Ashwaghanda

[richard123]

Does anyone take Ashwaganda who are

Hypothyroid on Thyroxine? Is it useful?

I read it was good for stress! I have a lot

And sleep, I don't sleep well

Many Tbanks as always

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How are your vitamin levels ?

Low vitamin D and/or low B vitamins can affect sleep

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

What are your most recent results for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Thyroid being under medicated is common reason too

Most patients need TSH around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

[marigold22]

I tried Ashwaganda but felt awful on it. For sleep I have discovered GABA which gets called 'nature's valium'.

Also B vitamins

- Research suggests good levels of vitamins B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12 may help achieve good sleep, as they help regulate the body’s level of the amino acid tryptophan, which helps the body produce sleep-inducing melatonin. I've started taking a high dose multi B vitamin which includes all eight of the B's. (I use Nature's Best off the internet - their B50, although they sell an even higher dose B100).

[TheaW]

I have got some but not started in it yet. Will let you know! I also take the b vitamins and d and k2

[Hashi-Monster]

I’ve tried both ashwagandha and holy basil and I can’t seem to get on with either of them.

[isolda_m]

I have hypothyroidism, and take 0.75mcg of levothyroxine a day. I've been feeling pretty good lately. No noticeable fatigue, but not full of energy either. My last blood test (3 months ago) had my TSH at 2.87 ulU/ml (0.34-5.60 ulU/ml reference range). I decided to try taking Ashwaghanda to see if I could get my TSH down a bit without increasing my medication. I've been taking one teaspoon of Ashwaghanda root powder and one half teaspoon of rose hip powder in hot water as a tea, two times a day (once in the morning and once in the evening), for about two weeks.

I haven't noticed much difference in my energy levels, but I don't feel any worse. Still no fatigue. I think I may be a bit more steady in my emotions, but I'm a fairly calm person anyway, so I might just be imagining it. The only big difference I see so far is in my sleep and dreams. I was having broken sleep and unpleasant dreams, full of anxiety, before and now I have pleasant dreams and sleep more soundly.

I have two pounds of Ashwaghanda root powder. I plan to use it up and then get my blood tested. I can't really say if it makes any difference in my thyroid function now, but we shall see.

[cazzaleo]

Do you have Hashimoto’s? Apparently people with autoimmune diseases should be careful taking ashwaghanda as it’s from the nightshade family.

I don’t have hashi’s but I do have psoriasis. Thought I’d give ashwaghanda a go anyway and it made the psoriasis noticeably worse pretty quickly, so be careful as it could potentially cause a hashi flare.

I have tried other adaptagens with success however. I really like maca powder (gives you a bit of energy, and it completely stopped night sweats that I had for ages - not menopause related I should add), and I also take some reishi tincture and three tulsi tincture every day.

[Bluedragon]

Hi Richard, Ashwaganda can be very good. I use it myself with another adaptogen, Bacopa Monieri (a stimulating nervine which is good for head/memory/concentration). When I first tried Ashwaganda it didn't really seem to work for me but now it is great. Good for stress and sleep. Get a good quality tincture. You could try Avena Sativa too - a good nervine - ie good for stress and anxiety.

[richard123 in reply to Bluedragon]

Thank you for your advice

[TacoTico]

Ashwaganda knocked me out. FOR DAYS. And I wouldn't call it a quality sleep. It seems like most adaptogens (I have tried) do that to me. I seem to be in the minority though. If you can get a sample before buying a whole bottle I say go for it and start with a small dose. I do not have hashimoto.