I have recently been given medication for hypothyroidism. I hate taking medicine, but I knew after some of my symptoms became difficult to deal with that I would need to see a doctor. And call me shallow, but my hair was falling out. I consider my hair to be one of my best features and thankfully I have been told that it will grow back. I had also put on 10 pounds in 6 months and it was not coming off.
I have to take several vitamin supplements because my calcium and vitamin D are very low. This may be a case of the chicken or the egg as the thyroid helps to regulate these vitamins. I have medicine for acid reflux as well and have been plagued with digestive issues for years. I am cold and tired and have difficulty dealing with stress and going back over some of my posts, one may wonder if I am depressed. And did I mention I hate taking medicine?
So, I am taking the stupid medicine, but I wanted to find ways to naturally boost my thyroid.
I asked the doctor if there was anything I could do...her response...lose weight and reduce stress (and take thyroid medicine).
Well, shit...that's helpful.
Chicken....Egg...considering that the stupid gland made me gain weight and is making it difficult to deal with stress...
Ok, enough with the sarcasm...but I was about ready to smack the woman. I have started some research and I have a feeling that some dietary changes are in my future and considering I live in the south where everything is deep fried, dipped in ranch, smothered in cheese, incredibly portioned or otherwise awful for you...this is going to be a challenge.
A common theme to my research:
Decrease Sugar/Carbs
Increase Protein
Consider a Gluten-Free Diet (my gastro thought I might have Celiac's but I tested negative)
Probiotics
Anti-Inflammation Diet
Practice Relaxation (apparently the thyroid is a stress sensitive gland--hahahahaha...ok, sorry...I just find that humorous right now)
Vitamins (Especially D, Omega-3 and B - apparently my vitamin D is low enough to contribute to hormone pathway disruption)
Considering some of my favorite foods include bread, tortillas, or pasta...I am in trouble. Reducing stress is probably not going to happen for a few months:) so I will focus on the food.
If anyone has any cookbooks, websites, etc that they can share...I would greatly appreciate it.
I shot you an email, Bea, with a lot of the sites I use for our family. They are really good, and even the kids love them. We're all feeling pretty great!
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
Thank you June!
DeleteAwe Bea, I'm sorry you are going through this and also sorry I don't really have any advice in the way of cookbooks or recipes for you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a good idea would be to consult a dietician who would be able to give you tips as to what to eat and what to avoid with your condition and perhaps some recipes?
I hope some of the others will be able to provide you with good advice and that you find something that works to help with the thyroid issue and help make you feel better.
Hugs,
Roz
That is a good idea...will have to check into that. Thank you for your thoughtful words.
DeleteBea
Bea, this sucks. I know, because I have Graves Disease. Kinda similar or basically it's in the same family as The Bad Thyroids. I take all sorts of things for mine and I understand completely about the hair thing and yes it will grow back, albeit slowly. I LOVE my long hair, it's to my waist, so when it started to fall out I FREAKED. Lol serious vanity issues? Absolutely! Lol good luck. You're in my thoughts and let me know if you need anything.
ReplyDeleteM.
Thank you so much for making me feel better about the hair thing:) I was feeling pretty vain over here:) I am sorry that you have to deal with the graves disease though...that sucks.
DeleteBea
Bea, I could have written this. I hate having to take that thyroid pill every day! My son intuitive more to protein bars and within three days, I could tell a difference. I had a little more energy, but my hair wasn't breaking or coming out by the handful.
ReplyDeleteIt does suck having to wait before I can have my morning coffee:) I did read a site that said that increasing lean protein might help...worth a shot:)
DeleteBea
Hi Bea,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you are going through all that! You seem to be in good company- I too take that same med and have been doing so for many, many years- since I was a teen. I think that the hardest part is making the diagnoses and then getting you on the right dose. Once you are there, it is often something that you really don't have to think too much about- just take your med and that is that. The thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolism in every cell in your body (simply put), so it is very important to have it working correctly. :)
Although i started out with hyperthyroidism as a teen, treatments made me the other way so i have not experienced all of the symptoms that you describe. every few years some may come up and adjustments are made. Some hair loss, feeling depressed and lethargic, feeling cold all the time, weight gain or difficulty losing weight are all classic signs of hypothyroidism. Once you've been on the right dose for a while, you will start to feel much better and see changes to these things.
I hope that you feel better soon Bea. Good luck on your diet. I have recently been on a very low fat diet and we have been very creative. I'd be happy to write some things down for you. As for GI, your doc should be able to help you with that or lead you to a nutritionist. I think probiotics such as acidophilus work great- but it's important to run it by your doc. Take good care, Bea! Hugs!
<3 Katie
Thank you Katie...I need all the help I can get and would love if you could email me. I am sorry that you have to deal with thyroid stuff too, but I am glad to hear that you have had success.
DeleteBea
Sorry to hear that you aren't well. I don't submit we'll to taking medication (and shouldn't have to !!!) but I do. Necessary evil, for me. Hope you find a more natural boost.
ReplyDeleteBea
Medicine stinks but what do you do? Shrug. It is what it is:)
DeleteHope you feel better and when you find something that really works, please let us know. I am sure we all could benefit from the research. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've never looked at it as an illness. Just something that I do to replace what doesn't work effectively. :). I hope that you find what you are looking for, Bea. I too would be interested to know what you come up with. Feel better! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good way to look at it although I feel sick at the moment...I hope to feel better when my levels are up.:)
DeleteFeel better sweetie.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of people who depend on you.
hugs
lillie
Thanks Lily! I feel like I have been failing those people lately so I hope this helps.
DeleteBea
If my hair was falling out I'd be upset too ... you're not shallow, that's a normal reaction. Unfortunately, I don't have any specific suggestions for dietary changes to help with hypothyroidism. My one suggestion is to be sure to keep some favorite foods in the mix, just reduce the amounts you allow yourself. (OK, I know that's not too original.) That's worked for me when I've had to make changes. Denying myself all my favorite foods would have made me so depressed I would have stopped trying. Wishing you success!
ReplyDeleteMeg thanks for your kind words. I was freaking out! I am in my thirties so losing my hair was not on my list of things to expect:)
DeleteI am sorry to hear of your challenges. I understand your feelings about not liking to take medication. Sometimes it is necessary. However, there are certainly other things that can be done to help that are holistic. I went on an elimination diet removing food sensitivities to help with health issues as well as using supplements and am always striving to live and eat healther - I say striving because I am a work in progress - 2 steps forward one step back...I am happy to share any recipes I have - just let me know what kind of recipes you are looking for and what kind of foods you and your family likes to eat - drop me an email at terpsichore7@gmail.com Sometimes doctors are not always sensitive to how difficult any changes are so just be gentle with yourself as you try new things to find out what works for you and feel better. Hugs, Terps
ReplyDeleteThanks Terpsichore ...I get frustrated because when I have a health issue a lot of doctors just want to give you another pill. Then I find that a lot of my issues may all be related. I just don't want to feel badly anymore...so I need to make some healthful changes:) I would love some recipes!
DeleteBea
Remind me to talk to you 'off blog' about this. Tee heee...So cloak and dagger, but not really * wink *
ReplyDeleteIntriguing:)
DeleteOne of the best moves I ever made for my health was to try a completely different type of medical practioner. I'm not sure how common they would be were you live, but they are relatively common here in Canada.
ReplyDeleteThey're called Naturopaths.
I see mine if I have chronic issues that I need help with. They look at different underlying causes rather than treating symptoms. The fixes aren't quick, but for me at least, they have always been effective, and obviously; natural.
Best of luck in anything that you try, I know it can be frustrating...
~S
Thanks S...we do have holistic docs here, but they can be pricey and are not covered under insurance. I may have to cough up the cash though...I am tired of docs just treating the symptoms:)
DeleteBea
Good luck Bea! My favorite book on getting rid of grains (and why) is Robb Wolf's Paleo Solution though there are others. Once you turn the corner in your head and get your husband on board, it may be easier than you think. We found getting rid of grains and pasta and bread actually fairly easy once we made the leap, though still indulge occasionally in social situations primarily. We make "spaghetti" with zucchini instead of noodles and do paleo pancakes and flourless chocolate cake (I'll post the recipe some time). For recipes, we use Sarah Fragoso's Everyday Paleo book which has some good ideas (and her website has others). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the ideas! I went a few days eating little processed foods and my reflux was 10 times better...gonna have to keep it up.
DeleteI am sorry to hear it and I wish you luck.
ReplyDeleteI was also diagnosed with a low thyroid after I lost 1/3 of my hair. My dose is now 1 1/2 pills which is 37 milligrams. The texture of my hair has totally changed and I noticed my fingernails are brittle as well. I am just about 4 months into this journey so I don't know what to expect in the future. I would love to hear an update so I can know what to expect! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHey Judi,
ReplyDeleteI am feeling much better but the hair and nails are taking a while to catch up. My doc says that that is completely normal and that the hair is on a delay...for losing it and getting it back. I have started to take some vitamin e along with all my other vitamins to help with both as well as my very dry skin. I wish you well and hope that we can both be patient.:)
Bea