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393685 tn?1425812522

○○○OT○○○ Supplements of Thyroid Sufferers

Morning and Happy Sunday.

I wanted to drop a note to the group about how important - once diagnoised with hypothyroidism, whether it be Hashimoto or Hypo, that supplementation is important for proper thyroid health. Even if you still have your gland, or if surgery or RAI took this away, These certain Vits and minerals are crucial to maintain proper energy , relieve pains in joints and swelling and increase the ability to have your cognitive function.

Within the last few months I learned about what I need - but the cost of purchasing all these products has been exceeding my budget. For the last two weeks I have been talking with a pharmacist on if there was a MULTI vitamin/mineral supplement especially designed for hypothyroid sufferers. We walked through the whole lists of things needed to help conversion of the meds to eliminating the anxiety of the disease - to increasing energy and cognitive function, along with immune building and even some assistance with weight loss.  

I don't know about you - but swollowing anywhere from 8 to 10 capsules a day not including taking my thyroid medication, is surely getting old for me and I am at the point of hating it.

Key nutrients needed for a hypothyroid sufferer are -

Vit C - Vit B - Vit D- Vit A- Selenium - Zinc- ( ratio out with Copper) -Magnesium. Along with adding in certain amino acids. The list is a bit larger - but you get the picture on the major ones.

Taking these nutrients enhances your medications to work better for you - whether on Synthroid T4 or Armour T3/T4 - or any of the others in between.

So, I think I found the best senerio for me on supplementation both for cost and for not having to swollow a ton of pills each day.

I believe these products are available at any nutritional store - There is a product made by Enzymatic Therapy Fatigued to Fantastic that was created specifically for CFS and hypothyroid sufferers. It is a powdered drink you mix each morning, berry flavored. Sure beats swollowing a tons of pills for me. The other is the Pack of EmergenC Vit C. Another powder filled with an optimal level on Vit C for immune boosting and detox. Then a complex B liquid added too. Two drinks - that's it.

So I hope this helps someone that was in my shoes, sick of taking ( what felt like) a hundred pills a day to function. I also learned that taking my supplements this way - less additives and fillers are going in ( since different brands use different things) so I am actually taking in more pure nutrients than I was before without as many additives.



16 Responses
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Avatar universal
I couldn't agree with you more.  If it weren't for my supplements I don't think I would feel as well as I do.  I take a a lot also, plus because of high cholestrol, I have to take a few more!!  When I get tired of it, I just remind myself how I used to feel around 3:00 in the afternoon without them, and I'm right back on track LOL.
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
I also started potassium iodide about a year ago and that has been the link I was missing in all this.

For me - this mineral was definately important for me to achieve the best overall health I feel - I have back.

It's controversial - iodine can be bad for some. I lucked out as I see it when I decided to try it.

Doing everything above has finally given me my life back along with learning all the inside scoops on the labs - meds and other critial things of thyroid disease.

You can't expect a doctor to know it all. We have to learn some ourselves on how to be in the best shape as possible for us.

Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
CC9

I skimmed over the health chat archive information and it looks like Dr. Choi is talking about flu and infection issues.

EmergenC is an immune builder and hypothyroid patients lose the ability to keep the immune system up to par. With adrenal issues going hand in hand with sluggish - or no thyroid patients the VitaminC offered in EmergenC pack a healing power to repair those adrenals - keeping the immune system working at a superior level.

Supplementing with EmergenC does not have to be daily - but putting those nutrients into the hypothyroid system will help convert the meds optimally as well as supporting the immune system and adrenal function.

I pack more emergenC into me during the months that illnesses are high. As many know - I work at a school and many germs are present. Since supplementing with this vitamin I have ( knock on wood) not come down with one illness in 2 years.

When our immune system is low in autoimmune thyroid patients ( Hashi's) - the antibodies rear up and start the attack - that is why many illnesses linger within us than the normal "cold" many others just get.

We do require more supplement than the normal person looking to beat the flu or a common cold. Vitamin C is water soluable, meaning - the body will flush out what we don't need if we take too much of it. The average Hashi - or hypothyroid suffer, especially if adrenal faitgue is present, should consider dosing with a 2000mg of good C daily until the body has the ability to keep the immune system strong.

If 2000 is too much the body eliminates it by the sign of loose stool. Then the person should know to back some.

I start actually on 3000mgs - I did develop loose stool for a while but my immune system and adrenals were so shot from being under treated I delt with that until I knew things were back to normal.

I am now taking it as needed.

Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
Actually this is the link to archives.  OOPS Key where are you?

http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/archive/2
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168348 tn?1379357075
I did a search and think its in this one:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/70703
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
Dr. Choi in one of his health chats, mentioned to be careful with the EmergenC and take only recommended doses .. something to do with kidney stones.  I can find it if we need to reference it .  It was eitheron Part 1 of Swine Flu Chat or Is this a Cold or Something Worse.

C~
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
Opps... sorry Barb

I really am not sure on Cymotel sublingual.  I can't imagine it being different.
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
icky on the mag oxide

Definately way to low on selenium. and if you are feeling jittery at all on thyroid meds - max on magnesium can be 400mg split AM and PM.
Helpful - 0
808425 tn?1371092328
Thanks for the response Stella!

Actually, citracal is a calcium w/d made by mission pharmaceuticals. Citrucel is a fiber. Oh, and I meant to say my vitamin d3 is 1000 iu, not mg (duh, me!)
Okay, my magnesium is oxide, so I'll go check out some citrate. The selenium in
my multi is only 10 mcg. so that would be quite a bit lower than what you recommend.

I'm sitting here making a list, including questions about tsh and free t3 since my
appointment is tomorrow!
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I often do my 2nd dose of cytomel sublingually (especially if I'm in a situation where I can't get it right on time) - does that mean I wouldn't have to worry about taking vitamins near that time?  
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
I take it together. Both supps at once.

There is no worry for me regarding time intervals with my thyroid meds. I do my meds sublingually. My stomach is not over bombarded with hormones and supps together - taking my replacement med sublingually. I also eat freely doing it this way.

Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I looked at the EmergenC packets yesterday, but was afraid there might be more things in it than what I need.  Do you take them both at once or space them throughout the day? Such as one at midday and one in the evening?  I'm always afraid I am going to take something too close to my thyroid med and won't get the proper absorption.  

I just stocked up on all my vits for now and I'm going to try to get my endo to check my calcium, vit D and PTH at the end of June, and by then I will be ready to restock again.

Thanks for that information.  
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
I am taking both EnergenC and the Fatigue to Fantastic together each day. Both are powdered and mix together quite nice. The Emergen C gives the other one a better taste - at least for me.

The Fatigue to Fantastic comes with a B complex very high than your average OTC B tablet and that makes all the difference. and pure niacin form.

I no longer have trouble with my caffiene intake - but I eat very little chocolate. I love my coffee and I have been able to drink that more now .

Terri -

Depending on your multi you are taking and the absorption level of them, you should recieve at a minimium of 200mg selenium, 60mg zinc, 200mg magnesium ( should be citrate) and about 8000iu Vit D-3.  Citracal is a fiber -  correct? I was able to eliminate fiber supplements with food sources, now that I am optimal in supplements. I also was able to eliminate some of the digestive enzymes I took for GI distress and heartburn with these formulas, because I sped my system up to function well on it's own. I still favor yorgurt daily though.

The amino acid intake for hypothyroidism is critical and is overlooked often in supplemental intake. Regarless of how you became hypoT - the fact is the stimulization of amino acids for proper function is required to maintain proper conversion levels and assist vit and mineral supplements to get the body regular.

I also found taking iodine/iodide has eliminated the "stupor" if hypothyroidism, better known as brain fog. Also the body temp I have now is warmer and very welcomed since the "freezing" sensation I had was sometimes unbearable.

Before I started this form of supplementation, I was all over the board taking a ton of pills. There is no way I could get in what I take in these two forms of supplements w/ iodide/iodine by pill formula and it has been a big difference in my overall wellness.

The one thing I have not eliminated is the weight. I just can't seem to budge that. A pound here or there, but nothing significate. - but that is where I have been reading alot lately and am learning about lepitin and other hormones that are effected with our condition.

I tried to pull the labels off the can - but couldn't. I was going to post it on my photos if I could get it off. I am sure the wesite would have the lists of what is in the formulas.



Helpful - 0
808425 tn?1371092328
Hey Stella, I don't really have an issue (yet) with taking the pills. Just wondering,
if I take a multivitamin, should that have enough selenium and zinc? I have the
extra magnesium supplement by itself, and vitamin d3 (1000mg) to take on top
of my citracal. I am so excited to see there are suggested vitamins and minerals
for all of us here.

Thank you Stella for all you do!
Helpful - 0
889468 tn?1241567623
Hi Stella, do you take the emergen c and the fatigued to fantastic , or one or the other and are you adding the b12 to both of them? I too am tired of swallowing pills. do you have trouble with chocolate and caffiene also? thanks for your help.
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
WOW .. this is a great idea Stella.  The drink vs. the pills . One of my Urologists had some connection with a Company that does similar to what you describe .. a multi vitamin pill designed for the needs of those prone to developing calcium oxalate kidney stones.  Cannot recall the name of the Company so I'm not much help but it the Co was developed by physicians with this in mind as you describe.  

I vote for the powdered mix you describe and you get liquid intake too!  I just may look into it after I find out how my Vit D supplements are doing.  Of course, I had the bloodwork on Wed .. you think I've heard back yet .. of course not LOL.

Great Idea!

C~

Helpful - 0
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