Where to begin?

[Guest guest]

By pure chance I found out back in September that I have Hashimotos (high

thyroglobulin antibodies and TPO positive) and a slight raised TSH (2.7). All

the other tests came back normal although my FT4 was on the low side of normal

and my cortisol and DHEA were very low which indicated adrenal exhaustion).

I'm male, 41 and would be described as being fit and health without any obvious

signs of hypothyroidism other than decreased fertility (poor sperm morphlogy).

It was for that reason it was suggested that my thyroid be check out.

Since that point in time I have seen my GP and a private endocrinologist who

both said that I was fit and healthy and that I should take action other than

re-test in 6 months to see if there is any change.

I can kind of understand taking a wait and see approach as I appear not to have

any symptoms but then again I'm not keen on developing them and then having to

go back to try and sort them out.

So far I have spent the last month driving myself crazy looking up everything

possible on the net for causes on Hashimotos/hypo and looking for ways to at

least put it on hold.

So far the best book has been by Dr Peatfield who seems to be a bit of a legend

on this site and from what I have read there seems to be a 4 stage plan to fight

back including:

diet/supplements,

exercise and stress management,

adrenal support,

thyroid support through either natural or synthetic thyroxine.

My diet is has been under control for a while as I tend it eat organic and

believe in everything in moderation. I do not smoke or drink (much) and have

been taking Co-q-10, selenium, Vitamin C and Omega 3 as a supplement. I am

exercising every day but not crazily as I did feel tired for the whole day if I

pushed to hard.

Over the last 3 weeks I have also had 7 amalgam fillings replaced (I have 10!!)

and my next plan of attack is to tackle my adrenal gland exhaustion through

stress management and Nutri adrenal supplements.

Depending on how that goes will determine the last phase- either natural or

synthetic thyroxine.

Does this sound like a good plan of action? I know that I am not a typical hypo

person but feel that I have to be pro-active rather than just sit and wait. The

last few weeks have been terrible as I've been in a circle of worry, stress and

mild depression as a result although I do feel more positive after some

constructive research.

Thanks for reading and sorry about the long post.

[Guest guest]

Dave, I

think you need to be careful and not become over preoccupied with possible

thyroid issues. For anybody with Hashimoto's disease, the progress can be slow

(takes years for some) to start to get true symptoms of hypothyroidism. The

antibodies see your thyroid gland as public enemy number one and gradually sets

about completely destroying it, until one day, the symptoms of hypothyroidism

start to appear because the thyroid gland is unable to put out the level of

thyroid hormone your body needs to keep it functioning as it used to.

You should

be taking 200mcgs Selenium daily, 1000mgs vitamin V, 15mgs Zinc. Get the 24

hour salivary adrenal profile by all means to see whether you are suffering

with low cortisol and low DHEA levels, but do not supplement with Nutri Adrenal

Extra or DHEA at this point in time, unless and until such results show that

your levels are low. Often people make the serious mistake of supplementing

with all sorts of minerals/vitamins and other hormones when they don't actually

need it, and this can cause problems.

The other

good thing you might find you can do is to go on a gluten free diet if you have

high antibodies, because it is know that antibodies thrive on gluten, so

cutting out gluten will stop the antibodies from increasing.

The best

book I would recommend for you right now is Dr Datis Kharrizian's 'Why Do I Still

Have Symptoms when my Thyroid Function Test results are normal. It is an

excellent book and explains everything you need to know about Hashimoto's. it

is also very cheap through Amazon, but do any ordering through the TPA web site

Amazon link so that we get 5% of the cost for our Charity. If you live in the UK, please use this link

to purchase the book and if you are a resident in the US, please use this link

Luv -

Sheila

I can kind of understand taking a wait and see approach as I appear not to have

any symptoms but then again I'm not keen on developing them and then having to

go back to try and sort them out.

So far I have spent the last month driving myself crazy looking up everything

possible on the net for causes on Hashimotos/hypo and looking for ways to at

least put it on hold.

So far the best book has been by Dr Peatfield who seems to be a bit of a legend

on this site and from what I have read there seems to be a 4 stage plan to

fight back including:

_._,___

[Guest guest]

MODERATED TO REMOVE MOST OF PREVIOUS MESSAGES ALREADY READ.PLEASE REMEMBER TO

DELETE THESE AND LEAVE JUST A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT YOU ARE RESPONDING TO. MANY

THANKS - SHEILA

_______________________________________

Hi Sheila

Thanks for your reply. I did have the adrenal saliva tests and my cortisol came

out really low in the morning but OK on the afternoon and my DHEA was low as

well.

I'm taking selenium, Vitamin C, co-q-10 and will be testing for gluten

allergy/intolerance next week. I've more or less given up bread in the last few

weeks to see what happens.

The endo did say it could take 10-20 years for me to become hypo but my constant

worrying is not helping. For the first time in my life I have blepharitis which

is driving me crazy as I can't seem to shake it, which in turn causes more

anxiety.

Will buy that book and have a read. Right now I'm reading the Thyroid Solution

which is quite interesting.

>

> Dave, I think you need to be careful and not become over preoccupied with

> possible thyroid issues. For anybody with Hashimoto's disease, the progress

> can be slow (takes years for some) to start to get true symptoms of

> hypothyroidism. The antibodies see your thyroid gland as public enemy number

> one and gradually sets about completely destroying it, until one day, the

> symptoms of hypothyroidism start to appear because the thyroid gland is

> unable to put out the level of thyroid hormone your body needs to keep it

> functioning as it used to.

>

[Guest guest]

So what are you doing about your

low adrenal reserve (Adrenal fatigue)? How much vitamin C are you taking and

how much CoQ10?

Luv - Sheila

Thanks for your reply. I did have the adrenal saliva tests and my cortisol came

out really low in the morning but OK on the afternoon and my DHEA was low as

well.

I'm taking selenium, Vitamin C, co-q-10 and will be testing for gluten

allergy/intolerance next week. I've more or less given up bread in the last few

weeks to see what happens.

The endo did say it could take 10-20 years for me to become hypo but my

constant worrying is not helping. For the first time in my life I have

blepharitis which is driving me crazy as I can't seem to shake it, which in

turn causes more anxiety.

__