Has anyone reversed their Hypothyroid condition?

rushgirly · 07-23-2003, 05:06 PM

I suspect I am hypothryroid, and am getting checked tomorrow morning. I wonder though, if my suspicions are true, would I need to take medication...for life?

Has anyone managed to come off meds once they stabalized their levels?

Debbie · 07-31-2003, 01:03 AM

I was dx'ed with hypothyroidism when I was 10 years old. I am now 30, and have been on synthroid ever since. On one occasion, I went off synthroid for about a year, as a result of non-compliance on my part, and it was the worst year of my life! When I finally went back to the dr., my thyroid was not functioning at all!

I have never heard of anybody reversing their condition, and being able to go unmedicated. Once you are dx'ed with hypothyroidism, taking thyroid hormone replacement medication is a life long committment. Without synthroid, or whatever drug your dr. prescribes, one's thyroid does not produce the sufficent amount of thyroid hormone. As a result, one's body does not function to it's fullest. After taking the medication, and having the dose adjusted periodically, your thyroid levels eventually do stabilize. However, medication is essential to keep your thyroid hormone levels regulated, which will enable you to feel your very best!!

nobimbo · 07-31-2003, 11:55 AM

I agree that once you start thyroid replacement drugs, your thyroid eventually quits functioning on its own. However, I am beginning to wonder about situations that depress thyroid functioning perhaps temporarily. For instance, being on a low calorie diet can decrease thyroid (that's why your metabolism slows down after dieting for a while). Also, I was wondering if strengthening your adrenals and reducing insulin resistance (with low carbing and met or natural supplements) can also have a positive effect on the thyroid? I suspect I have a sluggish thyroid, but so far it hasn't come up in bloodwork. I am trying very hard right now to right all the wrongs I've done to my body over the years, and I'm hoping through proper diet, exercise, Met, and natural supplements I can boost my thyroid function. I dread the idea of starting on thyroid supplements, unless I absolutely have to. I already have high blood pressure/arrhythmia problems, and thyroid drugs can really complicate matters.

Linda

nobimbo · 07-31-2003, 12:11 PM

Here is a blurb I found that explains the effects of dieting on thyroid production:

"Low calorie diets, in of themselves, as well as considerable energy expenditure (exercise) coincident with inadequate caloric intake have been found to have an effect on metabolism through reduced T3 hormone (triiodothyronine) production. This occurs almost immediately and long before any substantial loss in lean body mass occurs. This occurrence is sometimes referred to as the "starvation response".

In a study on young women who exercise, it was found that T3 production was suppressed when "energy availability" fell below a 1,000 calorie-per-day level (Loucks 1994). "Energy availability" is the amount of energy available after subtracting caloric expenditure in exercise from daily caloric intake.

The body is trying to conserve energy in a calorically restricted state. Thyroid hormone production and secretion decreases in an attempt to reduce basal metabolic rate and increase one's energy efficiency.

Hypothyroidism often occurs coincident with diet-induced amenorrhea. Similarly, amenorrheic athletes frequently have depressed thyroid hormone concentrations compared to women with regular menstruation while training in a similar manner (Loucks 1992). "

Since most of us cysters struggle with our weight and diet constantly, this could have a major impact on our thyroid functioning. I suspect that a slow weight loss with a good, balanced (carb/protein ratio) along with consistent exercise could possibly reverse some hypothyroid problems, at least once a normal weight is achieved and maintained.

Linda

shenacat · 07-31-2003, 06:46 PM

Good points Linda, but I want to mention that sometimes full recovery is not possible from these "temporary" conditions. The thyroid is a very delicate organ and once damaged does not really bounce back. Many of us cysters have had PCOS, low adrenals, hormonal imbalances etc raging at us since puberty or before. This means for me at least 15 years of continual damage to my thyroid. (and no I've never dieted or did the exercise extreme or low caloric thing you mention, I refer strictly to the hormonal imbalances and low adrenals that stress thyroid)

I believe once your thyroid problem becomes apparent in TSH you have damaged it to the point where you will need some form of medication your entire life. People may go through short periods of remission where they seem to not need medication, but inevitably it will revert again.

Debbie · 07-31-2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

I already have high blood pressure/arrhythmia problems, and thyroid drugs can really complicate matters.

I have never heard anything about thryoid replacement medication further complicating hypertension. I know too much T4(hyperthyroidism), can cause one to have palpitations. They are also associated with an underactive thyroid(hypothyroidism). In fact, hypothyroidism decreases cardiac output. Leaving it untreated increases one's risk for heart disease & failure.

My dad has severe hypertension, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failiure, as well as hypothyroidism. According to the dr's, it is important that he take his synthroid faithfully. Hypothyroidism can further aggravate his other health problems.

Quote:

I agree that once you start thyroid replacement drugs, your thyroid eventually quits functioning on its own.

When one is hypothyroid, their thyroid does not function properly, as it is underactive. It does not function like an normal person's thyroid does. Therefore, the proper thyroid hormones aren't being fully produced. That is why one suffers from the symptoms that goes along with hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, dry hair & skin, weight gain, infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, decreased cardiac ouput, and so on. Hormone Replacement Medication, such as synthroid, replaces the hormones the thyroid is sluggish in producing. Without the medication, the thryoid does not funtion to it's optimal best! When one goes off the medication, their thyroid eventually gets back to an underactive state, as it was prior to medical treatment. That's why once one is dx'ed with hypothyroidism, taking the medication should be continued for a life time. It's not that the thyroid quits functioning on it's own. It was sluggish to begin with.

I do believe that being medicated, either by alternative tx or prescription drugs, as well as a controlled diet can help to minimize the symptoms of hypothryoidism. I don't believe it can be reversed, but it(the symptoms) can be alleviated!

I wish you luck in finding out if you are/aren't hypothyroid. Every dr has their own range of normal values, but a TSH of 2 is now being considered hypothyroid, and warrants medical treatment. Good luck on your plan to healthiness!

Debbie · 07-31-2003, 07:16 PM

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/losingweight.htm

Here is a link to a site with information about hypothyroidism & insulin resistance, and also losing weight with both. Just thought it may be of interest to you!

nobimbo · 07-31-2003, 09:04 PM

Debbie,

Thanks for the info. In regards to high blood pressure/arrythmia problems and thyroid therapy, what I meant was it gets more complicated in terms of getting the levels of the prescriptions drugs balanced. And since I am also diabetic, it becomes a little more complicated, too. Here is an excerpt about that on a site for synthroid:

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have a heart disease such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or angina. These conditions may be affected by thyroid therapy, and closer monitoring may be necessary at the start of therapy.
• Changes in blood sugar may occur if you have diabetes, and special monitoring may be necessary.

I doubt that I have a serious thyroid problem. I do not have many of the symptoms; however, my BBT's are quite low, my metabolism became very sluggish after losing a bunch of weight, and all my hormones are screwed up because of PCOS so I am a good candidate for hypothyroidism. My last blood test was a year ago and my doc said it was "within normal levels", but now that I know more about it I will definitely ask what the numbers are after my next test, which I will have in a few weeks. I am hoping that perhaps with a healthier, thyroid-friendly life style (lower carb, sufficient protein, exercise, and cutting out all the soy based products I have been eating) I may be able to strengthen my thyroid somehow.

Linda