Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

Where Do I Start with Hashimoto's

Where Do I Start With Hashimoto’s?

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

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Receiving a Hashimoto’s diagnosis can be overwhelming.

Getting on the right medication might be your first step, but where do you go from there? What diet is right for you? Should you do a liver cleanse? Balance your adrenals?

It took me three years to figure out the lifestyle interventions for Hashimoto’s that brought me into remission — and to this day, I am constantly learning about new treatment options so that I can help others put their thyroid condition into remission.

Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. Conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category, and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce enough thyroid hormone to function… but Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism.

Most patients with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism will have acid reflux, nutrient deficiencies, anemia, leaky gut, food sensitivities, and adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms of impaired digestion and absorption, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and chemical/environmental sensitivities may be seen as well.

You might be asking yourself, So where do I start?

I’d like to give you some actionable steps to help get you started on your healing journey. My own experience and research have taught me many helpful interventions, and I have dedicated my life to sharing them with as many people as possible. But do keep in mind that your journey may not look the same as mine, or your neighbor’s, because there are many ways to arrive at your ultimate destination — remission from Hashimoto’s.

Let’s talk about:

  • Finding your root cause
  • Six steps to breaking the vicious cycle of Hashimoto’s
  • The Fundamental Protocols
  • How to implement change

How Do You Find Your Root Cause?

There are a lot of moving pieces and various triggers with Hashimoto’s that may need to be addressed in order to get your condition into remission.

Through working to get my own Hashimoto’s under control, I developed the “DIG AT IT” approach.

The acronym DIG AT IT stands for:

These highlight the crucial areas that need to be addressed for most people to uncover their root causes and find relief from Hashimoto’s.

I know this can sound overwhelming at first. My advice? Start “cutting down and trimming branches” to remove the obvious triggers and make the simplest modifications… then work to repair the other broken systems, to ultimately restore equilibrium and allow the body to rebuild itself. You will need to dig down to find the reason why the immune system is imbalanced in the first place. This will tell you how you can begin to finally feel better, reduce your thyroid antibodies, and even take your condition into remission.

As a starting place, I recommend that you create your health timeline. Enter your email below to download a free sample health timeline.

Look back at your overall history as far back as you can remember. Look for infections, periods of severe stress, the use of medications (especially antibiotics, antacids, and oral contraceptives), accidents, illnesses, and exposures to toxins. These are events that may have contributed to Hashimoto’s. Once you do, you will have a starting place to know what types of changes you need to implement, to feel better.

Below, I have outlined the six steps to breaking the cycle of Hashimoto’s. Most people will need to address all of these areas in order to get themselves into remission. However, the order that you address these steps in will vary, based on your own health timeline.

You can start by working with your doctor to get a diagnosis and the correct medication(s) to help optimize your thyroid hormone levels. Or, you can start by addressing your diet and the nutrients that you may be deficient in. For some, this will help them feel better right away.

Other interventions, such as addressing gut infections and removing toxins from the body, are a bit advanced and may come later, but are still important for complete healing.

Remember, there are many paths to healing, and no wrong way to do it. Here are my suggestions on how to get started.

Six Steps to Breaking the Vicious Cycle in Hashimoto’s

Step 1: Getting the Correct Diagnosis

Getting the right diagnosis is the first step to getting your life back. The aim is to help you understand your diagnosis and the implications associated with autoimmune thyroiditis, so that you can be empowered to fight back effectively.

Many cases of thyroid problems are missed because most doctors don’t perform a comprehensive test panel. I spent almost a decade undiagnosed because I only had one marker tested. My thyroid diagnosis was missed completely, leading me to deal with needless symptoms like chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, and many others… for far too long!

There are many blood tests that can be done to assess thyroid function, and I have found the following tests to be the most useful: TSH test, free T3, free T4, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies, as well as a thyroid ultrasound.

Top Tests for Diagnosing Hashimoto's

I recommend working with a doctor who will run all of the necessary tests to provide you with the correct diagnosis. This may mean finding a functional medicine doctor who will work with you to get to the root of your condition.

Step 2: Adjusting and Managing Medications

Thyroid hormones affect every organ, tissue, and cell in the body. Appropriate thyroid medication management will allow you to recover from the effects of hypothyroidism, giving you the energy, vitality, and support to continue working on optimizing your health.

There are quite a few options for thyroid medications for hypothyroidism. However, most people are only familiar with synthetic T4-containing thyroid medications. T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) are the two main thyroid hormones. T4 is known as prohormone and is 300 percent less biologically active than T3. T3 is the main biologically active thyroid hormone and gives us beautiful hair, energy, and runs our metabolism. T4 medication will need to be converted to T3 in they body. However, not everyone is able to convert T4 to T3 properly.

Factors that Inhibit T4 to T3 Conversion

Many of my clients and readers find that adding in some T3 helps. This could be due to several factors that are common in Hashimoto’s, including a congested liver, a zinc deficiency (which is required to convert T4 to T3), nutrient depletions, and iodine excess.

Some people report feeling better on combination T4/T3 medications. Others may feel better taking synthetic T4 medications, while some patients may benefit from a T3 medication. Still, others feel best when on T4-containing medications made without fillers that they are sensitive to.

Of the readers I’ve surveyed, up to 59 percent have felt better taking a combination T4/T3 medication, while up to 43 percent have felt better on a synthetic T4 medication.

While every patient is different, you may notice a reduction in your symptoms when you find a thyroid medication that works best for you.

The thyroid medications brands available by category are:

  • T4: Levothyroxine (generic), Tirosint, Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Thyro-Tabs, Unithroid
  • T3 (to be used in combination with T4 medications): Liothyronine (generic), Cytomel
  • Natural Desiccated Thyroid (T4/T3 combo) medications: Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid, WP Thyroid, NP Thyroid
  • Compounded T4/T3 medications: Created by compounding pharmacists (opt for immediate release formulations)

While reference ranges of what’s “normal” may vary depending on the lab that produces the test reports, most thyroid patients feel best with a TSH between 0.5-2 μIU/mL, and with Free T3 and Free T4 in the top half of the reference range. For more information on how to interpret your lab results, see my article on the top 10 lab tests.

Thyroid hormone therapy should be individualized with the patient in mind. It’s important to note that some may find that they will need to go higher or lower on their medication dosage, depending on how their body reacts to it. For this reason, I recommend working with an open-minded physician to find the thyroid medication — and dosage! — that work best for you.

I created The 5 R’s of Optimal Thyroid Medications Use to help you determine which medication is right for you:

  1. Right Person: Are you a candidate for thyroid medications?
  2. Right Drug: There are various types of medications that can be used to treat an underactive thyroid — do you know what all of your options are?
  3. Right Dose: Start low and go slow, but be sure to get to an adequate dose!
  4. Right Time: Are you taking your medications on an empty stomach, and at optimal times?
  5. Right Way: Be aware of supplement and drug interactions, and support gut health for proper absorption.

For more information, you can download a FREE copy of my Optimizing Thyroid Medications eBook.

Step 3: Utilizing Food Pharmacology to Heal

Optimizing your health starts with food.

Many people with Hashimoto’s present with multiple food sensitivities — the most common of which are gluten, dairy, and soy. Removing these problematic foods, and incorporating healing ones into your diet, can bring an almost immediate reduction in symptoms for most people.

Common symptoms that result from food sensitivities include acid reflux, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, palpitations, joint pain, anxiety, tingling, and headaches.

Types of Food Sensitivities - Dr. Izabella Wentz

Similar to the tiny substances that are found in medications, tiny substances in foods can also exert massive effects on the body, and their chemical properties can interact with our internal systems. This is what I like to call “food pharmacology.”

Removing the foods that were toxic to my body, and incorporating the ones that were healing, was a life-changing discovery for me. As I’ve worked with and heard from thousands of people with Hashimoto’s, I’ve learned that food has played the starring role in helping them to feel better, too.

I’m a big fan of using foods as medicine, and recommend this as one of the first steps toward healing for everyone.

Following a nutrient dense diet will almost always help a person with thyroid disease, but you may need to modify the diet according to your food sensitivities.

I’ve spent the last couple of years researching the best diets for people with thyroid issues, and I’ve discovered that the gluten-free diet, the Paleo diet, and the Autoimmune Paleo Diet can all help eliminate thyroid symptoms, and in some cases, even thyroid antibodies!

Hashimoto's Foods to Eat - Dr. Izabella Wentz

Not sure which diet is best for you? I’ve written an article to help you get started.

I’ve also released my very own cookbook, full of simple, nourishing recipes and culinary tips to support your thyroid health: Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health.

If you need a place to start today, then you can download my FREE 2-Week Recipe Plan with thyroid-friendly recipes, right away!

The Fundamental Protocols

I recommend that everyone begin their journey to healing by getting the right diagnosis, adjusting their medication, and using food to heal, as these steps will have the most immediate effect for many people.

From there, some people will need to dig a little deeper to get to their root causes. Through my years of working with people with Hashimoto’s, I developed the following steps, which I call the “Fundamental Protocols.” These consist of supporting the liver, addressing adrenal health, and healing the gut.

Step 4: Support the Liver to Remove Toxins

In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control reported that the average American has 116 out of 148 commonly used synthetic compounds in their body!

It is challenging to escape toxins from our environment because they are everywhere — from cosmetics and skin products, to off-gassing furniture, pesticides and exhaust fumes — we can’t escape them! Whatever we inhale, ingest, and absorb into our skin, eventually ends up circulating in our body.

Fluoride, in particular, can wreak havoc on the thyroid, and is included in an array of products — bottled beverages, toothpaste, black and red tea, canned foods, certain medications, and even our drinking (tap) water!

Toxins are a common trigger for autoimmune disease, and reducing our toxic burden will allow our bodies to heal themselves. This is why I often recommend that people begin their Hashimoto’s journey by addressing liver health. We can’t clear toxins from our body and begin to feel better if our livers (our main detox organ) are overburdened. Many people see relief from digestive problems, bad breath, fatigue, weakness, constipation, headaches, hormonal imbalance, itchy skin, rashes, breakouts, joint pain, brain fog, irritability, chemical sensitivities, and weight loss resistance, by improving the health of their liver.

I encourage you to read more about the importance of supporting your detox pathways by reading my article on liver health. I’ve also created a liver support kit to contain the supplements that I have found to be the most effective for healing the liver.

Step 5: Balancing your Adrenals

Treating hypothyroidism without treating the adrenals, is one of the biggest reasons people continue to feel exhausted despite taking thyroid medication.

The adrenal glands release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These “stress hormones” impact many important functions throughout our bodies. They help establish our stress tolerance, tame inflammation, regulate blood sugar and body fat, influence sex drive, and affect our aging process… among many other things.

One of the most common causes of adrenal fatigue is stress, which creates an intense demand for stress hormones, which in turn affects our thyroid function and causes symptoms. The four main types of stress that influence our adrenals are:

  • Sleep disorders
  • Mental/emotional stress
  • Metabolic/glycemic dysregulation (blood sugar imbalances)
  • Chronic inflammation

In order to support your adrenal health, I recommend six steps:

  • Rest
  • Balance blood sugar
  • De-stress
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Replenish nutrients
  • Build resilience with adaptogens

In my experience, most people with Hashimoto’s will experience adrenal dysfunction to some degree, and taking the time to support your adrenal health could be the key to feeling great! You can read more about your how to support your adrenals in my full article.

Step 6: Healing Your Gut

Your gut is home to your immune system. When you heal and balance your gut function, your immune system recovers as well. As Hippocrates said: “All disease begins in the gut.”

The gut performs the all-important role of digesting and absorbing the nutrients we take in, but it is also responsible for helping the immune system recognize foreign invaders from self-antigens, thereby facilitating the control of pathogens and preventing autoimmune reactions.

In my research, I came across the work of Dr. Alessio Fasano, a physician and researcher whose work has uncovered the idea that all autoimmune conditions, Hashimoto’s included, involve some degree of intestinal permeability, also referred to as “leaky gut.”

When functioning as they are designed to function, our healthy human intestines serve the role as both a barrier and a filter, preventing toxins (such as partially digested food, pollen, feces, dead cells, and bacteria) from entering our circulation. When those intestinal tight junctions become damaged (or “leaky”), however, those toxic substances become absorbed into the bloodstream, causing the body to recognize them as foreign invaders. This causes inflammation in the body as it begins to attack the intruders, and eventually leads to autoimmunity.

There is a long list of potential triggers for leaky gut (read more in my article on gut health), but addressing them is a crucial step in healing the gut and recovering from Hashimoto’s. In fact, healing a leaky gut can actually reverse Hashimoto’s! This is because a leaky gut is one of three factors that need to be present in order for autoimmunity to occur — so addressing one of them can be life-changing! (Read more about that here.)

Here are the primary steps to healing a leaky gut:

  • Remove reactive foods. Gluten, dairy, and soy are a good place to start for most people with Hashimoto’s. You may also want to try an elimination diet to uncover further food sensitivities. (Some of your food sensitivities may surprise you. For example, in the past, I was sensitive to pineapple and ginger… foods that I ate on a regular basis!)
  • Supplement with enzymes to improve the body’s ability to break down food. These may include Betaine HCL with Pepsin to boost stomach acid, systemic enzymes, fat digestive enzymes, veggie digestive enzymes, and broad spectrum enzymes.
  • Balance intestinal flora with fermented foods and probiotics.
  • Nourish the gut with essential nutrients, such as:

Or, make a batch of my delicious and gut healing bone broth!

Implementing Change

Knowing what you need to do is one important piece of the autoimmune puzzle; implementing it is yet another big piece. It can sometimes feel overwhelming when a multitude of systems seems to be broken. I wasn’t sure of what I needed do when I first started my health journey, and I get the same questions from many of you… “So many changes to make, so many symptoms, where do I start?”

Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a race. It likely took you many years to get to the current health you are in, and it will take you some time to straighten your body out. Naturopaths will tell you that it will take one to two months of healing for every month a person was sick. This sounds about right to me. But remember, every journey is unique, and I’ve heard countless testimonials from my readers about seeing symptoms lift within days of addressing some of their root causes.

Lifestyle interventions do work, but not as quickly as medications. This is why I always recommend optimizing your medications as the first step after getting a correct diagnosis. From there, I highly recommend you continue to “DIG AT IT” and address the root causes of your symptoms… one by one until your antibodies drop, and your symptoms vanish.

Again, everyone’s journey will be different, and everyone will have their own unique root causes.

Over the years of working with people with Hashimoto’s, I have found that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I’ve spent years working on how to take the emerging science, practiced by highly qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioners, and boiling it down until I found a program that was safe, effective, and easy-to-follow for most people.

I took all of this information and formed my “Fundamental Protocols” for recovering from Hashimoto’s. I encourage you to pick up a copy of my book Hashimoto’s Protocol for a comprehensive, yet clearly outlined, plan for getting your Hashimoto’s into remission. This book was the culmination of many years of trial and research, and has helped so many people on their journey to feeling better — it’s a great place to start your Hashimoto’s journey!

I wish you the best of luck on your own 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 signing up for our newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.

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

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

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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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  3. Have hade thyroid for many years . Had thyroid and parathyroid removed in 2008. Diagnosed as fibromyalgia years before that and Said I has Hoshimoto disease but never said it would take other treatment. Have extreme fatigue, depression,anxiety have not known anything else for Hoshimotos disease or if the symptoms I have are the same. Would like to know if I should go back to UVA for further check for this.
    Reply

    • Brenda- 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

  5. Thank you dear Dr. Isabella for all your excellent information both in this email and during your guest appearances on the Diabetes Summit and the Thyroid Summit. Presently, I am trying to find a Functional Medicine Practitioner in the Clearwater, FL area. Not an easy task, but the 1st step on the “healthy thyroid” journey.
    Reply

  7. 1-2 months healing for every month of illness? i’ve been ill for 32 yrs and am now 64. i find this hard to accept and very discouraging!
    Reply

  11. I agree with Marta that it can be discouraging thinking about 1-2 months healing for every month of illness and why bother BUT I have seen small (positive) changes in the way I feel after implementing some of the things in Isabella Wentz book ~ Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Intervention……
    I am on a search for a new doctor that will listen to me and treat Hashimoto as the disease it is, instead of just treating the symptom of hypothyroid. I would like to see some articles on Hashitoxicois and RAI ~ effects of radioactive iodine treatment on your thyroid. I had this treatment done when my goiter was enlarged and I was going through the Graves/hyper stage back in 2001.
    Thank you Isabella for the wealth of information and work you have done with you book and presentation on the various summits.
    Reply

  12. I also had RAI done when I was going through the Hashitoxicois phase with an enlarge goiter and would like to see more information about this. I have since had to have my gallbladder removed and still have issue with digestion. Doctor’s are now suggesting Lazy Stomach with more testing. I think I have a lazy bowel also ~ just from my bathroom habits. It is hard to get people/doctors to listen or understand. I am wondering if the betaine with pepsin would help with this? I haven’t tried this yet. Having a hard time finding it locally and will have to use the internet to purchase. I wish I had the money to the many different things suggested. Just trying to find the right foods is challenging. I do not live in a big city nor even close so finding foods better for me ~ I do the best that I can but it is not 100%. Frustrating.
    Reply

    • Pamela- 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

  13. I had all of the things that you are describing and did some research. It was when I stopped eating anything with gluten in it that everything started to get better.
    Reply

    • Bonnie- 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

  14. I was told I had graves in 1991, had rai, and have felt bad ever since…I am now 75. Pretty depressing to think it could take so long to get well, after having correct diagnise…I think it is Hashimotos…live in small town, no Dr..having been driving to closes big city, 2 hours away, but takes 6 month to see a specialists…my internal medicine Dr, did blood work, said my levels are fine…no one will listen…I still feel terrible…
    Reply

    • Janna- 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

  15. I too, have a WONDERFUL Internest, I love her, but she also says my TSH #s are just where they need to be. I am tired all the time, my hair is falling out, I am ALWAYS cold even with the house temp at 77* and my fingernails split break, bend, peel and tear back into the flesh part of my fingers. I use ‘Hard as Nails’. It helps a little. I recently read that 10oz of T.J. every day may help the thyroid. I’m gonna try it.
    Reply

  16. Could someone give me a straight answer to antiobodies and Hashimotos?
    My general doctor, not sure he even knows what he is doing happened to throw in a Thyroglobulin Antibodies test that came back a little high at 44. Does this mean I have hashimotos? My TPO was 15, free t4 was 1.1, free t3 was 2.7. I have been complianing of symptoms for twenty years that of grownn now to what apprears as food intolerances came seem as exstream as Celiac, but negative test. The doctors have and still do tell me everything is fine excess ferritin of 4 for twenty years. I’m now 43, female. Just would like a straight answer.
    Would greatly apprecaite it
    Reply

    • Becky – I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling with so many symptoms. I’m afraid I can’t comment on your lab results due to liability. I can tell you that while reference ranges of what’s “normal” may vary depending on the lab that produces the test reports, most thyroid patients feel best with a TSH between 0.5-2, and with Free T3 and Free T4 in the top half of the reference range. Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I’m currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration.

      Reversing Hashimoto’s means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms and for others it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here a few articles that might be helpful for you 🙂

      IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

      Reply

  17. You are the very first person to talk about IGG levels!!! I have about 3 generations of Hashimotos.
    My 2 youngest daughters have CVID and receive gamunex infusions every 3 weeks. They were diagnosed last year with autoimmune deficiency. They are 11 &13. I have their thyroid levels checked yearly. I hope and pray that they never get Hashimotos or anything else (my mother also has MS). The treatments have really helped. They do not get as fatigued or sick as in years past. Both had low IGG levels across the board in every class. Problem I have is that my doc refuses to test mine. He says that insurance company may not cover my children when they are on their own. I wonder why more studies are not done, correlating IGG levels with Hashimotos?! I have read where infusions help relieve symptoms because white blood cells are replenished. Also, if donor is immuned to whatever virus/sickness, so will recipient……
    Reply

  18. BTW Functional level ranges my Doc wants (not lab ranges- they include ill people too) are:
    T4 6.0-12.0 (At 1.1 you are VERY low)
    FTI 1.2-4.9
    T3 U 28.0-38.0
    fT4 .7-1.53
    fT3 2.3-4.2
    TPO 0- 20.0
    Also getting B12, folates, iron/ferritin and vitamin D helps give a better picture as they are needed for proper function.
    Reply

  19. My understanding is that if even one of the two antibodies is high then you have Hashimotos. My TPO antibodies were high. I also have celiac which for me has created the autoimmune attack on my thyroid. It looks like you’re free t3 is low as well. I hope that you are not eating gluten because eliminating gluten reduced my TPO antibodies to the upper level of the normal range and I’m hoping that it will reduce them more as time goes on and I address more issues. I also take 200 MCG of selenium everydayand I also have had to take hydrocortisone because my adrenals became fatigued. The best test for that is the 24 hour saliva cortisol test. I hope this gives you the information that you are looking for
    Reply

  20. Hi Izabella – I seem to be one of those people who is falling through the cracks – as my lab work is good – except reverse T3 hasn’t been measured – that’s my next question to my Dr; but I do have an abnormal thyroid ultrasound showing multiple thyroid nodules on both lobes- so even though my lab work is normal, can the nodules cause hashimotos or hypothyroid symptoms? Or does having nodules typically mean that one has Hashimoto’s. I can tell you my specific lab #’s if that will help? I still have symptoms, even though I no longer eat gluten etc… and all of the multiple health things I do on a daily basis. So you do telephone consultations?
    Reply

    • Melanie- I’m afraid I can’t comment on your lab results due to liability. I can tell you that while reference ranges of what’s “normal” may vary depending on the lab that produces the test reports, most thyroid patients feel best with a TSH between 0.5-2, and with Free T3 and Free T4 in the top half of the reference range. Some people with Hashimoto’s test negative for thyroid antibodies because their overall immune health is so weak they do not produce enough antibodies. I’ve tested negative for antibodies several times. Now I’ve insisted on a thyroid ultrasound. Given that Hashimoto’s is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism worldwide, I wouldn’t stop until I know one way or another.

      Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well. Have you done all these tests?

      TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

      Reply

  21. Melanie,
    I have had thyroid issues for about 30 years and have only received treatment for the last 6 1/2 yrs. I got so sick about 7 1/2 yrs ago and requested that my nodule that was finally found and monitored for 6 months be biopsied. The dr wasn’t going to do this because it was smaller than most cancerous nodules. When I asked if he would biopsy his wife if she had one he agreed to order mine done. It came back papillary cancer and I had a total thyroidectomy and RAI. I had been finally diagnosed for Hashimoto’s a year prior to this bit no treatment till nodule was discovered by ultrasound.
    I am not sharing this information to frighten you. I am sharing this to share my story and to say WE have a right to question what is happening to our bodies and request testing. I had been searching for answers for many, many years. I was made to feel ignorant, crazy, irrational and loved ones not only were on the roller coaster ride with me, they were victims to my mood swings and thought I was a hypochondriac
    Reply

    • Debbie- 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

  22. Debbie, are you feeling better since you had your thyroid taken out ?, did most all if your hashi symptoms go away ?
    Reply

    • Renee- 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

  24. Hi Dr. Wentz, I listened to you on the Thyroid Summit withSuzy Cohen and Dr. David Brownstein and learned a lot about Hashimoto’s. I was diagnosed a few months ago with this and am having some difficulty with my meds. I’m on low doses of Liothyronine and Levothyroxine. I don’t feel well on these meds (fatigued, hair loss, depression, etc) Are there any alternatives to these meds? I also have leaky gut which I’m healing from. To top this lovely “cake of misery” off, I’m going through menopause! Lots of night sweats, moodiness, etc. Any suggestions to give to my naturopath doctor would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
    Reply

  25. I used Black Cohosh 100mgs a day for menopause hot flashes…..haven’t had one since and only used one bottle of 100 pills….. Haven’t had a hot flash since!!! Black Cohosh is available in the vitamin section.
    Reply

    • Lisa- People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.

      THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/

      Reply

    • Kimberly- People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.

      THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/

      Reply

  27. hi I just got diagnosed 6 mo ago with Hypo I as U feel awful on this levothyroxine severe hair loss tired depressed I could go on and on and on I am 63 and new to this and so confused upset etc I am so glad I found this site I live in NH and am trying to find a good ENDO
    Reply

  29. I am a US Navy Veteran that was diagnosed with hashimotos 5 years ago. I am now going to the VA for medical care…. Unfortunately they don’t know much about it and when I try to share about it I feel they get defensive about it…. Is it possible to get a book sent to them with out then knowing who sent it???
    Reply

  30. Deb,
    I’m dealing with the VA as well and it feels like I’m banging my head against the wall. No one will lIsten. It took my PSY Dr to get a Gastro referral and we are doing all the allergy tests and scopes to cover belly issues I believe are associated with this mess. I managed to get an ultrasound which shows a nodule typical of Hashimoto’s but they won’t treat me beyond this. Refuse to put Hashi’s as a diagnosis even though the ultrasound and TPO blood work says so. I believe a lot of it has to do with old medical reports that say Radiation Exposure is a main cause. And that would run Disability Claims crazy!
    Reply

  31. When I was given the Hasgimotos diagnosis, I was told the “best” thing that could be dine was to get to and stay at u-thyroid. No further info provided. My daughter told me about your book, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis-Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause and for the first time had a reason and a path to follow. Thank you for this book and also for your work with the Hashimoti’s Institute. This has given me the knowledge to know there is a greatly improved health in my future.
    Reply

    • Nora- 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

  32. Hello..I m viral ..I m from India..I m a hypothyroid patient..I m suffering from 4yrs ..I want to consult you …please give me a link for that process..
    Reply

  34. What happens when the tsh is lower than the range and other valued are normal within the range the t4 and t3. Presently taking eutirox 75mg.
    Reply

  35. I was wondering if you have a recommendation for a book about gluten free lifestyles. Thanks in advance.
    Reply

  36. Dr. Izabella Wentz, first I’d like to thank you for all the significant research you have done and putting a book together to the rest of us try to understand and seek help and help ourselves with Hashimoto’s. I live in the Chicagoland area like you and I decided to seek the help of s functional/integrative doctor. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s by Mayo Clinic but they said my #’s were normal at that time so there was nothing they could do for me until my thyroid went into a hypo state. Meanwhile, I FEEL LIKE CRAP!!! I would like to know your opinion of the integrative doctor I have scheduled an appointment with for this upcoming April 2015. I saw your list of Dr’s throughout the country that your followers have used and they read your book. This group is not on your list but they came highly recommended to me. Any chance you could send me a private email so I could share this info with and what proper questions I should ask when I go to this Doc? Again, thank you for all you do.
    Reply

  38. Get off of gluten and get food allergy tested … I have been through it all change your diet, lower stress …
    Reply

    • Kimberly- Thank you so much for sharing! You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out.

      http://rootcauserecipes.com/

      Reply

  39. Hello, I’ve recently been diagnosed with hypothyroid. The Doctor placed me on nature thyroid. I’m feeling fine with this except the dry skin, hair loss and I can’t seem
    Paleo Salted Caramel Cheesecake” Bars
    Write a reviewSave RecipePrint
    For the crust
    1 cup walnuts
    1/2 cup almonds
    5 pitted Medjool dates
    2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
    Pinch of salt
    For the filling
    2.5 cups raw cashews
    1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
    1/4 cup honey
    2 tbsp lemon juice
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    1/4 tsp salt
    2 tbsp almond milk
    For the caramel
    3/4 cup coconut cream
    1/4 cup ghee
    1 cup palm sugar
    3 tbsp honey
    Pinch of salt
    1/3 cup palm shortening
    Instructions
    Place the cashews in a bowl of water. Cover and soak overnight, rinse, and then drain.
    Place the dates in a bowl of water and soak for 10 minutes. Rinse and set aside.
    To make the crust, line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Place the walnuts and almonds into a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the dates, coconut flakes, and salt and blend until combined. Press the mixture into an even layer in the pan. Place in the freezer to chill while the filling is prepared.
    To make the filling, place all of the filling ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until it reaches a smooth, batter-like consistency. Pour the mixture over the crust in the baking pan. Place back in the freezer for at least one hour to harden.
    Meanwhile, make the caramel. Whisk together the coconut cream, ghee, palm sugar, honey, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a soft boil, and then reduce the heat to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and is a rich golden brown.
    Allow the sauce to cool for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the palm shortening until dissolved. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer and cut into bars. Add a dollop of caramel onto the top of each bar and use a spoon to spread over the top. Sprinkle with sea salt. Serve immediately or store in the freezer.
    Notes
    Servings: 12 bars
    Difficulty: Medium-Hard
    By Rebecca Bohl (PaleoGrubs.com)
    to loose weight despite eating clean and exercising 3 times a week. Any suggestions?
    Reply

    • Audrey- When it comes to weight gain these are a couple of things to think about.

      1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2.

      2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

      3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

      Reply

  40. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 18 years ago. Was told that I had Hashimotos (was told they were one in the same) also. 2 years ago I was told I have a growth on my left adrenal gland. I was sent to a doctor who “specializes” in adrenal health. He told me it was benign, no biopsy or any test, to have it checked yearly as long as it didn’t get bigger they would do nothing. I take thyroid meds but still have all my symptoms and the exhaustion seems to be worst. Could this “growth” have anything to do with it and is there a competent endo near Jacksonville Florida?
    Reply

  41. I started taking iodine and iodide supplements about two years ago for my diagnosed hypothyroidism. By dong so I dropped about twenty pounds and feel so much better. I have stopped eating most gluten and that has helped cure the IBS involved. Is there anything more I should do. The foggy feeling is better but I sometimes feel so fatigued lately. I suspect I may have some other health issues with chronic sinusitis which I have battled for years. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I read Dr Brownstien’s book, “Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Cannot Live Without It” and it changed my life! Gave me my life back. Is there more I should do. I do not trust my GP to know anything helpful to continue to monitor this. Synthroid was a joke. Thank you for a future message on my email. With all due respect, Debra in NC djkgc
    Reply

    • Joy- I’m very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation, and adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching this and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my book. I have a whole chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.

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

      Reply

    • Heather- I’m very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation, and adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching this and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my book. I have a whole chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.

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

      Reply

  44. Can you please tell me what kind of Iodine and Iodine supplements you are taking? What dosage did you start taking?
    Reply

  45. I have menopause and hypothyroidism and I have all the conditions you described plus more. I need help Just ordered your book
    Reply

  46. I have had hypothyroid/hashimotos for 22 years! I’m on natural thyroid medication … Erfa. I have a lot of swelling and inflammation in my knees, and ankles, feet. I can’t seem to eat any grains or flours, coconut flour and almond flour included. I do not eat any glutens/breads either. I can gain weight overnight up 3-4 lbs. I finally have a dr that allows me to keep my dosage high so my TSH is at 0.01….I can’t function if its not below 2. Both my parents are now on thyroid medications….a short time after they started the thyroid medications…my father had a major heart attack and few months later mum had a mini stroke! When they did ultra sound on my thyroid they said it was barely there…shrunk up like a raisen 🙁 Any suggestions on what you think I can do to lose this weight and keep it off?
    Reply

    • Heather- When it comes to weight gain these are a couple of things to think about.

      1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2.

      2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

      3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

      Reply

  47. Dr. Wentz. Where are you located? do you see patients? and what insurance do you take. I live in Phoenix, I am looking for a great doctor.
    Reply

    • Elsa- thank you very much for your inquiry.

      I do provide a limited number of consultations, however, my consultative schedule is all full at the moment. I have a 12 week online program called Hacking Hashimoto’s that covers all of the strategies that I go through with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that participants have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. There are a few requirements that you should pay attention to, such as my book is a required read.

      HACKING HASHIMOTOS
      http://hackinghashimotos.com/

      In addition, any person that goes through the program will have the opportunity for a follow up consultation with one of my thyroid pharmacist consulting members.

      Lastly, here’s the link to the book in case you have not read it already.

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

      Reply

  48. Diagnosed with hypothyroidism but suspect I have hashimoto also. Can’t find a doctor that listens…though I don’t have a copy of my labs I’m sure only basic thyroid tests were done. Mental fog, fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails, never sweat, stress level high…wow the list goes on. I’m in a medical town surely there is someone here that is considered “good”. How can I find a list of physicians for my area…Augusta, GA.
    Reply

  49. I had suffered from Hashimotos for years before taking out gluten. Remember one crumb of gluten per my dr has the same inflammatory response as two whole pieces of bread. I went on a nutritional and detox program called Isagenix. I feel like a new person.
    Reply

    • Kimberly- 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

      • Can you share any insight on Isagenix and whether or not it has a high level of Iodine in its products? Would it be a potential solution for helping shed some weight and feeling better for someone with Hashimotos? Thank you.

        Reply

        • Sheri – thank you for reaching out. <3 I regret that I do not have the time to evaluate every supplement on the market. As a pharmacist, I can tell you that many supplements are ineffective, and some are even downright unsafe. The truth is that most supplement companies do not undergo the same scrutiny and testing that pharmaceutical products do. This is because many of the tests required of pharmaceutical companies are voluntary for supplement companies and most companies do not take the extra steps to test their products to ensure safety and purity.

          As for Iodine I am very hesitant in recommending it for Hashimoto's. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's is a different mechanism. It's like pouring gas into an engine that's on fire... that's essentially what's happening in Hashi's, thyroid inflammation. Adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, in animal and human studies.

          I have spent 4 years researching about this issue, and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let's fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my books. I do have a chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.

          Here are some articles you might find helpful:

          IODINE AND HASHIMOTO'S
          https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/

          WHICH SUPPLEMENTS ACTUALLY HELP HASHIMOTO’S
          https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-supplements-actually-help-hashimotos/

          Reply

  50. Dra. My daughter hve hyperthyroid. His doctor recomend a nuclear radiation. I beg for your advice and medication if you know any. She had been taking many kinds of medication but to no avail. Pls help. Thank you.
    Reply

    • Alice- 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

  52. Debbie, Hashimotos can’t be ‘cured’. You can manage it and reduce/lessen symptoms but you will always have it.
    Reply

  53. We are told that a lot in conventional medicine but they are many times not correct. So I don’t buy the “never cure” line anymore.
    Reply

  55. I was diagnosed with everything under the sun before one great PA discovered it.But meds are not really helping.Have seen several endocrinologist but not one helped Seeing another one this week.Wish me luck
    Reply

  56. I have always heard one month for every YEAR you were sick. So would love to hear if that was a typo.
    Reply

  57. Yes, I know it takes time to undo the damage, but a month for every year sounds so much less daunting & promising!
    Reply

  58. I was just thinking the same thing! I’ll be long gone before I figure it all out. I was a teenager when diagnosed, and now into my 40’s. I’ve been steadily improving my diet & toxic load over the past decade, but being exposed to more with the technology. One step forward, two steps back. I feel somewhat better, but still a long way to go. Reading that was very discouraging! I guess the positive thing to do is to ignore that statement or use it as fuel to prove them wrong!
    Reply

  59. Is it possible in New York State to revive these tests ? I see a mitochondrial doctor for neuro muscular disease and celiacs. He said we are not able to do food sensitive testing in our state and this is so confusing
    Reply

  60. My Drs keep saying I’m fine but I have so many of these symptoms and feel exhausted all day and have gained 80 lbs, diagnosed with depression, anxiety Brain fog etc. I’ve never had any of these issues except in the last 3 years and I’m 32. My Free T4 is .6 and my TSH is 1.3 Is this normal????
    Reply

    • Jennifer- I can tell you that while reference ranges of what’s “normal” may vary depending on the lab that produces the test reports, most thyroid patients feel best with a TSH between 0.5-2, and with Free T3 and Free T4 in the top half of the reference range. Most conventional physicians use the TSH test to determine if one has a thyroid disorder and to dose thyroid medications.

      However, this test can often times be misleading, as levels of circulating hormones may fluctuate at different times, such as in Hashimoto’s, the person affected may fluctuate between highs and lows.

      Additionally, when scientists first set the “normal” ranges of TSH for healthy individuals, they inadvertently included elderly patients and others with compromised thyroid function in the calculations leading to an overly lax reference range.

      This resulted in people with underactive thyroid hormones being told that their thyroid tests were “normal,” based on this skewed reference range.

      WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TSH IS NORMAL AND YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-to-do-if-your-tsh-is-normal-and-you-are-anything-but

      Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.

      TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests

      Reply

  61. Becky- Look at a website Stop The Thyroid Madness. I have joined fb thyroid groups and found all the fantastic info I need there!
    Reply

    • Teresa- 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

  63. Good afternoon! I’m 41yrs old and was diagnosed with sluggish Thyroid about two yrs ago after finding a module and was placed on 50 mcg of Levothyroxine, and get,tired, hot, Muscular aches, neck hurts at night while sleeping, can’t,lose weight and gain despite exercise- do Zumba a few times a week and go to Planet Fitness. I take Fish oil, Primrose Oil, Turmeric, Hair, Skin, Nails, Kelp, Holy Basil, Adrenal fatigue supplements, Vitamin D. Eat lots of veggies n salad and drink lemon water daily, Fiber supplements, Aloe. Why am I not having any success losing weight, allergies galore-watery eyes n itchy legs! Help!! Do I need to be on a T3 regimen? What about hype of Dessicated Thyroid??
    Reply

    • Jennifer- When it comes to weight gain these are a couple of things to think about.

      1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2.

      2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

      3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as “healthy” contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

      Reply

  64. Have you ever tried NDT ??? They have a bunch of groups on fb you can join witch will help to you step by step 🙂 Ftpo thyroid cancer groups
    Reply

    • patricia- When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I felt so alone. My doctor didn’t think it was a big deal, and none of my friends or co-workers had it. It wasn’t until I started to research online that I found others who were going through the same thing.

      A couple of years after my diagnosis, I found Hashimoto’s 411, a closed Facebook group run by Alice Berry McDonnell. This group is amazing! It is comprised of an army of highly motivated, smart, supportive women and men (now 45,000+ strong), and each of them sharing ideas of what worked for them, things they were planning to try, and offering support to one another. The comfort I received from knowing that there were others going through the same challenges as I, was enormous.

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Ask questions. Post your thoughts. Scan the files. It is an absolutely amazing resource. Best of all it’s kept private from spammers.

      Reply

  66. Kim, How long have you had it? I’ve had it for 20 years. I’m 55. Please tell me about this Isagenix. I cannot drop a pound and I weigh 200. I’ve tried extreme exercise and walking and you name it. All kinds of diets. I am about fit to be tied. I feel awful.
    Reply

  68. All with Hashimotos, do a Heliobacter pylori breath test. Strong correlation between H pylori and Hashimotos, and treated with triple pack antibiotics. Hashimotos should cease. Not well known.
    Reply

  69. I’m Hashimoto’s, recently Dx’d with Thyroid Cancer and only 1/2 through your book… Where do I begin with diet changes before, during and after RAI therapy?
    Reply

  70. Mine started after giving birth 21 years ago. Dr called it postpartum thyroiditis. I’ve been on synthroid since. Always wondered why the symptoms never went away. But like a good patient, I never questioned treatment. I have all the classic symptoms along with severe cold allergies.(I get hives when I’m cold. Even just getting something from the freezer.) I’m going to look for a new Dr now. Hopefully I can find a better treatment! Thanks for the information!
    Reply

  71. I’ve been told I have hypothyroidism as well. I have “ulcers/sores” on both my legs about 8 inches below the knees. I have had these sores non stop for 4-5 years. They heal abit then they open up again. I see a wound care doctor weekly. Could this also be part of the hypothyroidism? This Dr wants me now to see a Rheumatoid Dr. I cannot tolerate these sores any longer. My legs are so raw . Please help. Any thoughts or suggestions?
    Reply

  72. 2008 diagnosed with hoshimotos 2009 diagnosed with celiac Following my gluten free diet.a of 2015 still I have yet had to take thyroid meds,
    Reply

  74. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto about 15 years ago. Seven years ago my Ultrasound changed from baseline and I needed a biopsy which was cancerous and I had my thyroid removed. I still have all the signs and symptoms I had before. I was told that it takes years for Hashimoto to resolve after its removed. I’m not sure if that is true. However, I still have several autoimmune issues going on, but every test is negative (borderline)
    Reply

    • Julie- 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

  75. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND HAVE YET TO FIND A DOCTOR THAT ACTUALLY CARES CAN YOU RECOMMEND ONE PLEASE I AM 29 AND HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR 5 YEARS NOT GETTING BETTER AND NOW MY GLANDS ARE SWOLLEN 24/7 AND HARD AND MY HANDS ARE PEELING SO BAD THEY ARE RAW MY FINGERTIPS ARE I NEED HELP

    Reply

    • Sukia – thank you for following this page.

      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 and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

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

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol

      Reply

  77. Hi Dr Izabella:
    Firstly thankyou so much for your generous heart and all your wonderful information and commitment to help all Hashimotos sufferers. My daughter was exposed to EMR (dirty electricity/electromagnetic radiation) between 2-5 years old.. and at 14 yrs old was diagnosed Hashimotos. As a parent, Im horrified that this is probably the connection/cause, and could be the reason for so many other Hashimotos sufferers?! She is now 25yrs and has been prescribed many nutritionals ($$$) for years and only recently committed to take thyroid meds. Her health has not improved because she gets so discouraged and gives up taking everything, and will not stay away from eating wheat/gluten/sugar! (perhaps denial?) She still suffers with insomnia, depression, chronic fatigue, brainfog, huge weightgain (115kg) hairloss, dark circles under her eyes, extremely sore itchy skin/rashes particularly on her hands which cause swelling, so very difficult to use her hands at all. Her confidence and self-worth is zero despite all the years of loving encouragement from her family. Its heartbreaking. Dr Wentz, do you have any advice for a desperate parent whose daughter seems to have lost all hope and has no “life” (& cannot work because of her condition) ?? Thankyou!! Marlene from Australia

    Reply

  78. I’m a 16 year old with Hashimoto’s. I am interested in taking supplements like B12 and selenium but am not sure about dosage. I’m 16 and very petite for my age (4’9, 85 lbs). Can I take the recommended dosage on the bottles of these supplements or should I take a lower dose because of my age and size?

    Reply

  79. Hello, Dr. Wentz.
    Thank you for your work helping us patients with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
    How do we restore the optimal production of the TPO enzyme?
    How do we restore the optimal function the TPO enzyme?
    (I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism and am on NDT and Liothyronine.)
    Thank you, Dr. Wentz!

    Reply

    • Maryanne, Thank you for your kind words! With Hashimoto’s, the immune system often targets the TPO enzyme, so the focus isn’t on restoring TPO directly, but rather on reducing the autoimmune attack and supporting thyroid function.
      This can include:
      Addressing root causes like nutrient deficiencies (e.g., selenium, vitamin D, myo-inositol)
      Supporting gut health and removing immune triggers
      Using appropriate thyroid hormone support, which you’re already doing
      Calming the immune response is key. Be sure to work with your practitioner to personalize your plan.

      Reply

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