If you read my previous posts on allergies and cold hands, someone suggested hypothyroidism. I looked it up on wikipedia and a lot of the symptoms sound like me. Other than medication, what could I do to combat this? Just stick to the diet? Any foods that will specifically help?

Lower stress, no wheat. Seriously, that is what the BTD Encyclopedia says.

That is somewhat typical for Type A to start with. In the other thread I recommended getting your Omega 3's up... can't over stress it.

Meditate, yoga, tia chi (and whatever else will for lowering stress).

Probiotics help some.

If you had a serious hypothyroid you would likely have a weight issue and probably bad teeth. Supplements for thyroids for Type A blood make everything worse in the long run. They feel good at first but then T3 persistently stays elevated and does damage. Don't take them.

Fucus Plus from Dr. D

No wheat in any form.

Here's what seems to pertain to me:

*Cold intolerance
*Low heart rate
*fatigue
*decreased sweating
*Muscle cramps and joint pain
*dry itchy skin
*brittle fingernails
*rapid thoughts
*depression

DoS-I completely forgot I have the encylopedia. I ordered a bunch of the books and skimmed that one. Will try to put more fish in. I'm only used to eating it once a week, I don't really crave it more often than that. Wheat is terrible, I know. I've been avoiding that as much as I can. Thinking of getting back to yoga if it doesn't hurt my tender knees. Probiotics as in yogurt? I do have some soy yogurt. I don't have a weight issue or bad teeth. Thank goodness.

Oh and DoS, you mean medication? Or vitamins? I'd rather suffer than take drugs over a long period of time. Tom, I will look at the fucus

Be aware that fucus generally works better for type O than for type A.

Quoted from Rachel D

Oh and DoS, you mean medication? Or vitamins? I'd rather suffer than take drugs over a long period of time. Tom, I will look at the fucus

I am talking about supplement, which is sort of a vitamin but not really. The point is you can get it without a prescription. But even the stuff with a prescription isn't probably an answer for Type A.

Sounds like you need more Biotin. It is recommended for starting teachers.

Encyclopedia has a chart that shows the relative risk of hypothyroidism for the different blood types and secretor status.  Type A is listed as high risk

indigestion is a common symptom as well.....

I had hypothyroidism that was undiagnosed for over 20 years, I had thinning hair, extremely low energy and 6 miscarriages.  Finally, because of a very low pulse and an erratic electrocardiogram, my doctor put me on thyroid meds (bio identical hormones)  For the last 10 of those 20 years I was totally wheat and grain free.

Untreated low thyroid can cause some forms of heart disease.  Interesting to note you would prefer to "suffer" that take drugs.  I would prefer to take meds and have a disease free heart.

It can be a serious medical problem if you aren't treated properly.  Just make sure you have a practitioner that treats the person, not the numbers.  Lots of good information on Mary Shoman's site on About.com.  She's the thyroid guru.
Jane

Seaweed that's rich in iodine might help.  Some think that soy is harmful to the thyroid.

Can you find a local Naturopathic Physician to work with?

http://www.drlam.com/articles/hypothyroidism.asp

http://www.draieta.com/articles_thyroid.html

jeanb it sounds like you had a terrible time. I only said I would prefer to suffer than take drugs because of the people that I know/ have known that take pills every day and they just hurt them in other ways. They make the pain go away for a little while but damage other things. I know when I went to the doctor for an ear infection he gave me a high dose of antibiotics. I took them for a couple days, got minor ear relief and a major yeast infection. So if there's any way to cure or lessen ailments a more natural way I'm all for it.

Jane, I don't have medical insurance right now so I can't go to a Dr for tests.

Squarepeg, I'm always craving salt

How much meat do you eat, and prior to looking into D'Adamo's work?

I used to eat meat at least once every day. Been learning to eat more veggies. Had lots of processed foods and grains and dairy. Bad, I know

Now I'm trying to stay away from it, doing ok with occasional turkey and chicken

Rachel,
Some years ago I thought I matched all the thyroid signs also.  Doctors ran blood tests and said it was fine.  Eventually I found out years of low grade stress had exhausted the adrenals which then draws on the thyroid hormone.  I learned from Doctors (MD/Holistic) that it was important to support and heal the adrenals and then the thyroid would heal with it.  You may have a pure thyroid issue but wanted to flag this as working on the thyroid with specific supplements doesn't work if the adrenals need support.  
Lin

Lin I'm going to read up on healing the adrenals today. Thank you for that

One sign of hypothyroidism is that you lose the outer 1/3 to 1/2 of your eyebrows.  Joint and muscle pain is another sign, and of course, low morning temperature.  

Jane, I had all of those signs also...But the adrenal was the primary issue with the thyroid taking a hit.  Supplements for the thyroid didn't do any good because it was the adrenals that needed healing.  It can be very confusing sorting through all of these symptoms.
Lin

I read a post a long time ago about Dr. D using licorice (not DGL) with potassium to heal the adrenals, but I may be totally off on that.

Also, licorice is powerful, so be very careful.