Do you know that a recent study estimates that as many as more than 10 million Americans have an undiagnosed thyroid condition? The vast majority of thyroid patients are women over 40.
Last week, Oprah Winfrey told ABC Good Morning America host Robin Roberts that she, “she blew out her thyroid”. It is believed that the October 2007 issue of O: The Oprah Magazine, features more specifics on Oprah’s recent thyroid problems, in her own words.
According to Forbes’ annual “Celebrity 100 Power List”, media mogul Oprah Winfrey was the top moneymaker with an estimated income of $260 million (€195.4 million) over the past 12 months.
She was simply over stressed and feeling exhausted. She is said to have taken vitamins, drunk Soymilk, munched golden flaxseed and ate fresh food and at the end of the month she felt better.
What is Oprah suffering from?
It is very difficult to speculate, but considering her age and her symptoms. It is possible that Oprah is suffering from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, and the most common cause of an under-active thyroid. In Hashimoto’s, antibodies slowly destroy the thyroid gland’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, which is essential to metabolism and energy.
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it’s not uncommon for someone to go through a brief period of hyperthyroidism — a “last gasp” of the thyroid, so to speak, before it fails and becomes under-active (hypothyroid).
Some patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis may have no symptoms. However, the common symptoms are fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, forgetfulness, muscle weakness, puffy face, dry skin and hair, constipation, muscle cramps, and increased menstrual flow. Some patients have major swelling of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck, called goiter.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is common in women who are near menopause or who have attained menopause. Very often this disease is not diagnosed in time and doctors get fooled thinking that it is a case of menopausal depression with weight gain.
Soy Milk controversy:
Everything that a diva like Oprah Winfrey does hits the headlines. We know that she drank Soymilk to fight exhaustion. Did she do the right thing? I will let you decide for yourself…
The US FDA is very critical of Soymilk. They claim that isoflavones found in Soymilk can have goitrogenic and even carcinogenic effects.
However, America’s leading alternative doctor, Dr. Andrew Weil, has said about soy, at his Ask Dr. Weil website
“…you’re unlikely to get too many isoflavones as a result of adding soy foods to your diet — but you probably will take in too much if you take soy supplements in pill form. At this point, I can only recommend that you avoid soy supplements entirely.”
What if I were Oprah’s Alternative physician and I had to recommend a Hypothyroidism cure?
I know this is wishful thinking, but as a hypothyroidism cure, I would encourage Oprah to continue all her allopathic medications, the most important of which would be a small pill, which would restore the thyroid hormone levels and bring it to normal.
I would also encourage her to try our Alternative medicine for her condition.
Natural therapies to alleviate her symptoms include:
- Herbal Medicines (naturopathy)
- Homeopathy
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Yoga
A combination of herbal ingredients such as Equisetum arvense, oatstraw (Avena sativa), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) can be used to promote a healthy thyroid. Herbal remedies may also be used alongside conventional thyroid treatment for hypothyroidism.
Kelp
You can order some fantastic kelp noodles here: Kelp Noodles 12oz (Just like Spaghetti & 100% Raw!)”
Black cohosh
Both of these herbs — kelp and Black cohosh — have shown to have healing effects and help increase hormone production of thyroxine.
Changing the diet will help with hypothyroidism. Eating goitrogenic foods such as rapeseed, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, maize, lima beans, soya and pearl millet should be limited. These foods contain natural goitrogens, which are chemicals that cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. Cooking is known to make the goitrogens elements less effective but it would be wise not eat these foods raw. Foods that contain iodine such as kelp, beetroot, radish, parsley, potatoes, fish, oatmeal and bananas should be kept in the diet. In the treatment of underactive thyroid, fats, sugars, sodium chloride, red meat and egg intake should also be restricted.Combating Hypothyroidism Naturally
Herbs to Avoid:
- Aloe
- American Ginseng
- Astragalus
- Bamboo
- Burdock
- Chrysanthemum
- Echinacea
- Ginger
- Fenugreek
Homeopathy offers good prognosis to cases of hypothyroidism. Medicines like Calcarea phos, Calcarea carb, Lapis alb, Iodium, Thyroidinum, Spongia, Lycopus, and Calcarea iod are found useful in cases of hypothyroidism.
Footnote: I am convinced that Oprah Winfrey is working too hard and needs to slow down. Louise Hay, in her book YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE, says that some level of self-hatred within ourselves causes many autoimmune diseases. Of course, diseases may have an origin in our genes, but our mind also plays a role in accelerating the manifestation or the course of any illness. Oprah Winfrey in her TV shows has herself brought out her early life struggles, her family problems, abuses and eating binges very candidly. As a physician, I have to wonder, if there is still a trace of self-hatred within her, which has manifested in this disease or was it just plain over work.
Although I have never met Oprah personally. I am an unabashed admirer of her TV shows. Even in the adversity of this disease, I am sure she will bring about some good; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am sure she will bring out this problem in her TV show and help millions of suffering women the world over.
Dearest Oprah! I wish you a speedy recovery and good health. God Bless you.
Recommended products:
 Thyroid Assist for Healthy Thyroid and Hypothyroidism – $ 39.95 Promotes thyroid health & functioning, plus healthy energy levels |
Further Reading:
- Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed, McGraw-Hill
- Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 17th ed, 1996, Churchill Livingstone
- New Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory, William Boericke, 2nd revised ed., 2001, B. Jain
- thyroid.about.com
- hpathy.com
- nativeremedies.com
This article is really needed. The LA Times printed today the story about Oprah and her thyroid and made it seem like radiation was the way to go. I healed myself from Graves in three months and I am not convinced this is a disease I will have for the rest of my life. There are so many natural routes that can heal the thyroid.
I also suffer with hypothyroid disease and have been taking synthroid for about six years. I want to know if I can try armour or Oprah’s regime for my hypothyroidism? I am so tired of feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. Plese Help!!!!!!!
I am really sorry to hear of Oprah’s illness. However, I am encouraging her to get plenty of rest. As this is why our bodies sometime develop rare diseases because of lack of rest. She needs get take a break from her over extensive activities -NOTHING BEATS REST.
I also encourage to pray to God for healing. She can recover totally. Miracles do happen.
Supplementing w/the mineral selenium can also be helpful – I went off natural thyroid a couple of years ago and recently started supplementing w/selenium and feel a definite improvement. Thank you for addressing this all-too-common and all-too-commonly-overlooked disease which affects mostly women:)
Kerry-
Do you have more info about Dr. Michael Milton in Georgia? I am in Atlanta and am very curious about him? I really need a doctor to treat what I think are serious thyroid problems… any info you can provide would be helpful. Thanks!
Hi Everyone,
Thanks so much for your insighgtful comments. I’m a huge advocate of the Body Ecology Diet, and its power to nourish the thyroid and adrenals. You can greatly improve even the worst symptoms by working insode/out with diet.
Here’s some more info regarding thyroid issues and Body Ecology http://bodyecology.com/07/07/26/tired_all_the_time.php
I also want to add that with thyroid issues, you wil lwant to avoid foods/chemicals that suppress throid function. You may not have known that cruciferous veggies, like cauliflour, kale, cabbage, broccoli, and collards can suppress the thyrod unless they are cooked or cultured.
you can read more herehttp://bodyecology.com/07/03/29/suppress_hormone_production.php
This diet has changed my life (combined with 90%raw), and I highly recommend it and can answer any questions you may have about it.
Gina.
Lara: Living in Atlanta, you have access to many qualified Body Ecology Coaches http://bodyecology.com/bedecologists.php#stgeo who can meet with you and help you with a personalized plan. They usually only charge $60 for a session. Combining this with a good naturopath should be really helpful. Best wishes and be well.
Gina
Dear Lara,
Here is some information from the web on Dr. Milton. I have read previously that folks have traveled from as far as Japan to receive treatment from him. Hope this information helps.
Georgia Top Doctors — Best Thyroid Doctors in the World as …Dr. Michael Milton, Family Practice, Advanced Medicine and Longevity Center 6030 Bethelview Road, Suite 403 Cumming, GA, 30040 “I have been suffering with …
Kerry-
Thanks! I called his office and get the voicemail everytime and so far no one has called me back about an appt, but I will keep trying!
Lara,
Do keep trying. It took me several tries to get in & get an appointment, but was definitely worth the wait. Dr. Milton is the only doctor that I have seen over the past 8-10 years who understood all that I was dealing with. My thyroid stopped functioning and my adrenals suffered significantly because of the stress on my entire system. I would say that I am now 85-90% to normal. It takes time & tweeking of medication, but based on my experience, he is a health care professional that listens and designs a care plan just for you.
Kerry
I STILL haven’t even been able to get ahold of someone to make an appointment after leaving 3 messages!! I imagine there is some wait list too… Do you know how long it usually takes to get an appt., assuming someone will eventually call me back?
Thanks!
Lara, It took me about 6 weeks before I could get an appointment — and it took me several tries to get someone “live” to answer the phone. This week may be difficult due to the holiday, but the office is generally open on Mondays…so I would try after Thanksgiving and would try calling earlier in the morning. Sorry for your frustration as I know how desperate I was for his help. I am prayerful that you will get in touch & get on the list as soon as possible. Good luck!
I am wondering if the suppliments I’m taking are healing my thyroid gland at a cellular level.
I’m on a juice with glyconutrients as well as suppliments. As far as I understand, and I’ve done extensive research on both glycosylation and glycobiology…these glycans help with cell communication. Where there is increased cell communication there is healing…is this true? does anyone else know about glyconutrients??
Thanks…
Glyconutrients have done wonders for so many people with so many ailments or diseases. My mom being one of them with her glaucoma within just a few weeks. I am going to start taking them for hypothyroidism as soon as I get my supply. I hope you are aware though that the dosage for hypothyroidism is extremely high i.e. in my case about 12 teaspoons daily. You should also go and have your levels checked regularly and in this way you will be able to tell what improvements take place.
Yes and this juice of which I speak is more easily assimilated by the body than the powder form of glyconutrients. Although I am still on the glyconutritionals.
I have already reduced my ARMOUR from 180 mg a day to 90 mg.
I have found that we all need to be our own best advocate.
I am under going a heavy metal mercury test. A Naturopath I am working with says it is now in the food chain in the United States and can be the cause of all my thyroid issues. This is exciting news for me because I have a direction.
Please visit my blog spot and follow my progress to health! I’m not going to stay sick! I have too much to do in my life :-)
Be well!
~Amy~
I have set up a board in yahoo called TotalHealth 2008
please join if you’re interested in gaining support for your TOTAL HEALTH in 2008.
We will discuss the body, mind, spirit connection. Look at CORE issues that cause the body to fail, such as our food supply, suppliments, mental attitude etc.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/totalhealth2008
Here’s to your TOTAL health and mine!
~Amy~
in Missouri
I have found a Glandular supplement helps if you have low thyroid or a goiter. and I have tried kelp, and my Dr said that Kelp can actually cause a thyroid to grow into a goiter. But I do find that thyroid supplement helps a lot, because I have been able to lower my a adrenaline amounts. I found ” Natural Sources” at the VitaminShoppe.com has a good supplement:In it is Raw Thyroid, with thyroid tissue, adrenal tissue, pituitary tissue, thymus , spleen, kelp, and rice bran. And I take two capsules a day. And lowered my adrenaline to one capsule a day. Used to take 4 capsules a day of the adrenaline. Now one. Hope this helps anyone who does not want to have their thyroid surgically removed due to goiter.Or has low thyroid.It may not be everyone but it does help those who have low thyroid production. Many time people get a goiter when they do NOT have sufficient amounts of the glandular amounts. This has helped me so far. I just wish I had learned of this 11 years ago!
For seven years, I suffered what can only be described as ‘hell’ due to hyperthyroidism. Like many with this problem, I tried to live my life while my body was falling apart. I tried to appear ‘normal’ but it got to the point where I could no longer function. It started with extreme exhaustion and aches all over my body. I stopped working, slept all day and even developed a gluten allergy which has been linked to thyroidism. But it didn’t stop there…soon afterwards, I noticed that I felt ‘crazy.’ I snapped at people I loved, developed agoraphobia, got irritated at the slightest thing, argued and became aggressive. I have always been a soft spoken, caring person and couldn’t understand who this ‘person’ was… I asked myself – Do I have a split personality or something? – am I possessed – what’s happening to me? Then came the horrible gritty feeling all over my body. It’s hard to explain it… it is like fatigue inside your tissues, nerves and cells. I experienced trembling, shaking with an awful sensation that cannot be described like my nerves were inflamed or something. My temperature was always above normal and I wanted to commit suicide – not something I would have considered otherwise but the overwhelming sensations I felt were forcing me towards it.
Then I started remembering that when I was about 15, I watched my mother change from a bright, energetic person into an unhappy, snappy and sometimes loopy person. She was on antidepressants most of the time and life around her wasn’t very pleasant. She always had a look of suffering on her face. I now know what she was going through. My siblings have also shown signs of one form of thyroidism or another but I think from my seven year, can’t get up, feeling crazy experience, mine has been the worst.
As some people have mentioned here…doctors did NOTHING to help except recommend a psychologist which made me angrier. I had to spend hours researching to find out what was wrong with me… Now I know and am treating myself self naturally with various herbal supplements such as lemon balm and bugleweed which suppresses the thyroid and am changing my diet. I am one of those people who could eat tons of food and never gain an inch which is also a symptom of hyperthyroidism …not nice when you’re super thin…
I’d love any further suggestions…
HI Cheryl,
I suggest joining my Total Health group in yahoo. Website is above. We begin a weight management program tomorrow and I am offering my Life Coaching services for free to anyone from May 1-Aug.31 on this board dealing with weight management..you may be wanting to gain weight…lose weight or just maintain…GREAT opportunity to learn a lot of alternative ways to treat health and wellness.
I was diagnosed with Hypo. 7 years ago and diagnosed with Hashimoto’s last Nov. I’ve actually been able to reduce my auto immune antibodies WITHOUT increasing my medication, I’m actually decreasing medication ( Armour)..medical profession treat almost all autoimmune disease with MORE meds.
Come join us and see if we can’t be of some support while you try and figure out your body.
:-)
~Amy~
Master Life Coach
Great Post Gina, I am looking into Donna Gates stuff tonight. I too believe there is a connection between all parts of us, body, mind and spirit. The longer I am off gluten the better I feel. I recommend to everyone to get off of it…the reason is two fold..for one there is NO dietary reason to eat it for anyone ( and it won’t hurt you in the least if you don’t ever eat it again) and two it causes you to eat a more FRESH healthy diet…because a lot of what we eat WITH gluten is not so good…but I don’t think people really understand the physical impact that gluten has on the INSIDE of our bodies. OVER TIME it is devastating! The longer I’m alive the more I KNOW food is HUGE with regards to our health. And the way in which food is grown in the United States is actually really scary if you ask me. Ever see the DVD The Future of Food? watch that and we’ll talk :-)
Have a great evening.
~Amy~
MSLC
I’d love to talk more about this with u. I am beginning to hold small classes now, at this point mostly for women. I feel the same way as you. do u grow any of your own food? community gardens, farm shares etc. this is a way to beat the GM revolution. yeah, who needs gluten? not me!
Gina
e-mail me at lakotasiouxgrizzly2006@yahoo.com
I do grow a lot of my own food..and we’re putting up greenhouses this year.
We also are opening an Organic Cafe , hopefully by Sept.
I am a member of the American Community Gardeners Association too! :-)
Write me, sounds like we have a lot to talk about.
~Amy~
MSLC
Thanks Cheryl for you post, my symptoms are identical , i went through everything you did for 11 years. Thought i was the only one that went through this, thought i was going crazy, snappy , absolutely exhausted. I am on some fantastic vitamin and amino acids for mood and energy by a company called extend life, made a massive difference. Also had a hair analysis and have very high levels of heavy metal. There is a lot of research that heavy metals are linked to thyroid disorders so am in the process of detoxing through raw foods and a natural heavy metal detoxer called modifilan. I take this on alternatite days as this can make me feel weak as it is pulling out metals. Am confident that i am on the mend and believe that this can be total reversed through good nutrition… Good luck to you in your healing!!
You must get the book The Autoimmune Epidemic by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
She goes through what you need to be doing to heal. There are pages upon pages about the WHY, and pages about how we can correct what’s gone wrong, and more pages about mercury poisoning.
ALSO go to Mercout.com and get a heavy metal test for mercury. That’s how I first tested for mercury.
It’s a simple urine test you do at home, send it in, doctors read results and send back to you via e-mail. I had high levels at that time. I started on the juice, had a hair analysis ( which tested for 33 things) after that and my levels are now at “trace amounts”. The sterified fatty acids in this juice is what my Naturopath said is helping me detox. Since then I’ve decided to have my fillings out, and have found a dentist who does it strictly to CODE and regulations…here in Missouri.
I am feeling fantastic. Just can’t believe the change in just 4 months. I’m doing a lot of different things..or doing a lot of things differently. ;-) I’m still learning…and this book has shed so much light on why I am sick/was sick.
Be well,
Amy
Master Spirit Life Coach
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/totalhealth2009
HI Becky,
In the beginning of all my health stuff I wanted so bad to find the “magic pill”. Now 8 years in…it has been a blessing to find the doctors I have found that have guided me to all kinds of answers. It is truly a miracle body when given what it needs it does what it’s suppose to do. We’re all such intricate beings, with such diverse issues. Illness and dis-ease manifest in each body so differently, it’s like a huge puzzle. Thank goodness I LOVE puzzles LOL.
I too am on a natural progesterone cream I put on my face at night. I’m also on Homeopathic Remedies for a variety of things. I was muscle tested to the Bach remedy that best suits me ( this I find absolutely fascinating). I am currently using Medi Pads to clear/detox some of the energy meridians in my face that are linked to my digestion. Scars on the body interrupt the energy meridians due to the hardening of the scar tissue. When energy is blocked, healing cannot take place. I am on a iodine supplement, I’ve reduced my Armour by half ( was 180 mg a day and on 90 mg a day), take a trace mineral, fish oil, metagest for digestion, cherry juice for constipation,a green tea extract thingy that tastes HORRIBLE but I mix it in with my MonaVie so I don’t gag LOL…and a Natural Mouthwash that has been beneficial for cutting bacteria growth in my mouth.
I will have my fillings out, I just have to make the appointment. In this book, The Autoimmune Epidemic, I am reading about the immune response. The fillings are a constant DRAW on my immune system, thus causing everything else to have a draw on it…if the immune system is constantly working on the mercury then when there are other issues in the body, it’s not going to be able to cover all the bases. The immune system over time gets worn out. In the book they mention how EVERYTHING now causes free radicals in our bodies, which then cause cellular damage and leads to illness dis-ease and body breakdown. From the food we eat, to the air we breath to the supplements we take and the water we drink.
The book also GIVES solutions…and a diet that all autoimmune people should be on and anyone wanting to avoid an autoimmune diagnosis.
Just rambling on a rainy morning here in Missouri.
Thanks to everyone here for sharing…
Life is good, finally. I feel great, I’ve lost 10 pounds since Nov. and I have the energy again that I use to have to be able to do the things I want to do of a day. YIPPY!!!! :-)
It takes time, and patience, but the body can heal.
Be well everyone,
Amy
MSLC
I have been mis-treated/undertreated for hypothyroid for too many years and now seem to be experiencing much more widespread autoimmune effects, although still trying to r/o Lyme or possible viral triggers. This latest flare has lasted almost 5 mos now with few signs of abating any time soon, although the intensity is now down to a dull roar. I have been focused on detox, probiotics, supportive herbs, elimination diet for allergies, vitamin regimen, kefir, kombucha, natural progesterone cream, but I am very interested in learning more about heavy metal contamination and parasites. I’ll keep watching these postings; it looks like I can learn a lot here. -M.
P.S. Hey Raj, you might remember me from Beloit?
Thanks Amy for your feedback, sounds like your on a lot of good supplements. Be interesting to see how you go after you have your fillings out. Have heard of people recovering within a few weeks after having there fillings removed.
Becky
me to
I discovered a webpage http://www.greenlife-herbal.com from Hong Kong features thyroid expert using TCM. I also have friends in my country have tried these products and it work wonder for them and had healed of their thyroid disorders. It seems it is good for almost all kind of thyroid diseases. No harm trying. I hope Oprah would have a look at this webpage and learn of natural chinese medicine, it may works for her as well. Wish her good health.