When I was taking my pharmacy licensing exam after graduation, I remember thinking that I could never possibly know more than I did at that time—but I have learned so much more since then! Learning is one of my biggest passions, and I’ve found that the more I learn, the more I want to learn. I’m proud to say that I’ve now been a pharmacist for more than ten years. (I graduated from pharmacy school in 2006). I hope to spend the next ten+ years learning even more!
I decided to become a pharmacist at age 16 because I was fascinated by science, chemistry, and medicine; and I wanted to help people for a living! I was a very determined and motivated student, but at one point, during my freshman year of my undergraduate studies, I almost gave up on my dream of going to pharmacy school… I didn’t know it at the time, but it was because of an underlying viral infection that affected my Hashimoto’s.
Without going into too much detail, one of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students, myself included!), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions.
More than 90 percent of the world’s population has been exposed to this human herpes virus. The virus can take up residence within our thyroid gland where it can live and be inflammatory to our immune system. It can call our immune cells to come into the thyroid gland and attack the virus along with the thyroid gland.
Many people say that this is something that they’ve recognized on their personal health timeline with autoimmune disease—they were perfectly normal until they were exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus. Many people say they never quite felt like themselves again after contracting it, and this was my story too. I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed student until it triggered my chronic fatigue syndrome during my freshman year in college.
I believe EBV may have played a huge role as one of my underlying triggers that exacerbated my Hashimoto’s symptoms. I suspect that many people with Hashimoto’s may be suffering from a hidden Epstein-Barr infection in the thyroid gland. When I conducted a survey of 2,232 people with Hashimoto’s, 11 percent of them reported that they started feeling unwell after an Epstein-Barr infection!
In this article, you’ll learn the answer to the following questions:
- What is EBV, and how is it related to autoimmune thyroid disease?
- How can I test for EBV?
- Could EBV be the root cause of my Hashimoto’s?
- What are the conventional and natural treatments for EBV?
- Are there other infections related to EBV?
What is EBV?
Epstein-Barr (EBV) is a virus that causes mononucleosis (also known as “mono” or “glandular fever” in the UK), a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students and is also known as the “kissing disease” because individuals are thought to be exposed to the virus through the saliva of those who are infected.
While over 90 percent of people worldwide have been exposed to EBV, interestingly, the timing of infection seems to be very significant. Children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr virus when they are under the age of 10, and this usually results in an asymptomatic infection (one that does not cause symptoms). In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is asymptomatic only 50 percent of the time.
When the infection is symptomatic, the most common symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Weight loss is also common. In some cases, the condition resolves in a few weeks, and the person goes back to normal. In other cases, the fatigue lingers, and the virus may contribute to the development of cancers, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple autoimmune conditions—including fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and Hashimoto’s.
EBV, the Immune System and the Thyroid
In fact, a 2015 Polish study found the Epstein-Barr virus in the thyroid cells of 80 percent of people with Hashimoto’s and 62.5 percent of people with Graves’, while controls did not have EBV present in their thyroid gland. Furthermore, cells suggesting a continually proliferating state—a slowly growing infection—were found in the Hashimoto’s group as well.
When a person is infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, the body’s natural defense mechanisms begin to take aim at the virus. Unfortunately, in a person with poor nutrition and vulnerabilities, the virus may defeat and deplete the body’s immune response, resulting in a low-grade latent infection, as well as multiple deficiencies and imbalances that pave the way for the autoimmune process to take hold.
Moreover, specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus. However, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and are also decreased when vitamin D intake is low. When levels of these fighter cells are insufficient, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
Thus, it makes sense that people who are exposed to EBV in college are more likely to have problems because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined threefold compared to the number of cells we had in childhood.
Virus Reactivation
You may have heard that once you get EBV, you have it for life. The truth is, the Epstein-Barr virus and other herpes viruses persist in their hosts for many years after the initial infection. The Epstein-Barr virus creates a latent infection in the body where it lies dormant until the right time. It can awaken and reactivate itself, even many years after its original activation.
The reactivated virus has the potential to induce the production of thyroid antibodies and has been implicated in many debilitating autoimmune symptoms. In some, the virus may not be properly suppressed and may cause or exacerbate autoimmune diseases as well.
Diagnosis and Testing
Blood tests are used to figure out if a person has a reactivated infection. Testing for viral reactivation may be done through your doctor or through online self-order test kits. You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein-Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this test will let us know if the virus is actively replicating.
For the most comprehensive look at your markers for EBV, I recommend taking the EBV Panel Plus test, which can be ordered here from Ulta Labs, as only one may come out positive:
- EBV-VCA IgG/IgM (viral capsid antigen): IgG positive means you’ve had or currently have the infection; IgM positive means the infection has been reactivated.
- EBV-EBNA IgG (nuclear antigen): A positive test result is usually associated with past infection.
- EBV-EA-D IgG (early antigen): Positive EA IgG may mean you have an active or reactivated infection.
However, there is emerging evidence that Epstein-Barr may still be problematic even when test results for viral reactivation are negative.
Conventional medical doctors will say that as long as your virus is not reactivated or active, it won’t be causing any problems. However, some experts in the integrative and functional medicine world claim that when the virus is present in the body, when you have a history of it, and when you have an autoimmune condition, the virus does not need to be positive or reactivated to be causing problems in your body.
How Addressing EBV Can Help Hashimoto’s
Addressing the virus may be helpful to you and reduce your symptoms, especially if you have Hashimoto’s. Whenever we address the reactivation, we see thyroid antibodies go down and many people feel significantly better.
The general consensus in both functional and conventional medicine is that you can’t really get rid of the virus, you can only suppress it; so the goal is to try to slow down its replication and reactivation. In recent years, however, I was able to come across some optimistic research finds. When utilizing antiviral medications for a very long time, you can actually eradicate the virus. If it’s not able to replicate anymore, you just end up killing it off.
If someone has a reactivated Epstein-Barr virus, I fully support and encourage following an antiviral protocol to address it. This is definitely also something to consider if you have had a past EBV infection, if your health timeline shows that your symptoms started after contracting the Epstein-Barr virus, or if you’re not in remission from Hashimoto’s.
Conventional Treatments
Taking antiviral medications is one conventional treatment option. Some people with chronic fatigue induced by the Epstein-Barr virus have reported a major improvement in symptoms after taking the antiviral drug Valacyclovir. When taken for at least six years, this medication has also shown the potential of eradicating the virus from our bodies. Some individuals with chronic fatigue, which is often thought to be triggered by Epstein-Barr and other viruses, have reported a remarkable improvement in energy levels on antiviral medications.
There has also been emerging research regarding Rituximab (brand name Rituxan), a medication used for rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers. A few research reports have suggested that this medication may also induce a remission of Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease (including Graves’ associated eye disease), as well as an improvement in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
It is possible that this improvement in Hashimoto’s and CFS is due to the drug’s ability to destroy B cells, a type of immune cell that harbors the latent Epstein-Barr virus.
However, it’s important to note that Rituximab is associated with very serious side effects that have resulted in death and disability. Some examples include heart attacks, immune toxicity, and reactivations of other viral infections. This medication is a chimeric monoclonal antibody, which means it’s made from crossing mice and human genes.
As a pharmacologist, I would not recommend this medication as a first line choice for most people with Hashimoto’s due to the significant associated risks. There are much safer interventions that I would recommend.
Suppressing EBV the Natural Way
While eradicating the virus is much more challenging than getting rid of a bacteria or parasite, you can suppress the virus back into a dormant state by supporting your body’s antiviral defenses or through the use targeted antiviral herbs or medications. I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
One herbal treatment in my book involves lomatium, a broad-spectrum antiviral herb with potential therapeutic benefit in Epstein-Barr virus, HPV, herpes viruses, and CMV as well as for prevention of viral infections like the flu and the common cold. Please note: lomatium can cause a one-time rash, similar to a viral exanthem rash, that occurs as the body clears itself of a virus. Often, people will find that this can be reduced by starting off with MunityBoost, which helps to get the body acclimated, for two weeks before introducing the lomatium. You can find the lomatium and MunityBoost bundle here.
If you do not use lomatium, consider these other herbal treatments:
- Cordyceps 750 mg: 2 capsules, 3 times per day for 90 days
- Olive leaf extract: 1 capsule, 2 times per day for 60 days
One of my clients was able to get their thyroid antibodies down to zero and eliminate all of their symptoms. Another person reported that they stopped having cold sore outbreaks, which are caused by herpes one and two. I’ve also seen beneficial results with cordyceps and olive leaf extract, where people are able to significantly reduce their thyroid antibodies and thyroid symptoms.
Of course, medications do come with side effects, as do a lot of herbal protocols, so I recommend that you talk with your doctor about these options to find out which is best for you.
Supportive Treatments
Here are some things that may support your EBV treatment:
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC): Recent studies have found that NAC may be helpful against EBV, as it has been associated with alleviating chronic inflammatory pathologies. I recommend taking 1,800 mg of NAC per day. (As a bonus, this antioxidant also turns into glutathione in the body, supports liver function, and promotes intestinal health!)
- ProBoost Thymic Protein A: Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a physician who specializes in chronic fatigue syndrome, recommends 3 packets per day for 90 days to help the body fight viruses.
- Adaptogens (ashwagandha, schisandra, astragalus): to boost the immune system.
- Vitamin D: 5,000 IU per day, tailored to lab testing, to help virus-fighting CD8+ cells.
- Tanning in the sun or at tanning salons can help boost your Vitamin D levels too!
- Vitamin C: 500–3,000 mg per day; or intravenous vitamin C. If you can find a functional doctor that is willing to give you intravenous vitamin C, then I would recommend working with them to determine the appropriate dosings for you. Doing weekly sessions, (ie. maybe two one or two times a week for six weeks), would be a really great start. They should monitor your levels by doing some testing before and after starting treatment.
- Massage therapy can boost CD8+ cells (as well as reduce stress :-)).
- Lysine: This amino acid, which has been used to combat the herpes virus, maintains healthy arginine production, promotes healthy protein synthesis, and boosts immune function.
Additionally, animal fat, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the virus. The replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is found to be inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root, too. Quercetin and Coenzyme Q10 were reported to also be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their antiviral properties. Furthermore, monolaurin, which is derived from lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be particularly active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Four tablespoons a day of coconut oil may help break down the fatty, protective layer around the virus.
Other natural antiviral protocols for Epstein-Barr may include the use of immune-supporting mushrooms and colloidal silver. I recommend working with a natural healthcare practitioner to get specific dosing protocols tailored for your own needs. (Need help finding a practitioner who believes in the root cause approach to thyroid disease? Download my FREE clinician and practitioner list below!
Addressing Related Infections
In reviewing the health timelines of numerous people with Hashimoto’s, I’ve found that many of them, like me, will report getting EBV, then irritable bowel syndrome a few years later, followed by a Hashimoto’s diagnosis a few years after that.
I’ve found that many of these people, with a history of EBV in adulthood, also have the gut infection Blastocystis hominis, which has recently been connected to irritable bowel syndrome, hives, AND Hashimoto’s. Interestingly, EBV is fueled by the amino acid arginine, while arginine depletion can cause Blastocystis hominis to be more pathogenic. In the last few years, I’ve noticed that getting rid of the Blastocystis hominis infection can help people to get their Hashimoto’s into remission. Read more about it in my Blastocystis article.
Tracking down an infection can often feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It took me a long time to get my health back, and so I hope that this article shortens the learning curve for you. Successful identification and removal of a viral or bacterial infection and its cause can have the ultimate payoff: complete healing from Hashimoto’s—as well as the removal of other conditions and symptoms that may have developed as a result of the infection. So don’t let EBV and Hashimoto’s hold you back from your dreams!
Is EBV the Only Root Cause of Hashimoto’s?
In recent years, more awareness has been brought to Epstein-Barr as the root cause of Hashimoto’s. Some have even made claims that EBV doesn’t just cause every case of Hashimoto’s, but also every case of chronic illness.
While it’s true that most people have been exposed to this virus (some researchers cite as many as 90-95 percent of adults), the EBV is not always a root cause of Hashimoto’s. There are numerous other root causes such as nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, an impaired ability to handle stress, an impaired ability to handle toxins as well as a multitude of infections, such as H. Pylori, Lyme, Blastocystis hominis and SIBO, to name just a few.
I address various root causes (as well as how to know which ones apply to you, and what to do about them) in my books, Hashimoto’s the Root Cause and Hashimoto’s Protocol.
P.S. Be sure to sign up to my weekly newsletter to get a free book chapter, recipes, the Thyroid Diet Starter Guide, and notifications about upcoming events and my latest research!
References
- Janegova A, Janega P, Rychly B, Kuracinova K, Babal P. Rola infekcji wirusem Epstein-Barr’a w rozwoju autoimmunologicznych chorób tarczycy. Endokrynologia Polska. 2015;66(2):132-136. doi:10.5603/ep.2015.0020.
- Pender M. CD8+ T-Cell Deficiency, Epstein-Barr Virus Infection, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Steps to Autoimmunity: A Unifying Hypothesis. Autoimmune Diseases. 2012;2012:1-16. doi:10.1155/2012/189096.
- Lin J, Cherng J, Hung M, Baltina L, Baltina L, Kondratenko R. Inhibitory effects of some derivatives of glycyrrhizic acid against Epstein-Barr virus infection: Structure–activity relationships. Antiviral Research. 2008;79(1):6-11. doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2008.01.160.
- Hoshino Y, Katano H, Zou P et al. Long-Term Administration of Valacyclovir Reduces the Number of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Infected B Cells but Not the Number of EBV DNA Copies per B Cell in Healthy Volunteers. Journal of Virology. 2009;83(22):11857-11861. doi:10.1128/jvi.01005-09.
- Kahara T, Iwaki N, Kaya H et al. Transition of thyroid autoantibodies by rituximab treatment for thyroid MALT lymphoma. Endocrine Journal. 2011;58(1):7-12. doi:10.1507/endocrj.k10e-166.
- Kurozumi A, Okada Y, Arao T et al. Induction of thyroid remission using rituximab in a patient with type 3 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome including Graves’ disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus: A case report. Endocrine Journal. 2015;62(1):69-75. doi:10.1507/endocrj.ej14-0152.
- rituximab AND thyroid – PubMed – NCBI. Ncbinlmnihgov. 2017. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=rituximab+AND+thyroid. Accessed August 10, 2017.
- Diamantopoulos P, Polonyfi K, Sofotasiou M et al. Rituximab in the treatment of EBV-positive low grade B-cell lymphoma. Anticancer Research. 2013.
- Wentz I, Nowosadzka M. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions For Finding And Treating The Root Cause. 2013.
- Wentz I. Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan For Reversing Thyroid Symptoms And Getting Your Life Back. HarperOne; 2017.
- Wentz I. Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program – Module 10: Infections. Thyroid Pharmacist. 2017. Available at: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/hashimotos-self-management-program/. Accessed December 13, 2017.
- Gao X, Lampraki EM, Al-Khalidi S, Qureshi MA, Desai R, Wilson JB. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) ameliorates Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 induced chronic inflammation. PLoS One. 2017;12(12):e019167. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189167.
Hi i just found out detecte with post EBV . im really worried abut that and i cant stop thinking abut that and really all that thinking affect my life .i just thinking that gonna change to cancer. pls hellp me i dont know what i can do .and does that gonna develp cancer ?
Afshin- thank you for following this page. You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating.
Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students) I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections), and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”) , a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Additionally, animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin/lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
Hi Dr. Izabella! I recently ordered ProBoost, the Rootcology formula, and both MunityBoost & Lomatium. I’m going to be doing a 90 day treatment program (unless you would suggest otherwise)… my question is the dosage of the Lomatium & Munityboost… how do I need to take them? Thank you!
Jennifer – thank you for reaching out. <3 Check out page 330 in my book Hashimoto's Protocol for my recommendations. If you have any other questions or concerns about the protocols please feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://amzn.to/3cJ89T4
Hi. I had mono in college. I also had strept before that. The mono went away in a couple of weeks and I didn’t notice any lingering symptoms. However, my family talks about having tired blood. We all like to sleep a lot. I’ve been tired ever since I can remember. The only thing that has plagued me besides that is infertility, heavy periods, and repeated miscarriage. I used IVF with donor eggs, did acupuncture, and went to a reproductive immunologist for three tries. I was still unsuccessful. She diagnosed me with MTHFR and another blood clotting gene. I wasn’t diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but she put me on synthroid. After one of the tries I went to an endo and convinced him to put me on naturethroid. I’m still tired, my hair is still thinning, and my eyebrows are still missing on the outer edges. The search on what could have gone wrong has led me to find out I have had Epstein Barr in the past. I do consume animal fat and vital proteins collagen peptides. I also have gone gluten free. Will Hashimoto’s and Epstein Barr be able to be diagnosed with the early test since I’ve implemented these changes in my diet? I’m not sure I even have Hashi’s without having many symptoms.
Thanks,
Angela
Oh. I now suffer from insomnia and I’m pretty sure I have adrenal fatigue.
Angela – thank you for following this page. Here is an article you may find helpful. ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR THYROID?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health
Angela – Fatigue was the most debilitating symptom I experienced with Hashimoto’s. It actually started 8 years before I was finally diagnosed in 2009, after I got Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) in college. I needed to sleep for 12 hours each night to be able to function, and by “function” I mean after hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock for two hours (ask my poor husband), I would drag myself out of bed and then had to drink 4-6 cups of caffeine everyday to keep myself awake. I often had Red Bull and Pepsi for breakfast, and was the epitome of “wired but tired”. I hope my articles help you get started 🙂
OVERCOMING THYROID FATIGUE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-10-tips-for-overcoming-hashimotos-fatigue
THIAMINE AND THYROID FATIGUE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thiamine-and-thyroid-fatigue
This article about EBV and Hashimoto’s and fatigue….I can’t telll you how enlightening and important it was for me to read this! It explains so much…I will pursue some of these treatment approaches and hope that I will see some changes in how I feel soon…this has been such an exhausting experience….
Valorie – thank you for sharing! I’m looking forward to seeing your progress here. 🙂
Hi Isabella,
Thank you for your newsletters and book. Your information gives hope. I noticed you mentioned ValAcyclovir. Is that close enough to Acyclovir? I have been taking that as needed for the past close to 5 years. I get cold sores terribly since I was a teenager. Lysine helped a little but not enough. I have in fact noticed I am not as tired as I use to be and I feel better. I had no idea to link the medicine. I just had to write to find out if they are the same medicine.
Thanks so much,
Crystal
Hi! Could I have mistakenly been diagnosed with scarlet fever while actually having had Epstein-Barr Virus? What you have described sounds eerily familiar! During my freshman year of undergraduate studies, I was exhausted, and everything else you described and then some. I had chronic strep throat, inflamed nodules and my knees and chest had a rash. I was then diagnosed with scarlet fever and was told to drop out of school 2nd semester to rest. I developed IBS in my early 20s, Rheumatoid Arthritis in my late 30s (well maybe it wasn’t even that because those symptoms have disappeared and have been taken over by hypothyroid symptoms!) PLUS I lost a chunk of hair while being pregnant which my OBGYN said was normal due to stress, but I didn’t think that was normal. Anyway, I am just trying to connect the dots as I muddle through this mess with my recent diagnosis…Any info would be appreciated 🙂
Amy – thank you for following this page. 🙂
I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD YOU SEE IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-type-of-doctor-should-you-see-if-you-have-hashimotos
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Hi Izabella,
Thank you so much for creating the Thyroid Secret series, it made me realize that it could be thyroid issues I have been dealing with for a long long time. I don’t have I diagnoses for Hashimoto’s and I am still trying to figure out how to solve these mysterious symptoms that I have. I have been working with a practitioner in functional medicine but he don’t seem to think that I have an autoimmune response since I didn’t have thyroid antibodies, he says that I have subclinical hypothyroidism. Then I read an article on drknews.com “unraveling thyroid antibody test” and felt that maybe I can’t be sure that I don’t have it, actually I felt hopeful because it would be so helpful to have a diagnosis. I have been supplementing with iodine for a while and I also suspect that my immune system could be to stressed out to make antibodies or that I might have a dominant TH-1, all of the things dr k mentions in the article. In the documentary they were talking about the Epstein Barr virus and I didn’t know what it was when I heard it but I looked it up and realized that that’s what could be causing my problems. I had mono in my early twenties and was very sick for a long time, for over a year I almost couldn’t work at all and had a swollen lymph node in my throat all this time. I have had different problems since and now it is at that point that I don’t have the energy to be around people and have become more and more isolated. I have multiple chemical sensitivity and that makes it even harder to be around people and in public places because of the perfumes among other things. My biggest issue has always been migraine and I have been very handicapped because of it. I started to take more and more medications to be able to work but have gotten rid of all of them now but this means that I can’t be around people or work. I have a lot of different symptoms: fatigue, migraines, intolerance to physical activity, IBS (recently diagnosed with SIBO, I am going to start an herbal protocol for this), hiatal hernia, a lot of food intolerances, histamin intolerance, cold intolerance, dry skin, heart palpitations, anxiety, hand tremor, brain fog, I am pretty skinny and much more. I feel like I have symptoms of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Except for the Epstein Barr I also got shingles in my late twenties and my dad got Guiellen Barré syndrome after having mono (Epstein Barr) when he was around my age (35). Isn’t all of this signs that I have an immune system that is not balanced? Or that I have some kind of autoimmune problem? I think I am going to get tested for the antibodies soon again (actually they don’t test TgAb on my lab). What else could this be? It should be so helpful to know if it is autoimmunity I’m dealing with, I think it is but I want to get it confirmed. My labs showed: THS: 4,1, T3: 3,8, T4: 18, TPO: <10, S-TRAK <1,0.
I have been eating paleo for a pretty long time and I supplement with some important nutrients (can't tolerate the B-vitamins right now because of the SIBO though). All my symptoms will probably get better if I get rid of the SIBO but I want to know what all of this is and maybe the SIBO is just a side effect of something else and not the entire solution. For over a year now I use almost no chemicals at all. And of course no gluten or diary, still getting worse and react to more and more foods.
Thank you for your time,
Johanna
Oops I meant to say dairy not diary..
Johanna – some people with Hashimoto’s test negative for thyroid antibodies because their overall immune health is so weak they do not produce enough antibodies. I’ve tested negative for antibodies several times. Now I’ve insisted on a thyroid ultrasound. Given that Hashimoto’s is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism worldwide, I wouldn’t stop until I know one way or another.
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. Have you done all these tests?
TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/
When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I felt so alone. My doctor didn’t think it was a big deal, and none of my friends or co-workers had it. It wasn’t until I started to research online that I found others who were going through the same thing.
A couple of years after my diagnosis, I found Hashimoto’s 411, a closed Facebook group run by Alice Berry McDonnell. This group is amazing! It is comprised of an army of highly motivated, smart, supportive women and men (now 45,000+ strong), and each of them sharing ideas of what worked for them, things they were planning to try, and offering support to one another. The comfort I received from knowing that there were others going through the same challenges as I, was enormous.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/
Ask questions. Post your thoughts. Scan the files. It is an absolutely amazing resource. Best of all it’s kept private from spammers.
Thank you so much for taking the time it really means a lot to me. I understand you are very busy these days.
I haven’t done the test for TgAb nor the ultrasound and I will try and get that done. I stopped the Iodine a few days ago and was thinking I should wait a few weeks before getting tested again considering Dr. Kharrazian’s article about what could affect the antibodies.
I will check out the Facebook group, it sounds like a really great resource and yes it gets very lonely when you have been sick for a long time. I sometimes feel it’s difficult to relate to other people that don’t have these kinds of chronic problems. Thank you once again for all the amazing work you do 🙂
/ Johanna
Johanna I understand your dilemma. I have been laid up for over 5,weeks with a virus. Previous to that about a year ago labrinthitus problems of the inner ear. I hope your illness is sorted soon. I have a doctors blood test shortly. As my doctor thinks I may have caught epsteins Barr virus now. Good luck to you.from Rosanna.
Johanna – thank you for sharing! You are not alone! <3
Do you think these numbers reflect active Epstein Barr virus? My understanding is that it is active is this correct?
EBV VCA IgG
My Result Positive Reference Range Negative
Presence of detectable VCA IgG antibodies. A positive result indicates current or past exposure to Epstein-Barr virus.
EBV IGG NUM 750.00 U/mL 0.00 – 17.99 U/mL
EBV VCA IgM Negative Negative
Absence of detectable VCA IgM antibodies. If exposure to Epstein-Barr virus is suspected despite a negative finding, a second sample should be collected and tested no less than one to two weeks later.
EBV IGM NUM 10.00 U/mL Reference Range 0.00 – 35.99 U/mL
You did a wonderful job with your free online Thyroid series that just aired! I learned so much!
Sarah – please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.
I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD YOU SEE IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-type-of-doctor-should-you-see-if-you-have-hashimotos
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
About 18 months ago I caught a virus. Following year I started having neck and shoulder pain. At first my doctor said I had a torn ligament coupled with spondylitis. But eventually the problem was diagnosed as inner ear problems labyrinthitus. As I had dizzyness and vertigo too. Recently I caught another virus and I have been unwell for 5 weeks. The symptoms are nearly gone but the tiredness has not. My doctor had said I could have contacted Epstein Barr virus.
Rosanna sorry to hear about your health problems. A blood test should reveal if you have ebv.
Rosanna – thank you for following this page. Here are a couple of articles you may find interesting.
6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-different-hashimotos-root-causes
INFECTIONS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/infections-and-hashimotos/
PERIODONTITIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/periodontitis-a-trigger-for-hashimotos
LYME AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/lyme-and-hashimotos
Hi Dr. Wentz, glad I stumbled upon your website. I just want to tell you that I feel you’re on the right track! I had mono at age 8 and my health went downhill from there. The mono really took me down too, complete with sore throat, lethargy, vomiting, and a Dr. telling me my spleen was enlarged. Missed a month of 3rd grade! Then had stomachaches almost every day after that. Had a recurrence of mono in high school, but it was less severe the second time around, luckily. Was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at 21. I’m now 33 and just started working with a wonderful functional medicine practitioner after years of no help from endocrinologists and primary care physicians.
I’m ecstatic to have found your website. I will be reading through it as fast as I can! Thank you for putting it out there!
Allison – thank you for following this page and for your support! Wishing you the very best of success with your Functional MD. 🙂
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
I have EBV, I found out I had it 5 years ago right after I was diagnosed with Lupus, RA and Hypothyroid with reverse T3…..Thank you for posting this article! I fight fatigue so bad from all these autoimmune diseases! I have just started taking gluten out of my diet but I haven’t really got down to focusing on the change and sticking to it. I do know one thing after cutting back on the gluten I can tell a big difference in the way I feel…..I take acyclovir everyday and have gotten my numbers down a bit with EBV…..I need to get serious with my food and stick to it. It’s so hard to do but I suffer daily with extreme bloating, acid reflux, stomach cramps and much more! You have anymore suggestions to help me make this change?
Teresa – thank you for following this page, and I’m so sorry to hear that you are struggling. 🙁
Fatigue was the most debilitating symptom I experienced with Hashimoto’s. It actually started 8 years before I was finally diagnosed in 2009 after I got Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) in college. I needed to sleep for 12 hours each night to be able to function, and by “function” I mean after hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock for two hours (ask my poor husband), I would drag myself out of bed and then had to drink 4-6 cups of caffeine everyday to keep myself awake. I often had Red Bull and Pepsi for breakfast, and was the epitome of “wired but tired.” I hope my articles help you get started 🙂
OVERCOMING THYROID FATIGUE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-10-tips-for-overcoming-hashimotos-fatigue
THIAMINE AND THYROID FATIGUE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thiamine-and-thyroid-fatigue
Meredith – thank you for following this page. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.
Animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin/lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
My daughter had an extreme case of mono in 2013 while also a student at university of Illinois. She has had continual health issues ever since. Prior to EBV, she had no issues. She now has hashimotos and PCOS. She feels terrible most days and is constantly exhausted. Its been a long frustrating battle.
Natalie – thank you for following this page. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. <3
I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD YOU SEE IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-type-of-doctor-should-you-see-if-you-have-hashimotos
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
PCOS/infections/low thyroid can be due to gluten. A person may not heal until they are 100% gluten free. Gluten is wheat/barley/rye..oats/corn/rice. Grain free for pets/people may help. Sunlight/Zn/Mg/fish oil/Vit C/herbs/ozone/strong probiotic/Far Infrared Sauna/progesterone and more helps me.
You wrote, “EBV is fueled by the amino acid arginine, while arginine depletion can cause Blastocystis hominis to be more pathogenic.”
I have both EBV and Blasto. The doctor didn’t want to do an early antigen test. He said you do the same things whether it’s active or not. My question is, do I take arginine if EBV is fueled by it?
Janet – You need a doctor that will do the right tests. I believe many doctors mean well and are trying to help, but people don’t always realize what they don’t know. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD YOU SEE IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-type-of-doctor-should-you-see-if-you-have-hashimotos
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me
You can also read more about it in my Blastocystis article.
THE COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs
Can glutathione be safe to a goiter patient? In oral or IV glutathione.
Ninja girl – thank you for following this page. 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://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Exact.Same.Story
First Mono, then Thyroid, then all kinds of mood swings, depression, fatigue, brain fog.
Before all this I was smart, healthy and beautiful.
This all goes back to TD & MMR shots in our teenage years. If you think back, your illnesses all started around the time of your immunizations between the ages of 14-16 years old. ‘They’ did this to a lot of us. 🙁
Gina – thank you for following this page. My heart goes out to you! You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating.
Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students) I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections), and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”) , a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Additionally, animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin/lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
This is such an interesting article and describes almost exactly the progression of my condition. I developed glandular fever in my early 20s, and a couple of years later became almost comatose until an insightful doctor diagnosed Hashimoto’s and immediately prescribed thyroxine meds. My IBS, which had always been a problem through my teens, became much worse for many years after that. But the thing that fascinated me was that at the time, the GP said, “the glandular fever virus probably attacked my thyroid gland, stopping it working completely for a while” – hence my semi-comatose state. I’ve not heard or read that since 1983 until now when I read it in your article. However, in 2004, I developed CFS and I have often wondered about the connection between EBV/glandular fever, Hashimoto’s and CFS, since they are all connected with fatigue in some way.
Marian – thank you for following this page. I am glad you found this article interesting. While I only work with patients with Hashimoto’s, oftentimes patients will have additional autoimmune conditions. Most autoimmune conditions have common root causes, and a lot of times the things that are recommended for one autoimmune condition will help with others. Conditions that I have found to respond really well to the Hashimoto’s protocols have been rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, asthma, Graves’, premature ovarian failure, psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, and Sjogrens. I have also seen the protocols help with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
So I have a question. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos an entire year before I had mono. And doctors still don’t know how or why I contracted mono. The mono started with sepsis. I was perfectly fine one day, and the next, I was being rushed into the ER. They found pneumonia of all things, and blamed that. Then ten days of hospitalization later, I followed up with my doctor, and she found mono. So, I’m just curious how having Hashimotos prior to contracting mono works with your theory? Could the already very weak immune system mean that it’s still there and I could be one of those one in a million who gets mono again? (I’m not trying to be ‘that person’ I’m genuinely curious.)
Rachel – thank you for following this page. The Epstein Barr virus creates a latent infection in the body, where it lies dormant until the right time, when it reactivates and awakens. The reactivated virus has the potential to induce the production of thyroid antibodies and has been implicated in many debilitating autoimmune symptoms.Testing for viral reactivation may be done through your doctor. You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating. I’ve found that many of these people, with a history of EBV in adulthood, also have the gut infection Blastocystis hominis, which has recently been connected to irritable bowel syndrome, hives AND Hashimoto’s. Interestingly, EBV is fueled by the amino acid arginine, while arginine depletion can cause Blastocystis hominis to be more pathogenic. In the last few years, I’ve noticed that getting rid of the Blastocystis hominis infection can help people to get their Hashimoto’s into remission. Read more about it in my Blastocystis article.
THE COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs
That doesn’t answer my question…that’s just repeating a portion of the article that has nothing to do with what I asked.
Rachel – I am sorry that the answer given is not helpful. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions, but I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Hi,
Can EBV be eradicating OR just suppressed? I have been on a protocol for two years and have spent thousands of dollars with no luck.
Brittany – While eradicating the virus is much more challenging than getting rid of a bacteria or parasite, you can suppress the virus back into a dormant state by supporting your body’s antiviral defenses, or through the use targeted antiviral herbs or medications. Additionally, animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Here are an article you may find interesting.
6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-different-hashimotos-root-causes
Hi Dr. Izabella!
Thank you for this very informative and helpful article! Do you think just the Early Antigen test would be enough to detect an EBV infection? The cost of the full panel has not allowed me to test for it so far, but I could definitely test for the early antigen. Could EBV reactivate, trigger Hashimoto’s and then become dormant again- and in this case the early antigen would be negative and thus you’d think you don’t have it? I’m a little confused!
Hello Izabella,
Thanks for writing such a wonderful book on Hashimoto. For a natural born rebel, it was like a bible. I’m going to beat the shit outta this disease once and forever.
So, my symptoms pretty much are the same as yours, IBS, Chronic ‘Water Contact’ Hives, TSH < 8 and TPO antibodies <90
Just tested for EBV, got 26 U/mol IgG (way more than 8) and IgM (2.09 U/mol) and was wondering if it confirms a positive EBV test? Also, any other infections you've had except the Blasto. which was causing you hives?
Eashan – thank you for sharing your journey! <3 Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions. Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”), a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Animal fats, broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
You also need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating. Here is a link which might help:
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
My 16 year old daughter has had good health her whole life. 3 months ago, she noticed some swollen lymph nodes behind her ear. Over a months time, one of the areas grew very large, inflamed and painful. I took my daughter to the pediatrician, who tested her for Cat Scratch and started her on an antibiotic. She took the full course of antibiotics and the cat scratch test came back negative. By this time, this node had grown even bigger and was now an abscess. We were referred to an ENT who then tested her for EBV and Mono. Although the only symptom she was experiencing were these swollen, painful areas, both tests came back positive. She was experiencing an active state of EBV and the virus was rapidly replicating. She had no lethargy, no sore throat, none of the usual symptoms. The ENT drained 5ml of fluid from the abscess which grew nothing in a culture. He also ordered a CT of her neck and that showed areas of concern in her thyroid, although an ultrasound came back normal. Her TPO levels were through the roof, although her T4 and TSH were still in normal range. We were referred to a pediatric endocrinologist who then diagnosed her with Hashimoto’s and rechecked her TSH and T3 and T4 levels. T4 and T3 were suboptimal and tsh elevated but still normal. Dr began her on vitamin D and levothyroxine 25mcg. Just a reminder that all this began 3 months ago. So I feel that there has to be something I can do to suppress this EBV from replicating so her body will stop destroying her thyroid. I am a Registered Nurse and I have been doing my research. I know the virus has found its home in my daughters thyroid and I want to know what I can do to suppress ebv and in turn, hopefully reverse the hashimoto’s. Please help!!
Janae – thank you for following this page. My heart goes out to you and your daughter! <3 Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”), a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Animal fats, broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. Here are some articles that you may find helpful:
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
A COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs
I have just read some recent research that claims to either eradicate or drastically reduce EBV. Has anyone tried this or have more information to share?
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170808145531.htm
Merewynne – thank you for sharing this. I will certainly look into it. 🙂
I have Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s and I’ve felt much better (less fatigue, more energy and over-all well being, etc) since getting stem cell therapy.
I chose the umbilical cord blood, amniotic and placenta from a C-Section method.
I can’t wait to keep using this modality to continue to feel healthier as I also use many of your protocols that you talk about as well.
Toni – thank you so much for sharing your experience! 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/
HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care
I have been following you for months now and don’t remember you ever mentioning EBV regarding Hashimoto’s and Graves Disease. I have been reading the Medical Medium – Thyroid Healing by Anthony Williams … and this is the first time I have read anything about EBV. Have your read his book??
Deborah – thank you for following this page. Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students) I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections), and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
Animal fats, broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hello –
This article is so enlightening, and as I trace back to the very initial aspects of my health issues ( I was VERY healthy to a point, and since that point – struggling – to do everything) and I would like to order the EBV Panel Plus test. Any chance there is a known Promotion Code? (Hoping to save a little on the cost.)
Krissa – thank you for sharing. Please contact my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you.
Hi…I bought Monolaurin for EBV..then read that lauric acid in it from coconut causes inflammation… so…hashi is inflammatory response. Should I take monolaurin?
Kathie – thank you for reaching out. I wish I could give you more direct advice but, each person will react differently. I would advise you to ask your trusted clinician who’s care you are under if it is right for you. I am not able to respond directly to these types of questions here. I also have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out.
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
I have followed you and this page for many years now. I still struggle medically, but I have hope.
My question is how long (approximately) will I need to take the Lomatium each day until I see healing and relief ? I have started the treatment but hope you could give me at least and estimate.
Brenda – thank you for reaching out. I am sorry to hear you are struggling. I wish I could give you more direct advice but, each person will react differently. I would advise you to ask your clinician who’s care you are under. I am not able to respond directly to these types of questions here. I do address EBV in my book Hashimoto’s Protocol. You may find more information there. <3 I hope you check it out.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hi -Just stumbled upon this today – Athlete diagnosed with EBV – Was put on supplements & Anti-Viral – Doc up & left – Next Doc stating ‘you DID have EBV’ but you’re thyroid & Adrenals are on the low scale. Now, I’m just irritated and not sure who to trust to get better. Can you help me read my EBV Interpretation Chart – at least this would be a start for me: EBV Capsid Ab.IGM = 150.0 – EBV Capsid Ab.IgG = >600.0 and EBV Nurclear Ab.IgG = >600.0 Do I have it or is a past thing – thank you so much AND if you could recommend a reputable Doc that can provide care in the Raleigh/Durham area, much appreciated.
L Murray – thank you so much for reaching out. I understand how difficult this can all be. Please, understand it would not be legal or appropriate for me to to answer specific medical questions here. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms. Here are some links which might help:
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
MY RECENT CHALLENGES AND FINDING DR. RIGHT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/my-challenges-and-finding-dr-right/
Neither this article nor your book says how long to stay on the Lomatium and Munity Boost protocol. Can you provide this info? Thank you!
Sydney – thank you for reaching out. For questions pertaining to the supplements please contact my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you. 😉
Today I went back to a previous MD who I had a hunch might Rx me the Valacyclovir and he did! I’ve been trying to get this since April 23, 2018 when I learned that the EBV test I requested resulted in numbers that are through the roof. The PCP even remarked on the Early Antigen being remarkably high. She offered no treatment even though I asked her if she could Rx the antiviral. Since 2008 when I believe I got Mono at the age of 37. Since then I’ve had a tonsillectomy due to an abscess tonsil (years of tonsillitis too), developed peripheral neuropathy, thyroid cancer resulting in a Total Thyroidectomy, POTS, Edema, and enlarged liver. I know what this virus can do and now I’m up for another MRI of my neck because they found two lumps in the strap areas of my neck. I hope the Valacyclovir does the trick! I’m getting the sense my life depends on it. Thank you for your efforts.
Rachel – thank you so much for sharing your journey! <3 I am so sorry you are struggling with all of this. Did you know 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 Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Dr. Wentz,
First of all thank you for this article. Like all your other articles this was super helpful. Last year I found out that I have a parasite -Blastocystis hominis and my VCA IgG came back as Reactive. Everything else on my EBV was non-reactive. My functional doctor put me on a protocol and I got rid of the parasite. As a result my antibodies came down from 380 to 70. But my EBV test this year is the same – everything non-reactive except VCA IgG. I am a bit confused. I dont have any Hashi symptoms, I was able to lose all the weight since I started parasite protocol. What does it mean? Do I currently have the infection was it in the past?. Any help in understanding this would be much appreciated. Thanks
Rukhsana
Rukhsana – thank you for reaching out.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply. The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood. Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. While eradicating the virus is much more challenging than getting rid of a bacteria or parasite, you can suppress the virus back into a dormant state by supporting your body’s antiviral defenses, or through the use targeted antiviral herbs or medications. You also need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating. Here is a link which might help:
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
You are the best Dr. Wentz. This is so helpful. I was born and raised in India so I am pretty sure I got it when I was a kid. I now live in Canada. My immune system is pretty suppressed still and I am working on it. I had to literally beg my doctor to give me the blood req for EBV, dont think I can get one for Early Antigen test. In Canada the Functional doctors cannot give you the blood work reqs. However, I do travel to the US a lot so is there a place I can go get this test done? Again, appreciate all your help. 🙂
Rukhsana – If you cannot find a Functional Medicine practitioner in your area, it is possible to work with a practitioner remotely via Skype or some other online video platform. Here are some links that might help:
CLINICIAN DATABASE
https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I had mono when I was around 14. Shortly after got diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Later after my second pregnancy my doctor said my levels were within range and I didn’t need medicine anymore. Fast forward two years later, finally got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at 21 after urging for antibody tests. What labs should I ask for to detect ebv and do primary physicians typically test for it? Thank you ?
Have you any advice or tips about taking Venus Fly Trap tinctures, especially by Barlow Herbals, that may be helpful during the process of lowering antibodies to Hashimoto’s (and fighting a potential EBV)? Say, like taking this along with Lomatium tinctures and other protocols mentioned in previous threads or holding off until the antibodies are well managed?
Dawn – thank you for reaching out and sharing. I am not able to advise on whether this supplement or any other supplement would be appropriate for you and your specific health needs without a comprehensive health assessment. I recommend you discuss the use of supplements with your personal doctor or pharmacist. Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections) and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hi Dr. Wentz, I feel like this article is describing me. In my sophomore year of college I was diagnosed with EBV and struggled with it for several months. Ever since then I’ve been dealing with HORRIBLE chronic fatigue and IBS issues that no one seemed to understand and that negatively impacted my life significantly. Now, more than 5 years later, I was just diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and I’m hoping that 1) that I can treat it naturally and 2) that it will help with some of these symptoms so that I can have my life back again. I can’t wait to read your books. I just wish I had a provider who understands it as well as you do who can help me.
Sarah – thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling with EBV. My heart goes out to you. <3 Take the book slow, take notes, highlight, and establish a baseline when making changes. 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 him/her 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://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/pages/clinician-database
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/recommended-compounding-pharmacies.html
So I just got test results stating that a hibernating EBV virus is now positive. My number was 714.00 (not sure where the scale starts or ends) however I have been struggling with fatigue and other symptoms related to my thyroid. Id like to try an alternative method to treating this. You offer many things on here so curious what to start with or if all are considered to work together. Thanks!
Kris – thank you for reaching out. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling. <3 Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections) and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
I would like to work on Epstein Barr virus and also work on the autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) in another way. Do you think it is safe to take Cordyceps/Olive leaf extract at the same time as Low Dose Naltrexone?
Penny – thank you so much for reaching out! <3 Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections) and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Thank you for this article. I am curious if you have seen a similar connection to CMV? When I was a college freshman, I was hospitalized with a very high fever and an enlarged spleen. I was told that I had all the symptoms of mono but the tests didn’t confirm mono. However, I later learned that I had antibodies for both EBV and CMV. I suspect that’s what was going on, but no one thought to test for these viruses at the time. I am 65, so my hospitalization was almost 50 years ago. The CMV has been activated a couple of times that I know of, but I am not aware of EBV being reactivated. I will run the early antigen test. I have multiple autoimmune conditions, including hashimotos, which showed up about 9-10 years after the above hospitalization.
Thanks, Pam
Pam – thank you so much for sharing your journey. <3 There are many viruses that have been implicated in Hashimoto’s, but the most common viruses that I have found in my clinical practice are: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex 1 & 2 (HSV), Hepatitis C infection (the treatment is also a trigger), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Many of these viruses are part of the herpes virus family, including: Epstein-Barr (considered herpes 4), Herpes Simplex (1 and 2), Varicella zoster (the cause of chicken pox and known as herpes 3), Cytomegalovirus (herpes 5), and Human herpesvirus 7 (herpes 7). There are 9 herpes viruses that are known to infect humans, and the entire family is believed to be linked to the development of autoimmune disease. Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections) and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
This is so interesting the EBV Hashimotos connection. I went on Levothyroxine and immediately became super sensitive to multiple foods. I also now have a Salicylate sensitivity which makes it super difficult to take supplements as most supplements have a plant base. Any suggestions for supplements that would suppress my EBV virus? It’s been 3.5 years of living like this and i just want my life back. I suffer from fatigue, gut issues, swollen thyroid, multiple food sensitivities to name a few. Thank you for your articles
Eileen – thank you so much for sharing your journey. <3 I am so sorry you are struggling with all of this. Coconut oil can be very helpful in treating infections. For preventive measures, you’ll want to make sure your adrenals are well supported. The Adrenal Support by Rootcology and Vitamin D by Pure Encapsulations are two supplements that help with preventing the Epstein-Barr virus. Stress reduction is important as well, because viruses act up whenever we’re stressed out.I also recommend that you get tested for blastocystis hominis with the BioHealth 401H test or GI-MAP test. I have found a connection between the Epstein-Barr virus and blastocystis. In my experience, people who seem to have a history of struggling with the Epstein-Barr virus often end up having a blastocystis infection as well. Treating the blastocystis infection actually makes them feel better, even if they don’t do anything specifically to treat the Epstein-Barr virus. Read more about it in my Blastocystis article:
A COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO'S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs
Hello Dr Wentz. Thank you for the work you do and your incredible books. I wanted to ask about your experience with the Lomatian rash. Somewhat typical I land in the 1% of people who got it after 7 days in an antiviral protocol for EBV. I’m also concurrently in a candida irradiating protocol. This is the worst experience of my life. Every inch of my skin is on fire. This is day 4… what has been your experience with patients as to the progress of this rash. I’m at the end of myself. ?. I’m taking dandelion root, 5000mg of Vit C and only consuming fresh juices and bone broth. Nothing helps topically in the rash. Is it your experience that people only get the rash once or would again if taking Lomatian again. Thank you for any insight.
Blessings to you and your family.
Rachelle – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. I am so sorry you are struggling with these protocols. <3 I am not able to advise you on this without a comprehensive health assessment. I recommend that you discuss this with your personal doctor.
Thankyou for the in depth info. I also have hashi that is autoimmune (verified with a tpo of 280). A mono infection in my younger adult yrs and an ebv positive result (acute convalescing) is what I’ve always believed started the hashi. I’ve been on Armour for 15 yrs. Now my body enjoys making kidney stones and I must maintain a low oxalate diet. Since plant base food is no longer my friend, I hesitate to take any supplement. Your thoughts?
Sue – thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling with kidney stones. <3 Here is an article you may find helpful:
HASHIMOTO'S ROOT CAUSE: OXALATES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-oxalates-at-the-root-cause-of-your-thyroid-condition/
Our pediatric urologist suggested citrus juices such as grapefruit juice ( most people can’t because it interfere with medications), Orange juice, lemonade – fresh, frozen or powdered. We have a higher rate in the SE due to the limestone. Of course like Isabella suggests, check with your healthcare provider.
Hi Dr. Wentz –
Thanks for this really interesting post. I had no idea that Hashimoto’s had been linked to EBV.
Is there another source of thymic protein A besides the supplement you list above? I am very sensitive and can’t take something with maltodextrin, not even sublingually. Would a thymic glandular provide this?
Thanks,
Tamra
Tamra – thank you so much for sharing. I am happy you enjoyed the article! <3 For questions about the supplements please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you.
Question about the suggestion for the Thymic Protein: I noticed it has maltodextrin in it. Isn’t that a big no no for Hashimoto’s– or for health in general? Whether it’s from corn, wheat, or potatoes, it’s sugar, so I’m just curious as to why it is recommended. Also, if there is another brand that doesn’t have any extra ingredients?
Lara – thank you so much for reaching out. For questions about the supplements please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help. <3
Hi Doctor! I just got diagnosed with EBV. The problem is that I was diagnosed with Hashimoto two years ago. I’ve been tired and suffered severe pains since I was 15… I’m now 25. Do you think it’s possible that my Hashimoto will get worse because of the EBV? Or do I have more chances of getting another autoimmune disease? Thanks!
Ana – thank you for reaching out. <3 I'm so sorry you are struggling with all of this. Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections) and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
I have an entire protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hi Dr. Wentz,
I have found your book and website very informative. Thanks for the work that you do. If a person tests positive for EBV reactivation, (Positive IgM, Positive IgG), do you recommend they avoid Collagen supplementation due to the Arginine that is part of the collagen powder (which is in a higher quantity than Lysine in all of the formulations that I have looked at)? Also, do you recommend avoiding eggs?
Thanks
Charlene
Charlene – thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey. Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system. I have protocol dedicated to eradicating EBV in my book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, starting on page 329, that you may want to check out!
HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
Hi Dr. Wentz,
I am a 68 year old woman who had shingles for the first time at 36 years of age. I was also prone to depression which I was able to press through until stressors piled on top of each other when my mother had a stroke and eventually passed away. At that time I had episodes of terrible nerve pain 4-6 times a year. I was diagnosed at 52 years of age with ZSH (zoster sine herpete) through blood tests of antibodies. My neurologist prescribed me a prophylactic dose of 1 gram of Valacyclovir a day. This helped bring down the nerve episodes down considerably. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a suspicious nodule on my thyroid (biopsy, genetic testing). My endocrinologist said the ultrasound showed Hashimoto’s, which was confirmed through the blood tests. After half my thyroid was removed (turned out benign) my TSH rose from 3.2 to 6.8. I suffered all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, along with GERD and constant cough and am now on levothyroxine. I am still struggling with GERD, dry skin and weight gain (in spite of diet and exercise). My question is: Is the Valacyclovir I take helpful or hurtful to Hashimoto’s? I was under the impression that this anti-viral strengthened my immune system in order to fight/suppress the virus. Am I mistaken?
Trish – thank you for reaching out. <3 I am so sorry you are struggling all of this. The herpes virus, and viruses in general, can definitely trigger Hashimoto’s. The first step I always recommend is supporting your adrenal glands, because herpes viruses can flare up in the presence of adrenal fatigue. The adrenals help balance our immune system, can expedite healing, and prevent the influx of disease. Next, I would recommend making sure you are getting enough nutrients to boost your immune system, including making sure your Vitamin D levels are optimal, as Vitamin D supports the immune system. Herpes viruses also thrive on arginine, and arginine rich foods are thought to trigger them. So, if you're already gluten free, other things that can provide arginine to herpes viruses include nuts, chocolate, and spirulina. Lysine is a supplement that you can take to suppress arginine, and therefore suppress the herpes virus. I used to think that herpes viruses could not be eradicated, only suppressed, and I would often recommend antiviral medications to suppress them. These can be very helpful for symptoms where autoimmunity or fatigue are caused by a virus. You can speak to your doctor if you think that would be helpful for you. Additionally, some people have had success with eradicating herpes viruses with antiviral herbs. Additionally, some people have had success with eradicating herpes viruses with antiviral herbs, including Lomatium Dissectum from Barlow Herbal (https://thyroidpharmacist.com/lomatium-bundle/). Here are some articles you may find helpful as well:
ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health
HASHIMOTO’S AND LOW STOMACH ACID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-low-stomach-acid/
6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-different-hashimotos-root-causes/
Dr. Wentz,
When you say “some people have had success with eradicating herpes viruses with antiviral herbs, including Lomatium Dissectum,” do you mean total eradication of a latent, inactive ebv infection? Or just subduing a recurrent infection back to dormancy?
Marc – thank you for reaching out. I used to think that herpes viruses could not be eradicated, only suppressed, and I would often recommend antiviral medications to suppress them. These can be very helpful for symptoms where autoimmunity or fatigue are caused by a virus. You can speak to your doctor if you think that would be helpful for you. Additionally, some people have had success with eradicating herpes viruses with antiviral herbs, including Lomatium Dissectum from Barlow Herbal (https://thyroidpharmacist.com/lomatium-bundle/).
Hi Izabella! Can I take lomatium and munity boost while breastfeeding? I just took the virus and parasites test and I have a lot of them!! EPSTEIN BAR, CYTOMEGALOVIRUS, Blastocictys, and H Plyori…. and of course, my hashimoto started again post pregnancy after being so well almost 2 years, so I’m freaking out… please help! Thanks!
Susana – thank you for reaching out. <3 It's best to talk about detoxing while nursing with your practitioner. I have not specifically researched each of these supplements' effects on pregnancy and nursing, so I would not be able to confirm their safety. I recommend either waiting to start these or working with your practitioner who is more familiar with you and can discuss the safety of the supplements while nursing.
Good day dr Izabella,
EBV and eczema in a baby of 9 months. Eczema started when she was only 2 months old and exclusively breastfed. Do you think it is a possibility we should investigate? I am the grandmother and have Hshiamoto’s. My daughter has adrenal fatigue an a lot of other health issues. Now baby has this eczema…
Marelize – thank you for sharing your story as well as your daughter and grandbaby. My heart goes out to all of you. I do recommend that you work with a functional medicine doctor that is familiar in working with children. I hope this helps!
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
I read that olive leaf extract can be damaging to the kidneys; is this true? Thank you!
Kelli – thank you for following! ❤️ I don’t currently have information to share on that but, I will add it to my list of possible future articles to research.
Thank you so much, as I trust your opinion.
Kelli – you are very welcome! I hope you will keep me posted on your progress. ❤️
hi dr. isabella!
my name is claudia and i was recently diagnosed with hashimoto’s a little over a month ago (i’m still in stage 2 and am not taking thyroid medications, but experiencing every symptom for over a year now). ive been taking supplements and have been on the AIP diet for a month now, but i was a healthy eater beforehand (little to no gluten consumption and dairy). i contracted EBV early 2018 in college and since then, i have been struggling with my health and now with the hashimoto’s, i cannot seem to recover and be healthy again. ive even had two mono relapses since my initial infection. is there anything i can do to optimize my health? i feel like im doing everything right and feeling worse and worse as time goes on. thanks:)
Claudia – thank you for reaching out and sharing! ❤️ I understand how hard this is. We know that intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) is present in every case of autoimmunity and often precedes the development of Hashimoto’s. Symptoms of leaky gut may include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, many people develop IBS 5-10 years before an autoimmune diagnosis. I was one of them and didn’t take my gut health as seriously as I should have. Gut problems are often caused by infections like H. pylori, parasites like Blasto, SIBO, an imbalance of bacteria, and enzyme deficiencies or food sensitivities (especially to gluten, dairy, and/or soy). Even stress can be a factor in gut permeability. Here is an article you might find interesting.
6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-different-hashimotos-root-causes/
Does this apply to microplasma as well ? My health history is microplasma, ibs, hashimoto then sibo. So my microplasma igg is high. If so does the supplement mentioned apply to microplasma too ? Thank you.
Violet – thank you for reaching out. ❤️ I don’t currently have information to share on microplasma igg, I will dig into that and share my findings in a future blog post! We know that intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) is present in every case of autoimmunity and often precedes the development of Hashimoto’s. Symptoms of leaky gut may include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, many people develop IBS 5-10 years before an autoimmune diagnosis. I was one of them and didn’t take my gut health as seriously as I should have. Gut problems are often caused by infections like H. pylori, parasites like Blasto, SIBO, an imbalance of bacteria, viruses and enzyme deficiencies or food sensitivities (especially to gluten, dairy, and/or soy). Even stress can be a factor in gut permeability. Here is an article you might find interesting. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-different-hashimotos-root-causes/