Can you help answer my many questions?,Newly diagnoised thyroid problem.

[Bessie77]

Hi all,

I have so many questions and my trips to the doctors haven't been very enlightening, I am English but I live in Spain and am returning there on Wednesday so really want answers before I go back as the doctors in Spain mostly don't speak English....

A bit about me first...

I am 37 years of age.

My first blood test (about 3 months ago) said I was HYPER

My 2nd test said I am HYPO

CONFUSED?!!!

I gave birth 5 months ago (previous blood test during pregnancy showed anaemia but no thyroid issue, anaemia has now gone).

I have no real symptoms as yet. (although have noticed my normally very strong nails are breaking easily?)

OK questions....

1) Is it common to fluctuate between hyper and hypo, is it likely to change back again, if so how the hell will i know how to treat this, what to eat, avoid etc?

2) I am a vegetarian of 27 years; so have had increased soy intake, could this be a factor? do I need to avoid all soy products? (for a veggie its a very good source of protein)

3) I hope to have another baby at some point, will this affect my fertility and cause more issues during pregnancy?

4) There are diabetes and Aspergers in my family, someone previously suggested a link between these things?

5) Iodine? whats that about? do I avoid salt? seaweed?

6) I have been taking flaxseed supplements for about 3 months and have read it can suppress thyroid function? also is evening primrose beneficial or detrimental?

7)What are nodules, if I have nodules will I need an operation?

8) I understand this can be the result of something that can be toxic to my system? is it worth getting allergy tested? equally do I need vitamin levels tested? and where if necessary can i get these things done?

9) Where I live in Spain I drink natural spring water that comes straight out of the rock, is it likely this has too high a level of some mineral that could be affecting this?

10) is it worth detoxing? using detoxifying foods, supplements?

OK think thats enough to be going on with, I do hope you can help.

Wishing you all good health in 2015!

[Polaris]

Good advice from reallyfedup. I would add supplementing with B12 , very important to all the cells of the body and only found in animal foods. Vit. D3 deficiency is also implicated in many diseases such as diabetes and Asperger's etc.

This is a link to Dr Chandy's B12d.org site, which might help assess whether you are already B12 deficient (linked both ways with thyroid problems) :

b12d.org/b12-signs-symptoms...

And a video which explains the benefits of higher dose D3, how most of us have now become deficient and how important it is to pregnant and nursing mothers to have high levels.

youtube.com/watch?v=HH1rB-Y...(Not working as expected?)

I hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year

[Polaris in reply to Polaris]

PS. There are different opinions on iodine and a lot of people avoid it. Personally, I take spirulina, a super source of vitamins, as is seaweed, and seem to do well on it.

Seems like you'll be in the right place for some natural D3, but go easy on the sunscreen

[greygoose in reply to Polaris]

youtube.com/watch?v=HH1rB-Y...(Not working as expected?)

[greygoose]

Hi Bessie, have you been tested for antibodies? You could have Hashimoto's Disease which would account for the fluctuation. And it will continue to fluctuate until you find a way of lowering the antibodies (gluten-free, suppressed TSH...)

I'm sorry to disallusion you, but soy isn't a good source of protein because humans can't digest the protein from soy. But it is an endocrine disruptor and that is not what hypos need! Also, it has a direct affect on the thyroid gland, impeding the uptake of iodine and therefore limiting the production of thyroid hormones. PLUS it has an effect at a cellular level, impeding the uptake of the hormone by the cells. So, yes, you should avoid all soy products unless they are fermented.

On the subject of iodine, I wouldn't take any form of iodine unless you've been tested and found deficient, if I were you. Too much iodine can be as bad - if not worse - than too little.

Don't, whatever you do, give up salt! Your adrenals need salt, and they are probably pretty stressed by your hypo as it is. Just get salt without added iodine - sea salt is ok, there's very little iodine in it.

Flaxseed is a goitrogen, but it dépends whether or not you're sunsitive to it. Have a look here :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Evening primrose should be ok. But the trick is ot know your body, know how it reacts. If you suspect a bad reaction, stop taking it for a while and see if things get better.

Nodules are little spots on your gland. Most people have some. If there are many, they are usually benign. But if there's some reason to suspect one of them, the doctor will order a FNA test. Don't worry about them. I've got lots! lol

Sounds like you've got great water there! Enjoy!

Hypothyroidism isn't caused by allergies. It could be caused by endocrine disruptors like soy, though. How long have you been eating soy? Have you tried going without it and see if you feel bater? However, if you have Hashi's that won't be caused by soy. But could be caused by gluten, which causes leaky gut (think I've got that right!). If you test positive for Hashi's, try going gluten-free.

I have to say, that the fact that you are vegetarian AND hypo, is going to mean that you are very low on a lot of nutrients. You will probably have a lot of deficiencies. So, yes, get as many vits and mins tested as you possibly can, then come and tell us the results and we'll be able to help you. However, I don't know where you can get them done in Spain. Perhaps someone else will be able to help with that.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about detoxing. That's a question for someone else. But you are pretty certain to be in need of supplementing vits and mins, yes.

I'm sure that as you learn more, you are going to have a ton of other questions. Don't hesitate to ask them.

Hugs, Grey