Im in that large population being misdiagnosed, having had most, if not all symptoms for thyroid disease; low T4, high antibodies, low TSH (just within range), goitre... and some. I have given up fighting with my consultant and GP who say that my results are only mildly abnormal!!! I certainly feel abnormal and completely depressed. I'd really like to know if there are any foods known to help or hinder the disease. I also have little energy to exercise, think, read, walk...........you know the score!! Is there any way to beat these deathly feelings without meds? Ive tried to exercise but have never persisted as just the thought makes me cry. Does anyone know if persistence in physical activity with this thing can help ease the feelings of extreme exhaustion and pain? As for the weight gain - will this continue or be maintained without meds even if you do exercise? Ive tried to drink lots of grapefruit juice??? - will this help?
Many thanks
Shaz
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Shaz
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I appreciate the situation you describe but I am yet to be convinced that foods and supplements can really address the essential requirements for thyroid hormone. So be careful.
However I can suggest that you at least avoid any possible problem of B12 deficiency by taking that at least. Maybe 1000mcg methylcobalamin once a week?
Rather hoping that some others will jump in here and add their experiences.
Many thanks Rod. Really appreciate your very helpful comments, time and support. I did suspect that foods wouldnt solve the problems, as I am a reasonably healthy eater but still feel like crap!! I just hoped I could help myself during the interim. Just to educate myself though, could you let me know why B12 deficiency should be avoided in people with thyroid problems?
Absorption of B12 is a complicated process requiring the right acidity/alkalinity and the appropriate secretion of 'intrinsic factor'. Some or all of these are likely to be compromised to some degree in hypos. Even worse, there is a strong association between autoimmune thyroid disease and autoimmune gastritis - which makes the situation even worse.
Further, we normally have huge reserves of B12 in the liver - enough to maybe keep us going through a few years of impaired absorption without overt symptoms. So people can become hypo, get treated, appear to improve and only then really start to have B12 problems. At that point it is very easy to miss and leave untreated - it might only become obvious that B12 deficiency is the cause of problems at the extreme low end.
Further, it is often claimed that B12 is safe as any excess taken can easily be disposed of by the body. So to me the idea of making sure that you do not suffer from B12 deficiency by taking regular supplementation seems reasonable. A large dose (e.g. 1000mcg) will actually allow B12 to be absorbed by simple diffusion - even if the usual complex mechanism is not fully functional.
There is plenty of discussion around over B12 - and mostly people recommend methylcobalamin (rather than the other types).
If your thyroid is out of whack, exercise alone is unlikely to be very effective for weight loss. Drinking lots of grapefruit juice probably won't help much either.
There is a direct relationship between thyroid hormone levels and carbohydrate metabolism. Many people with thyroid disease find that low carbohydrate diets work well for them. This means completely cutting out foods such as bread, pastry, cakes, cereals, potatoes, pasta, rice and all foods that contain sugar. Your meals would consist of protein in the form of lean meat, fish, cheese etc. together with vegetables and salads.
If you want to learn more about this way of eating, take a look at the Atkins diet website. I'm not advocating the Atkins diet as such, but you might find it helpful to read the info they give about the low carb way of eating.
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