Naturopathic Medicine Blog: Case Studies & Tips

Dec 9, 2005

Problem Supplement? A personal inquiry

QUESTION:

I have started taking a nutrional support for thyroid containing the following ingredients:

rhodymena palmetta
thyroid 100 mg
adrenal 50 mg
Ltyrosine
selenuim
bladderwrack
irish moss
pituitary 15 mg
thymus 5mg
spleen 5mg
calcarea fluorica
lycopus virgincus

Question is, I have been on it for 5 days and have GAINED 4-5 lbs. Have I suppressed my thyroid instead of stimulating it? I feel tired and wierd, not necessarily bad though. What is the best herbal solution to those last 5-10 stubborn ppounds if this isnt it?

Thanks!
Gained

------------------------------

ANSWER:

Gained:

That is a potent supplement - one that a doctor should only prescribe in my eyes. I would stop taking it. This mixture is affecting your hormone levels big time.

L-tyrosine is a precuror to numerous hormones and is not to be played with. The other main ingredients are also potent.

What was your desired effect by taking this product? Perhaps I can help point you in the safe proper direction! ;)

In health,
Ben

3 Comments:

At December 9, 2005 2:23 PM, Anonymous said...: Dear Ben,

Thank you so much for the quick response and the honest answer, not some automated response or answer that has no real "answer"!!You were very straight forward and I appreciate that! I believe what you say because the way you reponded to me like person, and gave your honest advice(I guess the "disclaimer" allows you to actually answer me!) Anyway, I have all the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, and decided to use the supplement to "support" (stimulate actually) my thyriod but I think it backfired tremendously! What do you suggest to stimulate without all the crap?

thanks!
At December 9, 2005 2:32 PM, Benjamin said...: there are numerous causes of hypthyroidism - beyond nutrition.

it is rare for the usa consumer to be without iodine so that is unlikely - possible if you dont consume iodized salt or sea weeds.

your adrenal glands may be shot - fatigued - and cause secondary hypothyroidism so to correct that issue you would supplement with adrenal nutrients - which is much safer as it provides nutrients for hormone production but not as strongly as the product you were - hopefully were! - taking. the supplement im talking about is here:
http://www.healthegoods.com/content/adrenal_support_plus.htm

also digestive issues - such as food allergies to wheat - have a direct correlation with hashimotos disease - which is when your immune system attacks your thyroid - not fun.

best thing to do is - yep - check with your doctor. simple lab tests can show if your thyroid levels are low and whether or not your adrenal function is limited. lab tests are also available to see if your immune system is attacking your thyroid.

you may just be not eating, sleeping, drinking properly as well! that can make a huge difference in how you feel.

caffeine is especially bad news as it stimulates your adrenal glands like crazy therefore depleting them even further - requiring more and more caffeine to stimulate them further thereby making you more fatigued. i dont drink caffeine and never have. just eat right - not that i always do - and drink right - sleep is key as well - solid 7-8 hrs.

helpful?!

best
ben
At December 9, 2005 2:36 PM, Benjamin said...: also -
limiting allergic foods helps a ton - if you have any. way to find out is limit the suspected food for a week or two and then introduce it at the end of two weeks - a ton of it. for example - no dairy for 2 weeks and then have milk with breakfast, cheesy something for lunch and ice cream after dinner with milk.