AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question Hi Doc
I am 58,no health issues except for being overweight and having an extremely slow metabolism.
I have always been this way,I have to eat around 1500 calories a day or I will balloon,in spite of being very active.
My doctor checked my thyroid levels and they came back normal.He says I dont need any medication,just exercise more and watch what I eat.I dont think he believes how little I eat and how active I actually am.
I am convinced that I AM hypothyroid.
I have tried various 'natural' thyroid boosters like L Tyrosine to no avail.
I am thinking of ordering Synthroid online.
What do you suggest?
Answer Dear Carl
You may have what is called - "metabolic syndrome" which is much commoner than was previously thought. Look at http://www.medicinenet.com/metabolic_syndrome/article.htm and see what you think and get back to me. Obviously if this is the case you will need professional help in the treatment.
I definitely would not advise Synthroid to be taken as it can have multitudinous adverse effects if taken willy-nilly or unsupervised.
Was your thyroid tests for the thyroid hormones or for pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone - the latter is by far the best to determine if the thyroid is underactive or not?
