One question that I get asked over and over has to do with whether or not the thyroid gland can grow back.
And I get it.
If you are someone taking thyroid medication you have probably asked yourself at some point if taking it will be a forever thing or just a temporary thing.
Many thyroid patients don’t like the idea of being reliant upon thyroid medication for the rest of their life.
What if something happens to thyroid medications? What if their favorite thyroid medication is reformulated? What if it stops working for some reason?
These are all legitimate concerns.
The idea goes that if you can somehow regrow your thyroid gland then you won’t need thyroid medication any longer and your body will be “whole” again.
Is there anything that you can do as a patient to naturally help your thyroid gland grow or increase in size and start doing the things that it used to when it was healthy?
The short answer is probably not, at least not in the way that you are thinking.
There are certain conditions where it may be possible to salvage some of your thyroid gland tissue but once the thyroid gland cells have been destroyed there are no known ways to regrow back dead necrotic thyroid gland cells.
As always, the devil is in the details so don’t get discouraged.
There are several situations in which it still may be possible to reverse some thyroid gland damage and restore some thyroid gland function.
Even if it isn’t possible to regrow your thyroid gland back that doesn’t mean you have to suffer forever, either!
There are still therapies that you can use to improve thyroid function even if you can’t grow it back and we will discuss those later in this article.
Let’s talk about these in more detail:
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Damaged vs Destroyed Thyroid Gland Tissue
Very few organs in the body have the natural capacity or ability to grow back.
One such organ that does have regenerative capacity is the liver.
In fact, we know that civilizations from long ago knew of the liver’s ability to regenerate because they included it in some of their myths (1)!
In Greek Mythology, Prometheus was doomed to eternal punishment for giving fire to mankind and part of that punishment included his liver being eaten repeatedly by an eagle.
Unfortunately, there is no such myth or story about a regenerating thyroid gland (2)!
Tissues such as your heart cell tissue and brain cell tissues do not have regenerative capacity (3) like the liver.
Think about what happens to someone after a stroke.
A stroke occurs if the brain has been starved of oxygen. The result is that a portion of brain cells are permanently damaged from this oxygen deprivation.
I know what you are already thinking.
What about people who have had a stroke and experience something like the inability to move their right arm but then slowly regain that ability over time?
Doesn’t this mean that their brain tissue is regenerating?
Well, yes and no.
And this is where we must draw a distinction between DAMAGED thyroid gland tissue and DESTROYED thyroid gland tissue.
In the case of stroke, there will be portions of brain tissue that are permanently destroyed and those that are only slightly damaged.
Damaged brain tissue (and thyroid tissue as well) have the ability to recover and this explains why some people can recover post-stroke.
This same principle applies to those people who have thyroid gland DAMAGE.
Thyroid gland damage, if it isn’t severe and widespread, can sometimes be reversed.
So before you think that your thyroid gland is incapable of recovering you need to ask yourself whether your problem stems from thyroid tissue destruction or thyroid tissue damage.
There are several conditions and disease states that cause thyroid gland damage and, if they are untreated, may result in thyroid tissue destruction.
But if you catch them early enough, and if you use the right therapies, then you may be able to prevent or reverse thyroid tissue destruction.
Conditions that result in thyroid gland damage and which are potentially reversible include:
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland that results in damage to the thyroid gland from your own immune system. But what you need to realize is that this damage accumulates slowly over many years. Before any thyroid gland tissue is destroyed it is first damaged. The goal if you have Hashimoto’s is to stop the DAMAGE from occurring so you can prevent the permanent DESTRUCTION of the thyroid tissue. I’ve mentioned different therapies that can be used to reverse this destruction in Hashimoto’s that I would recommend you check out if you have this condition. Certain treatments such as low-level laser therapy, certain supplements, dietary changes, off-label prescription medications, and others can be used to treat Hashimoto’s. If you do not do anything then eventually the damage from Hashimoto’s will eventually accumulate and your thyroid gland tissue will be destroyed.
- Thyroiditis – Another condition that results in damage to the thyroid gland (but usually not destruction) is thyroiditis. Thyroiditis just refers to any condition which causes inflammation in your thyroid. This could be from an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s), from an infection, from pregnancy, from trauma, from radiation, and many other causes. What’s important here is that most of the time this damage is not permanent and usually heals over time. When you have these conditions, though, you may see a temporary decline in thyroid gland activity and thyroid gland function. This may result in things like decreased thyroid hormone and symptoms of weight gain or fatigue but these symptoms should subside as your thyroid gland tissue recovers.
These conditions need to be differentiated from other causes of thyroid problems.
Problems such as low thyroid or hypothyroidism from, let’s say, iodine deficiency still may result in similar symptoms as the conditions listed above but the cause is completely different.
In the case of iodine deficiency, your thyroid gland tissue is not damaged or destroyed it just isn’t working properly because it doesn’t have the right building blocks or machinery to work.
Once you supply the right ingredients then the thyroid gland will turn back on and you should be fine.
There are many other conditions like this that can potentially be reversed.
Conditions with Permanent Thyroid Gland Damage
We spent some time talking about conditions that result in thyroid gland damage.
In these conditions, it may be possible to repair your thyroid gland.
Now let’s discuss some conditions that result in permanent thyroid gland damage.
These conditions result in permanent damage to the thyroid gland which means that thyroid gland repair is not possible, at least not with current technology (read more on this below).
With few exceptions, these conditions are typically man-made!
In other words, these conditions result from specific medical procedures.
I’m constantly shocked when I hear that many thyroid patients who have undergone these procedures are surprised to hear that their effects are permanent.
The following conditions result in permanent damage to the thyroid gland:
- Thyroidectomy or partial thyroidectomy – Thyroidectomy refers to surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Patients typically undergo this procedure if they have thyroid cancer, large thyroid nodules, or other problems that compromise the thyroid gland itself. As you might imagine, when you cut something out of the body it is gone forever. Because of this, surgical removal of your thyroid gland should only be done if absolutely necessary. For many conditions that “require” thyroid removal, it may be possible to use certain treatments to either prevent or prolong the time needed until the operation. It’s also important to note that some people only have a portion of their thyroid gland removed when they undergo surgery. This is referred to as a partial or hemi thyroidectomy. If at least half of the thyroid gland is left intake in your body then this thyroid gland tissue can enlarge and may be able to make up for the missing portion. This only works if you still have at least 50% of your thyroid gland remaining, however.
- Radioactive iodine ablation or RAI for short – Another condition that results in permanent thyroid gland damage is known as radioactive iodine. In this condition, thyroid patients are given radioactive iodine which enters into the thyroid gland and causes permanent damage and scarring because of the damage from radiation. Even though the thyroid gland is still left in your neck it is rendered non-functional through this process. Like those who undergo thyroidectomy, RAI can either be “complete” or “partial”. “Complete” RAI results in damage to the entire gland while a “partial” RAI may result in damage to only a fraction of thyroid gland tissue. If you’ve undergone RAI in the past you will need to talk to the doctor who did the procedure to see if you have any functioning thyroid gland left.
- End-stage Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – This is one medical condition that results in complete thyroid gland damage but isn’t a medical procedure given to patients by doctors. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland and, if left unchecked and untreated, will eventually result in destruction of the thyroid gland. This process is gradual and usually occurs over decades but it will occur eventually if the condition is not stopped. There are many treatments and therapies which can potentially halt autoimmune damage to the thyroid gland which you should take advantage of if you are a patient suffering from Hashimoto’s! Do whatever is in your power right NOW to prevent this damage from occurring.
Your Next Steps
If you’ve read this article and you are wondering what you should do next, let me help you out:
The first thing I would recommend figuring out is what type of thyroid condition you are suffering from.
You need to know if your thyroid condition is one that causes thyroid gland damage or thyroid gland destruction.
You should be able to easily figure this out by looking at your diagnosis.
You can use this quick guide to help you figure it out:
- Hypothyroidism – Usually does NOT result in thyroid gland damage or thyroid gland destruction.
- Hashimoto’s – May result in permanent thyroid gland damage if not treated. If you catch the condition early enough then you may be able to reverse damage to the thyroid gland.
- Thyroid cancer – Treatments for thyroid cancer typically cause complete thyroid gland damage such as surgical removal of all or a portion of the thyroid gland or via RAI. This may not be avoidable but, if possible, opt for partial removal of the thyroid gland instead of complete removal.
- Hyperthyroidism – There are many causes of hyperthyroidism. Some of these causes can be treated naturally and others cannot. One of the most common treatments for hyperthyroidism is RAI which may result in complete thyroid gland destruction. If possible, use natural therapies to prevent this!
- Graves’ disease – Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism instead of hypothyroidism. Up to 20-30% of cases may spontaneously resolve (you can increase your chances of this happening by using natural therapies). In cases that do not resolve, the treatment is typically with RAI and RAI does result in permanent thyroid gland damage. If at all possible do whatever you can to increase your chances of remission to prevent this damage.
- Thyroid nodules – Thyroid nodules typically do not result in thyroid gland damage or destruction unless they become big enough to require surgical removal.
- Thyroiditis – Most cases of thyroiditis (with the exception of Hashimoto’s) are reversible and do not result in permanent thyroid gland damage or destruction. They typically go away on their own over a period of time.
Will It be Possible to Regrow the Thyroid Gland in the Future?
That’s a great question and one that I don’t have an answer to.
I operate under the assumption that all problems are potentially solvable given enough ingenuity, time, and technology.
So, in my mind, the idea of thyroid gland regrowth is a solvable problem.
But it’s not necessarily a big enough problem, at least in the mind of many people, to put time, money, and attention into it.
From the perspective of conventional medicine, thyroid gland removal is considered “curative” for many thyroid conditions such as thyroid cancer and even hyperthyroidism.
From their perspective, they aren’t worried about the consequences of thyroid gland removal or radioactive iodine because, from where they are sitting, it’s easily treated with thyroid medication.
You and I both know that it’s not quite that simple, and you know exactly what I’m talking about if your thyroid gland has been removed.
Even though you may be receiving treatment in the form of thyroid medication, does not mean that you are thriving or living your best life.
Don’t lose hope, though!
It’s possible that discoveries in adjacent fields may have application to the thyroid gland.
For instance, stem cell technology (4) (or something similar (5)) would have broad application in MANY disease states and could potentially help those without a thyroid even though it wasn’t developed specifically for them.
This isn’t a reality yet but it’s something that could become possible down the road.
Final Thoughts
While it isn’t possible to regrow thyroid gland tissue that has been permanently destroyed, it may be possible to salvage damaged thyroid gland tissue in certain circumstances.
Those who have undergone certain procedures such as thyroidectomy or RAI will be required to take thyroid medication for the rest of their lives because these procedures are permanent.
Current technology doesn’t allow for regrowth of the thyroid gland but emerging technologies may make it possible at a future date.
The best thing you can do as a thyroid patient is to figure out if your thyroid condition is one that results in permanent thyroid gland destruction or reversible thyroid gland damage.
From there you can take steps to prevent further damage or to potentially reverse the condition causing the damage to your thyroid gland.
Halting or preventing thyroid gland damage in many people, though!
These people should NOT despair. There are still ways for you to manage your thyroid gland through the use of combination T4 and T3 thyroid medications to help you feel as close to normal as possible.
Now I want to hear from you:
Do you have permanent thyroid gland damage?
Do you have any condition which results in thyroid gland damage instead of destruction?
Have you had any success in halting or preventing your condition and restoring thyroid function?
Have you been able to get back to “normal” using thyroid medication?
Let me know in the comments below!
Scientific References
#1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168827810003259
#2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339649/
#3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3377117/
#4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3995070/
#5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7067448/
I have hashimoto’s abs currently last labs show almost indictable antibodies both types. I am on NP and we had to lower it. I have done so many different types of therapies since my team of doctors believed my thyroid problems stemmed from EBV and Lymes. Both are currently inactive. The treatment for that included Blood Irridaction Therapy and IV of high C other vitamins plus ozone hydrogen peroxide and glutathione in tandem. all seemed to have worked. I have not had boosters of those treatments due to covid I am doing well. I think my thyroid was damaged. I had two doctors believe that it was still functioning although thyroid disease seems to run in my fathers family.
Sorry for the typos. Nails are too long to type well.
I had a thyroindectomy in 2011. I had Thyroind cancer and did the radioactive iodine. I have been taking synthroid ever since. At the end of last year my thyroid hormone levels have been up and down. I went today for a thyroid ultra sound and it shows thyroid tissue growing. What does that mean? I’m currently seeing an Endocrinologist. Thanks
Hi Melissa,
It’s hard to say for sure without a lot more information. It could mean that your existing thyroid gland tissue is growing larger (hypertrophy) or it could mean that the RAI procedure wasn’t complete.
I had a thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine due to thyroid cancer. Is a thyroid transplant or partial transplant (ie. a piece of thyroid tissue) a possibility?
Hi Laurie,
There are no thyroid transplants or partial thyroid transplants widely available to patients.
What supplements do you recommend for someone that had a partial removal of the thyroid gland? Thank you.
Hi Evonne,
You’d want to use this bundle: https://www.restartmed.com/product/hypothyroid-bundle/
Hi Dr. Childs,
I replied to another post yesterday. My tt was in May 2020. I declined RAI. The pathology report showed papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. The follicular had broken into more than 6 blood vessels, hence extensive vascular invasion. Last week an ultrasound showed possibly new tissue or scar tissue. Given that you no longer practice, do you know of an endocrinologist that is experienced with follicular thyroid cancer? Thanks!
Hi Mary,
Unfortunately, I do not or I would happily provide you with a recommendation.
I had my cancerous thyroid surgically removed in 1978 or 79 followed by a small dose of radioactive iodine. In 2007 or 08 thyroid tissue was discovered and because of the previous cancer it was determined I needed an RAI that required 5 days of in-hospital isolation and nearly 4 months without thyroid replacement. Now it’s 2021 and a nodule found to be made up of thyroid cancer cells is growing in my right thyroid bed on top of and paralyzing the vocal cord, perhaps even growing into my jugular vein. The options I’ve been offered so far is a very risky surgery or another RAI that may or may not get rid of it.
Have you ever heard of such a thing? I have tough decisions to make.
Hi Rosemari,
I’ve never seen a thyroid cancer infiltrate the jugular vein but, if that was the case, it sounds like it’s most likely a fairly aggressive type and should be treated ASAP. Ideally, you don’t want any cancer to have free access to your bloodstream as it can seed the cancer cells elsewhere throughout the body such as the brains and bones.
I had half my thiriod out 1997 due to growth of a goita. No meds needed. 2001 goita regrew and started restricting my breathing so had the rest removed as well as goita. Recently following a ultrasound at hospital it seems I havethyriod tissue regrowing again. I don’t really understand what’s going on and how this will effect me
Hi my name is Angela. I had my thyroid removed in 2015 due to an enlarged goiter. I got a second opinion and was told the removal was my only option. I have been taking levothyroxine since 2015 and they have only changed my dosage once and that was within the first six months. I currently take 100 Mcg. The only time I since a problem with my thyroid is sometimes for weeks my sleep is thrown off. I will go into a deep sleep and keep waking up every ten to fifteen minutes. It is so annoying. Also my hair texture has changed and I am 54 and maybe premenopausal. I tried other supplements with my meds but did not like the hormonal feeling when I stopped taking them.
Hi this is Angela again. After my thyroid removal my weight has skyrocket to over 16 pounds. I will loose than I will gain back quickly. Exercise or diet does not help. My body has never been the same since taking thyroid medication.
Hi Angela,
Please see this article 🙂 https://www.restartmed.com/weight-loss-thyroidectomy/
DR. Westin Childs,
I had a thyroidectomy in January 2010, and have been on a combination T4/T3 Medicine. My TSH has been suppressed since the surgery and my doctors in Vermont which is where I lived until 2019 when I moved to AZ had made sure my body had the proper levels of T4/T3. My DO in VT was having me do blood tests every 3 months to enable my levels to be stable. Today I met with my Primary Care, DO in AZ, who just told me I did not need to take any T4 or T3 Medicine ever as the Brain knows how much T4/T3 the body needs. She said that with out the medicine the Brain would supply me with the proper dose and the TSH would go back to normal. Currently it is -0.01. I do know that the Pituitary Gland will work to let the thyroid gland know when it needs to provide more hormones but in the case of a Thyroidectomy, there is no Thyroid Gland for the Pituitary Gland to nudge.
The endocrinologist Told me on on Tuesday that she could not work with me because she could not interpret the Reverse T3 values.
So I am lost for words and need a new Primary Care DO and Endocrinology who know something about the Thyroid Gland.
Do you have any recommendations as well as What I should do about these doctors.
Regards,
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Yes, please see this resource which will help you find a more knowledgeable doctor: https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-find-a-doctor-to-treat-your-thyroid/
Hello! I have hashimotos, and I am not currently on any medication. Diagnosed at 16. I’m 42. Most of my doctors have implied that I should wait until my thyroid is destroyed and then they can medicate me. No one has suggested that there are treatments. What do you think I should do?
Hi Jessica,
You should get started right away on the many treatments available! I would start with this 1 hour podcast on the topic of treating Hashimoto’s: https://www.restartmed.com/reversing-hashimotos-naturally-with-dr-anshul-gupta/
I am afraid of doctors. So all I know is that my liver makes Rt3. I am 72 and no one thought to test me until I was 55. Plus I have no pituitary hormones. No one has answers.
I do take T3 but actually I don’t think it’s a help. I also take iodine.
I have so many issues it’s ridiculous. I’ve been trying to address them since the 80s.
Hi Prema,
Please see this article which outlines what type of doctor to look for! https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-find-a-doctor-to-treat-your-thyroid/
I had a total thyroidectomy and my biggest concern is not being able to get the medicine I need to survive! With our crazy world right now, and no chance of “stocking up” on meds, is there any natural means of thyroid medicine? Thank you!
Iodine?
Thank you! Timely article – this very topic has been on my mind recently.
I have been seriously addressing my thyroid disease (AI) over the past year with dessicated thyroid, LDN, supplements, diet, exercise and stress reduction. I had had a thyroid u/sound in 2007 and was curious as to its state now – had there been further damage, or (hopefully) was there signs of repair? The first u/s included measurements, the second did not so I can’t yet comment until I can get an amended report to enable comparison.
I beg to differ. I had a total thyroidectomy in 2012 and my levels continued to be high, so high I did not need meds. A year later, an xray showed a mass on my heart. A biopsy revealed it was all thyroid. I had to undergo open heart surgery to remove it. I’m a rare case but have found several people who have had a thyroid regenerate in different parts of the body
Hi LaPriel,
Thanks for bringing this up! Some people have portions of thyroid gland tissue in other places of their body that get stuck during the development process. This is not necessarily a common condition but it does occur.
That thyroid gland tissue was there before you had your thyroid gland surgery, though, and just enlarged after the surgery. It wasn’t until your primary thyroid gland was removed that that remaining portion of the thyroid had to start doing its job which is what caused it to enlarge. This is still not a regrowing of the thyroid gland but an enlargement of an extrathyroidal gland. Hope this clarifies!
I have thyroid cancer. I am trying to understand if cancer is permanent or reparable for the thyroid? Also, if you have laser radiation treatments that go through the thyroid, is that reparable damage or not? I have refused the surgery in hopes to heal my cancer in other ways. I do not want to lose my thyroid.
Hi Michelle,
Cancer by itself usually does not cause permanent damage but the treatments for thyroid cancer do. So it depends more on what type of treatments you have already had or are planning to get done. If the cancer gets large enough or continues to spread then it may start to cause thyroid gland issues, however.
You mentioned radioactive iodine as a cause of permanent thyroid damage. Does the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) fertility test use radioactive iodine? If yes can that cause thyroid damage?
Hi Shannon,
The thyroid gland is sensitive to all types of radiation including x-ray radiation. Having said that, a few x-rays here and there typically wouldn’t be enough to cause any real issue to your thyroid gland. The test you are referring to would fit into this category.
Healthy all my life. Low TSH/t4 2.5 yrs ago, no priors, first 8 drs said I was fine though debilitated 24/7 to date. Thyr meds do not work thou lab show good numbers. When off meds and do lab 2 weeks later I am depleted of both every time. Cannot function at all with or without. This is a seriously Big Miss that has taken my life from me. I might as well be 95 in a wheel chair. These so called thyr doctors don’t care, 15 years behind on current info and do not care enough to figure it out. Even functional whom I have met do not know thyroid. If there not thyr specific, forget it. Even that’s not a guarantee . No doctor has a patient like me. Millions of women on thyr meds who still feel bad but get thru there day and go to work an they have priors.
I don’t have any so why am I debilitated with the same hypothyroidism they have? It makes no sense. What a horrendously failed area of medicine ! Far too many women are suffering for nothing. It is by far more than just taking meds. I read medical in-depth so I know allot of what doctors are not telling they’re patients how to get out of this nitemare. It is unconscionable!!
It’s all about money and billing u monthly an continue to pour more toxic drugs down your throat. Start educating yourselves an maybe Dr. C. supplements will work for you. It’s worth a try. Good luck!
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for sharing, it is a really tough environment for thyroid patients right now. I’m hoping with more information and education on the part of patients that it will improve, though, which is why I create this sort of content.
I have been on thyroid med (ND) for years(30+) for hashimotos with no signs of improvement. About 6 months ago, I started taking a pretty high dose of CBD oil and have been noticing changes in my hormones. I consider them good changes. I was able to lower my low dose of tri-est and because of that I have needed to lower my thyroid med. It made me feel excited and hopeful that I might be able to get off of the estrogen and in turn either dramatically lower my thyroid med or maybe get off. I read that CBD affects hormone receptors and I believe that is happening in my case.
Hi Anna,
Definitely! CBD has the potential to help in Hashimoto’s for the reasons listed here: https://www.restartmed.com/cbd-oil-hashimotos/
I was fine until I had a needless hysterectomy…after I had gone through menopause with no effects…..that is when I started gaining weight and found out my thyroid was not working correctly hypothyroidism I have tried so many things that never worked and now I have a doctor who has me on Armor 0.5 GR and 30MG he gives me blood tests to check T3 and T4 does this mean my thyroid is only damagaed?
Hi Sandy,
It’s hard to say for sure but it’s likely that your thyroid is only damaged given this information. It sounds like your thyroid problems were created or exacerbated by other hormone problems from your hysterectomy.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 1991 my an endocrinolgist and prescribed Levothyroid. In 1996 I started HRT for perimenopause which I took for 15 years. I had breast cancer in 2014 with chemo, radiation, and Herceptin for a year. I could not tolerate any of the estrogen blockers so do not take them. In 2003 I found a new doctor who prescribed NDT (armour). Within a few weeks I felt so much better. How can I tell if my thyroid is destroyed or just damaged? Is there a test to confirm this? An endrocrinoligist examined my neck a few years ago and told me my thyroid gland had atrophied. In recent years my lab tests show no elevated thyroid antibodies. The RT3 lab test is in the normal range as are all the other markers (TSH, T3, T4). I would like to wean myself off thyroid meds if possible. I know of several women who weaned themselves off their thyroid medication after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s many years earlier.
Hi Joyce,
It’s definitely possible and it does happen but it should be done safely! You can read more about that here: https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-get-off-of-thyroid-medication/
Hello! I currently have been diagnosed with hyper. Taking 160 of armour thyroid. Had an MRI of my thyroid and they interpret the results as Punctate hypoenhancing lesion along the floor of the pituitary, possibly small
Rathke’s cleft cyst or pituitary microadenoma in the appropriate clinical
setting. Would an endocrinologist help in treatment aka correct medicine intake? I feel like the doctors in my life don’t fully understand the T3 and T4 relationships etc.
Hi Barb,
Usually, endocrinologists are not the best doctor to go to for thyroid management. I would recommend looking at this resource: https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-find-a-doctor-to-treat-your-thyroid/
I appreciate your videos. I am 64yo female with Hashimot’s diagnosed at age 40 and taking Tirosint 88mcg. I also started taking your Thyroid Hair Regrowth Complex for about 1 month, d/t/ lots of hair loss over the last 2 years. Your product definitely worked to stop my hair loss but I started to get headaches within 20 minutes of taking it so I knew my dosage was too high and it was irritating my stomache so I stopped then about 1 week later my hair loss started up again. So I decided to halve this capsule by splitting it up into 2 capsules now receiving 2500mcg of biotin each day. But this is a long arduous process converting 1 capsule to 2 capsules. Can u recommend a Biotin that is dosed at 2500mcg? FYI I justatarted back on the biotin @2500mcg today so I don’t kn ow if I will continue to have stomach and headache issues.
Hi Anita,
Unfortunately, I don’t really have any recommendations for doses of biotin in that range.
Thank you for this article as I believe I can and should be able to get my thyroid back. Based on your info my thyroid is not damaged nor destroyed. I lost my t4t3 due to no iodine in my system per my labs. None of the 16 doctors I’ve seen tested this but me! All under the ignorant assumption that everyone is sufficient in iodine. That said I started replenishing on my own. Yet I continued to have no t4t3 per lab. Been healthy all my life until diagnosed 6/2019. No help for first 9 months. 2020 taking thyr meds but doesn’t show positive effects. Numbers are good if lab done but if I stop me for 2 weeks, lab result shows ZERO t4t3. Makes no sense. I have no prior medical issues. There is a Serious Miss here. I shouldn’t be debilitated for over2.5 years, everyday, 24/7 based on my situation an background. Inexcusable……
Thank you for listening.
Hi Cindy,
If your problem is primarily related to iodine levels then improving your iodine status should improve the situation fairly quickly.
Hello,
I am 40 and have a benign nodule on my thyroid that has been slowly growing and is now nearing 4cm. The endo said I will likely need surgery if it gets any bigger and I said I don’t want to if there’s a risk I will lose my gland or have to be on medication. He said the other side of my thyroid will pick up the slack and still function. I still do not want the surgery due to concerns about scarring. I found a surgeon not too far away who does thyroid nodule ablation. Do you know if this procedure has good results?
Also, I am trying to have a second child and am experiencing some secondary infertility issues. I had a miscarriage last year. My TSH has been slowly rising over the past several years and is now 3.19, so it appears I may be subclinical hypothyroidism. I’m worried this could be affecting my fertility. I’ve started taking selenium and iodine and dissected thyroid. Is this enough or should I also consider asking my doctor to prescribe levothyroxine to try and lower my TSH so I can hopefully get pregnant sooner?
Hi Robin,
I would try to optimize your TSH closer to a level of about 1.0 or so.
Dr Westin Childs your site is so fantastic, just an ear is helpful….I am RAI for 35 years …depression, weight gain, slow metabolism….on synthroid …
never been compensated….or acknowledged…
Hi Phyllis,
So glad you found it helpful!
I had a sub total thyroidectomy in 1986 and I have lost three and half stone since December I had an ultra sound scan last week when they told me that my thyroid gland has started to regrow with nodules on it, this doesn’t seem possible to me, weight loss is my only symptom
Hi Heather,
Thyroid gland tissue can not regrow but it can enlarge so perhaps when they said “regrow” they were likely indicating that the size increased (which is possible).
I recently stopped thyroid meds for 30 days to learn if pituitary and thyroid still functioning. I was dx’d with Hashi’s about 23 years ago. Unfortunately not much info was given and I did not give the gland much help. I tested after the 30 days and had tsh of over 21. I assumed this meant the thyroid gland was no longer working. Immediately started back on meds, titrating them slowly over 2 weeks time to avoid the usual heart pvc’s and arrythmias.
This is about day 10 on titrating meds, and have had diarrhea since about day 5or6 of the 30 off meds. I felt pretty good before all of this, but now feel crappy and wondering how long will symptoms persist. The one thing that is better is the puffiness around my eyes. Hands still freezing and all that sort of junk. Are we right to assume the thyroid is non-functioning completely? My body seems to like meat. Ev’thing else is kind of iffy right now. What to do to stop the diarrhea? TY for alll your help, Dr. C.
JD
Hi
I had a subacute thyroiditis a few months ago, it started with pain and hyperthyroidism … and then pain stopped and heavy hypothyroidism occured (so I need to take hygh levothyroxin doses every day). There are no antibodies, it is not Hashimoto (it is “De Quervain” subacute thyroiditis)
I underwent a scan and the doctor told me my thyroid had become atrophic (it is half of the size it had last year… and its size was already small for an adult).
Of course, I would like my thyroid to grow back.
Do you think that the damage might be reversed even if the current size is half of normal one ?
Do you think the levothyroxin medication might block the growth / repair ?
Thank you for sharing your opinion about this uncommon condition
Hashimotos, thyroid cancer in left lobe so had that removed. I had no idea about the Hashimoto until a month before the cancer diagnosis. Can I heal my “trashed” right thyroid lobe?
Hi Renee,
It’s possible! It depends on how much permanent damage has been done. Even if it’s not possible to completely heal it, it’s always worth trying. It’s a shoot for the moon but land on the stars sort of thing, it definitely won’t hurt to try and heal it and will only provide benefits so the end result isn’t as important as just doing the treatments.