Is There a Connection Between Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Celiac Disease?

Update: Please see my follow-up post here describing how I did not do the TRUE gluten free diet properly as suspected in this post. My conclusion in the post below that it would not help is only based on doing it improperly. This post describes the proper way to do the gluten free diet. My journey shows the need for great care in understanding whether you are doing something right before concluding it doesn’t work. ๐Ÿ™‚ And this post describes the success it had!

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For many years I’ve wondered if I could somehow reverse my Hashimotos Thyroiditis by finding the “root” problem. I began to entertain the thinking that there was a connection between autoimmune thyroid disease and gluten sensitivity. After some research, I found articles that seemed to point me further in that direction like the following one from Mary Shomon:

According to research recently reported on in the medical journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences, a significant number of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease also have celiac disease. Celiac disease is a disorder that causes the intestines to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt,kamut, and other related grains.

“…researchers found that…organ-specific autoantibodies (i.e., thyroid antibodies) — will disappear after 3 to 6 months of a gluten-free diet.”

Celiac disease, which is sometimes referred to as celiac sprue, sprue, or gluten intolerance, makes it difficult for the body to properly absorb nutrients from foods.

You can read the full article here.

Now, the reason I brought this up is that I tried a gluten free diet for 6 months to prove to the world that the connection was there! Prior to this I was already enjoying success in eating according to the wonderful book, Nourishing Traditions, written by Sally Fallon, and my medication had dropped by one third so I thought I was on the “right road”. You can learn how to make much of this food through this fabulous online eCourse based on this type of food preparation which I highly recommend! So I added to that a gluten free diet in 2006 just knowing I was going to find the “answer” to this disease. ๐Ÿ™‚ Okay, well… I tried. I not only went gluten free, but sugar, and preservative (which I do anyway) free, too! I also consumed live raw milk based Kefir to help re-supply the gut with probiotics. My antibody count went from somewhere around 1,800 to like 3,400 in the six months! As you can imagine, I was horrified. I expected the opposite. I was ready to celebrate but you can imagine the crash I experienced when I heard the numbers. My TSH improved but my dose of medication was slightly increased during this time also so that didn’t really mean anything to me.

Am I saying that a gluten free diet can’t improve this disease? No. But I am saying that it didn’t work for me. Reflecting back on all of this brought up some interesting points.

  1. I did not eliminate corn during this time. I have a hunch that corn could be a culprit. Don’t ask me why. I will continue my research on this one. I have heard many discouraging studyies on the dangers of corn in our diet so I will just leave it at that until I have a better grasp on the possible concerns with consuming it in our diet.
  2. I continued to eat raw honey (which I don’t believe is a culprit but I will confess to it’s usage in moderation).
  3. I was not exercising to the capacity I believe would aid in the healing process.
  4. I was not taking any supplements at that time which could indicate a “missing component” to the process.

I would love to get feedback from others that have tried a similar journey. I truly believe we can work together to find the natural cure!

Maureen

Disclaimer: All posts are describing my personal journey through health issues and are in no way meant to guide anyone towards any method in particular. I am not a medical practitioner or have a dietary or medical license, and this blog is not intended to be taken as authoritative advice. Please see your doctor, or health professional before making any drastic diet changes! Also, occasionally I find others to partner with whom I have had tremendous help from and therefore, there may be paid advertisements and links to support them and help me financially run this website.
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Comments

79 responses to “Is There a Connection Between Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Celiac Disease?”

  1. Candy Reed Avatar
    Candy Reed

    Hi Maureen, Your hunch about corn is accurate. The tv show “Know the Cause” and website by the same name (.com)support this, so do all of their books, I’ve been to their seminar, for the past 50+ years mass production has stored corn haphazardly making it one of the moldiest foods in history (200 molds, some deadly, some cause diabetes, and cancer has exactly the same properties as mold, this mold could be the “anti-bodies” mentioned. Corn is a grain. Europeans don’t eat it, they only feed it to pigs. They know it’s harmful. Here, nobody cares. The next highest mold contributor is peanuts. Avoid both.

    Moreover, understand that whenever we eat, breath, or touch substances to which we are allergic, our body’s natural survival response is to activate survival stress, adrenaline, cortisol, helpful is small infrequent amounts but very damaging in large constant amounts. With allergents in us, our body functions much like a car engine left on 24/7 for years — it doesn’t stop until it burns out and dies. I’d wondered for years what was going on inside me which was depleting me nutritionally while damaging my mouth, gums, teeth, jawbones, thyroid since I was a kid, I’m 56. The connection is consumption since infancy of foods to which I was allergic.

    There are 2 times I felt really good, you may wish to try them intermittantly, research them first: FASTING (drinking just water) always made me feel more ALIVE, energetic, happier, freer, in control, normal. For me, the trick was to feel that good while eating to survive. Fairly recently, for a month I followed the knowthecause.com Phase One diet.

    It proved itself successful in 3 ways much to the distress of my stoic hard-hearted dope of an endocrinologist who was clueless: 1. I lost 15 lbs. without exercising. 2. The blood lab report proved my TSH was improved, meaning my thyroid was functioning normally, it was not suppressed anymore by the allergy to grains. 3. The doctor’s exam of my thyroid revealed that it was no longer swollen, the lack of swelling was so rare the doctor couldn’t believe it.

    During the month, I took one “Natren Healthy Trinity” probiotic capsule each day (it’s strains of probiotics are superior to most others even kefir)(if you need more to get rid of the anti-body growth, do so, it’s perfectly healthy, in ’69 one of its strains cleared patients out of a hospital ward and back home & to jobs, all 48 were terminally ill with cancer. Several hours apart from the Natren, I took the recommended “Solaray Yeast Cleanse” 4 caps daily, it chases or kills nasty bacteria, mold, fungi, etc.

    The diet is grainfree because it is MOLD-FREE. We thyroid and gluten patients are so focused on them that we haven’t figured out that we are all also allergic to MOLD. An allergist tested me so I know I am (mold, wheat, pasteurized milk, tuna, coconut from shampoos, grass, etc.). This diet permanently cleared up a nose stuffed since birth, 50 yrs of sinus infections from mold & grain allergents. Eliminated cravings, restored control.

    Here’s the diet I followed:
    EGGS
    FRUIT: berries, grapefruit, lemon, lime, green apples, avocado.
    MEATS: virutally all grassfed meat, fish (can salmon is healthier than farmed), organic poultry, grassfed beef .
    BEVERAGES: water, non-fruity herbal teas, stevia sweetened lemonade or limeade, freshly squeezed carrot juice.
    VINEGAR: Braggs apple cider vinegar.
    OILS: Italian olive, grap, flax seed.
    NUTS: raw nuts, pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin. Stored nuts tend to gather mold, keep them frozen.
    SWEETENERS: Stevia, SteviaPlus, birch tree extracted Xylitol, honey in moderation, maple syrup in moderation.
    DAIRY: organic butter, organic yogurt, unsweetened whipping cream, real sour cream, raw milk.

    My issue is no longer knowing what to do to restore my health and figure, it’s affording it. Remember the car engine scenario I explained above? I burned out. Ended up on S.S. Disability on an appallingly small income. Affording all of this pricey stuff in sufficient quantity and variety month after month is a terrible juggling act and I often drop the balls. Just this week, program people from a state agency came in to replace my hot water heater and a.c-heat compressor, fridge, and other things because nothing worked. It’s just how things are for single women like me.

    Conversely, I’ve used my time to improve my writing skills and to read. M.D.s think it’s impressive to tell patients they’ve read 40 books. I’ve read 169 allopathic and naturopathic medical books plus extensive internet medical and nutritional research free to doctors and patients.

    This week found a particularly progressive 9-page article by a doctor on how gluten/wheat contributes to complicating Lyme disease and in so doing it actually causes what he called a “cerebral allergy” or “leaky brain syndrome”, and this allergy in turn causes the extreme pain, weakness, and other issues Lyme patients suffer from. He said it started with anti-biotics.

    I choose to add “processed foods”, I’m a member of The Weston A. Price Foundation aka “Nourishing Traditions” cookbook was written by my friend Price president Sally Fallon. Dr. Jernigan tied these components also to ALS, MS, and Fibromyalgia. I sent his article to Sylvia Browne to give to Montel Williams whose foundation does research to find a cure for MS. Had to, every damned M.D. I’ve been to totally ignores allergies, including the allergist I saw, he told me nothing about any of this, just didn’t care.

    Perhaps you’ll stay in touch, I’d like that. I respect how smart you are and what a tenacious researcher you are, Maureen. Remember this simple fact: Caught early enough, EVERTHING in the body, mind, and spirit can be HEALED. The whole skeleton in 1-3 years. Soft tissue organs and such only months. They can regenerate sickly or healthy, it’s up to us. If God wants us to blindly trust medical doctors or other professionals, He wouldn’t have given us minds of our own to use. You’re a wonderful teacher. Keep it up. Candy

  2. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    Have you tried going dairy-free? I have Hashimoto’s. I became vegan about a year ago. It has helped. I immediately lost weight. I accidentally ate some dairy a few months ago and began to gain weight again. I’ve leveled off and am beginning to lose a little. Also, soy can be very bad for your thyroid.

    Good luck,
    Jenn

  3. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    HI Jenn,

    Thank you for your comment. When you said that going off of dairy helped, do you mean you were tested with less antibodies? Just wondering. I was off of dairy for a few years but then got access to raw milk. I will have to check out the possible correlation between drinking milk and the ability to loose. I think it’s also important to know what metabolic type we are. I am supposed to be a mixed type which should be able to have some milk but I am also sure I am not allergic to it so I am not sure. I appreciate your comment and will let you know if I try going off of milk. Thanks! Mo

  4. Isabel Avatar
    Isabel

    cow’s milk is for cows no matter how it is offered :raw vs. pasteurized. Lactoglobulin and casein are large proteins that are as toxic as gluten……………try milk free.

  5. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    This is such a strange and baffling disorder. As I right this my thyroid is so swollen I can hardly swallow. I’m just getting over a bout of what I think may have been a “Celiac” hit on my digestive system. This is a fairly new development (last year or so) and I’ll be darned if it didn’t start AFTER I gave up the gluten a couple of years ago. The thing is – I’m pretty sure I got some flour in a sauce on some chicken in a restaurant last week(stupid me, I believed the waitress even when I FELT like it had flour in it). I was beginning to feel as though the gluten-free wasn’t helping one bit either – but if this was a reaction to that – then it looks like there’s some connection. I feel as though I’m always “guessing” at this!

    Right now I’m on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet which is very much like the Kaufman Phase II or III anti-fungal diet. Between bouts of inflammation, I have to say that I feel a lot better on this diet. It comes from a book called “Breaking the Viscious Cycle” – it’s better known as a diet for autism. It’s written by Elaine Gottschall – a molecular biologist. It’s worth a read – she feels that celiac disease is mis-understood and that the real problem is sugars – disaccharides and polysaccharides to be exact.

    I have been eating corn and peanuts and have been feeling that I should stop doing that lately as I’d given them up years ago. Candy is right – corn is a grain after all. I’ve begun to crave peanuts which is a bad sign for me – it could be that peanuts are at the bottom of my latest episode.

    Lots of things have made me feel I’ve turned a corner with this stuff – I was on Diflucan for a systemic yeast infection last year -that had a huge positive effect on my body. There is definitely a yeast connection with this – is it b/c the yeast is opportunistic and grows out of bounds when the thyroid gets sluggish or is it the operating factor? I was on Nystatin for my gut – also yeast – also helped a lot. I feel that eliminating gluten has had a positive effect in the overall. I still have some nasty bouts but I feel that they’d be worse and more frequent with the gluten.

    I’ve taken mega doses of Fish Oil and Vitamin C. I take Red Yeast Rice and Moducare. A “B Complex” Vitamin D, DHEA, Raw Thyroid, Raw Adrenal, Coconut oil, Aloe Vera, Enzymes, Probiotics and even more…

    One thing I do as part of the Specific Carb Diet is make my own yogurt – you are not allowed dairy except for certain kinds wherein the lactose is very low. That has helped as well as just being off the dairy.

    I have come to believe that the problem is indeed in the gut and that it will take years to be overcome. I think that the more “clean” whole foods we eat the better. I notice that what I’m eating is getting closer and closer to what my ancestors would have had access to – I’m sure this is not an accident! I still eat meat – I find I don’t do well without a lot of protein. Every once in a while I try to do a cleanse with one of those commercial herbal kits. I’ve also started walking – 20 minutes in the morning and that has helped a lot. I think exercise can overcome a lot on its own – why is so hard to get started?

    Well, I’m happy to have found your blog Maureen (I can’t help but notice your Irish name) I often wonder if there’s an “Irish connection” too. I’m 100 percent Irish. Grain came very very late into the Irish diet – maybe we haven’t developed the stomach for it! Slainte! Patricia

  6. Yvonne Avatar
    Yvonne

    I am so grateful to come across tis site and confirm what I have been feeling in my “gut” for months. Last night, I made a decision to go “gluten-free” without much information. Now I am glad for your entries and my instincts. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s last February although had had the symptoms for approx 6 months prior. Although the little pill helps, my entire system seems to have run amok. I will start a diet today free of gluten corn, and peanuts and hope that I’ve finally hit the nail on the head. Thank you for all the information.

  7. Jo Ann Loghry Avatar
    Jo Ann Loghry

    Candy! what a treat reading your article & the others.all informative. my husband’s cousin a few years ago told me peanuts in any form were not good for thyroid folks, I too am hashimoto.
    I discovered a few years ago, on my own that mold was an allergen of mine. I do love corn,& peanuts,but had not looked into or thought of the manufacturing of these products.I do know that soy is a definite no no for us. I am going to go to the site you mentioned it sounds very worthwhile. the gut is a problem for me too.as is weight.I am now on a metabolic diet which is working for me BUT very costly too. I will bookmark this site as you all have been doing a lot of work on this subject.I am 70 but now that I am retired I have time for ME! so am going to really start looking into ME!…. thank you all so much for all the work you have done so am going to run with all I read………Jo Ann

  8. Jolie Avatar

    Thank you for this informative post. I feel like there is a connection between diet and hashimotos as well. I completed a 92 Day Juice Fast in June and like Candy feel much better when I am fasting or Juicing. Since the fast I have been trying to maintain a vegan/high raw diet. However for the past 2 months I’ve been giving myself weekends off having a little dairy or wheat on Friday/Sat if I feel like it (very little!) and potatoes – I crave cooked potatoes like crazy so have been eating lots of home cut baked “fries” I started feeling a little off so I went in for blood work last week my T3 is sky high and my iron levels are way low. Everything was perfect and in remission while I was juice fasting . I keep thinking I’ve found the answer then have these upsets along the way. When I found out I cut out all gluten/sugar/dairy and had allergy testing done. I also consulted with a Chinese doctor and went on a course of herbal therapy – it worked the Hashimotos went away completely for over a year. Frustrating that my levels are off again. I think it must be the cheat days, corn and potatoes.

  9. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    Hi Jolie,

    Wow! You’ve really done some great work in tryiing to find the answer to this disease. I applaud you! I am sorry your symptoms came back. Are your antibodies also elevated too? Hope you’ll come over to our forum. It seems you have a lot to offer – much good natural experience on combating this disease. Have you tried energy therapy? Emotions seem to have quite a role too. I think we should all work together to find the answer. It’s great to have a good community of Hashimotos sufferers to share natural journeys.

    Take care and hope to hear again from you soon.

    Mo ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Suzy Avatar
    Suzy

    I am new to Hashimotos-diagnosed 2 years ago. A week ago I was diagnosed with Dermatographia-skin writing (common in patients who have Hashimotos)- my skin is highly sensitive. My allergist put me on Zrytec (sp)- allergies, Zantac(sp) Heartburn and a nose spray. I am not a drug person. My goal is to not use any of them and go the healthy natural way. This entire situation is hard for me as I have always been a healthy person. Throughout my research I have found that Hashimotos can cause cleft-palates in children and also infertility problems. This concerns me because my husband and I want to start trying in April 2010. I just had word that my levels are up but my doctor doesn’t want to see me for a year unless something happens. I have had 4 biopsies done and they are cancer free-thank goodness. I am considering going on a gluten-free diet. I also want to have acupuncture. I am a very active person and live a rather healthy lifestyle (food wise). I do have my days though! Any thoughts?

  11. Dolores Avatar
    Dolores

    I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and insulin resistance and now have discovered I have lyme disease and I have known for quite a while that I am sensitive to molds. Carbohydrates make me swell up and feel horrible. I think there is a huge connection between bacterial infections, specifically Lyme (Borrelia) and Yersinia Enterocolitica. Try getting a Western Blot and see if you have lyme….I needed 200 mg of doxycycline and then showed a positive result. Good Luck

  12. Laura Avatar

    Hi there!
    Wow, this is so informative! I’m so glad I came here. I am frustrated right now because of my inflammed thyroid that is bothering me. I too have Hashimotos and insulin resistance and am tired of doctors telling me that I will be on a pill my whole life. I want to find out what the underlying culprit is and deal with it.

    So, I have a question…
    Is it ok to take my natural thyroid medication and do a water fast? I have been wanting to do one, but am not sure if this medication requires food with it every day or if it will work just fine without it. I also don’t want to feel sick on an empty stomach with just medication in it.

    I’d appreciate your help ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    Hi Laura,

    Thanks for your comment. I am so happy you found the post informative.

    I must say that because I am not a doctor, I can only give you my opinion but not advice.

    I can tell you that I was on the Maker’s Diet a few years ago and had a movement into hyperthyroidism from the change in my body while taking my meds at the same time. However, I don’t think I would go off of your meds unless you are able to get a natural doctor or some way to monitor your levels during the fast. I’m not sure how long you want to fast but I am assuming you are talking about a long one (20-30 days)? If so, I think you will need to monitor your symptoms to make sure you don’t go hyperthyroid. That could be very troublesome. It is a frustrating balance between trying to do things naturally and monitoring your medications. An experienced natural doctor would be a great assistance for you. I have never regretted my movement out of the traditional medical treatment BUT I still find I need a good natural doctor to help me monitor my thyroid health. I have also incorporated other techniques like NAET and EFT for help through the emotional side of things. Stress is a big contributor to all kinds of illness so working to overcome negative emotions is always a good part of healing.

    As far as the medication and it’s interaction to food – I am sure a pharmacist would be happy to give you a competent answer (better than me) but in my understanding natural thyroid like Armour and Naturethroid are just dried thyroid glands of pigs or cow so it would not seem to be a big problem HOWEVER I know that the T3 in the compound can give you a bit of a jolt if you are sensitive to it like I can be. So, I only exercise before I take my medication to avoid palpitations.

    I am happy to hear of someone who wants to take control of their health. Keep it up and don’t get discouraged. Life is a journey and health is just one part of it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Mo

  14. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    Laura – you’ll want to make sure you’re not hypoglycemic before you try a water or lemon juice fast. If you ignore that advice and try it anyway, be very attentive to any feeling of cold hands, light-headedness, irritability, etc. Stop the fast and take some food ASAP.You can really screw up your thyroid that way (ask me how I know).

    Mo – I second the recommendations to try a dairy-free period. There are many kinds of kefirs and probiotics.

  15. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    PS – Laura: A very helpful book is:
    “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough In Understanding Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism” by Datis Kharrazian

  16. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    YES, that is a GREAT book. Thank you Jane. If anyone would like a direct link to this book, here it is. It is the ONLY book so far in my whole journey (over 15 years) that has really hit all the main issues of Hashimoto’s that we have struggled to piece together all this years.

    This is the cheapest I have found it so far:

    Anyone with this disease will take a giant LEAP in learning about alternative ways to deal with it by getting this book. It took me years and years to find a resource like this and currently I don’t know of any better book!

    Thanks Laura for mentioning it!

    Mo ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Anne Marie Avatar
    Anne Marie

    I have been treated for 20 years for Hashimotos. Treated for food allergies,peanut,tomato, and celery. Treated for mold and grass allergies. I was hit with Lyme disease last June and because of the Swine flu scare at the time went on anti-biotics immediately for the 30 day regimen. I have noticed problems with MSG reactions 3 times over the last 4 years. Last week, after a very stressful period I completely crashed. My face went ashen and I thought I was going to faint. I attributed it to a bran muffin filled with wheat and gluten but after a couple of days I had a piece of bread. Sunday I completely crashed. I made it to the Dr,s office Monday. the blood work looked fine TSH levels etc. They put me on a Halter monitor to watch my heart. I am still laid up waiting for the results. Anyway, I have been telling my Dr. that this is some sort of immune system shutdown and he looks at me like I’m crazy. Thank you for this blog. I am off of the gluten and corn. Can you offer me any other suggestions? Thank you so much!

  18. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    Hello Anne Marie,

    If you sense food allergies as a main trigger to your symptoms, I highly recommend seeing a NAET specialist in your area. Check on the website naet.com to make sure they are up to date with their training though. I was down to eating perhaps 5-10 different foods without severe reactions before I went through NAET. It is costly, but I believe it has changed my life as far as eating goes. I can now eat almost anything without feeling like I’m going to pass out or drop into a coma! It takes a lot of dedication (1-2 appts per week) but you will feel significant changes after you go through the basics (Vit. and Min. treatments) and begin the whole food phase. What I like about it most, is you don’t have to alter your diet that much other than a 24 hour abstinence from the food you are treating.

    I cannot say it has reversed my Hashimoto’s but I can say it has neutralized (at the minimum) my food allergies! And that is saying a LOT. I used to go into restaurants and have to walk right out because of a smell or even a problem with the lighting. It was terrible. NAET also treats things like reactions to different types of lighting and environmental allergens.

    All I can say, is that it worked for me and almost all of the foods that were treated have “stuck”. The only food I have not fully eliminated bloating from is superheated oils but I just don’t eat them. Who needs them anyway?

    I wish I could steer to you something else but it sounds like you are on top of what you are reacting to and doing your best to steer clear of the foods. That’s where I was before I started NAET. I have a blog post on it too. Just check my other posts.

    Hope you get some help soon. You are really dealing with a lot.

    Take a look at ANY medications you are on. Certain medications are not good for a low thyroid person. You have to research yourself because doctors generally are not informed because Hashi’s isn’t “treatable” in the traditional field so it’s not taken account of when prescribing meds.

    Head over to my forum if you want to get support from other sufferers. It’s very helpful and I can continue to converse with you there. The link is at the top right of this page.

    Hang in there!

    Mo ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. amy Avatar
    amy

    Hello,
    I was diagnosed two years ago with Hashimoto’s. I was also told approx 12-13 years ago that I had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
    I went for years of horrible symptoms with my stomach. My doctor would ask me “Do you feel sad often”-basically asking me if I was crazy. When they figured out the thyroid problem, everything was blamed on that.
    Last year I started getting those burned out moments described above. Feeling shaky and sick like I was going to pass out. It was low blood sugar. I also started becoming more ill in regards to my stomach.
    Desperate to lose weight I paid a personal trainer to put me through the ringer. That was when she suggested the gluten free diet telling me “gluten is the enemy”. I found out i was gluten intolerant and my previous IBS symptoms are completely gone, and my TSH level dropped almost in half!
    I got that book by Elizabeth Hasselbeck, and there is a spot in there where it says if you have one autoimmune disease you’re more likely to have 2, 3 or 4 other autoimmune related issues.
    Since going gluten free for almost a year, I’ve lost 25 pounds, dropped 3 pant sizes and haven’t had any stomach bouts-unless I slip and eat the gluten.

  20. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    Hello,

    What about the possible connection of Candida overgrowth causing Hashimotos? I have just been reading some stuff about a product called Threelac that has helped lots of people cure all sorts of things. Within certain testimonials, I read about two people completely healing their Hashimotos. Obviously, it would be a good idea to alter your diet as well.

    Do you know anything about waiting to take any replacement hormone while trying to find the real cause, and trying to heal naturally? I don’t have any major symptoms yet, but I definitely have Hashimotos, hypothyroidism and polycystic ovaries…I also get hypoglycemic sometimes. My Endocrinologist said I could wait for now on the hormones, but he feels it is inevitable that that I will have to take at some point. I wish I could find a good naturopathic doctor or functional MD in either NY, NJ or PA; do you have any suggestions?

    I have been doing a whole bunch of research: found a Dr. Boydson on YouTube and the Internet (Chiropractor), who talks about how replacement hormones don’t address the primary issue of why the immune system is attacking your thyroid…so he has a protocol of panels that he used to test different metabolic aspects and other aspects of your immune system (supposedly has had really rest resullts (found no testimonials, though). Have read up on the Klinghardt Center for neurobiology; this lady Bee who has helped many people with Candiasis, and her diet actually includes animal protein…but ten there is the other aspect of Raw Live Food and the connection with alkaline/acidic…and that if your system is alkaline, Candiasis and most other diseases cannot survive (I’m not sure, but I think I feel better w/some animal protein). Dr Robert Young’s, The PH Miracle, or Hippocrates Health Institute or Gabriel Cousens’ Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, Creative Health Institut or Anne Wigmore Institute (these facilities very expensive). But also a
    book by someone w/ last name, Brody (Alkalize or Die), who says can still eat animal protein, but the correct combining of foods is what causes the alkaline/acidic effect; heavy metal toxicity, chlorella and infrared saunas fort this. There is so much stuff!!!

  21. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    My iPhone replaces words sometimes, and so some inaccurate words in here; I hope this doesn’t take away the clarity.

    I have read, btw, that if you clear up the candida infection, often times people with gluten sensitivity or other food and environmental allergies, have them no more. But then there is the alkaline theory that if you alkalize, no more yeast. Which came first? What is truth? Which way do you go?

    I tried EFT for pain once and it worked. Could this help with actual healing? EFT has to do with Meridians…don’t know exact correlation with Chakras (but thyroid blocking of 5th which has to do with speaking your truth and being who you really are)…If blocked too long, leads the foreground for thyroid disfuction (would like to find Energy worker)…I actually have healer in me, but I need to heal myself) All costs a lot of money!!!

  22. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    Wow Renee,

    It’s seems you have researched so much already! I have basically heard most of what you are describing throughout my journey and believe it or not, the one thing you’ve said that keeps coming up is the healing of the gut! I believe this to be the most important step we could take.

    Currently, I am taking an eCourse to learn how to make Nourishing Traditions type food (the book by Sally Fallon which can be purchased through the link on my main page) which ultimately is caring for the digestive tract. I strongly recommend going through this very reasonable (donation based) eCourse and go from there. It answers a LOT of questions, many which you have brought up.

    http://gnowfglins.com

    We are not preparing our foods as they did even 100 years ago and disease is an epidemic. I believe this is one of the main reasons!

    Hopefully that gives you something more to check into.

    Good luck!

    Mo ๐Ÿ™‚

  23. Merrit Avatar
    Merrit

    I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s a year ago, but feel fairly certain that it has been there since age 8. I will be 39 this year. I found old labs from around age 8 that revealed goitre, vitaligo and psoriasis, all very common connection with Hashimoto’s and I think it was the underlying cause but they didn’t run anti bodies test. I am euthyroid with elevated TPO, that is until I removed gluten and dairy and I eat one Brazil nut per day for the selenium. The second set of test 6 months later show TPO lowered just inside the normal range, so although my numbers look great and it would appear that I am in remission, I still have the gamut of hypothyroid symptoms and a few hyperthyroid symptoms. I’ve been working with a Naturopath for the past year and have had acupuncture for years. I hope to have some success in getting to the root so some symptoms can be alleviated. I’ve had a pleathora of other maladies related to the Hashimoto’s over my lifetime, too long to list, but Dr. Kharrazian’s book definitely turned the light bulb on for me and it is the best book I’ve found. I’ve done a fair amount of research and this is the first I’m hearing of corn as a possible issue, but I can say this is something that has been in the back of my mind and I’m going to look into it further. As much as I try to make sure my sources are non-GMO, I haven’t avoided it completely and I know hidden corn can be as common as soy. I rarely eat processed food, so I’m not getting, much but I’m definitely going to heighten my awareness. I’ve avoided peanuts for years as I know they are a source of mold and I am sensitive to mold. I’ve also started therapy for ongoing bouts of depression as I know this is also an important component to pay attention to.

  24. hollymarie84 Avatar
    hollymarie84

    Hi i am new to Hashimoto thyroiditis and I have had it for about a year. I was diagnosed with it after my 3rd child. I am now pregnant with my fourth child. I have never heard of gluten being a problem and have never been tested for allergies. Also I eat a lot of carbs! Can you fill me in on how going gluten free helps? Or how to go gluten free?
    Thanks

  25. melbee9999 Avatar
    melbee9999

    I too have hasi’s. I thought it was menopausal symptoms@46. It was hasimoto’s thyroiditis. But, didnt find out until I was 54. Horrible time sleeping, not falling to sleep.Foggy headed,tired after sleeping 8 hours.Thought i was loosin my mind.
    So, my beautiful Vegan’Raw food daughter gave me a talk in too. She said: Mom stop eating anything in a box;/processed/meats. I’ll help you do this. so, i stopped all sugar/gluten/flour/pasta/bread. I lost 1lb a day since I started 6 days ago. I feel amazing. The hardest for me was the Coffee.& Soda. i love sota. But heres what I eat now. BReakfast Smoothie of Apples/pear/cantelope/soaked dates over nite put in 5 for sweet. Get it swirling around and then throw in a hand full fo fress spinich and Parsley. Delicious. NO milks, No Gutne, no Pasta. It will chance your life. Watch it work…..I feel so better. I also eat a non gluton breand/no wheat/no greains. Its good tasting..not bad. One month go check back with the good Doctor. My PTO was over 1000>Lets wait a month and see iff the go down. Wish me luch, Melody :+

  26. lucylu64 Avatar

    Mo what is the link to your forum?

  27. MARY Avatar
    MARY

    Bread, our daily poison (Gluten sensitivity mistaken for Candida)

    I wrote this article for people with symptoms that are often misinterpreted as Candida infection, but are in fact are caused by non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Of course, people with such symptoms should not purchase Lufenuron from us, but go on a gluten-free diet instead.

    It is estimated that at least one in six people are non-Celiac gluten intolerant. Common symptoms are bloating, gas and/or abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hard to flush bulky, fatty stools, bloating after meals or waking up bloated, itchy skin rash or eczema, discolored teeth or loss of enamel, aching joints, fatigue, canker sores, mood swings, anxiety, depression, poor appetite, weight loss or weight gain, ringing in your ears, headaches or migraines, muscle weakness, low sex drive, poor concentration and/or memory problems, infertility and/or irregular menstrual cycles. Long term, more serious consequences of gluten exposure in sensitive individuals can be degenerative organ damage, autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis and cancer.

    Wheat, barley, rye and oats contain toxic chemicals produced by the plant itself. These wheat-poisons have evolved to help the plant with its own reproduction and survival, at the expense of the animal that eats its seed.

    Conservative estimates say that one in seven people have some form of gluten intolerance. Most do not have Celiac disease, and many are asymptomatic, meaning they do not have clear Celiac-like symptoms. The astonishing and worrying fact is that roughly 80% of Western peopleโ€™s immune systems react to gluten with the production of IgM and IgG antibodies in what is called the โ€œinnate immune responseโ€. The innate immune system predates, evolution-wise, the antibody-producing โ€œadaptive immune systemโ€ and nonspecifically defends against pathogens.

    Gliadin is now (โ€œcontroversiallyโ€) known as a toxic wheat glycoprotein, used by the plant to make gluten. In a study published in GUT in 2007 a group of researchers asked themselves the question: โ€œIs gliadin really safe for non-Coeliac individuals?โ€. To test the hypothesis that an innate immune response to gliadin is common in patients with Celiac disease and without Celiac disease, intestinal biopsy cultures were taken from both groups and challenged with crude gliadin, the gliadin synthetic 19-mer (19 amino acid long gliadin peptide) and 33-mer deamidated peptides. Results showed that all patients with or without Celiac disease when challenged with the various forms of gliadin produced an interleukin-15-mediated response. The researchers concluded: โ€œThe data obtained in this pilot study supports the hypothesis that gluten elicits its harmful effect, throughout an IL15 innate immune response, on ALL individuals.โ€

    There can be only one reason why a substance triggers an immune response: It was useful in evolutionary terms, meaning that without the response, the tribe without that response produced less children than the tribe with the response. Usually the reason for that is that the adult members in the tribe without the response die before they manage to fully procreate and raise their offspring. Hence, when your immune system responds to a substance by producing antibodies, this is a serious sign that this substance likely is bad for you. Bread-eaters are unaware that everybody is gluten-intolerant in one way or another โ€“ even when there are no noticeable signs, and that gluten are suspected to play a key role in the cause of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases and age-related illnesses such as Alzheimerโ€™s.

    Let me count the ways how โ€œbread is badโ€: In some birds as well as Celiac patients, the wheat toxins trigger such a violent inflammatory response in the intestines, that the wheat grain survives the gastrointestinal tract undigested. The benefit to the wheat plant is that its seed ends up viable, in a clot of bird feces โ€“ about the most advantageous position to be in, for successful germination. Why does the bird voluntarily subject itself to such a perhaps painful experience? Could it be that it likes the natural opioids the wheat produces? And perhaps those opioids in bread and pasta are the reason why we consider the consumption of these foods to be non-negotiable as a โ€œquality of lifeโ€ issue?

    โ€œGlutenโ€ comes from the Latin. The word โ€œglueโ€ is derived from that same Latin root. โ€œGlutenโ€ means โ€œgluesโ€. Indeed, gluten-based glues are a veritable staple of the glue industry. What gives gluten its adhesive and difficult-to-digest qualities are the high levels of disulfide bonds it contains. These same sulfur-to-sulfur bonds are found in hair, nails and vulcanized rubber. The first third of the small intestine is where vitamins and minerals are absorbed by the millions of tiny outgrowths called Villi. The villi greatly increase the surface area of the intestine, so that nutrients can be absorbed in just a few feet of intestinal tract. The slimy gluten however coat the villi as an oil spill would coat a field of sea anemones. Best case, the villi canโ€™t absorb the water-soluble vitamins and minerals they should absorb. Worst case, the villi become inflamed and disappear completely. Up to ten million Americans have (mostly undiagnosed) Celiac disease, another thirty million are gluten sensitive, and yet the FDA has put gluten on the GRAS-list (โ€œGenerally Recognized As Safeโ€). Therefore, ketchup and ice cream with added gluten does not need to mention gluten content. Less than 0.1 grams of gluten can cause severe problems in a Celiac patient.

    A person โ€“ any person โ€“ who eats bread or pasta on a daily basis constantly has his or her small intestine coated with slimy, inflammatory gluten-glue, and serious vitamin- and mineral deficiencies are the result. These deficiencies usually take many decades to express themselves as Osteoporosis, Diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Societies such as Japan with a traditionally gluten-free diet have very much lower occurrences of a wide variety of diseases, in spite of the fact that these people usually eat a lot of fish, polluted with everything from PCBโ€™s to heavy metals.

    It turns out that Celiac disease is not a disease at all, but a well-functioning early warning system. In addition to the innate immune response to wheat that we all have, Celiacs have an additional, genetically determined, adaptive response. Whereas non-Celiacs go on consuming wheat and develop cancer, MS and a plethora of other very serious illnesses, Celiacs simply avoid gluten and stay healthy. Celiacs donโ€™t have a faulty immune system, non-Celiacs do. When people started to eat wheat as a matter of increasing necessity, only those with genetically suppressed adaptive responses to gluten remained alive to procreate. But those individuals only have debilitated immune systems. They are not at all impervious to glutenโ€™s damaging properties.

    Itโ€™s not just the gluten that are bad for you. Wheat is a veritable bio-weapon. Chemical warfare is wheatโ€™s middle name. Toxic oxalates, lectins and phytates, insidious trypsin- and alpha-amalyase inhibitors, and endocrine disrupters such as estrogens. Wheat grains are unwholesome indeed. Not even cows can digest them without the risk of severe intestinal problems and liver abcesses.

    โ€œBut European humanity has been been eating bread since time immemorial!โ€ you may say, incredulously. Well, no. From archeological evidence we know that bread was invented at most 14 thousand years ago. Most estimations say between 10 000 and 12 000 years. And most Western societies were introduced to bread many millennia later. That is a blink of an eye in evolutionary terms. Humans have been genetically unchanged for the past 200 000 years. We are genetically still mainly hunter-gatherers and sandwiches and spaghetti are not part of such a diet. Bread is the product of the age of agriculture, which directly spawned the industrial revolution. Humans did not have time to adapt to the slow-acting poisons in wheat. Wheat is a monocotyledonous (one-leafed) grass, something humans, nay, mammals have never eaten in their entire evolutionary history. No wonder they have no defence against its phyto-chemical toxins.

    Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) is glycoprotein classified as a lectin and is known to play a causative role in kidney disease, such as IgA nephropathy. In the article: โ€œDo dietary lectins cause disease?โ€, allergist David L J Freed points out that WGA binds to โ€œglomerular capillary walls, mesangial cells and tubules of human kidney and (in rodents) binds IgA and induces IgA mesangial deposits,โ€ indicating that wheat consumption may lead to kidney damage in susceptible individuals.

    And sure enough, there is research that shows that wheat can indeed cause kidney cancer. A study from the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan Italy published in 2007 in the International Journal of Cancer looked at bread consumption and the risk of malignant kidney tumors. They found that those who consumed the most bread had a 94% higher risk of developing kidney cancer compared to those who consumed the least bread. Given the inherently toxic effect that WGA obviously has on kidney function, it is possible that in certain genetically predisposed individuals the body โ€“ in its innate intelligence โ€“ has to choose between continuing to allow damage to the kidneys (or possibly other organs) until kidney failure and rapid death result, or launch an autoimmune attack on the villi to prevent the absorption of the offending substance which results in a prolonged though relatively malnourished life.

    The real culprit is of course the wheat, not the โ€œinferior genesโ€. Because wheat is not food for humans. It is toxic in a wide variety of ways, and only suitable to be used for the production of industrial glues. The fact that you donโ€™t notice anything untoward when eating gluten doesnโ€™t mean nothing bad is going on in your body. Why isnโ€™t this a widely known fact? One reason is that PhDโ€™s never see any patients and MDโ€™s never do any fundamental research, and there is little cross-pollination between disciplines. Besides โ€“ proclaiming that macaroni kills people by rotting their organs is not exactly beneficial to oneโ€™s scientific career. Fact is, we havenโ€™t identified half of the all the bad stuff wheat contains yet. Many years of selective breeding has increased wheatโ€™s genome to more than 5 times larger genetic size than the human genome! Common bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), for instance, has so far almost 24,000 proteins catalogued. One single โ€œbadโ€ protein can wreak havoc anywhere in the body, over the years. Big Agrobusiness, like the tobacco industry, are of course already aware of the health problems their product causes, and are feverishly completing their Wheat Genome Project, to aid them in identifying the main disease-causing part of the wheat DNA so that they can remove them. This will avoid a looming legal liability and add Celiac patients and gluten-intolerants to their market. There is much more to explain about the damaging, sick-making properties of wheat, but that has to wait for another time. Wheat causes damage to the intestines. Wheat causes intestinal permeability. Wheat has pharmacologically active properties such as estrogens that are detrimental to health. Wheat causes damage to many organs in the body, including the brain. Wheat contains high concentrations of excitotoxins such as aspartates and glutamates.

    http://www.owndoc.com/diet/bread-our-daily-poison-gluten-sensitivity-mistaken-candida/

  28. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I want to cry reading all of these ! I have been trying to piece together a lifetime of problems that have apparently been related and misdiagnosed for over 20 yrs. From intestinal upsets, sinus infections, vertigo, dermagraphic – blah- blah -blah, eczema, hair loss, infertility, so tired I want to crawl into bed at 6 pm, and the worst of all skin rashes / urticaria.

    I was diagnosed with Pityriasis Rosea, Hashimotos, Pituitary Adenoma, high cholesterol, chronic Urticaria, Seborrhea Dermatitis, hydropityriasis, yeast infection, non-allergic allergies,contact dermatitis, and these are just the ones I can remember !

    I have been plagued by vaginal, abdominal and breast rashes since my last pregnancy. They started in the breast area then migrated down to my abdomen. These days they start in my vaginal area and spread to my abdomen. They can last for months. My current outbreak started in January in the vaginal area and has remained since. It has only just begun to spread over my abdomen in the last 2 weeks. This means I have at least 2 more weeks for it to “run it’s course” if I’m lucky. My vaginal area has been affected and inflamed going on my sixth consecutive menstrual cycle.

    I am overweight (duh) and every doctor (over 16 in 20 years) feels the need to immediately check my “sweaty” areas first. Where skin meets skin, obviously assuming this to be the cause. All have been stumped when those sweaty spots are the only surface of my body – NOT – affected by my condition.

    When it first began I would scratch in my sleep an then have to pluck my nightgown off of my chest where the dried blood stuck it to me. Rashes suck!

    I only just found out that all of this could be inter-related. This site was day 2 of reading like crazy! None of the initial site I visited when first diagnosed with Hashimotos ever listed rashes. So I never looked for a connection. None of the rash webpages visited ever mentioned Hashimotos.

    Thanks for all of the great info. I now have a starting point.

  29. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Hi Suzanne,

    One thing I’ve learned over these years is that this disease requires patience on our part. I know how frustrating it is to have symptoms we can’t control. However, I do feel we are getting so much closer to help.

    I am pretty sure you’ve checked into food sensitivies but if you haven’t, that is what I would be doing considering your symptoms. There are tests out there (I have recently been interested in getting the RAST test myself) that can help you eliminate the possible food sensitivities you might be facing.

    It does get to where you just want to “give up” at times but please don’t! More and more info is coming out that may finally help us big time!

    Read my newer posts and you might get more info from them. Also, if possible, go immediately on a gluten free diet (TRUE gluten free). You may need to research the basics on the net before you start to make sure you know where the hidden gluten is but basically if you eat your food from scratch and check for gluten in all the sauces you use, and watch for cross-contamination, you will have a good basis to start. You may feel results right away.

    Feel free to join our forum and get some support that way.

    Hope you are feeling better soon!

    Mo ๐Ÿ™‚

  30. Emme Avatar
    Emme

    Chec out http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com. It is the most helpful resource I’ve ever found for hypothyroidim and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

    If your doctor is still treating you by TSH labs, then you are not getting properly treated for hypothyroidism, much less Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (That’s what my doctors did and I’ve just been getting worse. Also, many Hashi’s patients do not respond well to synthetic T4-only meds like Sunthroid and need to be on natural desiccated bio-idential porcine thyroid hormones that include all the normal healthy thyroid hormones: T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin.).
    Hypo and especially Hashi’s patients need labs to look at Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, a Full Iron Panel (which should include Ferritin, serum iron, % saturation, and TIBC),Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, and a 24-hour adrenal cortisol saliva test as the “basics” for getting a grip on the condition.

    I can’t emphasize enough how much the website and the book called “Stop the Thyroid Madness” have impacted me. It describes what I’ve been going through and gives me exact information on what to do. I am in the beginning stages now, but I am hopeful for the first time in 5-years that I am on the right track. I hope this helps you and I hope we can all start getting treated better for Hashi’s. Blessings…

  31. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Keep us updated on this. I too feel I am finally on the right track! ๐Ÿ™‚ Please see my more recent post about my true gluten free diet and the response I’ve seen in the lab tests. Hope you find success too! Thanks for the comment. ๐Ÿ™‚ Mo

  32. rox Avatar
    rox

    OMG. I am new to this, but I can look back 25 years to all the signs I missed. I see the yeast-thyroid-gluten connection present in me coming to fruition right now. I feel a bit of consolation that you are going through some of my same problems but I also feel upset that we are being poisoned by our food. Fluoride is also another toxin to avoid. I stopped buying toothpaste with fluoride and drinking tap water (with fluoride) and all my mouth and gum irritations went away. I had constant cold sores or canker sores for about 3 months until I removed fluoride from my life. Our gov’t is overfluoridating the water supply. So many suggestions and ideas. I can’t wait to get started. I also got back a negative celiac test and I know something is still wrong. Good luck to all.

  33. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    HI and thank you for your comment! Yes, definitely look into getting a gluten sensitivity test. But it also looks like you are on top of the many other areas we need to consider. Good for you! Hope you find answers quickly! Mo

  34. Jenn W Avatar
    Jenn W

    Thank you so much for all of your posts! I was dx with Hashimoto’s when I was 15 and have been battling symptoms when T4 and TSH panels have suggested that I “should not be symptomatic.” The sheer thought that I was dx with a condition at the age of 15, when I was told that it typically doesn’t appear until 40 or 50, suggests that it is not a “typical” thyroid condition! I have been suspect that I have had some dairy intolerance for several years now (I pretty much immediately react to dairy) but did not listen to myself as I used to be able to tolerate diary products.

    I recently went to the Endocrinologist about my thyroid and we agreed, through verbal history of what is happening with me, that I am symptomatic for hypothyroidism, however, the tests showed subclinical hypothyroidism and I was told that I should not be symptomatic. Additionally, my thyroid, which was just measured at over 7 cm, is continuing to grow. This response felt like a brick wall again, someone telling me that I shouldn’t be feeling the way that I feel and having the symptoms that I have when the feelings are real and measurable to me on a day to day basis!

    My question for any of you that have had a goiter associated with Hashimoto’s: Did changing your diet help to decrease the size of your goiter? As a 29 year old, in shape person, having a 7 cm bowl sticking out of my neck not only causes me swallowing and breathing problems, it also is seriously effecting my self-esteem. I would love to find out from you guys if you experienced a decrease in size as some sign of hope of not having to have it removed!

    Again, thank you all for your participation in this forum, I am not new to this disorder but certainly have felt that I have been lead down the wrong path for the past 15 years!

  35. pamelahi Avatar
    pamelahi

    i just spoke with my Chinese accupuncture miracle worker about Hashimoto’s for the first time. she told me how she used to have it and cured herself of it. she said at one point she was down to about 4 foods she could eat…but the most important part of treatment she said was the internal work and that was how she actually cured herself. she said root cause is something deep that we are suppressing and we need to get out….it’s the hardest part, yet the only way to actually cure it…she said it’s the body’s way of distracting us from what is really going on inside our heart and mind….and trust me…this woman knows her stuff…comes from a long line of healers…..
    just thought i’d throw that out there…and thanks for all the info above…has helped tremendously.

    question…if you know the corn is grown locally and not stored long…like organic farmers market corn…..can we eat that??? corn is the hardest for me to give up!!!! ;-<

  36. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    HI and thank you for your comment. Regarding suppressed feelings, I’ve heard all the arguments on that over the years.. however. if this was the only factor, why would diet help so much? Regardless, I think if you know for sure that you have a sensitivity to corn through a blood test or other allergy test, it would probably make sense to stay away from it until you watch your antibody levels to see if re-introducing a clean (and maybe properly prepared) source, may not show problems in the future.

  37. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    HI Jennifer(?),

    The first thing that comes to my mind is that your Endo is only looking at your thyroid… a functional medicine doctor would be looking at your whole system, which may be able to explain your symptoms and help with answers apart from what your Endo looks at. I’m so pleased that the site has helped you in some way. That’s the only reason I have it up – hopefully we can help each other. My antibodies went down from the thousands to somewhere in the 200 range after ONE month on a Paleo Diet so I can only assume other good things were happening during that time. Keep up the good work of researching – you WILL find answers. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for commenting.

  38. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    Hi, my question is to the posting by Jenn back in ’08 – maybe someone else can answer this? I have hashimoto’s and have tried various eliminations also. What do you eat if you’re a vegan and don’t eat soy? I’m a very hungry girl. Skinny and hungry. I don’t think I could survive on just rice and veggies. Do people really do this? Do you have energy?

  39. Andriana Lam Avatar
    Andriana Lam

    Another hashi’s sufferer here- wanted to pass this on in case anyone doesn’t know- their is a fantastic book that just came out 2010 called Hope for Hashimotos- it’s excellent and I’m in the midst of starting his protocol- he lays it out fairly clearly in the book- it explains a lot of the why behind the condition. I took noticed that i have quite a strong reaction to gluten now and can’t have it- possibly even to all grains- however- that one thing in particular didn’t make me feel all better- I take a fairly high dose of t3/cytomel (87.5 mcg- 100mcg depending how I’m feeling) that I now can get w/o prescription out of the country, and that is what has give me the most energy (I think because I probably have very little of my thyroid actually left so my body just isn’t producing much thyroid hormone)- however, I still had major fluctuations in that energy- when I finally went gluten free for 3 months and introduced it again I felt like CRAP the next morning. My better energies are much more reliable now. Hope that helps- for me I have noticed this starting to happen with all grain. I haven’t had my antibodies retested since the first time (which at that time 2 years ago they were over 5,000), but I think for me the important thing is how I actually feel- my current meds give me energy, and taking these other natural approaches in addition seem to make me feel good on a more consistent basis. Thanks for sharing all your info too everyone! We have to continually read and keep learning to figure out the best way to treat this thing.

  40. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Thank you Andriana for your comment and letting us know about that new book. I have been gluten free now for 5 months and within that time I have learned sooo much. I have retested my antibodies consistently and each time they are lower…. I went from “in the thousands”, to 172 at the present time! I took a test for cross-reactive grains which I highly recommend and desire to get a test for 150 foods so I can plan a diet with non-reactive foods so my body can really heal. There are different approaches out there, but I prefer an approach where the body has a chance to heal itself. I think this happens most natural as the obvious “culprits” are removed from the diet and things like sleep and exercise are consistent in line with each individual’s needs. Keep up the good work and hope you continue to feel better. If you haven’t already, check out my post on “Can Hashimoto’s be Reversed?” and watch the video by my current doctor there. ๐Ÿ™‚ Take care, Mo

  41. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Hi Erica,

    What are the reasons you don’t eat meat? I am assuming they are personal and not nutritional? I am sure this can be very difficult for someone who does not eat any meat as protein is a very important part of blood sugar regulation. So, since I am not sure if your reasons are religious or personal or nutritional, I could be stepping on a belief system that is very important to you so I am hesitant to recommend you re-think your decision to not eat meat. But for what it’s worth, have you read the book, “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon? It goes back in history and documents the healthy cultures from the past and how they prepared their foods. You might find some help in that book EVEN if you want to remain a vegan. I hope that helped a bit. I am not an expert at all on the vegan diet so my hunches would not be an adequate reply. Maybe someone else will read this and have some ideas. Take care! Mo

  42. Andriana Lam Avatar
    Andriana Lam

    Hi again- I was wondering Maureen if when you did NAET if that has still be effective for you? Does it eliminate your allergy to gluten too? I guess that’s probably too much to hope for- but if it could make me not so reactive to at least dairy that would be nice- I’ve kind of forced my body to deal with dairy until I don’t “feel” anything acute happen, but I know chronically that my body still doesn’t like the dairy- but it’s very hard for me to be so limited as to foods- just wondering if the NAET helped long term with your food allergies in relation to the autoimmune disease.

    Thanks!

  43. Cat Avatar
    Cat

    Hi I was just recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, I had hyperthyroid symptoms but my TSH was elevated, and my thryroid gland has been swollen for about 4 weeks now and so were the Antibodies that are usually elevated in Hashimotos. I was wondering if anyone has tried antibiotic therapy for possible link between Hashimotos and Y. Enterocolitica infection? I have switched to a gluten free diet as well to see if that helps and have just started to take supplements to help with healing and immune support, but have also included doxycycline 2 days ago into the mix to see if this helps. I have also given up birth control pills because I do believe there is an increase risk of autoimmune disease with BC pills. I am 27 year old and never had children before or thyroid issues before this, and have no other know illnesses. Please give me your feedback or recommendations, thanks!!!

  44. elizabeth Avatar
    elizabeth

    I just discovered this website and I am so thankful to you all. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Celiac disease 3 weeks ago, and as you all know, it has been daunting. Oddly, I had already gone gluten free and dairy free over a year ago (did it for my dear son whom I was breastfeeding and who had severe colic…cured it in days) but it seems some gluten was still sneaking in. (ie, I was still eating oatmeal, which my doctor told me to now omit.) My doctor has recommended that I now go strictly gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, seed free, and sugar free. He says if I go back to the “caveman” diet that Hashimotos can be reversed. Have any of you heard this? Also, I am wondering what some of you eat? I tend to be underweight already and am having a hard time finding enough food to fill me up.

    Thanks again for this great website. Wishing you all health.

  45. yorksoldat Avatar
    yorksoldat

    I have hashimoto’s and found relief with a gluten free and low copper diet. It’s really hard though and I’m always relapsing because chocolate and gluten is tastes so good

  46. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Definitely a gluten free diet is a 100% gluten free diet. A small morsel of gluten is enough to set off an autoimmune response so we are not truly gluten free if we cheat here and there. So, you are right. We have to really be careful. Why are you going low copper? Just wondering.

  47. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Hi Elizabeth! Well, I don’t have the problem of being too thin but I think for now, you might be wise to conquer the truly gluten free life style cuz sometimes that alone takes some detective work. I got rid of all my plastic bowls in my kitchen that gluten can “hide in” and replaced other items where I could get cross-contamination (like iron skillets especially where gluten gets baked on and releases during cooking). This itself can take time. It took years to get where we are so taking it slow might be the best way to go. Take little steps and make them solid. Check out my post on cross-contamination as it appears this is where you might want to concentrate your efforts on. There are few condiments that are not contaminated so all these little daily additions to our kitchen need to be thoroughly processed and weeded out as well as replaced by gluten free alternatives. That takes time. As far as the caveman diet, I have done that and plan on getting close to that lifestyle again in January but I wanted to get as full grasp on gluten free first. I had a very dramatic improvement in my thyroid test results after going Paleo (Caveman) after 30 days. When you are ready, I encourage you to do it but take little steps if you can afford to wait (symptom wise) because truly gluten free will produce benefits itself that you have not had yet. Check out my post with the audio of Dr. Thomas O’Bryan and listen to it. You will be motivated. ๐Ÿ™‚ Hope you find good health soon. Check out our Facebook page on the side of this blog/site and let us know how you are doing. ๐Ÿ™‚

  48. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Hi Cat! I would first check into a true gluten free diet and be completely gluten free for 2-3 months before determining your next step because it takes a while for the antibodies to circulate out of your system. However, I would not take anyone’s advice over a doctor so please check into a Functional Medicine doctor you can find by a google search in your area or better yet, check out mine who can help you over the phone. You can find him on my “Can Hashimotos Thyroiditis be Reversed?” These doctors can help you by giving you some baseline testing to help determine what needs to be worked on first. I probably would not myself do antibiotic therapy as I have found success going truly gluten free which proves to me there is a strong connection to the foods we eat. Hope that helps. ๐Ÿ™‚

  49. Lyn Avatar
    Lyn

    Have just been diagnosed with Hashimotos. I am now on thyroid replacement hormones but my dr said it would be 3 months before I felt some relief. I am so fatigued and would like to know if I could do something to help my fatigue in the meantime. Thank You

  50. maureen Avatar
    maureen

    Hi lynduf, The only thing that has ever helped me with energy quicker than the replacement hormones has been diet. The only diet that has really helped (after the detox stage) was the low carb, high (good) fat, diet most commonly known as the paleo or Atkins type diet. As long as sugar is not in your diet and the carbs are greatly reduced, you should feel a difference. Not many choose to be this drastic with their diets but ultimately, I believe it is the best diet for a fast change in energy level. Hope that helps. Oh, and some people find extra energy supplementing with coconut oil (good virgin coconut oil). Mo

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