Graves Disease...?

My mother has had some thyroid issues, in which my grandmother also suffered from...I've heard these correlations are very very hereditary.

Here's a synopsis of her symptoms and the medical readings/figures, sent to me by her:

Mother had Graves disease (overative thyroid) and was diagnosed at my age (55)...

My TSH of 2.48
T4 4.6
T4 Index (T7) 1.3 out of range on the low end
T4 Free 0.8 the lowest of the range reference
T3 UPTAKE 29

_______________________________________________


Symptoms I am experiencing:
nervousness
irritability
thinning of your skin/itchy and dry
fine brittle hair
muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs
anxiousness/panic disorder
insomnia
racing heartbeat
more frequent bowel movements
weight loss despite a good appetite
burning and itchy skin
heartbeat in the thyroid gland area

For those of you who have Graves or thyroidal issues or know of someone, share your holistic take on this... Goal is, greater vitality, ultimately.

Much appreciated..

Peace with all -

George looks this up as I'm only mentioning from memory of anecdote, and sometimes thats all it takes to get one on the path to self healing. I remember a very old very wise man talking about health issues he had recovered from, it was graves disease with pitting edema. I can only remember half of the remedy but it was iodine tablets and the other half was a health food supplement widely available. If you do find details in relation to the disease and iodine tablets, i'd look up either the other element that was complimentary or possibly symbiotic in helping the body uptake the component in the iodine. Similar to how for people to take glucosamine it has to be taken with chondroitin. Give Potassium Iodide a shot as the element to go with the iodine tablets that taken alone seem to have side effects of their own. I could go on an on but it's you that have to walk the road so I'll let you find your own path, I hope I've helped point out the way.

Saybian Morgan wrote:George looks this up as I'm only mentioning from memory of anecdote, and sometimes thats all it takes to get one on the path to self healing. I remember a very old very wise man talking about health issues he had recovered from, it was graves disease with pitting edema. I can only remember half of the remedy but it was iodine tablets and the other half was a health food supplement widely available. If you do find details in relation to the disease and iodine tablets, i'd look up either the other element that was complimentary or possibly symbiotic in helping the body uptake the component in the iodine. Similar to how for people to take glucosamine it has to be taken with chondroitin. Give Potassium Iodide a shot as the element to go with the iodine tablets that taken alone seem to have side effects of their own. I could go on an on but it's you that have to walk the road so I'll let you find your own path, I hope I've helped point out the way.

I kinda wish you knew the full-story, but thanks.

Chime in people.

Thanks -

My 2 cents.


□ Multivitamin - as directed on label
□ Vitamin B Complex - 50 mg of each major B vitamin 3 x day
□ EFAs - as directed on label □ Vitamin E - 200 IU daily □ Sterols & Sterolins - as directed □ Eat organic broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, spinach & turnips.
□ Avoid stimulants in caffeine & pop
□ Research thoroughly any recom- mendation for radioactive treat- ment
□ Consider an appropriate cleanse to support the body in proper function
□ Avoid soy products

(I work in a health food store.)
Please get a proper medical person to assess your family member.

I didn't say I was even close to knowing half the story, but there wern't many reply's and I couldn't sit by and no throw you the two pennies worth I knew for better or worse. In searching on the iodine subject it seems to also make people sick I don't know if it's the same thing, he was making a passing reference at the time to illnesses that healed themselves without medical intervention but that's no means a solution in respect to you. I can say no more on the subject the thyroid is a complex thing and in the case of graves this is only the second time in my life I've herd it at all.

George- Just thought I'd add some more info on the the previous info I gave to you. George, please realize that this info is for empowering you to ask more questions of your mom's doctors.
I am NOT a doctor and can't 'treat' anyone.

Here's the info

Grave's disease: a nutritional approach


Grave's disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid gland is overactive). When confronted with a diagnosis of Grave's disease, there are four aspects that need to be addressed when planning a nutritional protocol - removal of thyroid toxic substances from the diet, focus on an immune supportive diet, dietary allergy elimination, and nutritional supplementation.

Removal of thyroid toxic substances

Soy has been found to interfere with proper functioning of the thyroid gland by inhibiting thyroid peroxidase (TPO) catalyzed reactions essential to thyroid hormone synthesis. In one study, daidzein and genistein, two isoflavones found in soy, blocked TPO-catalyzed tyrosine iodination by acting as alternate substrates, yielding mono-, di-, and triiodoisoflavones, in the presence of an iodide ion. Inhibition of thyroid hormone synthesis can induce goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland due to several factors - an iodine deficiency, malfunction of the gland, or by over consumption of a goitrogen).

Other foods that are considered goitrogens (a thyroid antagonist found in food) include plants of the genus Brassica (cabbage, turnips, kale, rutabaga, watercress, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and kohlrabi). These vegetables seem to be more of a concern for hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). However, each case must be analyzed individually. Since Brassica vegetables block the uptake of iodine, there is a case in the scientific literature showing that this can have profound negative effects on a patient with Grave's disease. Brassica plants are particularly goitrogenic in their raw state, and therefore must be cooked. Consumption should be based on individual case analysis.

Immune support

The goal of a diet program for Grave's disease is to remove all foods that may be triggering the body to create antibodies against parts of the thyroid and subsequently attack its own tissues. Researchers believe that one of the possible causes of autoimmune ailments are certain foods that are new to humanity (grain products, dairy products, lentils and beans, and yeasted foods) which have only appeared in the past 40,000 years. Meats, nuts, vegetables and fruits have been eaten for over 2 million years. Therefore, returning to a diet that is made of meat, nuts, and produce may remove one of the main offending causes behind autoimmune problems. In essence, this is a Paleolithic diet.

In a Paleolithic diet, protein makes up about 25-30% of calories and is derived almost exclusively from lean meats and fish. This contrasts with the North American diet which consists of only 10-15% protein which is derived from poor quality, high fat meats, grains, dairy products and legumes. Thus both the amount and sources vary greatly between the two dietary practices. Proteins play a major role in autoimmune disease and thus these new sources of proteins (dairy, grains, legumes) which present the immune system with completely new protein fragments, are very problematic. Celiac disease is a fine example of a disease driven by specific proteins found in some grains.

Dietary allergy elimination

Some practitioners believe that an underlying mechanism of autoimmune diseases revolves around the identification and elimination of dietary allergies. Allergy researcher James Braly, MD, believes that antibodies formed specifically against partially digested food particles form immune complexes when attached together, and circulate in the bloodstream, eventually depositing in the tissues where they can cause inflammation, irritation, and immune stimulation against the bodies own tissues.

Nutritional supplementation

Below is a list of some supplements that are utilized for hyperthyroidism.

Foundation formula 1 tablet, twice daily

Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria as directed

EPA/DHA 3000 mg and higher

Glutamine 2 grams, upon arising

GLA 300 2 capsules, with each meal

Flaxseed Oil 2 tablespoons

Vitamin C Ester-C (500 mg), 3 times per day

Vitamin E 400 IU

Magnesium 400-800 mg (slow mag may be needed). SOURCE: drhoffman.com

Thanks folks. A good start is certainly better fats in the diet.
I'm buying hemp oil, coconut oil, hemp seed and chia...

Any other insight is welcomed.

Peace -

I don't know if this will help you, George, yet it is a good option to check into:

Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy, which is being used to treat dozens of illnesses. It may or may not be a viable option for you and yours. Yet, if it is, then hurray.

lowdosenaltrexone.org is a good place to start researching.

I am using it for treating Fibromyalgia and other illnesses. It helps the body stimulate its own healing processes. And it is affordable.

Other folks here know so much more about natural healing modalities, I'll just share this for now.

Blessings on our journeys to all.
Max

Hi George,
I would encourage you to review Bugleweed - Lycopus Virginicus. One of my personal favorites! Renowned to be as harmless as distilled water, and as effective as it is harmless. Bugleweed has been used for giving prompt relief from excessively rapid pulse (tachycardia), even for children.
The Calcium Chloride it contains is a heart nourishing food, specifically for the heart muscle. Calcium chloride causes the heart to beat in a more efficient manner. The heart rate per minute is slowed, and at the same time the heart pulse, the force of the hearts contraction, is increased - delivering more blood per beat! Also, calcium chloride gives you more rest time in-between beats. So, a slower heartbeat, with longer rest time, and more oxygen carrying blood per beat. A very calming, and quick relief from a fast pitter-patter heartbeat.
Bugleweed also quiets the cranial nerves - the pineal gland produces a thyroid stimulating hormone. Bugleweed reduces this activity in the pineal gland, reducing thyroid activity.

The ABDOMINAL NERVES, as well as the thoracic nerves are calmed as well. This action alone can effectively and quickly ELIMINATE diarrhea and relieve pain in the abdominal cavity.

My favorite effect within all this benefit, is that Bugleweed is VERY calming. Soothing nerves and reducing stress very quickly. It is truly amazing!

Lastly, the gypsies have long touted this herb as the ultimate heart tonic. The Lloyd Brothers even made a heart remedy based on Bugleweed. There is a very long history of safe Bugleweed use.
Bugleweed is native to United States, loves swampy, moist spots. Square stalk, elliptic 2" leaves with PURPLE flowers and a minty scent. Enjoy! http://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=1767 A slightly different, but suitable variety for you. There are substitutional herbs if your metabolism is NOT fast and skinny. Hawthorn berries - Crataegus Oxyacantha is more suitable if your metabolism is slow already.

Peony Jay has some real nutritional gems, I have so much to learn there.......

Sorry for such a long, ramblin' post........I am a newbie, after all.
Peace

Some of the information above is confusing Graves Disease with Hashimoto's Disease. Both are auto-immune disorders and both are very common, however with Hashimoto's, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland which gets high levels of inflammation eventually causing thyroid gland no longer functions properly and you don't have enough thyroid hormones. It's like diabetes of the thyroid. It is easily treated with either natural (Armour) or synthetic thyroid drugs.

With Grave's, the immune system attacks a particular protein on the surface of the gland and this causes the thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone. Of the two, Grave's Disease is more dangerous and has some very serious possible complications. Get to a doctor for testing. Treatment involves either suppressing the thyroid or in some cases, surgically removing the thyroid and placing the patient on prescription thyroid hormones.

I am not a doctor, but those elevated TSH and low T4 numbers make me think Hashimoto's, not Graves.

I have had Hashimoto's disease for 15 years. The original inflammation is long gone and I have been stable for over a decade. Don't ask me how; I just know that I started eating better, i.e. fresh and natural foods instead of things out of a box, and the inflammation tends to go away with time anyway. I used to take the Armour hormone (which is dessicated pig thyroid gland) but there is only one plant that makes it anymore and there were frequent supply disruptions, so I switched to a synthetic T4/T3 combination which, frankly, works better and is much more consistent. I think most people who say the Armour worked better for them need supplemental T3 (which Armour has) but are only getting the synthetic T4.

I know of several herbs which are reputed to "aid" the thyroid, but none have actual known mechanisms by which they work. I suspect all of them stimulate either the pituitary gland -- which tells the thyroid to make more hormone -- or the thyroid gland itself. Neither action is appropriate for Grave's Disease. As for iodine and the various seaweed-type supplements, iodine enables the thyroid to work more efficiently. In the case of Hashimoto's, it may help in very mild cases. I wouldn't think it would be beneficial for Grave's.

Graves Disease or a Hyperactive Thyroid can be life threatening, as an Herbalist of 40 years practice I cannot reccomend a herb that is totally effective. Don't play games and listen to amateurs trying to be kind and guiding you away from what should be considered first. When faced with a serious disease always see a qualified practitioner. The only natural treatment that works for this disease is Homeopathy and treatment should be administered by a professional homeopath and not an amateur. There are seven basic Homeopathic remedies for a hyperactive thyroid and up to 50 remedies that may be indicated only someone with the proper training is going to be of help here. The success of treatment is fairly high but it always is easier if treated at the onset.