Re: hyperthyroidism and seaweed!

Hi Ladna,

I've also had low thyroid hormones and can relate to your mother's feelings of being overwhelmed. It can be very uncomfortable, and even disabling for some people.

The best doctor (allopathic or alternative) is the one who not only looks at test results but listens to how you feel, what the symptoms are. Being well informed and aking a lot of questions is very necessary. Don't be afraid to challenge the doctor. If he/she doesn't like it, find another doctor. Don't let them intimidate you (or your mother). You (or your health insureance) are paying them to help you and if they are not being helpful then you no longer need their services. There's no reason your mother should have to suffer. I "fired" 4 doctors before I finally found one that is helping me.

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the San Francisco area (I'm in NC), but I do have some suggestions that might help you find a doctor for your mother.

First, visit Mary Shomon's website on about.com. She has a lot of information on hypothyroidism and a page that has a listing of top thyroid doctors who are highly recommended by other people who have visited her page. The search is by state so Calif will probably turn up a lot of them. I think this link will get you there but if it doesn't just do a search for Mary Shomon and the results should help you find the page:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/doctors/a/topdocs.htm

You can also do a search at:
http://www.worldhealth.net/p/447.html
This is an anti aging website (thryoid hormone plays a big part in aging) and the search should find doctors who do work with bioidentical (natural) hormones in your area. They should also be able to help with diet and nutritional supplements. Bio identical hormones usually implies sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, etc.) but the one I'm seeing also does thyroid therapy with Armour natural thyroid hormones and recommends necessary vitamin supplements and dietary changes. Armour contains both T3 and T4. (Many doctors just prescribe levothyroixin (synthroid) which is just T4, but many people also need some T3.) These doctors might also be more will to listen to you rather than just looking at test results alone. Just call the numbers and ask a lot of questions before making an appointment.

As for alternative doctors, I think the best way is to ask at your local healthfood stores. That way you can ask if anyone that works there has seen an alternative doctor specifically for low thyroid that they would recommend. Don't be shy. They are usually glad to help. You can do a search on the internet and come up with names but that is no guarantee that the doctor will be what you are looking for. Also check the publications that you find at the healthfood stores for local alternative doctors, but that again is no guarantee that you will find what you are looking for. That is why I think it is best to ask a real person or use a search like the one on Mary Shomon's site.

You can also visit the Life Extension Foundation at
www.lef.org
They don't have a doctor search but you can find a lot of helpful information on causes of, and diet and nutrition for low thyroid/hypothyroidism, as well as many other disorders. Diet and nutrition can play a big part in thryoid function and how one feels. There's a lot of good information here and you can even order certain blood tests for a reasonable fee.

The tests necessary to determine thyroid function are TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), free T4, free T3, and thryoid antibody tests to determine if the problem is autoimmune in nature. Many doctors use only the TSH test alone and that is not enough. One needs to know exactly how much active thyroid hormone is in the system. Other metabolic tests might be needed to determine if there is something else that is causing the low thyroid function. She should have a full metabolic panel as well as a full physical if she hasn't had one recently.

I hope this helps.

Take care,
Deb


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