I am a 34 year old female that just got diagnosed with Graves after going into a Thyroid Storm. I have been reading so many different articles so when I go back this week I can act like I know what Im talking about when discussing my options. The more Im reading the more confused I get! What have yall tried that has worked?
I think it is great that you are doing your homework so you have an opinion when it comes to making informed medical choices. I am a big fan of seeing what my conventional and unconventional options are, here is some more information for you to consider, (from drweil.com)
What is the conventional treatment?
In the U.S., an overactive thyroid is initially treated with radioactive iodine taken orally (as a capsule or drink). The radiation helps to shrink the gland and permanently reduce its hormone output within three to six months. (Radioactive iodine rarely has side effects, and all the radioactivity is eliminated in the urine within two to three days.) . Sometimes anti-thyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil or methimazole (Tapazole) may be given initially to reduce hormone levels; in about a third of cases, taking these medications for a year or more can produce a long-term remission. Still, relapse is common, prompting patients to seek out radioactive iodine treatment. Dr. Weil suggests these proven therapies be considered before having all or part of the thyroid gland surgically removed. Risks of this surgery can include potential damage to the vocal cords and the parathyroid glands, tiny glands located adjacent to the thyroid that control calcium absorption. Following thyroid surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine, people frequently develop low levels of thyroid hormone, becoming hypothyroid in the process and needing long-term thyroid hormone replacement. Graves' disease is a more serious condition than an underactive thyroid since the rapid heartbeat it can cause can progress to other serious heart problems if not adequately treated.
Beta blockers, including propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), and metoprolol (Lopressor) can often relieve the rapid heart rate, nervousness and tremors that come from an overactive thyroid. These medications aren't a cure for Graves' because the body will still overproduce thyroid hormone, but they can block some of its action. Beta blockers are often used with other forms of treatment until or unless thyroid function stops or becomes too low.
What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for Graves' disease?
There is no known, reliable treatment to stop the immune system from producing the antibodies that cause Graves' disease. Dr. Weil typically recommends conventional medical approaches, which are effective in slowing down production of thyroid hormone or blocking its action. However, uncontrolled case reports suggest that dietary and lifestyle treatments may offer some benefit in addressing autoimmunity, including:
Dietary changes:
Decrease protein intake toward 10 percent of daily calories; replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein, see the anti-inflammatory food pyramid.
Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
Eat more fruits and vegetables regularly; make sure they are organically grown.
Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogentated oils, and all foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.
Mind/Body: Mind-body measures like guided imagery and hypnosis are worth practicing to help reduce stress and normalize immune function, but it's not clear if such methods will lessen symptoms. Dr. Gary Conrad, an integrative medicine colleague, has written an excellent article published in the November/December, 2007, issue of Explore magazine entitled: Spontaneous Remission of Graves' Disease: A Spiritual Odyssey. Dr. Conrad recommends the use of a multisystem, integrative approach that encompasses "all healing modalities" most appropriate to address an individual's needs. One key component to his healing was learning how to optimize the mind-body connection to achieve states of deep relaxation - what Dr. Conrad calls the "opposite of Graves' Disease" - along with accessing the inner healing wisdom of the body to give insight about further treatment options. Dr. Conrad's article makes two key points about autoimmune conditions like Graves' disease. First, they can go into spontaneous remission over time - a focus of treatment should be trying to get the condition to "burn itself out." Secondly, stress is often a key precipitator in aggravating these conditions, and working to decrease or better manage stress can often balance immune system function and facilitate healing.
Supplements:
Ginger, start with one capsule twice a day.
Turmeric, follow dosage directions on the package.
In Europe, a mildly overactive thyroid is treated with the herb bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus), but there's little scientific evidence for its effectiveness.
Hugs and welcome! CK
@losingme , back in 1997 my endocrinologist was absolute in wanting to remove my thyroid. I told her definitely know, then she was arrogant and claimed I was not in the correct mental state because the supposed hyperthyroid condition was affecting my mind. Well, she was abusing her position because I challenged her judgment call. In reality, I was SUB clinical hyperthyroidism. My major problem was the eye sticking out badly. So here I am in 2015 with my thyroid happily living in my neck, fully functioning. I have had normal thyroid lab results since 1999. Of course, my eye are all jacked up, even with 10 reconstructive (and painful!) surgeries (the last one was in 2009). I am a male, and somewhat an anomaly, because many men end up losing sight or going blind and have the thyroid condition for life, whereas my Graves’ Disease went into spontaneous remission around 1999. But I am still left with the aftermath of not appearing attractive due to lack on symmetry of my eyes compared to my face.