Hypothyroidism and foods (skin, vitamin, cravings, expensive)

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by Miborn

[b]
An October, 1998 study reported on in the Journal of Gynecological Endocrinology found that levothyroxine suppressive therapy, if carefully carried out and monitored, has no significant effect on bone mass.

"...levothyroxine suppressive theraphy"

What does this mean? what does "suppressive" refer to? If a person takes levothyroxine, what are they suppressing? Is levothyroxine prescribed for anything other than hypothyroidism? ("hypo" meaning lowered thyroid function). If thyroid function is below normal, I shouldn't think you'd want to suppress anything. Sorry, but the terminology has me confused and this is a new subject for me. Just need to understand it better.

Thanks, all.

[Mattie Jo]

Thanks for your post Miborn. I have hashimotos, but last time i went to the doctor i had a normal thyroid function again. I do take iodine but I am careful. I don't use iodized salt and don't eat seafood, so what I do is put iodine drops in water, the amount that you normally need. I also quit eating soy when I was first diagnosed and began eat raw virgin coconut oil. I am not on thyroid meds because I only had mild, but if i ever go on them i will choose amour.

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by jessaka

Thanks for your post Miborn. I have hashimotos, but last time i went to the doctor i had a normal thyroid function again. I do take iodine but I am careful. I don't use iodized salt and don't eat seafood, so what I do is put iodine drops in water, the amount that you normally need. I also quit eating soy when I was first diagnosed and began eat raw virgin coconut oil. I am not on thyroid meds because I only had mild, but if i ever go on them i will choose amour.

I started taking kelp supplements for iodine about 2 weeks ago. I know it takes time to work (I had my thyroid radiated due to Grave's.) Can I please ask if you have noticed whether or not your iodine and virgin coconut oil has helped you either maintain or lose weight? I gained 90lbs after the RAI.

[Mattie Jo]

I have not lost weight on raw coconut oil, contrary to what their claims are. I have not gained weight either. I do have more energy, but I can't say if it is from the coconut oil or not. Even though they now say that my thyroid is normal, I have no idea how normal. Is it just on the edge of hypothyroidism? I will ask when I see the doctor next. I will ask for a test in 2 to 3 months. What I eat affects my weight drastically. In my younger days I could eat sweets and breads, if I do that now I gain weight. I would have to go back to a raw diet to lose weight, and I would have to make myself walk. I garden for 6 hours a day, but I have not lost weight.

[southward bound]

Regarding soy bean and synthetic thyroid med contraindication - some say yes, and some say no. According to Leslie Beck's Nutrition Encyclopedia, if a soy product has been heated (eg tofu, cooked beans, soy milk, etc) it doesn't interfere with iodine absorption or contribute to hypothyroidism.

Can anyone shed more light on this? I've been reading about the raw coconut oil controversy (yes, it's good for you - no,it interferes with thyroid meds). The same disagreements seem to exist about soy. Does anyone have some sources for the pro and con of soy in hypothyroidism?

My cousin will be helping out a relative, a 20-yr old gal after surgery (her thyroid is to be removed due to papillary cancer, radiation 3 weeks later) and will be doing the cooking. Are there any specific dietary requirements she needs to know abbut?

Any helpful websites, resources, or insights would be welcomed!

Thanks,

[nanannie]

I am on Armour,its been a year, the synthroid and lev. did not do the trick and I was so glad to find a doc who specializes in the growing epidemic of thryoid problams ( and I also take natural hormone replacements). I was told to eat cabbage,kale etc a few times a week. Eating healthy and excercise has been putting me back on track. I have recently started 2 T of virgin,hard pressed coconut oil I get from Whole foods. I have not asked doc about this but will. It DOES lessen the cravings for sweets and fills you up. I melt it and pour it on top of my morning smoothie and spoon it quickly into my mouth before it gets to be the consistency of wax. My morn drink really starts my day, no hunger, lots of energy. ( 1 T ground flax, 1/2 banana, 2-3 T of yogurt,frozen cranberries,frozen berries(straw,blue raz-anything but no sugar) and a touch of cranberry jucie (no sugar). My doc has me taking flax and 3 T of fish oil a day (I buy these at whole foods as well.) I would love to know why our god given thyroids are all pooping out on us-dental x-rays? Aspertine and artifical sweetners/?Vaccines? I wish someone could tell us so preventative measures could be taken before the problams even start.

[nanannie]

To anyone looking for more info on this topic, try Dr. Mercola, just google his name. They have info on diet, coconut, the difference in Armour vs synthetic brands etc.

[mimosa]

I never heard any of this about thyroid meds. I've been taking them, they are in Micro grams so they are so slight. I have great bloodwork and my thyroid numbers are back to normal. I never heard it hurts your bones. I take calcium twice a day and boniva once a month, please don't tell me this is all in vain.

[chielgirl]

I take cytomel.

Boy, am I glad to find this thread.
I gained 36 lbs in 6 weeks when my thyroid went kaplooey.
I'm also chemically sensitive and allergic to aldehydes and petrochemicals.
This suppresses my thyroid.

[Mattie Jo]

Pure Virgin Coconut Oil - The Smarter Fat That Helps Promote Weight Loss

Here is some information from Dr. Mercola on oil, especially coconut. I get mine from a health food store and see no reason to buy his brand, but what do I know? LOL.