low thyroid

A:

A:What are the symptoms? Are you seeing a proper endocrinologist, or just a regular physician? They've narrowed the range that is "normal" so your doctor might be looking at the old range. They're much more aggressive with treating thyroid. (I take thyroid meds and I never had symptoms, it was because of my blood test). Be AGGRESSIVE with your doctor -- YOU are the client, remember! Hypothyroidism Clinically apparent hypothyroidism usually warrants treatment. In case the hypothyroidism is due to dietary minerals and iodine, supplementation with these may obviate the need for hormonal treatment, but only if iodine deficiency has been documented, which is very rare in the Western world. Whilst subclinical hypothyroidism is thought to have long-term consequences, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease risks,[1] there is no current consensus as to the benefits of treatment in this group.[2][3] Treatment is usually with levothyroxine (starting at 50 ?g/day), a synthetic thyroxine analogue. There is no evidence suggesting that there is any need to substitute T3 as well.[4][5] Symptoms as well as TSH levels are used to monitor effect of substitution; a high TSH level suggests treatment is not yet adequate and that dose adjustments are necessary. A low ("suppressed") TSH may indicate the dose is too high. Some patients prefer a pig thyroid extract, natural desiccated thyroid hormones, which contains T3 as well as T4 and traces of T2, T1 and calcitonin.

A:In humans, hypothyroidism is charactized by: weakness, fatigue, lethargy, intolerance to cold, decreased memory, constipation, muscle cramps, joint pain, weight gain, decreased sweating, dry coarse skin, puffiness around the eyes, swelling of the hands and feet, low blood pressure and body temperature, and anemia.

A:Besides the above, you can become clinically depressed.

A:As a healthcare provider I would warn you against trying this INSTEAD of your thyroid medication. There is no problem with eating Brazil nuts. But if you let your thyroid levels go down (from not taking your medication)there are many bad effects...which probably led you to start thyroid medication in the first place. Your thyroid never 'heals' itself. This is a medication you will need for the rest of your life. In fact, I monitor blood thyroid levels on my patients every three months (six months at the most) to be sure the dosage needed is what is being given. Low levels can cause extreme fatigue, hair to fall out, and cholesterol levels to be high,......and more. Take your meds....its just one pill a day....and the drug is cheap.