Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

10 Things I Wish My Endochronologist Would Have Told Me

10 Things I Wish My Endocrinologist Would Have Told Me

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

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When I first started experiencing symptoms (before my Hashimoto’s diagnosis), and before I had started thinking that they could be related to my thyroid, I faced a lot of challenges in getting the adequate diagnosis and treatment for my condition.

I spent almost a decade undiagnosed because I only had my TSH levels tested. I had been told that my thyroid was normal, even though my TSH was 4.5 μIU/mL.

I continued experiencing a worsening of my symptoms (along with some new ones!). However, it wasn’t until my TSH levels had skyrocketed to 8 μIU/mL (back then, 0.4-4.0 μIU/mL was considered the “normal” TSH reference range), that my doctor referred me to an endocrine specialist.

I was eventually diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, but didn’t feel like I had a good understanding of what was really going on with my thyroid. I was trained as a pharmacist, and conventional medicine’s go-to for addressing thyroid conditions is primarily focused on prescribing thyroid medications. Endocrinologists are the designated medical experts for thyroid issues. However, most endocrinologists are not taught about the root causes behind the development of Hashimoto’s, or the lifestyle interventions that can help a person feel significantly better.

If you feel like you’re still trying to understand what is going on with your thyroid, or if you’re trying to get a deeper understanding of Hashimoto’s, I’d like to share with you a few things that would have been helpful to know at the beginning of my journey.

In this article, I’ll discuss:

  • The different thyroid medication options available today
  • How gluten and diet choices impact the thyroid
  • Why iodine can exacerbate thyroid disease
  • The connection between the thyroid and mental health
  • Markers of thyroid dysfunction

10 Things I Wish My Endocrinologist Told Me

1. Thyroid Medication Can Help with Symptoms — Even In Early Stages

If you are having symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism — like fatigue, weight gain, sadness/apathy, hair loss, fertility challenges, cold intolerance, brain fog, and joint pain — it may be helpful to start thyroid hormones, if you haven’t yet been prescribed any.

Hashimoto’s has five progressive stages — subclinical hypothyroidism is the third stage. This is the stage when thyroid labs come back “normal” but the individual is experiencing symptoms such as weight gain, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances, among others.

In a lot of cases, the “normal” lab results do not reflect what is actually happening within the body. For example, in the case of subclinical hypothyroidism, while T4 and T3 thyroid hormone levels may be within normal ranges, thyroid antibody levels may be elevated. Antibodies can be elevated for years prior to a proper diagnosis, and can contribute to the symptoms mentioned above.

However, studies have found that starting thyroid hormones can make us feel better and even slow down the progression of the condition. By helping the body produce optimal amounts of thyroid hormones, appropriate medication management can allow us to recover from the effects of hypothyroidism and will give us energy, vitality, and support to continue working on optimizing our health.

T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) are the two main thyroid hormones. T4-only medications, such as Synthroid or generic levothyroxine, are the most commonly prescribed thyroid medications. That said, there are different thyroid hormone medications out there, including T3-only and T4/T3 combination options — the type and dosages should be individualized for each person.

For more information, you can download my free eBook, Optimizing Thyroid Medications, to help you get started on finding the right thyroid medication plan for you.

2. You May Need to Try a T3-Containing Medication

As mentioned above, T4 and T3 are the two main thyroid hormones, and T4-only medications are the most commonly prescribed thyroid medications.

While they are generally well tolerated, not every individual with Hashimoto’s is able to convert the T4 from their medication into T3 (the more biologically active thyroid hormone) due to factors such as aging, nutritional deficiencies, liver backlog, and more. As such, taking a T4-only-containing medication may not relieve all of one’s symptoms.

There may be an advantage to taking a T3-containing medication in such cases, and many individuals report feeling better on T4/T3 combination medications.

T3-only medications (such liothyronine, Cytomel, and compounded T3 medications) are typically used as an add-on to T4-only medications.

T4/T3 combination medications (like WP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, Armour Thyroid and compounded combo medications) are another option to consider. These types of medications mimic the ratio of thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, within our body.

You can check out my article reviewing thyroid medications to learn more about the pros and cons of each type of thyroid medication available on the market.

Remember, thyroid medications should be individualized, as different individuals will feel best on different types of medications, so be sure to consult a practitioner to find what may work best for you. (It’s important to note, however, that conventional doctors are not always comfortable with prescribing combination medications due to issues of poor quality control and medication recalls, so you may wish to work with a functional medicine practitioner.)

3. Try Going Gluten Free

Gluten (a hard-to-digest protein found in foods made of wheat, barley or rye) can be a trigger for many individuals, and is the most common food sensitivity found in those with Hashimoto’s.

Gluten can create intestinal permeability, or leaky gut (one of the three factors required for autoimmunity to occur). Intestinal permeability occurs when there are “gaps” within the tight junctions of the intestinal barrier, allowing for digested food molecules, such as gluten, to leak out.

Once gluten “leaks out” and enters the bloodstream, it can lead the body to attack its own thyroid (as the body can confuse the structure of gluten with cellular components found in the thyroid gland), leading to gluten sensitivity.

For some individuals, gluten may be the sole trigger of their autoimmune thyroid disease. Thus, in some cases, we see a complete remission of the condition when an individual goes on a gluten-free diet. In other cases (88 percent of the time), the person feels significantly better and experiences a reduction in symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, low energy, excess weight, constipation, stomach pain, acid reflux, hair loss, and anxiety.

4. Diet Can Have a Big Impact on Thyroid Health

As mentioned above, a gluten-free diet can be immensely helpful for those with Hashimoto’s whether gluten is the sole trigger of an individual’s Hashimoto’s, or there are other root causes involved. Making further dietary interventions can also be helpful in eliminating one’s thyroid symptoms and reducing thyroid antibodies. Some people have even been able to eliminate their thyroid antibodies through dietary changes alone!

It’s been my experience, and the experience of many of my clients, that along with gluten, eliminating dairy and soy can reduce inflammation and improve Hashimoto’s. In my survey of over 2000 individuals with Hashimoto’s, 57 percent said that they react to dairy, and around 80 percent said they felt better on a dairy-free diet. Similarly, 63 percent of individuals felt better on a soy-free diet.

As such, along with a gluten, dairy, and soy-free diet, other healing diets such as the Paleo or Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diets, can be immensely beneficial as well, as they eliminate these common foods, help to reduce inflammation, and focus on nutrient-dense foods (helping to prevent nutrient deficiencies). Of the 2000+ individuals in my survey, 75 percent said that they felt better on an AIP diet.

That said, diets are not one-size-fits-all. While there isn’t one diet that works for everyone, I do recommend incorporating foods such as beets and cruciferous vegetables (some do better with cooked vegetables), pasture-raised meats, and probiotic-rich foods (such as kefir). And, as always, be sure to tailor any healing diet to your own needs!

To learn what a thyroid-healing diet entails, I recommend checking out my article on the best diet for Hashimoto’s.

5. You May Have a Selenium Deficiency

A selenium deficiency has been recognized as a nutrition-related trigger of Hashimoto’s.

Selenium is a nutrient that is needed for thyroid function. It’s crucial in our body’s conversion of the inactive thyroid hormone, T4, to the more biologically active thyroid hormone, T3. It also helps balance iodine levels (too much iodine can be harmful to the thyroid — more on that in a minute).

Selenium deficiency is associated with symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, depression, and fatigue, to name a few.

This deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies that I’ve seen in Hashimoto’s. One of the most common reasons why I see individuals become deficient in this nutrient is because they are on a gluten-free diet. While a gluten-free diet can be incredibly beneficial for the thyroid, it can be lacking in selenium, making an individual on this diet more susceptible to selenium deficiency.

A daily dose of 200 mcg of the selenomethionine form of selenium, has been shown to reduce thyroid antibodies by about 50 percent over the course of three months, in people with Hashimoto’s. Additionally, research has found that selenium supplementation, alongside myo-inositol supplementation, can help the thyroid revert to normal functioning (referred to as an euthyroid state).

In my experience, selenium can help people feel calmer, as well as improve energy levels and promote hair regrowth.

In my survey of over 2000 individuals with Hashimoto’s, 62 percent shared that selenium supplementation (at a dose of 200 mcg/day) helped them feel better. As this dose may be difficult to achieve through diet alone (one would have to consume large amounts of selenium-rich foods to obtain the recommended amount), I recommend a high quality selenium supplement such as Selenium (Selenomethionine) by Pure Encapsulations.

6. Hashimoto’s and Iodine Deficiency-Induced Hypothyroidism Should Be Treated Differently

There is a lot of controversy surrounding iodine in the thyroid world. This nutrient, which is combined with the amino acid tyrosine to make thyroid hormones T3 and T4, is sometimes recommended as the one nutrient that all people with thyroid issues need more of. This is because iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism.

However, medical professionals refer to iodine as a “Goldilocks” nutrient, as the levels have to be just right — low levels of this nutrient are needed for thyroid function, but high levels can be detrimental to thyroid health. In the case of Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism induced by an iodine deficiency, is rare.

I have found that most people with thyroid disease have excess levels of iodine. Iodine excess may aggravate Hashimoto’s in some cases, leading to anxiety, irritability, brain fog, palpitations, and fatigue, as well as accelerated damage to the thyroid gland.

Iodine needs to be processed by the thyroid gland, and when the thyroid is inflamed, the processing of iodine will likely produce more inflammation. If you give an angry and overwhelmed organ more work to do, you’ll likely see it become even angrier!

A person may feel more energetic when first starting an iodine supplement, but lab tests will reveal that their “new energy” is coming from the destruction of thyroid tissue, which dumps thyroid hormone into the circulation. Reports will show an elevated TSH, elevated thyroid antibodies, and in some cases, low levels of active thyroid hormones.

This is why I don’t generally recommend iodine supplements to people with Hashimoto’s. I don’t believe that the short-term artificial boost in energy is worth destroying your thyroid gland!

In one study, researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota tracked the rate of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in patients from 1935 to 1967. Within two years, the doctors saw an increase in autoimmune thyroid disease caused by iodine fortification in table salt and processed food.

That said, the low doses of iodine (150 mcg–220 mcg) that are found in multivitamins and prenatal vitamins, are generally safe for people with Hashimoto’s. To learn more about dosing iodine for those with Hashimoto’s, check out my article on iodine here.

7. Your Hair Loss Could Be Caused by Low Ferritin

Hair loss is a common symptom in those with Hashimoto’s. Along with selenium, ferritin — a stored form of iron (and an accurate predictor of iron stores) — is a nutrient that is often depleted in Hashimoto’s.

This nutrient is required for the utilization of the thyroid hormone T3 by cells. Thus, if low ferritin leads to an individual not being able to utilize T3 well, the thyroid may slow down its metabolism and conserve resources for more important physiological processes. As hair isn’t high on this priority list, ferritin depletion will then lead to hair loss.

I highly recommend checking ferritin levels for any woman who is experiencing hair loss and/or has Hashimoto’s. Normal ferritin levels for women are between 20 and 200 ng/mL. However, the optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/mL — this is the range that is most conducive to healthy, lustrous hair (and overall well-being).

Most men are not lacking in ferritin (compared to women who are at higher risk of low ferritin due to menstruation).

Regardless of gender, you can check your ferritin levels easily with Ulta Lab Tests.

If you are found to be low in ferritin, I recommend supplementing with OptiFerin-C by Pure Encapsulations at a dose of 1-3 capsules per day, in divided doses, taken with meals.

8. You Are Not Going Crazy!

When patients come in describing mood imbalances or reporting that they feel “crazy,” doctors are often quick to suggest a mood disorder (and often, antidepressants) without investigating thyroid health. If this sounds like something you’ve experienced, please know that the anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, and emotional numbness you are feeling, could be related to your thyroid.

Specifically, an increase in thyroid antibodies can contribute to these mood imbalances.

Thyroid antibodies are a marker of autoimmune thyroid disease. They let us know that the immune system is destroying thyroid tissue, which can cause a release of hormones into the bloodstream. This can lead to transient (or temporary) hyperthyroidism, as well as mood-related symptoms such as anxiety and irritability. The transient hyperthyroidism is soon followed by an onset of hypothyroidism, resulting in apathy and depression.

Another reason for low mood and/or anxiety may be due to blood sugar imbalances.

Taking the right thyroid medication for you, considering selenium supplementation if needed (as mentioned earlier in this article), and balancing blood sugar (dips in blood sugar can lead to low mood), can all help with mood regulation. In fact, I recommend focusing on these strategies before considering antidepressants.

For an in-depth explanation of the root cause approach to improving low mood, I recommend reading my articles on anxiety and depression.

9. It’s Important to Monitor Your TPO and TG Antibody Levels

There are two types of thyroid antibodies associated with Hashimoto’s: thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO antibodies) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TG antibodies). These are markers of how aggressive the attack is on your thyroid gland, and can be used as a marker to track the progress of your condition (and healing!).

These antibodies can show up as elevated long before other, more commonly tested markers of thyroid health — TSH (optimal range is between 0.5-2 μIU/mL), free T3 (optimal range is 5-7 pmol/L), and free T4 (optimal range is 15-23 pmol/L) — appear as out of range (sometimes as early as 5 to 15 years before a diagnosis is made).

They are often elevated in subclinical hypothyroidism, which is an earlier stage of Hashimoto’s, and are warning signs of thyroid disease (even if TSH comes back “normal” on a lab test). About 80 to 90 percent of people with Hashimoto’s will have either elevated TPO or TG antibodies, or both.

The normal values for TPO and TG antibodies are <35 IU/mL. However, according to the Institute of Functional Medicine, the optimal ranges (where most individuals feel best) are <2 IU/mL for both types of antibodies.

When I underwent a physical exam in 2009, my lab results showed my thyroid antibodies to be at over 2000 IU/mL. After hours of researching and much trial and error, I found some research suggesting methods such as following a gluten-free diet and supplementing with selenium, could reduce antibodies by 20 to 50 percent (I personally found these two methods to help decrease my antibodies).

Antibodies fluctuate in response to triggers and lifestyle habits. As you make changes to your lifestyle and diet (and medications as discussed with your doctor), you should retest your antibodies every three months to see if your lifestyle and/or diet interventions are working.

You can learn more about thyroid antibodies here.

10. Your Thyroid May Function and Work On Its Own Again in the Future

Most conventional doctors will say that Hashimoto’s, and other thyroid diseases, are irreversible and require one to stay on thyroid medication for the rest of their life.

It is true that some individuals may find that along with addressing their root causes, they function best with thyroid medications, and may opt to use medications long-term to live their best life. However, it is also possible to recover thyroid function.

Research shows that once the autoimmune attack on the thyroid stops, the thyroid gland has the ability to recover function. It has also been shown that thyroid function spontaneously recovers in 20 percent of Hashimoto’s patients (referred to as a euthyroid state).

One case study examined the occurrence of three girls who spontaneously recovered (either partially or fully) from autoimmune hypothyroidism (before starting medications). None of them had excessive levels of iodine or goitrogens during the study investigation. The authors suggested that their recovery may have been due to their elimination of iodine (which can aggravate hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s), and/or not taking suboptimal medication(s) that may have made them feel worse.

So what does this mean? Addressing the root causes behind the autoimmune attack on the thyroid, can reverse the autoimmunity!

Going gluten free, incorporating selenium, and targeting the root cause(s) behind the development of Hashimoto’s, are some ways to reduce or stop the autoimmune attack on the thyroid. Innovative new therapies like low level laser therapy may also help people improve the function of their thyroid and wean off meds. You can read more about addressing the most common root causes of Hashimoto’s here.

If, at some point in your journey, you are interested in seeing whether you may be able to wean off thyroid medications, there is a test that you can do — the test involves thyrotropin-releasing hormone (or TRH) to be administered by a doctor (this article goes into detail on the full procedure).

The Takeaway

Hashimoto’s is a complex and challenging condition to navigate. Sometimes, despite their best intentions, not every endocrinologist will have a grasp on the set of unique characteristics and root cause factors associated with Hashimoto’s. I wasn’t told many of these things, and had to learn through trial and error.

Sometimes, we need to be Root Cause Rebels and advocate for our own health. That could mean learning the effects of gluten on the thyroid, identifying nutrient deficiencies commonly observed in Hashimoto’s, or looking into the variety of options available for thyroid medications — all of these are immensely helpful in digging deeper into our root cause(s) and addressing them.

There are so many other things that can be helpful as well! The mission behind my first book, Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause, was to spread awareness about lifestyle interventions for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Personally, they have made a huge difference in my life, and after addressing all of my root causes, I was able to put my thyroid condition into remission! (Read about my success story here.)

My book Hashimoto’s Protocol builds on this information to deliver guided protocols for finding and addressing your own root causes.

I want to empower patients with knowledge — and also hope — that every person who is diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, will be able to walk into his/her physician’s office to learn about lifestyle interventions that will help them feel like themselves again. We may even get to the point of being able to reverse autoimmunity.

I wish you all the best in your healing journey!

P.S. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways and helpful information.

For future updates, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

References

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  2. Span P. Could Be the Thyroid; Could Be Ennui. Either Way, the Drug Isn’t Helping. Nytimescom. 2017. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/health/could-be-the-thyroid-could-be-ennui-either-way-the-drug-isnt-helping.html. Accessed August 8, 2017.
  3. Stott D, Rodondi N, Kearney P et al. Thyroid Hormone Therapy for Older Adults with Subclinical Hypothyroidism. New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;376(26):2534-2544. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1603825.
  4. Wiersinga W. Paradigm shifts in thyroid hormone replacement therapies for hypothyroidism. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2014;10(3):164-174. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2013.258.
  5. Taylor PN, Eligar V, Muller I, Scholz A, Dayan C, Okosieme O. Combination Thyroid Hormone Replacement; Knowns and Unknowns. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:706.
  6. Dayan C, Panicker V. Management of hypothyroidism with combination thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormone replacement in clinical practice: a review of suggested guidance. Thyroid Res. 2018;11:1.
  7. Sategna-Guidetti C, Volta U, Ciacci C et al. Prevalence of thyroid disorders in untreated adult celiac disease patients and effect of gluten withdrawal: an Italian multicenter study. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001;96(3):751-757. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.03617.x.
  8. Lerner A, Jeremias P, Matthias T. Gut-thyroid axis and celiac disease. Endocrine Connections. 2017;6(4):R52-R58. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0021.
  9. Vojdani A, Tarash I. Cross-Reaction between Gliadin and Different Food and Tissue Antigens. Food and Nutrition Sciences. 2013;4(1):20-32. doi:10.4236/fns.2013.41005.
  10. Virili C et al. Atypical celiac disease as cause of increased need for thyroxine: a systematic study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2012;97(3):E419-E422. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-1851.
  11. Fasano A, Berti I, Gerarduzzi T, et al. Prevalence of celiac disease in at-risk and not-at-risk groups in the United States: a large multicenter study. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(3):286-292.
  12. Ventura M, Melo M, Carrilho F. Selenium and Thyroid Disease: From Pathophysiology to Treatment. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2017;2017:1297658. doi:10.1155/2017/1297658.
  13. Gärtner R, Gasnier BC, Dietrich JW, Krebs B, Angstwurm MW. Selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis decreases thyroid peroxidase antibodies concentrations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(4):1687-1691.
  14. Gärtner R, Gasnier BC. Selenium in the treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis. Biofactors. 2003;19:165–70.
  15. Contempre B, Dumont J, Ngo B, et al. Effect of selenium supplementation in hypothyroid subjects of an iodine and selenium deficient area: the possible danger of indiscriminate supplementation of iodine-deficient subjects with selenium. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1991;73(1):213-215. doi:10.1210/jcem-73-1-213.
  16. Rink T, Schroth H, Holle L, Garth H. Effect of iodine and thyroid hormones in the induction and therapy of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Nuklearmedizin. 2016;1999(38(5):144-9.
  17. Zhao H, Tian Y, Liu Z, et al. Correlation between iodine intake and thyroid disorders: a cross-sectional study from the south of China. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2014;162(1-3):87-94. doi:10.1007/s12011-014-0102-9.
  18. Xu J, Liu X, Yang X, et al. Supplemental selenium alleviates the toxic effects of excessive iodine on thyroid. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011 Jun;141(1-3):110-8. doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8728-8.
  19. Phillips T, Slomiany W, Allison R. Hair loss: Common causes and treatment. DO Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371­378.
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  21. Carta M, Loviselli A, Hardoy M et al. The link between thyroid autoimmunity (antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies) with anxiety and mood disorders in the community: a field of interest for public health in the future. BMC Psychiatry. 2004;4(1). doi:10.1186/1471-244x-4-25.
  22. Cooper R, Lerer B. The use of thyroid hormones in the treatment of depression. Harefuah. 2010:529-34, 550, 549.
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  25. Wentz I. Top 9 takeaways from 2232 people with Hashimoto’s. Thyroid Pharmacist. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-9-takeaways-from-2232-people-with-hashimotos/. Published June 22, 2015. Accessed June 26, 2015.
  26. Lee, Hae Sang HS. The natural course of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in children and adolescents. Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism. 2014;27(9-10):807.
  27. Höfling DB Low-level laser in the treatment of patients with hypothyroidism induced by chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28(3):743-53.doi: 10.1007/s10103-012-1129-9.
  28. Carta M, Loviselli A, Hardoy M et al. The link between thyroid autoimmunity (antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies) with anxiety and mood disorders in the community: a field of interest for public health in the future. BMC Psychiatry. 2004;4(1). doi:10.1186/1471-244x-4-25.
  29. Kaplowitz, PB. Case report: rapid spontaneous recovery from severe hypothyroidism in 2 teenage girls. Int J Pediatr Endocrinol. 2012;9(2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-9856-2012-9
  30. Rink T, Schroth H, Holle L, Garth H. Effect of iodine and thyroid hormones in the induction and therapy of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Nuklearmedizin. 2016;1999(38(5):144-9.

Note: Originally published in February 2015, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician for any health problems and before making any medical or lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes can result in improved thyroid function and/or an increased absorption of thyroid hormone medications, leading to a lower required dose and possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism at a dose that was previously stable. Please discuss lifestyle changes with your physician and ensure that your thyroid function is monitored every 6-8 weeks while making lifestyle changes. Symptoms of overmedication include, but are not limited to: rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, irritability or mood swings, muscle weakness or tremors, diarrhea, menstrual irregularities, hair loss, weight loss, insomnia, chest pain, and excessive sweating. Do not start, change, increase, decrease or discontinue your medications without consulting with your physician.

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Comments

  2. Great information! Would love to read the book! Thank you for sharing your unique voice as a pharmacist and thyroid patient! AND thank you for listing our advocacy group, ThyroidChange, as a resource! Look forward to more great articles!
    Reply

    • Patricia- Thank you so much for your review and your support!! Getting your physician on board is important. I hope that my background and book will be helpful in giving your physician some context regarding lifestyle interventions. If you bought a copy of the book and would like me to send a free copy to your doctor please do the following….

      1.) Write a review on Amazon and send a copy of the review to me along with your doctor’s name and mailing information.
      2.) I will send your physician a copy of the book, and you will receive a confirmation.
      I wish you all the best in your healing journey! 🙂

      Reply

  4. Thank you Patricia!
    Please send me your doctor’s name and address using the Contact option on thyroidlifestyle.com or leave another comment here. (If you want me to delete the comment after I read it, please note that in your comment)-I will send you a confirmation once the book is sent out
    Reply

  5. I think your book has been a God send!!!! This book has been the most down to earth book I have ever read on the subject. I love the fact that you are Polish too. I have had a very roller coaster ride with Hashimoto’s.I would love for you too send this book to my Doctor he has never seen till I shown too him .I have a core body temp of 97.4 but yet I sweat with doing just about ANYTHING ! I am to the point I can not go to the store for food with out sweat dripping down my face.Can you help me??
    Blessing, Deborah Bergen!
    Reply

    • Deborah- People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.

      THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/symptoms-of-impaired-thyroid-function

      Reply

  6. Excellent information and wish you were around 25 years ago, Izabella! Think your info and offer would be helpful to any doctor responsible for diagnosing and treating our thyroid problems. 🙂
    Reply

  9. Thank God for you, and other enlightened doctors and pharmacists who have taken the time to really understand thyroid disease. Patients need to spread the word to their medical practitioners by reading and taking your book, and others, with them when they visit the doctor. After starting NDT last fall, my fingernails, which were detaching from my nail beds, reattached themselves and became strong like they never had been in my entire life. Last month, after reading about ferritin, I had mine tested, and it was at the very bottom of the range. I am now taking a high-quality iron supplement, and looking forward to re-growing my hair. After just one week on iron supplementation, the mysterious, tender, feeling in my scalp has disappeared. Thank you, thank you!
    Reply

    • Desiree- If you go to the right hand corner on your browser, there should be a setting button and when you click that button, you will see an option to print. 🙂

      Reply

    • Vickie- If you go to the right hand corner on your browser, there should be a setting button and when you click that button, you will see an option to print. 🙂

      Reply

    • Judy- Graves and Hashimoto’s are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto’s, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people)-Hashimoto’s results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

      The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually people with Graves have hyperthyroidism and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

      Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  13. I had a very bad case of hyperthyroidism, which is Graves desease. I had to swallow the radioactive iodine capsule that killed the thyroid. I have to take the hormone synchro I’d which is a very small pill for the rest of my life. I am back to normal now, but I thought I was dying when I was so sick.
    Reply

    • Brenda- Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease

      Reply

  15. I’ve been wondering about why MDs don’t check for adrenal function before prescribing thyroid meds if it says to on the package insert? Also, what is the problem exactly if you are put on meds and have low function? Thanks.
    Reply

    • Christy- Most conventional physicians use the TSH test to determine if one has a thyroid disorder and to dose thyroid medications.

      However, this test can often times be misleading, as levels of circulating hormones may fluctuate at different times, such as in Hashimoto’s, the person affected may fluctuate between highs and lows.

      Additionally, when scientists first set the “normal” ranges of TSH for healthy individuals, they inadvertently included elderly patients and others with compromised thyroid function in the calculations leading to an overly lax reference range.

      This resulted in people with underactive thyroid hormones being told that their thyroid tests were “normal,” based on this skewed reference range.

      WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TSH IS NORMAL AND YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-to-do-if-your-tsh-is-normal-and-you-are-anything-but

      Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.

      TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests

      Reply

  16. Thanks for this, finally find out I also have hashimoto’s. My body full of inflammation, acid reflux, depression, weight gain. I feel like it’s the end of the world. It is horrible!
    Reply

    • Tanya- When it comes to weight gain these are a couple of things to think about.

      1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2.

      2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

      3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

      Reply

  18. I have read and highlighed and tabbed your book and am so grateful for it, I’m suffering from chronic hives/urticaria and have been to many specialists including the Mayo clinic who just say it’s idiopathic and all I can do is manage my symptoms. I know now that the hives, my leaky gut, and my Hashimotos are all interconnected and have hope to get better. Your book and the Hormone Cure are ground breaking books and I wish the doctors I see even had half of the knowledge contained in these books about thyroid disease, adrenal function, and intestinal permeability. Most doctors are truly clueless and unfortunately in my experience unwilling to learn and disregard my advice especially if I say I read it in a book or on a web site. It’s disgusting. But I am so grateful to you for this awesome book.
    Reply

  20. I love your book. Both of my daughters were diagnosed with hashimotos 4 years ago. They are now 13 and 15. Treatment has been difficult for both of them. After discussing this book with my endocrinologist I am switching doctors! She said iodine has nothing to do with the thyroid! My older daughter has a goiter that keeps growing! I tested her and she is iodine deficient! Do you have more resources for younger patients? Puberty does a number on them.
    Reply

    • Anne- I’m very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation, and adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching this and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my book. I have a whole chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.

      AMAZON
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  21. This is the comment I posted on Amazon about your wonderful book.
    The Root Cause book is the most informative book on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis on the market. Izabella Wentz uses herself to see what works and what doesn’t work. This book will change your life for the better. If you have hashimoto’s do yourself a favor and purchase this book. Your life and thyroid depends on how you educate yourself. Remember we all need to be an advocate for our health. Please be so kind to send my physician a copy: Dr. Gary Gray,5551 Winghaven Boulevard, Suite 290, O’Fallon, Mo 63368-3629
    Reply

  22. Should we go out of state if we cannot find help. I live in Memphis and cannot find a dr that knows anything about thyroid. Encro around here only do diabetes and integrated Drs R against the law!!!! I am willing to take labs and send them somewhere or go out of state. Thank u so much!
    Reply

    • Connie- You may be interested in my 12 week online program called Hacking Hashimoto’s that covers all of the strategies that I go through with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that participants have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. There are a few requirements that you should pay attention to, such as my book is a required read.

      HACKING HASHIMOTOS
      https://hackinghashimotos.com/

      Reply

  23. I just received your book today and have just about finished it. I did not see information on two items and was wondering if you can recommend some reading. My Hashimoto is presenting with hives and swollen eyes. My treatment is consisting of large amounts of antihistamines and steroids. What effect would these have on an immune system? Could they not be feeding into the cycle? Seems like each time I come off the steroids the return of symptoms is more severe.
    Reply

  24. Yes, I wish my endocrinologist would say to me that iodide is bad for Hashimoto’s. I suplimented with 2 capsules of spirulina per day for 2 weeks. And my ATPO rised after 2 weeks of diet : anti-TPO from 1600UI/ml to 2000(maximum is < 35) and anti-thyroglobulin from 160 to 200(maximum is< 40). And not only that my antibodies had risen, but my TSH had risen too from 0.11 in june to 52.3 in 20 august!!! Event though I was taking brazil nuts for selenium(4/day).

    Reply

    • Ionela- I am so sorry to hear that. I know how frustrating that must be. Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people, will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful. 🙂

      FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

      AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

      Reply

  25. Dr. Isabella thank you so much to have a such huge ❤️ Heart to share your story and plus helping us with such valuable information. My TSH was “normal 4.9. After taking Selenium it went down to 2.6.
    I used to have huges, huges panick attacks for 10 years. Much better now.
    You are more than a Phd Doctor, you are the light of Thiroyd issues dark tunel. I’m definitely buying your book!

    Reply

    • Lilian- Thank you so much for your support!! I look forward to hearing your progress on this page! Make sure to take the book slow, take notes, highlight, and establish a baseline when making changes!! 🙂

      Reply

  26. I’ve been hypothyroid for 12 years now and was told about 5 years ago i have hashimotos thyroditis, hypothyroid. Now my TSH is very low, not at hyperthyroid. IDK what to do, I think my doc is going to lower my meds, is this the right solution?

    Reply

  27. I want to thank you for all of your information. With having failed with three different doctors I read your information, and went gluten-free. I immediately started losing weight and feeling better . I have since seen a functional medicine doctor. He is helping me so much, I feel like I’m on my way to healing and he feels that eventually I may be able to get off of the levothyroxine. He believes that the thyroid issue I have may be the result of other things and may be able to work through this. My vitamin D was very low, B 12 low, he also believes that I I have a gut infection. There are more things that we are working on, he has more information than an endocrinologist in regards to my thyroid and what’s going on inside of me. I would have never seen this man had you not suggested functional medicine. Thank you very much .

    Reply

  28. Dr. Izabella,
    I would add a Number 11 Reason: “no, you don’t need to have your thyroid removed.” Two endocrinologists I’ve gone to said that down the line it should be removed, because of the swelling, difficulty swallowing and the nodules that have appeared on my thyroid gland over the years. Fortunately, I didn’t accept that “form of treatment” and recently stumbled upon your website. You have saved me from a terrible diagnosis! I now go to a functional medicine doctor in Northern California and she is helping me. Can’t wait for the endocrinologists to see positive results when my blood work is done in a few months.

    Reply

  29. I do not have Hashimoto’s but I have low thyroid. Specifically, conversion is the issue. What test can my doctor do to determine if I can be weaned off Naturethroid?

    Reply

  30. Great article!
    You really “saved” me by talking and writing about how excess iodine can actually be harmful. I didn’t connect my odd new stress-symptoms to the kelp-based iodiene supplement I was taking before I heard you speak about it.

    BTW, what about CBD-oil (Cannabidiol from industrial hemp/hemp seeds) – do you have any experience with CBD and Hashimoto’s?

    I ask because it is said to reduce inflammation and autoimmunity by reducing the growth and mobilization of neutrophils, and by reducing inflammatory proteins from B-cells macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1beta).

    It is also found that CBD can blunt Th1 and Th2 dominance, and that it also can help suppressing Th17 dominance, which means that it can help with some Th17-dominant autoimmune diseases, (and since I am reading in your book (the Root Cause) about elevated Th17 and Th1 (and sometimes Th2) in Hashimoto’s patients I started thinking …)

    https://selfhacked.com/articles/cannabidiol-cbd/#2_CBD_Reduces_Inflammation_and_Autoimmunity

    NB! CBD-oil is unfortunately NOT legal everywhere. If you live in country where cannabis is legal you can probably legally buy CBD products. I also believe CBD products are legal in several more countries and states as long as they have negligible THC content and are legally made from industrial hemp – but don’t take it for granted! Since the laws are changing rapidly, one should always check with one’s local government officer, police department, or customs office for the most up to date information. (Another warning: If your CBD product doesn’t have proper lab test reports and batch numbers you may put yourself at risk legally as you have no certainty of knowing exactly what it contains.)

    Reply

    • I would love your feedback as well on CBD oil! I just started taking it for an anti-inflammatory but also starting the Root Cause Protocol. Thank you!

      Reply

      • Meghan – That’s a great question and unfortunately I don’t have any information to share with you at this time but, I will add this to my list of future article possibilities. I would love to hear more about your experiences here on this page!

        Reply

  31. Hi Dr. Izabella,

    Thanks so much for all the great information you share on your website. It has been an invaluable source of education and encouragement for me on my healing journey.

    I have a question about thyroid antibodies: Is there a direct correlation between the level of antibodies and the severity of symptoms? My levels were tested (TPO of 60, TGAb of 1.1, TSH 2) and I was incredulous they were not higher since I’ve been experiencing many of the health issues (hair loss, acid reflux, anxiety, IBS, panic attacks, etc.) that you mentioned you also experienced before treatment. Can low levels of antibodies and relatively optimal thyroid lab values still have the same adverse effects as high levels of antibodies, or does this indicate my symptoms might be attributable to a totally different underlying health condition?

    Thank you,
    Cheyenne

    Reply

    • Cheyenne – Some people with Hashimoto’s test negative for thyroid antibodies because their overall immune health is so weak they do not produce enough antibodies. I’ve tested negative for antibodies several times. Now I’ve insisted on a thyroid ultrasound. Given that Hashimoto’s is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism worldwide, I wouldn’t stop until I know one way or another.

      Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well. Have you done all these tests?

      TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

      Reply

  32. Hi Dr. Izabella,
    I am a 14 year old girl and I have had Hashimoto’s since I was about 10. My TSH level was over 150 (off the chart). I have been on the Paleo diet since I was 11 because my dad read your book. I still am on my medication (50 mcg of Synthroid) everyday. I don’t know what else I should do. Can you please help me?
    Thank you so much!
    Megan 🙂

    Reply

  33. Hi, Love all your wisdom, I found you thru Christa at whole journey. I did her gut thrive in 5 year and a half ago for colitis (all cx gone) but for some reason which I don’t understand my thyroid has come back abnormal i.e. my T3 is low but T4 TSH and reverse T3 are NL. I suffer severe hot flashes and night sweats, hair loss and insomnia ( I’m on natural hormone replacement, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) I’m at the beginning of menaupasue 52 y/o not over weight, also I have kept my eating habits the same since gut thrive, eat out only once a week, no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, all organics and grass fed meats. My hormone Dr has suggested me to take Nature-Thyroid 32.5Mg, I wanted to get your opinion on that before I take it. I just ordered some Zinc and Selenium supplements to see if that would help, I hope this isn’t to long, thank you so much for all you do (:

    Reply

  34. Could you please outline which tests are absolutely necessary to run?
    At my last appointment, my doctor ran the following:
    TSH
    T4, free
    T3, free
    Thyroglobulin Antibodies
    Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
    Vitamin B12
    Folate

    I am due to go back for a 3 month follow up soon and I would like to know if there are any items that were missed that are absolutely necessary to test.
    I don’t have insurance currently, so this will all be out of pocket. In any case, I would like to know which tests are musts!

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Lara Thanks for reaching out ! I do recommend starting off with these thyroid function tests:

      ¨ TSH
      ¨ TPO Antibodies
      ¨ Thyroglobulin Antibodies
      ¨ Free T4
      ¨ Free T3
      ¨ Reverse T3 (optional)
      ¨ Thyroid Ultrasound (optional)

      It’s always best to speak to your functional medicine practicioner to evaluate your specific case, and whether you need more testing. Here is a research article which might help further: TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS TOP 6 THYROID TESTS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests

      I have written a comprehensive patient guide, based on my own personal experience with Hashimoto’s and my extensive research. This book might help you understand the many aspects of this condition as well as what you can do to overcome it. If you’re interested to learn more, here’s the link to the book: http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/book

      Reply

  35. I was told my tpo is normal. I had a miscarriage in May. I have gained 35 pounds this year. Never had a weight problem in my life. I have sudden severe stomach cramps to different foods. I also have swelling under my chin. The only thing that was found is that my normal ferritin is 115 and it is at 47. Those levels have not improved in 6 weeks though. Any thoughts? I’m desperate and I’m so exhausted; and have a 4 year old and an 19 month old that need a more energized mom.

    Reply

  36. I was diagnosed a couple days ago with Hashimoto’s and your book has made me feel like I have some semblance of control after being told there are no lifestyle changes I can make!

    I am curious if you have found a correlation between a copper IUD insertion and an autoimmune response. I have shown symptoms of Hashimoto off and on throughout my life, but since getting an IUD 2 months ago I have had constant symptoms of fatigue and anxiety. My doctor told me it’s just a coincidence, but I’m not so sure.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  37. Hi,
    I am 40 years old. I was diagnosed with early menopause 7 years ago. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Hashimotos. I am taking thyroid extract (t3,t4), my diet is very clean (gluten, grain, soy, corn and dairy free) and balanced. I tried chemical and natural progesterone and testosterone because I know the importance of this hormones in my health. However, my body rejects both of them. And symptoms related with my Hashimotos are going and coming. Also, I don’t know if my symptoms are related to my menopause or my Hashimotos.
    What can I do?
    Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

    Reply

    • Robin – thank you for reaching out. I am not able to advise on whether this supplement or any other supplement would be appropriate for you and your specific health needs without a comprehensive health assessment. I recommend that you discuss the use of CBD oil with your personal doctor.

      Reply

  39. What can you tell me about angioedema and hashimotos ? Two years ago, I began having issues with swelling in the neck, mouth, tongue and throat region. I saw an ENT that treated me with antihistamines and steroids during flares. The flares of angioedema began to increase overtime so I went to an allergist. He did allergy testing and found nothing of significance to cause my angioedema. So he ran some labs. The labs showed high eosinophils and high TSH but negative for antibodies. He sent me to an endocrinologist who did further testing and more high TSH results. He diagnosed me with hashimotos. I have read some about hashimotos and angioedema but shows also the occurrence of hives (urticuria ?) But I have no hives only the angioedema. Could it still be related ? What can I do to decrease the flares ? It is scary having the swelling at my airway. I have been on a double dose of 24 hr Zyrtec and no flares for 4 months. I don’t want to stay on such a high dose of antihistamines forever if possible.

    Reply

    • Fred – thank you for reaching out. I am so sorry you are struggling with this. I do not have any information, articles or personal research about the connection. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician to be a part of your own health care team. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying root causes and prevent serious chronic disease rather than treating individual disease symptoms. I believe that everyone needs to find a practitioner that will let him/her be a part of the healthcare team. You want someone that can guide you, that will also listen to you and your concerns. You want someone that’s open to thinking outside of the box and who understands that you may not fit in with the standard of care. It’s a good idea to ask some standard questions when contacting a new doctor for the first time. Something else to consider is you can work with a functional doctor remotely, via Skype. You could also contact your local pharmacist or compounding pharmacy, who may be able to point you to a local doctor who has a natural functional approach. But I encourage you to keep looking for the right one for you! Here are some resources you might find helpful.

      CLINICIAN DATABASE
      https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/pages/clinician-database

      FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
      https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/

      You also may find this article interesting as well:

      THE COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs

      Reply

  40. Hi! I was using approximately 3-5 drops of CBD oil for over a year for anxiety related to Hashimoto’s. I stopped about one month ago. Went for blood testing and my TSH is now 8.947. Do you know if CBD oil helps to keep TSH low? I also have primary adrenal insufficiency. Thanks

    Reply

  41. Do you know if CBD oil with .3 % of the leaf in it could be blocking my thyroid meds from absorbing? I feel like everything I try for my anxiety ends up making me feel worse. I ordered Thornes Berbenine to help with blood sugar swings because I think that is my issue even though I eat 5 meals a day. I usually do pecans with guacamole or I do celery with sun butter for my snacks. I plan to order the amino acids you mentioned too. I was using a supplement from my chiropractor that has oats in it, which I am allergic to. It helped a lot with anxiety, but then I got other symptoms. I am also taking evening primrose oil to help with the female hormones. The CBD oil helped the first few days but now my anxiety is through the roof. I take Nature Throid and then 25mcg of thyrovanz (supplement of NDT from New Zealand) that helps keep my thyroid in check too. I just have had bad anxiety since a stessful event. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

    Reply

  42. Hello Dr. Wentz, I found out that I have hashimoto’s in December 2019. I kind of suspected it and finally just asked my doctor to please test me for it. When the tests came back and my levels were way over 1000 I knew I had it. I found your website and have done a lot of reading researching and asking questions. Well I decided I was going to do the elimination diet starting January 1 2020. This is my 5th day. Yesterday my 4th day I had an attack where all the symptoms I was having were the same symptoms as my heart attacks (I’ve had 4 heart attacks since 1998). So I really thought that was what was happening. My son called 911 and I went to the hospital. All my tests came back negative and my heart was fine. I thought that what I experienced was die off but I had only been doing gluten and sugar free for 4 days. Is it possible that it was die off and if so is a one time experience of it all I can expect as I go forward? Thank you for all the good information about hashimoto’s. Your articles have been very helpful, my doctor is clueless.

    Reply

    • Carol – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. <3 My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry you experienced this! <3 Please understand, I am not able to advise on whether the diet is the cause of your symptoms without a comprehensive health assessment. I recommend that you discuss this with your personal doctor. Please keep me posted on your progress.

      Reply

  43. I thought it might be helpful for you and your readers to know that Synthroid contains gluten. It seems strange since gluten is so highly correlated with Hashimoto’s, but it is there and everyone should be aware. Thank you for your work. You have inspired many to take responsibility for their own health.

    Reply

  44. You mention Rheumatoid Arthritis as one symptom of subclinical hypothyroidism. Does this mean people who have Hashimotos have RA?

    Reply

    • Dee – thank you for reaching out. Everyone is different. Oftentimes people will have multiple autoimmune conditions. Most autoimmune conditions have common root causes, and a lot of times the things that are recommended for one autoimmune condition will help with others. Conditions that I have found to respond really well to the Hashimoto’s protocols have been rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, asthma, Graves’, premature ovarian failure, psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, and Sjogrens. I recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner familiar with hormone imbalances and menopause as well. ❤️

      Reply

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