If you eat with thyroid pills:
❌ Pills absorb only 30% (instead of 80%)
❌ You feel exhausted all day
❌ Can't walk - no energy
❌ Can't lose weight
❌ Severe bloating
This could be why you feel so bad!
1. Chloroquine Phosphate
Used for malaria treatment. NEVER take this medication.
2. Chocolate Flavor (in medications)
Severity: Medium
Reaction: Nausea Only
Avoid chocolate-flavored medications or supplements.
What it does: Replaces thyroid hormone your body can't make (you have NO thyroid)
Why you need it: Without this, you would die. Your body needs thyroid hormone to live
Side effects: Hair loss if dose too high, exhaustion if dose too low
Important: MUST take alone with just water, wait 1 hour before food
⚠️ Problem: Your dose (50 mcg) seems LOW for someone with no thyroid. Most people need 100-150 mcg. Ask doctor to check thyroid levels.
What it does: Fast-acting thyroid hormone for immediate energy
Why you need it: Gives you energy when levothyroxine alone isn't enough
Side effects: Heart racing if too high, tiredness if too low
Important: Take with levothyroxine in the morning, just water
Note: Current dose is 5 mcg. Some people need 5-10 mcg depending on symptoms.
What it does: Controls blood sugar AND helps you lose weight
Why you need it: You have type 2 diabetes. This is maximum dose.
Side effects: SEVERE BLOATING, slows stomach, nausea, constipation
The problem: This medication slows your stomach down. Combined with no thyroid (also slows stomach) = DOUBLE slowdown = severe bloating
💡 Solution: Ask doctor: "Can we reduce to 1.5 mg temporarily? The bloating is unbearable."
What it does: Makes you pee to remove extra water from body
Why you need it: Prevents leg swelling and fluid buildup
Side effects: LOW POTASSIUM (dangerous!), weakness, makes you pee a lot
⚠️ DANGER: Flushes potassium out of body. Low potassium + statin = muscle damage. MUST get potassium tested every 3 months!
Why doesn't it work? High-salt foods (Maggi cubes) cancel out this medication
What it does: Lowers cholesterol to prevent heart attack
Why you need it: High cholesterol from diabetes
Side effects: Muscle pain, weakness (worse with low potassium)
⚠️ NEVER eat: Grapefruit or grapefruit juice (causes muscle damage)
💡 Good news: If you follow diet and lose weight, cholesterol drops and you might need lower dose
What it does: Treats severe vitamin D deficiency
Why you need it: You have very low vitamin D (common after thyroid surgery)
Side effects: None usually
Important: Take once a month on same date
What it does: Stops pain
Why you take it: Joint pain, back pain
Side effects: SEVERE CONSTIPATION (main cause!), very drowsy, addictive
The problem: Codeine STOPS your gut from moving. You already have slow gut (no thyroid + Ozempic). Adding codeine = no bowel movements for days.
💡 ASK DOCTOR: "Can we switch to regular Tylenol (no codeine)? The codeine causes severe constipation."
Why pain will improve: Most pain is from excess weight on joints. Lose 40 lbs = 50-70% less pain = less medication needed
What it does: Relaxes tight muscles
Why you take it: Muscle spasms, back pain
Side effects: Very drowsy, weak, dizzy
⚠️ DANGER: NEVER take with Tylenol #3 - extreme drowsiness, can fall and get hurt
Wait 6-8 hours between these two pills!
What it does: Replaces hormones after menopause
Why you take it: Menopause symptoms
Side effects: Bloating, breast tenderness, can cause leg swelling
Note: This adds to your bloating problem
What it does: Stops allergies, runny nose
Side effects: Bitter taste, drowsiness
Use: 2 sprays each nostril, morning and evening
What it does: Reduces nose swelling, allergies
Side effects: Nosebleeds, sore throat
Use: 2 sprays each nostril, morning and evening
What it does: Opens airways for breathing
Why you need it: Asthma or breathing problems
Side effects: Shaky hands, fast heartbeat
Use: Only when needed for breathing difficulty
What it does: Kills bacteria in mouth, treats gum disease
Side effects: Tooth staining (temporary)
Use: Rinse 15 mL (1 capful), swish, spit out. Morning and bedtime.
What it does: Numbs mouth pain
Use: Apply to sore areas in mouth when needed
What it does: Kills bacteria on skin infections
Use: Apply thin layer to infected area 3x daily
What it does: Kills fungus (athlete's foot, ringworm)
Use: Apply to affected area 2x daily
What it does: Reduces rash, inflammation, itching
Warning: Don't use for more than 2 weeks - causes skin thinning
What it does: Softens stool, helps you poop
IMPORTANT: Take EVERY DAY, not just when constipated!
Why: You have 3 things slowing your gut (no thyroid + Ozempic + codeine)
Dose: 1 capful (17 grams) mixed in water or juice, daily
What it does: Makes stool soft so it's easier to pass
IMPORTANT: Take 2 times per day, EVERY day
Dose: 100 mg in morning, 100 mg at bedtime
What they are: Glucose meter, test strips, lancets
Why you need them: Monitor blood sugar daily
How often: Test fasting (before breakfast) every day
Goal: Fasting blood sugar 80-130 mg/dL
If you follow the diet and lose weight, these medications might be reduced or eliminated:
Why you might not need it:
• Most pain is from excess weight on knees and back
• Lose 40 lbs = 50-70% less joint pain
• Codeine causes severe constipation (makes everything worse)
• Regular Tylenol (without codeine) works almost as well for your type of pain
✅ ASK DOCTOR: "Can we switch to regular Tylenol instead of Tylenol #3?"
Why you might need less:
• You're on maximum dose (2 mg)
• Causing SEVERE bloating
• Temporarily reducing to 1.5 mg might help bloating
• After diet changes and weight loss, might not need maximum dose
✅ ASK DOCTOR: "Can we reduce from 2 mg to 1.5 mg temporarily for bloating?"
Why you might need less:
• Leg swelling is partly from high-salt diet
• If you stop Maggi cubes and salty foods, legs won't swell as much
• Less Lasix needed = less potassium loss = less weakness
✅ After 3 months of low-salt diet, doctor might reduce dose
Why you might need less:
• Cholesterol goes down with diet and weight loss
• Less fried food = lower cholesterol
• More fish and vegetables = healthier cholesterol
✅ After 6 months of diet changes, cholesterol test might show improvement
If you follow the diet:
✅ In 2 weeks: 50% less bloating
✅ In 3 months: Can walk easier, less pain
✅ In 6 months: Lose 30-40 lbs
✅ In 1 year: Might need 30-50% fewer medications!
Made with ❤️ for Mom
October 2025