Author: Tracy Woodman

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Eliminating Soy

The soy debate continues. Some people believe it is a major contributor in thyroid disease, while others think it’s healthy if it’s organic. If you have thyroid disease the one thing you need to remember about soy, is that it’s a goitrogen. That means it causes a reaction in the thyroid that produces goiters. Read more on thyroid and goitrogens in my blog 31 Foods Containing Soy.  Organic soy is a goitrogen, so it still affects the thyroid the same way Genetically modified soy does.

Sneaky Soy

In my last blog 31 Foods Containing Soy, I exposed foods that contain soy. You may find it difficult to remove it from your diet. You will find soy in almost every processed food. Look at the labels.  Some manufacturers add soy to their product and list it on the ingredients under a “stealth” name. Some of these alternatives are:

  • Soy lecithin
  • Bean curd
  • Hydrolyzed soy protein
  • Soy milk
  • Soy sauce
  • Soybeans
  • Vitamin E/tocopherol
  • Glycerin
  • Bulking agents
  • Thickeners
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable/plant protein
  • Guar Gum
  • And mor

Keep these in mind when you are purchasing any packaged foods. That includes vegan products. Because of the effect of soy on my thyroid, I have opted to eliminate it from my diet. I try to purchase only food products from nature (no processing). That includes organic range free beef and chicken, and organic fruits and vegetables.

I Was Afraid to Eat Anything I didn’t Prepare Myself

You may think I’m crazy; a neurotic, who has gone over the edge. I will admit, in the beginning I was a little crazy. I was afraid to eat anything that I didn’t prepare myself. But three years later I have learned a lot. Initially, I thought I couldn’t eat broccoli, kale, or cabbage. I know better now. I didn’t want to go out to a restaurant because I was afraid to eat what was on the menu. Today there are many restaurants that cater to food sensitivities. I may have been a little more cautious because my food sensitivity, which affected my thyroid, also prompted migraines; something I have fought with for years. I will discuss my development in the area of food in future blogs. I will also discuss migraine and how that fit into my Hashimoto’s diagnosis.

One thing I want to share relative to my change in diet, is that I feel a thousand times better than I did before my diagnosis.

Dietary Substitutions

Over the last three years I learned to cook without flour, milk, eggs, and butter. You may think it impossible, but it isn’t. Two years ago, I prepared a complete Thanksgiving dinner without any of those ingredients just mentioned. The surprising thing about the meal is no one knew it until after we ate. Then I told them. They were all surprised.

I substitute flour for a gluten free flour mix. I mix my own because I haven’t found a packaged gluten free flour that doesn’t have xanthan gum in it. When I need to use milk, I use coconut milk. Yogurt or sour cream is substituted with coconut yogurt. I use chia seeds in place of eggs. It can be done, you need to do your homework though and experiment…a lot.

I eat more salads now than I ever did before being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I mention the salads because they can be boring. Most people won’t eat a salad without dressing. Salad dressings are the biggest culprit when it comes to soy. It’s nearly impossible to find a salad dressing that doesn’t include it. Because of this fact, I make my own. I use red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut yogurt, and herbs and spices. Use your imagination. It’s fun to create new recipes. I find it challenging to make something work, even food. I will be sharing some recipes in future blogs for anyone who would like to experiment.

Hashimoto’s and Protein

One of the challenges with Hashimoto’s is protein. When I was first diagnoised, I was told I should eat 25 grams of protein for breakfast. I found it challenging to find a protein powder that didn’t contain soy, dairy or gluten. I ended up using Hemp protein which was free from soy, dairy, and gluten. For months I would start my morning with the same shake; coconut milk, hemp protein, chia seeds, mixed berries, and a banana. I changed out the berries from time to time. Today there are more protein options, such as Rootcology. I’m sure each part of the country has different options. Be sure to read the label before purchasing a protein powder. Many sneak that soy into the product, sometimes under an alternate name (see 31 Foods Containing Soy).

Everything Changes with a Hashimoto’s Diagnosis

When you are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s everything changes. Your diet is the first thing that should change. If you haven’t changed your diet, you should. I’m not one for telling people what to do, and that isn’t my intention here, but I suggest highly you change your diet because you will feel like a new person. You will lose weight, be more focused, your skin, hair, and nails will become resilient, and the pain you have been living with will be reduced significantly, if not eliminated completely. Your mood will improve, and you will see your life through a new point of view. I only share what I say in this post because I want every person with Hashimoto’s to have the information, they need to be a whole person again. I wish you all good thyroid health so you can enjoy living again.

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5 Symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis Due to Hashimoto’s

Two months ago, I went to the chiropractor with a complaint of left shoulder pain. When I mentioned it to the chiropractor, he did a range of motion test.  When I told him, the pain increased with specific movements, he said he thought I had a torn rotator cuff. When I left his office, I was confused.

How Could This Happen?

A torn rotator cuff? How could that happen. A month earlier I fell on the ice and injured my right leg and hip. Nothing was broke, thankfully, but I struggled with limited mobility for a little over a week. It was once I regained full use of my leg that my shoulder started bothering me. Originally, I thought it hurt because I was somehow over compensating for my right leg and it affected my left shoulder. That is what prompted me to see the chiropractor.

Initially I did nothing about the shoulder. I think I was in denial and hoped it would heal on its own. When two weeks later I still suffered with pain, I called and made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon that specialized in shoulders. The week before the appointment I was talking to my father about the shoulder and he said I should see a different chiropractor; I should get a second opinion.

I gave some thought to what my father said and called another chiropractor who was willing to see me the following day. The result of that appointment was not a confirmation of the diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff, but a diagnosis of calcific tendonitis.

Torn Rotator Cuff or Calcific Tendonitis?

The symptoms of calcific tendonitis are like those of a torn rotator cuff. One major difference, at least as far as I can tell, is with a torn rotator cuff your strength is gone, while with calcific tendonitis (of the shoulder) you retain some strength and the range of motion isn’t as limited. When the second chiropractor did a muscle strength test, I still had some range of motion and strength in the arm. Once he completed the exam and adjusted me, he determined I suffered with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder.

I was relieved that I didn’t have a torn rotator cuff. I know surgery is not always necessary, but the thought of it didn’t please me. I didn’t want to be without use of my shoulder over the summer. That would keep me from my garden. Now I know what ails my shoulder. The chiropractor suggested exercises to help me through what I believe will be a long process of healing, yet without having to be immobile.

Through research I found many people suffer or have suffered with similar complaints as what I mentioned above. In some instances, people suffer such debilitating pain that it keeps them from enjoying life in its simplest form.

Symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis

  • The pain often occurs in the morning.
  • Stiffness in the shoulder – which leads the physician to assume frozen shoulder or a torn rotator cuff based on primary examination.
  • Significant sleep disruption due to pain. I wake up when in my sleep I turn on my left side and experience pain with movement.
  • Reduced range of motion. I can only lift my arm at a 90-degree angle.
  • Limited activities of daily living due to pain. I can’t lift anything over my head or to my left side.

I am fortunate, because I went to a chiropractor knowledgeable enough to recognize the signs of calcific tendonitis. Others haven’t been so lucky. Some of the stories I’ve heard tell of people who have suffered in pain while making visits to orthopedists, physical therapists, and neurosurgeons which resulted in prescriptions and injections and ultimately unnecessary surgery. This, only to experience pain again with no explanation.

Does Any of the Above Sound Familiar?

If so, please have it examined to rule out problems related to joints and surrounding tissue. If you have Hashimoto’s you may want to check your T3, T4, and vitamin D levels to be sure levels haven’t changed. If your lab results change and your thyroid may be under stress it could prompt a secondary condition such as frozen shoulder of calcific tendonitis.

I went to a knowledgeable chiropractor who was able to recommend the proper exercises and massage techniques. If your shoulder pain is due to a change in your thyroid condition, you may want to refrain from rigorous therapy. It may increase the pain.

I began the exercises recommended by my chiropractor and began using Arnica Rub to ease the pain. It helps relieve the pain associated with massage and exercise. Follow your doctor’s guidelines when it comes to exercise. You don’t want to over exert yourself.

On the Mend

It has been a long three months, but I’m on the mend. I have increased mobility of my shoulder. The exercises have helped tremendously and knowing what points to massage has relieved the pain. I’m not fully recovered but expect to be back to my old self in a couple of more weeks.

I share this story with you today because I have been researching shoulder pain with regards to Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease. At this point it is not known why, but people who have thyroid disease often suffer from shoulder pain. Sometimes the pain is a result of adhesive capsulitis also known as frozen shoulder. In other instances, it is a result of calcific tendonitis as in my case.

I hope that by sharing the information in this post it will make more people aware of the possible connection of shoulder pain to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I am living a good life and continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle medication free. However, on occasion I still experience these little symptoms that remind me I need to focus on good health. I will continue to share these experiences to bring more awareness to Thyroid disease in hopes to help others recognize and heal.

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31 Foods Containing Soy

When I started researching Hashimoto’s I was surprised to learn that soy is one of the worst foods you can eat. Some might argue that point, but I can tell you from personal experience that soy is one of the contributing factor to Hashimoto’s in my case. When I stopped eating soy, my condition improved. It took time to clean my body of the toxicity of many of the food I once ate. It also took hours of label reading because of the many name’s soy is masked under. Listed below are some foods where you may find soy hiding.

  • Cold-pressed, expelled, or extruded soy oil*
  • Edamame
  • Miso
  • Natto
  • Shoyu
  • Soy (soy albumin, soy cheese, soy fiber, soy flour, soy grits, soy ice cream, soy milk, soy nuts, soy sprouts, soy yogurt)
  • Soya
  • Soybean (curd, granules)
  • Soy protein (concentrate, hydrolyzed, isolate)
  • Soy sauce
  • Tamari
  • Tempeh
  • Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
  • Tofu
  • Asian cuisine (including Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese)—even if you order a soy-free item, there is a high risk of cross-contact
  • Vegetable Gum
  • Vegetable starch
  • Vegetable Broth
  • Baked Goods
  • Canned broths and soups
  • Canned tuna and meat
  • Cereals
  • Cookies
  • Crackers
  • High-protein energy bars and snacks
  • Infant formulas
  • Low-fat peanut butter
  • Pet food
  • Processed Meats
  • Sauces
  • Soaps and moisturizers

*Highly refined soy oil is not required to be labeled as an allergen. Studies show that most people with soy allergy can safely eat highly refined soy oil as well as soy lecithin. If you are allergic to soy, ask your doctor whether you need to avoid soy oil or soy lecithin.1

You can see why I spent hours reading labels. On occasion, I would purchase a food item, get it home and realize it had soy in it. I believe one of the biggest contributors to soy in my diet was the Special K shake. I started drinking the shakes when a nutritionist told me I needed more protein in my diet. It was a quick way to supplement my diet with protein. I had no idea at the time it had soy as an ingredient. The lesson here – read your labels.

 A few years later I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I’m not saying the Special-K shakes are the cause of Hashimoto’s. I’m telling you I believe they were a major contributing factor. If you have a better understanding of what soy is, you may be more willing to agree with what I’m saying.

Soy comes from the soybean which you may also know as edamame (raw form). As you see from the above list soy is found in many different forms. This makes it easy to add to many products from food to cosmetics and clothing.

I’m not a doctor but from what I’ve read I can tell you that soy blocks the activity of the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme. TPO is an enzyme made in the thyroid gland that is important in the production of thyroid hormone.2 It has been linked to the development of autoimmune thyroiditis and studies have shown that soy can affect thyroid medications, asthma, and menstrual cycles.

In addition to soy being linked to thyroiditis, many have developed allergic reaction/symptoms such as:

  • Runny nose
  • Trouble breathing
  • Abdominal pain or loose stools
  • Brain fog
  • Agitation or mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Heart palpitations
  • Acid reflux
  • Carpal tunnel
  • IBS
  • Weight gain
  • Many others

I can also tell you that soy mimics the effect of estrogen in the body (xenoestrogen). To simply say, it’s an endocrine disruptor.  The scary thing about this statement is that it can start to affect the endocrine system in utero and the effects can be permanent. So, if you eat a lot of soy when you’re pregnant, then your child is affected by it. So here I pose a question. Is it possible that childhood illnesses are a result of soy in the diet? That’s a question for research. It makes sense though. If Thyroiditis in adults can mimic mental health issues why can’t it affect children too? That’s a topic for another blog.

Another reason soy isn’t good for people with thyroiditis is that soy is a goitrogen. Goitrogens suppress the thyroid gland by interfering with hormone production. When the thyroid is exposed to goitrogens, the thyroid reacts by enlarging to compensate for the reduced hormone production. The result is what is known as a goiter.

Please don’t confuse the goitrogens in soy with that of cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc.). The goitrogens in soy are not equal to that on cruciferous vegetables. Soy has been linked to autoimmune thyroiditis, other foods have not and don’t generally pose a threat. This is a misconception I believed when I first began my journey to heal my thyroid.

There are many things to learn about the thyroid and the diseases, illnesses, and conditions that affect it. Not only as a layperson but as a medical provider and those in the scientific community. If they don’t know what causes thyroiditis (in its many forms), and they don’t, how can they know how best to treat it. In most case the medical community is quick to prescribe medication versus changing the patient’s diet, at least initially to see if a change occurs. I’m thankful that my doctor took the time to let me work through and find a natural way to manage Hashimoto’s.

Until we know what causes these thyroid conditions, we must be diligent and look for a natural way to understand our thyroid health. We must listen to our bodies, do our homework, and change our lifestyle’s. If we can be disciplined in our habits and open-minded in our approach, and be willing to spend time researching thyroid health, we can enjoy good health.

 I will do my part to provide you with information that will help you on your journey to a healthy lifestyle. Remember though, I’m not a doctor, and you are your best advocate for your health.

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Diet

Once diagnosed with Hashimoto’s you realize you must make some drastic changes in your life if you don’t want to have to take medication. In some cases, it may not be avoidable, but if you work with your healthcare provider and discipline yourself, you should be able to accomplish it.

I think the biggest change one must make is diet. I don’t mean go on a diet. I’m saying you will have to eat reasonably healthy. Cheat when you can without affecting your health. I’m including somewhat of a guideline I created for diet. I have experimented an awful lot over the last three years and I’m happy to share what I have.

There are many natural or organic options out there for things we already consume. I found a brand of rice pasta that is not too bad, and I’m finding more and more organic fruits and vegetables all the time. Some things are still a challenge. I buy coconut milk for shakes and baking. If you decide to use it, be mindful of the sugar content when planning meals. I replace sour cream with coconut (milk) yogurt.

I cook with olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or rice bran oil (difficult to find the rice bran oil). Remember to pay attention to the temperature that each will burn. It is getting easier to find organic meats so if you still eat meat you can get protein from a source of organic grass fed meat. Just eat meat in moderation.

Things to consider when planning your new diet regiment:

Start with a diet that excludes gluten, dairy, soy, and meat that is not organic or grass fed. If you can do this for 30 days, you can then incorporate foods back into your diet. Focus on how you feel as you incorporate each one individually. If you feel sluggish or unfocused, avoid the food that triggered that feeling.

  • You should eat a low-carb diet which should be easy if you eliminate gluten.
  • You should do a heavy metal detox (check with health care provider before trying a heavy metal cleanse. You could have a reaction) or body cleanse
  • Use coconut oil and avocado oil in everything…. (Get creativ)
  • Eat only meats that are grass-fed and organic
  • If you like salmon you should eat lots! But make sure it’s Pacific or Alaska and not farm raised
  • Eat sweet potatoes. White potatoes are good too
  • If you take a multivitamin, be sure it is soy free and does not include chromium or selenium if you are taking it as a stand-alone supplement

If you want to learn to regulate your thyroid a good way to start would be to take your temperature throughout the day (Wilson Syndrome tracks temperature but I found it a good way to determine if I was moving in the right direction). You can find a fill-in chart if you choose to use it, on my website, for your convenience. You should take it first before you get out of bed in the morning. If it is low, you are probably experiencing hypothyroidism. When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s I took my temperature every three hours, every day for a month. This is how I knew what I was doing was helping. When I had my TSH tested it went from 5.2 to 3.1 in 30 days. I went back every 30 days for testing, then every three months. I stopped polluting my thyroid, and it performed again…

So now we come to my eating habits. This is just a general outline of how I eat. The most important thing is what I eat for breakfast. It makes a difference in how the day progresses.

First thing in the morning:

Take Red Marine Algae – I found Vibrant Health Gigartina is the best quality, so that is what I use.

When you have a thyroid condition, it is important to incorporate 25 grams of protein into your breakfast. This is how I get the protein I need to start the day.

Morning Breakfast Shake:

·         ¼ cup Hemp protein

·         1-3Tablespoon Chia Seeds (can be difficult to digest, so if you have tummy trouble omit.

·         ½ cup Coconut Milk

·         ½ cup frozen berries (Wyman has some good choices and its natural – mixed berries)

·         1 Banana

I take my supplements with the shake. Below are some that may help. You may have   to experiment:

  • Ashwagandha, Tulsi, L-tyrosine (one or combination of) – These are adaptogen
  • which help regulate stress
  • Rhodiola – Adaptogen
  • Licorice Root
  • Ginseng – Adaptogen
  • Holy Basil -Adaptogen 
  • Chromium (10 micrograms) (be careful with this make sure it isn’t in any other
  • supplement if you take it as an individual supplement)
  • Selenium (200 micrograms)
  • B-Complex to include B-12 and thiamine (600mg)
  • Vitamin D (4000IU in am 4000 with lunch in winter)
  • Coconut Oil
  • Zinc
  • Co Q10
  • I take feverfew because of the migraines (not necessary if you don’t experience
  • them)
  • You may want to take a probiotic 50 Billion CFU
  • L- Arginine (3x daily)

There are supplements on the market that combine some of the above. If you find something you like, be sure there is no soy in the product.

Lunch: 

·         A serving of organic meat or fish (I like salmon, so I lean toward that daily)

·         Veggies

·         Sweet potato or white organic potato or rice pasta.

Take second supplement (Vitamin D, Ashwagandha, Coconut Oil, L-Arginine, etc.)

Dinner:

·         Serving Organic meat

·         Veggie

I try to avoid carbs at dinner. They have a tendency, to hang around. If I’ve had a busy day and am feeling hungrier than usual, I will double up on my veggie.

Take evening supplements (Coconut Oil, L-Arginine, Calcium, Magnesium)

You may not like eating the same thing every day. You can substitute the fruits and meat. You can also swap out the shake if you are getting the 25 grams of protein and you don’t over-do it with the carbs. I followed the above diet for 30 days. I was desperate to get clean and because I was new at planning and purchasing, I took the easy route. Boring, maybe, but it was simple, so I was able to stick to it.

Please note: the information in this post is a guideline of my eating habits. These are things that have helped me to heal and live a better life. Please check with your medical provider before making any lifestyle changes based on what I provide here. I’m not a doctor and do not mean the information to be considered medical advice or treatment. I wish you the best in finding what works for you.

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Essential Oils for Use With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Essential oils are compounds that many are including in their lifestyle change. There are those who remain skeptical about the effectiveness of essential oils, but I believe they play an important part in healing, in my case, the thyroid. I’m not saying essential oils alone can heal. What I am saying is that including them in your daily practice of healthy living, will increase the chances of your return to good health.

I’m not sure if you’ve been exposed to essential oils so I will provide a quick overview of what an essential oil is and where they come from. You may be surprised to know that before the days of pharmaceutical companies, the medical community turned to plants as a resource for many illnesses and diseases.

Extracting the Essence

Essential oils are extracted from plants of which many we find in the wild. Some are herbs that you grow in your garden. I grow many herbs, some for culinary use while others I use as medicinal and cosmetic. I will discuss these topics in more depth in future blogs.

Essential oils are extracted from plants by a few different processes. You can remove the essential oils by distillation or by extracting using a mechanical process called cold pressing. The result of extraction is a compound that is ultra-concentrated. The point I’d like to stress related to essential oil use, is to be sure you use organic oils, especially if you are using essential oils internally. Another point to make is that not all oils are suitable for internal use. Make sure to do your research before taking any essential oils internally. Oregano is a good example of when to use internally. You could take oregano internally, but only for 10 days at a time. Abusing internal essential oil use, can cause liver damage, among other health concerns. You should check with your health care provider before adding internal essential oil use to your health care regiment.

Essential Oil Application

Essential oil’s may be used in in different applications. They can be inhaled, applied topically, or ingested, depending on the oil and the concentration. Some essential oils need to be combined with a carrier oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil, while others may be applied neet (straight from the bottle.

For the purpose of this post, we are discussing Essential oils for use in supporting a healthy thyroid. Never use essential oils on pets, children, nursing mothers, or the elderly without consulting someone certified in essential oil use. It is always best to contact your health care provider before introducing anything new into your healthcare regime.

Most people use essential oils successfully to overcome stress and assist with overall health.

Essential Oils – Indeed

Today I want to share with you the essential oils that I have used successfully in my thyroid healing routine. They are oils that have been used successfully by the natural health care providers. I categorized them for convenience.

Boosts Immunity

  • Oregano
  • Myrrh
  • Ginger
  • Lemon
  • Eucalyptus
  • Frankincense
  • peppermint
  • cinnamon

Improving Digestion

  • Ginger essential oil
  • Peppermint.
  • Fennel
  • Lemongrass
  • Marjoram
  • Black pepper
  • Juniper berry

Boost Energy Levels

  • peppermint oil 
  •  Grapefruit
  • Lemon
  • Lemongrass
  • Eucalyptus
  • Rosemary

Improve Brain Function

  • Peppermint
  • Lavender
  • Rosemary (Focus)

Reduce Emotional Stress & Anxiety

  • Lavender
  • Roman chamomile
  • Bergamot
  • Ylang ylang
  • Orange
  • Rose
  • Frankincense
  • Vetiver

Alleviate Aches and Pains

  • Lavender
  • Peppermint
  • Eucalyptus
  • Chamomile
  • Rosemary
  • Majoram
  • Thyme
  • Frankincense
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Myrrh

Boost Skin and Hair Health

  • Lavender
  • Roman chamomile
  • Frankincense
  • Tea tree
  • Geranium
  • Myrrh
  • Helichrysum
  • Rosemary
  • Clary sage

Reduce Toxicity in Home or Work

  • Grapefruit
  • Orange
  • Lemon
  • Lemongrass
  • Eucalyptus
  • Cinnamon
  • Peppermint
  • Tea tree

Relieve Headaches and Migraines

  • Lavender
  • Peppermint
  • Eucalyptus
  • Rosemary

Promote Restful Sleep

  • Lavender oil
  • Roman chamomile
  • Ylang ylang
  • Bergamot
  • Vetiver

Essential Oil Everyday

There are many essential oils that can assist in different areas of healing. I use a combination of frankincense, clove, and clary sage on the lower part of my neck where the thyroid is located. You could also mix together lemongrass oil and myrrh and rub on the thyroid area and the reflexology points on the feet (the big toes) and on the wrist multiple times a day.

If I am experiencing muscle and joint pain and I have time, I take a soothing bath with geranium, clove, myrrh, and lemongrass. This is a luxury for me. I have very little free time and it is not always easy to schedule in the bath. I make a cream with marjoram, black pepper, lavender, and peppermint essential oils and rub it on my joints in the morning and before I go to bed.

When you have Hypothyroidism or in my case, Hashimoto’s, fatigue can be a major issue. Some days it is hard to keep moving. I keep some peppermint, lemon, and grapefruit on hand. I either put in a diffuser or when I’m not home I keep a small essential oil bottle (recycled) and fill it with sea salt and peppermint or lemon and inhale it throughout the day.

When you have a thyroid condition sometimes it is difficult to be remain in a good mood. I use the protocol above but substitute oils for fatigue with chamomile, frankincense, and lavender.

Living with Hashimoto’s can be a challenge. However, incorporating essential oils into your daily habits, can reduce some of the symptoms. By reducing symptom, you have more focus and feel better. The improvement in your symptoms gives you the opportunity to change your thyroid health.

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Teeth Trouble and Thyroiditis

Today I’m getting real, with you. I’m going to share with you a story about a day in my journey with Hashimoto’s. I’m feeling a little vulnerable, but I know each of you will listen to what I tell you and smile. Because you have a similar story.

The week after I went in for my visit that confirmed my Hashimoto diagnosis, I had an experience that was, well it was weird. I woke up one morning experiencing tooth pain in the lower left jaw. If you are familiar with tooth placement relative to a Tooth Organ Meridian Chart you will understand where I’m going with this story.

I woke up in pain. I couldn’t understand how I could be perfectly fine the day before, yet, be in so much pain upon waking. I felt an acute pain in my lower left jaw. The tooth where the pain radiated from was #20. I have a high tolerance for pain and this pain was more than distracting.

I took out the dental floss and started flossing. I thought something must be caught under the gum and was causing the extreme irritation. I flossed without success. The gum was clean. I didn’t stop though, because the pain didn’t stop. I moved the floss around hoping to dislodge the particle of food that was the culprit. Nothing.

I gave up on the floss and turned to peroxide. I brushed my teeth with the peroxide thinking the tooth must be infected. I brushed and gargled, then repeated…many times. The tooth still hurt. Nothing helped. I finally gave up and called the dentist. It must be a cavity, I thought.

Thankfully, the dentist was able to see me later that morning. If it was a cavity, he would take care of it and that would be the end of it. Well, I went in and explained my dilemma. The dentist did an initial exam. When he looked in my mouth, he asked me about the spots under my tong. I was embarrassed to tell him but had no choice. The blisters under my tong were from the peroxide. It burned the inside of my mouth. I was in so much pain that I burned my mouth with peroxide hoping to get rid of an infection that didn’t exist.

The dentist instructed his assistant to x-ray the tooth. When we were done, I sat patiently waiting for his return. What happened next baffled both the dentist and me. There was nothing wrong with the tooth or the gum. He couldn’t explain the pain. I went home in pain and suffered through it for the next few days until it mysteriously disappeared.

It wasn’t until after researching further, Hashimoto’s, that I realized the problem wasn’t the tooth, but my thyroid. If you look at the Tooth Organ Meridian Chart you will see what I saw. The tooth that gave me the trouble is the tooth on the left lower jaw, #20. That tooth is on the thyroid meridian line. Once I saw that, the whole tooth catastrophe made sense.

I share this story with you because I want you to realize you’re not the only one that has or will experience ridiculous situations or instances where you feel helpless, baffled, and frustrated. I want you to know that if you haven’t already experienced a similar situation, you will. And now, when you do you can smile because you’ll know you’re not alone. When you do have that moment, I want to hear about it. I want to help you get through the awkwardness of the unknown. We’re all in this together. I know you’ll get through whatever comes your way in your journey of thyroid health.

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Heavy Metals and Hashimoto’s

There are many things we don’t consider as we walk through life. We also tend to believe in the system and trust that institutions will keep us safe. In a perfect world, this would be the case. However, we live in an imperfect world where profits often time outweigh the best interest to us humans. More and more we are seeing companies pop up who are more interested in food safety and the health of their consumer. That’s a good thing.

But until the consensus is food safety before profit, you need to consider what I’m going to say. We are consuming toxins in large quantities daily. In most cases, we don’t consider some of these toxins as being part of our daily lives.

Ide, Ide, and Ide

For years many cities have been putting fluoride in municipal water supplies. They are now rethinking this as studies now show that fluoride can be poisonous. It is my understanding that some studies are now pointing to fluoride as a contributor to childhood ADD. I wonder…. It makes sense. There are many more children with this disorder today than 30 years ago.

Chloride is another one of those double-edged swords. It is a disinfectant which has killed many germs and bacteria that were once out of control. Chloride competes with iodine blocking iodine receptors in the thyroid. We now put it in our water, so it is safe to drink. Is it safe, or is it contributing to thyroid disorders?

Bromides are flying under the radar. Bromides are found in pesticides, they are pesticides. If bromides are pesticides then why are they found in supplements, Facial cleansers, and soda (to name a few)? It is also a goitrogen which inhibits thyroid function (see February 11th post). When I mention supplements, I am thinking of a particular one. Fish oil or most omega 3,6,9’s. They are made from krill and bottom feeders in the ocean.  This brings me back to the pesticides. Pesticides are sprayed on plants, it rains, and the rain evaporates or runs off where? Into the ocean. The water contains the bromides which settle to the bottom of the ocean and the krill feed off them. When we take these omega supplements, we are eating what they eat.

Heavy Metals and Hashimoto’s

When considering the heavy metal connection to thyroid disorders, we should look at the following that have the greatest impact on the thyroid.

  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • aluminum

Our environment is contaminated by cadmium through the emission of toxin produced by the following when released into the air.

  • Mining and smelting
  • Phosphate fertilizers
  • Sewage sludge
  • Batteries
  • Plastics

Overexposure to cadmium is noted to cause multinodular goiter, reduce the secretion of thyroglobulin, and promote cell hyperplasia (swelling of the neck), which can lead to thyroid cancer. 1, 2

Lead is another heavy metal contaminate that is plaguing our environment. Increased industrialization and mining, has contributed to the problem, as has prior use of lead in gasoline. It’s also found in cheap jewelry, children’s toys, and paint in older homes. Such exposure is considered to cause depressed thyroid function and elevated TSH.3 Such information should cause us to be cognizant of the environment and food we experience.

Mercury is a heavy metal that affects thyroid hormone levels inversely. As the level of Mercury or aluminum increases, the thyroid hormone decreases. If you are wondering how you might be exposed to these two final heavy metals, you will find them in the following:

  • Dental amalgams
  • Seafood
  • Pollution from coal burning plants

Mercury affects the gland by accumulating in the thyroid and reducing iodide uptake, which inhibits thyroid hormone production. 4

Aluminum exposure comes from:

  • Antacids
  • Body care products (deodorant)
  • Food additives
  • Vaccines
  • Aluminum based cookware

Aluminum triggers an autoimmune response which may result in the production of antibodies, some of which may target the thyroid. 5

Throughout this post I referred to the threat of toxins that affect the thyroid. In future posts I will get into more detail about them so as not to leave you with questions. As you continue your cleansing, and change the way you eat, be mindful about where what you consume comes from.  The environment affects every aspect of our life. It’s for this reason it’s a good idea to perform a body cleanse twice a year. We may not be able to control the environment, be we can take care of our bodies and reduce the effect environmental toxins have in our lives.

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Healthy with Hashimoto’s

I started changing my lifestyle when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. Unfortunately, I needed an excuse to get healthy. It’s not the excuse I would have chosen, but beggers can’t be choosers (as the saying goes).

Now, I look forward, not back. None of us can change the past, it’s not worth looking back and saying, “what if?” So, I started monitoring my temperature while starting a body cleanse and changing my diet. Today we look at some of the foods it was necessary to give up in order to heal.

I Had a Gut Feeling

One thing I learned as I progressed on my quest to heal my thyroid is food matters. It matters because, what you put in your mouth takes a trip through your gut, before exiting the body. If you have ever heard of “leaky gut” you’ll know what I’m talking about.

If you don’t know what leaky gut is, let me try to explain. You could be confused by the term leaky gut because it relates to your intestinal lining. It is said you have leaky gut if the intentional lining no longer functions properly. The defective lining allows toxins bacteria, viruses, parasites and partially digested food to pass through into your bloodstream.

Your gut’s reaction to the mass exodus is to fight. It fights, and fights until there is increased inflammation in the gut lining and eventually throughout your body. Then it turns into chronic inflammation if the problem is not addressed. Which in most cases it isn’t because there is still much to learn about leaky gut. In short, the chronic inflammation which leads the body to fight against itself creating autoimmune diseases. In our case Hashimoto’s.

I’m not going to go into a detailed medical explanation of leaky gut in this post, but I wanted to mention it because I believe it is the key to answer the question how did, I end up this way. Yes, genetics plays a part, but we control our destiny.

To Eat or Not to Eat

Once I understood leaky gut, I was able to digest the problem (no pun intended). Now the time came to look at exactly what I was eating. In my January 28th post, I promised to share my journey. Food is a big part of it. I never thought about what I ate. I wasn’t a junk food junky, but I ate my fair share of processed food. Once my eyes were opened, I started eliminating much of the food I enjoyed. Don’t be intimidated by the list. If you think of your thyroid, it will make the process easier.

  • Gluten
  • Soy
  • Casein (milk/dairy)
  • Sugar
  • Processed foods high in sugars
  • Groningen’s (I will explain this)

Gluten intolerance is not necessarily the issue, but because so many of the foods we eat are GMO, our bodies have rebelled against the foods that would normally be considered safe for consumption. All the foods we eat that are genetically modified and are being passed off as safe for consumption, are foreign substances that our bodies are fighting against because of the volume of GMO foods we ingest.  Because of the GMO wheat, our bodies may have trouble digesting products containing gluten. Our digestive system may become overworked because of gluten intolerance which may keep our bodies from absorbing the good nutrients and processing the waste effectively.

Soy is one of those “savior foods” that have turned out to be not so good for us. Soy is a poisonous plant. The byproduct only becomes consumable when it has been processed to a degree that will allow our bodies to accept the result.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find foods that are soy free. Here are a few foods that contain soy:

·         Salad dressings

·         Processed Cheese

·         Bread

·         Cookies

·         Chips

·         Processed foods

·         Canola Oil

·         Safflower Oil

·         Candy

·         Supplements

·         Almost every prepackages item

·         Soy Lecithin

·         Many more (you really must read labels)

Casein (or dairy) is an issue because of the hormones and antibiotics and corn (GMO corn sprayed with chemicals) fed to the animals to keep them healthy. Those chemicals are passed through the animal and into the product we consume.  If you can find an organic product, you may tolerate dairy. This argument also applies to the meat we eat. If it is not organic, we are eating what producers feed the animals (antibiotics, hormones, pesticides).

Sugar is bitter sweet. We all love sugar, but our bodies really don’t digest it well. Sugar affects the way we digest our food. It causes problems with the pancreas and liver that could cause diabetes. The way we digest sugar has another effect on us. Our hormones are affected by way of our thyroid.  The Thyroid is the smallest gland that has the greatest impact on how we feel. If you feel tired or unfocused after eating sugar it could be a sign of a bigger problem.

Processed foods have become the main staple in most diets.  Foods that are boxed or frozen or canned save many hours of kitchen time that are no longer available due to work schedules. These foods may save time today. However, they may steal time from your life. If you look at the instructions on the box, you will find many ingredients. How many are actually safe for consumption?

Goitrogens are naturally found in many vegetables and some nuts. Among them are spinach, broccoli, almonds, and cabbage, to name a few. If you have a thyroid condition, you may want to reconsider eating foods containing goitrogens or make sure you cook them for at least 30 minutes (if fresh). This will ensure the goitrogens will no longer affect the thyroid.

The list seems daunting and if you look at it long enough, you’ll think you can’t eat anything. As you continue to follow and read my posts, you will see it is possible to eat clean and enjoy what you eat.

I’d be interested to hear how some of you are managing your lifestyle.

In my next post, I will talk a little about heavy metals and how they affect you and your thyroid.

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Body Cleanses and Hashimoto’s


We live in a technologically advanced world. And while it may be a good thing in some areas, there is one area I can think of that may leave us asking, “why?”

If I Can’t Say It, I Can’t Eat It

I’m talking about food. You can walk into any supermarket and find aisles and aisles of processed food. You can make your way to the meat department and find refrigerated displays of many options, most of which are injected with antibiotics and hormones. If you look at the labels you will see many different ingredients in each item, most of which we can’t pronounce. I adopted the idea, if I can’t say it, I can’t eat it.

We Are What We Eat

This brings me to body cleanses. Because we spend much of our lives eating food we can’t pronounce, we have polluted our bodies with chemicals and toxins without knowing it. Today there are a growing number of people who are choosing to eat clean. Hopefully the change will encourage more companies to put the health of the consumer above profits.

Body cleansing has become more popular in recent years. The last decade at least has seen a growing number of people concerned with health and environment.

As a person living with Hashimoto’s, you now know that your thyroid is polluted. It has been absorbing environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and toxic food your whole life. Now it’s tired. It can’t function for being bogged down and unable to function. You can fix that with a body cleanse. Well you can’t fix the Hashimoto’s with the body cleanse, but you can clean the toxins out of your body and eat healthy so your body can repair itself.

Hashimoto’s, Detoxification, and Weight Gain

When you begin a body cleanse you are detoxifying your body systems. This detoxification begins in the liver. To use scientific terms, your liver first converts toxins to metabolites, then excretes the toxins. The liver plays a major role in detoxification, but your kidney, lungs, and gut play a role too.

When we are healthy, our bodies are more likely to be able to clean and heal from toxins. But when we have been exposed to an extreme amount of them, we can’t purge the pollutants from our systems. We get more and more toxic and our bodies can’t purge them. Our body systems grow sluggish and our metabolism slows down, causing fluid retention and bloating; weight gain.

Natural Food Cleanse

Ideally, we should be able to cleanse our bodies by changing our eating habits. Healthy food equals healthy living. By eating natural foods such as organically grown fruits and vegetables and grass-fed meat, we are on our way to being healthy. We also need to eliminate processed sugar or fructose. Fructose is a major contributor when it comes to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Both contribute to weight gain and the increase in obesity.

You should also avoid trans fats. Trans fats are found in processed foods. When you see “partially hydrogenated” on the label, you are looking at trans fats.

Now you know some of what to avoid, the list below are some foods to incorporate into your diet.

  • Natural fats and oils (extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil)
  • Nuts and seeds (You will be limited with these if you have Hashimoto’s. More in a later post)
  • Proteins
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables

Hashimoto’s and a Healthy Lifestyle

In addition to clean eating here are some detox suggestions

  • Eat right
  • Support your immune system
  • Exercise
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Support your gut
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Visit a chiropractor
  • Supplement with a body cleanse of your choice twice a year

If you have never done a body cleanse before, talk to your health care provider before embarking on the cleanse. Ask for suggestions, you may be pleasantly surprised. No matter what you decide, supplement it with a healthy diet and lots of water.

This is where you begin living healthy with Hashimoto’s.

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Getting Hashimoto’s Under Control

The first thing I did when I went home was to begin a search for the definition of Hashimoto’s. The first thing I learned was that it’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It’s also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation when antibodies are directed against the thyroid gland.

It’s not known what causes Hashimoto’s, but it often runs in families.

As time passes, Hashimoto’s results in the thyroids inability to produce thyroid hormones and it becomes impaired. This impaired function leads to an underactive thyroid. Hashimoto’s is most often seen in middle age women but can be found in men and children.

Once I knew what I was diagnosed with, I moved on to natural cures. I found many sites where I was told once you have Hashimoto’s you’ll have to take medication for the rest of your life. I didn’t like what I was hearing so I continued my search until I found what I was looking for. Now we get to the nitty-gritty.

First, I learned if I was going to live with Hashimoto’s without taking medication, I was going to have to listen to my body. I needed to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s and learn how to manage them. I began the process of monitoring my thyroid by paying attention to my body temperature. If you have Hashimoto’s you will relate to always being cold. Well, I used that to my advantage. I began taking my temperature every three hours throughout the day to determine if my lifestyle changes were working. Take your temperature before you get out of bed in the morning, then every three hours after that.

When I began to monitor my temperature, it ranged from 96.8 to 98.5 depending on the time of day, and day of the week. The doctor didn’t instruct me in the temperature taking process. I found the idea when I was on the internet and stumbled across a website for Wilson’s Syndrome. I figured if it was related to symptoms of hypothyroidism, it could help me regulate what I was doing for Hashimoto’s. I knew as my temperature went up so did the function of my thyroid.

I did this for a month as I cleansed my body and changed my eating habits. The American Thyroid Association recommends a TSH range of 0.5 to 2.0mU/L. Mine was 5.12mU/L. Within 30 days I reduced it to 3.1mU/L. It wasn’t perfect, but I was moving in the right direction. Nothing, worth having or being, comes easily or quickly. If you choose to follow this method, it will take time. Every person is at a different place in their health and healing. We all bounce back differently. I have never been a drinker or smoker, so I had that going for me. Your situation may be different. Don’t give up you can get there.

In the next post I will talk about body cleanses. See you then.

Please remember my post’s are a journey toward good health that worked for me. Please check with your doctor before making any changes in diet or medication. I’m not a physician and am not directing any person to follow the information in any of my posts.