Need some help thinking this through....

[Sunny_0ne]

After a 4 week stall, the scales finally moved. I lost a whopping 0.6 pound.

So I'm trying to think causes and solutions through.

I know that back in the 80's I was diagnosed with borderline low thyroid. That's the last official information I have on it.

My temperature used to run 97.8. I took it this morning and it was 97.2. I have the dry skin and most of the symptoms of low thyroid. However, I do not want to go on thyroid medication unless it is absolutely essential. Also, I don't have medical insurance and am on a budget, so trips to the doctor and tests are to be avoided if I can fix this on my own. So please, no "see your doctor" advice. I will when I must.

Also, the tyrosine and other thyroid supplements are very expensive. If I can make diet and behavior changes that would raise my body temperature and boost my metabolism, I would rather do that.

I completely cut caffeine out of my diet when I started Atkins. I am wondering if this could have a bearing on the additional body temperature drop. Maybe I need the stimulant activity.

I am planning to switch to mini meals of 2 oz. meat fried in coconut oil and a small serving of salad veggies every 3 hours to keep my metabolism as high as I can.

Instead of one hour a day bike riding, I am thinking two 30 minute sessions a day -- one biking and one walking -- would maybe keep my body temperature higher over a longer period, and thus burn a little more fat.

I have read that the cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage slow thyroid function.

I have decided to add more cayenne and hot peppers, again, to increase body temperature and rev up metabolism.

Does anyone have any other ideas for speeding up a very slow metabolism?

I am taking an acetyl l carnitine and alpha lipoic acid supplement. Also l-glutamine. The carb content of my supplements is very high -- around 7 carbs a day after I include the vitamins and calcium. So I don't want to add more non-food carbs.

Well-thought-out suggestions welcome!

[clogger]

Perhaps you'll be able to find some helpful information in the Thyroid forum.

Good luck!

[SunnySmile501]

Good luck getting your body temperature up with any method. On a good day mine is 96.3. Even when I was in the hospital on round-the-clock I.V. drip antibiotics for a raging infection, mine was frequently in the 95's. The nurses kept thinking that the machine was broke, so they brought in a couple more--same thing. I think I tried everything I read on every website, but nothing helped.

[Sunny_0ne]

Thanks for the input, Sunny.

It will probably save me a lot of fruitless do-it-yourself efforts.

[liv]

Now I know you did not want to hear it
But I am hypo and having it diagnosed and using medication has been great for me. So if you have a chance to have it checked go for it.

[Sunny_0ne]

Liv, I'll give it another month, then I may have to go get it checked.

[ceemarie]

Might want to review your health with your doctor.

[guekjian]

Hey sunny one! I was diagnosed with "lazy" thyroid just over a month ago. The thyroid supplement here in Canada costs just 7.98$ per month, so I can't believe it would be much more than that in the states...Get it checked...I think it is worth it!

[Sunny_0ne]

Thanks, guekjian. Good to know that the medication wouldn't break the bank!