Thyroid Pharmacist

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

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Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

If you're looking for simple yet nutritious recipes that are thyroid-friendly, be sure to check out my new Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health cookbook! In this book, I give my readers a crash course on how to heal your body with nutrition, filled with recipes and eating strategies that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. All the recipes remove the most harmful trigger foods and incorporate beneficial foods to help your body heal and your thyroid thrive.

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

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Three Books

Thank you for your interest! I have three books! The Root Cause Book was my tracking of the experiments I did on myself to recover and regain my health. The Hashimoto’s Protocol book is a more step by step guide of the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. If you’re looking for simple yet nutritious recipes that are thyroid-friendly, be sure to check out my new Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology cookbook! I hope you check them out:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

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Positive feedback from HP Book:

-` :)

Choose the book link below they referred to

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

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Ebook - Kindle Version?

My Ebooks are usually in a PDF format due to the many charts and graphs inside each book. However, I am pleased to announce that my latest book, Hashimoto's Protocol, is available as a Kindle version from Amazon. I hope you check it out!

Hashimoto’s Protocol

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HP Book:

Having worked with over 1000 people with Hashimoto’s, and surveyed my community of over 250,000 Root Cause Rebels, I’ve developed a streamlined approach to help you strengthen your body and start eliminating symptoms in as little as two weeks! I lead you through

self-directed protocols that are beneficial to you, regardless of your root cause. I also walk you through the maze of identifying your individual triggers to autoimmune thyroid disease.

It took working with 1000+ clients, dozens of functional medical trainings, reviewing thousands of scientific articles and consulting with over one hundred health experts over the course of 7 years to put the protocols contained in the book together for you:

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/1470854996/ref=tmm_abk_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

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Ebook technical assistance

The Ebook is in PDF format. If you are having trouble downloading it, please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be more than glad to help.

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HP book - do you have an audio version of the book:

Thank you for asking about this. The Audio Book and the Audio CD for my Hashimoto's Protocol book are now available through Amazon! Here's the link:

Hashimoto's Protocol

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Translations

- Did you know? I am a Polish-American and after I started researching ways to help my own condition, my mom encouraged me to share my research in a book, so that she could translate it for family members in Poland with Hashimoto's. I would not have been able to write the book without my mom's support and encouragement! You can check out my books in Polish, here:

HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK

https://amzn.to/2DoeC80

HASHIMOTO’S PROTOCOL BOOK

https://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

HASHIMOTO'S FOOD PHARMACOLOGY

https://amzn.to/2OEMzXd

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Polish Translation announcement in Polish

Z przyjemnością pragnę poinformować wszystkich zainteresowanych, że polska edycja książki jest już dostępna i można ją zamówić na stronie internetowej:---

https://www.tarczycahashimoto.pl/ksi261380ka.html

Zapraszam też na Polską stronę Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zapalenietarczycyhashimoto

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Which Book to Start with?

Thank you so much for the support. It really depends on you. The Root Cause is a bit more science intensive while the Protocol is a bit more "here are the steps". Hope that helps

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Which book you choose really depends on you. The Root Cause Book was my tracking of the experiments I did on myself to recover and regain my health. The Hashimoto’s Protocol book is a more step by step guide of the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check them out:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/bone-broth-help-gut-help-thyroid/

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COOKBOOK QUESTIONS

Vegetarian

- Thank you for your question. The recipes are based on my thoughts on AIP, Paleo, and reintroductions, so I covered recipes for all of these phases. I focus on thyroid-specific issues and the underlying root causes that can impact them and include this knowledge in the cookbook to truly make it a powerful resource for thyroid patients to reclaim their health! There are many vegetarian dishes included and you are welcome to adapt any of the recipes as you need.

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Cookbook will only be available in hard copy

The Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology cookbook is currently only available as a hard copy book.

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I would say start with the cookbook. I created this book because I want everyone with Hashimoto's to be their own nutrition guru. This book contains 125 healing recipes, as well as guides to help you tailor your diet to your needs and use digestive enzymes when needed. Once you have implemented your nutritional interventions you can move on to Hashimoto's Protocol.

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Bone Broth

Histamines

– Many people have had success by making their bone broth in a pressure cooker and cooking it for only a few hours. This drastically cuts down on the amount of histamines, which could be an issue for you. Here is an article you might find helpful.

BONE BROTH: HELP YOUR GUT TO HELP YOUR THYROID

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ACV alternative

- Bone broth can be made with red or white wine vinegar, or lemon juice, or you can simply leave out the vinegar altogether. Many people have had success by making their bone broth in a pressure cooker and cooking it for only a few hours, which drastically cuts down on the amount of histamines, which could be an issue for you. Here is an article you might find helpful.

BONE BROTH: HELP YOUR GUT TO HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/bone-broth-help-gut-help-thyroid/

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Cooking Time

On low for 10 to 12 hours or on high for 6 to 8 hours. If you have an Instant Pot it will only take 1-2 hours.

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Bone broth can be kept in the fridge for a week and stored in the freezer for 3 months. You can use bone broth in soups, stews or casseroles or drink a cup instead of your morning coffee. A cup a day is a good guideline, but you can adjust this to your own needs.

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How much and how to incorporate

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. Bone broth is an incredibly versatile food. It can be sipped in a mug, used as a base for many different types of soup, or added to sauces to enrich the flavor and nutritional value. In general you could have one to two cups per day, but you can adjust this to your own needs. I share several different ways to incorporate it in my cookbook Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology. Here is a link if you would like to check it out:

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Food-Pharmacology-Nutrition-Protocols/dp/0062571591?tag=thyroipharma-20

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Unfortunately the convenient options do come at a premium. I find cooking it myself is rewarding as well as cheap and healthy

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Bone Broth and Lead levels/toxicity

I have added to the article precautions and information on lead levels in bone broth. You can find that info below the recipe in the this article: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/bone-broth-help-gut-help-thyroid/

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Brain Fog

- Brain fog is a very common symptom of Hashimoto's. Often we are told that being confused and forgetful is part of normal aging or that we need less stress. Really, much of our symptoms including brain fog can be attributed to low thyroid hormones and food sensitivities. Going gluten and dairy free seem to be some of the most helpful interventions to help decrease or often get rid of brain fog. Here are a couple articles you might find helpful:

BRAIN FOG AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/brain-fog-hashimotos/

IS GLUTEN THE ROOT CAUSE OF YOUR THYROID CONDITION?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/gluten-root-cause-thyroid-condition/

10 MOST HELPFUL DIY INTERVENTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-most-helpful-diy-interventions-for-hashimotosaccording-to-my-clients

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Cilantro/Coriander

- thank you for following this page. Cilantro is also known as coriander and is available fresh in the produce section in most grocery markets. It can also be found in supplement form. Not everyone will need every single supplement! In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet. This is why I always list food sources in the book and on the blog, for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s. However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do.

I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-thyroid-cancer/

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CANCER

Cancer

- The thyroid can break down until it’s almost gone from Hashimoto’s disease. Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my books focus on balancing the immune system. The information is based on my own research in my journey whilst overcoming my own autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are some articles which might help:

HASHIMOTOS AND THYROID CANCER

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AND CANCER

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hormone-replacement-therapy-and-cancer

THE CONVENTIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO HASHIMOTO’S AND THYROID CANCER

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-conventional-complementary-and-alternative-approach-to-hashimotos-and-thyroid-cancer

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CHILDREN / TEENS / KIDS

Dr Kilbane Article - Case Study: Hashimoto’s and Celiac Disease in a Teen Girl

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-celiac-disease-in-teen-girl/?fbclid=IwAR0l59hVj-wT2wt8n8PlLyArftIiBNT5RHsv5s456xkn7jD2Z9AuUSiVgDY

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Children/Teens

For children, teens, (and adults), I always recommend starting with the diet. Are they gluten, dairy, corn and soy free? Are they eating a nutrient dense diet with fermented foods? Implementing those changes can help many symptoms. For example, some cases of anemia can be helped by eating liver, others may resolve by going gluten free. Acid reflux is often caused by food sensitivities. Most of the interventions recommended in my book can be done with children, with the exception of the dosing of supplements. I do suggest that you work with a functional medicine doctor that is familiar with working with children (I only work with adults). I hope this helps!

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117

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Labs

The same labs used to diagnose thyroid disease in adults can be used for children. However, the lab values and reference ranges to look for may differ. My research is based on adults so I cannot provide information for children/babies; please consult your doctor for pediatric thyroid testing. Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don't run them all so you will have to request them.

¨ TSH

¨ TPO Antibodies

¨ Thyroglobulin Antibodies

¨ Free T4

¨ Free T3

¨ Reverse T3 (optional)

¨ Thyroid Ultrasound (optional)

Here is a research article which might help further:

TOP 10 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

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I do suggest that you work with a functional medicine doctor that is familiar with working with children. I hope this helps!

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117

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Cold or Hot Intolerance - Choose One

For those who feel COLD:

The thyroid gland has been called a thermostat for our body, as it helps to regulate heat. People with hypothyroidism are prone to having low body temperatures and cold intolerance. It’s one of those symptoms that we often brush off, don’t notice and don’t take seriously, but can be very distressful when we do not take the proper precautions. Here's an article that I hope helps you.

THYROID AND COLD INTOLERANCE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thyroid-and-cold-intolerance

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Balancing your blood sugar will help you stay warm. Hypoglycemia weakens the thyroid and adrenals and can cause hypothermia. Be sure to eat high-quality fats and proteins every few hours and limit sugary and starchy foods. Here is a link which might help: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/blood-sugar-imbalances-and-hashimotos

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For those who feel HOT:

People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.

THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/

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CONSULTATION REQUESTS / HSMP

Consultation

I have a 12 week online program called Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program, that covers all of the strategies that I go through with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that participants have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. There are a few requirements that you should pay attention to before enrolling to this course, like reading my book. Here is the link to the program:

Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-program/

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I do provide a limited number of consultations, however, at present time I am not accepting new clients. I have a 12 week online program called Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program, that covers all of the strategies that I go through with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that participants have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. There are a few requirements that you should pay attention to before enrolling to this course, like reading my book. Here is the link to the program:

Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-program/

If you would like to be notified of any future consulting opportunities and educational events, you can sign up for my waiting list: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/dr-izabella-wentzs-waiting-list/

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- Unfortunately, at present time I am not accepting new clients. I do offer a 12 week online program called Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program, that covers all of the strategies that I go through with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that participants have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. Here is the link to the program if you are interested in checking it out:

Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-program/

Please feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com if you have any questions regarding the protocols as well!

If you would like to be notified of any future consulting opportunities and educational events, you can sign up for my waiting list: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/dr-izabella-wentzs-waiting-list/

Complaints - Research - Dr. Wentz’s Qualifications - Crediting others work

In case we have another situation where someone reaches out about crediting another's research in one of our posts, can you add this new CR to our FB responses:

Thank you for [XX]'s work on this important topic. [S/he] inspired this article, and is one of our key references credited in the post. I do always want to provide credit to the brilliant minds behind any research that I reference, so if you have specific feedback as to how we could better do so for [XX]'s work, please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and let us know.”

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Dr. Wentz's qualifications

- thank you for following this page. I can understand your concerns. My name is Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP. I have a doctorate degree in pharmacy and I am a Fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. I also hold advanced certifications in Medication Management, Diabetes Management, and Functional Medicine and in the year 2013 received the Excellence in Innovation Award from the Illinois Pharmacists Association. I became interested in functional medicine and lifestyle approaches for thyroid conditions after my own Hashimoto's diagnosis. My full credentials and CV can be reviewed at

www.thyroidpharmacist.com/media. We hope that The Thyroid Secret documentary can help you on your journey. This series gathers and interviews most of the top experts in Autoimmune disease, specifically Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid disease. There is no other resource like it anywhere.

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I completely understand if this information is too much for you at this time. If you are interested in learning more about Hashimoto's, you might be interested in my books:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/going-dairy-free-to-reverse-hashimotos/

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Complaint about a clinician on the listing:

Thank you for following this page. I am so sorry you had to go through that. Please contact my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and report this to them.

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Wanting to start a website.

I am so happy to hear that you are getting so much out of the information. This just made my day! It's wonderful that you are getting together with friends and family to privately share the information we publish. Websites however, unless membership only and private are public and we've had some warnings from our legal team about this before. I encourage you to create your website to share information but, please do not use ThyroidPharmacist images or information in any way that a person might think it's our site. We could both get into trouble from that. Thank you for sharing the information and for your support!

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Dairy

Q: Is lactose intolerance the same as dairy sensitivity?

A: Dairy sensitivity is usually a reactivity to proteins, like casein and whey, found in dairy. Lactose intolerance is different. Lactose is a sugar that’s found in dairy. If a person lacks the necessary enzyme (lactase) to break down the lactose, they will have a reaction. Though symptoms of lactose intolerance and dairy sensitivity can be similar (i.e. diarrhea, bloating, intestinal pain), they are two different types of reactions.

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Q: If I take the Gluten and Dairy Digest from Pure Encapsulations daily, will my gluten and/or dairy intolerances disappear over time?

A: Gluten and Dairy Digest by Pure Encapsulations contains enzymes that can be taken when you go out to eat, and are accidentally exposed to gluten or dairy. They will help you digest the gluten or dairy proteins, and minimize negative reactions. However, they do not address the underlying food sensitivity, and will not help you tolerate gluten or dairy in the long-term.

Should I be consuming raw dairy

- thank you for following this page. Some people may not be able to tolerate even raw dairy. If you have been sensitized to casein in conventional cow’s milk, you will likely react to the casein in raw milk, goat milk, sheep milk and lactose-free milk. Casein is a protein within dairy that is highly problematic for people with Hashimoto’s. Camel milk is an alternative that most will be able to tolerate. Here’s an article you may find helpful:

DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO'S

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Casein

Casein is a protein within dairy that is highly problematic for people with Hashimoto’s. If you have been sensitized to casein in conventional cow’s milk, you will likely react to the casein in raw milk, goat milk, sheep milk and lactose-free milk. Here is an article you may find helpful:

DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/going-dairy-free-to-reverse-hashimotos/

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DIABETES

DIABETES - GENERAL

Thank you for following this page. While I only work with patients with Hashimoto’s, oftentimes patients will have additional autoimmune conditions. Most autoimmune conditions have common root causes, and a lot of times the things that are recommended for one autoimmune condition will help with others. Conditions that I have found to respond really well to the Hashimoto’s Protocols have been rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, asthma, Graves’, premature ovarian failure, psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, Sjogrens, Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis. Here are some articles which might help:

REVERSING DIABETES AND HASHIMOTO'S BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES

HASHIMOTO'S, BLOOD SUGAR AND DIABETES

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-diabetes-and-hashimotos-blood-sugar-imbalances/

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DIABETES - TYPE 1

Type 1 Diabetes, also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), is analogous to Hashimoto's. Both conditions start with circulating autoantibodies. In IDDM, the antibodies are to the beta cells in the pancreas, while in Hashimoto’s the antibodies are to thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO). A trio of factors has been suggested to form the “Perfect Storm" in Type 1 Diabetes pathogenesis: abnormal microbial flora, leaky intestinal mucosal barrier, and an altered immune system in intestinal cells. In my Hashimoto's Root Cause book, I discuss diabetes. Have you been able to check it out?

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

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DIET FAQS - loads to choose from ;)

Different diet stages

People follow different diets depending on the protocols they’re following, or the stage of healing they’re at. (For example, I recommend the Root Cause Intro diet, which allows for seeds and legumes but removes gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/alcohol/caffeine, during the Liver Support Protocol.) After identifying and eliminating food sensitivities, and healing, many people are able to reintroduce some foods back into their diet.

It’s important to remember that everyone will have unique sensitivities. So be sure to only follow recipes that do not contain foods you may be sensitive to.

Here are a couple resources you might find helpful as well.

BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET AND THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/common-questions-about-diet-and-thyroid

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Elimination Diet - is it OK - how to do it?

– The gold standard or the most accurate test for uncovering reactive foods and individual food sensitivities is actually the elimination diet. In contrast to other diets that simply exclude common problematic foods, an elimination diet is done to determine what particular food intolerances the individual may have. An elimination period of at least 2-3 months is a good starting place, but you may want to continue if you feel that you still have more healing to do. Then you can try a new food every 4 days and monitor yourself for reactions. Going through an elimination diet will help you figure out your own individual food triggers and your specific response to each trigger food. Here is an article I hope you find interesting!

ELIMINATION DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

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Diet, sensitivity, the gut and symptoms

Thank you for following this page. Did you know that reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well-known risk factor for Hashimoto's), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten? Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts, and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people will actually be able to get their Hashimoto's into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful.

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

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Autoimmune Paleo

- I have seen many of my clients find 100% relief from their symptoms by implementing the AIP diet into their lifestyle changes. The symptoms that many find relief are joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, brain fog, tinnitus, skin rashes as well as decreased food sensitivities. Even for those who do not recover completely, they will experience significant improvement. You have nothing to lose (except for symptoms!) and everything to gain by considering the AIP diet!

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

FOOD PHARMACOLOGY FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-pharmacology-hashimotos/

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Fasting

- Thank you for sharing! While fasting can be beneficial in many cases, some caution is required for people with Hashimoto’s due to our blood sugar issues. Blood sugar imbalances are a big contributor to Hashimoto’s. Balancing blood sugar levels should be one of the priorities for anyone who is hoping to overcome autoimmune thyroiditis and adrenal fatigue. Balancing my blood sugar made a big difference for me, helping with my anxiety levels and reducing my thyroid antibodies. I hope this article helps shed some light on the matter:

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES AND HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/blood-sugar-imbalances-and-hashimotos

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Fasting

Blood sugar imbalances are a big contributor to Hashimoto’s, so while fasting can be beneficial in many cases, some caution is required for people with Hashimoto’s due to our blood sugar issues. Balancing blood sugar levels should be one of the priorities for anyone who is hoping to overcome autoimmune thyroiditis and adrenal fatigue. Balancing my blood sugar made a big difference for me, helping with my anxiety levels and reducing my thyroid antibodies. I hope this article helps shed some light on the matter:

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES AND HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/blood-sugar-imbalances-and-hashimotos

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If you have Hashimoto's do you have to get off dairy and soy too?

Thank you for reaching out. I always recommend starting with a diet that is gluten, dairy, corn and soy free. Here are some resources you might find helpful.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET AND THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/common-questions-about-diet-and-thyroid

DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/got-hashimotos-you-may-want-to-reconsider-dairy

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

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Elimination diet

- thank you for reaching out. Until you eliminate the foods from your diet, it will be nearly impossible to correlate your symptoms with a food. This is because food sensitivities can take up to 4 days to manifest. You will only notice that you are reacting to the food if you withdraw it for a time-period of at least 3-4 days. I always recommend starting with a diet that is gluten, dairy, corn and soy free. Here are some resources you might find helpful.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET AND THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/common-questions-about-diet-and-thyroid

DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/got-hashimotos-you-may-want-to-reconsider-dairy

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

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Blood Type Diet

– While the blood type diet seems to be a logical and rational way of eating, there is no scientific basis to support it. The blood type diet has been investigated and proven to be groundless by numerous researchers. The foods that suit each person are very individual, but in general, the less processed your food is, the better it is for you.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET AND THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/common-questions-about-diet-and-thyroid

BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

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Low Histamine

It can seem daunting when you have a lot of restrictions and some people may have to take it a step further and incorporate a rotation diet, a low-histamine diet, or low-oxalate diet. You can find more information on these helpful protocols in my latest book Hashimoto’s Protocol. These changes are not permanent, so do not be discouraged! The Autoimmune Paleo diet is meant to be short-term; it solves the problem of leaky gut and is not just a band-aid. These variations in diet give you the power to improve how you feel and isolate your root cause(s). Using an elimination diet can help to show you if you are reacting to the foods you commonly eat. These articles should give you some further pointers:

HISTAMINE AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/histamine-and-hashimotos/

SIBO

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sibo-prevent-remission-hashimotos/

ARE OXALATES THE ROOT CAUSE OF YOUR THYROID CONDITION?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-oxalates-at-the-root-cause-of-your-thyroid-condition

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Collagen vs AI Protein

Collagen is made from the connective tissue of animals, such as hooves and bones, where hydrolyzed beef protein is made from beef itself. Hydrolyzed beef protein goes through a process called hydrolysis. This process breaks the beef down into tiny parts, which allows for less potential reactions with hydrolyzed beef, compared to collagen proteins.

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Hydrobeef is a highly concentrated, pure beef protein, which contains complete proteins. This means that it contains all of the 9 essential amino acids that we need to properly build and repair muscle. It is derived from an infusion process of beef that provides critical nutrients, peptides, amino acids, nucleotide fractions, vitamins and minerals – including vitamins A and D, and natural forms of B vitamins.

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Collagen, although considered a protein source, is not a complete protein, meaning it does not have the 9 essential amino acids that our body needs for muscle and tissue repair. Specifically, collagen protein is lacking in tryptophan. This means that additional protein, ideally consisting of animal protein, needs to be consumed daily to ensure we are supplying the body with all of the adequate essential amino acids. Additionally, it only has about 11 grams or so of protein per serving, compared to about 27 grams in the hydrolyzed beef protein.

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Camel Milk

- thank you so much for sharing. I understand, it's not for everyone. In my research I have found that camel milk does have some interesting healing properties that may be of use in helping to heal Hashimoto’s and I wanted to share with this community. In fact, the World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences published a review article of several of the medicinal properties of camel milk. Here is an article you might find interesting. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/benefits-camel-milk-hashimotos-hypothyroidism/

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Low FODMAP Diet

The low FODMAP diet is considered an effective nutritional therapy for certain digestive disorders, including Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO. One small study reported that about 50 percent of people with hypothyroidism have SIBO. SIBO can be a root cause of Hashimoto’s and can lead to intestinal permeability and irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation are common in SIBO, and may be exacerbated by eating foods that contain FODMAPs. Here is an article you might find helpful:

LOW FODMAP DIET FOR SIBO, IBS, AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/low-fodmap-diet-sibo-ibs-hashimotos/

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Paleo vs AIP

The diet I recommend for Hashimoto's is the traditional Paleo diet which eliminates grains, dairy, soy, legumes, and processed foods and focuses on nutrient-dense foods like meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and eggs. It has helped a lot of people feel much better, and some have even been able to eliminate thyroid antibodies by following this diet. Unfortunately, not everyone gets better on the Paleo diet. In some cases, we need to dig deeper. People may have additional sensitivities that contribute to the immune system dysfunction. People with Hashimoto’s are especially sensitive to a multitude of foods, especially gluten, dairy, soy, and eggs. That’s where the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet comes into play. This diet goes beyond Paleo and removes an additional couple of foods such as nuts, seeds, and eggs. AIP is the starting point if you don’t remove the inflammatory foods, you can’t know if your other interventions are working or not. An elimination diet is the gold standard for determining the foods one is sensitive to. Here are a couple articles you might find interesting:

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

ELIMINATION DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

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Which Diet?

I have found that diet is very much an individual intervention. What works for one person, may not work for another, as each individual may be different in their triggers and needs. I generally recommend a full Root Cause Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet for 30-90 days, which goes a long way to remove trigger foods, reduce inflammation, heal the gut, and even reduce thyroid antibodies! I recommend eliminating gluten, grains, dairy, and soy indefinitely, but we can have a rich, full diet with foods that we aren't sensitive to. The end goal is for everyone to come up with their own personalized Root Cause Paleo Diet (modified for your personal sensitivities) that you can enjoy for life! A food and symptom journal can be very helpful for determining what foods you are sensitive to. If you have any questions please feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help. Here are some resources I hope you find helpful as well.

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

LOW FODMAP DIET FOR SIBO, IBS, AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/low-fodmap-diet-sibo-ibs-hashimotos/

ELIMINATION DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

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Gluten Free

Going gluten-free is always the first step that I recommend. Through my research, I've found that a good percentage feel better off gluten. About 20% will actually go into remission by doing so. Some researchers have found that three to six months on a gluten-free diet can eliminate organ-specific antibodies. Unfortunately, not everyone gets better and in some cases, we need to dig deeper. People may have additional sensitivities that contribute to the immune system dysfunction. People with Hashimoto’s are especially sensitive to a multitude of foods. If you don’t remove the inflammatory foods, you can’t know if your other interventions are working or not. An elimination diet is the gold standard for determining the foods one is sensitive to. Here are a couple articles you might find interesting:

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

ELIMINATION DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

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Someone looking for Elemental Diet:

Integrative Therapeutics has removed distribution of this formula from retail channels, as it is an FDA regulated medical food. As always, I do recommend working with your personal health care provider to ensure this (or any other) intervention is appropriate for you. However, if you and your practitioner are having trouble obtaining this elemental formula, Dr. Siebecker's homemade Elemental Diet may be a suitable alternative: (hyperlink: https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/homemade_elemental_diet_options.pdf)

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DIET Q&A's

I’m following the Autoimmune Paleo diet but am experiencing fatigue related to adrenal dysfunction. What do you recommend for fatigue?

A: One thing to consider is taking a dose of thiamine at a dosage of 600 mg per day. Sometimes, when people have adrenal dysfunction, are on a grain-free diet, and have thyroid issues, they may actually have a subclinical thiamine deficiency. If that is what’s missing, you should start seeing a difference in your energy levels within 3-5 days. That can be a big game changer for a lot of people.

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My doctor said I don’t have celiac disease and that I don’t need to go gluten-free.

I would still recommend going gluten-free. In my study of 2232 people with Hashimoto’s, 88% of them felt better gluten-free, while only 3.5% of them had celiac disease.

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Why doesn’t my doctor know about this?

Food sensitivity research is a new science that is controversial and rarely taught in medical, pharmacy and nursing schools.

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I am a vegan/vegetarian, will these recipes work for me?

The recipes are based on including meat and exclude most vegan/vegetarian protein sources. I do not recommend getting these recipes if you are a vegan/vegetarian unless you are willing to change your diet.

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Why don’t you recommend a vegan/vegetarian diet for Hashimoto’s?

While the vegan/vegetarian diet can be helpful for a variety of conditions, I have found that about 30% of people feel worse on the vegan diet with Hashimoto’s, while only 27% feel better. This is in contrast to 88% feeling better gluten-free!!

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My allergist tested me for food allergies and said I don’t have any.

Food sensitivities are different than food allergies and utilize different testing that is considered “controversial” and thus not usually covered on insurance.

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I don’t think I have any food sensitivities.

Until you eliminate the foods from your diet, it will be nearly impossible to correlate your symptoms with a food. This is because food sensitivities can take up to 4 days to manifest. You will only notice that you are reacting to the food if you withdraw it for a time-period of at least 3-4 days.

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Is eating this way boring?

It can be if you are not prepared! This is why I created Root Cause Recipes, to give you variety!

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Is eating this way extreme?

Some people may say that using food as medicine is extreme. I say that taking numerous medications and feeling sick is extreme. Which would you prefer?

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Will I be able to wean off my medications with this diet?

We have seen some people wean off medications. Please work with your doctor.

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Does the diet reduce thyroid antibodies?

Yes- research proves that it can :-)

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Does the diet reduce thyroid nodules?

Yes!

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Will eating this way lead to nutrient deficiencies?

Restricting your diet could in theory, lead to nutrient deficiencies, however, we have found that once people remove inflammatory foods from the diet, this actually improves their digestion and absorption, leading to better assimilation of nutrients from food.

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Will diet heal me completely?

We have seen complete reversal of illness with nutrition, however, if you hit a plateau after 90 days of the Root Cause autoimmune Paleo diet, you will need to investigate additional root causes.

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What is the best test for food sensitivities?

The gold standard is an elimination diet, like the Root Cause autoimmune Paleo diet, where you remove reactive foods for 3-4 weeks

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What if I’m allergic to coconut?

Palm oil may be a substitute.

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Will I have to eat this way forever?

I generally recommend healing diets for 30-90 days. Most people will be able to reintroduce foods once they have healed their intestinal permeability.

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Is raw dairy/goat milk/sheep milk/lactose-free milk OK?

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What is the success rate of the Paleo diet?

Around 80% of people feel better with the Paleo diet!

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What is the success rate of the autoimmune diet?

Around 80% of people feel better with the autoimmune diet!

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How long should I stay on each diet?

Some people feel better within 3 days! Give the diet 30 days to see effects, 90 days to see the full effect!

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Is seaweed good or bad for the thyroid?

Seaweed should be avoided because it can exacerbate autoimmunity and may contain high doses of iodine; excess iodine can be toxic in Hashimoto’s.

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Are cruciferous vegetables like broccoli OK to eat?

Generally, most cruciferous vegetables are not an issue for people with Hashimoto's and they can help with detoxification. However, some people with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) may react to some of the crucifers--in that case, I recommend the low FODMAP modified recipes.

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Is low carb bad for the thyroid? Keto?

I often have people play around with their fat to protein to carb ratios to find what fits them best. Some people (especially if they’re more active) will benefit from more proteins. Others benefit from more fats, such as those with brain fog, pain, and depression. Some may even benefit from ketosis. Personally, for me, lower carbs, higher fats, and ketosis made me feel amazing for a couple of years until I hit a plateau and then needed to add back more carbs to feel my best. The bottom line is that you have to adjust the diet to your needs and your needs may change!

USING KETOGENIC DIET FOR HASHIMOTO's

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-ketogenic-diet-hashimotos/

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DIET AND THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/common-questions-about-diet-and-thyroid

BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

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Are the recipes low FODMAP friendly?

Yes, we have a total of 4-weekly meal plans/recipes that have been low FODMAP modified (2 weeks of autoimmune and 2 weeks of Paleo).

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Ketogenic Diet not good for Candida

When we go into a ketogenic state, the body creates ketones, which the body burns as fuel, but because of the makeup of the ketones, yeast thrives off of it and can get worse.

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What do I do if I am sensitive to eggs?

- If you want to use them for baking or binding, applesauce or gelatin can be very useful. I hope this helps :)If you are sensitive to eggs then I would simply substitute them with another animal protein of your choice.

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Q: I started having palpitations at night when I lay down to sleep. Could this be related to food sensitivities?

A: Your palpitations might be due to food sensitivities, as it is a common reaction associated with eating foods that one is reactive to. Doing an elimination diet would help you figure out which foods you are sensitive to, and eliminating those foods could cause your palpitations to stop. Other possible causes of palpitations include caffeine consumption, caffeine withdrawals, being overmedicated, and having high thyroid antibodies. Supplementing with selenium helps many people in the case of high thyroid antibodies. I recommend consulting with your practitioner to discuss your symptoms and possible underlying nutrient deficiencies that may be behind your palpitations.

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Q: When do you know your gut is healed—would that be when you add foods such as eggs back into your diet and do not react?

A: You should be able to add most foods back within three to six months after healing your gut. Exceptions would be gluten, dairy, and soy. Some people may need to eliminate all three of those foods indefinitely. The kinder you are to your gut, eating nurturing foods, taking probiotics, and undergoing infection protocols, the more you should start seeing an improvement in gut function.

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Q: I’m on the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet per your recommendations. How long should I stay on this diet for?

A: I generally recommend following the AIP diet for one to six months. Once you see improvements within this time frame, you can start reintroducing foods one by one, which will help you create a long-term diet tailored to you. If you continue to experience symptoms after experimenting with the AIP diet, you may need to dig deeper and consider addressing other root causes of your thyroid condition.

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Diet/Weight Loss/Weight Gain

Weight Gain - overweight - can't LOSE Weight:

When it comes to weight gain these are a couple of things to think about.

1) What was your recent TSH, Free T3 and Free T4? Sometimes when those numbers are on the outskirts of normal, your metabolic rate may still be impaired making it more difficult for you to burn calories. Most people report feeling well with a TSH between 0.5-2.

2) What type of medication are you on? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combinations (Armour, Nature-Throid, compounded medications) versus T4 medications (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) alone. T4 is a precursor to T3, but some individuals do not convert T4 to T3 properly, and the T3 component is the metabolically active one.

3) What type of diet are you eating? Some report more weight loss with T4/T3 combination vs T4 alone. Some do not convert T4 properly.The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) full of sugar and simple carbohydrates is perfectly designed to cause us to gain weight year after year. Even yogurts that are marketed as "healthy" contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar. Divorcing the S.A.D. is often a step that many of us must take to not just lose weight, but to also feel better. Some diets that have been helpful include the Body Ecology Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Virgin Diet, Autoimmune Paleo Diet, GAPS diet, SCD diet, Weston A. Price Diet, or the Mediterranean Diet. You may need to modify these diets to your own individuality.

BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-lose-weight-with-hashimotos

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Diet - underweight - Can't GAIN WEIGHT

Thank you for following this page and my research. Most people with Hashimoto’s will experience weight gain, and so, of course, that’s what gets the most focus, but some people actually experience weight loss, or they can’t keep their weight on. This is especially problematic when a person has multiple food sensitivities and needs to adhere to an autoimmune diet that restricts foods. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Get a calorie counting app like My Fitness Pal on your phone, to help you keep track of your daily calories. Eating real food can be more filling than eating simple carbohydrates and you may not be getting enough calories. Use the app to figure out your target weight and the number of calories per day you need to get there.
Supplement after dinner with The Root Cause Building Smoothie: 1 avocado (300 calories), 1 cup coconut milk (150 calories), 1 banana (100 calories), 2 egg yolks (100 calories, if tolerated), 1 scoop of protein of beef/pea protein (60 calories) – You can also add cooked sweet potatoes if you need more carbs.
Get tested for gut infections. Gut infections can prevent the digestion and assimilation of foods, leaving you underweight and malnourished. The 401H test or GI Effects test are my go-to tests.
Get your adrenals tested with adrenal saliva tests. In some, stressed adrenals may actually lead to poor absorption of foods.
Be sure that you are not over medicated.
Work on reducing your antibodies with a selenium supplement
Stress reduction, when we’re stressed we don’t digest.
Add coconut oil in your beverages, this can add extra calories in your day
Avoid caffeine, it can make you less hungry and stress out your adrenals.

In case you would like to read more, here are the links to my books:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

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Can you recommend a Doctor?

Thank you for following this page. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician to be a part of your own health care team. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying root causes and preventing serious chronic disease rather than treating individual disease symptoms. Check out this article:

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

Recommended Compounding Pharmacist list

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-compounding-pharmacies/

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CANNOT AFFORD FM

Some FM doctors will take insurance.

I believe that everyone needs to find a practitioner that will let them be a part of the healthcare team. You want someone that can guide you, that will also listen to you and your concerns. You want someone that’s open to thinking outside of the box and who understands that you may not fit in with the standard of care. It's a good idea to ask some standard questions when contacting a new doctor for the first time. Something else to consider is you can work with a functional doctor remotely, via Skype. You could also contact your local pharmacist or compounding pharmacy, who may be able to point you to a local doctor who has a natural functional approach. But I encourage you to keep looking for the right one for you! Here are some resources you might find helpful.

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-compounding-pharmacies/

COMPOUNDING PHARMACIES

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Can you recommend a Doctor in EUROPE?

I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic diseases, rather than disease symptoms. If you cannot find a Functional Medicine practitioner in your area, it is possible to work with an overseas practitioner remotely via Skype or some other online video platform. Here's a link which might help: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

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Doctor referral - asking for medical advice

- Thank you for following this page. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions, but I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms. Here are some links which might help:

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

MY RECENT CHALLENGES AND FINDING DR. RIGHT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/my-challenges-and-finding-dr-right/

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Doctors/Practitioners who want to join our Database:

Thanks for reaching out! I have created a database of clinicians on my website as a resource for my followers.

Whether you're a physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, health coach, nutritionist, acupuncturist, professional student or other type of practitioner, please consider submitting your information to our clinician database. Here is the link: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-submit-your-thyroid-clinican-recommendation/

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Doctor Requesting Info

Have you checked out my books? The Root Cause Book was my tracking of the experiments I did on myself to recover and regain my health and The Hashimoto’s Protocol book is a more step by step guide of the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I also offer a program called Hashimoto's Self Management that you may be interested in. You can check it out here https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-program/. It is a great resource for practitioners and patients alike, and has helped many people to improve symptoms. My website also has a wealth of information as well.

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Patient who wants to add her Doctor to our Database:

Thank you for sharing! I would love it if you would share your doctor you have had great success with to our Recommended Practitioners database. It could make all the difference for someone who has been unable to find a good practitioner. Follow the link below and scroll to the bottom, then once you click "Accept" you'll then be able to see the lists and icons for each country: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-submit-your-thyroid-clinican-recommendation/

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Biological Dentist Referral:

Thank you for following this page. I highly recommend a Biological dentist. Biological dentistry is a branch of dentistry that looks at the connection between oral care and the health status of the rest of the body. While most traditional dentists focus only on “rescue care” rather than prevention, biological dentists try to prevent health problems that may originate from exposure to certain procedures and materials. To find a biological dentist in your area, visit the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology website at www.iaomt.org for a listing

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DENTAL

Impacted teeth can create inflammation around the root of the other teeth and can lead to gingival inflammation, periodontitis, and tooth decay. If you’ve been eating a “modern” diet containing flour, sugar, and processed vegetable fats, developing tooth decay is more likely, and adopting a more ancestral diet may help with preventing new onset tooth decay. Here are a some articles you may find helpful.

DENTAL TRIGGERS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/dental-triggers-hashimotos/

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos/

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet/

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Insists on medical advice

Thank you for reaching out. I am not able to advise on whether this supplement would be appropriate for you and your specific health needs without a comprehensive health assessment. I recommend that you discuss this with your personal doctor.

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- thank you for reaching out. Please understand, I am unable to answer specific medical questions, without a comprehensive health assessment. I recommend that you discuss this with your personal doctor.

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That’s great to hear! Dosing recommendations may vary between individuals. I recommend working with a practitioner to help you determine the best course of action for your needs.

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5 Stages

I do understand how hard it is. It took me three years to get into remission, but every change can bring huge benefits. There are 5 stages to thyroid disease. A conventional doctor won't look at stopping the autoimmune attack progressing. What we usually see is that a person with only thyroid antibodies and normal TSH is considered to be in Stage 2 of thyroid disease, a person who has an elevated TSH with normal T4/T3 with or without thyroid antibodies, is in Stage 3 of thyroid disease, a person with elevated TSH, lowered T3/T4 +/- thyroid antibodies is in Stage 4 of thyroid disease, regardless if she/he has thyroid antibodies or not. Stage 5, is when the person progresses to other types of autoimmune disease. Functional medicine doctors really aim to find and treat underlying causes and prevent serious chronic disease rather than merely treat disease symptoms.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid/

10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me/

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

You may also like to check out the doctors that other patients recommend on this list:

CLINICIAN DATABASE

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EBOOK - OPTIMIZING THYROID MEDICATIONS

EBook

Thank you for reaching out. There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. Educate yourself and get a copy of my new eBook on optimizing medications free! https://thyroidpharmacist.com/checkout/?product_id=4702

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I do understand where you're coming from. Hashimoto's is definitely not an easy path. But I have learned so much, not just information on healing, but I've learned about myself, how to rest and put myself first. I do hope you continue to experience healing on your journey. Have I shared my Optimizing Thyroid Medications eBook with you yet? I hope you enjoy it!

OPTIMIZING MEDS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/checkout/?product_id=4702

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Enzymes

Systemic/proteolytic enzymes can break down circulating immune complexes, antibodies to the thyroid gland as well as foods. Systemic enzymes help with breaking down excess toxins and inflammation in our bodies. They differ from digestive enzymes, though both provide many benefits. Systemic enzymes help the body with overall healing and wellness. Digestive enzymes support gut health, and help with digestion and breaking down carbohydrates, fat, protein and sugar. Here is an article with more information:

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING ENZYMES WITH HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-enzymes-to-overcome-hashimotos

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Q: Can you explain what systemic enzymes do, and how they help with food sensitivities?

A: Systemic enzymes work, in our blood, to reduce circulating immune complexes (antibody complexes that are coupled with immune cells), which build up in our bodies when we have autoimmunity. This leads to the perpetuation of food sensitivities and thyroid antibodies. When taken on an empty stomach, systemic enzymes will begin to break down those circulating immune complexes. When you take them with food, they help with the digestive process instead. For the purpose of reducing the circulating immune complexes and antibodies, I do recommend taking them on an empty stomach, about one hour before you eat, or two hours after you eat. I’ve seen thyroid antibodies AND food sensitivities diminish when taking systemic enzymes. In a few cases, thyroid antibodies were completely eliminated!

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Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)/ Viruses

Viruses - Covid Hide once responded to

Everyone is different, but we know that viruses in general can definitely trigger Hashimoto’s. It can make Hashimoto's worse, or create new onset thyroid issues for some, but not all. We also know that EBV can be reactivated with COVID-19 infections, and that can potentially contribute to an increase in antibodies, as well. I recommend discussing your symptoms as well as the need for retesting, with your practitioner and please keep me posted on your progress.

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) - Viruses

Thank you for following this page. Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called “Mono”), a debilitating viral infection that is common among college students and is also known as the “kissing disease,” because individuals are exposed to the virus through saliva of those who are infected. Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are needed to fight off the Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level of these types of immune cells. (CD8+ T cells decrease with age, are lower in women, and in the presence of low vitamin D intake). When these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the virus hide and multiply.

The timing of infection may also matter as well, for example, children in developing countries usually contract the Epstein-Barr Virus when they are under the age of 10. This usually results in an asymptomatic infection—one that does not cause symptoms. In contrast, in developed countries, where individuals are not usually exposed to the virus until they are in high school or college, the infection is symptomatic in 50% of the older kids affected. This is because by the time we reach college age, CD8+ T cells, the ones that fight EBV, have declined by threefold compared with the number of cells we had in childhood.

These are a few things I have found can be helpful in treating active EBV:

Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of many viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties.

You also need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating. Here is a link which might help:

EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos

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Epstein Barr - Blasto

The Epstein Barr virus creates a latent infection in the body, where it lies dormant until the right time when it reactivates and awakens. The reactivated virus has the potential to induce the production of thyroid antibodies and has been implicated in many debilitating autoimmune symptoms. Testing for viral reactivation may be done through your doctor. You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating.

I’ve found that many of these people with a history of EBV in adulthood, also have the gut infection Blastocystis hominis, which has recently been connected to irritable bowel syndrome, hives AND Hashimoto’s. Interestingly, EBV is fueled by the amino acid arginine, while arginine depletion can cause Blastocystis hominis to be more pathogenic. In the last few years, I’ve noticed that getting rid of the Blastocystis hominis infection can help people to get their Hashimoto’s into remission. Read more about it in my Blastocystis article:

A COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO'S, HIVES AND IBS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs

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Epstein-Barr - Dr. Wentz's Story:

Without going into too much detail, the first of the crucial defining moments in my disease development may have started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. Due to the communal living setting of dormitories (and less than stellar hygiene habits of most college students), I had recurrent strep throat infections and even contracted mononucleosis, a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is implicated in triggering many autoimmune conditions. I received multiple courses of antibiotics and birth control for menstrual cramps as well.

Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of any viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system. Here is an article which you might find interesting:

EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos

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Epstein-Barr - Dr. Wentz's Story with BOOK LINK:

Animal fats, broths, soups, and stews support the body’s ability to suppress the viruses. Monolaurin or lauric acid, one of the components of coconut oil, has been found to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus. Replication of any viruses including Epstein Barr is inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid, an active component of licorice root. Quercetin, Co-Enzyme Q10, N-Acetylcysteine, and glutathione were also reported to be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome because of their anti-viral properties. It is my belief that this combination had a profound impact on my gut flora, and thus my immune system. Have you checked out my book?

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://www.rootcology.com/products/adrenal-support

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Q: What can I do to keep the Epstein-Barr virus under control?

A: One of the biggest things you can do is keep your vitamin D levels between 60 and 80. That is what keeps the virus under control, as well as low amounts of stress. Supporting your adrenals with an Adrenal Support supplement, and of course, relaxing will help.

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Q: My EBV test results showed VCA IgM was negative; VCA IgG was positive; nuclear antigen was positive, and Epstein-Barr virus DNA was elevated. Should I order another lab test, or do these results provide enough information?

A: The most important test to do for Epstein-Barr virus reactivation is the early antigen test. Whenever the early antigen is positive, it means that you either have an active infection or a reactivated infection. The other lab results that are elevated may be indicative of a past infection, or they could be a current infection. So, you may want to do another test for the early antigen. Otherwise, some people do find that they still benefit from doing some Epstein Barr virus protocols, with results similar to those you’ve provided.

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Q: Do you recommend I.V. vitamin C for EBV? If so, what dose and for how long?

A: If you can find a naturopathic doctor or integrative doctor that gives I.V. vitamin C, then I would recommend it. You would want to work with them on dosing to individualize your protocol. If able, doing weekly sessions, one or two times a week for six weeks, can be a really great start. But, a practitioner should be monitoring you and doing some testing before and after to make sure the protocol suits your needs.

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Q: How do I know if the herpes virus is my trigger and what are my next steps since there is no cure?

A: The herpes virus, and viruses in general, can definitely trigger Hashimoto’s. The first step I always recommend is supporting your adrenal glands, because herpes viruses can flare up in the presence of adrenal fatigue. The adrenals help balance our immune system, can expedite healing, and prevent the influx of disease. Next, I would recommend making sure you are getting enough nutrients to boost your immune system, including making sure your Vitamin D levels are optimal, as Vitamin D supports the immune system. Herpes viruses also thrive on arginine, and arginine rich foods are thought to trigger them. So, if you're already gluten free, other things that can provide arginine to herpes viruses include nuts, chocolate, and spirulina. Lysine is a supplement that you can take to suppress arginine, and therefore suppress the herpes virus.

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Q: What supplements should I take if I ever get mono (the Epstein-Barr virus) again?

A: Coconut oil can be very helpful in treating infections. For preventive measures, you’ll want to make sure your adrenals are well supported. The Adrenal Support by Rootcology and Vitamin D by Pure Encapsulations are two supplements that help with preventing the Epstein-Barr virus. Stress reduction is important as well, because viruses act up whenever we’re stressed out.

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Exercise

I would recommend anyone embarking on a program of exercise starts slowly and progresses at their own pace. Exercise can be very healthy, but for people with Hashimoto’s it can create stress. Stress causes our adrenals to pump out extra hormones, and shifts our body from a relaxing, digesting, healing state to a fight or flight state. The body’s energy is shifted from doing “useless” things like growing beautiful hair, metabolizing, making hormones, digesting and repairing itself, and instead, all of the body’s resources are reserved to make cortisol and adrenaline that is pumped through our veins so that we can keep going. Eventually, we run out of nutrients that are required for proper adrenal function and we get to a state of adrenal fatigue. This is when our body is no longer able to heal itself and we feel drained.

Replenishing nutrients and using adaptogens that balance out the adrenals can be helpful for everyone. The Daily Stress Formula from Pure Encapsulations contains nutrients and adaptogens that can help your body repair itself.

ADRENAL SUPPORT

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FATIGUE - SLEEP ROUTINE

Fatigue - Sleep

- Fatigue was the most debilitating symptom I experienced with Hashimoto’s. It actually started 8 years before I was finally diagnosed in 2009 after I got Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) in college. I needed to sleep for 12 hours each night to be able to function, and by “function” I mean after hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock for two hours(ask my poor husband), I would drag myself out of bed and then had to drink 46 cups of caffeine everyday to keep myself awake. I often had Red Bull and Pepsi for breakfast, and was the epitome of “wired but tired”. I hope my articles help you get started

OVERCOMING THYROID FATIGUE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/strategies-overcome-hashimotos-fatigue/

THIAMINE AND THYROID FATIGUE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thiamine-and-thyroid-fatigue

SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sleep-solutions-for-hashimotos/

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

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SLEEP

– thank you for following this page. One of the best—and easiest—places to start is your sleep and self-care routine. Going to bed on time (not past 11 pm, ideally before 10 pm) and supplementing with magnesium citrate (most people are deficient in this element) can help your body prepare for the rest of the protocols needed on your journey to health. Having Hashimoto’s can feel very stressful. Having out of range thyroid hormones, adrenal fatigue, negative food sensitivities and low nutrient levels can lead to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and stress. Treating these issues one at a time is the best plan of action. You can recover and regain your health! My new book Hashimoto’s Protocol is a step by step guide to the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check it out.

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sleep-solutions-for-hashimotos/

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Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation is a huge stressor on the body and contributes to adrenal hormone imbalances, which then initiate the development of autoimmunity. Sleep deprivation is also the quickest way to get yourself into adrenal fatigue, in fact, sleep deprivation is what scientists use to induce HPA axis dysfunction in laboratory animals! The most fundamental recommendation of all for adrenal health is sleep!

Caffeine is also known to interfere with sleep, and because most of our liver detoxifying and healing takes place when we’re sleeping, we want to avoid anything that may interfere with sleep. We want to give the body every opportunity to heal. Additionally, caffeine weakens the adrenals and can increase gut permeability. Furthermore, tea is problematic because of fluoride content, while coffee has the potential to contain mold or cross-react with gluten.

Research has also shown that when people with autoimmune thyroid disease took magnesium citrate for six weeks, they reported feeling better with more energy, better sleep, less anxiety, and less constipation. These patients also had reductions in TSH! Magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate are great sources of oral magnesium supplements.

Here are some articles I hope you find helpful:

ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

NEW STUDIES ON MAGNESIUM AND THYROID HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-studies-on-magnesium-and-thyroid-health

HYPERSOMNIA AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hypersomnia-and-hashimotos/

SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sleep-solutions-for-hashimotos/

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Q: Could having increased thyroid antibody levels cause fatigue, despite TSH and T4 being within normal ranges?

A: Increased thyroid antibodies could potentially cause fatigue. However, I would recommend having your adrenal function tested as well. Stress on the body can exacerbate adrenal dysfunction, which in turn can cause more fatigue.

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Q: What could be the cause of morning fatigue?

A: Oftentimes, morning fatigue is due to adrenal dysfunction. It is a classic adrenal symptom, as is being a “night owl.” Again, testing adrenals with an adrenal saliva test would be the best course of action, as sometimes we are told that our adrenals are normal, when in reality, they are in poor shape.

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Q: I’m following the Autoimmune Paleo diet but am experiencing fatigue related to adrenal dysfunction. What do you recommend for fatigue?

A: One thing to consider is taking thiamine at a dosage of 600 mg per day. Some people who follow a grain-free diet and have thyroid issues, as well as adrenal dysfunction, may actually have a subclinical thiamine deficiency. If that is at the root of your fatigue, you may start seeing a difference in your energy levels within 3-5 days of supplementing. It can be a big game changer for a lot of people.

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Q: I started taking 600 mg of thiamine, and I think it's helping. How long should I take the thiamine supplement for?

A: I generally recommend taking thiamine for 3-6 months, but some people may need it longer term. This supplement is one I still take personally after 8+ years!

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GENETICS

-Thank you so much for following this page. Here is some information which you may find interesting.

Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur...

1. Genetic predisposition

2. Environmental triggers

3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

Developing autoimmunity is like a three-legged stool, all of these factors must be present for autoimmunity to occur! When you remove one of these, you can prevent or stop autoimmune disease. While we can't change genes, if we know the trigger, we can remove it and we can heal the gut.

REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm

IS HASHIMOTO'S HYPOTHYROIDISM GENETIC?

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic

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Get started

Thank you for reaching out! There are a lot of moving pieces and various triggers with Hashimoto’s, but there are also many actionable steps we can take to feel better, and even get the condition into remission! If you are just getting started on your healing journey, here are a few resources that may help:

ABOUT HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/about-hashimotos/

THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/

WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO'S?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/

GRAVES / HYPERTHYROID

Graves/Hyperthyroid

- Graves and Hashimoto's are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto's, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people) Hashimoto's results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually, people with Graves have hyperthyroidism, and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own, and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this. Sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are the links to my books:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/graves-vs-hashimotos/

GRAVES AND HASHIMOTO'S

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Thyroidectomy

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/

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I have Graves. Will your protocols work for me?

Thank you for reaching out. My protocols are designed to help those with thyroid autoimmune disease heal by focusing on gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and root cause discovery and treatment. Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism, it's an autoimmune disease that needs to be managed. Whether you have all, part or no thyroid, the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. We need to re-balance the immune system which begins in the gut. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

Here are some articles I think you might find helpful:

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/

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Graves and Hashimoto’s

Graves and Hashimoto's closely related one turns to other

Graves and Hashimoto's are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto's, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people) Hashimoto's results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/graves-vs-hashimotos/

GRAVES AND HASHIMOTO'S

HASHIMOTO’S AND GRAVES’ REMISSION AFTER HELICOBACTER PYLORI ERADICATION

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-graves-remission-after-helicobacter-pylori-eradication/

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Swinging Hypo to Hyper /Rapid heart rate

- People with Hashimoto’s may experience BOTH hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms because as the thyroid cells are destroyed, stored hormones are released into the circulation causing a toxic level of thyroid hormone in the body, also known as thyrotoxicosis or Hashitoxicosis. Eventually, the stored thyroid may become depleted and due to thyroid cell damage, the person is no longer able to produce enough hormones. At this time, hypothyroidism develops.

THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/

10 FACTS ABOUT THYROID DISEASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/need-know-thyroid-disease/

GRAVES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/graves-vs-hashimotos/

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Difference between Hypo and Hashimoto’s

Difference between Hypo and Hashimoto's

Hypothyroidism is associated with a lack of thyroid hormone that can occur as a result of a variety of different factors such as iodine deficiency, surgical removal of the thyroid, or damage to the thyroid.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that results in the immune system damaging the thyroid, which leads to a lack of thyroid hormone production. Most cases of hypothyroidism in the United States and other countries that add iodine to their salt supply are caused by Hashimoto’s. Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

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Thyroidectomy

If you’ve already had a thyroidectomy, in addition to making sure your thyroid medications are optimized, you will need them for life, there’s no shame in that, and you want to make sure that you are getting the optimal thyroid medications for you! I also encourage you to take on lifestyle changes and functional medicine, to ensure that the underlying triggers that led to the development of your condition don’t lead to another autoimmune condition. Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/

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Thyroid Removed

Removing the thyroid with a thyroidectomy eliminates thyroid antibodies, as there is nothing left to attack. However, life is not always roses with a thyroidectomy, as it does not remove the autoimmunity. Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/

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What would be too herbs for Graves’ disease - from Top Herbs Graphic

- thank you for reaching out. I haven't researched all of these specifically for Graves. However I do mention in my Top Herbs article that Ashwagandha is not recommended for those with Hyperthyroid. In the same article I shared that Cordyceps positive results applied to Graves. I also have an article on Turmeric and in my research for that I found that it also to be something that could be helpful. I will add the others to my list to research further. I also recommend discussing these supplements with your practitioner to determine which ones may be an option for you. Here are links to those articles you can check them out. TOP HERBS FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-herbs-hashimotos/

TURMERIC FOR YOUR THYROID AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/turmeric-for-your-thyroid-and-hashimotos

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Gut / Digestion

SIBO/Leaky Gut

We know that intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) is present in every case of autoimmunity and often precedes the development of Hashimoto’s. Symptoms of leaky gut may include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, many people develop IBS 5-10 years before an autoimmune diagnosis. I was one of them and didn’t take my gut health as seriously as I should have. Gut problems are often caused by infections like H. pylori, parasites like Blasto, SIBO, an imbalance of bacteria, and enzyme deficiencies or food sensitivities (especially to gluten, dairy, and/or soy). Even stress can be a factor in gut permeability. Here is an article you might find interesting.

6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-leaky-gut-and-autoimmunity/

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Gut Healing

- Thank you so much for following this page! I know how overwhelming everything can be. Gut healing is a journey; you may need various interventions like removing reactive foods and infections, taking enzymes and probiotics, and balancing nutrients. Remember, be kind to yourself and learn to listen to your body so that you can support and feed it properly! You are worth it! You may find this article helpful as well!

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

SUPPLEMENTS ACTUALLY HELP HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-supplements-actually-help-hashimotos/

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Blastocystitis Hominis/Hives

I’ve found that many Hashimoto's patients also have the gut infection Blastocystis hominis, which has recently been connected to irritable bowel syndrome, hives AND Hashimoto’s. In the last few years, I’ve noticed that getting rid of the Blastocystis hominis infection can help people to get their Hashimoto’s into remission. Read more about it in my Blastocystis article:

A COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO'S, HIVES AND IBS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs

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When to take Betaine and Pepsin

- thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. You can do it at the beginning of the meal, during or after. What I’ve found is, if you do it at the beginning or during the meal, basically you're going to kick start your digestive process. If you do it at the end of the meal, you're going to let your own digestive process take its course. And then, you're going to kick it up if it isn’t working. So, I like to use it at the end of the meal. I've also found that sometimes you take it before a meal and then you forget to eat, or you don’t eat enough. And then you feel like you might have an adverse reaction to it, because you didn’t have enough protein for it to burn. Then you feel that burning feeling instead. That’s why I generally like to recommend it at the end; I feel like it's safer. 　 Here is an article you might find helpful.

Hashimoto's and Low Stomach Acid

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-low-stomach-acid/

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How to know if low stomach acid

- Acid Reflux is a very common symptom that occurs in people with Hashimoto's. Studies have shown that most people with Hashimoto's either have very low stomach acid or produce no stomach acid at all. The person who does not have enough stomach acid will have the same symptoms as a person with an overabundance of stomach acid.

There aren’t too many tell-tale signs of low stomach acid, other than perhaps feeling full and tired after meals as well as experiencing acid reflux-like symptoms. Other symptoms may include: low B12, low ferritin or iron levels, fatigue despite thyroid medications, and constipation/diarrhea.

GOT ACID REFLUX?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/got-acid-reflux

HASHIMOTOS AND LOW STOMACH ACID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-low-stomach-acid

GOING DAIRY FREE TO REVERSE HASHIMOTOS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/going-dairy-free-to-reverse-hashimotos

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SIBO

– thank you for following this page. The way that you want to address infections is by starting with the highest infection in your body first. H. pylori is typically found in the stomach (it can also be in the upper part of the small intestine), so that’s going to be the first infection you want to treat. A lot of times, when you treat H. pylori, the SIBO will go away as well. Next would be the parasite. If, after the H.pylori and parasite protocols you still have SIBO, you would treat it at this time. The yeast would be addressed last, if needed. Sometimes when you use the parasite protocol along with the SIBO protocols, the yeast issue is taken care of as well. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

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Hpylori

- thank you for sharing your journey. H. pylori is a stubborn infection. I’ve found that some clients are successful in treating their H. Pylori by using a combination of herbal products such as Mastic Gum, DGL, S. Boulardii, and Rootcology Amino Support, among other products. You might also appreciate my book, Hashimoto’s Root Cause. The book has an entire section dedicated to infections and the various options for treatment. This 380-page guide helps people figure out their own root cause. It covers birth control, gut infections, the thyroid, adrenals, hormones, toxins, food sensitivities, medications, diet, tests/assessments you can do, etc. It will save you a lot of time and frustration, and so far it has helped a lot of people to feel better. You may also want to check out my book Hashimoto’s Protocol, a more step by step in-depth plan that streamlines the most effective interventions.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hair-loss-and-thyroid/

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Pernicious Anemia

Hashimoto’s often co-occurs with other autoimmune conditions. One of these conditions is specifically tied to B12 deficiency and is known as pernicious anemia. In pernicious anemia, the immune system attacks an intrinsic factor, a protein in our stomach that is required for B12 absorption. Low levels of hydrochloric acid (low stomach acid) and leaky gut, commonly found in those with Hashimoto’s, put people at risk for B12 deficiency because we need stomach acid to extract B12 and iron from our protein-containing foods. Many people have been able to improve their levels of B12 through improving their stomach acid, working on their leaky gut, and getting rid of gut infections and improving their neurological symptoms, hair loss, fatigue, food sensitivities, etc.

Removing common trigger foods such as gluten, grain, dairy and soy can go a long way to improving your gut health and ability to absorb your B12 again. Focusing on improving your stomach acid can also help in absorbing B12. While thiamine can help with increasing stomach acid naturally, betaine with pepsin is another supplement that can be used to raise stomach acid levels. Betaine HCl and pepsin are naturally occurring components of the gastric juices that break down protein bonds in our food to make nutrients and amino acids more bioavailable. They are especially important for proper absorption of protein, calcium, B12, and iron.

Here is an article with more information: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/b12-thyroid/

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HAIR

Hair

- thank you for following this page. Hair loss is a distressing symptom experienced by women with Hashimoto’s. For women, our hair represents

our femininity, and losing our hair is a constant reminder that something is off and that we are not well. Here is an article that you might find helpful:

HAIR LOSS AND YOUR THYROID

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

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- thank you for following this page.

Sometimes, when your TSH is on the outskirts of the normal range, you can continue to lose hair, and your hair may lack luster and shine. If your hair tangles easily, this is a sign that you may not be getting enough thyroid hormone. Talk to your doctor. You should see a change within 4-6 weeks. Consider the type of thyroid medication you are taking. T3, the more active thyroid hormone, is your “beautiful hair” hormone that helps you grow your hair and prevents it from falling out. Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Tirosint only contain T4, the less active hormone. T4 should be converted to T3 in the body…except this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes an addition of Cytomel**may be cross-contaminated with gluten*** (a T3 medication) or a switch to a medication that contains a combination of T3/T4 such as Armour, Nature-Throid or compounded T4/T3 may result in a return of your hair’s luster and shine.

WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/

TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

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Question about Coloring/highlighting hair

- thank you for following this page. Determining our individual root causes and avoiding the triggers that worsen our autoimmune disease is a personal journey for each of us. I can tell you that I had an autoimmune flare after trying a very popular hypoallergenic brand of makeup and I have the labs to prove it! Some of us are more sensitive than others. Here is an article you may find helpful.

ARE YOU SACRIFICING YOUR

HEALTH FOR EXTERNAL BEAUTY?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-sacrificing-your-health-for-external-beauty

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Hair Coloring

- thank you for following this page! Different hair dyes have varying levels of harmful chemicals, even the safer ones can trigger symptoms. Depending on how sensitive you are some of the more natural ones may cause you less health issues but, I personally don't feel great about recommending any on my page. I hope that is helpful. You can also check out the website https://www.safecosmetics.org/ or search https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search.php to see how your products compare. You can search companies to see their overall rating, and also search for individual products. I try to use products with a 1 or 2 rating (lowest toxicity).

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IODINE/SEAWEED/SPIRULINA

Iodine

I am very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto's. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's is a different mechanism. It's like pouring gas into an engine that's on fire... that's essentially what's happening in Hashi's thyroid inflammation. Adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, in animal and human studies.

I have spent 4 years researching this issue, and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let's fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my books. I do have a chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein. Here are the links to my books :

IODINE AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/liver-reset

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Seaweed or Spirulina

- Spirulina and Chlorella have immune stimulating properties that can worsen autoimmunity and even cause new onset autoimmunity. Additionally, the iodine is problematic and can cause further thyroid damage. For cleansing, I recommend green juicing and Rootcology's Liver Reset. Here is the link to this supplement:

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Q: My iodine levels are very low. Do you advise taking a supplement? Should I still take selenium?

A: Most people with thyroid conditions are not deficient in iodine, and it’s important to note that excessive iodine intake can exacerbate Hashimoto’s. However, if your iodine levels are indeed low, I would recommend taking a multivitamin such as Nutrient 950 by Pure Encapsulations. A dose of up to 250 mcg of iodine per day (these levels are found in most multivitamins and prenatal vitamins) has been found to be helpful and beneficial in people with Hashimoto’s; however, doses above 300 mcg can be potentially inflammatory.

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Q: Is it better to take selenium and vitamin E separately from my multivitamin?

A: Selenium and vitamin E work together in synergy, and may not be absorbed completely from some multivitamins. Thus, sometimes it’s recommended to take them apart from a multivitamin.

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The right kind of salt is important! Iodized salt is partially responsible for the Hashimoto’s epidemic (check out my Iodine article on my blog - link in bio - to find out why!), so it is important to choose non-iodized varieties, as well as use filtered water to lower our toxic burden. I like to use Celtic sea salt or Himalayan pink salt. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/❤️

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Iron

FERRITIN/IRON

Ferritin is our iron storage protein and low levels are commonly associated with Hashimoto’s Here is an article you might find helpful.

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

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Low Iron

- Hashimoto's and low iron do go together as leaky gut makes it hard to absorb iron from your diet. These are the ferritin levels from my book, page 83. Normal ferritin levels for women are between 12 and 150 ng/mL. Ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml. This article does discuss iron:

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

HAIR LOSS AND YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hair-loss-and-thyroid

12 STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME HASHIMOTO'S FATIGUE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/12-strategies-overcome-hashimotos-fatigue/

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Restore Iron Levels

To restore your iron levels, you can eat cooked liver twice per week or eat beef a few times per week. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, so taking a vitamin C tablet or vitamin C rich food such as broccoli along with an iron-rich food is the best way to increase iron and ferritin levels. Creating an acidic environment by taking a Betaine and Pepsin supplement with meals can be helpful as well.

Most iron supplements are in the non-heme form and thus may not be absorbed as well. Additionally, many people find that they get terrible stomach aches from the supplements, and they find them extremely constipating! If choosing to take iron supplements, do so with much caution as they are one of the leading causes of overdose for children and adults. An iron overdose can be deadly, so make sure you keep the iron out of reach of children. Be sure you speak to your physician or pharmacist about a dose appropriate for you.

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

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Low Iron How to Raise

Hashimoto's and low iron go together as leaky gut makes it hard to absorb iron from your diet. Normal ferritin levels for women are between 12 and 150 ng/mL. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml. To restore your iron levels, you can eat cooked liver twice per week or eat beef a few times per week. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, so taking a vitamin C tablet or vitamin C rich food such as broccoli along with an iron-rich food is the best way to increase iron and ferritin levels. Creating an acidic environment by taking a Betaine and Pepsin supplement with meals can be helpful as well. Check out this article:

HOW BALANCING IRON LEVELS CAN HELP YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/balancing-iron-levels-can-help-your-thyroid/

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JUICING

- thank you for following this page. Green juices are a great and delicious way to alkalize. They are absorbed well and do not feed the pathogenic bacteria. Just about everyone can tolerate them.

It's best to avoid Spirulina and Chlorella from smoothies because these have immune stimulating properties that can worsen autoimmunity and even cause new onset autoimmunity. Additionally, iodine is problematic and can cause further thyroid damage. For cleansing, I recommend green juicing and Rootcology's Liver Reset. Here is the link to this supplement:

https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/liver-reset

You can find more information about juicing and alkalizing foods inside my Toxins Chapter in my books. If you didn't read it yet, here is the link to my latest book, Hashimoto's Protocol: https://amzn.to/3cJ89T4

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LAB TESTING / RANGES / DOSAGE

TESTS FOR HASHIMOTO’S DIAGNOSIS

- Thank you for following this page. Most people feel best with a TSH of around 1 or lower and with a Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper half of the range. It is expected that your TSH will be very suppressed when optimal on NDT medication. How much thyroid replacement therapy is needed is unique and different for each person, so it's important to work with a functional medicine practitioner or a doctor, who can closely monitor your dosage and your progress. Every six weeks is usually a good schedule for testing your thyroid hormones.

These are the recommended thyroid function tests from page 32 of my book:

- TSH

¨ TPO Antibodies

¨ Thyroglobulin Antibodies

¨ Free T4

¨ Free T3

¨ Reverse T3 (optional)

¨ Thyroid Ultrasound (optional)

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

TOP 10 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS

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TESTS FOR HASHIMOTO’S DIAGNOSIS

Thanks for reaching out! I do recommend starting off with these thyroid function tests:

¨ TSH

¨ TPO Antibodies

¨ Thyroglobulin Antibodies

¨ Free T4

¨ Free T3

¨ Reverse T3 (optional)

¨ Thyroid Ultrasound (optional)

It's always best to speak to your functional medicine practitioner to evaluate your specific case, and whether you need more testing. Here is a research article which might help further:

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

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Response about TSI and TBII

The most common antibodies found in Graves’ disease are TSH receptor antibodies, including thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) — this marker is elevated in >90% of people with Graves’ disease. TSH receptor binding antibody (TRAb), also known as TSH-binding inhibiting Immunoglobulin or TBII, is elevated in >50% of people with Graves’ disease. Both labs can be used for diagnostic purposes and monitored to track remission. You can self-order both Graves’ antibody tests using the link below:

https://www.ultalabtests.com/thyroidpharmacist/Item/Item/TSI-and-TBII-Panel

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Another TSI TBII response

TBII: thyroid binding inhibitory immunoglobulin, TSI: Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin. These are Graves blood tests. Graves and Hashimoto's are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto's, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people) Hashimoto's results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

HASHIMOTO’S AND GRAVES’ REMISSION AFTER HELICOBACTER PYLORI ERADICATION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-graves-remission-after-helicobacter-pylori-eradication/

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Ulta Lab Tests

I know from experience that sometimes it can be challenging to get your doctor to do comprehensive thyroid testing for you. Ulta Lab Tests is an amazing new resource where you can order your own blood tests, allowing you to really be your own advocate!

You will want to make sure you get all important thyroid panels such as TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TPO antibodies and TG antibodies, and much more—without a doctor's order! Ulta Lab Tests offers blood tests and panels at a significant discount, and you can even submit the labs to most insurance companies for reimbursement.*

This option is also fantastic for people who do not have insurance or who have a high deductible plan. For more information, and my top recommended labs for thyroid disease, visit Ulta Lab Root Cause Thyroid Panel. https://www.ultalabtests.com/thyroidpharmacist/Item/Item/TP-Root-Cause-Thyroid-Panel-1

*Be sure to check with your insurance company.

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How to Get Blood Drawn

– thank you for following this page. After you order a test kit, getting the lab draw and/or completing the test is your responsibility. The lab provider may be able to help you locate a facility near you that can complete the draw.

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Different Lab Ranges

Different labs will have different ranges, a good general guideline is to get your Free T4 in the top half of the range, your Free T3 in the top half to top quarter of the range and your TSH around 1.5 or below.

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Allergy testing:

I recommend Alletess food sensitivity testing as this will give you insight into the food sensitivities that have arisen from leaky gut:

https://thyroidrx.mymedlab.com/locations?return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fthyroidrx.mymedlab.com%2Fproducts%2Fdr-wentz.184-food-allergy-igg-alletess-trx

https://thyroidrx.mymedlab.com/locations?return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fthyroidrx.mymedlab.com%2Fproducts%2Fdr-wentz.96-food-allergy-igg-alletess-trx

You might find these articles helpful.

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

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Genetic testing:

I like 23andme, and running it through a service like NutraHacker, LiveWello or Genetic Genie, to interpret your genes can help with predicting some of your risk factors. Some individuals with Hashimoto’s may have a gene variation that prevents them from properly activating folic acid. Have you seen this article?

HASHIMOTO’S AND YOUR GENETICS

https://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic

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Blasto Testing

- Various studies, using many different methods for parasite identification, have found the prevalence rate of Blastocystis hominis to be between 13 to 73% of people with irritable bowel syndrome. As parasite detection methods are not 100% reliable (with many false negatives), these rates could be even higher. I recommend the GI-MAP, here is a link to self order:

https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/collections/labs/products/gi-map

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Selenium testing - CBS Mutation

- thank you so much for sharing. I recommend a Comprehensive Urine Elements Genova Kit. You can self-order that from direct labs or request it from your Functional practitioner. Here is a link if you would like to check it out: https://www.directlabs.com/thyroidrx/OrderTests/tabid/29159/language/en-US/Default.aspx

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Reverse T3

Thank you for reaching out. When I work with clients, I don’t routinely order the rT3 test, as I normally make recommendations that make the testing irrelevant. In essence, the test results don’t change what I recommend. I always recommend focusing on adrenal health and recommend a T3 containing medication. Here is an article you might find helpful: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

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LDN

- Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is an immune modulator that can be used to prevent further damage to the thyroid while one is looking for their root cause or to rebalance the immune system when the root cause cannot be found. Root causes are different for different people but may include infections or food sensitivities that result in an immune imbalance. Appropriate levels of Vitamin D, full spectrum light exposure, food sensitivities all play a role in autoimmunity and need to be considered as well. It’s also best to work with a compounding pharmacy that can help you titrate your dose correctly. This article gives the full details:

LOW DOSE NALTREXONE AND HASHIMOTOS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/low-dose-naltrexone-and-hashimotos

6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-leaky-gut-and-autoimmunity/

SUNSHINE FOR YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/get-some-sunshine-for-your-thyroid

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How long before feeling better

- thank you for following this page. The time to start feeling better will of course vary per person. Once you start to feel better, maintain the dose for 2-3 months and follow-up with your physician to see if your laboratory markers have improved. LDN should be used as part of an arsenal to help you overcome your autoimmune condition. Appropriate levels of Vitamin D, full spectrum light exposure, food sensitivities all play a role in autoimmunity and need to be considered as well. It’s also best to work with a compounding pharmacy that can help you titrate your dose correctly. LDN is not a commonly prescribed medication, and it may not always be possible to convince your doctor to prescribe it. On my quest to try LDN, I talked to my local compounding pharmacist to figure out which doctors in my area were knowledgeable about prescribing LDN. I also want to stress that LDN is not a cure, but rather an immune modulator that can be used to prevent further damage to the thyroid while one is looking for their root cause or to rebalance the immune system when the root cause cannot be found. Root causes are different for different people but may include infections or food sensitivities that result in an immune imbalance. Here are a couple articles you might find interesting.

6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-leaky-gut-and-autoimmunity/

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

SUNSHINE FOR YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/get-some-sunshine-for-your-thyroid

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LDN side effects

- thank you for following this page. Sleep disturbances nausea and irritability are some of the issues that people report.

For those that have nausea, we have found that using a sublingual dose seems to help. In cases of sleep disturbances, we recommend adjusting the dose to morning time instead.

For those who have become irritable after taking LDN, I would recommend reducing the dose. While 1.5mg is a typical starting dose for Hashimoto’s, some may do better with a starting dose of 0.5 to 1 mg. This is where the liquid LDN allows us to get a minute dose and gradually progress to a target dose. I like to use the old pharmacy adage that applies to most medications Start low and go slow. LDN should be used as part of an arsenal to help you overcome your autoimmune condition. Appropriate levels of Vitamin D, full spectrum light exposure, food sensitivities all play a role in autoimmunity and need to be considered as well. It’s also best to work with a compounding pharmacy that can help you titrate your dose correctly. Here are a couple articles you might find interesting. FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

SUNSHINE FOR YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/get-some-sunshine-for-your-thyroid

As I said in my book,

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/low-dose-naltrexone-and-hashimotos

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Izabella's LDN story

LDN was one of the first interventions that I tried on my thyroid journey back in 2009. As a pharmacist, I was looking for the magic immune system pill, but I found that it made me somewhat irritable after a few nights of taking it, so I gave up on it and moved on to something else. I also used LDN before I started working on my diet. Had I worked with a knowledgeable professional, I would have learned that LDN works best when used alongside a leaky gut diet. Additionally, according to Shannon Garrett, RN- LDN may not work if someone has a candida overgrowth. Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is an immune modulator that can be used to prevent further damage to the thyroid while one is looking for their root cause or to rebalance the immune system when the root cause cannot be found. Root causes are different for different people but may include infections or food sensitivities that result in an immune imbalance. Appropriate levels of Vitamin D, full spectrum light exposure, food sensitivities all play a role in autoimmunity and need to be considered as well. It’s also best to work with a compounding pharmacy that can help you titrate your dose correctly. This article gives the full details:

LOW DOSE NALTREXONE AND HASHIMOTOS

6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-leaky-gut-and-autoimmunity/

SUNSHINE FOR YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/get-some-sunshine-for-your-thyroid

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Liver Gallbladder Supplement

What are the ingredients in Rootcology Liver & Gallbladder Support?

This blend contains vitamins A, B6 and B12, L-methionine, milk thistle, taurine, inositol, ox bile, artichoke, and beet powder, to support the liver’s ability to process fat, help maintain normal production of bile, and support a healthy bile flow (1-9).

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What conditions can Liver & Gallbladder Support be beneficial for?

Liver & Gallbladder Support may be beneficial for anyone wishing to support liver or gallbladder function, individuals who want support for fat digestion, those in need of detoxification support, and people who experience occasional digestive distress, such as bloating or gas.

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What is the dose recommended for Hashimoto’s?

I recommend 1 capsule with each meal.

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Who should not take Liver & Gallbladder Support?

People with Addison's disease, a corn allergy, or a history of electrolyte imbalance should avoid Liver & Gallbladder Support. Additionally, I don’t recommend taking this supplement if you currently take blood thinners, diuretics, dupilumab (Dupixent), steroid medications, or retinoids including acitretin (Soriatane), bexarotene (Targretin), etretinate (Tegison), isotretinoin (Accutane), tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova), and tazarotene (Avage), antidiabetic drugs, Cytochrome P450 1A2, 2B6, 2C19, or 2D6 substrates, diclofenac, glucuronidated drugs, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, immunosuppressants, lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies (MABs), morphine, niacin, p-glycoprotein substrates, quinolone antibiotics, raloxifene, sirolimus, or tamoxifen. Furthermore, Liver & Gallbladder Support should not be taken by those using certain medications that have the potential to be toxic to the liver, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), or tetracycline-based antibiotics, including demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline.

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Can it be taken with thyroid medications?

Yes, Liver & Gallbladder support is safe to take with thyroid medications, but be sure to space them out by at least one hour.

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I no longer have a gallbladder. Can I take this supplement?

Yes, Liver & Gallbladder Support can be taken by those without a gallbladder.

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Q: My stool tests have shown that I have an abnormally low pancreatic enzyme output. Is there anything that I can do to boost that on my own, or will I always be reliant on digestive enzymes?

A: One of the things that I have found to be helpful to support normal production of pancreatic enzymes, is a supplement called Liver & Gallbladder Support by Rootcology. Additionally, you will want to identify foods that you are sensitive to, that may be affecting your enzyme production. Orange juice and eggs seem to be two of the biggest trigger foods for gallbladder issues, but performing an elimination diet will help you identify your own food sensitivities. Furthermore, I would look at additional root causes, such as SIBO, H. pylori, low stomach acid, celiac disease, Giardia, and mold toxicity.

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Q: What are the symptoms of fat malabsorption issues?

A: Greasy, floating and light-colored stools, gas or belching, dry skin, gallbladder pain (which is on the right side, under the ribs), gallstones, nausea, hormonal imbalances, and adrenal issues, are all indications that you may have fat malabsorption issues.

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Magnesium / Calcium

Magnesium

- there are about 20 different types of magnesium and the Magnesium

glycinate and Magnesium citrate are the ones that I've seen people have the most success with.

NEW STUDIES ON MAGNESIUM AND THYROID HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-studies-on-magnesium-and-thyroid-health

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Magnesium Oil

- thank you for reaching out. Magnesium oil is not technically an oil but a solution. Using 2–4 oz. in a bath or a twenty- to thirty-minute foot soak is recommended to restore intracellular magnesium levels. Epson salt baths have also been found to increase magnesium levels. You can find more information in my book Hashimoto's Root Cause: Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-studies-on-magnesium-and-thyroid-health

You may find this article helpful as well:

NEW STUDIES ON MAGNESIUM AND THYROID HEALTH

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Magnesium deficiency and Anxiety

-Magnesium deficiency can contribute to anxiety, and I recommend replenishing your magnesium stores to reduce anxiety. The citrate salt of magnesium (as in magnesium citrate) is the most common ingredient in formulations of “calming” supplements that feature magnesium, though I’m not 100% convinced that it is the required salt. For acute bouts of anxiety, a faster-acting magnesium in liquid form may work best. Other reasons for anxiety that should be explored include blood sugar imbalances, Selenium deficiency, adrenal dysfunction and gut issues Anxiety symptoms are very common in people with thyroid disorders. Here are some articles you might find helpful as well! :)

HASHIMOTO'S AND ANXIETY

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-anxiety/

AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE AND ANXIETY

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-anxiety

ARE YOU GOING CRAZY OR IS IT JUST YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-going-crazy-or-is-it-just-your-thyroid

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MEDICATION ADVICE

Medication Advice

- thank you so much for following this page. There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication which you are looking for, ask your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. Have you read these articles? ❤️

MEDICATIONS FOR HASHIMOTO'S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/medications-for-hashimotos-and-hypothyroidism/

TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/

IS YOUR T4 MEDICATION WORKING FOR YOU? (Tirosint)

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-your-t4-medication-working/

HOW THE DOSE OF YOUR THYROID MEDICATION CAN UNCOVER YOUR ROOT CAUSE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-dose-of-your-thyroid-medication-can-uncover-your-root-cause/

HOW TO GET ACCURATE LAB TESTING WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/how-to-get-accurate-lab-tests-when-taking-thyroid-medications/

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My labs came back normal. Why don’t I feel normal?

- Unfortunately, most conventional physicians use the TSH test to determine if one has a thyroid disorder and to dose thyroid medications. However, this test can oftentimes be misleading, as levels of circulating hormones may fluctuate at different times, such as in Hashimoto’s, the person affected may fluctuate between highs and lows.

Additionally, when scientists first set the “normal” ranges of TSH for healthy individuals, they inadvertently included elderly patients and others with compromised thyroid function in the calculations leading to an overly lax reference range. This resulted in people with underactive thyroid hormones being told that their thyroid tests were “normal,” based on this skewed reference range. Here are some articles which might help:

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TSH IS NORMAL AND YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-to-do-if-your-tsh-is-normal-and-you-are-anything-but/

TOP 10 THYROID TESTS AND HOW TO INTERPRET THEM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

ARE YOU GOING CRAZY OR IS IT JUST YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-going-crazy-or-is-it-just-your-thyroid/

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Should I take my thyroid medication on the morning of my thyroid blood work?

It depends! If you are taking a T4 only medication, you can go ahead and take your medication in the morning before the test. T4 medication has a long half-life, and your levels will be stable regardless of when you take it. If you take a T3 medication on the other hand, or a combination of T3/T4, T3 has a shorter half-life so your blood work may not be reflected accurately. It will appear that you have more thyroid hormone on board than you do. Thus it may be helpful to delay your morning dose of a T3/T4 medication until after you do the test to see (try to schedule the test in the morning).

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Can I be allergic to thyroid hormones?

Allergic reactions and sensitivities to thyroid hormones are rare. Usually, it’s the fillers, and inactive ingredients in the thyroid hormone preparations as well as the dose that can lead to an adverse, sensitivity or allergic reaction.

However, some people do experiences hypersensitivity reactions. These reactions usually present as itching/hives, palpitations, difficulty breathing, skin eruptions, fever and liver dysfunction.

A group of doctors in Turkey published an oral desensitization schedule for people with hypersensitivity reactions that starts the person on 0.01 mcg of levothyroxine, or 1/10,000 of the usual daily dose, and increases the dosage gradually over the course of 2 days, with each dose increase taking place every 30 minutes. My Optimizing Thyroid Medications eBook [free download this week] has the desensitization protocol that was used.

I’ve also found that liver support and addressing gut infections can reduce adverse reactions to medications, fillers and supplements.

OPTIMIZING MEDS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/checkout/?product_id=4702

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COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

It comes down to what is cost effective for the manufacturer to use as a filler. If you are highly reactive to the standard fillers or want to try a smaller dose, I recommend looking for another compounding pharmacy, who can make an individualized medication with an appropriate dosage and fillers right for you:

COMPOUNDING PHARMACIES

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-compounding-pharmacies/

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Nature-throid

I understand how frustrating this is. Unfortunately, we do not have more information than what is available to the public. I recommend contacting your practitioner, pharmacist or the manufacturer for more info. Here is a link that you might find helpful as well: https://getrealthyroid.com/

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Complaint about medication effectiveness

- thank you for letting me know. I have had others report that the new formulation does not work for them but, I cannot comment on the effectiveness of the medication at this time. I recommend that you discuss this with your practitioner. There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. Have you read these articles?

WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/

TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/

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RECALL LEVOTHYROXINE and LIOTHYRONINE

- Thank you for bringing this to my attention. According to the FDA, Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC is voluntarily recalling all lots, within expiry, of Levothyroxine and Liothyronine (Thyroid Tablets, USP) 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, & 120 mg to the wholesale level. These products are being recalled as a precaution because they were manufactured using active pharmaceutical ingredients that were sourced prior to the FDA’s Import Alert of Sichuan Friendly Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which as a result of a 2017 inspection were found to have deficiencies with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). I recommend that you discuss this with your practitioner. Here is a link to the FDA

report: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm616601.htm

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IS TIROSINT AVAILABLE INTERNATIONALLY

Unfortunately, it seems that Tirosint is currently only available in the US. For guidance on finding a T4 medication that is filler-free, I recommend that you consult with your doctor or compounding pharmacist.

There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication which you are looking for, ask your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. Have you read these articles?

WHICH THYROID MEDICATION IS BEST?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-thyroid-medication-is-best/

TOP 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID MEDICATIONS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-medications/

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HELP WITH COST OF TIROSINT

Check out this article link with information on programs available to get help with the cost. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-your-t4-medication-working/

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Tirosint and Food

While I advocate for healing the gut, those with healthy gut function still need to take their tablet thyroid meds at least 30-60 mins apart from food, as the dissolution of the tablets themselves is delayed when one’s gastric pH is increased, and food may delay this process both by a direct effect and/or by increasing the gastric pH. Furthermore, thyroid medication can interact with certain foods and minerals found in them. However, Tirosint liquid, which does not need to dissolve, will be more quickly absorbed, even in the presence of food.

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Q: My doctor recommends taking thyroid medication. Is it always recommended to be on medication right away, and is it possible to get better without medication?

A: If your thyroid hormone levels are not optimal, thyroid medications can help you optimize them. Taking thyroid medications can also help reduce symptoms and thyroid antibodies. I’m a big fan of using everything we can to get ourselves better. That said, many people find that thyroid medications do not eliminate all of their symptoms, and they need to address their personal root causes of Hashimoto’s in order to feel better. It’s important to note, however, that some people are able to wean off thyroid medications once they figure out their triggers and address them.

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Q: Is it always recommended to be on medications right away, and is it possible to get better without medications?

A: If you have subclinical hypothyroidism, it’s a gray area for treatment. For me, this is the way I think about it: if you don’t have any symptoms and you are trying to reverse Hashimoto’s the natural way, you can give yourself three months or so to get into remission. But, if you continue to worsen, and if it doesn’t get better, then I would start considering medications. Medications can help reduce many patients’ symptoms. They may also help reduce thyroid antibodies. In people who have really high antibodies or who have a lot of symptoms and antibodies, it may be a good idea to get on medications right away. There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. If your doctor will not prescribe the medication you are looking for, you may consider asking your local pharmacist for doctors in your area who prescribe the medication you are looking to try. I’m a big fan of using everything we can to get ourselves better, and medications are not always life-long. Some people are able to get off of them if they figure out their triggers and root causes.

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Mold

Q: How can I minimize my exposure to mold in the home?

A: To reduce exposure to indoor molds, you may wish to invest in a quality air purifier for your bedroom, as that is where you will spend most of your time. I would also suggest having the ducts in your home cleaned, as that will help to reduce the amount of mold spores that could potentially circulate through your forced air system.

If you are living in a house that contains mold, you will need to have your home tested and cleaned by a professional mold removal agency if mold spores are found. In cases of extreme mold infestation, it is possible that you will need to move to avoid continued exposure.

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Q: Could a nasal staph infection lasting 2 years that is non-responsive to topical mupirocin be a catalyst, causing regulation difficulties with Hashimoto's? Would oral Doxycycline be the best choice of treatment?

A: A nasal staph infection could be a very important trigger in Hashimoto’s. Additionally, there have been documented cases of fungal sinusitis infections (often co-occurring with mold) acting as triggers. Rather than the oral antibiotic route, I would consider nasal sprays that include biofilm busters, like EDTA and xylitol, to target the infection. It can also be helpful to get a culture of the strain to determine susceptibility, and resistance to antibiotics, like the MARCoNS test.

MTHFR

GENETICS

Here is some information which you may find interesting. Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur...

1. Genetic predisposition

2. Environmental triggers

3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

IS HASHIMOTO'S HYPOTHYROIDISM GENETIC?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic

MTHFR PATHWAYS SUPPLEMENT

MTHFR Pathways is contains a sulfur-based amino acid and should be avoided by those who have a sulfur sensitivity. Symptoms of sulfur sensitivity include reactions like skin rashes, breakouts, and skin dryness after eating sulfur-rich foods such as eggs and garlic. If you feel you are having a reaction, please stop this supplement immediately and discuss your symptoms with your practitioner. I also recommend that you consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about your medications and their contents.

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Why I developed MTHFR Pathways

- thank you for reaching out. I developed the Rootcology MTHFR Pathways supplement to contain synergistic nutrients that support homocysteine pathways, including activated forms of folate, B2, B6, and B12, and trimethylglycine (Betaine) so our bodies don't have to convert it to usable form, it's already converted for us (MTHFR makes it very hard to convert to usable forms). People with the MTHFR gene variation may benefit from activated versions of folate, B6, and B12 such as in methylfolate (also known as L-5-MTHF), pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (P5P), and methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin. Here is an article you may find helpful: MTHFR https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mthfr-hashimotos-and-nutrients/

In general there is no harm in taking MTHFR Pathways if you do not have MTHFR. The vitamins are in a bioavailable form, meaning our bodies don't have to convert it to usable form, it's already converted for us (MTHFR makes it very hard to convert to usable forms).

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Feel Worse on MTHFR Pathways

While most people with Hashimoto’s tend to feel better, about 8 percent of people will feel worse with methylation support. Some of the people who feel slightly worse (ie. who may experience more anxiety and irritability) may benefit from a dosage reduction, in the case that their pathways are moving too quickly. However, if “feeling worse” lasts more than a few days, this could be due to overmethylation, other gene variations, or a sensitivity to the supplements; and the supplements should be discontinued. As always, listen to your body and discuss your symptoms with your practitioner! Here is an article I hope you find helpful: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mthfr-hashimotos-and-nutrients/

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MTHFR TESTING

- thank you for following this page. Patients can order tests here.

https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/collections/labs

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MTHFR Q&A's

Q: According to my lab results, my folate levels are high. Should I be checked for MTHFR?

A: Yes, people who have high folate may have a MTHFR gene variation.

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Q: Now that I know that I have the MTHFR gene variation, what else should I keep in mind?

A: If you have a MTHFR gene variation, you’ll want to avoid folate in its folic acid form. You’ll benefit from using it in its methylated, activated form that your body can absorb. This is known as methylfolate orNatureFolate. The same goes for vitamin B12 supplements - you’ll want to avoid taking the cyanocobalamin version and opt for methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin instead.

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Q: Does having the MTHFR gene variation mean that I was genetically predisposed to acquire Hashimoto's once the conditions were right for it?

A: Not necessarily. These genes are not implicated in Hashimoto’s, but indirectly, having the MTHFR gene variation can help to create a perfect storm for Hashimoto’s. If you have the MTHFR gene variation, you’re more likely to accumulate heavy metals and toxins and have a more difficult time clearing them out, which, overtime, can trigger Hashimoto’s as well as cause symptoms related to liver congestion. For this reason, treating this gene variation may actually improve the symptoms you’re experiencing.

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Q: I have the MTHFR gene variation. Should I do any other tests to see if my body is converting folate or homocysteine properly?

A: Yes, you should also test your homocysteine levels, as well as CRP (C-reactive protein) levels, which is a blood test marker for inflammation in the body. One of the implications of the MTHFR gene variation is having a high rate of blood clots, as well as elevated homocysteine levels. This can put you at a greater risk for cardiac events. To minimize that risk, it’s important to make sure that our numbers are optimized and that we’re taking the right kind of supplements.

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Q: With the MTHFR gene, should I avoid certain foods that are high in heavy metals, such as fish that contain mercury?

A: Having the MTHFR gene does put your body at a greater risk of having an impaired ability to get rid of heavy metals. So, being mindful of your diet is wise. I suggest paying particular attention to the types of fish that you are eating, and make sure they are low in mercury. High mercury fish to avoid include king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish, ahi tuna, and bigeye tuna.

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Nodules and Goiters

Nodules/Goiters

Nodules and goiters are often the result of toxicity and/or the autoimmune process. So, doing interventions to reduce the autoimmune attack on the thyroid, and toxicity, can be helpful to reduce them. Here is an article you may find helpful.

THYROID NODULES

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-thyroid-nodules/

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Nodules - Book recommendations

- thank you for following this page. Nodules and goiters are often the result of toxicity and/or the autoimmune process. So, doing interventions to reduce the autoimmune attack on the thyroid, and toxicity, can be helpful to reduce them. Have you read my books?

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

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Q: I have a goiter and I see that many foods (cruciferous vegetables) that are recommended on various diets are goitrogenic. Can I eat them?

A: Cruciferous vegetables are only an issue if you have iodine deficiency. If your goiter is due to iodine deficiency, then yes, you will need to avoid eating them raw. You can steam, cook, or bake them. This will break down the goitrogenic (iodine blocking activity) properties. However, if your hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto’s, (like in most countries in North America and the EU), this is not usually related to iodine deficiency.

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Q: I have a goiter and nodules. Does this mean I am iodine deficient? What can I do to reduce their size?

A: Thyroid nodules are not always related to iodine status, and neither are goiters. Nodules can form due to Hashimoto’s, as can goiters. Most people with Hashimoto’s do not have iodine deficiency, but some do. Nodules and goiters can be due to toxicity and the autoimmune process. Sometimes, we can shrink nodules with medications by keeping the TSH level around 1 μIU/mL. Systemic enzymes like Wobenzym and liver support can help as well.

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Q: How often should one get an ultrasound of the thyroid?

A: I recommend getting an ultrasound done at least once every 1 to 5 years, if everything looks normal. If you have nodules, you may want to do that more often—once every two years.

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Q: I have a goiter and nodules. Does this mean I am iodine deficient?

A: Potentially—however, thyroid nodules are not always related to iodine status, and neither are goiters. Nodules can form due to Hashimoto’s, as can goiters. Most people with Hashimoto’s do not have iodine deficiency. However, using a dose of iodine of up to 250 mcg has been found to help Hashimoto’s outcomes. Nodules and goiters can be due to toxicity and the autoimmune process, but may disappear or shrink after addressing the root causes of the autoimmune attack on the thyroid.

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NUTRIENT DEPLETIONS & DEFICIENCIES

Nutrient Depletions & Deficiencies

- I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation. I have also created my own line of quality tested supplements, named Rootcology. Here are the links to my books:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

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Q: How do you diagnose hypothyroidism caused by nutrient deficiencies?

A: The Spectracell test is the most sensitive for various nutrient deficiencies. Zinc, selenium, iodine, and B vitamins are common deficiencies found in people with Hashimoto’s. Checking in with your diet and environment can help to determine whether the likelihood of a certain nutrient deficiency is high, and if that’s driving your Hashimoto’s.

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Q: Will being gluten and dairy free cause any vitamin or nutrient deficiencies?

A: One of the most common nutrients depleted in grain/gluten-free diets is selenium. I recommend supplementing accordingly, and a great option to try is the Pure Encapsulations Selenium Methionine supplement.

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Q: Are there any precautions when taking selenium?

A: Selenium Methionine by Pure Encapsulations contains sulfur, which may cause an adverse reaction in those who have a CBS mutation and are sulfur-sensitive. Selenium can also cause adverse reactions if you have an iodine deficiency.

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Other Auto Immune Conditions

Other Autoimmune conditions

- thank you for following this page. While I only work with patients with Hashimoto’s, oftentimes patients will have additional autoimmune conditions. Most autoimmune conditions have common root causes, and a lot of times the things that are recommended for one autoimmune condition will help with others. Conditions that I have found to respond really well to the Hashimoto’s protocols have been rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, asthma, Graves’, premature ovarian failure, psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, and Sjogrens. I have also seen the protocols help with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Vitiligo, Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

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Other Autoimmune

Conditions that I have found to respond really well to the Hashimoto’s protocols have been rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, asthma, Graves’, premature ovarian failure, psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, and Sjogrens. I have also seen the protocols help with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis.

A great place to start is with diet/nutrition: The diet I recommend for people with autoimmune conditions is the traditional Paleo diet which eliminates grains, dairy, soy, and processed foods and focuses on nutrient-dense foods like meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and eggs. It has helped a lot of people feel much better, and some have even been able to eliminate thyroid antibodies by following this diet.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets better on the Paleo diet. In some cases, we need to dig deeper. People may have additional sensitivities that contribute to the immune system dysfunction. People with Hashimoto’s are especially sensitive to a multitude of foods, especially gluten, dairy, soy, and eggs.

That’s where the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet comes into play. This diet goes beyond Paleo and removes an additional couple of foods such as nuts, seeds, and eggs. AIP is the starting point - if you don’t remove the inflammatory foods, you can’t know if your other interventions are working or not. An elimination diet is the gold standard for determining the foods one is sensitive to.

Here are a few articles related to diet that hopefully help you get started:

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

FOOD PHARMACOLOGY FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-pharmacology-hashimotos/

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PAIN

Pain

- thank you for following this page. I have personally struggled with pain in the form of body aches and stiffness as well as carpal tunnel in both my arms in 2010 when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. It was awful, I had to wear braces on both arms all day and even at night for about 6 months. I took NSAIDs every day to deal with the pain so that I could get through my workday. I hope that these articles help you get started:

PAIN AND HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-and-hashimotos

PAIN HASHIMOTOS AND FIBROMYALGIA...

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-hashimotos-and-fibromyalgia/

TURMERIC FOR YOUR THYROID AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/turmeric-for-your-thyroid-and-hashimotos

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Migraines

- thank you for reaching out. Working with people with Hashimoto’s, I have found that most people will experience pain on some level. For some, it may manifest as a chronic condition, such as migraines or joint pain. Here are a couple articles you may find helpful:

PAIN AND HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-and-hashimotos

NEW STUDIES ON MAGNESIUM AND THYROID HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-studies-on-magnesium-and-thyroid-health

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Enzymes

Are Pancreatic Enzymes long term

Thank you for reaching out. Some people may need to take the enzymes long-term and do more Root Cause detective work to find other potential reasons for pancreatic insufficiency. I recommend discussing it with your practitioner.

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Q: Is lactose intolerance the same as dairy sensitivity?

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Q: If I take the Gluten/Dairy Digest supplement from Pure Encapsulations daily, will my gluten or and dairy intolerances disappear overtime?

A: Gluten/Dairy Digest contains enzymes that can be taken when you go out to eat and are accidentally exposed to gluten or dairy, to support normal digestion of the gluten and dairy. However, they do not address the underlying food sensitivity and will not help you tolerate gluten or dairy in the long-term.

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What are the ingredients in Rootcology Pancreatic Enzymes Plus?

This formula is a blend of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, protease, amylase), desiccated ox bile and bromelain. The enteric coating protects the enzymes from being denatured by stomach acid, preserving their activity for the duodenum (first section of small intestine), where pancreatic enzymes are normally released and are intended to function. It is free of dairy, gluten, soy, and potentially harmful fillers.

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What conditions can Pancreatic Enzymes Plus be beneficial for?

Pancreatic Enzymes Plus may be beneficial for anyone wishing to support pancreatic function, individuals who want support for fat digestion, and people who experience occasional bloating, gas, or GI distress.*

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What is the dose recommended for Hashimoto’s?

I recommend taking 1 capsule with each meal.

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Who should not take Pancreatic Enzymes Plus?

This supplement is not advised for those who are taking acarbose, tetracycline antibiotics, indomethacin (Indocin), amoxicillin, Creon (pancrelipase capsules), any anticoagulant or blood thinning drugs such as aspirin, dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin, and/or clopidogrel (Plavix).

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Can it be taken with thyroid medications?

Yes, Pancreatic Enzymes Plus is safe to take with thyroid medications, but be sure to space them out by at least one hour.

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Q: What should I do to address pancreatic enzyme deficiency?

A: Rootcology’s Liver & Gallbladder Support and Pancreatic Enzymes Plus supplements can help provide the necessary enzymes to support digestion issues and normal pancreatic function.* I also recommend digging for other underlying root causes of pancreatic enzyme deficiency, such as low stomach acid, SIBO, H. pylori infections, and food sensitivities.

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Q: What does it mean if I get a stomach ache from a digestive enzyme formulation?

A: Generally, this either means that you likely don’t need it, or that the dose you took is too high. In the case of betaine with pepsin, a stomach ache may mean that you have an H. pylori infection, which can trigger Hashimoto’s.

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Q: Can you suggest how to fit systemic enzymes into my schedule?

A: Systemic enzymes should be taken on an empty stomach, or per packaging instructions. An empty stomach is one hour before eating, or two hours after eating. If you’re having dinner at 6 or 7pm, taking systemic enzymes before bed at 9pm would be enough time to be considered on an empty stomach. Or, if you had lunch at 1pm and you’re having dinner at 6pm, you could take the systemic enzymes between 3pm and 5pm. The best way to remember to take supplements is to attach them to a habit. For example, if brushing your teeth is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do before bed, I would recommend putting the systemic enzymes on your toothbrush. That’s the easiest way I have found for clients to remember medications and supplements.

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Personal questions about Izabella

GENERAL

- Thank you so much for asking about me. We are each so unique. I really encourage each person to follow their own customized path to health. Here are a couple of articles that you may find helpful.

10 MOST HELPFUL DIY INTERVENTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-most-helpful-diy-interventions-for-hashimotosaccording-to-my-clients

TOP 9 TAKEAWAYS FROM 2232 PEOPLE WITH HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-9-takeaways-from-2232-people-with-hashimotos/

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DIET

- Thank you for asking about me. My diet is very customized. I follow a Paleo diet and avoid any personal food triggers that I have discovered by going on an elimination diet. Here is some information you may find helpful.

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs

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SUPPLEMENTS IZABELLA USES:

- Depending on what is happening in my life at the moment and depending on testing, I change my supplements as needed. As a Pharmacist, I am very picky about what brands I recommend to my family, clients and friends. Rootcology (which is my own supplement brand) and

Pure Encapsulations are pharmaceutical grade brands that have extremely tight quality controls and manufacturing guidelines. Each product undergoes rigorous testing by a third party laboratory to verify label claims, potency and purity, and all the products are free of gluten, dairy, soy and additives that may impair absorption.

Here are the links to the supplements:

Link to Rootcology supplements:

https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements

MEGASPOREBIOTIC™ supplement:

https://www.rootcology.com/pages/megasporebiotic

Link to the store for Pure Encapsulations supplements:

https://www.purerxo.com/thyroidpharmacist/rxo/company/my_recommendations.asp

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What medication is Izabella on

Thank you so much for your kind wishes and support of my research.　I appreciate you asking about me. We are each so unique, I really encourage each person to follow their own customized path to health. There are quite a few options for thyroid medications. In my experience, what works for one person may not work for another. I believe that everyone needs to find a practitioner that will let him/her be a part of their healthcare team. You want someone that can guide you, that will also listen to you and your concerns. You want someone that’s open to thinking outside of the box and who understands that you may not fit in with the standard of care. That is why I highly recommend a functional medicine clinician to be a part of your own health care team. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying root causes and prevent serious chronic disease rather than treating individual disease symptoms. 　

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

https://www.purecapspro.com/thyroidrootcause/pe/products/product_details.asp?ProductsID=1328

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PROBIOTICS / FERMENTING / KOMBUCHA

Probiotics

- thank you for following this page. As a pharmacist, I have access to numerous high-quality brands. After much research and deliberation, I have personally decided on Pure Encapsulations brand for my own health needs. This is also the brand I recommend for family members and friends.

Pure Encapsulations is a pharmaceutical grade brand that has extremely tight quality control and manufacturing guidelines. Each product undergoes rigorous testing by a third party laboratory to verify label claims, potency and purity. All the products sold by Pure Encapsulations are free of gluten, dairy, and additives that may impair absorption.

Here's an article about probiotics, which I hope you'll also read.

THE BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTOS

https://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/articles /the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos

MEGASPOREBIOTIC™

https://www.rootcology.com/pages/megasporebiotic

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KOMBUCHA

- Kombucha can be helpful sometimes, but I recommend proceeding with caution, as some people may have adverse reactions to wild yeast. I do prefer probiotics and fermented foods like sauerkraut and fermented miso.

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Pregnancy/Progesterone/Birth Control

Progesterone Deficiency

Progesterone deficiency can surge into Th- 1 dominance. This explains why the peak onset of Hashimoto’s occurs during menopause, when the body’s progesterone drops, or after pregnancy when a rapid drop in progesterone occurs after the delivery. I do go into more depth in my book:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thyroid-condition-start-worsen-during-perimenopause/

DID YOUR THYROID CONDITION START OR WORSEN DURING PERIMENOPAUSE

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Pregnancy

I do understand! Pregnancy can often be a trigger for developing Hashimoto's or for an autoimmune flare – iron deficiency and immune shift, as well as potentially the baby’s thyroid cells that circulate in the body, may be a trigger. You might find these articles interesting.

ESTROGEN DOMINANCE AS A HASHIMOTOS TRIGGER

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/estrogen-dominance-as-a-hashimotos-trigger/

WHY WOMEN HAVE MORE THYROID DISORDERS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/women-thyroid-disorders/

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Estrogen Dominance

Hormonal imbalances help explain why women are affected by autoimmune conditions more often than men. Other substances, such as hormones in non-organic meats, endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in personal care products, and estrogenic activity of soy products, can induce estrogen dominance and thus worsen or perpetuate autoimmunity.

We know our thyroid hormone is connected and can be disrupted by all our other hormones, as well. I often discuss how adrenal hormones are precursors of sex hormones and contribute to the overall hormonal load. Therefore, it’s easy to see how adrenal hormones can often be the root cause of other hormonal imbalances and symptoms like premenstrual syndrome, low libido, irregular menses, and even infertility. Here are some articles you might find interesting:

ESTROGEN DOMINANCE AS A HASHIMOTO'S TRIGGER

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/estrogen-dominance-as-a-hashimotos-trigger/

ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health/

LOW LIBIDO AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/low-libido-and-hashimotos/

DID YOUR THYROID CONDITION START OR WORSEN DURING PERIMENOPAUSE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thyroid-condition-start-worsen-during-perimenopause/

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Women and Hormonal imbalances

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Birth control

Choosing the right birth control option is a highly personal choice, and for some, the benefit of oral contraceptives outweighs the risks. This includes women with certain serious medical conditions for whom hormonal birth control is necessary. In such cases, supplementing with probiotics, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins and vitamin C is strongly recommended. I highly recommend the new protocol-based book by my dear friend Dr. Jolene Brighten. Beyond the Pill: A 30-Day Program to Balance Your Hormones, Reclaim Your Body, and Reverse the Dangerous Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill, will be a huge asset to you in gaining back your health. I hope you will check it out: https://amzn.to/2RHFAi3

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- thank you for reaching out. If you have an IUD, be sure to check with your doctor, as recent reports have found that some IUDs may contain nickel and cause severe symptoms in those with a nickel allergy. Here is an article you might find helpful. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/nickel-allergy-and-hashimotos/

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Birth Control

Hormonal Birth control suppresses our own body’s production of estrogen and progesterone through a negative feedback loop mechanism. They flood our bodies with high doses of artificial estrogen and progesterone, causing our production of natural hormones to turn off, preventing ovulation, and thinning the uterine lining. This can lead to a hormonal imbalance, such as estrogen dominance. Here are a couple articles you might find interesting:

ESTROGEN DOMINANCE AS A HASHIMOTO'S TRIGGER

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/estrogen-dominance-as-a-hashimotos-trigger/

BIRTH CONTROL

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/14-ways-birth-control-pills-rob-us-of-our-health/

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Birth control and choosing a mate

Thank you for reaching out.

Women who take birth control pills have an altered preference to mates, due to the change in hormones. Here is a Pub Med study for reference. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19818527/

synthetic hormones often prescribed in menopause for uncomfortable symptoms, can lead to estrogen dominance in much the same way as hormonal birth control

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If you need to take birth control supplement

I understand, for women with certain serious medical conditions hormonal birth control is necessary. In such cases, supplementing with probiotics, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins and vitamin C is strongly recommended.

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Birth Control Protocol

I highly recommend the new protocol-based book by my dear friend Dr. Jolene Brighten. Beyond the Pill: A 30-Day Program to Balance Your Hormones, Reclaim Your Body, and Reverse the Dangerous Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill,. Check out my article on birth control on my blog (link in bio) for more info. ?

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Pregnant/Nursing - Can I do the programs?

- thank you for reaching out. I do not recommend many of the supplements in my program while pregnant or nursing, as these things have the potential to pass through to the baby. That is not to say that they are necessarily unsafe, but I have not specifically researched each of the supplements' effects on pregnancy and nursing, so I am not able to confirm their safety.

I recommend either waiting before doing the protocols or working with your practitioner who is more familiar with these things to discuss the safety of the supplements while pregnant or nursing.

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Referral

Please use this one and switch out the links when responding to more then one in a post

- Thank you for following this page and sharing with . Have you discovered your Hashimoto's trigger yet? The most common triggers in Hashimoto's are; nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), stress, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins and in some cases, infections. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help.

IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/importance-gut-health/

7 MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-important-nutrient-deficiencies-hashimotos/

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

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Use this for when someone is just diagnosed and wants info on Hashimoto's

- thank you for following this page. Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help :)

WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/

OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year

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REMISSION - REGENERATION

Remission - Regeneration

- Thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. I'm

currently working on some protocols to help with tissue regeneration. Reversing Hashimoto's means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms, and for others, it means a reduction in your antibodies. I had both. Here are few articles that might be helpful for you:

IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THYROID FUNCTION IN HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos

REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

HASHIMOTO'S SELF CARE, GETTING AND STAYING IN REMISSION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care

In case you want to learn more, here are the links to my books:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-recover-thyroid-function-in-hashimotos

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Regenerate

thyroid tissue can regenerate, but the rate at which it does is not always predictable. Thus, some are able to stop the autoimmune attack on their thyroid and regain normal thyroid function. Others can reduce the dose of medications, and others will need to stay on the medications indefinitely. Reversing Hashimoto's means different things to different people. For some, it means a reduction in symptoms, and for others, it means a reduction in your antibodies. ❤️ I had both. Here's an article that might be helpful for you:

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ROOT CAUSES / TRIGGERS

Root Causes and Triggers

- thank you for following this page. Here are some articles you may find interesting.

6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-leaky-gut-and-autoimmunity/

INFECTIONS AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/infections-and-hashimotos/

PERIODONTITIS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/periodontitis-a-trigger-for-hashimotos

LYME AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/lyme-and-hashimotos/

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Breast Implants

- Breast implants can be a potential trigger. I have seen this happen in a few cases. You would want to think about if your problems started, or worsened after the procedure. They can potentially be seen as a foreign invader and promote autoimmunity. They can also be the host of infections. We risk rejecting any foreign material that is implanted into our bodies. Silicone implants seem to be more commonly implicated.

Here are some articles on the subject: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=breast+implants+AND+autoimmune

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- thank you for reaching out. Botulinum toxins are among the most toxic poisons known to humans, with a lethal dose of approximately 1 ng per kilogram body weight. There are seven serologically distinct types of botulinum toxins. Botulinum toxin A (used in cosmetics treatments) is the most potent serotype, with a toxicity one million-fold higher than cobra toxin and far higher than cyanide. While there is benefit to using botulinum for specific medical purposes (for example, it can be used to address upper lid retraction issues associated with thyroid eye disease), I do not recommend its use for cosmetic purposes. I view botox as a foreign body a toxic one at that that you are putting into your body. Here is an article you may find helpful as well: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/9-medications-toxic-thyroid/

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Addressing Infections w/Book

- thank you for following this page. The way that you want to address infections is by starting with the highest infection in your body first. H. pylori is typically found in the stomach (it can also be in the upper part of the small intestine), so that’s going to be the first infection you want to treat. A lot of times, when you treat H. pylori, the SIBO will go away as well. Next would be the parasite. If, after the H.pylori and parasite protocols you still have SIBO, you would treat it at this time. The yeast would be addressed last if needed. Sometimes when you use the parasite protocol along with the SIBO protocols, the yeast issue is taken care of as well. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

Can SIBO treatment get my Hashimoto’s into remission?

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SIBO and Hashimoto's

Should I take antibiotics, herbs or use a diet to treat SIBO?

Antibiotics, herbs, and the elemental diet are all potential treatment options for SIBO. Surprisingly, each has been clinically tested to have similar efficacy of about 80%! The main differences in the protocols relate to the duration of time, ease of implementation, and side effects. While antibiotics may present with harsher side effects and more destruction on the beneficial gut flora, they do offer a shorter treatment duration of 10-14 days. Herbs are gentler on the gut flora and seem to have fewer side effects, but the treatment duration is usually as long as two months, and herbal remedies may have potential drug interactions, which is always an important point to consider if you’re taking multiple medications. The elemental diet is also an effective option, however, it is more challenging to implement for the average person. The elemental diet focuses on starving the bacteria in your small intestine and only feeding you with a liquid “diet” that contains amino acids, vitamins, fats, and glucose. You are not eating any real food for 2 weeks when doing the elemental diet and only drinking the elemental concoction. Some have reported a worsening of adrenal fatigue with this dietary protocol. Now that you know a little more about each treatment method, I suggest discussing your best option with your healthcare team!

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Someone looking for Elemental Diet:

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Can anyone start treatment for SIBO without testing? I have all the symptoms!

About 50% of the people with hypothyroid were found to have SIBO in one study, so it’s likely that if you have a thyroid condition, you also have SIBO. While I always prefer to test and not guess, some functional medicine clinicians do recommend treatment based on symptoms alone! This can save time and money, however, the drawback of not testing would be treating something that you didn’t need to treat! The herbal protocol is a long process with a lot of supplements to take. If that doesn’t deter you, then I’d suggest at least testing at the end of treatment to ensure that the SIBO is eradicated.

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Help! I did the SIBO treatment, but I still have symptoms!

It’s possible that you didn’t fully eradicate it or that it “grew back.” I recommend retesting two weeks after your treatment to ensure that it really is gone and not just reduced. In some cases, you may also want to explore prokinetic treatments to prevent SIBO.

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Is SIBO my root cause?

- SIBO can be a root cause, consequence, or exacerbating factor of Hashimoto’s. I have seen people with Hashimoto’s resolve symptoms like IBS, restless leg syndrome, low ferritin, and low B12 by treating SIBO, and in some cases, have seen thyroid antibodies reduced—and even go away—with SIBO treatment. Here is an article which might help:

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sibo-prevent-remission-hashimotos/

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Mucin

- thank you for reaching out! While I haven’t done research on mucin and Hashimoto’s, mucins have been associated with bacterial and fungal infections, including Candida and H. pylori. These are common with Hashimoto’s. I recommend finding a practitioner who can help you find the root cause of your condition. Here are some resources I hope you find helpful:

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

CANDIDA AND HASHIMOTO'S CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/candida-and-hashimotos-connection/

INFECTIONS AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/infections-and-hashimotos/

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Rootcology supplements / ingredients

Rootcology Review

- thank you so much for sharing! I know it's a lot to ask, but if you haven't already, would you mind leaving a review on my Rootcology website? https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements

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Free Shipping Code Hide comment after posting

- thank you for your interest in the Rootcology Electrolytes! I understand, please do accept this coupon code which entitles you to free shipping on your first order: FreeShip1

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How long can you take this?

Great question! As we are each individual the best thing to do is work with a skilled practitioner to help advise you and guide you with your personal health goals

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Where can I purchase Rootcology? How can I view the ingredients?

- Thank you for your interest in my new supplement line, Rootcology! Here is a link to the website: https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements If you select a specific Rootcology product, it will bring up a page with the supplement details, which includes a listing of the ingredients. You can also select the label from the image options and hover over the image to view a zoomed in version.

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Rootcology Ingredient Source

We source our ingredients from different locations around the world, according to their product quality and standards. As a result, the ingredient sources can vary based on the highest quality and most pure option available at the time each lot is produced. As such, I am unable to provide you with specific ingredient geographical information, however, extensive quality assurance testing is completed with every batch, to ensure that Rootcology products are safe and effective. I hope this helps.

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Rootcology - general information:

- Thank you for following this page. As a pharmacist, I can tell you that many supplements are ineffective, and some are even downright unsafe. The truth is that most supplement companies do not undergo the same scrutiny and testing that pharmaceutical products do. This is because many of the tests required of pharmaceutical companies are voluntary for supplement companies and most companies do not take the extra steps to test their products to ensure safety and purity.

Rootcology’s mission is to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. Rootcology supplements are composed of high-quality, pesticide-free ingredients, do not contain soy protein, dairy, or gluten ingredients, and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle. Here is a link to the site. https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements I hope you check it out!

Rootcology AI PALEO Protein Powder

https://www.rootcology.com/products/ai-paleo-protein

Rootcology Pea Protein Powder

https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/organic-pea-protein-vanilla

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Probiotic - MEGASPOREBIOTIC™

- thanks for reaching out! Here is the link to the probiotic which I mention inside my book and inside The Thyroid Secret documentary series: https://www.rootcology.com/pages/megasporebiotic. I also created a spore-based probiotic formulation for my Rootcology line that you might be interested in: https://rootcology.com/products/spore-flora
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Questioning the Promotion of Rootcology line:

- You are welcome to use any protein powder that you choose. As a pharmacist, I can tell you that many supplements are ineffective, and some are even downright unsafe. The truth is that most supplement companies do not undergo the same scrutiny and testing that pharmaceutical products do. This is because many of the tests required of pharmaceutical companies are voluntary for supplement companies and most companies do not take the extra steps to test their products to ensure safety and purity.

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Is this the same as Designs for Health but more expensive?

- thank you for following this page. The ingredients in some of the Rootcology supplements are the same as those in some of the Designs For Health products because I have seen so many great results using these supplements. I decided to obtain permissions from Designs For Health, and work with my supplier to develop products that contained the same ingredients and meet or exceed the same high-quality standards. I am proud to be able to make available these Rootcology supplements. The prices will vary depending on availability of ingredients and availability of supply. For more detailed information please email info@rootcology.com

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Samples?

- thank you for your interest in the Protein powder. I'm afraid we do not offer samples but, we are looking into the possibility. We do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, if for any reason, you are unsatisfied with a Rootcology product, it may be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full refund, minus shipping/handling fees. I hope this helps. 　 https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/protein-safe-hashimotos/?utm_campaign=Smoothie+Launch&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=C03&utm_content=All+Devices&fbclid=IwAR0auXRb-LCBFKJDkUkxYhzoqBSiomwURabHBoCbsw4a6E-uuweFeFNSm6c

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Rootcology International Alternate Supplement Recommendations

General Response for FB International Customers looking for Rootcology products:

Unfortunately, we cannot currently sell or ship our Rootcology supplements outside of the United States due to complicated regulations. Please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to share my international alternatives.

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Root Cause Green Smoothie Questions

TYPE OF PROTEIN RECOMMENDED FOR HASHIMOTO'S PATIENTS: (beef - pea protein alternative)

http://www.purerxo.com/thyroidpharmacist/rxo/products/product_details.asp?ProductsID=2188

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CAN I EAT CORN AND GRAINS WITH HASHIMOTO'S?

It depends on the person and their individualized food sensitivities. Some people go into remission just gluten free, others may have to go as far as autoimmune paleo.

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I REACT TO RAW VEGGIES.

Sorry to hear that! You can try replacing bananas with ripe plantains, and cucumbers with bitter melons or green apples for the crunch.

I talk about reacting to raw veggies in my book and it may help to introduce them slowly and cooking them at first, doing a "soup fast," probiotics, digestive enzymes and testing for gut infections. You can get the full overview in my book: www.thyroidpharmacist.com/book for more info.

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WHICH BRAND OF COCONUT MILK DO YOU RECOMMEND?

The Trader Joe's brand is great (when it's in stock), and I also like the Aroy-D brand you can get on Amazon. Look for one that is free of additives and carrageenan. Hope that helps!

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DO YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH COCONUT SENSITIVITIES?

I will occasionally see a reaction to coconut, but it's not one that comes up too often for my clients (I recommend Alletess lab for testing, they have been spot on for me for the most part).

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Wheatgrass??

I don't have a definitive answer for wheat-grass...my opinion is that humans wouldn't normally eat grass and I personally avoid it because it tastes so bad. There may also be a potential for wheat allergy.

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I’ve been doing AIP, GF for 3 months but I still feel horrible!

I actually talk about this in my cookbook and on my website. If you've been eating clean for 3 months, you need to look for other root causes like gut infections and toxins.

Here are a few posts:

http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-doing-everything-for-your-thyroid-but-not-yet-well

http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/articles /top-7-hashimotos-food-myths

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FOOD COMBINING

My friend Donna Gates is a big proponent of food combining. She is the author of the Body Ecology Diet. I am a bit agnostic about it...if it helps you, keep doing it :-)

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IS SPIRULINA OK TO USE WITH HASHIMOTO'S?

I do not recommend Spirulina for those with active Hashimoto’s due to their high content of Iodine and their propensity to modulate the immune system. Spirulina in particular has been associated with new onset autoimmune conditions. Additionally, excess iodine can perpetuate/worsen the autoimmune attack in Hashimoto’s and lead to additional thyroid cell destruction.

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Root Causes/Triggers

Root Causes

- thank you for following this page.

THE MANY TRIGGERS OF HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-triggers-of-hashimotos

6 DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-leaky-gut-and-autoimmunity/

LYME AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/lyme-and-hashimotos

Menopause

- thank you for following this page. There are many causes for reproductive dysfunction. Many of the same underlying causes help trigger Hashimoto's. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

CLINICIAN DATABASE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/database-recommended-clinicians/

FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN

https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117

Candida

- thank you for following this page. Yeast is an opportunistic organism that acts up when your overall health is impaired or when your immune system is compromised. Most people with Hashimoto’s will have a high degree of yeast overgrowth, especially of the Candida genus. Treating this overgrowth can be very helpful in restoring health. A note about Candida: Candida can be a primary or a secondary root cause. While conventional medicine underdiagnosed issues related to yeast overgrowth, natural medicine practitioners seem to overdiagnose yeast and may say Candida is a root cause for all ailments. I recommend a Candida protocol for most people with Hashimoto’s. I talk more about this in my book Hashimoto's Protocol. I hope you check it out. Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

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Swollen Tongue

- I'm sorry you feel I didn't respond to you. I have personally not done research specifically into swollen tongue as a stand alone symptom. Some people do experience this and have had it go away when following the recommended diet and lifestyle changes. Have you started an elimination diet? Have you been tested for gut and dental infections? Have you removed any toxic personal care and cleaning products from your life? Do you live or work with mold exposure? These are the things I recommend looking into. I also highly recommend you get a Functional Medicine doctor to help you.

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Triggers

- Triggers depend on the person and their individualized food sensitivities. Some people go into remission just by going gluten-free, others may have to go as far as autoimmune paleo. The most common triggers in Hashimoto's are; nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), stress, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins and in some cases, infections. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey.

I've found that recognizing and eliminating reactive foods can be a life-changer for most people with Hashimoto's.

Reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well known risk factor for Hashimoto's), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten.

Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts, and pain by eliminating the foods that they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people will actually be able to get their Hashimoto's into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are some articles which I wrote:

BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs

DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/got-hashimotos-you-may-want-to-reconsider-dairy

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Osteoporosis

- Thank you for following this page. Monitoring progression of osteoporosis is a good idea. I have found that nutrient depletions are always a factor in Hashimoto’s and addressing these nutrient depletions can make a HUGE difference in symptoms. These are some of the most important nutrient deficiencies I've found for people with Hashimoto's:

6 MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/6-important-nutrient-deficiencies-hashimotos/

NEW STUDIES ON MAGNESIUM AND THYROID HEALTH

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-studies-on-magnesium-and-thyroid-health

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Root Cause Recipe responses

Why did you create Root Cause Recipes?

I created The Root Cause Recipes to give you a shortcut to healing. When I first changed my diet it took SO LONG, and I also had bought hundreds of dollars worth of cookbooks, and then had to sort through each one to create a plan for myself. And I still got it wrong at first! I want you to learn from mistakes, and I want to make it easy for you! Many of my readers have asked for recipes and meal plans, and so I created them :-)

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How Does it Work?

I have two plans to choose from, (Paleo and Autoimmune Paleo based) each plan has 10 weeks worth of meal plans, recipes and shopping lists that I’ll send in an eBook, straight to your inbox. You can download all at once or receive weekly emails for 10 weeks.

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Do the Plans Fit Hashimoto’s Protocol?

Yes! These Meal Plans complement the protocols in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol, perfectly, so I encourage you to get your copy now if you haven’t already! :) It’s just two easy steps on thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol.

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Root Cause Recipe Portal 1

- you may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You're able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out: https://rootcauserecipes.com/

Root Cause Recipe Portal 2

Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey. I’ve built a database of 300+ paleo and autoimmune paleo Root Cause Approved recipes. The software allows you to customize your weekly menu and grocery store list by aisle. I hope you check it out: https://rootcauserecipes.com/

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Root Cause Recipes

- If you're having trouble sticking to a Paleo or AIP diet, make sure you take it slow and batch cook as much as possible. You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipes. I’ve created weekly meal plans that come with specific directions for easy to make and healthy recipes, plus shopping lists for each week. The Root Cause recipes arrive to you in downloadable and printable eBooks, and eliminate the hassle of finding what’s best to eat. It’s time to start optimizing your health and remove the stress from clean eating. Hope you check it out:

RECIPES

https://rootcauserecipes.com/

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Sauna

- The more I’ve researched saunas, the more I’ve realized that not all infrared saunas are created the same. I’m a lover of research, case studies, and facts, which is another reason why I like Sunlighten. Their products are based on extensive research combined with personal experience. They have options for purely far-infrared saunas and also offer a 3-in-1 sauna that has all three spectrums of infrared light. I like Sunlighten saunas because they match you to the sauna that’s right for you. Healthy lifestyle interventions are not a one size fits all approach. I hope you find a sauna that's right for you. https://www.sunlighten.com/?leadsource=ThyroidPharmacist

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Sunlighten

- You may like to get in contact with the Sunlighten company for their official tips for using their sauna: https://www.sunlighten.com/company-directory/

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Saunas

- thank you for reaching out. Traditional saunas have either wood stoves or electric heaters that heat the air to approximately 160-210°F (70–100°C). The humidity is usually 10-20 percent. Most people who participate in a Finnish sauna bath will stay approximately 5-20 minutes. The warmed air that is created in the sauna is what heats the skin, but the heat only penetrates the skin by a couple millimeters.

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, are only heated to 104-140°F (40-60°C). They heat the body directly versus using air as a means to create heat. The resulting heat penetrates much deeper and also stimulates a much more vigorous sweat than the traditional sauna. Whereas the traditional sauna penetrates a few millimeters, the infrared sauna reaches 3-4 centimeters into the fat tissue and neuromuscular system. It achieves this even when using less heat than its traditional counterpart, providing a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience. Furthermore, the demand on the cardiovascular system is significantly less, so the body does not have to do more work in order to get the added benefits.　

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Infrared Light

- Infrared light is experienced as heat. It’s invisible and part of the sun’s spectrum that penetrates cell tissue; and the reaction from that penetration results in multiple health benefits. The studies I cite in this article repeatedly confirm that there are no known side effects to infrared heat.

However, a note of warning: as with any detoxification treatment, it is best to start gradually and work your way up to a longer length of time in the sauna. Just as you have heard me suggest you do when starting a workout program, keep in mind that after sitting in the infrared sauna, you are supposed to feel better, not worse. If you feel worse after your sauna sessions, it is likely that you stayed in too long and should adjust your treatment plan accordingly. There can be too much of a good thing! 　

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Temperature How long

- thank you for sharing. It's good to know what your body can handle. I recommend starting 5-10 minutes once per week at a temperature of 105°F and slowly work your way up to 20-minute sessions. After one month of safely doing a 20-minute session and feeling great afterward, you can go up to two sessions per week. Ideally, you will want to use the infrared sauna daily to get the most benefit. Over time, if you feel comfortable, you can slowly increase the temperature to as high as 140°F. If the high temperature is not comfortable for you, don’t worry about it—do what is comfortable for your body. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress here.

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Infrared Light

- Infrared light is an invisible form of electromagnetic energy, and its wavelength is longer than that of visible light. You may have heard of other terms associated with infrared such as far-infrared, middle-infrared, or near-infrared. These different terms correspond with the varying wavelengths of infrared radiation. What is most important for you to take away from this is that the different wavelengths of infrared radiation serve different purposes in regards to Hashimoto’s. In the article above, I am describing eight key benefits of infrared saunas, but keep in mind the benefits mentioned correspond with differing wavelengths in the infrared spectrum.

For instance, far-infrared, which is the most widely-known term, is responsible for the deep detoxification and weight loss benefits of the infrared sauna. Middle-infrared light helps reduce pain and addresses inflammation. Near-infrared is most often associated with skin renewal and wound healing. Different goals call for different types of infrared saunas, so try to remember this as you search for the appropriate sauna for your personal needs.

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Infrared Sauna

I know an infrared sauna is a large purchase and may not be possible for everyone. Many local spas have infrared saunas available, and they are often Sunlighten saunas. They usually charge by the minute or have discount session packages available. A simple Google search will help you find one!

Silicon absorbs infrared so implants may expand when using an infrared sauna. I recommend that you consult your doctor whose care you are under to confirm whether your implants may react to heat and pressure.

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Red Light Therapy

- thank you for reaching out. Red light therapy utilizes light at specific frequencies and intensities in order to affect our physiology. Infrared saunas have very specific benefits that you cannot get from red light therapy, including sweating (which is vital for detoxing toxins) and exposure to wavelengths not included in red light therapy. Here is an article with more information on the benefits of saunas that you might find interesting: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/8-benefits-infrared-sauna-can-reduce-symptoms-hashimotos-hypothyroidism/

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SKIN / COSMETICS

Skin/Cosmetics

- Our skin is a window to our internal health. It is the body's largest elimination organ, and also a canvas where toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances can show up. Women with Hashimoto's and autoimmune conditions are more likely to have dry, dull skin, rashes, hives, pre-menstrual acne and facial swelling, especially if their thyroid levels are not optimized and they are not absorbing vitamins and nutrients correctly.

THE THYROID AND SKIN

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin

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Skin

Our skin is a window to our internal health. It is the body's largest elimination organ, and also a canvas where toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and hormonal imbalances can show up. Women with Hashimoto's and autoimmune conditions are more likely to have dry, dull skin, rashes, hives, premenstrual acne and facial swelling, especially if their thyroid levels are not optimized and they are not absorbing vitamins and nutrients correctly. Check out this article for my recommendations: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin ❤️

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Flare-up

- I have suffered a flare-up of Hashimoto’s from makeup I used in 2014. I have had toxicity labs and a 3rd party test to prove it. My symptoms started within 24 hours after beginning to use this particular product. I am not going to disclose the name of the product until I have more distance from the situation so I can act rationally, rather than emotionally, and until I’ve had a chance to consult with a legal adviser so that I don’t get sued by the manufacturer of the product. For guidance on choosing safer cosmetics, you can also check out this website:

http://www.safecosmetics.org/

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Vitamin e Annmarie

After consulting with customer service at, Annmarie Gianni Skin Care

I found that their vitamin-e can come from either soy or corn, however, the protein has been removed. Everyone's body has a different level of sensitivities, but generally, there should not be any sort of reaction.

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Skin Care

- thank you for following this page. Conventional cosmetics, potions, and lotions are filled with petroleum by-products, phthalates, formaldehyde, hormone disruptors and other toxins. As a pharmacologist, I’m well aware that what you put on your skin definitely gets absorbed into your body! I have a list of recommended personal, skin, and self-care products on my resources page here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/resources

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Cosmetics

-conventional cosmetics, potions, and lotions are filled with petroleum by-products, phthalates, formaldehyde, hormone disruptors and other toxins, and as a pharmacologist, I can tell you that what you put on your skin definitely gets absorbed into your body! Here is an article which you may find interesting! :)

ARE YOU SACRIFICING YOUR HEALTH FOR EXTERNAL BEAUTY?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-sacrificing-your-health-for-external-beauty

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Safe cosmetics

Thank you so much for your support! You can also check out the website http://www.safecosmetics.org/ or search http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search.php to see how your products compare. You can search companies to see their overall rating, and also search for individual products. I try to use products with a 1 or 2 rating (lowest toxicity).

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SKIN CARE LINE RECOMMENDATION:

I thought about formulating my own line of skincare for that reason until I learned that Dr. Cates, who became known as “The Spa Doctor” after working in several world-renowned spas, has developed products and programs to help women achieve glowing skin and vibrant health.

Dr. Cates believes skin is our magic mirror, which gives clues about the overall health of our bodies and when we restore balance, our skin is clear and glowing. She is dedicated to helping her patients and customers discover the clean and natural path to confidence and beautiful skin. Here is an article you will find interesting!

New Skin Care Line

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-skin-care-line-formulated-by-a-naturopathic-doctor

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Sunscreen

- I do address sunscreen options in this article:

5 TOXIC SKINCARE INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD AVOID IF YOU HAVE A THYROID CONDITION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/5-toxic-skincare-ingredients-avoid-thyroid-condition/

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DRY SKIN

- Keeping your thyroid levels balanced and getting the right oils in your diet such as from wild salmon, avocados, olives, and coconuts should help. Topically, almond or coconut oil might help hydrate your skin naturally.

THYROID AND SKIN

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin/

5 TOXIC SKINCARE INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD AVOID IF YOU HAVE A THYROID CONDITION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/5-toxic-skincare-ingredients-avoid-thyroid-condition/

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Tattoos

- thank you for reaching out! While there are different expert opinions on the safety of tattoos for people with autoimmune diseases I do not have any specific advice as there are different dyes, and issues that I am unfamiliar with. I encourage you to do your own research.

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Toxins and your skin

Thank you for reaching out. Any toxin in great amounts can have an adverse reaction on our thyroid gland, which is our very own environmental sensory gland. My first clue that I was formaldehyde sensitive likely occurred when I was in my first year of undergraduate studies, during my gross anatomy lab. Here is an article I hope you find interesting.

THYROID AND SKIN

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin/

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Q: Should those with Hashimoto’s be concerned about using beauty products that contain heavy metals, like lead?

A: I personally had arsenic poisoning from lipstick, so I know how dangerous the hidden ingredients in many conventional beauty products can be. Lead in lipstick has been implicated in different autoimmune conditions, especially Lupus. In fact, research has shown that people who use more lipstick are more likely to be diagnosed with Lupus. I encourage you to examine the ingredients in your beauty products closely, and use a website like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database (ewg.org) to check the safety of the products you use. If your current beauty products are highly toxic, I recommend opting for organic versions.

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SOY

Q: What are some sneaky terms for soy that manufacturers use in their products?

A: There are many terms used to replace the name for “soy.” Some of the most common names are miso, natto and tamari.

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Q: Where is soy most commonly found?

A: Soy is hidden in most processed foods. Vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes commonly contain soy, as do many products that contain thickeners (like gravies).

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Q: Is glycine derived from soy?

A: Glycine, an amino acid found in many pre-packaged foods, sports drinks, meal replacements, and personal care products, is often derived from animal sources. However, it can also be derived from soy. It is good practice to check with the manufacturer of such products to determine whether any of their ingredients may be derived from soy.

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Q: If chickens are fed soy, could eating the chicken or their eggs affect those with Hashimoto's or soy sensitivities?

A: Soy is not a natural food for chickens, so although studies have not found soy-fed chicken to affect the people that eat them, I recommend eating organic and free range chicken that are not fed soy. That said, I have had some clients claim they cannot tolerate eggs from chickens fed a soy-based diet from the grocery store (organic chicken included). Some have found, however, that they can tolerate eggs from farmers who feed their chickens a soy (and GMO) free diet.

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STRESS - ADRENALS - CORTISOL - HORMONES -ANXIETY - DEPRESSION

Anxiety/Depression

Anxiety symptoms are very common in people with thyroid disorders.

AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE AND ANXIETY

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-anxiety

ARE YOU GOING CRAZY OR IS IT JUST YOUR THYROID

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-going-crazy-or-is-it-just-your-thyroid

DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE EXIST

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist/

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sleep-solutions-for-hashimotos/

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STRESS/ADRENALS

- thank you for following this page. Having Hashimoto’s can feel very stressful. Having out of range thyroid hormones, adrenal fatigue, negative food sensitivities and low nutrient levels can lead to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and stress. Treating these issues one at a time is the best plan of action. You can recover and regain your health! My book Hashimoto’s Protocol is a step by step guide to the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check it out.

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist/

DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE EXIST

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

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Unhappy with response - SELF HELP

- I'm sorry you feel my response was uninspiring.

I‘ve found that an inability to manage stress is often at the core of the condition. Most people can trace back the development of Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions to a particularly stressful time period. Stress is inherent, and it’s how we handle our stress that matters. I recommend self-management stress-reducing habits like mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. Meditation has specifically been found to be helpful in building resilience to stress. If you have a history of childhood trauma like I do, your stress response could be severely impacted, leading you to overreact and get into a ‘fight or flight’ state at the easiest provocations. I recommend therapies like the self-guided tapping, self-help books, neurofeedback or therapist guided EMDR to reset your stress response.

ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

WHY I CREATED THE ADRENAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/why-adrenal-transformation-protocol

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

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Adrenals/High Cortisol - Sleep

– thank you for following this page. You can recover and regain your health! My new book Hashimoto’s Protocol is a step by step guide to the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check it out.

Hashimoto’s Protocol

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-heal

You also may be interested in this article I wrote. ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE EXIST

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist/

WHY I CREATED THE ADRENAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/why-adrenal-transformation-protocol/

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/sleep-solutions-for-hashimotos/

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Adrenal Imbalances

- Adrenal imbalances are very common in Hashimoto’s patients. Treating hypothyroidism without treating the adrenals is one of the biggest reasons people continue to feel exhausted despite receiving treatment with thyroid hormones. Stress seems to be a precursor to hypothyroidism. Additionally, taking thyroid hormones can actually help us clear out our adrenal hormones faster, which then leads to adrenal fatigue. So, it’s a complicated relationship that has a lot of back and forth. You can recover and regain your health! My new book Hashimoto’s Protocol is a step by step guide to the interventions that helped 80% of the people 80% of the time. I hope you check it out.

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

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Cortisol

- When people have adrenal struggles, we often see that their release of cortisol is altered. People with healthy adrenal function release the most cortisol in the morning. People with impaired adrenal function may wait to release their cortisol at the end of the day. Taking an adrenal adaptogen like the Rootcology Adrenal Support https://www.rootcology.com/products/adrenal-support in the mornings can help. You may also want to consider making a few changes to your diet if you haven't already. Going gluten free is always the first step that I recommend. Through my research I've found that a good percentage feel better off gluten. About 20% will actually go into remission by doing so. Some researchers have found that three to six months on a gluten-free diet can eliminate organ-specific antibodies.

ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

WHY I CREATED THE ADRENAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/why-adrenal-transformation-protocol/

DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE EXIST

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist/

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

10 MOST HELPFUL DIY INTERVENTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-most-helpful-diy-interventions-for-hashimotosaccording-to-my-clients

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DHEA

Our body’s adrenal response is very tied to our immune health, and low levels of the hormone DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) may predispose some individuals to developing autoimmune diseases. Plus, chronic stress leads to a reduction in DHEA. I recommend that you discuss this with your practitioner before using. Here are some articles I hope you find helpful.

ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

WHY I CREATED THE ADRENAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/why-adrenal-transformation-protocol/

DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE EXIST

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist/

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

THYROID ANTIBODIES PART 2

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/part-2-mechanisms-reduce-thyroid-antibodies/

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TESTOSTERONE

Q: My doctor wants to start me on testosterone. Is this recommended for those with Hashimoto’s?

A: Testosterone supplements can be helpful for some people, especially if they are dealing with low libido levels. However, I recommend exercising extreme caution to ensure that the body is not getting too much testosterone. Irritability, aggression, and acne breakouts can all be an indication of excessive testosterone levels.

For some people, DHEA may be an alternative option, as it can be converted to testosterone in the body. However, DHEA can lead to similar issues, if not properly dosed and monitored. As such, I always recommend working with a healthcare provider who is familiar with hormones, to determine the most helpful option for you.

Depression

- thank you so much for reaching out and sharing. I'm so sorry you are struggling with depression. Please know that you're not alone. Many, many people with Hashimoto's feel, at one point or another, like you are feeling. Feelings of hopelessness, detachment, pain, and depression are all very common with this disease. There are steps you can take to reclaim your health and your life. The important thing to do is take the next best step toward recovery. One step only and you can reconsider everything else after that. According to most of the people I have worked with, low thyroid hormones and negative food reactions are reported to drive feelings of depression and anxiety the most. Here are a couple articles you may find helpful:

ROOT CAUSES OF DEPRESSION AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/root-causes-of-depression-and-hashimotos/

ARE YOU GOING CRAZY OR IS IT JUST YOUR THYROID?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-going-crazy-or-is-it-just-your-thyroid/

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Adrenal Fatigue is a Hoax

I discuss the difference between Addison's and adrenal "fatigue" in the article below, as well as the breakdown in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. I do not recommend steroids unless someone has severe adrenal insufficiency and is working with a knowledgeable practitioner. I too also did not believe adrenal fatigue was real, until I was tested and was shown to be in advanced stages. I found the supplement protocols and tips in the article very helpful. ARE YOUR ADRENALS SABOTAGING YOUR HEALTH?

http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health

WHY I CREATED THE ADRENAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/why-adrenal-transformation-protocol/

WHY ADDRESS ADRENALS IS A MUST WITH THYROID PROBLEMS

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/addressing-adrenals-must-with-thyroid-problems/

MITOCHONDRIA, ADRENAL AND THYROID CONNECTION

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mitochondria-adrenal-thyroid-connection/

DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE EXIST

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist/

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Supplement Recommendations

Should I take this if:

- thank you for reaching out. I understand. If you have any concerns it is always best to discuss the addition of supplements with your practitioner who is familiar with your health history. You might find this article helpful as well: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-supplements-actually-help-hashimotos/

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How to take/How much

I suggest that you follow the product label for daily intake recommendations and dosing instructions. There should be information on the recommended dose, as well as whether a supplement needs to be taken with or without food. written on the bottle.

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Probiotic - MEGASPOREBIOTIC™

- thanks for reaching out! Here is the link to the probiotic which I mention in my book and inside The Thyroid Secret documentary series: https://www.rootcology.com/pages/megasporebiotic

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Prenatal

Thank you so much for reaching out. Taking a quality prenatal supplement is important to the health and development of your baby. I recommend the Designs for Health Prenatal Pro Essential Packets, in addition to any other supplements you and your doctor may determine that you need to stay on to optimize your health during your pregnancy! Here is a link: https://thyroidpharmacist.ehealthpro.com/products/prenatal-twice-daily-essential-packets

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BASIC SUPPLEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS

- thanks for reaching out! I currently use and recommend practitioner only brands that are free of fillers and where the companies practice excellent quality control methods. Here are some article links which might help:

WHICH SUPPLEMENTS ACTUALLY HELP HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-supplements-actually-help-hashimotos/

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING ENZYMES WITH HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-enzymes-to-overcome-hashimotos

THE FOUR BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos/

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Why Created

I have also created my own supplements brand, which is named Rootcology. Rootcology’s mission is to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. These supplements are composed of high-quality, pesticide-free ingredients, do not contain soy protein, dairy, or gluten ingredients, and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle. Here is a link to the website: https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements

Pure Encapsulations is another high-quality pharmaceutical grade brand that has extremely tight quality

control and manufacturing guidelines. Here is the link:

https://www.purerxo.com/thyroidpharmacist/rxo/company/my_recommendations.asp

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BOOKS AND SUPPLEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS:

- Thanks for your message! I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet. This is why I always list food sources in the book and on the blog, for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals. and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s. However, some may require or prefer supplements. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

I do have a full supplements chapter in my books. Have you checked them out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and any of these books will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation. Here are the links

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

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HP SUPPLEMENT PROTOCOLS

- Thank you for following this page. The supplements suggested in my Hashimoto's Protocol book go along with the specific protocols. The Liver support protocol has specific supplements, as does the Adrenal Recovery Protocol, the supplements are meant to help during the protocol but many people will find that some of them are so helpful they may wish to continue on them after the protocol has ended. The goal is for each person to successfully complete the protocols and design a custom supplement program that works best for their body and their personal health.

I have created my own supplements brand, Rootcology, to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. These supplements are composed of high-quality, pesticide-free ingredients, do not contain soy protein, dairy, or gluten ingredients, and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle. Here is a link to the website: https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements

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HP PROTOCOL WITH OR WITHOUT A DOCTOR / PRACTITIONER

Thank you for following this page. The Liver Protocols outlined in my Hashimoto's Protocol book are designed to support the liver and help you tolerate lifestyle changes and supplements you may not have been able to tolerate before. Many people have great success following the protocol on their own. It is always helpful to have a good skilled clinician but the protocol is easy to follow.

I do recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

I have a full supplements chapter in my books. Have you checked them out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and any of these books will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation. Here are the links:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-supplements-actually-help-hashimotos/

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Pure Encapsulations - Corn used ?

The corn used is non-GMO. Any reactions from corn are generally caused by the proteins. Dextrose is not a portion and is used up in the fermentation process so there is very little chance it will cause any reactions even in those sensitive to corn.

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Another Brand Supplement

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No Information

- thank you for reaching out. I'm sorry I do not have any information about these products. I do recommend that you do your research. As a pharmacist, I can tell you that many supplements are ineffective, and some are even downright unsafe. The truth is that most supplement companies do not undergo the same scrutiny and testing that pharmaceutical products do. This is because many of the tests required of pharmaceutical companies are voluntary for supplement companies and most companies do not take the extra steps to test their products to ensure safety and purity. That's why I created my own supplements brand, Rootcology, to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. These supplements are composed of high-quality, pesticide-free ingredients, do not contain soy protein, dairy, or gluten ingredients, and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle.

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Selenium/Vitamin E on empty stomach

I recommend taking them on an empty stomach to ensure absorption, but please consult your practitioner before taking them.

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Supplement Dosages

– thank you for following this page. You should start with the directions on the bottle and adjust your dosage from there. I cannot tell you specifically what you can and cannot do over the internet as I could be held liable for what would happen to you. If you have more specific questions on how and when to take particular supplements under normal circumstances, please do reach out to my team by email, they will be more than glad to help.

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Adrenal support - Bottle says take 3, can they take all at once or throughout the day?

Thank you for reaching out. I recommend that you start with one at breakfast and work your way up to three. Starting one at a time and then adding another once you know you are not reacting to the current dose.

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Question about another practitioner's products.

- I'm afraid I can't comment on the products of other practitioners but, I'm sure their customer service will be happy to answer any questions you have about quality, testing or ingredients. I hope that helps

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HP Supplement protocols

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Supplements are to expensive

- thank you for sharing. I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet. This is why I always list food sources in the book and on the blog, for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals. and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s. However, some may require or prefer supplements. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

I do have a full supplements chapter in my books. Have you checked them out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and any of my books will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation. Here are some articles you might find interesting: WHICH SUPPLEMENTS ACTUALLY HELP HASHIMOTO'S

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING ENZYMES WITH HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-enzymes-to-overcome-hashimotos

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Carnitine

- thank you for reaching out. L-carnitine is an amino acid derivative, and is a naturally occurring compound in all foods. But, significant amounts are only found in dark meats. Carnitine Blend also contains acetyl-L-carnitine, which has unique brain-supportive properties. Here is an article with more information: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/carnitine-support-hashimotos/

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Carnitine

Thank you so much for sharing your journey! I generally recommend L-carnitine to people with Hashimoto's to help overcome thyroid fatigue. I have personally seen people “awaken” with the use of L-carnitine. Here is an article you might find helpful: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/carnitine-support-hashimotos/

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Hypo/Hyper and Carnitine

Thank you so much for sharing! As the article says: "More recent research has shown that carnitine can be beneficial for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, with a decreased concentration of carnitine found in the skeletal muscles of people with both thyroid conditions. The action of carnitine appears to play out differently depending on a given individual’s metabolic state and thyroid hormone levels. (18, 19)" See those references at the bottom of the article for more info on the research. It's possible that those you are referencing may not be aware of this new research (and only aware of its effects on hyperthyroidism/Graves') but of course, the effect of carnitine on someone with Hashimoto's can vary and play out differently, so it is always best to discuss the addition of carnitine with your doctor who's familiar with your unique needs.

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Q: I started taking 600 mg of thiamine, and I think it's helping. How long should I take thiamine for?

A: I generally recommend taking thiamine for 3-6 months, but some people may need it longer term. This supplement is one I still take personally after 7+ years!

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Supplements expensive:

- thank you for following this page. ❤️ I understand how hard this can be.

I created Rootcology to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions, using high-quality, pharmaceutical grade ingredients and the principles of safe and effective pharmacology.

Our supplements are composed of high-quality, pesticide-free ingredients, do not contain soy protein, dairy, or gluten ingredients, and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle.

Unfortunately, it does take a considerable amount of time and money to develop, produce, maintain, and offer support for our kind of products and the quality that we strive to achieve. Here are some articles I hope you find helpful:

WHICH SUPPLEMENTS ACTUALLY HELP HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/which-supplements-actually-help-hashimotos/

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING ENZYMES WITH HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-enzymes-to-overcome-hashimotos

THE FOUR BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-four-best-probiotics-for-hashimotos/

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DAO - Containing Corn in Seeking Health product

- thank you for bringing this to my attention. It appears that this supplement’s ingredients have changed since I published this article. I recommend working with a practitioner to help you find a DAO supplement that is free of any fillers and ingredients that you may be sensitive to. I wish you all the best!

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Practitioners - Discounted / Affiliate programs / Wholesale Request

Thank you so much for your interest in Rootcology! 　Unfortunately, due to the nature of our business model, we are unable to offer affiliate opportunities or discounted pricing to practitioners. We do not have any foreseeable plans for offering wholesale accounts for Rootcology products at this time. However, we have recently added our new Rootcology bundles to our website, which you can combine with a Subscribe & Save subscription to save up to 13.75% on Rootcology products! Simply add a qualifying product to the cart and a menu will pop up asking if you'd like 1, 3, or 6 bottles/canisters. Bundling in quantities of 6 gives you the best savings! You can also combine this with a Subscribe & Save subscription for an even larger discount! Note: Not all of our products are eligible for a Bundle & Save discount. I hope this information helps! Please feel free to email my team at info@rootcology. com if you have any further questions, and they will be happy to help! Here is a link to my Rootcology website so you can check it out. https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements

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What are Enzymes For

Digestive Enzymes help digest specific types of food (protein, fat, carbohydrate, etc.) to prevent food particles from sitting in the gut and causing damage. Impaired digestion caused by low stomach and lack of enzymes often leads to nutrient deficiencies causing a multitude of symptoms and health issues. Check out this article for more info and my recommendations:

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING ENZYMES WITH HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-enzymes-to-overcome-hashimotos

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S Boulardii

The brand I recommend is my Rootcology S boulardii. Here is a link so you can check it out as well as an article with more information about S boulardii and my recommendations: https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/s-boulardii

USING S BOULARDII FOR HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-s-boulardii-hashimotos/

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Can it be taken with other probiotics

- thank you for reaching out. S. boulardii can be taken along with other probiotics (unless you have SIBO). Lactobacillus and spore-based probiotics may be particularly beneficial and tolerated with Hashimoto’s, along with fermented foods, depending on one’s personal root causes. Here is an article you might find helpful: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/using-s-boulardii-hashimotos/

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Supplement Q&A's

Q: Is Betaine with Pepsin OK if I have beet sensitivity?

- While some companies source their betaine from beets, the Pure Encapsulations brand of Betaine is synthetic and is not sourced from beets. Patients sensitive to beets will be able to tolerate it

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Q: What supplement brands do you recommend?

A: I currently use and recommend practitioner-only brands that are free of fillers and where the companies practice excellent quality control methods. I’ve created my own supplement brand, Rootcology, so I have complete control over what goes into each supplement and I only use high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. As a pharmacist, I have learned that not all supplements are created equal. That’s why it was essential to create bioavailable products that are made with the greatest care to ensure the ingredients are safe, effective, and match what’s actually inside the bottle. Pure Encapsulations is another pharmaceutical-grade brand that I recommend. These supplements are normally only available through healthcare professionals. However, the company has agreed to allow me to set up a store on my website for the supplements I’ve found to be helpful for Hashimoto’s. You can find both supplement brands through my website!

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Q: Is it always recommended to be on medications right away, and is it possible to get better without medications?

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Q. Do you have experience with people having swallowing issues after being on Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI’s)?

A: Yes. One of the biggest nutrients that can become depleted by proton pump inhibitors is magnesium. A lack of magnesium can actually cause you to have difficulty swallowing. Consider taking a magnesium supplement; either magnesium citrate if you tend to be constipated, or magnesium glycinate if you tend to have diarrhea. Start taking it at bedtime and see if that helps you at all. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, I have created a Magnesium Citrate Powder from Rootcology that tastes like lemon and provides 300 mg of magnesium in each teaspoon serving. Magnesium helped a few of my clients correct their swallowing issues.

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Q: My iodine levels are very low. Do you advise taking a supplement? Should I still take selenium?

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Q: Is it better to take selenium and vitamin E separately from my multivitamin?

A: Selenium and vitamin E work together in synergy, and may not be absorbed completely from some multivitamins. Thus, sometimes it’s recommended to take them apart from a multivitamin.

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Q: Can taking fish oil affect blood pressure?

A: Lowered blood pressure is a potential side effect of fish oil. While this can be beneficial for people with high blood pressure, those with low blood pressure should use caution when supplementing. Additionally, I recommend ensuring that the adrenals are fully supported before starting fish oil supplementation, as adrenal issues can contribute to low blood pressure.

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Q: Can omega-3 supplements help with autoimmune-related pain?

A: Research has shown that omega-3 essential fatty acids can reduce arthritic pain just as effectively as ibuprofen can, so fish oil may be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for pain management.

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Q: Which multivitamin do you recommend?

I like Nutrient 950 from Pure Encapsulations. This multivitamin is hypoallergenic, contains high quality, absorbable nutrients and is available in many versions, including an iron-free, copper-free, and iodine-free version for those that may be experiencing iron overload, copper toxicity or may need to reduce their iodine intake because of past exposure to excess iodine. https://www.purerxo.com/thyroidpharmacist/rxo/products/product_details.asp?ProductsID=341

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Q: Why do you recommend so much NAC?

A: Glutathione is an antioxidant that is deficient in those with Hashimoto’s. It helps prevent free radical damage to the thyroid, but isn’t well absorbed if taken orally. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor to glutathione, and can be taken orally. NAC has been used for healing intestinal permeability, however, it can cause stomach upset if taken on an empty stomach and thus should be taken with food.

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Is NAC being taken off the market?

- thank you for sharing! I don't have any concrete information on whether NAC will be able to be sold as a supplement in the future, this is a potential concern and some third parties have discontinued NAC sales. If you have found NAC helpful, I recommend stocking up while you can, to ensure you have some extra on hand. Check out this article for more info on that update: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/nac-for-thyroid-health/

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Q: How often do you recommend testing vitamin D levels when you are taking a supplement?

A: I recommend testing vitamin D levels every 3-6 months while supplementing.

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Q: What is your favorite way to get sufficient vitamin D?

A: I’ll be honest… It’s not cod liver oil. :-) My favorite way to get my vitamin D levels up is through spending at least a week on the beach, soaking up the sun and relaxing. When travel isn’t possible, I take 5,000 IU of vitamin D as a maintenance dose throughout the year, and double my dose in the winter.

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Support Group Recommendation

- When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I felt so alone. My doctor didn’t think it was a big deal, and none of my friends or co-workers had it. It wasn’t until I started to research online that I found others who were going through the same thing. I do suggest that you join one of the Hashimoto’s groups that are out there. Being able to share ideas of what has worked with one another and offer support for each other can be very helpful.

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If request name of a group recommended

https://www.facebook.com/Hashimotos.Thyroiditis.Support

https://www.facebook.com/groups/5772507259/

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Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with criticism when the negative person or situation cannot be removed or avoided?

A: Some people are not really aware that they may be hurting you with their actions or their words. One suggestion may be to take the person aside, one-on-one, and say, “Hey, I really want to talk to you about something. I'm really hurt whenever you talk about XYZ, and I don't feel supported by you. I want us to have a really great relationship, and I really respect and love you. Here are some things that you can do that will be more supportive.” I have had that conversation with different people in my life, and that has saved our relationships. Some people respond really well to this type of conversation, and other people don’t. You may just need to be assertive and let them know that they can support you by not sharing their opinions on your lifestyle choices.

You can also try to encourage them to be more supportive by saying, “I appreciate how much you love and support me despite XYZ,” or “I really appreciate your advice,” just to acknowledge them. Sometimes they really do want to help you, they just don't know how. On the other hand, some relationships cannot be saved. If so, I would recommend you check out a book about dealing with people who get their energy from hurting other people, called Emotional Vampires by Albert Bernstein.

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Q: I don't know how to fix issues with feeling loved and appreciated (as it seems my family doesn't care right now). Do you have any suggestions?

A: Growing love in your family is a very gentle process. Showing gratitude to them for what they’re already doing can be helpful. Most people want to be loving and caring to those who are close to them, but they may not know how to do so, or they may feel that their efforts are not acknowledged. Stacey Robbins shares some great suggestions and experiences with these types of issues, in her book You’re Not Crazy and You’re Not Alone.

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Testimonials and Success Stories Permission

Thank you so much for reaching out and for sharing your story!

My mission is to collect 10,000 success stories with the hope of submitting them to a medical journal in the future. Understandably, you are probably very busy, but if you have some time, please do you mind sharing your full story with me here at this link? https://thyroidpharmacist.com/testimonial/

These stories will go a long way in helping others who are going through a similar journey to yours. Thank you for your consideration!

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Testimonial Thank you

- thank you so much for sharing your journey with me! These stories will go a long way in helping others who are going through a similar journey to yours. Understandably, you are probably very busy, but if you have some time, please do you mind sharing your full story with me here at this link? Thank you for your consideration! https://thyroidpharmacist.com/testimonial/

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Testimonial Permission to use Request

- thank you so much for sharing! These personal accounts are very special and important to me. May I have your permission to use these words in my publications or newsletters? These stories will go a long way in helping others who are going through a similar journey to yours. Thank you for your consideration!

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Testimony/Story (Asking Customer to share)

- I'm so happy to hear this! I would love to hear more! Would you be willing to share what protocols you did and what symptoms improved, so that we can share your successes with other people who have not yet committed to making the lifestyle and dietary changes necessary to reclaim their health? Your story could help inspire others! If you have some time, please do you mind sharing your full story with me? I would love it if you would share it here, email me at info@thyroidpharmacist.com or here at this link https://thyroidpharmacist.com/testimonial/

These stories will go a long way in helping others who are going through a similar journey to yours. 　

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Translations / subtitles / dubbed / Spanish /Polish

Thyroid Secret dubbed?

- Unfortunately the series will not be dubbed at this point but, we are looking into how we can make it so in the future. Thanks for your interest.

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Spanish Translation of Books

I’m pleased to announce that a Spanish translation of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause was released in Fall 2017 and can be purchased on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Tiroiditis-Hashimoto-Izabella-Wentz/dp/848445603X

POLISH:

HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK

https://amzn.to/2O1q8fY

HASHIMOTO'S PROTOCOL

https://amzn.to/2IzpS1C

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology

https://amzn.to/2OEMzXd

Links to Translations

Here are the links to the translations we already have published for

Hashimoto's Root Cause:

Polish: https://amzn.to/2O1q8fY

Romanian: https://bit.ly/2zPoGV7

German: https://amzn.to/2Izx6T9

Spanish: https://amzn.to/2NhfPyR

Bulgarian: http://bit.ly/2LowF3H

Hungarian: https://bit.ly/34nXPyI

And here are the links to the translations we have published for Hashimoto's Protocol:

Chinese: https://amzn.to/2Npka3m

Dutch: https://bit.ly/2ODP10M

German: https://amzn.to/2ykW0BB

Polish: https://amzn.to/2IzpS1C

Bulgarian: http://bit.ly/2LuVY4h

Portuguese (Brazil): https://amzn.to/2GsvjiS

Spanish: https://amzn.to/2xeboiV

Czech: https://www.kosmas.cz/knihy/257262/hashimotova-tyreoiditida/

And here are the links to the translations we have published for

Hashimooto's Food Pharmacology:

Polish: https://amzn.to/2OEMzXd

German: https://amzn.to/2J7h4Bi

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Polish Website

- I have a Polish website here: https://www.tarczycahashimoto.pl/

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Question about translating in a Facebook group.

- thank you for following this page. I think it’s wonderful that you are taking charge of your health and helping others to do so. You are welcome to translate part of my information for your group only. I ask that you do not share it in print outside of the group or reproduce it for distribution in any way. Good luck with your group!

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You-Tube Translation

- thank you for sharing! This option is available now, you just click Settings>>Subtitles>>Auto-translate>> and select your language. 　

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TRIED EVERYTHING - HOPELESS

Hopeless/ tried everything - Timeline/HSMP/Root Cause Reset

- I am so sorry to hear about your struggles. Hashimoto’s is often a combination of food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, adrenal issues, gut issues as well as an impaired ability to get rid of toxins. Any of those things would prevent a person from getting better.

Hashimoto's is very much an individual condition. While there are root cause commonalities, each person will have their own or in some cases, more than one root cause. You will have to start with the simplest modifications, by removing triggers, followed by repairing the other broken systems to restore equilibrium, allowing the body to rebuild itself. You will need to dig down to why the immune system is imbalanced in the first place and this will tell you how you begin to finally feel better, reduce your thyroid antibodies and even take your condition into remission.

You will have to create your own health timeline. Look back at your overall history as far back as you can remember. Look for infections, periods of severe stress, the use of medications (especially antibiotics, antacids, and oral contraceptives), accidents, and exposure to toxins. These are events that may have contributed to Hashimoto's. Once you do, you will know what types of changes you need to implement to make yourself feel better.

If you need further support, please check out the list of lab tests inside the “Testing” chapter of my book, Hashimoto’s Root Cause. I also offer a 12-week program, Hashimoto's Self Management Program. Here are some resources I hope you find helpful as well. ❤️

BUILDING YOUR OWN HEALTH TIMELINE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/sample-health-timeline/

Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-self-management/

ROOT CAUSE RESET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-root-cause-reset/

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Struggling

I know how hard it can be! I often talk about how people with Hashimoto’s struggle with a combination of issues: hair falling out, brain fog, sleep issues, weight gain, fatigue, pain, hot/cold sensitivity, thyroid nodules, swelling lymph nodes, eye and teeth issues, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, nausea, adrenal issues, gut issues, additional autoimmune diseases as well as an impaired ability to get rid of toxins. It's also frustrating that many of us have reached out to doctors for years and receive very little help. We are sometimes told it just comes with aging and to take this pill. Doctors don't ever seem to get to the root cause. It's important to know that Hashimoto's is more than a thyroid disorder, it's an autoimmune disease. We need to balance our immune systems to reverse Hashimoto's and get our life back! I have been there, and I understand. The first step is healing your gut! You will have to start with the simplest modifications, by removing all environmental and food triggers, followed by repairing the other broken systems to restore equilibrium, allowing the body to rebuild itself. You will dig down to why the immune system is imbalanced in the first place, and this will tell you how you begin to finally feel better, reduce your thyroid antibodies and even take your condition into remission.

You will have to create your own health timeline; looking back at your overall history as far back as you can remember. Look for infections, periods of severe stress, the use of medications (especially antibiotics, antacids, and oral contraceptives), accidents, and exposure to toxins. These are events that may have contributed to Hashimoto's. Once you do, you will know what types of changes you need to implement to make yourself feel better.

This approach is detailed in my book, Hashimoto's Protocol, which is a more step by step in-depth plan that streamlines the most effective interventions. If you need further support, please check out the list of lab tests inside the “Testing” chapter of my book, Hashimoto’s Root Cause. I also offer a 12-week program, Hashimoto's Self Management Program. I hope this helps!

BUILDING YOUR OWN HEALTH TIMELINE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/sample-health-timeline/

Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-self-management/

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Getting off Thyroid medication

I'm so sorry to hear you feel hopeless. The goal isn't to get off of thyroid hormone replacement therapy but to decrease or eliminate symptoms and reclaim your health. You can do it!

OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year HASHIMOTO'S SELF CARE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-self-care REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

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TSH - CRAZY / NORMAL TEST RESULT

TSH - Crazy / Normal Test Results

- Most conventional physicians use the TSH test to determine if one has a thyroid disorder and to dose thyroid medications. However, this test can oftentimes be misleading, as levels of circulating hormones may fluctuate at different times, such as in Hashimoto’s, where the person affected may fluctuate between highs and lows.

Additionally, when scientists first set the “normal” ranges of TSH for healthy individuals, they inadvertently included elderly patients and others with compromised thyroid function in the calculations, leading to an overly lax reference range. This resulted in people with underactive thyroid hormones being told that their thyroid tests were “normal,” based on this skewed reference range.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TSH IS NORMAL AND YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-to-do-if-your-tsh-is-normal-and-you-are-anything-but/

Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don't run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.

TOP 10 THYROID TESTS AND HOW TO INTERPRET THEM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/

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The Thyroid Secret - TTS

TTS LAUNCH - May 19 3 pm ET until May 21th at 11:59 pm PT

TTS member portal: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/the-thyroid-secret/
TTS sales page: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/
TTS evergreen trailer/sign up: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts-trailer/
TTS replay weekend trailer/sign up: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts-trailer-relaunch/
TTS replay weekend page: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts/replay/
Package comparison: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

5/19 @ 3 pm PT - 5/21 @ 11:59 pm PT
- Replay Extension planned through 5/22 @ 11:59 PT
- Discount Extension planned through 5/25 @ 11:59 PT
Digital packages ONLY:
- Premium Silver Package (offered at 70% off) $27
- The Deluxe Gold Package (Best deal - over 80% off) $47
Physical packages by request:
- Deluxe Gold Physical: Live Event/Discount Price $297.00 – 15% free weekend discount = $252.45
- Premium Silver Physical: Live Event/Discount Price $97.00 – 15 % free weekend discount = $82.45

TTS Replay CR's

Thank you for sharing your amazing story and I am so glad the recommended diet and lifestyle changes are having such a positive impact for you! - The Thyroid Secret Team

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Options if they do not have time or unable to watch during free weekend

I understand it is difficult to find the time to watch. You could join our mission and support The Thyroid Secret by owning a copy of this groundbreaking documentary series. Here is the link: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/

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- thank you for following. I am so sorry you will be unable to watch the series. In honor of World Thyroid Day we're offering the Silver Digital package of The Thyroid Secret for only $27. If you can't watch the free weekend, I hope you can take advantage of this amazing offer and have the series forever. Here is a link so you can check it out: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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Link to the Replay starting:

You can use this link to tune in this Friday, May 19, at 3pm PT:

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What is The Thyroid Secret?

- thank you for following this page. The Thyroid Secret has revealed to the misinformed millions the truth about thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's, Graves, and other related diseases. So many people are in the dark about this condition, and it's time they know that there are ways to get better. The Thyroid Secret is a 9 part series and it has changed the lives of thousands of people around the globe. If you have or have a loved one who has a thyroid condition you won't want to miss out on this series. Here is the link, I hope you check it out!

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts/replay/

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Prices

- Here is the link for you with the secure order form and the pricing info. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

Silver Digital package is $27.00

Gold Digital package is $47.00

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What is The Thyroid Secret?

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The Thyroid Secret - How will this help me?

The Thyroid Secret is an extensive collection of information from the top experts in thyroid health as well as people who have Hashimoto's, there is no other resource like it. Hear first hand from experts what works to help their patients, as well as themselves, live the healthiest life possible. Here is the link: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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Videos, Will they work on iPad, tablet or cellphone

- thank you for following this page. Yes, you can view the episodes on your iPad, tablet or capable cell phone. If you have any trouble please email my support team at info@thethyroidsecret.com

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Where Can I Buy Them?

Thank you for your support. Without you we wouldn't be able to continue with our mission of education and outreach to the millions of people who suffer from Hashimoto’s. You can purchase at this link here https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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- thank you for your support! You can order The Thyroid Secret at these links:

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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The Thyroid Secret is impacting millions of lives thanks to people like YOU! Every time someone shares this documentary series, it will touch another person. You're helping us raise awareness so that others know the real deal — that you can prevent and even heal from thyroid disease! https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts-trailer/

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How much does TTS cost?

- Here is the link for you with the secure order form and the pricing info. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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- thank you for asking about the Thyroid Secret! All 9 episodes will be available through a replay weekend, where you can view all 9 episodes at once! You can also go to TheThyroidSecret.com and re-register for the emails that will provide you with the links. Make sure to check your spam folder and add us to your email list. The address to add is info@thethyroidsecret.com

Here's your replay link: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts/replay/

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We also have two great options where you can purchase the episodes and watch them whenever you like, as often as you like. The purchase of these episodes allows us to continue our mission of reaching out with the latest research and empowering people around the world who struggle with thyroid disease. This information is the way to finally get others to understand what thyroid patients go through and the challenges we face. It offers hope and solutions to many of our most common problems. We work hard to ensure that thyroid patients and health care providers have access to these incredible resources and without your help it is impossible for us to continue. Here are the links:

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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Difference between Silver and Gold?

Thank you for asking!

1. The premium digital silver package includes all 9 episodes of the series, complete easy-to-read digital transcripts of each episode, and MP3 audio recordings of each episode. You can purchase it here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

2. The deluxe digital gold package includes all 9 episodes of the series, complete easy-to-read digital transcripts of each episode, MP3 audio recordings of each episode, expert video interviews and MP3 audios, patient story interviews and MP3 audios, digital transcripts of experts and patient stories, and The Thyroid Secret Q&A with Dr. Izabella Wentz (Part 1 & 2). You can purchase it here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

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Upset - Missed an Episode:

I'm delighted in your interest in The Thyroid Secret. When I decided to spread our message and bring awareness to thyroid disease, I wanted to get it to as many people as possible… So I decided to put the series up absolutely free for everyone to watch, and to put up each episode for 24 full hours before putting up the next episode in the series. Our tech team urged us to use this model. We’ve now had some overwhelming responses to this event and are working hard to give people another chance to watch.

In the meantime, we've made The Thyroid Secret available for purchase so you can watch it at your own leisure, and at a very special price during the event. In case you're interested, you can purchase all the episodes at this link: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/own-the-thyroid-secret/#bestpackage

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/tts-special-replay

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Technical questions

Printing Articles

- thank you for following this page. If you scroll to the bottom of the article there should be an image of a little printer on the left hand side. I hope that helps!

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Not able to download book

- thank you for reaching out. I am sorry you were not able to download the book. If you click on the link, scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your name and email. You should be taken to a page with a red button to click that says download. If you are still unable to access it please email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you.

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Problem with Pop ups on website

I am so sorry about that! You can click right below the place where it says to add your email on "No Thanks" and it will go away. You may need to scroll down. We're trying something new on the website- not meant to be click bait. I appreciate the feedback.

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Thank you's

Book - Thank you's

You can help yourself by taking notes as you go - some people prefer to take audio notes! A daily journal will help you keep track of your progress. Having a buddy to discuss it with can also help

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- Thanks so much - it means the world to me to know that I'm making a difference!

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- Thank you so much for your support. Make sure to take the book slow, take notes, highlight, establish a baseline when making changes and please keep me posted on your progress.

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Thyroid Diet responses

My doctor said I don’t have celiac disease and that I don’t need to go gluten-free.

I would still recommend going gluten-free. In my study of 2232 people with Hashimoto’s, 88% of them felt better gluten-free, while only 3.5% of them had celiac disease.

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Why doesn’t my doctor know about this?

Food sensitivity research is a new science that is controversial and rarely taught in medical, pharmacy and nursing schools.

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I am a vegan/vegetarian, will these recipes work for me?

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Why don’t you recommend a vegan/vegetarian diet for Hashimoto’s?

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My allergist tested me for food allergies and said I don’t have any.

Food sensitivities are different from food allergies and utilize different testing that is considered “controversial” and thus not usually covered on insurance.

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I don’t think I have any food sensitivities.

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Is eating this way boring?

It can be if you are not prepared! This is why I created Root Cause Recipes, to give you variety!

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Is eating this way extreme?

Some people may say that using food as medicine is extreme. I say that taking numerous medications and feeling sick is extreme. Which would you prefer?

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Will I be able to wean off my medications with this diet?

We have seen some people wean off medications. Please work with your doctor.

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Does the diet reduce thyroid antibodies?

Yes- research proves that it can :-)

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Does the diet reduce thyroid nodules?

Yes!

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Will eating this way lead to nutrient deficiencies?

Restricting your diet could in theory lead to nutrient deficiencies, however we have found that once people remove inflammatory foods from the diet, this actually improves their digestion and absorption, leading to better assimilation of nutrients from food.

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Will diet heal me completely?

We have seen complete reversal of illness with nutrition, however if you hit a plateau after 90 days of the Root Cause autoimmune Paleo diet, you will need to investigate additional root causes.

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What is the best test for food sensitivities?

The gold standard is an elimination diet, like the Root Cause autoimmune Paleo diet, where you remove reactive foods for 3-4 weeks and watch for health improvement, as well as return of symptoms once rechallenged.

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What if I’m allergic to coconut?

Palm oil may be a substitute.

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Will I have to eat this way forever?

I generally recommend healing diets for 30-90 days. Most people will be able to reintroduce foods once they have healed their intestinal permeability.

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Is raw dairy/goat milk/sheep milk/lactose-free milk OK?

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What is the success rate of the Paleo diet?

Around 80% of people feel better with the Paleo diet!

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What is the success rate of the autoimmune diet?

Around 80% of people feel better with the autoimmune diet!

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How long should I stay on each diet?

Some people feel better within 3 days! Give the diet 30 days to see effects, 90 days to see the full effect!

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Is seaweed good or bad for the thyroid?

Seaweed should be avoided because it can exacerbate autoimmunity and may contain high doses of iodine; excess iodine can be toxic in Hashimoto’s.

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Are cruciferous vegetables like broccoli OK to eat?

Generally most cruciferous vegetables are not an issue for people with Hashimoto's and they can help with detoxification. However, some people with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) may react to some of the crucifers--in that case, I recommend the low FODMAP modified recipes.

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Is low carb bad for the thyroid?

I often have people play around with their fat to protein to carb ratios to find what fits them best. Some people (especially if they’re more active) will benefit from more proteins. Others benefit from more fats, such as those with brain fog, pain, and depression. Some may even benefit from ketosis. Personally for me, lower carbs, higher fats, and ketosis made me feel amazing for a couple of years until I hit a plateau and then needed to add back more carbs to feel my best. The bottom line is that you have to adjust the diet to your needs and your needs may change!

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Are the recipes low FODMAP friendly?

Yes, we have a total of 4-weekly meal plans/recipes that have been low FODMAP modified (2 weeks of autoimmune and 2 weeks of Paleo).

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TOXINS AND CHEMICALS

Toxins and Chemicals

Toxins and chemicals are established environmental triggers for developing Hashimoto’s in people who are genetically predisposed. These include iodine intake, bacterial and viral infections, hormonal imbalances, toxins, as well as therapy with certain types of medications and mercury!

In people with Hashimoto’s, only 50% of their identical twins presented with thyroid antibodies, meaning that genes alone are not everything and that environmental triggers are extremely important. Here are some articles which you may find interesting:

MERCURY EXPOSURE AND HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/mercury-exposure-hashimotos/

THYROID AND SKIN

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-thyroid-and-skin/

FLUORIDE

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/fluoride-and-your-thyroid/

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Safe Product recommendations:

Resources/Spring Cleaning

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/spring-cleaning-and-your-thyroid/

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Radiation

A significant connection between radiation and thyroid autoimmunity has been found in people exposed to the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. Recent studies have shown that even low doses of radiation can influence the immune system, possibly exacerbating certain autoimmune conditions such as asthma and Hashimoto’s. One such study, conducted by Dr. Noriko Shimura at Ohu University in Japan, found that mice exposed to low doses of radiation had higher rates of autoimmune thyroid disease and overall higher numbers of thyroid antibodies. Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur ...

1. Genetic predisposition

2. Environmental triggers

3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY? AND THE PERFECT STORM

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm/

IS HASHIMOTO'S HYPOTHYROIDISM GENETIC?

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/is-hashimotos-genetic

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Q: How do I test for the MTHFR gene?

A: You can perform the MTHFR blood test through a lab that will most likely be covered by your insurance. Alternatively, you can do a saliva test through 23andMe.com, then upload the raw data into a service such as NutraHacker, LiveWello or GeneticGenie which will tell you if you have that gene mutation, as well as others.

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Q: We have a steel framing for our house, and we have arsenic treated base plates in the walls. I have had high arsenic in the past, and my daughter has borderline levels. It seems like everyone in our house is sick. Could this be the root cause?

A: Arsenic can be a root cause. I personally had arsenic toxicity, which caused a flare up of my Hashimoto's. As you mention that your whole family is sick, it’s really important to consider your environment. I recommend removing the arsenic source and working to remove the arsenic from your body. Sweating, NAC, Selenium, Turmeric, Folate, garlic, chlorophyll and cilantro can aid with removing arsenic from your body. I recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner on this journey to healing yourself and your family.

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Vaccines

Always hide after responding.

Unfortunately, I cannot give any straightforward guidance about vaccinations. As with any drug, we each have to make our own informed decision about this and ultimately, it’s up to you, your family, and a doctor you trust to assess personal risk and benefits, and decide if a vaccine is the right thing for you and/or your family member.

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Unfortunately, I do not have enough information or research about the vaccine yet to speculate on how it may impact those with Hashimoto's, and cannot give any straightforward guidance about vaccinations. As with any drug, we each have to make our own informed decision about this and ultimately, it’s up to you, your family, and a doctor you trust to assess personal risk and benefits, and decide if a vaccine is the right thing for you and/or your family member.

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Vegan/Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Recovering from adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism when following a vegetarian diet is very challenging, as vegetarian diets are often carbohydrate heavy. Vegetarian sources of protein such as legumes (beans), dairy, grains, soy and some seeds may be incompatible with trying to heal a leaky gut, which is almost always present with Hashimoto’s. Pea protein is an alternative that may be easier to digest and is less likely to cause food sensitivities.

I have created my own line of supplements, which also includes an Organic Pea Protein. Here's the link: https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/copy-of-purepaleo-protein-vanilla

Eggs, some seeds, and nuts would be the preferred sources of protein for vegetarians. However, some people with Hashimoto’s may be intolerant to those as well, especially in the early stages of starting a healing diet. Being a vegan is even more challenging, and nuts and seeds would be the go-to source of protein, which are usually too difficult to digest for many in the beginning of their thyroid healing journeys.

While vegan and vegetarian diets have been reported to be extremely helpful with autoimmune and chronic conditions, I have not been able to find reports of people recovering from Hashimoto’s by following a vegan diet. Even devout vegans who are nutritionally conscious still struggle with low body temperatures, hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

Many former vegans have reported improved symptoms of Hashimoto’s following transitioning to a Paleo diet. Based on this, I believe that animal proteins must play an important role in building back the health of people with Hashimoto’s. That said, while meats and fats are important for healing, eating them exclusively will produce an acidic environment in the body, hindering healing, and thus the diet should be balanced with plenty of nutrient rich vegetables (suggested ratio may be 20% meat/80% veggie).

Additionally, vegan and raw vegan diets can be extremely helpful for cleansing and detoxifying, especially for those with persistent protein digestion issues. A vegan diet can be followed for a few days to a few weeks and may help the body detoxify. B12 and iron or ferritin supplements should be utilized at this time to prevent deficiency. Please know that I’m a big proponent of bio-individuality which honors the distinct nutritional needs of every human being. I’m not saying everybody needs to eat meat, but I am saying to listen to your body if it needs meat. Here are a few articles which might help:

AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

CAN VEGAN DIETS HELP HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/vegan-diets-and-hashimotos/

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Vegetarian diet

I've found recovering from thyroid disease when following a vegetarian diet is very challenging. Vegetarian sources of protein may be incompatible with trying to heal a leaky gut, which is almost always present with Hashimoto’s. Please know that I’m a big proponent of bio-individuality which honors the distinct nutritional needs of every human being. I’m not saying everybody needs to eat meat, but I am saying to listen to your body if it needs meat. You might find this article helpful as well: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/vegan-diets-and-hashimotos/

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Pea Protein

- thank you for reaching out. I do offer an Organic Pea Protein. Here's the link: https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/organic-pea-protein-vanilla ❤️

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VERTIGO / DIZZINESS

Vertigo

Vertigo or dizziness can be common symptoms seen in people with thyroid disease. In one research study, 52% of Hashimoto’s patients showed an alteration of Vestibular function, which can affect balance and lead to vertigo and nausea. Getting your thyroid antibodies down will, of course, help vertigo, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a new advancement with you:

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/04/23/colorado-doctor-finds-way-to-treat-common-vertigo/

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Vertigo and dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness can be common symptoms seen in people with thyroid disease, however; I do recommend that you see your local physician or general practitioner. In one research study, 52% of Hashimoto’s patients showed an alteration of vestibular function, which can affect balance and lead to vertigo and nausea. The good news is that getting your thyroid antibodies down will help vertigo!

I want to share this new advance in medicine with you:

COLORADO DOCTOR FINDS WAY TO TREAT COMMON VERTIGO

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/04/23/colorado-doctor-finds-way-to-treat-common-vertigo/

Here is an article I think you might find helpful as well.

THE MANY FACES OF HASHIMOTO'S

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-many-faces-of-hashimotos/

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WHERE DO I START WITH THYROID?

Where Do I Start With Thyroid - Book Links

Did you know that if you live in the United States, Australia, Europe and most developed countries that add iodine to the salt supply and take thyroid medications, there’s a higher probability that you do have Hashimoto’s?

Depending on the source, estimates are that between 90-95% of those with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.

But most doctors will never tell people that they have Hashimoto’s, or that their own immune system is attacking their thyroid. People are told that their “thyroid is sluggish”, and that these things happen with age and “Just take this pill, you’ll be fine.” I hope you check out my books:

Hashimoto’s Root Cause

Hashimoto’s Protocol

Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology