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Hashimoto's Questions, Misconceptions & Myths

Common Questions, Misconceptions, and Myths of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Dr. Izabella Wentz / February 4, 2015

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This guest post was originally posted in February of 2015, based on recommendations by Magdalena Wszelaki, Thyroid Diet Coach. I have since developed new articles and resources for Hashimoto’s that might be helpful for you. For the latest information on TOPIC, please visit the following:

  • Food Sensitivities and Hashimoto’s
  • How Nutrient Extraction Affects Everyone with Hashimoto’s
  • Candida and Hashimoto’s Connection
  • Could a Virus Be Your Hashimoto’s Root Cause?
  • Is Blasto Behind Your Hashimoto’s, Hives and IBS?
  • Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Remission after Helicobacter Pylori Eradication
  • Is Gluten the Root Cause of Your Thyroid Condition
  • Going Dairy Free to Reverse Hashimoto’s
  • How Avoiding Soy Can Benefit Hashimoto’s
  • Can Vegan Diets Help Hashimoto’s?
  • What are Goitrogens and Do They Matter with Hashimoto’s?
  • Is Hashimoto’s a Surgical Disease?

 

I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few amazing people dedicated to helping others with thyroid conditions. One of them is Magdalena Wszelaki, Thyroid Diet Coach. Magdalena is very knowledgable about Hashimoto’s and amazing at helping people implement helpful changes. I’m excited to share her guest blog post with all of you.

~ Your Thyroid Pharmacist, Dr. Izabella Wentz

Common Questions, Misconceptions, and Myths of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hi, I’m Magdalena Wszelaki, a certified nutrition coach and the founder of Thyroid Diet Coach.

Like with most things in life: there is no black or white. With new and complex conditions like a compromised autoimmunity, there are only many shades of gray.

I was compelled to write this article as I get daily emails and calls from people stating the things they have done and how frustrated they are with the results.

Let’s get right into them.

Myth 1: “I don’t have Hashimoto’s, only hypothyroidism.”

Have you been tested to rule out Hashimoto’s? Most people have not. Doctors don’t like to test for the TPO and TGB antibodies as there is no medication to reduce the autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland.  90%+ of people with hypothyroidism have it due to Hashimoto’s disease.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition. This means that the immune system gets mutated and starts attacking the thyroid – which causes hypothyroidism. 70% of your immune system lives in your small intestine (duodenum).

This is important to know as in the case of Hashimoto’s; it is the digestive tract that needs your help and not the thyroid alone.

Myth 2: “I’m already off gluten, dairy, and soy but…”

But, you are still not feeling good, right?

It’s great that so many of us make these life-altering nutritional changes. For many, however, they do not produce desired results, and this is when frustration and doubt step in.

If you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and/or any other autoimmune condition, the chances are that you have had digestive issues or infections that triggered this conditions a long time ago. Integrative doctors say that we walk around with Hashimoto’s for an average of 8 years before getting diagnosed.

During this time, the digestive lining gets damaged by the food we do not tolerate well (see more on this below), pathogenic bacteria, yeast overgrowth (aka candida) and parasites. Any of them can be the trigger for an autoimmune condition.

So yes, gluten, dairy, and soy are considered big food triggers but, for many people, there may be more. Read on.

Myth 3: “I eat really well.”

This is one of the first sentences that I hear from people who contact me. It’s not surprising; after all, if they did not eat well and have love and appreciation for good food and nutrition, they won’t be searching for diet and thyroid-related solutions.

There are a couple of challenges with this belief: what does “eating well” really mean? Many people would perceive, for example, protein powders, to be healthy food. In my practice I see amazing results every time I switch a person from the “miracle product” marketing claims to real, unadulterated and whole food.

However, the bigger issue is this: for people with autoimmune conditions it is not so much what we eat but what our body does with the food we eat.

Take eggs as an example. They are one of the superfoods, in fact, they are so rich in nutrients that we can survive eating eggs and nothing else. However, if our body does not tolerate eggs well, they become a toxic substance that will inflame the immune system even further.

Sadly, the list of “good food” that many people with autoimmune conditions cannot tolerate is long and can include dairy, corn, soy, nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, legumes and grains.

A simple elimination diet would help reveal what food a person is reactive to. For a person with an autoimmune condition, it is of paramount importance to remove food that causes digestive distress.

Myth 4: “I’m already a vegetarian.”

I know I’m not going to get in good books with the vegetarians here, but if you want to heal yourself, you need to remain open-minded.

Please bear in mind that I’m a big proponent of bio-individuality which honors the distinct nutritional needs of every human being. I’m not saying everybody needs to eat meat. I’m saying: listen to your body if it needs meat.

Sadly (or not), I found many of my ex-vegetarian clients turn a corner with even small amounts of animal proteins in their diet. This is why:

VITAMIN B12 and IRON – you probably know this part already: we get plenty of vitamin B12 and iron from meat. Both Vitamin B12 and iron are key in converting the T4 to T3.

GLUTAMINE – provides cells in the digestive tract with a vital source of energy that is required for regulating their production. Its role in re-building and strengthening the gut lining is critical.

TYROSINE – is also the precursor amino acid for the thyroid gland hormone thyroxin, and a defect in this may result in hypothyroidism.

Myth 5: “I’ve stopped eating goitrogenic vegetables.”

This is another highly controversial topic. It is true that food high in goiter will inhibit the thyroid gland’s ability to uptake iodine to produce the T4 hormone. This can be highly frustrating as this food includes some of our all-time favorites like cabbage, broccoli, spinach, Brussels’ sprouts, kale, collard greens, etc.

Here is the good news: when cooked, these vegetables lose 70-80% of their goitrogenic properties. Let’s remember that when we have Hashimoto’s, our primary focus should be restoring our digestive tract and detoxifying the body – as they were the original triggers of this condition. Omitting these vegetables completely will not address this concern.

These vegetables are richer in vitamins and minerals than any other of their distant veggie cousins. As it stands, most Americans are undernourished, taking out foods like these will further make us rely on supplements – which is not the way we should be living and healing.

Lastly, goitrogenic vegetables are rich in a substance called DIM (diindolylmethane) which is key in liver detoxification as well as the elimination of mutated estrogen metabolites. Most pre-menopausal women I work with have some level of estrogen dominance which is barely surprising given the estrogenic cocktail of skincare products, cleaners, packaging and food we live in today. Keeping a healthy balance of estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormone is key not only to the overall hormonal balance but also to the immune system.

Myth 6: “I lost my thyroid, is there anything that I can do?”

The short answer is: absolutely YES! I want to empower you with some understanding why that is so:

  1. Even if you lost your thyroid, the meds you are taking depend on your gut and your liver for proper breakdown and absorption.
  2. If you are only on synthetic T4 (like Synthroid), your body still depends on the health of your liver to convert the inactive T4 hormone to the active T3 hormone utilized by your cells.
  3. If you have/had Hashimoto’s Disease, you have an autoimmune condition. Why would removing the thyroid gland stop this immune mutation? This is why 50% of people with Hashi’s develop other, often far worse, autoimmune conditions like MS, fibromyalgia, lupus, RA and so much more (it’s a pandemic now).
  4. In all three points, nutritional changes can make a huge difference. Starting with cleaning up your gut and liver to maximize the drug (like Synthroid) utilization to preventing other autoimmune diseases from developing.

It’s true that once you have Hashi’s you have it forever – this includes the author of this article. But, you can get to a place of remission, be symptoms-free and live a full life.

This article was contributed by Magdalena Wszelaki, a certified nutrition coach and the founder of Thyroid Diet Coach. Magdalena has managed to reverse her Graves’ and Hashimoto’s Disease, she is in full remission and lives a symptoms-free and awesome life.

PS. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 Thyroid friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter for free by going to www.thyroidpharmacist.com/gift. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways and helpful information.

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

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Filed Under: Autoimmune, Recovery, Resources Tagged With: Dig At It, Elimination Diet, Healing Your Gut, Nutrient Depletions, Parasites, RAI, Recommended Resources, Root Cause, Thyroidectomy, Triggers

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

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

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  • 8 Benefits of the Infrared Sauna That Can Reduce Symptoms of Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina says

    October 19, 2013 at 1:18 AM

    I have had Hasimotos for 13 years and struggled many of those years. I have halved my medication and live a healthy balanced life however still suffer with the triggers. I never knew about the gluten I am so excited to find this website I have found so many other things to help. I would love to know more about the diet as I am vegetarian and struggle with replacing some foods I have always had in my diet eg, nuts, wheats, the veges u mentioned too. I can’t wait to learn more and keep changing my diet so I feel better & better. Thanku ladies. X
    Reply
  2. Izabella Wentz says

    November 26, 2013 at 7:05 PM

    So glad that you found this helpful Tina 🙂 I have some recipes in the recipe section http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/recipes and just posted a blog with my Thanksgiving recipes. All but two are vegetarian friendly 🙂 http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/blog
    Reply
  3. m.d. says

    October 19, 2013 at 2:14 AM

    I have huge problems with my gut. I’m now trying to eliminate foods. I’m in pain all the time. To check this food and that food can take years. And being in pain constantly means I will find it hard to work out what is going on. Is there a way to check sensitivity through tests?
    Reply
  4. Izabella Wentz says

    November 26, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    M.D. -Absolutely. There are 3 tests that I have found particularly helpful. Alletess Food Sensitivity Testing, ALCAT testing, and Cyrex Lab testing. I have some more info about the different tests that can help in my book http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/book and will be blogging about testing in more detail in 2014 🙂
    Reply
  5. Susan says

    October 19, 2013 at 11:33 PM

    Reading your article makes me wonder if my 91-year old mother suffers from more than thyroid problems. Recently she has experienced diarhhea, which leaves her fatigued the following day. As a dementia patient, she’s unable to recall what she’s had to eat. Her Dr. isn’t too concerned considering her age. COMMENTS?
    Reply
  6. Izabella Wentz says

    November 26, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Hi Susan,
    Your mom is lucky to have you advocating for her. There are a lot of reasons why someone with thyroid issues may have diarrhea. They include food sensitivities, imbalance of gut bacteria and even a gut infection. I would highly recommend that you read the book Grain Brain , it’s written by a neurologist who has had amazing results with treating and preventing Alzheimers. He is a big advocate of the grain free diet. I also have a lot of information on diets and the many types of issues in thyroid patients in my thyroid book http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/book ~Warmly, Izabella Wentz
    Reply
  7. Susan says

    November 18, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Hi Izabella,
    Since writing you, my mom is now in an excellent assisted living facility. Quality of care and the staff are fabulous. However, I’m no longer able to have input into mom’s diet. They have a 5-Star Chef who provides the residents for both the independent and assisted living residents with delicious meals. Unfortunately, mom loves to eat! She’s gained weight and is so happy with her new apartment and surroundings, which is wonderful. I’m so pleased the transition has gone so well.
    A grain-free diet is certainly out of the question in such a facility. Her Doctor won’t write a specific diet due to her other health issues and age. It seems the medical community takes the attitude, “If she’s lived this long and is still so active, why worry?” After several conversations with her Dr., I have finally had her meds increased slightly which has helped considerably.
    Regards,
    Susan
    Reply
    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      December 25, 2016 at 12:11 PM

      Susan- Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  8. kathy says

    October 4, 2014 at 5:57 AM

    what does it mean when your body is not converting the T-4 any
    more and what do you do about it ?
    I have had Hashimotos for a number of years and have just found out that my thyroid is not converting the t-4 anymore so what do I
    do ,…………………….??
    Reply
    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      December 25, 2016 at 12:13 PM

      Kathy- Some clinicians may only test for T4, but T3 is also important to test,
      as some individuals may not be converting the T4 to the active T3
      properly. Thus people may have a normal T4, but a low T3 level. There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication you are looking for, ask your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. Have you read these articles?

      WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/

      TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/

      Reply
  9. Tatjana says

    August 1, 2017 at 6:48 AM

    Hallo Izabella, you mentioned Tyrosine as an important amino acid for thyroid function. I read it can be harmful to take as a supplement for people with hashimoto’s (like taking iodine) – is this a myth, too, or can it be helpful? Have read your books but couldn’t find anything about this. Thanks for everything!

    Reply
    • Dr. Izabella says

      August 1, 2017 at 10:15 AM

      Tatjana – thank you for following this page. Not everyone will need every single supplement! In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet. This is why I always list food sources in the book and on the blog, for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s. However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time, and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

      I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol

      Reply
  10. Stacey says

    March 1, 2019 at 9:25 AM

    GoodMorning
    I was diagnosed Sept 16 2016 with Graves and I was in pretty rough condition when I got meds .. I recently had a 123 iodine uptake done and again confirms Graves ..My ? Is I have at least 3 symptoms that my Graves is acting up , but yet blood work comes back fine .. Is this possible or are they missing something ? I am also having hard time keeping food in it exits just as fast ?

    Reply
    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      March 9, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      Stacey – thank you for reaching out. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling with this. The most common antibodies found in Graves’ disease are TSH receptor antibodies, including thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) — this marker is elevated in >90% of people with Graves’ disease. TSH receptor binding antibody (TRAb), also known as TSH-binding inhibiting Immunoglobulin or TBII, is elevated in >50% of people with Graves’ disease. Both labs can be used for diagnostic purposes and monitored to track remission. Here are some resources I hope you find helpful:

      HASHIMOTO’S AND GRAVES’ REMISSION AFTER HELICOBACTER PYLORI ERADICATION
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-graves-remission-after-helicobacter-pylori-eradication/

      TOP 10 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

      Reply
  11. Eunice says

    May 8, 2019 at 8:42 PM

    Hi I am on the hashimoto protocol . Thank you for guiding me through this journey !
    I am about to start the two week liver cleanse. Is it vital to consume amino acids? Can I just have a sufficient amount of animal protein that is fit for my body weight ? THank you ?

    Reply
    • Dr. Izabella says

      May 9, 2019 at 2:28 PM

      Eunice – thank you for reaching out. For questions about the protocols and supplements please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you. 🙂

      Reply

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


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


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