? about hypothyroid and immune system(M)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
? about hypothyroid and immune system(M)
4
Sun, 07-11-2004 - 8:59pm
when your thyroid is out of whack- is your immune system low? my son has had bronchiloitis and has been on breathing treatments for a wheeze and cough. i have now come down with this head cold thing- stuffed up (my entire left side- nose and ear) cough and tickle in the throat? wondering if i caught what he has and if since my thyroid is still out of whack if i have a lower immunity right now?

TIA

Erika

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 8:31am
Hi Erika - yes, it compromises your immune system. That's somewhat different than having an autoimmune thyroid condition, which seems more genetic than anything else. I asked my doctor if vitamins and supplements would help an autoimmune condition and he said they wouldn't but they certainly can help your immune system fight off common bacteria, viruses and germs. I don't think that you can over-exaggerate the thyroid's influence on all of our bodily systems. I hope you and your son are feeling better soon! Hugs, Cathy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 11:09am
thx Cathy. should i be taking a vitamin? okay- i know i probably should be. i am so bad about this- the only time i was good about this was when i was pg. i still have some prenatals left. i will take one now! what is a good reccomendation for a multivitamin?

Erika
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 12:33pm
I just happened to read a whole bunch of info on supplements in the book, The Thyroid Solution. I'll post it for you later. He doens't recommend a multivitamin but suggests taking Vitamins A, E, C plus calcium, magnesium, zinc, a good B-complex, essential fatty acids. Nothing different from what I've posted in other posts but I'll give you the list as he has it. I'll post it later. I never realized that info was in his book. I guess I haden't gotten that far since it was toward the end!! :) As far as a multi goes, I really can't recommend one because I don't take one. I just started taking Shaklee vitamins and I'm happy with those. They make a multi but it includes iodine, which you would want to avoid with a thyroid condition. I dno't know if they make one without it. I know someone else was checking out Twinlabs multi. I always hated taking vitamins, too and never even took them when I was pregnant. I made elaborate charts on all the nutrients I needed and just ate really well instead. But for some reason, I take a bunch now and it doesn't bother me. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 10:15pm
Here's what's listed in the book, The Thyroid Solution:

Vitamin C: 250 - 1000 mg

Vitamin E: 200 - 800 IU

Beta-carotene and mixed carotenoids - vitamin A: 1000 -1500 IU

Selenium: 50 - 100 mg

Zinc: 15-20 mg

Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin: 1.5 mg

Vitamin B 3 -Niacin: 15-20 mg

Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine: 25-50 mg

Folic Acid: 400- 600 mg

He talks about getting the essential fatty acids from food sources like fish such as salmon, mackeral, tuna, sardines. And there's flax seed oil, as well, and borage oil. It's easy to get a supplement that contains all three, fish,, flax and borage. These are the Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.

Hope this helps! Cathy :)


Edited 7/12/2004 10:16 pm ET ET by cl-cathypem