I often get asked if there is one thing that people with Hashimoto’s should do right away to feel better. My answer is always, “There are two! Get off gluten and balance your blood sugar levels!”
Balancing blood sugar levels should be one of the top priorities for anyone who is hoping to overcome autoimmune thyroiditis (and adrenal fatigue). It was one of the first interventions I tried when working to heal my own thyroid condition, and it made a big difference for me.
I wasn’t aware that I had blood sugar issues when I was first diagnosed (despite being a self-admitted sugar addict). I was thin — therefore, I assumed that I was healthy. However, I would get “hangry” (hungry + angry) multiple times per day, as the high carbohydrate foods I had consumed were causing me to experience huge blood sugar swings. What I didn’t know was that these swings were also weakening my adrenals and causing a spike in my thyroid antibodies.
In this article, I’d like to dig a bit deeper into answering questions about blood sugar, including:
- What are blood sugar imbalances?
- How do blood sugar imbalances impact Hashimoto’s?
- How can you control blood sugar levels without medications?
- What are some tips to naturally reduce blood sugar levels today?
What are Blood Sugar Imbalances?
Blood sugar, also called glucose, is the primary sugar that enters the body through the foods that we eat. As an energy source for the body, it provides nutrients to the organs, muscles, and nervous system.
Glucose enters the bloodstream through the small intestine after carbohydrates are consumed. The pancreas then produces insulin to help keep blood sugar levels in check, converting excess glucose to glycogen, and sending it to the liver for storage.
Blood sugar imbalances occur when our blood sugar swings out of a normal, steady range, usually from consuming high carbohydrate foods that spike blood sugar levels before they drop quickly, like a rollercoaster.
When we consume large amounts of sugar — often in the form of high carbohydrate foods such as desserts, grains, and starchy vegetables — the pancreas has to release larger amounts of insulin to bring the levels of sugar in the blood back down. These surges in insulin can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, which then causes cravings for more carbohydrate-rich foods. This starts the cycle all over again as blood sugar levels swing high and low, creating stress in the body.
Common symptoms of blood sugar levels that are out of balance include hormonal issues, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, poor brain function, and chronic pain.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are all too common in our society, where carbohydrates have received prominent placement at the base of the Food Pyramid for decades. Fortunately, the new USDA MyPlate no longer encourages people to eat the equivalent of one bread loaf worth of carbohydrates on a daily basis. However, there is still a major emphasis on the importance of carbohydrates, despite the fact that they are actually the one macronutrient that is not required for survival!
How Do Blood Sugar Imbalances Affect Hashimoto’s?
Research has shown that up to 50 percent of those with Hashimoto’s have a carbohydrate intolerance. This means that when a high-carbohydrate meal is consumed, our blood sugar levels are more likely to spike quickly, leading to low blood sugar levels (reactive hypoglycemia), as well as feelings of nervousness, lightheadedness, anxiety, and fatigue.
Blood sugar imbalances have been described as adding “fuel to the fire” in autoimmune thyroid disease, by many practitioners who focus on reversing Hashimoto’s.
Blood sugar levels and the thyroid are intimately connected. In fact, one study that reviewed the current literature on the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and metabolic disorders, highlighted the fact that patients with diabetes were up to three times more likely to develop a thyroid disorder.
This correlation is due in large part to the fact that increased stress to the body will cause damage to the thyroid. When blood sugar levels are constantly fluctuating, the body experiences it as chronic stress. When the adrenals (the glands that are responsible for releasing stress hormones) become stressed, they release an excess of the hormone cortisol, which can also lead to an increased production of inflammatory proteins that are associated with a heightened immune response. This pattern eventually leads to an altered release of cortisol, which can, in turn, lead to numerous symptoms, including chronic fatigue, mood swings, and increased thyroid antibodies. (Weakened adrenals can also weaken the thyroid!)
Stabilizing blood sugar is an important part of protecting your adrenals from excess stress and healing from hypothyroidism. Improvements in mood, energy, brain function, and weight are positive side effects of proper blood sugar balance.
How Do You Know if Your Blood Sugar is Out of Balance?
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, or prediabetes, you’ll likely know that your blood sugar is out of balance. If you have Hashimoto’s, blood sugar abnormalities are extremely common, and many people with Hashimoto’s will present with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in the early stages. This is an early risk factor for developing diabetes. It also exacerbates Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions.
In my own case, my blood sugar was around 50 mg/dL (very low), right before I got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I often used to feel lightheaded, faint, and anxious, without knowing why.
Symptoms of low blood sugar levels include:
- Craving sugary foods
- Irritability and lightheadedness if meals are missed
- Dependency on caffeine
- Needing food to relieve fatigue
- Shaky, jittery, or tremulous feelings
- Nervousness or agitation
- Forgetfulness
- Blurred vision
- Mental fog
- Cold extremities
Symptoms of elevated blood sugar levels include:
- Fatigue, after meals and in general
- Persistent hunger
- Cravings for sugary foods that are not eliminated after eating them
- Needing desserts after meals
- Waist girth equal to or larger than hip girth
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite and thirst
- Difficulty losing weight
Testing for Reactive Hypoglycemia
If you tend to have dramatic blood sugar swings simply after eating, you may be experiencing reactive hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia is an abnormal reaction of excess insulin secretion in response to eating. High carbohydrate-containing meals have been typically implicated, but some individuals may have a hypoglycemic response to low carbohydrate foods as well. Drops in blood sugar usually occur one to three hours after eating.
You can easily test yourself for reactive hypoglycemia with the use of an over-the-counter blood glucose monitoring kit, which uses a small finger-prick to collect a sample of your blood. Follow these instructions to test your reactions:
- After at least 10 hours of fasting (such as first thing in the morning), test your blood sugar before eating your first meal of the day.
- Eat a meal with your typical carbohydrate serving.
- Record the meal in a journal.
- Repeat testing every 30 minutes, for a total of four hours.
- Repeat as necessary to test other foods.
A surprising thing I’ve learned over the years, is that different foods may produce different reactions. I suspect this is largely connected to our unique mix of genetics, health conditions, digestive enzymes, and nutrients that determine how we “process” each unique food molecule.
If blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL at any time during this four hour period, this could be an indication that you are experiencing reactive hypoglycemia. If so, consult with your doctor to discuss treatment options.
Factors That May Affect Blood Sugar Imbalance
You will be at a higher risk for blood sugar imbalances if you have certain co-existing conditions, such as:
- Metabolic Syndrome – Metabolic syndrome is a group of certain issues which increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed when three or more factors are present:
- Low HDL levels
- Abdominal obesity (with fat gain in the midsection)
- Insulin resistance (high fasting glucose)
- High blood pressure
- High triglycerides
Additionally, although not required for diagnosis, a proinflammatory state is often observed with metabolic syndrome. This is due to the increased adipose tissue (from increased fat in the midsection) — adipose tissues release a baseline amount of inflammatory substances. Thus, the more adipose tissue there is, the more inflammation is present.
Note: If a person has just one of the diagnoses from the list above, it does not mean that they have Metabolic Syndrome. However, it does increase their risk of being diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome.
- Type 2 Diabetes – Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce or respond to insulin — the hormone that regulates blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes, cells within the body have a reduced response to insulin. Blood sugar (blood glucose) is the body’s primary fuel source and enters the bloodstream through the small intestine, after carbohydrates are consumed. Without the proper dose of insulin, the body’s blood glucose levels remain elevated and, over time, create a cascade of symptoms in the body, such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, that can become life-threatening.
- PCOS (in females) – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is often diagnosed by two of the three following criteria: hyperandrogenism (excess androgen hormones), ovulatory dysfunction, and cystic ovaries. Often it is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means other related conditions have to be ruled out before giving a diagnosis of PCOS. PCOS causes symptoms such as:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Insulin resistance
- Hirsutism (hair in certain places, such as on the face)
- Acne
- Male pattern baldness (in women)
- Anovulation
Control Blood Sugar Levels Naturally
Most people with Hashimoto’s and blood sugar imbalances will be able to stabilize their blood sugar with simple diet and lifestyle changes, and won’t have to use medications, as can be the case when blood sugar issues progress to insulin resistance and diabetes.
Lifestyle Changes to Balance Blood Sugar Levels
1. Exercise. Regular exercise has been shown to help the body’s cells become more sensitive to insulin, which can help us avoid insulin resistance and reduce thyroid symptoms. Glucose is the primary fuel source for your muscles, and when you engage in moderate exercise, such as walking, your muscles pull more glucose from your blood. Additionally, your cells become more responsive to insulin by increasing receptors, allowing more glucose to enter the cells rather than staying within the blood. Over time, these changes can lower your blood sugar levels.
It’s important to not go too overboard with exercise, however, as strenuous exercise can cause the body to produce more cortisol — which, in turn, raises blood sugar levels. Walking, swimming, and yoga are all great ways to add more exercise into your day without adding more stress to your body.
2. Hydration. Drinking enough water may help keep blood sugar levels balanced, by helping your kidneys flush out excess blood sugar through your urine. One study that looked at a group of adults with starting blood sugars within normal ranges found that, as water intake increased, the risk of developing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) decreased. Keep in mind that water and other non-caloric beverages are best, while sugar-sweetened drinks raise blood glucose levels. Adding in some electrolytes, such as Rootcology Electrolyte Blend, can also help ensure your body is well hydrated.
3. Sleep. Getting enough quality sleep is important for blood sugar balance and insulin sensitivity. A lack of sleep affects metabolic hormones, including growth hormone, and raises cortisol levels. These hormonal imbalances can disrupt insulin levels, while also increasing appetite and cravings for carbohydrate-laden foods that will further increase blood sugar swings.
Balancing Blood Sugar Levels with Diet
Focusing on the impact of food on our blood sugar is the most effective way to balance our blood sugar levels, and this is best accomplished by paying close attention to the glycemic index of foods.
The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly food becomes assimilated into our bodies. It can also be referred to as the “burn” rate — how quickly we burn the fuel we receive from these foods. Focusing on low glycemic index (GI) and low glycemic-loaded (GL) foods, which burn slower, can really help with balancing blood sugars.
Foods with a glycemic index of less than 55 are considered to have a low glycemic index. These include most non-starchy vegetables, meats, nuts, seeds, and some whole grains. Fruits with less fructose (“sour” fruits such as grapefruit, lemons, limes, and cranberries) also have a low glycemic index.
Foods with a glycemic index above 55 are considered high glycemic index foods and include processed grains, sugar, starchy vegetables like potatoes, and sweet fruits like watermelon.
The glycemic index of foods can be referenced at glycemicindex.com.
The graphic below gives you an idea of how high and low GI foods affect blood sugar over a two-hour period. As you can see, high GI foods spike blood sugar levels high, which crash dramatically after 30 minutes have passed. Low GI foods, however, produce a smaller spike that declines relatively slowly.
Carbohydrates have a very fast burn rate and can spike blood sugar levels dramatically. Since they can quickly become assimilated into our bodies, we may feel hungry again less than an hour after eating them.
Instead of loading up on carbs, I recommend increasing your intake of (healthy) fats and proteins, as they have a slower burn rate and become assimilated into our bodies in a slower and more gradual manner. A person will be hungry again two to three hours after eating protein, and four hours after eating fat.
The following quick reference can be printed out to make balancing your blood sugar much easier:
Another important thing to note is that combining carbohydrates with protein can slow down the glycemic impact of the carbohydrates you consume. If you do consume some carbohydrates, I recommend a ratio of no larger than two servings of carbohydrates to one serving of protein. (For example, if you are having 4 ounces of steak, you should have a maximum of 8 ounces of potatoes.)
Eating a low glycemic index diet that is low in carbohydrates helps with feeling fuller longer, improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improves cognitive performance, improves energy, and reduces acne. It also reduces the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, while promoting weight loss for those who are overweight. Of the people with Hashimoto’s who took my 2015 survey, 61 percent reported an improved mood, 71 percent had better energy, and 53 percent experienced weight loss on a low GI diet!
Tips For Balancing Blood Sugar with Diet
Are you ready to begin addressing your blood sugar levels? There are a few important dietary rules to keep in mind that will help keep them balanced throughout the day:
- Include fat and protein with every meal — good sources include eggs, nuts, seeds, fish, and meat. Protein powders are another great way to get protein in your diet! You can read about the safest protein powders for Hashimoto’s here.
- It is important to eat every two to three hours. Small, low-carb snacks between meals and before bed can help stabilize blood sugar levels and manage Hashimoto’s symptoms. (Snacks rich in protein and fat are great. Green smoothies made with Organic Pea Protein Powder or Hydrolyzed Beef Protein from Rootcology are my favorite!)
- Do not eat sweets less than three hours before bed to avoid blood sugar swings that can elevate stress hormones and prevent sleep.
- Avoid fruit juice on its own, as most fruit juices are loaded with quick-burning sugar.
- Limit your intake of caffeine, as caffeine stimulates the adrenals to get stress hormones to bring blood sugar back up, which in turn creates the cycle of imbalance. You can read more about caffeine and Hashimoto’s here.
- Limit grains and avoid all gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and yeast, as these foods are generally high in carbohydrates and can be food sensitivities for many people with Hashimoto’s.
- Never skip breakfast. Eat breakfast within one hour of waking (but not within 30 minutes of taking thyroid medications if you take them in the morning).
- Always combine carbohydrates with fat and/or protein. Never exceed a 2:1 ratio of protein to carbs. In other words, aim for more protein and less carbs.
Additionally, there are a few herbs, spices, minerals, vitamins, and other supplements that can be used in conjunction with a proper diet, to help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Cinnamon: Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels by up to 29 percent. Furthermore, cinnamon can be helpful for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. It slows the rate of carbohydrate breakdown in the digestive tract and moderates rises in blood sugar levels. I also recommend pumpkin pie spice (a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice) as a tasty ingredient to stabilize blood sugar. You can add it to your smoothies, gluten-free baked goods, and even hot beverages!
- Bitter Melon: Grown in Asia, India, Africa and the Caribbean, this vegetable is generally used in curry dishes. All parts of the vegetable can be used (fruit for consumption and leaves for tea), and have been shown to possibly increase the release of insulin from the pancreas. It has also been found to oxidize glucose in red blood cells and adipose (fat) cells. This, in turn, helps those with type 2 diabetes to better manage their sugars by decreasing blood glucose levels, creates better tolerance for glucose, and may also decrease HbA1c (average blood sugar) levels. For the most part, bitter melon is generally tolerated; however, gastrointestinal upset may occur. There have been two cases (dating back to 2013) where two children experienced adverse effects from bitter melon tea, so please speak with a practitioner prior to having children consume it.
- Magnesium: Nutrient deficiencies have been shown to contribute to blood sugar imbalances, and magnesium deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of developing diabetes. One study suggested that those with the highest levels of magnesium intake had a 47 percent lower risk of becoming diabetic. Thus, supplementing with magnesium may help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Chromium: The mineral chromium is involved in carb and fat metabolism, and also helps control blood sugar levels. A lack of chromium may make one more intolerant to carbohydrates, so it’s important to boost one’s intake of foods high in chromium. Such foods include egg yolks, coffee, nuts, green beans, broccoli, and meat. Additionally, I recommend supplementing with ChromeMate GTF.
- Thiamine: Thiamine is one of the B vitamins, known as B1. Its main responsibility is to change carbohydrates into energy, and it also helps with the digestion of proteins and fats. Food sources of thiamine include fortified grains, beef liver and pork, dried milk, eggs, legumes and peas, nuts, and seeds. Most of these foods are restricted on the Paleo and Autoimmune Paleo diets, and many people with Hashimoto’s find themselves deficient and less able to break down carbohydrates for absorption. For this reason, I recommend BenfoMax by Pure Encapsulations.
- Probiotics: New research has highlighted the importance of gut health for blood sugar balance, and some gut bacteria have been found to be more closely linked with diabetes. Nurturing the gut and taking a high quality probiotic may help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Glutamine: Used to treat diabetes and curb carbohydrate cravings, this essential amino acid helps suppress insulin levels and stabilize blood glucose. There is a known link between Hashimoto’s and type 2 diabetes, with up to 30 percent of those with Hashimoto’s developing the condition. Interestingly, 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.
- Myo-inositol: Researchers have found that this important form of inositol (a type of natural sugar alcohol), which is made in our bodies, can reduce insulin resistance often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (Interestingly, PCOS often co-occurs with hypothyroidism — perhaps due to both conditions sharing blood sugar imbalances and deficiencies in myo-inositol as root causes.) A 2013 study showed supplementation with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol led to a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in those with PCOS. A follow up study in 2014 showed that the myo-inositol isoform specifically improves the metabolic profile of individuals with PCOS. Additionally, research has illustrated that myo-inositol can be helpful for gestational diabetes. You can read more in my article about myo-inositol supplementation for blood sugar balancing, as well as its multiple benefits for Hashimoto’s.
- Carnitine: Carnitine is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. It helps transport fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they can be burned up and used as fuel. Studies in both humans and animals have shown that carnitine supplementation resulted in an improvement of glucose tolerance, in particular during insulin-resistant states. I recommend Rootcology’s Carnitine Blend, which also contains the acetyl-L-carnitine form, for its unique properties in supporting brain function and reducing mental fatigue.
- Black Cumin Seed (Nigella Sativa): This spice (which can be used as a seasoning for food) has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Studies have shown that black cumin seeds may lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas and raising glucose absorption by muscular tissue. Diabetes patients in one recent study lowered their fasting glucose levels after consuming 2 grams of black cumin seed every day, for four to six weeks. It can be taken in powder (seed) or liquid form and added to a smoothie, or as a supplement in pill form.
- Berberine: This is a compound that is extracted from several different plants and has many health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels. Its effectiveness has been compared to the most common diabetes drug because it is able to make insulin more effective, help the body break down sugars inside cells, decrease sugar production in the liver, and slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut. Studies have shown that 1 gram of berberine per day, lowered fasting blood sugar by 20 percent in diabetic patients.
- Aloe: Several studies have shown that aloe vera gel, taken orally twice per day, can decrease fasting glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes. A high-grade aloe supplement, like Rootcology Aloe, taken once per day, at 500 mg, will ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of the beneficial properties of aloe. (Please note: supplements that contain the outer leaf may cause issues such as diarrhea and electrolyte loss due to its laxative effect.) See my article on aloe for more information and supplement warnings.
- Glutathione and Cysteine: Glutathione, an antioxidant composed of amino acids, protects B-cells (immune cells) in the body, which are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress. Type 2 diabetics typically have lowered antioxidants, and supplementing with the glutathione precursor cysteine helps restore antioxidant status.
- Milk Thistle: Silymarin (one of the compounds in milk thistle) may work similarly to some diabetic medications, by helping to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar. A recent analysis found that people routinely taking silymarin saw a significant reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle may also be useful for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications, such as kidney disease.
- Vitamin C: A recent study found that taking 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily, can help those with type 2 diabetes, by lowering elevated blood sugar levels throughout the day and reducing spikes in blood sugar after meals.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency is common in those with type 2 diabetes, and studies hypothesize that vitamin D is related to the action of insulin. A study conducted in 2012-2013 showed a decrease in HBA1c (average blood sugar) levels in those who took 4000 IU of vitamin D daily, compared to the group that took a placebo. That’s why it’s important to optimize your levels of this vital “sunshine vitamin”, so that your vitamin D levels fall within the optimal range of 60 to 80 ng/mL.
- Zinc: Zinc is crucial to the process of synthesizing, storing, and secreting insulin. It helps to protect the B-cells in the pancreas from damage, and has even been studied for its ability to affect the expression of genes that are linked to diabetes.
Blood Sugar-Friendly Foods
There is a wide variety of nourishing foods to choose from that will help keep your blood sugar levels in balance, but I recommend staying away from processed carbohydrates.
Natural carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes and berries, can be eaten in moderation. For best results, you may want to limit your servings of carbohydrates to one or two a day if you’re still in the early stages of your Hashimoto’s journey and experiencing blood sugar swings. For some of my clients, even too much fruit can throw them off!
As you heal, your tolerance for carbohydrates will improve, but your focus should still be on low-glycemic index foods.
It’s a good idea to keep low carbohydrate snacks on hand to balance blood sugar and beat cravings. My favorite blood sugar-stabilizing sources of fats and proteins, which can be combined to make delicious snacks, are:
- Avocados
- Chia seeds
- Chicken
- Coconut milk
- Coconut
- Duck fat
- Eggs and egg white proteins (if not sensitive)
- Grass-fed beef
- Hydrolyzed beef protein
- Lamb
- Nuts (except peanuts)
- Olives and olive oil
- Pea protein
- Pork
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Seeds
- Stevia
- Tallow
- Turkey
- Whitefish
(Please note that some people may be intolerant to some of these foods and may need to complete an elimination diet or food sensitivity testing to find the right foods for their situation.)
Here is an example of how to rethink your breakfast and begin the day with a low-carbohydrate meal, that will start your day with balanced blood sugar levels and sustained energy:
Happy Breakfast = eggs + bacon + avocado + herbal tea with stevia
This is a healthier alternative to the typical Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) breakfast that may include a bagel with cream cheese, orange juice, and coffee with sugar!
In the same way, lunch and dinner can be made into blood sugar-balancing meals by swapping out high-carbohydrate foods for healthy fats and proteins, and small amounts of low GI carbohydrates. You can find more ideas on how to structure your meals in my Tasty Recipes article, or in my cookbook, Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health.
For more information about low-carbohydrate foods that will help balance blood sugar levels and heal your thyroid, take a look at my Best Diet for Hashimoto’s article.
You can also download my free Hacking Diet eBook below!
The Takeaway
As you begin to move away from a carbohydrate-heavy diet and incorporate more low glycemic index foods, including plenty of healthy fats and proteins, into your meals, I encourage you to start journaling your symptoms. With balanced blood sugar, you may start to experience a reduction in thyroid antibodies and an improvement in energy levels almost immediately!
You can print the graphic of my blood sugar balancing rules below and hang it on your fridge to refer to at any time.
Increasing your intake of cinnamon, magnesium, chromium, thiamine, myo-inositol, probiotics, L-glutamine, berberine, carnitine, and black cumin seed may also be beneficial.
Here’s another handy graphic that you can use to remind yourself of them:
Remember, blood sugar can be a significant issue for those with Hashimoto’s, but utilizing food as medicine is a simple and natural way to bring it into balance, reduce thyroid symptoms, and feel better.
I hope this information helps you on your journey!
P.S. You can download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my first book for free by signing up for my newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways and helpful information.
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References
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Note: Originally published in May 2015, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.
Diane – I am so sorry to hear that. The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.
It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.
In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article you may find helpful! 🙂 ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
It’s so sad that most medical practitioners have this standard reply on diet and lifestyle having any positive effect on thyroid. One day hopefully in the not too distant future we will look back in disbelief as hopefully things will have drastically changed for the better in terms of medicine’s approach to health. Hippocrates knew it over 2,000 years ago enough to inspire the people of his time and the history books – Let food be thy Medicine and Medicine be thy food! To think Doctors must take the Hippocratic Oath today to be sworn in – its Hippocracy LOL!
I realize I’m late to the game here, but if you’re still struggling with mood swings and blood sugar issues, I highly recommend eliminating caffeine. I have endo and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and therefore blood sugar issues. Eliminating caffeine changed my life. It caused significant blood sugar swings, worse mood swings and made me exhausted without even realizing it. and instead of going gluten free, eat balanced meals with protein, fat and a small amount of whole grain. This will balance your sugar longer and prevent symptoms such as mood swings and tiredness from sugar swings. It’s a tough hand to be dealt but these changes helped me a lot….hard for a coffee addict, but so worth it.
Amanda – thank you for sharing your journey!
Sarah- Here are a couple of articles you may find interesting as well! 🙂
GUT, BRAIN, AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS: THE ROLE OF FOOD
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/gut-brain-and-autoimmune-disorders
FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos
1. I tested positive for gluten sensitivity
2. I have antibodies to my thyroid
3. The dosage of my thyroid medication was too high
My holistic MD who was not doing blood tests had increased my thyroid dosage twice in 6 months. So I cut my dose in half and the anxiety jumping out of my skin feeling went away along with crazy hot flashes happening all day and night sweats that woke me up 4-6 times a night. I’m now looking for a new MD who is open and receptive with my treatment today with a functional medicine practitioner.
Andrea- I think it is great you are empowering yourself to take your health back! I look forward to hearing your progress on this page! Here are two articles you may find interesting as well! 🙂
WHY THYROID PATIENTS NEED CHANGE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/why-thyroid-patients-need-change
MY RECENT CHALLENGES AND FINDING DR. RIGHT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/my-challenges-and-finding-dr-right
I have been experiencing adrenaline surges for over 11 months. During the day they are around 30 to 40 minutes apart and at night they have gone as long as 2-1/2 hours apart. This has been consistent throughout the entire 11 month period. The only time I slept longer than that was when I took an Ativan and slept for 5 hours. The next night when I took it again it did nothing and the surges continued 2 hours apart as usual. In the last month I have had several nights where I have laid in bed and never fell asleep. Last night I finally fell asleep at 5:00 am and slept for 2 hours. In the last month I have been eating every two hours but always have a trembly feeling. Do you think this is due to blood sugar or is it an adrenal issue? My TSH has been at 4.06 since December and my antibodies were down to 12. My doctor didn’t check them this month.
Nancy – thank you for sharing your journey. I am so sorry you are struggling with this. I understand how hard this is. <3 When people have adrenal struggles, we often see that their release of cortisol is altered. People with healthy adrenal function release the most cortisol in the morning. People with impaired adrenal function may wait to release their cortisol at the end of the day. Taking an adrenal adaptogen like the Rootcology Adrenal Support or the Pure Encapsulations Daily Stress Formula in the mornings can help.Additionally, I recommend going to bed before you experience that energy rush. If it comes around 10 pm, going to bed around 9 pm would greatly help your adrenals. Having Hashimoto’s can feel very stressful. Having out of range thyroid hormones, adrenal fatigue, negative food sensitivities and low nutrient levels can lead to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and stress. Treating these issues one at a time is the best plan of action. You can recover and regain your health! My new book Hashimoto’s Protocol is a step by step guide to the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check it out.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
You also may be interested in this article I wrote. ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-heal
Susan- Here are a couple of articles about diet that you may find interesting or helpful. 🙂
TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs
BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism
Acupuncture helps me tremendously as does EFT (Tapping) GET OFF the synthroid-it is a synthetic and is triggering inflammation. Also start drinking fresh brewed Kombucha. It will also help tremendously. YOGA has been wonderful as well. Went from horrible to sleeping well, weight loss and very little anxiety.
Kelly- Kombucha can be helpful sometimes, but I recommend proceeding with caution, as some people may have adverse reactions to the wild yeast. I prefer probiotics and fermented foods.
Here’s an article about probiotics I hope you’ll also read.
THE FOUR BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTOS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos
Be cautious with Kombucha as it is wild fermentation and people with unhealthy guts can react to this. Try Cocobiotic from Body Ecology or in a pinch, Inner-Eco Fresh Coconut Water Probiotic or Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drink Coconut. The difference is they are fermented with a culture vs. kombucha, which is fermented with airborne yeast.
Erica- Thank you so much for sharing! Here is an article you may find interesting! 🙂
THE FOUR BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTOS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos
the link tot The four best probiotics for hashimotos doesnt work. Is there another link you can give us Izabella?
Sandra – thank you for letting me know! <3 Here is a link: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos/
Lisa- 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://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/
Kim- Thank you so much for sharing. 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/
Jayme- Going gluten free is always the first step that I recommend. I’ve found through my page that a good percentage feel better off of 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.
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/
Synthroid has gluten in it. LDN may help. Amour thyroid may help. T4 in Synthroid needs zinc, Se, iron to convert from T4 to T3. Vit D3 5000IU stopped me crying for no reason. Vit B12 shot helped me deal with stress. Stress uses up B vitamins and zinc. Mercola site has good articles/articles/help also. I eat organic brown rice with Chia on it and pepper/dehydrated onions. I do EDTA/DMPS IV chelations to remove heavy metals. Low oxygen in the brain can cause depression/anxiety/obsessing/no sleep/panic/suicidal thoughts. Mg citrate may help relax muscles. Gluten can be like Heroin …stimulates the same opioid receptor sites..LDN is the opioid…blocks how gluten stimulates the opioid receptor sites. LDN is awesome help. An Alternative doctor may help more. Best wishes.
Wendy- Thank you so much for sharing! Here is an article you may find interesting as well! 🙂
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
Robin- Here is an article you may find helpful! 🙂
LOW DOSE NALTREXONE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/low-dose-naltrexone-and-hashimotos
I was recently in the hospital with Lymes and they took away my thyroid medicine that I had for 30 years and said I did not need it. They used TSH…not free T3 to decide that. I was 100% constipated for 3 weeks while there and they gave me diuretics instead of thyroid medicine since my legs were 3-4X their size full of water. I had clots which only kick in when thyroid is low. I had all the symptoms of low thyroid, but they were blind to it due to strange TSH. They were blind to my MS/Celiac/thyroid/Vit B12 shot I need/bioidentical hormones/Vitamins/good oils…all which I needed to survive and they took them away from me. I ended up in Intensive care due to what they took away and then they attacked me for doing Alternative medicine. They had my health all backwards. I came out of there crashing in Vit B12…too me 2 months to heal my brain and took 1 1/2 months for my bones to heal and more. Alternative medicine saves my life. Coventional medicine doesn’t understand and took it all away from me. I almost didn’t survive. They thought they were doing me a favor, but almost killed me.
My thyroid has not healed after going gluten free. I don’t know anyone who can not take their thyroid medicine unless they are very young and it is just happening for their thyroid to go down.
http://articles.mercola.com/members/Shasha/default.aspx
No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO and vitamins/good oils, LDN and detoxing help me help my brain/body. Vit D3 5000IU, zinc, fish oil 2000mg, 2000mg of evening primrose oil. 2000mg of lecithin, krill oil, coenzyme Q10, rhodiola, Mg citrate, Vit C, 5000mcg of biotin, Nature’s Plus- Source of life multiple, HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic, Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind/intrinsic factor kind, MTHF folate, coenyzme Q10, rhodiola, may help brain/body health issues. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye..oats may act like gluten with avenin. GMO corn/soy/canola oil may hurt. Amour thyroid maybe needed since gluten may made antibodies to the thyroid.
Sunlight (helps the immune system and helps to heal the gut lining),exercise, organic food, good water..not tap water, cooking by scratch pure food, no food in a box/bag/premade/label/restaurant which may help avoid hidden gluten. Nuts not sold in the shell/meat basting/some spices may have hidden gluten and lotion/make up etc. One restaurant cooks special for me…rice/veg/tea/extra mushrooms (no meat since the woks may have MSG/gluten in them).
EDTA/DMPS IV chelations from an Alternative doctor, 600mg of cilantro, zeolites, organic sulfur, Now brand- Detox support and more may help detox. Hair tests show good minerals and heavy metals. Heavy metals can block thyroid and other chemical reactions in the body/brain.
LDN may help block hidden gluten, but the Celiac diet is still needed. 100% no gluten may help rebuild cells as more nutrients absorb. Best wishes.
I am interested to find out more about chromium and its impact on blood sugar levels.
My doctor discovered that I am deficient in Chromium and has requested that I supplement. She says that chromium is important for balancing blood sugar levels.
What are your thoughts about chromium?
100% AIP diet past two months and I just see the scale going up.
Taking IV gluthatione (spell?) and cream as well.
Took Armor for 2 1/2 years and stated not feeling that was working. I’m back on Synthroid 112mcg for moth now.
What else could you suggest?
Thx
No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…taking vitamins/good oils, LDN, Vit C, Vit D3 5000IU, zinc, fish oil 2000mg, Mg citrate, Nature’s Plus- Source of life multiple. HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic when stomach acid is low, Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind and MTHF folate may help. Any food in a box/bag/label maybe contaminated with gluten. Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten. (lowest they can measure)..too much. Nuts not in a shell/meat basting/some spices/lotion/make up and more may have gluten. LDN maybe great help to block hidden gluten. Best wishes.
I have.been on.synthroid for over 10 years.
Everytime I have my ts levels they are all in the norml range.
However I now suffer from horrible insomnia , so am.constantly fatigued.
I also have put on significant weight gain.
I have a.young child so need some caffeine to keep with him.
I also take anxiety meds, and.anti depressants.
Any suggestions that are practical and easy?
I take 3/4 of a .1mg Synthroid and 1 1/4 of 30mg Amour thyroid. Taking Zinc/Se/enough iron/dairy free probiotic and more may help T4 change to T3. LDN may help. Synthroid may have gluten in the filler which would lower thyroid more. . No sleep can be due to low oxygen in the brain. Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot 2500mcg every other day or under the tongue kind/spray in mouth/cream or intrinsic factor kind may help raise oxygen and sleep. No gluten (wheat/barley/rye…oats may act like gluten) may help rebuild cells to burn oxygen and increase energy 1000X and feel 20 years younger…then you may not need the caffeine. Caffeine/gluten/low sleep may burn out adrenals. Vit C/sea salt may help adrenals. Pepper on food may help absorb vitamins. TSH should not be gone by since gluten may make antibodies to the thyroid and pituitary that makes TSH. Most new thyroid books say to only go by free T4 and free T4 in testings. An Alternative doctor may help and give thyroid dose that is right for you and help in other ways. Thyro-gold may also help..see internet. Depression/anxiety/panic/obsessing/no sleep/suicidal thoughts can be due to low oxygen in the brain due to Celiac. Tests may not work to diagnose Celiac. Medicine for depression may have fluorine in it that can block thyroid and make a person tired and no sleep. Natural help instead of medicine may help. LDN is a drug from a compounding pharmacy …is like a miracle..it helps to block hidden gluten…the diet is still needed since it is a low dose. It is cheap. An Alternative doctor may give LDN. I take 3 mg…before bed or in the day. I works best at night. Some people may get 4.5mg of LDN. This is the short version. I do a longer version to help my health. Best wishes.
No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…taking vitamins/good oils, LDN, Vit C, Vit D3 5000IU, zinc, fish oil 2000mg, Mg citrate, Nature’s Plus- Source of life multiple. HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic when stomach acid is low, Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind and MTHF folate may help. Any food in a box/bag/label maybe contaminated with gluten. Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten. (lowest they can measure)..too much. Nuts not in a shell/meat basting/some spices/lotion/make up and more may have gluten. LDN maybe great help to block hidden gluten. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye…oats may act like gluten with avenin. GMO maybe corn/soy/canola oil. GMO corn may hurt the gut lining like gluten so nutrients don’t absorb. Coenzymated B vitamins may help also. Best wishes.
Linda- 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
Scotty- 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
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…taking vitamins/good oils, LDN, Vit C, Vit D3 5000IU, zinc, fish oil 2000mg, Mg citrate, Nature’s Plus- Source of life multiple. HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic when stomach acid is low, Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind and MTHF folate may help. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye…oats may act like gluten with avenin. GMO maybe corn/soy/canola oil. Any food in a box/bag/label maybe contaminated with gluten. Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten. (lowest they can measure)..too much. Nuts not in a shell/meat basting/some spices/lotion/make up and more may have gluten.
http://search.mercola.com/results.aspx?q=fructose
I am wondering how you know if you have a blood sugar imbalance. Are there any tests that you can /should do?
Amaranth and quiniou seem ok for me in limited portions.
It is important to get good fats, Borage and Primrose oil. Not sure if Flax is ok for Hashimoto’s? I feel much better when eating these foods.
A pharmacist suggested I try Glutathione for a fast heart beat when I could no longer tolerate compounded T3/T4 for some reason. It worked very well. I am now back on Levethyroxine and trying to work with it. I am following Izabelle’s suggestions for supplements to lower the dosage.
Susie- Here are a couple of articles about diet that you may find interesting or helpful.
TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs
BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism
80% of people may not be able to convert flax into what is in fish oil…then may get a rash/red blotch/sicker and more. I use fish oil 2000mg and 2000mg of evening primrose oil, 2000mg of lecithin, krill oil, phosphatidylserine/DMAE, CLA.
Compounded Amour was too low a dose for me. I take 3/4 of a .1 Synthroid and 1 1/4 Amour..need to cut them at my house to the dose. Mg/coenzyme Q10, Osteoprocare Ca/Mg and cofactors helps my heart. Glutathione helps get rid of free radicals and recycles Vit C and Vit E etc. Levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) has only T4. Amour has T4,T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. Taking both helps me. The Synthroid gets me through the night like time release so I only take thyroid mediicne in the morning. To convert T4 to T3….Zinc/Se/enough iron/probiotic and more may help. Take the probiotic when stomach acid is low. I refrigerate my probiotic. Best wishes.
Bona- 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
Sue- The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.
It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing. ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
Joan- The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.
It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.
ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
Maria- Here are two articles you may find interesting!: )
REVERSING DIABETES AND HASHIMOTO’S BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-diabetes-and-hashimotos-blood-sugar-imbalances
HASHIMOTO’S, BLOOD SUGAR AND DIABETES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-blood-sugar-and-diabetes%C2%A0
Robin- 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
Wendy- 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
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Ashley- The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.
It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.
In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food.
ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos
rhubarb is a vegetable.
DMP- The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.
It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.
In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food.ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
Wendy- Thank you so much for following this page! 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/
Cheri- It will take a full three months to see the real impact following an intervention, such as a gluten-free diet. Going gluten free is always the first step that I recommend. I’ve found through my page that a good percentage feel better off of 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.
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/
I have suffered for the past 10 years with Hashis with little help. I am going to start this blood sugar balance and see what happens. One question I have is that you say avoid dairy but list eggs as something you should eat. I am confused?
Thanks for the article.
Glenda – thank you for following this page. Eggs are one of the foods we need to avoid for a leaky gut and as you may know a leaky gut os required in order to get an auto immune disease. many people are able to add eggs back into their diet later after doing an elimination diet to heal the gut. Did you know that reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity in particular has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten?
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
Can you tell me what tests they would need to run to find out what your thyroid antibodies leaves are? Thank you.
Jill- 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://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-get-accurate-lab-tests-when-taking-thyroid-medications
Sorry, I meant antibodies levels. Thanks
I am 26 years old. I have been dealing with reactive hypoglycemia. 30 mins after a good meal it drops to 80s. I stopped eating fast food because that makes it drop fast for a few days. For the past 9 months I have been dealing with this everyday. I have seen a thyroid Dr and they said my thyroid was high it was 3.7 and he wanted it to a 1. It’s been at a 1 for a while and no changes. I have gained 100 pounds in a year. I’ll see another thyroid dr in a month because mine is not trying to help figure this out. The only blood test came up off is fasting insulin. It was 23 and I got it down to 20 but haven’t been tested since for it. Any advice would be great! Thanks
Sara – thank you for following this page, and I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling. 🙁
Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.
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
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Hi Izabella,
Thank you so much for all of the information you provide, it is incredibly helpful to many! I have been struggling with adrenal/thyroid issues, along with some blood sugar regulation issues and insomnia. What do you recommend for someone who is very active? I believe many of my hormonal problems came from working out twice a day along with a very low carb diet and high stress. Should carbs consumed after long workouts still be low glycemic? What do you recommend for someone very active? I find my blood sugar gets too low very often, especially since my appetite is low after workouts. I am just wondering what your thoughts would be. Thank you!!
Morgan – Thank you for following this page. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.
Here are a few articles related to diet that hopefully help you get started.
FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos
GUT, BRAIN, AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS: THE ROLE OF FOOD
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/gut-brain-and-autoimmune-disorders
TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs
Hi Izabella, I stopped taking compounded thyroid medication 7 months ago after my thyroid levels stabilized. (After years of thyroid care.) My adrenals have never caught up – been struggling with severe adrenal fatigue for months. I’m taking adaptogens, following a clean, GF and dairy free diet and working with an Integrative MD to heal Epstein Barr. Out of nowhere I started having hot flashes and experiencing severe intolerance to the heat. For years I struggled with cold temperatures and now I cannot handle the sun. My MD said this is my adrenals and liver flooding my body with toxins as they heal. But I’m worried this could be a symptom of thyroid cancer. What are your thoughts on hot flashes and thyroid health, particularly with Epstein Barr?
Kay – thank you for following this page. Having Hashimoto’s can feel very stressful. Having out of range thyroid hormones, adrenal fatigue, negative food sensitivities and low nutrient levels can lead to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and stress. Treating these issues one at a time is the best plan of action. You can recover and regain your health! My new book Hashimoto’s Protocol is a step by step guide to the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check it out.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
As a 10+ year Hashimoto & Type 1 Diabetic experienced person, I have learned that I cannot rely on the medical community for my continued survival above and beyond required testing and prescriptions.
The medical community treats our bodies and completely ignores the mind & spirit. What we receive is treatment for the failing/failed body part without investigating the root cause of the real issue of the failure.
We have highly sophisticated systems that involve 3 different mechanisms to operate and the medical community only chooses to acknowledge one small portion of one mechanism and ignores the big picture.
Changing your diet to fix most of these problems is like changing your engine oil in an attempt to repair your transmission.
We are being led by the blind, so if you choose to be healthy then seek and ye shall find.
Mike – thank you for following this page. I understand your frustration. While I only work with patients with Hashimoto’s, oftentimes patients will have additional 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 have also seen the protocols help with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms-ebook/dp/B01HXK6GVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506463784&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
I have hypERthyroidism and I just ate 2 Butterfinger Hostess Brownies (I was hungry, waiting for the delivery guy). Within 20 minutes I began to feel nauseous, shaky, blurred vision, fatigue in my muscles, and felt very confused. It is wearing off, but comes back when I move. Theoretically, this reactive hypoglycemia is also possible for hypREthyroidism, maybe?
Charity – thank you for following this page. Did you know that reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well-known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten?
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
You advise to miss out all grains – Ii am a little vague about what exactly grains consists of? Does this include rice? Quinoa? Kamut? Please help. thanks
I have Hashimoto’s and the most noticeable things are hair loss (shedding) and anxiety.
I have always been able to drink caffeine but am rethinking that. I think blood sugar has A LOT to do with this disease. I do tend to go for hours without eating and I know that’s not good!
Barb – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. Anxiety symptoms and hair loss are very common in people with thyroid disorders. Here are some articles which might help:
AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE AND ANXIETY
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-anxiety/
ARE YOU GOING CRAZY OR IS IT JUST YOUR THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-going-crazy-or-is-it-just-your-thyroid
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
I’m curious why you note we should not fast?
K.C. – thank you for reaching out. While fasting can be beneficial in many cases, some caution is required for people with Hashimoto’s due to our blood sugar issues. Blood sugar imbalances are a big contributor to Hashimoto’s. Balancing blood sugar levels should be one of the priorities for anyone who is hoping to overcome autoimmune thyroiditis and adrenal fatigue. Balancing my blood sugar made a big difference for me, helping with my anxiety levels and reducing my thyroid antibodies. <3
Thank you, this is so helpful. I purchased the Hashimoto’s Protocol, and I am feeling hopeful. It has been most difficult to give up oats, but I can tell that they do not agree with my body. These tips you provided here are great!
Jaye – you are very welcome! Please keep me posted on your progress here. <3
This article has been really helpful, I have Hashimotos like many people here, and was surprised/bewildered to see my recent lab work. My cholesterol was rising, not yet high, and my A1C was borderline pre-diabetic. I assumed because I was thin that I would be immune to such changes, but if I’m understanding the article correctly, those of us with Hashimotos are susceptible to insulin resistance if we’re not eating correctly? I thought my diet was healthy until a Naturopath pointed out how high the carb load was and how little protein I was getting. If only all practitioners had this knowledge.
Kelli – thank you for sharing your journey. I am happy to hear you are taking charge of your health! 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 have also seen the protocols help with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Can you please tell me why you do not promote fasting? I’ve heard so many benefits about intermittent fasting to improve blood sugar levels. I have Hashimoto’s and am battling SIBO and have been considering intermittent fasting.
Heather – thank you for reaching out. Fasting and the latest intermittent fasting trend are alternative health approaches that have cleansing and healing properties. Unfortunately, they are super stressful on the adrenals. So while some people may benefit from fasting, I’ve seen that Hashimoto’s patients, due to rampant adrenal issues, often feel worse on a fast in the initial stages of healing. This is why I recommend abstaining from fasting during the fundamental healing period.
Would an A1C be reliable for us with Hashimoto’s? I was considering it for the first time and now I’m not sure.
Teleysha – thank you for following this page. <3 This is something I recommend you discuss with your practitioner. Here is an article you may find helpful as well:
HASHIMOTO'S, BLOOD SUGAR AND DIABETES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-blood-sugar-and-diabetes/
I realize this was posted long ago but wonder if you could provide your opinion on this. I’ve been on Naturethroid and Cytomel for years along with metformin for reactive hypoglycemia. I haven’t had a bad hypoglycemic episode in years About a week or two ago I was switched to straight Cytomel. I’ve been having a lot of bad hypoglycemic episodes. I’ve read Cytomel usually increases blood sugar. Any idea why this may be happening?
Sheri – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. <3 I am so sorry to hear you are struggling with optimizing your medications. 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/
I’m not asking for any particular medication. The ndt brands are not working well. I’m allergic to all synthetic forms of Levothyroxine. I am only on Cytomel. I also take metformin for reactive hypoglycemia. Since beginning Cytomel, I have been getting extreme lows so the metformin is not controlling the reactive hypoglycemia anymore. Any idea why this may be?
Hello Dear,
I really like your blog the diet plan about ketogenic diet is awesome I’ll try this plan to control my high blood pressure.
Thank you.
Elsa – thank you so much for your support! <3 I hope you will keep me posted on your progress.
Hi – thanks for all your great articles! I have a question about fasting. I have Hashimoto’s but don’t have pre-diabetes or hypoglycemia. The Bahai’ Fast (no food or drink from sunrise to sunset) lasts for 19 days. Can I follow it, or should I abstain? Thanks.
Vered – thank you for reaching out. <3 While fasting can be beneficial in many cases, some caution is required for people with Hashimoto’s due to our blood sugar issues. Blood sugar imbalances are a big contributor to Hashimoto’s. Balancing blood sugar levels should be one of the priorities for anyone who is hoping to overcome autoimmune thyroiditis and adrenal fatigue. Balancing my blood sugar made a big difference for me, helping with my anxiety levels and reducing my thyroid antibodies. I hope this article helps shed some light on the matter:
BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/blood-sugar-imbalances-and-hashimotos
Thanks so much for this article. Very frustrating to search the internet only to find insulin resistance related to overweight and PCOs. I have insulin resistance, but not diabetic, thin and no PCOs, But I do have Hashimotos. Fasting blood sugars in the high 90s. You explain so well, what my endo has not. I can see now why he was worried about the insulin resistance. I will follow your suggestion and take my blood sugar every 30 minutes for 4 hours after breakfast today and present this to my endo next visit. He is very good, but sometimes has not many suggestions.
Jane – thank you so much for sharing your journey. ❤️ I’m so glad you are finding my research helpful and I hope you will keep me posted on your progress.