Do I need thyroid support ?

[halam]

Hi all,

I am a new member of this forum and this is my 1st message :)
I've just received my thyroid blood results which I'd like to discuss with you:

TSH - 3.72 (reference range 0.27-4.2)
T4 free - 17.7 (reference range 12-22)
T3 free - 5.2 (reference range 3.1-6.8)
Anti TGAb - 20 (reference range 0-40)
Anti TPO - 16.4 (reference range 0-35)

TSH is little bit higher but still in reference range.
I am not sure whether I should take some thyroid support or whether I should rely on diet only.
What do you think?

Thank you very much.

 

[Mittir]

Welcome to the forum
RP has mentioned that he has never seen a comfortably healthy person with
TSH above 2, Ideally TSH should be below 0.4.
RP recommends total T3 and total T4 test and reverse T3.
Your free T3 and free T4 are both above median range.
I think diet should be the main focus.
Thyroid supplement can not help if diet is poor.
Age and gender plays a big role in hypothyroidism.
Female and older people are more likely to have hypothyroidism
and Estrogen is a major contributor.
Young and lean people usually have quicker recovery.
What kind of diet you had before ?
what is your current diet?
80+ grams of quality protein and raw carrot salad ( or cooked bamboo shoots)
can make a big difference in a short period of time.
Measuring temperature and pulse 1-2 hours after breakfast
gives a good idea about thyroid function.

 

[halam]

Thank you for answer.
I am male 36 years old. When I started to be tired about 3 years ago my practitioner told me that I have adrenal fatigue from challenging job and family stress. Before that I was nearly on vegetarian diet with lot of soya, raw vegetable, legume, whole grains... .
Based on my practitioner advice I was using plenty of supplements to support my adrenals and I was recommended low carb, no sugar, no dairy, no fruit, no coffee, no stimulants, no flour. I would say 70% of my diet was cooked vegetable + meat + little bit brown rice.

In last 2 weeks I added 1 quart of milk and 1 cheese daily and I am not restricting my carbs (rice and potatoes are daily in my diet).
I am still eating rice with cooked vegetable and meat every day for breakfast, I started to avoid the highest content PUFA foods, I bought collagen last week and started to use coconut oil every day + apple cider vinegar. I also eat eggs like 2 or 3 times a week.
I've underestimated the carrot salad so far. Now I realized it lowers estrogen which can lead to hormonal balance. I am going to add it to my diet.
I am still afraid of sugar and coffee :) little bit. I will need more time to accept it, because I am newbie in RP world...

Thank you very much.

 

[charlie]

halam,

 

[aguilaroja]

Your choice of plan depends partly on the amount of distress and urgency. There are several orthodox organization who would treat TSH above 2.5 or 3.0. Thyroid supportive measures without supplementing may be a slower boost.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthy ... bs2003.htm

If you haven't already done so, go through a checklist of low thyroid symptoms. You may be surprised at things listed that you have "lived with". Track and record resting temperature and pulse, at least for a few days every few weeks. these will be helpful to track progress.

In the meantime, be generous with salt & protein, get a bit sunlight when you can, enjoy some fruit. Many other measures, including pregnenolone, are discussed in various posts.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=588

 

[Mittir]

If you are afraid of sugar,you can use ripe sweet fruits as a major
source of carbohydrate. I do not think there are many Doctors who would
suggest against limiting fruits. Milk sugar ( Lactose) is also a good source.
If your thyroid function is low you need to be careful with drinking too much
fluid, adding extra salt can help with it.
Here is a general dietary guideline.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20

@Charlie
I think placing this link of general dietary guidelines in a
visible place will help newcomers get a good start.

 

[charlie]

Mittir, I have made that thread into an announcement and have also added a "General Dietary Guidelines" link on the main portal menu.

 

[halam]

Thank you all for answers.
I am going to concentrate on my diet at first.
In case I would like to speed up my thyroid healing little bit, what could be a starting "gentle" supplement for me?

Thank you.

 

[j.]

In case I would like to speed up my thyroid healing little bit, what could be a starting "gentle" supplement for me?

The lowest dose in the market I think is half a grain, 18 mcg of T4, 4 mcg of T3. I used ERFA 30 mg. I also took it sporadically before I decided to take it regularly.

 

[north]

If your thyroid function is low you need to be careful with drinking too much
fluid, adding extra salt can help with it.

Mittr, exactly how does thyroid relate to the fluids. Im interested caus i feel very sh**y when i have to much OJ and milk, and i get pretty bad stomage pain. No matter how much salt. I need at least ~300g solid food like meat every day to not get problems. Is it not the case if thyroid is good?

 

[Mittir]

@prototypejohn
I did a post on problem with excess fluid .
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3395&p=40181#p40181