This is my first post. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice about taking berberine with levothyroxine.
I am currently taking 100mcg of levo daily. About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes which I try and control with a low carb diet. However my blood sugar seems to be rising. I'm reluctant to start taking metformin because of the side effects it may cause and especially any long term ones. I've read alot about metformin and to be honest what some doctors and researchers say about it really scares me. I was thinking of taking a berberine supplement as an alternative to try and bring down my blood sugar levels but I've read that this may interact with the levothyroxine I'm taking by increasing the potency of the levo as the berberine interfers with it being broken down in the liver.
I'm a bit confused by it all. Could someone please advise me on what they think is best. Thank you.
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treeflower1954
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First question is …..are your thyroid and vitamin levels optimal
100mcg isn’t a large dose
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
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.
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
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
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Hi Slowdragon, Thank you so much for your very detailed and helpful suggestions. There's lots of stuff I didn't even know about. I'll definitely arrange for a private test to check vitamin D3, folate etc and read the articles on berberine you sent me. ☺️
I take 5 greens as said to be clean. 500mcg capsules, 1 before each meal. Said can give you upset tummy which I would have welcomed due to severe constipation but had no problems with that.
I'm just having a beak as been taking for 5 months. I read about berberine as possible weight loss supplement as I've been unable to lose weight for 15 years since thyroid issues. Even under health trainers at gp surgery and referred to obesity clinic at hospital ( they discharged me after 3 weeks as knew it wasn't down to diet) even though I'm not hugely over weight.
Can't say for certain whether berberine or a change in T3 brand has been reason behind things as started berberine 9 days after new T3.
Had lifestyle change with diet and exercise in January. Upped calories and protein intake, 2/3 litres water, daily exercise of simple weight training in garden or walking, minimal alcohol.
Weight still fluctuated daily like normal but body shape changed, looser clothes, only 2/3 lb weight loss in 5 months but felt better.
Roll on May and started new brand of T3 as Mercury pharma felt dreadful on but then 9 days later started berberine.
I now slowly started to lose weight with no fluctuations up just slowly down. Now I have fatty liver, very likely insulin resistant, had high and low cholesterols, slight BP, told years ago pre diabetic and large waist compared to rest of body so basically metabolic syndrome.
So since January I have lost 1 stone that has never happened in 15 years of diet and exercise.
My Endo says I possibly reversed my fatty liver going off last 2 bloods but only a scan would say for certain. This I know exercise will gave played big part in.
I personally think the berberine has helped either with liver or insulin resistance which has lead to a better metabolism, still not normal but better.
See endo in February and is doing all bloods including fasting glucose.
Will start back on berberine in a month if feel I need to.
Hi Sparkly thanks for your reply and for sharing your journey with me.
We sound very similar. I've also been trying to loose weight for about 15 years but been up and down all the time. Great news you've lost a stone.
I was pre diabetic for about 10 years and then in 2021 after catching covid it seem to catch up with me and I became a fully fledged Type 2 diabetic.
I've tried to keep on top of it with the ketogenic/low carb diet and exercise but I still can't lose weight and my hbA1c has gradually crept up to 62. Should be under 48. Lower if possible.
My cholesterol is also creeping up which is not good. Keep getting offered statins and trying to "persuade" to take metformine I but don't want to start taking either of them. I like taking natural products wherever possible.
I've read that berberine can help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and weight but was concerned it may interfer with my thyroid meds but maybe just worrying too much.
Your results have inspired me so my plan is to start next week. I can get my bloods done in 3 months to see if there are any improvements. Hopefully there will be.
I may also consider taking T3 so will have to find a good endo.
Good luck with you new T3 meds and continuation of the berberine.
Please let me know how you get on with it all when you see your endo.☺️
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