Flu symptoms and overactive thyroid

Hi i have a bad cold and my head is all bunged up. I wanted to take some sudafed (pseudoephedrine) but saw on the leaflet that you cannot use if you have an overactive thyroid. Im on carbimazole and my thyroid is in range so does that mean I can take it?

[shaws Administrator]

I am not medically qualified but I'd say no, not to take it as it is probably carbizamole that will interact with it and give you a bad reaction if you take sudafed.

[Rmichelle]

I wouldnt take it aswell as it contalns sudoepherdrine( not sure its spelt like that) its like a stimulant to give you energy- i i cant take it as it effected me badly a few years back- my legs were going crazy with trembling and heart palps. Take care.x

[Qwerty12345]

When I was being treated for graves I was anxious about taking cold remedies after reading the same. However, the pharmacist told me that as my thyroid results had come back into range I was fine to take them. My own understanding is that some cold remedies contain decongestants which can act as stimulants that could put a strain on the already over stimulated system of a person with an uncontrolled overactive thyroid. I was still very cautious about taking anything though as I'm a worrier!

[Inaquandary]

No no no. I once took sudafed and thought i was having a heart attack. It opens up your nasal passages but it also makes your blood race round your body and your heart rate go through the roof. Especially bad if you have high blood pressure. There should be a huge warning on the packet!!

[Valarian]

I would just check with your pharmacist - in my experience, if you can get past the sales people on the tills (I’ve had to point out that I am perfectly capable of reading the information on the packet for myself, and really would like to talk to the pharmacist !) they are usually very helpful.

[OzoneGirl]

Get some Olbas Oil* !! and inhale!

or equivalent Essential Oils containing:

- Cajuput Oil

- Clove Oil

- Eucalyptus Oil

- Juniper berry Oil

- Peppermint oil

^ Pine Oil & Tea Tree Oil are good too

They do a marvellous inhaler for handy use on the go, or do it the old-fashioned way and inhale with steam:

1) Add a few (2-5) drops of the Essential Oils to a bowl of hot water, shut your eyes tightly, position your head over the bowl and drape the towel over your head and bowl.

2) Deeply breathe in and out until the Essential Oils have evaporated and your lungs, bronchial tubes, nose, sinuses etc. have been given a good steam-clean. Repeat as often as needed.

These Essential Oils don't just make you feel better, scientific research has shown that Eucalyptus in particular actually kills bugs - that must be why humans have been using them for thousands of years!

*Other Essential Oil blends are available: I like Aqua Oleum's Clear Head, which contains Rosemary & Myrrh. Chuckling Goat do a marvellous 'CG Oil', which has been shown to kill off many bugs in a scientific study.

[OzoneGirl]

Oh, & take some Vitamin C too - I'm sure that there must be somewhere on this forum that advises on dosing for infections.

[Hidden in reply to OzoneGirl]

Vit C 1gm/hour for 6 hrs on first day of cold then 1gm/day works for me with a cold and I usually take 1gm a day anyway plus 5000iuvitD3. Inc helpful too. Sudafed is something I'll never ever take again-made me very ill!

[Hidden]

If you want, you can ask your doctor if you can take Flu Tylenol medicine for your flu symptoms. Sudafed may be too strong. Hope you feel better.

[Sedum]

I was told by a consultant that Carbimazole wipes out the immune system. Lots of Vit C hourly and water to flush out the toxins is the way I would go.