I often get messages from people with Hashimoto’s and autoimmune disease that say “Thanks for your efforts, but I’ve already tried everything.
I have cut out gluten, dairy, and soy and still have Hashimoto’s. How can your website and book (Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause) help me?”
While changing your diet is a really important first step that will greatly help many of you, if you do not see a complete remission of your condition within 3-6 months, I encourage you to dig deeper. Changing my diet was a really important step in my healing journey, but it was just the beginning.
Digging for Your Root Causes
Dr. Alessio Fasano, world-renowned gastroenterologist, Celiac disease and autoimmunity expert, describes autoimmunity as a three-legged stool that needs three things to be present to manifest:
- The right genes
- The trigger
- Intestinal permeability
While we can’t change our genes, we can reverse the autoimmune condition by removing triggers and intestinal permeability.
You can read about this new advance in this reversing autoimmunity article and how I came across this information about the skeptical scientist in me.
Dr. Fasano uses the example of Celiac disease to explain this phenomenon. Celiac disease is a unique autoimmune condition where gluten acts as both the trigger and the cause of intestinal permeability! Once gluten is removed, the body is able to heal and regenerate itself.
Infections have been implicated as triggers in many cases of autoimmunity, and identifying and removing infections may result in a complete remission of the autoimmune condition. You can read more about infections and Hashimoto’s.
Although we can’t always identify and even remove all of the triggers, such as Epstein-Barr Virus (the virus that causes Mono), another option is to fix the intestinal permeability. This will also allow many individuals to put their condition into remission, as the “three-legged stool” of autoimmunity will no longer be able to stand!
Based on my research over the last four years, I’d like to share with you six potential root causes of intestinal permeability. There are of course many additional root causes, but these six are a great place to start.
Note: Some of you may have more than one root cause, and I encourage you to dig!
Root Cause #1: Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease have been implicated in various autoimmune conditions ranging from Hashimoto’s, Graves’ disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Various tests can be done to determine if one has Celiac disease/gluten sensitivity. However, the condition may not always show up on tests. Some individuals do not learn of their sensitivity until they remove gluten from their diets.
Gluten sensitivity may be the sole root cause, or it may be one of a few root causes. Every person with an autoimmune thyroid condition should remove gluten from his/her diet. Even in those who do not have Celiac or gluten sensitivity, gluten causes intestinal permeability.
If gluten was the sole root cause, the person should see a complete remission of thyroid antibodies and thyroid function may even return to normal within 3-6 months! If not, we may need to dig deeper…
Treatment: Pretty straight forward… Testing for Celiac/gluten disease, and removing gluten from the diet
Root Cause #2: Gluten Sensitivity & Cross-Reactive Proteins
In addition to gluten sensitivity, individuals with Hashimoto’s may also be reactive to multiple other proteins including grains like rice, quinoa, and corn. Some experts, like Dr. William Davis, author of Wheat Belly, claim that human beings did not evolve to eat “grasses” like wheat, rice, or corn.
Other individuals may also react to dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades…
Cyrex labs, ALCAT, Alletess labs offer additional testing options for food sensitivities.
Treatments of Choice: Testing, elimination diet, Paleo diet, Autoimmune Paleo diet, and in some cases a rotation diet may be beneficial. Working with a nutrition coach can be extremely beneficial in this respect. Supplements to help restore the gut lining may be beneficial as well. Systemic enzymes may prevent reactions to new foods, and reduce reactions to current foods.
Ready to try the Autoimmune Paleo diet but not sure where to start? Get my 2-week recipe plan for FREE!
Root Cause #3: Glutamine/Zinc Depletion
Zinc and glutamine are among the two substances that are required for rebuilding intestinal lining. In times of stress, the body will pull these substances from our intestines and uses them for other things, such as the production of adrenal hormones.
In most cases, these substances become available to us through food, and things go back to normal after the stressful time is over, and the gut lining is rebuilt with new ingredients.
This becomes an issue for those under prolonged stress, those with low stomach acid (which is needed to extract zinc from proteins), and those that follow a diet low in animal protein, including vegans and vegetarians, as glutamine is primarily found in animal protein (including eggs and dairy).
Some individuals who followed vegan/vegetarian diets and then introduced animal proteins back into their diets have been able to put their Hashimoto’s in remission. I believe this is because the glutamine and other ingredients allowed them to rebuild their gut lining.
Solutions for this root cause: glutamine supplements, zinc supplements, bone broths, gelatin, well-cooked meats, Betaine with Pepsin (digestive enzymes to extract zinc from food), and any of the nutrient dense diets listed in this blog post.
Note: Other nutrients like vitamin D are also required for proper gut barrier function. Most of these interventions and supplements will help for just about everyone with Hashimoto’s. I maintain a list of Hashimoto’s recommended supplements.
Root Cause #4: Parasites
You may think that parasites are only present in malnourished third world countries. Not so. Depending on the sources, 30-70% of Americans may be infected with parasites. Current detection methods miss many parasites, and honestly, how many of you have been routinely tested for parasites?
A parasite found in the intestines can cause a tremendous amount of damage and has the ability to cause intestinal permeability, food sensitivities, and autoimmune disease. If you are someone who developed your condition after a period of intense stress, I urge you to get tested, as stress makes us more susceptible to parasites.
Unfortunately, diets are a short-term fix. People with parasites have multiple food sensitivities that don’t go away no matter what they eat or don’t eat. A person may feel better initially after removing sensitizing foods, only to start feeling worse once new foods become reactive. You can be on the perfect diet, and take loads of supplements, but if you have a parasite, it doesn’t matter; you will not be able to recover fully.
There are many different types of parasites, including worms, amoebas, and protozoa. Different treatments work for different parasites, thus while general parasite cleanses can sometimes help, I prefer to figure out the specific type of parasite through advanced testing, such as the GI-MAP, GI Effects, or Comprehensive Stool Analysis. For parasites in autoimmune disease, I take the approach “guilty until proven innocent,” as I have seen many people with 5-10 negative tests for parasites finally come up positive on one of the above-mentioned tests.
You can order the GI-MAP, GI Effects Comprehensive Profile, or Comprehensive Stool Analysis from Great Plains Laboratory tests yourself or through a functional medicine practitioner. You can learn more about the functional medicine approach to thyroid.
Temporary Fix: probiotics, low carbohydrate diets, and diets such as the Autoimmune Paleo Diet will make it easier for us to tolerate the parasite symptomatically, but will not result in the elimination of the parasite or the autoimmune condition.
Solution: antiparasitic herbs tailored to the parasite, specific antiparasitic medications, certain supplements, the probiotic S. boulardii and low carbohydrate diets will help as well.
Root Cause #5 Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small bowel or small intestine. This overgrowth can be caused by antibiotic overuse and starchy foods, among others. The SIBO results in intestinal permeability as the body tries to get rid of the excess bacteria.
Testing: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth 3-Hr Lactulose-Genova Kit can be self-ordered by patients and gastroenterologists, and major Academic Treatment Centers will have access to advanced diagnostic tests.
Treatment Options: antibiotics, antimicrobial herbs, elemental diet and diets like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Low FODMAPS diet, and GAPS diet are the treatments of choice for SIBO.
Root Cause #6 Fungal Infections
The fungus Candida can cause intestinal permeability and has been implicated in autoimmune disease and food sensitivities. Liz Schau, the holistic nutritionist, was kind enough to share her Hashimoto’s remission story after overcoming Candida.
Testing: Gut testing such as the GI-MAP may help determine if there is an overgrowth of Candida in the bowels.
Treatment: Probiotics, anti-fungal herbs, and medications, an anti-candida diet such as the Body Ecology Diet. You can read more about diets and my experience with Body Ecology.
So What’s Your Root Cause?
I encourage you to Dig at it! It’s not always the same for each person, and I wrote my book to help you figure that out! I cover each of the above-mentioned root causes in great detail and provide much more information on many additional root causes, and how to find yours.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of my book, Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause yet, I hope that you will consider getting going into the New Year. In January 2011, I decided to take charge of my health, and I am so glad that I did. Wishing you all the best in your health journey!
PS. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 Thyroid friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter for free by going to www.thyroidpharmacist.com/gift. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways and helpful information.
For future updates, make sure to follow us on Facebook!
References
- 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.
Many people with hypothyroidism will experience a dramatic range of symptoms – low moods and energy levels, brittle and dry skin and hair, loss of memory, irritability, weakened muscles, and low sex drive, to name a few. A combination of those symptoms can be enough to freak anybody out, but to a keen practitioner they can indicate the possibility of hypothyroidism.
Mark – thank you so much for following this page.
Did you know that if you live in the United States, Australia, Europe and most developed countries that add iodine to the salt supply and take thyroid medications, there’s a higher probability that you do have Hashimoto’s?
Depending on the source, estimates are that between 90-95% of those with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.
But most doctors will never tell people that they have Hashimoto’s, or that their own immune system is attacking their thyroid. People are told that their “thyroid is sluggish”, and that these things happen with age and “Just take this pill, you’ll be fine.” I hope you check out my books:
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
If someone has hashimoto and taking levothyroxin, can they take iodized salt like 1/4 teaspoon which is 40percent of daily need, or it harm may be because Levothyroxin has iodine in it?
Meena – thank you for reaching out. 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 an entire chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.
IODINE AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/
AMAZON
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hi Izabella ive been diagnosed with hyperthyroid in 2008 and reversed to subclinical hypo. With antibodies
Im am so thin and lean my tsh is highly elevated. My endo stopped my meds for a year now. Please help.me i have normal ft4 .whata bothering me ia my weight has dropped. How could i recovwe from weight loss.thank you.
Gianna – thank you for following this page and my research. Most people with Hashimoto’s will experience weight gain, and so of course that’s what gets the most focus, but some people actually experience weight loss, or they can’t keep their weight on.This is especially problematic when a person has multiple food sensitivities and needs to adhere to an autoimmune diet that restricts foods. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Get a calorie counting app like My Fitness Pal on your phone, to help you keep track of your daily calories. Eating real food can be more filling than eating simple carbohydrates and you may not be getting enough calories. Use the app to figure out your target weight and the number of calories per day you need to get there.
2. Supplement after dinner with The Root Cause Building Smoothie: 1 avocado (300 calories), 1 cup coconut milk (150 calories), 1 banana (100 calories), 2 egg yolks (100 calories, if tolerated), 1 scoop of protein of beef/pea protein (60 calories) – You can also add cooked sweet potatoes if you need more carbs.
3. Get tested for gut infections. Gut infections can prevent the digestion and assimilation of foods, leaving you underweight and malnourished. The 401H test or GI Effects test are my go to tests.
4. Get your adrenals tested with an adrenal saliva tests. In some, stressed adrenals may actually lead to poor absorption of foods.
5. Be sure that you are not over medicated.
6. Work on reducing your antibodies with a selenium supplement
7. Stress reduction, when we’re stressed we don’t digest.
8. Add coconut oil in your beverages, this can add extra calories in your day
9. Avoid caffeine, it can make you less hungry and stress out your adrenals.
In case you would like to read more, here are the links to my books:
Root Cause: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol (this is my latest book): https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms-ebook/dp/B01HXK6GVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505933035&sr=8-1&keywords=hashimotos+protocol+izabella+wentz
Tonya- 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
It’s difficult to tell if it was Hashimoto’s, but it does sound like you have had an immune system imbalance for quite some time. There are 100’s of autoimmune conditions, new ones identified every year, and various parts of your body could be targeted by your immune system. Hashimoto’s seems to be one of the most common autoimmune conditions, but many times if you have one, you may have multiple
If you speak of being in remission, is it when your anti-bodies are under 100 or in my case for TPOab I think our lab states it needs to be under 60.
I thought I’d share the following, it may just help someone and serves to confirm your approach.
I’m most excited. One year 5 months ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. My TSH was 11 and my TPOab 1214. I immediately went of gluten, soy and dairy and my doctor also found my vitamin D levels were exceptionally low.
I used the Bristol stool chart as a guide and found the fodmap diet worked perfectly for me. If I didn’t follow it strictly I could see it according to the stool chart. I was eating Brazil nuts daily, but after reading your book I took actual supplements for selenium and vitamin E which I’ve been having daily since January of this year.
I also had my teeth checked last year as you suggested and had a tooth with a root that had died. According to the dentist I wasn’t getting an abscess because it was draining into my sinuses. I delayed having it extracted. There was no way that I could keep to what the Bristol stool chart was recommending anymore, although my diet hadn’t changed. Two days after having the tooth extracted my tummy was fine again, and at the gym I was suddenly capable of doing what I was battling with before, with ease now.
My TSH levels dropped to within normal range withing two months of changing my diet and on Friday I had my antibodies checked for the first time, about 5 weeks after having my tooth extracted and they have dropped to 138…I’m so excited about that.
Thank you for your amazing book and all your snippets of education. I would just like to encourage everyone as well to actively take charge of their healing.
Im a naturopath/ sufferer in nsw australia and can help you with access to info and testing labs.
I can be contacted at debbie.kleyn@gmail.com
Chandler- Do you have Hashimoto’s or a thyroid condition?
Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help 🙂
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/
OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year/
Shari- 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
Debra- I am so sorry you feel that way. Here is some information you may find interesting.
Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur…
1. Genetic predisposition
2. Environmental triggers
3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
Developing autoimmunity is like a three-legged stool, all of these factors must be present for autoimmunity to occur! When you remove one of these, you can prevent or stop autoimmune disease. While we can’t change genes, if we know the trigger, we can remove it and we can heal the gut.
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
IS HASHIMOTO’S HYPOTHYROIDISM GENETIC
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic
Boni- You may find this article interesting! 🙂
ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
I got tested for celiac and my thyroid and nothing showed up. They did say that I had an iron deficiency. From my understanding that is a symptom of something great going on. So, could the initial tests for the celiac and thyroid be off?
Jennie- These are the recommended labs from my book, page 32.
RECOMMENDED THYROID FUNCTION TESTS
TSH
TPO Antibodies
Thyroglobulin Antibodies
Free T4
Free T3
Reverse T3 (Optional)
Have you read my book, Hashimoto’s The Root Cause? Here’s the link in case you’re interested.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

HOW TO GET ACCURATE LAB TESTING WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidphramacist.com/blog/how-to-get-accurate-lab-tests-when-taking-thyroid-medications
A lot of thanks for this fantastic & educative lovingly effort.
Such this materials must be made provided in Videos so that all could visually watch & learn the facts, It would be much more impressive.
A lot of thanks for this great effort.
Such materlas must be provided in Videos, so that everybody could
visually watch and feel the unknown facts and educate others also.
Dr. Lamber R. Soze Banga.
Ludhiana ( Pb ), India.
Patti- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.
Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/blog/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care
Sheilah- Thank you so much for sharing! Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.
Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidphramacist.com/blog/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care
Steph- You may find this article helpful! 🙂
ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
Did you know you had intolerances to things? I am not sure where to begin. I would like to heal my immune system, and just don’t really know where to begin. I have read so many different things that I have stressed myself out thinking I am doomed to a life of sickness.
When I read other peoples stories, I don’t have any of the symptoms they talk of. I felt fine (although on Synthroid) and then found out my body was attacking itself.
I have checked our book stores for your book, but may have to order it online.
Also, I am curious if you need to eat Paleo type diet for the rest of your life?
Also can you recommend a good doctor in Victoria BC?
Thank you
Seana – You may like to check out the doctors that other patients recommend on this list:
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
Not everyone does well on synthetic hormones (Synthroid). I have Hashimotos. I tried Synthroid years ago and none of my symptoms went away, so I asked to be put on Armour Thyroid which is a natural hormone. The difference in my symptoms was like night and day!’ I have been on Armour now for about 10 years and it has really worked for me.
Sandy- You may also like to check out the doctors that other patients recommend on this list:
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
Question: a couple of years ago I did an iGg test. Eggs were a huge delayed trigger. We had finally found what was causing so much greif! I find that if I eat organic eggs I don’t get those same symptoms. Should I still stay away from them anyway? I just wonder if those tests use conventional foods. My friend showed allergy to corn and she eats non GMO corn and the antibodies she had developed went away.
Thank you so much for your dedication to your own health and sharing all of your research with us.
Alison- 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
Debra- 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.
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://smile.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/006257129X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482698453&sr=8-1&keywords=Hashimoto%27s+Protocol
What about taking Diotamaceous Earth (food grade of course) for getting rid of any possible parasites? Is that safe for hashi patients?
Karin- You may find these articles helpful! 🙂
INFECTIONS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/infections-and-hashimotos
INFECTIONS AS HIDDEN TRIGGERS FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/infections-as-hidden-triggers-for-hashimotos
I am still in the middle of diagnosis process whether I have hypothyroidism or Hashimotos. I am also diagnosed with Depression and anxiety disorder. I also had removal of the gall bladder about 2 years ago. In May 2014 I switched to paleo diet which gave me a Little distress due to missing gall bladder which I fixed now by drinking a bitter herbal tea before breakfast and before going to bed. But I also hit another Trigger which I wasn’t thinking about before: histamine. Due to severe aches in my finger Joints I put myself on a low histamine diet and ordered some L-glutamine to help the gut, because Problems with excess histamine can be related to a leaky gut. I slowly increased the dose of L-glutamine up to 3g a day, but experienced continuously rising nervousness like in a light hyperthyroism / overdose of L-thyroxine so I took a break from taking it. Did you ever hear about such reactions to l-glutamine? Can it possibly by my Trigger?
I am going to replace the anti-baby-pill I’m taking with a copper-gold-spiral soon in order to see if the pill had some negative side-effects on the thyroid.
Silke- Not everyone will need every single supplement! In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet, this is why I always list food sources for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s in the book and on the blog. However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.
I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://smile.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/006257129X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482698453&sr=8-1&keywords=Hashimoto%27s+Protocol
I am hypothyroid and take synthroid and levthyronine. I have had it for 5-6 years. Last year my hair has started falling out and on the top I’ve probably lost half of it, but it is coming out all over. Drs haven’t figured it out. Do you know what I should have checked or what I should do?
Marie- Hair loss is a distressing symptom experienced by women with Hashimoto’s. For women, our hair represents our femininity, and losing our hair is a constant reminder that something is off and that we are not well. Have you read these articles?
HASHIMOTO’S AND GETTING YOUR HAIR BACK
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-getting-your-hair-back/
HAIR LOSS AND YOUR THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hair-loss-and-thyroid
Dr Wentz, I also have experienced hair loss. Over the last 8 months or so I have lost all of my eyebrows. I take armpit thyroid and my last T4/free and TSH were normal(5 weeks ago). I’ve also had B12, D3, and parietal cells antibodies labs done and all were normal(4weeks ago). Of course the dermatologist prescribed Latesse (at $140 for an itsy bitsy bottle) and a steroid cream… Has helped a bit with lower lid lash loss but eyebrows remain the same… Any insight or direction would be greatly appreciated.
Marlo- Hair loss is a distressing symptom experienced by women with Hashimoto’s. For women, our hair represents our femininity, and losing our hair is a constant reminder that something is off and that we are not well. Have you read these articles?
HASHIMOTO’S AND GETTING YOUR HAIR BACK
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-getting-your-hair-back/
HAIR LOSS AND YOUR THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hair-loss-and-thyroid
So my hair has been thinning since my 1st child 7 yrs ago. Then pregnant 5 years later and my haor grew back like crazy! The birth of my daughter 17 months ago brought hair loss (thinning) again and it continues. I’m wondering if im anemic. So ots called a ful iron panel? Should I get that test done though a NP or a functional medicine doc. It gets frustrating going to some NP docs as they want thousands of dollars or do dozens of tests. TIA!
Thank you for your response. Now that three more months have past
Has your hair come in and if so what was the level that it came back?
Heather – You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out.
http://rootcauserecipes.com/
Don’t give up! I am sorry about your miscarriages. Have you tried Nature-Throid yet?
Kisses from Spain
NATALIE- There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication you are looking for, ask your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. Have you read these articles?
WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/
TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/
AJ- You may find this article interesting! 🙂
PREGNANCY
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-pregnancy
Lorraine – You may find this article interesting! 🙂
LYME AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/lyme-and-hashimotos
Sylvia- You may like to check out the doctors that other patients recommend on this list:
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Princess- 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
http://hackinghashimotos.com/
Laura- Our skin is a window to our internal health. It is the body’s largest elimination organ, and also a canvas where toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances can show up. Women with Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions are more likely to have dry, dull skin, rashes, hives, pre-menstrual acne and facial swelling, especially if their thyroid levels are not optimized and they are not absorbing vitamins and nutrients correctly.
THYROID AND SKIN
https://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/blog/the-thyroid-and-skin
Karla- Not everyone will need every single supplement! In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet, this is why I always list food sources for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s in the book and on the blog. However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.
I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://smile.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/006257129X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482698453&sr=8-1&keywords=Hashimoto%27s+Protocol
Lee- Thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to hearing more of your progress on this page! 🙂
Joann- I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Julie- While changing your diet is a really important first step that will greatly help many of you, if you do not see a complete remission of your condition within 3-6 months, I encourage you to dig deeper. Changing my diet was a really important step in my healing journey, but it was just the beginning.
INFECTIONS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/infections-and-hashimotos/
Kimberly- Here is some information you may find interesting.
Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur…
1. Genetic predisposition
2. Environmental triggers
3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
Developing autoimmunity is like a three-legged stool, all of these factors must be present for autoimmunity to occur! When you remove one of these, you can prevent or stop autoimmune disease. While we can’t change genes, if we know the trigger, we can remove it and we can heal the gut.
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
IS HASHIMOTO’S HYPOTHYROIDISM GENETIC
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic
Amy- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.
Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/blog/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care
What if you have so many really strange food sensitivities that almost every treatment or diet has stuff in it you can’t have? I can’t have tons of Paleo foods, and many others that are supposed to help. I no longer know what to eat or not eat. I worked with a nutritionist and pretty much got nowhere and all of the things she and my integrative doctor recommended cost so much and come out of pocket since insurance won’t cover supplements.
Hey Dr. Wentz! Sorry for the long post, but I should give a little background since I’ve got a LOT of root causes:
Since 2015, my naturopath discovered my aluminum and copper toxicity (along with very low zinc levels), low vitamin D, Candida, adrenal issues, and now a functional medicine doctor that I recently saw has a feeling that I may have SIBO and/or a parasite, primarily because I’ve been on AIP for months and am still having digestive issues (even when on a probiotic/digestive support and taking the right supplements for my body/personal situation). My antibody count is over 1300, but when I was originally diagnosed and at my absolute sickest, my count was 778.
I’ve had tests for every possible root cause and know that I do have quite a few (including EBV). I feel almost completely back to my usual healthy self, physically and mentally, apart from my digestive issues and a small amount of excess weight on my hips and thighs that won’t go away (which is likely due to not being on the right hormone dosage). I’ve also increased my NDT from 2 grain to 2.5 today and am feeling wonderful, and may continue to increase since my T4 and T3 could use some raising. I also have a bottle of LDN (0.5) but am refraining from giving it a try until I know my T3 and T4 are optimal.
Could my increase in antibodies over the last two years be due to a parasite/SIBO? I’m the healthiest I’ve ever felt and have hacked away at multiple root causes and they’re all under control/have improved drastically, yet the antibody count either rises or stays the same. Is it possible for me to go into complete remission from Hashimoto’s if a potential parasite/SIBO is taken care of?
Thanks for reading my novel 🙂 Hope to hear from you soon!
Taylor – thank you for following this page, and I’m happy to hear that you are making progress in your recovery. 🙂
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
http://hackinghashimotos.com/
In addition, any person that goes through the program will have the opportunity for a follow-up consultation with one of my thyroid pharmacist consulting members.
Hi Dr. Wentz! This was a GREAT article!
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s 5 years ago and have been on the Paleo Diet for 7 months (my numbers didnt budge after going Gluten free). My integrative MD recently had me do a Spectracell test and low and behold, my labs came back with quite a few nutritional deficiencies (including B3, Oleic Acid). My results also showed a deficiency in Zinc/Glutamine. IF the Zinc/Glutamine deficiency is my root cause, what should I expect once I start to supplement for this deficiency? How would I know if this is my only root cause and if it’s healed? Would I expect a drop in antibodies? Change in symptoms? My recent Thyroid ultrasound showed “a typical Hashimoto’s Thyroid.” IF a Zinc/Glutamine deficiency is a person’s root cause and is treated, can a Thyroid possibly recover from the damage that has already been done? Thank you so much for your time!
Ayla – please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.
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
http://hackinghashimotos.com/
In addition, any person that goes through the program will have the opportunity for a follow-up consultation with one of my thyroid pharmacist consulting members.
Having heavy metals, both lead and mercury, is turning out to be a major root cause. The gluten free made a bit of a difference, eliminating dairy and soy made a bit of a difference, switching to NatureThroid made a huge difference in the neurological symptoms, and I was able to get off of Zoloft. Oh happy day! Adding selenium made a difference. Adding other supplements based on Nutreval testing made a difference. My magnesium and B1 were sooo low! Also, environmental allergy treatment made a bit of a difference. Eliminating other toxins, such as not using plastic food containers, not using fluoride, buying a mattress without the fire retardant layer, and not wearing polyester made a bit of a difference. Eating organic for the fruits and vegetables on the “dirty dozen” list from the Environmental Working Group EWG has made a difference. Not using perfumes and other chemically contaminated shampoos and etc. has made a difference. Using cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda has been helpful. The six remaining mercury fillings will be out soon. (The dentist is trained and certified to safely remove mercury fillings.) My lead level has dropped (with chelation) from 17 to 13 to 5.5 and the goal (2) is within sight. I wish there was more consistent information about how to detox mercury after the fillings come out. There seems to be multiple opinions about how to detox mercury after the removal. As you can see I have really been “digging at it!”
Ann – you really have been Digging-At-It! I am really impressed by your hard work and resolve. It sounds like you would really benefit from the liver support protocol in my new book. Have you read it yet?
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/006257129X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492083150&sr=8-1&keywords=wentz
I also have a 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.
HACKING HASHIMOTOS
http://hackinghashimotos.com/
I’ve recently noticed how many of the thyroid symptoms get better with supplements to aid the liver (like choline, nac, inositol, glutamine, magnesium). I’m starting to wonder if the “root cause” of ALL of these root causes is a sluggish/toxic liver. Worth looking into, especially given that the liver is where t4 gets converted to t3.
Mara – Thank you for following this page and the feedback. 🙂
I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD YOU SEE IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-type-of-doctor-should-you-see-if-you-have-hashimotos
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me
CLINICIAN DATABASE
https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
What about iodine deficiency?
Theresa – thank you for following this page. 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 an entire chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.
IODINE AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/
AMAZON
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hello,
Thank you for this valuable information.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto after a general blood test. I do not feel any particular symptoms. TSH to 14, T4 and T3 in the low standard, high antibodies greater than 500. 1 month later TSH at 16 and T4 and T3 in the bass and anti-body increasing standard.
I decided to stop the gluten and dairy products and I realized a 7-day fast. One month later : TSH at 8 T4 and T3 slightly increased but anti bodies greater than 600.
A month later, new blood TSH at 7 T4 and T3 still in slight increase but anti-bodies higher than 800.
Here is what I have undertaken since March 15, 2017 (1st diagnosis in January 2017).
In three months the TSH has been divided by two, T4 and T3 in slight increase, but I do not understand why the anti-bodies continue to increase. Do you have an opinion?
I think to continue with the AIP protocol and try different tests, but I do not know where to start …
Sorry for the translation, I am french and uses google translate!
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Guillaume
Guillaume – thank you for following this page. There are 5 stages to thyroid disease. A person with only thyroid antibodies and normal TSH is considered in Stage 2 of thyroid disease; a person who has an elevated TSH with normal T4/T3 with or without thyroid antibodies is in Stage 3 of thyroid disease; a person with elevated TSH, lowered T3/T4 with or without thyroid antibodies is in Stage 4 of thyroid disease, regardless if she/he has thyroid antibodies or not; and Stage 5 is when the person progresses to other types of autoimmune disease. You may be interested in my 12 week online program called Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program 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. In addition, any person that goes through the program will get access to a Quick search Q&A Database of 1000+ questions asked by past program participants, Root Cause Assessment based on 100’s of my clients’ root causes and triggers, 2-week Meal Plans, recipes, and shopping lists to get you started on the following diets: Paleo, Autoimmune Paleo, SIBO, Candida. Also, Discounts on lab tests, high-quality supplements, and consultations and much more to support you in your journey! There are a few requirements that you should pay attention to, such as my book which is a required read. 🙂
Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program
http://hackinghashimotos.com/
Im getting so discouraged on this issue!
I had some tests done in December 2016. The endocrynologist said its hashimotos (I have no symps) He prescribed levothyroxine. As soon I started taking it, I got sick as a puppy. I was told that my body needs a few days to adapt. After 2 weeks I was feeling sicker, even unable to leave my house. I sent an email to my Dr, he said that I was pretending. I stopped taking the med and went back to my old self (feeling nothing, no symps) BUT, Im loosing weight! I went to see a nutricionist. She asked me to get some blood tests done. She said, if is not something that can be fixed through nutrition, I’ll direct you to the kind of Dr that can help you.
Today she got my results and sent me to an endocrynologist.. So, Im really discourage. This new Dr might try to treat (whatever the results show) through meds, instead of looking for the root cause. Im very dissapointed.
This is happening in Ecuador, SouthAmerica.
Pia – thank you so much for following this page.
There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication which you are looking for, ask your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. Have you read these articles?
WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/
TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/
HOW THE DOSE OF YOUR THYROID MEDICATION CAN UNCOVER YOUR ROOT CAUSE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-dose-of-your-thyroid-medication-can-uncover-your-root-cause/
HOW TO GET ACCURATE LAB TESTING WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-get-accurate-lab-tests-when-taking-thyroid-medications/
Dr. Wentz –
Do you have an opinion on Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth and its effectiveness in treating intestinal parasites? I confirmed that I have multiple international parasites through a stool analysis. I believe that this is the root cause of my Hashimoto’s condition.
Mac – thank you for following this page. Here are a couple article you might find helpful.
IT’S TRUE: YOU CAN PREVENT HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/its-true-you-can-prevent-hashimotos
THE COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs
Hi Dr. Wentz, I have read your book and I’m on week 11 of your 12 week program. I continue to feel better and better and appreciate your program and action steps. I remember hearing in the 12 week program and on your webinar about only eating meats like bison and sheep that have little human intervention. Could you comment on this and point me to more resources?
Dustine – thank you for following this page. Here is an article you might find helpful
AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet
This is a link to my resources page for my recommendations also. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/resources/#Products
Is it possible for the root cause to be Cushing’s Disease? I am currently being tested for it, but I’ve already known for a year that I have Hashimoto’s. I’m only 19 and have eliminated every possible allergen from my diet, gone off grains, and take many supplements–a lot geared toward gut health. I have a lot of symptoms of Cushing’s and I wonder if it’s possible for my antibodies to go down if my Cushing’s goes into remission.
Nicole – Thank you for following this page. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions, but I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Hi,
I found out I had hashimotos on 8-16-17. Since I stared to take the Armour, I’ve felt better. I have eliminated gluten and dairy. Working on the soy, it seems like everything that is made has it in it. I’ve gotten where if we eat out all I eat is a salad, because I don’t know what in the food. I found some gluten free noodles and tried them, and after eating them felt bad. So that tells me that I’m can’t eat rice either. I’ve lost 10 lbs in2 weeks. Thanks for all you info because it helps this newbie. I’ve never been sick till now. Just trying to figure this out and what I can eat.
Wendy – thank you for following this page. In general, most people with autoimmunity need to find their food sensitivities, heal from infections, and eat organic; however, bioindividuality is important, not everyone will respond to the same interventions. The foods that heal one person, may not be the same for another. It might seem like a lot to give up, but feeling your symptoms fade away can make it feel like it’s all worthwhile. And don’t forget it’s not forever! You will be reintroducing these foods once your gut heals. Here are some articles you might find helpful.
ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR LEAKY GUT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/whats-causing-your-leaky
Hi izabella. Half way through your book. Just implementing the liver support as so sensitive to supplements. Quick question. I have blasto hominis and know you did too. Did you get rid of it with antibiotics or did you manage with herbals? Just trying to get a bit more knowledge to take to my practitioner. It’s goid to hear different experiences. Also my tsh level was 1.5 on last test but t4 was 11 (I am in the uk). Range starts at 11. Any thoughts on this, still feel rubbish but don’t have a Throid diagnosis, just been told I have ME. Thanks for your work.
Angie – thank you for reaching out. For questions pertaining to the protocols and supplements please contact my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you. 🙂
Thank you so much for all your work in this field! I’ve used your resources for the last year and recommend them to friends often. You say in this article that remission is possible, what is your definition of remission? I maintain a restricted diet and feel good after 3 years. Is that remission? Or does remission mean I should be able to add gluten/nuts/corn back in without effect?
Kim – thank you for reaching out! Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration. Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms, and for others, it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care
In case you want to learn more, here are the links to my books:
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms-ebook/dp/B01HXK6GVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505933035&sr=8-1&keywords=hashimotos+protocol+izabella+wentz
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hi Izabella
Reading your website gives me some hope. I will get your books over the weekend. Like you I was diagnosed with Hashimotos at 27 (1 year ago), after giving birth to my wonderful daughter. Obviously, the doctor only gave me Synthroid and said “here, take that for the rest of your life.” But I know there’s got to be something more that can be done. I’ve had other symptoms that doctors have been ignoring for a decade now. Namely I have this little spot in my throat that I got after a tonsilitis that never fully goes away, I can feel it with my tongue and it gets very itchy when I feel a bit fluey. Tried everything, can’t get rid of it. There’s also a spot on my hand – it first appeared as a wart, and I used some supermarket treatment, it went away, but it keeps on coming back every now and again – it looks like an insect bite and gets itchy, then turns into a scab, then completely disappears. Doctors ignore me. Could this be a parasite? Infection? I’ve tried some detoxing and herbal remedies from parasites, but I don’t feel it’s made a difference. Please help, any advise would be appreciated. I have to get better for the sake of my girl and my family.
Alla – thank you for sharing your journey. 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
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease
Thanks for the response Izabella, I got the Hashimotos Protol book and reading it now. Will start making changes to my diet as per the book over the next few weeks. I’ve been off sugar, dairy, caffeine for a year now, so just need to remove gluten and soy really. I haven’t been eating any meat other than white fish and seafood – should I reintroduce a little bit of organic meat to my diet? Also – lemon juice with water on an empty stomach (as reccommended in the book) gives me a bad stomach ache, should I continue?
Alla – thank you for your support! For questions pertaining to the protocols please contact my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you. I’m looking forward to seeing your progress here. <3
Hi Izabella. Just curious…
In this article, you talk about gut permeability and causes for that (mostly nutritional deficiencies/causes). In your DVD documentary you also mention stress and the importance of relaxation. But what about trauma? After some major traumas, I’ve seen how my body is still ‘stressed’ even after meditation, yoga, etc. (diagnosed with PTSD). I’m fairly convinced trauma is my “root cause”. Fortunately, I recently found a practitioner that helps restore the nervous system to its original state. And of course, I need nutrition, diet, supplements, etc. as well to repair and heal!
Tonia – thank you for reaching out. I‘ve found that an inability to manage stress is often at the core of the condition. Most people can trace back the development of Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions to a particularly stressful time period. Stress is inherent, and it’s how we handle our stress that matters. I recommend self-management stress-reducing habits like mindfulness, yoga, and meditation.
Meditation has specifically been found to be helpful in building resilience to stress. If you have a history of childhood trauma like I do, your stress response could be severely impacted, leading you to overreact and get into a ‘fight or flight’ state at the easiest provocations. I recommend therapies like the self-guided tapping, self-help books, neurofeedback or therapist guided EMDR to reset your stress response. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health/
What tests should I ask for?
I have been suffering with depression, crazy anxiety, heart palpitations starting after the birth of my first son in 2005. Over the past 10 years developed dry itchy skin, tiredness, fuzzy memory, gut issues like flatulence and almost constant diarrhoea. Generally it seems like my stomach reacts momentarily to what I eat. My GP prescribed antidepressants and steroid cream for the dry skin. Blood tests done (not sure what for) that were supposed to be OK. In May 2017 after complaining again, blood test showed TSH > 10, T3 & T4 normal. Prescribed Levotheroxin 100mg, given a leaflet on hypothyroidism and told, no one knows what is causing this, most likely autoimmune and to just take the medication for the rest of my life with annual blood tests to make sure dose is correct. Asked her since I had so many blood tests done my another GP over the years, can she see looking back then was there a change in my TSH for the first time. Asnwer: 2013 but she was not sure why the other doctor decided to shelve the result and do nothing about it! As I was not feeling satisfied I went to a private doctor as I had an issue with a period (that forgot to stop bleeding). I am glad to say, the private doctor seems like a root cause sort of doctor. So far had my female hormones tested for the bleeding: Vitamin D was 22 nmol/L, progesterone 0.2 etc. Re the Thyroid, she asked me to eliminate gluten from my diet gave me high dose prescription for Vitamin D and asked me to come back for Thyroid tests to try to see look for the root cause (as the Levotherxin will not be sorting the immune issue) : Thyroid Profile 2, Urine T3/T4, Reverse T3 but no antibody test?? Should I ask for antibody test? What else do I do? Feeling better with no gluten in my diet but should it be 100% gluten free? Have not been tested for any food intolerance. Was told by my GP my white blood cells were raised and did I think I had an urine infection? Test showed, no urine infection, but was not offered to be tested for any other infection… very, very confused…
Petia – thank you for sharing your journey! Going gluten free is always the first step that I recommend. Through my research I’ve found that a good percentage feel better off gluten. About 20% will actually go into remission by doing so. Some researchers have found that three to six months on a gluten-free diet can eliminate organ-specific antibodies.
IS GLUTEN THE ROOT CAUSE OF YOUR THYROID CONDITION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/gluten-root-cause-thyroid-condition/
10 MOST HELPFUL DIY INTERVENTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-most-helpful-diy-interventions-for-hashimotosaccording-to-my-clients
TOP 9 TAKEAWAYS FROM 2232 PEOPLE WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-9-takeaways-from-2232-people-with-hashimotos/
Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.
Top 10 Thyroid Tests and how to Interpret them.
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests
Great list! One more very common cause of low thyroid is mercury toxicity from low-level buildup throughout your lifetime. Viruses are attracted to heavy metals and once you remove these toxic metals it’s so much easier to recover. Thanks for getting this important information out there!
Kenny – you are very welcome! Toxins and chemicals are established environmental triggers for developing Hashimoto’s in people who are genetically predisposed. These include iodine intake, bacterial and viral infections, hormonal imbalances, toxins, as well as therapy with certain types of medications and mercury!
In people with Hashimoto’s, only 50% of their identical twins presented with thyroid antibodies, meaning that genes alone are not everything and that environmental triggers are extremely important. Here is are some articles you might find interesting as well:
IT”S TRUE YOU CAN PREVENT HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/its-true-you-can-prevent-hashimotos/
MTHFR
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mthfr-hashimotos-and-nutrients/
THYROID AND SKIN
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin/
FLUORIDE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/fluoride-and-your-thyroid/
I started a gluten free diet 20 months which is very difficult to follow. I have given in to temptation twice in that period of time by eating croissants, which means I screwed it up and it was then like starting again, no?. I read Fasano’s book then, when I started. The problem is the ‘ gluten contamination’ when eating out. So, as far as I am concerned to be on a gluten free diet is impossible’.
Monsie – thank you for sharing your journey. I understand how hard this is. <3 Going gluten-free is always the first step that I recommend. Through my research, I've found that a good percentage feel better off gluten. About 20% will actually go into remission by doing so. Some researchers have found that three to six months on a gluten-free diet can eliminate organ-specific antibodies. Here is a link you might find interesting.
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/gluten-root-cause-thyroid-condition/
Dear Isabella!
I can’t find my root cause.
My main symphtoms are bloating, muscle and Join pain. Join pain is in my hands, fingers, foots, hips. It is for more than 10 years
I have sensitivity on wheat, yeast and kazein.. I have not eaten them for 3 years. I cook, dont eat junk food, and follow lowfoodmap
My stool test shows, i have no leaky gut, no candida. Everything is ok, except, that too much protein, little high fat in the sampel, and too much Enterococcus.
My blood looks fine. No high CRP, my vitamin D is ok.
Last weeks i consume very few animal protein, but nothing helped by this time.
My Thyroid labor looks normal,
Do you have any suggestion what is wrong with me?
Viki – thank you for reaching out. I understand how frustrating this can be. <3 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 DATABASEhttps://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/pages/clinician-databaseFIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIANhttps://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/recommended-compounding-pharmacies.html
Hi Dr. Wentz,
I had just consulted with an endocrinologist and she told me that once a patient reduces or eliminates thyroid antibodies, their thyroid gland is dead and no longer active. Is there any truth to that? I’ve consulted with various endos and nobody is willing to assist me with T3 medication. I’m also taking 37.5 mcg of Phentermine for weight loss so I was told that if I’m going to be put on Liothyronine I would need to stop taking Phentermine. I’ve been at a loss since August 2015. I feel that T4 medication alone does me an extreme disservice because no matter how I eat healthy or exercise, the numbers on the scale aren’t budging. Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!
Heidi – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. I am so sorry you are struggling with this. <3 Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I'm currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration. Reversing Hashimoto's means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms, and for others, it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here are few articles that might be helpful for you:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO'S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
When it comes to weight gain these are a few 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
I thought I recently read somewhere in one of your emails or a post that L-Glutamine was not recommended in certain circumstances but cannot find it now, to know whether to continue taking my supplement. Thank you!
Deborah, thank you for following! ❤️ I generally recommend L-Glutamine for Hashimoto’s and anyone doing the gut protocol. Glutamine is used to treat diabetes and curb carbohydrate cravings, it is an essential amino acid and helps suppress insulin levels and stabilize blood glucose. There is a known link between Hashimoto’s and Type 2 diabetes. Research has shown glutamine to be effective in restoring insulin response in diabetics, so glutamine supplementation may be helpful in addressing blood sugar issues in those with Hashimoto’s as well. You can find glutamine in the form of L-glutamine in bone broth, as well as in supplements like L-Glutamine Powder by Pure Encapsulations. One key thing to remember about L-Glutamine is that for some people it can potentially convert to glutamate which is an activating kind of chemical messenger, and that can cause agitation. If you’re somebody that starts becoming agitated on it, I recommend discontinuing it. It is something that we do want to start low and go slow with. That said, as with all supplements, please consult with your practitioner who’s familiar with your health history before starting any new supplement to ensure it is safe for you. Here is a link to my recommendation: https://www.purerxo.com/thyroidpharmacist/rxo/products/product_details.asp?ProductsID=597
Here is an article you might find interesting as well:
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-blood-sugar-and-diabetes/