Recently we’ve been talking about a lot of different health and wellness issues! Adrenal fatigue has been a big one. But hypothyroidism often goes hand-in-hand with adrenal issues, and can cause serious problems, especially in women. How do you know if you have it? And if you do, what next?
First of all, let’s look at some common symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Fatigue (especially severe)
- Weakness
- Weight gain, or inability to lose weight (hypothyroid means your metabolism is slow)
- Pain or tenderness in the throat area
- Dry skin and hair; hair loss
- Depression
- Irritability
- Loss of sex drive
- Intolerance to cold
- Memory problems/thinking is foggy
- Loss of voice/difficulty speaking
Different women will experience this in different ways. Fatigue is probably the most common symptom, but it can be a symptom of so many different conditions. If you are struggling with several of these symptoms, it is worth getting checked out.
A simple blood test can check your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T3, and T4 levels. These are your main thyroid hormones. You will need to see a doctor to get these tests done. You will also need a complete physical, because levels that are “normal” for one person may be too low for another, so hormone levels (especially if in the low-normal range) are not the only signal that hypothyroidism is present. Most doctors, however, will recommend a pill of synthetic thyroid hormones if the tests come back positive. Please know this is not your only option!!
A small note: This is an issue that is very close to me, because I have a family member who’s struggled with this. I know that she spent 10 years feeling terrible all the time as the doctors tried various synthetic medications and even antidepressants, to no avail. It got to the point a couple years ago where they said there wasn’t much more they could do and they wanted to biopsy and likely remove her thyroid entirely. She said no and changed her diet, started seeing natural doctors, and switched to some natural supplements. And now she’s had to reduce her medication because her thyroid is healing on its own, and she feels better than she has in 20 years! The doctors said this could not happen. And yet it did. It’s hard for me to be objective about “standard” care here because I’ve really only seen it fail. You can read her story here, and the follow-up here.
Why Does Hypothyroidism Happen?
It’s not as simple as it seems. There’s not really one cause of hypothyroidism. Mainstream sources say it is usually caused by “inflammation of the thyroid gland,” but don’t specify what causes this inflammation. Clearly there’s more to it than that.
Poor diet, use of prescription drugs, long-term stress (which disrupts all hormones), candida overgrowth, and other issues can lead to hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is also a major reason for hypothyroidism (our modern diets are really low in iodine, except for foritified foods like processed salt). Radiation exposure, or heavy metal exposure/toxicity can play a role in hypothyroidism as well.
Other toxicity can affect the thyroid too. Fluoride and chlorine (found in the water supply) are two big culprits. Other toxic chemical exposures may cause it as well.
Regarding diet, consuming too many goitrogenic foods, especially raw, can have an effect. This includes cabbage, millet, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and other vegetables in this family. Overconsumption of soy is also a problem, especially unfermented soy (that means all that soy milk, soy ” cheese,” soy “butter,” and other animal-product-replacements are causing damage to the thyroid! Yet another reason to avoid soy as much as possible).
Pregnancy can cause some women to become hypothyroid. Certain pituitary conditions or other problems can also cause it.
In a lot of cases, it’s a combination of the above factors. Our modern life is very hard on the thyroid through exposure to chemicals in the food and water supply (don’t forget about hormones in factory-farmed meats), heavy use of prescription drugs, mercury teeth fillings, and a heavy emphasis on raw plant-based diets. All of this is setting you up for thyroid problems! Not to mention nutritional deficiencies….
Now What Do I Do?
There is help. You don’t have to live with hypothyroidism.
First, it’s a good idea to clean up your diet. Get a good source of iodine, but make sure you’re not taking too much (which can also cause thyroid problems). See a naturopath to help you determine how much you, personally, should be taking. The best sources are directly from foods, like blue-green algae and good quality sea salt.
Get rid of processed foods. Don’t eat any goitrogenic vegetables raw (and you may need to eliminate them entirely for awhile). Eat lots of soups with fresh stock and well-cooked veggies. Plenty of high-quality pastured meat and eggs. Basically – the same type of healthy diet I always recommend! Are you seeing a pattern here?
Kombucha and other fermented foods can make a huge difference for some people, so you may want to try this. Fermented foods are extremely helpful for healing, especially if you also struggle with candida. And no, they won’t cause the candida to grow. While they are bacteria and yeasts, they are not the same strain as candida and will not make the problem worse; they will help the candida get back into proper balance by populating your gut with healthy strains instead.
Second, your doctor may recommend a thyroid supplement. Naturethroid is supposed to be one of the best. Synthetic versions (like Synthroid, which are T4 only) are not recommended.
Third, take plenty of time to rest and pay attention to your body. You are healing now, and it will take time and energy to do so. Don’t be discouraged if you have flu-like symptoms in the early weeks: this is die-off (usually occurs with related candida) and it is normal.
Don’t forget that the adrenals are usually related to the thyroid and continue to support those, too, with the diet for adrenal health. Making sure you’re getting enough to drink but also maintaining your electrolyte balance is crucial. Try to drink a homemade rehydration drink more than plain water, which will probably leave you feeling thirstier.
Check in frequently with a doctor you trust. As you heal, you may need to adjust your dose of medication, or add/subtract/change things about your diet.
Have you or do you have hypothyroidism? What has your experience been?
This article just brought tears to my eyes, this is all the stuff that deep down I felt but had never heard of anyone actually getting better. I have hypothyroidism and have it treated with synthetic hormone which has improved my levels but I still suffer from all of the symptoms. I live in a very rural area and have struggled to find a natural doctor. The last one I went to was an hour away and moved as soon as I started going so we didn't get very far. I have just read about the heavy metal poisoning. I feel so frustrated and have been told by more Dr's than I can count that it won't get any better. I am so encouraged to read about someone that really pursued the natural ave. and was able to get much better. I'm starting my search again for someone and I really don't mind driving if I know there is hope. Thank you for your posts. I'm a new follower
Thank you for taking the time to research out all these important issues. I love finding someone of "like mind". Keep up the amazing job! (I'm going to go read about your family members story.)
My thyroid has been absolutley crazy since I went through all that I did on a certain birth control. I go from hyper to hypo. I am afraid that I the hormones kicked off an underlying autoimmune condition. Its very scary. One thing I will say is NEVER let your doctor just do a TSH test and call it a day. You need a complete thyroid panel to find out where you are. If your doctor says you are in range and you feel like hades, find another one. Also, if your doctor puts you on a t4 only thyroid medication…WALK OUT. You need t3 for energy. I don't know why doctors are so stubborn on these issues. Maybe because most of them are men. As you can tell, I am bitter.
Speaking of kombucha, do you think that people who really dislike the taste of black tea will like kombucha? How similar is it to tea in taste?
Lauren,
It doesn't taste like tea to me at all. The flavor is entirely changed through the fermentation process. Adding a bit of juice for a second ferment changes the taste even more. It's possible to use green tea instead, but I haven't liked that and I've read that black tea produces the most "phenols" or beneficial compounds, though I don't know that anyone really knows for sure on that.
I healed my hypothyroid with out meds and by switching my diet. And it wasn't until I ate only fresh fruits and veggies, raw nuts and seeds, that I started to feel my energy return. I also took whole food supplements and made it a priority to get lots of rest. One day I forgot to take my supplements and had absolutely no NRG. When I mention this to my Dr. he said it was because my adrenals need the help and when my adrenals were "healed" I wouldn't need the supplements as long as I continued to eat healthy. I have never felt better in my life. I do believe my pregnancy was what pushed my levels out of whack. I am no longer on just a plant based diet, but that is mostly what I eat. I do believe that eveyone is in a different place as far as health goes, so no single fix will work for everyone. You kind of have to feel around to find what works for you incorporating information that blogs like this one gives us. Thank God for this blog and others like it!!
Thank you for talking about Naturethroid. Many people don't know about it, because doctors don't talk about it. When I switched to a natural thyroid medicine I started feeling better within 15 minutes of taking the first pill. It was amazing!
I'm so happy to have found this site. I had radiation therapy when I was 3 – they did it at Children's Hospital in Chicago to take away a birthmark on my mouth when I was little. It was a "port wine" hemangioma. After they got it the the size they wanted, they did surgery to remove the rest. Well, I probably don't even have to tell you that I had problems with my wisdom teeth growing wrong; nodules on my thyroid; hypothyroid; then after I had a total hysterectomy, and my mother died a few years ago, the crap hit the fan, and I was also diagnosed with adrenal fatigue! I get so exhausted during the day, but would come ALIVE at night…practically able to clean my whole house. I'm 52 years old, and have been on Synthroid for about 25 years. They've never changed my dosage, and always say it's in the "normal" range. My hair is much thinner. I have only half my eyebrows. Feel "foggy" in my mind, and have mostly just gotten use to feeling like crap when I wake up.
Did I mention that I'm married, own a store, AND care for my 86 year old aunt who is paralyzed on one side, and is in a wheelchair? She's my dad's older sister, and she never had children. She woke up one day, and my father had passed away in his sleep. My husband and I brought her to live with us…we have no children, and she's really very easy to care for, considering…she can dress herself….but I have to feed her three meals a day, give her showers during the week, at least 3 x's, and do her laundry. Oh, and I also do all our bookwork for our store, and our laundry, and the housework.
When you said to eat bacon and fat I nearly fell over. I went into a PA's office one day, and she took one look at me, and handed me a book, and told me to turn to the page with the woman pouring "salt" down her throat…and a time clock…and it was me!!! I sat in her office, and cried like a baby with my face in my hands. Someone had put a NAME to it. I'd never heard or adrenal fatigue.
I never liked potato chips, but am craving them! Lately, I'm craving bacon! I was told, however, not to eat SEA SALT, but salt WITH iodine in it. Should I not be doing that? I like sea salt, but thought it was wrong to do, so stopped using it. I tried the raw vegetable thing, and even raw spinach, and I just can't stomach it. I would rather cook it in my tomato sauce, or soups. I was also told many years ago, about 10, to stay away from ALL SOY PRODUCTS, which I have. I'm not a huge meat eater, except for lunch meat, but began to think about the way people ate in the early 50's & 60's before they began to mess with all our foods. People never got the same heart problems they do now, and they drank WHOLE milk, ate eggs, and beef…and they felt satiated!
Is it okay to eat some bacon on some whole grain bread? I get a burning in my throat if I eat bacon on its own, like it causes acid in my throat. I like a HALF of a bacon sandwich, however, and don't feel so hungry afterward.
I've been on SYNTHROID for so long that I'm afraid to try the NATURETHROID….can you tell me more about it?
I feel blessed to have found your web site. I've been praying that God would help give me ENERGY. I don't want to resort to sleeping pills to help me sleep at night, which is what everyone keeps telling me to do. I can actually stay up til' 3 or 4 a.m., and can't fall asleep. Then I drag myself all day long. I don't know how to get out of this SPIRAL!!!
Thank you for your web site, and all the wonderful "tips" and comments. I'm going to read the story about your family member now, also. I want to continue to read, and watch your posts, and then will also try to find a good natural doctor to go to. I want to find out more about that Naturethroid. I've never heard of that before. I feel as if there may be some hope for me. Than you so much! God bless. (Linda)
Linda,
I have been on Naturethroid for awhile now, and it is AMAZING!! When I switched form synthroid to a natural replacement, within 20 min of taking the first pill, I felt better!! The fog lifted and I had more energy! Don't settle for 2nd rate medicine, Naturethroid is so wonderful!
You have to work a little harder to get it, though. Doctor's don't always like it, so you'll have to find someone who will work with you, but it's worth all the hassle to get, I promise.
One website that helped me a lot, and has a TON of info on Naturthroid, and other natural replacements is http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com. Good luck!
I have to add, as someone who has hypothyroidism as a result of *Hashimoto's disease it is NOT recommended to supplement or increase iodine intake with this particular condition. The extra iodine increases the immuno response to attack your thyroid MORE making you feel worse.
*Hashimoto's Disease is an auto-immune disease that causes your immune system to attack and 'kill' your thyroid. With this particular condition there are slightly different recommendations for natural healing than with any of the other thyroid conditions. Including following a gluten free diet and avoiding supplements that encourage your immune function like echinacea.
All the dietary recommendations here are exactly right.
My 15 yr old daughter has been hypothyroid since she was nine. She has a goiter and benign nodules. She's been on levothyroxine for five years. She constantly says she is exhausted, has no energy, and her skin is very dry. She often says she just doesn't feel right. She is overweight and is getting tons of stretch marks, which is of course, extremely embarrassing at her young age. Her dosage has never been changed and her blood tests normal. I am currently seeking a new doctor in the southeast Michigan area. She currently is seen at Mott's Children's hospital. I am toaly up for trying Naturthroid. She wants to try it. I would like to try dietary changes too as she also suffers from chronic diarrhea. Any doctor recommendations?
I had my thyroid (goiter with multi-nodules causing thyroiditis) removed in 2009. Since then, I have struggled with 40lb weight gain, lethargy, joint pain, and forgetfulness…in addition to other issues. I was prescribed anti-anxiety/antidepressant medication in 2010. I still felt awful. I now am on an organic, healthful diet and using essential oils, in addition to my Levoxyl
thyroid prescription. I am feeling much better, but have a long road ahead of me. I hope to have my doctor remove me from the antidepressant tomorrow. One day, I hope to use geranium, nutmeg, spearmint, Myrtle, and frankincense as my only supplements in the future. Would I have the surgery again? Yes. My thyroid was so enlarged that it was choking me. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t have.
my dear friends, i am writing this blog from my experience and with the help of some experts in ayurvedic, yoga and acu-puncture field. i have suffered from Hypo-Thyroid for more than 12 years. this disease has been dis-abling for me as i had not been in touch with a good endochrinologist.
over the years curosity and a chance encounter with a very experienced ayurvedic doctor opened my eyes to this disease and it causes. i wanted to share this as some of the causes were a shock to me and will be to you as well as some modern doctors too.
I have been working with a large MNC for several years and have to travel all over india. during one of these trips (banglore)i met a ayurvedic doctor from kerala at an local eatery. it was rush hour and no palce to sit, we had shared our table. seeing my restricted eating habits lead to a chat where we introduced ourselves. this ayurvedic doctor was traveling for his hospital to all major metros over india. his insight into thyroid was amazing and the addtional symptoms and causes mentioned were eye opening. later over the years i have seen some additional symptoms (added to the thyroid symptoms list by alopathic doctors which were known to this ayurvedic doctor from years, maybe decades). this chance encounter with this doctor opened the door. we later met in delhi too, where i had invted him to my place. i then enquired and met a few other ayurvedic, yoga and acu-puncture specialist. Amazingly the older people practicing over decades too had similar views. it dawned to me the inadequate info with people on this simple but sometimes disabling disease.
Read completely this blog and ever word has been verifed by one of the experts.
(kindly spread the word as this disease can been reduced to a great scale)
(i have written this blog too late, a couple of years as i did not know the extent many people suffered due to it)
A few common but now known/unknown reasons
my keralite doctor had in year 2000-01 told me to use iron, steel utensils, non-sticks were a big NO. today a debate
over Teflon has been raging for quite some time. similarly toxins, chemicals(house-hold cleants/insectides), heavy metals (lead, lithium (in cell battries) ) too are resposible too swing the gland (these toxins effect a range of organs, effecting their functions as well as creating tumors or nodules). some time the swing of the thyroid gland is temprary and a doctor start medication which should later be stopped however sometime a doctor who is not a expert at thyroid would not do so which effects a patient badly. hence a good endochrinologist is a must. severve throat infect lasting days/weeks, exposure to constant heat/pressure on neck region (in some industry this is a common working environment) too lead too an imbalance of the gland. exposure too radiation has a big and immediate effect of the thyroid gland.
my googling showed chemicals (triclosan, perchlorate, man-made fluoride, bromine) found in toothpastes, soaps as well as plastics too is responsible.
Now a major reason which seems controversial today but was a shock to me too which lead to my interest to investiage further about this disease.
since it is a taboo topic, may be this info is not well known. frequent mastarbation, yes my dear friends no one
would say yes to this reason. my chance encounter with my ayurvedic doctor today more of a friend, had shocked with this news. even some patients who later were settled with this idea had accepted they mastarbated frequently. later they even said that after doing so they felt a high pulsating effect on the thyroid gland. according to our ayurvedic doctor mastarbation is not bad, but when done frequently or as a habit it would definately lead too thyroid. lack of information would put many youngsters at risk. 1 – 2 month of the bad habit can give a life-time of the disease. nature has given us a means of pro-creation as well as enjoyement, but to use it just as a means of pleasure by would have negative results. this cause i found that all the well experienced ayurvedic, acu-puncture/pressure people were aware of. but all of them said there is no immediate cure in their field to cure this disease. the reason they mentioned about mastarbation is that it is an aggressive act and is more than physical contact and requires the brain to release a lot of energy. the same happens during an sexual but the frequency is not that high. our brain controls the entire body the heart, lung, liver, digestive system and the endocrine glands. in the act the brain is in an over drive puting excessive pressure on the endocrine glands, at the same moment energy and minerals are lost which effects all these systems. all the organs are linked to the brain are through the neck and through the base of the neck region. hence over a period of time it leads to this disease.
Hence my dear friends now u know what leads to this disease, hence prevent it. As i said before all this has been verified by experts in ayurvedic field . hence do not use ignorance but an open mind as well as actual observence of yourself too keep your body in good health.
I am trying to put this info on atleast 20 sites , too spread the word