I love getting messages from you with your success stories!
As I opened up my inbox this morning, I just received a message from a lovely woman who said that she “HAD” Hashimoto’s and that she was able to get it into remission through changing her diet! After going gluten and dairy free, she is no longer testing positive for thyroid antibodies, feeling amazing, and tapering off her thyroid medications!!
I’ve written in great detail about food and how eating a nutrient dense diet, free of gluten and dairy, can get Hashimoto’s into remission. Since I started writing about this back in 2013, I’ve received so many stories from people who’ve been able to get into remission through nutrition, and so one of my very first recommendations for Hashimoto’s is to start with food!
Read more about optimizing your diet with Hashimoto’s.
Eating a nutrient dense diet will almost always help Hashimoto’s but will not reverse the condition for every person. Some people need to dig deeper, as there may be other triggers or root causes that can lead to the development of Hashimoto’s.
Hashimoto’s and Infections
Chronic infections are the Hashimoto’s triggers that get the least amount of attention, yet identifying and treating them can result in a complete remission. Unfortunately, some of the infections can be progressive, leading to more and more symptoms, if not identified and treated accordingly, thus I want to make you all aware of them whenever I can.
Molecular Mimicry
Molecular mimicry is one of the leading theories of autoimmune disease. In very simple terms, this theory means that our immune system begins to attack our thyroid gland because we are infected with a pathogenic organism (like a bacteria, parasite, or virus), that looks similar to components of the thyroid gland. The immune system remembers isolated protein sequences on the pathogen (rather than the entire DNA sequence of the pathogen) and then looks for similar looking proteins as targets for an attack. If the proteins on the thyroid match the proteins the immune system remembered, then the thyroid will be targeted for attack as well. Therefore, the immune system attacks our thyroid glands due to a case of mistaken identity, when it is trying to attack an infection!
Scientists have noted that in people with the right genetic sequence, an infectious agent that resembles the thyroid gland, can trigger Hashimoto’s.
Yersinia Entercolitica
I’ve spoken at great length about gut infections that can trigger Hashimoto’s and the most well researched one is known as Yersinia entercolitica. This is a bacteria that can be acquired from eating pork, and antibodies to this bacteria have been found in greater amounts in Hashimoto’s and Graves’ patients. Nineteen proteins on the Yersinia bacteria can look similar to proteins on the thyroid gland, (4 cross-react with the TSH receptor, 2 with thyroglobulin, 2 with thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and 11 with the sodium iodine symporter)!
Finding and treating this infection can result in remission of Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease! On the other hand, a person that simply takes thyroid medications and does not treat the infection may continue to see declines in his/her health, as eventually, the presence of the infection may burn out the immune system and cause it to start recognizing additional sequences on the infectious organism that may cross-react with different organs in the body… This is why, in the conventional medical approach, it is widely known that having one autoimmune condition will put the person at greater risk for getting another autoimmune condition.
While scientists have described this bacteria as a trigger for autoimmune thyroid disease time and time again, most doctors will not test patients for chronic infections—functional medicine practitioners are your best bet for testing for this infection. You can be tested for Yersinia antibodies through a blood test or using the GI-MAP test. Ask your doctor about it or you can self-order).
The medication doxycycline, as well as herbal protocols that may include berberine, oil of oregano and/or wormwood, can eradicate Yersinia effectively in many cases.
Borrelia and Lyme
Another very important and potential trigger of Hashimoto’s is Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Borrelia burgdorferi has been found to have 16 protein structures that can cross react with thyroid proteins (5 proteins that cross-react with the TSH receptor antibodies, 2 that crossreact with Thyroglobulin antibodies, and 3 that crossreact with thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO antibodies), and 6 with the sodium iodide symporter).
Lyme disease is one of the more serious infections that can lead to some debilitating symptoms, if not found and addressed accordingly.
The condition is progressive, leading to more and more symptoms. The longer you have it, the more damage it can do. Additionally, some of the symptoms of Lyme can be similar to symptoms of Hashimoto’s: fatigue, memory problems, hormonal changes…
Lyme has been primarily thought to be a tick-borne infection that was triggered by a tick bite (ticks carry the Borrelia bacteria), so I always ask my clients if they have spent time wilderness camping, hiking or trail running before their diagnosis. However, Lyme advocates are saying that the bacteria may also be acquired through other methods, including mosquito bites, and from mother to child. Lyme is also a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transferred between us and our furry family members (most likely due to them carrying infected ticks into our homes, but direct transmission has not been ruled out).
A message I received from a reader who was diagnosed with Lyme disease after three years of Hashimoto’s, inspired me to create more awareness about Lyme disease.
Here’s the message:
“Dear Dr. Wentz,
I have a suggestion that I feel is important to include if you ever come out with the second edition of your book. After any interventions for my Hashimoto’s over a three-year period, which included gluten free, low dairy, low sugar, H. pylori and parasite treatment, natural desiccated thyroid, and many supplements, I’ve recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease and a tick-borne co-infection, Babesia.
Likely I’ve had it for years, and it is what caused my Hashimoto’s. After hanging put on Lyme groups, I’m discovering many Hashi patients who have Lyme. It’s too much of a coincidence …and I feel the word needs to get out, so Hashi patients and their doctors can get them the proper testing just in case.
Not suggesting every Hashi patient’s root cause is Lyme by any means, just that it can be one root cause, through molecular mimicry, and since many of the symptoms overlap with those of Hashi’s that many on Hashi groups are suffering from.”
Overcoming Lyme
While I do discuss Lyme, a tick-borne infectious disease, as a potential root cause of Hashimoto’s in my book, Hashimoto’s The Root Cause and in my post about infections, I want to give you additional resources to help you overcome this debilitating infection!
As those of you who have been reading my book and posts know, I am a big proponent of lifestyle change—like adopting a nutrient dense diet—but, unfortunately, sometimes diet is not enough. Although getting on an appropriate diet will help everyone, (even with chronic infections) it will not always result in a remission of your autoimmunity.
I thought this was an important message to bring up, especially for those of you who have tried the diet and have had limited success. Autoimmunity starts in the gut, and Lyme disease destroys the gut completely!
So if you’ve tried a lot of things, have a lot of symptoms, you’re tired, in pain, have numbness, headaches, memory problems, pain that changes or moves around the body, symptoms that come and go no matter what you do, symptoms that worsen around your period, symptoms that get better or are intensified, on antibiotics (either due to the antibiotics suppressing the Lyme or killing too much causing die-off) … please look into testing for Lyme—it can be a root cause of your Hashimoto’s!
Dr. Richard Horowitz is a pioneer in Lyme treatment and has developed a Lyme quiz you can take to see if you are a high risk for Lyme.
You will need a blood test to confirm the infection. I recommend IGeneX or Ulta Lab Tests.
Resources from Lyme Thrivers
I also want to warn you that Lyme is a really difficult infection to eradicate. As the reader who wrote in mentioned, not many doctors are very familiar with treating a chronic Lyme infection—you will need a Lyme Literate Doctor as well as a lot of support to overcome this infection. Go to Ilads.org for more info on Lyme Literate Practitioners.
Some new interesting facts from LymeDisease.Org: 300,000 new cases of Lyme are found each year. The bacteria scavenge the body for trace metals to make themselves more virulent (esp. manganese) and the over-the-counter medications Claritin (loratadine) may help eradicate Lyme.
I met Lyme survivor/advocate Brent Martin at a health conference. In speaking with him, I came to learn that he used to be exhausted, couldn’t focus, had memory problems, and had virtually no energy. Yet, to the surrounding world, he looked “fine,” and all of his blood work came back normal. The same story many of us with autoimmune conditions have heard!
I couldn’t believe that this vibrant and energetic young man I was speaking with had been too tired to interact with his beautiful children at a recent point in his life! He told me about how he was able to overcome Lyme disease after many years of suffering and is now dedicated to educating others on how to do the same! Brent experienced so many symptoms, some of them outright strange, like being sensitive to wireless Internet!
I’ve been hoping to interview Brent and his partner Dana Walsh (also a thyroid patient) for quite some time and just had the opportunity to do so last week! Brent and Dana share their Lyme stories, the symptoms they had, and how they were able to overcome this condition.
You can watch the interview I recorded with Brent and Dana below:
Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD with Brent and Dana on Addressing Lyme
PS. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 Thyroid friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter for free by going to www.thyroidpharmacist.com/gift. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways and helpful information.
For future updates, make sure to follow me on Facebook!
I really enjoyed the entire article and have great respect for your work! Thank you for taking the time to help so many people! I did want to say that I have read that the Claritin trials have only been done in a test tube and would require you to take a VERY HEAVY dose to get those kind of results (if it even works the same way when taken by a human orally). I just don’t want people going out and thinking Claritin will cure this disease. I’m not sure at this point in my research that I feel at least the neurological Lyme I am suffering from will ever be curable (and that’s the positive side of me talking — I am also realistic) —- but I do believe I’ll find my purpose one day in this life and find a new way to live again.
Again, thank you for helping so many of us in this tiny world!
Jessie- You are so very welcome! Thank you so much for your support!! I look forward to hearing your progress on this page! 🙂
Janae- 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.
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
Sue- Thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to hearing your progress on this page! Here are two articles on the gut, which you may find interesting! 🙂
HASHIMOTO’S AND THE GUT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-the-gut
THE GUT AND AUTOIMMUNE THYROID CONNECTION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-gut-and-autoimmune-thyroid-connection
You are so very welcome Valerie. I hope you check out my book on Hashimoto's 🙂
Becky- I would highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Cheryl- Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students) I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections), and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”) , a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Additionally, animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin/lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
Amy- I personally struggled with pain in the form of body aches and stiffness as well as carpal tunnel in both arms in 2010, when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. It was awful, I had to wear braces on both arms all day and even at night for about 6 months.
I took NSAIDs every day to deal with the pain so I could get through my workday.
I hope these articles help you get started.
PAIN AND HASHIMOTOS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-and-hashimotos
PAIN HASHIMOTOS AND FIBROMYALGIA…
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-hashimotos-and-fibromyalgia/
TURMERIC FOR YOUR THYROID AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/turmeric-for-your-thyroid-and-hashimotos
Kristin- I would highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Susan- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.
Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
HASHIMOTO’S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care
Diane- Thank you so much for sharing! Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category, and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help 🙂
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/
OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year/
Polly- You may find this article interesting! 🙂
CARRIE’S DENTAL PROCEDURE TRIGGERED HER HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/carries-dental-procedure-triggered-her-hashimotos
Juanita- Thank you so much for your support. I’m looking forward to hearing your progress on this page. Make sure to take the book slow, take notes, highlight, and establish a baseline when making changes. 🙂
Marlon- Thank you so much for sharing. Did you know that if you live in the United States, the UK, Australia, Europe and most developed countries that add iodine to the salt supply and take thyroid medications, there’s a higher probability that you do have Hashimoto’s?
Depending on the source, estimates are that between 90-95% of those with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.
But most doctors will never tell people that they have Hashimoto’s, or that their own immune system is attacking their thyroid. People are told that their “thyroid is sluggish”, and that these things happen with age and “Just take this pill, you’ll be fine.” I hope you check out these articles that I wrote.
ARE YOU DOING EVERYTHING FOR YOUR THYROID BUT NOT YET WELL?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-doing-everything-for-your-thyroid-but-not-yet-well
DO YOU HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM OR HASHIMOTO’S OR BOTH?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/do-you-have-hypothyroidism-or-hashimotos-or-both
Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.
TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests
Jack- Thank you so much for following this page! Do you have Hashimoto’s or a thyroid condition?
Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category, and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help 🙂
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/
OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year/
Kimberly- Thank you so much for sharing! Here is an article you may find interesting as well! 🙂
CARRIE’S DENTAL PROCEDURE TRIGGERED HER HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/carries-dental-procedure-triggered-her-hashimotos
Maureen- Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students) I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections), and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”) , a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Additionally, animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin/lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
Anne- thank you for following this page. You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating. 🙂
Sarah- Thank you so much for sharing! Do you have Hashimoto’s or a thyroid condition?
Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category, and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help 🙂
OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year/
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/
Penny- thank you so much for following this page! Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category, and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help 🙂
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/
OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year/
Heather- Here is an article you may find helpful! 🙂
CANDIDA AND HASHIMOTOS CONNECTION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/candida-and-hashimotos-connection
Maria- I think it is great you are empowering yourself to take your health back!!Here is an article you may find interesting! 🙂
CANDIDA AND HASHIMOTOS CONNECTION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/candida-and-hashimotos-connection
Janet- Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students) I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics as well as flu shots (which may be associated with EBV infections), and started birth control for menstrual cramps.
It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system.
Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”) , a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students, and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.
The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause them symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.
Additionally, animal fat and broths, soups and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin/lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein-Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos
Marcia- 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.
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
Janet- Dr. Weston A. Price was a dentist who studied the effects of diet on
dentition and found that those who ate traditional diets had far better teeth, and excellent health (no heart disease, autoimmune conditions, or obesity) compared with counterparts with similar genetic background who ate Western diets. Gram-negative bacteria adhere to teeth and make it more difficult for saliva and brushing to get rid of them. Eating alkalizing foods, fermented foods, oil pulling and cranberry juice may be helpful for displacing the bacteria from teeth. Here is an article you may find interesting! 🙂
PERIODONTITIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/periodontitis-a-trigger-for-hashimotos
Tori- While changing your diet is a really important first step that will greatly help many of you, if you do not see a complete remission of your condition within 3-6 months, I encourage you to dig deeper. Changing my diet was a really important step in my healing journey, but it was just the beginning. Here is an article you may find interesting! 🙂
6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-different-hashimotos-root-causes
Marcia- 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
Mary Kay- Here is some information you may find interesting.
Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur…
1. Genetic predisposition
2. Environmental triggers
3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
Developing autoimmunity is like a three-legged stool, all of these factors must be present for autoimmunity to occur! When you remove one of these, you can prevent or stop autoimmune disease. While we can’t change genes, if we know the trigger, we can remove it and we can heal the gut.
REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY AND THE PERFECT STORM
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/
IS HASHIMOTO’S HYPOTHYROIDISM GENETIC
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic
Rebeca- Here are two articles you may find interesting! 🙂
THE COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs
CANDIDA AND HASHIMOTOS CONNECTION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/candida-and-hashimotos-connection
Susan- Some infections, like Yersinia, may be very easy to treat with
antibiotics. Work with your doctor to test for infections, and use antibiotics
judiciously, as they can be incredibly dangerous when used
incorrectly. I hope you also check out my book! 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
Had a nutritional blood test done at Dr Randolph’s Ageless and Wellness Pharmacy. It was just a finger prick, then they showed the results on the screen. I have parasites! What’s the best test to request to determine what kind of parasite it is? I had a partial thyroid removal several years ago (large goiter was removed) and was on 88mcg of synthroid but never felt better like I was told I would, and I certainly didn’t lose the 30 lbs I’d put on in three months. The second time I put on 20 lbs within a couple months, I was also experiencing menopause symptons, so I decided to go the natural route. After two years, my thyroid numbers are bad, so I’m now on 175mcg of levothyroxine. I get blood work next month to check my numbers and test for Hashimotos Thyroiditis.
Carolyn – thank you for following this page. 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 and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hello,
I recently found out that my spleen and liver are both enlarged. I have gallstones(scheduling surgery for removal of gallbladder). My liver is also fatty. My RBC is often high and out of range, only once in a year it wasn’t out of range but was still on the high end barely missing being out of range. My iron saturation is low also. I am being referred to a gastroenterologist and will see an endocrinologist in December.
Jessica – thank you so much for sharing your journey. <3 I am so sorry you are going through all of this. Here some resources I hope you will find helpful:
HOW GALLBLADDER AFFECTS HASHIMOTO'S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-gallbladder-affects-hashimotos/
HOW SUPPORTING THE LIVER IS KEY TO RECOVERING FROM THYROID DISEASE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/support-liver-recover-from-thyroid-disease/
7 MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-important-nutrient-deficiencies-hashimotos/