How to Quit Taking Thyroid Medication

[@gknight1]

I had RAI 131 ablation of the thyroid due to Graves Disease. I was then on full hormone(levothyroxine)replacement for 12yrs. I never felt good while taking levothyroxine, so I titrated off over an 18-month period. Started taking iodine, selenium and zinc and my thyroid started functioning on its own. The so-called ablated thyroid is back on duty. I didn't tell the doctor until I had completed my plan because his attitude was that I would be on levothyroxine for the rest of my life. Giving the body what it needs makes all the difference in the world. 👍🏼

[@DrChristianson]

what an inspiration!

[@lexitejeda6209]

This is great information, and much needed. Thank you Dr C! I am off thyroid hormone thanks to you. I wish more people would get your message.

[@DrChristianson]

You are so welcome!

[@depaul27]

@@DrChristianson I started to taper after learning I had osteoporosis ,then stopped completely after a week 1/2 ,been on it for at least 12 years. Just cleaned up my diet and feel horrible ,am considering either iodine or going back on Levo which I do not want to do but confused as to what iodine to use. Not sure which would be best now. Dr wanted to start me back on 125 mcg fior 3 days then on 75I haven’t as of yet but such a mess here,not sure what to do. TSH is 80 T4 80.70 T3 normal TPO 530 I know I am overt hypo but is it possible to continue staying off and using iodine and other supplements. Any help would be so appreciated , I’m stuck. Any suggestions,wont hold it against you. Thank you so much for this video but signing confused Bless you

[@EuspiraLO]

I love Dr Christianson. Adrenal reset diet changed my life

[@DrChristianson]

Thank you!

[@sarahsmith5045]

What is adrenal reset diet? Thanks

[@Onz70]

Thanks, I had thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed and RAI. I’m going to stop taking my thyroxine, I hate taking it.

[@metternstrupkristensen2507]

Thank you very much for sharing all that information.

[@elenaserban5267]

I’m reading your thyroid reset diet book !!

[@elenaserban5267]

My symptoms are very debilitating: pulse 46, bone and joint pain, sudden 20lb weight gain in 1 week, headaches, muscle pain. When I went to the PCP, my antibodies were 6500, tsh 16.5…. I’ve been having hashi flares every couple of weeks 6-7). I don’t take iodine. I hope to find some answers soon…

[@catalinauribe3666]

Thanks Dr for this amazing video. I wish I saw it few months ago. I was feeling awful for more than 1 year, my GP noticed I had too much levothyroxine and my levels were very hypo. I stopped all medication and 3 months later I got diagnosed with Graves. Now Im taking Carbimazole but honestly want to stop. The Endocrinologyst said minimum 1 year on this drug. I want to be free and look after my diet in the moat natural way. I have improved my diet and all my digestive issues and massive inflammation is gone.

[@jackiemansfield8325]

My husband was prescribed Levo…because he was very tired, but his thyroid numbers are within normal range. Is that right?

[@kittykittysoftpaws]

I was able to get off levothyroxine after taking it for over 20 years, for about 2 years was fine, my TSH was bwtter than when on meds and was feeling great. I made sure my diet included iodine rich foods. After the 2 years of being med free I got a very bad upper respiratory infection that lasted over two months and during that time I developed thyroiditis, all tests lead to whatever causing the respiratory infection disturbed my thyroid and caused the thyroiditis, went from being normal to Hyper. My doctor said once the thyroiditis resolved on its own my thyroid will go the opposite direction so will be hypo. Sure enough that exactly happened, since I recovered from the thyroiditis my leves were low so I had to go back on med, but I would like to get off the med like I did it before.

[@DrChristianson]

That can happen. The guidelines in this video can still be helpful.

[@kittykittysoftpaws]

@@DrChristianson they sure are helpful, thank you so much for all you do : )

[@debbiegallett1125]

Well I am not so sure about this. I quit taking my medication and my thyroid antibodies went sky high. Then I developed debilitating muscle and tendon pain in my shoulders, hips and knees. It has been 8 months and I am still battling this. I have managed to get the thyroid antibody numbers down quite a bit with the thyroid antibody supplement and have been going to physical therapy. Things have gotten about 75% better but it is still a battle. Doctors and physical therapist are at a loss as to what is causing this, but I really think it was from going off my medication. I had been off my medication for 6 months before this happened.

[@DrChristianson]

Did your doctor say you were a good candidate? Some are, some are not.

[@debbiegallett1125]

I assume so since it was his suggestion. @@DrChristianson

[@mantralife6620]

Did you wean off of it slowly? Did you supplement with the necessary vitamins and minerals?

[@debbiegallett1125]

@@mantralife6620 yes I did.

[@sandystevens7046]

I'm so sorry I quit taking mine a month ago.Praying I will be fine.I had so many symptoms from the meds and couldn't go up in the dose it made .e a zombie

[@anitadwivedi7303]

Nice information sir

[@DrChristianson]

thanks!

[@raquelmalinis9425]

Thank you so much, Dr. Christianson. I have Graves, should I also aim to quit MMI?

[@DrChristianson]

MMI is not for long-term use. Work with your doctor and take steps like the Thyroid Reset Diet and Hyperthyroid Support (TSF Supplement) to help.

[@raquelmalinis9425]

Thank you so much!

[@ClairettaAnderson]

Why were my comments removed? Is it because I wrote I will be staying on Armour.

[@catalinauribe3666]

Thank you the informative video. My GP advised i could stop levothyroxine. 6 weeks later I was hyper. I was referred to a endocrinologyst and he prescribed Carbimazole for Graves desease. I want to stop taking meds but im not able to find a endocrinologyst that supports that. I have been reducing my dose gradually over 6 months and monitoring my numbers with the GP. Im in half pill - equivalent 2.5mg. My last TSH at the moment is 2.87. I don't want get hypo again

[@DrChristianson]

You're welcome. LMK if you would like a second opinion.

[@dutchboy2647]

Thank you for sharing your informative video. Precisely which thyroid medications can increase chances of many cancers by up to 50% (2:30)?

[@lyndagabriel6539]

Thanks for this, I'm going to look at your book. I've been on levothyroxine for over 35 years, but the dose has been titrated down a couple of times... it was actually my health care provider who suggested yesterday that my current issues (weight loss, diarrhea and heat intolerance) could be too much levothyroxine again. I am eagerly awaiting the blood test results as I've been on an elimination diet because I thought I had yet another food intolerance. What a joy it would be if I didn't need the allergist, the food elimination test and the other tests! And for sure, my diet has just gotten better and better over the 35 years. In fact the past year I have really aided my microbiome, and I wonder if that could have lessened my need for levo? It certainly helped my GI tract up until the past few weeks...

[@AnettelilleDalby]

multinodous hot nodules - can that be helped without medication? I have been asked to take radioactive iodine treatmen, but I thanked no

[@williamreed1357]

I had been feeling good for years but hadn't gone to Dr for 8 years. Figured being 59 years old needed to have a Dr asi get older( my old Dr retired) . He tell me I am doing well does a blood test calls and tells me my thyroid level was low and put me on levothyroxine. After a couple months does another blood test now telling me my hemoglobin beads are small and wants me to do an upper and lower GI to see if I am bleeding. Felt like crap since taking thyroid med,he says no you should feel better. Any feed back?

[@DrChristianson]

You might want a second opinion. Many people are put on thyroid meds unnecessarily.

[@JuneVanDerAa]

What happens if you have had a ultrasound that showed I had a fair amount of scar tissue on my thyroid? Can I do this?

[@marygrabill7127]

I am the same. I think that as long as we have some thyroid it's worth a shot!

[@jannlittle4745]

Actually, I would love to be able to bring my light back without medication.. That’s how I feel without medication.. Is there a process I can do to bring my energy/light back..

[@janmartell9792]

My thyroid antibodies were 740 years sgo and now they are zero, because my dr said it's destroyed now. I have Hashimotos. Why would I stop taking my thyroid hormones if my thyroid doesn't function? I don't understand.

[@DrChristianson]

Some people do need thyroid medication. Yet many who thought they did do fine with less or none. Thyroid antibodies don't predict whether your thyroid is working or not.

[@shelleycharlesworth5177]

I am a 76 year old female. Been on lowest dose of Levothyroxine --since 2008-16 years. Because my ash was too high is why I put on Levo I believe. I recently learned that Levo can cause bone loss, anxiety and insomnia! All of which I have! One doctor on KZbin says Levi contains lactose and I am lactose intolerant. My primary doctor has never told me about any of these side effects and she knows I have bone loss and anxiety and insomnia! I am active-walk an hour a day and I am not overweight and eat healthy. I do not eat dairy- I am a vegan. I read Armour is made from pig’s glands so I don’t want that! I see my doctor for my annual physical and blood draw in September. I’m wondering if I can start taking kelp and selenium and start tapering OFF the Lego and see if my bloodwork shows what my tsh is then? Or should I ask to see an endocrinologist..?

[@DrChristianson]

Please work with an endocrinologist to see if you still need meds and, if so, what your best options are. If you prefer lactose free you can consider Tirosint. Kelp would not be a replacement.

[@miabeia3117]

I’ve been on 45 milligrams of Armour Thyroid and cut my dose to 30 for the last 2 weeks and feel great! I ve been on Thyroid meds for the last 30 years for hypothyroidism.. should I lower my dosage to 15 or stay on the 30 dosage a little longer… my doctors thinks that I will feel horrible if I ween myself off but I wasn’t sleeping that’s why I started weening off and I was also have heart palpitations.. Thanks so much for your help..

[@jg5272]

Your story really sounds like mine. Please keep me posted. 🙏🏼

[@hoda648]

Hello Dr Christian I was diagnosed as Hashimoto syndrome with high Anti microsmal Ab and high Antithyroglobulin...I had subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH of 8 and normal T3 and T4 in 2021 after I got covid illness and I started levothyroxine 3 years ago..My symptoms improved a lot after taking it and I started healthier lifestyle by decreasing gluten intake cutting down sugar in my diet and walking in the morning for an hour daily and I also do fitness exercise, weight lifting and resistance bands and I feel way better now most of hypothyroid symptoms disappeared and I've got in shape and even my memory improved..I believe I can tapper my levothyroxine dose but I'm osteopenic dianosed by Dexa and thanx God I don't have a history of fracture. By the way I'm a 42 yrs old female. I 'm afraid if I decreased my dose will it affect my bone density. U know that bone remodelling or bone turn over cycle needs optimum thyroid hormones to work well and build up stronger bones..Do you think I'm still a candidate for tappering my dose?

[@DrChristianson]

check with your doctor. You had subclinical hypothyroidism, thyroid meds do not improve bone density in these cases.

[@CarolByers-t5q]

What if your provider will not work with you to taper off? And you know levothyroxine isn’t working properly with your body?

[@DrChristianson]

You need a new provider. I'm sorry. I know that can be easier said than done, but there is no other solution.

[@aileensoriano5295]

Ihave been taking methimazole for 1 1/2 month- will It be fine to stop methimazole and just have a the right diet?

[@DrChristianson]

Of course you should never stop or change prescribed meds without talking to the prescriber. Many find that diet helps them need less methimazole for less time.

[@ReetaKhleeta]

I fall under T4 and I’m on 88 mg a day. How should I taper off the meds? I didn’t take it today, my first day, Should I take it tomorrow or should I skip 2 days and take it on Thanksgiving. I’m not understanding how to taper off until I’m completely off of it. Please help 😩

[@Lemma-bd3wu]

He is explaining it in the video, did you watch it untill the end?

[@terrydazzo2940]

4 months

[@SamiMusic4you]

What about if you have low cortisol?

[@DrChristianson]

Take a look at my book the Adrenal Reset Diet. It has a quiz that shows your adrenal level and a detailed chapter with a game plan for each level.

[@brooke2712]

I half cut my np in half and been taking half dose for 8 weeks - fyi my tsh low and my free t4 perfect and my free t4 perfect but both my free t3 and t3are low - so I have conversion from t4 to t3 issue- will this work for me if I taper -

[@marjoriemartinez9973]

I've been on for 2 yrs, now ive developed tinnitus 😢on t3 only

[@DrChristianson]

@@marjoriemartinez9973 sorry to hear that, please consider a second opinion. T3 only medication’s are not safe.

[@light7814]

In my case, my blood pressure got jumping up and down, blood tests showed hypothyroidism, started meds, in one month test normal, but horrible lower legs pain. I stopped meds after 5 month,leg pain gone, but blood pressure jumping again. I don’t know what to do

[@marjoriemartinez9973]

@@DrChristianson i just want to stop

[@roger12393]

My husband never felt good on thyroid medication. Why take something that doesn't help?

[@DrChristianson]

Agreed!

[@kimmyg990]

@DrChristianson, what about if it looks like your gland is becoming inflamed, as we don’t want a goitre to develop, lest it doesn’t ever go back down. We should probably turn back at some point before it gets too advanced? This is what I noticed as I had reduced down to 1/4 of my original dose, then suddenly the gland looked inflamed.

[@divyashiny5223]

Hello sir my tsh is 1.06, ft3,2.34,f t4 1.12, antibodies less than 0.4,0.9 do i have thyroid i have hairloss my ferritin is 53 its not increasing some functional dr said this is not optimal tsh,f t3 i was confused according to ur lab range is optimal

[@DrChristianson]

Hi - Iron can be a big driver of hair loss. Here is an article that will help you know if that can the cause for you and what you can do about it: www.drchristianson.com/blog/a-deep-dive-on-iron-and-iron-ivs-for-thyroid-symptoms/

[@neveo9428]

​@@DrChristiansonI had hair loss yrs ago when hypothyroidism started ( yrs of severe stress might have caused it) & was severe but I always thought that I read that iron is good for hair growth. I am taking levotbyroxine also which is also linked to hair loss....

[@DrChristianson]

@@neveo9428 sorry to hear it, here is a blog and video you might find helpful: www.drchristianson.com/blog/hair-loss-identifying-treating-helping-grow-back/

[@ReetaKhleeta]

I was put on Levothyroxine just because I told my doctor I was feeling tired, but who isn’t tired in this stressful life of ours. The Levothyroxine didn’t work, I still felt tired, went back and told her and she just raised the med level. I’m going to wean myself off because my doctors don’t care about me. I have heart palpitations, really bad insomnia, joint pain, numbness in my hands and feet and hair loss. I believe it’s from this medication. I’m throwing it out. What do you think?