TreatingThyroid Disease naturally?

[ozzzyyy]

These are the kind of thoughts that keep me up some nights.....

 

I am not a good pill taker. I detest being dependant upon medication. Years ago, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism which basically means my thyroid is low or produces basically nothing. I have been on Synthroid for years with improved health, that along with omitting sugar, potatoes and white flour from my diet, I am doing remarkably well.

 

I have begged my dr.(general practioner) to prescribe Armour which is dessicrated pig thyroid and he absolutely refuses. I thought it being natural that it would benefit me in the long run than the chemical prescription does. I'm up against a ~Brick Wall~ and I cannot afford a specialist/endocrinologist at this time to explore other mediacl options.

 

Every once in a while, I run out of my script and I have the notion that I can go without it..Always a pioneer at heart! And sadly within days, I am greatly fatigued and sick. So now I have come to the regrettable conclusion that I need this medication.

 

Here's my questions....What if the world as I know it ceases to exist and I am unable to go the pharmacy and pick this up monthly...how will this affect my health?

 

Is there something else I can take to naturally build up my metabolism?

 

Anyone else having these same thoughts with prescription drugs?

[gardnmom]

This site will help you find a DR. in your area that will prescribe the Armour if it aplicable to you.

http://www.armourthyroid.com/locate.html

[ozzzyyy]

Thank you, Lois! I found a dr. in a town 1/2 hour away! I'll check for references and possibly call and make an appointment.

[gardnmom]

Glad I could help.

[cartoongirl]

Will you let us know how this goes. Alot of people have hypothyroidism. Why do you have to p/u your prescription monthly. They can prescribe this medication up to a 1 year supply. Here in Canada I could have a whole years worth sitting in my cupboard until it is time to re test.

 

Interesting, keep us posted.

[motherearth]

The reason that most of us only have one month's supply of any meds is that our insurance will only pay for one month at a time.

[ozzzyyy]

Yes, I can only get it monthly.

[ashu12]

I have the same condition I am always looking for something that I can grow or produce that might work, so far no luck. I will post if I find anything that seems to work for me, and hope it works for others.

[gardnmom]

It is important to know if your thymus gland is functioning even slightly or not at all. This can be very dangerous to play with unless you know how they are treating the condition with replacement hormones. I have been told that some of the pills that they prescribe, kill the thymus gland. In that case you will have find a substitute for the hormone. It is important to know which or how many different meds you have used for this. It is why you should see your Dr. or a practitioner, to go over what has been done to this point.

edited to add:

Asking your DR. to write the prescription for 3 months at a time will solve this supply problem for those using Ins, not for medicaid, but Ins Companies will pay for three months supply because it costs a little less as you are not paying for it to be dispenced 3 times.

They cannot by law write them for more tham 1 month for controlled substances.

[Lois]

[lindahoney]

Well I have Hashimodo's thyroiditus which causes hypothyroidism. My doctor prescribes the Armour as well as kelp 2 capsules several times a day, a good daily vitamin and a no sugar, potatoes or white flour diet as well. Spirolina, a dried algae available from most health stores is also good for your thyroid as well as coconut oil. A teaspoon of Spirolina can be added to juice, yogurt, or milk without altering the taste significantly. I have greatly improved my thyroids function with these suppliments as well as the armour. The way to discover if you have this particular thyroid problem is to test for thyroid antibodies. A normal reading is usually 0-35 and at one point, mine was over 400. This condition means (if I understand it correctly) that a virus has taken up residence in your thyroid gland and your body is trying to kill the virus and is actually destroying the thyroid itself.

[whitewolf55]

I guess my question is: "If there was NO WAY I could get my thyroid replacement therapy, what can I do to try to keep my body "going"?

[DoubleD]

My thyroid gland was surgically removed over 12 years ago. I am completely dependent on my thyroid replacement medication (levoxyl). It freaks me out thinking about long term SHTF situations - because I only have 18 months of prescription meds and once that is gone... I'm toast.

 

There is no natural replacement (to my knowledge) that works for a significant thyroid condition. I expect to be using my 18 month time wisely to either find more supply if possible... or to prepare my family for life without me.

 

It's sad.. but true.

[Ginger]

Good topic to bring back up! (((((Lois)))))And thank you to those that have shared about thier situations. I am the original poster and still am plaqued with the "what if's of no longer getting replacement thyroid meds.

[Lilly]

I also have Hashimotos. I take Synthroid and I have thought of this sitution myself. If you go without your medication long enough you will go into a coma and die. Not trying to scare any of you it is just what happens. I don't know how long that takes, it might be different for each person. I don't think there is any natural replacements for thyroid medicine. I am going to talk to my Dr about stocking up some next time I go. I had never been told not to eat sugar, white flour or potatoes what does that do?

[lindahoney]

There are foods that are helpful to your thyroids functions and foods that slow it down. The "White stuff" white potatoes, white bread, white sugar are all relatively low in vitamins and higher in calories. Low in comparison with whole wheat bread, sweet potatoes, honey or even molasses as sweeteners. My doctor wants me to avoid simple carbs found in "White stuff", to eat something raw every day, like an apple, a spinach salad, carrot sticks and to walk or exercise 3 times a week for 45 minutes. I do not know of anything that can replace hormone replacement therapy if a thyroid is completely missing, but my thyroid replacement medication, Armor, is supposed to be dried animal thyroid (I think it may be pig) and it works for me.

[Violet]

This is an interesting question, what to do in case we can't get our thyroid hormones. I know that kelp will help due to the iodine, but I don't know if a person could take enough to make a big enough difference.

Perhaps it is something to really look into, just in case.

I have a book called Prescription for Nutritional Healing. I should see what it has to say.

[SueC]

The problem with kelp is to regulate the dose. I was taking kelp and it hid the symptons of thyroid problems. When I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem, the doctor needed to get an accurate reading from my blood tests. First test with kelp showed a problem, 2nd test without kelp showed a major problem. So kelp can help, but you still need regular tests to know if you are taking the right dosage.

 

Sue

[PATRICE]

If you have any type of autoimmune disorder be very careful taking Armour. Your body will destroy it because it is a natural hormone. The body does not destroy the synthetic. I am speaking from experience. I had hypothyroidism along with two types of arthritis (one being Psoriatic---autoimmune disorder), then developed nodules on both sides of the thyroid. Endocrinologist said that the natural hormone in the Armour was being destroyed by my body, so the thyroid problem progressed as if it was untreated. Long story shortened---I had to have a near total thyroidectomy and will have to take Synthroid for the rest of my life.

Just my 2 cents.

Patrice

[Violet]

I never had heard that before about the autoimmune disease. My doctor has me take Levoxyl. He insists it it the best for my body. He just told me that brand seems to be the most consistent with the dosage, that some brands, including the Armour, can have different amounts of the hormone in each pill. I guess there was a lawsuit against Synthroid in the past for that reason.

[tricia]

Also be careful of not medicating because it will cause your bad cholesterol to skyrocket! This can (and will) set you up for heart disease and all the fun stuff that goes with it! Been there, done that...quadruple by-pass, 3 heart attacks.

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and the Dr used radiation to "kill" the rest of my thyroid, so I am stuck on replacements for the rest of my days!

[whitewolf55]

Those of you that have a 18 month or 2 year supply of your thyroid meds....where do you keep them. I mean do you keep them just in a cabinet or in the refrigerator, etc.? Just curious, because I am going to see if I can get my prescription filled for a years worth. Thanks.

[SueC]

We are advised to keep them in the refrigerator at all times as they can lose their effectiveness if stored on the shelf.

[whitewolf55]

Thanks SueC. That's what I assumed, but wanted to know what you guys do.

[Mother]

I don't have an answer for a natural thyroid control except for what's already been said about support to help the thyroid gland stay as healthy as possible but this thread did bring up some questions.

 

I took thyroid meds for many years when I was younger. Then, at one of my tests with a new doctor, I was told I no longer needed it so was taken off of the meds. I've not really been well since and though I have had thyroid tests in the past that always came back 'borderline low' I was never put back on the meds. I suspect that I am still in need of the meds and did some research.

 

Here's one article that I found interesting.

http://www.life-enhancement.com/le/article...late.asp?ID=907

 

Now, If Armour thyroid is made from dried pig thyroid gland, can a person make it themselves from that same gland? I know that a lot of dried thyroid gland bought in health food stores comes with a note that it is thyroxine free, Thyroxine is the ingredient in the thyroid gland that was isolated for use in synthetic medications, but you can still buy whole raw dried thyroid gland. I'm sure the stability or availability of the glandular ingredient could be in question from batch to batch if home made or even from unregulated health food store sources, but could it be used in an emergency, as in when TSHTF?

 

Perhaps some of you out there could do some deeper research on this subject and post it here for all of us to learn from.