Hypothyroidism

[Nirvana]

A dear friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. She is very scared of taking allopathy meds because she has been told that she may need them for life. I thought I could put up her lab results here so perhaps some of you could help her. She wants to know which veggies/fruits to eat and which ones to avoid. She has also started doing yoga to help her with this issue. Also has included iodized salt in her diet. She's 30 years old and mom to a 4.5 years old child.

Thyroid profile done on 24 Dec 2008

T3 : 55ng/dl (79 - 173 ng/dl)
T4 : 3.90 micrograms/dl ( 5.2 - 12.7 micrograms/dl)
TSH : 8.0 microunits/ml (0.6 - 4.5 microunits/ml)

Thanks

[Seaweed]

I've read good reports about coconut oil so that may be something to look at?

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

It would be better for her to be using kelp rather than iodised salt... she need to look up foods which ramp up the thyroid too...

[deesalie]

Google is your friend ;)


Changing the diet will help with hypothyroidism. Eating goitrogenic foods such as rapeseed, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, maize, lima beans, soya and pearl millet should be limited. These foods contain natural goitrogens, which are chemicals that cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. Cooking is known to make the goitrogens elements less effective but it would be wise not eat these foods raw. Foods that contain iodine such as kelp, beetroot, radish, parsley, potatoes, fish, oatmeal and bananas should be kept in the diet. In the treatment of underactive thyroid, fats, sugars, sodium chloride, red meat and egg intake should also be restricted.

[Nirvana]

Thanks everyone.

Kelp is again something I haven't seen around here. Will Yoga help? I will make a diet chart for her and email it.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

deesalie, does cutting the intake of rapeseed, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, maize, lima beans, soya and pearl millet apply to both hyper and hypothyroidism?

[magical1]

I have been doing some work lately with an obese woman who just couldn't shift any weight. We tried everything but nothing would get her body to let go of the fat. She has had her thyroid tested but from what I have read the testing isn't picking up lots of problems...

so I assume that she has a thyroid issue (hypothyroidism) and put her on the following "perscription" to see if it takes affect. This has worked a treat and she feels and looks amazing. This is taken from Jonny Bowdens book "the most effective natural cures on earth"... just to note it is ok to take iodine if you are on meds like Synthroid or Armour Thyroid (god forbid)

Idoine 150mcg per day
Selenium 200mcg per day
Tyrosine 1-6grams per day (not to be used if you are on an MAO inhibitor)

Eat foods in the diet that are high in iodine like sea vegetables, seafood, dairy products, eggs.

Last but not least tell her to use coconut oil. Start with 1 tablespoon a day and work up to 3 tablespoons per day. It's well documented to help hypothyroidism. It will not make you fat! quite the opposite it makes you burn fat.

Hope this helps her. She doesn't need to be medicated for this condition. It will take a bit of lifestyle change for her to keep on top of supporting her thyroid health but it will be worth it for her long term health.

[Nirvana]

Thanks a bunch Magical. Will mail her what you posted. When you say Iodine 150 mcg, you mean a supplement right? I don't recall seeing one in the pharmacy but I am sure there's one ;)

You know Coconut oil is used very commonly in Southern India. I think there are different kinds available but the one that is used very often is one that is manufactured by a company called Marico. The one that is recommended is virgin coconut oil right?

I personally don't like the taste of food cooked in coconut oil but many are now no longer using coconut oil because of reports that it increases cholesterol or something. :rolleyes:

Infact grated coconut is a staple ingredient in all the recipes in Southern India and cardiologists are asking patients to stop doing so because it increases cardiac problems.

But thanks so much for your help.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I don't believe that. Are the cardiologists saying that Indians who have used coconut for decades have always had rampant cardiac problems?

[Nirvana]

I don't believe that. Are the cardiologists saying that Indians who have used coconut for decades have always had rampant cardiac problems?

No what they are saying is that some studies have shown that the fat found in coconut oil is BAD...very BAD for the heart. I know that's not true. The fat found in coconut oil is actually good because of it's makeup. Unfortunately, many patients are now trying drastically to reduce their intake of coconut :mad:

[magical1]

Yes that is true they are trying to tell all of us that SUDDENLY butter, cream, coconut oil, red meat etc, anything actually with saturated fat IS BAD!!!!!! HOWEVER that is NOT THE CASE!

High cholesterol in humans it could be argued is a sign of longevity but that is a whole different story.

The fact is that heart disease comes from inflamation in the arteries from far too high intake of sugar, trans fats, toxins and too many processed carbohydrates. Cholesterol is produced by your body to heal this. Simple stuff. If it gets sticky then we have a problem.

Everyone produces their own cholesterol... to protect us, not to kill us.

Coconut oil is in fact the most stable oil we can all use.

Now if you don't like the flavour you can buy deoderised versions of the virgin type. I use it for all my cooking.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I've got a book by Dr John M. Ellis, in which he discussed the fact that part of the heart disease issue is lack of vitamin B, and then there is Tom Levy's book talking about Vitamin C being at the core of heart disease... when it all comes back to doing basic things right. Sigh.

[Nirvana]

Funny isn't it that most of the docs make a list of foods/things to avoid but never bother to tell us which foods/minerals etc to increase so as to avoid further health issues or strengthen one's immunity. I for one don't understand this medical industry.

[magical1]

Yep pretty funny!!

As far as I'm concerned all disease comes from lack of nutrients and too many toxins but that's just me. Tell that to my ex doctors and they laugh in my face.

Telling thing is that they are all out of shape slobs and I'm a fine human specimen! well at least I think so anyhoo.