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Thyroid: Super high TSH but reluctance to go onto meds while breastfeeding
My TSH has just come back extremely high. I am 5 months pp and had low thyroid with a previous pregnancy.
Other than fatigue and goitre I have no other symptoms (milk supply is good)
I would like to avoid meds. I already have a very healthly ifestyle and want to explore other options.
Direction would be amazing.
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6 Replies
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Hi – I’m going to assume you don’t have the time to watch the entire Thyroid Balance course given that you have a 5-month old.
So allow me to share a few videos from that course that can help you better understand the dynamic at play with a high TSH and goiter development:
• This video discusses the feedback loop and will give you an overview of how the brain and thyroid hormones work together. A high TSH means that the brain senses a strong need for more T4 thyroid hormone.1. How’s your protein intake/digestion & absorption?
2. Any gastrointestinal symptoms?
3. How’s your dietary iodine intake?
• This video shares reasons for goiter development and high TSH.4. Have your doctors tested iodine and selenium status?
5. Were antibodies measured? Here’s what a full thyroid panel looks like in case they didn’t run a full panel.
• This video shares factors that can affect thyroid function (to be aware of).It would be great if you could share your lab results with us so we can take a look from a functional lens.
I’ll wait for you to reply to my questions which I’ve numbered above so you can reply to them 1 by 1, so I can continue guiding you.
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ALSO I have the option for some more extensive blood testing when Im in Thailand next week, so any advice would be welcome!
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did you post a separate comment? I’m confused because you said “ALSO”. Did you reply to my comment above but it didn’t post?
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Thank you! I have actually prioritised the thyroid section this morning and afternoon!
To your questions:
1. Protein may have been a little low, but have ramped that up in the last 2 months. min 100g per day
2. Digestion has been fine. Occasionally mildly constipated lately, as goiter and thyroid symptoms have been worse
3. We eat seafood 1-2 per week, and I have iodine in a *fairly decent* pre/postnatal supplement. I’ve been testing with topical iodine skin test and it disappears very quickly
4. No – I am limited by UK NHS testing with no private blood clinic in my area right now (hence the follow-up qt about tests I could do in Thailand)
5. They have tested my antibodies in my most recent testing, but I do not have the results yet.I am able to get all the main thyroid panel except reverse T3 in Thailand next week.
Most recent TSH was 61.7 and T4 was 4.4. Symptoms are fatigue, occasional mild constipation and a little dry skin. Hair, nails and milk supply are all good.
Stress is definitely a factor.
Eliminating gluten, dairy and eggs from today. All were high quality and I made my own sourdough bread, so gluten was always fermented. Other than that almost no processed food.
Thanks!
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Hey ,
Is this TSH measured in mIU/ml? And in what units was you T4 measurement? Perhaps you could share a copy of the lab results with us!
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3. If the iodine patch test disappears very quickly, that usually indicates a strong need for more iodine. I discuss that test in this video here along with the loaded/unloaded 24-hour iodine test that you should consider getting. If you know a naturopath, they could order this for you. TrueHealth Labs may also ship that test to London. The link is beneath the video. Note, if antibody results come back positive, loaded iodine testing is contraindicated. Instead opt for the unloaded 24-hour iodine urine test which I explain in more detail in the video.
Breastfeeding can definitely increase one’s need for more iodine, so that may be a factor for you. How much iodine is in your prenatal? Here’s a video that shares other risk factors (including foods) that can contribute to iodine deficiency to keep in mind as well. Are you consuming any of those mentioned foods in large quantities? Any significant exposure to competing halogens like fluoride, bromide, chlorine? Do you filter your water at home?
Given that selenium is needed for the production of T4 and conversion of T4 to T3, I would get that measured for sure (RBC selenium) and start consuming more selenium-rich foods (like 4-5 organic Brazil nuts per day and/or sardines with skin on).
Please let us know your antibody results when you get them. Smart choice removing dairy, gluten and eggs for now.
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