Thyroid Treatment

I just read in a First magazine that reduced iodine levels can lead to thyroid problems. Just a thought you might want to try. I always prefer to try other things before resorting to medications.

Hi B.,
I have been on armour thyroid for 7 years and have two healthy, beautiful girls, ages 6 and 3. Aside from an occassional blood draw, the medication has been very helpful. Armour has TSH, T4 and T3, a benefit because synthroid only has TSH or T4. There is a supplemental product, called VEMMA, that has helped others I know to decrease their medication. For me, the medication has had very few drawbacks and it is not difficult to take. Good luck figuring it all out, definately find a good endocrinologist to help you find out what will be best for you and your body.
K.

Hi B.,
I also have a thyroid condition - HyperThyroidism. I was diagnosed after my 1st but about a year before my 2nd. I had no problem at all getting pregnant - in fact, I was pregnant twice but one was a miscarriage. When I got pregnant the other time, I was worried that the medication might not be good but the doctors prefered me staying on the medication, in fact, they took me off my cholesterol meds but kept me on the thyroid. Partly, they said that the cholesterol levels will go up/down with pregnancy so there was no way to tell if they were getting the dose right but the thyroid meds were okay because it was better to keep my thyroid in check while pregnant than it was to take me off the meds for months. I was a high-risk patient and I think that if they thought there was any speculation as to the safety of the baby or me, they would have taken me off the meds. Check with your doctor and explain that you want to get pregnant, are there any risks with the type of medication he/she wants to prescribe? And, once you get pregnant, will you need to change meds or will the meds you are on be safe for the baby?

Yes, I am on the meds for the duration, however, I also have Diabetes and am use to meds all the time. I understand that you might want to go alternative and there is nothing wrong with that, but keep in mind that alternatives can also, just like regular meds, mess with your system and not all alternatives are safe for babies either. Be sure with whatever you choose to use to control, discuss with your doctor/OBGYN so they know that you are taking them and can advise if it isnt safe for you or the baby. Since you have one already, you know that having a baby takes a toll on the body and makes your hormones all wonky - just be sure that the docs are aware so nothing happens to you.

I hope you have success in your efforts and health! Take care of yourself!
L.

RE: i just wanted to share with you that i have a thyroid problem for 6 years now, i had no idea because i was trying to have a baby, i couldn't have a preg, so i went to the doc. he told me that i needed thyroid meds. so i started to take my thyroid med and then wouldn't you know i got pg. just to let you know that thyroid meds won't affect your pregnancy or your baby you will need the thyroid meds for your baby to grow. also if you are not taking your meds your baby can have thyroid problems too. now i have 3 beautyful kids. go to www.webmd.com to read up on thyroid.

Hi B.,

I don't have a thyroid due to thyroid cancer and have been on Synthroid for many years, adjusting when I needed to. It was disappointing to realize I would need to be on medication for the rest of my life, but I am thankful it is a available.

For a nonprescription thyroid suppliment, I've added a webpage on a product called Thyroid Support Formula that my sister takes and just loves. This web page has information on the science behind the product, the benefits, ingredients, FAQ, it's uniqueness and even a product demo. http://www.marketamerica.com/kimkalin/index.cfm?action=sh...

Sorry it is so long, I wanted the address to take you to the specific page. It helps promote healthy thyroid function and healthy levels of thyroid hormone. Take a moment to read about it's other great benefits. Since I don't have a thyroid I am unable to take the product so I am stuck with synthroid artificial means of giving me thyroid hormone.

I wish you the best and God Bless,
K

There's an MD with books on thyroid. His name is Shames. I read his book Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled? It was fantastic, and about the thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones and doing all you can to help yourself and how to find a doctor who will really work with you. He has another book specifically about thyroid. You can find the books on amazon. That's how I came to start seeing a Naturopathic Doctor, who has been helping me with my hormone issues.

After my third baby my thyroid was just a little off. An alternative practitioner recommended taking Kelp supplement
to add iodine to my system. This helped in my case but I'm not sure if it would work in your case. Also, when I was researching alternatives I found out that compounding pharmacists can put together some thyroid treatments as well. I don't know a lot about this because my condition improved but you may want to research this. I recommend this website as a good starting place: womensinternational.com
It is a compounding pharmacy for all kinds of bio-identical formulas. I think you may need more research and help with this, but this is a good place to start.
Good luck to you good mama!

B.,
I have been on synthroid for hypothyroid for over 10 years now. I had weird peroids 2 years ago (I'm 30) and they changed me over to armour, which is the only other drug I know that replaces the thyroid hormone. I was told that my thyroid levels might even out at some point and I won't need the drugs anymore but alas that is not the case. It is completely safe to take the drugs while pregnant. In fact even a hundred years ago they were prescribing thyroid medicine to women while pregnant because your levels change during pregnancy. I made my OB test my thyroid every few weeks while pregnant because I was worried that the hormones would change (which they did - they uped my medicine once). From what I read it is actually worse on the baby to NOT be on medicine because then the baby is not getting the right levels.
I would recommend meeting with an endocrinologist before you get pregnant. That is what I did. They know everything about the thyroid so you can feel like you are in the right hands between that person and your OB.
Best of luck!
Oh - and I had no probs getting pregnant. It took one month. :)

Hello!
You are not alone in discovering a thyroid problem. Some types run in families, like hashimoto's, which is what I have. Going on medication will help with your symptoms. There are people out there who find a natural remedy that works, and I am sure that you will get advice readily from them. Bottom line, find an endocrinolgist you like and trust to help you find a dose to meet your needs. If you choose not to go on meds, know that your risk of having birth defects in-utero can be elevated. Discuss what is going on with you and be perfectly frank about your plans to get pregnant with your doctors. They can help you find the right road for you. They will probably recommend waiting until your levels are normal until getting pregnant. You should be tested often while you are prego to make sure your levels are within normal range. Being on meds for the rest of your life isn't really that bad when you compare it to other health issues that could be going on with your life. It's not like birth control where if you forget to take your meds, there are severe consequences. You take it when you remember, and life moves on. We had no problems getting pregnant after starting meds. I had no problems with birth or postpartum. They just test you often and adjust your dose accordingly. Be honest and frank with your caregivers. They are there to help you be a better you. Good luck and be well!

L.

HI B.!

Best wishes to you in your search for alternative solutions!

I don't have any people experience for you, but our kitty (19yrs) has a high thyroid condition. I have a friend who is a homeopathic vet. She has been successfully treating our cat with a homeopathic remedy as well as revamping her diet.

Are you in an area that has a natrupath or homeopath?

Again, best wishes to you!
-A.

I have been taking thyroid medication since college. I took my thyroid medication throughout my pregnancy and had a very healthy pregnancy, birth, and child. There are several different types of thyoid conditions. Some can be treated without medication, some cannot. If you have the kind that cannot (as I do), it is so important that you take the medication, as the thyroid attacks itself, which can lead to infertility, as well as many other issues. Additionally, it is important to continue taking the medication during pregnancy, as not can lead to problems (including developmental delays). Definatley talk with your doctor. There are things you can do to help support your thyroid regardless of whether or not you need medication, such as altering your diet. Please feel free to contact me if you want to chat about this further, either through this site or my email: ____@____.com Good luck!!

I had hyperthyroidism for almost 5 years before they found it. Occasionally this condition will resolve on its own, but often it needs to be treated. Graves disease caused my hyperthyroidism. I was initially on both heart medication, and medication to suppress my thyroid. The doctor said it was unlikely the condition would go into remission, since it was in such an advanced stage. I had the option of either radiation treatment or surgery. I chose the surgery. Because I had my thyroid completely removed, I am on once a day medication to supplement the hormones my thyroid provided. I have been on this medication for 6 years or so, and have had 2 healthy sons since I started this medicine. The only issue that was a pain, besides having to take the pill every day, was having to have my thyroid levels monitored closely during my pregnancy because you will often need to increase thyroid medication to help support your baby while pregnant. No difficulty at all getting pregnant as a result of being on hypothyroid medication. However, I am pretty sure that most doctors will advice you NOT to get pregnant if you are hyperthyroid. It is a rather unhealthy condition and is not a good state to be in if you are pregnant. Please feel free to send me a personal message if you would like to discuss this further. I have a lot of experience, and a have done a bunch of research on thyroid issues. :)

being Hypo thyroid will inhibit your ability to get pregnant and will also cause miscarriages. Your thyroid manages your reproductive organs. If you want more children and you want to avoid a great deal of heartache then get set up with a good endochrinologist. FYI I used to work closely with an endochrine surgeon.

I'm on lyvoxil for thyroid discoverd because I could not get pregnant. I took the meds all through my pregnancy and even now. I got tested every few months during and after my daughter and now about every year. I have never had any problems. PS I was pregnant just 2 months after starting them. I feel better than ever!

B.,
Are you open to trying acupuncture? I know a fabulous practice that I'd be happy to recommend. I think it's great you're looking for alternatives before resorting to the pharmaceutical industry!
K.

It is absolutely NOT true that you WILL be on meds your entire life if you start the medication. I had hyperthyroidism after my 1st child. I went on the meds (PTU) and had a great endocrinologist (Shannon Heitritter of the Polyclinic in Seattle). She monitored my dosage and levels very closely and then weaned me off of the meds. I have been med free now for over a year and have had a second healthy child without any pregnancy or conception complications. I considered all sorts of alternative medication and was told by several eastern med folks to take the meds. It can be very dangerous if your levels are high and untreated. Please feel free to email me if you have more questions.

Do you know if you have hypo or hyper thyroidism? HypERthyroidism means that you make too much thyroid hormone. HypOthyroidism means that you do not produce enough thyroid hormone. The test they use to check your thyroid is called a TSH. If your TSH levels are high, it usually means you are not making enough thyroid hormone. I have Hypothyroidism. Before I found out, some of the symptoms I experienced were fatigue, hair thinning and constipation. I have been taking Levoxyl, which makes my thyroid hormone level again, for about 4 years. It is true that you usually have to be on these pills for life once you start but it's really not a big deal, in my opinion. First thing I do when I get up in the morning is take my pill. When I got pregnant, I needed a higher dosage. Its something you need to keep a careful eye on when you get pregnant because the baby will use up all your thyroid hormone causing your TSH to sky rocket. Its not a big deal, just something you need to check out every 4-6 weeks while pregnant and less frequent than that when you're not pregnant. It's a simple blood test. Its better to be taking the right dosage than not taking anything at all. It is important to keep your thyroid in check espeically when you are pregnant. By the way, my husband and I did not have any difficulty conceiving. After I had my baby, the dosage went down again. Here is a website with some good info: http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

Hello, because of my thyroid condition finally being discovered, I did get pregnant after trying unsuccessfully for 14 years. Yes you will have to be on medication for the rest of your life but it is only to replace what your body naturally can't produce or in your case lessen it. My daughter, from this pregnancy, is now almost 8 and has a thyroid condition also, and she will have to be taking medication for the rest of her life. It is a small pill that makes her have the proper energy and growth. The side-effects are minimal, possible weight gain, but not being tired and lethargic outway that. I wish you luck on trying to figure out a natural way to treat this.

L.

Hello B.! I have been on thyroid medication for low thyroid through both of my pregnancies, and it is perfectly safe. So really, the medication is the only way to really even out your hormonal imbalances, and you will feel so much better once you get going on the medication. No worries about pregnancies!

B., I glanced through all of your responses and did not see any recommending the nutritioanl products we use and distribute. They are the best form of nutrition our family has ever used or heard about and I have tried many supplements! It is broad based nutrition and because of how well balanced the formulas are and the quality of ingredients used people get amazing results. I have talked to many people with thyroid inbalances in either direction hyper or hypo sho have been helped, many getting off thyroid meds! The idea is to feed the body what it needs at the cellular level and the body know how to balance out and heal itself. Email me and I will give you a website where you can get more information. ____@____.com

Most medications are simply a replacement hormone, one that was being made by your body naturally and isn't, so taking them shouldn't interfere with pregnancy. You will have a harder time getting pregnant without these hormones being regulated! You are on medication as long as your levels stay the same, otherwise they adjust it. I do not know of anyone who quit medications or never took them and controlled the problem. Even those who've chosen not to see an MD at least see a naturopath for something! It's super important to get control of your thyroid....go see someone!

The medication that is prescribed for hypothyroidism (high levels of thyroid) is very safe in pregnancy. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my 4yo was born and, yes, once you start the medication, you are essentially on it for life. I now have a 2 week old son and continued the medication throughout my pregnancy with no side effects and no harm to him. They did draw blood to check my levels of thyroid a little more often, but all-in-all, everything was good.

Hope that helps!

I really don't think the meds would not hurt any future pregnancies but talk to yourdoctor. I'm on Tyroid meds and so happy to be so. I feel great! I was told that medication was the only way to bring my levels down and yes, I'll be on it for life. We need our Thyroid to be working properly, it's a very important part of our body. Thyroid disease can take your life.
D.

On the contrary, the synthroid will make you feel better, doesn't harm the fetus, and will increase your chances of getting pregnant. Same for the fathers. If their thyriod is off, they have trouble with conception, too. I had Graves Disease when I was 28. I no longer have an active thyroid, so I have been on synthroid ever since. We got pregnant with our 2 boys the first times we tried. Am still on the same doseage of synthroid 30 years later.
Go for it!

I highly suggest a book called "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause," by Dr. John Lee. It may sound completely unrelated to your situation, but it explains in depth about the thyroid, in ways your doctor might not and how conventional treatment can be detrimental to your body. It also explains an amazing natural remedy that it generally very effective. Certainly worth it to read it at least. Good luck!

I am on thyroxine for my hypothyroid and have been for 6-8 years. I was never told that it may effect getting pregnant, but you are right, that I take one little pill every day and will for the rest of my life. It took my husband about 11 months to get pregnant, but we did conceive and have a beautiful 15 month old girl. My OB also did not mention that the thyriod could have been the problem for it taking so long to get pregnant. I would love it if you could share with me what you know about it effecting pregnancy and if you learn of any natural ways of dealing with it.
Thank you!

Oh B., yes I do have an answer to your question on alternative to meds. I realize you do not know me, but trust me on this if you are truely wanting a solution! Look at this website to first learn about the company who discovered what the body needs to work properly. Mannatech, Inc. is a research and development. As a leader and pioneer in the wellness industry, Mannatech has been recognized as one of the industry's most innovative companies for the past 14 years. The cutting edge products are based on PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES that set them apart from other wellness companies. I would like to help you find the help you are searching for, email me back and I can give you my phone number is you wish to communicate that way. - W.

My thyroid levels went high after having my first son in 2004. I have been on medication since then. In 2007 I had another baby. During my pregnancy my doctor checked my levels every few months and then adjusted my meds if needed. As long as the medication is keeping your levels in a normal range it should not affect the pregnancy. My doctor did say you could have trouble getting pregnant if the thyroid levels are not in a normal range. I hope this helps.

I am a mom of a boy almost 4 and a boy that is 20 months. I am also a full time college student.

B.,
Almost seven years ago it was discovered that I had a high thyroid, quite by accident. I was given one choice by my doctor at the time- medication. I turned that choice down because he told me the type I had to go on would cross the placenta if I was pregnant and would harm the baby. Not might, but would. I was getting married in two months... I was not risking my chances of having a child. So I got a second opinion. I was referred to a wonderful endocrinologist who gave me a lot of choices. I chose to have my thyroid radiated. Simple procedure. After a couple months my thyroid was pretty much dead. I am now on meds to make my thyroid work, and yes, I probably will be on them the rest of my life. BUT..... I had no problems getting pregnant twice! I have two beautiful children and a thyroid disorder and the two work together just fine. If you go that route you will just need to visit your doctor and get blood work done every six weeks or so while pregnant just to make sure your levels stay normal because a high or low thyroid will cause problems in your pregnancy and keeping the baby full-term.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thyroid disease is perfectly easy to deal with and boy do you feel better when treated right!
M.