DR. IZABELLA WENTZ, PHARM D

Thyroid Pharmacist

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Hashimoto's & Your Blood Sugar

Blood Sugar Imbalances and Hashimoto’s

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One Thing People with Hashimoto’s Can Do Right Away to Feel Better

People often ask me if there was one thing that people with Hashimoto’s could do right away to feel better and that is balancing your blood sugar!! 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.

Before I balanced my blood sugar, I would get “hangry” (hungry +angry) multiple times per day as the high carbohydrate foods I was eating were making me have huge blood sugar swings. What I didn’t know, is that these swings were also weakening my adrenals and causing a spike in my thyroid antibodies.

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.

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, so, therefore, I thought that it meant that I was healthy. I recently had this conversation with an overweight family member who thought he was in the clear to eat sugar because he did not have diabetes. But you see, diabetes takes many years to develop, and impaired carbohydrate tolerance, insulin resistance, blood sugar swings, and hypoglycemia may be seen for many years before.

Researchers in Poland have found that up to 50% of patients with Hashimoto’s have an impaired tolerance to carbohydrates. This means that after consuming carbohydrate-rich foods, their blood sugar goes up too high, too quickly. This leads to a rapid, sometimes excessive release of insulin. These insulin surges can cause low blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia), which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nervousness, lightheadedness, anxiety, and fatigue.

Reactive hypoglycemia is a huge stressor for the adrenals!!

I am sure I was not the only person misled by the “low fat” labeling of foods and the prominent placement of carbohydrates as the base of the Food Pyramid. Fortunately, the new USDA MyPlate no longer encourages people to eat the equivalent of one loaf of bread on a daily basis. However, we still have a long way to go. During pharmacy school, we learned about nutrient requirements in our first-year Biochemistry course. I was shocked to learn that carbohydrates were not a required nutrient while fat was required for normal cell function! Based on my previous nutrition knowledge gathered from store displays, the USDA Food Pyramid and Subway commercials I was led to believe that carbohydrates were the most important and fats needed to be avoided.

This is evident by the number of people seen with diabetes, obesity, and chronic disease in the United States. Our fat-phobic society has been on a fat-free craze without the realization that excess fat does not turn into fat, it turns into a rather unpleasant case of diarrhea, while excess carbohydrates are stored as fat!

Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets. Thus, our current society is designed to produce an epidemic of people suffering from diabetes, obesity, and chronic diseases. Perhaps we need to redefine our recommendations to produce better results. What can you do in the meantime?

Learn About the Impact of Food on Your Blood Sugar

The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly food becomes assimilated into our bodies. You can also call it the “burn” rate—how quickly we burn the fuel we receive from these foods.

Carbohydrates have a very quick burn rate. They become assimilated very quickly into our bodies, which causes a rapid and high spike in blood sugar. After eating carbohydrates, we become hungry again after less than an hour.

Fat and protein have a slower burn rate. They become assimilated into our bodies more slowly and gradually and don’t raise blood sugar levels as quickly. They also keep us full longer. Assuming enough calories eaten to feel full, a person will be hungry again two to three hours after eating protein and four hours after eating fat.

Eating a low glycemic index diet helps with feeling fuller longer, improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improves cognitive performance, improves energy, and reduces acne. It also reduces your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and promotes weight loss for those who are overweight. Many people have also found their moods improve after balancing their blood sugar.

The following quick reference can make balancing your blood sugar much easier.

Type of Food Until You are Hungry Again
Protein 2-3 Hours
Fat 4 Hours
Carbohydrate 45 min-1hour

Balancing Blood Sugar Rules

  1. Include fat/protein with every meal: eggs, nuts, seeds, fish, meat.
  2. Eat every two to three hours at first. Snacks are great!
  3. No sweets before bed.
  4. Avoid fruit juice.
  5. Limit caffeine.
  6. Avoid all grains and dairy, soy, corn, and yeast.
  7. Eat breakfast within one hour of waking.
  8. Include snacks rich in protein/fat every two to three hours.
  9. No fasting.
  10. Cut out foods with a glycemic index above 55.
  11. Never skip breakfast.
  12. Always combine carbohydrates with fat or protein. Never exceed a 2:1 ratio of carb to protein.

You can save and print this image, and hang it on your fridge to refer to any time. 🙂

Some good snacks to consider may include: nuts, seeds, boiled eggs, homemade jerky, and protein shakes. Note: You may find that you are intolerant to some of these when you do the elimination diet, so do not invest in Costco-sized jugs just yet.

Rethink Your Breakfast

Typical SAD Breakfast – Bagel with cream cheese + orange juice + coffee with sugar

Happy Breakfast – Eggs and bacon + herbal tea with Stevia + avocado

Start journaling your symptoms and keep up as you begin to balance your blood sugar. You should notice that you will become calmer and will feel better within a week or so!

I hope this information helps you on your journey!

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Comments

  1. Hi. I am just so discouraged. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid/ Hoshimotos back in 2010. My Endo just gave me Synthroid and when I asked if there was anything I could do as far as eating to help with this thing that sounded so scary to me…He said no….This is your life eat what you want its no big deal. So I TRIED to live my life and have struggled severly. I have been challenged with severe anxiety for years on and off….I stopped eating gluten on Friday Oct. 3 2014 and the anxiety is horrible….I am not sleeping well….muscle spasms,crying,waking up with heart racing,loss of appitite and I feel like my blood sugar drops alot…I keep reading that it is withdrawal from gluten and that it will get better but I feel such the oposite…..Help!
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  2. Diane, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through all this. I went gluten free (due to celiac) 3+ yrs ago and experienced nothing like that. I felt so much better! I am not a Dr but it maybe that your thyroid levels are mucking around, possibly going hyper??. My Endo said the same to me… Diet does nothing :/. I took fructose, soy and other beans out of my diet and my tsh level dropped within a few days. I am not on any thyroid meds. Your diet may just be lacking essential vits and mins and. Wish there was something more I could say that would ease your mind, though I do think you should go to the Drs or see your Endo. Goodluck
    Reply

  3. I finally went to a functional medicine practitioner. When my blood tests came back I discovered (3) main things among others:
    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.
    Reply

  4. I too have eliminated gluten from my diet and have many of your symptoms. However, many of the symptoms, especially the muscle issues, may be due to mineral imbalances. I have completely eliminated my muscle problems and much of the anxiety by increasing my magnesium intake. The heart issues may well be due to fluctuations in your thyroid gland’s hormone production, causing your thyroid meds to be either too much or too little. I am still a work in progress and try to listen carefully to what my body is telling me.
    Reply

  5. Diane,
    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.
    Reply

  6. Diane,
    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.
    Reply

  7. Find a Functional Dr in your area. They are usually a Chiropractor. They are more knowledgeable about nutrition and how to help your body heal itself rather than mainstream medical Drs who are just glorified drug pushers, and the drugs don’t help but harm our bodies.
    Reply

  8. Diane, In the beginning I suffered with the same thing. It turned out my adrenal glands were struggling right along with my thyroid. This was diagnosed with a 24 hour saliva cortisol test. I did as Sarah said, I ate every 2-3 hours healthy fat and protein and eliminated sugar. I also stopped eating grains because it too turns to sugar in the body. I began to feel better but not overnight. It takes awhile to heal the adrenals. Also, stop exercising for now. It taxes the adrenals. Try mild walking which helps to burn the adrenaline in your system that may be causing the anxiety. My anxiety was horrible. Like over the top horrible. Just doing these few things helped things calm down. Sleep is extremely important so don’t be afraid to lay down during the day. Not sit down, but lay down. It makes a difference. Try investigating adrenal supplements like Drenamin from Standard Process. That helped me a lot. Hang in there. Try finding some support groups regarding adrenal fatigue and or hashimoto’s on Facebook where you can get a ton more information that agree’s with this book. Hugs
    Reply

  9. Kim, Wow, I thank you so much for replying to me..I hate that you had the same experiences and at the same time its a relief to know that someone else experienced the same things…….The anxiety is off the chain and it does not help when my sugar us dropping and that scares the heck out of me so then I am nervous about going places and feel horrible….so then creates more anxiety! My Naturopath Dr. had me do an adrenal saliva test and i am waiting on that to come back….she believes my adrenals are maxed out…..I hope that is the problem and I also feel that since going gluten free that I feel worse….but better in some ways like not as bloated and i am losing weight. I wish I could sleep! Thank you so much! When the sugar drops I have to drink a little bit of Orange juice ….the only carb I am eating is small amounts if is brown rice when I eat protein and veggies…this is so hard…please tell me this gets better….almost want to eat gluten again but I m not.
    Reply

  10. If you do Not have a gluten sensitivity then going GF will do you no good. My doctor told me the same thing yours did about not needing to change my diet. So, I read everything I can and have join several support groups and pages on FB. I am not a fruit eater so I make sure I eat more cooked veggies than i used to. I drink White tea insteaf of Green tea at home and everything else in Moderation. Hugs and never stop informing Yourself on this 😉
    Reply

  11. This is what I do: No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…vitamins/good oils, LDN, Vit D3, Vit C, zinc, fish oil, Mg citrate may help the immune system and cancer. HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic at night, Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind, MTHF folate, Nature’s plus- Source of life multiple may help and eating organic, getting sunlight/exercise/good water..not tap water with Cl/F, eating nothing in a box/bag/label. Hidden gluten may hurt….nuts not in a shell, meat basting, spices may have hidden gluten. LDN helps block hidden gluten. LDN gives energy…is like a miracle. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye…oats. GMO maybe corn/soy/canola oil.
    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/blog/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.
    Reply

  13. LDN is Low Dose Naltrexone which helps to block Celiac, but the Celiac is still needed since it is a low dose and a person can override it with what they eat. LDN may help block hidden gluten which maybe in all products almost. LDN is like a miracle as it heals the gut lining and helps more minerals absorb and help cells rebuild so the work right. LDN is awesome…helps brain/body/eyes/adrenal/liver/personality/brain/gut lining/helps the immune system and more. It costs about $1 a day from a compounding pharmacy..ask there to find doctor that gives it. Usually Alternative doctors give LDN, but some conventional doctors may help. LDN saves my life since hidden gluten may be hurting me…it keeps me going strong.
    Reply

  14. Dr Tom O’Bryan (gluten expert) quoted a study recently which showed that when people went on a gluten free diet they needed 50% less thyroid hormones than when eating gluten. As someone else mentioned, maybe your thyroid hormone dose is now too high and needs adjusting. Typical symptoms are anxiety, palpitations and feeling hot.
    Reply

  15. HI, No….thyroid got worse with more gluten contamination..went down a notch again. Millions of women may have a strange TSH…low, but thyroid stopped. The pituitary that makes TSH may also be hurt beside thyroid being hurt by gluten. MS people may get cooling suits instead of thyroid medicine. They get bedsores/infections…all due to low thyroid due to gluten etc.
    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.
    Reply

  16. Can Zinc supplements do the same thing? Seems like I develop hoarseness, head drainage, and sometimes heart rate increases (palpations) when I use Zinc.
    Reply

  17. HI, How much zinc? Detoxing may remove zinc. White marks on finger nails mean low zinc. A hair test shows zinc and other good mineral levels and heavy metals. An Alternative doctor or acupuncturist/chiropractor may offer hair tests or on Amazon. Zinc may remove excess fluid as it helps the thyroid hormone convert from T4 to T3. If you eat a lot of meat you may have enough zinc. Each person is different in what they need to take for supplements depending on how they eat and how their body works. Zinc helps the immune system and helps wounds heal etc. You may get enough zinc in a multiple vitamin maybe or from diet. You need to decide, but I could check with a hair test. Blood tests for zinc/Mg etc may not help since it is mostly in the tissues not the blood. Best wishes.
    Reply

  18. Your symptoms sound identical to what I went through about three years ago. I don’t know how old you are but I experienced this at the onset of menopause. I’ve was diagnosed with Grave’s disease in 1987, although one endo told me I may have Hashimoto’s…not sure but, regardless, I am on Synthroid (not the generic) and have been since the 90’s. Anyway, I did research on my own about hormone imbalance and came across info on magnesium. I had blood work done and was told I was definitely in peri menopause. Being desperate because I felt so out of control, I bought some magnesium and within 5 days, I felt normal. I’ve been on it ever since. I do not have the typical menopause issues that other women talk about…cross my fingers. Anyway, magnesium deficiency is a very common issue and affects your body systems tremendously. You may want to give it a try. Blood work will not reflect a deficiency…I cannot count on doctors giving any advice on vitamins, minerals, etc. to help a problem…they just don’t seem to pursue the natural route. I hope this helps and you can get to feeling better. Good luck. P.S. I read a lot of articles by Dr Mercola at mercola.com…very good information.
    Reply

  19. Hi, I need bioidentical hormones..estriol/progesterone/testosterone to be ok or blood pressure is like 90/50. The hormones help sleep/circulation/less saggy and baggy look and help constipation etc. Antibodies to the thyroid may cause 97% of thyroid issues. Synthroid may have gluten in it which may cause thyroid problems. LDN may help block hidden gluten. Zn/Se/enough iron/dairy free probiotic may help T4 convert to T3. I also need Amour thyroid in addition to generic Synthroid. The Synthroid gets me through the night so I only need thyroid medicine in the morning. I take 400mg of Mg citrate and it is in my Osteoprocare drink and green vegetables. Mg may help 350 chemical reactions. You maybe low in all minerals due to gluten hurting intestines so nutrients don’t absorb. Thyroid issues are usually due to gluten. Hair tests show good minerals levels and heavy metals. I need to detox heavy metals monthly. Blood tests for Mg and other vitamins may not be correct. Vit B12 tests may not work since green algae may have analogs to Vit B12. I am on Mercola.com, but recently his newsletter is not coming to me after I forwarded it to my sister. Best wishes.
    http://articles.mercola.com/members/Shasha/default.aspx
    Reply

  20. You should look for support groups on Facebook. There are many. Some more helpful than others. From what I’ve learned the symptoms you are describing are due to Hormones, Adrenals and Thyroid HAT. They all need to be at optimal levels for you to feel better. Try ‘Hypothyroid Advice & Support-A Group That Ensures Your Privacy’ on Facebook.
    Reply

  21. Diane, don’t give up, it took me about several months to get off all gluten because there was some in my T-3 compounded thyroid meds. There is also a part of wheat that is very close to codine and it can make it hard to give up wheat.
    Reply

  22. This is what I do…. Gluten can make antibodies to the thyroid and low nutrients absorbed in intestines so Mg may be low causing muscle spasms/heart racing. Crying be due to low Vit D3. Anxiety maybe due to low oxygen in the brain due to low Vit B12 methylcobalamin and gluten not allowing nutrients to absorb in intestines so cells are not made right to work right to burn oxygen. Not eating sugar may help blood sugar…lemon/lime/cranberry/rhubarb diluted so not so acid may help…are very low in sugar and avoid other sugar which may raise up blood sugar and then crash it. Chromium and other nutrients absorbed once no gluten may help blood sugar level.
    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.
    Reply

  25. This article is so great! It is me to a T, although I have only been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, not Hashimoto’s. I am so thankful to have a wonderful doctor who understands how all of these issues can be connected and is treating me accordingly, however there was a time when my previous GP thought I was crazy. I asked him if my low blood sugar/ anxiety/ stomach problems/ fatigue could all be related…. he told me no and said he’d increase my meds!! Thank you for posting this… knowledge is power!!
    Reply

  26. Hi, Most thyroid issues are due to gluten/Celiac so not eating gluten and also dairy/soy/sugar/GMO may help all brain/body issues along with vitamins/good oils, LDN, detoxing. Best wishes.
    Reply

  28. Diane, for some hypo/Hashimoto’s patients, eliminating carbs can cause an increase in reverse T3. You may be better off having some carbs but only whole grain and gluten free
    Reply

  29. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid this summer, thogh we’ve been tracking my levels and so far they aren’t at a place where I’m on any medication. I’ve eliminated gluten and soy and most corn but when I read about eliminating all grains, it worries me as I’m really thin (unusual for hypothyroid I know) and it’s always been hard for me to maintain a healthy weight. Is oatmeal (gluten free kind) and rice okay?
    Reply

  30. HI, Oats may depend on the person. Gluten free oats made my stomach bleed. Oats have avenin that may act like gluten in some people. Rice may have arsenic, but I eat it and later detox the arsenic with EDTA/DMPS IV chelations at an Alternative doctor. I eat no gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO. GMO corn may hurt the gut lining like gluten. GMO soy/canola oil may also hurt. Soy can block thyroid and is in many foods along with gluten contamination so I don’t eat anything in a box/bag/label. I drink reverse osmosis water instead of tap water that has Cl/F and eat organic and cook my own food except one restaurant that cooks special for me with own pan. Brice rice may have more B vitamins than white rice, but more arsenic too. I am trying to cut back on brown rice and try to eat a low sugar fruit instead. LDN may help heal the gut lining…then weight maybe good. Best wishes.
    Reply

  32. Hi, I take generic Synthroid and Amour in the morning. The Synthroid is like time release..gets me though the day/night as long as I take zinc and Se/iron is ok and dairy free probiotic is taken far from stomach acid which help T4 convert to T3. I take 3/4 of a .1 Synthroid and 1 1/4 of 30mg of Amour. It is hard to cut these, but worth it to feel well. Synthroid may have gluten it so generic kind maybe better. Gluten may cause thyroid issues and much more. No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…vitamins/good oils, LDN, Vit D3, zinc, fish oil, Mg citrate, Natures’ plus- Source of life multiple…HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic and Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind and MTHF folate and more help me. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye…oats. GMO maybe corn/soy/canola oil and more. You need to get free T4 and free T3 in range. TSH should not be used to decide thyroid issues. Best wishes.
    Reply

  33. Hi Isabella
    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?
    Reply

  34. Hi, I take Chromium picolinate sometimes if I eat more sugar. Hair tests show Cr and other mineral levels and heavy metals. Cr may help blood sugar, but not eating gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO and taking vitamins/good oils etc. may help more. Best wishes.
    Reply

  35. I’m so discouraged.
    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
    Reply

  36. HI, I take generic Synthroid and Amour in the morning. The Synthroid is like time release..gets me though the day/night as long as I take zinc and Se/iron is ok and dairy free probiotic is taken far from stomach acid which help T4 convert to T3. I take 3/4 of a .1 Synthroid and 1 1/4 of 30mg of Amour. It is hard to cut these, but worth it to feel well. Synthroid may have gluten it so generic kind maybe better. Gluten may cause thyroid issues. No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar…vitamins/good oils, LDN, Vit D3, zinc, fish oil, Mg citrate, Natures’ plus- Source of life multiple…HCl and enzymes with meals, dairy free probiotic and Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot/spray/under the tongue kind and more help me. Best wishes.
    Reply

  37. Diane. .my name is nikkisha. …I have the same issues as you…please lets link..I am on facebook…I follow dr Wentz. .in hypothyroid mom..my full name on facebook is Nikkisha Downes. ..hang in there ok
    Reply

  39. I agree with practically everything here and gain so much more information to try in gaining health back for myself and my family. Thanks! However, I disagree with one thing on this post. Breakfast. For some, it’s MUCH MORE HEALTHFUL for the body to fast daily. I struggled for 25 years trying off and on to eat a healthy breakfast as a means of improving weight and health. Of course 25 years ago I thought that was oatmeal, or toast. But now even if I eat a truly healthy breakfast without carbs, I feel lousy for hours. I’m hungry soon after. I eat more overall on ever day that I eat breakfast, and I am hungry all day on days I eat breakfast. When I don’t, I feel fantastic, energet
    Reply

  40. Yes…that is how I am also. I like to skip breakfast to wear off my food hangover and eat when I am hungry. I recently had to eat with an antibiotic for Lymes and ate breakfast today. Now I feel like I ate too much today and Lymes may grow more with more food. I like brunch and 4 pm supper. Best wishes.
    Reply

  42. HI, Dizzy can be due to low blood pressure due to low thyroid and low adrenals and gluten and eventually low sex hormones. I take bioidentical hormones to help me. I eat no gluten (wheat/barley/rye…oats) and no GMO corn/soy/canola oil. Gluten may make antibodies to the thyroid. Gluten/GMO may hurt the gut lining so less nutrients absorb.
    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.
    Reply

  43. Wendy,
    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?
    Reply

  44. Hi, 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.
    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.
    Reply

  45. Hi, TSH is not good to go by. The pituitary maybe hurt by gluten and not make TSH. No sleep can be due to low oxygen in the brain due to eating gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO. No sleep may make cortisol which may block thyroid and cause carb cravings. No sleep/anxiety/depression/panic/obsessing/suicidal thoughts can be due to low oxygen in the brain. Valerian may help sleep and taking a daily Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot or under the tongue kind or intrinsic factor kind or spray in the mouth or cream etc. The swallow kind of Vit B12 may not work if intrinsic factor is low due to gluten hurting the stomach lining that makes it. Exercise/sunlight/good water..not tap water…organic food/pure foods/cooking by scratch may help. Antidepression medicine may have Fluorine that blocks thyroid so weight gain. Amour thyroid may help or Thyro-gold. The drugs may be hurting you, making it worse.
    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.
    Reply

  46. I battled hypoglycemia my whole life and I was thin. Finally diagnosed with type 2 at age 34 🙁 This describes me perfectly. I feel like I’ve been in a battle with my own body for 38 years.
    Reply

  47. Hi, Eating gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO may cause Type 2 Diabetes. Eating sugar may make a person dizzy/tired/glycation and then low blood sugar and make more cravings for sugar. You can buy a glucose meter for Diabetic at Walmart to measure blood sugar. at different times of day and 2 hours after eating. Eating fructose..fruit sugar may also hurt besides regular sugar. Lemon/lime/rhubarb/cranberry…are low in sugar. I eat these diluted in water so the acid doesn’t hurt. Gluten (wheat/barley/rye…oats) may hurt the pancreas and other glands so they don’t work well. Hidden gluten maybe in boxes/bags/labeled food and nuts sold not in the shell or meat basting or some spices/restaurants/lotions/make up etc. LDN helps me block hidden gluten and I try to avoid it always.Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten…too much. Best wishes.
    Reply

  48. I have your book and read most of it and added a few of the supplements you reccommeded but I take so many supplements and eat a fairly clean diet already. I take armour thyroid for my hashimotos, but have to be careful because I have atrial fibrillation and heart rate can be escalated according to how much thyroid meds I take so I might not always be in the ideal range. I am in my 60’s and have been battling around 30 pounds for quite awhile and since menopaus and hashimotos I have found it impossible to lose the weight. I am gluten free and eat femented veggies take pro biotics etc. I don’t eat a lot and what I eat is free of chemicals only eat fresh organic foods. I am looking for a doctor in my area so that I can continue on the armour meds as I’m not longer seeing the doctor that wrote my prescription.
    Reply

  49. HI, Bioidentical hormones may help thyroid medicine work better…get into the cell. Coconut oil may help weight and LDN which helps to block hidden gluten. Best wishes.
    Reply

  50. After thyroiditis for two years I had my thyroid removed and I am having worse problems now. Cannot regulate it, I am on Armour, 2 30’s in am and 15 in pm–gained more weight, sleepy,dry brittle hair and nails, the same old feelings. Why
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  51. Hi, Taking Zinc/Se/enough iron/dairy free probiotic may help convert T4 to T3. You maybe on too much thyroid medicine and it maybe making reverse T3. No food/supplements should be taken 2 hours before or after thyroid medicine. Gluten may lower thyroid. No gluten may give 1000X more energy and feel younger. 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. 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.
    Reply

  52. Fantastic article. I’m a fellow hashi – gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, nut free, egg free, no nightshades, I could go on……on 2.5 grains armour – feel goodish but have a big problem I think with fructose and if I eat fruit at all I put in as much as 1lbs a day!!! Help, how can this be?
    Reply

  53. Hi, Fructose may hurt people…goes straight to fat and not energy and adds weight. Lemon/lime/cranberry/rhubarb may help diluted in water for fruit and avoid other fruit maybe. Amour 2X a day with zinc/Se/enough iron/dairy free probiotic…may help. Take thyroid medicine far from food or supplements…2 hours before or after..none of these when taking the thyroid medicine may help. . LDN may help block hidden gluten. Fructose hurts me also. Mercola articles on health may also help and blog. He has many articles about fructose. Best wishes.
    http://search.mercola.com/results.aspx?q=fructose
    Reply

  54. Hi there
    I am wondering how you know if you have a blood sugar imbalance. Are there any tests that you can /should do?
    Reply

  55. Hi, Eating gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO may cause Type 2 Diabetes. Eating sugar may make a person dizzy/tired/glycation and then low blood sugar and make more cravings for sugar. You can buy a glucose meter for Diabetic at Walmart to measure blood sugar. at different times of day and 2 hours after eating. Eating fructose..fruit sugar may also hurt besides regular sugar. Lemon/lime/rhubarb/cranberry…are low in sugar. I eat these diluted in water so the acid doesn’t hurt. Gluten (wheat/barley/rye…oats) may hurt the pancreas and other glands so they don’t work well. Hidden gluten maybe in boxes/bags/labeled food and nuts sold not in the shell or meat basting or some spices/restaurants/lotions/make up etc. LDN helps me block hidden gluten and I try to avoid it always.Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten…too much. Best wishes.
    Reply

  56. I have had Hashimoto’s for over 15 years now. While I have tried different approaches I am now gluten free. Dairy does not presently seem to be an issue but I use very small amounts. I have followed the Fat Flush Diet, which is unsweetend cranberry juice w/ stevia fruit smoothies, non GMO- non denaturized protein powder. I add green powder and fresh greens. Also clean protein, vegetables (low glycemic for the most part) and elimination of grains to find triggers.
    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.
    Reply

  57. Hi, Some people are ok with dairy once they stop gluten. When the tips of the villi regrow after gluten is stopped and make lactase to digest lactose some people can eat dairy again. My dairy issue is maybe due to the fat/casein. Each person is different.
    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.
    Reply

  58. Diane, had a hair analysis done. Very interesting as to the results, I am lacking in most minerals, especially, magnesium and phosphorus. You might want to try doing a hair analysis which will give you more information about your body
    Reply

  59. If low in minerals on hair test…can be due to gluten and GMO corn that can hurt the gut lining/intestines so nutrients are not absorbed. Gluten can make antibodies to the thyroid. Heavy metals on hair test may block chemical reactions in the body also. I need EDTA/DMPS IV chelations to remove heavy metals. Sea salt has 84 minerals…helps me and taking Mg/K/Zinc and eating 100% no gluten and GMO. Best wishes.
    Reply

  60. I am on my 3 rd try gluten free. Never felt like that so sorry. This time I realize it’s a lifestyle change. I am also not a doctor but I also think it’s your thyroid. I had to get off synthetic hormones. I started on armour in Jan last year. Don’t get me wrong I am still not where I need to be but a heck of a lot closer
    Reply

  63. Thank you for this, I like that you addressed the crying for no reason, I have had periods in my life where I cry for NO reason. Hard to do w/ kids & a job. I am gluten/dairy/egg, soy, nut, seed free & on synthroid & T3 . Trying to work w/ my T3 to get right dose as it’s causing extreme anxiety.
    Reply

  64. Hi, T3 is used up fast. I could not do Cytomel…made reverse T3. Thyro-gold may help. Amour thyroid has fillers that may hurt. GMO corn may hurt the gut lining. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye..oat may hurt like gluten with avenin. Hidden gluten may hurt and cause depression/crying. Low Vit D3 may cause S.A.D and crying for no reason. 5000IU of Vit D3 helped stop me from crying and going into the sunlight for a walk. Less then 5000IU and I cried and 5000IU…I laughed. I take bioidentical hormones..estriol/progesterone/testosterone which help now at menopause. Too much estriol may hurt. Taking Zinc may help balance copper. Hair tests show good minerals/heavy metals. Food in a box/bag/premade/level/restaurant etc may have hidden gluten. Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten. Nuts/seeds need to be sold in the shell to avoid hidden gluten on them. Allergies can be due to hidden gluten/gluten..due to leaky gut. Raw walnuts help my brain…but open shells and freeze them to keep them fresh. Best wishes.
    Reply

  66. Dianne. I was diagnosed about 4 yrs ago. Still struggling to improve. Had a set back in March when I accidentally ate some wheat crackers. Was Ill (all symptoms) for six weeks, got better for a week and then got shingles. Am improving tho. Hopefully will find an answer to more improved health soon. The reason. I’m replying is that I am gluten allergic and even had to quit coloring my hair, use gf soaps, shampoos, makeup (if it has vitamin e in it a lot of times it is wheat) Finally have given up corn completely. But, my daughter has also been diagnosed and she is not gluten sensitive, but she has fructose malabsorbtion and the only sweetener she can use is stevia or maple syrup. She is doing very well. We have to find our root cause, I think, before we can make a full recovery.
    Reply

  67. Hi Diane, I have thyroid disease also and no longer have a functional thyroid. I am 100% dependent on Synthroid. My Endo started me on a liquid synthroid called Tirosint, and I have felt much better. She said that it allows the synthroid to be absorbed into your system faster than the coated pills that are normally prescribed. You may want to try it. Also, I complement my diet with Isagenix; it is a nutritional cleanse program and has really changed my lifestyle and helped me with a lot of the issues you mention. Please reach out if you would like to chat.
    Reply

  68. Diane, if you are still feeling bad, I URGE you to google Dr. D’ Adamo and the Blood Type Diet. Find out what your blood type is. The website has an inexpensive test you can order to find out. Then follow that diet for your blood type to the T. You will start feeling better very soon. And go to UnkeyHealth.com and get their free catalog. Order their mutli vitamin. It is exceptionally good. Iron-free if you are post menopause. With iron if not. I care. I hope you feel good soon!
    Reply

  69. This is exactly how I felt when my synthroid dose was too much and caused me to be hyper. Going gluten free and getting the right dose of thyroid med will make a big difference. Make them recheck your TSH because it really does make you feel HORRIBLE!!! And it’s dangerous! I also have Hashimotos.
    Reply

  70. Go back to eating gluten. Just because gluten free is hip right now, it doesn’t mean it is right for you. Celiac and other digestive autoimmunes are greatly helped by gluten free because the gluten is actively harming them. If you don’t have that issue, gluten free may not be what is right for you. I would suggest checking your thyroid after going back on gluten (dietary changes–esp in your level of fiber can influence your thyroid levels)
    Reply

  71. HI, Gluten free is not a fad. Gluten is hurting most people, but few figure it out. Tests may not work to diagnose Celiac. Not eating gluten saved my life and suppresses my MS. Gluten can make antibodies to the thyroid. 97% of thyroid issues are due to gluten. Even microscopic gluten in nuts not sold in the shell/meat basting/some spices, food with a label and certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten. Eating pure foods and 100% no gluten may stop the destruction of the thyroid and brain/body fast.
    Reply

  72. Please check out Datis Kharrazian. Drknews.com oes lots of research and clinical work with Hashimoto patients. Dizziness, vertigo, fatigue when concentrating on projects, driving at night etc. can be signs of autoimmune attack on cerebellum. They have found huge numbers of Hashimoto patients also have molecular mimicry going on with Cerebellum.
    Reply

  73. HI, Yes…dizzy can be from many reasons. I had a friend with cerebellum issues. He died..didn’t get the help he needed. He may have been Celiac and had heavy metals in him and needed to detox. Lyme/coinfections can make a person dizzy. I had to crawl to the bathroom since I was banging into walls trying to walk. Antibiotics for Lyme may make a person dizzy and low Mg. I was dizzy due to low sex hormones also. I take bioidentical hormones now. I was so dizzy from gluten when I ate it that I had to lay down and almost could not drive. Too much sugar can make me dizzy also and then I know glycation is also happening. Thanks for the information. Happiness….
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  75. Hi, Flax may not convert into what is in fish oil in 80% of people. My brother got a rash and my son got red blotches on his legs and my MS got worse from Flax. I have not tried hemp. I just take fish oil and other good oils. See what I do on other comments.Best wishes.
    Reply

  76. Hi, Thanks for sharing such wealth of information. I have since gone gluten free . My diet consists largely of sweet potatoes, pumpkin and yellow yams and carrots.. Carrot and papayas and mangoes are heavily consumed including in juices. Could this contribute to the change in the colour of my palms? I have noticed this only since I cut out rice, flour, wheat, oats and their byproducts from my diet. I do not eat goitrogenous vegetables either since I have two small nodules on my thyroid glands.
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  77. Hi, Any orange vegetable will have beta carotene which people may not convert into vit A. I turn orange if I eat lots of carrots. I don’t mind. It is not jaundice, but looks like a tan. People need a rainbow of colors of food…not too much of one kind like orange vegetables. Gluten etc may hurt intestines so now you may absorb more nutrients. Vit A is fat soluble..needs fat to absorb. I eat broccoli etc cruciferous family, but cooked…is healthy for me. Nodules/cysts maybe due to low iodine/iodide. Genova has vitamin tests and hair tests show minerals. Iodine is on the hair tests. An acupuncturist or chiropractor or Amazon or Alternative doctor may have hair tests. Eating a variety of food is good and colors. Best wishes.
    Reply

  78. i also have Hashmitos/hyposthyroidsm and recently been diagnosis with type2 diabetes now. they have me back on my thryroid meds and i am on Metformin and insulin. i took myself off my meds by my own choice for 2yrs. what can you tell me about the link to Diabetes and Thyroid disease? what can i else can i do.
    Reply

  79. Hello: Can someone explain why fasting is a problem (and supply a possible link with studies). Is it just until blood sugar starts to stabilize or is it bad in general? Cheers
    Reply

  80. HI, Fasting may raise cortisol levels…which may lower thyroid. I may not eat sometimes until allergies/sugar level come down… tells me I am hungry. Fasting 12 hours may help reset insulin receptor sites. Oregon grape root may help lower blood sugar and Ceylon cinnamon.
    Reply

  81. Hi, Diabetes can be due to Celiac. Gluten may hurt glands..thyroid/pancreas etc. Lyme may also hurt glands and made my blood sugar go up. No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO and taking vitamins/good oils, LDN, detoxing may help. Oregon grape root may help lower blood sugar. Synthroid/Amour may help since gluten may make antibodies to the thyroid/ Zinc/Se/enough iron/probiotic may help T4 convert to T3. Any hidden gluten may still make antibodies to the thyroid and hurt glands more. Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten…too much. Nuts not sold in shells/meat basting/some spices/food in a box/bag/label/restaurants may have hidden gluten. Lemon/lime/cranberry diluted in water may help…lower in sugar. Dangerous Grains/Wheat Belly/Grain Brain books are good also. See my other comments. Best wishes.
    Reply

  82. Hi, LDN may lower heavy metals and block hidden gluten. Certified gluten free may have 20ppm of gluten…too much. Anxiety can be due to low oxygen due to gluten/dairysoy/sugar/GMO. The liver may build up heavy metals in Celiac people. Hair tests show good minerals/heavy metals. Serrapeptase may help unclog blood vessels..taken once a week maybe and 2000mg of fish oil daily may help thin blood..help brain/body work better/help the immune system. Orange juice may raise blood sugar, but crash it again. Lemon/lime in good water may help..is low in sugar. Detoxing by Far Infrared Sauna may help lower toxins/heavy metals. Best wishes.
    Reply

  83. I have a (large) multinodular goiter. Biopsy was negative-they are just “watching”. I have never been officially diagnosed w/ Hashimotos or even hypothyroid. But I understand per Dr Alan Christianson, that if you have a goiter, it’s a given that you have Hashi’s? My only symptoms are fatigue and difficulty losing weight (am definitely insulin resistant). Have been off gluten for years and eat only low starch veggies & organic protein. No milk other than half n half in my organic decaf coffee. I do eat raw cheese and drink red wine occasionally. My mainstream endo will not run the tests I want even though she’s considered “the best” in my area, and I cannot find one who will. Does anyone know a functional doc or alternative endo in Maryland that could help with these issues? It’s very difficult to find alternative docs in the greater Baltimore area. Thanks in advance.
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  84. Hi, You may have low thyroid. Iodine/iodide may help also. Low sugar fruit..lemon/lime/cranberry/rhubarb…diluted in water may help. I went 10 years without fruit, but started to get precancer which went away when I ate fruit. Ask at a health food store or chiropractor or acupuncturist for the name of an Alternative/Integrative doctor. Endo may not help…go by numbers on tests, but TSH may not show always the problem since the pituitary may not make TSH. LDN is great help for me …blocks hidden gluten and helps the immune system. Best wishes.
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  85. I was just diagnosed with Hypothyroid (after trying to get a diagnosis for almost 4 years). I’m on a lot of vitamins to try and get my blood work more normal. I’m exhausted all the time. My appetite is not normal. I don’t know what type of food I should be eating. I’ve been gluten free for several months since I am gluten intolerant. I don’t eat meat because 3 years ago I had a bad case of food poisoning from meat and I just haven’t had the appetite for it. I don’t know if I should be eating AIP or Paleo but meat doesn’t appeal to me. I need to get my system back on track. I’m trying to find an endo in my area but I can’t keep going on like this. I should be enjoying my marriage instead I’ve been sick since we’ve been married. I feel like I’m deteriorating each year. I have brain fog, constipation, acne, anxiety, no patients. My anxiety and patience is running out. I feel like I’ve lost myself. I don’t know what to do. I want to get my diet back on track because I feel like if I can start to heal my gut, I can start to heal myself. If anyone can help, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you so much. I want to feel better.
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  86. Hi, Low thyroid can be due to gluten. Hidden gluten may hurt. Eating no food with a label…only eat organic pure foods may help. Endo may not help. Alternative doctors/chiropractors etc may help with nutrition/Celiac diet. I don’t eat meat…saturated fat hurts me. But meat has iron/zinc/B vitamins/Vit B12/protein. I need Vit B12 methylcobalamin..not oral kind unless it has intrinsic factor with it. Iron bisglycinate may help if finger nails are pale. White mark on finger nails maybe due to low zinc. Ridges on finger nails may mean you are absorbing in intestines enough. LDN is awesome…helps heal the gut lining and give energy and much more. See what I do. Mercola site may also help. Best wishes. What I do for my Celiac. (short form): No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO and vitamins/good oils, LDN and detoxing help me. Vit D3 5000IU, zinc 50mg if detoxing, fish oil 2000mg, 20000mg of evening primrose oil. 2000 mg of lecithin, Phosphatidylserine/DMAE or krill oil, Coenzyme Q10, Rhodiola, Mg citrate 400mg, 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/thyroid/ and more 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. Coenzymated B vitamins far from synthetic kind make make me calm. 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. Certified gluten free food may have 20ppm of gluten…too much. 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, Far Infrared Sauna 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/heal the gut lining and help the immune system, but the Celiac diet is still needed. 100% no gluten..no hidden or microscopic gluten may help. Cutting back on gluten or cheating by eating gluten hurts the immune system. It may take 1 1/2 months to heal the gut lining after getting hidden gluten. Amour thyroid has some T3 and Calcitonin. Synthroid is only T4..may not convert to T3. Zn/Se/enough iron/strong probiotic may help convert T4 to T3 for thyroid.
    Reply

  87. Root Problem: non stop hypoglycemia, with all that entails. My hashi’s was due to a nasty bout of adult Epstein Barr virus at 33. Thyroid failed over a 2 month period. First hyper, then suddenly hypo. Thyroid ultrasound shows a swiss cheese appearance. Antibodies too. At the time, I was very fit, I suddenly went from normal food tolerance to an nearly uncontrollable hypoglycemic in what seemed like one day. As my thyroid levels plummeted. (offset by synthroid) Suddenly, I needed to eat all the time, to avoid a blood glucose of 55. Two months before, it was not a problem and I did not have multiple daily bouts of hypoglycemic fatigue. We can talk about the necessary low carb diet. But we are not addressing the root problem. Hashimoto’s CAUSES these problems and the problem IS NOT resolved by Synthroid, Armour, Cytomel or other thyroid replacement therapy. Regardless of TSH levels, T3, T4 or other levels. It is truly a complex disease, it’s not fully understood and therefore, cannot be properly treated. Nearly 20 years later, I’m a health disaster, despite super human effort on my part. My current diet consists of just protein chix breast, fish filet or lean pork, with just a tiny touch of fat thrown in. It’s calorie deficient, and I remain tired. It’s the only way for me to avoid becoming fat. Anything else sends me into an insulin reaction my body can’t stand. My current exercise routine includes daily 3/4 hour of maximal weights, plus at least 1/2 hour of maximal effort cardio. You’d think I’d be fit, not even close. Yet without such effort, my body fails rapidly and I can’t stand that. Funny thing, I’m not alone. Every true hashi’s sufferer I know has the same issues.
    Reply

  88. HI, I had Epstein Barr and now have MS due to Celiac. I also recently got Lyme since my immune system is down. Maybe your pancreas is hyper like thyroid can be at first and will later change to the opposite. I had a friend eat mostly meat when she had Lyme. Lyme caused me to be like Type 2 Diabetic when it lowered Mg which is needed to make insulin. A hair test shows minerals/heavy metals. Alternative doctors may help. Genova tests show vitamins/allergies/hormones etc. People need fruit/veg to be healthy. Lemon/lime/cranberry/rhubarb are low sugar. Vegetables are needed. Eating things high in sugar may cause sugar to rise and then drop even more. Eating low sugar may help. I eat an Asian/Celiac diet. Maybe you have Lyme/coinfections. Epstein bar may reactivate. Lyme may hurt mitochondria and thyroid. Igenex test may help for Lyme test. Best wishes. What I do for my Celiac. (short form): No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO and vitamins/good oils, LDN and detoxing help me. Vit D3 5000IU, zinc 50mg if detoxing, fish oil 2000mg, 20000mg of evening primrose oil. 2000 mg of lecithin, Phosphatidylserine/DMAE or krill oil, Coenzyme Q10, Rhodiola, Mg citrate 400mg, 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/thyroid/ and more 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. Coenzymated B vitamins far from synthetic kind make make me calm. 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. Certified gluten free food may have 20ppm of gluten…too much. 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, Far Infrared Sauna 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/heal the gut lining and help the immune system, but the Celiac diet is still needed. 100% no gluten..no hidden or microscopic gluten may help. Cutting back on gluten or cheating by eating gluten hurts the immune system. It may take 1 1/2 months to heal the gut lining after getting hidden gluten. Amour thyroid has some T3 and Calcitonin. Synthroid is only T4..may not convert to T3. Zn/Se/enough iron/strong probiotic may help convert T4 to T3 for thyroid.
    Reply

  89. Thank you for posting this today! I have been struggling with Hashimoto’s for about 15 years. It has truly turned me into a shell of the person I once had been. I have made many dietary changes over the years eliminating gluten, dairy, soy, corn, ect. I have been feeling better in the past couple years, as close to normal as I can be. I finally saw a specialist that was able to clear the brain fog, which was a godsend! I have most recently been struggling with reactive hypoglycemia, which has been difficult with my already limited diet! I thank you so much for sharing this infrormation today, the timing could not have been better!
    Reply

  90. HI, Lemon/lime/cranberry/rhubarb maybe ok….low in sugar. Mg, Cr may help. When I got Lyme that lowers Mg I felt like Type 2 Diabetic. Hair tests show good minerals and heavy metals. Eating sugar may cause blood sugar to go up and then down fast and crash. Oregon grape root one time a day may help blood sugar. Best wishes.
    Reply

  92. HI, Talk to a Health food store in your area for the name of an Alternative/Integrative doctor. They may know a good person to go to. Best wishes.
    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  94. Yes…Brewers yeast may hurt some people. I am allergic to it as seen on an allergy test. If you grow yeast in your body due to sugar/starch etc..then Brewer’s yeast may also grow maybe. Best wishes.
    Reply

  95. How long should you be off gluten to see a difference in your blood work? Takes how long to be out of your system so to say? Also, how harmful is it for someone if they go back and forth- off gluten & sugar, then on again, etc. It can’t be good. I know it’s messing with their body and they will truly feel it physically, but can it cause harm and do anything that’s dangerous to them? Thank you!
    Reply

  96. 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.

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  99. 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

    Reply

  100. 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!!

    Reply

  101. 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?

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  102. 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.

    Reply

  103. 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?

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  104. 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

    Reply

  105. 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!

    Reply

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