Tag: Thyroid function

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Highs and lows of Hashimoto’s

I’ve been sharing information about my journey with Hashimoto’s for a while. The information I’ve shared in prior posts has been information that put me on the road to healing.

I don’t want you to think the road I travel is always a bed of roses. On the contrary, it has been a rough ride. The highs and lows of living with Hashimoto’s is a challenge. I have months where everything goes well, then I sabotage myself. I watch those around me eating chocolate cake and potato chips. I see everyone laughing and enjoying the party or life itself, thinking that what they eat makes them smile, and laugh.

My true self knows that’s not the case, however, my ego says, “You can be happy if you eat and drink like them.” So, I listen to that “false self” and tell myself that one piece won’t hurt. A few chips won’t make me sick. I’ll be fine.

Then it happens. Once I eat the forbidden foods, I eat more of them. I tell myself I feel fine and think “Maybe I really don’t have Hashimoto’s.” Well, not true.

In the last year, I’ve lived the scene above more than once. The good thing about falling off the wagon is you can get back up there and start again.

So I have a confession to make. I’ve recently lived the scene I mentioned above. I’m now reaping the reward of such behavior. The tired exhausted feeling, and not being able to focus are slowly returning. At first, I was going to give up, say forget it, I don’t care anymore. It’s just too much.

But the universe has something else planned for me. I can’t give up.

I have a friend who recently found out she has an autoimmune disorder. It’s not Hashimoto’s, but none the less, it’s autoimmune. Everything I’ve read about autoimmune diseases tells me that changing the way you eat can put that condition into remission.

Now I’m back on the wagon, with my friend at my side. We have a plan. While I know what I’ve done in the past has worked, I’m not doing this just for me. My friend needs to shed some extra weight. I could stand to lose a little, but she wants to get rid of the extra pounds that have left her feeling a little self-conscious. So we’re trying something different.

I thought it might be nice to share the journey with you. I can’t divulge the personal information of my friend, but I can share my experience and maybe some of the non-personal information of my friend.

So we begin today. We will work together, hold each other accountable in our lives. Not just weight loss, but overall health. We will check in with each other when we feel weak and when we have wins to celebrate. Much of what I’m sharing with her are things I have already incorporated into my life. So, I’m thinking it should work. We are going to find out.

Today we start with green tea and a protein shake as I usually do. Some of the ingredients I’ve altered. Lunch and dinner will be similar to my prior routine. Salmon and sweet potatoes for lunch and chicken and veggies for dinner.

This journey is one that I hope will be of value to others. My goal is to share the experience and let you all know how we’re doing. I hope you will follow this journey with me. I’m giving it 21 days to start. What we’re doing is untested (at least other than myself) so I don’t want to commit to this being a “Program” but I’m hoping that I’ll be able to share what we learn along the way. If you’d like to take the journey with us, post in the comments and we’ll try to make it happen. Wish us luck.

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Your Children and Hypothyroid

I recently read an article, 5 Surprising Facts about Low Thyroid in Children and Teens, which confirmed what I believe is partially the result of poor diet in our children. When I say, “poor diet,” I don’t only mean the diet only of the less financially fortunate, but also children from affluent families who are always on the go.

We Are What We Eat

Some affluent families in our communities are generally on the move. Running to sports events, attending meetings scheduled late into the evening, and spur of the moment vacations. This hurry, hurry lifestyle, leaves these families eating on the go. They buy foods that are quickly and easily prepared. Foods that are as quickly consumed. These foods are highly processed and don’t digest well.

Some Low-income families with children are forced to eat foods that are considered “affordable.” Their budget only allows for foods that can be purchased “on the cheap.” These foods include highly processed foods with foreign ingredients. If you read many of the labels, you will find ingredients that are next to impossible to pronounce.

These families eat synthetic foods and foods that are mass produced including, beef, and dairy injected with hormones and antibiotics, and genetically altered fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides.

The Body Makes Do With What it is Given

Children are consuming these poisons in large quantities. The chemicals move through their digestive tracts and into the bloodstream, not to be absorbed into the body, providing nutrients for growth, but poisoning their cells causing virus, illness, and mutated genes. I know, mutated genes? Sounds excessive.

 Well, you may think that ridiculous, but the human body is meant to digest natural compounds. How do you think the body digests something it doesn’t recognize? How do you think the body reacts to the inability to absorb and process these chemicals? It can’t. So, the body does what it can to “make do” with what it’s given.

Our children are most susceptible to these chemicals. Their little bodies are still growing and developing. Their cells are adjusting to their environment. The result?

An Increase in Hypothyroidism in Children

Well, one result we are seeing is an increase in children with hypothyroidism. Yes, I said hypothyroidism; an adult disease, affecting our children. The number of children thought to develop hypothyroidism was one or two per 100 children, now is believed to be two to three in 100 (JAMA Pediatrics). Other autoimmune diseases are on the rise in children too.

To be clear, my belief isn’t based on scientific fact. I don’t believe any producer of processed food would back up such a study. My hypothesis is based solely on common sense. What happens when we subject plants to chemicals and poisons? They mutate. They take on a different form or alter their genetic makeup to compensate for the stress caused by the toxins. The human body is made up of the same building blocks as plants. So, what should we expect to happen?

Consider This

More children and teens are diagnosed with hypothyroidism today than ever. Their little thyroid glands are damaged, slow and can’t produce enough thyroid hormone to grow properly. Low thyroid interferes with normal growth and development. It causes fatigue and can interfere with performance at school.

If you have a child, you should be aware of the following information:

  • Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in babies, kids, and teens.
  • Statistics show the one in every 1500 – 3000 newborns test positive for hypothyroidism.
  • It can develop later in childhood or as teens.
  • Girls are 4 times as likely to be diagnosed as boys.
  • Families with histories of autoimmune disease, Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, type 1 diabetes, or celiac disease are at greater risk of developing hypothyroidism.
  • Some medications can damage the thyroid such as lithium, some epilepsy drugs and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (some chemo drugs), and in some instances, iodine deficiency.

Watch your children for the following symptoms:

  • tiredness
  • feeling cold
  • constipation
  • dry skin and hair
  • Delayed growth (puberty)
  • irregular menstrual periods
  • anxiety
  • attention deficit disorder
  • Excessive weight gain in children and teens isn’t typically the result of a thyroid problem, but it never hurts to ask the question. If your child is carrying extra weight it could be the catalyst resulting in thyroid disorder.

Now What?

You as a parent are your child’s only hope for a healthy future. They are too young to realize their thyroid could be affected by what they eat, and what environmental toxins will pollute their bodies. Their best hope is for you as a parent to advocate for them.

Keep watch over your children. Monitor their moods and behavior. Ask questions and demand answers. It is easier to keep them healthy than it is to treat a disease or disorder. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/hypothyroidism

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=hypothyroidism-in-children-90-P01963

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=hypothyroidism-in-children-90-P01963

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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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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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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.

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Let the Thyroid Lesson Begin

I drove home that morning, determined I wouldn’t be medicated. I would spend every waking hour researching ways to manage Hashimoto’s without medication. Every indication told me it couldn’t be done.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease. The thyroid is dead and can’t be brought back to life, I was told. Don’t always believe what you hear. That’s my motto. With that statement ringing in my head, I began to learn about the thyroid.

Our thyroid is the largest endocrine gland in our body. No wonder people have problems. Think about it. This little butterfly-shaped gland works 24/7 to keep our body systems operating properly. Compare that to your computer, and consider this. If you turn on your computer and open 20 different tabs in your browser, one of two things will eventually happen. The computer will either lock up or crash.

Our bodies are similar on many levels. We don’t eat right or get enough sleep. The food we put in our bodies if packed with chemicals that we are not meant to digest. This one abuse causes our organs to work on overload to clean out toxins that eventually cause health issues.

Consider your thyroid. It is one small gland that we pollute every day. From brushing our teeth to eating meat injected with hormones and antibiotics to slathering our skin with cosmetics that are loaded with carcinogens. That’s only the beginning. We’ll discuss this in depth in a future blog.

So, we know the thyroid is busy. It produces two types of hormones, T3 and T4. These hormones control how and at what rate your body will burn energy. It also regulates how you respond to stress hormones. That’s a big job, considering the stressful lives we live. I will discuss this in a future blog as well.

We now know basically what our thyroid function is. So, it’s time to quickly look at two ways it can malfunction. There is hyperthyroidism, where the production of hormones is excessive. Then there is hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid produces too little hormone. Both situations can be disastrous if left un-checked. There are many things that are affected by your thyroid:

  • Rough skin
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Fatigue
  • Being too hot or too cold (excessively)
  • Depression/Anxiety
  • Digestive issues
  • Frequent urination
  • Low sex drive
  • Trouble breathing
  • Hair loss
  • Vision issues
  • Migraines (a biggie for me)
  • Muscle aches/tenderness

We’ll be talking about all of these and more as the blog develops. My goal is to provide information I’ve found throughout my journey to reconcile my thyroid to my lifestyle. It is also my desire to have as many of my readers share what works for them too. We are all in this together. It is my hopes to bring to the attention to women (and men) everywhere that the thyroid is most likely causing problems for people without realizing it. Again another topic for a future blog. Thank you for taking the time to read, I hope to see you all back here for the next post. I wish you much success in your fight for great thyroid health.