Here We Go Again
Approximately six years after my partial thyroidectomy, I felt that my heart rate was playing up again with me, with missing a beat or two, called arrhythmia. I was scared that my hyperthyroid was back again. So I went to see the popular endocrinologist even though I had to wait hours to see him. I would then prescribed thiamazole as usual and under his supervision for a couple of more years until I gave up again due to the long hours wait combined with boredom.
Because of those reasons then I would not see him again for a while. In the beginning of 2019 I started to feel that my hyperthyroid is getting out of control again. This time I had to see the nearest internist because I did not wish to wait so long to see the popular endocrinologist. I had my blood tested and my neck scanned with ultrasound at the lab. Sadly, it was confirmed that my hyperthyroidism had returned. With a bonus of a little nodule spotted from the ultrasound scan.
It made me thinking whether the professor was right all along to have my entire thyroid gland removed. But I couldn’t turn back the time, so I must go on no matter what.
Thyroid Ablation Therapy
I began reading more about hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodule to get to know better of what I was facing. I found out that there is another way to treat my hyperthyroidism besides thyroidectomy, which method is radioactive iodine-131 thyroid ablation. Thus, I saw a Nuclear Medicine Physician to consult because I was so tired with hyperthyroidism and at the same time would not want to go through another thyroidectomy if I could.
After the physician examine my previous lab results (since 2009) including my partial thyroidectomy (2010) resume, latest blood test results and ultrasound scan result, he then booked me to have a radioactive Tc-99m tracer scan to determine the extend of my thyroid damage. The thyroid scan appointment got delayed a few times due to the production of the radioactive substance and the priority of other people. I had to wait about two months for the delay before my thyroid finally got scanned.
Anti-Thyroid Nodule
While waiting for my schedule, I remembered I read an article about soursop (Annona muricata L) leaves that is sensitive for cancer treatment3. So, I said to myself: what harm could it be for me to experiment with myself, I had a cancer already according to my partial thyroidectomy (2010) resume, and now the thyroid nodule reappeared anyway.
I took nine soursop leaves (fresh or frozen) and boiled it with one litre of water for about thirty minutes. Then I kept the water in a jug. I drank a cup (200ml) of the sousop herbal tea three times a day after meal. Despite of what the Nuclear Medicine Physician said that I should not have anything from thyroid medicine, seafood, to herbals before I have my thyroid scanned.
Radioactive Tracer Scan for Thyroid
Then when my schedule was up, I met people with the same disease and we were all going to have Tc-99m into our body and then our thyroid got radiographed. Funny that there was one lady who somehow had a discussion with another patient about sousop leaves and I immediately said I also had it.
So I hope that lady got the same result as mine: NO nodule detected. Despite I had nodule two months ago according to the latest ultrasound scan.
I met the Physician again after the scan and I was declared to have just a hyperthyroidism and told to continue with my thiamazole (methimazole) medication. In time I somehow thought it was enough for me and stopped drinking the soursop leaves tea the following month. As for the medicine I just follow what the doctor got to say.
Herbal Treatment for Hyperthyroidism
A couple years later the nodule seemed to return again when I saw the popular endocrinologist who did an ultrasound scan and he suggested to have a biopsy. So I did, but the biopsy result was INCONCLUSIVE just like the first time I had it years ago in 2010.
He then recommended me to have another biopsy in three or six months time. Honestly, I disliked his idea. This time I really took it seriously and I take the soursop leaves drink more routine then ever 200ml each three times daily after meal.
Then somehow I remembered my twin brother recommended me to give mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L) peel or skin a go. So did my other cousin years ago when we met after I had my partial thyroidectomy. This cousin said he had hyperthyroid but did not see any doctor and somehow his hyperthyroid was stabilised after consuming mangosteen peel supplement combined with soursop leaves herbal in capsules. So now I decided to add mangosteen peel extract as my supplement besides soursop leaves drinks.
Super Antioxidant for Hyperthyroidism
I immediately feel better when I play badminton, I feel fitter and stronger, and not so easily get muscle problems anymore! Although I do not take any blood test for another few months nor ultrasound scan for the nodule, I know for certain that the supplement has something to do with my thyroid besides the thiamazole that I take daily and that is in a positive way.
I love it and I keep saying to myself that I should continue to drink the mangosteen peel extract and the soursop leaves drink along with the methimazole prescribed by the popular endocrinologist. I am excited and thinking the herbals might be my way out from this hyperthyroidism.
How to Extract Mangosteen Rind
There are several ways to have mangosteen peel extract and I only share the easy way. I am talking about fresh fruit here, so firstly, I might as well eat the fruit and what I do after with the skin or rind is I steam the mangosteen peel for about ten minutes to soften it and to ensure I won’t have diarrhea, then I soak it in warm drinkable water, then I use tea/coffee filter or strainer and extract the water.
The colour of the extract should be yellow/pink/purple-ish. I leave it in a jug and store it in the fridge. The following morning the colour should be pink/purple-ish after the extract settles. I drink about 20ml three times daily after meal.
Or Mangosteen Peel Tea
I found out there is an easier way and will get similar effect by buying dried mangosteen peel in bulk and store it the freezer. I take out about a handfull of the dried mangosteen peel and wash them with fresh water before boiling it in one litre of water for up to half hour. Then I take the water which the colour is just like tea colour and keep the herbal water in a jug and store it in the fridge.
When I drink the mangosteen peel extract or mangosteen peel herbal tea (please choose wisely) I would have it about 20ml three times daily after meal. I never have it before meal to avoid any digestion problems. Either mangosteen peel herbal tea (20ml) or mangosteen peel extract (20ml) helps me with the same effect and it increases my TSHs level. Something that never happens before, even though I take thiamazole as what the endocrinologist prescribes. Thiamazole does help control my FT4 but not affecting much of my TSHs level.
I ensure myself to drink more water to keep myself hydrated and also because I take herbals supplements. I want to look after my kidneys too besides my thyroid.
Thiamazole, Mangosteen Peel Herbal and Soursop Leaves Tea
I now regularly drink my thiamazole as prescribed by the endocrinologist in the morning before meal. On top of that I add supplement of mangosteen peel extract or tea and soursop leaves drinks after each meal three times a day.
But, gradually the dose of my thiamazole reduced because of my FT4 level gets better but my TSHs still undetected. Because of the latest result, I also decrease the supplement (mangosteen peel extract/tea and soursop leaves tea) intake and I was taking it twice a day after meal.
(Disclaimer: please consult with your endocrinologist and you are responsible of your own action). I am here only to share my story but I am no doctor, please be aware.