Comments on: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – Is it YOUR fault? Oprah and Mary Shomon disagree

By: maureen

maureen — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:55:17 +0000

Thank you for your comment Tweeterton. I think you are misunderstanding my post. I agree with Mary in that we are not responsible for the pre-disposition of the disease and in most cases, even the onset of it, however, I disagree that there is nothing we can do to heal this condition. I also agree with you that years ago there was little to go on for research and healing but in the last few months there has been more and more research pointing to factors that can calm the immune system and slow the advancement of this disease. If a patient desires to move in that direction, there are certainly many good studies proving that certain steps taken can make a giant difference in their condition. I now know quite a few people who have Hashimoto’s who have seen their antibodies decrease from being in the thousands to just in the low hundreds (just by meticulously cutting out gluten and other known allergens). This is definitely a reason to rejoice in having some control. In the days ahead, I believe there will be more understanding on ways to help ourselves. I just feel that we should not be fed the line that there is nothing we can do to help the situation. I certainly respect your opinion and do not pretend to be right on everything. In my experience and of those around me, there are many ways we can help ourselves. I do believe I was fair in my post when I said:

In an effort to ease your mind however, I want to make it clear that I am NOT trying to dismiss legitimate factors beyond our control (environmental, viral, etc.) that can result in disease, but to recognize ways you might be contributing to the problem yourself (ie. intense work or demands on the body, too little sleep, poor eating habits, cigarettes, caffeine, etc.) as Mary Shomon has previously admitted. Why would we NOT try to figure out what fault we might have in our own health? That is a troubling thought to me.

The bottom line for me is this: (as stated in my post)

It’s admitted that we can be predisposed to illness (when extra stress is given to the body). Could it be that we are also predisposed to healing (given the right support to the body)? I encourage you to think about the implications of such a possibility.

And I am sorry if you took it that I think anyone is stupid for not doing certain things to help themselves. I am only hoping that medical doctors and those in the field of thyroid management admit to their patients that there IS something they can do. I was told point blank by many doctors until this point that I could diet till the cows come home but it ain’t going to change my antibodies. I bought the lie for years… I can now say with confidence, this is not always the case and a patient should be able to have hope they have some control over their symptoms if there is hope to be given. And I believe there is. I have seen more than one friend reverse their antibody count by diet which is a great hope for this disease. Thank you for your comment.

By: Hmmmm

Hmmmm — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:55:31 +0000

PS I first got sick as a child. It bloody well wasn’t my fault sweetheart. And the second time around when I started getting fat even though i exercised every single day? Well I didn’t give a crap because I could barely make it through an 8 Hr day let alone take extreme dieting measures to keep my model figure.
We are not all the same. I don’t appreciate when patients like u think because something worked or didn’t in your case then the rest of us are stupid or in denial.

By: Hmmmm

Hmmmm — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:48:43 +0000

Sorry but I don’t understand what Mary said that you disagree with. Everybody goes through stressful periods. Successful, healthy people push themselves to their limit everyday and don’t get sick….at least not with a chronic disease. Something can only be your fault if you know that there will be negative consequences. People unaware of their ALREADY existing hashimoto’s don’t sabotage themselves on purpose. I just don’t get your logic. I couldn’t get treatment for mine even with a history of thyroid probs. And there sure as he’ll wasn’t any instruction manuel even 10 years ago. I was to catatonic back then to read it any way.

By: maureen

maureen — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:46:14 +0000

Our fault or not, gluten is very aggressively linked to Hashimoto’s disease and many autoimmune diseases. If we can see changes in our health by going gluten free, it proves we have more control than originally thought. I have a daughter with Hashimoto’s now too and although there are hereditary factors, she has seen reversal of antibodies just like I have (when I saw reversal, I am saying greatly reduced by going gluten free). This does not mean the disease is gone – it means it can be controlled. It always helps to look into ways to help ourselves and this new breakthrough proves we can find help through diet.

By: butterfly

butterfly — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:13:51 +0000

I have had Hashimoto’s for about 2 years. I know my Hashimoto’s is hereditary passed on from my Mother. I also believe is not our fault.

By: lucylu64

lucylu64 — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:03:41 +0000

I am so glad I stumbled on this website it already has been very insightful. I recently was diagnosed with Hashi and type 2 diabetes. This has effected my life drastically. I was also told I have leaky gut and that is at the root of these issues. I’ve become gluten and dairy intolerant, actually intolerant to many things now. I’ve been to several endocronoligist, dr’s and have been sorely disappointed by treatment and support. I get most of my help on the internet. I havent found any help or relief. I’m also looking into Natural means of medicine. Looking for a good suggestion out in the SOCAL area. I welcome all and any suggestions (help). Also like to know does anyone have a suggestion for Probiotic that is glueten, soy, dairy free? Can you get your life back??

I appreciate any input!

Lucy

By: maureen

maureen — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:34:21 +0000

Hi Kris,

I would definitely check for leaky gut if you are having multiple food allergies as well as getting a functional medicine doctor to look at you. Check out my post Can Hashimoto’s be Reversed? You may get some good ideas on new ways to approach your situation. A simple over-the-phone consult with the right doctor could really make a difference in your life. It has for me. It’s gotten me on a more functional path – looking at test results to help me gauge my treatment. Hope you get the right help too. Thanks for your comment and please join us on the forum. Mo

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:23:37 +0000

Hi. I’m writing to you right now because I’m having some weird reactions to food as a result (I blelieve) of my hashi’s. It’s so sad that we all have such similar stories. It took doctors 15 years to figure out I had Hashi. I was 19 and suffered a cardiac bout of PSVT- benign, scary but all thyroid and they missed it! No one takes women seriously in the medical profession. After suffering 15 years- my new OB finally listened to me when I asked for either a psych. eval or that something was really wrong with me. My tsh was 11 and my antibodies off the charts. It really sucks- I’m glad there are more websites growing on this topic.

All the best to my fellow Hashi’s Club members.
Kris

By: Beatrice T

Beatrice T — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:43:14 +0000

I agree with your post.

Autoimmunity is, according to the experts, 30% genetic & 70% environmental.

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis for 10yrs and Ménière’s Disease for 3yrs. I believe both to be autoimmune issues due to chronic stress (i.e. Psychoneuroimmunology).

I watch my diet & try to exercise more but the MOST important thing I believe I can do for my health is to watch my stress levels. I do this by setting more boundaries, saying “no” more often, resting when I need to, being more grateful, being less perfectionistic, asking for help & most importantly actively seeking more JOY. All of these things are with my control.

By: hazyjane

hazyjane — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 01:45:12 +0000

Cathi is right in a way- it’s been found that 95% of Hashi’s are gluten intolerant and that gluten exposure triggers an autoimmune attack on the thyroid. It’s not exactly that most Hashi’s people have Celiac disease (I don’t have Celiac, but gluten induces an inflammatory autoimmune response for me which mainly affects my thyroid and reproductive organs).
Gluten is the underlying trigger for both Hashi’s and Celiac, so many people have both.

Please check out thyroidbook.com for more info. There are ways to balance the autoimmune response and address the REAL underlying factors in Hashimoto’s- not just treat TSH levels.