Hypothyroid

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Avoid foods high in cysteine - red meat and eggs
Add kelp and dulse to the diet
Avoid/minimize free fats (cooking oils, nut butters, margarine, and butter), sugar, and salt
Avoid all foods high in thiourea (these reduce thyroid function): brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, peaches, peanuts, pears, rutabaga, spinach, strawberries, and turnips

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin A: 25,000 I.U.
Vitamin C: 1 - 4 gm.
Vitamin E: 400 I.U.
Vitamin B3: 25 - 50 mg.
Vitamin B6: 25 - 50 mg.
Vitamin B2: 15 mg.
Zinc: 30 - 40 mg.
Copper: 2 - 4 mg.

Supplements: (references)

Tyrosine: 250 mg.
Thyroid Glandular

Botanicals: (references)

Liquid Extract - Commiphora mukul: 1/4 tsp. TID

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

General hypothyroidism:
Calc., Kali-I.
Heart disease with thyroid problems:
Lyc., Am-C.

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Do not use an electric blanket or water bed - body metabolism will be raised slightly if the body is forced to generate its own heat to keep warm
Daily exercise (walking, running, cycling, yoga, etc.) - 15-20 minutes will stimulate the thyroid gland and increase metabolism
Stop smoking
Take a cool shower morning (and evening if you can) to stimulate metabolism
Alternating hot and cold to the thyroid gland - hot compresses molded to the neck and upper chest and maintained for 5 minutes. Alternate with an ice cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Do this every morning and evening for one week and then mornings only for 30 days.
Avoid taking lithium unless absolutely necessary

Recommended Labs:

Check for hypothyroidism: Thyroid Panel with TSH, Basal Body Temperature
Rule out Addison Disease: Rapid ACTH Stimulation
Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody, IgG and IgE Inhalent Allergy Antibody
Rule out amenorrhea, anovulation, dysmennorhea: Serum Prolaction FSH/LH Estradiol
Rule out anemia: CBC with Diff
Rule out autoimmune disorders: ANA with Reflex
Rule out chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS): ESR, Adrenal Function, Liver Function, Coxsackie Virus B Titer, HHV6 Titer, C. pneumoniae Titer
Rule out Cushing's Disease: Dexamethasone Suppression
Rule out diabetes: Fasting Glucose, Fructosamine, Hemoglobin A1c
Rule out Epstein Barr infection: EBV Capsid IgG and IgM
Rule out hepatitis B and C: Hepatitis Panel
Rule out HIV: ELISA, Western Blot
Rule out hypercholesterolemia: Homozygous and Heterozygous FH, Lipid Panel
Rule out hypoalbuminemia: Chemistry Panel, CRP, Fecal Fat Studies, Serum Protein Electrophoresis
Rule out hypochondriasis: Health Anxiety Inventory, Illness Attitude Scale, Whitely Index of Hypochondriasis
Rule out Lyme Disease: Western Blot
Rule out occult malignancies: Antimalignant Antibody

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.