Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

Turmeric for Your Thyroid and Hashimoto's

Turmeric for Your Thyroid and Hashimoto’s

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP on December 9, 2020

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I love the concept of healing with food and using food as medicine, or as I like to call it, food pharmacology.

I became a pharmacist because I was interested in the effects that different substances have on human physiology. Medications are an obvious example of how tiny substances can produce a tremendous change in the human body, but what’s even more intriguing to me is the profound effect that foods and natural substances can have on the body. I am always fascinated by how we can incorporate the healing properties of food into our everyday lives.

“Pharmacognosy” is the term we use for the study of medicines derived from natural sources, and the spice turmeric has received a lot of attention as a potential source of medicine, due to its healing properties.

Turmeric can be helpful in reducing whole body inflammation, healing the gut, as well as detoxifying from heavy metals, in those with autoimmunity and Hashimoto’s.

In this article, I’ll explore:

  • The history of turmeric
  • The many benefits of turmeric for reducing Hashimoto’s symptoms
  • Delicious and easy recipes to incorporate turmeric into your diet
  • A few precautions when supplementing with curcurmin

History of Turmeric

Turmeric, whose botanical name is Curcuma longa, is a plant of the ginger family that was first cultivated in India and Indonesia. Going back nearly 4,000 years, turmeric has been an important part of Indian cooking, medicine, and religious practice.

Though we often think of turmeric as the spice that gives curry its characteristic golden color, this plant has an equally long history of medicinal use. Historically, turmeric has been used to treat pain, as well as stomach and liver ailments. Topically, turmeric was used to help with treating many skin conditions, including healing sores, eczema and skin rashes.

To this day, turmeric is viewed as a sacred substance in much of Indian culture. It is commonly used in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, in curries around the globe, and in Ayurvedic medicine – an ancient Indian system of natural healing that is still practiced worldwide today.

Besides its use in curry, turmeric is widely used as a coloring agent in cheese, butter, and other dairy products. It’s also used in the manufacturing of other foods, such as canned beverages, baked products, ice cream, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, and gelatins. The reported human consumption of turmeric in Asian countries ranges between 200-1000 mg/day.

Today, the use of turmeric has seen explosive growth in dietary supplements, beverages, functional food applications, in coffee shop beverages, and even as active components in pet supplements and foods.

Benefits and Uses of Curcumin

Modern medicine has begun to recognize the importance of turmeric and back up the ancient claims of its medicinal benefits, as evidenced by almost 6,000 scientific papers that have been published on curcumin and its health benefits. More than 10,000 studies and 120 clinical trials have been conducted to assess both turmeric and curcumin and their many health benefits.

The medicinal benefits can mostly be attributed to compounds called curcuminoids. The most important of these curcuminoids is curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a strong antioxidant.

Traditional folk uses of turmeric have included treating various forms of inflammation and arthritis, respiratory conditions, allergies, diabetic wounds and other wounds, conjunctivitis, skin cancer, urinary tract infections, liver and gallbladder issues, digestive disorders, gas, colic, abdominal pain and distension. It has also been used to expel phlegm, improve circulation, purify blood, address menstrual difficulties, and strengthen the overall energy of the body,

As an example of traditional dosing in folk and herbal medicine, with fresh turmeric root, dosages of 8-60 grams daily is recommended for arthritis, and 1.3-3.0 grams for indigestion.

Modern science has since examined the used of curcumin and found that it can:

  • Promote a healthy inflammatory response: Curcumin blocks a molecule called NF-kB, which travels into the nuclei of cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. In doing so, it is believed to help reduce inflammation, which is linked to several inflammatory diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
  • Boost the body’s antioxidants: Curcumin is a potent antioxidant, which can neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative damage — one of the mechanisms behind many diseases. It also enhances the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.
  • Support normal cardiovascular function: Curcumin has been shown to be as effective as some prescription drugs in promoting the healthy function of blood vessels, which help regulate blood pressure and blood clotting.
  • Reduce symptoms associated with arthritis: Arthritis involves inflammation of the joints, and the potent anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation more effectively than many prescription drugs.
  • Support a balanced mood: Curcumin boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which have been found to be lower in those with depression. There is also some evidence that curcumin may support normal levels of the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine (our happy hormones!).

Because of its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidation — factors that play a huge role in many diseases, and aging itself — curcumin may be helpful in preventing or treating a wide range of conditions, including Hashimoto’s. It’s no wonder this substance has been revered for thousands of years!

Curcumin and Hashimoto’s

Excess inflammation is always present in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (the suffix “itis” denotes inflammation in the thyroid gland), and intestinal permeability has been found as a common factor in every case of autoimmunity. In some cases, people with Hashimoto’s may also have heavy metal toxicity.

Curcumin, the most studied active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral activity, all of which can provide benefits to those suffering from Hashimoto’s-related symptoms.

Benefits of Turmeric

Studies on the Effects of Curcumin

Multiple studies that have examined the effect of curcumin on the thyroid gland and autoimmunity have shown encouraging results:

  • Curcumin can help to protect the intestinal barrier from invasion by bacterial infection and can help heal a leaky gut.
  • According to a 2014 study in the journal Food Chemistry and Toxicology, “Curcumin reduces the hepatotoxicity induced by arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and mercury, prevents histological injury, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione (GSH) depletion, maintains the liver antioxidant enzyme status and protects against mitochondrial dysfunction.”
  • Curcumin showed tumor-inhibiting activity in thyroid cancer.
  • Curcumin was protective against the genetic damage and side effects induced by radioactive iodine, which is sometimes used to treat Graves’ disease.
  • Curcumin has anti-inflammatory benefits that can be helpful in down-regulating autoimmune conditions. Specifically, curcumin produces an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating Th-1 cytokines (TNF-A, IL-1, 2, 6, 8, 12), which may be overactive in Hashimoto’s. Curcumin has been found to reduce joint inflammation in the Th-1 autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it seems to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, showing improvement in Crohn’s disease (Th-1), ulcerative colitis (Th-2) and irritable bowel syndrome.

In my survey of 2232 people with Hashimoto’s, 680 people reported that they had tried curcumin. Fifty-six percent reported that it was helpful, 40 percent did not see a change in how they felt, while 3 percent said it made them feel worse.

When asked about the specific benefits seen from the use of turmeric, 64 percent of people reported that it helped them with reducing pain symptoms. Other positive benefits were an increase in energy (seen in 35 percent), improvement in mood (seen in 34 percent), and an improvement in thyroid antibodies (12.5 percent).

Pain is the most obvious manifestation of inflammation in the body, so I’m not surprised that those who had pain saw an improvement with curcumin use. While most people with Hashimoto’s do have inflammation, only some will present with pain symptoms.

Poor energy, mood changes, and thyroid antibodies are also indicative of inflammation. It was encouraging to see that curcumin also impacted those parameters, but it should be noted that improvements in those symptoms may be less obvious to notice, and may also take a bit longer to manifest.

While curcumin can also boost glutathione (an antioxidant that’s often depleted in Hashimoto’s), reduce inflammation, help with healing the gut, and aid in the detoxification of heavy metals, it’s difficult to assess these improvements symptomatically.

Although most people with Hashimoto’s will benefit from the addition of turmeric, if you are currently experiencing pain, you will most likely experience the most benefit.

How to Use Turmeric/Curcumin

Turmeric naturally has a low bioavailability, as it easily degrades and is eliminated within an hour after consumption.

Historically, to increase absorption, turmeric has been combined with black pepper to increase its bioavailability and enhance its healing properties. Combining curcumin with piperine, an alkaloid found in black pepper, extends the life of curcumin in the body, helping it to stick around longer.

Another way to boost the absorption of curcumin is to consume the turmeric root itself (fresh or dried as a powder) because natural oils found in turmeric root and turmeric powder can enhance the bioavailability of curcumin seven to eight fold. In Indian diets, turmeric is often dissolved and extracted into fat (i.e. by cooking it with ghee, also known as clarified butter), which may increase its bioavailability.

My recommendation is to add more turmeric to your cooking (remember to add some pepper to the mix), as well as a high-quality curcumin supplement.

Curcumin Supplements

It’s important to find a high-quality curcumin supplement, as low bioavailability has also been an issue with curcumin supplements. Research has shown plasma concentrations of curcumin as low as 50 ng/mL after administration of dosages as high as 12 g/day.

To overcome the bioavailability issue, various curcumin formulations with enhanced bioavailability have been developed.

Though there are many different types of curcumin supplements on the market, all with varying levels of bioavailability, a few common formulations include:

  • Unformulated Curcumin: This is an isolated concentrate of unformulated curcumin, with no enhancement of bioavailability done. It’s standardized to contain 95 percent curcuminoids. In a study, when curcumin was given orally at a dose of 2 g/kg to rats, a maximum serum concentration of 1.35±0.23 µg/mL was observed after 0.83 hours, whereas in humans, the same dose of curcumin resulted in either undetectable or extremely low (0.006±0.005 µg/mL at 1 hour) serum levels.
  • Phytosome Curcumin: In this type of supplement, the bioavailability of curcumin is enhanced by encapsulating the curcuminoids in a phytosome complex, which is a complex made of phospholipids or a type of fat. Even though this format has a smaller percentage of curcuminoids compared to non-enhanced formulations, the enhanced absorption that the phytosome provides, allows it to be equally as therapeutic. In a comparative study in humans, the absorption of curcuminoid present in commercial curcumin was compared with curcumin phytosome. The overall increase of curcuminoid absorption from curcumin phytosome was 29-fold.
  • Curcumin with Piperine: One of the ways our liver gets rid of foreign substances is by making them water soluble so they can be more easily excreted. Piperine, a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism, blocks that process, which allows curcumin to remain in the body longer for better absorption. In humans, curcumin bioavailability was increased by 2,000 percent at 45 minutes after administering curcumin with piperine. This study demonstrated that piperine enhances the serum concentration, extent of absorption, and bioavailability of curcumin.

For those that aren’t sensitive to piperine, a supplement that I have personally used is called Curcumin with Bioperine. It is free of gluten, dairy, and soy. The dosage I used when working to detox my body of arsenic was 500 mg, three times per day.

Note: While piperine does increase the absorbance of curcumin, some people who are sensitive to black pepper may react to it. While black pepper isn’t actually a nightshade and is Paleo-friendly, it is considered a “suspect” spice under the Autoimmune Paleo Diet due to potential reactions it can cause.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to develop a new supplement that could be a well absorbed alternative for those who don’t tolerate piperine but still want to incorporate curcumin into their routine.

Rootcology’s Curcumin Absorb is a highly bioavailable formulation that contains a unique combination of three health-promoting curcuminoids: curcumin, bisdemethoxy curcumin and demethoxy curcumin, along with turmeric oil. The three curcuminoids are the strongest, most protective and best researched constituents of the turmeric root. Naturally occurring turmeric root powder contains only 5-7 percent curcumin, while the blend in Curcumin Absorb is concentrated to contain 95 percent curcuminoids.

The potential health benefits of curcumin are often limited by its poor solubility, low absorption from the gut, rapid metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination. Curcumin Absorb is manufactured using an all-natural formulation that improves the absorption and delivery of curcumin. This process uses a proprietary blend of MCT oils, sunflower lecithin, and vitamin E, without the use of potentially harmful surfactants, increasing the absorption rate. None of the ingredients have been derived from soy.

Rootcology Curcumin Absorb Supplement

Here’s what Kristin L. had to say about Curcumin Absorb:

Having read all the great things that Curcumin can do for the body I decided to try it. I have been amazed at how the aching in my feet and overall inflammation has diminished. It felt great to buy a product that had been thoughtfully made with no dairy, gluten, soy etc.

A Few Precautions…

Curcumin appears to be extremely safe, even at doses of up to 8 grams/day.

While most people can safely use turmeric/curcumin, there are a few exceptions that should be noted. People using blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) should avoid curcumin, as it can magnify the effects of anti-clotting medications. While this interaction has not been well studied, there have been reports of excess bleeding by people combining cucurmin with anti-coagulants.

There have been additional reports of iron levels dropping in certain individuals who were taking a turmeric supplement, and returning to normal once the supplement was stopped. While studies in mice have shown a correlation between curcumin and lowered iron levels, these results have not been duplicated in human studies. Nevertheless, people with anemia or low iron levels should consult with their doctor, and monitor their ferritin levels carefully, before using a turmeric or curcumin supplement.

Studies have shown that taking doses of 1,200 – 2,100 mg of curcumin per day, for two to six weeks, didn’t lead to any apparent adverse effects. However, a few negative side effects have been noted by a small portion of people taking curcumin supplements at higher dosages. Digestive issues have been reported at daily doses exceeding 1,000 mg. Headaches and nausea have been noted in a small number of people at dosages over 450 mg. Lastly, skin rashes have been seen in a few rare instances of people taking curcumin at dosages of 8,000 mg.

Additionally, some gene variations, such as MAO-A, can make certain individuals more sensitive to curcumin. If you have had your DNA analyzed through a company such as 23andMe and know that you have this type of mutation, you may want to limit your curcumin intake.

Not all turmeric supplements are pure, and may contain fillers, including wheat, barley or rye flour — sources of gluten that can be particularly harmful for those with Hashimoto’s. Some turmeric powders have also been found to contain high levels of lead and a food colorant called metanil yellow that may cause cancer and neurological damage when consumed in large quantities. Therefore, finding a reputable source of turmeric is crucial!

Cooking with Turmeric

Below are two of my favorite ways to add more turmeric to my diet. A few years ago, I found myself suffering from arsenic poisoning due to conventional lipstick use (yikes!) and used curcumin to detoxify my body. Along with taking a curcumin supplement, I also made Turmeric Tea twice per day, and ate Tandoori Chicken multiple times per week. I believe that the addition of turmeric helped me clear out the arsenic within a month, and helped me to prevent long-term damage!

Chicken Tandoori Recipe

Turmeric Tea Recipe

The Takeaway

Turmeric is a powerful ingredient with both a long history of use, and exciting new research supports the positive effects it can have on the body.

My personal experience has shown the benefits it can have for detoxifying the body. I often recommend it for clients with Hashimoto’s to support the gut, liver, and inflammatory pathways, especially if they are experiencing pain!

I hope this information helps you on your journey! If you’ve tried turmeric, please share your experience with it in the comments below!

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

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References

  1. Cho JA, Park E. Curcumin utilizes the anti-inflammatory response pathway to protect the intestine against bacterial invasion. Nutrition Research and Practice. 2015;9(2):117-122.
  2. García-Niño WR1, Pedraza-Chaverrí J2. Protective effect of curcumin against heavy metals-induced liver damage. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014 Jul;69:182-201
  3. Tan C1, Zhang L1, Cheng X1, Lin XF1, Lu RR2, Bao JD1, Yu HX3. Curcumin inhibits hypoxia-induced migration in K1 papillary thyroid cancer cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2014 Oct 27.
  4. Xu X1, Qin J1, Liu W2. Curcumin inhibits the invasion of thyroid cancer cells via down-regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Gene. 2014 Aug 10;546(2):226-32.
  5. Shafaghati N, Hedayati M, Hosseinimehr SJ. Protective effects of curcumin against genotoxicity induced by 131-iodine in human cultured lymphocyte cells. Pharmacogn Mag. 2014 Apr;10(38):106-10
  6. Bright JJ. Curcumin and autoimmune disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:425-51.
  7. Paul C. Curcum-EvailTM. Designs for Health. http://biorna-quantics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Curcum-Evail_TechSheet.pdf. November 2015. Updated January 2016. Accessed January 31, 2018.
  8. Menon VP, Sudheer AR. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:105-25.
  9. Biswas SK, McClure D, Jimenez LA, Megson IL, Rahman I. Curcumin induces glutathione biosynthesis and inhibits NF-kappaB activation and interleukin-8 release in alveolar epithelial cells: mechanism of free radical scavenging activity. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2005 Jan-Feb;7(1-2):32-41.
  10. Toborek M, Kaiser S. Endothelial cell functions. Relationship to atherogenesis. Basic Res Cardiol. 1999 Oct;94(5):295-314.
  11. Chandran B, Goel A. A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Phytother Res. 2012 Nov;26(11):1719-25. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4639.
  12. Sanmukhani J, Satodia V, Trivedi J, Patel T, Tiwari D, Panchal B, et al. Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2014 Apr;28(4):579-85. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5025.
  13. Kulkarni SK, Bhutani MK, Bishnoi M. Antidepressant activity of curcumin: involvement of serotonin and dopamine system. Psychopharmacology (2008) 201: 435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-008-1300-y.
  14. Kress, R. The Versatile Uses of Turmeric and Curcumin. FreeCE website. www.freeCE.com. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  15. 1. Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, 2011.
  16. Govindarajan V. S. Turmeric-chemistry, technology, and quality. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 1980; 12:199–301.
  17. Ammon H. P, Wahl M. A. Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Med. 1991; 57:1–7.
  18. Thimmayamma B. V. S, Rau P, Radhaiah G. Use of spices and condiments in the dietaries of urban and rural families. J Indian Nutr Diet. 1983; 20:153–62.
  19. Atal CK, Dubey RK, Singh J. Biochemical basis of enhanced drug bioavailability by piperine: evidence that piperine is a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism. Journal of Pharmacological Experimental Therapeutics. 1985 Jan;232(1):258-62.
  20. Prasad S, Tyagi A, and Aggarwal B. Recent Developments in Delivery, Bioavailability, Absorption and Metabolism of Curcumin: the Golden Pigment from Golden Spice. Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Jan; 46(1): 2–18.
  21. Wahlström B, Blennow G. A study on the fate of curcumin in the rat. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1978 Aug; 43(2):86-92.
  22. Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS, Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. 1998 May; 64(4):353-6.
  23. Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6.

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

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Dr. Izabella Wentz

Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP, is a clinical pharmacist, New York Times Bestselling Author, and a pioneering expert in lifestyle interventions for treating Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

She received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy at the age of 23, and has worked as a community pharmacist, a clinical consulting pharmacist, as well as a medication safety pharmacist. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and holds certifications in Medication Therapy Management and Advanced Diabetes Care.

Dr. Wentz has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease, after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in 2009. As a patient advocate, researcher, clinician and educator, she is committed to raising awareness on how to overcome autoimmune thyroid disease.

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Comments

  1. Lynn says

    Yes, I agree that curcumin helps. I been using it daily with almost each meal! I’ve heard too that cayenne pepper mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with water is also good. Great way to give the metabolism a jump start!
    Reply

  2. Fran Dengler says

    I have hypothyroid and scalp psoriasis. Curcumin helps reduce the itching of the scalp so it is manageable.
    Reply

  3. ruthc says

    I also have tried curcurmin with piperine 1.4gm x2 three times a day, (Xymogen.com) as prescribed by my alternative (Oriental Medicine) MD and must say the first bottle helped tremendously, had less pain and more energy. Then I tried another product and the results were not the same. So I went back on Xymogen Curcurma, however, noted also that my BP went down after taking it, so I reduced the dosage but the effects on the pain are not the same. HOWEVER, my lovely MD also has me on 2,000ml of GLUTATHIONE IV weekly [the mother of all antioxidants 🙂 ]and my fibro, RA AND Hashi’s seems to be better controlled and I am (most days) functioning ok. I am so happy I found my OM MD, who started me on Armour a couple of years ago. I am also thankful that I found your wonderful informative website. Thank you, Dr. Izabella in helping Hashi’s patients making sense of their dis-ease. <3
    Reply

  4. Amy says

    Where is this doctor? I have fibro & hashi’s too. I take armour, a Fibro multi-vitamin, tumeric (curcumin) and malic acid. Where do you get the IV’s. I am in GA.
    Reply

  5. Kim says

    I love this article about turmeric! I have enjoyed following your blog. Have you looked at Protandim? It too has turmeric and others in the perfect combination. Created by Dr. Joe McCord…..I would love to hear your opinion because of your expertise! Watch http://www.abcliveit.com. I truly am anxious to hear your take on it all. Thank you for all your great information!!!!
    Reply

  6. ruthc says

    Dr, Izabella, I have one more question. I’ve enhoyed your book and your articles tremendously, but wondered if your book is also available in GERMAN. As you know Hashi’s and fibro and all those naughtly immune dis-eases run in families and I have two sisters in Germany who could tremendously be helped with your book. Thank you.
    Reply

  7. Karen says

    First, I want to say thank you. On my last leg, giving up on body, I went to a naturopath. After speaking with her I came home and did a lot of online research and your book was the first one and the last one I purchased on the subject of hashi’s. Thank you for sharing your story and your struggles. Secondly, I have a question about #4…”genetic damage and side effects induced by radioactive iodine that is sometimes used to treat Graves’ disease.” Do you have a link or information on what types of side affects that occur due to the radioactive iodine treatment and all the steps you can take to help heal from that treatment?
    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

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

      Reply

  8. Sandy says

    Hi Dr. Wentz. Thank you for this information. My integrative physician recently suggested I take curcumin which I promptly purchased from his pharmacy. I recently had 2 kidney stones two months apart which I have discussed with this doctor. (I was under the care of a urologist though). When I was reading about curcumin on line I came across some info that it should not be used by those with kidney stone issues. I was surprised to read this since my dr. had just recommended it. I was disappointed since I have some thyroid issues and wanted to try this. Do you know this to be true, not to use if you have kidney stones? Thank you so much, I find all your writing extremely helpful!
    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Sandy- I can’t make any direct medical recommendations to any single person for legal reasons. 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

      Reply

  9. Lee Jenkins says

    I use turmeric pills from Banyan Botanicals. Very pure, no fillers like cellulose and so on. Organic available as well. I highly recommend. Had lots of problems w leaky gut and banyan turmeric helped clear up symptoms so I could eat broader array of foods.
    Reply

  10. Kim says

    I use Protandim, which has a patented form of turmeric, bacopa, ashwagndha, green tea, and milk thistle. This product has changed my life and is changing health science as we speak! It is specially formulated with the right amounts of each so that they work synergistically.
    Reply

  12. jwls says

    I been taking it for 30 days with msm and gloucosamine, is this ok if im mixing this with turmeric. (also something call curramin bt terry naturally extra strength.
    Reply

  13. Beverly Garrett says

    I don’t know where to turn, have dealt with Hyperthyroidsm in the past, took Synthroid starting out with three pills a day, then over a period of time two pills a day and then one pill a day…then finally off of it all together….after moving to Tn. Over 6 yrs ago I have now been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and have been off and on Medication…finally got tired of the confusion and asked my Primary Care Dr. To send me to a Endro Doctor…he now has tole me I have Hashimoto’s….I am totally lost…the new Endoc doctor has not told me anything. I need help, I am losing my hair and eyebrows….and reading all your information has confused me even more, I don’t know where to turn…I need to talk to a doctor who can explain and tell me what to do and what not to do….thanks! Any help will be appreciated…
    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Beverly- Graves and Hashimoto’s are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto’s, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people)-Hashimoto’s results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

      The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually people with Graves have hyperthyroidism and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

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

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

      Reply

  14. Kim Griffis says

    Beverly, so sorry to hear how you are struggling. I remember how frustrating it can be. I had an endo that wouldn’t listen nor want me to ask questions – he just wanted to prescribe a script and move me out. I finally found a great internal medicine doctor and after a few trials, we found that Armour Thyroid worked the best for me. Have you ever heard of it? My thyroid was removed back in 2004 so I have nothing working for me. I also take Protandim which is a natural supplement that has been proven to reduce oxidative stress in ALL people by 40% in 30 days. It has turmeric, green tea, milk thistle, bacopa, and ashwaganda combined in a special patented blend. Those of us on thyroid drugs usually have more oxidative stress because of our meds alone. Check out this video at http://www.abcliveit.com My 13 year old daughter was diagnosed almost 2 years ago with full blown Hashimoto’s as well – makes me so sad. They have her on levoxylthyrone (sp?), which I was on for years, but if her aches and tiredness don’t improve, I am going to ask them to put her on Armour. Staying away from sugar, processed foods, and drinking a ton of water is very beneficial – whole foods is the way to live. I hope things improve for you!
    Reply

  15. Char says

    I had an allergy test done that said I had an allergy to Turmeric…but I had been taking it daily. I didn’t notice a change when I was using it in my smoothies and cooking. So should I go back to using it? It never had issues using it, but I was abiding by the allergy test. Suggestions?
    Reply

  16. Raghubir says

    I have thyroid problem means low thyroid and I get very much sore throat and it’s difficult to cure it please advise so I can feel better with my throat
    Reply

  17. Ekta Joshi says

    I am 41 year old female, papillary carcinoma of thyroid, .Not on any thyroid specific medications. Treated with high dose radioactive iodine (50mci) for remnant ablation. Above is done before two months back. Presently I am suffering from swelling problem on different parts of my body & also suffering from itching on that swelling .please tell me about precaution for said above problem. Thanks.
    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

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

      Reply

  18. Tricia Case says

    I’m so excited to read this! I started taking golden paste 2 weeks ago after a friend told me about her results on it. I can truly say that it has helped with inflammation. Although the taste is something I had to get used to, the benefits far outweigh the bitterness of the turmeric. Thank you so much for keeping us all informed.
    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Tricia- Thank you so much for sharing!! I hope you also try the recipes in the article and let me know what you think! 🙂

      Reply

  19. Daniela says

    Dr. Wentz, in case of Hashimoto is it OK to take curcumin without checking if we have Th1 or Th2 immune system? Thank you in advance!

    Reply

  21. Lola says

    Dear Izabella,
    I have serious gut lining inflammation, I can hardly digest anything and anything little acidic touches my stomach (apple, etc) it hurts. I started taking turmeric but I have little burning sensation for 1-2 hours even after that I have my meal, Is it okay in the beginning or is it normal? I use turmeric powder mixed in half glass water. How am I supposed to take it? Before/with/after meal? What is the best way to get healing? Thank you!

    Reply

  22. Kristy says

    I’ve been reading your book this week Dr Wentz and it’s been incredibly interesting, insightful and albeit a little depressing.. haha but I’m glad to know there’s a lot I can do to help myself. Silly question perhaps but in your book you don’t mention rice – are we able to have it with the tandoori chicken? Or best to avoid? Thank you 🙂

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Kristy – 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! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful.

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

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

      Reply

  24. Karolina says

    Hi Dr Wentz – I’ve been drinking the Turmeric tea in the morning (lemon, turmeric, cinnamon,honey, etc), 30 min after taking synthroid, can any of the ingredients interact/decrease the affects of synthroid? My TSH was 1 end of June(around the same time I started drinking the tea) but now it has gone back up to 3.5.

    Thanks!

    Karolina

    Reply

  25. Maria3667 says

    Hi Dr. Izabella,
    Thank you for your informative article, I read it with keen interest.
    I am hypothyroid and have Sjogren’s syndrome too. Aside from a slight heart burn turmeric caused severe anxiety in me. I wonder if it’s due to turmeric’s healing abilities and thus my thyroid meds being too high? Turmeric really benefited my joint pain so I was sorry I had to let it go. Unfortunately I did not have a blood test during this period because I wasn’t aware of a correlation. Have you heard of this interaction? Primarily I suspected I had Hashimoto’s – which is common with Sjogren’s – but repeated blood tests have ruled this out. Thank you for answering.

    Reply

  26. Shannon says

    Hi! I have been struggling with low thyroid levels for quite some time now. I found an integrative medicine specialist who finally LISTENED to me and switched me from Synthroid/levothyroxine (which was not really working for me, despite increasing dosage) to Nature-throid and it is definitely more effective for me. I am also battling adrenal fatigue, so I am VERY sensitive to upping the dosage on the Nature-thyroid and am having to titrate up much more slowly than most. Good news is that everything is improving now, and she has recommended I take a turmeric/curcumin supplement (plus increase use in diet) so I have been doing tons of research to determine how much, when, etc. I have purchased Pure Encapsulations Curcumin 500 (which includes piperine), but in some research I was doing I’d found recommendations to take it on an empty stomach. I would love your opinion on this? My concerns being the following: I want to try to take it 3x daily between meals (per the directions on the bottle and in line with the recommendations I found); however, the only way for me to get in a morning dose is to take it an hour before breakfast (i.e. as soon as I wake). However, this is also when I take my Nature-throid. Can I take them at the same time? I know with certain medications, the piperine can increase the effects because it blocks certain enzymes in the liver which causes to body to metabolize the medications more slowly. However, the main ones I’ve seen mentioned are blood thinners and a few heavy-duty neuro drugs (theophylline, dilantin, etc.). Is there a concern for this with Nature-throid, or is it metabolized by different liver enzymes? (In addition to the thyroid issues and overall inflammation that is at play here, I also have a family hx of Alzheimer’s and want to do ANYTHING possible to protect myself from developing this! I know that curcumin has shown a lot of promise in that area and I think that may have been where I found the recommendation to take it on an empty stomach?). Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated!!

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella says

      Shannon- thank you for reaching out. I wish I could give you more direct advice but, each person will react differently. I would advise you to ask your personal pharmacist or a trusted 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://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8…

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol

      Reply

      • Shannon says

        Dr. Izabella,
        Thank you for your prompt response! While I appreciate your legal and ethical limitations on offering advice/tx recommendations in this forum, I was simply wanting to know if (1) there is any *known* interaction between curcumin w/piperine and thyroid medications (dessicated “natural” varieties in particular), and (2) whether you had found in your research/experience any benefit to taking a curcumin or turmeric supplement on an empty stomach vs. not. I apologize if this seems redundant; I was thinking those questions were of a general-enough nature to be answered by any pharmacist and therefore relevant here (given your expertise related to the thyroid in particular, I figured you would know better than any other pharmacist I could contact!?). However, as you can see, I do tend to be too long-winded, so I just wanted to clarify my questions thinking that perhaps they got “lost” in my original message…. ?.
        I just found your site yesterday and subscribed to the newsletter so I am looking forward to checking out the other resources you’ve mentioned, including the book! Thank you again!

        Reply

  27. Elaine says

    Doctor…I have just finished the 3 month diet/supplement protocol and find that I am feeling so much better. I’m now preparing for another blood test to check antibodies and hormone levels. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any information from any of your publications regarding some sort of maintenance protocol to maintain health.
    Are there supplements I could/should be taking daily to keep my hashimoto’s in check now that I’m feeling better? Will it help to take the same supplements listed in the protocol, but at a lesser dose (especially probiotics)? I realize that each person’s condition is different, but I do not know where to start.

    Reply

  28. margo says

    Isabella, Thank you so much for all you do for people with Thyroid problems. I’ve read you book and followed your website since you started. Your advice has helped me so much. It’s been not a cure but a 10% better improvements, one at a time which have changed my life!
    Thank you so much!!!!!!
    Margo

    Reply

  29. Maggie says

    I think it should be mentioned that turmeric is effective with oil. So before the tea take spoon full of oil. I know, quite unpleasant (for me atleast), but it actually helps the tea to work.

    Reply

  30. Denise says

    Hi, thank you for the article. I found that having a tea with organic turmeric and dandelion root tea with water (and unfortunately a dash of milk – until I find better source to make it slightly tastier), has helped me with my sore throat this week. I was feeling clear minded before starting, but it has continued and my anxiety has also reduced to very low levels that I never thought was possible! I had a friend give me the tip of adding pepper, so I’ve bought my peppercorns and morsel and pestle’d them up and made up my concoction, I cant wait to see what improvements are yet come come along as I am finally opening up to all the nutrient dense foods that I would have normally avoid – just gotta do it sometimes. My nails have finally started to shine up again, just gotta get better at taking care of myself, and hopefully the ‘vanity’ benefits of great skin and shiny hair will also be an added bonus without adding chemicals of beauty products! I can’t believe how much lower tox our home is, I wish we could see the internal benefits, but I can already see just on the back of my hands, and the reduced keratosis on my arms.

    Reply

  32. Debbie says

    About the sweet potatoes in the Chicken Tandoori recipe… I have ever only baked sweet potatoes and not eaten the skin. For the slow cooker method, are you peeling the skin off first? Sounds like a yummy recipe..

    Reply

  33. Faith says

    Turmeric causes a terrible skin reaction on my face, almost like a chemical burn. My skin becomes very red and irritated. Ginger also causes this reaction. Just saying

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella says

      Faith – thank you for reaching out and sharing you experience. I am so sorry you had this reaction. Everyone will react differently, I would recommend that you discuss this with your doctor whose care you are under. <3

      Reply

  34. kerrie says

    I tried taking tumeric this week with 95% cucurmen and felt body aches almost immediately. I thought maybe it was just my body getting used to it so stuck with it for 3 days. After that I decided my body was telling me something and not to keep taking it. I take 20mg of flouixetine a day so maybe it is interacting? I was so hopeful because it is supposed to be such a good antioxidant, relieving pain, providing energy, etc… so was surprised by having this reaction.

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Kerrie – thank you so much for sharing your experience. <3 I'm so glad you listened to your body and discontinued using the supplement. I recommend discussing your reaction and the addition of any other supplements with your practitioner. Please reach out to my team at info@rootcology.com for a return of the product as well.

      Reply

  35. Gina Beekman says

    Interesting about it lowering iron levels! I went on a golden milk phase along with taking a tumeric supplement and my iron dropped dramatically over that time. Wonder if tumeric could have caused that. Hope not:/

    Reply

  36. Jane Berrettini says

    Dr. Wentz, I have been following you for 2 years now, since I found out that I had Hashimoto’s. Thank you for your insight! It has helped in so many ways! Some of my extensive blood work done by my endo, showed that I had elevated fibrinogen. I recently came across this article, https://warddeanmd.com/turmeric-reverses-fibrinogen/ , that cites a study done using just 20 mg per day of turmeric extract to reduce fibrinogen levels. Having taken turmeric in the past and suffering stomach upset from it, it has come to my attention that most, if not all, turmeric supplements provide well over 10 times the amount that showed stunning clinical results in the particular study cited. Any idea where I can find such a low dose?

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella says

      Jane – thank you for reaching out and sharing this info with me. <3 One of my favorite ways to use turmeric is cooking with it. In this article I share a couple of my favorite recipes. Those and other recipes may be the best place to start to get a low dose of the turmeric. I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet. This is why I always list food sources in the book and on the blog, for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals. and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s. However, some may require or prefer supplements. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement. I hope you find this helpful!

      Reply

  37. Annette Olsen says

    Thanks for your turmeric tea recipe. Using it as a starting point, I looked at other turmeric tea recipes online. Those led me to a few questions for you:
    1. Would cooking your tea recipe make it even more effective?
    Per Elizabeth Rider on https://www.elizabethrider.com/how-to-make-golden-milk-recipe, Ayurvedic medicine says that cooking the turmeric is important.

    2. Would adding an oil or fat to your recipe make it more effective?
    Per https://www.foodrepublic.com/2017/01/04/how-to-eat-turmeric/:
    “Since curcumin is a fat-soluble compound, the most effective way to get raw turmeric into your system is by combining it with fat and black peppercorns. Why pepper? It contains piperine, a compound that has been proven to drastically increase the body’s ability to absorb curcumin through the bloodstream. Curries that include turmeric typically call for the raw or shredded root to be cooked in oil or clarified butter to extract its color, flavor and curcumin (and almost always call for a spice blend that features black peppercorns as well).
    A little too much for you? The easiest way to get started is by whipping up a mug of turmeric tea, also known as “golden milk.” It’s simply milk simmered with juiced or shredded fresh turmeric and a little coconut oil. Powdered turmeric will work if you can’t find fresh. Season it with sugar, cinnamon, honey, ginger, peppercorns or other ingredients to amp up the flavor.]”

    3. Could adapting your recipe by adding coconut oil and then cooking the tea rather than adding boiling water make the turmeric TOO bioavailable?

    Since I can’t do dairy or other milks, your water-based version looks great. Please let me know your answers to these questions.

    Thank you again!

    Annette Olsen
    Sugar Land, Texas

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Annette – thank you for reaching out and sharing this wonderful information with me! I will add this to my research. As far as adding the oil/fat, I think that is a great idea! You are welcome to adapt my recipes anyway you like and I would love it if you would share your results with me! Feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to pass it on!

      Reply

  38. 83748 says

    Unfortunately turmeric is one of my food sensitivities along with coconut and basically all the anti inflammatory foods. I’m very confused by all this, but still moving forward. I haven’t had a problem with dairy but I’m willing to cut it out of my diet as long as I can put something else in. No almonds, or soy, or dairy or oats, wheat, means struggle. I’ll be eating meat and lettuce pretty soon here with all these foods popping up as food sensitivities. I have a concern that I will not be getting enough nutrients. hmmmm

    Reply

    • Dr. Izabella Wentz says

      Hello – thank you for reaching out and sharing.❤️ Restricting your diet could in theory, lead to nutrient deficiencies, however, we have found that once people remove inflammatory foods from the diet, this actually improves their digestion and absorption, leading to better assimilation of nutrients from food. I have found that diet is very much an individual intervention. What works for one person, may not work for another, as each individual may be different in their triggers and needs. I generally recommends a full Root Cause Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet for 30-90 days, which goes a long way to remove trigger foods, reduce inflammation, heal the gut, and even reduce thyroid antibodies! I recommend eliminating gluten, grains, dairy, and soy indefinitely, but we can have a rich, full diet with foods that we aren’t sensitive to. The end goal is for everyone to come up with their own personalized Root Cause Paleo Diet (modified for your personal sensitivities) that you can enjoy for life! A food and symptom journal can be very helpful for determining what foods you are sensitive to. If you have any questions please feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help. Here are some resources I hope you find helpful as well.

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

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

      Reply

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