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

When seeking to restore our health, we should always aim to give our bodies the best possible conditions for success. That means, regardless of your specific diagnosis or the treatment route you choose to follow, certain foundational steps must be in place. Today I’m discussing the top seven tips (and a bonus one!) you can implement in your life to support your thyroid and immune health. From diet...

A recent study has shown that methimazole supplemented with berberine can improve therapeutic effects for people with Graves’ disease. Does that mean those with Graves’ disease could benefit from berberine on its own as an agent that improves the gut microbiome? Based on this study, the answer seems to be yes. Today I’m diving into this journal article, sharing the details of the study itself and...

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been used for years for patients dealing with opioid abuse or alcohol use disorders. As a side benefit, doctors also noticed that it helped with some immune issues, weight loss, and inflammation. Over time, LDN protocols have been developed for use in autoimmune and other conditions, and they’ve shown numerous benefits with minimal side effects. Dr. Paulvin is an inno...

In my opinion, there’s no question that a thyroid hormone imbalance can be a factor in memory loss. I’ve had many patients - both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid - come to my practice complaining of difficulty concentrating and memory loss. This type of dysfunction goes beyond the simple forgetfulness that comes as we get older, but the good news is that, in most cases, it’s temporary.  Today I’m sha...

Thyroid nodules are extremely common, with about 1 in 3 people having one in their lifetime. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used for years for treating various issues, from tumors to varicose veins. In 2018, the FDA approved RFA for use on benign compressive thyroid nodules, finally offering many people facing thyroid surgery a good alternative. RFA offers a targeted option for long-term a...

Since working on my new supplement line - Hepatommune Supreme in particular - I’ve been doing a lot of research on thyroid health and the liver. While most people taking antithyroid medication understand that it can put stress on the liver and cause an increase in liver enzymes, one of the recent journal articles I came across suggests that hyperthyroidism itself can cause liver dysfunction. Today...

“All autoimmune conditions are tied into trauma.” - Dr. Aimie Apigian While many of us categorize chronic stress as a trigger in the development of autoimmune thyroid conditions, today’s guest does not. Dr. Aimie Apigian believes that many people are being diagnosed with stress or even chronic stress when they should be diagnosed with trauma. She attributes this misdiagnosis to the way we define t...

As we head into the holiday season, one question keeps popping up: “Will eating a few unhealthy foods during the holiday season prevent me from regaining my health?” The truth is, everyone is different. While some people can get away with eating unhealthy foods from time to time, others will feel an immediate negative impact. Today I’m sharing the top things you should consider when faced with the...

While there are many contributing factors to autoimmune disorders, from environmental toxins to stress and genetics,  some factors play an undeniably larger role in their development. Today’s guest, Josie Warren, believes that when you learn how to handle your stress, your body will heal itself. Josie is an autoimmune expert who used to have Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s, and seven other autoimmune...

Iodine contrast media is used in several radiological procedures, such as CT scans. With a typical dose of iodine contrast medium containing about 13,500 micrograms of free iodine, along with 15-60 grams of bound iodine that may be liberated as free iodine in the body, this represents an acute iodine load for the body. From the research I’ve done, contrast media seems to be a concern, especially f...

Over the years, I’ve worked with many patients with hyperthyroidism/Graves’ disease. Most of us had a similar trajectory of going to our medical doctor with our symptoms and getting a diagnosis before being referred to an endocrinologist who recommends anti-thyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or thyroid surgery. While there is a time and place for conventional medical treatment, many of us als...

Sleep issues are very common in those with hyperthyroidism. To get better sleep, we need to take a two-pronged approach: addressing the elevated thyroid hormone levels, which are the root cause of the issues, and optimizing other factors known to impact sleep directly. Today I’m sharing how hyperthyroidism can affect your sleep, common factors that might be causing difficulty falling asleep, stayi...

“Our bodies are too complex to think that one thing can fix every body.” - Dr. Shane Steadman It’s not enough to do a thyroid panel and start taking medication. We need to dig into why the thyroid isn’t functioning optimally in the first place. If we want to get to the root cause of why the thyroid isn't working, we must address issues related to the brain and gut. Today I’m joined by chiropr...

Legumes are a good source of vegetarian protein and contain many beneficial nutrients. Unfortunately, they also have compounds that can interfere with intestinal permeability and nutrient absorption, which is why they’re excluded from a strict AIP or paleo diet. While some people can get away with eating legumes, I prefer a more conservative approach in my recommendations to people with Graves’ Di...

The skin is a very complex organ. It’s large, outward-facing, and has to balance being soft and supple and allowing for excretion while protecting and keeping most things in. Unfortunately, our modern Western hygiene habits are often misaligned with how our skin is meant to be taken care of. With constant washing and harsh soaps and skin products, it’s no wonder so many people are dealing with ski...

Medicinal mushrooms have been used to prevent and treat many conditions since ancient times. In recent years, research has shown the many beneficial properties of mushrooms and the positive effect they can have on a wide range of conditions, from diabetes and asthma to immunological disorders and more. Despite this, many people still have concerns about medicinal mushrooms, and they've remain...

Oral health is a key indicator of overall health. Biological dentists recognize the importance of knowing what you’re putting in your mouth, from toothpaste to implants, and looking at things from a 30,000-foot view. Their role is to make sure that your oral health is not contributing negatively to your overall health. Dr. Eric Kempter is an accredited member of the IAOMT, along with serving as th...

Many with hyperthyroidism also have elevated liver enzymes, especially when taking antithyroid medication. In addition, environmental toxins are a potential trigger of autoimmune conditions such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s. In both cases, supporting the liver through diet and supplementation can improve your thyroid health. Today I’m sharing how you can best support your liver through the f...

Hitting roadblocks on your thyroid healing journey is very common. Even so, it’s discouraging to feel like you’re doing everything right but not seeing the expected results. Over the years, I’ve seen six main issues come up time and time again that cause people to hit these roadblocks. Today’s episode is for anyone with a thyroid condition who chooses to take a natural treatment approach. I’m disc...

Often, people with a goiter will read the label on a bottle of bugleweed and be alarmed by the warning that it's contraindicated in enlargement of the thyroid. This is understandable, as it’s important to be cautious when choosing herbal supplements. Today I’m sharing why this is contraindicated, the circumstances where people with goiters should avoid bugleweed, and my experience taking bugl...

Thyroid disorders are on the rise, and there’s a strong correlation to our increased exposure to environmental toxins. From our water to the things we use around our homes, most of us are exposed to numerous sources of toxins every day. Today I’m joined by Dr. Rajka Milanovic Galbraith to help us to understand the genetics of detoxification and how we can best support the natural detox pathways in...

Magnesium is one of the most critical minerals for optimal health. It plays a role in hundreds of reactions in our bodies, and its deficiency can cause many issues. When it comes to thyroid health in particular, those with hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease are more likely to be deficient in magnesium. However, that doesn't mean that those with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's are ex...

Selfless Syndrome: it’s that desire to take care of everything and everyone before yourself, and it’s a big problem for those with any type of thyroid condition. The term was coined by Dr. Alexandra Swenson-Ridley DC, NBC-HWC, AMP, a thought leader in outside-the-box and natural approaches to women's health and hormones. After suffering health challenges resulting from her Selfless Syndrome,...

Many people with hyperthyroidism experience adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as a frozen shoulder. Characterized by a painful gradual loss of active and passive shoulder motion, frozen shoulder is associated with several hyperthyroid conditions such as Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter, and subacute thyroiditis. Today I’m sharing common symptoms of adhesive capsulitis, how it’s diagnos...

Research shows that many herbs can be beneficial for patients with thyroid conditions. However, not all products are created equal. When it comes to herbs, we must be cautious about the quality of the products we choose. Everything from how they’re grown to how they’re processed will impact their effectiveness. The goal of this episode is not to promote any particular brand of herbs but to clarify...