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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Karen on March 26, 2000, at 22:18:24
I am ALWAYS cold. I can't take it anymore! I can't go out to dinner, to a party, to the beach, or even go to work without looking like I live at the Arctic Zone! Dressing warm helps a little but does not solve the problem! For once I want to wear a cute outfit without freezing to death! Does anyone recomend any dietary supplement? I heard Ginkgo biloba may be worth a try.
Posted by KT on March 26, 2000, at 23:04:13
In reply to body temperature, posted by Karen on March 26, 2000, at 22:18:24
Karen....have you ever tried the herb Kelp? It stimulates the thyroid, which in turn can effect body temperature. People who have too much thyroid hormone tend to be hot, sometimes even have elevated body temp...people who don't have enough thyroid hormone tend to get cold easily and sometimes their body temp drops below normal. All the women in my family are affected one way or the other, so I am fairly well educated in that area. The Kelp could help. Couldn't hurt to try!!
Posted by Noa on March 27, 2000, at 7:13:29
In reply to Re: body temperature, posted by KT on March 26, 2000, at 23:04:13
Have you had your thyroid levels checked? Feeling cold all the time is one sign of hypothyroid.
Before going for the kelp, keep in mind that a supplement like that stimulates the thyroid in unknown amounts. Thyroid levels require fine tuning, and it is probably safer to use thyroid hormone for which the potency can be more predictable.
Posted by Mark H. on March 27, 2000, at 20:05:41
In reply to Re: body temperature, posted by Noa on March 27, 2000, at 7:13:29
I agree with Noa and would go a step further to say that blood tests for thyroid are inconclusive unless you are FAR out of normal range. Only a few specialists seem to be familiar with monitoring basal temperature (taking your temp in your armpit every morning for a few weeks upon awakening, and writing it down, to see how cold you really are) and use it as a basis for supplementing with thyroid in the absence of a clear deficiency in blood level. The "risk" of having to be on thyroid supplementation for the rest of your life is far outweighed (in my strictly subjective and non-professional opinion) by the boost in physical energy, mental stamina, general warmth, fewer illnesses and overall better health associated with thyroid supplementation IF IN FACT YOU NEED IT. If you don't need it, or you take too much, it can cause extreme anxiety and all the other problems associated with going in the other direction -- including the risk of osteoporosis. But I believe that the medical establishment at this time does not realize that the range of "normal" (meaning "healthy and functional") thyroid is far wider than current standards suggest.
Be sure to be checked for Reynaud's, diabetes, drug interactions, and all other potential causes for chronic coldness and impaired circulation to the limbs as well. You don't just want to feel warmer and mask a more serious, possibly progressive illness.
This is the end of the thread.
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