Does anyone have any experience of working with naturopathic or functional doctors for their Graves/TED hyperthyroid condition?

[FGJ33]

Hiya,

I'm new here.

Does anyone have any experience of working with naturopathic or functional doctors for their Graves/TED hyperthyroid condition? I am seeking alternative medicine to help me get to the cause of the problem, rather than just manage my symptoms. I have been reading up a lot on the paleo autoimmune diet/ permeable gut/mineral & vit deficiencies etc... although I have not yet been tested for any of them.

I have recently been diagnosed with TED and Graves disease. I am under going normal treatment (carbizmazole/ off the beta blockers but having steroids for severe TED eeek!)

Please could you send me a PRIVATE message with any named practitioners as I know it is not allowed to make their names public on this forum.

I am based in the south east of England but I guess lots of people are doing zoom or skype calls so it doesn't really matter where they are based.

THANK YOU

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists

I think the list has couple of functional doctors too (obviously private not NHS)

[e-mail]

Have you had vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels tested?

Or had coeliac blood test (recommended before trying strictly gluten free diet)

[FGJ33 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I will email her. No, I have not been tested for vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels or had a coeliac blood test. I was just searching to find out the best place to get these tests done/ordered.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to FGJ33]

Presumably you have had TSI or Trab Graves antibodies tested to confirm definitely Graves (not Hashimoto’s)

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Can also be raised with Graves’ disease

Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease .

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

healthcheckshop.co.uk/store...?

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

[FGJ33 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for the tips re tests and what to get

[FGJ33 in reply to FGJ33]

Actually not yet. I was diagnosed 9 weeks ago at the hospital A&E.

I went to A&E as I could not get a doctors appointment and my optometrist was taking ages to give me a referral to an ophthalmologist for my eyes.

At the hospital I had TSH and FT4 blood tests and a letter sent to my GP for an urgent referral to the Endo. I didn't see the actual endocrinologist who's clinic it was just his Locum consultant and he didn't do any further tests. I don't think he specialises in Thyroid the title is 'Diabetes and Endocrinology'

By this time I had seen a TED specialist at Moorfields who I now see with the NHS and have had lots of blood tests...I am still trying to get a hold of the results.

But I know they just took blood test for TRAB.

With the Endo I have had the TSH/FT3 and FT4 taken last month.

I have never seen my GP it came on so quickly and over lockdown. I will contact them for vitamin tests.

RE blood tests preparation no this is not what I have done- although it is what will happen on Monday when I get TSH & FT4 & amp bloods.

Im currently on 10mg carbimazole for Hyperthyroid and IV steroids for TED

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to FGJ33]

Come back with new post once you get results

[Lora7again]

Have a look at Elaine Moore's site there is a lot of helpful information on there.

elaine-moore.com/

[FGJ33 in reply to Lora7again]

Thanks lora, I have read loads of great stuff on her site too 👍 I am really looking for a functional practitioner to help me with this in the long run.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi there,Have you signed up for TEDct? They have great free information & telephone advice. I’ve tried so many things to help with my TED; would definitely recommend HycoSan eye drops, selenium supplements and black seed oil (for dryness). I also take lutein & zeazanthin (eye complex 7 from Amazon). I juice a lot...carrots, ginger & apple are my favourites. I’m gluten free & have reduced dairy. I practice mindfulness & Pilates & use essential oils (clary sage for calmness etc).

I use Medichecks for thyroid & vitamin testing & then post results on the forum. Seaside Susie, Slow Dragon, Humanbean, Helvella & other members have all given great advice that I’ve followed to optimise my health & wellbeing.

Sunglasses give me confidence on bad days....just wish they didn’t fog up when wearing a face mask!

Best wishes 😎

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Buddy195]

This is going to be sound really weird but I’m taking AlgaeOil capsules 250 DHA Vegan Omega 3 - Algae Oil, 90 Small Capsules (250mg DHA/Capsule), 3 Month Supply - Sustainable Alternative to Fish Oil From Amazon . I take for for osteoporosis along with other vitamins and minerals and when I stopped them for a while recently I discovered that they were making a huge difference to my really dry eyes. Needless to say I’ve started them again. So for anyone with dry eyes for any reason I’d recommend giving them a try.