Carnitine for hyperthyroidism - TSH still low what should I do?
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Hello
I've been following a natural protocol for my hyperthyroidism for about a month. My first labs showed extremely high freeT4 and Free T3 and TSH 0.01. With l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine, herbs (lemon balm, motherwort and bugleweed), as well as diet changes, I'm feeling more normal. I just had blood work done yesterday and my T4 and T3 are within normal range, T4 is high but normal. My TSH is still the same (0.01). Unfortunately, I still have brain fog and heart palpitations (and abnormal reactions to stress). So now, I don't know who to ask what to do next. My endocrinologist knows nothing about supplements and herbs. Should I keep taking the supplements until my TSH is more normal, or should I reduce them because my T4 and T3 are normal? What about the herbs?
Thank you so much!
2 likes, 3 replies
Mike61308 maya41611
Edited
Were and are you taking any ATM's while following naturepathy protocol? Either way, one-month treatment is too early to call even getting T3 T4 in normal range if TSH shows no improvement. It is on the way to recovery, but some symptoms could remain lingering longer. Stress is probably a major common cause of hyper and your abnormal reactions are a normal symptom of stress-caused hyperthyroidism condition. Every time you encounter stress, you'll have abnormal reactions if your underline thyroid condition remain compromised and unresolved (vs complete recovery). I wonder the protocol you follow has set any timeline for TSH improvement? I think TSH is the key to reach prominent point of ceasing symptoms (from my experience). GL
maya41611 Mike61308
Edited
Thank you so much Mike61308! I am continuing on with the protocol and I think I'm going to see a functional medicine specialist. I think you're right that not all my symptoms are gone because of the TSH. I wish doctors were more helpful and knowledgeable about this stuff. It's so frustrating.
linda57679 maya41611
Edited
When your thyroid is hyper, you lose a lot of vitamins, minerals and amino acids from your system. I found that I was deficient in Vitamin D (very important for good immunity) and I now take vit D softgel caps. Also I was tested for Total Carnitine and Free Carnitine and was deficient. After reading the research paper on the benefits of hyperthyroid patients using Regular L-Carnitine, I tried it and experimented with different types of carnitines. At times I took both Regular and Acetyl and it was the Acetyl combined with low dose Methimazole that really raised my TSH quickly. My frees dropped down to the bottom of the normal range but my main concern was getting my TSH raised to at least 1.0 or 1.5 and as long as the frees did not go out of range I was okay with them being down. I was able to get my TSH up quickly and my meds dose lowered slowly down to 2.5 mg every other day. My dose of Acetyl was between 1,000 mg to start and shortly after down to 500 mg. I took everything at one time because it is the Acetyl that carries your meds across the blood-brain barrier and gives the TSH receptors in the pituitary gland the right message about how much thyroid hormone is needed in your body. You will need frequent monitoring (at least once a month) and frequent adjustments to both meds and supplements dosages if you take this route. But it is fast. You will also have to get your doctor's cooperation and hopefully teach him about this. Now off meds for 2 years and I take 1,000 mg of Regular L-Carnitine and 500 mg of Acetyl-L Carnitine to keep my labs healthy. When I stopped the meds, my antibodies were non-detectable and my Frees immediately went up to the mid-range.