Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

Liz's Hashimoto's Success Story

Liz’s Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

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A Story About Remission

Last month I had the pleasure of speaking with Liz Schau, who has been in medication-free remission from Hashimoto’s for four years (even though she was up to 175 mcg of Synthroid at one point). As a result of her journey, Liz now dedicates her time to helping others with autoimmune conditions! I came across Liz’s story a few years ago during my search and was inspired to find my root cause as well.

I hope that her story inspires you to find your root cause too!

Liz’s Root Cause

Liz never felt healthy as a child. Something was always off. She constantly had sore throats, ear infections and battled with her mood. She was always on antibiotics. She was the kid that often missed field trips due to a stomach ache or some other ailment.

Things took a turn for the worse when Liz got to college, she began dealing with extreme fatigue, gained weight and dealt with a persistent sore throat on a daily basis.  During her third year in college she remembers being so exhausted, she would sleep through the night, wake up at ten, eat and then go back to sleep again.

After breaking up with a boyfriend, she gained 60 lbs during a seven-month period. At this point, her period had stopped, and she developed palpitations and had frequent urinary symptoms. This led her to seek care at her university’s clinic, where she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the summer of 2007. She was given Synthroid and told that everything would be back to normal within two months.

Unfortunately, as for many of us, the normal never came. After college, Liz moved to New York and was frustrated that the medications were not helping. She continued to get worse and continued to seek medical care.

Finally a diagnosis…

Finally, a doctor at a NY walk-in clinic tested her thyroid antibodies, and the antibodies were in the 500 range (normal is <35).  This was the first time she was told that she had Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition. She was upset that the original doctors never mentioned that she had an autoimmune condition.

Liz was up to 175 mcg of Synthroid but never felt well. She kept getting worse and worse. She felt fat, depressed, tired and bloated. She experienced hives, recurrent infections, and menstrual irregularities. She felt like she was not going to be able to go on.

Taking charge of her health…

However, feeling unwell was a blessing in disguise for Liz, as it led her to find the root cause of her condition, allowing her to treat it and put her Hashimoto’s into remission.

Like many of us, she started to “Google” her many symptoms and stumbled upon Candidiasis. She ran out and bought the Yeast Connection by Dr. Crook. This book explained that Hashimoto’s can be caused by Candida.

A light-bulb went out in her head, and she knew this was it, and that she was going to be able to get herself well if she worked hard enough.

So she took charge of her health…she started a basic anti-yeast diet avoiding mushrooms, vinegar, processed foods and yeast-leavened bread.

She was amazed to see that her thyroid numbers improved dramatically after being on an anti-yeast diet for four months. She continued on the diet until she learned about the gluten/autoimmune connection. She then discovered that she was also reacting to dairy.

Over the course of 1.5-2 years, Liz dabbled in different diets, including a Candida diet, grain free diet, raw foods diet, paleo/primal diet, and the Body Ecology Diet. She found that some of the diets agreed with her and made her better, but that the raw food diet did not.

She started taking probiotics and raw fermented foods to add beneficial bacteria back into her body.

Her TSH began to normalize, and her antibodies disappeared. It had been a “spontaneous remission” according to her doctor. Under the supervision of her doctor, Liz was able to wean off her thyroid medications in August 2009. She wasn’t on a a low dose of medications either; she was up to 175mg of Synthroid per day! Her thyroid was able to regenerate after the triggers were removed!

“The doctor was not interested in the diet I was following, or in any of the reasons why I thought I was getting better. He said ‘Don’t tell me about your diet.’ However, I believe that healing my gut was the key. The yeast overgrowth and food sensitivities were the real issues”. Liz says.

Now that she has healed her gut,  she has been able to introduce a lot more foods, including properly prepared grains, fermented foods, real fats and dairy. She is a proponent of the Weston A. Price Foundation and of using healing and native foods.

She continues to monitor her thyroid and has had a normal TSH during her last pregnancy, and her last antibody test (which was done in December 2012) showed that her antibodies were still below 10. She believes that Candida will always be an issue for her, but knows what she needs to do to control it.

To those that are still struggling with Hashimoto’s, Liz says

“It’s a journey. It took me almost two years to get better, keep working on it!”

“I see the best results with people who are motivated and willing to change!”

“In general most people with autoimmunity need to find their food sensitivities,  heal from infections and eat organic, however, bio-individuality is important; not everyone will respond to the same interventions. The foods that heal one person may not be the same for another.”

“Treat your intestines like gold. They control your immune system.”

As a result of her healing journey, Liz decided to become a holistic health coach and dedicates her time to working with people with Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions. More information about Liz’s story can be found on her website: http://lizschau.com, and you can listen to her share her journey here.

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

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

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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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Comments

  1. Hello,
    I believe every single thing written in this story. I too always suffered from sore throats as a child and through university, I saw an ENT and they wanted to remove my tonsils until I got diagnosed with hashimotos. I’ve been on antibiotics at least 6 times a year. I started taking echinescia and went gluten free. Since Feb 2013 which is when I was diagnosed my anti bodies have climbed down from 2000 to 200 and I am praying they will just disappear. This is the first I have heard about candida and how it can be a trigger. Thank you for sharing your story!
    Reply

  2. Hi Sophia, thanks so much! I’m sorry you’ve had to go through something similar. That’s wonderful that you’ve started having health gains!
    Reply

  3. Dear Liz, I would be very grateful if you can guide and advice me abt my hypothyroid problem. I am in 100mcg of Synthroid at the moment. Thank you very much, Gina
    Reply

  4. Hi Gina. I believe. Very strongly in the concept of bio individuality. So it would be difficult to say what specifically would help you without speaking with you first. I do know this, however, most people will need to heal something called Leaky Gut Syndrome.
    Reply

  5. Wow! I can’t believe it. It’s been a theory of mine for ages that candida is a worse problem than the minor inconvenience that its treated as.
    Thank you for the story. Lisa
    Reply

  7. Thank u for sharing yo story, l have bn thinkng that I’m the only person with ths kind of ailment, i am not health @all, right now i am on thrioxine sodium 0,1mg bcoz its underactive, l am always having palpitation, shaking, feeling tired, hot flashes. heavy shoulders jumpy heart. What worries me most is ….my body does not have that normal bodyheat……it feels cold like a fish, snake or somethng, it is not good @all. l would appreciate if u could help me on ths. I hv done the tests and the doctor said its fine bt l dont feel fine, he even said its strange never heard about that, plz help me now i am shy to come in contact wth friends bcoz they always ask me why my body is so cold……
    Reply

  8. My dosctor didn`t know how to change my diet, but my mum did – shes been interested in natural healing for years. I finally started listening to her advice. she mentioned candida many years ago….. better late than never…
    Reply

  10. I had my antibodies checked when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto 2 years ago. Since then I have been gluten free and decreased my carbs. I was shocked to find out my antibodies are still at 200. I have always craved sugar is that part of the candida overgrowth? I have been following the supplements recommended by Root Cause so that is even why I was more surprised that my antibodies are still high. I have not found my Root Cause. I will check out candida diet. I appreciate being exposed to success stories. Thanks.
    Reply

  11. Just like to say i too was diagnosed the same. My antibodies were 550 been total gluten free for 2 years my antibodies as last week were 205 here in uk gp’s not interested at all but for my self it has been such a long long journey. 5 years but am almost there reduced my thyroxine niw to 100.
    Reply

  12. I’ve been reading about Liz Schau for a few years now. She is an inspiration! I’ve followed her Facebook page for a long time and love the information she posts. If there are enough Liz Schaus and Izabella Wentzes out there, maybe we can finally start getting our doctors to take us seriously when we say what we eat affects our Hashimoto’s!
    Reply

  13. RE: Candida Testing (Candia5 home blood test is not the bargain it seems)
    Dr McCoombs writes: “An antibody test in conjunction with a stool test, or other tissue cultures, and a history of past antibiotic use will most likely demonstrate Candida. Combining history, lab tests, and symptoms along with a trial of a Candida protocol and observing results can provide the greatest accuracy” (http://www.candidaplan.com/new/faq_2/faq.php?t=sq&uin=11)
    I used a home blood test called Candia5, which showed “positive” for Candida. However, Candia5 tests IgG antibodies only, which can be positive due to a past infection or a current infection, but Candia5 does not indicate whether a positive result is due to a past or present infection or where it is located (stool, mucosal tissues or blood). I also had a GI Effects Stool test, which was negative for Candida in my stool. However, I might have a vaginal yeast infection or theoretically an infection in my blood, or no current Candida at all. The GI Effects Stool test was informative but the Candia5 was not. This website (http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Candida_Test) describes what information you will obtain from each of the Candida antibody tests: IgG, IgM, IgA, and a Candida antigen test. Ideally, I would like to test all of these in order to differentiate between current/past infection, and to suggest the locale, blood or mucous membranes (like vaginal tissue). Mymedlabs.com has a test called Candida Antibody/Antigen Profile (https://www.mymedlab.com/candida-panels/candida-antibody-antigen-profile) which tests for the 3 Ig-types as well as a Candida antigen test, which would indicate if mucosal sites of infection are overwhelmed (the antigen test sounds like a severity indicator) but it costs $325 (out of pocket because my doc likely won’t run that test). So, instead, I’m going to ask my gyn for a yeast infection test (vaginal swab) because my health insurance should pay for that, but I can only do the test if I get vaginal symptoms again, otherwise it would be pointless. My vaginal symptoms are mild (i may have a bacterial infection instead). The other Candida symptoms are hard to differentiate between candida or low thyroid. So, until my thyroid labs are within normal limits, I’m going to continue eating my current diet, which is already low carb, low fructose, no added sugar because it’s good for my thyroid anyway to eat this way and there’s no reason to go back to eating sugar, although in time I may be able to add fruit and more starchy veggies. So for now, I’ll continue taking the oil or oregano and coconut oil and 2x/week Prescript-Assist (I finished 2 months in a row of a twice a day dose) and making my homemade sauerkraut, and kefir (I’ve tried the coconut water bought at a health food store then added the body ecology kefir packet), but going to try making coconut milk kefir by thepaleomom. In addition, I’ve already finished one round of grapefruit seed extract, molybdenum, betonite clay, S. Boulardii, VSL3, and “Custom Probiotics” as well as a monolaurin supplement (in addition to the coconut oil) for the sake of “possible Candida”. I was trying to save money by using the Candia5 test, which in retrospect was not very helpful or low-cost. Financially, these tests, out of pocket doctor visits, and supplements can be very expensive, so I hope it helps to see my mistake with the candia5 test and to see my rationale for waiting on further testing at this time. I’m learning to be very selective about which tests I take for the sake of the costs and their usefulness. (Do your research, it’s frustrating, I know, but it’s worth it). Most importantly, my diet won’t change either way, because whether or not I have a current Candida infection, my no-added sugar, low carb (low fructose starchy veggies & lemon/lime) seems to be the best thing for my thyroid right now anyway. I am feeling better, energy-wise, mood-wise on this diet, and that’s what it’s all about!
    Reply

  14. What if your trigger is Herpes simplex virus? How can you put hashimotos in remission with that being a root cause?
    Reply

  15. I have been attempting to heal food sensitivities for 7 years now and have tried a majority of resources listed on that page and I only seem to loose more foods to eat. I was DXd with Hashimoto’s 4 years ago and am taking levothyroxine working up to 88mgs daily and my symptoms do not improve. I have always eaten organically and off the farm and do my own cooking. Presently, I can only eat mostly from the cruciferous family-brocc, caulif, brussel sprouts and I can do cabbage and carrots as coleslaw with olive oil and balsamic or apple cider vinegar. I can drink black coffee and water. I recently had to eliminate beef, chicken, pork and fish because of a diuretic effect through the night only (one of my symptoms to foods eaten). The other symptom is debilitating head fog directly related to the food eaten. I have no thyroid symptoms as listed in my research and my medical tests, including celiac, all are “normal”. I have no IBS symptoms either. I have not been able to find anyone with a similar experience or able to find my trigger as Dr. Wentz talks about. It is the first time I’ve done anything through the internet though.
    Thanks for listening.
    Reply

  16. Cathi,
    I would suggest you try a natural dessicated thyroid supplement instead of the levothyroxine. It would provide all of the hormones that your own thyroid produces, not only the T4 which is what what levothyroxine is.
    Good luck!
    Reply

  17. I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with hashimotos. Dr put me on synthroid, after a month heart palpitations went away and I didn’t feel itchy I was feeling better. I was still cold though. I told Dr she done tsh told me I’m fine. Symptoms start creeping in I could sleep all day I have no energy I’m itchy and colder than I have ever been. I began taking my temperature, I have noticed on days I feel real bad my temperature is between 95.7 and 96.5. My temperature is never over 97.6 and rarely stays that hi. I get skin yeast rashes and deal with yeast infections. Just started a gluten free diet definitely adding yeast free diet. Thanks for this info
    Reply

  18. Hi Nyarai,
    I’m sorry for your are going though. Hang in there, it can get better, but you will need to take your health into your own hands. It took me three years to figure this stuff out, but I now have my life back and am trying to create awareness as much as possible so others don’t have to suffer as long as I did. I share a ton of information about my story, what’s going on in Hashimoto’s, helpful strategies and ways to overcome the condition in my book https://thyroidpharmacist.com/book/. Hope you will check it out!
    Reply

  19. I am feeling much sympathy/empathy for all of the writers above, an d at the same time profound annoyance amd disgust at the docs. who despite all their “training” are so ill informed they cause great suffering in the world. So important to learn, and be in a position to pretty much treat ones self. Izabella Wentz’s work is a good place to start. Also see, Hypothyroid Mom, Stop The Thyroid Madness. Thyroid Unlocked, (Thyroid U K) Thanks for posting this.

    Reply

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