"There are many reasons why a physician may have a hard time regulating thyroid levels with steady amounts of thyroid medications for an under-active thyroid. One of them is that the immune system may be a attacking the thyroid gland with opposite forces. One is related to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the condition that causes an under-active thyroid and then an opposite force stimulating the gland to produce higher amounts of thyroid hormone. This may result in instability over time, causing the patient to shift from having low thyroid levels to high thyroid levels. Another reason may be Celiac disease, which is autoimmune inflammation of the intestines, related to gluten sensitivity. This may make the intestines absorb thyroid hormone in an unconstant or unstable way. This also may result in fluctuation of thyroid hormone levels.
The patient should also make sure to not change from one brand to a generic one and make sure to not take calcium or iron along with thyroid medications since calcium and iron can trap thyroid hormone in the GI tract."
You may also want to check out information from the Cleveland Clinic on Thyroid issues.
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Hi Michelle! It's good you're seeking help for your condition. Dr. Ridha Arem, author of the "The Thyroid Solution -- A Revolutionary Mind-Body Program for Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health" and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Baylor College responded to your comment.
"There are many reasons why a physician may have a hard time regulating thyroid levels with steady amounts of thyroid medications for an under-active thyroid. One of them is that the immune system may be a attacking the thyroid gland with opposite forces. One is related to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the condition that causes an under-active thyroid and then an opposite force stimulating the gland to produce higher amounts of thyroid hormone. This may result in instability over time, causing the patient to shift from having low thyroid levels to high thyroid levels. Another reason may be Celiac disease, which is autoimmune inflammation of the intestines, related to gluten sensitivity. This may make the intestines absorb thyroid hormone in an unconstant or unstable way. This also may result in fluctuation of thyroid hormone levels.
The patient should also make sure to not change from one brand to a generic one and make sure to not take calcium or iron along with thyroid medications since calcium and iron can trap thyroid hormone in the GI tract."
You may also want to check out information from the Cleveland Clinic on Thyroid issues.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2000/2011.asp?index=8541
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3700/3717.asp?index=12120
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/4400/4433.asp?index=14129
Yale also has a user-friendly chart on thyroid issues as well as a great resource sheet.
http://ymghealthinfo.org/content.asp?pageid=P00437
http://ymghealthinfo.org/content.asp?pageid=P00414
Thanks Michelle!
April 18, 2008 - 8:45amThis Comment
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