Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My SO has been on some kind of prescription med for this his entire life & he's now 45. He takes Levothyroxine now. Lately, he's been lethargic and sleeping more.
I want him to see an Endocrinologist to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, anyone know of any all-natural supplements/remedies?
ALSO, anyone know which foods give you a more energized feeling?
Last edited by Forever Blue; 12-31-2019 at 06:54 PM..
Iodine. Iodine is needed by the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. Supplement in conjunction with selenium, at a minimum.
Dr. Brownstein MD is a leading doctor in iodine therapy. He has treated many many patients with iodine. Approx. one third end up reducing their thyroid drug, and one third come off the drug completely. He has several books on the subject, including "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It" and "Overcoming Thyroid Disorders".
Iodine is a necessary nutrient, but taking it as a supplement (as opposed to consuming food sources) can cause a lot of side effects even in small quantities so I'd urge caution before taking large amounts like what Dr. Brownstein recommends especially if you're not under the care of a knowledgeable doctor like him.
Yes, reading the book is important, and if you can find an iodine-literate doctor, that would be best. There are also online resources available.
If it is just hypo (not Hashi's, no cancer or other conditions) you may be able to treat yourself IF you read up first and then increase slowly. The number one thing is to drink a ton of water, because water is needed to flush out the other toxic halides (fluoride, bromide) that have attached to the iodine receptors in the body.
I meant to add that regardless of whether someone can reduce or eliminate the drug, their symptoms (dry skin, fatigue, constipation, depression, poor sleep, etc) should be much improved on the iodine. Every cell in the body uses iodine but especially the sex organs, all the glands, and the skin.
My wife has managed it for years with nutrients from foods in a balanced diet by including food sources with iodine, selenium and zinc - and minimizing foods that can interfere like goitrogens, and avoiding highly processed foods. Getting those nutrients as supplements is risky because it's possible to get too much which can be toxic. This page is a good overview on diet for hypothyroidism https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...hyroidism-diet
My wife has managed it for years with nutrients from foods in a balanced diet by including food sources with iodine, selenium and zinc - and minimizing foods that can interfere like goitrogens, and avoiding highly processed foods. Getting those nutrients as supplements is risky because it's possible to get too much which can be toxic. This page is a good overview on diet for hypothyroidism https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...hyroidism-diet
I appreciate it. I had looked up this kind of thing too in the meantime, so thank you too!
Too little Iodine in the diet and the thyroid hypertrophies (develops a goiter) to trap more Iodine. Too much Iodine in the diet and thyroid activity is suppressed. You only need 5mg total intake in the course of a lifetime.
In the early stages of hypothyroidism, the body compensates by increasing activity (and maybe hypertrophies) in the thyroid to keep circulating levels of thyroxine in the normal range-- TSH increases above normal, telling the thyroid to "work harder," and T4 stays normal....Moderator cut: rude opinion of alternative medicine does not belong in this sub forum ....Eventually the thyroid poops out and can't keep up.
Treating hypothyroidism is so easy and cheap, why screw around?
BTW-- to the OP-- lethargy is a late symptom of hypothyroidism. If your SO has it, look to other causes-- poor sleep hygiene being far and away the most common cause.
Last edited by in_newengland; 01-07-2020 at 02:43 PM..
That is the mainstream info about iodine, and that's what Dr. Brownstein MD was taught in medical school, as he states in his book. And yet through his practice, his body of research, and his own experience (having hypoT himself) he has come to much different conclusions.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
