10 Rockin’ Thyroid Patient New Year Resolutions just for you!

10 RESOLUTIONSHIP HIP!! As we head into a New Year, here are 10 resolutions to potentially help you feel better and stay better as a thyroid patient…and informed patients everywhere will back you all the way, thyroid friends!!

check mark in square1. I WILL GIVE UP THE PATIENT PASSIVITY AND BECOME EDUCATED AND PROACTIVE!

It’s on purpose that this is the first resolution! Why? Informed thyroid patients achieve better results plus become more confident and proactive in their doctor’s office. Both the latter are IMPORTANT to getting well and staying well, say informed patients. Let the wisdom of thyroid patients in the Stop the Thyroid Madness books and the patient-to-patient website information be your key towards finding your better thyroid treatment spot. (The STTM II book is even written by medical practitioners!)

check mark in square2. I WILL EXERCISE MY RIGHT TO FIRE MY DOCTOR AND FIND A MUCH BETTER ONE IF I CAN.

If attempting to educate our doctor doesn’t work, there’s the option to find a better one. In the United States, thyroid patients do have choice, and they can exercise it. They work to find a better informed or more open-minded doctor. In the UK, patients choose a clinic…and believe it or not, they do have the right to choose a specialist, but they need to fight for their rights to find a good replacement doctor. Says an informed UK patient: if you hear of good Endo, ask for a referral and ensure you contact them to say you only want to see that Endocrinologist. No one else. In Canada like elsewhere, patients can do the work to find a better doctor, but may have to call to make sure someone is taking new patients. Every province has different rules.

It’s not always easy depending on where you live, but it’s possible!

check mark in square3. I WILL RETHINK THE SYNTHROID/LEVOTHYROXINE BALONEY.

A healthy thyroid makes five hormones, not just one. T4 is a storage hormone meant to convert to the active T3 hormone. It’s T3 which does the trick in removing hypothyroid symptoms. But a healthy thyroid also gives you direct T3 and doesn’t force you to only get it from conversion. There are plenty of reasons why you won’t get enough T3 from conversion, sooner or later, even if at first, some do feel better. That’s why patients all over the world are switching to natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), or adding synthetic T3 to their synthetic T4 and raising the T3 or NDT to find their optimal dose.

check mark in square4. I WILL KEEP TRACK OF MY IRON LEVELS

Informed patients, whether female or male, found out the hard way in groups associated with STTM that their iron levels are important. If iron gets too low, we’ve noticed we might have hyper-like symptoms with NDT or T3 on top of feeling poorly from low iron. Or we just might feel pretty darn awful from inadequate levels of iron. And we know that there are important iron labs we pay attention to, as well as learning where our iron should fall.

check mark in square5. I WILL PAY ATTENTION TO MY GUT HEALTH AS WELL AS WHAT I CONSUME.

The “gut” refers to the journey and bodily activity from what goes into your mouth all the way down to where what’s left comes out. And for those with Hashimoto’s, the majority do better by avoiding gluten. It helps decrease antibodies for many, and lowers the problem of inflammation caused by the gluten. Removing gluten has also improved nutrient levels. Some need additional help with LDN, or selenium, or iodine–it’s individual as to what will work best for any one patient.

Our intestinal bacteria is also important and believe it or not, can have a major role in a strong immune system and even our brain health, besides good thyroid function. Informed thyroid patients nourish their microbiome with fermented food like sauerkraut or kombucha, or consuming yogurt, or taking a broad-spectrum probiotic supplement–all for the good bacteria. Prebiotics are dietary fibers which will help feed the good bacteria, and include foods like asparagus, onions, garlic, dandelion greens, raw chicory root, and even bananas or beans and more. You can do a search for prebiotic supplements, too.

check mark in square6. I WILL PROTECT MY ADRENAL HEALTH.

Our adrenals are the knights that protect us and keep us going. So patients have learned to support and protect them. One important way is to avoid or lower stress the best way we can: resting, meditation, pleasure reading, music, artistic pursuits, laughing, yoga…you name it and it’s individual. When under stress, thyroid patients often use adrenal-supportive herbs, such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola or more. If there is suspicion of a problem with our cortisol levels, informed patient do saliva testing, not blood, since they found it fit their symptoms better, besides revealed the cellular, useable levels of cortisol.

check mark in square7. I WON’T BE FOOLED BY “NORMAL” RANGES ON MY LAB WORK.

This is a huge area that thyroid patients learned about in the early patient groups and into the present. Namely, we saw that many of us fell in the so-called “normal range” result, yet clear symptoms of the particular problem. The TSH lab rest was one, but there are many other labs and their so-called normal ranges that we won’t be fooled by anymore.

check mark in square8. I WILL LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS BEFORE ME!

Yes, along the way, thyroid patients and/or their doctors have made a lot of mistakes, and we can learn from them! This page outlines many of those mistakes and what was done about them.

check mark in square9. I WILL PAY ATTENTION TO MY DUCKS–quack quack.

Yes, there are first priority issues to find through testing and working with informed doctors that we need to take care of, which ranges from better thyroid medications to treating cortisol or iron issues correctly to keeping our nutrients at healthy levels. But some have to explore other issues with their doctor to find their sweet spot, ranging from h-pylori to lyme to reactivated EBV to high heavy metals and more. It’s individual and it’s all about our ducks in a row.

check mark in square10. I WILL HAVE HOPE!

There is very good reason to have hope: there are thyroid patients all over the world who have gotten better. Janie Bowthorpe, the creator of the informational Stop the Thyroid Madness website and books, went from having to apply for Social Security Disability to regaining her life again. Hang in there! Learn from worldwide patient experiences and wisdom on STTM and find a good doctor to help!

All the above are just summaries and if more detail is needed, click on the links. For information not linked, there is plenty on the internet. 🙂

JanieSignature SEIZE THE WISDOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Have active Graves disease and you aren’t hypothyroid yet? Go here.

– Check out all the STTM articles on Thyroid cancer here.

– Come on over and “Like” the STTM FACEBOOK PAGE for daily inspiration and information.

– Here are patient groups for support and information: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others

Important notes: All the information on this website is copyrighted. STTM is an information-only site based on what many patients worldwide have reported in their treatment and wisdom over the years. This is not to be taken as personal medical advice, nor to replace a relationship with your doctor. By reading this information-only website, you take full responsibility for what you choose to do with this website's information or outcomes. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use.

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22 Responses to “10 Rockin’ Thyroid Patient New Year Resolutions just for you!”

  1. Cristy

    Hi, I currently have hypothyroidism and take NP Thyroid in combination with Cytomel. I am wondering if it’s safe to take Rhodiola in the morning about 4 hours away from taking the NP Thyroid both on an empty stomach. Your blog seems to suggest that it’s ok to use while other websites say not to take Rhodiola if you have hypothyroidism. Please advise.

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      We honestly haven’t see any problems from it with hypothyroidism. But just in case, you could take it away from your meds. But it certainly doesn’t have to be as long as 4 hours.

      Reply
  2. Marcy M

    Miss Janie, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating this website. My story is long and I wish to tell you one day. I was diagnosed with Hashimottos 4 years ago. I am currently taking NT. it was working at first, I felt I saw the sun again in my life. However it feels as if the medication stopped working. My doctor has rise my dosage due it to my request. I thought I was going to feel better when he did raise the dosage, but I am finding I am not. I feel so Hypo. My main symptom is my foggy, empty brian and fatigue (in both cases severely). I have noticed I feel worst when I take the med. I start feeling a little relief after 6 hours of taking the first dosage. then I take my secon dosage at 1PM and I will again start feeling bad. What can I do? thank you so much in advance for all your help.

    By the way, I want to be a member of anything you have available as information for us Hypo patients. I have created Facebook just to follow you. You and all of your research are part of my life (if not exaggerating I should say My life now).
    Marcy

    Reply
  3. NOr

    Janie-I read that on this blog a few nights ago! But, after my labs the week prior. I have been on 3 G since January and feel great. My doctor just prescribed 2.25 G and diagnosed me with hyperthyroid as a result of the lab report listed above. Do I fight for 3 G? Or find another doc? Or stick with 2.25gr? I’m nervous lowering my dose when I finally feel good!

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      What we fight for is a doctor to STOP dosing by the lousy TSH lab test. It’s about the free T3 and free T4 and symptoms, NOT the TSH. If this one doesn’t understand, he will keep you sick. 🙁

      Reply
  4. NOr

    Janie, thank you for your reply. My TSH is .02. My free T3 is 4.82 (I did take nature-throid a few hours before the test). My free thyroxine is .92.

    Reply
  5. NOr

    My doctor unwillingly prescribed nature-throid 3G. I had RAI in 1995. I finally feel good after 5 years of getting of synthroid and trying armour. I just had my labs done. My T3 is elevated (4), so my doctor diagnosed me with hyperthyroidism over the phone and prescribed 2.25 GR instead. I have zero symptoms of hyperthyroid! I am very reluctant to lower my dose, but cannot find another doctor. Help!

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      Not sure what you mean by elevated if there’s no range. But when optimal, we have a free T3 towards the top, a free T4 mid-range, and a TSH way below range. Not hyper at all. Time to call around your local pharmacies and find out who prescribes NDT (i.e. who might understand what we’ve learned with labs and being optimal).

      Reply
  6. Hadassah

    Hello Janie , can you share with me your thoughts of how many hours apart can one dose with 5mcg of T3 three times daily approximately ? And taking 100 mcg of (SYNTHROID) should that be lowered ? I would like to mention how very important it is to supplement with IRON SELENIUM , VIT. “D” VIT.”C” MAGNESIUM and IODINE . And I would add “MILK THISLE” for liver cleanse . Janie I know I mentioned before “HOW VERY MUCH WE ALL OUT THERE IN THYROID LAND APPRECIATE YOU AND THE WISDOM YOU SHARE WITH US AND EMPOWER US ” THANK YOU . “STOP THE THYROID MADNESS ” FONDLY , Hadassah

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      It can be individual, but approximately 4 hours apart. Lowering Synthroid usually happens, because with direct T4 in the mix, the T4 is possibly not going to convert to T3 as much, and thus can go slightly too high. In a range where the top s 1.7 for the free T4, we don’t want to go much above 1.4, because if we do, RT3 seems to increase. The others are important if labs say you need them. And you are very welcome. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Hadassah

    Janie does that mean when you raise the Cytomel you also need to lower the Synthroid ? And how so soon do you need to raise the Cytomel ? Stay on 5mcg for one week and keep adding weekly 5mcg for three weeks ? And what time of the day is best to take it ? I assume best away from food . Is one hour enough ? I am so happy that I bought both of your books and keep us all informed and up dated . I would love if you could address more about thyroidless issues in the future .

    Reply
  8. Hadassah

    Jane , Thank you . I was wondering what the difference was between compounded t3 and desiccated t3 is ? I’m new to this . I had my thyroids removed 23 yrs ago . And I was put on Synthroid all the years and finally put on Cytomel 5mcg and reduced Synthroid to 100mcg . Can Cytomel work well too ?

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      Compounded T3 is simply synthetic T3, which can be Cytomel. And often with compounded, cellulose is added to “slow” it’s release, which for most isn’t needed. The other T3 is what is found naturally in natural desiccated thyroid along with T4, T2, T1 and calcitonin. i.e. it’s not isolated. It’s a good thing you were put on T3 with that T4, but we know we have to raise it again…and again, and dose it up to 3 times a day. Many doctors don’t understand that. We are looking for a free T3 towards the top of the range, and a free T4 which is mid-range. The latter is based on what we’ve observed in each other, when optimal, for years and years.

      Reply
  9. Hadassah

    How long does cytomel last in the system ? And does compounded t3 last longer time in the system ?

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      T3 will peak about approximately 4 hours after it’s taken if one is mostly on T3-only, then will begin a fall. The T3 in natural desiccated thyroid peaks about 2 hours later. Compounded T3 doesn’t always have great feedback from patients. Most seem to like giving themselves T3 three times day, stating that the impact is better.

      Reply
  10. Anne Brydon

    Can somebody tell me the difference of Nutri aAdrennai and Adrenal cortexplease. Thanks nks Anne

    Reply
    • Janie Bowthorpe

      Hi Anne. I think you can do an internet search and find that answer. I do know that Adrenal Cortex is usually just that–from the part of the adrenal gland that is called the Cortex, and is where cortisol would be.

      Reply
  11. Montana NAR

    I will learn that chronic disease, such as chronic Lyme disease, will make my body produce huge quantities of Reverse T3. I will be hypothyroid because of this chronic, long-term disease, and because my T3 receptors are closed off to the normal function of thyroid hormones in my body. I will be chronically thyroid resistant. Although I have learned about optimal thyroid treatment and follow a healthy thyroid medication protocol, I will also become knowledgeable about chronic disease, which takes down the entire immune system and makes recovery with thyroid treatment alone impossible (including NTH, adrenal supplements, iron, etc.). I may even learn that many chronic diseases – Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis (aka CFS), ALS, MS, etc – all have the same root cause. And I found out about all of this because of Janie’s interviews with Dr. Kent Holtorf and a subsequent visit to one of Holtorf’s clinics for diagnosis.

    Reply
    • Pamela Morgan Smith

      Montana NAR, WHAT a tremendous and true comment! Understanding just what Lyme is and does is as significant as understanding just what the MTHFR genetic defect is and does. Thank you for taking the time to post this so that others may gain more understanding of illness.

      Reply

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