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4.5
The Dr. doesn't understand how my thyroid levels are even functional without Synthyroid since I was a child. I balance with this regimen below, using Gaia's adrenal daily support supplement, and some seaweed.Tip: be sure not to miss the afternoon serving too. This makes a huge difference. Timing *does* matter with these supplements. I notice best affects when taken 30 mins before food, and on an empty stomach. Your stomach will get used to taking this without food.Dosage? The bottle isn't very descriptive, I'm sure because people vary so much in physiology. On top of that many reviewers here were mixing this herbal blend with other Gaia blends which makes the dosage even more confusing as a lot of gaia's blends have the same ingredients that could potentially be doubled up on. This is actually a good thing though, if you take several different gaia supps, you may not have to take as many pills of each individual blend. Here's the dosage trick my dr shared: start slow with recommended dosage (1 bottle at a time), work your way up and wait at least 30-90 days to see the affects of the latest regimen. Stop increasing your dosage when your circadian rhythm is not too slow, not too fast. You want to pay attention to how well you fall asleep at the desired times, and how quickly your waking hormones come in to supply an appetite and a.m. energy. It's easy to want to stack more adrenal supps and have a "more energetic day," but you'll actually just end up with something like insomnia and panic attacks so be very aware of how stressed you feel. One of the hardest thyroid symptoms to get rid of is the weight fluctuation, don't judge your dosage based on this, if you wish you alter this then examine your diet (see "Lethargy" paragraph below). Now that you've got the dosage sweet spot, you can add another Gaia supplement, if the new blend has similar herbs, account for this and don't double up on too many herbs without knowing how you'll respond, start with less of each blend.Once you are ready to stack more supplements to fine-tune certain hypothyroid symptoms, I recommend these supps: gaia adrenal daily, gaia adrenal nightly, schisandra, bacopa, milk thistle, organic spiralina/algea, liquid b12. Since hormone symptoms vary so much from person to person, you may benefit from buying more of the same herbs that are already in your gaia blend, and experimenting with individual ingredients. My favorite individual ingredients gaia uses in their blends are schisandra & bacopa, but this may vary for you.Lethargy: for God's sake, don't listen to this new unfounded health fad where you eat produce which shape is in likeness of your organs. Doctors shake their heads, this is completely unfounded quackery with no scientific basis. Fats do not help your brain, glucose does, this is scientific. If you are feeling the sluggishness and brain fog from hypothyroidism, then eat more fruit! Try starting your day with some fruit and hold off on the heavy stuff like fats until later, you'll feel less sluggish and your brain needs this glucose fuel! The less you rely on stimulants like caffeine/energy drinks, the less your body will have a deficit of energy after it wears off. What many of us don’t realize is that our tired adrenals are often the cause of unexplained weight gain, sleeping problems, feeling emotionally fragile, depression and fatigue. Drinking coffee while experiencing adrenal fatigue is only adding fuel to the fire of hypothyroidism. Rely on plant-power. And coming from someone that has perfect thyroid labs now: don't avoid the veggies they say are "goitrogens". For me personally, the only time cutting these goitrogen foods out helped was when I was literally not doing anything for my thyroid at all and my labs tanked to the floor, but typically a goitrogen diet only exacerbated my thyroid when I'm caught up on my supplements. I've done the very strict goiter diets and my life is vastly better when I just eat the goitrogen vegetable I feel I need at the time, the only things I limit myself on are processed/inflammation-inducing foods, and this makes a huge difference! Way more of a difference than these stupid fad thyroid diets that don't work.Digestion: umm diet guys. We are not excused from the toxicity some people with healthy thyroids can get away with!! If you aren't in a place where you can control your diet, try the milk thistle supplement to strengthen your liver which has to process this toxicity. Also, turmeric and ginger are amazing supplements (that are basically food) but which you can find in supplement format, so no dietary changes are necessary. Teas really help with digestion: ginger/lemon, lemon balm, fennel/anise, golden milk, passionflower, peppermint ect.Lastly, know that I'm here with you. I know how hard it can be to have a relationship with life when your hormones don't seem to want to let you do so. Be kind to yourself and know that you are worthy, feeling better is so worth it. Sending strength, patience and joy to you all!
