No. 48

Hashimoto’s Thyroid Disorder- an Autoimmune Illness

Hashimoto’s Thyroid is most commonly a hyper Th1 Dominant Inflammatory Imbalance. Hashimoto’s is not a thyroid disease, it is an autoimmune disease. Assuming that you are Th1 Dominant, as you strengthen Th2, you should see improvement fairly quickly. Inflammation should reduce and a flare will resolve. If you on the other hand find that your health worsens, you may need to have a simple blood test taken in order to determine for certain, whether you are Th1 or Th2 Dominant. As an autoimmune illness progresses, it is not unusual to have problems with both sides or switch back and forth from Th2 to Th2 Dominance. The assumption is that Hashimoto’s is a Th1 Dominant imbalance. The blood test you would seek if necessary is;   TH1 TH2 CYTOKINE TEST.  Contact lef.org and see if they offer this test. They do offer many thyroid blood tests. Once a member (about $50), you can then have your blood tested for all types of comprehensive blood tests without having to go to a doctor’s office and save in the neighborhood of 40% off the standard costs. This company name if the Life Extension Foundation. 

Hashimoto’s Thyroid is where the immune system is hyper creating an autoimmune response to attack the thyroid gland yo destroy it, driving the gland into hypofunction.  As medication is initiated to uplift the thyroid function, it will ultimately cause the gland to atrophy and become lost, and may require removal.  The attack process either comes from or results in, chronic inflammation to the thyroid.  Anything that creates more inflammation in the body needs to be avoided.  Gluten, although an intolerance and seldom an allergy, is a number one avoidance because it results in chronic inflammation in mostly anyone with an autoimmune response.   Gluten simply increases inflammation.  Sugar, and starchy foods that convert to sugar, also increase inflammation.

Two Book Referrals:

No. 1

“The G-Free Diet” by Elizabeth Hasselbeck–  simple, easy to read and understand, gets to the point, helps the beginner starting this diet to clearly focus on gluten sources and how to avoid them.  Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. When susceptible people ingest gluten, it becomes partially digested and releases other proteins and amino acids that the intestinal lining absorbs. Because these peptides cannot be digested, they trigger an inflammatory response in the intestine. Chronic inflammation damages intestinal tissues, causing myriad problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and distention, malnutrition, osteoporosis, anemia and reproductive problems. Current research has linked GMO grains to the development of gluten intolerance, various other intolerances, and food allergies.

No. 2

Whether you have Hashimoto’s Thyroid, Hyper Thyroid, or Hypo Thyroid, please refer to Dr. David Brownstein’s site for a Thyroid Book Bundle at www.drbrownstein.com or copy and paste this link into your search bar–

http://www.drbrownstein.com/Thyroid-Health-Bundle-Pack-p/thyroid.htm

After the original diagnosis

You will need to retest your anti-thyroid antibodies – thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin.  The number for total remission is 0-34 for the TPO, and <20 for antithyroglobulin.  Numbers are the only way to tell if Hashimoto’s autoimmune condition is in remission.  Whether diet improves this or not, whether supplements have brought relief, the numbers are the only proof of whether you have successfully achieved remission.  Most authorities agree that a person with Hashimoto’s should avoid two dietary ingredients–   lutein and beta carotene.  Be sure to ask for a full panel and not just the THS blood test, for accuracy.  It is not uncommon for someone with a low thyroid to test “normal” without the full panel screen.

Primary foods where lutein and beta carotene are found-  results for slow improvement avoiding these is about 4-6 months.

Lutein–  top 10 foods are;   spinach, squash, romaine lettuce, broccoli, carrots, artichoke, tomatoes, eggs, kale, and other leafy greens

Beta Carotene-  top 10 foods are;  carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, dark lettuce, spices that include (basil, parsley, marjoram, oregano, sage, coriander, and thyme), butternut squash and collards

You will need to determine the dominant immune pathway imbalance and then attempt to stimulate the non-dominant pathway.  It is most common for someone with Hashimoto’s to be Th1 Dominant.  You could be Th2 Dominant, but that would be unusual.  If you cannot get results by working to calm the Th1 side of the immune system, you could have a blood test to determine where you are at;

This sets the stage for improvement.  For example, if you are TH1 dominant, avoid herbal supplements that stimulate TH1-  these foods are mushrooms, astragalus root, echinacea, licorice. Some believe astragalus is actually not harmful, but rather beneficial.  Astragalus is known in Chinese Medicine as the world’s greatest immune tonic. If you decide to try astragalus, for Hashimoto’s it is usually combined with marshmallow root.  Although licorice root for example, has the reputation for being beneficial against inflammation, it is not in the case of TH1 dominance, and is recommended to be avoided.  In replacement take polyphenol complexes such as;  SOD, glutathione, emulsified vitamin D. Most people do not need to take thyroid medication although it is usually prescribed.  Those that need medication are those whose thyroid is already failing to function because of damage to the thyroid.  If you have Hashimoto’s, you are at risk to develop other autoimmune diseases later in life unless the immune system is rebalanced.  Drugs will only mask the low function and cause the thyroid to become less functional and shrivel- or atrophy.  Think of it like being wheel chair bound.  Within time, the legs become withered and useless- this is a good picture of atrophy.  The paralyzed person has legs that work, but cannot use them.  So the legs atrophy.  Use it or lose it so to speak. So unless you have no other option, think about how you are going to approach it, at least in the beginning of the diagnosis or your age.

Organic Sulfur

Organic Sulfur is a base supplement which is used to help repair tissue and balance the system.  Sulfur is an amazing supplement.  Sulfur used to be found in soil previous to modern farming and commercial pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Because we can no longer count on our food to supply this critical need, supplementing Organic Sulfur is very important.  Sulfur cannot be stored nor can it be produced by the human body.  Supplementing is the only way to incorporate it into your system.

Oils & Fatty Acids

Coconut oil and olive oil are your best oils.  Do not use any of the rancid fats because they are inflammatory.  Rancid fats are the omega 6 fats or vegetables oils like canola, sunflower, sesame, corn, safflower, soy, etc.  EPO is not as good of a choice of supplement oil for example as compared to Black Currant Seed Oil.  Black Currant Seed Oil is an excellent source of GLA.  Spirulina is also a GLA source however not advisable in many cases of Hashimoto’s.

GLA is the only anti-inflammatory omega 6 fatty acid. LA is inflammatory and requires conversion in the body to break it down.  The problem with spirulina however is that it is a source of lutein, beta carotene, and iodine. Iodine may or may not be advised to you, but lutein and beta carotene should be avoided. LA is higher in EPO than Black Currant Seed Oil.  Borage is also higher in LA and has been found to form lesions in the body over time or with over-use. So if choosing a supplement, choose one like Black Currant Seed Oil or Black Current Seed Fruit Extract for a GLA source. Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory.  It is a healthy saturated fat which has been found to balance the thyroid, whether fat or slow, in as little as 2 months in some individuals with thyroid disease.  Even if you do not like the taste, add this oil to your daily regime for support.

Pass this by your natural doctor and coordinate so there is no conflict if needed.  It will take about 2 months generally to start getting results and then it improves from there.

There is evidence the thyroid gland is harmed by various foods which include-   gluten, RAW cruciferous vegetables (not cooked but raw), and unfermented soy. Soy should be eaten in fermented forms such as miso and soy sauce, but not unfermented forms such as soymilk and tofu. So you should avoid these.  Cooked cruciferous vegetables do not damage the thyroid. Purchase the book called the “G-free Diet” by Elizebeth Hasselbeck.  It is inexpensive and easy to read/understand, which will help you to streamline your gluten-free education.  Next you need to avoid the grains except those which are gluten-free.

If your doctor is prescribing iodine for your condition, check to see if he/she likes Lugol’s.  If so, the 2% strength is what people generally use, taking 3-4 drops in distilled water once a day usually.  When the thyroid is HYPER iodine is not prescribed. HYPO thyroid is low.

People with HYPO thyroid are deficient in zinc and have too much copper in their system.  Increase foods with zinc and take 30mg of zinc after a full meal twice a week.  Reduce foods high in copper. Just google it– Foods high in copper.  Foods high in zinc.

HYPER thryoid is deficient in copper and has too much zinc.  Increase foods with copper and avoid zinc rich foods. Just google it–  Foods high in copper.  Foods high in zinc.

Wholefoods or Trader Joes, Sprouts Market, Natural Groceries, or other health food store carry BRAGG’s RAW ORGANIC UNFILTERED VINEGAR WITH THE MOTHER.  Start by taking 2 teaspoons in 8 oz. of water before eating each meal 3 x a day, or if you would rather use it as drinking water, take 2 (16 oz. water bottles) and add 2 teaspoons of the vinegar and drink one of these water bottles morning and again throughout the afternoon.  Do this every day.  TAKE ANY MEDICATION 4 HOURS AWAY FROM THIS SOLUTION OR IT WILL INTERFERE.

Taking Coconut Oil as a Supplement–  Purchase some UNFILTERED, COLD PROCESSED, EXTRA VIRGIN, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL.  It should look like Crisco.  Our goal is to get up to 3 tablespoons per day. If you have intestinal problems, try taking 1 teaspoon of coconut oil 15 minutes before each meal. This will fulfill 1 of the 3 Tablespoons you need each day.  You can dissolve 1 teaspoon in hot tea, or take the other doses simply by mouth or dissolved into foods. Start with 1 TEASPOON per day and work up to the the recommended amount. If you experience diarrhea, work up gradually. Spread this out to three times daily. When you take coconut oil by dissolving it in HOT GREEN TEA, it accomplishes 2 things;  tea contains L-Theanine which you need, and by dissolving the coconut oil in hot tea it is very easy to take and does not taste bad.  Do this every day at the dose described, and do this for 2 months faithfully.  Retest your blood levels of the T’s after 2 months but not sooner. When things improve, reduce the coconut oil to a tablespoon or two per day by using it in cooking such as melting it over vegetables or in tea as described.  The only people who cannot use coconut oil are those who have high triglycerides.  Coconut oil is healthy saturated fat, it does NOT contain cholesterol.

There is another beneficial product called Fulvic-Humic Acid Liquid.  Fulvic-Humic Liquid re-balances the system and supports function with a complete natural, non-rock source, of minerals. Take 1 tablespoon, 2 times per day, AM and PM.  If you have stomach problems, combine it with 2 oz. of aloe vera juice. Do not combine Fulvic-Humic Acid with chlorine. If you do not filter your water (and you should), and your water is chlorinated, avoid drinking it within 30 minutes of taking this product. The type of aloe vera juice you want is by Lily of the Desert, inner fillet organic non-preservative (this type doesn’t cause diarrhea by 40% less compared to other types).

Take an alkalizing supplement by combining magnesium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, and vitamin C powder.  You can purchase this mix as a product or if you wish to mix it yourself, each dose should equal;  1000 mg Vitamin C, 250 mg. of Magnesium Citrate or Magnesium Chloride, and 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate non-aluminum.  When combined, each dose should be approximately 1/2 teaspoon when mixed correctly.

How To take the Alkalizer—

1. Put the powder into a tall glass
2. Next add the juice of 1/2 fresh lemon.
3. It fizzes.
4. When the action completes, add 8 oz of distilled or filtered water and drink it down.

Take this mix 1 or 2 times per day. This is NOT taken before breakfast, or before eating our first meal of the day, but about an hour or two after you have eaten.  If you do not eat breakfast, you can take it first thing in the morning.  If taking after a meal, wait about an hour.

Measuring powders separately; 1/8th teaspoon of magnesium equals approx. 250mg.  Approximately 1/3 teaspoon of vitamin C powder = 1000 mg.  1/2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate is used 2 times per day.

After taking the Alkalizer, do not eat for 60 minutes.

Work on cleaning the liver all of the time.  Foods and supplements which clean the liver are;  cilantro, flat leaf parsley, watermelon, lemon, bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, milk thistle, burdock, and dandelion. Build and support liver tissue by taking ALA and Organic Sulfur.

Persons with autoimmune issues are usually deficient in magnesium, iron, and zinc or copper most often.  You will absorb iron better if you have vitamin C.  The Alkalizer will make vitamin C easy on the stomach and help the electrolyte magnesium, exchange within the cell with the assistance of the sodium.  This alkalizes your body and should improve your digestion too.  If you have indigestion during the night, take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda that does not have aluminum in it, mixed into water and drink it right when you go to bed.  This reduces morning nausea by as much as 75% in most people. If you do not have nausea, do not do this.  Sometimes taking 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Siberian Pine Nut Oil at bedtime each night will greatly reduce acid stomach.  You can take both the baking soda in water and Siberian Pine Nut Oil at the same time prior to bed. No other pine nut oil will work, this is particular to this plant.

Yeast- if you have yeast issues or re-occurring yeast or UTI problems- you can supplement the following;  5 drops of pure essential oil drops in an empty capsule, add some olive oil to fill the rest of the capsule, and take eating, 2 times daily, AM and late in the day.  Do this for 2 months and stop. Repeat if it comes back.  Mix 100% concentrated oils using– lavender, copaiba balsam, and clove formula. Also take caprylic acid daily for 2 months and follow an anti-candida diet which is easy to find on Google. The top of the line medicinal mushroom for overcoming fungal and yeast issues is Cordyceps.  Cordyceps will overwhelm the systemic yeast infection and clear it out of the body. Just as probiotics help establish healthy bacteria, ridding the body of bad bacteria, so does Cordyceps as it relates to yeast and fungus.

MSM- is 34% Organic Sulfur.  You do not need to take MSM when you are taking the superior product of Organic Sulfur. When you see this recommended, substitute it in place of  MSM with this product. See Organic Sulfur mentioned above and refer to POST 28 for details in full on the use of and need for Organic Sulfur.

Your selenium count will either be high or low. If it is low, you can improve this simply by eating Brazil nuts- either 2 per day or up to 14 per week.  To make nuts more digestible and usable by your body, soak them overnight in water. In the morning you can add these, including the water (which contains nutrition), to a gluten free oatmeal or smoothie.

If you have the opposite issue and your blood work shows selenium is high, DO NOT EAT BRAZIL NUTS.

D3 5000 IU per day with food, or ask your doctor if he thinks you should take a weekly 50,000 IU prescription of the appropriate D.

Thyroid issues often develop in persons with ADD, ADHD

Another good anti-inflammatory for the thyroid gland itself is a supplement called NAC. Take 500mg. 3 times a week

If you are HYPO, there is an herb that is also helpful, called MACA.  Take 1 teaspoon per day dissolved in hot water, green tea, or in a smoothie.  Some persons have used 2-6 teaspoons per day for a few months and been able to eliminate medication.  Maca is also a fertility herb, and fertility is often a problem in certain individuals with thyroid disorders, so it can’t hurt to support that.

You may need more boron if your bones are affected;  if needed the average dosage is 3 mg per day.  Calcium and magnesium citrate is a good usable form and should be taken in the AM.  Strontium is also beneficial but cannot be taken with calcium. If taking Strontium use 340 mg 1 x daily (such as at bedtime or upon rising to avoid calcium) for 2 to 6 months and stop.  Other supplements you could benefit from are;  vitamin E, fish oil, naicinamide, adrenal tissue concentrate, vitamin K2, kelp.  Use sea salt like Celtic Grey or Himalayan Pink, eat bananas or kiwi for potassium which often is low.  Blackstrap unsulfured molasses is also high in potassium taking as little as a teaspoon to a tablespoon per day.

Maintain a gluten-free diet.  Eat more vegetables than fruit, eating mainly green leafy vegetables and avocado, high quality proteins like oily fish such as salmon, halibut, sardines. Include organic eggs, chicken without hormones, good fat- olive oil, coconut oil, or hemp seed oil.  AVOID OMEGA 6 FATTY ACIDS. Eating high quality protein at breakfast, as well as lean protein throughout the day to help ease the burden on the thyroid and support function. Fiber will help your body overcome too much sugar in your bloodstream. Psyllium Husk is an excellent choice as well as Chia Seed.

Anti-Inflammatories & Hormonal Stimulants

• Blue Iris Flag Root  an old remedy for goiter prescribed by doctors for many years.  It stimulates the thyroid while detoxifying and reducing inflammation.
• Cordyceps is a Chinese medical mushroom that helps normalize the thyroid while softening the autoimmune response.
• Reishi is another Chinese medicinal mushroom which has been found to balance the thyroid Th1 to Th2 function
• Myrrh Gum is a resinous sap produced by the herb Guggul. Myrrh Gum stimulates T3 production.
• Rosmarinic Acid is from rosemary oil.   It slows the autoimmune response by killing proliferating T-cells.

Adrenal Adaptogens- Get to the Root of the Problem

Adaptogens help you to adapt to stress, taking the burden off the body, balancing your response. Because Hashimoto’s causes adrenal stress and fatigue, these root adaptogens can be great tonics for every day support;

• Ashwagandha Root  enhances the conversion of T4 to T3, which helps to promote your thyroid hormone production.This herb can help reduce insomnia and production of cortisol (known as the death hormone).  Cortisol decreases thyroid function and causes stress to the body.  Excess cortisol production results in the typical “spare tire” around the waist.
• Astragalus Root  is known in China as the “World’s Greatest Immune Tonic”.  Astragalus helps your body handle stress physiologically and reduces cortisol’s ability to bind and establish residency.
• Rehmannia Root enhances immune function and  adrenal support, balancing cortisol levels.
• Rhodiola Roots promotes the production of serotonin while balancing cortisol levels to comprehensively control the body’s response to stress. Rhodiola improves mental clarity, libido, and the ability to handle stress.  It helps to reduce anxiety and fatigue.

Consider have the food intolerance blood test done.  It can reveal what foods are causing inflammation in your body.  IGG and IGE ELISA.  We recommend Alletess Labs at www.foodallergy.com

Lastly-  AVOID—  chlorine, fluoride, bromines, soy, RAW broccoli, RAW cauliflower or any RAW cruciferous foods (cooked is ok), processed foods, sugary foods, fruit juices, bakery goods, overly starchy foods, candy, soda (except small amount of those sweetened with stevia is ok), avoid also the foods rich in beta carotene and lutein.  Drink clean filtered water and use it for cooking. Many contaminants are in tap water that interfere with your health and the way nutrients are utilized or I should say, not utilized. Be sure to use only non-irradiated salt for your cooking needs. Non-irradiated salt has the minerals in tact and active, whereas radiated salts reduce the use of these minerals in your body by as much as 30-35% less effective.