The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adam's apple. It produces hormones that affect the body's metabolism and energy level. Thyroid problems are among the most common medical conditions but, because symptoms often appear gradually, this disease is commonly misdiagnosed. High TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, levels suggest the gland is underactive, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Low TSH levels suggest it is overactive, known as hyperthyroidism. People with low thyroid function may lose hair, gain weight and feel sluggish, while those with overactive thyroids may lose weight, feel their hearts race and have trembling hands. Both can be easily treated with a daily pill.

Obesity as cause of thyroid problems
Obese children damage their thyroids, creating a vicious cycle of metabolism and overweight. Obesity causes inflammation that damages the thyroid. Alterations in thyroid function and structure are common in obese children. Excess fat tissue may have a role in thyroid tissue modification. Obesity does not seem related to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which T-cells mistakenly attack the thyroid. Obesity does seem to cause a low-grade inflammation state in the thyroid gland. Low thyroid function can be linked to weight gain. Losing weight, however, has been shown to restore thyroid function in some cases.

Role of foods, diet
I've read that raw foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach, broccoli, strawberries and peaches interfere with thyroid function unless cooked. Do these vegetables and fruits have the same negative effect when juiced in a juicer?
   I don't yet have a good understanding on how these vegetables influence thyroid function. I have not seen good studies yet on their role in hormone level influence. There are quite a few web sites that claim that these foods influence the gland's function. I would be interested if anyone could email me actual results of human studies rather than postings on the internet.

Underactive or low thyroid - hypothyroid
Hypothyroidism may occur at any age but is especially common in older individuals. Iodine deficiency is one cause of hypothyroidism but there are many causes: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as a result of treatment of hyperthyroidism, treatment of thyroid tumor, due to radiation, side effects of some drugs, etc.  

Symptoms and treatment of hypothyroidism
See low thyroid for treatment suggestions. Symptoms of mild cases are usually subtle and gradual and may be mistaken for symptoms of depression. The following are the most common: fatigue, weight gain, hoarse voice, slow speech, droopy eyelids, puffy and swollen face, constipation, coarse and dry hair, coarse, dry, thickened skin, and slow pulse.

Overactive thyroid
In hyperthyroidism the gland is overactive causing symptoms such as excessive sweating, heat intolerance, and nervousness. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which an overactive gland is producing an excessive amount of hormones that circulate in the blood. Thyrotoxicosis is a toxic condition that is caused by an excess of thyroid hormones from excessive intake of thyroid hormone pills or by overproduction of thyroid hormones. Having an overactive thyroid gland is associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation. Young adults with overactive thyroids are at increased risk of stroke. Stroke, online April 1, 2010. Grave's disease causes hyperthyroidism.

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. This is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland and triggers the release of high levels of thyroid hormones. One of the hallmarks of Graves' disease is a visible and uncomfortable swelling behind the eyes. Hyperthyroidism can also result from thyroid nodules. These are lumps that develop inside the thyroid and sometimes begin producing thyroid hormones.

Traditional medical treatment
Three common treatments are used in the management of hyperthyroidism: surgery, anti-thyroid medications, and radioactive iodine. The idea is to reduce or get rid of the excess thyroid hormone and minimize the symptoms and long term consequences of hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid medications approved for treatment of hyperthyroidism in the U.S. include propylthiouracil and methimazole. Both inhibit thyroid synthesis and formation of T4 and T3; however, propylthiouracil also inhibits peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. These drugs are similar in efficacy and adverse effects, but their dosing range differs by 10-fold. Response is generally seen in 4-6 weeks with maximal response in 4-6 months; Treatment is continued for 1-2 years and therapy is monitored by clinical signs and symptoms and by measuring serum levels of TSH and free T4.

Older adults with hypothyroidism who take drugs to treat the problem may be at increased risk for fractures. Thyroid hormone deficiency is common in the elderly, especially women. The drug levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the natural thyroid hormone, is widely prescribed. Many elderly people are likely being treated with doses of the drug that are too high for them and that excessive dosing may increase fracture risk in an already high-risk population.
  
Is there a natural treatment for people who suffer from overactive thyroid?
    At present I am not aware of a natural treatment for hyperthyroidism that has been well studied in humans. Melatonin has been studied in rodents but I am not sure how it would influence thyroid hormone levels in humans and what the right dosage would be. You may consider taking vitamin E, vitamin C, curcumin or other antioxidants to help reduce potential harm from oxidation resulting from excess thyroxine. Passionflower, an herb that induces relaxation, may be used in those who are anxious and tense. One study showed carnitine to be of some benefit.

The effect of intraperitoneal melatonin supplementation on the release of thyroid hormones and testosterone in rats with hyperthyroid.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin application on total T3, T4 and testosterone in hyperthyroid rats. Results revealed that melatonin supplementation in hyperthyroidism suppress secretion of thyroid hormones and testosterone secretion.

Effects of vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation on plasma lipid peroxidation and on oxidation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in experimental hyperthyroidism.
J Med Invest. 1999y.
Our finding strongly indicates an increased susceptibility of apo B-containing lipoproteins to oxidation in hyperthyroidism, and that vitamin E as well as vitamin C supplementation protect these lipoproteins from copper-induced oxidation.

Regulation of expression of antioxidant enzymes by vitamin E and curcumin in L: -thyroxine-induced oxidative stress in rat renal cortex.
Mol Biol Rep. 2010.
The results suggest that both vitamin E and curcumin may play an important role in protecting T(4)-induced oxidative stress in rat renal cortex by differentially modulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress parameters.

Hyperthyroid treatment risks
Patients who are treated with radioactive iodine for an over active thyroid have an increased risk of cancer -- especially cancers of the stomach, kidney, and breast. Radioactive iodine has been used as first-line therapy for hyperthyroidism since the 1940s.

Thyroid disorder and sexual health
Thyroid disorders are associated with a variety of sexual symptoms in men. Some have below-normal sexual desire, a few have delayed ejaculation, many have premature ejaculation, and some have erectile dysfunction. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2005.

Enlarged thyroid
Growth or enlargement of the thyroid may be due to a number of different conditions. The majority of patients with thyroid enlargement have benign thyroid disease. In areas of iodine deficiency, thyroid growth, leading to large thyroid glands or ' thyroid goiter' is not uncommon. Defects in the function of the thyroid may lead to thyroid enlargement as the gland tries to compensate and maintain thyroid hormone production at normal levels. Inflammation of the thyroid, as may occur in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, may commonly lead to an enlarged thyroid. Similarly, development of one or more thyroid nodules may be associated with asymmetrical or generalized thyroid enlargement. Finally, thyroid cancer may also be detected as a cause of an enlarged thyroid gland.

Enlargement of the thyroid gland is called goiter. Goiter does not always indicate a disease, since thyroid enlargement can also be caused by physiological conditions such as puberty and pregnancy.

Thyroid nodules
Nodular disease of the thyroid gland is quite common in the United States. The lifetime risk for development of a palpable thyroid nodule is estimated to be 5-10% and is more common in women than in men. Malignancy of the thyroid occurs in only 0.004% of the US population annually. Roughly 1% of thyroid nodules are malignant, whereas the remainder represents a variety of benign diagnoses, including colloid nodule, degenerative cyst, hyperplasia, thyroiditis, or benign neoplasm. Thyroid nodules are typically discovered by palpation in 3% to 7% of cases and by ultrasound examination in 20% to 75%. Although commone, few are malignant and require surgical treatment. A systematic approach to their evaluation is important to avoid unnecessary surgery. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy has resulted in substantial improvements in diagnostic accuracy, cost reductions, and higher malignancy yield at time of surgery.

Thyroid cancer
There are about 20,000 new cases of thyroid cancer each year in the United States. Females are more likely to have it. Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30 and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. The majority of patients present with a nodule on their thyroid gland which typically does not cause symptoms. Over 99% of these nodules are not cancer! But, when a cancer does begin to grow within a gland, it almost always does so within a discrete nodule. The steady climb in the incidence of thyroid cancer since the early 1980s has been attributed to an increase in screening in recent years and the diagnosis of more small tumors. However, work by investigators at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta suggests that other factors - such as environmental exposures, dietary changes, or genetic causes - may play a larger role. Cancer, 2009. Obesity is associated with a greater risk. I am not aware of a natural treatment at this time.

Desiccated thyroid
Desiccated thyroid extract is made from dried animal glands. This form of thyroid medication used to be the most common form of treatment for low thyroid problems. After the individual thyroid hormones such as T3 and T4 were made available to doctors during the 1960s, most physicians stopped using desiccated thyroid pills. One major reason was that the potency of desiccated thyroid may vary from one batch to another although it appears to be less of a problem now. Armour Thyroid is made by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Forest Laboratories, Inc and it appears to be very well standardized.

Q. I wanted to review your statement above. The operative word is "was". Batch standardization procedures are, and have been for a long time, incorporated in the production of desiccated thyroid products, e.g. Armour, or in Canada Erfa Thyroid (formerly PD Thyroid). The batch inconsistency theory may have been valid a long time ago, or may have been a canard even then. In any case, the documentation of this standardization procedure is so well known that I can't even be bothered to search the literature, since it was long ago settled (and for example, accepted by e.g. Health Canada in approving the continued production of dessicated thyroid from Erfa / PD Thyroid).
  A. Thanks for your input.

Thyroid Problem and Pregnancy
There is an increased risk of neurological development problems in infants born to mothers who have low levels of thyroid hormone early in pregnancy. Low thyroid hormone levels in the mother, even if they don't cause any symptoms, can have important neurological development consequences in the newborn.

Emails
Q. I have a thyroid condition. Please inform me of any herb / drug interaction between ashwagandha and Synthroid.
   A. Human studies are few regarding the interaction between ashwagandha and synthroid. If you have a thyroid condition and were to take Ashwagandha, you may consider using a third of a capsule for a few days to see how this affects you and then base the dosage for future use based on your initial response.

Q. I have hypothyroidism. I an taking Thyroid Caps by Solaray. It has Thyroid substance 150mg (Thyroxin free) in it. Can I also take forskolin? I have read that you should not take Rx thyroid meds with this herb. But the Thyroid caps are natural.
   A. We are not familiar with the product you mention. Even so, we are not familiar with any research combining Forskolin and thyroid medications, so we really can't say.

Q. I have an eye condition called Graves disease, it has to do with the muscles of my eyes. Can you tell me if Eyesight RX will help the condition. My husband uses Eyesight RX and I was wondering if it would help me.
   A. Eyesight Rx was developed for those who have age related gradual vision loss, not for Grave's disease. We doubt it will help a thyroid condition but we have never tested it in this condition.

Q. Hi, I've been taking l tyrosine for quite a while due to thyroid condition. (Sluggish Thyroid). My question is can L tyrosine interfere with high blood medication?? I'm also on thyroid medication. Is it safe to take. I'm taking 500mg l-tryosine.
   A. Tyrosine may increase blood pressure and cause heart rhythm abnormalities.

Q. I take thyroid medicine and sometimes it makes me so wired that I need to take alprazolam to calm down. I found out that the dose of the thyroid medicine was too high, and since my doctor lowered the dose, I don't need the Xanax anymore.

Q. I am 28 years old. I was diagnosed with overactive thyroid and currently being treated with medication (Methamazole). I strongly believe in herbal and homeopathic ways of treating diseases so I need some guidance from you on what to take to treat my overactive thyroid. Because of hyperthyroidism, I was having anxiety and difficulty taking deep breaths (tightened breathing) which is really bothering me at this time. I take Valerian root to help me relax but I need more information on treating the primary cause of the anxiety. Please let me know what kinds of herbs I can use to treat hyperthyroidism and the anxiety that resulted from it.
   A. We are not in a position to give individual advice, but you could have some information here on anxiety. There are many herbs besides valerian that could occasionally be used for anxiety, such as kava and passionflower, and nutrients such as 5-htp or tryptophan, but those who have a thyroid problem should be under medical supervision since a high thyroid level can cause anxiety.

Q. What is the equivalent of natural thyroid supplement to 0.125 mg Synthroid?
   A. There are countless natural thyroid supplements marketed over the counter, each different than the other. It is very difficult to make an accurate guess.

Q. I have been taking 5 grams of arabinogalactan powder everyday. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My doctor said that I do not have to take Synthroid any more. My thyroid levels are normal. My mom was hyperthyroid. She now has normal thyroid levels. I believe strongly that it is due to our taking arabinoglactan every morning. The only thing both of us did similar is that we both took it. I asked my mother in law who has hypothyroid to test it too. I will let you know how that goes. If this really is the reason why our thyroid levels are normal, there is a large population that can benefit from this knowledge. I was hoping to peak your interest. Please give it some thought.
   A. Thank you for feedback regarding arabinogalactan and thyroid disorders. We will wait to see if others provide us with similar results. It makes me slightly suspicious that both hyper and hypothyroid states were corrected, but we'll see.

Q. My wife has a thyroid problem with low thyroid and takes Synthroid, She's 48 and has the start of osteoporosis, would Sam-e help her with minor depression and joint pain? She's also tired all the time. Should she talk to her doctor first?
   A. Yes, she should talk to her doctor who perhaps can take a look at the web page on SAM-e. If your doctor does decide to recommend SAM-e, low dosages, such as 50 to 100 mg should be considered.

Q. I have been on 30mcg of Armour for low thyroid for three weeks now and have gained 8 lbs. My doctor also said that I have very low testosterone levels. I was hoping to order a supplement that would help me with my recent weight gain, and not interfere with what my doctor is trying to do.
   A. You can ask your doctor to read this page on weight loss and recommend some supplements for you.

Q. I'm 55 years old. My thyroid was removed due to papilar cancer and I'm taking Syntroid alternating dose of 125 and 150ml. I developed insomnia and anxiety, probably as a side effects of this hormone. My endocrinologist doesn't agree with  it. I'm taking 5-HTP 50mg, the formula you developed twice daily which eliminates my anxiety but sleep is still deprived.

Q. When the thyroid produces more or less hormone amounts, pills are given to control the thyroid hormone output for the rest of someone's life. Are there ways to correct the thyroid function rather than be doomed to take pills forever? Also if someone has anti-TPO or anti-TG bodies in the blood, is there a way to stop the destruction of the thyroid? (for example with curcumin?)
   A. These are good but complicated questions and I don't have a good answer at this time.

Q. I am 45 year old female. About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and right afterwards I was give an complete thyroidectomy. I have always been label as hypo thyroid. Since the surgery, I have had quite a few problems:
1. Some hair loss and breaking badly
2. Menstrual cycles - skip 4 months, then have a cycle for 1 or 2 months and then who knows what the next few months bring,
3. My personality has completely changed (I used to have a little bit of a temper - nothing bad - I feel like part of me is missing, - my blood work does not say I am pre-menapausal...
4. I get what they call a "brain fog" - the word will be on the tip of my tongue - but I cannot say it or I know where I am going in a conversation and I get tongue tied,
5. Also I feel since the thyroid cancer removal there has been some paralization of my vocal cords - at first, speaking above a low tone of voice was very difficult - this has improved, but I cannot project my voice and my speech slurs or words come out funny (I am a teacher - and the kids will make remarks when things do not sound right),
6. I am also suffering from depression and weight gain. I will cry at the drop of a hat, I find myself frustrated and sad about the smallest things. When I do get a cycle - I feel better in my "head". Right now, I feel as though my entire personality has changed, things that would get my emotions up - maybe it makes me mad - now, just makes me sad...due to my speech being altered from the surgery; I am unable to express myself when I am angry - this just makes me sadder, because I cannot express myself.
6. Several years before I found out that I had thyroid cancer, I began gaining weight. I am a dance teacher and exercise pretty regularly....Since the surgery, I am having more of a problem... This really makes me depressed, I used to have a good figure and I get so down on myself.
7. My doctor endocrynologist prescribed me an anti-depressant recently that its side effect is weight loss - she did this to try and help with two things at once depression and weight.
8. I talked with my brother - who is in AA recently... he told me that antidepressants are psychosomatic and that I will find myself needing more and more (I do not want to get addicted)
9. I know that my problems are never going to go away - not having a thyroid has created an entirely different venue for me.
10. I also have MVP and an irregular heart beat - I have read where people with thyroid problems - have these problems as well.
I take Levothyroxine 150mcgs (since I do not have a thyroid). I also take Metorpolol Succ ER 12.5 mgs or (toprol) for my heart. I am taking budeprion SR 100 MG for the depression/weight.

Q. Is there anywhere in the world that I can purchase Sheep Thyroid Supplements? I am not allergic to Sheep or Lamb.
   A. We have not looked into sheep or lamb derived thyroid supplements.

Q. I'm a 35 year old female and had a whole thyriodectomy due to cancer 7 years ago. Since then i have been on Levoxyl as for hormone replacement therapy. The dose is variable however they try to keep it as high as they can so the TSH stays as close as to zero. I also have been diagnosed with severe depression anxiety ADHD. The Depression visibly gets worsened at low doses of Levoxyl. MY doctor believes that I would be apt to depression anyway just due to my log term ADHD. And is not willing to increase the Levoxyl dose just due to other risk factors. I have also reacted severely to many of the prescription anti depressants. I'm interested to try supplements. Which one of the supplements you suggest fits best with a thyroid condition?  
   A. We really can't give individual advice, there are too many variables that involve the use of supplements and what works for one person may not for another, particularly those with a medical condition such as thyroid disease or on hormone treatment such as Levoxyl. One option is to discuss with your doctor, and if you try a supplement you have never taken before, open a capsule and at first use only a third or half the amount.

Q. Can I use 5-HTP if taking Synthroid 0.075 mg for low thyroid?
   A. The dosage of a supplement and the dosage of a medication are the crucial factors when the are combined. There are many other factors that influence how a person responds to a supplement including age, other medicines used, weight, overall health, diet, activity level, etc. As a general rule, your health care provider should guide you, and it is always safer to, at first, take a portion of a capsule when introducing a new supplement just to see how you react. Beyond this we cannot be any more specific.

Q. is it possible for topical forskolin application to enhance thyroid function? is there any site specific cAMP modulator to boost specific hormones?
   A. I have no idea what topical forskolin administration would do to thyroid hormone levels.

Q. I have Hyperthyroidism, what can I do with natural herbals, such like food or other things.
   A. The cause of hyperthyroidism needs to be determined and appropriate medical tests and medicines should be used. There are different causes for an overactive thyroid. I am not aware of any specific food or herb to treat an overactive thyroid.

Q.  My question is in regards to a thyroid problem. I don't have one. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in 1999. The doctors at Ft. Sill, OK army hospital decided that it was best to destroy it. So I was given the radioactive iodine pill. I am taking Levoxyl or whatever thyroid medicine that I need to be on for the rest of my life. My question is, since Ashwagandha is known to stimulate the thyroid, what would it do to me since my thyroid is "dead"? My doctor is no into the herbal thing and I don't know of anyone around where I live who would know about both the pharmaceutical and herbal routes. I am learning how to cope with anxiety so I'm limited on what I can take due to my thyroid problem. Plus the other benefits wouldn't hurt either.
   A. We would think ashwagandha would not have much of an influence in terms of thyroid effect since you don't have an active thyroid gland. It is a good idea to start with smaller doses of ashwagandha, such as a third or half of a capsule. There are many other herbs that are helpful for anxiety, including passion flower and valerian, along with the nutrients 5-HTP or tryptophan, and it is a good idea to alternate their use rather than taking the same herb or supplement all the time.

Q. I’ve read your website many times and find the info and your products very helpful and hope you continue to provide updated info on a regular basis. I am a big supporter of natural and herbal supplements and along with physicians such as yourself I’m confident I will always find natural solutions to my health issues. My primary reason for writing is that I would like you to do info on thyroid concerns. I did not find any info on your website that addresses this health concern aside from tyrosine which I have used in a combined product but not individually. It does not agree with me at all, way too many side effects. I would like to see discussions on metabolism, hair loss, soy products (I’ve been told thyroid patients should not use soy products, true?), Just some of the myths and concerns related to thyroid problems would be helpful, and/or some of the various amino acids, herbs or vitamins that would support thyroid disorders. Thank you again for a wonderful website and newsletter.

Q. is it okay to take phytosterol complex while taking Armour thyroid medicine and estradiol, estrogen? Any known side affects?
   A. Much depends on the dosages and the overall medication condition of the person taking it. There are no simple answers.

Q. I had a test and they found a 1.4cm nodule on my thyroid. I just had the needle biopsy and it came back benign (not cancer). I was wondering if I should be taking an herb or supplement now as I am not having it removed. I don't know much about thyroid and disease. My doctor gave me blood test and my thyroid is perfectly normal.
   A. We are not aware of any supplements or herbs that influence thyroid nodules.

Q. I had Graves disease, and had a total thyroidectomy ,with a tiny piece of thyroid remaining, 10 years ago. I have been on 100mcg (sometimes 112 mcg) of Levoxyl since then I feel around 75% normal, but I do have hair loss, weight gain issues (and I am very athletic, and eat right, trust me), fatigue, depression, etc. My menstrual cycle has been normal though. I have also had one successful pregnancy, and delivered a healthy baby boy last year. Post delivery, I have tried everything from Levoxyl 100 and Cytomel 5 (once a day) to increasing my dose of Levoxyl (to 112), with no success. The former caused me to become severely hyperthyroid, and I had horrible muscle fatigue, headaches, dizziness (this is the 3rd time I have tried Cytomel with similar problems each time)  The latter made my symptoms persist, despite fairly low TSH and normal free T3 / T4 levels Staying at Levoxyl 100 keeps my levels in the normal range, but symptoms as I mentioned above (hypothyroid symptoms) persist. The question I have is this : if I try a natural supplement like Ashwagandha or Guggal - will these supplements stimulate the small remnant piece of my thyroid and put me at risk of hyperthyroidism? Will they cause my Graves to flare up? I still show the antibodies present in my blood.
   A. Human research with ashwagandha, guggul, and many herbs is quite limited and little is known on how these supplements influence the thyroid gland let alone a small portion of a thyroid gland.

Q. I'm trying to find a natural remedy for keeping the thyroid healthy that I can take while breastfeeding. Can the thyroid be high due to breastfeeding and hormones at this time my son is 7 months? My t3 and t4 are normal but my TSH is 6.59 and nurse practitioner wants to put me on synthetic medicine but I told her I am going to do some research before starting anything. She said no your tsh can be high because of your breastfeeding.
   A. I am not aware of breastfeeding causing high TSH levels, but I am not an expert in this particular area.

Q. I have a 2 cm nodule on my right thyroid that has been checked twice and seems to be alright I had one removed 25 yrs ago in the same place, but it bothers me a little also I have hypothyroid symptoms with low body temperature but I did a test and checked my Tester one, and cortical, and thyroid, the thyroid came back normal but the testosterone, and corlisol, was very low I was looking at a product called Tongkat Ali herb will this bring my levels up? I know I don't feel good and my wife says my sex drive is low please let me know thinks.
   A. It is not yet very clear how Tongkat-Ali herb influences the various hormones in the body, however it is clear that the majority of users find tongkat ali herb helps improve their libido.

Q. I came across your website a year or two ago while researching herbs after my father's lung cancer diagnosis. As a scientist myself I was very relieved to find someone who compared traditional / popular uses and evidence from scientific studies to decipher safety and efficacy of the myriad of herbal supplements for which great claims are made. Recently, my wife was diagnosed with hyperthyroid (Grave's disease), so I began researching the conditions and treatments both western and herbal. In my research I discovered that thyroid disease - (hyper or hypothyroid) is far more common than I was aware of in the general population. Your comprehensive index of herbs covers a few of the ones I see recommended for my wife's condition.

Q. I believe that I have hypothyroidism and have visited my doctor and have received my lab order to have my blood tested for this disease. Less than a week ago I started using l-tyrosine since according to my homeopathic book this would be helpful with my thyroid, this being just a short term measure until I can get the test done. My question is this. Now that I have the order for thyroid tests, how long does taking l-tyrosine influence the tests before I undergo testing. I don’t want my test results to be skewed because of this tyrosine supplement.
   A. Much depends on the dosage of tyrosine used, but it would be safe to say that any effect should be minimal or gone after 4 or 5 days.

I am a 63 year old woman, 5'6 inches tall, 190 lbs., generally in good health. I take a Multivitamin every day, or two, as well as Natural Vitamin C, and Calcium. Every other day I take 200 units of Vitamin E. I take no prescription medication. Recently, I was examined by a natural medicine doctor, as well as a traditional doctor. The former told me I had a "slightly sluggish thyroid" and the latter indicated blood work "within normal limits", with the exception of Cholesterol at 233. The Thyroid Panel +TSH, 3rd Generation was 3.73, T4 was 8.4, T3 was 28, T4 Free Calculated at 2.4. I was always slim, but weight problems surfaced around the menopause in my early fifties. I exercise and eat a healthy diet, however, I ingest refined sugar daily (I have cut it down). Might it help my energy levels and weight loss to take 100 mcgs. of Iodine three days per week?
    Thank you for writing, but we are not in a position to offer individual treatment advice, it requires a review of the whole medical history and a thorough medical exam in order to make proper suggestions and this cannot be done by email.

I read almost all of your website ... WOW. Lots of great info. My specific question is: I am a 55 year old white male, 5'11", 180 lbs. basically in good health. I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and Graves Eye Disease about 5 years ago. I declined the traditional Radioactive Iodine treatment and the suggested surgical removal of my thyroid. I also declined the orbital decompression surgery for my eyes. My Mother-in-law and my neighbor lady both went the surgery route (thyroid and eyes) and neither got very good results. After several Endo changes I found an Endocrinologist that was willing to think outside the Merck Manual. I started on 300 mg of PTU and am now down to 50mg. I also started on 60mg of Prednisone and am now down to 5mg. My thyroid levels are almost back in range and my eyes are 90% back to normal. I have been taking 25mg of DHEA and 10mg of Pregnenolone along with the 5mg of Prednisone and 50mg of PTU for about a year. Could I take more Pregnenolone and stop the DHEA and Prednisone? Thanks again for your excellent website and information.
    This is a decision that you and your doctor need to make, it is not possible for me to give such advice without doing a full medical history, exam, and review of all blood test results. All I can say is to use the lowest dosage of these hormones that provide the needed benefits.

One year back I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My TSH was just a little high (5.7) but my gynecologist put me on a very high dose of Synthriod 100 mcg because of this my TSH became very low and I developed hyperthyroidism. I was asked to stop the medicine. In 1 months time my TSH went up to 41 and I was asked to consult an endocrinologist. She told I have Hashimotto's hypothyroidism and I have to take medicine for the rest of my life. I'm just 28 yrs old and I'm really worried. I want to cure my disease through natural treatment options and I don't want to continue taking medicine for the rest of my life. One year back I was perfectly healthy and now I feel very tired. I find it hard to loose weight. Doctors told that my disease is hereditary but no one in my family has this problem. I have read about people getting cure through natural methods. I just wanted to know is it possible to treat hypothyroidism naturally. I'm over weighted.

I have been diagnoses with hyperthyroidism on three different occasions and typically have elevated TPO and Grave's dz anti-bodies. My episodes have been responsive to PTU and I have had periods of euthyroid x several years between the episodes. I am wondering if there are supplements that can support my immune system (so it does not attack my thyroid) in the long run.
    This is a complicated issue and there are no easy answers. The best option is to lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible.

My husband is 61 years old and has silent thyroiditis, and he gains weight, fatigued, and etc.. His thyroid level is always in range but suffering from this problem. He has been taking Iodine Plus but this doesn't help much. Could you suggest any kind of supplement or anything else for him to try? He has had this going on four years.
    Thyroid problems are difficult to treat and it requires a full evaluation including medical history, exam, and review of blood studies over time. Not having this information makes it difficult to accurately suggest any kind of treatment.

 I'm vegan and I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Have you heard about N-Acetyl Tyrosine being used for hypothyroidism? Is Is N-Acetyl Tyrosine vegan?
   As far as I know, it is made synthetically. I have not seen good studies regarding its use for hypothyroidism.