Does anybody have any experience taking OTC raw thyroid? It is my only option for now. Kinda scared to start...

[Inna]

Hello! Would like to share some substantial facts of my hypothyroid condition. Had some mild hypo symptoms since being a child (something like 11-12yo). Was not aware of it, just thought I was really lazy Developed some severe problems just after starting my university years (was falling asleep during the day, gained 15kg – its about 2,5stone – in just 2 to 3 month without any change in my diet&exercise, was feeling depressed all the time, developed fibromyalgia, was feeling cold all the time etc.) Right now I can see that this is the almost “classic list” of hypo symptoms. But I had no idea about it then.

Went through a whole lot of doctors, all I got was “eat less & start running and it will all be ok”. Nobody listened to me, when I was saying that I do eat right and do exercise regularly. Until one doctor (Bless her heart!) gave me a staggering list of blood tests to be done (all kinds of hormones, vits, mins) Among them was the TSH test, which came back slightly elevated (the lab’s referral was up to 4.4, mine was 6.5). So she told me to go see an endo.

He prescribed me an AntiTPO (came back normal) test and then put me on 25mcg Euthyrox (Levo), which did nothing good – my TSH went up by another unit in 4 weeks. He raised the dose to 50mcg – still not feeling good, but the test showed 5.6. So he told me to keep this dose. Went to see another endo – she raised the dose to 75mcg and told me to test FT4, which came back at the lower end of “the normal range”. She told me to stay on 75mcg. But ALL the symptoms still persisted! I felt slightly better at first, but this effect just perished in the next 4 to 5 months. And my endo sees no problem - “the test are fine” - she said.

I began my own research then. Found web-sites, read medicinal books, read patient-written books. Realized that I might be lacking T3, so I decided to test it (FT3) – the result was also at the lower end of the labs referrals. So its lower than it should be, as I understand. Tried to find any T3 or T3+T4 brand, but failed. So I found the OTC brands that I can order online from abroad. It’s on its way right now. I will probably not stop taking Levo straight away, but feel like I should probably decrease the dose a little bit. I’ve not yet found any experience related to how to incorporate it into my treatment, since OTC brands don’t have a specified quantity of T3, T4 etc. I have no idea by how much I should decrease Levo. Has anybody tried it? Please, share with me! The ones that I’m giving a go are Natural Sources, Raw Thyroid and Ultra Glandular Enterprises, Raw Thyroid. I'm planning to try each one separately, but would appreciate some guidance as to how to start taking them.

Thanks

[Hidden]

1) Are you in the UK?

2) We would NEVER advise anyone coming off of levothyroxine unless they were being cloesly monitored by a healthcare practitioner.

3) The products you are describing are Glandulars. They are designed and marketed to support the thyroid - as far as I am aware, they are NOT thyroid hormone replacement.

Someone with personal experience will probably be along later...

L

x

[feezone in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, just wandering what you mean abut NOT thyroid hormone replacement.

I have changed from Tyrovanz only because im in Aussie and the regulations in America are getting harder for it to be posted and its not a guarantee i would even get it delivered.

Anyhow so i found Raw Thyroid from Natural Sources and decided to change as the pricing was great for me and it has no problems in postage, its now been a month and I dont feel so good, all the aches are back, my back is the worsts my arms ache i get headaches. I just feel like a have some type of virus in my body its not good, some days are better than others, I can only put it down to this RAW THYROID and when I read your comment its not a replacement, even though it says it contains Thyroid tissue and Adrenal tissue, and the other tissue inside.

Are these from the cow, thats what tissue means, or are they fake synthetic. Cause I dont want fake I want NDT Natural dessicated Thyroid.

Your help or anyone please HELP ? Thank you

[Inna]

Hi, Louise)) Thank you for your comment

1. No, I'm not. I'm from Ukraine (well, the first two letters deffinitely put me inside a Uk ;-))

2. The 5 endos whom I've already seen stick to T4-only treatment. And since there are no available T3 brands at the 18 different pharmacies, my guess is its not considered to be a possible treatment by most is not all the doctors.

3. From what I've read about these is that they contain raw dried tissue (which includes some T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin in an unspecified due to the law regulations quantities). I'm not keen on taking these, however, with no other alternative... am willing to give it a try.

Will quote some of the reviews here that raised my hope a little about these products:

"Doctors put me on synthetic thyroid. they made me very nervous, very nervous. I purchased the Natural Sources Raw Thyroid, took the recommended amount. the dr. did blood work on me and my thyroid was normal. The natural is available, healthier and it works. Thank you Natural Sources. Cathy in Claremore"

"I was skeptical, but this is a very good product. I have been able to reduce by Synthroid dose by 1/2, by adding just one tablet of Raw Thyroid per day, and I feel better. My Doctor says it of OK."

"I have an underactive thyroid. I am on snthroid for the last 8 years, my blood test is fine, but the symptoms have never gone away. Feeling much better when I take Raw Thyroid in addition, tried many supplements before, and this one the only one that really works for me."

However, the reviews dont say anything about dosaging and how these people incorporated it into their daily schedule, so still in search of this info.

[Ritaritarita in reply to Inna]

I just started taking Raw Thyroid too, I buy it from a vit shop online. My results came back normal, but on the LOW end, so I think not so normal for me. It has only been a week or two, but I think I feel better, even if part of that is knowing I am trying to take care of myself when the doc's don't say too much. I have a multinodule goitre on my thyroid, they just want to keep,checking it, wonder how bad I have to feel before they will actually help me.

[Ritaritarita in reply to Inna]

Hi ya, I take raw thyroid, was just winging it, I would take one or two then in the afternoon take another, I also take raw adrenal, I am going to say they helped, but it took a month, then I bought thyroid- from Thailand and I took that and felt better in two days. Alice and awake. Not advising but just telling you what I did. Prob the raw thyroid is very little, I called an advice line and she said whatever was in them was negligible. So now I take the other from Thailand and not so much raw. I wonder if they work too, or I felt so bad up was they only way to go. Hope that helps. X

[merrianne in reply to Ritaritarita]

How/where did you purchase through for the thyroid Thailand? Am eager to try it. Nothing's working for the symptoms.

[rosetrees]

In the UK you can purchase Nutri Thyroid legitimately as a health supplement, nutricentre.com/p-21606-nut... They might ship to the Ukraine. I take 2 a day as well as thyroxine. I was told to take it by Dr P - and it's worth buying his book "Your thyroid and how to keep it healthy", which you can purchase from Amazon as a book or in Kindle edition.

[helvon in reply to rosetrees]

I take it Rosetrees this is not the same as nature throid or is it x

[Inna in reply to rosetrees]

Hello, rosetrees))

I've looked it up and from the site of the producer

"Nutri Thyroid

Hormone-Free Thyroid Concentrate. Nutri Thyroid provides hormone-free thyroid concentrate, to nutritionally support this regulatory gland."

So, its not what I'm looking for. It only provides "the amino acids required to support healthy function of the thyroid". And I really need to find a helpful T3 product. Would most deffinitely give Armor a go, but its unavailable here.

[rosetrees in reply to Inna]

I'll send you a private message.

[vienna2010]

Hi, I recently discussed the option of armour granules with my endo and she told me that the starting dose should be very low (as the T3 compensates for the low levels of T4) with a gradual build up until the right dose is found. Also, this approach is to be taken because nobody can say for certain how much hormone is in each granule...so it's also risk control. Good luck!

[Inna in reply to vienna2010]

Hi) yes, I agree, if the quantity of the hormones was exact, it would have been much easier to level. Thanx.

[Romany]

Having been Hypothyroid for well over 20 years ( Hashimotos desease) I have been alternating with 100-125 mcg of Levothyroxine but still felt so ill. Had all symptoms still, such as extremely dry skin, weight gain, swollen legs& ankles, puffy face, no energy, depressed/ anxious blah blah...so spent several days doing some research online and found a lot of people with Hashimotos also need T3 and of course thyroxine is T4 only med...Hashimotos has difficulty converting T4 into T3. So made sense to me to try some OTC Raw Thyroid. Only day three of taking it alongside my levothyroxine. ( taking natural source raw thyroid) and so far I am waking up so much better. Early days yet though so will see how I go, I will adjust dose as I go along. I take a lot of suppliments also. Such as Vit B12 as deficient Vit D3 same reason. Vit C as supposed to assist adrenal stress which Hashimotos causes. I also a probiotic as have Crohns. Also a multi Vit thyroid support suppliment, pregnelone for adrenals too......Will post again when been on longer, but early signs are good.

[Sluggish_ in reply to Romany]

I'd really like to know if you are still taking the raw thyroid and how you are feeling.

[Danmegmom in reply to Romany]

Hi, I have the same symptoms for a similar length of time, fed up being fobbed of by various doctors over the years, So taking things into my own hands I have purchased some raw thyroid on-line feeling a bit apprehensive about taking it, are you taking it alongside Levothyroxine? Or instead of?

Regards Jackie

[Victoria2603 in reply to Romany]

I see your post is three years old, wondering if you are still taking raw thyroid? I have a similar situation to you, I've ordered raw thyroid but not not sure how to get started, when to take, how much, do I combine with levothyroxine? I'm currently on 75mcg a day. Just curious to find out if it helped you with symptoms? Thanks

[jhammonds80]

I toohave been taking it for some time since about february 2014, feeling much better same.situation as Romany. Hope that helps.

[Inna in reply to jhammonds80]

Hi, jhammonds. Thhis post was created over a year ago. Am on Thiroyd for quite a while now and trying to sort out the issues connected with that (still have low iron). Thanks.

[Inna]

Hi, jenrio. You should post this as a separate question, people will respond.

[jenrio in reply to Inna]

Sorry did not mean to confuse any one. I was only replying at the post as I have taken raw thyroid. I have deleted it now.

Thanks

[helvella Administrator in reply to jenrio]

You didn't do anything wrong!

The reponse was meant to be helpful. People who post on old threads often find that no-one replies. Quite simply, they get missed. So it really is a good idea to make a new post. (Sometimes they do get picked up - nothing is certain!)

You didn't need to delete your response on this thread at all.

[Inna in reply to jenrio]

Jenrio, helvella is quite correct about what I meant with my comment. This is an old thread and any new questions are most likely to be missed by the members of the forum. This was the only reason I suggested to create a new one. Sorry, I confused you, didn't mean to)

[jenrio in reply to Inna]

No worries Inna. Yeah i realized it was an old post so i deleted it. Not to worry... Thanks anyway.

[Monika-Vikic in reply to Inna]

Dear Inna,

I was about to post a question when I saw you posted exactly my question three years ago. I have exactly the same problem now and I'm thinking of exactly those two products that you mentioned in your original question (though those are only available products for me at this very moment). So, have you tried them? Can you tell me anything about your experience? And also can you tell me about your experience with Thiroyd (that's the Thai one, right?)?

Others' opinions are also welcomed and highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Inna in reply to Monika-Vikic]

Hi, sorry for waiting, but this is such an old thread... Just pm me, if your questions are still unanswered.

[19540108]

I have been taking levothyroxine for 2 years. It is not converting t4 to t3. I am desperate. Weight gain, feel awful, insomnia, cranky etc. I just bought some raw thyroid. Prayers please! Any advice.

[helvella Administrator in reply to 19540108]

19540108,

My advice, as it was 8 months ago (see further up the thread) is to post your own, NEW, post/question rather than hope someone notices your comment/responses on a thread which started three years ago.

This is meant to help you get good responses.

[Inna in reply to 19540108]

Its a huge topic and non-convertion can stem from a number of different issues. I agree with helvella - post a separate topic and you'll get lots of help, I'm sure.

[wavydavy63]

I have had similar issues here in the US. It would appear our doctors are no more capable than any other place in the world. I had 17 years of similar symptoms (malaise, etc) and then saw one of the top holistic doctors (he is a DO, NOT an MD) in my part of the country. He found out I have allergies to both casein and gluten and the resulting reactions were keeping my body from producing and/or utilizing both thyroid and testosterone. He put me on raw glandular thyroid (I was taking Synthroid) and I had a noticeable improvement. 30 days later I ran out and went back to the Synthroid and all of the symptoms have returned. I will be ordering raw glandular online and then will experiment with taking it alongside of the Synthroid. Good luck and remember.. Never give up looking for an answer. Never, never, never! Thanks Winsty!

[MamaNico in reply to wavydavy63]

Hi WavyDavy63! I just received my first Rx for Synthroid, and I absolutely do NOT want to start taking it. Everything I have read up on concerns me, and I'm hoping to find a natural solution. I'm currently requesting an appointment with a specialist (the Dr who ordered Synthroid for me is an OB doc, I'm 11 weeks pregnant with my 7th pregnancy), hoping to have someone monitor me while I try natural options. Anyhow, not to go on and on about me, but I have bee reading up on raw thyroid online, and curious about what product you used. I see there are many, and not having expertise worries me since I do not want to worsen my condition. Any advice on what brands work best for you and why would so be appreciated!!

Thank you!