For the new members - Please introduce yourselves so we can get to know you. :)

[Anna-Lee]

Hello,
Thank you

[Mo]

Hello Anna-Lee,

First of all, what is your TSH? Have a fast heart rate is often associated with hyperthyroidism. When you have Hashimoto's Disease, you can also be hyper- or hypo-thyroid depending on your current state. Diet can help but I am curious what your doctor is currently doing for the situation. It's interesting to me that you have a fast heart rate and high blood pressure, yet you are feeling weak and fatigued? Is this because your body is wearing you out with those symptoms or do you actually feel "just tired" all the time. When my heart rate was real high - I was a basket case and could not rest. Do you know what your antibody count is? Did he prescribe Synthroid?

If treatment has not been suggested, you might want to see a natural doctor for a second opinion. Do you have any other conditions you are aware of that could be causing the high blood pressure or fast heart rate? Are you going through a particularly stressful time in your life that might suggest your system is in a fight or flight response?

I would first make a check list of anything that could be causing a fast heart rate and high blood pressure. Mainly:

1. Are you drinking caffeinated drinks. If so, cut them out immediately for relief. (be prepared to work with any side effects of this though because withdrawal symptoms can be terrible - if you need to - cut back a bit at a time to prevent further physical problems from this step)

2. Other foods can also amp your system like coconut oil, chocolate, etc. and other stimulants like over-the-counter drugs including caffeine. Check to see if you are putting anything into your body that could have this effect.

Read my article which might help troubleshoot this area:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2080117_live-better-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html

Please consider a second opinion. You are so newly diagnosed, you have many options to choose from. This is good but getting your symptoms under control (so you have the patience to sift through the information) is of the utmost importance.

Hope this helped. Hope others will be able to lend some advice. Please start a new thread on the board cuz sometimes other posters are not aware of new posts to this thread.

Hang in there. Mo

[Julie]

This thread will be for the new members, the ones who have recently registered. Please tell us:
Hi My name is Julie
 
I received the Hashimotos diagnosis post full hysterectomy (2006).  Prior to the hysterectomy I had been treated for just hypo thyroid. 
1. How long have you had Hashimotos? - 3 years
2. What are you doing for treatment? - Armour Thyroid, Metagenics Medical Foods, and unfortunatly Ultracet for pain.  (Would love to discontinue.)

3. Are you satisfied with the progress or do you feel you need to find a better combination of treatment?
    Regretfully at this time, I am unsatisfied with my progress. 

4. Have you tried any successful diets (whether for losing weight or controlling symptoms) - I am currently on a gluten free, anti inflamatory diet as I have become "sensitive" to many foods.  I have certainly lost some of the unwanted weight, which helps psychologically and takes stress off the body.  For that, I am grateful, however I still have a tremendous amount of joint pain and overall pain and weakness.  It seems as though my body cycles through the food sensitivities and it is everchanging.
I have been extremely disciplined on my food choices for the last 4 months in staying with whole, unprocessed foods.  Intuitively, I feel my body is now reactiving to the positive food choices as well.

5. Tell us anything else about yourself - age, location, etc. that you would like to share -
I am 49 years old and in the Indianapolis area.
I've never participated in a forum such as this and I hate feeling like a negative complainer however we
need to embrace our truth.  Right?  ;-)  I believe there will be another side to this, and am grateful
to gain positive insights and perhaps share some of my own.

Thanks in advance!
Blessings,
Julie

[Mo]

Hello Julie and welcome to the board!

You are not being negative - you are being truthful. We need to be honest with each other if we are to help each other, right?

It sounds like you are doing a lot of good things. Do you have any other diagnosed conditions? Have you checked your body temperature in the morning? You can find more information on how to check your body (or thyroid) as it is functioning at the moment through body temperature and going to Wilson's website here:

http://www.wilsonsthyroidsyndrome.com/

Although I have never used this protocol for treatment, it has been extremely helpful when detecting my body's response to different diets and natural treatments I have tried.

Take a look around this forum for many questions and answers which might interest you and move you towards healing. We are all simply on a journey and since our bodies have many different triggers, we know we all will have different aids to healing.

Thanks for being here. Please make sure you start a new topic next time you post so everyone can see it.

Hang in there and let us know how you're doing.

Mo

[Bluetoes]

Hi my name is Jolie,
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos last year. I decided not to go the traditional western
route and have been been controlling it with diet, Enzyme therapy, and Chinese Medicine.

After I found out I had allergy testing done and cut out all Dairy/Wheat/Refined sugar and went on a candida cleanse regime with an ND which had me taking digestive enzymes, probiotics, and a candida cleansing supplement. I also consulted with a Traditional Chinese doctor who put me on herbs which I had to boil and drink twice daily for quite a few months both doctors felt the enzyme and chinese herbs would be complimentary (the enzymes helping me digest the herbs better). After about 2-3 months all signs of Hashimotos went away and my blood work came back as completely normal.My western doctor was shocked. My ND and Chinese doctor were also surprised at the speed that my body was  able to heal itself.

I have been following a high raw/vegan diet since then and completed a 92 day juice fast this summer (I seem to feel best when juicing or fasting). I have been symptom free until about a 2 months ago when I decided to give myself the weekends off. I had thought because I have been being so good about my diet that reintroducing some foods would be okay. I was wrong. After about a month of having a TINY bit of dairy or wheat (never both)on Friday night or Saturday and eating probably way more potatoes/corn than I should be (but I crave them like crazy). I started feeling cruddy about a month ago and went to see my Dr. My blood work was a shocking wake up call. Super high thyroid levels and way too low iron. So much so my doctor phoned to double check with the lab that these were my blood results because since the fast I'm looking thinner and people keep telling me how healthy I look until the cheat weekends I was feeling GREAT I thought I'd cured myself completely. The results have me feeling frustrated. Now what? I've read that my low iron levels could be because my thyroid is so high. I've been very careful to eat a lot of plant based iron. So now I'm in the process of back tracking and figuring out what went wrong. I'm convinced there is a connection between Hashimotos/digestion. I always feel better when I take a probiotic nightly and remember to take my digestive enzymes. So glad to find a place to talk about it with others going through the same things!

I found a few videos by Dr. Brady Hurst on google video and you tube a few nights ago. Has anyone consulted with him? He seems to feel allergies are directly related to Hashimotos.
 

[Mo]

Hi Jolie,

First of all, can you post those videos you are talking about as a main post on this forum. I would like to see them -especially if he speaks directly about Hashi's.

I am so sorry you have gone through so much of a rollercoaster but you have had so much progress! You are so close to figuring this out. Don't give up. I too believe digestion is key. BUT, here's a thought....

IF digestion is key and IF digestion is controlled by something like - let's say - emotions, should we consider what might be causing the dysfunction to begin with in the digestion? Perhaps our emotions have a lot more to do with this that we know. I have heard that when a person is content and happy, they can digest foods they have trouble digesting otherwise. I am looking into that aspect of Hashimoto's. I love it that we can put our heads together on this board and try to figure these things out.

I think I'll post some material on digestion and emotions. Perhaps our emotions have more to do with digestion than we would like to think. I know my Hashi's was diagnosed after a difficult court battle at which point my children were almost taking away from me. Others have similar stories. Through materials like EFT and other energy therapies, there have been studies proving that the chemical make-up of our body shifts during stress. I am convinced this is an important aspect of Hashimoto's and even other auto-immune diseases. The questions is: if it shifts to dysfunction, can it shift back? And if so, how?

I hope we can all experiment with different approaches because I KNOW the answer is out there. GREAT work on reversing your Hashimoto's, even temporarily. That is a GREAT encouragment to us!

Looking forward to hearing more of your journey!

Mo

[olsolo0]

This thread will be for the new members, the ones who have recently registered. Please tell us:

Hello, my name is Lori.

1. How long have you had Hashimotos?  I have had it for 6 years now.  I was first diagnosed after I had a baby that was stillborn.

2. What are you doing for treatment?  I am currently taking Levothyroxine.

3. Are you satisfied with the progress or do you feel you need to find a better combination of treatment?  I do feel pretty good.  I had a flair up after my last baby (10 months ago) where my thryoid went hyper then hypo again.  Since then I have been experiencing heart palpatations and for about the last 3 months have felt a fullness in my throat.  I switched endocrinologist,  and he lowered my dose to 88 mcg.  I feel great besides those two things.

4. Have you tried any successful diets (whether for losing weight or controlling symptoms)   - NO.

5. Tell us anything else about yourself - age, location, etc. that you would like to share.[/B]

I am wondering if anyone has that feeling of fullness in their throat even when the thyroid is in the "normal" range.  And also if anyone experiences heart palpatations.



P.S. Please note that this is not a forum dedicated to the "technical" side of this disease. It is focused on natural healing and emotional support. It is likely we will discuss test results at times but our focus is mostly how to move towards healing and reverse the damaging course of this disease. Together we will move towards this goal!

[Mo]

Hello Lori and welcome to the board,

Yes, I have palpitations but much more in the past. I have been able to identify the culprits most of the time. I have an article on it here:

http://sites.google.com/site/hashimotosthyroiditis/home

It might help to know it is not uncommon.

Also, I remember the feeling of something in my throat too and I'm sure my levels were in the normal range but I haven't felt that feeling since I've been on the natural desiccated thyroid pills (Naturethroid - like Armour). I don't know if it has something to do with the T3, etc. the natural pill provides but you might want to look into a natural doctor that might allow you to try it.

Feel free to browse my home page you can find on the tabs at the top of the forum and if you post again (and I hope you will), please start a new topic so everyone can see it. Not everyone is notified when people reply to this post.

Take care and glad you are finding that your meds are having some affect. It is not the case for many that come to this board.

Mo

[LynnWilson]

1. How long have you had Hashimotos?
I have struggled for over a year now with a myriad of symptoms, seen many doctors for various things -- ENT, stress test, regular MDs, and even the ER twice, but I was just diagonsed with Hashimoto's about 1 month ago.  Looking back, however, I think my thyroid has struggled for probably 10 years or so.
2. What are you doing for treatment?
I was placed on levothyroxine 50 mcg daily from day #1 and that's still what I'm on.  It dropped my TSH from 43 to 2.72 in one month.

3. Are you satisfied with the progress or do you feel you need to find a better combination of treatment?

While I like my family doctor and I do feel better, I think she's vague about Hashimoto's and she says she would not treat me any differently now that she knows that I have it, except maybe checking my TSH more regularly.  I think I need a few more tests and someone who can explain (and will explain ) things to me better.  Even though I feel better, I still have days of feeling literally horrible.  I want that to change and feel I need more progress than that. 
4. Have you tried any successful diets (whether for losing weight or controlling symptoms)
I have always been a very healthy eater.  I juice fresh carrots and other veggies/fruit, drink fresh herbal infusions from my garden, eat lots of salads and was eating a lot of whole grains.  I have cut out gluten due to a raging eczema that has been biopsied and is just eczema/atopic dermatitis.  My skin is better leaving off gluten, but it was so bad, it'll take awhile to heal.  Other than that, I'm still learning.

5. Tell us anything else about yourself - age, location, etc. that you would like to share.
I am 46, mother of 4 children, we homeschool, I work from home doing medical transcription and have been married for 22 years.  I love to garden, make mosaic birdbaths, do artwork and read.

[Mo]

Hi Lynn!

Glad you made it here! Let me know once you've been able to go over the material on the home page and the forum and maybe post a new topic. Most of the members don't see these new posts on the introduction board.

Hang in there... you WILL feel better soon!

Mo

[JKThompson31]

This thread will be for the new members, the ones who have recently registered. Please tell us:

1. How long have you had Hashimotos?  4years .

2. What are you doing for treatment?  synthyroid  100mcg   Vitamin d Supp .

3. Are you satisfied with the progress or do you feel you need to find a better combination of treatment?   I have not been satisfied for the last 1 1/2  I keep telling my DR. that I feel like Dr. Jakyel and MR. Hyde .  He looks at me like I have lost it .   What son frustrating is that I know that I don't feel right  but can not  give details on my symptoms.   I hate when I feel like my nerves are crawling .

4. Have you tried any successful diets (whether for losing weight or controlling symptoms)  I am currently trying weight watchers . I gain 30 pounds or more before I was diagnoised

5. Tell us anything else about yourself - age, location, etc. that you would like to share.  I am 31 years old  married and have 2 boys . My husband does not like it  when I am so tired and cranky > which makes me upset cause I feel like I cannot control  it>   I am so glad  that I found this site . I have been looking for someone that understands what I am going through  who doesn' t think that I am crazy

Thank you for registering. We are looking forward to your input and hope we can support you.

Mo

P.S. Please note that this is not a forum dedicated to the "technical" side of this disease. It is focused on natural healing and emotional support. It is likely we will discuss test results at times but our focus is mostly how to move towards healing and reverse the damaging course of this disease. Together we will move towards this goal!

[Mo]

Hello JK (for lack of knowing your first name)

Yes, one thing that is a common thread for people with this disease is they tend to feel they are going crazy - not being believed that their symptoms are real. It just doesn't always have justification in the "test results" and it is definitely irritating.

The only consolation I have for you is that there ARE doctors (normally natural ones) out there that believe that, get this, "how you feel is the best indicator if the current treatment is working or not". Imagine that!

So, I am sorry you are feeling this way but it is so common.

Please take a look around my home page (you can find it on the tab on top of this forum) and familiarize yourself with the information offered. Feel free to post on this forum but please start with a new post so that the subject matter will be seen by all and others can comment.

Please see my article here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2080117_live-better-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html

It might reveal ways you can identify contributors to your symptoms and also may help you determine your next step in your search for healing. I very much recommend a natural thyroid supplement instead of the Synthroid but some people do fine on it so it is each particular person's situation.

Also, a natural doctor generally looks at your whole body and can determine ways to improve the chances of healing or at least minimizing symptoms by means completely removed from only focusing on the thyroid. I also have a blog you can get to from my home page which you might like to look around on.

Hope this has helped a bit. Hang in there.

Mo

[CX]

Hi all!
   I was diagnosed with Hashi's 5 months ago. Because I have a great GP, he actually carried NatureThyroid in his office, so I started taking it immediately.  From that first pill, I felt that mental fog lift. Now, I am taking 2 grains of NT, and progesterone. Initially, I was having heart palpitations every evening whereby I would have 1 skipped for every 10 normal beats. Sometimes the beta-blocks didn't even work very well.
   All my life I have been a very active person. Having Hashi's is very hard for me to accept. If my doc was saying that I can do this or that and I will be cured, then I could accept it. What I can't accept is waiting for my body to destroy itself.  This is an immune disorder, so why aren't we being treated for our immune disorder? I understand treating the symptoms, and I certainly feel better for having done so. But, doggone-it, I want to treat to source of this thing, not just the symptoms.
   That being said, I started taking Zrii about 5 weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised when my heart palpitations stopped.  I am keeping careful documentation of how much I am taking and how it affects my symptoms. If this is helping me as much as I think, then I really do want to share it. But like everything else we read on the Internet, it needs to be taken for what it is...anecdotal evidence for what Zrii has done for me personally.
   I look forward to reading what everyone else is doing to help themselves. 

[Greenbean]

Hello,
    I was just diagnosed about a month ago. Here is my story. Back in early 2003 my doctor felt a nodule in my thyroid and ordered a sonogram. They concluded there was nothing to worry about. That was that and I let it go.
   Well back in May I really became concerned with my major cold intolerance of many years and decided to look into it. My thyroid tests (free T4 and TSH only) came back normal in May. This was a new doctor, now that I didn't have insurance anymore. My gut was telling me there was still something wrong with my thyroid. My mother takes Synthroid, but has also had 3 kids and told me it was from that. So in June I got the Mirena IUD. Two months later I came down with the WORST depression. I almost dropped out of college. My doctor put me on Prozac....and that was hell. I felt like a robot- and had no libido or ability to have an orgasm. Might be TMI, but its a super common thing with Prozac. After a month I lost it and stopped the Prozac and pulled out the IUD MYSELF!! Within days I was feeling somewhat better. During this time I had seen an endocrinologist (had to really push for the doc to make my appt with her) at the clinic I went to. She seemed pretty unconcerned after a simple interview...then she felt my thyroid. It was 1.5 to 2 X's bigger than it should be and one of the nodules was at least 1cm in diameter. She ordered the antibodies test and it came back positive. I was told in a letter, and advised to do nothing. She also ordered a sonogram and said it was likely they would do a needle biopsy. I can't get these test because I have no coverage, sigh.
    Oh and I also have some uterine fibroids. I am told by the endo that they are not linked. Some think they are. Don't know what to think about that.
  I don't want to do nothing! I'm a normal weight 5'7" 135lbs (been vegetarian for 15 years) so I don't seem a likely candidate for hypo, but I feel the memory loss, the brainfog and the cold intolerance. It could be in the 60's and I would be shivering. I was told "you're just a cold person"
  Now for the last couple of weeks, when I eat wheat, I feel like total crap. The brainfog is worse, and I feel like I'm going to throw up for hours. Just got married and turned 30 and I feel so old and tired. Worried about fertility issues too as we want to wait a few more years. His ex miscarried from thyroid issues, and I suspect my friend who just miscarried this week has it too. She mentioned that she suspected it and her throat is always sore but hasn't gotten it checked because she "didn't want to know"
   I guess I'm going on for a while but this is all new and I'm experiencing no help from the medical world, and trying to get through my senior year of college and its so hard- especially the brainfog and the energy level issues. My outer throat is sore and and sometimes it feels like a finger is poking my thyroid area. Just want to address this before it gets any worse. I'm going to try going wheat free, and it seems there may be a connection. I have also read that the Mirena (hormone upset) could be a factor. This seems like a good forum and its comforting to read others posts. How can the ignorance of doctors be so epidemic!?

[Mo]

Hi and Welcome to the forum - I am going to move your post for a new topic (if you don't mind) because not all members will see your story from this thread.

Also, my first thought is that you said you are vegetarian. Are you a big soy eater? Just wondering because soy can be a big culprit in hypothyroidism. You might try checking out some of the foods that are known to have an effect on the thyroid and see if your diet might give you clues and ways to combat it better.

I have an article on the top of my forum in a post "How to live better with Hashimotos thyroiditis" which might give you some very initial ideas of how to approach your situation. All in all, most of us don't feel very listened to by the traditional medical field so you are not alone.

Hang in there and maybe someone else will comment on your post. I do recommend finding a way to get off of all drugs that are not absolutely necessary - not including any thyroid supplements you might be currently taking.

Take care, Mo