I guess I qualify as “the rest of the gang there.” Stephanie and I are so glad that you have received the benefit that you so generously express from my book and our After Baby Boost postnatal program. Before Baby Boost, our truly complete prenatal nutritional program will be available in April of this year(2007)and like After Baby Boost will consist of BBB #1 a very high quality, high potency multiple formula icluding ginger extract and papain enzyme to soothe tummies,BBB #2 the ever essential Omega 3 oils (heavy metal and PCB free with 4 antioxidants to prevent rancidity)and BBB #3 and a 2:1 ratio of Cal/Mag citrate. So if you decide to have a sixth “wee one” (WOW!!!) we hope you consider Before baby Boost for your prenatal nutrient program.

Thanks so much for your kind words, enthusiasm, and encouragement!

Warmest regards,

Dr. Dean Raffelock

I’m guessing that when you say that I “correctly pointed out” something, that this is something you read in my book. I cannot give you personal health advice on the internet but I can share some generalities about the thyroid gland that may assist you to have a productive conversation with your doctor who prescribed the Synthroid for you. You and your physician will have to decide what’s best for you.

There are many reasons for thyroid glands to malfunction. Infections like viruses are one possibility as you mentioned. Heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and lead can bind to the amino acid L-tyrosine (instead of iodine binding to it) and prevent the adequate formation of T-4 and T-3. An autoimmune problem like Hashimoto’s Disease is another cause of first hyper-thyroid and later hypothyroidism. This was discussed in the interview with Dr. Rountree.

Synthroid is synthetic T-4 which needs to be converted into free T-3 to have the proper effect on the cells of the body. Checking blood levels of TSH, free T4, and free T-3 to make sure that the T-4 in Synthoid is adequately converting into T-3 can be useful. The body requires adequate progesterone, DHEA, selenium, and other co-factors to convert T-4 into T-3 in the cells. Synthroid can lower TSH but still not convert into T-3 so while the blood level of TSH looks good… one may not be receiving the benefits that T-3 provides. An important key is if it helps you to feel better. Sometimes physicians prescribe thyroid medications that contain both T-4 and T-3. Thyrolar and Armor thyroid are examples of these kinds of throid preparations.

When a physician prescribes a fairly robust dosage of Synthroid, they usually have a very good reason for this. Often the need for thyroid hormone is there because of one of the above mentioned reasons and going a natural route is not always in one’s best interest.

My suggestion is to discuss your concerns thoroughly with your physician and decide upon a treatment plan that makes sense to both of you. Medications certainly have their place and there is no shame at all in taking thyroid hormone when it is needed.

Wishing you good health,

Dr. Dean Raffelock

I was diagnosed with severe Hypothyroidism after my first pregnancy and as you correctly pointed out Dr. Raffelock, the symptoms really seemed to kick in after I got a nasty cold about 8 months after my daughter was born. Things got so bad I went immediately on to Synthroid (150mcg daily) to find relief and have been on it ever since. I am now pregnant with Number 2 and am interested in coming off medication and finding a natural way to deal with my thyroid after my next daughter is born. When do you think is a good time to start exploring a natural option?
Thanks,
Tanya

After over 20 years of awakening many early mornings, closer to newborn infants and their exhausted mothers than the bedroom within which I started the evening, I learned one axiomatic fact. Mothers with new babies need REST and RECOVERY—a pinch of prevention is truly worth a footlocker full of treatments. Dr. Dean Raffelock’s starts his book at this critical juncture: “New mothers need rest in order to become rejuvenated.”

However, when “rest, rest and rest some more” doesn’t bring relief from the early symptoms of fatigue and the mother with a newborn starts to slip into the chronic symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD), it takes a carefully provisioned footlocker full of support for her to recover from 9-long months of creating, birthing and then nourishing her new baby. Once a mother enters the throes of PPD, only thoughtful understanding of the complex interplay of metabolism, nutritional and hormonal depletion, and then diligent, focused therapy suffices to find the road back to recovery.

Dr. Dean Raffelock’s A Natural Guide to Preganancy and Post-Partum Health manages a robust review of the complexities of PPD with a clinician’s eye for the practical steps needed for recovery. Many mothers with infants, or newborns on the way, will find answers in this useful book, both to prevent the slide into PPD and when necessary–prevention is always preferable–locate the landmarks for the journey home to post-partum health.

This book is the first one that I have personally read that actually addresses physical needs and deprivations after pregnancy. I have been reading this book since my fourth month of pregnancy and I continually find myself using it as a resource for feeling like I did before my pregnancy. I am recovering so fast. I actually gained 60 healthy lbs. during my pregnancy and after only three months I have shed 50 of it. To be honest with you, I haven’t had time to work out, but if you read in this book, now isn’t the time to stress our bodies that way; we are equiped to recover naturally and Dr. Raffelock is an expert on just that. I recommend this book to any woman in post-partum recovery. However, I felt that it was even more beneficial to have this book as a resource durng my pregnancy, because it set the right tone for the events to follow

I was so happy to find this book when I was pregnant. While there are many books about eating right during pregnancy, there is almost nothing about postpartum diets even though nutrition is just as important for a mother’s recovery and a nursing baby’s well-being.

The authors of this book do an excellent job explaining how most postpartum problems actually result from nutrient depletion and hormonal imbalances. More importantly, they tell you how to bring your body back into balance through diet and nutrition, herbs, supplements, and exercise.

The authors explain how to read lab tests so you can take charge of your own postpartum recovery and don’t have to rely on what your doctor may or may not tell you. Another feature I especially appreciated was that the authors realize that postpartum mothers don’t have a lot of time and energy to institute major lifestyle changes and they offer tips and suggestions on food preparation and menu planning. There are also sections on breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, emotional stress.

I found this book invaluable during and after my pregnancies and I referred to it often when writing my book “The Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook.” I recommend this book for all new mothers and mothers-to-be.

As I have worked through this book making changes at my own pace, the rewards have been recognizable and very profound. My skin and hair, once dry are more supple and healthy. My digestive system is vastly improved. My mind clear without anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs, and my hormone balance is greatly improved eliminating mood swings and fatigue.
This book tells wonderful stories of real patients that had symptoms they turned around by working to give their body what it needed instead of dumping more chemicals in causing their detoxification systems to work overtime to deal with those chemical/medicines. Even though the stories are about women and are around pregnancy much of each story relates to anyone trying to give their bodies what they need in this stress filled environment with soil depletion, over processed foods, and environmental toxins.

This book has a comprehensive list of all vitamins, minerals, hormones, and nutrients and what they do for your body and what happens when they are out of balance. It also explains what to look for if you want a qualified doctor, someone certified in functional medicine. It also explains what lab work is available and how to read the lab work. If you are healthy and just want to give yourself the best chance to stay that way good recommendations are given on the best foods to eat and the most beneficial amounts and types of supplements needed to support this state of health.

If you don’t know how to start there is a very easy to follow and clear plan on how to shop, prepare ahead and actually make healthy nutritious meals. There are even recipes included and suggestions on how to be creative. Spices and herbs are included not just for the taste quality but also for their actual health benefits.

I now know how important it is for all women to replenish their nutrient reserves after they give birth even if it is decades later! The information in this book inspires you to really take care of yourself!