Borderline Overactive Thyroid - Self Help?

Thank you for these further responses with information that I can delve into between now and my repeat blood test in a few weeks time. I am really grateful for all your input x

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I have had the opposite for over 30-years.
Hypothyroidism.
First discovered due to hair loss causing small round bald patches, unexplainable weight gain, and tiredness.
Been on meds ever since - Levothyroxine 150mg a day (three by 50mg).
Sadly they haven’t helped me loose weight - never have. But my hair looks glorious!
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Hello, I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid some years ago, ( Graves Disease), also at a time when under stress at work ( a promotion) and hitting the menopause. I was immediately referred to an endocrinologist who put me on a course of Carbimazole. As others have said, this is not a medication for long term use.
My thyroid went into remission 3 times, but at the next relapse I was advised to have radioiodine treatment to knock out the thyroid. This worked very effectively and I have taken daily levothyroxine since. ( Annual blood tests to check the dose.)
I wish you the best of luck. For me the endocrinologist was so very helpful.

I have some advice because I have an overactive thyroid. Years ago my thyroid was underactive. At that time I was taking medication to treat it and getting regular blood tests. When my bloodwork showed a change the doctor adjusted the medication dose. I was under the care of a GP, not a specialist.She kept adjusting the meds and this went on for a couple years. She finally referred me to a specialist.I had to wait 6 months for an appointment. Meanwhile I have developed thyroid eye disease and Graves disease. My advise to you would be to keep getting regular bloodwork and if it shows hyperthyroidism make an appointment with an endocrinologist.

It might be worth researching Acetyl L-Carnitine? If you do take it – or anything else – as a supplement, I recommend British Supplements (make sure it’s the genuine Irish company, not some fake version of their website). Read their ratings on Trustpilot, and the reviews for that product.

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism some years ago and prescribed Carbimosol. I saw a specialist who diagnosed Graves disease. Strangely, it happened at a time I was under a lot of job related stress. The specialist went through all the treatments, including having my thyroid removed which I declined. I just took the tablets, avoided any foods with iodine and eventually my bloods reverted to "normal" and I discontinued the treatment. Since then (touch wood!) I've been fine.

Here in Denmark, the accepted wisdom is that no change of diet will make any difference. You need to consult a specialist and take pills for a year or so - after that if your blood tests are satisfactory, you may be able to do without medicine, or with only a low dosage.

There are apparently sligthly different forms of hyperthyroidism - the one can be complete cured with medicine, the other may re-occur if you completely stop taking medicine.

So find a consultant, who is willing to explain exactly what your best option is.

For me taking two small pills every morning is greatly preferable to loosing weight and being tired all the time and having frequent loose motions every forenoon!

I don't know how you feel about alternatives, KateyKrunch, but I remember a homeopath telling me that allopathic treatment for thyroid problems = drugs, usually for life, whereas a homeopath can prescribe a remedy which will solve the problem, with no side effects.

Thank you again for this further info, I have asked the same question on a breast cancer forum as I had chest wall radiotherapy and wonder if that has affected my thyroid. I appreciate your input x

Go onto the website for the charity Thyroid UK and another helpful one is the British Thyroid Foundation. I've had some really good advice from them.

I had an overactive thyroid and was given a very toxic medicine - carbimosol, I think it was called. I lost some weight initially before it kicked in. I also lost hair and when it grew back it was curly. I've never had naturally curly hair in my life! The doctor said my thyroid might go the other way and it did. I've had an under active thyroid for decades now. I don't think diet will stop your thyroid from acting up either way

thyroiduk.org/
Good site for info. There tends to be much more online about hypo- than hyper- thyroid.

Farmor15 that is interesting, thank you for taking the time to respond.

I was hyperthyroid for years - on and off meds, before finally getting thyroid removed because it had got so big and full of nodules. I'm not sure if there is any specific diet- there are a number of causes - Graves disease and Hashimoto's are the most common, both auto-immune disorders. These can be aggravated by stress, but I only found quite late that mine had a different cause - nodules which just decided to produce the hormone on their own.
The medication most commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism is actually quite toxic, so you are wise to avoid if possible. If you have no symptoms, best to just monitor with regular blood tests - some doctors tend to fixate on the "numbers" without looking at the whole picture.

Claremont

From truemeds.in

Choose the Right Foods for Hyperthyroidism

There is no specific diet designed for hyperthyroidism. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients. It helps maintain a healthy body without consuming excessive calories.

Your healthcare provider may recommend specific vitamins and nutrients for your diet. The best food for thyroid patients Include

High in protein, iron, and Vitamins B
Antioxidant-rich foods to help control appetite
Include cruciferous foods to reduce excess thyroid hormone
Consume foods to prevent weight loss and promote muscle development:
Protein source for Non-vegetarian – Lean meat

Here is a list of fruits that you can include in a hyperthyroidism diet:

Grapes, papaya, oranges, banana, strawberries, apples, kiwi, dates, watermelon, guava, pear, pomegranate. You can also include avocados, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches.

Vegetables that you can cover in the diet chart for thyroid patients are:

Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. Carrot, pumpkin, squash, cucumber, mushroom, lettuce, kale, mustard, and onion. Fenugreek leaves, coriander leaves.

Including these fruits in the diet chart for thyroid patients is essential. They help produce thyroid hormones, which are crucial for managing hyperthyroidism.

We often wonder which fruits and vegetables we can include in the diet chart for the thyroid patient.

lots of other sites with advice on Google

Thankyou Claremont for all this information, I will take a look, but, I certainly havn't lost any weight even though I have been trying to increase my fitness by joining a gentle fitness class and Aqua Aerobics! (gentle due to cancer treatment effects). I hope I get some more responses.

From truemeds.in

Choose the Right Foods for Hyperthyroidism

There is no specific diet designed for hyperthyroidism. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients. It helps maintain a healthy body without consuming excessive calories.

Your healthcare provider may recommend specific vitamins and nutrients for your diet. The best food for thyroid patients Include

High in protein, iron, and Vitamins B
Antioxidant-rich foods to help control appetite
Include cruciferous foods to reduce excess thyroid hormone
Consume foods to prevent weight loss and promote muscle development:
Protein source for Non-vegetarian – Lean meat

Here is a list of fruits that you can include in a hyperthyroidism diet:

Grapes, papaya, oranges, banana, strawberries, apples, kiwi, dates, watermelon, guava, pear, pomegranate. You can also include avocados, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches.

Vegetables that you can cover in the diet chart for thyroid patients are:

Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. Carrot, pumpkin, squash, cucumber, mushroom, lettuce, kale, mustard, and onion. Fenugreek leaves, coriander leaves.

Including these fruits in the diet chart for thyroid patients is essential. They help produce thyroid hormones, which are crucial for managing hyperthyroidism.

We often wonder which fruits and vegetables we can include in the diet chart for the thyroid patient.

lots of other sites with advice on Google

Interesting. I guess you have no difficulty in losing weight.

I have been under-active for a long time and on medication. Last 2 years, I lost quite a bit of weight, and it turned out I was taking too much Thyroxine, so the dose was lowered. Sadly, I have regained the weight lost.

Will be watching this thread with interest.