DR. IZABELLA WENTZ, PHARM D

Thyroid Pharmacist

Crystal's Hashimoto's Success Story

Crystal’s Story: Hashimoto’s Remission

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP on February 3, 2015

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Has anyone ever helped you more than they ever knew? Crystal from the Hope for Hashimoto’s Disease Blog is the woman that started it all for me and helped me tremendously—without ever meeting me!

When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, like many of you, I was desperate to find answers as to why I had developed Hashimoto’s and whether there was anything that I could do to help or reverse my condition.

I spent hours upon hours searching out PubMed, patient forums, and blogs with the hope of finding an answer. That’s when I came across Crystal’s wonderful blog on Hashimoto’s, which in 2011, was the only place that offered any hope for a solution. Crystal was the first person that I read about, who was able to put her Hashimoto’s into remission through changing her diet and lifestyle!

I’m so grateful for her blog and for her willingness to share her story!

Crystal first learned that she had Hashimoto’s in 2007. She was experiencing symptoms of heart palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, panic attacks and nausea. At the time of diagnosis, her TPO antibodies measured 606 IU/mL (>35 is considered positive, >500 is considered aggressive), and her TSH was elevated at 6.9 mIU/mL (reference range is 0.3-3, but most patients without a thyroid dysfunction should have a TSH somewhere between 1-2 mIU/mL ).

She sought the opinion of a couple of doctors; one offered to put her on levothyroxine, while the other told her to let her thyroid die, and then he would medicate her. Of course, like many of us, Crystal wasn’t happy with either answer.

She knew that there was a natural cure for her condition and so she prayed and searched for an answer on the internet.

Her answer came in eliminating dairy and soy, as well as the use of selenium, vitamin E, zinc and copper.

She began to see changes. Her symptoms improved, and her thyroid antibodies started dropping. After a year of her diet, she was no longer testing positive for Hashimoto’s! The last time she measured her TPO antibodies they were at 3! (<35 is considered a negative test, as a small amount of antibodies serve a normally occurring cleanup function).

Her TSH has normalized to 1.4, and she is not taking any medications. Best of all, she feels great!

Many have commented on her blog, stating that they followed her protocol and that they too, were able to get themselves into remission! Many of you are going to find this controversial, as gluten has been a major culprit in many autoimmune conditions, but Crystal continued to eat gluten and was still able to put her Hashimoto’s into remission.

Of course, other individuals need a different protocol. In my experience, most people need to be off gluten; some others need to follow a diet as strict as the autoimmune Paleo diet (Read my post about Hashimoto’s diets here).

For others, the diet won’t make as big of a difference in their “numbers” or symptoms, but treating an infection or multiple infections will (read my post about infections and Hashimoto’s). Other people may have a toxic burden that needs to be addressed before they can go into remission.

This just shows that we are all unique and we all need to find our root cause. I know in the beginning, I thought that if I just did the same exact things that someone else with Hashimoto’s did, that I would also go into remission.

I wish it were that easy!

When I came across Crystal’s blog, I had just been diagnosed with multiple food sensitivities, especially to dairy, and her blog encouraged me to keep going. Getting off dairy, soy and starting selenium (like Crystal) helped me to feel 90% better, and encouraged me to keep digging for my root cause, although, unfortunately, my TSH and antibodies didn’t normalize following these interventions.

Crystal inspired me to keep searching for something that would eventually help me, and eventually I decided to share my research in the Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause, as I thought that if it was possible for one woman than it would also be possible for me and if her story helped me so much, perhaps sharing my story would help others as well.

So today, I’d like to say a big “Thank you to Crystal!” and for all of you, I hope this blog, and my Facebook page and Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause help you in your journey to getting your health back. If you have your own Hashimoto’s success story, I hope you’ll share it as well, so that others can benefit. You can see additional Hashimoto’s success stories.

I’ll leave you with a little piece of advice from Crystal’s for other Hashimoto’s patients…

“Do your research and find out what is causing your Hashimoto’s and make necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle.”

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.

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  2. I’ve had diagnosed Hashimotos for 10 years. I recently ordered my allergy sensitivity test through my Medlabs.com and I have to give up all dairy, yeast/gluten, but not eggs. I have 56 foods I need to give up out of 184 on the test. I will win the battle over Hashimotos, Vitilgo, and joint pain!
    Reply

  3. Hi Dr Wentz, Isabella mentions in her blog that the TPO proteins look similar to dairy proteins and that’s how she was able to discover her dairy allergy….but she doesn’t mention thyroglobulin antibodies. Do you know if there is a common food that looks like thyroglobulin?
    Reply

  4. Thanks crystal for your blog , I have some questions if you could answer please :
    1. How did you fixed the digestive issues?
    2. Which thyroid hormone did you using ?
    3 did you still ” gluten, dairy ” free ?
    4. Which kind of supplement did you recomend ?
    Many thanks for you & DR izabella …
    Reply

  5. Hi ,
    Can anyone advise me. I’ve had Hashimotos 17 years , my thyroid is damaged and I have pernicious anaemia.
    I take ndt and cleaned my diet up last month only , cutting out dairy gluten eggs sugar and few other nastys. However I do feel better BUT I feel like I am going hyper on my regular dose of Ndt and I am wondering if this is a sign the diet change is working. Also I dropped 14 pounds in a the month Just by doing this. Previously can’t shift an ounce.
    I will go get a thyroid test but was wondering if anyone experienced the same hyper symptoms after avoiding gluten dairy etc. Is it a sign of remission on horizon.
    Am hopeful
    thanks
    Reply

    • josephine- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.

      Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

      HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care

      Reply

  6. I did the same thing about 2 months ago & I also lost 15 pounds. I never could drop a pound. I also feel some of the hyper symptoms but I think that just means I am getting better I hope. I have no Thyroid function anymore mine burnt out and I have been like this for 12 years. I hope you continue to feel better.
    Reply

  7. After reading your comments, I asked my Dr to switch me from synthroid to cytomel. However he did not convert the dosage properly. ..and refuses to do so. What do I do. I’m so frustrated I thought I had finally found a Dr that listened. ..
    Reply

  8. Hi Cynthia, what is the name of the allergy sensitivity test? I can not find it on Medlabs.com. Thank you!
    Reply

  9. I was so pleased you mentioned Vitiligo. I have had a mild form for over 40 years. I guessed it may be connected as until 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with Hashimotos I was told repeatedly nothing could reverse this. I now know different. Its early days for me but Hope is there. Thank you all for sharing your blogs with the world.
    Reply

    • Sandra- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.

      Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

      HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care

      Reply

  10. Hi everyone. I’ve been having hasimoto for almost three years and still haven’t found answers. I have hypothyroidism. I’m very confused my tsh come’s out normal but i do have symptoms. I’m experiencing being jittery, dizziness, panic attacks and brain fog. I do longer have fibromyalgia. I’m working on a diet hoping it will help me. I pray to God everyday that this can go into remission. Can someone help with the answers to help me feel better and have a healthy life.
    Reply

    • Lisa- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.

      Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

      HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care

      Reply

  11. I have the same problm i have hashimotos and all its symptoms but my tsh is normal. I am taking Synthroid .5mcg and even though it helps a lottle i still feel kinda blah i have a lot of palpataions and dizziness and fatigue i am so worried that i went to see a cardiologist and now i am on a 7 day holter monitor..im so scared dont know what to do!! Has anyone here tried armour? What has been your experience? Anyone feels this way?
    Reply

    • Maria- Most conventional physicians use the TSH test to determine if one has a thyroid disorder and to dose thyroid medications.

      However, this test can often times be misleading, as levels of circulating hormones may fluctuate at different times, such as in Hashimoto’s, the person affected may fluctuate between highs and lows.

      Additionally, when scientists first set the “normal” ranges of TSH for healthy individuals, they inadvertently included elderly patients and others with compromised thyroid function in the calculations leading to an overly lax reference range.

      This resulted in people with underactive thyroid hormones being told that their thyroid tests were “normal,” based on this skewed reference range.

      WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TSH IS NORMAL AND YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT
      https://thyroidphramacist.com/blog/what-to-do-if-your-tsh-is-normal-and-you-are-anything-but

      Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.

      TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
      https://thyroidphramacist.com/blog/top-6-thyroid-tests

      Reply

    • Emjay- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.

      Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

      HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care

      Reply

  13. Since following this book on my thyroid condition. Cutting out sugar and gluten I feel great and I lost 15 lbs in 2 months. Love this book! Finally setting is working for me.
    Reply

  14. I have hashimoto since 1996 now I have problems with sugars and fats. I can’t seem to break them down bringing me thyroid symptoms. I feel tired and I can’t walk without losing my balance or too shaky to walk
    Reply

    • Elizabeth- 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.
      BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES AND HASHIMOTOS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/blood-sugar-imbalances-and-hashimotos

      FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

      AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

      Reply

  15. SO good to read about these stories of complete remission! Inspiring. Thanks for posting! But at the same time,frustrating because I have done all the necessary protocols and now The Elimination diet with Tom Malterre and I still feel pretty lousy,fatigue,no sex-drive,occasional gut issues,brain fog I have cut Gluten,Dairy,Soy,the lot! Could it be a matter of staying on the diet longer .?! Or am I missing something .?
    Reply

  16. I have recently this year found out that I have hashimotos after suffering 2 miscarriages,I have suffered with lichen sclerosis for 2 decades and found out that there was a link with thyroid dysfunction,I had to practically beg my dr to check my tpo antibodies and other vitamin levels, my tpo came back at 438 and my tsh 2.67 also my ferritin was low at the time at just 29 also my b12 at 467 , that was in May this year,I have science been gluten,sugar,grain free except for homemade kefir,my new levels of tpo dropped to 5.5 but Iam very confused about my tsh as I had 2 tests very close together 1 came back at 1.9 and 1 came back at 2.2 just days apart my free t4 and t3 are at the lower end of normal,Iam desperate to conceive again and am worried about my tsh levels
    Reply

  17. Hi Izabella, good article, thank you. I’m a Hashimoto’s sufferer and just recently diagnosed as ‘sub-clinical celiac’ with low levels of anti-gliadin antibodies in my blood as well as the thyroid antibodies (which were in the aggressive range at a shocking >1300 on the last test in Nov, 2016) I’ve suspected lactose intolerance too since my fatigue and ferritin are still low (27mcg/l) post-ferrous fumarate treatment, I’m experiencing stomach gurgling and horrible cramps regularly and also join pain at just 33 which isn’t normal as I have a great lifestyle with low levels of stress besides. Therefore, this article has convinced me to try eliminating dairy from tomorrow, which will be hard as I love cheese and drink copious amounts of tea with milk lol (typical Brit). My main question though, is when you’ve been taking synthetic thyroxine for over a decade, your thyroid gland stops working for itself – doesn’t it? So I don’t think I’d ever be able to stop taking my meds now although it will be good to be symptom-free and lose more weight.

    Reply

    • Clare – Appropriate medication management will support your thyroid gland and does not affect it’s funcitoning. It allows you to recover from the effects of hypothyroidism, giving you the energy, vitality and support to continue working on optimizing your health. Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.

      Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms, and for others, it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂

      IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

      Reply

  18. Hi
    I’ve read your book and am currently at the end of the Adrenal Recovery.
    1….What are your maintenance supplement recommendations after the three month Hashimoto’s Protocol? I can’t seem to find this in the book or in your online
    articles.
    2….Also are there any online chat/blogs for those of us who have questions
    about the Protocol.
    3….NAC by Pure Encapsulations says to take between meals. The Hashimoto’s Protocol says to take with meal. Which direction is correct or does it matter?

    Reply

  19. I found out a little over a year ago that I had Hashimotos. I too, didn’t like the answers my doctors were giving me or the prescriptions they were telling me i should take and i wanted to know why it was all happening. I found some good doctors that listened and even gave me your book . I read it and felt like i was reading my story for a big part of it. I went a strict paleo diet for a little over a year now and today was told i was now in remission! I am so thankful for the information i recieved from your book and for the inspiration and motivation it gave me to keep going. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Shay – thank you so much for your kind words and support. <3 I am so happy to hear you are in remission! My mission is to collect 10,000 success stories with the hope of submitting them to a medical journal in the future. Understandably, you are probably very busy, but if you have some time, please do you mind sharing your full story with me here at this link? https://thyroidpharmacist.com/testimonial/

      These stories will go a long way in helping others who are going through a similar journey to yours. Thank you for your consideration!

      Reply

  20. I don’t know if my thyroid is regenerating but I have certainly lost weight and feeling better than I have in a LONG time! Hashimoto’s The Root cause has helped me recover more than anything I have tried before.

    Reply

  21. Hi Izabella,
    Thank you for your website and help for this topic. I have currently been able to put my Hashimoto’s into remission and gotten completely off medicine because of people like you who have shared your success stories and experiences. I am currently trying to put my experience into a blog as well (www.storyofmyhealth.com)- it is still in the beginning phase- trying to see if my story can help others as well. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for offering such wonderful information about the possibility of remission. I can’t tell you how much it means to others and myself to have this information available to us.
    Thank you!
    Laura

    Reply

    • Laura – you are very welcome! Thank you so much for reaching out and for sharing your story!

      My mission is to collect 10,000 success stories with the hope of submitting them to a medical journal in the future. Understandably, you are probably very busy, but if you have some time, please do you mind sharing your full story with me here at this link? https://thyroidpharmacist.com/testimonial/

      These stories will go a long way in helping others who are going through a similar journey to yours. Thank you for your consideration!

      Reply

      • Yes, absolutely! I am happy to be apart of proving Hashimoto’s can be put into remission and helping others become successful as well. 🙂

        Reply

  22. Hi,
    is not having or reduced level of aTPO a sign of remission? My aTPO is below 10 for 2 years now and my MD said that I have now sero-negative Hashimoto because he can see a shrinkage of my thyroids and my TSH is above 4.5.
    Thanks

    Reply

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