Thyroid question...

[GoinDown]

Hello,

I'd love advice on how to treat hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid) through a raw lifestyle. I'm hesitant on taking the prescription the doctor suggested.

Also, can anyone tell me more about " kelp " ? I'm not sure how much to take daily or if I shouldn't be taking it in the first place... I believe it's an iodine supplement and I don't know if too much is bad. I purchased it from the GNC store from the man working there who looked up thryoid issues in his book and the info directed him toward kelp - so I bought some.

Any info anybody knows would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jennifer

[Sleek98]

You really should look more into iodine. Here are links to get you started.
http://www.mbschachter.com/iodine.htm
http://www.newswithviews.com/Howenstine/james37.htm

Kelp is a sea veggie, but you really need to be careful of your source.

[Veganforlife]

Jennifer - please read my post in my signature below how I healed/cured my hypOthyroidism by going raw in less then a year!
I eat a variety of sea veggies. Never met one that didn't like me or I didn't like it.

[AppleJax613]

what are some sources of iodine?

[Veganforlife]

Asparagus

Dulse

Garlic

Kelp

Lima beans

Mushrooms

Seafood

Sea salt and fortified salt

Seaweed

Sesame seeds

Spinach

Summer squash

Swiss chard

Turnip greens

This recipe is good! Has chocolate AND a great source of iodine:

Chocolate Truffles

1 cup sesame seeds (ground in coffee grinder)
1 cup cacao powder
1 cup dates
1 squirt (about 1/2 - 1 tablespoon) agave
1 tablespoon coconut butter
1 dash sea salt
2 teaspoons vanilla

Put all into food processor, process until it clumps into a big ball.

Shape into small "rounds". Roll in coconut or ground (coarsely) nuts. Freeze. Done.

Options - can add nuts to original mixture. Can add chopped Goji berries, spirulina, maca, cayenne pepper, etc. to make a "superfood" truffle.

[grassygirl]

Jennifer,
I am going through the same hestitation about going on thyroid meds. I have heard that once you go it is very hard to go off due to what the drugs have done to your body.
My doctor just perscribed a very low dose of levothryoxin but I really want to go raw for six weeks and see what my levels are at. Any suggestions?

[Veganforlife]

Jennifer,
I am going through the same hestitation about going on thyroid meds. I have heard that once you go it is very hard to go off due to what the drugs have done to your body.
My doctor just perscribed a very low dose of levothryoxin but I really want to go raw for six weeks and see what my levels are at. Any suggestions?

Increase your sea veggies, drink green smoothies and water, exercise and you can reverse your thyroid condition. Read my testimony. I did in less then a year...! Raw is truly healing!!!

[GoinDown]

Hi Grassygirl,
I, too was prescribed a medication for a sluggish thyroid but I never started it. I was put off by my doctor that "discovered" my underactive thyroid (thru blood tests) by accident when I originally went to see her for a different reason. (She never did find a reason for my original problem.) I researched thyroid problems more and read that breastfeeding a baby could throw your hormones, "levels" out of the normal range. I was nursing at the time (which my dr failed to ask), so she said, stop nursing and we'll retest your blood. Well, I waited 6-9 months before I went back. In those months I had started raw and lost almost 40 lbs (in two months) and my numbers got better. I was encouraged to start the medicine still, despite my health improving - weight loss (thru raw). But I did not. Here it's been another 8 months and I've lost a lot more weight and would like to check my results again, to see if by losing weight and gaining better health, my test results will improve again. In the meantime, I wanted to address the thyroid "naturally", and that's when I stumbled upon Kelp. My hub read that depending upon where you get your "seaweed" will depend on how "clean" it is. It could carry toxins.?? I got mine in pill form from nutrition store - so I feel it should be safe, but I'm not the expert. Any thoughts? I do not want to start the meds, which might be the same kind you were prescribed. Although I hear that it's the same hormone our bodies should be making but just aren't. So it's not foreign, just what we are already lacking. I don't know for sure tho. Raw / natural approach seems more appealing. Let me know anything you learn. Jennifer :)

[GoinDown]

Hi Lucy,
I'm happy to hear your success story. I'm not going to stop researching ways to approach thyroid problems naturally. Thank you for your reply. Jennifer :)

[SmilingRawDancer]

How many grams of a kelp supplement should be taken?

[Veganforlife]

How many grams of a kelp supplement should be taken?

I don't know. All I've done is to increase daily my sea veggie intake. Either by spirulina in my smoothies, or just eating sea veggies. I have no idea how many grams. I don't want to count anything I eat, like calories, grams, carbs, etc. Sorry. Maybe someone else will pitch in some info.

[britaniefaith]

veganforlife -- did you cut out things like kale, spinach, cauliflower etc? Ive heard those are bad for hypothyroidism and I cant cut them out! im hypothyroid but i honestly cant imagine NOT eating those greens.. i have them in my green smoothies everyday.. i eat lots of sea veggies and im on armour thyroid but nothing has helped yet.. my thyroid is still totally sluggish.. maybe it takes longer for some people?

[juliebove]

I stopped eating all forms of soy and cut waaaay back on all goitrogenic vegetables and am now off the thyroid meds.

If I were you, I would go on the meds at least to get things straightened out and then make dietary changes. You are damaging your body in other ways by letting your thyroid stay out of whack. The meds might be just a temporary thing.

[Strong]

Hi All -
I am probably one of the rare few on this board who has hypothyroid and takes the medicine and LOVES it. I was exausted for 1 1/2 years,....and challked it up to new baby,...before I conivinced my doctor to test me for hypo. For me, synthroid has been a miracle drug - I feel so much better. I take 88 mcg daily...a pretty low dose I here - and it is great. It took about 7mo to get up to that dose because the dr. took it real slow in upping it and I feel great with it.

I also just starting to take iodine (kelp) as well after what I read on this board....so we will see what that does. I would love to not have to take synthroid but I was laying on the couch ALL night (and I am an active person) before getting it.....and how I don't have to.

My personal saga, i guess.

[Veganforlife]

veganforlife -- did you cut out things like kale, spinach, cauliflower etc? Ive heard those are bad for hypothyroidism and I cant cut them out! im hypothyroid but i honestly cant imagine NOT eating those greens.. i have them in my green smoothies everyday.. i eat lots of sea veggies and im on armour thyroid but nothing has helped yet.. my thyroid is still totally sluggish.. maybe it takes longer for some people?

Hey britaniefaith - Nope, I've cut out nothing. I did increase my sea veggies. And yes, I'm sure it will take longer for some folks. Are you 100% raw? THAT helped...