Ashwagandha

[Mlinde]

Does anybody have any experience using this Ayurvedic herb? I tried it many years ago but found it difficult to get info on doses and how it interacted with my Levothyroxine.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mlinde

It's important to know that Ashwagandha, although said to be an adaptogen, is known to lower cortisol level.

[Mlinde in reply to SeasideSusie]

And if your cortisol level is too high? Said to be an adaptogen? Well it is an adaptogen.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mlinde]

Yes, it is an adaptogoen and is said to be balancing, but there is evidence that it lowers cortisol so you have to be careful when considering it hence the caution, if someone has low cortisol it would be the wrong thing for them to take. If you know you have high cortisol then there shouldn't be a problem but if you haven't tested adrenals then it might be wise to do so before considering taking ashwagandha.

[Imaaan]

I have been using it for a few years and four hours away from my thyroid meds. The amount my body is comfortable with is 125 mg. Its low but I'm sensetive to supplements and generally prefer lower doses.

[Mlinde in reply to Imaaan]

So are you using it on its own or with 'orthodox' medication (and I assume you're hypothyroid?). The dosage I'm contemplating using comes 500 mg capsules, 2 per day recommended. Seems quite a lot but how active is it? And are different sources of the herb, different strengths? What happens if you OD? So many unknowns, just like the Levothyroxine I take!

[Imaaan in reply to Mlinde]

I'm on prescription t4 and t3. As for the ashwagandha, I prefer the herb over the leaf .When I decided I wanted a lower dosage I could only find one brand with 125 mg in my store. It's sensoril ashwagandha. In regards to how our bodies will react, there are many unknowns with supplements and medications in general. It's a case of trial and error.

[Mlinde in reply to Imaaan]

And how does it complement the T3/T4? And on reading the info on mine, I think it's 500mg for 2 capsules, so 250mg.

[Imaaan in reply to Mlinde]

I'm using it to lower my cortisol to hopefully improve my conversion. Not sure how much or little it's doing but I do notice a difference when I'm on it as oppose to being off it symptoms wise.

[Mlinde in reply to Imaaan]

OKay, I had a feeling that was the reason. My thyroid antibodies are off the scale!

Thyroglobulin Antibodoes: >4000.0IU/mL (Range; 0 - 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies: 200.0 IU/mL (Range: 0-34)

[Bertwills]

Didn’t help me as my sleep was disturbed by needing the loo. It can affect the bladder. It took some time to settle after I stopped taking it too.