencies I had and the critical balance that was out of whack between certain minerals. I was very low in Magnesium and Manganese as well as copper and to a lesser extent Calcium, I was vey high in Lead and also had some arsenic in my system.  In many cases these minerals and ratios can not be done with normal blood tests, you need hair or tissue. Adjusting my diet to include more magnesium rich foods and supplementing with Magnesium as advised by my ND made a huge difference in my muscle twitches, heart pain,  heart rhythms, sweating etc. all of those things are gone now.  I take flaxseed oil rather than fish oil, a multiple vitamin, multiple mineral, some other specific supplements and Thyadine (which was critical to restore normal thyroid function) Thyadine is a homeopathic formula that contains a small dose of Iodine (150 mcg per drop) and  natural thyroid and plant extracts. I take 3 drops, 3 times a day.

Changing my diet like you have, and taking a common sense, HANDS ON approach to my treatment has cured my thyroid disease, and I continue to get healthier every day.  My Lab work from May shows all numbers are in normal range, the pains in my thyroid and the goiter, all gone.  And I expect when I get a follow up Ultrasound next month that I will find my nodules have shrunk or are disappearing.

You and I are living proof that changing diet and lifestyle and using some common sense and not just taking the conventional approach can give those that suffer relief.  Everyone is different but one thing that I think is obvious, is that you have nothing to lose by seeing a Natural Doctor and trying some better diet choices.  If you get RAI or you have your Thyroid removed before at least trying a natural approach that is very unfortunate because those people will know if that would have helped them or not.
I have been on the “Blood Type Diet” ( I am Type A) since late February. I have lost 45 pounds and this diet has quite a bit of science behind it. I no longer eat foods that are known to be bad for my blood type and I feel incredible. It is a lifestyle change and I do not miss anything on this “diet” The staple of the type A diet is tofu and soy products so I recommend that thyroid patients substitute that with low calorie cheese like Farmers cheese and stay away from Soy. Soy has been proved to swell the thyroid even in “normal” people.

I thank you for posting your progress, and I think your are doing amazing!  I am so glad to see it !

:-)

-Mac

[TamraW]

I think you an order it from anywhere if you go to the Apex website. Birdnest, I know you have been using it, but I don't recommending anyone else using it, or any cleanse, without first consulting with a doctor. :) Tamra

[birdnest]

Is Clearvite available in Australia? I use it in the US and am moving to Sydney in a couple days - if it's not available I'll have to ship it from the US.

[TamraW]

Smilerdeb is the one who recommended the psyllium husk. If she doesn't answer the question, I'll let her know that we want to know the type of husk we need.

:) Tamra

[annamae26]

is that Psyllium whole husk powder or what kind is it  i see it at amazon and i want to try it.  this is weird but the higher my ft3 and ft4 goes the more constipated i get.  bringing it all down now but still having problems. thanks for the tip but not sure what kind to order....