Re: ALTMED - Anyone else doing it without any Dr.'s meds?

[Guest guest]

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 09:18:00 -0000 " brightonaquarius "

writes:

> Hello, I've just joined the list, and have read through a bit of the

> archives. I was wondering if there is anyone (apart from Pam! who

> has done it brilliantly) who has gone through the hyperthyroidism

> without any meds at all?

>

> My GD started over 2 months ago, and after reading up on the options

>

> offered, drugs and ops, etc, I am determined not to touch them!

Best wishes on your journey to health. No one here will say I told you so

should you find yourself on meds; they are the least of the evils and in

conjunction with lifestyle changes and better living can bring on

permanent remission in 12 - 24 months.

There were so many factors in my achieving remission. For the first few

months on ATDs I took homeopathic thyroid (not just remedies for various

symptoms), improved my diet and was on a rigorous supplement regimen

throughout, and even went for one session with a Chinese practitioner

until I decided that financially I couldn't do it all at the same time.

In my case hormonal factors also played a major role as I developed it

post-partum and weaned my baby and gave my hormones a rest for awhile.

So while I don't have an answer for you, it may well can be done, but you

should still get frequent bloodwork done, find a qualified holistic MD

(or DO) or naturopath, and be alert and very honest with yourself

throughout.

Take care, Fay

>

> My GP is very co-operative and is doing all the regular blood tests,

>

> and has made me aware of the symptoms of possible problems.

>

> I've started on the herbs which have reduced a lot of the

> tachycardia, etc, but, from what I've read of their action, are not

> curative, but help with T4-T3 conversion etc.

>

> Diet wise it's easy as I don't do any of the things I shouldn't !!

>

> Initally I started taking homeopathic remedies for the symptoms, but

>

> as I read more about GD, I realised that these were only surface

> prescriptions, and am now researching about auto-immune generally.

>

> I've checked all the links, and have only found a handful of people

> who do it naturally .... any of you out there, please???

>

> Thanks

> Sharon

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon, You said the herbs are not curative, but Bugleweed does in fact

suppress your immune system and lower antibodies, just as ATDs do. There is

no reason you can't go into remission by using the herbs.

Elaine has several articles about graves and alt med:

http://daisyelaine_co.tripod.com/gravesdisease/id23.html

and there is this woman who did it all naturally:

http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Nutrition/clements63.htm

and there are one or more women on my alt med group who have done it no meds

as well... one that has done it and is in remission I think and a few that

are doing it naturally or with NMT anyway. There are also people to talk to

on the NMT board - I can find that link for you if you ask.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ai_alt_med/

Also, B got out of hyperthyroid initially by using homeopathy and diet

and I don't know what all - she was my inspiration in the very begriming

when I couldn't get a doc to prescribe ATDs.

Hope you find more people to talk to - it does seem there are very few of us

- at least online... my NDs have all treated several Graves and Hashimotos

patients so I know there are more of us out there. But too, alt med tends to

treat the patient rather than the disease so we all seem to do it a bit

differently from everyone else - depending on what each of us needs.

Pam B.

[Guest guest]

Pam, and and Fay and Alice ... thanks for the replies

Pam .. the links are excellent ! I really thought I had searched the web

thoroughly - will try harder next time!! My research has got some holes in it,

as I hadn't picked up that bugleweed affected the immune system too.

Elaine 's work is excellent. The Positive Health link is great as well.

(Who is B? - I'm especially interested as I am a homeopath! Hence my

reluctance to use medication.)

I've joined the ai_alt_med group, but will post any interesting results here

too!

Bye, Sharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Find a copy of the German Commission E on herbals. This is a reference book,

regarded by many as the one reliable source.

You will find both Lemon Balm and Bugleweed have antithyroid properties...

Will lower thyroid hormones. They both also reduce the antibodies.

I found the Bugleweed to be much stronger than Lemon Balm, and used this

fact in my weaning process.

Care must be taken as many plants bear the same common name, but are

entirely different species.

None of the over the counter preparations contain the proper proportion of

the part of the plant, due to cost, and preparation may be lacking ,

especially the bugleweed, as their are some compounds that react with ether

and some that do not. Both must be used. ( yep... I'm a plant person)

A prescription is required for medical quality tincture, and a NP can do

this.

BUT... regular labs every four weeks are a must, the same as with regular

meds.

My Graves' was very serious when diagnosed and high doses of medication were

my only option.

Later, once I learned LOTS more, I did use both of these herbs, once my

thyroid levels were fairly low. I gradually replaced my meds with the

tinctures. So I am one of the 'used both crowd'.

However, none of this would have had any affect, had I not altered my diet

and lifestyle.

My Graves' lasted 3 1/2 years, and I am now in remission for just over one

and a half years.

A complete, ongoing education will be needed.

I trust that your thyroid numbers are not severe, as that would eliminate

the herbal route in the beginning, until there is more control. With

extremely high thyroid levels, the risk of heart attack or stroke makes the

slow route too risky... right then. If you have eye involvement at this time

I would also be concerned about the slow route.

Hyper also causes liver the liver to be over working and our white blood

count to be altered before treatment and until we are out of the hyper zone.

Thus my caution.

It is very common for newly diagnosed patients in SERIOUS condition to

prefer a natural route. This does not mean it is the correct treatment,

unless the disease has been caught early enough that it is not life

threatening. Thus, you will find vague questions, and no specific facts

about YOU, will often go unanswered in groups. Do you see what I am trying

to say here ?

None of this is a do-it-yourself project you know. Nor is it wise to leave

it up to the doctor , as they can not judge what is happening in our bodies,

without active patient participating.

The most important thing you can do for yourself right now, is learn where

the iodine is in all foods, and keep your intake to 100 to 150 mCg.

Absolutely no more. Iodine in what the thyroid uses for fuel. Adding

goitrogens makes the balancing act of a complete balanced diet easy.

-Pam L-

3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU. Remission due to SLOW reduction of PTU

(despite an incompetent endo ! ), improved lifestyle, excellent nutrition,

herbs, and looking at the big picture.

Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal.