Hi John,

My patient was diagnosed with hypothyroid a couple years ago.  Her weight at that time was 106 lbs and is now 160 lbs.  She is currently taking 150mg of Levothyroxin.  Her MDs have not suggested any supplements or special diets.  She's very tired and hardly able to sleep at night and she is having a hard time going to the bathroom. She is currently thinking of taking:

1.  Evening primrose oil

2.  Guggul - Z-guggolsterone

3.  Probiotics (the Probiotic Pearl from Enzymatic Therapies)

4.  L-tyrosine

She has a 6 month old baby and is breastfeeding.

Muchas Gracias,

- Santa Cruz Acupuncturist

Dear Santa Cruz Acupuncturist, 

Can you get copies of her labs?    Best to know her blood sugar issues. Fasting glucose and or HgA1C tests or GTT for this. Also very important to know if she has thyroid antibodies connected with the hypothyroid.  MD should always check these in hypothyroid.  

It could really help determine best TCM protocol.  From a TCM standpoint it could spleen qi xu with dampness or there could be more kidney xu; but the real difference maker is if there is depressive or damp heat. TPO and Thyroglobulin antibodies are some of the western tests that best correlate with depressive heat.

The supplements listed would be helpful but only as 2nd or 3rd line supplementation for hypothyroid patient on levothyroxin.  That is a higher than minimal dose of Levothyroxine so it would be nice to see the labs.        

1. -Alameda Acupuncture, The Classical Chinese Medical Clinic of Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac.