BUT...there are natural alternatives I would try first before committing to a synthetic drug. So what if you need to do them for the rest of your life to keep you thyroid levels at their optimum! Given a choice, I'll take the natural alternative over a drug like Synthroid any day. If it doesn't work then, and only then, will I consider other ways to deal with the problem.
My father had thyroid cancer many years ago. They removed his thyroid so he's on it. I understand that. A friend went through treatment for her Hepatitis C years ago and the Interferon treatment burned out her liver - so she's on it. These circumstances are different. The treatments they received for their illnesses actually saved their lives. But when a person is feeling lethargic. They are gaining weight. Their TSH levels are off. Prescribing a pill as a first line of attack is a quick solution but may not necessarily be the best.
Here are 10 things you can do to improve your thyroid function (at least try these first - an not just for a week or even a month - give it time)
1. Make sure you are taking a high quality multivitamin with Iodine, Zinc, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin D and B vitamins.
2. Take a tyrosine and iodine supplement to help with the FT4 to FT3 conversion.
3. Go gluten-free! If you have Hashimoto’s, try going completely grain and legume free.
4. Deal with your stress and support your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands and thyroid work hand and hand. I recommend restorative yoga and adaptogenic herbs, which support the adrenal glands in coping with stress.
5. Get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
6. Have a biological dentist safely remove any amalgam fillings you may have.
7. Watch your intake of cruciferous vegetables. There is a bit of a debate surrounding this.
8. Get fluoride, bromide and chlorine out of your diet and environment.
9. Heal your gut. A properly functioning digestive system (gut) is critical to good health. To learn more, click here.
10. Find a functional medicine doctor in your area and have them run the above laboratory test and work with you to find our root cause of the thyroid imbalance.