Share your success stories in improving thyroid function using diet and suppliments

[MistyB]

I've just been to see an Nutritionist and am starting my "journey" to improve my Thyroid function. She talked about how taking Thyroxine on it's own may not be the whole answer as your body may be unable to convert TSH to T3/T4, so while your TSH may be normal, your body may not be using it effectively. She has recommended a number of suppliments which will help support my adrenal functions, improve my energy levels and help my body process food more effectively and help with weight loss. I will be also following a diet which excludes dairy and wheat and includes lots of high vitamin and mineral foods.

Nutrition and supplements can be used to support conventional drug therapy, but are not always successful on their own. Also, once you have started on Thyroxine, it is unlikely (dangerous) that you can stop as the drug takes over from the Thyroid.

I've got alot of reading to do but she has suggested:
Adrenal Fatigue, by Wilson Why am I so tired and The Thyroid Scandal

I'd love to hear from others who have had success (or otherwise).

If I may offer some "otherwise":

Adrenal Fatigue probably does not exist.

And although there are a minority of patients who still have hypothyroid type symptoms there is little or no evidence that additional thyroid supplements are beneficial.

Unfortunately you appear to have ended up at a nutritionist with a limited understanding of endocrinology.
It's worth bearing in mind that nutritionist is not a protected term, you need no qualifications to declare yourself one.

If you talk to your G.P. they may be able to help and can refer you to a dietician for advice on nutrition.

I have seen posts on glutenfreeforum from people who have restored their thyroid function through going gluten free. I reckon much of the success is down to improving absorption of nutrients that in turn get used in producing the hormones - and there is prob a lot more to it too.

There is no harm in trying wheat/gluten free as it's a healthy diet as long as you don't live off substitute carbs only.

My ds had seemingly incurable progressive disease that has reversed on gluten free so I am a convert :)

DBennett Thanks - it is always useful to be informed of both sides of a discussion. My nutritionist works regularly with endocrinologists and is working together with my GP. Before embarking on a lifetime of increasing medication, I am exploring all the options.

nightcat That sounds like a fantastic result for your DS. Well done you - it's not easy!! I have two DSs who appear to have been born with an immature gut, who despite not showing up as coeliac, react badly to wheat and restoring their gut health has improved their immunity and underlying health issues that we were unable to treat with conventional drug therapy. (Well, DS1 so far, have just embarked on a similar journey with DS2!)

Do you have a link to your glutenfreeforum - I googled but found lots!!

hi Misty, I heard straight from a very eminent neurologist that in those susceptible to gluten, it can adversely affect immunity and it's not the cold-and-cough type of immunity but stuff like T-cells etc. Having seen some improvement I was totally fired up and I am still delighted and amazed 5 years on. Yes, there are loads of health issues that are potentially linked to diet and tbh only when they improved I realised what was going on.

The forum is in one of the tabs here, a lot of posts in Related Disorders & Research section. It's not just for celiac, in fact there is a large and very informed population that is at the sensitivity end of the spectrum and loads of info on tests too.

Another good reference place is The Gluten File where some kind soul linked numerous medical papers specific to various conditions, inc thyroid-related.

I'm glad I posted on here about me. Makes me feel better about the boys too!! Sometimes I feel like I'm a bit barking when the conventional tests have not shown up any issues, but a healthy child is happier than a poorly one!!

I look forward to reading the articles on the links - thank you for this.

My ds tests were inconclusive too, but I tried the diet anyway and it worked. Then when my ds was tested, he was found to have a freakish gluten gene, which is not celiac, so no obv gut symptoms, but straight into secondary symptoms, mainly neurological - which seems to be the case with gluten sensitivity (and this is a medical term). Thing is that there are no tests to prove it except gene test, so it's via a diet trial.
I now look at gluten-free as a lifestyle choice, limit substitute carbs and we eat the best non-carb foods we can.

You are not barking.., it's all about health.

This interests me as I think I have hypothyroidism and my GP says not.

phipps My nutritionist is requesting additional tests through my GP, not covered by the standard TSH level test as well as a private urine test so we can have a better idea what is going on.

nightcat Interesting that you limit substitute carbs - more reading for me I think.

MistyB - I am due to see my GP in 3 weeks to discuss an appointment I had with a rheumotologist. He agreed with the GP I had FM and dismissed my concerns about my weight gain as "you are middle aged." I could go privately but feel resentful that I have too but don't know what else to do.

Misty, there is very little nutrition (vits/minerals) in carbs, they are mostly just fillers and empty calories, so I retrained my ds to go for the foods that are usually served with carbs. We don't even buy gf bread.

It does work out more expensive and takes more effort, but to me it's worth it.
At main meals, I use carbs of a small size portion and the rest of the plate is other real foods.
I also have a v good dr and managed to get my ds some tests done that way. Where it wasn't possible, I used Biolab.

just to say I have been hypothyroid for 20 plus year , and taking 125mcg daily for a number of years ,during the last year I have had lots of health issues which has resulted in me going on a gluten/ dairy and soy free diet, my thyroxine medication has been reduced from 100mcg, to 75mcgs and now 50 mcgs, it seems that I am needing less thyroxine, I dont know if it is because of the diet, but I am definitely feeling better!