Although it’s common for me to work with patients who have had hyperthyroidism/Graves’ disease for years, I also work with many people who have been recently diagnosed. And while many of these people simply follow the advice of their endocrinologist, others realize that most medical doctors don’t do anything to address the root cause of their condition. For those people who want to do more than receive conventional medical treatment, I’ve decided to put together this blog post where I’ll discuss ten tips for those recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
Not only do I think those who have been recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism will find these tips to be helpful, but even those who have dealt with hyperthyroidism for many years will find value in these tips. This especially true for those with Graves’ disease and toxic multinodular goiter who are tired of having their endocrinologist bring up radioactive iodine and/or thyroid surgery.
Here are the ten tips:
Tip #1: Keep an open mind. Since you’re reading this blog post you most likely have an open mind. Perhaps your endocrinologist recommended radioactive iodine or thyroid surgery, yet this didn’t sound like the best option. Or maybe you’ve decided to take antithyroid medication, but realize that this is only a temporary solution. Either way I commend you for considering a natural treatment approach.
Tip #2: It’s important to stay safe while trying to address the underlying cause. This arguably should have been the very first tip, as it’s very important to safely manage your hyperthyroid symptoms while trying to restore your health. Many people will choose to do this through antithyroid medication, while others will choose natural agents such as bugleweed or L-carnitine. When I dealt with Graves’ disease I took the herbs bugleweed and motherwort, although many of my patients rely on antithyroid medication such as methimazole. Since I didn’t take antithyroid medication I can understand others also not wanting to do this, but if the bugleweed didn’t work in my situation I’m pretty sure I would have taken the medication. On the other hand, if you’re currently not taking antithyroid medication then trying to manage your symptoms with natural agents is an option to consider. Just remember that the quality and potency of the herb can make a big difference.
Tip #3: Don’t let your endocrinologist pressure you into receiving RAI or thyroid surgery. While many endocrinologists will recommend antithyroid medication to their hyperthyroid patients, it’s also very common for endocrinologists to tell their patients with hyperthyroidism that they need RAI or thyroid surgery. Some will even pressure their patients, and might even use scare tactics. I’m not trying to make light of hyperthyroidism, as there definitely are risks involved. This is especially true with unmanaged hyperthyroidism.
But I think it’s crazy for endocrinologists to immediately recommend RAI or surgery when someone is newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. If someone is unable to tolerate antithyroid medication I can understand them mentioning these other treatments, as they weren’t taught in medical school to use natural agents such as bugleweed, motherwort, lemon balm, and L-carnitine. And they certainly weren’t taught to address the cause of these and other health conditions.
Tip #4: If you have Graves’ disease, remember that this is primarily an immune system condition. This makes it even more ludicrous for endocrinologists to recommend radioactive iodine or thyroid surgery as a FIRST OPTION. Once again, I realize that there’s a time and place for these treatment methods, but just remember that they don’t address the autoimmune component of Graves’. Neither does antithyroid medication or beta blockers (or bugleweed, motherwort, lemon balm, or L-carnitine), but the goal of these is to keep the symptoms in check while you find your triggers and correct any underlying imbalances.
Tip #5: If you have toxic multinodular goiter, common causes include problems with estrogen metabolism and insulin resistance. Your endocrinologist probably won’t mention this to you, mainly because they don’t keep up with the research. Just as is the case with Graves’ disease, they are likely to recommend either antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or thyroid surgery. And while toxic multinodular goiter can be challenging to treat naturally, I still think it’s worth trying to address the cause of the problem.
Tip #6: If taking a natural treatment approach, start with cleaning up your diet. Although eating a healthy diet alone many times won’t be enough to restore your health, it still is important. After all, if you eat inflammatory foods on a regular basis you probably won’t heal. In fact, even occasionally eating inflammatory foods might prevent some people from restoring their health. This doesn’t mean that perfection is required, and I definitely haven’t been perfect with the diet since I’ve been in remission from Graves’ disease, but while you’re trying to get into remission you want to do everything you can to avoid gluten, refined foods and sugars, fast food, unhealthy oils, etc.
Tip #7: Stress is a big factor in the development of Graves’ disease. In addition to cleaning up your diet, another thing you want to do is work on improving your stress handling skills. Of course if you can decrease the actual stressors that would be wonderful, but this isn’t always possible. I advise my patients to start with blocking out 5 minutes for stress management EVERY DAY. While more than this would be even better, it’s important to get into the daily routine of improving your stress handling skills.
Once you are in the routine of blocking out 5 minutes per day for stress management you then can gradually increase the duration. As for what stress management techniques you should utilize, I recommend some type of mind-body-medicine (i.e. meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi). Keep in mind that you don’t need to practice the same technique every day. For example, if you like yoga then you can practice this three days per week, and then meditation the other four days.
Tip #8: Take advantage of some of the free resources I offer those with hyperthyroidism. I have hundreds of free articles related to thyroid health on my website. Many of these focus on hyperthyroidism. Here are just a few of them:
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/5-hyperthyroidism-diet-tips/
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/is-hyperthyroidism-causing-your-frozen-shoulder/
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/5-things-to-know-about-thyroid-eye-disease/
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/toxic-multinodular-goiter-vs-graves-disease/
In addition, since 2020 I’ve been conducting free thyroid-related events, and by being on my email list you will be notified whenever I have these free events (5-day thyroid-related challenges, Facebook live and Zoom Q & A calls, etc.).
If you’re interested in communicating with others who have hyperthyroidism, you might want to join my “Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease Natural Solutions Support Group”, and attend my regular Facebook live chats (I do them a few times each month on Friday afternoon). Here is the link to join:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hyperthyroidtribe
Sometimes I will also do random Zoom calls for those who aren’t on Facebook. This is yet another reason to be on my email list, as when I do these I will send an email to everyone to let them know the day and time, along with the Zoom information necessary to attend.
Tip #9: Read my book “Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease. You can find this on Amazon.com, as well as on other websites that sell books (i.e. Barnes and Noble). Make sure you get the revised 2nd edition.
Tip #10: Be cautious about self-treating your condition. Obviously I’m going to be biased here since I’m a natural healthcare practitioner, although keep in mind that I personally worked with someone when I dealt with Graves’ disease back in 2008/2009. Many people don’t need to work with someone in order to clean up their diet, improve stress handling, etc. But while improving diet and lifestyle is important to anyone looking to restore their health, doing this alone usually isn’t sufficient.
I do work with people remotely, so whether you live in the United States or in a different country, you might want to check out my Natural Hyperthyroid Restoration and Optimal Health program. I do require anyone interested to 1) watch a free webinar and 2) complete a brief online application, and if you want to watch the webinar you can Click Here.
Bonus Tip: Check out the Save My Thyroid podcast. This podcast is specifically for people with hyperthyroidism, and as the title of the podcast implies, the main goal is to help people save their thyroid gland…while addressing the underlying cause of their condition. Click Here to listen to the episodes on my other website, and if you have an iPhone and want to subscribe Click Here. If you have an android and would like to subscribe Click Here.
I’ll wrap up this blog post by mentioning that whether you have Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter, or a different type of hyperthyroid condition, it is possible to regain your health and avoid radioactive iodine and thyroid surgery. I’m not saying it’s an easy process, as it will take time and a commitment on your part. But in my opinion it’s well worth the effort.
Have You Been Recently Diagnosed With Hyperthyroidism?
If you have been recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism I’d love to hear from you! Have you seen an endocrinologist? If so, what was your experience? Did you know you wanted to take a natural treatment approach immediately after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism? Or did you have no idea that natural treatment methods were an option until you did some searching? Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone!
Hi i was diagnosed with Graves last June and one of the most severe case my endrocrinologist had ever seen in her career and it came on fast. On a vacation, heart palpitations and swollen ankles and extreme weight loss overnight sent me to the dr by the time i got home.
I work out and always healthy BMI and have never even had a family doctor for myself at 52 until last June. We started on anti thyroid drug and within 90 days had better panels. About month 5 -I surged downward fast toward Hypo but changed medication to half of 1 pill (100mg pill) a day and stabilized for lack of a better term since October. I don’t know if this is of interest. Try to follow GF diet and watch sugar and processed food but sometimes fall of the wagon. My weight, though I lost 20lbs intially, I have gained it all back and at around 137ish which is my norm. Hope this can help in some way. I feel fine otherwise but went on AIP diet immediately for several weeks and have not done other tests done at this time. Just an example of how medication can work as opposed to removal or radioactive iodine.
When tested (LifeLine Screening) I was told I have no thyroid issues. But I sure have symptoms. Hair loss, horrible finger nails, tongue that swells and gets teeth imprints imbedded in it, etc. No pain or other issues except maybe a little less energy. So I don’t know what to do. I fit so many of the symptoms but they tell me I’m fine. And I don’t know if I would be hyper or hypo.
What do you suggest?
Yes, recently diagnosed with hyperthyroid & had uncomfortable side effects after only 2 doses of methimazole. Parted ways with Endo bc of inability to get a return phonecall when in need. As well as her insistance to take the Rx in spite of hives.
I began to follow a GF, dairy free and other anti inflammatory way of life. Getting more sleep & prayer/scripture meditation & also having Acupuncture to balance my body. Waiting on blood test results to see if there’s any improvement.
Heart rate has slowed some, a little less heat flashes & lost 13lbs in 5.5 weeks.
Looking to add herbal thyroid support soon!
I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism , but we are not sure yet if it is graves, or postpartum thyroiditis. I have a newborn, and I’m still nursing, but a heart rate of 165 took me to the ER. They took my thyroid panels and my T4 was at 93. That’s pretty insane considering the top of normal is 18. My next blood test will check for the antibodies. I’m really hoping it’s just a postpartum thyroiditis, as I want to continue breast-feeding, and medications are not really ideal. Have already cut sugar, dairy, and all grains/gluten/starch. Resting heart rate is around 85-105 without beta blockers. To be honest- I don’t notice much difference in my heart rate with the blockers….it just doesn’t pound as hard.
Just diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and the doc said graves though. I antibody test. I pushed for further labs so we will see. I have a t4 of 29 and t3 of 22. My heart rate sitting around would be between 85-100. It was normally 56-60. I am very active and normally weigh 120lbs. I was down to 112lbs two summers ago when I became suspicious.I feel I have been knocked right down with this and can’t be active like I normally was. After about 3 weeks my hr, headaches, urgent bowel and jaw pain was going away. I felt better. Not 100% but better. Then I had my first dose of methimazole (10mg) my heart rate went down more but now I have a massive headache that feels like when the symptoms first started. I don’t like being on pills and I asked my doctor if I would have to be on it permanently and he said likely, yes. But everything Ive read says methimazole is only a temporary fix. If it isn’t Graves’ disease, what else would cause it? I’ve never been pregnant. I am healthy and I mostly eat a whole food diet with very minimal processed foods. Stress level is definitely not the greatest.