Hi ,
Hope all is well with you. I was wondering if you could tell me what Vit's you take I know you had you Thyroid out due to cancer and it is the same with me. I am on cytomel now 3 times a day and I will be going off it 2 (LONG ) weeks before RAI June 19th , I am taking B-complex 3 times a day and Calcium /magnisum twice a day (from a heath food store) I was wonder what I can do too help me through the Hypo time that lay ahead. I know you have been there. I here alot about Maca But I also read it has Iron in it so I won't be able to take that during the 2 week So I was told by the Dr. Also I here about Mate Tea? Have you tried that? I just know The 6-8 weeks are going to be somewhat hard and thought you could give me some insight sence you have been there.. Thank You so Much, God Bless,marcia
Hi Marcia. I'm currently on Cytomel and gearing up for my first annual post-surgery scan, so I'll be going off the meds too. This time, I only have to be med-free for a week. I think I was off the drugs for about 5 weeks before my post-surgery RAI because they lost my blood test results and didn't want to tell my doc, so it took a while before we retested the bloods and then did the RAi. And it was winter (harder on hypo symptoms). Ugh.
But, anyway, here's my current regimen. Yours is quite similar actually. I take Calcium/Magnesium, sublingual Vitamin B-complex, a multi-vitamin/mineral, and Maca at night. When I'm really fatigued, I take a Siberian ginseng combo. I wasn't taking Maca at the time that I had RAI, but I think I stopped all supplements before the RAI. Thanks for reminding me to ask what I need to stop taking this time around. I'll assume I have to stop everything again.
The thing that helped me the most was actually hands-on treatments from my acupuncturist and chiropractor. The former helped me with the fibromyalgia (which became a significant problem around the 4th week of no thyroid meds), and the latter did craniosacral and glandular balancing treatments.
I wish I knew some supplements to suggest to help you through your treatment, but I think the best practice is to stop everything just before the RAI anyhow. Maca may help in the time leading up to the RAI, stopping the two weeks before as directed by your doctor.
I have not used Mate (also known as Yerba Mate, I think) but it has the same nutrients as Maca:
Vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex, Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Silicon, Phosphorus, 15 Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, Chlorophyll, Flavenols, Polyphenols, Trace Minerals, and Antioxidants
You would probably have to stop using it before the RAI as well. You may also have to go on an Iodine-free diet a week or so before the RAI. Ask your doctor which foods you should avoid.
Wish I could be more helpful. Good luck. I think we'll be hypo at the same time, so I'll be thinking of you.
Correction, I should say that Yerba Mate has many of the same components as Maca. But Maca is also a rich source of sterols, including sitosterol, campestrol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, and ergostadienol (which I suppose aid its adaptogenic qualities that support the hormones and adrenals).
I have talk too the Dr. and He has said I can be on any meds or Vit. during the 2 weeks before RAI , I do have alot of info on the RAI diet so that is wonderful. The only thing the Dr. said is that I Can't take any Vit with Iron, or anything for that matter with Iron in it.. Other then that I am good too go <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif"> I will also be taken off cytomal and then I beleive the Dr. will start me on Sythroid a week after RAI, Then a few (hope short) weeks to getting straightend out.. WOW what a long road .. You are in my prayers , God Bless you and Thank You so much for all you help . You are such a sweet person too take time out of your busy life too help others in need. Love in Christ,Marcia
Hi Marcia. Sorry I disappeared a few days. Many houseguests, and unable to get to the computer.
My surgery was November 1, 2000. My RAI was in the last week of January 2001. I was on Cytomel for a portion of December, but then was drug-free for several weeks before the RAI.
Started the Synthroid in February, and it was a rapid improvement over the next several weeks, though it took about six months (and Maca) before I felt truly balanced. But my doc keeps my Synthroid level on the hyper side because he feels it lessens my chance of a cancer recurrence. (I had three types of cells, so it was a bit more aggressive than some. Plus I have Hashi's antibodies.)
