Save My Thyroid: Healing Tips for Hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's

There are so many great tests out there that can give us so much information on our health. While it might seem like a great idea to do everything, it’s best to prioritize the tests we really need. When working with patients, it’s my job to help each person make an informed decision. There are some tests I commonly recommend and others I’ll suggest based on their cases. Today, I’m sharing the test...

“All of our hormones are like a symphony.” - Dr. Betty Murray With our increasingly toxic environment and higher baseline stress levels, our bodies, especially the pituitary and hypothalamus, are dealing with so much more than 50 years ago. Although Western medicine often parses individual hormones as the domain of different specialists, all of our hormones work together, so any treatment plan has...

If the onset of your tinnitus occurred around the same time as you developed hyperthyroidism, then there's a good chance it will go away on its own When I dealt with hyperthyroidism, I developed ringing in the ears that lasted for a few months and eventually self-resolved. Similarly, I’ve had many patients over the years - mostly those with hyperthyroidism - who had tinnitus, and most of the...

“Even people on the healthiest of diets are simply not getting enough of the essential eye health nutrients.” - Dr. Rani Banik Whether it’s for yourself, your children, or older parents who might be dealing with issues like macular degeneration or glaucoma, many people are worried about their eyes and don't know where to turn for guidance. On top of that, trying to identify natural solutions...

While many people take antithyroid medications like methimazole and PTU, others prefer a more natural route or simply cannot tolerate those medications. When I dealt with Graves’ disease, I didn’t take antithyroid medication. Although these alternatives may not be as effective, it was a risk I was willing to take, and it worked for me. Today I’m sharing the top four alternatives to antithyroid med...

“So much of our immune system is dependent on our gut health.” - Dr. Ami Kapadia Most holistic and functional medicine practitioners agree that a healthy gut is essential for optimal health. A strong foundation is critical to any healing protocol, from food choices to meal timing, stress management, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. While it’s easy to get caught up in supplements and complex...

Is there a connection between celiac disease and thyroid autoimmunity? Why do different labs have different reference ranges? When should you monitor TPO and TSI levels? Is it okay to take antithyroid medications while pregnant? Today I’m back with another Q&A episode, answering multiple questions submitted by the Save My Thyroid community. While I can’t get to everyone’s questions every time,...

We’re celebrating episode 100! Since this episode’s release coincides with July 4 - Independence Day here in the US - today, I wanted to remind you that you have the freedom to choose a natural thyroid treatment approach. You have the freedom to choose the treatment you want. Whether you have hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s, most of us can choose from various treatment options. Medical doctors and...

Postpartum thyroiditis is a condition that affects many women where the thyroid becomes inflamed after giving birth. In many cases, this is a type of subclinical Hashimotos, and the antibodies were already present before pregnancy. Then the hormone changes and radical shifts in the body during pregnancy create an opportunity ripe for developing thyroiditis in the postpartum period. Today I’m joine...

“Your body is always on your side.” - Katie Wells Every day we’re exposed to environmental toxins from the products we put on our skin, the foods we eat, and more. And while it can feel overwhelming learning about all the potential exposures we face can feel overwhelming, taking steps to support your health can be simple. That’s where the 80/20 rule comes in - 80% of results come from 20% of input...

Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) are a type of thyrotropin receptor antibody commonly associated with Graves’ Disease. Even though most people with hyperthyroidism would benefit from getting their TSI tested, many endocrinologists ignore this test altogether or test only once per year. Today I’m sharing what thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins are and why monitoring your levels is essenti...

“You have to customize what you eat according to your health and your tolerance.” - Sally K. Norton Oxalates are naturally-produced chemicals that can be found in a variety of sources and plant foods like spinach and sweet potatoes. When consumed, oxalate crystals can deposit in different areas of the body, including the thyroid, and cause a cascade of adverse effects. Today I’m super excited to b...

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are commonly associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and, in some cases, may also be elevated in those with Graves’ Disease. These antibodies develop when there is damage to thyroglobulin, which is often a result of the autoimmune processes of Hashimoto’s. Today I’m discussing everything you need to know about anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, why they develop, testing,...

Heavy metals are everywhere in our environment. Even when we limit our exposure, most of us were born with heavy metals and toxins from our mothers. The good news is, while you can’t avoid it, you can heal from this, especially when it comes to conditions like Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Disease. Today I’m joined by return guest, Dr. Wendie Trubow, to talk about heavy metals and how you can start goin...

Many people with Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s also have thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies. TPO antibodies develop when the immune system attacks thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme that plays a significant role in synthesizing thyroid hormone.  Elevated TPO antibody levels point to an inhibition of the production of thyroid hormone, which can eventually lead to hypothyroidism, even in those with Gra...

“Nutrition is about growth, metabolism, and repair. It's not just about the food we eat or don't eat.” - Andrea Nakayama If you have a chronic condition, you’ve probably been advised to cut certain foods or food groups from your diet. Whether going gluten-free or dairy-free or switching to a diet like keto or paleo, many people with chronic conditions find themselves on increasingly rest...

Living with Graves’ Disease poses a number of challenges. From the symptoms themselves to the lack of education and support from conventional medical practitioners, it can be difficult to determine the best path forward. Today I’m sharing the top three struggles I experienced as well as my best strategies for overcoming them. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - #1: Dealing with the symptoms ass...

If you'd like to improve your gut health, diversify your diet! Incorporating a variety of colorful plant-based foods, prebiotics, and select strains of probiotics is always a step in the right direction. But when it comes to probiotics and prebiotics, there’s a lot of conflicting information. Is a higher CFU always better? Will prebiotics feed bad bacteria too? Is it okay to rely on fermented...

Regular movement is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Getting regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, improve insulin sensitivity, increase bone density, and more. At the same time, if you have any type of thyroid condition, it’s important not to overdo it. Today I’m discussing the risks of overtraining and specific considerations for those...

For many people, hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) offers insights that provide the missing piece on their healing journey. Unlike blood tests, HTMA delivers a more accurate way of measuring mineral levels that looks at what's going on at a cellular level over time. Today’s guest is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Expert Hope Pedraza. Hope is a certified Holistic Nutritionist, nutrition...

“You have to customize what you eat according to your health and tolerance.” I’m a big smoothie person, and so are many of my patients. But while green smoothies offer a lot of potential health benefits, there can also be downsides depending on what you include. Today I’m sharing about one of the main concerns: oxalates. Sally K. Norton, the author of Toxic Superfoods, joins me to break down why y...

Do you feel tired all the time but still have trouble sleeping? Are your thyroid levels optimized, but the fatigue symptoms won’t disappear? Many doctors hyper-focus on TSH levels and even go so far as to dismiss patients who are experiencing symptoms while their test results are within the optimal ranges. You need a different approach. Today’s guest is Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, the author of the well...

Is it safe to take LDN if you’re already taking methimazole? What can you do to normalize your TSI levels if you’ve already dialed in your diet and supplements? Should you try red light therapy for your thyroid? In this Q&A episode, I’m answering questions from multiple community members. I love creating these episodes for you, and I’ll do similar episodes every couple of months, so please sha...

Laser therapy supports the body on a cellular level. For decades, it has been used around the world for autoimmune conditions, cancer, thyroid conditions, and more. Research has shitsit’s potential for enhancing performance, helping with injury recovery, and accelerating the body’s healing process. Today I’m joined by laser expert Dr. Kirk Gair to talk about the potential benefits of cold laser th...

In those with hyperthyroidism, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels can increase above the normal range, which can then cause cardiovascular symptoms. In specific scenarios, beta blockers are prescribed to help with the resulting elevations in heart rate and blood pressure For some people, herbal supplements can be good alternatives to beta blockers. Today I’m sharing why beta blockers would be...