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Electrolytes, Stress, A1C and diabetes, FDA, Las Vegas and more!

I’m amazed at lingering problems since being on T4: Though I’ve been on desiccated thyroid for 8 years, and do quite well since correcting low ferritin twice thanks to the lousy T4-only treatment, I discovered that my RBC magnesium is low, as I suspect my RBC potassium is, as well–all probably down due to chronic economic stress from this lousy economy. But it underscores that we all have to be vigilant and not hesitate to periodically get minerals and electrolytes tested, especially RBC (Red Blood Cells), as well as anything else your doctor recommends, or you read about. Labs you can do yourself are here, then share with your doc. You can read about potassium issues here.

Under stress with the economy or the holidays? When stressed, I love and use the herb Ashwagandha. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic healing, helping your immune system and stress response. High dose B-vitamins are said to help counter anxiety and depression. Vitamin C is huge for your adrenals like the B’s, and has been known for years to counter the effects of stress. In fact, stress depletes it, so they state you are wise to raise it when under stress. (Is Vit. C why I never got adrenal fatigue when I deserved to get it? I always took a lot.) Also recommended include the herbs Valerian Root, Marshmallow, Lemon Balm, Chamomile tea, Passionflower, and more. But first do research on any herbs and talk to your doc.

Hypothyroidism can falsely raise your A1C, implying you have diabetes even with normal blood glucose. Just got word from thyroid/adrenal patient Jackie about this study concerning the A1C test, here. In turn, those on thyroid treatment saw their A1C fall. We don’t know what the thyroid meds used were, but imagine even better results if on desiccated thyroid, which many patients report does a much better job than T4, especially in the presence of optimal ferritin/iron and adrenal function.

Don’t be complacent: register yourself: Sheila of TPA-UK is working to create a register of patients who have had continuing hypothyroid symptoms while on T4. After she creates this register of patients, which right now only involves a couple of questions, she will create the a Worldwide Register of Counterexamples to Levothyroxine (T4)-Only Therapy for. Register yourself here. This will also run alongside Dr. Gordon Skinner’s Worldwide Register, which you can also be a part of here.

Listen to a new video produced by the FDA about drug shortages here. I wonder what our own 2009 shortages with Armour and Naturethroid played a role in this video? Wonder if the FDA will ever admit that they were partly to blame for this shortage by shutting down the 2009 generics? Has anything been left out of this video?

No, Las Vegas Review-Journal. Hypo get undiagnosed because of the lousy TSH, not “subtle” symptoms. Yes, this journal did a recent article, quoting AACE as stating half of thyroid patients remain undiagnosed. The article then states it’s probably due to symptoms being very “subtle” or “very similar to other health problems such as anemia, fatigue, depression, slow metabolism and a wide array of other diseases.” GROAN. It would be nice if these articles on hypo got it straight: hypo remains undiagnosed because of the lousy TSH lab test, which too many Endocrinologists worship, and because they fail to noticed the obvious symptoms of a hypothyroid state, which include anemia, fatigue, depression, slow metabolism and a wide array of other diseases. i.e. those ARE the symptoms of hypo, not “other health problems”. When oh when will reporters DARE to state what patients have learned?? (Oh, and guess who included a link to this article in their email Thyroid Weekly? The Endocrinologist-loving, TSH-loving American Thyroid Association.)

Have a great holiday season!!

Janie

P.S. HO! HO! HO! The publishing company will send a book for you to a friend or loved one for a Christmas present. Go here.

15 replies

Sincerity doesn’t equal accuracy–a very bad thyroid website

I have been exchanging polite emails with a webmaster of a large thyroid site of another country. This is a site chock full of information, covering many aspects of thyroid disease and issues. And the webmaster has obviously put a lot of diligence into the site.

BUT…….as you peruse this site, you sadly discover that sincerity doesn’t always equal correct emphasis and accuracy.

This is a site which heavily promotes the use of T4 medications, in spite of the fact that patients have remained obviously sick, in one degree or another, on these medications for more than 40 years, whether they raise them or not!

The website also contains a few yin-and-yang tendencies. It bravely hints in an article and in a flyer that T4/T3 therapy may have benefits, but in the flash of a new paragraph, moves back into promoting T4-only treatment. It gives some slight information on desiccated thyroid, then in another highly misguided article, it recommends against the use of desiccated thyroid products “because they can cause hyperthyroidism” due to the direct T3. 😆

And the criticism given to me about my site’s emphasis on natural desiccated thyroid?? I’m too “narrowly focused”.

And to that I here reply: You betcha! Because the proof is in the pudding. This site didn’t evolve because a “skewed subset” found benefits. It’s here because several thousands of us are finding out that natural desiccated thyroid removed all our symptoms in a way that T4-only never did and never will! And grassroots thyroid internet groups and websites are growing in leaps and bounds to shout that “narrowly focused” fact all over the world! (i.e. IT AIN’T JUST ME!)

And for those who tried desiccated thyroid and didn’t get the same panacea of benefits? It’s most always due to sluggish adrenals and/or low Ferritin, both quite common, and both very treatable and correctable.

It’s called “broad and healthy outcomes from a narrowly focused treatment of choice”—great energy, better stamina, and the removal of all thyroid symptoms in a way that T4-only medications NEVER DID, and NEVER WILL give you………unless you want to stay on those statins, anti-depressants, weight loss diets, blood pressure meds, benzodiazepines , and all the other pills you have to be on to counter the results of an ineffective medication like T4 alone.

I applaud the sincerity and hard work of the folks at this site, and the willingness to briefly mention the benefits of T4/T3 therapy, as well as criticize the rigid dosing by the TSH and the tendency of the medical profession to underdose patients.

But I hope you can also sincerely rethink and reexamine the following stated beliefs:

1) that “more than 80% of hypothyroid patients are adequately treated on T4 alone” (TOTALLY FALSE)
2) that “only a minority of hypothyroid patients (<5%) have superior outcomes with desiccated thyroid extract” (TOTALLY FALSE)
3) that “dose management with the natural extract is also much more complicated because of the fluctuations in potency and T3/T4 ratio between batches” (TOTALLY FALSE)
4) that “comparing adequate dosing with Armour to inadequate dosing with T4 is just a waste of time and energy” (TOTALLY FALSE)

Waste of time and energy??? Hogwash. It’s the “time and energy” of folks on all those internet thyroid support groups, and on FORUMS like THIS SITE and others, who are helping a GROWING MULTITUDE of folks find out WHY they feel so lousy on T4-only meds, or continue to have symptoms which are related to inadequate treatment. It’s that “time and energy” comparing Armour to T4 which is turning lives around, and busting wide open the denial and rigid false beliefs which abound!

Natural desiccated thyroid really works, and T4-only treatment does not. It’s time to pay attention, because you are getting left behind in the dust by the kangeroos.

2 replies