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

“You need a healthy gut to have a healthy immune system.” If you have hyperthyroidism, whether it's Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter, or even subclinical hyperthyroidism, then you might wonder what diet you should follow. While there’s no one-size-fits-all diet solution, there are some foundational pillars to keep in mind when determining the right nutrition strategy for you. In my...

Selenium is an essential mineral, particularly for those with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto's. It plays a significant role in various bodily functions, including acting as a glutathione precursor and helping lower thyroid antibodies. While many food sources of selenium exist, their variable levels make it challenging to obtain adequate amounts...

“When I went back to see him, he was impressed with how much less everything was.” When it comes to thyroid health, diet and lifestyle are important elements in your healing journey. The AIP diet, in particular, is often a helpful place to start as it serves as an elimination diet, removing the inflammatory foods that can be problematic in your regular diet. In today’s Save My Thyroid Audit, I’m t...

Many people want to consume beverages other than water as part of their regular diet. I drink a couple of cups of herbal and green tea regularly and have other types of beverages at specific times. For others, fermented drinks and smoothies are regular parts of their routine. Today, I’m sharing which beverages are best for people with thyroid conditions and those following specific healing diets....

“Photobiomodulation can help in many different ways, in many different demographics. It's just an amazing tool.” - Dr. Brandon Crawford The body has many different cellular mechanisms that are turned on or off based on the type of light we are exposed to. In recent years, numerous research studies have shown that laser and light therapy are promising modalities for improving thyroid health. W...

Microplastics, generated from plastic degradation, persist in the environment for hundreds, even thousands of years. If current production and waste management trends continue, approximately 12,000 metric tons of plastic waste will be released into the natural environment by 2050. According to the research, people consume between 39,000 and 52,000 particles of microplastics annually, which contain...

“I was briefly medicated with T3 only, and I had an awful experience. It got to the point where I wasn't sleeping or eating.” - Pamela While not everybody with the antibodies for Hashimoto's needs to take thyroid hormone replacements, a lot of doctors will prescribe it across the board. In some cases, this can lead to adverse side effects that significantly disrupt quality of life and le...

What’s the protocol for hyperthyroidism with Graves’ disease and H. pylori? How many cruciferous vegetables can you eat if you have hypothyroidism? For a person with Graves’ disease, is it possible to get the antibodies to zero? How do you treat leaky gut? 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 eve...

Lowering or normalizing thyroid antibodies is not always easy, but it is very possible. Healing the gut is essential in lowering and eventually normalizing the thyroid antibodies associated with Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. With most of the immune system cells located in the gut, a healthy gut is directly correlated to a healthy immune system. In addition, as part of the Triad of A...

Are there any natural treatments to shrink a goiter? What will shrink thyroid nodules? When is a biopsy needed for a thyroid nodule? What do I need to know about thyroid antibodies? How does menopause impact thyroid health? Does iodine play a role in the development of Graves' disease? What is the best way to reduce thyroid antibodies? Today, I’m back with another Q&A episode, answering m...

Numerous studies suggest that viruses, bacteria, and other microbes can contribute to the development of autoimmune conditions. However, much like environmental toxins, infections are often an overlooked factor that can make it challenging to reverse the autoimmune component of Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s. Sometimes, these infections can be present without the person experiencing overt symptom...

While there are exceptions, it’s very common for people with hyperthyroidism to experience an increase in appetite. When I dealt with Graves’ disease, I had a voracious appetite. On the other hand, those with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s tend to experience a reduced appetite. A number of factors impact appetite regulation and hunger cues, and thyroid health plays a big role. Today, I’m sharing w...

“When I found out I was pregnant, I thought this child was doomed to the same condition and horrible experiences that I had. But I realize it's not always the case.” - Katy Graves' disease can be a particularly challenging condition to manage during pregnancy. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can exacerbate symptoms of Graves' disease, such as anxiety, fatigue, and p...

As we approach the end of the year, many people start thinking about cleaning up their diet and improving their health in the new year. For some, that means incorporating a liver detoxification program. We live in a toxic world where we’re constantly exposed to toxins. While it’s impossible to avoid them altogether, a liver detox can help manage our toxic burden by supporting the liver’s natural d...

Environmental toxins (natural) and toxicants (synthetic) are a huge problem in modern living. Every day, we’re bombarded by these external factors, and in most cases, our immune systems can mitigate the toxic burden. For various reasons, many of us lose our chemical tolerance over time, and our bodies can no longer handle the toxin exposure. That’s when environmental toxins may trigger thyroid aut...

You’ve tried it all—traditional psychiatry, medications, even alternative spiritual practices, yet the symptoms seem to intensify. What if your doctor told you to simply cope with your condition for the rest of your life? Would you accept that as your reality? What if the truth about depression is more than a mental health issue? You might be surprised to learn that your eating habits, lifestyle,...

Low white blood cell count, also known as leukopenia, is a common finding in many people, including those with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions. There are five types of white blood cells - neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils - and these markers are part of a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, which I recommend for all my patients. While a low white b...

“Sleep is passive; we can't force it. If the body is safe to relax, it will eventually sleep.” - Annika Carroll Many people experience sleep issues, and there are a number of different factors that contribute to low sleep quality. Then, whether it’s blood sugar dysregulation, gut imbalances, stress, or something else, once we start having a difficult time with our sleep, a lot of us start pan...

The three main types of thyroid antibodies are thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI). Although it’s rarely mentioned, there is a fourth type of antibody known as TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulins (TBII). Today, I’m sharing what the research tells us about the role of TBII and whether it’s worth testing as part of your thyro...

Emotional and physical stressors can be contributing factors in the triggering of thyroid autoimmunity in two main ways. First, stress causes an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, which promote inflammation by causing dysregulation of the immune system. Stress also decreases secretory IgA, increasing your risk of developing a leaky gut. That said, it's important to understand that not al...

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect the health of the bones, which is yet another reason why it's crucial to balance the thyroid hormones. While I’m not a big fan of radiation exposure from scanning, there is a time and place where I believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Today, I’m sharing why DEXA scans are done and when I consider them worth it. In this episode, you’ll lea...

Iodine is a critical nutrient for thyroid function, yet there is a lot of controversy around iodine and thyroid health. Unlike other nutrients, iodine is selectively taken up by the parts of the body that use it. This generally means that when it’s in low supply, more is pulled in, and when there’s too much, it’s blocked from coming in. This creates the iodine paradox, where both excessive and ins...

Sticking to a healthy diet during the holiday season can be challenging. Between cravings to indulge in unhealthy habits and the desire to avoid awkward social situations, it can feel easier to stick to the status quo and eat whatever is served. If you’re dealing with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition, you do need to change your approach. Today, I’m discussing strategies and practical tips...

Normalizing thyroid antibodies can be challenging, and several factors can cause elevated antibodies. Finding and eliminating food triggers is one such factor that is an essential part of the thyroid healing journey. Certain foods can trigger autoimmunity, causing an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in regulatory T cells. In other cases, specific food proteins can trigger an i...

Aside from antithyroid medication, which is specifically designed to block thyroid hormone, several medications can have an unintended effect on thyroid health. These drugs, often in combination with other underlying imbalances, can potentially trigger hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Today, I’m sharing the research on five categories of medication that have been shown to affect thyroid function...