QUESTION : I've just been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. How can I boost it?
ANSWER : An underactive thyroid - also known as hypothyroidism - typically requires treatment with prescription thyroid replacement hormone, but if you make some easy changes, you may be able to lower your dose.
The thyroid gland regulates metabolism and as you're probably all to aware, when it's sluggish, you can experience fatigue, weight gain, depression, constipation and intolerance to cold. Most conventional physicians prescribe levothyroxine (brand name : Synthroid) - a synthetic form of the main hormone your thyroid produces, called T4. But medication such as Thyrolar is preferred by Dr. Weil. Like levothyroxine, its a prescription drug, but it contains two thyroid hormones - T3 & T4 - a combination that is closer to what your body normally produces. Patients say it does a better job of controlling their symptoms, particularly the condition's effects on mood.
You can also try diet and lifestyle approaches. Certain foods known as goitrogens may interfere with thyroid hormone production and make you symptoms worse. These include cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts), peanuts and soy. Enjoy reasonable amounts of these, but don't go overboard.
Exercise can ease symptoms, too. Any regular activity helps, but I especially like yoga; visualizing your thyroid producing more hormones during the poses may help. Finally, you could try acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine - some patients have had good results from these therapies.
Extracted from Prevention.com Nov. 2007
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