Thyroid too high

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althea
althea Member Posts: 1,595
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
Thyroid too high
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  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited January 2008

    I had some bloodwork done recently and my cholesterol and thyroid numbers are out of normal range.  I'm especially disappointed in my cholesterol, considering that I've been eating flaxseed for breakfast since last May. 

    I'm not surprised by the thyroid though.  My ass dragging mode has been even worse than usual for many weeks now.  My result was 6.4, normal .350 to 5.5.  I see my internist next week. Any ideas of what I can expect, and are there any natural remedies for this?

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  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2008

    Althea,

    My thyroid started going up after treatment (August) and my doctor incresed my medication but thyroid numbers continued to increase until 6.4 like yours.  That was five weeks ago. She called me yesterday that my latest TSH was 1.X (can't remember what the "X" was) and said that's where it should be.  It took a while to bring it back to normal (almost six months).  I'm now on Synthroid, 125. 

    I don't believe there are any natural remedies, but I've found my thyroid medication the least invasive of any drug I've taken with respect to side effects.  And when my thyroid is in normal range I feel better.  Your doctor may suggest a scan of your thyroid to be sure there are no nodules, but I think you should expect to be given Synthroid or a generic (less expensive).  It takes a while, at least a month, to see a difference.  Your cat looks like ours.

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  • lisametoo
    lisametoo Member Posts: 187
    edited January 2008

    Dear Althea,

    It is a coincidence you asked this question, because that is what I'm researching today.  Here is a good link  http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/breast-cancer.htm

    http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=69     

    If you will put in "natural remedies for thyroid", you will find some links.  There are some really good herbal products out there that can help to regulate this important gland.  Of course, check with your Doc.  Sincerely,

    Lisa

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  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited January 2008

    I have been on thyroid meds for 20 yrs now - soon to be 43... this week even  lol --  I have always been on 100 mcgs ( or .1 mg ) anyways  - after starting Tamoxifen end of July 2007... man was my butt dragging and indicated this to my oncl in Sept  with the TSH bloodwork done at that time  -  geeez my TSH was at  10----  no wonder I was dragging  ( with my meds I'm normally in the 1.5 area randge for TSH)  so The oncl upped my meds to 112 mcgs ( .112 ) was rechecked again after 6 weeks and it was back down to the range of 1.3 or so ... and I could feel a big difference in my daily spunk  lol  ---- now if only that scale woul dgo done in weight  - having underactive thyroid and tamoxifen pill taking sure doesn't help with weight loss  ... gained about 10 pounds with tamoxifen starting  grrrr...

    I see the oncl on 1/23  - so I will be interested what my TSH reads at that point.

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  • lisametoo
    lisametoo Member Posts: 187
    edited January 2008

    Dear Althea,

    Here is a terrific article about the thyroid, and what you can do to regulate it:   http://www.naturallifechiropractic.com/thyroid2/The%20Thyroid.pdf

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2008

    My TSH was a whopping 11! I had gone to the doctor with intense fatigue. He wasn't convinced it was my thyroid, even with the 11 TSH because he thought it was a lab mistake! I redid the test and it went down to 6. I redid it again and it stayed at 6. It's down to 3 now with meds (.25 mcg.). It was normal before chemo. The pill really took care of the fatigue, which was my only symptom.

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  • lisametoo
    lisametoo Member Posts: 187
    edited January 2008

    This is fascinating stuff:  http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmselect/cmsctech/332/0062112.htm

    About 5 years ago when I started having perimenopausal symptoms, I read the book "What your Drs. don't tell you about menopause".  There I learned a bit about the thyroid and how zeno-estrogens can interfere with normal functioning.  That's when I started using progesterone cream with fabulous results, and tried to remove all versions of it from my personal care products, (went organic).  All of this is very intricately woven together.  Are there any endrocrinologists on this board? 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited January 2008

    Althea

    I have been taking thyroid hormone since I was 35, and as much as I have researched, although there are natural supplements which can help boost a slow thyroid, the only way to keep it balanced is to take thyroid hormone.  You would likely need to take it for the rest of your life...  As we get older, our thyroid slows down.  I have an auto immune thyroid condition.

    Good Luck!

    Harley

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  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2008

    Question:  My TSH is now down to 1.X, but for years it was about 4.5, on medication.  My previous doctor never suggested it should be lower.  Was I dragging myself around because my TSH was too high, although in the normal range?  I have friends whose TSH was in the 20's, 30's and above, so I thought 4.5 was ok, but yesterday when my doctor gave me my new number, she said,"this is where it should be."  My question is strictly for information, as there's nothing I can do about the past.

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  • lisametoo
    lisametoo Member Posts: 187
    edited January 2008
    http://www.endocrineweb.com/TFT.html  
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  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited January 2008

    I read last year some info regarding TSH  ranges - and with interest I learned that the best range for one to really feel good at when taking thyroid meds for hypothyroid is a range of 1.2 - 1.9 TSH -- obvioulsy the standard lab range for TSH .5 - 5.0.... but reading the following article listed >>> seems to be a new range for guideline

    no higher then 3.0 for TSH

    http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/aacereversal.htm

    These are a few excerpts taken from the website listed at the bottom of my post .....and qouted by other ppl.

    1. About.com Thyroid Disease Weblinks and News: "What is Normal TSH? Probably Somewhere Around 1.0!"

    QUOTE ...I work in a hospital lab and have done thousands of thyroid profiles. I've discovered that, while normal range for TSH is 0.5-5.0, the AVERAGE TSH for patients with no thyroid disease, is around 1.0!

    2. Mary J. Shomon, author of Living Well With Autoimmune Disease (2002) and Living Well With Hypothyroidism (2000), and About.com Guide to Thyroid Disease: "HELP! My TSH Is 'Normal' But I Think I'm Hypothyroid"

    QUOTE ..... In my own experience, I feel downright awful at anything above 4, and I feel great between 1 and 2, which is where my endocrinologist keeps my TSH. But some doctors would have no problem keeping me between a TSH of 4 and 5.5, still in the "normal" range, despite the fact that I still have the full range of hypothyroid symptoms &8212; fatigue, weight gain, irregular menstrual periods, dry skin, hair falling out &8212; at those levels.

    http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh/tshrefs3.php

    AFter reading this information - I plan to keep my TSH level below 2...  also I never been to an  endocrinolgist  -- maybe its time to see someone on that speciality field ??

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited January 2008

    unlimited,

    Mary Shomon's web site is great for thyroid information!  I also read about the "new" normal range for TSH...  but MOST drs. STILL don't know about it!! 

    I saw an endocrinologist after I was first dx'd with thyroid disorder, and they were NO HELP!!!   I decided that I would keep an eye on my levels, always ask for a print out of your test results, and keep monitoring how I feel, because that should be the determining factor for a dose change... how we feel.... but most drs. don't care about that, either...  just mho.

    Hugs,

    Harley

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  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited January 2008
    Thank you everyone for your feedback and links to more information.  My doctor wants to test the thyroid one more time in a month before prescribing anything.  For the cholesterol, I'm supposed to exercise more, lose weight and follow a lowfat diet.  Exercising more I can envision.  Lowfat diet, I'm not so crazy about it.  I must be in denial.  I stopped at a doughnut shop on the way home and ate 3 glazed doughnuts.  I can definitely scale back some of my consumption of dairy products, but I've tried the lowfat route before and really couldn't stand it. 
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited January 2008

    Althea,

    Something to mention, and maybe you can bring it up to your dr., is that if your thyroid is underactive, and your TSH is high, you may also have elevated cholesterol levels... it goes hand in hand with a thyroid condition.  In my experience, even being on synthroid doesn't really help the cholesterol situation.

    Just an FYI...

    Harley

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  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited January 2008

    I was actually wondering more about how much effect lifestyle change will affect my thyroid.  I feel confident I can tweak my lifestyle enough to get my cholesterol down.  But how much will lifestyle changes improve my thyroid function?  And further, would I have an easier time getting the weight off if my thyroid was functioning properly? 

    At the very best, I seem to maintain my weight, and I've been walking nearly every day for 30+ minutes over the last two years.  I weigh 183 and my height is 5'8".  I'll definitely do some reading at Mary Shomon's site to see what is within my control with the thyroid.  I am SO tired of being tired.  

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited January 2008

    Althea-

    Yes, I know the feeling...I am tired of being tired, too...

    Check out Mary Shoman's website for information.

    I don't think there is a natural supplement that you can take to really improve your thyroid.  I have read that Selenium helps, and so does kelp, I have read. 

    Good Luck!

    Harley 

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited January 2008

    Althea, you might consider doing some resistance training/exercise along with the walking.  You don't have to start with weights, just rubber bands (exercise type) they help with muscle strength and that, in turn, helps burn fat.  The more muscle you have the more fat burned.

    You are really dedicated with your walking, I'm so impressed, wish I had that much didication.  My hips hurt too much and I have to protect my knees, too.  I do resistance and weight in the pool and that has really toned my muscles and increased the strength.

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited May 2008

    TSH Levels

    I have been test off & On for Thyroid issues...They have always been 'normal'  I have had Symptoms of both Hypo & Hyper...I cant even recall what symptoms I have had over the years...Because I am so used to living with them & I was always in the  normal range (.34-2.50 says on my Chart)

    So today as I am readign about Iodine & Kelp.

    I decided to look up my TSH #s.

    They really varied.   I have 4 years worth in my Records

    2/08 right before my DX for BC  1.69

    4/07   2.27 -found a Goiter on my Thyroid that spring during a Chest CT -Looking into my SOB-still wasnt diagnosed with my PFO)

    11/05   .87

    10/04    1.80

    Can anyone tell me why the #s might vary each year?

    Or explain what they might mean anyway as far as Iodine & Kelp Suppliments?

    Thanks,

    Pam

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  • anondenet
    anondenet Member Posts: 715
    edited May 2008

    Oh Pam, I have had the same experience over the years. A little too low thyroid, a little too high, a little goiter, then goiter gone. The blood tests have been pretty useless and don't reflect how I feel.

    I took kelp with no success. Got hives. Plus now the kelps are contaminated with arsenic from the poluuted oceans.

    The first day I took Iodoral for the loading test I felt different. You may be different. If I had only one supplement to take, it would be iodine. I truly think if I had enough iodine for the years preceding my diagnosis tha I could have avoided breast cancer.

    anom

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