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

All x-rays emit ionizing radiation, which can cause cell damage and increase your risk of developing cancer.  Dental x-rays are a particular concern for those with thyroid health conditions because of their proximity to the thyroid gland and the frequency at which they are typically done. Today I’m sharing some research studies on the use of thyroid shields, the risks of dental x-rays, and my reco...

“There’s no pill, potion, or powder that’s going to replace positive lifestyle changes.” - Dr. Stephanie Gray Dr. Stephanie Gray is a functional medicine provider who helps men and women build sustainable and optimal health and longevity so that they can focus on what matters most to them. While going through a health crisis of her own, Dr. Stephanie recognized how overwhelming the options availab...

Although I didn’t take antithyroid medication when I dealt with Graves disease, some people with hyperthyroidism need them. And while my goal is to help people restore their health so that they no longer need medication, not everyone with hyperthyroidism chooses to or can take a solely natural treatment approach. Unfortunately, many endocrinologists tell hyperthyroidism patients that they can only...

“Most people don’t eat near enough protein.” - Dr. Sabrina Solt Although I don’t commonly recommend the carnivore diet to my patients, I've heard several success stories regarding autoimmunity. To help us explore this topic, I’m joined by Dr. Sabrina Solt, a naturopathic doctor and follower of the carnivore diet. With her naturopathic background, it was hard for Dr. Sabrina to accept that pla...

There are several health benefits associated with soy, especially in its fermented form. At the same time, we’ve all heard about the risks associated with phytoestrogens, goitrogenic properties, and more. So, should everyone with a thyroid condition avoid soy? Today I’m sharing my soy recommendations for people with thyroid health conditions and why I take a different approach depending on whether...

“Your options for treating hyperthyroidism are medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery.” That’s just one of the many myths patients with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease hear from endocrinologists daily. Medication and surgery have their place, but there’s much more to consider before leaping down that path. Today I’m sharing the top five myths patients with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disea...

Iron is one of the most commonly deficient minerals. That’s why I recommend a full iron panel to my patients. Although iron deficiency is commonly associated with anemia, it’s important to note that you could have anemia without being iron deficient. Similarly, you can have an iron deficiency without being anemic. We also have to consider iron toxicity, which can be a problem for people with very...

“If you have thyroid health issues and you’re only taking medication, you’re cheating yourself out of feeling much better than you do.” -  Annabel Bateman The best thing you can do for your health is to take a holistic approach. Optimizing your diet and lifestyle and taking medication where necessary allows you to succeed on your thyroid healing journey. Annabel Bateman is a Hashimoto’s patient, a...

Several foods are known to be potential triggers of autoimmunity. Others can cause leaky gut, which in turn can lead to autoimmunity.  Plus, if you’re eating inflammatory foods, regardless of whether they're triggers, it will be difficult to heal. Changing your diet may reverse the autoimmune component, but it’s important to remember that there could be other triggers. Today I’m sharing why w...

EMF exposure has a cumulative effect. Just because you’re okay today doesn’t mean you’ll be okay tomorrow. Now is the time to start taking small actions to minimize your exposure. But taking the first steps with EMF protection can feel overwhelming, so how can you get started without feeling overwhelmed? In this second part of my interview with Lloyd, he shares how you can use his U.M.M. framework...

When considering getting a biopsy, the main concern is that a thyroid nodule could be cancerous. But while many people have thyroid nodules, most are benign. So, how can you assess whether a thyroid biopsy is necessary? As with any other surgical procedure, the decision comes down to weighing risks versus benefits. Today I’m sharing my opinion on when a thyroid nodule biopsy is necessary, as well...

All living things are electromagnetic. That means electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affect everybody, even if you don’t feel them. At a fundamental level, our cells communicate via electrical charges, which can be disturbed by manmade EMFs, a significant proportion of which are from cell phones. The fact is that cell phones have become an integral part of our world, and they’re here to stay.  What we...

In past episodes, I’ve discussed the impact of viruses such as Epstein-Barr on the immune system. The same viruses can also impact the thyroid gland, both directly and indirectly. As usual, I dove into research around this, and today I’m sharing three research studies, breaking down how they were designed and exploring the results they found. In this episode, you’ll learn what research shows about...

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...