Category: thyroid

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Who Has Hashimoto’s?

It’s been almost four years since I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It was a realization that changed my life. Before I was diagnosed, I ate everything and anything. I ate bread like it was going out of style. Cheese was something I couldn’t do without and ring dings were a mainstay. I never thought food would be the catalyst for the destruction of my thyroid.

You may read these words and think it’s impossible. But I assure you nothing could be further from the truth. We all know the phrase, “You are what you eat.” That being the case there was nothing natural about my being. Most of what I ate was processed in one form or another. My eating habits were what drove me to the brink of what was near disaster.

I don’t think we often associate what we eat with how we feel. That is until we get physically sick. Unfortunately for me, it took years of eating “junk” before I felt the effects of such a lifestyle. Each year I got worse. I remember when I was twenty-nine years old, I went to the doctors with complaints of exhaustion and total body pain. My joints ached, I was unfocused and felt tired most of the time. The doctor diagnosed my condition as Fibromyalgia. That didn’t help the way I felt, it just gave me an excuse to feel the way I felt.

I moved through the next twenty years in a fog. My migraines got worse. I would dose them with sinus medication, Excedrin Migraine, and a bottle of coke. By the time this concoction made it through my system, I was nauseous, jittery, crabby and I didn’t sleep for two days. In the beginning, it made the pain of the migraine tolerable, but as time passed the headaches got worse and my makeshift meds, didn’t touch the pain. I couldn’t take traditional migraine medication, because I was hypersensitive and reacted to everything my doctor prescribed.

Not only did the pain of the fibro make it difficult to enjoy life, but the migraines made it nearly impossible. It took all I had to keep up with my two girls. Beyond that, I couldn’t focus or find enough energy to “have fun” or “enjoy life.”

I tell you this because most symptoms we experience can be a misdiagnosis for another condition, illness or disease. In my blog BLOG POST HERE, I list some of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s, some of which are confusion, numbness, exhaustion and total body aches and pains. Then there is weight gain and a feeling of desperation that steals away your joy.

My husband used to joke about my wearing socks and sweats to bed in July. Yes, I was cold all the time. Then there was the contest to see who could leave the most hair in the corners throughout the house, the dog or me.

Listen to me when I say, if you experience these symptoms, consider your thyroid as the source. Listen to your body. If you think something isn’t right, chances are something is wrong. Remember, your regular doctor can draw blood and send it off to the lab, but the results will not be accurate. Your TSH results may come back normal and yet your T3/T4 and antibodies could be out of control.

In the next few posts, I will be discussing more of what it means to live with Hashimoto’s and how it affects your life. I hope anyone who reads this series will share it with mothers, daughters, wives, husbands, and sons. Yes, that’s right, men are not immune from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Look at your children and consider the possibility that their behavior issues could be driven by their thyroid. We will discuss that possibility too.

I hope some of you will share your experience in the comments. Your story could help another to seek out and get diagnosed so they can start living again. In the next post I will talk about how, as Hashimoto’s gets worse, we become disassociated from the life we used to love. I hope you will read it.

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10 Ways to Balance Hormones Naturally

 I often talk about how we are what we eat. I don’t claim credit for the phrase however, I believe in the premise. What we put in our bodies becomes absorbed into cells and tissue. Basic biology teaches us about the basic building blocks of life. I like to think of it as the energy of life. All life form is made up of the same matter-energy. Proton, neutron, electron; positive energy, negative energy, etc.

This leads us to my next point. The human body is meant to absorb what it consumes. If the body doesn’t recognize what we put in it, it gets confused (sort of). The body tries to accommodate what it receives and, in the process, changes its make-up to do so. This is where the problem begins.

This change causes the body to revolt, bringing illness and disease into play. If we return to eating what we were meant to eat, our bodies can heal. So today share 10 ways to balance hormones naturally.

  1. Heal Leaky Gut – Leaky gut is exactly what you would think. Undigested particles leak through your gut into your bloodstream. The result is inflammation of the entire body, including the thyroid. It not only affects your digestive tract but causes hormone issues and can target the thyroid. Remember the thyroid regulates hormones.
  2. Eat Coconut Oil and Avocados – Eat foods high in short and long-chain fatty acids. These fats, are essential fats are fundamental building blocks for hormone production and they speed up your metabolism, promoting weight loss. I love salmon. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is the main staple in my diet along with coconut oil and avocado oil.
  3. Supplement with Adaptogen Herbs – One of the first things I did when diagnosed with Hashimoto’s after beginning my research, was to begin a course of Ashwagandha and Holy basil. These herbs are unique in that they promote hormone balance and protect the body from disease. Not only do they boost the immune function and fight stress, but they enhance the balance of hormones by improving thyroid function, lowering cholesterol, reduce anxiety and depression, stabilize blood sugar, and support adrenal glands.
  4. Balance Omega’s- Many people don’t think about the ratio of omegas 3 and 6. This lack of consideration has increased the number of those suffering from chronic and inflammatory diseases in our society. In short, using too much vegetable oil (safflower, sunflower, corn, canola, soybean, and peanut) have caused an imbalance in the body. When we reduce the ratio of vegetable oil and increase the ratio of omega 3’s (wild fish, flaxseed, chia seed, walnuts, and grass-fed animal products) the body returns to balance and disease is decreased. When considering Omega 3’s you might try GLA supplements (gamma-linoleic acid). I take evening primrose, but there are other options such as borage oil and hemp seeds.
  5. We are what we absorb- Not only should we consider what we put in our mouths, but we should pay attention to what we place on our skin. Many skin care products today are saturated with toxins, such as DEA, parabens, propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate. Try to stay away from them. You should also replace plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel (BPA’s). Switch out your Teflon cooking implements for stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic. Your hormones will thank you.
  6. Supplement with Vitamin D3 – I believe many of know that those living in parts of the world that experience more hours of darkness than light, have a higher risk of depression and other health disorders. Supplementing with vitamin D3 helps the symptoms of seasonal depression. We are all happier when we are out in the sun. We absorb vitamin D from the sun. When we take a supplement of 2,000 IU to 5,000 IU daily of vitamin D3 we are supplementing the sunlight we lose in the winter months. I take up to 10,000 IU daily in the winter because I have Hashimoto’s. Ask your doctor about the increased dosage if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s.
  7. Limit Caffeine – I hate to break it to those coffee drinkers, but if you have a thyroid condition, too much caffeine isn’t good for you. It elevates your cortisol levels and lowers your thyroid hormone levels. Holy hormones! You can replace the high caffeine in coffee with two cups of matcha green tea or maybe tulsi tea. There are additional benefits in the tea such as cancer-killing benefits, balanced hormones, and possible weight loss.
  8. Exercise – Interval exercising is a great benefit to your health. Exercising helps jump-start your hormones. We all know exercise boosts endorphins, testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin., but burst training also helps reduce stress, enhances the immune system, regulates metabolic function, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
  9. Sleep – We could all use a little more sleep. You should be sleeping for seven to eight hours each night. Lack of sleep is one way to disturb hormone balance. Do you know cortisol, the stress hormone, is regulated at midnight? So, going to bed too late keeps you from getting that deep sleep that gives you a break from the fight or the flight stress response.
  10. I realize many will not like this one, but birth control pills raise estrogen levels dangerous enough to cause an increased risk of breast cancer, blood clotting, heart attack, stroke, migraine, gall bladder disease, weight gain, mood change, and many more. You only need to read the product warnings to see the effect birth control pills have on the body. I know this one is controversial. I’m not looking to start an argument I’m only communicating what I have learned. You will know what is best for your lifestyle and how much you want to risk for convenience and comfort.

These ten suggestions are options you can try to balance your hormones naturally. There are many resources out there that may offer additional information on how you can live a healthier better life. I hope what I share will help and add ammunition to your arsenal of healthy resources.

References:

•              Kris-Etherton PM, et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the food chain in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71(1):179S-188S.

•              Carrington J. Using hormones to heal traumatic brain injuries. [Internet]. Available at: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/jan2012_Using-Hormones-Heal-Traumatic-Brain-Injuries_01.htm.

•              Kresser C. How too much Omega-6 and not enough Omega-3 is making us sick. [Internet]. Available at: http://chriskresser.com/how-too-much-omega-6-and-not-enough-omega-3-is-making-us-sick.

•              Panda S, et al. Withania somnifera and Bauhinia purpurea in the regulation of circulating thyroid hormone concentrations in female mice.  Journal Ethnopharmacology 1999; 67(2):233-9.

•              Panda S, et al. Changes in thyroid hormone concentrations after administration of ashwaganda root extract to adult male mice. Journal of Pharmacology 1998; 50:1065-1068.

•              Kalani A, et al. Ashwagandha root in the treatment of non-classical adrenal hyperplasia. BMJ Case Reports 2012; 10(1136).

•              Agrawal P, et al. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996; 34(9):406-9.

•              Gholap S, et al. Hypoglycaemic effects of some plant extracts are possibly mediated through inhibition in corticosteroid concentration. Pharmazie 2004; 59 (11):876-8.

•              Khan V, et al. A pharmacological appraisal of medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2012; 4(1):27-42.

•              Norman A. From vitamin D to hormone D: fundamentals of the vitamin D endocrine system essential for good health. Am J Clin Nutr August 2008; 88(2):491S-499S

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Adding Essential Oils to Your Health Regiment

Essential Oils have become a popular means to support a healthy lifestyle. I jumped on the essential oil bandwagon when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I went so far as to become certified as an essential oil coach.

I’m not sure there are many people still in the dark about essential oils, but if you are one of those still wondering “why essential oils” then hopefully this post will answer some questions for you.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years. Now that the science behind the use of essential oils is better understood, people are becoming more comfortable with using them from everything from sleep aid to immune protection to hormone balance.

Hormone balance has become important to me and drives my ability to function. If you have Hashimoto’s, you know that your hormones need all the help they can get. When the thyroid doesn’t function properly because of an autoimmune disease, it gets sluggish to the point where it barely functions. In some cases, it stops working, and the sufferer will submit to prescription medication. My goal was to avoid pharmaceuticals. I’m doing that by changing my diet, adding supplements, and making essential oils an everyday part of my life. I mix a blend of essential oils that I massage on my neck in the area of my thyroid, helping stimulate the gland and encourage healing.

If you’re wondering what essential oils are, I would say they are compounds extracted from plants by distillation or cold pressing. These extracts are ultra-concentrated.

Essential oils can be applied topically, inhaled, or ingested depending on the type of oil and concentration. Some oils need to be applied in a carrier oil because they are too potent to be placed directly on the skin.

There are many carrier oils available for use with essential oils: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil Jojoba oil. And the list goes on.

When using essential oils, it is important to consider many factors. If you are pregnant or nursing, if you are a young child or if you are considering the use for your pet, be sure to know your oil before applying. There are many essential oils not suitable for pets. Others should never be applied to a woman who is pregnant, and you should do your research before using them on young children. If you are an adult that is sensitive to environmental effects, you may want to stay away from essential oils.

For this post, I want to talk about stress, how it affects your thyroid, and how essential oils can help in healing.

Do you work in a stressful environment? If so, you may want to consider options to help release or reduce the stress you deal with daily. Chronic stress is one of the most significant factors influencing our hormonal health. Stress affects not only our hormones but many bodily functions. It also affects our metabolism, immune system regulation, hormone production, and our emotional response.

I’m not going to go into the medical definition or explanation of stress. I will say that stress takes its toll on the body, breaking down our immune systems and causing fatigue, cognitive issues, sleep deprivation, and digestive issues.  More importantly, at least for this article, stress that causes hormone imbalance is serious, especially for those who have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Major stress can decrease thyroid function and eventually lead to type 2 diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and heart disease.

So, now we get to the point of this post—essential oil use and how it can support a healthy lifestyle by assisting in the reduction of stress. Self-care is most important for lowering stress levels.

There are many books and articles available that offer information on ways to use essential oils to reduce stress. One of the most popular essential oils is lavender. Inhaling lavender soothes the mind, calms the nervous system, and relieves tension/anxiety. Bergamot is another soothing essential oil. It dissolves anxious feelings while uplifting one’s emotions. It cleanses and purifies the mind and body. Frankincense is another popular essential oil that promotes feelings of calm and relaxation and supports the immune, nervous, and digestive systems. Some of the others that support thyroid health are cedarwood, clary sage, clove, lemongrass, and wild orange.

While essential oils are not a cure-all for everything, they can be an important part of your healing arsenal. It’s amazing how as we get back to nature, we heal.

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Hashimoto’s and the Road to Recovery

Life is a journey. Each step you take in life is a step that either brings you to a life of pure living or causes you to stop dead in your tracks because your body can’t process the chemicals you ingest daily.

We live in a world of contradiction. On the one hand, we are blessed to experience such advanced technology that we can clone organs and animals. On the other hand, we experience a barbarism inflicted by big business where they brainwash the public to believe if they take more and more medicines, that medicine will cure them.

Nothing could be further from the truth. What makes us think that injecting the human body with chemicals or swallowing synthetic versions of herbs, will make us healthy?

The human body is made to consume and absorb plant-based products — healthy fruits and vegetables. Our bodies are screaming for that which grows naturally in soil free from pesticides. If we don’t return to the earth and nurture what we sow, we will be doomed to a life of illness and disease.

Cancer is on the rise, not because of global warming or spending too much time in the sun. Cancer is increasing because of the chemicals we put on our skin and in our bodies. We eat processed foods that are foreign to our bodies. Our cells are reacting to the toxins and pollutants by mutating and changing our genetic makeup, which presents itself as cancer.

Diabetes is running rampant in the world on an epidemic level that should be making the medical community stand up and take notice. For years doctors have told patients that insulin is the answer. The reality is if that patient is educated on the way the pancreas and liver process sugar, they will be able to cure themselves. Real food is the answer.

Autoimmune disease is another condition that is increasing. Our guts are screaming at us to clean up our act before our bodies shut down.

Pick your poison; cancer, diabetes, or autoimmune disease, all of these are curable. I know the medical community can’t claim any disease is curable. But if everything is “mind over matter” than minding what we eat, will matter. If we have a positive mindset, we can heal our bodies. If we live a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with positive thinking, then we can rid our bodies of the diseases that dominate and control our lives.

The path you chose will be the road you travel that leads you in either the path to good health or a direction that makes you dependent on the medical community. Take time today to reach out to any of the many resources available to help you on your journey to healthy living.

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Help with Healthy Diet

When diagnosed with Hashimoto’s you can do one of thee things. You can do nothing, leaving you in a downward spiral of declining health. You can cave and submit to the pharmaceutical companies and start taking synthetic medication (without researching), which will leave you on a roller coaster of regulating medication while experiencing additional health issues. Or you can change your lifestyle, eating, exercising, and meditating. Today I’m going to supply you with a list of foods that will support a healthy lifestyle and allow you to heal your body including your thyroid.

I discussed going gluten -in “Getting Clean with Hashimoto’s” and “Do’s and Don’ts of Diet.”

Some foods that are healthy and naturally gluten-free

  • Beans, seeds, and nuts in their natural, unprocessed form
  • Fresh organic cage-free eggs (if you can’t give up eggs)
  • Fresh organic, grass-fed meats,
  • Wild-caught fish 
  • Fresh Organic poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)
  • Fruits and vegetables

When purchasing nuts and seeds (or any processed product) it’s important to make sure they are not processed in a facility that processes gluten or soy. They should be free from any additives or preservatives.

Grains and starches to use in a gluten-free diet

  • Amaranth
  • Arrowroot
  • Buckwheat
  • Corn and cornmeal (in moderation, watch out for sugar even in its natural state)
  • Flax
  • Gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean)
  • Hominy (corn) (in moderation, watch out for sugar even in its natural state)
  • Millet
  • Quinoa
  • Rice
  • Sorghum
  • Tapioca
  • Teff

Avoid all food and drinks containing

  • Barley (malt, malt flavoring, and malt vinegar are usually made from barley)
  • Rye
  • Triticale (a cross between wheat and rye)
  • Wheat

It can be difficult to know what products are free from gluten. Wheat products have many aliases’ such as bromated, enriched, phosphated, plain and self-rising

Some other wheat products to avoid:

  • Durum flour
  • Farina
  • Graham flour
  • Kamut
  • Semolina
  • Spelt

Foods you should avoid

Avoid the following foods unless they’re labeled as gluten-free or made with corn, rice, or other gluten-free grain:

  • Beer
  • Bread
  • Cakes and pies
  • Candies
  • Cereals
  • Communion wafers
  • Cookies and crackers
  • Croutons
  • French fries
  • Gravies
  • Imitation meat or seafood
  • Matzo
  • Pasta
  • Processed luncheon meats
  • Salad dressings
  • Sauces, including soy sauce
  • Seasoned rice mixes
  • Seasoned snack foods, such as potato and tortilla chips
  • Self-basting poultry
  • Soups and soup bases
  • Vegetables in sauce
  • Soy – See “Eliminating Soy”

Gluten-Free Food List

The following items are safe if you’re on a gluten-free diet:

  • Herbs, Seasonings, and Condiments: You can go wild here if you watch labels. Ketchup won’t be on this list. You will enjoy mustard, horseradish, tapenade, and salsa if they are free of gluten, wheat, soy, and sugar. There are virtually no restrictions on herbs and seasonings; be mindful of packaged products, however, that were made at plants that process wheat and soy.
  • Vegetables: leafy greens and lettuces, collards, spinach, broccoli, kale, chard, cabbage, onions, mushrooms, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut, artichoke, alfalfa sprouts, green beans, celery, bok choy, radishes, watercress, turnip, asparagus, garlic, leek, fennel, shallots, scallions, ginger, jicama, parsley, water chestnuts.
  • Low-sugar Fruit: avocado, bell peppers, cucumber, tomato, zucchini, squash, pumpkin, eggplant, lemons, limes.
  • Healthy fat: extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, grass-fed tallow and organic or pasture-fed butter, avocados, coconuts, olives, nuts, and nut butters, and seeds (flaxseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds).
  • Protein: whole eggs; wild fish (salmon, black cod, trout, sardines); grass-fed meat, fowl, and poultry, (beef, lamb, bison, chicken, turkey); wild game.

Consume These Foods in Moderation

  • Non-gluten grains: amaranth, buckwheat, rice (brown, white, wild), millet, quinoa, sorghum, and teff. Something to consider when purchasing non-gluten grains. When they are processed for human consumption (milling whole oats and preparing rice for packaging), their physical structure changes, and this increases the risk of an inflammatory reaction. That’s why you should use in moderation.
  • Legumes (beans, lentils, peas). Exception: you can have hummus (made from chickpeas).
  • Carrots and parsnips.
  • Whole sweet fruit: berries are best; be extra cautious of sugary fruits such as apricots, mangos, melons, papaya, prunes, and pineapple.

It can be overwhelming to change your lifestyle overnight. But when your life depends on it, it becomes more manageable.

My suggestion to you is, start out small. You may be bored for a while, but you won’t get overwhelmed and quit. When I decided to change my diet, I put together a menu for a week. I ate the same thing for a week, only changing out certain fruits and vegetables. My menu consisted of wild-caught salmon or grass-fed organic chicken, a vegetable, and sweet potato for lunch. And grass-fed organic chicken or beef and vegetable for dinner. Most nights I stayed away from carbs for dinner. The menu was simple and manageable. By the end of the first month, I was more creative, and my menu was more expansive. Remember start small.

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Hashimoto’s and Emotional Upheaval

It’s bad enough when we begin to feel like were going crazy. What’s worse? When your family and friends believe it. This feeling of going crazy may not be the first symptom for you, but it may be the first one that those around you notice.

In the beginning, you feel the pain and frustration, the exhaustion and memory loss, but you can hide it. Your family remains in the dark believing you are in a bad mood or overtired so seem over-emotional. But then it happens. One day you wake up and there is a wall between you and the life you once enjoyed.

The feelings you once expressed are dead. You stop interacting with those around you. You become paranoid, believing no one likes you or they’re out to get you. When your family gets together you may feel like they are ganging up on you or ignoring you.  I remember standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking into the dining room, watching everyone eating and talking. I felt like I was watching from another plane. I felt like I was an outsider looking in. I could speak and no one would hear me or respond to my presence.

Eventually, I stopped “feeling.” I became dissociated from not only everyone else, but myself. I became numb and unable to feel emotion. When I was younger, I enjoyed painting. I never painted. I think the last picture I painted was in 1993. I didn’t paint again until 2016 after I was diagnosed and changed my lifestyle.

For years I isolated myself. I made every excuse I could think of to keep from socializing. It got to a point where I was completely uncomfortable around others. When things went wrong, I would allow the “wrong” to consume me like a dark cloud. I never laughed.

I didn’t want anyone to know how I really felt. I was dying inside but put on a brave face so no one would know how much pain I was in. In hindsight, I realize it would have been better to be open about what I felt.

Many years later I remember the pain. I see it through clear eyes now, and I hope to help others bull back the blinders and find the joy they once experienced in life. Life is a journey that isn’t meant to be traveled alone. I’m sharing this information to help others get beyond the darkness and finally step into the light.

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10 Dysfunctions of Hypothyroidism

When you consider the size of the thyroid, it is amazing to think about the role it plays in keeping the human body healthy. If the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, the whole body is in disfunction. Some people may not know there is a problem. They may think they are overworked, didn’t eat enough, ate too much, and the like.

There are many reasons one could experience issues with the thyroid. Though the thyroid breaks down, it doesn’t mean it is permanent. Once you start correcting or changing your lifestyle, you will see marked improvements in your life and the healing of the thyroid. When one considers some of the dysfunctions it is possible to see that they are caused by vitamin deficiencies due to the autoimmune disease such as feeling cold which could be due to low iron and or low vitamin B12. I mentioned more symptoms in “Let The Thyroid Lesson Begin.”

More and more people have common complaints of insomnia, lethargy, inability to focus, loss of memory and the list goes on. It isn’t a coincidence that these complaints continue to grow. There are many reasons for the breakdown in thyroid function. That isn’t the subject of today’s blog. In this blog, we will review 10 common dysfunctions of the thyroid.

  1. The thyroid regulates the temperature of the body. Some people experience what they believe to be hot flashes, excessive sweating, and the inability to tolerate heat. The cause of these symptoms is related to a change in thyroid function causing the metabolism to temporarily speed up. The medical term for this change is hashitoxicosis, which is the release of excess thyroid hormone. Some women mistake these as menopausal symptoms.

  2. I think we have all become familiar with the word neurotransmitters. When we think of neurotransmitters we think mainly about epinephrine and norepinephrine which are affected by altered thyroid function. Some of the main symptoms associated with the change in neurotransmitters are depression, anxiety and emotional swings resulting in an inability (or decreased) to handle stress. Consider the role of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters stimulate the breakdown of a fat called lipolysis. Even with exercise, it is may, be difficult to lose weight. You can read more about thyroid and diet at http://thyroidinwomen.com/thyroid-and-weight-gain/. Liptan and Insulin resistance are also related to ineffective neurotransmitter function.
  3. Hypothyroidism affects blood sugar regulation in three ways. It slows the insulin response to glucose when you eat carbs and sugar. It slows glucose uptake into cell and tissue, and it slows the absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract. The amount of glucose in the blood may be enough but it isn’t able to enter the body tissues and cells putting extra stress on the adrenals and pituitary glands.
  4. Metabolism slows down. People with hypothyroidism experience decreased cellular metabolic rate. This decrease results in low energy. One might feel fatigues all the time and have a difficult time recovering from stressful situations. The increased stress makes it difficult for the body to fight infection making one susceptible to illness. One might see these as signs of aging.
  5. Stomach problems. It is possible that there is a connection between an underactive thyroid and gut health. Low levels of stomach acid (hypochloridia and hypochloric acid) are a common finding in Hashimoto’s patients. This could lead to the sluggishness of the gastrointestinal tract caused by decreased enzymes in the intestines.
  6. To continue with digestion complaints, on might experience issues clearing the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts which lead to diminished gut motility, impaired nutrient absorption, and detoxification process.
  7. Hypothyroidism is the most common disorder that can either be a cause of depression in women or a major contributing factor. https://outsmartdisease.com/thyroid-dysfunctions/
  8. Anemia. Patients with Hashimoto’s can develop one or more types of anemia. Iron deficient anemia causes one to lose the ability to absorb iron. This could stem from stomach problems (#5). Normocytic normochromic anemia (there’s a mouth full) which occurs when hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC levels are low (depressed), but MCV, MCH and MCHC are normal (See download for more information). Vitamin B-12 deficiency (Pernicious anemia) which is common in those who have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease.
  9. Impaired lipid balance which results in increased cholesterol and triglycerides in those with Hypothyroidism. Returning to a healthy diet restores thyroid function and cholesterol and triglycerides return to normal.
  10. Women experience low progesterone symptoms even when tests read normal levels. Low progesterone levels may cause issues and make it difficult for one to get pregnant. PMS is a common condition related to low progesterone levels in Hypothyroid patients. Hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone may contribute to underactive thyroid and weight gain, which could make it impossible to lose body fat.

There are many symptoms of Hashimoto’s. Some I mentioned in an earlier blog Let The Thyroid Lesson Begin.” Those discussed here are only a few and are summarized. If you experience these symptoms or those discussed in other blog posts, talk to your doctor. If your thyroid is causing your quality of life to diminish, there is help.

I recommend you talk to your doctor and research any condition/illness/ disease before resorting to medication. With a proper diet, it is possible to heal many diseases or illnesses. The key is to ask questions, research and find the right provider.


References:

Why Stomach Acid Is Good for You: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux and GERD by Dr. J.V. Wright, MD, L. Lenard, PhD, M. Evans and Company, 2001

The Thyroid Alternative: Renew Your Thyroid Naturally by Dr. N.R. Hedberg, D.C., D.A.B.C.I., Renew Your Health, LLC, 2011

Help, My Body is Killing Me: Solving the Connections of Autoimmune Disease to Thyroid Problems, Fibromyalgia, Infertility, Anxiety, Depression, ADD/ADHD and More by Dr. K. Conners, AuthorHouse, 2010

Reversal of lower esophageal sphincter hypotension and esophageal aperistalsis after treatment for hypothyroidism. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1982 Aug;4(4):307-10

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3915449/

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8 Ways to Naturally Treat Hashimoto’s/Hypothyroidism

When my doctor told me I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, I said, “What? Hashi what?” Not only did I not know what Hashimoto’s was, but I had no idea how to get rid of it.

After some discussion, I realized that Hashimoto’s wasn’t something I could “get rid of.” When I began researching Hashimoto’s I realized it would take a lot of work and discipline to get the autoimmune disease under control. I’ve learned a lot about my condition. I also came to realize getting Hashimoto’s under control wouldn’t happen overnight.
Today I’m going to share 8 ways to naturally treat Hashimoto’s/ hypothyroidism.

Eliminate Gluten and Casein (Dairy) – Many people are gluten intolerant and have given up wheat. You may not think you have an issue with gluten, your thyroid, on the other hand, may feel different. Gluten causes one of the most common allergies and food intolerances today. Dairy is another culprit. These intolerants are due to the hybridized proteins of gluten and casein.  These proteins can cause “leaky gut.”  Leaky gut I believe is one of the significant contributors to the increase in autoimmune disease not excluding Hashimoto’s because it will cause inflammation of the thyroid. When the thyroid is inflamed its function is affected. 

Eliminate BPA – You will find BPA (Bisphenol A) in many plastic bottles.  It can disrupt your endocrine system and effect your thyroid. When your thyroid is not functioning properly, you increase your risk of thyroid disfunction. If possible, you should only drink out of glass, stainless steel, or BPA free plastic bottles. Not only will this assist with your health, but it will help the environment too.

   Maintain Iodine Levels – If they are low you could use organic liquid iodine or a kelp supplement. Be careful when supplementing iodine. Just as too little iodine isn’t good for your thyroid, too much iodine isn’t good for your thyroid either. I don’t take an iodine supplement. I’m more concerned with overdoes with this one. I eat potatoes, cranberries, green beans, bananas, and cod regularly. These foods are iodine rich and provide the iodine I need.

Heavy Metal Detox – When considering a heavy metal detox remember to consult your doctor. If you are looking to safely assist in purging your body of heavy metals you could use a combination of Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Chlorella, and Cilantro to detox harmful metals from your cells and organs.

Supplement Selenium – It isn’t uncommon for people with Hashimoto’s to experience selenium deficiency. It is also recognized as a common trigger for Hashimoto’s. Some of the best selenium containing foods are brazil nuts, salmon, sunflower seeds, beef, mushrooms, and onions. Selenium was one of the first supplements I started taking when I altered my diet.

Adaptogen Supplements – Adaptogens help our bodies handle stress. They can lower cortisol levels and improve thyroid function.  Some common adaptogens are ashwagandha and tulsi (holy basil). These and many others have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing tradition. I’ve been taking ashwagandha for three years and have noticed a considerable difference in the stress I feel.

   Eliminate Soy – When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s I spent many hours researching this topic. If you have been following my blog, you have heard me mention the hours of research I spent, hoping to heal. The research is paying off. One of the biggest culprits for me was soy. When I eliminated soy from my diet, I marked a considerable difference in how I felt. Soy blocks the activity of the TPO (thyroid peroxidase) enzyme and has been linked to the development of autoimmune thyroiditis. Additionally, studies have shown that soy can affect thyroid medications, asthma, and menstrual cycles.1

Reduce Carbohydrate Consumption – This is a big one. It is also a difficult task because the market is flooded with processed foods high in sugar. When we (women) consume too many carbs our estrogen levels increase. This increase negatively affects the thyroid. Work toward eliminating sugar and grains, and replace them with healthy fats such as avocado, flaxseed, hemp seed, wild salmon, grass-fed beef, chia, and coconut. By making these changes you will balance your hormone levels.

Sources:

http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-events-education-media/about-hypothyroidism/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2012/may-04a.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2011/jun-03b.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15543918
http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-events-education-media/about-hypothyroidism/
http://hyroidpharmacist.com/articles/soy-and-hashimotos/

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Gigartina Red Marine Algae and Hashimoto’s

Recently someone asked me why I use Red Marine Algae. The question brought me to this post.

Red Marine Algae is an alga that grows in the ocean and has been used for centuries by Chinese and Japanese cultures for its nutritional benefits. I use Gigartina Red Marine Algae so that is what I will discuss today. Gigartina Red Marine Algae is one of 4000 species of red algae and one of the most beneficial.

Gigartina Red Marine Algae Benefits

When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, I went on a quest to find a way to live a healthy lifestyle while getting control of my thyroid. One of the things I came across in my research was the benefit of red marine algae. Gigartina (papillate) is an active strain found to benefit the skin and immune system. It’s rich in sulfated polysaccharides, unique protein-bound carbohydrates that are found to support the body’s immune response to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins.

Gigartina Red Marine Algae contains carrageenan, which is a sulphuric acid extracted from sea vegetables. The carrageenan component in Gigartina Red Marine Algae appears to help direct the beneficial immune-enhancing effects of Gigartina toward the skin. It is also believed to boost the immune system and protects against the shingles virus, HIV, and cold sores.

In addition to boosting the immune system, Gigartina Red Marine Algae is found to support Eye and skin health. Red algae contain zeaxanthin and lutein, two antioxidants that are shown to prevent macular degeneration.

Reducing Pain and Inflammation

Red marine algae are one of many algae that relieve pain and inflammation due to high amounts of chlorophyll and omega-3 fatty acid content. It is a natural source of compounds containing biological properties some of which are gastroprotective, analgesic and anti-inflammatory disorders. Anyone with Hashimoto’s knows the value of reducing pain and inflammation.

Because red marine is packed with antioxidants, it is known to boost the immune system. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and assist in moving toxins out of the body. For this reason, they are considered a natural detoxifying and may assist in detoxification of heavy metals, encourages weight loss, and restores blood pH levels.

In addition to the above algae has been shown to naturally lower cholesterol and protect against herpes.

Learning More About Red Marine Algae

The scientific community has proved that Red Marine Algae has anticoagulant and/or antithrombotic, immunomodulatory ability, antitumor and cancer preventive, antilipidemic and hypoglycemic, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. When you have an autoimmune disease, finding a product that reduces inflammation and boosts your immune system is promising.

There is much to learn about our bodies and what we put in them. It is through research I found answers that are helping me live a healthy lifestyle. I continue with research hoping to learn more about how I can live a better life. I will share whatever I learn with those who are open-minded and willing to verify any information I post.

 I have been using Gigartina Red Marine Algae successfully for three years and would recommend it to anyone who suffers from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446615/

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/825203/

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/plant-genetic-resources/article/potential-of-marine-algae-sea-weeds-as-source-of-medicinally-important-compounds/2676ECE7F87ADD74E58C330DD1974BDF

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The Effect of Dairy on Hashimoto’s

Some people roll their eyes and shake their head when you discuss gluten intolerance or dairy intolerance. We hear the argument. “People have eaten these foods for hundreds of years, and now all of a sudden everyone is allergic to them.” I will admit, I used to be one of those people. When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s I began reading and researching the effects of certain foods on the thyroid. What I found shocked me. What surprised me even more, I found that when I eliminated these foods from my diet, I was more focused, had more energy, and lost weight without exercising. Not only that, my TSH dropped considerably. Today we explore one of the foods I eliminated from my diet from day one. Dairy.

I Grew Up Consuming Dairy

I have Hashimoto’s. I grew up drinking milk, eating cheese and yogurt, and eating ice cream. I never had stomach aches or problems with my digestion. I did, however, experience fatigue, headaches, hair loss, joint pain. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

To make the point I’m getting to I will use a study done by the US Library of Public Medicine.1 The 2014 study isolated and tested 83 Hashimoto’s patients for lactose intolerance. The results found 75.9% of the patients were lactose intolerant. They found the intolerance reported in Caucasians to be 7% to 20% higher than those of Asians and African American descent. During the study 38 of the patients began a lactose-free diet that lasted 8 weeks.

The results showed over time the patients’ TSH dropped. The drop in TSH proved they were absorbing their thyroid medication better. In my case, my doctor hadn’t prescribed medication yet so by my eliminating dairy my TSH dropped to within normal range. I now believe that eliminating dairy from the diet shows an intolerance that affects the function of the thyroid.

Does Your Medication Contain Lactose?

If we are going to discuss dairy intolerance as related to Hashimoto’s, then we need to address another important concern. If you have a thyroid issue and are taking medication for that condition, you could be consuming dairy. If you have given up dairy and you aren’t seeing a change in your TSH or body composition, it may be because you haven’t given up dairy 100%. Your medication may be causing your reaction and keeping you in the Hashimoto zone. In addition to the lactose intolerance, you could also have an allergy to dairy proteins; double trouble in the arena of autoimmune disease. The result of both dairy intolerance and allergy will result in a rapid decline in thyroid function.

If you’re taking thyroid medication you will want to know which ones contain lactose as a filler.

  • Synthroid
  • Euthyrox
  • WP Thyroid
  • Nature-Throid
  • Most generic brands of levothyroxine
  • Some compounded medications- check with your pharmacist

The following are lactose free medications

  • Tirosint
  • Armour Thyroid
  • Cytomel
  • Levoxyl
  • Some compounded medications may use lactose as a filler – check with your pharmacist

Other Contributing Factors

Additional research finds a disruption of TSH can be the result of absorption disorders like lactose intolerance, atrophic gastritis, IBS, celiac disease, H. Pylori infections. Patients with Hashimoto’s commonly have a difficult time getting their Hashimoto’s in remission because of the forementioned disorders. If we take this information into consideration, it is easy to see how our body systems must work together to keep our body healthy.

Compromised Health

Now we know the effect of dairy on the thyroid, let’s look at the 2 ways it can compromise your health.

  • Milk Protein
  • Milk sugars

Milk Protein -Cross-reactors

Milk protein, known as cross-reactors and gluten share a similar protein structure and are as follows:

  • Casein (alpha & Beta)
  • Casomorphin (a protein resembling morphine)
  • Milk butyrophilin
  • Whey

Because these proteins resemble those in gluten, it is understandable that people become frustrated when they remove gluten and still experience symptoms that are related to gluten intolerance.

Milk Sugars – Lactose

If you are taking a thyroid medication the sugar in dairy may be making your medication ineffective. Even in small amounts milk sugar has an impact on your ability to absorb your thyroid medication. Not only that but remember those medications mentioned listed above that contain lactose? The medication is defeating its purpose.

I could go on for hours about how dairy affects your thyroid. From your ability to absorb your medication to digestion issues, to additional autoimmune disorders. For now, I want you to know that dairy does have a significant impact on the thyroid function. If you take away one thing from this post, I hope it is that I have given you enough information to prompt you to at least research further the effect of dairy on your thyroid. My hope is for you to see the impact of eliminating dairy from your diet. You will feel better and enjoy better health.

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24078411
  2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17123345
  3. http://www.rxlist.com/tirosint-drug.htm
  4.  http://www.researchgate.net/publication/271022933_Thyroxine_softgel_capsule_in_patients_with_gastric-related_T4_malabsorption
  5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24078411