autoimmune

Manage Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Naturally

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Are you tired because of Hashimoto’s?

Having hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, means that your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone or T4. Low levels of T4, means reduced effects of thyroid hormone on your entire body.

Thyroid hormones play roles in a wider range of physical functions than most of us realize. So, when those hormone levels get out of whack, your entire body suffers. There are a number of reasons why your thyroid stops working properly. The causes of thyroid dysfunction range from nutritional deficiencies to radiation. One of the most common reasons why your thyroid isn’t working well is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Never heard of it? Well, odds are that you have never been tested for it, even if you have an obvious thyroid problem.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Is More Common Than You May Think

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It affects approximately 10% of women over the age of 30. Some studies put the incidence of Hashimoto’s as high as five percent of the overall population.

What is Hashimoto’s?

This condition gets its name from the Japanese doctor who first identified it in 1912. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder. In other words, if you have Hashimoto’s, your immune system views your healthy thyroid as a threat to your well-being, and attacks it in response. Why exactly this happens is still a bit of a mystery. Some of the theories as to why this occurs include:

  1. Epstein-Barr virus. This is a virus that is common. It is associated with mononucleosis or “kissing disease” in teenagers. Infected teens often need to sleep for a month to get through this. However, up to 90% of us have picked up EBV. Not all of us exhibit the classic symptoms of mono. Supporting evidence for this theory includes electron microscopy showing EBV in the thyroid of people who are affected by Hashimoto’s. Correlation of EBV in the thyroid with Hashimoto’s does not mean that it causes the disease, but it might.
  2. Strep bacteria. Streptococcus is a kind of bacteria that causes Strep throat. Because of the proximity of your thyroid to your throat, it is possible that Strep bacteria could create inflammation and immune system irregularities in the thyroid.
  3. Leaky gut. Since 70-80% of your immune system resides in your gut, if there is an imbalance in your gut, it creates disordered immune system function.

Autoimmune disorders like this are frustrating since they often don’t have a direct, easily identified cause. They are also tricky to diagnose. In fact, up to 60 percent of people who have a thyroid issue don’t know that they have it. Even if you are being treated with thyroid medication, you may still feel unwell. That’s because the antibodies that are attacking your thyroid is what is making you feel unwell.

How Is Hashimoto’s Diagnosed?

Many conventional medical doctors run just one test for thyroid problems – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). However, because thyroid problems are complex, the result doesn’t always provide an accurate reflection of your thyroid function. A high TSH level indicates that your body is trying very hard to stimulate an under-active thyroid gland, however, it doesn’t tell us why. And, a normal TSH result does not rule out more complex issues like Hashimoto’s. I have seen a normal TSH many times, even a normal T3 and T4, but still the presence of thyroid antibodies that will damage your thyroid.

For a thorough evaluation of your thyroid health, more in-depth testing is essential. After all, your body works as an integrated unit, and TSH is just one piece of the puzzle. In order to fully assess your thyroid, two things need to happen:

  1. Thorough thyroid blood testing. This includes testing for TSH, free T3, free T4, anti-TPO, anti-thyroglobulin, and reverse T3.
  2. Interpretation of your blood tests in the context of ensuring that your various levels are ideal or optimal. Lab ranges are NOT based on what is optimal or even necessarily healthy, they are only averages of whomever the lab has tested, including sick and dying people.

Only if these two criteria are met can you be fully assured that your thyroid is working perfectly normally.

What Increases Your Risk for Hashimoto’s?

Existing Autoimmune Disease

Your risk for developing an autoimmune disease is greatest at middle age. Having another autoimmune disorder (such as lupus, Celiac disease, or rheumatoid arthritis) makes you more vulnerable to Hashimoto’s. Likewise, having Hashimoto’s puts you at greater risk of other autoimmune diseases, such as those already mentioned.

Women

Certain conditions make it more likely that you will develop Hashimoto’s. For example, women are from five to eight times more likely to develop the disease.

Gluten Intolerance

Some research has linked Hashimoto’s to diets high in gluten. Although gluten doesn’t directly cause Hashimoto’s, gluten consumption does seem to increase the risk for autoimmune disorders in general. Interestingly, people with Celiac disease are three times more likely to have a thyroid problem. I recommend that patients who are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s have a blood test for Celiac disease before removing gluten from their diet.

Stress

Other research suggests a link between chronic stress and Hashimoto’s. This connection could be due to the interaction between stress and our immune systems. If the theory that Hashimoto’s is caused by a virus invading your thyroid, it makes sense that stress, which lowers your immune function, would play a role in allowing a virus to invade your thyroid.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hashimoto’s?

The symptoms of Hashimoto’s often materialize gradually, which is why they go unnoticed initially. As your thyroid gets more damaged, you will find you become increasingly tired. In fact, overwhelming fatigue is one of the most common complaints with this disease.

You may also experience a long list of disruptive symptoms, including:

Many of the symptoms listed above are easy to blame on other health issues. You may just attribute them to age or stress. However, the long term-effects of unaddressed Hashimoto’s will greatly affect your quality of life. Over time, low levels of thyroid hormone will lead to elevated cholesterol levels and the development of other autoimmune disorders. That’s why it’s important to seek help if you suspect Hashimoto’s.

Having Trouble Managing Hashimoto’s?

Hashimoto’s is typically treated with thyroid hormone replacement, such as Synthroid or Levothyroxine, to restore the normal levels of T4. However, many patients have difficulty finding the exact level of supplementation to alleviate their symptoms. If the autoimmune attack is ongoing, there can be wide fluctuations in your own T4 levels which makes finding the right dose of T4 challenging.

A naturopathic approach aims to address the root cause of the autoimmune condition, in addition to supporting the thyroid and using thyroid hormone supplements as needed. This usually means making improvements to your overall health and balancing other hormone levels to support the whole system.

Supplements For Hashimotos’s

Natural supplements that help Hashimoto’s include:

Selenium

Selenium is an essential co-factor for healthy thyroid function. It is a trace mineral that is abundant in Brazil nuts. Eating 2-3 Brazil nuts per day supplies plenty of selenium for optimal thyroid activity.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps your nervous system to work normally. Vegetarians, vegans and those on antacid medications are at risk of B12 deficiency. Symptoms like tingling, burning, numbness, sharp pain, balance or coordination problems and even dementia can be signs of a B12 deficiency. B12 is only available through the consumption of animal foods like dairy, eggs, chicken, fish, and meat. Vegans must supplement with B12.

Zinc

Zinc is another key co-factor for healthy thyroid operation. This mineral is found in egg yolks, beef, pumpkin seeds, and shellfish.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that helps your thyroid to convert the hormone T4 into the more active form, T3. It is also an adaptogen that helps you handle stress. For some people it helps with sleep and it may help improve testosterone production in men.

Lifestyle changes To Support Thyroid Health

Healthy lifestyle habits have a positive effect on Hashimoto’s, including:

Watch Your Gluten Intake

Gluten and autoimmunity are interconnected. There is a significant correlation between Hashimoto’s and Celiac disease. As a result, I recommend people who have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s have blood work done to check for Celiac disease. AFTER testing, it is usually a good idea to reduce the amount of gluten in your diet for anyone with thyroid problems. Quinoa and rice are both gluten-free replacements. With all of the products made from almond flour, coconut flour, bean flours, rice/potato flour, it’s easier than ever to follow a gluten-free diet. Keep in mind that the goal is to add variety to your diet, so avoid replacing all gluten products with highly processed corn or rice-based versions.

Reduce the amount of sugar that you eat (and drink)

This includes sugar substitutes, which have been directly linked to Hashimoto’s. Artificial sweeteners lower the number of “good” bacteria in your gut. This negatively impacts autoimmune disorders by allowing overgrowth of bacteria or yeast that damage your gut and creating a disordered immune system.

Reduce stress

Yes, that’s easier said than done in today’s busy world! However, it’s also important to remember that looking after your own health (even if that means cutting back on your responsibilities) will ultimately make you better able to look after your loved ones and your other responsibilities. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so taking care of yourself is step one in taking care of others.

Focus on natural, high-fibre foods

Because of the important link between gut health and immunity, keep your gut in top shape by consuming enough fibre to keep things moving. Soluble fibre also acts to nourish good bacteria in your gut. These digest soluble fibre and turn it into fuel for your gut wall.

If you can relate to the symptoms of Hashimoto’s described above see one of our naturopathic doctors for thorough thyroid testing. Or, if you’ve already been given a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s but are having trouble managing your symptoms, let’s talk. Together we can get a handle on your thyroid levels so that you can start feeling like yourself again.

By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), Naturopathic Doctor

Natural Medicine for Hashimoto’s: Research

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6221534/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28829155

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30060266

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6688766/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15650357

https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(15)00767-2/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F

Natural Treatment for Crohn’s and Colitis

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picture of a woman with abdominal pain and cramps from Crohn's and colitis
Crohn’s and Colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They are on the rise worldwide. If you, or someone you love, suffer from these, you know the disruption that these disorders cause. They wreak havoc on your life, affect your relationships, your employment and more.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. The good news is that there is much exciting research going on. We have made a lot of progress in recent years by discovering natural ways to ease and support people with IBD. Read on to discover some natural treatment options for IBD that will help you take your life back.

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

As the name suggests inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s and Colitis, develop when the lining of your intestines becomes inflamed. The consequences of that inflammation are debilitating. They include difficulty digesting your food, nutrient malabsorption, and abnormal waste elimination. Sufferers of IBD have problems with their bowel movements including urgency (feeling like you need to find a bathroom immediately), bowel incontinence, mucousy stools, and bloody diarrhea.

What Causes Inflammation of the Bowel?

The specific cause of inflammation in IBD is still under investigation. The following are potential triggers for gut inflammation:

  • Foods. You may be able to identify which foods irritate your gut. If not, our naturopaths can help guide you to a less inflammatory diet.
  • The microbiome or the balance of the microbial growth in your intestines. The gut microbiology of each of the forms of IBD is different. However, both are characterized by a reduced bacterial diversity and reduced richness of beneficial bacteria.
  • Environment. Environmental factors like experiencing bacterial gastroenteritis in the past, urban living surroundings, air pollution, the use of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral contraceptives are likely to be the most important risk factors for both diseases.

Crohn’s Disease Vs. Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two different inflammatory bowel diseases. They share some common symptoms, but there are also some differences.

How are Crohn’s and Colitis the Same?

The common symptoms of Crohn’s and colitis include:

  • Diarrhea (sometimes alternating with constipation)
  • Bloody stools
  • Nausea
  • Increased gas
  • Fatigue
  • Anemia
  • Joint pain
  • Belly pain and discomfort
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Reduced appetite

How are Crohn’s And Colitis Different?

Although they share many symptoms, it’s important to note that they’re not exactly the same. The main differences between Crohn’s and Colitis are:

  • Colitis means inflammation of the colon or large intestine. In ulcerative colitis, only the large intestine is affected. Crohn’s disease occurs in both the small and large intestines. In fact, it can affect everything from your mouth through to your rectum.
  • Crohn’s disease is more patchy. That is, healthy tissue is intermingled with inflamed tissue. In contrast, ulcerative colitis affects an entire area.
  • The inflammation of colitis affects only the inner lining of the intestines. Whereas in Crohn’s disease, it can affect deeper layers.

In real-life terms, bloody diarrhea and rectal bleeding are more common with colitis. The pain of Crohn’s is often a sharper, more intense pain than the cramping that typically accompanies colitis. Bear in mind that these are just generalized differences.

How are Crohn’s and Colitis Diagnosed?

A medical specialist, like a gastroenterologist, is the best person to diagnose any form of inflammatory bowel disease. He/she does so by performing a colonoscopy.

What Causes Crohn’s and Colitis?

Why do some people get Crohn’s and Colitis?

Doctors don’t have precise reasons yet. Most cases are considered idiopathic, which means that they are of unknown origin. Westernization of diets and environments affects your gut bacteria (microbiome) and increases the risk of IBD in genetically susceptible individuals.

Crohn’s and colitis affect people of all ages and sizes, but they occur more often in females. These diseases occur over a broad age spectrum, from early childhood to late adulthood.

The onset of Crohn’s disease in children is more severe and more extensive. Girls appear to have an overall more severe course of the disease. However, boys are at increased risk for developing growth failure as a result of Crohn’s.

IBD is generally considered to be autoimmune in nature. In autoimmunity, a number of factors come into play, including genetics and environmental triggers.

Are Crohn’s and Colitis Hereditary?

Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors appear to play a role in inflammatory bowel diseases. Multiple genes that are related to an individual’s susceptibility to Crohn’s and colitis have been described.

The clustering of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in families has been established for several decades. Familial susceptibility reflects shared genetic and environmental factors. Positive family history remains the strongest recognizable risk factor for the development of IBD. Crohn’s disease shows a more frequent familial pattern than ulcerative colitis. First-degree relatives of someone with IBD have a 4- to 8-fold increased risk of developing these diseases.

The Effects Of Stress & Diet

Many people do notice that their IBD tends to flare up during times of stress. Of course, the flare-up then creates even more stress. Certain foods often trigger symptoms as well. Although stress and diet don’t cause either condition, they often exacerbate the symptoms. So managing Crohn’s and Colitis often requires careful dietary monitoring and lifestyle changes.

How Do Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Influence Life Expectancy?

Children with IBD have a 3-fold increased risk of death when followed through to adulthood. The relative risk for death has not decreased with the development of new medications for the treatment of IBD. There is very little information on all-cause and cause-specific death in patients with childhood-onset IBD. Childhood-onset of these diseases does tend to cause more severe illness.

Both conditions in children and adults have a significant negative impact on their quality of life. They also mean a greater risk for a host of other associated diseases including colon cancer, blood clots, severe nutrient deficiencies, arthritis, bowel obstruction, and dehydration.

How Are Crohn’s and Colitis Treated?

Treatment focuses on two main goals: reducing inflammation and managing symptoms. A number of medications, including steroids, work to reduce inflammation. In addition, particularly with Crohn’s, surgery is sometimes necessary to remove tissue that is too deeply damaged. Many people suffering from IBD find that they can ease their symptoms enough to return to a more normal life by making some changes to their diet and lifestyle.

Is There a Cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD)?

Given that there is a genetic component to it, IBD is a condition that patients need to continuously manage in order to remain in remission. That genetic tendency will always exist, but how much or how little it is expressed, can be influenced by environment, diet, stress, nutrition and lifestyle factors.

Natural Ways To Treat Crohn’s and Colitis Symptoms

Improving your overall health is an important first step in managing IBD symptoms. Your treatment plan should target your lifestyle holistically, from all angles. The joint goals of treating Crohn’s and Colitis include reducing inflammation and minimizing the number of flare-ups you experience. Some proven strategies include:

Reduce stress

Your nervous system is intricately connected to your digestive system. Stress, particularly chronic stress, leads to an imbalance of bacteria in your gut, also known as dysbiosis.

To relieve the physical effects of stress, a variety of mindfulness activities such as yoga, meditation or tai chi is very helpful. Seeing a psychotherapist to formulate a stress-reduction plan with some helpful strategies works.

Exercise

Working out while you’re experiencing the symptoms of IBD can be difficult. However, research has shown that exercising reduces the severity of gastrointestinal disorders. With IBD it’s especially important to listen to your body and focus on relaxing exercise such as yoga. Working out too intensely actually creates a stress response and exacerbates symptoms.

Work On An Elimination Diet

It can take a lot of trial and error to figure out which foods are triggers for you specifically. That’s why it’s a good idea to create a carefully crafted elimination diet in consultation with your Naturopath.

What Foods Trigger IBD?

Although everyone is different, some common food triggers for inflammatory bowel disease include:

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Fried foods
  • Fatty foods
  • Dairy products
  • Chocolate
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Large meals
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Foods with a lot of fructose, such as apples and dried fruits
  • Fermentable carbohydrates

Use probiotics

Restoring the bacterial balance in your gut with probiotic supplements eases symptoms in Colitis, but may not help Crohn’s. However, you’ll get the best results if you work with a naturopathic doctor to ensure that you’re taking the best type of probiotic. Not all probiotics are the same, so you want to make sure you select the best one for your particular condition. There is also concern that in severe disease bacteria may translocate across the wall of the gut and end up in the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening blood infection.

Consider Herbal And Nutritional Supplements

Talk to your naturopathic doctor about supplementation, as a number of natural supplements have shown promising results in treating Crohn’s and Colitis. These include:

  • Turmeric (Curcumin)
  • Berberine
  • Boswellia (also known as frankincense)
  • N-acetyl glucosamine

We’ll Help You Stay Abreast Of New IBD Treatment Options

Although much work still remains to be done, it’s a good idea to talk to your naturopathic doctor about recent medical research. Our naturopaths keep on top of the latest natural health information. IBD is an area where promising discoveries and potential new treatments are emerging often. For example, trials have been conducted on the effectiveness of fecal transplants, in which healthy stool is “transplanted” into an inflamed large intestine in hopes of restoring the balance of healthy bacteria. Other exciting findings involve stem cell research.

If you have been diagnosed with or are experiencing the symptoms of Crohn’s or Colitis, you should know that there is a reason for hope. Many natural supportive treatments prove quite effective, and new developments are on the horizon. Come into the clinic and we can work together to improve your digestive health! Call to book at 416-481-0222 or book online here.

Authored by Naturopath Dr. Pamela Frank

book help for crohn’s and colitis now

Resources

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes

https://www.foundationalmedicinereview.com/blog/what-are-the-best-supplements-for-ibs-two-recent-studies-may-have-the-answer/#easy-footnote-bottom-2-2712

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202343/

https://nccih.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/031912

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27646279

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4294172/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11215357

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10465666

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17590176

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24415855

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18055660

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29333063

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31603356

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28281167

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30342031

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27793607

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28777099

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/default.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353315

Do You Have Undiagnosed Thyroid Problems?

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woman with thyroid problems having a thyroid ultrasound
Do you have thyroid problems?

Your thyroid is your body’s gas pedal. It regulates the speed and performance of the rest of your system. Your energy levels, metabolism, and heart rate are all controlled by this small but vital, butterfly-shaped gland. Thyroid hormones are essential for growth, brain development, fertility and the production of energy. Thyroid hormones stimulate the production of new mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy-generators in each of your cells. Without enough thyroid hormone, your mitochondria aren’t able to produce as much energy as they should. Having a slow or underactive thyroid is called hypothyroidism. At the other end of the spectrum, your body can go into “overdrive” if it produces too much thyroid hormone. This is called hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Problems are Often Un-diagnosed

With so much impact on your overall health and well-being, maintaining healthy thyroid hormone levels is important. Did you know that one in eight women produce either too much or not enough thyroid hormone? Women are at higher risk for thyroid issues than men. Hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause make women more vulnerable to thyroid issues. The risk for both genders increases with age. In fact, the stats for those with undiagnosed thyroid disease are shocking. One study found that 6.71% of the population has an undiagnosed thyroid problem. Of course, as naturopathic doctors, we dig deep to find the root of thyroid concerns rather than just attribute your symptoms to age or menopause.

TSH, The Thyroid Regulating Hormone

To understand how your thyroid can wreak havoc on your health, you need to understand how it works. Your thyroid sits in your neck. There it performs the vital task of secreting thyroid hormone. This in turn triggers a cascade of other hormones and processes throughout your body. The key point about thyroid hormone is that your body is very sensitive to the amounts it receives. Any imbalances can have far reaching repercussions.

The amount of hormone your thyroid secretes is controlled by the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. In other words, TSH is the “master” hormone that directs your thyroid. It’s produced by your pituitary gland in your brain.

Lab ranges for TSH are notoriously broad. You can have signs and symptoms of an underactive thyroid BEFORE your TSH falls outside this wide lab range. This is called subclinical hypothyroidism.

When Your Immune System Attacks Your Thyroid

Further complicating the health of your thyroid is the fact that it is vulnerable to immune system attacks. This causes autoimmunity or autoimmune thyroid problems. The autoimmune disorder Grave’s disease causes too much thyroid hormone to be produced. In contrast, the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s causes your immune system to attack your thyroid, slowing down thyroid hormone production.

What causes auto-immune thyroid problems?

That’s a great question and one that doesn’t yet have a conclusive answer. Your immune system is programmed to recognize your body and to know NOT to attack it. In autoimmunity, the immune system appears to have gone rogue.

Researchers hypothesize that it may be that a virus gained access to your thyroid at some point when your immune system was low. Maybe you didn’t sleep well, you were super-stressed or you were not eating well, all things that can lower your immune function. This allowed an infectious agent, like a virus to enter your thyroid. Now that there is a virus inside your thyroid, your immune system attacks the thyroid tissue to get at the virus. There is extensive research showing that individuals with auto-immune thyroid often have Epstein-Barr virus in their thyroids. Epstein-Barr virus is the virus that causes mono. To help auto-immune thyroid, then, our naturopathic doctors aim to help your immune system tackle this virus so there is no longer a need to attack your thyroid.

Your thyroid can also become inflamed. This is called thyroiditis. Tackling this type of thyroid problem means addressing the source of the inflammation. Your thyroid may also develop nodules or small abnormal growths. Sometimes this is associated with thyroid auto-immunity. It is also associated with iodine excess and iodine deficiency.

Hypothyroidism: When Your Thyroid Slows Down

If your thyroid isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone, your body slows down. This results in a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism causes many troublesome symptoms.The symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Could You be Experiencing Hypothyroid Symptoms?

Despite this long list of issues, about 60 percent of people with hypothyroidism aren’t aware that they have it. One reason for this is that it’s easy to blame thyroid symptoms on other factors like lack of sleep, a poor diet or growing older. As well, thyroid symptoms tend to develop slowly. We often blame ourselves for weight gain when there is actually a medical explanation for it.

If you experience any of the symptoms above, it’s a good idea to dig deeper and figure out the root cause. Our naturopathic doctors can assist you with thorough thyroid testing. We do much more than just testing your TSH. These uncomfortable symptoms do not have to be part of your life.

Hyperthyroidism: The Consequences of an Overactive Thyroid

In contrast, when your body produces too much thyroid hormone, this condition is called hyperthyroidism. With hyperthyroidism, your body’s functions accelerate. Although this might sound appealing, many of the symptoms are debilitating. Some signs of hyperthyroidism include:

  • Feeling hot all the time
  • Anxiety
  • A rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
  • Weight loss
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremors
  • Restlessness
  • Missed periods
  • Insomnia
  • Hair loss
  • Osteopenia or osteoporosis

As with hypothyroidism, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are often blamed on other issues, such as stress or anxiety.

Why Are Thyroid Problems Hard to Diagnose?

With so many symptoms, you would think that thyroid dysfunction would be easy to pick up. Not so. One challenging problem with identifying thyroid issues is that most doctors only run one test for your thyroid. They only test the amount of TSH in your blood. However, testing this one hormone doesn’t give the complete picture of your thyroid health. A more holistic approach which tests various hormone levels yields more information and leads to more effective treatment. This is what our ND’s do.

Prevention: How can you Prevent Thyroid Problems?

Unfortunately, the prevention of thyroid disease isn’t always possible. Sometimes genetics play a role in it. But, even if you have inherited the genes for thyroid problems, how much or how little you express those genes can be altered by certain health choices. Other risk factors for thyroid dysfunction include chronic stress and a personal or family history of autoimmune diseases. In addition, more research is pointing to the role of environmental factors in disrupting thyroid function. Our naturopathic doctors will address all the factors that contribute to thyroid issues when they are crafting your treatment plan.

Addressing the lifestyle factors that inflame your body helps to stabilize thyroid hormones whatever the cause of your imbalance.

6 DIY strategies for improving your thyroid health

Eat to protect your gut health

Maintaining enough good bacteria in your gut, keeps it healthy, protects your immune system and reduces your risk of autoimmune problems. Include lots of high-fiber foods in your diet every day. Broccoli, kale, and whole grains like quinoa make excellent high fiber options.

Reduce your stress

Stress interferes with thyroid function by slowing the production of TSH. It also increases the production of an inactive form of thyroid hormone, called reverse T3. Addressing your stress levels is important. If you can’t get rid of stress, exercise is a good way to both reduce its effects and improve your metabolism.

Cut your sugar intake

Your thyroid is a crucial component of your endocrine (hormonal) system. Sugar is managed by another vital organ in this interconnected system, your pancreas. The endocrine organs work together to keep your body working optimally. There is a complex relationship between diabetes and thyroid disease. One study identified thyroid dysfunction in 48% of diabetic patients. Clearly, better managing your glucose levels can help stabilize your thyroid.

Watch your iodine intake

Iodine is essential for good thyroid function, but too much also leads to thyroid problems. Iodized salt, seaweed, and some seafood contain high levels of iodine. Be careful not to overdo the seaweed snacks. I have seen at least one person who did and overdosed on iodine as a result.

Pay attention to how gluten makes you feel

People with Celiac disease are three times more likely to have a thyroid problem. Celiac disease interferes with the absorption of nutrients such as iodine. If you have trouble digesting gluten, consider eliminating it or get tested for Celiac disease. If it is negative, you may still have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity that our food allergy test will identify.

Look for high-fiber foods

High fiber foods are especially helpful if you’re hypothyroid. Having hypothyroidism can slow your digestive system and lead to constipation, so you want to focus on keeping things moving. As mentioned above, high-fiber foods help your good gut bacteria thrive. Fibrous foods fill you up so you eat less, which helps weight management. Fiber also slows down the rise in blood sugar that happens after a meal.

In general, the key is to focus on a whole-foods diet that will reduce inflammation. Avoiding artificial ingredients and regulating your blood sugar will reduce dietary stress and help maintain your thyroid health.

I’m Concerned About My Thyroid. What’s the Next Step?

When it comes to resolving thyroid issues, early detection is the key. It is much easier to deal with a thyroid problem when it is caught early. It’s also important to complete thorough thyroid testing. Evaluating thyroid hormone levels is complex and often not properly diagnosed within the conventional healthcare system. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms of thyroid disease – either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism – give us a call at 416-481-0222 or book an appointment online. Thyroid problems, diagnosed or undiagnosed, do not have to affect your daily life. Our naturopathic doctors can help.

Authored by Dr Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND

Science-based Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20030460

https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/how-manage-stress-if-you-have-autoimmune-thyroid-disease

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/healthy-eating-for-a-healthy-thyroid

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30060266

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16580033

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27959843

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25931043

Autoimmune disease

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woman with autoimmune disease arthritis

What is an auto-immune disease?

It’s a disease where the immune system, which is programmed to ignore “self”, has gone haywire and started attacking the person’s own tissues.

Which conditions are considered to be autoimmune?

The list of what is now thought to be autoimmune is expanding. More than 80 different conditions are listed as autoimmune diseases. Some of the more common ones are Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s, Scleroderma, type I diabetes, MS, Guillain Barre, psoriasis, Grave’s disease (hyperthyroid), Hashimoto’s (hypothyroid) and vasculitis. For a full list of autoimmune disorders, click here: www.aarda.org

What causes autoimmune diseases?

Good question with a complex answer.  Since it doesn’t appear to be just one thing. The factors that contribute to autoimmune disorders are:

  1. Gut health – since 70-80% of your immune system is there, an unhealthy or leaky gut causes unhealthy immune system activity.
  2. Food sensitivities – foods that aggravate the immune system cause the production of antibodies and inflammation.
  3. Latent infections – low-level viral (herpes, Epstein Barr), fungal (yeast) or bacterial infections (strep) cause excessive or disordered immune system activity.
  4. Poorly functioning adrenal glands – the adrenal glands produce powerful anti-inflammatories called corticosteroids. Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug that is prescribed as a medication for auto-immune problems.

How can we fix auto-immune disorders?

Our naturopathic doctors assess your symptoms related to each of the above situations and address them accordingly.

  1. Gut health – a healthy gut requires nutrients like l-glutamine, vitamin A, and fibre. Fibre feeds the good bacteria in your gut.  They then break it down into short chain fatty acids that nourish the cells that line your colon. Good bacteria moderate your immune system and prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria or yeast.
  2. Food sensitivity detective work – we can determine your food sensitivities (almost everyone has some) either by process of elimination (also called an elimination challenge diet) or through science-based testing for IgG and/or IgA antibodies in your bloodstream to particular foods (up to 184 foods!).
  3. If you are prone to genital herpes, cold sores, had mono or recurring sore throats or strep, recurring yeast infections or BV, these viruses, yeast or bacteria may lurk in your body and fire up your immune system.  Natural antimicrobials like oregano oil, garlic, caprylic acid, black walnut, uva ursi and grapefruit seed extract rid your body of some of these (the herpes viruses stay in your system).
  4. Your adrenal glands are your stress glands.  They are also your body’s source of corticosteroids.  Corticosteroids are powerful immune suppressors that keep your immune system in check and on track. Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug that suppresses autoimmune diseases.  Your body makes its own internal Prednisone via your adrenal glands. They require lots of vitamin B5, B6, vitamin C, zinc and magnesium to function at their best.  Adaptogens are herbs that can help your adrenals work well and help you deal with stress more easily.

By Dr Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), Naturopathic Doctor

Autoimmune disease and natural medicine research

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Li J, Yan H, Chen H, Ji Q, Huang S, Yang P, Liu Z, Yang B. The Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis is Associated with Milk or Egg Allergy. N Am J Med Sci. 2016 Jan;8(1):40-6. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.175206.
Draborg A, Izarzugaza JM, Houen G. How compelling are the data for Epstein-Barr virus being a trigger for systemic lupus and other autoimmune diseases? Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016 Jul;28(4):398-404. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0000000000000289.
Mravcova M, Chovanova L, Paulikova L, Vlcek M, Rovensky J, Killinger Z, Wendl J, Imrich R. Genetics of neuroendocrine factors in rheumatoid arthritis. Horm Metab Res. 2015 Jun;47(6):411-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1395667. Epub 2014 Dec 12.