I've recently been told I have an overactive thyroid and am awaiting a referral from an endocrinologist, but been told to expect a few months until I hear anything.
In the meantime, are there any natural remedies, vitamins and supplements I can take?
Mainly concerned as I have developed a permanently bloated lower tummy. Was always really skinny and get married in a very unforgiving dress this summer as wasn't a problem before!
I also feel very tired a lot of the time, and it would be nice not to feel that way too
Thanks in advance
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What tests have you had? What’s the cause of you hyper.
They’re are no natural alternatives which successfully reduce high levels. (Antithyroid medications works by reducing what hormone the body can reduce).
Popular remedies tried in past include lemon balm which some feel help with symtoms and L-carnitine which some evidence suggest can lower FT4 to FT3 levels.
Do you have access or copies of your results? It quite important you find out how high your levels are and what’s been tested to establish cause of it.
Thank you! I've only just found out so waiting of the referral and will start treatment then, but they said it'll likely be a couple of months.
With that in mind, was just wondering if there is anything I can do in the meantime to help, as a total newbie!
I don't have exact results, was just told TSH was slightly raised and thyroxine antibody was 3x what it should be. Not sure what that figure is or if that is high or moderate, sorry
Are you in the UK? If so, ask at doctor's reception for a print-out of your results. It's your legal right to have one, and you absolutely need to know exactly what was tested and exactly what the results were.
If your TSH was raised, you are hypo, not hyper. And there's no such thing as 'thyroxine antibody', so there's been some sort of misunderstanding somewhere.
If TSH (thyroid stimulating Hormone - a pituitary hormone) was raised it means your thyroid levels FT4 & FT3 are low. [hypothyroid or underactive] The signal is trying to get your thyroid to increase.
You need your results and thyroid levels. If you practice offers online access set it up and in the mean time ask reception for a printed copies with ranges. Don’t accept verbal or hand scribbled (ranges important and vary between labs). Legally they must supply.
They are several thyroid antibodies. (None called thyroxine antibody) Four main ones which are tested are:
Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies(TPOAb)
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb)
Highest elevation seen with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) under active .
If overactive & suspected autoimmune Graves
Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) Or
TSH receptor antibodies (TRab) needs to be tested.
A positive antibody result confirms autoimmune but specific testing to confirm which. One is ultimately hypo (can begin with transient hyper) the other is prolonged hyper. So again it’s very important you check what’s been tested.
Under active is managed by GP - hyperactive is referred to specialist. If thyroid levels (FT4 & FT3) were 3x normal that is extremely unhealthy and should not be left months until your referral. GP can liaise with specialist and commence carbimazole. My GP did this at time of referral, along with blood pressure, ECG and prescription for propranolol, my FT3 was nearly double and that’s considered an elevation those with Graves can have 4 times the norm.
GP say overactive thyroid when TSH low. Sometimes the FT4 & FT3 are not continuously over range (true thyrotoxic or overactive) sometimes the FT4 & FT3 are not tested by the lab.
“Minimally obscure” is not a term Ive heard used, minimally suppressed may mean low TSH. usually over active levels causes TSH to read <0.01 which is undetectable or suppressed.
If TPO is above the antibody level limit it’s a positive diagnosis for autoimmune activity. 3x is quite high. High levels are associated with under active Hashimoto’s but can also be present with overactive Graves. Positive TRab or TSI confirms Graves. Doctors do not alway check and treat all low TSH as Graves.
Your surgery should allow you to go online and see your blood test results. Contact reception and ask them to give you access to your records. They should then send you a link and passwords.
You should then be able to find the details without bothering reception again.
Once you can post the details here, then people on here will be able to advise. Make sure that you give the range as well as the reading for each entry.
Have you recently had a baby or are you approaching menopause? I ask because this is often the time when thyroid problems occur - which can be due to low progesterone?
I think you need to clarify what the doctor said please ask for your copy of whatever was tested.
There should be results for a TSH, T3, T4 and antibodies - ab - maybe reading TPO, TG, TSI, TRAB :
" True hyperthyroidism " sometimes referred to as Graves is considered life threatening if not medicated.
So if the " wait " to see an endocrinologist is long, your doctor, under instruction from the hospital, should start you on an anti thyroid drug, to block your T3 and T4 levels rising any higher.
Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid
To confirm HYPERTHYROID - Graves’ disease you will need TSI or Trab antibodies tested
Bloating is common Hashimoto’s symptom as gut is frequently affected, leading to low vitamin levels, IBS etc
You are legally entitled to copies of your test results and ranges
GP should organise that thyroid levels are retested 6-8 weeks after first abnormal test results
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Very high TPO antibodies suggests Hashimoto’s (HYPOthyroid)
Mildly raised TPO antibodies possible with Graves’ disease (HYPERthyroid)
With Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto’s or Graves
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)
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
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
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