Education is key to overcoming any health condition…
When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2009, I dove into the deep sea of knowledge. I reviewed my pharmacology, immunology, microbiology, physiology and biochemistry notes and textbooks from pharmacy school. I also purchased textbooks on nutrition, alternative therapies, and nutrient deficiencies. I joined professional societies that focus on nutrition and functional medicine and extensively reviewed their protocols and resources and attended seminars and webinars that focused on hormones, nutrition, gut function and functional medicine. I read every health blog I could find.
I did an extensive review of the emerging scientific literature related to Hashimoto’s and autoimmune disease on PubMed. I read about all things related to Hashimoto’s on Medscape, UpToDate, and other professional databases, as well as looked into natural healing protocols on the Natural Standard database. I consulted with an endocrinologist, dietitian, integrative physician, chiropractor, naturopath, acupuncturist and expensive hormone specialist. I also read 65 self-help books on health and wellness.
Although doctors can help, the push to get better has to come from the patient. I am a firm believer in patient empowerment and self-management, and what I love the most about being a health-care professional is the opportunity to teach others how to take care of themselves and their loved ones.
While you may need to utilize the services of various health-care professionals throughout your healing journey, the push to get better and to keep asking questions has to come from you. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else. This is why I encourage you to become an expert on your own condition.
Here are some books that will be of tremendous benefit on your healing journey….
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause: I wrote this book to guide others with Hashimoto’s to find and treat the root cause of their own condition, based on the research I did to overcome my own condition. I hope that this information will empower you to be at the center of your own care team!
Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?: presents an advanced understanding of the immune imbalance present in Hashimoto’s and explores reasons for different non-autoimmune types of hypothyroidism.
Overcoming Thyroid Disorders: is a wonderful overview of a variety of thyroid disorders and the importance of converting T4 to T3.
Hope For Hashimoto’s: describes in detail the step-by-step development of thyroid inflammation which leads to Hashimoto’s.
Breaking The Vicious Cycle: The specific carbohydrate diet was originally developed for celiac disease and is helpful for many serious digestive conditions through rebalancing the bacterial flora. This book is a great guide for those wishing to try this healing diet.
Gut and Psychology Syndrome is a protocol that builds on the SCD diet and provides details on one dietary approach that may be helpful in overcoming autoimmunity and multiple food intolerances. The GAPS diet, as it is called for short is explained in great detail in this book.
Body Ecology Diet: describes how to restore and maintain the important “inner ecology” your body needs to function properly and to eliminate or control the symptoms that rob you of the joy of living. This book has taught me the importance of maintaining an acid-alkaline balance as well as fermented foods. It has been a great guide in my healing journey.
Drug Muggers is an excellent reference about nutrient depletions associated with various medications. A must read for everyone on multiple medications.
Autoimmune The Cause and The Cure: is a wonderful compilation of scientific literature that explores the role of beneficial bacteria in our immune system.
Adrenal Fatigue is an excellent guide to understanding adrenal fatigue, a condition that often co-occurs with Hashimoto’s.
The Hormone Cure is a comprehensive book on lifestyle modifications, supplements, and medications that can help rebalance female sex hormones.
Digestive Wellness: (not pictured-I let a friend with RA borrow it. She has enjoyed my book and would like me to focus on RA next, so I wanted to give her a head start): explains how the digestive system works and what to do when it doesn’t. This book is full of strategies to improve digestion, which is crucial for proper immune function.
Which books have you found helpful in your healing journey?
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.
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SO glad you shared this. I was diagnosed last year and before I thought my anxiety and weight gain was my fault. What a relief! I have been looking for a good hashimoto book but it is hard on your own. Thank you for saving me time! I feel so much better knowing I have good information.
Kelly – thank you! I understand how you feel that’s why I am sharing my research. 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 and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are the links to my books:
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
I know a few of these books but most are new to me. I just ordered Drug Muggers! Thank you for posting I may have never found that book and I have always been worried about my medications. Nobody knows as much about thyroid friendly foods than you do, you’ve helped me totally overhaul my diet and I’ve been feeling great! I never knew how important lifestyle changes were until I read your blog.
Samantha – thank you for sharing! I’m looking forward to seeing your progress here! <3 Have you checked out my books yet?
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq
My friend recommended your blog to me and its so good! Awesome post. Hashimotos can be hard to deal with but you helped me so much in making it more manageable. I’m going to order some of these books right away! Hopefully I’ll be able to learn more about the root causes of Hashimotos.
Alexandra – thank you so very much! The Root Cause Book was my tracking of the experiments I did on myself to recover and regain my health. The Hashimoto’s Protocol book is a more step by step guide of the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you can check them out:
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://amzn.to/2DoeC80
Hashimoto’s Protocol
http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq