Is hypothyroidism life long (without treatment?)

[HopefulMind]

I have been on the low end of T4 for the past year or so. Is it possible to boost the levels naturally or will I need to stay on meds even once I reach the upper end of normal? Is it a lifelong condition?

Thanks!

[Heloise]

Hi hopeful, if you have autoimmune Hashimoto's, it's likely to be a lifelong condition because it is genetic BUT there are other reasons for a low thyroid condition which can be treated by a functional medicine doctor. Here is the first short video of one reason. You can listen to the rest of his videos by clicking on youtube. I would definitely try to figure out what your cause might be and checking adrenal function could be the first one to check out.

youtube.com/watch?v=nZ_CP7l...(Not working as expected?)

[HopefulMind in reply to Heloise]

Hi there, Thank you for sharing this video. It's interesting that there may be a connection with serotonin levels - particularly as I've suffered with depression in the past. Have you found any particularly useful ways of improving your serotonin uptake?

[Heloise in reply to HopefulMind]

Hi Hopeful, as you note, he doesn't recommend taking serotonin or uptakes. Most of it is in your gut I guess. There are 21 more videos and I think my problem may be due to cortisol issues. I think you have to heal the adrenals, heal your gut by staying away from refined products and sugar, in other words your autoimmune disease. Also secret infections can be a cause.

His other videos (by clicking youtube icon at bottom right on the screen) go into all those other possibilities.

[Megastar]

Hiya Hopeful!

There are lots of reasons our Thyroids struggle, so without knowing the cause of yours it's very hard to say.

There are a couple of things I can suggest to support your natural thyroid system. The first is, you can buy packets of ground seaweed/sea kelp. Get some and sprinkle it on your dinner instead of salt. This stuff is packed with iodine, which you need for thyroid function (The 4 on T4 and the 3 on T3 refer to how many iodines are attached to the thyroxine - so you need a good supply!) The other thing is to get a really high quality probiotic - not yakult or similar, make sure it's high grade. This will greatly support your gut, which is where 20% of your thyroid conversion happens.

Hope these two give you something proactive to do and alsp boost how you're feeling.

Don't be nervous to go back to the doc if you're not right. Lots of us on here have pestered and pestered for treatment.

All the best,

Megan

[greygoose in reply to Megastar]

Hi megastar, I really don't think one should start messing about with iodine without a lot more information on one's condition. Iodine should only be taken if needed, otherwise it can do more harm than good. And if she has Hashi's then taking iodine is often a bad idea because the hypo is not caused by iodine deficiency, it is caused by the antibodies.

Hopefulmind, never take iodine without first getting tested. Too much is as bad as too little!

You need to find out why you are hypo. Is it Hashi's? Or iodine deficiency? Or a pituitary problem? Or are you just not converting correctly. You will never know if you can treat it naturally if you don't get properly tested! And for that TSH alone just isn't sufficient. You need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus antibodies just for starters. And that will give you a better idea of what is going on. Then you can take it from there.

Hugs, Grey

[HopefulMind in reply to greygoose]

Hi Grey,

Thanks for your really useful reply. I am visiting the GP again on Monday; do you know which of the following can be tested via a blood test?

"You need to find out why you are hypo. Is it Hashi's? Or iodine deficiency? Or a pituitary problem? Or are you just not converting correctly. You will never know if you can treat it naturally if you don't get properly tested! And for that TSH alone just isn't sufficient. You need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus antibodies just for starters."

Thanks again

[greygoose in reply to HopefulMind]

Iodine can be tested for, but I don't know if it is done on the NHS (I live in France)

Your doctor can order the TSH and the FT4, but whether or not the FT3 gets done dépends on the whim of the lab! However, he can always request it.

To find out if you are converting properly you need to compare the FT4 and FT3 tests. If the FT4 is higher in its range than the FT3 in its, then you aren't converting properly.

There are several reasons why you might not be converting. You might have low iron, so get that tested, or low selenium. Or it might be an adrenal problem and you might have low colesterol. That can be tested for.

I don't really know what they do about the pituitary. I think they test pituitary hormones, such as HGH. But it's not something I've ever had any dealings with.

And, of course, the antibody tests : the TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and the ATA (anti-thyroglobulin antibodies).

And then there's things like B12, folate, magnesium, zinc, potassium, vit D, sodium, all things your doctor can test for if he's so inclined.

And if you manage to get that lot tested, you'll be well on your way to knowing why you feel the way you do.

Hugs, Grey

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HopefulMind]

Iodine can be tested - usually urinary rather than blood. Not often done but a modest number of people have posted that they have been tested on the NHS.

And I totally agree with greygoose that you should not dive into iodine without doing adequate research.

Rod

[HopefulMind in reply to Megastar]

Hi Megan,

Thank you for your reply, it's very interesting to hear about iodine and probiotics. I'm visiting the GP again on Monday and making a little list of things to mention.

Emma

[Glynisrose]

If your thyroid does not work then the only way is replacement hormones and sorry, yes, it is for life.

[HopefulMind in reply to Glynisrose]

Thanks for your reply!