Does anyone use a natural thyroid supplement?

[amybajamy]

I have hypothyroidism and I've taken synthroid for about 5 years now and it has helped me, but lately I feel really tired again like I did before the synthroid and my blood tests came back normal. I'm playing with the idea of a natural thryoid supplement to take along with my synthroid, but I haven't decided yet. I thought I would check in here to see if anyone has some thoughts or advice.

Thanks,
Amy

 

[cecil]

Hey Amy,

I am a pharmacy technician and I know people use Armour Thyroid and its touted as a "natural" thyroid medication. Its inexpensive so you should talk to your doctor about it. Maybe someone on the boards is taking this and will reply. You do need a prescription for it.

Good Luck to you

Lisa

 

[four_boy_mom]

Amy and Lisa,

SOOO glad you posted. I just Googled Armour Thyriod and found some good info. www.about.thyroid.com helped.

I could have written your post Amy. I will be calling my endocrinologist in the A.M. to see what he has to say. When I get more info I'll post it.

Thank you so much again Lisa.

Amy--- have you ever taken an extra 1/2 thyriod pill when your super tired and then notice the next day you are more focused and can get more done? Is it just that you're feeling more tired lately or does your brain get fuzzy too? The fuzzy brain seems to go along with the fatigue for me, which makes sense. How about you?

 

[Utah Gal]

Kathy - I take Armour Thyroid too, and it's great - but another thing I feel compelled to tell you - the doctor who prescribed the armour thyroid to me also tested me for adrenal levels and they were also low, so I also take Cortef, which is a natural prescription for adrenal strength.

He told me not to be too angry at the doctor who failed to identify my thyroid problems for two years... what he said the doctors generally don't even look at is the fact that weak thyroid and weak adrenals often go together, and if you treat only the thyroid, you will still feel tired and fatigued. Feeling lightheaded upon standing up or first thing in the morning is another frequent symptom of adrenal fatigue.

It may be worth asking about. Good luck to you!
Cheryl

 

[bceogirl]

Hi, I've taken Synthroid for almost 10 years now and after a few years, I was falling asleep in the afternoon whenever I sat down for a few minutes. I did some research and talked to my doctor and was prescribed a small dose of Cytomel to take along with the Synthroid.
I take one in the morning with my Synthroid and another in the afternoon. That solved the problem of dips in my energy and sleepiness.

HTH's

 

[Baylianmom]

Hi

Just couldn't help but check this thread.

Do you know what your levels were when they finally prescribed something for you?

Thanks

D

 

[amybajamy]

Kathy,

I've never tried taking another 1/2 pill. Did your Dr suggest that? I don't really get a fuzzy brain, but I just get really tired and kind of get a "heavy head" feeling. I tried your link, but it didn't work. I tried www.aboutthyroid.com, is that the right one?

Good luck to you,
Amy

 

[amybajamy]

D,

I don't remember what my levels were, but I know my TSH was way off the charts and I was getting a goiter.

The Synthroid has definitely helped me and my thyroid is a lot smaller than it was, but I have days where I feel so tired, too tired to even talk to people, and I can't help but think it could be related to my thyroid. I guess the bad days are not that often, but yesterday was a really bad day and by accident I came across a thyroid supplement online and started trying to research the subject. The one I'm mainly interested in is called Thyroid Helper. Anybody hear of it? I want to stay on my Synthroid, but maybe take a supplement in addition to that.

Utah Gal,
That's interesting about the adrenal glands. I don't know if I've been tested, do you know what the test is called? I'm going to talk to my Dr, but unfortunately I couldn't get an appointment until September, and that was a month ago that I made the appointment! Apparently there is a shortage of endocrinologists in Utah. My Dr had to take patients from 2 or 3 other doctors.

Thank you everyone for your responses.

Amy