T4->T3 conversion & glutathione

[Eddie83]

Wondering if anyone here has done what this article suggests, and seen a clear result.

nahypothyroidism.org/how-gl...

It appears the protocol is to take cysteine or n-acetyl cysteine, along with Bs, C, minerals, and ALA.

[Agapanthus]

I do a lot of what this article suggests as I take most of the supplements. I have a diagnosis of CFS/ME along with underactive thyroid and have been on T3 only for 6 years prior to being on T4 only for 17 years. At one time I did have a good improvement but after a difficult 18 months where I had 3 eye operations (2 of them emergency ones), plus fell downstairs, and had my thyroid meds mucked around with (I tried changing to NDT and then the NHS tried to change me to T4/T3 again), things not going as well as they were for the past year again.

It may be that I tend to push myself to do more than I am capable of is one of the problems and with the extra things that I was coping with, it was just too much for me. Whatever the reason, I haven't solved the problem as easily as popping in the supplements.

[AmandaK]

I've been taking n-acetyl cysteine since May and have had much more energy since, to the point that three weeks ago I was able to walk up a steep hill without any problems - something I've not been able to do for years.

I don't have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism but of ME/CFS and through Acumen tests advocated by a naturopath, discovered that my body wasn't clearing toxins adequately during the krebs cycle, leading to high oxidative stress.

Apparently, people with ME/CFS have 36% less glutathione than the population at large and have higher levels of lactate (hence problems with muscles). The advice is to take 70mg of n-acetyl cysteine per day (at least) as it is a precursor to glutathione.

Given the similarities between ME/CFS and hypothyroidism, perhaps the same is true in hypo patients?

The one thing that concerns me about the article is the list of things that influence the decrease in glutathione levels as it implies that the individual and their lifestyle is to blame for their condition. Having said that, there are some external factors mentioned (chronic stress; physical trauma).

[Eddie83 in reply to AmandaK]

Thanks for the report. I feel well and regularly take other amino acids, but I think I will drop some NAC into my program to see if there is improvement.