I know that Diet is very important when you have Graves’ Disease or Hyperthyroidism. When I was sick, I tried to avoid foods with high iodine content- like sea food, for example. Even though I like fish, shrimp ect and this is my favorite food. Many people have found that different foods make them feel different..
Do you have any experience about this? What makes you feel good and what makes you feel bad?
Share your thoughts with us- it may help other people as well.
My Blog About Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism 
Posted by Nina on May 25, 2009 at 11:53 am
For me it’s strange that we should avoid food with high iodine contents because I have Grave’s Disease and the only thing that works for me it’s Lugol Solution that contents high iodine.
This last year I was struguling with a Thyroid Storm that almost killed me. After 1 month in hospital, doctor wanted me to take 8 Propycil pills a day and 30 drops of Lugol Solution. After 6 months I don’t take any Propycil and I continue having 10 drops a day of Lugol. Doctor doesn’t lnow about this but my blood test are normal now.
Doctor want’s me to have the surgery but I don’t agree with it.
Does anywone knows if it’s dangerous to have Lugol Solution for a long period of time?
Best regards,
Nina
Posted by sbankova on May 25, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Hi Nina,
to the best I know Lugol solution is generally a solution of iodine and potassium iodide. I didn’t know it’s used for treating Graves’, I never tried that, but if it works for you, why not. It was over the counter in USA until 2007, so probably is not dangerous- but I don’t know about everyday use. Sorry, I don’t know about this one.
Svetla
Posted by Samantha on May 27, 2009 at 12:08 am
I was wondering what your thyroid storm symptoms were. Were you on any meds when it happend. I have had graves disease for 5 yrs i have been controlling it with ptu.
Posted by Bernadette on October 14, 2011 at 3:36 pm
No. Lugols is not dangerous. My 11 year old son that has Graves disease has alo been taking Lugols and it is working. I refuse to put him on Tapazole. He has been off it since 3/2011 and the doctor thinks that it is the Tapazole that is working rather than the Lugols. I will not tell him as he will tell me to take him off of it. There are studies by Dr Abraham and others that Iodine works. Do not avoid foods with iodine as the reason you have Graves disease is due to an iodine deficiency!! The bromine and flouride in foods are causing you to have more of a deficiciency. Do not listen to your doctor!! You know your body best. Good luck to you.
Bernadette
Posted by lois on May 25, 2009 at 2:13 pm
hi iam lois and i have graves alos i had a thyorid storm about 6 years ago they wanted me to have and operation but i did not i ate radio active iodine to kill my thoyorid so far thing s are doing good … smoking really makes the eyes act up
my eye lids stay swollen all the time
Posted by nicole on May 25, 2009 at 3:54 pm
can anyone give me a list of good foods and foods to avoid eating. I am new to this disease and am finding it very overwhelming, but am very anxious to kick it!!
Posted by sbankova on May 25, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Nicole, generally you should avoid foods with high iodine content. There is a sample list here:
http://www.gravesdiseasecure.com/gravesdiseasediet.html
Hope it helps.
Svetla
Posted by KAREES BROWN on October 1, 2010 at 5:07 pm
I have been told that avoiding iodine is actually bad if you have an iodine deficiency. You should get an iodine test to see what your levels are first. I got this inof from my Endocrinologist.
Posted by Julie Fayal on July 17, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hi Nicole,
I ate for two months every day all the cruciferous veggies I could. Those are things like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and spinach…from my research, they are not only antioxidant rich and high in vitamins and minerals, but the cruciferous veggies actually stop the thyroid from growing. I also avoide red meat and dairy products and all fast foods. No heated oil, but omega 3 rich oil like walnut, avocado and flax oils, are vital to healing (2T per day). The diet I followed is a liver cleanse, and also was gluten free. The liver regulates so many organs in the body, and if it is congested, we have a hard time healing.
Good luck and God Bless! Julie
Posted by Aree on February 21, 2012 at 5:18 am
I found my eyes (having thyroid eye disease) got worse on the two days that I did eat Spinach. The writer on ithyroid.com has a theory that fits this also, saying that spinach and other leafy vegetables are high in cadmium, which she thinks is the main ingredient in tobacco that causes worsening of thyroid eye disease. This is hardly based on science, and I would have brushed it off as just one theory had I not had my own negative experience with spinach.
Posted by Julie Fayal on July 17, 2009 at 9:24 pm
forgot to mention that I also cut out anything with iodine in it, and no sugar whatsoever. I take a lot of supplements, all recommended in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing under hyperthyroid and graves disease. I also exercise with light weights and do the yoga as is svetla’s recommendation in her book. It all works together, I feel very positive about that.
Posted by Claire on May 25, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Personally, I have to be careful with dairy consumption….anything with high calcium content because it exacerbates my heart palpitations. I have to take magnesium pills to counteract the calcium. Also, I’ve noticed high iodine, high glycemic foods (high sugar) makes my goiter temporarily more enlarged than when I haven’t had anything to eat.
Posted by Prairie Woman on May 25, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Wow, this is really interesting to read. Thanks for starting it Svetla.
In March I had to stop my medication (15 mg/d Tapazole), to have a scan using radioactive iodine – just a scan – I did not take it for shock-therapy either, and I don’t plan to. When I went back on it a week later, the meds were not enough. After 3 weeks, we raised it to 20 mg/d. Still not enough. About 2 weeks into this, I thought I would be ok to go for a walk downtown with my friend. It was about 12 blocks one way. On the way back, my heart started racing, and continued for 5 hours till I got some food, rest and Metoprolol from the doctor. I have been off work now since March 9, 09.
But I am WAY better than I was. Here are some things that happened for me, that you might find useful:
Re. diet: In late March 09 I started seeing a naturopath, who put me on a diet to kill off candida yeast and rebalance the intestinal flora. She said I had so much toxicity that it was probably causing my thyroid and immune system imbalance (causing Graves’ Disease w. hyperthyroidism). Thank God I did not have a thyroid storm like some of you!!! Although I had some serious symptoms that took me to the emergency a few times. The diet has no sugar, wheat, dairy, processed foods and little salt. Lots of vegetables, brown rice, and meats/legumes for protein.
~~ After a week, my heart palpitations stopped, my digestive problems lessened, my thinking was a lot clearer, I was calmer and could rest easier. Yay! I was still weak, sleeping a lot, had to be careful not to do too much or my heart would feel like it MIGHT start racing, etc., and other issues. But I was that much better after one week.
After 3 weeks, I added fruit. I felt SOOO much better – more nourished, robust and energetic, OK, I am speaking relatively here, ok 🙂
Calcium and Mag.: You have to take magnesium and calcium together, otherwise the body doesn’t absorb them properly. Most supplements have D3 also.
Sugar: After 5 weeks on the diet, I got tired of it, and ate chocolate, and drank a litre of sweetened aloe vera juice. It had a lot of sugar in it. After this: My HEART PALPITATIONS CAME BACK! i HAD FUZZY THINKING AGAIN. i WAS A LOT MORE TIRED!!!
In short, I started to wonder if it’s the sugar that caused those things, and not so much the hyperthyroidsim.
Iodine: I avoided iodine for a long time, but when I switched naturopaths, in April (the other one was in another city), she said “Don’t worry about the iodine. If you are deficient in it, it’s going to take up more, but if you’re not, it’s not going to do anything.” She was right!
She had me take an essential oil supplement containing a lot of iodine in the fish oil. I started eating fish again. No problems!
Other Supplements: Motherwort Combination #3: this is powerful stuff! It made me peaceful the first day, I was so happy about that! It also lowers or suppresses thyroid hormone production. After a few days on this, I started to feel exhausted – before I could be up for 3 hours and then rest, after this, I could only sleep. But the naturopath did not think it was the cause, because it tends to work a lot more slowly. Still, she had me stop the motherwort and the ProEFA, in case one of them was causing the problem. In either case, bloodtests showed that my levels of hormone were low – and I was able to lower the Tapazole to 10 mg/ day! That was a week ago.
I started the Pro EFA again right away, and it makes me feel good. It is an antiinflammatory. Also, tonight I will restart the motherwort, but just a very very small dose.
Everyday I (will) take Candicin ( to kill candida yeast), Pro EFA essential oils, Calcium/Magnesium liquid, Vit D3 pill, Vit B6 capsule, Tapazole, Metoprolol (a beta blocker related to heart palpitations), Probiotic – super 8 strains! and motherwort.
I also found that camomile tea before bedtime helps me get to sleep. And my naturopath suggested a product called Calms Forte, a homeopathic, for anxiety and insomnia. I tried it earlier today and I felt more relaxed as soon as I took it.
Ok, got to go. Feeling weird. Better go. Best wishes. “Prairiewoman”
Posted by Prairie Woman on May 25, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Oh yeah, I’m supposed to take 2 Adrenasense/day also, b/c of adrenal glands being tired out.
Posted by martina on May 26, 2009 at 7:17 am
thanks, claire, for your post. it reminded me that eating dairy can give me (i can’t say always) a rapid heart beat and elevated feeling of irritation including eyes and sight. i didn’t realize the calcium connection. sugar definitely does speed things up, so does raw honey. i stay away from caffeine or chocolate for obvious reasons. dairy contains iodine too as far as i know. i tried a salt-free diet as i find that salt increases my heart rate but my cooked dishes tasted very bland. i use himalayan salt (that isn’t ionized) which is naturally iodine-free. but i do supplement with chlorophyll and spirulina which come from the sea and contain iodine which are said to be ‘healers.’ i know of another success story where pacific kelp worked very well.
personally, i have come to find that the ayurveda way makes a lot of sense when it comes to the foods to eat. this is dependent on the body type classification. in my case, my pitta was way out of balance, which governs the digestive tract. i didn’t realize at first that my digestion pretty much had shut down which explains the countless plates of food that would fall straight through me all the while feeling hungry. i remember how i was craving meat all the time and now i don’t even like much of it. a food i eat on a regular basis is mung beans, a handful of these soaked beans (2 days preferably which sprouts the beans and makes them easier to digest), cooked with lots of water and spices such as fennel, cumin, coriander, turmeric, bay leaf, dash of hing with cruciferous vegetables and carrots. i try to stay from yeasty foods as much as i can. i start out my day with oat-, barley- or kamutmeal with cardamom, cinnamon and cloves cooked with a whole chopped apple, i add a handful of raisins at the end. it makes a tasty nutritious meal. one thing i do first thing in the morning is oil pulling. i drink 2 cups of warm water thereafter to flush through toxins.
Posted by I don't know about your comment on March 5, 2014 at 9:43 pm
You must have hypothyroidism. Eating Spirulina and Chloroyphll and having hyperthyroidism spell disaster (iodine); even though Chlorophyll has small amounts. Milk, I believe in large amounts is bad for anyone but dairy should be avoided with hyperthyroidsim.
In patients with elevated T3 and T4, that is the first thing that has to leave the diet (iodine and iodized salt). It is still a choice (you don’t have to but it sure helps you feel better).
Posted by Linda on May 26, 2009 at 10:18 am
Hi folks
My name is Linda from Edinburgh Scotland. Its soooo nice to know that there are other people out there suffering the same as at times you feel you are the only one. I have had Graves Thyroid Eye Disease since December 2006. It has basically ruined my life. I have lost my job, my way of life etc. At first I didn’t present with the typical bulging eyes but did present with an eye problem but the doctors at my hospital didn’t take that into consideration and went ahead with radioactive iodine which basically blew my eyes up! I then had to have emergency bilateral orbital decompression up through the nose, but unfortunately this didn’t work. Two weeks later my eyes were basically about to fall out of my head so I then again had emergency decompression this time through my eyebrows and they cut away a massive amount of eye socket and cheek bone, still the eyes wouldn’t fit right back into my head so I have been on extremely high doses of steroids and many other medicines which have made me so ill. I also gained about 2 stone in weight which was another nightmare. I had radiotherapy in June of last year which has burnt the left side of my face but it has reduced the swelling. The steroids are coming down slowly but my eyes eventually moved into the wrong position so I now have to have various squint surgeries (had the first one two weks ago) and then I will require eyelid surgery. The whole episode has basically ruined my life, I cannot go out on my own because the double vision if off the scale, I have to keep one covered at all times to be able to see basically where I am going and have to rely on friends and family to take me out etc. Luckily I have great friends who keep my spirits up but I have had some extremely low moments, especially when the muscle pain and headaches are bad and you just feel so lethargic. I am also going through the menopause which is not helping as the symptoms of that are quite similar! Although I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy its good to know that you are not the only one suffering this awful disease. I don’t know what the future holds for me but hopefully it will at some point be better than this. Best wishes to all. Linda x
Posted by barbara on September 19, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Dear Linda,
I hope, by now, you are feeling better. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease two months ago. The thyroid is controlled by meds. I have a heart condition so they won’t treat me with radioactive iodine yet. Could be a Godsend. I am so sorry you have had to suffer so with your eyes Linda. No one should have to. Your strength is amazing dear. You will be rewarded when all this is past you, as all things do pass, as you know. God’s love to you and remember the Universe is yours to ask for help and guidance.
Posted by Lewin Wanzer on May 26, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Hi,
My name is Lewin and I was just wondering if anyone has put together a diet for Graves disease patients and a work out program. I am currently working out and feeling strong. I went through a bad period when I first found out I had Graves Disease but once I got on medication I feel alot better.
The doctor I had wanted to operate and take out my thyroid but when I met with my specialist he was from Germany and suggested that I not take it out as the thyroid can sometimes come out of remission. So I have been living with pills every day for 3 years and I have to say I feel good now and hopefully things keep going that way.
I have changed some things in my diet and excercise but I think I need to do alittle more and I just want to know more about others with Graves Disease experiences with diet and workout habits or how what I need to be eating. I feel I am in a good place but want to keep doing more to improove my condition. Thank You and it is good that others can share their experiences on this blog.
Posted by Julie Fayal on July 17, 2009 at 9:30 pm
check out my message above, but really try to get a copy of Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis and James Balch as I mentioned above. The diet and supplement recommendations really worked for me, and I never took the doctor recommended path. Good luck!
Posted by Karen on September 29, 2011 at 11:02 am
where can you buy this book?
Posted by MARCY CLARAKE on May 26, 2009 at 3:52 pm
CORN TORTILLAS ARE THE ONLY FOOD THAT CALMS MY STOMACH
Posted by Diane Elliott on May 26, 2009 at 8:54 pm
About a year ago I drove myself to the local ER suffering from rapid heart rate and an overall exhausted feeling. Given my age (60) the Dr. assumed that I has having heart failure, ran the tests he assumed appropriate and ignored my comment regarding the fact that my father was misdiagnosed with heart problems at about the same age – the actual culprit (discovered some 6 years later – Graves disease). Although I was assured that Graves is a disease of young women (excluding both my father and myself) it turns out that when the Dr. finally did the blood work my heart was ruled out my thyroid was the culprit. The only resolution, radiation – get rid of that thyroid and do it quickly (just don’t touch anyone in the process). Well, I couldn’t quite get my mind around that option so I convinced the reluctant physician to prescribe something – anything that might buy me time to consider alternatives. Metoprolol was his solution however, he is concerned that I have been on the mediation for some time now – and he really would like to get on with the surgery. I have been taking copper/selenium/magnesium/calcium w/D supplements and limiting my wheat and corn intake. So far (other than an occassional feeling that my heart might start to race – but doesn’t) I have been feeling pretty good. Interrestingly, I have a strong suspicion that an iodine suppliment (we have a chiropractor who is convinced that all Americans are seriously iodine deficient and recommends considerable doses for everyone) may have hassened the on-set of my disease. When I began taking the iodine tablets I had an uneasy feeling that something was just not right – nothing I could put my finger on but the miraculous well being that I had been led to believe would manifest itself just wasn’t there. Instead, a feeling of imbalance seemed to present itself and after a couple of weeks I stopped taking the suppliments. About 2 weeks later I started to experience an on and off rapid heart beat which I delt with for about a year until I could barely walk without being winded. I then checked myself in to the ER. My understanding is that the U.S. is the only area where radiation is the procedure of choice (medication being the least acceptable alternative – and of coarse “there is no dietary alternative”). Hopefully the reults of blood work ( scheduled for tomorrow) will support my decision to spare my thyroid. Anyone with other dietary suggestions? I’d like to have a ready plan B when the Dr. insists that it’s time to stop the Metoprolol and start the radioactive process. In spite of my Dr’s assurance otherwise, I figure that if I can’t touch anyone for three days after receiving the radiation therapy my internal organs – sort of in close proximity to my radiated and dying thyroid might just be in harms way –
Diane
Posted by Julie Fayal on July 17, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Oh my gosh! Why don’t the doctors know anything about the effect of nutrition on our diseases! Please read my notes posted on this site as I have healed with diet and supplements and yoga. Good luck and god Bless. Julie
Posted by Rhonda Haynes on November 21, 2011 at 6:04 am
Hello Diane, I have had graves since 2005 and i have been on methimazole all this time at first i got back to normal feeling and then in the past 2 years i have had a lot of ups and downs with my levels and so i have made the decision to see a 2nd endocrinologist who couldnt believe the other dr had kept me on this dose of meds for this long its hard on your liver she suggested to do the radioactive iodine and im going to do it on the 29th of this month because its much safer to be hypo thyroid than hyper graves . the med you are taking is only keeping your pulse rate down its a beta blocker which i have had to add propanolol to keep my heart from racing lately also . my suggestion would be to do the radioactive iodine everybody who has done it feels so much better
Posted by Tang on May 27, 2009 at 4:02 am
I actually found out recently I had Graves Disease and it has been crazy. My husband is in the military and his command ordered him to stay home and take care of me for about 2 weeks and it was fun for awhile. Stress irritated my Graves and my heart rate would sky rocket and my doctor told me that any form of stress could kill me. Ok now at this point of course I started reading everything I could on Graves because I didn’t really want to die. Stress, Fish—Iodine, Salt, even irritated my Graves disease. My resting heart rate was over 105. Ok there is a perk to Graves Disease your weight does fluctuate you could end up losing pounds possibly.
I have been tired a lot extremely restless at night and I have to sleep with a lot of pillows so I could breath, my Asthma does help either. I would like my thyroid to be removed and I am terrified of the radioactive pill and now I know with very good reason! My doctor’s are not willing to do the surgery as of yet but I am taking a lot of medication to control my thyroid but I still sweat a lot as I walk from point A to point B.
I found out there are only 2 treatment methods for Graves. 1. The radioactive pill which is a no in my case. The radioactive pill secretes into your other internal organs your liver, your female reproductive organs too. My doctor did not tell me this but he was surprised I knew, he stated well that is only in a small percentage of Graves Disease patients. 2. The removal of the thyroid surgically this is my choice.
The extreme sweating is the main reason why my doctor ordered the thyroid test, as well as the shortness of breath. I hate it when I get tired so quickly, it is frustrating my eyes are starting to bother me but my doctor did not see anything significant that would warrant any major change with my medication. I am scared that one day this disease will win as long as I have strength I will fight though. Don’t be scared to talk to your doctor he/she has to listen to his patient trust me I struggled with my doctor because he already determined that I was taking this radioactive pill and I shocked him with a No I’m Not. Remember its your body your voice also your choice in what care you receive.
Posted by Strong Again on May 28, 2009 at 3:03 am
Well, folks, it’s DEFINITELY true that what you eat can change your life. I was officially diagnosed with GD in 2007 but only because my body “took me hostage”. I had such severe atrial fibrillation that the arteries in my neck were bulging out of the skin and corkscrewing from backed up blood flow. And all this time I just thought I was tired because I was being lazy!
Anyway, I’ve learned that the best thing to do is to avoid anything with sugar. Sugar in junk food, and even in fruit, is toxic to me. My heart races and my hands tremble terribly. Dairy is not my friend, either. The foods that makes me feel terrific are meat and vegetables (non-root) in a 50/50 combination. Anything that is a carb is an enemy of the people! Carbs turn into sugar. Check out Molecular Fitness – they say exactly the same thing. Acid is bad for the body.
The odd thing is, after my diagnosis, the INSISTANCE on RAI which I violently rejected, the Dr. ordered 8 tablets of tapazole a day. I was crazy with the hives, crawling skin, metal mouth, you name it, I had it. I also packed on 20 lbs!! 20 lbs!! in ONE MONTH. Then over the ensuing months the drug dosage went down and the weight still kept crawling up until I was 215lbs and only 5’6″.
As I was bawling every day, not fitting into anything, and feeling like someone else was controlling my body, I heard of a Sure Slim. Yup. A diet centre that started in South Africa? or Australia? They have a plan that HELPS THE HORMONES – digestive, and metabolic! I went to them out of complete desperation, because I had been going to the gym meeting a trainer a couple times a week for months on end and I wasn’t losing any weight. I’ve been following this SureSlim method on and off. Basically it’s the same thing as what everyone else is saying. Stay away from sugar, eat balanced meals 3 xs a day, don’t snack even if you feel you are going to rip your own limb off and feast upon it during those crazy hungry moments. It’s about GETTING RID OF TOXINS.
As I’ve been doing this plan, my thyroid has been shrinking and I can wear my necklaces again. It’s truly remarkable.
I also am weightlifting 3Xs a week and my body is fleshed out with lots of muscle. Even though I have more fat to lose, my body is getting into harmony and food is my friend, now. Oh – and sugar used to make my intestines twist in pain with instant runs. After seeing a naturopath, I can now drink coffee without the racing heart or the shakes. A combination of clean eating, naturopathy, plus hypnotherapy and Qi Gong meditation is the best combination with working out to rid my body of more toxins. Probably adding up all those toxins in Tapazole, but I believe we can each find a cure!
Thanks to Svetlana for this site! There are so few that are positive and sensible.
Best of luck, everyone!
Posted by Darlene on June 15, 2009 at 2:44 am
I to was offered the RAI or to take out my thyroid. My doctor refused to give me the medication for graves.So I figured that if they can control the thyroid with medication, I should be able to find a natural cure. I researched a lot and came to a conclusion that Lemon Balm and Bugle Weed would help. I also went on a strict diet. No junk, only whole foods. I also went and had acupuncture and the acupuncturist told me to quit drinking coffee, no sugar, no pasta, and no spicy foods. I followed his advice and I also took IF-C a natural Chinese remedy for swelling. Flax seed oil and supplement and a vitamin B. When I first had my blood drawn my levels were dangerously high. The doctors told me I was in denial and that I would die if I did not have surgery. I was on the verge of losing my job and I thought I was going to die a couple of times but I am here to say my levels are normal at this time. I believe the most important lesson I have learned out of this experience, is to believe in your self and you can heal your self.
Posted by Becky on January 4, 2010 at 4:10 am
Darlene,
I hope all is well. I was wondering what is the dosage of Bugleweed that you took. I have some in liquid form but not sure how much to take.
Posted by guyana_bai on September 10, 2009 at 3:58 am
I wish you all better. here are my results from years of research into the wee hours of the mornings for the most precious thing – my wife.
The above helped my wife go into remission.
1. german commission e recommends bugleweed, and lemon balm herbs
2. land vegetable powder for normalization – berry green (organic)
3. slice of lemon in water for alkalinity
4. 5 mg of tapazole for 6 months
5. check for vitamin D deficiency, supplement accordingly if necessary
6. exercise, read, read, and read – sedentary lifestyle leads to insomnia
7. well balanced diet – essential oils – udos 369, greens, salads, protein (sardines, chicken, fish, beans), more fermented stuff (kefir, yogurt, nato, etc.) with much less flour and rice.
not tested. pursue with further research and caution:
1930s – hyperthyroidism treated with Lugol’s solution – 88% success rates. chinese medicine is similar – treat with sea organisms (iodine content?). perhaps supplement with nori (lowest iodine content of seaweed types) sparingly? Iodine deficiency related? similar to vitamin D deficiency?
Posted by Srida on September 17, 2009 at 4:13 am
Hi all,
I having problem awake during the night for 2-3 hours
can everyone suggest me about this?
Posted by barbara on September 19, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Try chamomile tea. It’s warmth, taste and scent will sooth you. Also, read something lite. Nora Roberts is great. Don’t try to make any decisions in the middle of the night. The answers will come to you in the clear morning thoughts we all have. I have Graves. Go with God. He/the Universe are waiting for you to call on them. They love you more than you know.
Posted by Brieanna on January 11, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Hello everyone, I just found this website and i would have to say i have been missing out. I am 23 and have had Graves for about 2 1/2 years. I was told i had Graves about 6 months after my mom and best friend died. Anyways, wow my doctor never told me anything about my diet. I welcome any input. Oh and not sure but my doctor said that with graves most people lose alot of weight but with me i lost muscle not fat so now im trying to figure out how to get back into shape.
Posted by Susan M on March 16, 2010 at 1:12 am
Hello,
Thank you all for sharing! This is so helpful.
Some clear things to avoid are becoming clear: sugar, wheat and dairy.
However, I’m finding conflicting info about iodine and cruciferous vegetables. Should these be avoided or not? In particular, are cruciferous vegetables good for us or not? I have a suspicion they are good because at a time in my life when I was consuming a ton of them to deal with estrogen dominance, my symptoms (mostly my eyes) got better – I think.
Kindly contribute your thoughts!
Posted by Chenelle Hitchcock on May 5, 2010 at 8:05 am
I have just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and have been precribed neo mercuzal and beta blockers. I am extremely tired all day long, sleep long hours at night, shake all the time and feel revolting. I had a isotop thyroid scan done today and see the endocronologist on Friday. Anything that anyone can tell me to cope with this would be appreciated.
Thanks Chenelle
Posted by annie june on May 11, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I’m so scared. Just got out of hospital and diagnosis is graves. I’m a single mom with three small children and a small business. My eyes are all swolen and I’m having some vision problems. Lots of pills and a doctors spot tomorow. What is the first thing I should do?
Posted by sbankova on May 12, 2010 at 8:00 am
Hi Annie,
don’t worry, there are many people who went through this. Calm down- there is a way out. First thing to do, after consulting your endocrinologist of course, is to remove stress from your life to the best you can and ask for help with the kids. Rest a lot and get some good sleep. Nothing is more important than your health.
Stay in touch,
Svetla
Posted by Nona C. on May 29, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I was diagnosed with Graves 5 years ago and under went a radio-active iodine treatment. I no longer have to take medication for my Graves. I also had my eye lid muscles lengthened to allow me to shut my eyes. I am also happy with the eye surgery.
Prior to the radio-active iodine treatment I never gained weight. Now although the thyroid hormone level tests normal I gain weight looking at food? I now struggle to identify the proper foods to better control my disease.
Is there a dietary transition after radio-active iodine treatments or is there one diet that works.
Posted by rayhana on June 30, 2010 at 4:40 pm
hi there,
thanks so much for putting this up..
i have just been diagnosed with Graves Disease..
i’m scouring the internet for information on how to deal with this disease as natural as possible.. i am also breastfeeding my 10 month old girl and don’t want to stop yet..!
same question about cruciferous veg, to eat or not to eat?
so stay clear of dairy, sugar, wheat?
my sister also has Graves for the past 2+years and has bulging eyes and glaucoma.. we’ve been told by the docs that it is not curable..
Posted by Morgan on March 23, 2011 at 2:12 am
Hi rayhana
Wondering how you are doing. I’m scouring the Internet for solutions to my graves’ and read your comment. I’m breastfeeding my 7 mos old son and my endo wants me to get RAI or surgery. I’m trying to get the willpower to start eating paleolithic or raw. Wondering if you have made any changes and how that might be going.
Posted by sbankova on March 23, 2011 at 11:21 am
Hi,
I, again, would not advise you or anybody else to go for RAI or surgery. If you are breastfeeding- it’s even more dangerous. I would suggest to start with diet and life style changes, if necessary medication like PTU (which is considered a safer drug). Also, the hyperthyroidism may be induced by the pregnancy itself and eventually will improve with the time. However, do not leave that untreated as it could be very dangerous for you. If you have a specific question, I’ll be happy to answer to the best of my knowledge.
Svetla
Posted by rayhana on March 23, 2011 at 2:14 pm
hey morgan,
I am ok. I suggest you see another endo. Or better still, get in touch with a natural doc. Are you in the states? There is one I know of who seems quite sincere. I went to see 2 endos and they only suggested that I go on thyroid suppressants. In my case, I was put on PTU.
I am also seeing another doc now, stopped seeing the endo. PTU has helped to suppress my thyroid, but I have also made changes to my diet. I am not 100% following it, but try to do so the best I can. I have been advised to go on a blood group diet. My problem is I have adrenal fatigue, which led to hyperthyroidism. The problem with endos are.. they only treat the symptom.. they just give drugs to suppress the thyroid and slow down rapid heart rate.. but that’s it. We need to work on the cause of it.. and it usually isn’t hyperthyroid per se.
Svetla is right.. do not go for RAI or surgery. also, could it be that yours is pregnancy related? Mine wasn’t though. My adrenal gland is fatigue.
Also, need to learn how to calm down.. and relax. and not let petty things get to you.. this will stress the adrenal glands and walla.. affect the thyroid..
Let me know if you need the contact. You can also read more, he gives lots of info on his site..
Posted by Mrantonia on August 29, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I was diagnosed with graves desease in 1988, and was given the option to take pills or kill it with radiation which i would still have to take pills for the rrest of my life, so i chose radiation because i did not want to have to deal with it. This is the worst thing i ever done because now there are times where i can not get my thyroid regualated and i have so many issues such as bone pain, depression, fatigue, i can not enjoy life. I wish that i could start all over again and just take the pills. I wish I would of never killed my thyroid that is the worst thing i ever done. Does any one know if this can be reversed?
Posted by Melanie on November 24, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Hi,
My name is Melanie and i’m 26 years old. I got married in July of 2009 and in October of 2009 I got really really sick. Everyone thought I had the flu. After my fly symptoms went away My whole body hurt, going up and down stairs made my knees hurts, I wasn’t able to eat anything, Just the thought of food would make me feel sick to my stomach. I also went to the bathroom many times a days and although I was eating 3 times I would usual eat I was losing weight fast. I was tired all the time, my heart was racing even when I was lying down. My husband finally had enough he took me to emerge and all they were very rude and all they did was gave me a gravol shot and sent me home. By December I went to my family Dr and told her about my symptoms. In January in 2010 I did a Physical and thats when I found out that I had Hyperthyroidism. I was totally scared.. I had no idea about this or what it is.
I started on trapazole 20mg in march, in june it was reduced to 15mg. i hoped that my now it will be reduced again but unfortunately that’s not the case. This week I came back from my endo and she informed me that surgery will most likely be my only option.
I’m totally terrified and having a very hard time accepting this..there has to be other options. I can’t have this disease rule my life. I’m happy to have found this blog with all your helpful suggestions.
Posted by Karen on January 4, 2011 at 9:18 am
I was diagnosed with GD in October 2010. Did not want to take the medication and so researched Traditional Chinese Medicine. Found a practitioner who has been treating me with Chinese herbs which I take morning and night. I also have weekly acupuncture with him. My heart has settled down and my tremors have gone. I have a programme of exercise and weights to build up my muscles again. Interestingly,the Dr mentioned that there is a strong emotional component in GD contributing to the excess heat in the body. That was spot on for me, and so have also been having fortnightly sessions with a Therapist. My overall health has improved dramatically. The neurological symptoms – mood swings, anger, loss of concentration are gradually reducing, and I am not the volcano that I was in October!!
I also believe that scans for another condition contributed to my onset of GD.
I have also changed my diet to much of what other people have said. No alcohol has made a difference too.
I am very pleased that I have taken ownership of this disease, as I am the only one who can monitor changes to my body. I have had a recent blood test and my levels have dropped considerably.
At last I realise that GD is not a sentence!
Thanks for the info.
Posted by Elizabeth Cummings on February 10, 2011 at 5:42 am
Hi. Is anyone out there a vegan who has gone the raw-vegan route in an attempt to treat this? Here’s why I ask: I wondered if a person *only* consumed whole fruits, in terms of sugar, (no grains or starchy vegetables, like russet potatoes, or table sugar) he/she would do all right. So far, it sounds like those who have success with dietary changes all found it necessary to stay away from fruit for several weeks, which I cannot imagine doing. Also, on the off-chance there *are* raw vegans out there, I wondered if anyone knew how to contact Igor Bountenko. He and his family all suffered from various health problems many years ago–and after they went the raw-vegan route, all problems ceased. He apparently had hyperthyroidism.
Posted by Stella Dean on March 31, 2011 at 9:30 am
I am 66 years old, very sick and have been for 2 years now. My endo has tried to push me into RAI twice, which I refuse to have. I take the methimazole off and on. Afer about 2 weeks of being off the dosage of 10 mg. daily my levels skyrocket again. The bathroom issues are worse than awful. At first I lost 65 pounds before finally being diagnosed, but now with the same symptoms I am gaining like crazy which I don’t understand.My nerves are really bad, the tremors are very bad now.No one knows this living HELL until they experience it. I am told all the time “You don’t look sick” if they only knew.The heart racing is so bad it’s scary. Don’t know where to turn for a doctor just no help out there I don’t think. I feel encouraged finding this site by this wonderful person to offer us help. It’s sure renewed my hope of finding answers and solutions other than RAI or surgery. All help welcome and appreciated.
Posted by joanne lindsay on April 11, 2011 at 8:44 pm
hello , i just found out i have hyperthyroidism, it seems a little scarey and im wondering if i should consider getting social security,,and does this condition give you anxiety alot??and panic attacks..? please help im so curious with this disease ,,sometimes i dont even want to go out..it feels like depression now..i hope not..but im like soo tired now, this is so new to me and my eyes sometimes hurt so bad that i get headaches.. what good to alleviate them..i know i asked alot of questions..i just need answers .. thank you so much whomever can answer these questions..
Posted by sbankova on April 12, 2011 at 10:43 am
Hi Joanne,
yes, anxiety is a symptom of Graves’ disease, and the panic attacks are probably not panic attacks but palpitations due to Graves’ as well. They can easily be confused, but it’s better to consult a specialist. Most symptoms go away after your thyroid test results get within the normal range. Vitamin B complex could be helpful as well.
For your eyes you can start taking Flax seed oil, and for the pain – chamomile cold compress, or cold water eye baths. Still, in order to get a permanent improvement your thyroid antibodies should be within the normal range.
This is just for a starter..Things will get better, don’t loose hope..
Svetla
Posted by joanne lindsay on April 12, 2011 at 3:52 pm
thank you so much for the response i really appreciate the fact that someone out there listened,, again thank you…
Posted by taylor b on June 9, 2011 at 8:09 pm
I need help with my Graves disease. I heard you should eliminate dairy, but then I heard kefir and organic yogurt would help with Graves Disease. Can you all please help? This is my 3rd time around with Graves and I refuse to do RAI.
Thanks
Posted by taylor b on June 9, 2011 at 8:10 pm
need help with my Graves disease. I heard you should eliminate dairy, but then I heard kefir and organic yogurt would help with Graves Disease. Can you all please help? This is my 3rd time around with Graves and I refuse to do RAI.
Thanks
Posted by Sher on August 17, 2011 at 7:06 am
HI everyone,
I have just been recently diagnosed with Graves Disease. I have to learn how to eat all over again, and I don’t know how to do that. Is there anyway someone could send me some recipes or ideas on meal plans. I don’t understand ingrediences on things either what to look for what not to look for it’s so confusing. If anyone has meal plans or recipes please feel free to email me at lexi.lee.photography@gmail.com.
Thanks everyone,
Sher
Posted by SuLu on September 5, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Hello Everyone, I have been on the Six Week Body Makeover since January 2011. In the begining I was very true to the diet but it’s hard to maintain. So basically on the weekends I go off a little so I don’t feel deprived. It’s a salt-free, natural foods diet, with carbs such as, rice, potatoes, yams. But no added fat nor salt. No dairy either. You must eat every 3 hours and protein also.I feel so much better since I’ve changed my eating habits. If anyone is on that diet, I am a type E body. I have been trying to find the right diet and this one is the only one that worked for me, Plus it’s least expensive and no counting calories/points!
Posted by Karen on September 21, 2011 at 11:31 am
Not sure even where to start there is so much…just been reading all the comments. I have Graves and Hyperthyroidism they actually think Ive had it for 14 yrs.after birth of my son,but seeing a dr. for the last year or so had all the tests now taking Tapazole..4 tablets twice a day.My vision blurred in the morning when i first wake up (also wear glasses for distance) but seems to go away after an hour or so have the heart pupaltations,heat bothers me (metapuse)irretable ,sleep is all broken up have lots of STRESS these days.Have left work..been off for 7 weeks .Have headaches all the time…have no idea what to do next????
Posted by Rachel on September 26, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Hi, all you Graves sufferers I hope my story will give you hope.
From reading your messages it would seem my case was relatively mild, however about 3 years ago I had periods of double vision and spinning saw teeth wheels in front of my eyes on excersion.
I also woke one morning with a crippling bad back and after while of physio I found my muscles weakening so I could barely get my legs to hold me up. I had night sweats, massive cramps, crazy heart palpitations and couldn’t sleep as I was soo anxious & tired. I thought it was menopause as I was heading for 50. I also found the TV was too bright for me to watch & moving things too hard to see.
My doctor miraculously correctly diagnosed a thyroid condition and directed me to a specialist who put me straight onto a med called Neomercazole (Australia) it took a while to get the dose right and then I just loved it, I felt better than I had for years. I stayed on an increasingly lowered dose for about 2 and1/2 years and am now getting constantly normal blood results.
Now without the wonder drug (NM) I am more susceptible to viruses again as I have always had low immunity but the thyroid remains good, despite my age which was against a successful recovery but my specialist was keen to avoid the options of surgery or the Radioactive Iodine pill thank goodness !
I also found a specialist naturopath who told me to avoid iodine & gave me a naturopathic mixture with bugleweed for a short period that I am sure helped.
Good luck and I hope you all find your way back to health.
Posted by Simon a on September 27, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Dear svetla ,
Thank you so much for your .. Update about antioxidant and selenium . In this moment I take antioxidant but my TED is not improved . I think that also it’ s important to talk about water retention -eye puffiness and some plants with draining effect .
I still have this asymmetric ophtalmopathy (it is one year already)and I don’t know what to do anymore ,it is stress related of course .
.I have also total thyroidectomy ,5 years ago
Waiting for your reply,for your advices,
S.Filip
Posted by sbankova on September 27, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Hi Simona,
if you had total thyroidectomy, that means that you are hypothyroid now, and you don’t have a thyroid at all, to the best I understand. In many cases it happens that the symptoms will stay, like your Thyroid Eye Disease..You can try chamomile cold compress, all the “eye palming exercise”, or sleep om a higher pillow, but have in mind that it could be related to other reasons as well.
Regards,
Svetla
Posted by Simon a on September 28, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Dear svetla ,
I tried almost all .I hope my graves ophtalmopathy will improve one day . I forgot to tell ,I am 45, at menopause without hrt now .
I will try eye palming exercise also .and I will try to relax ,to keep stress away …
My tsh is o.k ,I take thyroxine daily of course ,but you are right about total thyroidectomy but I had no other option five years ago ,I wAs in very bad codition ,very high titre of antibodies ,hipertiroidism with no good reaction at thyrozol …doctors told me that I was in a toxic faze then ….it was a nightmare ….
I had graves disease since 98, after two years of treatment I was in remission for five – six years ,my eyes were perfect ….and after that ..the recidive .this is my story .
My eyes were almost o.k …till one year ago ….
Kind regards ,
Simon a
Posted by LINDA on October 6, 2011 at 2:32 am
I have Graves Disease and And am having double and blurred vision. I have been on thyroid med for years but cant keep it under control. I wake up all thru the night and have the shakes thru out the day. Stay very tired, cant gain any weight except a few lbs. I refuse to have eye decompression. I dont know what advice to listen too or what doctor to go to. This disease is very confusing and ruining jy life, Can anyone help me?
Posted by roni on October 27, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Hi Linda,
I also was diagnosed with Graves’ Desease a couple of weeks ago, I have been doing researsh on this desease and it can be very confusing with different doctos saying different things. I am considering trying natural medication to see if it will help. I have changed my eating havits which were not bad at all. I used to eat lots of vegetables and fruits and exeercised 4-5 days a week. I am now organic veggan, I eat only waht grows from our earth. I gave up everything processed and quimicallly grown… I don’t know if it will make a difference but, I have to try something natural before considering taking medicatioon for the rest of my life…I will give it 3 months and if no improvements are done then I will consider taking medication for the rest of my life….
I had a very bad episode before I was diagnosed with increased palpitations and shakiness and blurred vision and so on….I had to take the medicatioon to stop my symptoms….my question to all you is, will it be a bad idea to stop the medication after I have started it?…..I refuse to have surgery or use that radioactive pill……
Posted by bokutoupdtokyo on March 15, 2012 at 3:58 am
I have hyperthyroidism for about 7 years now, on and off. One doctor I went to said it was okay to eat cabbage, lettuce etc…the other doctor I went to (it was nearer to home) said it’s bad for me to eat those vegetables and that I should eat more seafood…I’m really confused now. I’ve been reading some stuff on the web that says people with hyperthyroidism should NOT eat seafood – I’m thinking of going to another doctor now, as I am 8 weeks pregnant and was recently diagnosed the disease again, although it is subclinical (mild hyperthyroidism) having normal T3 and T4 but slightly low TSH. I had 0.36 TSH and normal level starts at 0.4, I’m not really sure if being pregnant caused my TSH levels to drop slightly. I just don’t know what to believe in anymore – these doctors tend to say different things that leaves me more stressed.
Posted by sbankova on March 15, 2012 at 4:09 pm
If you are hyperthyroid- you should avoid foods that contain too much iodine, i.e seafood, nuts, etc. That’s my personal opinion and I went by that when I was sick with Graves’ Disease. It helped me.
Regarding your TSH- yours seems normal, according to the American standards, where the normal ranges are considered 0.3- 3.0. Have in mind, that if you are pregnant- this may affect your thyroid levels as well. Many women have hyperthyroidism issues while pregnant and it just goes away after the delivery. Don’t panic here, it’s not good for the baby, just follow your instincts.
Svetla
Posted by stephanie on April 7, 2012 at 3:02 am
I am interested in a diet for graves disease. I take vitamin d and lavaza along with methizole, and bystolic. I have many of the symptoms such as tiredness and insomnia. I have cut back on alprazolam and started using a half tab of 1mg melatonin for sleep. So far it seems to be working for me. I have continued faith there are ways to improve so I keep reading and looking.
Posted by Timothy on September 10, 2012 at 1:27 pm
I have graves desease and my doctor makes me take 500mg of Calcium per day,Lorazepam 1mg twice a day,Synthroid 0.175mg a day and Nova- Venlafaxine XR 75 mg a day. Is this common medication for someone with graves desease ?
Posted by sbankova on September 10, 2012 at 1:51 pm
If you are taking Synthroid, you most probably have hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism. Then Venlafaxine is usually prescribed for depression, and Lorazepam is for anxiety. I personally I don’t think that this is for treatment of Graves’ Disease. You may check again your diagnosis with your doctor, or get a second opinion.
Svetla
Posted by Timothy on September 10, 2012 at 8:04 pm
this is Timothy again,
but my whole thyroid was removed, And now i take pills to live. My doctor told me if i stop taking my meds i will die. a thyroid specialist told me that i have graves desease .
Posted by sbankova on September 10, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Yes, unfortunately your doctor is right, you should not discontinue your medication. But that thyroid specialist is not right any more- you can’t have Graves’ disease if your thyroid is removed.
Posted by Erin on September 15, 2012 at 12:45 pm
I dont know what to do. I was told I had Graves yesterday. I have watch my mother slowly get worse and worse over the years because of this horrible disease. She has gained 150 lbs because they turned her hyper into hypo. Has had 9 eye surgeries and horrile arthritis, lupus, and just had her hip replaced. She is only 50 years old. I am sitting at my computer crying my eyes out and scared to death. Everyone is saying so many different things, and I dont know what to do,…. Someone please help.
Posted by sbankova on September 15, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Erin, we all have been there- just diagnosed. It doesn’t necessary mean that you’ll have the same experience as your mother. Things will get better. As a starter, take care of any stress around you. Find a good doctor who is willing to work with you for your healing. Rest. Relax. Take good care of yourself. If you have a specific question, post it. All kind of information about Graves’ disease check here:
http://gravesdiseasecure.com/free-articles/
Svetla