Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

How to Lose Weight with Hashimoto's

How to Lose Weight With Hashimoto’s

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

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Weight gain is a common symptom of thyroid disease. Like many people with Hashimoto’s, I struggled with both weight gain and weight loss throughout my thyroid journey. When people struggle with their weight, eventually they look to the thyroid, so in some ways we can thank our bodies for letting us know there is something going on that we need to focus on.

Unfortunately, as many people see those pounds begin to pack on, they are often advised to start a low calorie diet. The problem with following a low calorie diet is that we often become deficient in macro and micronutrients when we reduce our calorie intake, and over time, we may be inadvertently sending our bodies a message that we are experiencing a famine.

To protect you, your body will slow down your metabolism in an effort to run on fewer calories to make sure you do not starve. This makes weight loss even harder. So for many people, low-calorie diets are NOT the solution.

So what diet is best for you? Well, that will require a little experimentation, and often, the most helpful diets may also help your thyroid symptoms. Is there anything other than diet or medication that you should be looking at? Absolutely!

I’d like to share some helpful lifestyle strategies for weight management and Hashimoto’s. You’ll be surprised by just how big of a role your thyroid, adrenal and nutrient levels play in unexpected weight gain!

In the following article, you’ll discover:

  • How suboptimal thyroid levels affect your weight
  • Thyroid medications and weight gain
  • What is the best thyroid diet for weight loss?
  • Best foods for weight loss
  • How the adrenals affect your weight
  • How much exercise should you get? Can it make you feel worse?
  • Best supplements to reset your metabolism

8 Helpful Strategies for Weight Management and Hashimoto’s

1. Get Your Latest Lab Values

Get your latest lab values for TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 from your doctor. You may have been told that these numbers were “normal,” but sometimes when these numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired, making it more difficult for you to burn calories.

Additionally, new guidelines have redefined the normal range for TSH to be below 3 μIU/ml; however, not many labs have implemented this guideline. Your doctor may be using old ranges. Thus, many physicians may miss the patients who are showing an elevated TSH, which means that you do not have enough thyroid hormone on board and that you are hypothyroid. (This is one reason why patients should always ask their physicians for a copy of any lab results!)

Many patients are told their TSH is in the “normal” range, but their levels are actually on the higher side of this range, which could be one reason why they may find it harder to lose weight.

Functional medicine practitioners have further defined that normal reference ranges should be between 1-2 μIU/ml for a healthy person not taking thyroid medications. Anecdotally, most patients feel best with a TSH between 0.5-2μIU/ml.

Here’s a handy reference chart of optimal thyroid ranges:

Optimal Thyroid Lab Ranges

You can check out my article for more information on thyroid lab tests!

Remember, thyroid medications are dosed in micrograms — that’s 1/1000th of a milligram! — and sometimes a teensy increase in the dose can make a world of a difference. Talk to your doctor to discuss revising your dosing, as optimizing your thyroid levels can repair your metabolic rate and help you lose weight more easily.

2. Consider the Type of Medication You Are Taking

Synthroid, a medication that contains the T4 hormone, is the most commonly prescribed medication for an underactive thyroid. However, the T3 thyroid hormone is more effective for maintaining our metabolism. In theory and on paper, T4 gets converted into T3; however, there are many potential factors (including genetics) that can prevent this conversion from happening in the human body!

Factors that Inhibit T4 to T3 Conversion

StressMedicationsAgingSurgeryNutrient Depletions
FastingChemotherapyDiabetesSoyGrowth Hormone Deficiency
ObesityGoitrogensPesticidesRadiationLow Progesterone
Iodine ExcessHeavy MetalsCigarettesAlcoholKidney and Liver Disease

Furthermore, under stressful situations, T4 gets converted to Reverse T3 instead of T3. Reverse T3 is an inactive molecule related to T3, but without any physiological activity, it is a dud that just takes up space and blocks the active T3 from activating the receptors.

So what can one do to boost their T3 levels? Taking thyroid medications that contain T3 will help ensure that the right hormone is getting to the right receptors.

Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour*, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

In addition to losing weight, many patients that start taking a combination T4/T3 product often report that they feel better as well! For more information, be sure to read my article on which thyroid medications are best and my top 11 thyroid medication tips.

*Note: While Armour Thyroid does not have any gluten-containing ingredients, it is not tested for gluten content, and cannot be certified as gluten-free. Armour does contain sodium starch glycolate, which can be derived from wheat or corn.

3. Consider the Type of Diet You Are Eating

Are you following The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.)? The S.A.D., which is full of sugar and simple carbohydrates, is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar!

Instead of eating processed and pre-made meals, I like to think about eating “real food”. If it wasn’t considered food 200 years ago, we probably shouldn’t be eating it now!

Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight but to also feel better, and in some cases, minimize or eliminate the attack on the immune system.

Some Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology diet, the Paleo diet, the Virgin diet, Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price diet, or the Mediterranean diet. 63 percent of 2332 readers that I surveyed in 2015 reported positive weight changes when they tried the AIP diet! A great way to see if the AIP diet might work for you is to try my 2-Week Recipe Plan for FREE below. (That’s 14-days worth of delicious meal plans and recipes!)

These diets are meant as a starting point, as you may need to modify these diets to fit your own individuality.

After all, people with Hashimoto’s usually have multiple food intolerances—especially to gluten.

Here are a few rules of thumb to consider:

  • Eliminate sugar, processed foods of all kinds, gluten, dairy, corn, rice, and other simple carbohydrates. (Carbohydrates get stored in our bodies as fat.)
  • Focus on eating lots of good meats and vegetables (preferably organic), and good fats like avocados, olive oil, and coconut oil.
  • Make sure you’re getting enough protein. If you’re struggling with that, consider adding in a great protein shake. (Consider adding Rootcology’s Organic Pea Protein or AI Paleo Protein powder to your daily smoothies!)
  • Don’t count calories, rather, eat until you are satisfied.

After an initial week or two of withdrawal, your body will start to thank you. You will start noticing stomach aches, bloating, acid reflux, and fatigue subside. You will also start to lose weight without trying.

If you’ve been eating a clean diet for some time but your weight isn’t budging, you may also want to consider food sensitivity testing to remove foods that are specifically inflammatory to you. Many of my clients who have played with their current diets have seen progress in weight loss after eliminating foods per their food sensitivity results.

4. Consider Taking a Probiotic or Eating Fermented Foods

New research is showing that people who are overweight have an imbalance of bacterial flora in their intestines. Those who are overweight may have particular bacteria strains that extract more calories from food compared to those found in people who are not overweight. This means you could be eating the same amount of food as your friends yet gaining more weight from it!

Probiotics and fermented foods that contain beneficial bacteria may be helpful with balancing your bacterial flora. As a bonus, since 70 percent of your immune system resides in the cell walls of your digestive system, supporting your gut health will also help support your immune system. (1)

Here are some of the probiotics that I recommend and that you may consider:

  •  Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) – This is a beneficial yeast that helps to clear out pathogenic bacteria, candida, some parasites (including Blastocystis hominis), and H. pylori, an infection that has been implicated in ulcers and has been linked to Hashimoto’s.
  • ProB 50 by Rootcology – Containing 50 billion colony forming units of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, this is a great high dose probiotic that promotes a healthy intestinal ecology and supports gastrointestinal and immune health.
  • VSL #3 – This probiotic has been clinically studied for ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Please note, this is a very expensive probiotic, but you can get it covered by your insurance if you have the right diagnosis.
  • Klaire Ther-Biotic – This is a less expensive but equally effective brand of high dose multi-strain probiotics recommended by brilliant nutritionist friend, Tom Malterre.
  • MegaSporeBiotic – This spore-based probiotic has a unique mechanism of action, which allows it to directly modulate the gut microbiome. Spore-based probiotics have shown promise in various autoimmune diseases and in reducing allergies and asthma. Spore-based probiotics also have an ability to boost Lactobacillus colonies, so they can be used concurrently with Lactobacillus probiotics as well as in place of them. Unlike Lactobacillus probiotics, spore-based probiotics can reduce SIBO and increase gut diversity by boosting the growth of other beneficial flora. Clients and colleagues with Hashimoto’s have reported the following after using MegaSporeBiotics for thirty to ninety days: a reduction in thyroid antibodies, an improved mood, less pain, better bowel movements, more energy, and a reduction or complete elimination of food sensitivities.

High-dose, multi-strain probiotics can be very helpful for people with Hashimoto’s in general. However, they may be problematic for people with SIBO, which can be caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Streptococcus bacteria, which are often found in probiotics. Be sure to check out my article on probiotics and consult a local functional medicine practitioner to find the right probiotic for you!

5. Adrenal Support and Stress Response

Our bodies have this amazing capability to heal. When you’re in the “rest and digest” stage, or anabolic process, your body is actively repairing and healing itself.

When you experience stress, your body goes into “fight or flight response” mode, diverting its attention from healing and digestion; and goes into emergency mode, pumping your body full of adrenaline to prepare it to survive what your body perceives to be a life threatening event. Many people cite a traumatic incident in their lives as the precursor to when their Hashimoto’s symptoms began. Adrenal stress is a very common reason behind why people may hit a weight loss plateau.

There are 3 potential stages of adrenal dysfunction: Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III.

  • Stage I – In Stage I, there will generally be too much cortisol production. Your total cortisol level is going to be elevated throughout the day.
  • Stage II – In this stage, the total cortisol level will be normal, but there will be some abnormalities where it might be high in the morning, then too low in the afternoon, and then high again in the evening. This can produce some annoying symptoms like blood sugar swings, irritability, or an afternoon crash.
  • Stage III – This is an advanced stage where the adrenals become depleted and do not produce enough cortisol. You’ll be running on empty and have very low levels of cortisol throughout the day. This often times leads to chronic fatigue.

You can reset your adrenals by getting more rest, limiting caffeine intake, and getting your daily dose of the ABC’s: Adrenal Adaptogens, B Vitamins and Vitamin C.

The supplement Adrenal Support™  by Rootcology contains all three of these adrenal tonics that can balance out adrenals, whether they are over or underactive.

Rootcology Adrenal Support Supplement

 

Please note, severe cases may require further intervention. You can get your adrenals tested with adrenal saliva tests, like the ZRT Adrenal Stress Profile. You can order this test through your doctor, or you can order it yourself. In some cases, stressed adrenals may actually lead to poor absorption of foods. 

Just like everything else, your stress hormone cortisol needs to be in balance. Too much, and you store excessive belly fat; too little of it, though, and you can feel extremely fatigued. Thyroid symptoms of fatigue can actually be due to low cortisol levels. If you have chronic stress, your body will eventually be unable to produce enough cortisol, DHEA and progesterone.

(Experiencing other symptoms aside from fatigue? As a pharmacist, I am amazed that the simple strategies that I have found to work 9 out of 10 times for symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, muscle wasting and hair loss are not widely taught in medical schools. Through years of trial and error, I created the Thyroid Symptom Hacker eBook for my private clients to address these issues. You can actually overcome fatigue in three days! Enter your email below to download this free eBook!

6. Choose a Physical Activity You Enjoy

Choose a physical activity that you will enjoy and continue, such as walking, yoga, swimming, Pilates, running, Zumba, or P90X. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it. Now perhaps you are saying, “Physical activity?! I’m exhausted even after a full night’s sleep. I can’t even imagine getting enough energy to think about exercise, let alone do it.”

However, you will need to tailor your activity based on your adrenal levels and the stage of adrenal dysfunction your body may currently be experiencing (as per #5). The more advanced the stages of your adrenal dysfunction are, the less likely you’re going to be able to tolerate exercise.

Generally, when it comes to exercise, we find that in Stage I adrenal dysfunction, things like running, aerobic sports, and CrossFit are going to make people feel better. In people with Stage III adrenal dysfunction, however, these types of activities may make them feel worse and worsen their adrenal fatigue and dysfunction. A person with Stage III dysfunction may do better with more gentle, relaxing exercises like yoga and stretching, as well as with muscle building exercises like lifting weight. Remember: muscle boosting is great for our own internal metabolism. Having more muscles will actually make it easier for you to lose weight!

One of the things you can do is just give yourself a good rule of thumb for when it comes to exercise. If you are exercising, and you find that you feel exhausted after the exercise, this generally means that what you just did was too much for you. A good amount of exercise should make you feel refreshed and energized. You should feel like you should be able to do it all over again once more.

Something that I have had some of my clients do when they were in Stage III adrenal dysfunction is actually cut out exercise. It seems counterintuitive, but in this stage, when their adrenals were very dysfunctional, they were not able to tolerate exercise. Even walking or jogging could be too stressful for their bodies that it would actually make them worse. I’ve actually had some ladies who were able to lose weight by exercising less, which is always surprising, and at the same time, great progress.

Again, it’s important to find the appropriate amount of exercise and tailor your needs to your own body.

7. Consider Medication Side Effects

As a consultant pharmacist, I have witnessed numerous people having major changes in weight gain with the use of certain medications.

Birth control, in particular, can be associated with significant weight gain, and 45 percent of my readers with Hashimoto’s reported that stopping birth control helped them normalize their weight. I’ve written about the impact of birth control on our health in this article.

As people with Hashimoto’s are often misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. I would be remiss to report the important impact of psychotropic medications on weight gain.

The biggest culprits associated with weight gain include antipsychotic medications which were traditionally developed for schizophrenia but are used on and off label for conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, irritability and even insomnia! In my experience, Zyprexa was the worst offender. I have seen people gain 100+ pounds on this medication. Other antipsychotics include Seroquel, Risperdal, and Abilify.

Antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft and Lexapro can also contribute to weight gain. The antidepressant Wellbutrin, however, is less likely to cause weight gain.

I recommend speaking with your doctor or pharmacist about your current medications to see if they could be potential culprits for causing weight gain, and if weight neutral alternatives exist.

8. Address Your Nutrient Deficiencies

One of the surprising reasons why people hold onto excess weight is because they are malnourished. It may seem counter intuitive that a person who is overweight would be nutrient deficient or malnourished, however, our nutritional status isn’t based on just calories alone.

The human body requires macro and micro-nutrients to thrive, and proper nutrient status depends on our intake of nutrients, digestion of food, and absorption of the nutrients from the food.

Without these nutrients, your body may sabotage your weight loss efforts by slowing down your metabolism or causing you to have cravings or feel hungry, even when you have had enough to eat.

Let’s review how to address nutritional status:

Intake of Nutrients

I recommend eating a nutrient dense diet like the Paleo diet or Autoimmune Paleo diet for most people with Hashimoto’s as a starting point. Additionally, taking supplements can help with addressing your nutrition.

The most common nutrient deficiencies in Hashimoto’s are B vitamins (including thiamine and B12), selenium, magnesium, vitamin D, and ferritin.

For more information on each of these, please read my recent article The 6 Most Important Nutrient Deficiencies in Hashimoto’s.

Another common deficiency that may lead to weight gain is inadequate intake of protein. I recommend starting your day off with a blood sugar balancing smoothie (bonus: it’s great for reducing cravings and hunger) that includes a hypoallergenic protein source, such as my Rootcology AI Paleo Protein. Smoothies and protein powders allow your body to absorb more nutrients, even if you don’t have perfect digestion, as the foods are more bioavailable and are easier to digest and absorb.

Additionally, I love adding green juices to the mix as another great way to boost your nutritional status. Green juices also have tons of nutrients that are easy to absorb and digest.

Digestion

Digestive enzymes, such as Betaine with pepsin for protein digestion, as well as fat specific and broad spectrum digestive enzymes, can also help you get more nutrients from your food. Furthermore, blends with enzymes such as Rootcology’s Veggie Enzymes can help you digest fibers and starch in fibrous foods such as raw vegetables and fruits. If you have insufficient levels of digestive enzymes produced naturally in the pancreas, Rootcology’s Pancreatic Enzymes Plus may also be beneficial. The bromelain, trypsin and chymotrypsin in this supplement target and break down specific amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) in the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine), where pancreatic enzymes are normally released. (Please speak with your practitioner before considering pancreatic enzymes if you are currently taking broad spectrum digestive enzymes, as some of the ingredients may overlap.) I have an article all about Using Enzymes for Hashimoto’s you may want to check out. 35 percent of my readers reported that digestive enzymes helped them optimize their weight!

Absorption

Absorbing your nutrients is dependent on a variety of factors, including the state of your gut and the function of your liver.

I already talked about the impact of probiotics on weight — 36 percent of my readers reported that a probiotic can help with weight optimization. Part of the reason for this is because probiotics help us extract nutrients.

Supporting Your Liver

The liver is an important player in nutrient status. In fact, the liver is the organ that processes the nutrients we absorb from the small intestine. 38 percent of readers reported improvements in weight status with using liver support! I’ve written a comprehensive article all about liver support! Check it out here.

Another root cause of why you may not be properly absorbing nutrients could be due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or an unwanted guest in your gut, such as an infection or parasite. 41 percent of my readers with Hashimoto’s saw improvements in weight after utilizing SIBO protocols, and 36 percent saw improvements with parasite protocols (I don’t have an article on this yet, but more information on parasite protocols can be found in Hashimoto’s Protocol).

Your Weight Loss Action Plan

In an effort to slow down your body’s metabolism, stress, skipping meals, and toxicity can cause the body to attack the thyroid, as well as promote weight gain. Preventing further attacks on your already delicate thyroid is of prime importance, as you may know if you’ve read my new book Hashimoto’s Protocol. By optimizing your thyroid hormone levels, following a thyroid-friendly diet, adding probiotics and fermented foods to your daily regimen, considering a T4/T3 combination medication, repairing your adrenals, getting the appropriate amount of exercise for your body, and optimizing your nutrients, your health may greatly improve — and you may even notice that losing weight will become easier!

Remember, you are not alone. Losing weight with thyroid disease is POSSIBLE. Many of my readers have seen dramatic and positive weight loss results after implementing these lifestyle changes, and reported feeling better, too. You can be one of them! And you are WORTH it — so get your body and health on the right track today!

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your health journey!

P.S. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 Thyroid friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways and helpful information.

References

  1. Hyman M. How Good Gut Health Can Boost Your Immune System. EcoWatch. 2015. https://www.ecowatch.com/how-good-gut-health-can-boost-your-immune-system-1882013643.html. Accessed January 15, 2018.

Note: Originally published in March 2015, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness

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

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

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  1. Finally! Here is how it has been. First diagnosed in 1965 with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Treatment for 2 months. Nothing more until 1991 when my TSH was so high that my doctor called me at home from his home. started on T4 only meds and various changes until 1999 with no real improvement; however, my psychiatrist tested for T3 and then talked my primary doctor into putting me on Armour for a six month period to see how I did. the 30+ year history of chronic depression ended within a week! My hair started growing back! My skin improved. My fatigue lessened, but did not totally end. My weight, however, is still a nightmare. I am 5’3″ tall and weigh about 290, down from 334. I recently started changing to a low gluten diet and have started eating Greek yogurt. I feel so much better. I will be purchasing your book when our next retirement check arrives. I will be 67 in a month. I want my retirement years to be better than my working ones. Thank you!
    Reply

  2. I have to say that I loved your post. I too have Hashimotos and my Dr said there was nothing I can do. You have given me hope and I am changing drs tomorrow. Thank you for your inspiration. I am 53 years old and now I have a Pacemaker and kidney disease and I believe I started by being over dosed with Levothyroxine. My level was .28.. Yikes
    Reply

  5. I have struggled with the same things since birth. What really helped me was switching to the PALEO diet. Your life will completely change. Also the trick is where you can’t afford Organic soak the veggies is some vinager and sea salt with water for about 20 min. Trust me. It will at least help cut the pesticides and you will be doing your body great justice by all of the other changes you will be making with paleo 🙂
    Best wishes. YOU CAN DO IT!
    Reply

    • Sarah – I’m so glad to hear you’ve found something that works for you! The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

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

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  6. I’m loving your FB page !! I’d like it though if you added CrossFit to your list of exercises. Why – because it works. I have Hashimotos and have tried all that you have listed .. For three long years. I didn’t lose the inches until I did CrossFit! They promote a Paleo lifestyle as well and all the workouts can be scaled down to fit any fitness level.
    Reply

    • Kim – Thank you for sharing what worked for you. I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  7. The most effective way for women too tighten and tone is WEIGHTS…lifting weights 3 x week – muscle burns FAT and muscle takes up less space than FAT – and when ur lifting – for the next 48hrs (onbetween weight training / your body is still burning calories – unlike cardio (which u are only burning while ur doing it) so much has been proven that indeed weights will shrink ur frame yet you will look leaner – so throw away the scales and buy tape measure – and every two weeks measure yourself (first thing in morning) you want compound moves, and minimal rest onbetween sets – any reputable PT should be able too write you up a good programme on this which u can easily do on ur own at local gym. Crossfit is flawed, as you are not working ur muscle too failure – and injuries are common, and you burn less calories at end of each week compared too resistance training – and it’s a MYTH that women get bulky – what you EAT makes you bulky (lift heavy – if it doesn’t challenge you – increase the weight) I hope this helps
    Reply

  8. I stop running and spin classes. I have been doing weights balancing my primary and secondary muscles and it has worked for me
    Reply

  9. That’s great for you that Crossfit is working. I have been a Crossfit convert for 4 years unfortunately though it have many benefits weight loss was not one of them. I’m also suffering adrenal problems that I’m sure were exacerbated by doing Crossfit prior to my Hashimotos diagnosis. Under Dr’s orders to not do it for a while really miss the awesome community
    Reply

    • Nicole – I’m sorry to hear that you miss the Crossfit community. There are other exercise programs that have communities – pilates and yoga are two great options.

      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.

      HASHIMOTO’S 411
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Reply

  10. I love Crossfit. Prior to becoming a crossfitter, I worked out with a personal trainer and ran many miles/ week. Lets just say, I spent a lot of money and time trying to get results. Thankfully, I found Crossfit and Paleo…my body transformed, I’m saving money, having tons of fun and not working out as long as I use to. In regards to injury, I’ve never been injured in my 3 years of crossfitting but, I did suffer injuries when I was a runner, working on my black belt in karate, and broke my wrist rollerblading. Everything has risk.
    Reply

  11. She may have left CrossFit off the list due to the cortisol increases it causes. It can be very taxing to the adrenal glands lead to over training and worsening of the Hashi’s. Chris Kresser and Robb Wolf discuss this extensively in their research. And it’s easy to love CrossFit if you are a person who needs that stress in life trust me I’ve been there. I’m not sure if that’s why it was left off that’s just my guess after seeing it happen to my self and clients of mine.
    Reply

  12. I found a great yoga place that has a variety of classes, including Ballet Barre, which is AWESOME. It builds long muscles instead of bulk. I’m going to alternate this with free weights, yoga and meditation yoga. I think it’s all about finding the thing that works for you. BTW, gluten free has been KEY for me. I’m early on in the journey. Despite the scale, I LOOK leaner and less puffy around the ribcage and stomach.
    Reply

    • Kathie – It seems like you have found something that really works for you! Well done for working on it and finding a solution 🙂 The important thing is that you’re feeling better about yourself and in yourself!

      Reply

  13. I’ve done crossfit and true it did help me lose weight but at great health expense – my adrenals are shot from it. Told that hashis patients need to do moderate exercise and xfit can be extreme at times- though I miss it. I had a hashis flare last year so bad that all I could do in a day was xfit then rest had to stop.
    Reply

    • Kim – Sadly overexertion in exercise can really wipe out the adrenals. I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  14. I would like to know if you have thyriod problem is it dangerous to take any diet pills? I have heard Garcinia Cambogia is good to get rid of belly fat.
    Reply

  16. Not yet! I think its is a difficult combination and both contribute to weight gain. I do cardio, weights, yoga, and swim about two three times a week. The belly fat is resistance. Watched the Thyroid Summit last week and it was very good and show how difficult it is to work with the thyroid gland. I think most doctors don’t have the time or understand how to figure it out. You would have to balance all the hormones to get it to work well. With Hashimoto’s things change all the time. i just began to walk down this path about two months ago with a integrative medicine doc and they seem to know more then your primary will ever get into. I think it starts with MTHFR that gets the body out of balance and it takes time for you to get the body to change. As you get older your body does not change very quickly. I am off dairy, wheat, corn, soy and there is chemicals in fresh fruit that effect me.. I was eating fresh mango that was already cut up in slices from the store from Mexico and started to sneeze. So there many things that sets things off. I can only do so much, it seems you spend life trying to figure this out. am waiting on a MTHFR SUMMIT next, so I can understand it bettter. I think you will have to do a lot of work on own, the doctors can only do so much. You don’t know which part of the DNA is being set off. Has anyone try Coconut Oil and was successful at losing weight. When you are on line they claim it’s successful? I don’t like the smell or taste of it, but I can use it in a smoothie, or cook with it. I like it on my skin. I have high reverse 3 and getting lower, TPO in 400’s and low Vit D and getting better 56 now. Any input?
    Reply

    • Meghan – In addition to lifestyle changes, individuals with the MTHFR gene variation and high homocysteine levels may benefit from an activated version of folate, B6 and B12 , such as methylfolate, Pyridoxyl-5-Phosphate , and methylcobalamin, respectively. This is because we may not be able to get enough of the needed nutrients from food alone. Pure Encapsulations makes a supplement called Homocysteine Factors that contains all of the above-mentioned ingredients and may be helpful with reducing homocysteine levels.

      http://www.purecapspro.com/thyroidrootcause/pe/products/product_details.asp?ProductsID=121

      Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antibiotic, and can help with weight issues. I find most people with Hashimoto’s can tolerate it.

      Reply

  17. I went thru an entire 90 day supply of garcinia cambogia and lost no weight whatsoever. Not 1 pound. What a rip off at 90.00 a bottle. Back to diet and exercise!
    Reply

    • Yvonne – Garcinia Cambogia is associated with liver toxicity and studies have not shown any particular correlation with weight loss. Weight loss pills can be problematic because they are often based on stimulating properties which can drain our adrenals. Going gluten free is always the first step that I recommend. I’ve found through my page that a good percentage feel better off of gluten. About 20% will actually go into remission by doing so. Some researchers have found that three to six months on a gluten-free diet can eliminate organ-specific antibodies.

      TOP 10 TAKEAWAYS FROM 2232 PEOPLE WITH HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-10-takeaways-from-2232-people-with-hashimotos

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

      • I have done everything from pure compounded thyroid T3T4, strict paleo autoimmune protocol, 100% organic, eat fish with low mercury content, no dairy, no grains,no refined sugars, no chocolate no caffeine, no alcohol, overhauled my beauty products, mediation classes, essential oils….. it has been two years and nothing has helped me. NOTHING. I work out, but my body hurts all the time… I give up.

        Reply

        • Jennifer – thank you for following this page. Did you know that reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well-known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten?

          Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts, and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function!

          In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. An elimination period of at least 2-3 months is a good starting place, but you may want to continue if you feel that you still have more healing to do. Then you can trial a new food every 4 days and monitor yourself for reactions. Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here are some articles I hope you will find helpful!

          https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

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

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

          Reply

        • THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO ME AND IM 23!! I just yearn for a life that’s not filled with exhaustion, horrible bloating, 25+ weight gain, and just falling ill all the time:( super bummed about it.

          Reply

          • Claudie – thank you so much for following! ❤️ I’m so sorry you are struggling with all of this. Hashimoto’s is often a combination of food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, adrenal issues, gut issues as well as an impaired ability to get rid of toxins. Any of those things would prevent a person from getting better. Hashimoto’s is very much an individual condition.  While there are root cause commonalities, each person will have their own or in some cases, more than one root cause. You will have to start with the simplest modifications, by removing triggers, followed by repairing the other broken systems to restore equilibrium, allowing the body to rebuild itself. You will need to dig down to why the immune system is imbalanced in the first place and this will tell you how you begin to finally feel better, reduce your thyroid antibodies and even take your condition into remission.  
            You will have to create your own health timeline. Look back at your overall history as far back as you can remember. Look for infections, periods of severe stress, the use of medications (especially antibiotics, antacids, and oral contraceptives), accidents, and exposure to toxins. These are events that may have contributed to Hashimoto’s. Once you do, you will know what types of changes you need to implement to make yourself feel better. If you need further support, please check out the list of lab tests inside the “Testing” chapter of my book, Hashimoto’s Root Cause. I also offer a 12-week program, Hashimoto’s Self Management Program.  Here are some resources I hope you find helpful as well. ❤️ 

            BUILDING YOUR OWN HEALTH TIMELINE
            https://thyroidpharmacist.com/sample-health-timeline/

            Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program
            https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-self-management/

            ROOT CAUSE RESET
            https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-root-cause-reset/

  18. I’m taking a supplement that has chromium, all B vitamins and garcinia Cambodia. I’m down 28lbs. A size 14 and now a size 8. My cousin lost 100lbs.
    Reply

    • Carol – I’m so glad to hear you’ve found something that works for you! The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

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

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  19. Carol, what actually are you taking. I’m 60lbs over what I used to be. My husband never makes love to me anymore 3 1/2 yrs now. I don’t feel like I’m wanted. He at one time couldn’t keep his hands off me, now he doesn’t want to touch me . I don’t blame him I’m pretty pathetic compared to my old looking self. If you can help please do. I lost my life and can’t seem to find it or the old me. Everyone is sick of me complaining even me! HELP……
    Reply

    • Sandy – I’m sorry to hear things aren’t great right now. Don’t forget that you are only one person in a partnership – your husband has to work with you to improve things in your relationship. As well as the tips in the above article, two things that can make a difference are eating coconut oil and supplementing your stomach acid:

      HASHIMOTO’S AND LOW STOMACH ACID
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-low-stomach-acid

      Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antibiotic, and can help with weight issues. I find most people with Hashimoto’s can tolerate it.

      Reply

  20. Carol I seen this post and realized you talked about this back in Sept. 2014 but interested in what you were taking. I am still trying to learn all this. I am just starting gluten-free. It is a challenge but I will get it. I use to take Garcinia but stopped. I could lose some on it but I think the diet I was doing then was fighting the results. I am interested in the supplement that has chromium in it also.
    thanks
    Reply

  21. I wanted to take Garcinia Camboga and read that it actually can cause weight gain if you have a thyroid problem. Has anyone found this to be true?
    Reply

  23. It is. My husbands integrative doctor suggested and he has hashimotos. Helps manage stress, promote restfulfullness.
    Reply

  24. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto when I was 15, I am now 28. I have been on Synthroid ever since with many changes to my dosage. After I had my 1st child at age 20, my enlarged goiter shrank. I had tried the Garcinia Cambogia after I had me 2nd child at 27, I found that I had a little more energy than before, but did not loose any weight. I did however have to have my synthroid dosage lowered by 50mcg, I was experiencing dizziness almost like hypoglycemia. This disease really takes control of your life and it is difficult to find a good balance and extremely frustrating not being able to loose weight and always feeling so tired! I have not tried adjusting my diet, but that is my next step.
    Reply

    • Ann – In general, most people with autoimmunity need to find their food sensitivities, heal from infections, and eat organic; however, bioindividuality is important, not everyone will respond to the same interventions. The foods that heal one person, may not be the same for another. For those that have not been able to remove their symptoms after implementing a gluten-free diet, I recommend digging a bit deeper to find their personal food triggers. The most common food sensitivities are going to be to gluten, dairy (this was my biggest one), soy, grains (especially corn), nightshades (like potatoes, tomatoes and peppers), nuts and seeds.

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR LEAKY GUT
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/whats-causing-your-leaky-gut

      Reply

  25. I have been able to lose some weight when I follow an extemely clean diet as described in your book. Unfortunately I am currently having a flareup due to a pain/nerve drug (Gabapentin). It causes weight gain in some people but shortly after going on it my weighted climbed suddenly and my TSH shot up. My antibodies are also high. I got the weight to stop climbing but cannot drop any. My food allergies are up to over 30. What is a good alternative to coconut oil? I would like to try a couple ideas from your book but have a strong allergy to coconut. All the other foods you say to avoid I discovered through allergy testing with a doctor that does allergy testing in my small northern town. I have found that some weights and building muscle DOES help weight loss. However, yoga classes 3or more times a week will build the muscle needed. Walking and cross-country skiing are good.
    Reply

  26. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s 15 years ago. I can’t find a doctor that will treat it, they only want to treat my hypothyroidism. I’m curios about being on Gabapentin. I’ve been taking it at night to calm my restless leg syndrome and right now I’m at my heaviest ever. I never thought it could be contributing.
    Reply

  27. Hello – I am interested in the recommendation to take probiodics. How much and.or what kind?
    Ditto for biotin? How much per day?
    Reply

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

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

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

      Here’s an article about probiotics I hope you’ll read.

      THE FOUR BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTOS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos

      Reply

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

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

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

      Here’s an article about probiotics I hope you’ll read.

      THE FOUR BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTOS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  29. I use prescript assist probiotic and has worked amazingly well for me after trying
    many brands for last 5 years.
    Reply

  30. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, In 2005I believe thst was the year,,, I had totally went down hill since then,,,FATIGUE BECAME MY WORSE ENEMY, FROM.A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER TO.DRAGGING ,AT TIMES CRYING, MY PLATE WAS FULL.!!!! I felt at times I was gonna die and at times wish I would,,,I was taking out of work ,do to I just couldn’t get better at the rate I was going,,, I have had every dignosed that all.of you had and just as many mental disorders too,,, I have know idea where to go from here,,,,,
    Reply

  31. Hi, Michelle:
    I was recently diagnosed and your post reads exactly like mine…except I also have an infant baby, I work full time and I am a single mom. I live this every day and it sounds like you do too. I have always been a very strong and independent person and now I am the polar opposite. Please know that you are not alone – one thing that has helped me is to get to know me better – I have started taking time to myself – read a book I have wanted to read – and take as long as I want to do it. I sit around and watch tv and play with my daughter. I find ways to make me comfortable in the moment – thinking too far ahead is very very overwhelming. Good luck to you – pray too – I do.
    L
    Reply

    • Linda – I’m sorry to hear things have been hard – many people struggle with hypothyroidism after the birth of a child. Emotional support is incredibly necessary at this time. 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.

      HASHIMOTO’S 411
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Reply

  32. I have Hypothyroid, not sure about Hoshimoto’s at this point. (unless I’m missing something here?) Waiting for tests, as most MD’s want you to change medication then be tested. They don’t listen to what you’re telling them. I am a Holistic Health Practitioner myself. The one thing I keep hearing & reading everywhere is about weight gain. I have weight LOSS, and it isn’t changing. I’m supposed to be the ‘expert’ on pain. For the last six months every single morning I awaken in extreme pain, it is localized. I use a combination of Frankincense and Myrrh oils. One drop each into the palm of my hand and onto the spot. Done, but again I think it’s related to the thyroid. I didn’t see anything on here about pain, it isn’t an inflammation. First diagnosis was in 2008, it took until last month to get a specialist. Many of the things mentioned outside of food etc, are not mentioned here. I have insurance, not everything is covered in the way of ‘labs’, or the doctor insists you ‘don’t need them’? I’ve ordered your book.
    And thank you for your time. I just want to feel like me again, glad I’m not ‘crazy’~ Cheryl
    Reply

    • Cheryl – Most people with Hashimoto’s will experience weight gain, and so of course that’s what gets the most focus, but some people actually experience weight loss, or they can’t keep their weight on.

      This is especially problematic when a person has multiple food sensitivities and needs to adhere to an autoimmune diet that restricts foods.

      Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

      1) Get a calorie counting app like My Fitness Pal on your phone, to help you keep track of your daily calories. Eating real food can be more filling than eating simple carbohydrates and you may not be getting enough calories. Use the app to figure out your target weight and the number of calories per day you need to get there.

      2) Supplement after dinner with The Root Cause Building Smoothie: 1 avocado (300 calories), 1 cup coconut milk (150 calories), 1 banana (100 calories), 2 egg yolks (100 calories, if tolerated), 1 scoop of protein of beef/pea protein(60 calories) – You can also add cooked sweet potatoes if you need more carbs.

      3) Get tested for gut infections. Gut infections can prevent the digestion and assimilation of foods, leaving you underweight and malnourished. The 401H test or GI Effects test are my go to tests.

      4) Get your adrenals tested with an adrenal saliva tests. In some, stressed adrenals may actually lead to poor absorption of foods.

      5) Be sure that you are not over medicated.

      6) Work on reducing your antibodies with a selenium supplement

      7) Stress reduction, when we’re stressed we don’t digest.

      8) Add coconut oil in your beverages, this can add extra calories in your day

      9) Avoid caffeine, it can make you less hungry and stress out your adrenals.

      Thanks for ordering my book, I know it’s a lot to ask, but if you haven’t already, would you mind leaving a review on Amazon? 🙂

      http://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Thyroiditis-Lifestyle-Interventions-Treating/dp/0615825796/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

      Reply

  33. Cheryl:
    You’re not alone & not crazy! Since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I’ve had back pain that requires I not sleep flat at night and occasional extreme joint pain. I finally got my doctor to test reverse T3 & antibodies this week, hoping for results next week. I’m anxious to see what they say so I have a better idea of where to start with my healing journey!
    Reply

  34. I had my thyroid removed about a year ago, since then I’ve gained about 60 pounds. I am on levothyroxine 125. It is impossible for me to loose weight. I am going to try to do the eliminate of certain foods. What about organic fruit? does this count as sugar also? Do you think I would do better on Armour?
    Reply

  35. I had my thyroid removed and have gained so much weight and they cannot get my dosage adjusted, it has been 2 years! Please let me know how you are doing.
    Reply

    • Scotty – Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease

      Reply

  36. I was having no luck maintaining my weight on Levothyroxine, and my energy level was in the crapper. I switched my Levo for armour thyroid, and I feel about 15% better. I also take a tsp of coconut oil in my coffee , whick provides the medium chain fatty acids, that are sorely lacking in the hypothyroidic body. Unfortunately, I have to stop taking garcinia cambogia, which was helping me lose weight, but was interfering with the absorption of the thyroid meds. I hope this helps!
    Reply

  38. I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos , TSH levels are real low suffering of weight gain and unable to loose , I am so frustrated not knowing what to do next
    Reply

  39. I totally agree with this article. I changed to Armour thyroid and started doing Paleo AIP and I lost 20 lbs in two months with a low amount of exercise. I try to walk 3 miles 3-4 times a week. Best changes I’ve mad for my self.
    Reply

    • Carol – I’m so glad you’ve found something that works for you. The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

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

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  40. Coral. I did my own research when I couldn’t take the chemical replacements? Why I was allergic to them who knows? They made me sick. I found Armour Thyroid and finally found a Doctor who would prescribe them for me and its been an amazing turn around for me. There are thousands of people who cannot take the chemical replacements and the doctors keep scratching their heads wondering why but won’t do anything about it ..I tell everyone one I know about Armour Thyroid.
    Reply

  41. I started the Paleo diet about 6 weeks ago. I have not even been exceedingly strict, allowing myself an occasional cheat, but I have lost 11 lbs! I am so happy and feeling great. I am not counting calories, just eating/snacking on real foods when I am hungry. I am supporting local farmers with meat & produce CSA’s, and just added raw milk into my diet. This seems like a HUGE accomplishment to me, because I have NEVER been able to lose weight on traditional diets. I am loving my new, paleo cookbooks!
    Reply

    • Charlene – I’m so glad to hear you’ve made progress! The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  42. Charlene, What paleo cookbooks are you using? I am planning to switch my entire family to paleo and wondering what everyone likes so far. There are just so many cookbooks out there I would like some suggestions as to where to start!
    Reply

    • Laurie – The Thyroid Bundle Cookbook contains over 100 delicious gluten, dairy and soy-free recipes from me and my favorite thyroid and nutrition experts – available here:

      THYROID BUNDLE FREE COOKBOOK
      http://thyroidbundle.com/

      Also, you may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out.

      ROOT CAUSE RECIPE PORTAL
      http://rootcauserecipes.com/

      Reply

    • Cindy – The Thyroid Bundle Cookbook contains over 100 delicious gluten, dairy and soy-free recipes from me and my favorite thyroid and nutrition experts – available here:

      THYROID BUNDLE FREE COOKBOOK
      http://thyroidbundle.com/

      Also, you may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out.

      ROOT CAUSE RECIPE PORTAL
      http://rootcauserecipes.com/

      Reply

  44. I have Hashimoto and I am on levoxyl 137mcg. I am also on a low dose of prempro for hot flashes and menopausal changes. Weight is a problem too. Are there special considerations for Hashimoto with menopause?
    Reply

  45. My biopsy came back with this interpretation: Right thyroid lobe FNA compatible with chronic fibrosing thyroiditis. There is no evidence of malignancy. Antibody tiers recommended. Close follow up recommended. My endo Dr. never even mentioned it. Just said keep up with my Levo and wrote Rx for some tests to bring back in 6 months. (i can’t read his writing so I don’t know what tests) I looked that up on the internet and now kind of panicky! Should I do anything or am I over reacting?
    Reply

  46. I was on Synthroid for more than 3 years and felt horrible. But now I am on Armour and have the strength to exercise. I am losing weight slowly but surely. When I stopped gluten and sugar my weight just plummeted down. So for weight loss if you have Hashimotos, the best thing is Armor, and then exercise, no gluten or sugar. It’s a lot to ask, but it brings results and energy.
    Reply

  48. Izabella Wentz, PharmD
    In my experience, people with Hashimoto’s often have a combination of food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, gut infections, adrenals issues and an impaired ability to clear toxins. Any of those things would prevent a person from getting better. I have a list of lab tests that can be done in my Testing” chapter of my book. I will also be doing a Finding Your Root Cause” workshop sometime in the next few months. Please join my newsletter if you would like to be notified about it. I also post new research and resources almost on a weekly basis
    Reply

  49. I’m really hoping you can help suggest what might be the best thing for my 15 year old who as she gained weight this past year, I was shocked to see she had gained a large amount of stretch marks. Hips, inner thighs(a lot) along with the back of her thighs under her bottom, also her calves, breasts-just a little. I posted about her hypothyroid, MTHFR issues, insulin/carb genetic issues, and other issues, but I don’t know where it went. I’m hoping since she is still young and the stretch marks are recent, somehow we can help try to heal her skin as much as possible. I’ve heard they may never go away, but I believe she can still heal them significantly with the right things? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
    Reply

  51. I have Hashimotos. I am on on Armour thyroid meds. I am 54 and do not take any estrogen even though I had a hysterectomy because I have learned that most of us store plenty of estrogen in our fat. My ND has me on natural progesterone cream (Emerita) sold over counter which taken at night helps with sleep, hot flashes and has helped me lose weight (10 pounds in 1 month)She told me NO more gluten and little dairy and no refined sugar…I use honey. She also said that most of us are deficient in Vitamin D3. I take 1 -10,000 iu daily and a B complex Vitamin. She told me to eat 4 Brazil nuts daily for the Selinium and also daily Magnesium. So far so good!
    Reply

    • Teresa – Selenium content of Brazil nuts is determined on the soil where the nuts are grown and can vary 10 fold depending on the origin of the nuts. Brazil nuts can have between 50-500 mcg of Selenium per ounce of nuts, so unless a lab has analyzed the micronutrients, you really don’t know if you are getting enough or too much Selenium.

      Selenium is very important to thyroid health and can even reduce antibodies. I cover selenium in the Depletions and Digestion chapter in my book, which you can read for free here:

      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift

      Reply

  54. Hi Cindy,
    Armour Thyroid is considered pig thyroid. My Dr. Just took me off because she said it is not a consistent drug such as the amounts in the meds that help the thyroid.
    Reply

  55. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism is 2002. I don’t know if I have Hashimotos.
    After being on Levothyroxine since then I decided, with the help of my GP, changed to a more natural Armorthyroid five weeks ago. I’m 63, haven’t had a period since I was 55 and have never had any menopausal symptoms. Within three weeks of starting Armorthyroid, I was launched into a raging menopause, with night sweats, fatigue, and terrible hot flashes. I’ve been back on my Levoxyl for two weeks and am hoping my symptoms disappear!
    Reply

    • Becky – Sorry to hear you are suffering these symptoms. Some people do find that natural desiccated medications don’t suit them and for some people they increases thyroid antibodies. 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

      Reply

  56. Please keep in mind that every BODY is different and sometimes it can take time to see results. The formula that worked for me may not work for others. It’s your life and your body! I read Dr. Wentz’s book right when it came out. I changed doctors, gave up gluten, had my meds upped. I take a crazy number of supplements now, but losing weight is far easier now and I am much happier. I take a special folic acid and B supplement because I have issues converting (methylation). Had I not found my excellent doc who tested for it, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Advocate for yourself – you can feel better!
    Reply

  58. I have done all those things and still have trouble losing anything. Very discouraging! I wish there was something that would really help.
    Reply

  59. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos and my doctor is not wanting to treat with women at this point because my TSH is still considerably low 2.9
    he believes if I begin taking medication now that I will actually becomes Sicker before I become better. So
    at this point I have been rapidly gaining weight and very fearful of gaining more, I have no energy at all, I’m losing my hair and I have lost my putter eyebrows, skin is extremely dry and crackedand I do have a gluten intolerance
    Is diet change alone going to be good enough? I also suffer with severe fibromyalgia and find it very painful to do any chore or necessary activity. the medications I take for that cause severe inflammation and swelling so it feels like I’m going in circles without any improvement.
    Reply

  60. I would start with going gluten free and exercising as best you can. Also, have your D levels checked out. It makes a huge difference.
    Reply

  61. Hi Izabelle! Thank you so so much for sharing the fruits of your intensive research!
    I was told that freezing, then toasting 21-grain bread far reduces its gluten content. is that true? if this is the only gluten in my day, is that still healthy?
    i can not find an internet source to look up/compare gluten contents. do you have any resources to recommend?
    thanks bunches, tricia
    Reply

  62. Gluten is the protein found in certain grains. (ie wheat, barley, rye and any hybrids of those grains) One cannot do anything to reduce the amount of gluten in an item that contains gluten. (Unless you burn it to ashes) There are plenty of gluten-free breads out there that are good. You might find a few in the freezer section because these breads are normally more brittle than the ones with gluten and they tend to have a shorter shelf life.
    I hope this helps, best wishes and good luck!
    Reply

  63. My hair is thining out and my skin soo! Dry I must use lotion or I start itching from dry skin help would be great
    Reply

    • Betty – Our skin is a window to our internal health. It is the body’s largest elimination organ, and also a canvas where toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances can show up. Women with Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions are more likely to have dry, dull skin, rashes, hives, pre-menstrual acne and facial swelling, especially if their thyroid levels are not optimized and they are not absorbing vitamins and nutrients correctly.

      THYROID AND SKIN
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin

      Reply

  64. By the way, I have read your entire book front to back and have taken notes filling an entire notebook! I’ve finally stopped “playing doctor” myself at the request of my husband. So I am looking for someone to guide me on this journey.
    Reply

  65. Hi, my name is Sandy and I have a pituitary tumor, hypothyroid, and Hashimoto’s disease. I’m a RN and I see my primary doc, endocrinologist, a neurologist for my tumor, and a psychiatrist. I have put on 60 pounds in 3 yrs. I was very active, power walked 3 miles daily, worked with a personal trainer 4 times a month, occasionally went to the gym and did wt. resistance exercises, and aerobics. I was really happy ,looked great, felt great, then my life changed for the worse. I still work as a nurse, actually the only thing that feels ok in my life. My co-workers help me the most. Thank You! I work three 12 hr shifts and have 4 days off, which I sleep the majority of them. I am depressed, I have no energy, lost my friends because I don’t do anything with them anymore, so I quit communication with them. They don’t seem to understand. I got news for them I don’t either! I need help. I’ve tried all kinds of meds and see doctors weekly. Nothing is helping. Like I mentioned I’m a nurse and educating the patients is a big priority. I don’t get that with my doc’s. Medication not working so well. I’m open for any helpful advice. I truly don’t want to sleep my life away. I have all the symptoms that I have read about, not fun. I have little or no contact with my best friend of 37 yrs. I want to say I miss me too, my friend. My boys are grown with families of their own, which is great. I have 8 perfect grand kids, which I love more than life. They are my world. So thankful for them, I feel there love and need for me, as I do for them. My poor husband watches me sleep and drift further away from the world. My friends and most of my family doesn’t like my husband. We have had 2 situations of my husband over medicating himself and 911 was called. Most everyone I know dislikes him, however if not for him watching over me closely, I may not be here. Thanks to my sister, husband, and grand kids for not judging me. I only have the right to look in the mirror and judge myself. I or anyone else has not the right to judge other people. Look in the mirror if you want to judge and put blame. What I need from them is support and understanding of me and my medical situation. My greatest joy is the special things my grand kids say to me. ” grandma Sandy please don’t stay away so long next time, cause I missed you so much” as tears rolled down his precious check. That comment saved my life. Thank you Gage. I now make myself get up at least once a week and spend time with them. Is there anyone out there who understands? I want the old me back too. I live in my bed. Please help me find myself.
    Reply

  66. Oh I understand. I swear I wrote this. Minus I am not an RN.
    I am still unable to work.
    I had a baby 2 years ago and have had 4 surgeries.
    Diagnosed with Hoshimoto’s.
    My friends all abandoned me.
    Reply

  67. Sandy, don’t give up. I felt the same way. I slept away about half my son’s life. He is 14. Been on synthroid or some form for ever but never got better. I found a Dr….an endocrinologist. I have been to other endocrinologist but this one listens. Not just to the blood work but to my symptoms! She had to put me on a compound because of my lack of energy and muscle pain. I am a different person!! I still struggle. I go to her every 3 months but she hopes to stabilize things so it can be every 6 months. Keep looking! Find that right Dr. They are out there!
    Reply

  68. I relate to your post very much. You may get some answers with genetic testing. Changing my source of B vitamins, going on a low histamine / low sulfur diet, and detoxing with infrared light and ionic foot baths in response to what was learned from my genetic information is turning things around for me.
    Reply

  69. I’ve had Hashimoto’s since I was 23…..am now 41. I also have Diabetes Type 1(well controlled). I’ve never been on any medication for Hashimotos. I have three beautiful girls, and have had no symptoms of Hypothyroid until this past year. My endocrynologist says my labs are normal(TSH 2.23, Free T4 .09), but low B-12. I’ve been getting monthly shots of B-12, but have classic symptoms of Hypo. Losing hair, dry skin, brittle nails, tired, and weight gain. Not only did I gain 20 pounds in a year, but I am not eating any gluten or dairy, and keep my calories at 1200 a day with tennis twice a week, and weight lifting 2 more days. I can’t lose an ounce, where I used to be able to lose at least a pound a week doing the same thing. I actually think I’m still gaining!! Please help, feeling helpless!!
    Reply

  70. Cheryl F.
    So sorry to read your post. I totally understand your frustrations. I feel hopeless also. My husband even thinks I’m over reacting. I can’t even find the energy to get out of bed unless it’s to visit the grand kids or go to a Dr.’ s appointment. I started to see a natural Dr. that understand our situation. I sure hope she can help cause I haven’t any other place to turn to. I often leave and stay in a hotel just to cry myself to sleep. I give you big credit for even exercising. I have absolutely no life left in me or hope as you have read in my previous post. Please feel free to e-mail me at dragonflygirlone@gmail.com. Believe me I understand and am so sorry. Question for you, do you have severe depression also? I live in Oregon. Will say a prayer for the both of us. If you would like to talk just ask for my number. Good luck!
    Reply

    • Sandy – I”m sorry to hear things are difficult right now. 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.

      HASHIMOTO’S 411
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Reply

    • Beata – Thank you for sharing what worked for you. I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  72. Hi Beata, I get it, however know one else seems to. It takes all my thought and energy to even get to work let alone even think of going. My mind knows I should break the vicious cycle, however my body seems to stay in bed. I got into an argument with my husband because he says I’m too miserable and judgemental. I’m sure he’s tired of me being sick, well so am I… I just needed him too hold me. I guess he didn’t want to, cause it never happened. Even when I asked several times. He has told both my boys and best friend of many years what he thought of them and it seems he has turned into them with his holly then though attitude. I’m in the spare room. He is retired/disabled and gets to stay home and do whatever his little heart desires, which isn’t much cause of his back. My boys refuse to let there kids come to the house because of hateful things he has done or said to them and about there families. So I guess I’m trying to say is what do we do about our disease? I’m so depressed along with every other symptom in the book that I cry most of the time. I seem to find energy for that. He has been known to self medicate himself for his back, which in two situations has made my problems with my boys even worse. Which has validated there decision not to allow my grand kids around him. Today I work a 12 hr shift after 3 Dr. Appointments. What’s a girl to do in our situation? I feel your pain. It’s like know other. I feel like my only comfort I find is alone in my bed. Pretty sad! I’m a big help. SORRY!
    Reply

  73. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypothyroid when I was 15 years old, I am now currently 31 and I am in the best physical shape of my life even through my Hashimotos not being dormant. Last month I was measured I am 5’4″ 126lbs and 15% Body Fat!! FOOD HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HOW YOU FEEL. And LIFT!!!!! I truly believe that if you take supplementation and eat the right foods and right portions and lift 3-5 times per week you can achieve what you want your body to look like!! Don’t give up!!!
    Reply

  74. You know I have had a thyroid problem for years. I have tried next to everything to try and take off weight but to no avail. Recently I have noticed my eyebrows are disappearing. Anyone have knowledge to this on why this is happening. I am 62 years of age , on synthroid, and looking for help to a solution . I am taking supplements according to Dr. Wentz book could this be a problem?
    Reply

  75. We bought a TOTAL GYM years ago for winter months.
    In the summer I ride my bike and swim laps.
    My arms are still jiggly and the inside of my thighs are too.
    I use ankle weights, and do “spot exercises” on the floor.
    I target the back of my arms with light weight as I have a 4 level cervical fusion, so I cannot go too high.
    My muscles just are NOT responding to years of consistent exercise and it is very frustrating.
    I am taking good supplements and tested hormones, cortisol, vitamin D (it was low and now it is fine) and a few others.
    I am 54, but I see others older, totally TONED. Why is my body not responding anymore?
    I also added a probiotic and it did make my stomach flat and not “gassy” anymore.
    I lost weight! 20 lbs over a year, and down 3 sizes. I just cannot get my muscles TONED.
    I tire easily when I do cardio, even when I ride my bike, every other day. I never build up to doing more. Now the ride has been cut down, and I am exhausted when it is over. I usually take an hours nap, an hours after I am done,
    My cervical fusion is definitely affecting the “intensity”, but some is better than none, so I will just keep going.
    My blood pressure is up too, and that is weird for someone who is consistent.
    YES, I eat a good diet, mostly protein, fruits and asparagus is my favorite. Barely a carb in my world and I drink nearly a gallon of water a day!
    Reply

    • Anne – Thank you for sharing what worked for you. I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  76. Hi Anne, I am turning 60 next week and feel as you do. My weight has stayed close to 112 lb (I am 5 ft) I lift weights 3x/week, walk or do a stepper, but the flab around my middle won’t go away. I eat very clean but do drink red wine every night. I know I will have to do something different but doubt that I could ever have that toned middle that some women have. Taking T4 (levo) and T3 (cytomel) and numbers look good but still do not have the energy I used to have.
    Reply

    • Kathy – I know how overwhelming and frustrating it can be. The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  77. Hi there! This was a great article! Thank you for all your suggestions. I have hypothyroidism and Hashi’s and have implemented all but the exercise due to constant fatigue. But I am determined to push on. I have a full time job, but I now have to work from home, only going in occasionally as I don’t have the energy to get ready even once I’ve gotten my daughter off to school. I MISS PEOPLE! And no one understands! I think the thing that drives me crazy the most is the “ADD” that I seem to be constantly fighting and if something happened more than 5 minutes ago, forget it I can’t remember the details, have also gotten lost going home from the grocery store which is a total of 3 turns so my neurologist doesn’t want me driving much…. I am also struggling with weight loss after gaining 35 pounds in just one year. My regular doctor put all my symptoms down to getting old. Not an acceptable diagnosis. He didn’t find my hypothyroidism or my Hashimotots, both were found by naturopaths. I found an awesome naturopath who has put me on WPthyroid and it has helped quite a bit. My TPO was 593 and my vit D level was at 8….so I’m on 12 different supplements, but am having a hard time with all the different times I have to take everything some with food some 4 times a day on an empty stomach. I am researching recipes on line for AIP paleo (AIP = auto immune protocol) and trying to incorporate these into my daily diet. I miss my coffee creamer……not even full fat coconut cream with date paste is close to what I like in my coffee. 🙁
    Hoping once I implement my exercise plan I can drop some weight. So far with just the supplements alone and new medication I am feeling better and I’ve lost about 5-7 pounds over the last month. Hang in there. With patience with yourself and being kind and good to yourself and your body you can LIVE again.
    Reply

  78. What diet is recommended for vegetarians? I’d like to try cutting out gluten and dairy, but since i don’t eat meat, that doesn’t leave me with much to eat.
    Reply

    • B – Recovering from adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism when following a vegetarian diet is very challenging, as vegetarian diets are often carbohydrate heavy.

      Vegetarian sources of protein such as legumes (beans), dairy, grains, soy and some seeds may be incompatible with trying to heal a leaky gut, which is almost always present with Hashimoto’s. Pea protein is an alternative that may be easier to digest and is less likely to cause food sensitivities (I use NOW Foods brand).

      Eggs, some seeds, and nuts would be the preferred sources of protein for vegetarians, however, some people with Hashimoto’s may be intolerant to those as well, especially in the early stages of starting a healing diet.

      Being a vegan is even more challenging, and nuts and seeds would be the go-to source of protein, which are usually too difficult to digest for many in the beginning of their thyroid healing journeys.

      While vegan and vegetarian diets have been reported to be extremely helpful with autoimmune and chronic conditions, I have not been able to find reports of people recovering from Hashimoto’s by following a vegan diet. Even devout vegans who are nutritionally conscious still struggle with low body temperatures, hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

      Additionally, many former vegans have reported improved symptoms of Hashimoto’s following transitioning to a Paleo diet. Based on this, I believe that animal proteins must play an important role in building back the health of people with Hashimoto’s.

      That said, while meats and fats are important for healing, eating them exclusively will produce an acidic environment in the body; hindering healing, and thus the diet should be balanced with plenty of nutrient rich vegetables (suggested ratio may be 20% meat/80% veggie).

      Additionally, vegan and raw vegan diets can be extremely helpful for cleansing and detoxifying, especially for those with persistent protein digestion issues. A vegan diet can be followed for a few days to a few weeks and may help the body detoxify. B12 and iron or ferritin supplements should be utilized at this time to prevent deficiency.

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

      Reply

  79. I’ve had Hashimoto’s for 10 years but was always diagnosed as hypothyroid until we moved and switched to a new doctor. I’ve been working with her for a year now and it’s been enlightening! We switched to Armour but that turned out to be a bust because my body flared up again due to how much it looked like regular thyroid hormones. We switched back to Levo and added T3 to spice things up. I don’t gain weight anymore so now we’re working on how to lose it. Turns out there are other foods that look like gluten as well which can cause inflammation (corn, potatoes, milk, yeast, chocolate, soy, egg, rice.) We also did a micro nutrient test which also did a genetic test where we figured out I have a problem with the MTHFR gene responsible for making an enzyme the body should be producing to take in nutrients. Mine runs at 60% capacity. It turns out this is a common problem in people with autoimmune problems. We are working on getting my nutrients back up (because they were awesomely low) so my body can start functioning correctly to even consider losing weight. If your body is low on nutrients, you can potentially completely deplete whatever stores you have left by exercising and make the problem much, much worse! We also did a food allergy test (with blood, not a scratch test) which officially cut out wheat, eggs, and dairy among a few others. Next on our list is a food sensitivity test to finally cut out the last bits of stuff we aren’t aware of. Adrenals are an issue as well, so, another work in progress. I can say after all the changes I’m doing phenomenally better than I was a year ago! Hope this helps somebody!
    Reply

  80. Wish I could be so luck. Unfortunately I find that cardio is the worse thing I can do to lose weight. It seemed the harder I tried and the more I dieted and exercised, the more weight I gained. It wasn’t until I met someone who also has Hashi’s and she told me that low calorie diets and cardio actually puts your body under stress which causes it to hold onto fat. She recommended a “clean” paleo diet and yoga/pilates alternated with weight bearing exercises for no more than 15 min per day x 4 days a week…. I saw results for the first time in decades!!
    Reply

    • Murainne – The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

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

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  81. Aloha Joy.. I read with interest your post. Last year at this time I weighed barons 160.. 5’4. In October 2014.. My afib, tachycardia and bradycardia just got so bad that they placed a pacemaker. I thought the overnight weight gain was due to warfarin, diltiazem and now propafenal but I think it’s my hadhimotos and a reading of 25.9 on my TSH.. I think it’s a combination of all of it. I’m on levothyroxine and liothronine. I’ve started going to compounding pharmacy hoping that would help. So have you been able to lose weight and feel better yet? Hoping you are doing better. Take care Judi
    Reply

    • Judi – Most people feel best with a TSH around 1 or lower and with a Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper half of the range. People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.

      THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/symptoms-of-impaired-thyroid-function

      Reply

  82. I am in 100% agreement with you Shelley..been lifting weights for 17 years and at 65 years young, lean, tight, and defined. Paleo works for me..plants, animals and good oils. Medications don’t do much to make me feel better but lifestyle does.
    Reply

    • Robin – I’m so glad to hear you’ve found something that works for you! The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

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

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  83. OMG thank you I feel overwhelmed and relieved at the same time Im not sure I understand but at least I know now Thank you once again for your responses. You are a wonferful person Thank you I will continue to follow you snd do my best to follow your recommendations and will be tsken you to my nevt Doctors vist
    Reply

    • Kevlynn – I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  85. I agree with your statement Brianne. Every machine is unique and responds to different forms of exercise differently. Each of our bodies is also as unique as the events in our lives. For example, in high school I sustained some severe track injuries to my shins. I tried to rehab my legs. but unfortunately running is out for me. We must always take into consideration what our individual bodies are prepared to handle or we could have a horrid set back. And, we need to be very careful in the recommendations of exercise to others. What works safely for me might be a nightmare waiting to happen for my friend. I personally use T-TAPP, yoga, and walk. I also average at around 5,000 steps at my job five days a week. That is me though. I know my machine. Listen to your body. The most important thing you can do is get moving and start with small steps to feel healthier. The stronger you get, the better you will feel.
    Reply

    • Paulita – I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  86. Cross fit isn’t recommended for most with hashi’s because many have adrenal fatigue. Extreme exercise can do way more harm than good for those with this condition and can cause the adrenals and thyroid to stress out more and cause weight gain. Cross fit is very extreme, and not safe for most with autoimmune problems.
    Reply

    • Megan – Thank you for your contribution. I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      You may also find these articles useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  87. Carol, What is the name of the supplement you are taking. I would like to try it. I am struggling to loose 30 pounds that I’ve put on slowly in the past 3 years since I was diagnosed with Hashimoro’s. I’ve tried Paleo, Mediterranean and had always have a very healthy life style as well nutrition before this happened, but now nothing seems to work.
    Reply

    • Sandra – I’m so glad to hear you’ve found something that works for you! The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

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

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  89. I gained 15 lbs when taking it the first time. I thought maybe it was a fluke so I tried again and gained another 10lbs in 5 days. I had a bad time with it . I have Hashis. The thing that is killing me is that now I have 25 more lbs to try to get rid of and I had 40 beforehand.
    Reply

  90. I’ve been taking Garcinia Cambogia every am and have lost no weight nor does it curb cravings. All I want to do is sleep. Can’t even work anymore after 20 years in hospital admissions for BH Programs. I loved working. My PCP says I’m in range even though I have all Hashi symptoms. Can you get it after Thyroid Storm then radio iodine? Maybe I’m just Hypo. Tried Cytomel 5 mcg + 100 mcg Levothyroid and felt better but list work Ins now Medi-Cal as I lost my job and career. Clinic will not prescribe T3 meds. They won’t run T3 Free, Reverse or Total labs.I’m up to 150 mcg Levo and my hair is falling out when I https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotoswash or brush hair or run hands thru it. It’s 30% less than before hyper Thyroid back in 09. My memory is shot. Long term memory is fine. Neuro doc said my memory and recall are above average but I forget appts, forget details or work tasks, etc. I thought it was from the Neuropathy meds, Neurontin and Cymbalta but I’ve been taking them since 09 so I’m used to them now. At first it made me mix up or say the wrong word as it slows the brain Neuro firing as its an anti epileptic med. Now I’m pretty sure it’s my thyroid. I have developed Tinitis 4 years ago and was wondering if it was the nerve damage like I have in feet and hands? Thought I had CMT like my dad, but the Endo says its from diabetes, but I only got that when I was diagnosed with Thyroid D/o. Never had it before 2009. On retinopathy found. I thought DM2 Neuropathy was caused by years if uncontrolled BS? I’m now private paying with my retirement money to see a natural path as my house was tested positive for mold, which we are remediating right now but I tested positive for MSA, an inability to clear mold & toxins thru my liver and now I have protein in my urine. My RBC & WBS are both elivated and my Cortisol was very high now it’s very low. My triglycerides ae also very high. I’m 220 lbs and can’t lose weight. I’ll start on the gluten free diet to see if that helps but I don’t have any Celiac symptoms that stand out. I take probiotics every night, take one scoop Coconut oil pellets (Monolaurin) and a good Multi, flax, fish oil, CoQ10, and others and nothing gives me energy! My Vit D is super low even with supplements. I’ll see about getting the antibody test, when We see my new Endo in a few days. Any insight would be appreciated! ☺
    Reply

  91. No No NO NO!!!!!! I cannot stress enough that if you have any thyroid issues, DO NOT take any diet anything!!!! Even if it says, “All Natural”. All natural is not always all good for you. I started taking a shake powdered drink that was all natural and almost lost my life to the deep depression I had from it. Anyone with Hashimotos shouldn’t even take a vitamin unless told specifically by your blood work that you are low on something. Do not take a multi vitamin ever. Anything that goes into your body has an action and reaction, make sure you need it before you take it.Out of everything in a multi I am down to only D and Magnesium. That’s a lot of extra stuff my body did not need. Get your bloodwork done every three months.
    Reply

  92. thanks for yr comment. my Dr. refuses to believe my weight gain is due to being on levothyroid for 30 yrs. so i keep taking my .75 and a 1K Vit.D because low. I then tried on my own to find the Vitamins? to somehow balance me out. BUT my stomach bloats on most vitamins. What thyroid med to U take?
    Reply

  93. My endocrinologist told me to make sure to take a multi vitamin especially with selenium. Even in all these blogs they talk about the importance of vitamins .
    Reply

  94. Extreme appreciation for your post. I absolutely needed your comment today about the action-reaction. I will be checking my blood labs for what is absolutely in low supply now.
    Reply

  95. T3 Ann! over 20 years on Synthroid with “the best doctor around” felt the same way you do. Tired, fat, depressed, achy. went through so many tests and was told fibromyalgia. WRONG! My primary suggested finding a different thyroid specialist and I did and I have never felt better!!! She cut my T4 in half and added pure T3 derived straight from animals. I was watching what I ate, but not much and in 4 weeks I lost 23 pounds. I never even heard of T3 until I met her. It’s only 5 mg of T3 and 175 of synthroid now and I just started seeing her. will have to see what the next blood test shows, but I am in heaven because of her.
    Reply

  96. Hi Melanie. I wonder if I need T3 as well. I was diagnosed at 27 but my hormones were all normal so I couldn’t be medicated. Then, my son was born and boom my body went nuts. Hormones acted up and I started taking levothryroxine. I’m now 30 and my dose just keeps going up every time I have my blood drawn which is about every 3 months. I’m now taking 137 mcgs of levothryroxine. The thing is: when my dose goes up, I feel better for a month or so and then I go right back to feeling like I have the flu on a daily basis. It sucks. I should probably loose about 20 lbs to be on a normal weight but I struggle to lose 1 lb. I started a gluten, corn and soy free diet and I have to admit: I feel a ton better. No weight loss though. I’m eating healthier and exercising but can’t lose weight. It is so disappointing. You said you lost about 23 lbs but did you have more to lose? Did you feel any side effects? Thanks
    Reply

    • Tanya – 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.

      HASHIMOTO’S 411
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Reply

  103. Hopefully I can help a bit. Look into ‘dermarollers’ – they cause the top layer of skin to be replaced much more quickly, which will heal stretch marks and other surface damage. The reviews on amazon look good. Anecdote time: my girlfriend went hypothyroid and gained weight very quickly. Now she’s on NDT and taking lots of vitamins and is gradually loosing weight – and the stretch marks are going so don’t worry they will go in time. I also got stretch marks last summer (I’m not hypothyroid I just eat a lot) but I’ve lost all the weight I gained and now there is no trace of them. I’m 18 so your daughter’s skin should be able to heal too. As soon as she stops gaining weight, or looses some, they will begin to go. And a footnote, NDT is periodically availiable online (amazon) without prescription. This is great for those who have a lousy health service (cough, Britain) and can only get Synthroid or can’t get diagnosed because in Britain that requires a TSH of 10!
    Reply

  104. I am interested in the “Find your root cause” workshop. I actually have been treated for Grave’s Disease, with nutrition (my research) and medicine. 4 years ago had radioactive iodine tx. Now, last week TSH is “off” – and my Primary Dr said to see the Endocrinologist now. Hoping it was a fluke; but with recent weight gain and fatigue – there might be something to look into.
    Reply

    • Pamela Ann – Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease

      I have a program called Hacking Hashimoto’s, which is a 12 week education program that walks you through, step by step, all the strategies I use with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that people have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. It includes a free trial. For more information please go to http://hackinghashimotos.com/

      Reply

  105. My Doctor refuses to put me on Armor I’m on Levothyroxin 88mcg. I take vit D -3 ,E ,Biotin,selenium,coq10, a chewable probiotic .I was on DE a friend said I could loose weight on Diatamous Earth 1 tsp a day in orange juice it made me feel good energized what do you know about DE? I liked it.I heard tons of people’s testamonies how they felt wonderful lots of benifits. I Stopped taking it after 2 months got scared .need help I’m 51 years old 245 pounds 5’4 and going though menopause. I’m a cosmotologist 27 years tired of stress .I’m closing down this week and going to work for my husband as his secretary stay home answer phones give more time to enjoy me.go on walks ,ect.just enjoy me.I gave up gluten but cheat. Can’t give up my coffee sugar not important drink water and teas only low sugar use truvia.starting Pla Diet.what can you help me on please ordering your book.
    Reply

  106. Why did you get scared of 1tsp of DE per day? Mine is food grade and I use it for my home and pets. Just curious.
    Reply

  108. Armour. Require a doctors order. It is a old thyroid medication. My daughter takes, told I is harder to get so not always carried at pharmacy. That was the last medication given to my daughter. It has worked the longest then levels need to be increased.
    Reply

  109. I switched to Armour close to a ago now and I LOVE it!!!! I finally feel normal again! Find a doctor that really cares about how you feel and will work with you based on how you feel and not just your numbers.
    Reply

    • Pamela Ann – Selenium appears to be a supplement with a narrow therapeutic index. A minimum dose of 200 mcg was required to reduce TPO antibodies in clinical trials (100 mcg did not have an effect), and Selenium can be toxic at doses >800 mcg. The daily Selenium dose for adults should be between 200mcg and 400 mcg daily.

      The Selenium content of Brazil nuts is determined by the soil where the nuts are grown, and can vary 10 fold, depending on the origin of the nuts. Brazil nuts can have between 50-500 mcg of Selenium per ounce of nuts, so unless a lab has analyzed the micronutrients, you really don’t know if you are getting enough or too much Selenium.

      COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET AND THYROID
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/common-questions-about-diet-and-thyroid

      Reply

  111. I too have been diagnosed with Hashimotos hypothyroid almost 2 yrs ago. I’m 52 and also suffer from Emphysema, chronic back pain, asthma, osteoporosis, diverticulosis and have one kidney to mention only a few of my problems. I’ve went from 130 to 204 pounds since about a year before I was diagnosed. The last 50 pounds were gained over the last year. I have an extremely hard time with this weight gain as it makes breathing more difficult with all this belly weight and distention. My hair which was usually so think n shiny has become dry dull and it falls out like a dog shedding. My skin has become so dry that I itch it until I break open the skin. I’m always so fatigued and can sleep for a couple days and when I’m not sleeping I feel such a loss of energy that I stay in bed a lot. I’ve had 5 surgeries in the last 18 months, 3 of which were on my feet. I’ve been diagnosed with bursitis in my knees and they have become filled with fluid sacs in multiple areas from the extra burden on them while not using the other leg due to the surgeries. They get so stiff and sore. The more I exercise them the worse they get. I’m ashamed of my weight and I’ve been severely depressed for quite some time now and I also suffer from anxiety disorder. I take medications for all my medical problems. My husband moved out of our bedroom 1 year ago and he came to me last month and told me he was leaving. I not understanding his statement, asked where are you going to. He promptly came back with I’m leaving you next week and he moved back to his home state over 900 miles away. He took his dog with him which left my dog depressed, not eating, having bad behavior, and crying at the windows. I’m at the bottom of my rope and feel like letting go. I don’t have the strength or desire to go on like this. My lung and heart docs told me I need to loose weight. I’ve been able to lose 9 pounds by not eating over the last months. I truly don’t know where to go from here. I just feel like giving up completely but it’s not something I want to tell my shrink because I refuse to be locked up in a mental institution. If I could lose weight it would help elevate many of my problems and lift my mood. Anyone please help
    Reply

  112. What kind of Doctor would request genetic testing AND be able to guide a patient once results arrived? I live near the UofM and they do genetic testing. This feels like a great next step; but unsure how to proceed.
    Reply

  113. Sandy, I am too an RN but became too but became too ill to work 7 years ago (Hashis and Rheumatoid). First, don’t give up!! Besides this great book, check out, http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com. Best things I did was start Dessicated Thyroid (Natur-throid) and get on Cortisol (burnt out adrenals with Synthroid and high work stress), Probiotics and DGL. Find what works for you! Work on healing the gut with GAPS diet. Study peoples success stories and find a DR or Naturopath to help you start trying things. There is usually a reason why people do not like husbands and boyfriends…they are usually worried about a behaviour or certain behaviours. It is time for you to Nurse yourself. Don’t worry you will replace your friends with nurturing ones who love you in sickness and in health. Remember God adores his sick little daughter. Don’t give up. I have a great Dr in Florida his name is Dr Dach. You have to see him once in person and then all of the rest of the visits can be on Skype. I came from Spain to see him and he is the one that recommended Natur-throid. Sending you a big hug from Spain. -Natalie
    Reply

  114. The outer third of my eye brows, hair and body hair disappeared when I was severely Hypo after radio iodine for Graves Dz. Get your doc to run Free T3 Reverse and Total and check antibodies and Cortisol levels.
    Reply

    • Merise – Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease

      Reply

  115. Diagnosed with hypothyroidism and hashimoto’s during my pregnancy 3 years ago. I have panic disorder since 18 years old. I am 36. i was on synthroid even went down to lowest dose and it was literally HELL. I was in a constant state of panic and Xanax wouldn’t even help. My weight however dropped within a month but it wasn’t worth it. Has anyone else had his happen? What do I do?
    Reply

  116. I have been using a compounded thyroid medicine and feel so much better. I still struggle with weight but it is usually because I am not eating correctly. I went to Dr. Hotze in Katy and they properly treated thyroid and adrenal issues
    Reply

    • Sharon – I know it can be hard to stick to a strict diet but it’s not forever! The gold standard, or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the Elimination Diet.

      It works better than trying a recommended dietary approach (i.e. gluten-free, Paleo, etc.) and even better than food sensitivity testing (which may be helpful in many cases, but may not be affordable for many people). The elimination diet can work as a stand-alone or in symphony with food sensitivity testing.

      In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. This allows us to tailor the diet to the person, not to the dietary philosophy! Going though an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting! 🙂

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  117. Has anyone ever had an issue with not being able to gain weight with Hashimotos? When I was very first diagnosed i was also simultaneously coming off of birth control and I went from 167 pounds down to 140 pounds in a matter of months. I got pregnant and dropped down another 10 pounds but then rebounded and gained an average amount during my pregnancy. I lost all of my pregnancy weight and then some and have gotten down to about 125 pounds. I eat pretty normal but it seems if I gain a couple of pounds and then have a flare for a few days, I lose those few pounds i gained. My TSH is right at 1 or just slightly over. I’m about 5’9″ and would prefer to have a few more pounds on me. I just wondered if anyone with Hashimotos had problems keeping weight on?
    Reply

    • Sara – Most people with Hashimoto’s will experience weight gain, and so of course that’s what gets the most focus, but some people actually experience weight loss, or they can’t keep their weight on.

      This is especially problematic when a person has multiple food sensitivities and needs to adhere to an autoimmune diet that restricts foods.

      Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

      1) Get a calorie counting app like My Fitness Pal on your phone, to help you keep track of your daily calories. Eating real food can be more filling than eating simple carbohydrates and you may not be getting enough calories. Use the app to figure out your target weight and the number of calories per day you need to get there.

      2) Supplement after dinner with The Root Cause Building Smoothie: 1 avocado (300 calories), 1 cup coconut milk (150 calories), 1 banana (100 calories), 2 egg yolks (100 calories, if tolerated), 1 scoop of protein of beef/pea protein(60 calories) – You can also add cooked sweet potatoes if you need more carbs.

      3) Get tested for gut infections. Gut infections can prevent the digestion and assimilation of foods, leaving you underweight and malnourished. The 401H test or GI Effects test are my go to tests.

      4) Get your adrenals tested with an adrenal saliva tests. In some, stressed adrenals may actually lead to poor absorption of foods.

      5) Be sure that you are not over medicated.

      6) Work on reducing your antibodies with a selenium supplement

      7) Stress reduction, when we’re stressed we don’t digest.

      8) Add coconut oil in your beverages, this can add extra calories in your day

      9) Avoid caffeine, it can make you less hungry and stress out your adrenals.

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

      Reply

  118. I HAD HASHIMOTOS THEY took my thyroid and a para thyroid out now how do i lose weight naturally and can i ever quit taking armour and do alternative supplements in stead
    Reply

    • Angelina – Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      IS HASHIMOTO’S A SURGICAL DISEASE
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-a-surgical-disease

      Reply

  119. I am taking shark liver oil as prescribed by Dr Thompson in Alaska.This he tells me will over time get rid of the thyroid anti bodies. He believes is a crime that Dr’s say that Hashimotos is fine and incurable. He has split hypothyroidism into 5 sub categories 4 of which are reversible! I have just started on Armour and Im slowly and i mean slowly loosing 🙂
    Reply

    • Lottie – The current research shows there are 5 stages to thyroid disease. There are 5 stages to thyroid disease. A person with only thyroid antibodies and normal TSH is considered in Stage 2 of thyroid disease, a person who has an elevated TSH with normal T4/T3 with or without thyroid antibodies, is in Stage 3 of thyroid disease, a person with elevated TSH, lowered T3/T4 +/- thyroid antibodies is in Stage 4 of thyroid disease, regardless if she/he has thyroid antibodies or not. Stage 5, is when the person progresses to other types of autoimmune disease. The course is focused on reversing and slowing/stopping progression of the condition in all stages, and is appropriate for all levels of thyroid disease.

      Please have a look at this article. Selenium can be very helpful in reducing your antibodies:

      NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES – SELENIUM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/nutrient-depletions-in-hashimotos-part-i-selenium

      Reply

  120. IMPORTANT: Thank you so much for continuously shedding light on optimal ranges, Dr. Izabella! I am taking NaturThroid and wondering how this will skew the TSH lab ranges. How far apart should the time be between the rx and getting blood work for TSH? Do you suggest skipping just the one pill for the day that the labs will be taken so as not to get a false reading from the actives in the NT? Any other suggestions/info with timing and labs to get a true reading on our thyroid health? Thanks!
    Reply

  121. I am 45 and have been on Levothroxine (Synthroid) since I was 13. I am now on 200mcg daily. I have gained 30 lbs in 2 ½ years since I had a Hysterectomy. Does anyone have any recommendations for excellent doctors/practitioners in Los Angeles who are willing to treat the body as a whole rather then just panning out medication?
    Reply

  122. After reading all of the posts on this thread, I’d like to add my journey to the mix — not only to commiserate but to help others if possible. I was diagnosed with Graves disease about four years ago. I was first treated with medication in hopes that my thyroid would normalize and I would be “cured”. This caused extreme weight gain (60lbs! in a matter of a few months!) Later it was determined that I had antibodies for both Graves and Hashimotos and had been swinging between the two. (UGH!) My thyroid was radiated about 2 1/2 years back. I have to say that compared to hyper symptoms, at first my hypo symptoms (even with the weight gain and sleepiness) were an incredible relief. I have a wonderful and supportive endocrinologist who monitors me pretty carefully. He counseled me about reducing caloric intake, exercise, etc. and even prescribed weight loss drugs to see if that would help with my weight. Nothing seemed to work. That said, a few months back I started feeling pretty bad — aside from the usual fatigue and weight problems, I couldn’t think straight. Though I had been tested only a few weeks before to see if I had developed diabetes (results were negative), I was concerned that I was developing a problem with sugar intolerance. I felt terrible…My doc increased my Synthroid to 150. At the time, I also did considerable research on the internet about diets and eating plans to stave off diabetes. My doc and I had also discussed the use of probiotics, which he thought was worth trying as science is supporting their use. Long story short — I adopted a low carb strategy (looked at guidelines for diabetics) and started taking a good daily probiotic. It was crazy, but within 24 hours I felt dramatically better. The good news is that, as of today, I have lost 30lbs in three months!!! I don’t feel that I am dieting and am not counting calories. Given the dramatic change in how I feel physically, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to my prior eating habits. It was not particularly difficult for me to adopt a healthier eating plan. I have not completely cut out carbs but reduced them to low levels. An added benefit is that food actually tastes a whole lot better! I have another 60lbs. to lose, but feel confident I’ll get there! 🙂
    Reply

  123. Thank you for your post. I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and I am on a T3/T4 regimen that puts my TSH and free T3 at ideal levels, however my free T4 is a bit low. My diet is grain free and sugar free HFLC, but I can’t lose the 10 lbs I gained. Do you think it’s my low T4? Thanks

    Reply

  124. Thanks for the information, but I have some questions.
    I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and before a year I have found that I am lactose intolerance without any tests. I made only the elimination diet.
    The problem is that I am not sure if I have problem with gluten. I haven’t done any tests yet because I have read that even if the results are ok, it is not sure that I can eat this kind of food.
    So…is there any connection between lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance?
    And can you tell me something more about the basal temperature? Is it a factor of the health of my thyroid?
    My last question is connected with bodybuilding and fitness. I am really addicted to this sport and I am not sure if I can stop. I love it. It helps me relax. But since I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, I start gaining weight. I don’t like myself right now…do you know something about this topic?
    Thanks a lot. 🙂

    Reply

  125. Hi,
    Thank you for this information. I am hypothyroid but still really tired! I am so exhausted filling out patient forms for them to smile at me and say to make sure I’m taking care of myself and avoid stress . . . Anyway, I had some labs done and am not sure where to go with the info. I live in MT and only saw one functional medicine doctor on the list and she specializes in autism. (I know because I have a son with autism.) My thyroglobulin antibody test was 23, my TSH was 4.8 and The FREE T3 and T4 were both the lowest they could be and still be in the normal.
    1.) What do those numbers mean?
    2.) I would like to get my whole family tested as I think it could be part of the puzzle to my son’s autism. What tests should I have done?
    Thank you for making this topic loud enough people can find it.
    God bless,
    colleen

    Reply

    • Colleen – my heart goes out to you and your son. 🙁 Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.

      These are the recommended labs from my book, page 32.

      RECOMMENDED THYROID FUNCTION TESTS
      TSH
      TPO Antibodies
      Thyroglobulin Antibodies
      Free T4
      Free T3
      Reverse T3 (Optional)

      Have you read my book, Hashimoto’s The Root Cause? Here’s the link in case you’re interested.

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
      
      HOW TO GET ACCURATE LAB TESTING WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-get-accurate-lab-tests-when-taking-thyroid-medications

      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.

      Reply

  126. A couple months after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I competed in my first powerlifting competition. Now I’m entering a muscle gain phase as I’m on the smaller end of my weight class (I’m 5’7″ and weigh 65.7 kg in the 72 kg class) and want to gain a lot of strength so I can be more competitive in the sport. I’m a little scared that because of the autoimmune problems, I won’t be able to cut the inevitable small amount of fat I gain along with the muscle, or that I won’t gain any muscle because my hormones are messed up. Everything I find online is on how to lose weight if you have this condition, but do you have advice or an article for athletes who need to keep training and get stronger?

    Thanks!
    Lara

    Reply

  127. Dr. Izabella,
    I have many conditions or health issues and also wondered if I might have a thyroid condition. It all started about 18 yrs ago when I fell ill and had to leave my job and take up residense at my doctors office. First they diagnosed me with epstein bar syndrome, I felt like I was dying. Severe pain and fatigue persisted and finally after several doctors and visits they diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I also have IBS with constipation, a redundant colon, allergies to foods, scents and medication, asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetic, anxiety, depression, migrains, h. pylori duodentinitis, arthritis, high cholesterol. I have struggles with being overweight and recently started sweating profusly and gained 20 pounds it seemed in a very short time. The last time I had my thyroid tested they said it was on the low side of normal. No hair loss though. I need a little direction on what to do and what is going on. Thanks so much,
    Debbie

    Reply

  129. I was diagnosed without hashimotos 6 mos ago. I’be been off sugar, white flour, reduced my milk intake to plain yogurt and cheese only, and have taken probiotics (VSL#3) for 10 years . My integrative MD has recommended all the same things you have recommended and I’ve read the Hashimotos Protocol. I take a handful of supplements a day – (now brand mostly) Ashwaganda, C, B, Multi, D, fish oil, rhodiola, and a cal mag at night. I eat a pea protein shake for breakfast, A fresh lunch (very small portions) and a small healthy dinner. Yet, I am still gaining weight. ANY SUGGETIONS!! I am so frustrated!

    Reply

    • Kym – thank you or following this page. When it comes to weight gain these are a few things to think about.

      1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2

      2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

      3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

      Reply

  130. Thank you very much for your advices! I’m on the way to start AIP. Your website is very helpful, even if I don’t have perfect english))). I would like to read your books in russian!

    Reply

  131. Hello Dr Izabella,

    Hope you are doing great.
    I have a question about hypothyroidism – So, I was diagnosed with hypothyroid 2 years back. One of the symptoms is difficulty is shedding off weight. Still I was able to loose 15 pounds 🙂
    But recently I went out for vacation for 3 weeks. Though I avoided unhealthy meals , exercised regularly still I gained 6 pounds in 3 weeks 🙁
    Do you this is due to hypothyroidism?

    Reply

    • Tripti – thank you for your question. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state.

      The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going.

      Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

      Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens, that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

      ADRENAL SUPPORT
      https://www.rootcology.com/products/adrenal-support

      You may also find this article useful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

      Reply

  132. I live in the UK where medicines are free but it’s difficult to get the tests you recommend. I am on 125mcg Levothyroxine but still have most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. (My TSH was tested three weeks ago at 0.91 and my doctor insists this is normal and no change is needed. TS3 & TS4 levels are not shown.)
    I note your comments that the medicine be taken half an hour before anything else, or four hours before iron etc – so would it be better to take the Levothyroxine at night?

    Reply

  133. My PCP placed me on a diet of (horrible tasting) protein bars accompanied by 8 ounces of water per bar. I was allowed to eat one actual meal per day. The meal was dinner. I was allowed to have 4 ounces of a protein (fish/chicken/bison etc.) and vegetables. The ‘idea’ . . . was to eat every 2 or 3 hours (snacks) and this was supposed to frequently stimulate my metabolism. I profoundly disliked the dry sand-like taste of the protein bars and I disliked even more having to snack all day long.
    My condition is Hashimotos Thiroiditis and I am morbidly obese. I’ve been reading material on your website and do not see anything that supports this theory of eating small and frequently amounts of (I’ll be generous and use the word) food every 2 or 3 hours while awake. I would greatly appreciate and value your opinion regarding this type of ‘diet’.

    Reply

    • Sara – thank you for reaching out. You are unique. Your genes, your ethnicity, your blood type, your gender, your digestive capability, your intestinal environment, your food sensitivities all make you unique. The diet should be tailored to your response. Your needs may also change as time goes on, or as you get rid of infections or balance your intestinal flora. Just because one diet worked for someone, does not mean it will work as well for you. When it comes to weight gain these are a few things to think about.

      1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2

      2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

      3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

      Reply

  134. I just bought your book two weeks ago, and have started implementing a non-dairy diet. I had already started gluten-free earlier this year, but after reading this book, I have a new determination.
    One question I have is around the timing of my medications, meals, and vitamins. Your book suggests eating within 1 hour of waking up, but I have started taking my levothyroxine and liothyronine in the morning (now that I don’t drink coffee). I also read that taking some vitamins together is beneficial, but taking others together will negate the effects. What should the timeline be for meals, thyroid medication, and vitamins for an average day?
    Thanks again! You are a huge help!

    Reply

  135. I am just diagnosed with Hashimotos . I am not put on medication as my TSH , T3 and T4 is normal . I have just started a detox with a functional medicine doctor in Maryland.
    I really need to loose weight. My entire appearance has changed . Besides the diet change do you think i need to take Levothyroxine?
    I am begining to feel more energetic and better thanks to the detox. I am wondering what supplements will i need to take and for how long? also how do i order them?

    Reply

    • Rowena – thank you for sharing your journey with me! <3 I wish I could give you more direct advice but, each person will react differently. I would advise you to ask your functional medicine clinician who’s care you are under. I am not able to respond directly to these types of questions here. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time, and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

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

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

      Reply

  136. Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with Hashimotos. My tpo levels are high last checked was a 215 way over the limit of 35. I’m always fatigued exercising almost seems impossible. I gained 70 pounds in a year and a half after loosing 70 pounds. I was put on a low carb diet but it left me feeling depleted all the time. My eyes are puffy almost all the time I swell and also on depression meds. Effexor to be exact. I honestly am miserable. I feel like I may not be getting the right treatment. I was put on synthroid but I seem to have a hard time trying to get my doctor to call my refills in when I’m out. I feel like I’m at my wits end. I know there has got to be something out there to make me feel better. Im going to buy your book and follow the aip diet and I hope to feel better. Thank you for posting this.

    Reply

  137. Hello. I am 18 years old and have had Hashimoto’s after contracting EPV which continues to be chronic active. At 16 years old I had 6 wisdom teeth pulled out and my gall bladder. I’m 5’3 and have gained from 140 to 190. I also have IBS and stay constipated. I feel disgusting and miserable, and my doctor’s don’t seem to know how to address the EPV or
    Hashimoto’s.

    I also have taken Lexapro for depression for 5 years, and my prolactin increased causing me to produce milk. My doctor wants to change my antidepressant because Lexapro is known to increase
    Prolactin levels. I was put on contrave for my weight and it tripled prolactin. My mom and I are at my wits end! I also take a diuretic, 5 mcg of synthroid, Linzess, visteral, Zyrtec and Belsomra for sleep. Do you have any suggestions.

    I feel like my life is over, at its suppose to just be starting. I had to give up my dream of majoring in natural horsemanship and take a year off to rest. Now I am trying to do cosmetology school. I also have central auditory processing disorder which makes it difficult to learn, I smoke to cope and crave sweets.
    Thank you,
    Bella

    Reply

    • Bella – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey with me. I am so sorry your are struggling with this. My heart goes out to you. <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

      Reply

  138. Hi, how can I actually get the 14-day meal plan you mention? When I click the link, a page comes up that talks about it, yet there is nowhere to actually get the information. Thanks!

    Reply

  139. Thanks for your article and book. My wife was diagnosed a couple years ago and it’s been downhill from there. If there is rice or soy hidden in something she eats, she’ll suffers from chronic / debilitative joint pain the next day (or two). It affects everything from her hips to her fingers. This is the first symptom. Of course there’s hot flashes, and etc. Her hormone levels are postmenopausal and she’s 28 years old.

    Her diet has become so restricted. She’s eats healthier, significantly less calories than me and exercises fairly equivalent, yet my metabolism is much faster. We are both healthy BMI ~20, but she wants to go lower and just can’t seem to accomplish it. New years was yesterday and today she’s starting the Hashimoto’s protocol. She’s knocked out from caffeine withdraw as I type this. haha. We really hope this helps cure both the symptoms she has from food allergies and the metabolism issue.

    Her first time to have this ‘arthritis-like’ symptom was after taking a sulfa antibiotics. She was in bed (and the bathtub) completely disabled for 3-4 days. I believe that was what triggered her flare ups, and I have no doubt that that is screwed up her gut health.

    My question is:
    Can something trigger Hashimoto’s for the first time in the body?
    Do you have any records or people reporting something that triggered them?
    Do vaccines play a role in triggering autoimmune diseases?
    Has anyone else reading this had anything they can’t point to that might have triggered the disease for the first time?

    Reply

    • Jonathan – thank you so much for sharing your wife’s journey. I am so sorry she is struggling with all of this. My heart goes out to both of you. <3 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 are some 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/

      Here is a link with some motivational success stories to get you started as well. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tag/success-stories/

      Reply

  140. Hi I just came across this site and downloaded the 2 week meal plan I have hashimoto and looking to do something to help with my weight. I am allergic to Shrimp and I see it used for a few recipes. I am wondering what an alternative would be to use in this situation?

    Reply

    • Louise – thank you so much for following! I am so happy you are here! Depending on the recipe you could replace the shrimp with chicken, turkey or salmon.

      Reply

  141. Hi, I am doing all mentioned in the article since 2014 and also consume only organic food, but still i have weight issues. The belly fat in constantly there. It doesn’t go away with food, suppliments, exsersize or meds. All other issues with fatigue and night sweats dissapeared as soon as i started to follow the regime but the belly fat is always there

    Reply

  142. What would you suggest as the first thing to do for someone with Hashi’s, adrenal fatigue, and SIBO? It is so expensive to shop for all supplements. I am doing KETO diet with low fodmop veggies–no fruit or grain etc. I lost about 15 lbs but have 5 more to go but am now postmenopausal all of a sudden and it so hard–and belly gaining. I am feeling so stuck 🙁

    Reply

    • Jennifer – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. <3 I am so sorry you are feeling stuck. Progesterone deficiency can surge into Th- 1 dominance. This explains why the peak onset of Hashimoto’s occurs during menopause, when the body’s progesterone drops, or after pregnancy when a rapid drop in progesterone occurs after the delivery. I do go into more depth in my books as well as providing protocols for adrenal fatigue and SIBO:

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

      Hashimoto’s Protocol (this is my latest book)
      http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

      Reply

  143. Hi Dr. Izabella,
    Thank you for all of these wonderful tips. I have been suffering with all of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease for over 2 years now. And it’s only gotten worse. I was going to a bio identical hormone replacement specialist for this time (spending over $5,000 a year with very little results) and it wasn’t until I recently saw a new Nurse Practitioner that she posed the question of me being specifically tested for the disease. I had my food sensitivity test 2 weeks ago and I’m having my test for Hashimoto’s the end of this month – although pretty convinced that’s the problem. Fingers crossed that we can finally figure out the riddle and start living my best life! I’ve gained over 30 pounds in just the past 6 months and I eat very clean and exercise quite regularly. I’ve been depressed for a long time because of the weight (5’3″ and 170 pounds! I used to weight 130). It’s irritating that my husband doesn’t seem to understand that I can’t just drop 10 pounds in a month like him and cannot seem to understand why I’m exhausted half the time. Hopefully this will get me on the right track. Thank you again! I plan to get your book and do all the research that I can to fight this battle!

    Reply

    • Elle – thank you so much for sharing your journey. I understand how hard this can be! I’m so proud of your for taking charge of your health and happy to hear you have found a practitioner. Please keep me posted on your progress. <3

      Reply

  144. My request for a two-minute video would be to address the iodine issue. I have a large goiter and I’m getting conflicting information on whether or not I should be consuming iodine-rich products. A functional medicine doctor tested me and said I had a sensitivity to iodine which would explain why I am so reactive to shrimp even though I’m not allergic to shrimp. I would love to know if any method exists for shrinking goiters since mine has now started to relocate my esophagus and I’m in danger of having it surgically removed. Thank you so much for this!

    Reply

  145. Hello, I am 27 years old, I am 5’4 and weigh 194. I went from having a hyperthyroud to hypothyroid and let me just say that it feels to have an underactive thyroid. I am fatigued, tired, and I cannot lose weight-at this point, I don’t feel healthy.

    Reply

  146. Hello, what about low leptin levels? I cannot stop eating and it doesn’t matter what I eat, I just never feel full. This is probably a root cause of some of my issues. After so many years struggling with this, I have only recently did the test for leptin and came back way below the minimum limit. Can you please write some article about this ? I can only see articles about leptin resistance but that’s not what I have.

    Many thanks!

    Reply

  147. It’s about leading a healthy lifestyle and feeling better in yourself not necessarily losing weight. But if you eat right and exercise regularly your body will see the results and feel the benefits. What you put into your body makes a huge difference.

    Reply

    • Ashley – thank you so much for sharing. ❤️ I agree diet is very important as well as exercise. We are all different so what that looks like for some may be different for others. I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state. I hope you will keep me posted on your progress.

      Reply

  148. I’ve been intrigued by this WOE and have been following it very closely and counting and tracking carbs and I also count calories, just in case, but I am not losing. I stay under 20 gr carbs. I dont want to go back to eating carbs as I have issues with them, I pig out when I allow myself to eat them, my moods are terrible and my depression seems worse when I consume carbs. I dont have much to lose and I lift weights and do HIIT but my weight is just standing still, any help or advice will be very helpful.

    Reply

    • Ashley – thank you for sharing your journey. I’m sorry to hear you are struggling. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state. Balancing the adrenals can help with weight loss too. When it comes to exercise, a rule of thumb is that you should be able to do the exercise once more after you are done, to determine if the exercise is right for you. If you can answer “yes” and you feel well, then you’ve found the right exercise for your body, at the right time, in the right amount. If not, you will then want to give yourself time to recuperate and try a different exercise, or lessen the amount. Here are a couple articles you might find helpful:

      ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health/

      7  MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-important-nutrient-deficiencies-hashimotos/

      Reply

  149. Hi Izabella,

    The part about T4 turning into reverse T3 makes me so sad. When I was in my early 20s I was diagnosed with hashimoto’s and put on synthroid. I was so excited for my symptoms to go away but instead they got worse. I started to grow hair on my chin, the hair on my head and eyebrows thinned out dramatically to the point that my hairdresser noticed and gained 20 pounds. My periods also got heavier and more painful. When I went to see my doctor he didn’t think it was the synthroid. I stopped taking it against his advice and went back to my normal weight. He then put me on Eltroxin. Which had similar side effects but not as bad so I stayed on it. My ND said I’ve been on T4 too long to try going off of it now (I’ve been on it for 10 years). I wish I’d gotten the help I needed when I was younger. I’m just doing the best I can now with diet and supplements.

    Thank you for your content.

    Silka

    Reply

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