Check out Methimazole -carcinogen??

[Guest guest]

I just looked at this that posted..it says in rats it causes

carcinoma..does it in humans? thanks Kim

<A HREF= " http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/methim_wcp.htm " >Click here:

Methimazole - RxList Monographs</A>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim -

Been on Tap for 23 years. I was on 30 mg a day (a fairly hefty dose)

for the first 16 years, and was on 15 mg of Tap for the past 7 years,

dropping to lower amounts recently. So far, so good! No cancer here!

Best Wishes,

Chris

> I just looked at this that posted..it says in rats it causes

> carcinoma..does it in humans? thanks Kim

>

> <A HREF= " http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/methim_wcp.htm " >Click

here: Methimazole - RxList Monographs</A>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> that's good to know..how are you getting the dose to go

down? diet?

> less stress etc? thanks! Kim

>

-----------------

Hi Kim -

I can't really pinpoint any specific changes, but I will tell you

what I have done.

Before I got online 4 years ago, I had trouble getting any thyroid

info. Of course, you know that LAST place to get truthful info is

from your local endo..... I did find info on hypOthyroidism and

tried to reverse it to fit my case of hyperthyroidism.

I ordered books from the library, and discovered one that said that

an excess of iodine can cause hyperthyroidism. With that in mind, I

threw out my iodized salt, gave up shellfish, and then dug deeper. I

got a book on food additives, and discovered that many of the foods I

consumed daily contained additives that were either high in iodine or

made from seaweed. These were carrageenan, alginates, Red Dye No. 3,

and sodium iodate. So I eliminated those also. I figured I had been

getting about 5 times the RDA of iodine on some days.

I still wanted to get the minimum dose of 150 mcg, but being unable

to find any " iodine content in foods " lists, I guess-timated that

certain foods and beverages I still consumed had enough iodine to

sustain me. I quit taking mulitivits to avoid the extra iodine in

those.

At this point - 1995, I was able to reduce my Tapazole from 30 mg a

day, down to 15 mg a day. Since ATDs block the coupling of iodine

and tyrosine (the " fuels " for making thyroid hormone) I learned all I

could about which foods were high in these, and avoided them also. I

was able to get by with the lower amount of 15 mg a day of Tap at

this point.

Then I met J. in 1998, and started learning from him about all

the nutritional approaches to this disease. It seemed only natural

that this was the way to go, as I had been avidly studying nutrition

since the early 70's, and already knew of its benefits. I was unable

to tolerate the supplements as they were too strong for me. So I

concentrated on foods that were high in copper, magnesium, potassium,

etc.

I began to analyze everything I consumed. I began to notice that my

levels (symptoms) would " spike " everytime I ate aged cheddar cheese,

soy sauce, cured or processed meats, and anything that was

fermented. I found the common denominator to be something

called " tyramine. " So I eliminated these items from my diet, and my

levels started to stabilize.

But things still weren't right. So by trial and error, I discovered

that taking equal amounts of Tap, spaced every 8 hours, gave me a

better " coverage " of meds, and at that point my levels started to

settle down. I had previously taken the full dose all at one time

each day. Also, when lowering the dosage, I learned to very, very

gradually cut back the amount. This took some creative pill-

splitting, and it got frustrating, but was well worth the effort.

I tried going strictly gluten-free for a year, and was able to re-

introduce some gluten back into my diet. I still cannot tolerate

items with dietary yeast in them. I avoid all yeast breads, yeast

donuts, etc.

I increased my protein intake (meats, chicken, pork, some freshwater

fish), but I do not touch soy. I increased my potassium intake and

reduced my sodium (salt). I drink a lot of whole milk (non-BST) as I

tolerate it well, and due to emergency stomach surgery 5 years ago, I

have difficulty with solid food. I've found a way to take about 150

mg of magnesium a day to help balance the high calcium intake. I

also take lecithin for liver health, gallbladder health, and to keep

good cholesterol levels.

Every week I'll try something different. Sometimes it works out, and

sometimes it doesn't. I'm currently down to 6 mg a day (2 mg three

times a day). Maybe the last few dosage reductions (very slowly

reducing the Tap) are working because my thyroid is finally settling

down...... it's a mystery, but I'm just going to go with it.

I've learned to quit " sweating the small stuff " and have tried to

eliminate all the stressful things that I can. Of course, there are

some very aggravating items that you cannot get away from, but you go

through and get rid of what you can.

Everyone has to find their own way through this Graves' maze, and it

all depends on how much effort you want to put into it.

I've been through hell trying to avoid RAI and stay on the meds. I

got the RAI pressure plays everywhere I turned. There were periods

of time when I could NOT get my Tapazole refilled, nor could I get my

levels tested. These are the times I ended up in the hospital with

severe heart arrhythmias (fast, irreg beats).

I've heard all the endo-lies, and if there are any I've missed, they

won't surprise me. I've learned that Graves' is a disorder of the

immune system. It is AUTOIMMUNE hyperthyroidism. If the thyroid is

destroyed, the antibodies will just go after other organs or

tissues. I have no eye involvement.

Many folks have had success with 's nutritional approach, and I

feel this is the best route to take. We just need to find our own

balance, and that's the tough part--which nutrients need balancing,

and which toxins need to be eliminated.

Hopefully, someday soon, the medical industry will wise up and quit

doling out death sentences to our thyroids. Hopefully someday soon

we will find the perfect, fool-proof way of treating, and curing

Graves'.

Best Wishes,

Chris