Can a change of lifestyle prevent taking prescribed medication for an underactive thyroid?

[anthTECH]

Is there any supplements or foods that have been proven to restore an underactive thyroid to normal levels that I can take? As I have recently had a blood test and the Doctor said my results show that my Thyroid levels are slightly out of the normal range indicating I have an underactive thyroid.

I mentioned to the doctor that I didn't really want to start prescribed medication(Levothyroxine) and asked if there was any lifestyle changes I could make and she stated there wasn't any PROVEN lifestyle changes that can change an underactive thyroid to normal range??

I mentioned to the Doctor that I have a number of my family members with an underactive thyroid levels i.e mother, 2 sisters and niece and that I have Alopecia since I was 7.

The Doctor wants me to have my thyroid checked in another 3 months and is going to request the next test checks if my underactive thyroid has "autoimmune disorder component to it and if it does she said I would then have to start prescribed medication.

[greygoose]

I totally agree with your doctor. There is nothing proven. If you have Hashi's, you might be able to lower antibodies by going gluten-free, taking selenium - and keeping your TSH suppressed, but to do that you'd have to take thyroid hormone replacement - but nothing can repair the damage it has already done to your gland.

What have you got against taking levo - or some other type of thyroid hormone replacement? It's not a drug, it's a hormone, just replacing the hormone your thyroid can no-longer make - and, without which, you cannot live.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you have autoimmune thyroid, proved by high antibodies, (known as Hashimoto's) then you may delay or lessen symptoms by addressing gut issues, improving vitamins and working out which food intolerances are driving raised antibodies. Most commonly it's gluten, but quite a few find it can be (also) dairy or nightshades (tomato, potato, peppers, aubergine)

As you have alopecia & close family with thyroid issues it's likely to be autoimmune

Be good idea to get Blood tests to check antibodies, vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Avoiding all soya, & changing to fluoride free toothpaste are other considerations

See The Thyroid Pharmacist website for masses of info about Hashimoto's

[Fruitandnutcase]

Have to agree with GG. If antibodies are causing your underactive thyroid there is a good chance you can reduce them by going on a totally gluten free diet. I've got several auto immune conditions and eighteen months ago I went totally GF.

I'm in remission from Graves Disease and I have pretty much eliminated my thyroid antibodies that way. It started as an experiment, I did a home fingerprick test every three months and watched my antibodies reduce dramatically so it's a way of life now. You have to do it wholeheartedly though, no point being 'almost completely gluten free', you either are or you aren't.

I'd also make sure your B12, vitamin D, ferritin and folates are well up in their ranges. I eat a very healthy diet, no junk food, fizzy drinks, biscuits, sweets or cakes, lots of fish, chicken, nuts and seeds, eggs, I don't drink milk or yoghurt because I don't like milk but I eat real butter when I can find something to put it on because I don't eat bread and I avoid low fat foods.

Basically I eat low carb - I get plenty of carbs from vegetables, I discovered that grain based foods - even 'healthy' wholemeal grains spike my blood sugar and I eat high(ish) fat, it's called a LCHF diet.

I'm not sure either why you don't want to take thyroxine. It is a hormone replacing what your body isn't producing.

[eeng]

If you are worried about side effects from taking Levothyroxine, rest assured that most people don't experience any at all. You will find that there are people on this site who do have a reaction but they are in the minority, and I think about 95% of people who take it are never seen on a form like this. Most people just find that taking Levothyroxine makes them less tired, less sensitive to cold, and less prone to a host of other minor but irritating symptoms, often including mild depression.

One thing you can do to help yourself is to get your doctor to check your Vitamin B12, D, Folate and Ferritin levels. People with hypothyroidism are often prone to deficiencies in these nutrients, even if they have a really healthy diet. It seems that they are less able to absorb these nutrients. If you are below half way in the normal range of B12, D and Ferritin it's worth supplementing because then you will make much better use of the Thyroxine and maybe need a lower dose. If you don't like taking pills you can use a spray for B12 and D I think, but I have found some that don't taste nasty.

[Mary-intussuception]

No. If this were me then I would not want to wait three months. I would want to be having all the relevant blood tests including Thyroid Antibodies asap. You could ask your GP to send you for an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid. You could ask for referal to an Endocrinologist. But how long will that take? You could phone and ask hospital. If you could be seen within a month that would be better.

You have an Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism) The Antibodies blood tests will confirm whether or not it was caused by Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

My Endocrinologist arranged an urgent Short Synacthen Test to check my adrenals first, before I started my Levothyroxine.

You need to start Levothyroxine asap as we don't start on full dose but have to build up to that gradually. Once diagnosed you would usually start on 50mcg or 25mcg then after more blood tests in 6 to 8 weeks you would increase by 25mcg till on your full dose.

Make sure to list all your symptoms for when you next see your doctor or an Endocrinologist so that any other investigations necessary may be done.

A healthy lifestyle including healthy balanced diet, plenty water; regular gentle exercise; avoiding stress; relaxation will help your general well being. BUT not treat your Hypothyroidism nor supply you with the essential hormone, Thyroxine, which your body lacks and NEEDS to function and you can't live without.

Hope this helps.

X🐥

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Mary-intussuception]

ps

Forgot to mention, you could also ask your doctor for blood tests for levels of

Vitamin D, B12 ; Ferritin and Folate.

You may find that some of these are low in which case you will be prescribed supplements in addition to your Levothyroxine tablets.

Levothyroxine must be taken on it's own (no other medications or supplements ) with water on an empty stomach an hour before food. So if you take it early morning an hour before breakfast then you could take any supplements with lunch. If you decide to take your Levo at night then it should be at least 2 hours after last food and drink then you could take any supplements after breakfast.