Because dietary changes made such a great impact on my own recovery from Hashimoto’s, I have been a big advocate of using food as a tool to heal from autoimmune conditions. I’ve also seen the healing potential that comes from removing problematic foods (goodbye, gluten!) and uncovering food sensitivities.
It’s no surprise, then, that as the importance of food and diet in the treatment of a multitude of illnesses becomes more and more widespread, people are asking more and more questions about what kind of diet they should be eating to treat their own conditions.
While I definitely believe that there are certain food guidelines that will apply to the majority of people with Hashimoto’s, I do want to stress that diet is not a “cure-all” and there is no one-size-fits-all way of eating that will apply to everyone. We are all unique, with our own root causes, and we will have to do some experimenting to find the diet that makes us each feel best.
My goal is to share what I have learned over the years, through my own journey to find the diet that helped me put my own Hashimoto’s symptoms in remission, as well as through working with and hearing from thousands of other people with thyroid disease over the past several years.
In this article, I’d like to share some of the common questions I hear from people about diet and Hashimoto’s, including:
- Does going gluten free affect thyroid antibodies?
- How do I test for dairy sensitivities?
- How do FODMAPs affect Hashimoto’s?
- What are low oxalate and low histamine diets?
- Can I lose weight if I have Hashimoto’s?
- …and more!
What is the difference between Paleo and Autoimmune Paleo (aka AI Protocol, or AIP) diets?
The traditional Paleo diet is a classic elimination diet that focuses on omitting the foods that people are commonly sensitive to, in an effort to lower inflammation. It eliminates all grains (including buckwheat and rice), beans, legumes, and processed foods; and replaces them with nutrient dense foods such as organic or grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, organic vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds, eggs from pasture-raised hens and, depending on who you ask, dairy.
Although the Paleo diet has helped some people with Hashimoto’s recover completely, I have found that the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet can be even more helpful, based on 75 percent of my readers and clients who reported a significant symptom reduction—and almost 40 percent who saw a reduction in thyroid antibodies—with this dietary protocol!
The Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet takes Paleo one step further and avoids:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Soy
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Seaweed and other sea vegetables*
- Sugars (including honey, maple syrup, and agave)
- Processed foods
- High glycemic index foods
- All nuts and seeds (except coconut)
*I recommend avoiding sea vegetables because of their high iodine content, which may exacerbate autoimmune thyroid disease.
For more information, please read my articles on the Autoimmune Paleo diet and Paleo diet.
I have been gluten free for one year and have not seen a difference in my TPO levels. What should I do?
If a person does not see a reduction in thyroid antibodies after removing gluten, it is likely that they are sensitive to other foods, and/or have other unaddressed root causes, that go beyond diet.
A good place to start is to try an elimination diet. In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances a person may have. Going through an elimination diet will help identify individual food triggers and specific responses to each trigger food.
During the elimination diet, the most common problematic foods are eliminated, then added back in, one at a time, while one looks out for reactions to each food and writes them down. It is one of the best ways to determine which foods are necessary to eliminate to begin to feel better and reduce thyroid antibodies. In addition to the most common offenders (gluten, dairy, soy), some people may need to eliminate less commonly problematic foods that they have developed a sensitivity to (such as avocado or coconut). Finding the foods that are causing problems may involve some trial and error, but it’s worth the process.
To dig a little bit deeper, it is possible that a gut infection is to blame for elevated antibodies, in which case, further testing and protocols will be needed.
If I’ve given up gluten, can I ever reintroduce it?
Generally, with Hashimoto’s, most people should remain gluten free long-term. That said, I have seen some people who have been able to reintroduce foods and seemingly don’t have any adverse reactions to gluten. In other cases, some people claim not to react to gluten, but have obvious gluten-related symptoms like joint pain, anxiety and Hashimoto’s flare ups; and are in denial that gluten could be a trigger for them.
If gluten sensitivity is caused by an imbalance of gut bacteria, in theory, replenishing the beneficial bacteria could deem gluten sensitivity reversible. Some individuals have reported no longer reacting to gluten after taking the Megaspore probiotic.
I’m still studying the phenomenon of reducing gluten reactions and improving digestion (maybe a book in 2022?), and I’m hoping to get to the bottom of it. Personally, I have been able to reintroduce most foods back into my diet after working on healing my gut. However, I still avoid gluten and dairy, as they are the most problematic foods for me, as well as for most people with Hashimoto’s that I have worked with.
I don’t suffer from typical dairy-related symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, acid reflux, acne, or sinus issues, but is it still possible that I may have a dairy intolerance?
Not everyone will experience the same symptoms after consuming dairy. The best way to find out is by eliminating dairy for 2-3 weeks, and then adding it back in again and watching for reactions up to 4 days after consumption. Dairy protein reactions are pretty common in those with Hashimoto’s, but it’s possible that not everyone will have the same type of immune reaction to dairy products.
Some people with Hashimoto’s may present with a celiac-like intolerance, or an IgA reaction, to milk proteins (whey and/or casein), egg proteins (ovalbumin), or soy proteins.
An IgA food intolerance works primarily in the intestines. It is an abnormal response of the intestines to certain foods in genetically predisposed individuals and results in irritation and inflammation of the intestinal tract every time that particular food is ingested. The long term result is damage to the intestines and an eventual inability to absorb nutrients. IgA food intolerances often present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, loose stools, constipation, malabsorption of nutrients from foods, and increased intestinal permeability and IBS. IgA intolerances may also cause acid reflux, nausea, skin rashes, acne, respiratory conditions such as asthma, nasal congestion, headaches, irritability, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Another type of reaction that is common for people with Hashimoto’s is due to the fact that the proteins in cow’s milk are different than those found in human milk. A person with intestinal permeability (which is always a precursor to autoimmune disease) is likely to recognize these proteins as a foreign invader and make antibodies to protect against them.
These antibodies are mediated by the IgG branch of the immune system, sometimes called a Type IV Delayed Hypersensitivity reaction. They are generally less severe compared to IgA-mediated reactions. Eating foods that stimulate the release of the IgG antibodies and promote a Type IV Delayed Hypersensitivity response will also increase thyroid antibodies. Therefore, many people with Hashimoto’s will experience an increase in thyroid antibodies and related symptoms when consuming dairy.
Symptoms of an IgG reaction to dairy can be similar to those related to IgA reactions. Many people report respiratory symptoms clearing once dairy is removed from their diets.
I would recommend first trying an elimination diet by removing dairy for a period of time, followed by IgA and IgG testing. You can also read more about my own experience with dairy and Hashimoto’s.
You mentioned gut repair is the most important thing in Hashimoto’s – why is that when Hashimoto’s is a thyroid condition?
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that happens to affect the thyroid. The gut is where the immune system lives, so restoring gut function is key to overcoming autoimmunity.
I first came across the gut-autoimmune thyroid connection when I was trying to figure out my personal underlying triggers. I was suffering from constant bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (alternating constipation and diarrhea), stomach aches, and frequent acid reflux when I came across the work of Dr. Alessio Fasano.
Dr. Fasano uncovered the three-legged stool of autoimmunity and has revolutionized the approach to autoimmune disease. According to his research, there are three things that need to be present for an autoimmune condition to develop…
- The genetic predisposition
- A triggering agent
- Intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut
While most doctors have relegated autoimmune disease to genes and have maintained that once triggered, the process cannot be reversed, Dr. Fasano found that upon removing the intestinal permeability and/or trigger, an autoimmune condition will go into remission!
Optimizing gut function is one of the crucial steps in optimizing immune system and thyroid function, and I’ve found that addressing leaky gut can help a person turn their health around within a short amount of time, even if they have been struggling with symptoms for many years.
Which form or source of protein is best?
Proteins are used within the body to build and repair cells and tissues, and to fuel the fight or flight response. People with chronic illness actually need more protein in their diet to help support greater repair demands. When you think of protein, think of your body getting more raw fuel to create thyroid hormones, patch up the leaks in your intestines, and repair your joints, skin, hair and nails.
Everybody is different, and what works for one person may not work for the next, but protein from animal meat is usually less reactive than non-meat protein sources like dairy, gluten-containing grains, soy, nuts, or eggs. I generally recommend that most people with Hashimoto’s get their protein from meat sources at the volume of about 1-1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (roughly 0.5 grams per pound of body weight).
In addition to getting protein from foods, it may also be helpful to obtain protein from protein powder. As people with Hashimoto’s often have deficiencies in digestive enzymes, they may have trouble extracting protein and various nutrients from the foods that they’re eating. Because it has already been broken down into fine form and separated from other ingredients, protein from powder is generally easier to digest than protein from foods.
The problem with most varieties of protein powder on the market, however, is that they often contain dairy and/or soy, which are highly reactive foods in many of those with Hashimoto’s.
The three types of protein powders I’ve found to be the most likely tolerated by people with Hashimoto’s are: hydrolyzed beef protein, pea protein, and hemp protein. Pea protein and hemp protein are plant based proteins. However, while generally well tolerated, they are not complete proteins (they don’t contain all essential amino acids), and hemp protein may be problematic for some people with estrogen dominance concerns. Of the three, hydrolyzed beef protein is the best tolerated.
After many years of encouragement from my readers, I finally developed my own line of protein powders to provide an easily absorbed protein source for people with Hashimoto’s, including:
- AI Paleo Protein – made from unflavored hydrolyzed beef
- Paleo Protein – Vanilla – made from hydrolyzed beef, with natural flavoring
- Paleo Protein – Chocolate – made from hydrolyzed, with natural flavoring
- Organic Pea Protein – Vanilla – made from organic peas, with natural flavoring
What are FODMAPs and how do they affect Hashimoto’s?
FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) are found in foods such as wheat, soy and other legumes, certain fruits and vegetables, dairy, and sweeteners such as fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
The low FODMAP diet is considered an effective nutritional therapy for certain digestive disorders, including Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO. One small study reported that about 50 percent of people with hypothyroidism have SIBO. SIBO can be a root cause of Hashimoto’s and can lead to intestinal permeability and irritable bowel syndrome.
Symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation are common in SIBO, and may be exacerbated by eating foods that contain FODMAPs.
By removing foods high in FODMAPs, this diet essentially cuts off the food supply to the bacteria that may be growing out of control in the intestines. The Low FODMAP dietary approach has been shown to be potentially effective in treating symptoms of SIBO-induced IBS, and about 39 percent of people with Hashimoto’s reported feeling better on a low FODMAP diet.
Read this article for more information on SIBO and FODMAPs.
How do I lose weight with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism?
Weight gain is a common symptom of thyroid disease, as your thyroid, adrenals and nutrient levels each play a big role in unexpected weight gain. There are many areas to address if you are trying to lose weight with Hashimoto’s, but here are a few things to consider when starting your health journey:
- What were your recent TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may be impaired, making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2 μIU/mL.
- What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with a T4/T3 combination vs. T4 alone. Some also do not convert T4 properly.
- What type of diet are you eating? 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 per serving! 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 Paleo diet, the Autoimmune Paleo diet (AIP), and gluten free diets. For more information about finding the right diet for you, please take a look at this article about the best diet for Hashimoto’s. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.
For more strategies, please read my article on losing weight with Hashimoto’s.
Should I follow a set macronutrient ratio?
I don’t recommend a set macronutrient ratio (carbohydrates/fats/proteins) for everyone. Instead, I often advise people to experiment with their fat to protein to carb ratios, to find the way of eating that works best for their individual bodies and lifestyles. Some people who are more active may benefit from higher levels of protein.
Others who are dealing with brain fog, pain, depression or hormonal imbalances may benefit from more fats. For most people with Hashimoto’s, I do recommend keeping carbohydrates lower to help balance blood sugar. However, everyone will need to adjust their diet to their individual needs, and those needs may change.
Can I ever eliminate my food sensitivities and reintroduce foods?
While eliminating potentially problematic foods in order to address food sensitivities is often times an important step towards healing, the good news is that many of the foods can be added back into your diet someday. Once the sensitizing foods have been removed from your body, your gut is given the chance to begin the healing process. When the immune response to that particular food has subsided (this can take up to 6 months), and gut health has been restored, you can try reintroducing the food and note how your body responds. I recommend going slow and allowing at least 4 days between reintroduced foods to observe if you have any reactions.
Gluten and dairy, however, are two foods that most people with Hashimoto’s will need to eliminate for the long haul. Even after I healed my own gut and reintroduced all other previous food sensitivities, I continue to avoid gluten and dairy. A small number of people will be able to tolerate reintroducing those foods, however, and you can test them for yourself by trying a small portion and noting what reactions you have.
What about the low histamine, low oxalate, and Candida diets in conjunction with the AIP/Paleo diets?
Low oxalate diet: There is some evidence that oxalates, substances that are found in some foods, and are also waste products made by our bodies and excreted through our kidneys, may play a contributing role in Hashimoto’s. While a standard diet takes in about 250 mg of oxalates, a low oxalate diet may offer some people relief from symptoms. When following a low oxalate diet, consuming under 100 mg is recommended, but under 50 mg is ideal, unless your doctor suggests otherwise.
Oxalate sensitivity should be suspected if, in addition to a thyroid condition like Hashimoto’s or Graves’, you experience joint pain, pain in the body, burning with urination (interstitial cystitis), burning with bowel movements, depression, or kidney stones. Please see my article on oxalates and Hashimoto’s for more information on how to incorporate a low oxalate diet into your current diet.
Candida diet: Candida diets can be similarly helpful for people with Hashimoto’s, as Candida yeast overgrowth is a potential trigger for Hashimoto’s. Candida is a form of yeast that is naturally found in a person’s mouth, intestines, and for women, the vaginal tract. The problem occurs when there is an imbalance between Candida and other microorganisms in the body that can turn Candida into an opportunistic fungal infection that can overgrow and cause permeability to the intestinal tract.
Symptoms of Candida overgrowth include fatigue, bloating, gas, belching, diarrhea or constipation, endometriosis, infertility, mood swings, insomnia, bad breath, pain in muscles or joints, weakness, brain fog, and vaginal burning or itching.
A Candida diet works to starve the fungus by cutting out simple carbohydrates in addition to nuts, seeds, grains, corn, mushrooms, potatoes, fruits, dairy, and alcohol. For more information about the types of Candida diets that may work for you, please read my article on Candida and Hashimoto’s.
Low histamine diet: Because high histamine levels can be caused by SIBO and intestinal permeability (or leaky gut), there is a population of people with Hashimoto’s who might find some relief by trying a low histamine diet.
Histamines are an inflammatory response in the body that can be a reaction to a range of substances that the body perceives as an attack. For some, this appears as seasonal allergies, while others might experience food allergies. If you don’t break down the histamine properly, your body can develop an intolerance to histamines. Common symptoms include headaches/migraines, insomnia, hypertension, vertigo or dizziness, accelerated heart rate, difficulty regulating body temperature, anxiety, nausea, abdominal cramps, skin flushing, nasal congestion, sneezing, difficulty breathing, hives, fatigue and tissue swelling.
By avoiding foods high in histamine, most people are able to overcome their histamine intolerances after a period of time and add these foods back into their diet. High histamine foods include alcoholic beverages, fermented foods, vinegar, cured meats, dried fruits, citrus, aged cheese, some nuts, avocado, spinach, tomatoes, eggplant and certain species of fish.
Is there anything I can do dietary-wise to feel better?
Absolutely! I have written extensively on dietary approaches to feeling better and putting Hashimoto’s into remission, as I have seen it work so well in my own body, and with thousands of clients.
A great place to start is with eliminating food sensitivities. This might mean trying an elimination diet to cut out possible problematic foods. (Gluten-containing grains, dairy, corn and soy tend to be the worst offenders.) Many people will feel better by simply taking these highly irritating foods out of their diet. The next step would be to do some food sensitivity testing to find the hidden foods that you are intolerant to.
A further step would be to work on balancing blood sugar by eating a diet high in healthy fats and protein, while reducing sugar and carbohydrate intake. The Autoimmune Paleo diet is a great diet to start with, as it focuses on foods like non-starchy vegetables, low glycemic index fruits, and meats. You can also read my article on finding the best diet for you.
Where can I get more information about diet and Hashimoto’s?
While I do believe that foods can be used to heal, I want to reiterate that I don’t believe there is a “one-size-fits-all-diet” that will be a cure-all for everyone. You will need to experiment with different protocols to find what works for you.
However, because I have found that there are many protocols that have worked well for a large number of people with Hashimoto’s, I have put together many resources for my readers in hopes that you, too, can find the resources you need to feel better again. I encourage you to search the Thyroid Pharmacist website, where I have hundreds of articles on diet and Hashimoto’s.
My book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, contains a clear action plan for healing from Hashimoto’s, including many dietary protocols that you can begin implementing immediately. I’ve also created a cookbook which I released in March 2019 that digs further into my dietary philosophy and contains over a hundred recipes to help you thrive as you heal. You can check it out here.
It’s also important to remember that sometimes we have to dig deeper to find our root causes. While the symptoms you are experiencing could mean that you are having a reaction to foods, they could also mean that you have deficiencies in nutrients or digestive enzymes, or you have other root causes like intestinal infections, toxicities or an impaired ability to handle stress. It’s easy to get stuck on the idea that “diet can heal everything”, and that if we remove more foods, we’ll be healed—but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes we have to dig deeper to get to our root cause before we start to feel better.
As always, I am here to support you on your health journey and hope that some of these resources help you find the diet and interventions that will make you feel better. Feel free to ask your own questions about diet and Hashimoto’s in the comments below, or on my Facebook page!
P.S. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my Root Cause book for free by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.
Note: Originally published in November 2015, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.
When you say to eliminate sugar, do you also mean natural sugars like raw honey, pure maple syrup, and dates? Thank you!!
Jessica – thank you for following this page. The most common triggers in Hashimoto’s are nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), stress, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins and in some cases, infections. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey.
I’ve found that recognizing and eliminating reactive foods can be a life-changer for most people with Hashimoto’s.
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 that 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!
BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism
TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs
DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/got-hashimotos-you-may-want-to-reconsider-dairy
Apologies Dr Wentz, I didn’t understand your reply to Jessica. It’s unclear from the Liver Protocol ( just reading your book ) whether naturally occurring sugar is also to be eliminated. For example, you are recommending Maple Syrup in one of the recipes.
Andreas – thank you for reaching out. On my liver protocol, maple syrup is allowed in moderation.❤️ If you have any other questions about the protcols please feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help.
Hi. I have severe nut allergies. How can I work around this? I’m trying to cut out some of the foods that are issues and replace them with better ones….but I can’t do any type of tree nut or peanut. Yes I know peanuts are lygomes, but because of the family history where we have both allergies, I was told to also avoid peanuts even though my testing showed mild sensitivity to them. So I’m sort of stuck as to how to get around this issue.
Thanks
Sheryl
Sheryl – thank you for following this page. You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey. I’ve built a database of 300+ paleo and autoimmune paleo Root Cause Approved recipes. The software allows you to customize your weekly menu and grocery store list by aisle. I hope you check it out: http://rootcauserecipes.com/
When my TPO antibody test came back 1900, I had symptoms of heat intolerance like hot flashes (I’m a senior) and a very sick/nauseous feeling for 5 months – doing better now. Why haven’t I heard more about these symptoms? Are they rare?
Eileen – thank you for following this page. People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.
THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/
Hi Dr Wentz. I am interested in buying your diet books. Are they available in the UK too? Thanks
Elli T
Elli – Thank you so much for your support! You can purchase my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, from Amazon through this link: https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/006257129X
You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out: http://rootcauserecipes.com/
My tpo antibodies were 15 Ul/ml, my doctor told me there was nothing I could do. I said oh just wait until im in full hashi’s. Where should I start to overcome this?
Angelina – thank you for reaching out. 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
Hi Dr. Wentz! I bought your book recently, after I had started the AIP diet a month ago. I’m not having many symptoms now, and feel much better (more energy, sleep improved, reduced muscle pain, etc). However, off/on over there past year or so I get random itchy skin with small bumps, lasts for several minutes and goes away. Sometimes on my back, neck, ankles, hands, etc. Any thoughts on what this could be? Can’t say its improved after beginning the elimination diet either. Is this related to being hypothyroid, or seasonal, or environmental?? Just wondering how I will know when to add foods back in to my diet… As I said, this has been going on for over a year now. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
Patty – thank you for sharing your journey! Our skin is a window to our internal health. It is the body’s largest elimination organ, and also a canvas where toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances can show up. Women with Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions are more likely to have dry, dull skin, rashes, hives, pre-menstrual acne and facial swelling, especially if their thyroid levels are not optimized and they are not absorbing vitamins and nutrients correctly.
THE THYROID AND SKIN
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin
Thank you for your continued commitment to helping others get healthy again, it’s very much appreciated.
If someone were to have incorporated every suggestion you’ve made in regards to diet, supplementation, lifestyle changes, etc. and they weren’t deficient anymore, but were on the low end of the “normal” reference range for T3, would you recommend synthetic exogenous thyroid hormones to push those levels up to the high-normal range for improved quality of life?
I’m hesitant to shutdown my natural production with exogenous T4/T3, but my TSH is too high at 3.00 mU/L with a reference range of 0.32-5.04, and T3 is at the bottom of the “normal” range at 3.20 pmol/L with a reference range of 3.00-5.90 pmol/L, and I’ve tried everything possible to boost it.
It’s no longer deficient, which is good, but clearly my quality of life would be higher if those numbers were a bit better…
A bit on the fence of what to do here as I’ve exhausted all natural options via diet, supplementation, lifestyle, rest/recovery, etc., and while I am technically “normal” now, I’m certainly not optimal.
Any suggestions would be welcomed (obviously not medical advice, just your personal opinion on what you would do if you were in that particular scenario yourself).
Thank you.
Munro – thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey. I understand how hard this is. <3 There are 5 stages to thyroid disease. A person with only thyroid antibodies and normal TSH is considered in Stage 2 of thyroid disease; a person who has an elevated TSH with normal T4/T3 with or without thyroid antibodies is in Stage 3 of thyroid disease; a person with elevated TSH, lowered T3/T4 with or without thyroid antibodies is in Stage 4 of thyroid disease, regardless if she/he has thyroid antibodies or not; and Stage 5 is when the person progresses to other types of autoimmune disease.
Here are some resources you may find helpful:
THE 5 STAGES OF HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/5-stages-hashimotos-thyroiditis/
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TSH IS NORMAL AND YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-to-do-if-your-tsh-is-normal-and-you-are-anything-but/
TOP 10 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/
There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication which you are looking for, ask your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. Have you read these articles?
WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/
TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/
HOW THE DOSE OF YOUR THYROID MEDICATION CAN UNCOVER YOUR ROOT CAUSE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-dose-of-your-thyroid-medication-can-uncover-your-root-cause/
HOW TO GET ACCURATE LAB TESTING WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-get-accurate-lab-tests-when-taking-thyroid-medications/
Dr.Wentz, I would like to ask you a few question on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Do you recommend using low dose of iodine（150mcg to 250mcg）and selenium（200mcg）together to the treatment?
I reduce some habits for one year. Then, my anti-TG level was lowered from 136 to 64. However, my anti-TPO level remain higher than the past from 107 to 114. How can I do to lower the anti-TPO and anti-TG altogther?
Besides, some iodine advocates recommen using high dose iodine with selenium to form a comprehensive treatment. They said iodine worsen hashimoto’s thyroditis but selenium protects. What is your opinion on this topic?
Lung – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. I am 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. 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, in animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching about this issue, 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 books. I do have a chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein. Here are the links to my books:
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Here is an article you may find helpful as well:
ANTIBODIES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-tpo-antibodies/
Can a couple of meals containing black beans-canned (in burritos) throw your whole GI out of whack? Was doing just great with digestive enzymes and daily, normal bowel movements and after eating these meals have had diarrhea since (now at two weeks). No bloating or pain, feel fine, go to work and exercise; its just like my movements have been replaced with diarrhea. I do have Hashimotos. What can I do to get back in order?!
Debbie – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. Some, but not all people find they feel better after removing legumes from their diets. Phytates found in grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds can bind zinc and prevent its absorption when eaten alongside zinc-containing foods and reduce AP enzyme activity. You may also soak and cook grains and legumes to reduce phytates as recommended in the Body Ecology Diet. Legumes (beans) may be incompatible with trying to heal a leaky gut, which is almost always present with Hashimoto’s. Here is an article you might find helpful.
WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR LEAKY GUT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/whats-causing-your-leaky-gut/
Hello Izabella, I think I may have hashimoto’s disease and I find your page absolutely amazing! My name is Miranda, and I’m 22 years old. I’ve been diagnosed with sub clinical hypothyroidism a couple of years ago, my hormones (t4 and Tsh) recount are in the normal range, but the tsh has increased from 1.14 to 2.4 since last year. This time last year my doctor found a module in my left thyroid, 5.4 mm, hypoechoic, with irregular definition and calcium inside. She told me not to worry and that I should come back for a check up in a year. So I did, and found that the mass has grown to reach 1 centimeter. I had a biopsy and the results aren’t conclusive (type III-aus in Bethesda’s scale). I really don’t know how should I proceed. My doctor told me to re do the biopsy in a couple of months but that the chances are the results will come back the same. If you could read this and answer me with anything you think I should do about this situation I would absolutely appreciate this, since I’m really worried and it makes me very anxious having a “thing” growing inside my throat and not doing anything about it ?. Thanks for reading and greetings from Argentina ?
Miranda – thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey with me. I am so sorry you are struggling with all this. <3 Nodules and goiters are often the result of toxicity and/or the autoimmune process. So, doing interventions to reduce the autoimmune attack on the thyroid, and toxicity, can be helpful to reduce them. Have you read my books?
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Here are some articles you may find helpful as well.
THYROID NODULES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-thyroid-nodules/
IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease
I have been gluten free and mostly dairy free (except for 3 or 4 times a week, a 6 oz yogurt i make from A2 milk). I was disappointed to see that my antibodies are still 1000. However, my TSH has gone from 2.6, 1,61, 1.15 and recently .95. I am on 75mcg Synthroid for the past 25 years and while on it, all those years it never dropped below 2. Just wondering if anyone has had this happen with gluten free. My T4 is in the upper half of normal range and T3 about mid normal. They haven’t changed. I have always felt anxious on the meds but do sleep well.
Jane – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. I understand how frustrating this can be. <3 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/
IS YOUR MEDICATION GLUTEN FREE?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-your-medication-gluten-free
TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/
HOW THE DOSE OF YOUR THYROID MEDICATION CAN UNCOVER YOUR ROOT CAUSE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-dose-of-your-thyroid-medication-can-uncover-your-root-cause/
My Dr. Just told me my blood test showed my thyroid was at 13. I do t know what that means but I have missed some days and also have take. My levothyroxine right before eating my breakfast which consists of cottage cheese a d flax seed oil. I am on the budwig protocol for cancer.
Any thoughts on this for me to be able to ask my Dr. About.
JoBeth – thank you so much for sharing your journey. <3 I understand how hard this can be. Here are some resources you might find helpful:
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me/
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos
WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best
WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON IN HASHIMOTO’S?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/whats-really-going-on-in-hashimotos
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
I have the opposite problem — I am hypothyroid. What do you advise for me?
Corinne – thank you for reaching out. Hypothyroidism is associated with a lack of thyroid hormone that can occur as a result of a variety of different factors such as iodine deficiency, surgical removal of the thyroid, or damage to the thyroid. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that results in the immune system damaging the thyroid, which leads to a lack of thyroid hormone production. Most cases of hypothyroidism in the United States and other countries that add iodine to their salt supply are caused by Hashimoto’s. Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.
We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this. Sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are the links to my books:
Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology
https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Food-Pharmacology-Nutrition-Protocols/dp/0062571591?tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
I have Hashimoto’s and recently switched to NP Thyroid from Armour. I function better with my TSH on a low scale but they reduced my dosage due to it falling in the hyper range. I have also recently struggled with iodine deficiencies. I have increased my iodine supplement but my number still seems to be dropping.
Angie – thank you for reaching out. I am 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. 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, in animal and human studies.
I have spent 4 years researching about this issue, 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. Here is an article you may find helpful:
IODINE AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/
Hi, I am from India and a vegetarian. I’ve read a lot of your articles and can relate to most of the problems mentioned by you.
Can you suggest me on how to go on a gluten-free diet? I eat whole wheat roti’s as a staple part of my diet. It would be great if you’ve any experience of gluten sensitivity problems in India in general.
Also, how can I be sure that my HCL levels are low? And will the “Betaine with Pepsin” supplement definitely help if that’s the case?
Sanket – thank you so much for reaching out.<3 If you’re looking for simple yet nutritious recipes that are gluten free and thyroid-friendly, be sure to check out my new Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health cookbook! In this book, I give my readers a crash course on how to heal your body with nutrition, filled with recipes and eating strategies that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. All the recipes remove the most harmful trigger foods and incorporate beneficial foods to help your body heal and your thyroid thrive. For questions about the supplements please email my team at info@rootcology.com and they will be happy to help you!
Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology
https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Food-Pharmacology-Nutrition-Protocols/dp/0062571591?tag=thyroipharma-20
Agree that no one diet is right for every Hashimoto’s sufferer.
I’ve been on many diets over the years, but January 2020 was my first low-carb diet, undertaken in a bid to beat prediabetes. Normally, I feel so much better on a weight loss diet, but not this time. I’ve been constantly hungry, depressed, and can’t sleep. I am physically tired, mentally fogged, freezing cold, with thinning hair, and low resting heart rate and body temperature. I haven’t lost any weight, in spite of sticking to my healthy 1200 calorie low carb diet. Any of my symptoms sound familiar? That’s also the way I felt before my Hashimoto’s diagnosis.
Did some research and found out that dietary carbs are essential to thyroid health and active T3 hormone production. My low carb diet is suppressing my thyroid function. Now trying to figure out how to address my prediabetes without hurting my thyroid. I’ll probably have to increase my Synthroid dose. Bummer!
Colleen – thank you for sharing your journey! I’m so glad you are taking charge of your health and listening to your body! <3 I often have people play around with their fat to protein to carb ratios to find what fits them best. Some people (especially if they’re more active) will benefit from more proteins. Others benefit from more fats, such as those with brain fog, pain, and depression. Some may even benefit from ketosis. Personally, for me, lower carbs, higher fats, and ketosis made me feel amazing for a couple of years until I hit a plateau and then needed to add back more carbs to feel my best. The bottom line is that you have to adjust the diet to your needs and your needs may change! Here are couple articles you might find interesting:
BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism
USING KETOGENIC DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’s
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-ketogenic-diet-hashimotos/
Hello,
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 3.5 years ago, but never checked on the thyroid antibodies. I have been on medication and I had decided to lower my dosage on my own, it seemed like there were no side effects to that. About three weeks after I experimented with going Vegetarian (I had been low carb and Keto for about 2 years), one day I woke up with terrible almost going to hospital heartburn, this lasted for 2 days and afterwards my digestive system was just not well, my knees were hurting and my ankle is still swollen. As I returned to eating meat products and fat, I have been feeling better. I got my bloodwork done and seems like TSH and T4 are normal, yet my T3 went low. Any idea what this is?
Adriana – thank you for reaching out and sharing. I’m so glad you are feeling better! It is never advisable to stop taking your medications, or alter your dosages, without the advice of your practitioner. Thyroid hormones affect every organ, tissue and cell in the body. Appropriate medication management will allow you to recover from the effects of hypothyroidism, giving you the energy, vitality and support to continue working on optimizing your health. Please do not change your medications without speaking to your doctor first. So when it comes to diet, what works for one person, may not work for another, as each individual may be different in their triggers and needs. Here are some articles you might find helpful:
AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet
CAN VEGAN DIETS HELP HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/vegan-diets-and-hashimotos/
ARE OXALATES THE ROOT CAUSE OF YOUR THYROID CONDITION?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/oxalates-affect-thyroid-health/
I am being tested for hasimoto and have to wait for results I am 91and dr.levenson diagnosed me with hashimoto hyper but I am quite sureits hypo and give me any more medication than 25mcg of synthroiid. what to do if waiting for 2 months for results. Ifeel awful
I am being testedfor hashimoto I am sure it will show hypo and my doctor thinks it hyper and won*t give more than 25mcg waiting for results. I feel terrible . what to do
Donald – thank you for reaching out. ❤️ This is something you will need to discuss further with your practitioner. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician to be a part of your own health care team. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying root causes and prevent serious chronic disease rather than treating individual disease symptoms. I believe that everyone needs to find a practitioner that will let them be a part of the healthcare team. You want someone that can guide you, that will also listen to you and your concerns. You want someone that’s open to thinking outside of the box and who understands that you may not fit in with the standard of care. It’s a good idea to ask some standard questions when contacting a new doctor for the first time. Something else to consider is you can work with a functional doctor remotely, via Skype. You could also contact your local pharmacist or compounding pharmacy, who may be able to point you to a local doctor who has a natural functional approach. But I encourage you to keep looking for the right one for you! Here are some resources you might find helpful.
CLINICIAN DATABASE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
COMPOUNDING PHARMACIES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-compounding-pharmacies/