Can Your Hypothyroidism Be Treated Naturally?
You may wonder if there's a way to deal with your hypothyroidism "naturally. " I hear this question frequently from readers. To answer the question, the first step is defining what you mean by "natural."
For some patients and practitioners, treating hypothyroidism naturally means prescription thyroid treatment -- by using natural desiccated thyroid drug, such as Armour or Nature-throid. These prescription drugs are naturally derived from porcine thyroid, but these are FDA-regulated, prescription drugs.
Others view natural as meaning a treatment plan that does NOT include a prescription drug, but is developed and overseen by a trained practitioners, such as naturopath, holistic physician, Traditional Chinese Medicine expert, or herbalist.
Finally, there are some patients who view a natural approach as treatment they themselves can find and carry out on their own, without practitioner guidance.
So, let's take a look at these three options...
Natural Prescription Thyroid Medication
Desiccated thyroid is a thyroid drug derived from the dried thyroid gland of pigs. Common brand names include Armour Thyroid, Nature-throid, Westhroid, and Biotech. These are FDA-regulated, prescription drugs -- not to be confused with over-the-counter, non-prescription thyroid glandulars that you can buy at the vitamin store.
Natural thyroid is an alternative to levothyroxine -- a synthetic thyroid drug -- which is more commonly prescribed.
Desiccated thyroid is sometimes maligned by traditional doctors, and levothyroxine is favored by many conventional physicians, but many holistic, complementary and older physicians are comfortable prescribing and managing patients on natural thyroid drugs.
For more information, you may want to read Armour Thyroid and Thyrolar: Alternatives to Synthroid and the Other T4-Only Drugs.
A Holistic/Alternative/Complementary Treatment Approach
In more than a decade as a patient advocate, and as someone who personally has an interest in trying to incorporate holistic approaches into my own health care, I've had the unique opportunity to interview hundreds of practitioners. Many of them might be characterized as "alternative" or holistic, including naturopaths, herbalists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors, holistic MDs, homeopaths, and many other types of experts. I have always asked them the same question: can you "cure" thyroid problems naturally?
I always get the same answer.
For a percentage of their patients, mainly those who started with a borderline or mild problem case of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, they were able to relieve symptoms and get them back into a normal profile, as far as blood tests, after extensive treatment. Typically, most of the alternative practitioners I've interviewed have reported 9 month to two-year timelines for those patients they successfully treated.
Even with a lengthy treatment timeline, hypothyroid patients almost always needed to take "traditional" drug therapy. The practitioners then gradually wean patients off the traditional drugs, as thyroid balance was restored.
But the practitioners all cautioned me that it's not a sure thing. Rather, it's a complex process, it almost always takes quite a long time to see results, and most patients find it difficult, if not impossible, to follow the vitamin/supplement/herbal regimen, mind-body practices, lifestyle changes, and dietary restrictions necessary to achieve success.
So, does this mean there's no hope? Never say never! If you have a mild or borderline thyroid problem, you may want to investigate going for a remission or "natural cure" of your condition, under the direction of a knowledgeable alternative practitioner.
We know, for example, that there are natural supplements that may help the thyroid, and even help calm the immune response -- selenium, for example. And Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames have recommended The Top Five Supplements for Thyroid Support.
And even if your thyroid problem is not mild, alternative practitioners may be able to recommend approaches to support your thyroid, immune and hormonal systems , which will allow you to take less medication, get better relief of symptoms, and deal with persistent symptoms that may not be relieved by medication.
For an example of an interesting and thoughtful alternative approach, read my Thyroid Disease: A Natural/Herbal Perspective: Interview with Shasta Tierra.
Self-Treatment
Can you head on down to the local health food store, pick up some supplements, make a few dietary changes, and fix your thyroid problem yourself?
Probably not. Since it's hard for even experienced alternative practitioners to sort out the complexity of a thyroid imbalance and treat it naturally, it's even more of a challenge for the average person. There is also the risk that your condition will get worse.
And with hypothyroidism, treatment can prevent the condition from progressing (and causing weight gain and atherosclerosis along the way.) And untreated or undertreated hypothyroidism can cause infertility, endanger pregnancy, or cause other hormonal problems, such as erratic menstrual cycles or difficult menopause.
Be especially wary about costly supplements marketed all over the Internet that tout themselves as thyroid cures, or suggest that they are an alternative to prescription thyroid medications. Not only do these supplements not contain the missing thyroid the body needs, but there are often ingredients -- such as iodine -- that are known to actually worsen thyroid conditions in a subset of people.
Mary Shomon, About.com's Thyroid Guide since 1997, is a nationally-known patient advocate and best-selling author of 10 books on health, including "The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough: Overcoming Sexual and Hormonal Problems at Every Age," "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," and "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia." Click here for more information on Mary Shomon.
Graphic: Istockphoto
As stated, be very careful to use a natural medication to treat your thyroid. I had hyperthyroidism a condition discovered in 1987. At this time, I was losing weight, no matter how much I ate. I was having heart palpatations, etc. I was running around with the speed of light, until I got really sick. I was treated with med’s to regulate for several years, then I was given radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid that was inactive. I now take a supplement everyday. A few years ago a doctor recommended that I go off my assigned treatment and be treated with the new natural med’s. I tried this and got really sick, my thyroid levels were all out of whack and I had been getting worse instead of staying inbalance. I am back on my levothyroxine and I am doing well. If it is not broke, don’t try to fix it! Just a comment from a person who knows their Thyroid!
I have the same condition with the thyroid but have not really gone to treat the problem because of financial contraints. Having read your page I now realize that I am at serious risk and have no alternative to put aside some of my reponsibilities and deal with the problem. My health insurance doesn’t cover the treatment because I had the problem before I started the job.
I thank you for laying out everything so clearly. I am going through all the advance symptoms and now have a small but visible bulge in my neck which gets bigger when swallowing. I must admit that I realize this problem a year after my child that’s five years ago.
I am going to sort it out before it is too late. Thanks again for a very well written explanation and guide.
I enjoy getting such good advice abut my thyroid. I am being treated for BiPolar Disorder and was wondering if certain meds for that can affect my thyroid – I take Littium 600.mg/ and 2 other meds
I am a med. tech and have preformed thyroid testing for many years. Early testing was done by using PBI values that dealt with iodine contamination. As we have transitioned into more specific testing, I have implemented many of the tests into the lab testing regimine. My sense is that we have a large population that has some form of thyroid disease and we are using this abnormal population to establish normal ranges independently of symptomology thereby having a far wider reference range than it should be, probably for all these types of tests.
This is specifically related to the TSH reference ranges and for several reasons.
Another issue that I do not see addressed is that any form of hormone replacement, including birth control pills, alters the values for T4 and T3 values invitro, thereby the need for FTI values. What it does invivo I do not know if we have determined. However, I think it alters the thyroid binding sites.
TSH testing was designed to normalize these values and access data from another direction. It, however, measures the ability of the pituitary to detect the presence or absense of thyroid hormone, not necessarily determining what the thyroid is doing. Given many of the population have taken some kind of hormones, from many sources we are not even aware of, it would be expected we would see altered values and questionable testing.
I personally have been addressing the hypothyroid issue for 4-5 years or longer. I tried the Wilson’s syndrome protocol without success. I think it finally totally crashed my thyroid gland because of the high doses of T3. I would not recommend it. I have used compounded T4, T3, and Armour in various combinations. The combination was never quite right either testing numbers wise or how I felt.
The physician I see always looks at the free T3 and free T4–the active thyroid hormones, thyroid antibodies, as well as standard testing.
He also uses the cholesterol values as a means to determine function and necessary replacement as these values too are altered as the thyroid hormone is being replaced.
My chiropratctor, who does energy work, tested Naturethroid on me with positive results. Within a few days I started feeling better. When I started on it I have a very hard time finding a pharmacy that either knew about it or stocked the product. As an option to Armour, compounded or the standard Levoxyl/Snythroid common prescriptions, I recommend a look at this. The web has information regarding this more natural way to replace this hormone.
Some additional comments: I think most the of the antidepressants, etc. act like estrogen and affect what is happening with the thyroid. Given the number of people taking these medications, I believe we are seeing more and more patients with symptoms, disease and altered testing due to treatments for other diseases. All these organs cross interact and impact each other. We certainly need more study and perspective regarding how these medications and replacements work.
Where does ARmour get its pigs for their thyroid. I’ve been on it for 7 years, but have concerns about CHINA. Just today more information has been in the news about pharma’s coming out of China and China’s pigs have had some health problems.
Linda
Tricia – Treating hypothyroid issues is VERY inexpensive. If you go to a clinic that works with a cash discount or has a sliding pay fee, your office visit will be $25-100, if not free. For levothyroxine (very common synthetic hypothyroid med) it is $15 for a one month supply– (Mine is $9.50 when using my crappy insurance) and many pharmacies have the $1 generic deal which it falls under. You can also apply to have it for free by the manufacturer or many other assistance programs. So go get yourself taken care of. There is definitely a free medical clinic you can utilize no matter where you live, but they are more common in Urban areas. Good luck!
Dear Mary Shomon,
I was recently referred to a Board Certified Internal Medicine & Nephrology Kidney & Hypertension Dr. My Parathyroid Hormone blood test reading was 94 and the Dr. prescribed Zemplar (1 MCG capsule ABB), Upon doing some research on DrugDigest.com, the side effects (since I have fibromyalgia, arthritis and a heart condition) are exactly what I have been trying to alleviate for years and the exclusion of many of the supplements I’m taking are to be avoided. (magnesium and the diuretic for example along with Vit. D3). The side effects would seem to far out way the benefits. If you have any opinion on this I would appreciate any input you could give me.
In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving,
Richard N. Keene
Edgewater, Fl.
I have been using Standard Process Prolamine Iodine for a couple of years in place of synthroid and it seems to be doing the job. Anyone else out there using it or familiar with it?
Would love to hear what you think . . .
I refused Levothyroxine and have experimented with alternatives for the last 2 years. I have been taking sea kelp, L-tyrosine, Selenium, Rhodiola Rosa for about 9 months – the last blood TSH was normal and my Dr. said what ever I am doing is working keep doing it!
Catherine: Can i ask your age approx?
I’m 25, been 55kgs for years, but have some heart problems e.g: pulpitations, irregular beating, shortness of breath. I’m getting blood results next week to see about my thyroids etc. I dont want to use drugs but have to wait and see.
Catherine,
I’m interested in the what you’re taking. What kind of dosages are you taking for each and how did you decide on these things? I’m very new to this and still learning! ~ AH
— “I have been taking sea kelp, L-tyrosine, Selenium, Rhodiola Rosa”
hi catherine,’ refused Levothyroxine and have experimented with alternatives for the last 2 years. I have been taking sea kelp, L-tyrosine, Selenium, Rhodiola Rosa for about 9 months – the last blood TSH was normal and my Dr. said what ever I am doing is working keep doing it! ‘how did u determine what &how much to take?
I have hashemoto’s been on armour for many years and have chronic insomnia, palpations and latley I am having other side effects, my Dr tried synthyroid and other thyroid drugs on me but they were worse, I went off armour for 2 months and slept like a baby and no palpations or other side effects, I tried natural bovine thyroid and iodine etc: but eventually I had to go back on armour because the effects of hashemoto’s were worse than the side effects of armour, I guess I have to accept that I will never have a normal life again, becasue chronic insomnia ruins your life, I have been to natural Doctors but they have not been able to help, sleeping pills do not work on me, have tried many brands, is there anything out there that can really help? armour is the only drug I’m on. Thanks. Carol.
Hmmm – I am confused:
I would truly like to know how come that Ms. Linda McRae who says has a HYPERthyroidism is taking her levothyroxine
and I – who is HYPOthyroidic for many years am Also taking levothyroxine (as a generic instead of synthroid)
So this levothyroxine is some type of a “wonder pill” if it works on every type of thyroid disease…??
Read again what Linda McRae says. As I understand it, she had hyperthyroidism first, then was treated with radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. She then had to go on levothyroxine to be treated for hypothyroidism.
I think Ms. Linda McRae, means HYPO not HYPER
Dany and Trevor:
Ms. Linda McRae had the same thing done as I did.
I had HYPER then they killed it with radioactive Iodine. It DIED….so..you NEED some levothyroxine to put some of it BACK into your body ( or course the normal amount a body needs in order to LIVE. ) You have to have some of it in your body, or your body starts breaking down, destroying ALL vital organs.
YOU had a thyroid that did not make ENOUGH of this, ( HYPO in your case ) therefore you are taking enough of the levothyroxine to make it up to the normal amount your body needs.
HYPO and HYPER needs the same medicine, only different amounts of it. Even if you have no thyroid at all.
those looking for natural thyrod try Clarks pharacy in AZ
Let’s face the facts here. Everyone is different. No one can take the same dose, like most doctors want to do to start out. I had no symptoms at all, as soon as I started on the Levothyroxine, I gained weight, lost hair, and for a week had extreme heart palpitations and upset stomach, and became weak and disoriented. I called the doctor, she said that could not happen.
I got on the internet, they were symptoms of too much thyroid medication. I was told I was hypothyroid. For two years it has been on and off, up and down while the doctor tries to figure it all out. During that time, we, are feeling bad and wondering what is going on and why no one can fix it. I had to take less and less, then more, then less, and go through hell. Now I am going to see another doctor. But after this visit, I am seeing an acupuncturist, one I know, Yes, it may take some time, but maybe some of my lost hair and sanity will come back. Acupuncture is not a cure, but it can put me back on the map, and I am willing to go there, where in fact, the whole person is treated. I believe in holistic, natural medicine, combined with Western medicine. Sometimes one works better than another.
Also, if a person is taking another medication, that is taken into consideration. Also, you have to be your own advocate, look things up. Like I am into health, and then found out, no soy, no walnuts, no cruciferous raw vegetables, salt with iodine, listen, you have to know your body and how it responds to medications and what they do to you. I would be dead now if I did not read what was in my medications. We have to be awake, and we have to be proactive in our health choices, including doctors.