How to Suppress TSH to Control Swelling

The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a peptide secreted by the body to regulate the functions of the thyroid gland. When an individual develops thyroid cancer, TSH levels must be suppressed to stop the tumor or tumors from swelling further. This applies to post-cancer surgery as well, in that patients must continue to suppress TSH, until they are completely free of the disease. Below are some of the steps that can be used to do this.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your doctor to prescribe you a thyroid-suppressing therapy agent like Levothyroxine, Thyrolar, or Cytomel. These are FDA-approved drugs designed to regulate a cancer patient's TSH levels. If you receive a prescription and start taking the medication, don't stop taking it, or skip doses. Also make certain that you don't switch brands unless a re-test of your blood is conducted, because different brands may lead to different TSH levels.

• 2

  Incorporate foods into your diet designed to alleviate the symptoms of your condition. According to "Eat Right or Die Young" by Dr. Cas Ingram, certain foods like cabbage, broccoli, kale, and brussel sprouts contain chemicals which suppress the production of the thyroid stimulating hormone. Consumed in moderation, they can help lower your TSH levels, though they shouldn't be used as a replacement for a prescription medication.

• 3

  Avoid foods that worsen your symptoms. According to best-selling diet and health author Harvey Diamond, foods like milk, refined sugar, kelp, sea vegetables, and soy products promote the growth of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Until your condition is fixed, you should not eat any of these foods; if you do eat them, for whatever reason, you need to limit yourself to extremely small servings.

• 4

  Stop taking supplements during your post-cancer treatment phase. According to thyroid activist Mary J. Shomon's 2005 book, "Living Well with Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," certain supplements like calcium or iron pills, multivitamins, and prenatal vitamins can cause your TSH levels to rise. Also avoid products that contain a lot of calcium, such as milk or calcium-fortified orange juice.