Throid problems..please help

[Raspberry4]

Hello,
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's today . I have a goiter and it is an autoimmune process that attacks the thyroid. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem, or any thyroid issues, and was helped with raw?

Also, does anyone with thyroid problems supplement with iodine or kelp? I read that it helps the thyroid but my doctor today said NO I have too much iodine???? I am confused!:confused:

Thank you for any help you can offer!

[Humanist]

When my thyroid acted up, my doctor told me that iodine deficiency could not be the cause because salt is iodized. He did not know that I had eliminated salt from my diet. I did not take the thyroid medicine he prescribed, but after I started eating an occasional piece of seaweed, which is rich in iodine, my thyroid and pituitary numbers returned to normal.

[Teraw]

I am not a medical doctor and I am only stating what I would do in a similar situation.

I would not let anyone tell me what is or isn't (fill in the blank with anything) if they are eating animals and their by products. My reason is because they are not aware enough to counsel me on nutrition. I would seek information from a holistic doctor or and herbologist, if I was unable to find the answer on my own.

Search "thyroid" on this site, there are many women who have reversed their situation with raw foods. Click on their names and shoot them a friendly email. I am confident that you will find the right answer. Just remember, if something doesn't sound right it probably isnt right. We, especially as Americans, have become very comfortable NOT trusting our instincts. We have them for a reason. I really hope this helps. Good luck on your journey! Keep us posted on your progress. I love success stories! :D

[Raspberry4]

Thank you both for responding and the well wishes. I will have to keep researching. I wish I could find a doctor that was a "naturopath" but have not had any luck here in Ohio with that. Have a great day!

[Raw Joy]

Raspberry, look up some of Lucy's (VeganForLife) posts. She had some long term thyroid problems which healed with a raw diet. I'm attaching one of her most famous, but I'm fairly sure there are others.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=26306&highlight=thyroid+meds

[snoops]

Just make sure you are talking apples and apples. There are low thyroid issues, which I believe were Lucy's and there are overactive thyroids which is I believe Hashimotos. That is not to say they can't both be healed with raw but I don't think eating kelp is going to help you with an over active thyroid. Do the research, be informed.

[rawstrength]

Radishes are a modulator for the thyroid, they turn it up or down as needed. Maca is related to radishes, it is like a super-radish. I recommend radish juice and maca powder, daily.

Also, your immune system is involved, so I recommend reishi mushrooms for the immune system. They can be found at www.mountainroseherbs.com or (foraged in the woods if you are adventurous and knowledgeable.) Once you get the mushrooms, boil the living daylights out of them and drink the broth. This isn't a raw solution, but it really works to heal your immune system, backed by my own experience and 10,000+ years of Chinese medicine.

[Raw Joy]

Just make sure you are talking apples and apples. There are low thyroid issues, which I believe were Lucy's and there are overactive thyroids which is I believe Hashimotos. That is not to say they can't both be healed with raw but I don't think eating kelp is going to help you with an over active thyroid. Do the research, be informed.

I just finished a book on thyroid disfunctions, and what you say is true. And thanks for pointing out that what worked for Lucy will probably not be the course for this.

However, I think that most people with Hasimotos will more than likely end up having hypo, or low, thyroid issues because the Hasimotos' will eventually burn out the thyroid function completely.

Either way, a raw diet can probably help her a great deal.

[Raspberry4]

Thank you everyone for your input.

Rawjoy - you are correct. Even if it is an overactive thyroid (which I did not find that in the Hashimoto research I have been doing) it WILL eventually burn out the thyroid and lead to low thyroid. I have a goiter so she said ultimately I will need it taken out and/or put onto thyroid meds, so that makes sense what you said.

I will keep looking for info. I would be really surprised if it is an overactive thyroid only because I have gained 60 pounds since February, 2008.

I do hope the increased intake of raw fruits, veges, and juices will help. I do not want to opt for surgery, and I really do not like taking pills.

It's a bit confusing at this point :confused:

[vinners]

When my thyroid acted up, my doctor told me that iodine deficiency could not be the cause because salt is iodized. He did not know that I had eliminated salt from my diet. I did not take the thyroid medicine he prescribed, but after I started eating an occasional piece of seaweed, which is rich in iodine, my thyroid and pituitary numbers returned to normal.

you know its funny I had given up using salt for quite a few years and I wonder if this is when this happened I also got preg with my third child around then and they say it cam happen then too. SO you are off of your meds? DO you have hashimotos also?

[Veganforlife]

Hey! I wanna pop in here and say you have gotten some sound advice here. EveryBODY is different and will react differently to whatever is put in it. Be it drugs (meds) or Raw foods. That is why I question western meds. What works on a 250 lb. man cannot work the same on a 125 lb. woman; yet either prescription meds or OTC are prescribed equal for both! Makes no sense to me.
Eating Raw and doing it right - 100% will not hurt you or have any ill effects - this I DO know.
You are going to have to decide what is best for you and your body.

[bsqmurphy]

Hi,

I have Hashimoto's too. It is an auto-immune underactive thyroid disorder. I have been on very high doses of thyroid replacement hormone for many years. When I increased my RAW (up to 90% even), there was no change in my thyroid.

When I went 100% RAW, my thyroid started working better & better. I eat seaweeds daily, green juice almost daily, and take a few immune system & endocrine system support supplements (vit D, plant sterols, flax oil, maca, coconut oil), and work to manage my stress (to keep my immune system more stable). I am now taking about 1/2 the hormone medication I used to (and I keep envisioning healing completely so I no longer need it at some point).

Yes, everyone's body is different and everyone has his or her own path. Just as Lucy said, going 100% RAW is not going to hurt and it might help a lot.

I recently read Mary Shomon's book "Living well with autoimmune disease : what your doctor doesn't tell you-- that you need to know." She has several related books for thyroid & autoimmune disease.

I wish you all the best,
Bri.