[Anonymous]

#1020063

Ok, I have a very strange question since I tried to search here and well, nothing could be found on this topic (then again, I am still trying to figure out which word(s) to search for).
Anyways, a very close friend of mine called and asked if I would meet with her this weekend. Sure. She knows I’ve been on synthroid since May 2007 and still tired, no energy whatsoever, and well, basically getting larger each month. She is active in vitamin regemine. She states I could actually go off Synthroid permanently and just take natural vitamins. I have never heard of this and well, my endo turned away when I mentioned anyother treatments. What could possibly be in vitamins that could take the place of synthroid or any other “replacement thyroid”????? Maybe I should tell her to take a leap with her vitamins and maybe this does sound too good to be true.

Oh well, someone just enlighten me so I’m not thinking too hopefully

Kim

[Anonymous]

#1075893

There is nothing in vitamins that can take the place of synthroid/replacement thyroid hormone. Nothing. Your friend is not correct. I wouldn’t tell her to take a leap, particularly if I wanted to keep her friendship. She was probably trying to be helpful. But I would suggest that you ignore her.

If you decide to take additional vitamins in addition to your replacement hormone, please allow about four hours between taking the synthroid/replacement and taking the vitamins. Iron, calcium and other minerals in vitamins can interfere with the absorption of the replacement hormone. Once the replacement hormone is absorbed into the blood, there are no issues that I know of. But until it gets absorbed there are things that can interfere with it.

It is too bad your endo did not engage you in conversation about alternative treatments. Basically, the issue is straightforward. The ONLY treatments for hyperthyroidism are medications (proven antithyroid drugs, like methimazole and PTU), or removal of the thyroid (RAI or surgery). Those are the only real choices. Once the thyroid is removed, replacement hormone is absolutely necessary. There are no proven alternatives. There are, however, some things (acupuncture for example) which might help alleviate symptoms while our body is returning to health. But as additional means, not in place of the standard treatments. And a good, one-a-day vitamin might help your body to replenish needed nutrients faster, which could also help. But you need to be able to talk with your doctor about anything like this that you might want to add, to be sure that whatever you contemplate doing is not going to interfere with your replacement regime.

I hope this helps,
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1075894

Bobbi,
Thanks for the reply. I didn’t think there was anything that could replace what my body needs now that my thyroid is gone. I think it might have been wishful thinking, or just desparate. May be I just need to stop whining and switch endos because I just havent’ been happy with my results and feel like I’ve aged quite a bit since last years’ RAI. I know it takes time because I’ve read that everywhere, but to be always dragging is not normal when my blood work comes back “normal”.

Again, thanks for the reply and answers.
Kim

[Anonymous]

#1075895

Bobbi,

My endo did not advise me to not take my calcium close to my synthroid. Neither has my rheumatologist or internist. Where does this info come from? They all know I take calcium lactate with my morning meds. I surely do not need another dosing time during the day. The only stipulation that comes with synthroid that I know about is that you need to wait an hour before eating.

Where can I get more medical backup for this. Maybe I need to take this info to them?

Thanks,

Trish

[Anonymous]

#1075896

Hi Trish,

I know you wrote to Bobbi, but I just happened upon your question and I thought I might be able to lend a hand.

There are a couple of things to consider. First, I am not sure where to find medical backup for the restrictions about taking minerals, but I know they exist. There has been more than one Graves’ conference where I’ve heard a medical professional say that it’s best to separate anything else you’re taking by a couple of hours (mineral supplements specifically), in order to avoid any possible interactions. The first hour, while the synthroid is making its way to your intestines, is the most tricky period, because that is the time when other substances can have an affect on the body’s absorption of the synthroid. There are so many possible interactions that it’s just best to avoid anything (fillers in pills can even cause an interaction).

Still, if you are ALWAYS taking your synthroid alongside your calcium, and your levels are stable and testing at normal, then you might be able to argue that any potential interaction has been dealt with through the testing and dose adjustments to that point. The danger would then be if you STOP taking your synthroid alongside your calcium, because that may cause a change in your levels. No matter what we do, if we do it consistently, blood tests should catch imbalances and our doctors adjust our dose as necessary to account for the changes.

If you are having trouble getting your levels stabilized, and you are now taking your calcium alongside your synthroid, then perhaps you can achieve stable levels if you separate the dosing times. It’s just a suggestion to remove all possible variables.

I do hope that helps!

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

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