I think I have a thyroid problem. I have the same problems as my mother,grandmother,aunt, etc... I have no insurance and the last time I went to Dr. he said my thyroid numbers were at the high end of normal. Well, so is my mothers. She has taken Synthyroid for years and has seen no change. A friend of ours is going to a "natural" doctor. Anyway, she feels so much better and has lost a considerable amount of weight. She gave us a web site and it is right -Wilson's Thyroid Syndrome. She told my mother to start with Kelp. Here's my question- I would like to try some natural herbs, etc, first before I spend 100.00's I don't have. Is kelp really what I should start with? Is anyone taking anything natural for this? If so what? and is there some sort of web site I can go to read about more? I am at a loss of what to do and need some advice. I will say I talked to my doctor the other day and he did not seem worried or really inclinded to believe there could be a problem. I am very active( I may not do aerobics everyday, but I am up at dawn and don't sit down until bedtime around 10pm. I try to eat natural, good for you food and I have to watch my sugar anyway. ), I am going to try to squeeze in walking but I have children from 6:45 am until 6pm-It is too dark after that now to walk. I try and do things the hard way- I live upstairs and I try and take the stairs all the time-When the kids are napping I will walk up and down the stairs!!Any thoughts, advice etc, would be welcome, for I am at the end of my rope and need something tangable to have hope in!!Thanks and God BLess.

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), January 01, 2002

Answers

Kelp is excellent. You might talk to someone at the health food store about homeopathic remedies, or Enzymatic thyroid glandulars.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 01, 2002.

Micheale,if you can get to the library you might check for some books on this topic. the librarians will be able to help you do a search, and at our library you can get inter-library loan for free. I like to have a book I can read over. If you find out anything let us know.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 01, 2002.

Micheale

It sounds like you are investigating Hyperthyroidism (production of too much thyroid hormone. The suggestions listed below are for HYPERTHYROIDISM.

I have a book entitled "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", 3rd edition by Phyllis A. Bach CNC and James F Bach M.D.

They list these as possible symptoms: nervousness,irritability, constant feeling of being hot, increased feeling of being hot,increased persperation, insomnia, fatigue, increased frequency of bowell movements, less freqent menstruation and decreased flow, weakness, hair and weight loss, change in nail thickness, separation of the nails from the nail bed, hand tremors, intolerance of heat, rapid heartbeat,goiter and sometimes protruding eyeballs.

They state that the exact cause is not known, but that some cases of hyperthyroidism AND hypothyroidism (under-production of the hormone) result from improper immune system response. If the thyroid has any lumps, infection or inflammation, it can affect hormone production as can certain prescription drugs.

Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism, and both disorders affect more women than men. Malfunctioning thyroid can be the underlying cause of many recurring illnesses.

These recommendations are intended for adults, AND ARE LISTED FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM (production of too much hormone) . Chidren aged 12 to 17 would reduce the dose to three quarters of the amount.

As always CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE BEGINNING THIS TREATMENT.

Multi-vitamin and mineral complex, as directed by manufacturer.

Vitamin B complex, 50 milligram of each major B vitamin,3 times daily. Injection with MD supervision may be necessary.

Additional B1 (thiamine) 50 milliograms, twice daily for blood production and energy levels B2 (riboflavin), 50 milliograms, twice daily required by the body for proper cell, gland and organ function.

and B6 (pyrodoxine) 50 milliograms twice daily, to activate enzymes, and for immune sytem function and anti-body production.

They also suggest Brewers Yeast, 1 to 3 Tablespoons daily and more, because it is rich in nutrients and B vitamins.

Recommendations: Eat plenty of broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, rutabagas, soybeans, spinach and turnips.

Avoid dairy products for at least 3 months. Also avoid stimulants, soft drinks, coffee and tea and nicotine.

Be wary of treatment with radioactive iodine (iodine 131 or I-131. Severe side affects have been known to accompany the use of iodine I-131. Also do not rush into surgery.

Considerations they mention are that digestion is sped up by this disorder, accompanied by malabsortion, so a proper diet is important.

10 persons in England were being treated for Parkinsons disease, and found to all have Hyperthyroidism. Once treated for the thyroid condition, the Parkinsons improved dramatically.

If a goiter affects breathing or swallowing, then removal of all or part of the thyroid may be necessary. It then may be necessary to take thyroid hormone pills after surgery.

The Pituitary, Parathyroid and Sex glands all work together and may be affected by thyroid problems.

The Parathyroid Gland (small endocrine glands located near the rear surface of the thyroid) secrete Parathyroid hormone (PTH). In the rare didorder Hyperparathyroidism, this apple seed sizes organs becomes enlarged and overactive, and secrete to much PTH. When this happens, excess calcium leaches out of the bones, and into the blood. This can be picked up by routine blood tests. Left untreated this condition can result in bone pain and kidney stones (remember this is a rare disorder).

An undiagnosed thyroid condition can be mistaken for menopausal symptoms, as the mood swings, depression and fatigue are present in both cases.

-- Rick (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 01, 2002.

Rick is right. I had it, its called Graves Disease. It will really screw up your body in a bad way, and in the old days it killed you eventually. It increases your heart rate and can give you a heart attack.

I had my thyroid distroyed by radio-active pills and now will take synthroid the rest of my life...but it is far better than having your thyroid screwed up.

I know what you mean about no insurance...we are self employed...but don't let that stop you, there are programs out there to help pay most of it if you qualify.

BTW...sorry...I have been lurking here for quite some time.

-- Lynette (fear_the_bear@webtv.net), January 01, 2002.

Hi, Micheale. I have Hypothyroidism, and take Synthroid. If I don't take it, my tsh level is high. the goal (if I remember right) is to have it around 2.45? For some reason, that's in my head. Anyway, if you can afford the clinic visit and the $50 blood test, it's worth getting an accurate diagnosis. As for the meds, I've found them in some cases to be cheaper than the herbs, and since they are an exact reproduction of the chemical that your body is having trouble manufacturing, there is no side effect as long as you are no overdosing or underdosing. I have priced a 100 day supply to be as cheap as $20, without prescription, if you take the lesser known Lavaxil (same thing, different name). For the synthroid, I've priced it at $35.

The benefits to this are:

1. you know what exactly is wrong

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), January 01, 2002.

(woops)

2. you know your body is responding properly (you test your tsh level once every 6 months until your dosage is where it needs to be, then just once a year)

Anyway, I know you asked for natural alternatives, but I personally had a bad experience with someone giving me poor herbal advice and could have lost my baby to it, and now urge every person to make sure they know exactly what is going on with their body before going to the herbals. Even if maybe you should get a second opinion, as my doctor urged me emphatically to take the synthroid, even though she agrees with herbals for other purposes. Any way, I'm probably out of line here, but that's just my opinion and thought I'd throw it in there. Stepping off soapbox.

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), January 01, 2002.

I have hypothyroidism. Last winter I got really bad. My thyroid was sticking out the front of my throat and back into my throat. I was put on Armour thyroid and in three days all the swelling was gone. I could finally eat something. Armour is supposed to be more natural. I was on Synthroid for 15 years. I was getting too much thyroid. I ended up in a naturopath's office. I take B shots, etc. I was so bad that I could not take the kelp. I will be put on it eventually. The naturopaths that I see have been trained at Bastyr University in Seattle.

-- Cindy Herbek (dh40203@navix.net), January 02, 2002.