Why doesn't my tea work?

[RabbitLady]

I have type two diabetes as well as hypothyroidism. I live on a completely organic farm. We use no pesticides or herbicides. I have been collecting milk thistle, dandelion, mallow, and Burdock leaves for a tea that I drink several times a day. I just had blood work done and was told that my thyroid reading was higher than before I started drinking the tea. My sugars are still high as well. Does anyone have a suggestion. I don't want to stop the tea because I feel better than I have in years.

[Hennerton]

It sounds a lovely natural way to live but I am not sure why you are hoping it will cure a thyroid or diabetes problem? Do you know something about these herbs that indicates they can?

[RabbitLady in reply to Hennerton]

I have read a lot of information on the subject and everything says all of these herbs have properties that have lowered sugars and helped with thyroid problems. I am not expecting a a cure ( although it would be nice). I just want my reading to be closer to normal.

[Ruby1]

If it makes you feel better then keep drinking it, but it sound like you need medication. Are you not taking any for your diabetes and thyroid?

[RabbitLady in reply to Ruby1]

I am taking meds. I just have to get my diet under control I think.

[Ruby1 in reply to RabbitLady]

One thing I try and do - just don't buy any sweets or biscuits. If they're not in the house, you can't be tempted.

If you really can't bear not having something sweet, I find medjool dates like chocolate They probably are quite naughty because they are so sweet, but at least they are natural, and have some good properties and perhaps it's a way of weaning yourself out of a habit.

Best of luck!

[RabbitLady in reply to Ruby1]

Thank you for the advice.

[Ruby1 in reply to RabbitLady]

I should follow my own advice. Yesterday I ate most of a big bar of chocolate. Reminder to myself - DON’T buy the stuff 🙄🙄🤣 I was so disgusted with myself, it probably will be a long time before I do buy any. It will take days to balance out all the extra calories.

[RabbitLady in reply to Ruby1]

Don't beat your self up. We all need something sweet occasionally. I was at my diabetic doctor yesterday and he said as much. Just don't make a habit of it. If I could keep my husband from bringing the stuff in the house I would be a lot better off. He is not diabetic and has great will power. If he brings it in and nibbles on it he expects it to be in the same place a week or two later. Keep your chin up. We can do this!!!!

[Ruby1 in reply to RabbitLady]

I think the good thing about eating too much at once is it really will stop me buying it for another 6 months to a year or so. I'm usually pretty good. My partner loves chocolate biscuits. Thankfully I'm not keen on them, so I rarely eat those. Maybe you need to get your partner to help you out and buy something you don't like and then stick to dates

I'm trying to get fitter at the moment so I'm on a training plan. I think that is making me hungrier, and hence the weakness with the chocolate, but I'm sticking at it so far - 2 weeks in. Today I have to do a brisk one hour walk. I love following a plan, because it stops me making excuses and thinking I'll do it tomorrow instead.

[Ell17]

Milk Thistle, Dandelion, and Burdock are excellent blood/liver cleansers. Mallow is soothing to the digestive track because of its mucilaginous qualities (also good for bladder issues, bronchitis, and wounds to name a few).

This is a very healthy tea to drink. (I have thyroid disease and take Milk Thistle and Burdock religiously.) But, it does not replace thyroid hormone. Only thyroid hormone can do that. T4, T3, T4/T3 combination, and NDT (Natural Dessicated Thyroid) medicines are available. There are many expert posts regarding testing and medication, that explain everything clearly, that you can peruse.

You also may want to read up on or try Berberine (Goldenseal herb has this) and Cinnamon. They are often used to help with the management of blood sugar levels, as well. Remember to really watch carb intake. Have you thought about trying the keto diet (very low carb, low glycemic fruit, healthy fats, veggies, and clean protein)? You might want to read up on that, too. Of course, if you are already doing all of that and sugar is still high, then medication may be called for. There is no shame in that. Just remember that the goal is to live as healthy as you can. Because if you should need to take meds, you want the lowest dose possible that provides the targeted results.

All the best.😊

[RabbitLady in reply to Ell17]

Thank you much for your words of encouragement. I do take medication for both conditions. I do watch my crabs, but I have no will power. I love sweets. As for the me to diet, I will check it out. I have always eaten red meat and I believe that this is a no no on the keto diet. I will give anything a try at this point. I hate being scolded by my doctor. Again, thank you.

[Ell17 in reply to RabbitLady]

Anytime.😊... Also, it's fine to eat red meat on the keto diet. So no worries there. All meat is allowed. Read up on it. And once you go without sugar for several days, you won't crave it anymore. Give it a go. I think you will be surprised at how much better it can help you feel. Also, natural sweeteners like liquid stevia and monk fruit are excellent sugar substitutes. There are several different flavors of the liquid stevia that are delicious. You can also bake with either of them, so you can cook you up some healthier, diabetic friendly sweet treats.😁

[RabbitLady in reply to Ell17]

Thank you. I am growing stevia as we speak. I have been using it for a few months now. I can only get the grocery store type and I worry about the processing. It is not natural for a product coming a plant leaf to be white and granulated. I prefer to make my own. I will look into the keto diet as soon as I finish up here. Thank you again.

[Naomi8]

Are you taking thyroid hormone replacement too?

[RabbitLady in reply to Naomi8]

Yes. And diabetic meds as well.

[BadHare]

Herbal remedies are wonderful for many minor health problems, & at the onset of acute health problems such as common viral or bacterial infections. I use them regularly & keep an arsenal of tinctures in my fridge, & wonderful that you can make your own. However, these type of remedies have a supportive role in our healthcare with regard to lifelong chronic health issues, rather than as a substitute for thyroid hormones or diabetes medication. Have your doctor and endocrinologist suggested you take medication, or with diabetes in mind, suggested you adopt a low GI diet to help reduce the severity. There is a lot of information available online for free. A telly doctor called Michael Mosley wrote a book called The Blood Sugar Diet which I bought for a friend when she was diagnosed. There are lots of YouTube videos available, too.

[RabbitLady in reply to BadHare]

I am on meds for both conditions. I just want to get better and I'm hoping the herbs will help.

[BadHare in reply to RabbitLady]

Herbs & a good diet can help a lot, &you're in a good position to have both!

[Fruitandnutcase]

Well I ate my way out of T2 by following the instructions In this book to the letter - in my case it was any sort of grain based carbs - even so called ‘healthy’ grains, that were doing the damage. I also signed up to dietdoctor.com and to diabetes.co.uk. If you do all that I can’t see your sugars staying high for much longer.

If you post your thyroid test results along with their lab ranges it will give people an idea of what to comment on. You also need your vitamin D and B12 plus folates and ferritin to be well up in their range to help your thyroid along.

I’d have one more go with the tea and if my thyroid readings were still climbing then I’d stop the teas - at least until your thyroid is sorted out.

I thought I was doing myself good drinking green tea - I found a really mild, non bitter brand - until I was having massive palpitations all the time and discovered that I was totally overdosing on it. So you’ve got to be careful even with things that are good for you - even if you like it.

Are you taking medicines for your T2 and / or your Thyroid?

amazon.co.uk/Reverse-Your-D...

[BadHare in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

When people swap to green tea, they often make it as strong as builders tea, which makes it bitter & taste stewed. Fewer leaves & a longer brewing time make for a lovely cuppa.

I use one large pinch of green or white leaves for 400-500mls of just boiling water, & leave it for 15 minutes so it's a nice sipping temperature. The leaves can be used for a second brew & often I do a third. Large leaf loose tea is more economical than tea bags made from floor sweepings.

Many Chinese people do a quick rinse of the leaves, as we'd do to warm a teapot but with the leaves in already. This removes much of the caffeine which is water soluble.

Adding a slice of lemon enhances our absorption of catechins, the antioxidant that makes tea good for us. It's also lovely & summery brewed with a rose bud or chrysanthemum or marigold petals & left to cool.

[mistydog in reply to BadHare]

Too much green tea can make you anaemic as it strips the ferritin from the body.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to BadHare]

Gosh no, I found a brand that was very light. I drink my tea really weak. If I’m using teabags a tea bag can last for a week. So it wasn’t too strong - just far too much throughout the day and I discovered that Chinese people have it after a meal. Love the sound of having it brewed with rose and marigold petals

Mistydog, I have very high ferritin so maybe I should try it again, not so much and after meals.

[BadHare in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Jasmine pearls are also lovely, I carry some in a pill box. Jasmine tea is often what's served in restaurants as Chinese tea. My brother-in-law is Chinese, & taught me to tip the lid on my tea pot to let the waiting staff in restaurants know we need a refill.

My favourite saying is: better three days without food than a day without tea.

Some M&S's have an amazing white tea earl grey half price. If you get the chance try it. I've bought two tins as presents for tea drinking friends.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to BadHare]

Thank you for that - I will definitely look for some jasmine pearls and I love the idea of lifting the lid of the teapot to show that you are ready for a refill.

I love white tea too. That was my favourite before I discovered my ‘light’ green tea, I could go back t that or I could just be sensible with the green tea now that I know the pitfall.

[BadHare in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

You're welcome!

Try silver needle & bai mu dan (think that's white peony).

I have a tiny bag of yellow tea for a monthly Sunday treat.

Tea makes almost everything better!

[RabbitLady in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I am taking meds. Thank you for your advice.

[RabbitLady in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I am on meds for both conditions. I will try to get a print out of both tests and I will post them when I do.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I would expect your liver and kidneys to be happier after taking that tea, but it won't have any effect on your thyroid. When you say "thyroid readings" do you mean TSH or actual thyroid hormones? If TSH, it means you have an underactive thyroid and are undermedicated. If thyroid hormones it means you have an overactive thyroid and are probably undermedicated. Some people have controlled an overactive thyroid with herbal supplement and teas (eg lemon balm), but not underactive. For the diabetes, low carb diet works for many people.

[RabbitLady in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you for your advice.

[RabbitLady in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I have hypothyroidism. I try to stick to a low carb diet. I find it very difficult, as everything seems to have sugars of some kind unless you make it at home yourself. I am learning. Thank you for your advice.

[Hidden]

Please post you lab results there is a lot of experitise here re finding the write dose and right kind of hormone replacement for you. Also take your pulse and temp. Keep up the tea if it is making you feel better I doubt it is responsible for your blood work changing. You are entitiled to a copy of your results from surgery.

[RabbitLady in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I will ask for a print out of the lab results. I know that my A1C was 7. something.

[Hidden]

I am almost sure I read something on here about Milk Thistle (specifically) not being good if you have thyroid problems, though I don't remember the reason. Even herbal supplements have to be taken with caution and some should not be taken if you have thyroid problems, or not near taking thyroxine.

As others have said, if you are hypothyroid you HAVE to have replacement hormone. A healthy diet, going gluten free or a herbal remedies may help but they do not prevent the problem. A diet lacking in essential nutrients may make things worse. For example if you are vegetarian or vegan (especially) you need to take supplements such as vitamin D3 to replace the nutrients present in meat. That is even more important if you are hypothyroid because it often affects your ability to absorb many vitamins and minerals

You need a blood test to find out exactly what you are deficient in, especially as an overdose of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful. If your doctor won't do them you may have to go private for that (information on the Thyroid UK site, or search on here)

I have to supplement with D3 (a high dose also needs K2 and magnesium with it), vitamin B complex with extra B12, and Q10 (I took statins for several years before deciding to give them up - that's another story - and apparently they can make you Q10 deficient). I was also prescribed Ferritin and folate, but the last blood test showed they were high (ferritin over the limit) so I stopped.

[MaisieGray in reply to Hidden]

I've not read that it's not good for thyroid problems, but I have read that it doesn't have any direct benefits to the thyroid, so you're not going to see hormone levels improving as a direct result of taking milk thistle. However the indirect benefit is to/through the liver - antithyroid drugs in particular can negatively impact liver functioning - because of the direct interaction both ways between the thyroid and the liver.

[Hidden in reply to MaisieGray]

Quite likely I was mistaken. I just remember reading something about it on here but not what it was.

There was definitely at least one herbal remedy that apparently can be harmful for hypothyroidism, but the only one I'm certain of I can't remember the name of it! An Asian plant, but never heard of it before

[AnneEvo]

You may not need to stop the tea.

My TSH got up to 11.1 at one point. I felt extremely well (I've never felt ill, very few symptoms but suspect I've been hypo over 40 years before it was picked up). I only decided to go with levo as I was concerned my thyroid may pack up altogether as my TSH level kept rising.

Not much help to you I know, just wanted to explain some of us, though hypo, do not actually feel ill.

[RabbitLady in reply to AnneEvo]

Thank you for your comment. I have felt ill and tired in the past but since starting the tea I am full of energy and have not had so much as a cold. It must be doing something.