ASHWAGANDHA, and bladderwick. v levothyroxine

[astroscopesuk]

I was interested in these, in the hope that i may be able to use these  to assist me in losing the two stones i have put on in the last year.

Firstly I was told as i am hypothyroid, that I shouldn't be messing about with seaweed products (bladder wick)etc, as its loaded with iodine, and could interfere with my levothyroxine,,(currently im on 75,ml)..Gp advised that i should raise levels of levothyroxine to 100mg, to kick start my metabolism, and we could always go back,,?

please could anyone help me out here? is this ok,, app my TSH was bang in the middle of the normal range at .2.. he said it should be between 0-2?

regards

astro

[radd]

astroscope,

Kelp (Bladderwrack) is loaded with iodine which shouldn't be supplemented unless you are deficient as is a big player in the making of thyroid hormones. An excess can cause thyroid dysfunction and Levothyroxine has the correct amount of iodine already in it.

Ashwagandha is good for the adrenals as is an adaptogenic herb that helps the body to normalise after times of stress. Adaptogens can be powerful and very helpful but are not for everyone so use with caution. It won't effect meds but might make you feel unwell if it is not suited to you.

The thyroid drives our metabolism and so if deficient in hormone will encourage weight gain as everything slows down. An increase in Levothyroxine should help with weight loss. All thyroid meds work better with optimal nutrients of Vit B12, Vit D, ferritin and folate.

Ask your GP to test thyroid hormones six weeks after your dose raise and post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

draxe.com/ashwagandha-prove...

[astroscopesuk in reply to radd]

Thankyou radd

 regards

astro

[Boozybird]

Good advice below - I would just add that someone I know takes ashwaganda and it hasn't helped with weight loss... 

[astroscopesuk in reply to Boozybird]

Dear Boozy bird

 thankyou 

i was just interested,,im desperate to lose two stones after being 6-8 stone all my life im suddenly a horrific 10-11!!!!!  arggg  im only 5 ft and i look like a barrel and i dont  eat that much .

Regards

astro

[shaws]

This is a link which may be helpful. If your dose of levo is too low for you a small increase might do the trick or the addition of some T3 to your T4.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[astroscopesuk in reply to shaws]

Thankyou shaws 

 i love this site its so helpful all you folk are wonderful

regards astro

[Hidden]

 I have also taken aswangana and although it helped a bit with energy levels it didnt help me lose weight. I have know people who has lots loads of weight on the right dose of levo but I gained weight with it and a survey done by this forum suggested that weight gain was a common side effect of levothyroxine. You may well lose weight with an increased dose and it is worth trying but you may also need some T3 or a natural dessicated thyroid extract. Does your GP test your T4 and T3. IT may be worth getting some private testing dome with blue horizen and get your vitamin d, b12 and ferritin.

[astroscopesuk in reply to Hidden]

thankyou mandy jane 

regards 

astro

[greygoose]

Ohhhhhh if there's one thing I hate, it's doctors talking about 'kick-starting' things. It doesn't work like that! What do they think you are, a model T Ford? If your gland is failing, you can kick it all you want, it won't restart.

Your TSH should be one or below when you are on thyroid hormone replacement, not two. But what your really want tested are your FT4 and FT3. It could be that you aren't converting, but he won't know if he doesn't test the Frees.

However, he's right about not messing about with iodine. It will only help you lose weight if your problem is iodine deficiency. It's low T3 that causes weight gain - and, by the way, a TSH of 2 usually means that your T3 is low - and you won't lose it until you raise the T3.

Ashwagandha I've never tried. But it is an adaptogen, and better at lowering cortisol than raising it, from what I've read. It doesn't suit everyone.    

[shaws in reply to greygoose]

GG you made me laugh with your explanation of kick-start.

[greygoose in reply to shaws]

I've never actually had a Ford Model T, but I did have a Morris Minor that I often had to start with the crank handle when the electrical starter failed - as it often did. I always think of that when someone starts talking about kickstarting something in the body. I Wonder where the doctor would suggest inserting the handle...

[astroscopesuk in reply to greygoose]

Thankyou Grey goose

how do i go about that,, i AM FED UP WITH GPS they know so little about the thyroid,,, but he wants to put me up to 100 mg instead of 75,, will that help with my weight loss,, i an drinking lime juice and that seems to help with the bloating

but thats all !!!

 thankyou

 regards

astro

[greygoose in reply to astroscopesuk]

 How do you go about what, Astro? Getting your FT4 and FT3 tested? You'd propably have to have them done privately, because even if your doctor orders them the lab might not do them. 

But he's right to increase your Levo, because your TSH is much too high.

[astroscopesuk in reply to greygoose]

Thankyou Grey 

youre always very matter of fact and i love youre sensible replies. I do take notice of what you say and im sorry if i wasnt clear,,,

I will have to wait till i have a job as im not doing too well after the second hip replacement,, my leg gets tired very fast and it drags and although im trying to build up the muscle, i think two ops in four months have really done my poor little (5 ft ) frame in ,,but ive got to do something fast about this weight thing as ten stone really looks bad , i look like a poison dwarf in a barrel!!  and my self esteem is rolling downhill as fast as the barrel around me middriff!!

thankyou grey

regards

astro

[greygoose in reply to astroscopesuk]

Astro, nothing happens fast in Thyroid Land. And trying to force things to go faster can end up in you having a massive set-back. Do think carefully before you do anything.

[astroscopesuk in reply to greygoose]

Dear Grey

gibes without saying ,, this is why i check duff out here. This community knows so much more than Gps

many thanks 

regards 

astro

[astroscopesuk]

Thankyou Grey goose

how do i go about that,, i AM FED UP WITH GPS they know so little about the thyroid,,, but he wants to put me up to 100 mg instead of 75,, will that help with my weight loss,, i an drinking lime juice and  that seems to help with the bloating 

but thats all !!!

 thankyou

 regards

astro

[shaws in reply to astroscopesuk]

GG might not have seen your response to her. I think you forgot to click the reply button.

[astroscopesuk]

thanks pastille

 i tend to think gps know very little about the thyroid unless you get a specialist

regards astro