Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

Sherilyn's Hashimoto's Success Story

Sherilyn’s Hashimoto’s Success Story

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This success story was originally posted in February of 2015, based on personal experience provided by Sherilyn Schwartz. I have since developed new articles and resources for Hashimoto’s that might be helpful for you. For the latest information on the topics covered here, please visit the following:

 

Fifty million people in the United States have an autoimmune condition

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Friends and family and even your physicians may be skeptical when you tell them that you are no longer going to follow the Standard American Diet in an effort to overcome your autoimmune condition. You may be overwhelmed by the notion of changing so many routines and cutting out your favorite foods.

I know that lifestyle changes are challenging. It is certainly much easier to take a pill on a daily basis rather than follow diets, reduce stress and exercise. However, please consider the following statistic…

Fifty million people in the United States have an autoimmune condition. That is a whopping 20% of our population!

Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.

Most of us rely on answers to our health troubles from our doctors, but unfortunately, Hashimoto’s is a condition that is poorly understood by the conventional medical community.

Thus our society, medical system, and diet are perfectly designed to produce 50 million people with autoimmunity. It’s up to you to decide if you want to be like everyone else and get the same results they get or try a different approach to your health.

No one will be more instrumental in getting you better than you!

Sherilyn Schwartz is an amazing woman who decided to take charge of her health and was kind enough to share her story with me, in the hope that it would inspire others to keep digging in getting their health back!

Here is Sherilyn’s story…

Sherilyn was initially diagnosed with hypothyroidism in August 1999. Her TSH was over 37! Like many of you, she was never told she had Hashimoto’s, the leading cause of hypothyroidism accounting for 90-95% cases of low thyroid in the US, UK, Australia and other countries that add Iodine to their salt supplies.

Simply, her doctor instructed her with the following words “Take this pill and see me for lab work every 4 months. Nothing else can be done. You’ll probably need to increase your meds as you age.”

At the time of her diagnosis, she struggled with weight gain, sensitivity to heat and cold, chronic fatigue, increasing cholesterol, constipation, migraines, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, irregular cycles, cramps, memory loss, blurry vision, fertility issues, hair thinning, loss of outer 1/3 of eyebrows, loss of libido, dry skin, puffy face, hoarseness, itchy scalp and woke up feeling hung over daily. I’m sure many of you can relate, as I did, to many of her symptoms.

Serendipity…

Sherilyn, however, continued her search to get better. Serendipitously, her search was actually unrelated to Hashimoto’s. She experienced toxicity from an antibiotic in July 2010 and started researching on how to heal from antibiotic poisoning. In doing so, she learned about leaky gut and how all autoimmune conditions are related. In the US, if you have psoriasis, you are seen by a dermatologist, if you have Hashimoto’s/Graves, you are seen by an endocrinologist, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, a rheumatologist, the list goes on, and the treatment of these conditions is focused on symptoms, not the underlying cause. Other countries don’t think of autoimmune diseases as silos, but as symptoms of another underlying problem: leaky gut.

Sherilyn consulted with a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in Feb 2012, who told her about hypo/Hashi’s and since she had other autoimmune issues, the ND suspected that she had Hashimoto’s as well. She had a food intolerance test which indicated that she was allergic to casein and egg whites. Upon removing both cow dairy and eggs, Sherilyn knew she was on the right track, but felt there was still something missing. In discussion with her Naturopathic Doctor, she asked about eliminating gluten and followed an elimination/provocation diet. Over the next 6 months, she learned that her body really didn’t feel good with a number of foods and now lives on a modified Paleo diet.

Results

Her digging really paid off! After starting her new diet, Sherilyn now feels like a brand new person!

Over the last year, many of her chronic symptoms have completely disappeared, and those who remain are significantly better and continue to improve. Her lifelong constipation and irregular periods are gone. Her psoriasis (that she had since age 18) is gone, she has lost weight without trying. Her periods, which were irregular for most of her life, are now like clockwork! No more PMS!

Her frequent migraines have lifted, and she had not had a migraine with the exception of an occurrence in April when she ate the wrong food. She wakes up energetic on most mornings. No more naps! Her thinning eyebrows are growing back, and hair loss has stopped. She can now wear a ponytail without worrying about those pesky hypothyroid bald spots (I had them too). She is amazed at having warm hands and feet now and is no longer the “cold” woman at her office!

Sherilyn says: “I showed symptoms of hypothyroidism as early as age 5, but the doctors would not test me and disregarded my mother’s insistence. I was 35 when I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism (so 30 years after onset) and another 10-12 years before understanding I can have control over this disease. Although I’m significantly better, I wouldn’t say I’m in remission just yet. I know I’m improving, but suspect it may be another year before I’m truly healthy”.
Since implementing theses changes, she has been able to reduce her Nature-Throid by half.

It wasn’t cheap or easy…

In addition to investing in a real food diet, Sherilyn also made other lifestyle changes, switching her shampoo to a gluten-free version, changing to different thyroid medications and getting rid of cheap multivitamins and instead invested in quality vitamins with activated B vitamins.

Unfortunately, the cost of seeing a naturopathic doctor is not covered by her insurance, so she has had to pay out of pocket for most tests and visits with her practitioner.

Sherilyn’s advice for other people with hypothyroidism

“Research. Learn. DIG. Listen to your body. Try the elimination/provocation test. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ve given up a few weeks of foods you’ve enjoyed? Or, no significant results?? But, the best would be feeling like YOU again”. – Sherilyn Schwartz, 2013

I want to thank Sherilyn for sharing her struggles and successes, and I hope her journey inspires you on your journey to better health!

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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  1. Glad to hear Sherilyn is feeling much better. Hope she continues to feel great! It was nice to hear an inspiring story, especially on a day when I’m feeling particularly discouraged.
    Reply

  2. Thanks Michaela! Hang in there. There are good days ahead. We just have to be persistent and figure out what our personal triggers are. You can do this!! 🙂
    Reply

  3. Congrats Sherilyn! You have had an amazing journey, and it has been great to meet you along the way. Thanks for spending so much time helping and inspiring others on their path. 🙂
    Mickey
    Reply

  5. Thanks for sharing! We need all the good info we can get! Just started reading a new book today- The Hypothyroidism Revolution by Tom Brimeyer M.S. Hoping to get my health back on track!
    Reply

  6. Thank you for sharing. I’ve had a host of problems that started about 3 to 4 years ago. 1st, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes (that I’m able to control with diet/exercise). Then seb derm on my face, neck, scalp, and ears that has plagued me for several years and that is much better since eliminating dairy 4 months ago. When it was really bad, my face would itch, and then it would look like it was chemically burned…very red! It was also very dry. It itched and burned and I could barely use anything on my face that didn’t exacerbate the problem. Water even seemed to burn my face! (Eliminating dairy has also helped my ‘trigger’ thumb and arthritis in my thumb to go away). I had been to the doctor about my seb derm and she put me on prednisone. Six to eight weeks later, I started losing lots of hair. She tested my thyroid (TSH), which came back normal. I asked about doing further testing and she didn’t see the need. It’s a year later and I continue to lose hair. I have 1/2 the volume of hair that I had a year ago. I am extremely depressed over that alone. I am stressed at work and feel for the first time that the stress I am having there is going to kill me. I can’t take it! Sometimes I think I need to just walk out of work and never go back. I feel like I’m drowning! I wake up all night long…several times. I will wake up freezing, so I cover up with a light blanket. Then I wake up sweaty and hot. And the cycle continues throughout the night. (It seems I haven’t been able to sleep through the night for the last 7 to 9 years)! I have low temperatures before rising…the lowest being 96.9. I wake up with headaches most mornings. I was diagnosed with proctitis. Six weeks of meds and the symptoms have subsided, but I know that they can recur. I know that something is going on inside that is manifesting itself in many different and annoying symptoms, and I know that I need help. I really feel that I have an undiagnosed thyroid issue…I just want some help and relief!!! I know that I want to heal from the inside out and I know that there is something within that is causing all of this…which probably lies within the gut. I am now seeing a naturopathic doctor and have an appointment to see a D.O. who provides holistic family medical care and integrative, alternative medicine. I’m hoping for some real help…I’m thinking that I will finally get the help I need with this doctor. I will try to keep you posted with what is going on. I’m glad I ran across your blog.
    Reply

  7. Sherrie, I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling so much! I completely agree. Sounds like you have something else going on and it very well could be Hashimoto’s and most definitely leaky gut. I hope your ND has been helpful. Looks like you posted 3 months ago, so I’m hoping things are on the upswing for you!! Here’s to your health. 🙂
    Reply

  8. Thank you for sharing this story. This has been a particularly hard and discouraging day for me. I really needed a story like this at this moment.
    Reply

  9. Sherilyn – thanks for sharing your great story with us! So happy you are feeling better. Love to see your warm smile my friend – you are an inspiration. Izabella – thanks for reaching out to others in our community so we can learn and hear positive stories – so hopeful!!
    Reply

  11. Thank you all!! It’s an amazing journey that I don’t wish on anyone else, but it has taught me a lot along the way. I’m glad I was able to figure most of this out before having major medical issues that may not have been reversable. This is my new life and I love it!!
    Reply

  13. Hi Dawn, there are a few places you can find more information about the elim/prov. PaleoMom has great resources as does Dr K at the Thyroid Book. Basically you eliminate the most common triggers like gluten, dairy, nightshades, etc. Go at least 3-4 weeks without any. Then, when you are ready, reintroduce just one of the foods multiple times for a day or two. Watch for any type of reaction. Seriously, anything… it could be a change in bowels, a mild weight gain, acne, asthma, agitation, rage, depression, headache, you get the idea. Literally anything. If you have no reaction, try for a few more days. If still nothing, then you are probably OK with that food. However, if you have any reaction even so small, then you should continue to avoid that food for awhile (theoretically until your gut heals). Give it a week or more to let your body settle back in and then reintroduce a different food. Oh, if you are on Facebook, there is a great support page https://www.facebook.com/groups/EPDiet411/. Although Hashimoto’s is in the title, you don’t have to have Hashi’s to be part of the group. Good luck with finding your Root Cause and the diet of your life. 🙂
    Reply

  14. I have a confusing story…please bear with me. I am 68 yrs old…never had a thyroid issue that I knew of. I was put on a benzodiazepine and an SSRIs which I stayed on for 17 years. I Cold-turkey end off the Benzo almost four years ago….it has been horrific healing from this as my CNS was damaged. A year ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, which I am sure is due to the drug and the trauma of the withdrawal…I still suffer anxiety, depression…and many of Thyroid symptoms. Here is my problem….because my CNS is SI very sensitive, I am unable to take supplements and don’t know how to help myself get well.
    Reply

  15. Hi Ruth, I’m so sorry. I found bone broth to be very healing. There are a lot of recipes for it, but basically you take the bones with marrow of an animal (most use cow or chicken, but lamb, bison, etc work too), add a little seasoning like onions, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover with cold water and add 1/4-1/2 cup vinegar. Then turn the crock pot on and let simmer on low. 24 hrs for chicken 48-72 for bigger bones like beef. Once done, strain. Then you can either drink like coffee or add to soups & sauces. Try to get 1/2-1 cup per day. More won’t hurt.
    Second thing I would suggest is to learn about an anti-inflammatory diet; like Paleo. It helps reduce chronic inflammation and pressure on the nerves.
    Finally, for the Hashi’s try an elimination/provocation diet. It’s amazing how you can be eating your favorite foods and just be in a constant state of low health. It’s only when you remove the foods for a while and reintroduce them when you finally realize they do cause problems.
    In order to have an autoimmune disease (like Hashi’s) you have a leaky gut. Until you heal the leaky guy, you won’t start feeling better. As Izabella says, you just need to DIG until you find your personal ROOT cause. It is hard work, but if it means your golden years would be golden instead of miserable, maybe it’s worth it? I wish you the best!! Here’s to your health.
    Reply

  18. Thanks Jennifer! It’s a long haul, but so worth it to feel so much better. Crystal, not sure why I can’t reply directly to your post, but check out the Autoimmune-Protocol.com for more details on AIP and elimination. Basically you remove all gluten and gluten cross reactive foods (like dairy, nuts, seeds, and many others) for about a month. Then, you slowly add one food back in at a time (kind of like introducing foods to a baby) to see if you have reactions. Many people think “I don’t have problems with foods, so this won’t work for me”. Well, you can’t tell if you have problems when you consume the food on a regular basis. Five years ago there is no way you would have convinced me I was struggling with foods. But, I removed gluten, dairy, and eggs for about 3 weeks. Then I ate 3 meals with gluten and the next day I thought I’d been run over by a train! I hurt so bad. I still didn’t believe it so tried it a few more times with the same results each time. Now that I’ve cleared the bad foods from my system I feel so much better!! I wish both of you the best in your journey.
    Reply

  19. Hi , I love reading all the info on hashmoto, my daughter who is 28 was diagnosed a year ago so I follow, but my question is I have lupus which is a autoimmune disease and I read how leaky gut can be a problem with auto immune so should I be researching leaky gut to help manage with the lupus I can never find any real info or answers Thank you!
    Reply

  20. Hi Tammy, yes Lupus is also autoimmune and you’re right, you need to read up on leaky gut. The Autoimmune Protocol will help with all autoimmune issues and a leaky gut. Isabella has great info, so does Chris Kresser, Datis Kharazian, Mickey Trescott, and many others. I test positive for ANA nucleaolar titer (possibly lupus) but am able to manage symptoms and keep my #s low by following AIP. Good luck!!
    Reply

  22. Hi I have been told that I have leaky gut bc of all the food sensitivities. What have you found heals the gut? Also I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and been on Nature Throid for 2 years and still gaining weight, chronic fatigue, hair loss, and my labs are getting worse than better. The medication has been doubled. Any suggestions?
    Reply

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