RE: question about ashwagandha - hveragerthi

March 29, 2005

I had never heard of ashwagandha. About 4 years ago I went through several attempts trying to resolve my hypothyroid symptoms with Wilson's treatment. Lab results were negative but the symptoms and family history were overwhelming. For a time it worked but whenever I was weaned off - problems would arise. Just prior to starting Wilson's t3 treatment I did lots of research trying to find an herbal solution. I was nursing at the time so many of the herbs were on the do not use list. Eventually about 2 years later my labs finally confirmed I was hypo. I was put on Synthyroid for a time. Labs were 'normal' but symptoms actually worsened. Then a try with another brand Thyroxel(?) - still no luck. I went back to the first doctor who had tried the Wilson treatment but this time we had no luck bringing my temps up to norm. Eventually I found a gyn who was willing to work with me and put me on Armour. For the most part I feel great until I'm under severe stress. It seemed to me that my problem with Synthyroid & the other is that for a while I felt well but then things got worse. I believed at that time that there was a problem with my body converting T4 to T3 and that taking just T4 medication was making it worse. Your statement confirms those thoughts. I have been on the same dose of Armour for a year now and the only problem that has not gone away has been the weight I gained while on Synthyroid & Thyroxel(?).

My gyn has also noted that my liver was mildly poisoning itself. A cleanse did the trick. I also noted in my research that the liver can affect the conversion of T4 to T3.

I am now taking Chinese Bitters once in a while to keep my liver in check, but I'm very much curious about this herb ashwagandha you've mentioned. What little I've found on it this morning has been mostly from commercial companies that market it. I've only found one reference to the possibility of it raising thyroid hormone levels and that those with hyperthyroid should avoid it.

Could you provide me with more about it - or links that support its use for hypothyroid, please?

Thanks~

Helen Smith

Wife of 1 (it's enough!), birthmother of 8, surrogate mother to exchange students-friends' children-baby birds-and any others that find their way to my home, sister, daughter, cook, housekeeper, baby sitter, party planner, office manager, efficiency expert, personal trainer, teacher, social worker, medical practitioner, healer, spiritual guide, seamstress, gardener, home repair specialist, accountant, chauffeur, librarian, carpenter, painter, musician, computer specialist, graphic artist, (have I left anything out???) and therapist (I need one!).

Amended by sister - friend, confidante, banker, ruler, queen, 'the law', Girl Friday -- Girl Everyday, voter, good Samaritan, Christian, LDS, daughter of God.

"She-who-must-be-obeyed."

hveragerthi [hveragerthi]Tuesday, March 29, 2005 1:47 AMherbal remedies Subject: Herbal Remedies - Re: question about metabolism and weightThe problem could have a lot to do with your thyroid. The thyroid plays a major role in the metabolism of fats including cholesterol and triglycerides. And even though you are taking Synthroid you can still be hypothyroid. Synthroid is a replacement for thyroxine (T4). It does not replace the more active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). Therefore you can have normal T4 levels by taking Synthroid, and still be hypothyroid due to low T3 levels. And unfortunately lab tests for thyroid function are notoriously inaccurate and almost always miss hypothyroidism.To make matters worse, T3 is produced from T4. Though high stress levels, something many people have, can block the conversion of T4 to T3. This is why the herb ashwagandha is used to help increase T4 to T3 conversion since it helps reduce stress through supporting the adrenals.The second problem caused from stress is that this leads to an elevation of what is known as reverse T3 (rT3). rT3 is biologically inactive. Though it can lock up T3 receptors inhibiting the action of T3. Therefore you can also be hypothyroid even with normal T4 and T3 levels.herbal remedies , Brennan07@a... wrote:> After a long struggle to lose weight, I have been able to maintain my weight > at the reccomended level for four years. I am on synthroid for a thyroid > problem, and have been told I have 'familial hypertriglycemia", a tendency towards > elevated triglycerides and must be very careful to keep my weight and diet in > check.> > I have found that eating over 1200 calories a day causes me to gain weight. > I exercise moderately (every day) and am a bit frustrated by this because I > find I do get hungry a lot. > > Is this likely a metabolism issue? I am relatively new to the study of > natural remedies and improving my health.Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

March 29, 2005

Dear Helen,

I just posted a "Google Search" article by Michael Tierra.

There is some good data in there on this herb.

Furthermore, if you haven't listened to my cassette lecture yet, I might suggest you call my office at the number below and request your free copy. The section on Enzyme Inhibitors alone has been known to handle a Hypothyroid condition. A complete analysis of your lifestyle, eating habits, and supplements would be in order to really fine tune a solution for you, but it can be terminatedly handled.

Love,

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.727-447-5282Doc

-

Helen Smith

herbal remedies

Tuesday, March 29, 2005 7:20 AM

RE: Herbal Remedies - Re: question about ashwagandha - hveragerthi

I had never heard of ashwagandha. About 4 years ago I went through several attempts trying to resolve my hypothyroid symptoms with Wilson's treatment. Lab results were negative but the symptoms and family history were overwhelming. For a time it worked but whenever I was weaned off - problems would arise. Just prior to starting Wilson's t3 treatment I did lots of research trying to find an herbal solution. I was nursing at the time so many of the herbs were on the do not use list. Eventually about 2 years later my labs finally confirmed I was hypo. I was put on Synthyroid for a time. Labs were 'normal' but symptoms actually worsened. Then a try with another brand Thyroxel(?) - still no luck. I went back to the first doctor who had tried the Wilson treatment but this time we had no luck bringing my temps up to norm. Eventually I found a gyn who was willing to work with me and put me on Armour. For the most part I feel great until I'm under severe stress. It seemed to me that my problem with Synthyroid & the other is that for a while I felt well but then things got worse. I believed at that time that there was a problem with my body converting T4 to T3 and that taking just T4 medication was making it worse. Your statement confirms those thoughts. I have been on the same dose of Armour for a year now and the only problem that has not gone away has been the weight I gained while on Synthyroid & Thyroxel(?).

My gyn has also noted that my liver was mildly poisoning itself. A cleanse did the trick. I also noted in my research that the liver can affect the conversion of T4 to T3.

I am now taking Chinese Bitters once in a while to keep my liver in check, but I'm very much curious about this herb ashwagandha you've mentioned. What little I've found on it this morning has been mostly from commercial companies that market it. I've only found one reference to the possibility of it raising thyroid hormone levels and that those with hyperthyroid should avoid it.

Could you provide me with more about it - or links that support its use for hypothyroid, please?

Thanks~

Helen Smith

March 30, 2005

Thanks Doc.

I did read the article and have done a little more research myself. Stress is my biggest problem - have spent last 6 month trying to sell a house while building a house while renting a house.

I will at some point give your office a call but right now I hardly have time to glance at my emails - most of which get deleted unread. But the topic of thyroid/metabolism peaked my interest and so I've spent more time than I have right now to delve into the subject.

Thanks again~

Helen Smith

Wife of 1 (it's enough!), birthmother of 8, surrogate mother to exchange students-friends' children-baby birds-and any others that find their way to my home, sister, daughter, cook, housekeeper, baby sitter, party planner, office manager, efficiency expert, personal trainer, teacher, social worker, medical practitioner, healer, spiritual guide, seamstress, gardener, home repair specialist, accountant, chauffeur, librarian, carpenter, painter, musician, computer specialist, graphic artist, (have I left anything out???) and therapist (I need one!).

Amended by sister - friend, confidante, banker, ruler, queen, 'the law', Girl Friday -- Girl Everyday, voter, good Samaritan, Christian, LDS, daughter of God.

March 30, 2005

You're welcome Helen.

Boy, but you sure are one busy gal. LOL You've got a lot of hats there.

A little known fact is that in order to terminatedly handle the thyroid, you also need to handle the Liver. Whenever an organ or gland is chronically ill or debilitated, you can always count on the fact that the Liver is also debilitated. All of our organs are self correcting and self healing, but the Liver is the Master Gland which directs this correction. If this is not happening, the Liver itself needs correcting.

Love,

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.727-447-5282Doc

-

Helen Smith

herbal remedies

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 6:57 AM

RE: Herbal Remedies - Re: question about ashwagandha - hveragerthi

Thanks Doc.

I did read the article and have done a little more research myself. Stress is my biggest problem - have spent last 6 month trying to sell a house while building a house while renting a house.

I will at some point give your office a call but right now I hardly have time to glance at my emails - most of which get deleted unread. But the topic of thyroid/metabolism peaked my interest and so I've spent more time than I have right now to delve into the subject.

Thanks again~

Helen Smith

Wife of 1 (it's enough!), birthmother of 8, surrogate mother to exchange students-friends' children-baby birds-and any others that find their way to my home, sister, daughter, cook, housekeeper, baby sitter, party planner, office manager, efficiency expert, personal trainer, teacher, social worker, medical practitioner, healer, spiritual guide, seamstress, gardener, home repair specialist, accountant, chauffeur, librarian, carpenter, painter, musician, computer specialist, graphic artist, (have I left anything out???) and therapist (I need one!).

Amended by sister - friend, confidante, banker, ruler, queen, 'the law', Girl Friday -- Girl Everyday, voter, good Samaritan, Christian, LDS, daughter of God.

Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

March 30, 2005

Yes I was aware of the liver's influence on my thyroid. My gyn had advise a cleanse about a year ago and I did it twice - Feb & April. I was going to try and do it this last October but things got confused around here. I take Chinese Bitters every once in while just to keep things on a somewhat even keel but I know I am in need of another Liver Cleanse soon - just need to find a weekend available!

Helen Smith

Wife of 1 (it's enough!), birthmother of 8, surrogate mother to exchange students-friends' children-baby birds-and any others that find their way to my home, sister, daughter, cook, housekeeper, baby sitter, party planner, office manager, efficiency expert, personal trainer, teacher, social worker, medical practitioner, healer, spiritual guide, seamstress, gardener, home repair specialist, accountant, chauffeur, librarian, carpenter, painter, musician, computer specialist, graphic artist, (have I left anything out???) and therapist (I need one!).

Amended by sister - friend, confidante, banker, ruler, queen, 'the law', Girl Friday -- Girl Everyday, voter, good Samaritan, Christian, LDS, daughter of God.

"She-who-must-be-obeyed."