I don’t know about you but I am so disappointed with my endocrinologist telling me each time that there is no way to lessen my symptoms because there is no cure for Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroiditis.
Problem-Solution
This chronic disease causes inflammation of the thyroid gland and slowly destroys it. This is why the thyroid cannot produce hormones anymore. Instead, the patient needs to take synthetic T4 thyroid hormone for the entire life.
So simple ?
It seems logical and easy but it just doesn’t work. Most of the patients complain about their symptoms and additional symptoms appearing as a side-effects of taking the synthetic pills for a long time. Unfortunately, nothing changes about the therapy. The medical world doesn’t go forward fast enough.
- The antibodies in a Celiac’s intestine disappear once gluten is removed from the diet. However, the antibodies attacking the thyroid gland don’t disappear when one takes synthetic hormones. Most of doctors do not know how to get rid of the antibodies attacking thyroid. The prescribed hormones are supposed to eliminate the consequences of the lack of the thyroid gland. Nothing else.
- Another issue is that the synthetic thyroid hormones are not well absorbed by Hashimoto’s patients.
Some reasons of bad absorption
- Reduced absorption in the intestines due to the lack of intestinal villi – celiac disease;
- Inflammation/Antibodies’attack in the intestines – if the pill contains lactose/casein or gluten (in case a patient is intolerant to it);
- Allergic reaction to other ingredients in the pill;
- Consuming dairy (especially in the morning) – reduces absorption process;
What else you can do
Many patients try to find help beyond the endocrinologists, most of whom openly admit to have no clue how to help us. Here, especially the alternative medicine, new lifestyles and new diets come forward.
How patients fight with Hashimoto’s
- Hormones
- Some people feel better after taking the natural desiccated pig’s thyroid gland;
- Many patients claim to feel better after taking a combination of synthetic T4 and T3 thyroid hormones;
- Exceptions feel better after taking the synthetic T3 hormone only;
- Others feel better when taking the hormones in the evening rather (2 hours after the last meal) than in the morning;
- Balancing female hormones might be very important too;
- Supplements
- The crucial minerals for good thyroid functioning are: selenium (which proves to reduce the antibodies), zinc, iron, magnesium (and possibly iodine (still controversial)– although some opinions are that as long as your thyroid is still active you shouldn’t supplement iodine);
- Vitamins supplements – especially vitamin D;
- Omega 3 supplement;
- Good quality multivitamin might be helpful as well;
- Probiotics;
- Diet
- Gluten free diet (many Hashimoto’s patients have celiac disease);
- Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (it proved to be successful at many patients);
- Removing hormones containing foods like conventional meat (especially fat pieces as fat is the storage of these compounds), soy (phytoestrogen), tap water (showed presence of high level of female hormones; the hormones are not filtered from the water);
- Diet rich in healthy fats (fish, olive oil, avocado, eggs), proteins and carbohydrates from root vegetables (beets, carrots, sweet potatoes)
- Organic food – fruits and vegetables clean from synthetic pesticides (among other proves: recently on TV you could see a documentary about children born in Argentina near the fields sprayed with synthetic pesticides – they were born with serious health problems);
- Including see foods in the diet – they are a good source of natural selenium and omega 3 fatty acids (despite Mercury – it’s healthier to eat fish than not to eat it);
- Limiting processed foods and highly refined food ingredients (containing residues of solvents);
- Supporting the good micro flora in your guts with probiotics and prebiotics (kimchi, kombucha tea, sauerkraut, supplements);
- None or reduced caffeine intake – some level of adrenal fatigue is very common at Hashimoto’s patients;
- Limiting refined sugar intake might help balancing hormones together with the blood sugar level;
- Overall anti-inflammatory diet;
- Poor digestion and low stomach acid is very common at Hashimoto’s patients. Eating slow and chewing well might be helpful here. Other option is supplementing digestive enzymes;
- Limiting toxins
- Detox from toxins – for example steam sauna, consuming organic food;
- Using good quality product for personal care like e.g. shower gel or deodorant (without parabens, aluminum, formaldehyde, petrochemicals);
- Spend more free time in nature rather than city;
- Limit using plastic food containers and bottles;
- Limit using synthetic fragrance and air fresheners;
- Make sure you don’t suffer from infections. Literature lists Pylori,Yersinia, Epstein-Barr & Lyme disease as most common infections occuring at Hashimoto’s patients;
- Change your lifestyle
- Reduce daily stress (sometimes it even means to change a job);
- Introduce mild physical activities like walking, yoga and avoid excessive sports and long lasting stagnation;
- Think positive;
- Organize;
- Plan and prepare;
- Practice gratitude;
- Laugh and have fun;
- Appreciate life with all its small and big things;
- Make time for your hobby and find new ones;
- Meditate;
- Cuddle with your loved ones and/or with your pet :)
- No pet? Get one!
- Exercise your brain, challenge it – or just do sudoku ;-)
- Be creative;
- Don’t forget to get some fresh air and sun (if possible);
- Eat regularly;
- Don’t skip meals;
- Look for the good side of everything;
- Do whatever relaxes you every day!
According to my research, these are the things that helped other people with Hashimoto’s. I just started with bio-selenium supplement and I am curious if it is going to help against the thyroglobulin antibodies (currently 1000-2000 IU/mL).
Thank you for reading,
Kati xxx
