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

“Heart attacks are optional, and strokes are stoppable.” - Dr. Ellie Campbell Thyroid health has a complex relationship with blood pressure. Despite common misconceptions, blood pressure issues can arise in both those with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The good news is that by working on the underlying root causes of thyroid conditions and strengthening the foundation of your health, you wil...

Often, we’ll see an increase in thyroid hormones in those with Graves’ disease. This is due to thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), a type of TSH receptor antibody that binds to the TSH receptors and causes the thyroid gland to release an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. For some people on the healing journey, TSI and thyroid hormone levels decrease simultaneously. However, this isn’t al...

“Lifestyle should be the first line before you consider anything else.” - Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum With less than 7% of adult Americans considered to be metabolically healthy, people are suffering like never before. Chronic diseases and neurodegenerative conditions are on the rise, and mental health is on the decline. At the same time, there’s a significant shortage of providers equipped to help with...

When hormones are not in their free form, they travel through the bloodstream while bound to a protein. Thyroid binding globulin (TBG) is one such protein. It binds to the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Essentially, TBG ensures that these hormones reach their intended destination. Today, I’m sharing the role of TBG, the various factors that can influence its levels, met...

“Peptides have helped a lot of patients who were feeling stuck to get to that extra 10% of wellness.” - Dr. Jen Pfleghaar Peptides are chains of around four to fifty amino acids that work with your body, turning on and off genes. Our bodies naturally produce several peptides, like insulin and oxytocin, and because of how they work, they are mostly considered to be quite safe. Lately, peptides have...

With the widespread use of mercury amalgam fillings in the past and conventional dentists' use of root canals, it doesn’t come as a surprise that many people have silver fillings, root canals, or both. Our oral health is closely tied to our overall health and mercury fillings and root canals can be potential sources of stress for the immune system. While some patients have improved their heal...

“Most metabolic conditions are centered on hypothalamic dysfunction.” - Deborah Maragopoulos The hypothalamus is an important organ, but it’s difficult to understand. It acts as the central controller that’s often at the root of hormone, neurological, or immune issues, but practitioners often pay little attention to it since there’s no way to measure the hormones it produces. Fortunately, in recen...

While many people with hyperthyroidism take antithyroid medication, others prefer to use natural options for symptom management since the risk of side effects is much lower. When I dealt with Graves’ disease in 2008, I was one of those who chose to take a natural route, and bugleweed was one of the herbs that helped me significantly. Despite the lower risk, some people may still have an adverse re...

“If you know your genetics, you know your ideal.” - Dr. Sam Shay Methylation is an extremely important biochemical process essential for numerous bodily functions. The MTHFR gene was one of the first genes identified and available for testing to the public, so many practitioners and patients have become hyper-focused on methylation when it comes to genetic testing. The truth is, while methylation...

What can you do about hyperthyroidism-induced hair loss? Are skin issues common with Hashimoto’s? Does Graves’ disease affect your teeth? 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, I love creating these for you, and I’ll do similar episodes every couple of months. Pleas...

Optimized thyroid hormones are a critical component of healthy gut function. They play a crucial role in stomach acid production, bile acid production, and the release of pancreatic enzymes and bile into the GI tract. Bile’s functions extend far beyond digestion. Produced by the liver and concentrated in the gallbladder, bile plays a pivotal role in detoxification, has antimicrobial properties, an...

Many people with hyperthyroidism experience a decrease in muscle mass, primarily as a result of elevated thyroid hormone levels. At the same time, many people with Hashimoto’s can also benefit from increasing muscle mass. Whatever the underlying issue, a combined approach that includes nutrition and lifestyle factors is essential when it comes to building muscle. Today, I’m sharing three specific...

“If you have any thyroid issues, it’s always a good idea to take a look at your liver and gallbladder health.” - Divya Gupta The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits right below your liver, where bile is stored after being produced by the liver. That bile plays a huge role in breaking down fats, aiding the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and even detoxification. The thyroid, liver, and...

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication that was first approved to help heroin and opium addicts by blocking opioid receptors. Later, researchers found that lower doses of naltrexone could modulate the immune system and benefit many people with different types of autoimmune and other chronic conditions. With its immune system modulation properties, low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has the potential to b...

“Nutrition and health in general are only successful when they’re sustainable.” - Megan Lyons When it comes to nutrition and thyroid health, it’s essential to build a strong foundation that nourishes the body. That means including the various antioxidants, polyphenols, and other good chemicals from plants alongside high-quality, healthy fats essential for hormone production. Beyond the basics, you...

Many people are familiar with the benefits of melatonin when it comes to sleep. However, research shows that the hormone may have much more to offer. While its primary function is to help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, research has shown other benefits, such as strengthening the immune system, improving bone density, potentially helping to prevent the development of certain types of cancers...

Fertility issues are on the rise. The latest numbers are showing 1 in 5 to 6 women between 18 and 35 struggling with fertility and sperm health on a steady decline. Several factors are driving this change, from increased exposure to environmental toxins to chronic stress levels that are at an all-time high. When our bodies are under stress, they shift into survival mode and that’s a tough place to...

Adequate protein intake is a key nutritional factor in preventing loss of muscle mass and strength, frailty, and associated comorbidities in later life. In addition, research shows that a deficiency of dietary protein can impair immune function and increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. Today, I’m sharing why adequate protein intake should be a critical component of your thyroid healing j...

Everybody’s normal is different, and just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal. As health practitioners, people often ask us whether what they’re experiencing is normal. Without an understanding of your body and what is normal for you, it’s easy to be misled by all the misinformation out there, especially when it comes to women’s bodies. So, where do you go to find the tools to emp...

A number of common allergens can cause problems in those with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions. We hear a lot about the potentially negative effects of gluten and dairy, but another allergen you need to be aware of is corn. Corn proteins have been shown to cause a celiac-like immune response, meaning that they can produce a similar response to gluten. Today, I’m discussing the relationshi...

There are many different EMFs, from visible light to the microwave radiation emitted by your cell phone. While many of our natural exposures, like sunlight, tend to be compatible with—and often good for—our biology, we’ve created many new EMF sources in the form of cell phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and smart meters whose effects are unknown. The problem potentially arises if these different sources i...

There’s no single diet that everyone with hyperthyroidism should follow. Diet selection is a highly personal choice that must consider individual health conditions, lifestyle, and preferences. In my new book, The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet ( https://savemythyroid.com/order ), I explore three different diets in detail, explaining what each involves and how you can start implementing the right one fo...

“Health is accumulative. While you might reduce your symptoms by changing your diet, by addressing your whole body, you’ll optimize your health.” - Bronte May Thyroid imbalances are typically caused by a combination of different components over time. As a result, reversing them means going deeper into gut health, diet, environmental toxins, stress, mindset, and more. The good news is you don’t hav...

Comprehensive thyroid testing, which goes beyond the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, is crucial to your thyroid healing journey. Understanding what’s happening with other markers like T3 and T4 is very important, not to mention the thyroid antibodies. When doing a thyroid panel, you’re given the option for free and total hormone levels. Most thyroid hormone in the body is bound to a prot...

Dr. Jill Carnahan’s story is nothing short of inspiring. From early exposures to toxins from pesticides to extended antibiotic use and a poorly planned vegetarian diet, Dr. Jill found herself struggling with her health in her 20s. At 25, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and then later with Crohn’s disease. Despite having all three components of the triad of autoimmunity from a young age - gene...