Things I Did That Improved My Hashimoto’s and Thyroid Blood Work
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Are you struggling with thyroid problems and don't know what to do? I hear you and I've been there. Thankfully I have a thyroid healing story that can give you hope as well.
Years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's and it was scary! Along the way, I had a very interesting turn of events. Here's what I did that led to my labs getting better.
If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I have thyroid disease. I had borderline hypothyroidism in college, then once again after having my 2nd child, and then was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune disease of the thyroid) about 2 years ago.
Autoimmune disease means that your body is attacking itself. And Hashimoto's means that your body is attacking your thyroid. (Actually Graves' does as well, but in that case, you have hyperthyroidism instead of hypothyroidism.)
Neither thyroid disease nor Hashimoto's is fun.
I suffered from:
– anxiety
– hair loss
– insomnia
– leg swelling
– food sensitivities
– heart palpitations
– fatigue
and more.
I obviously didn't feel well (that's an understatement) and desperately needed help.
So I searched the internet for solutions, and after literally months of trying out a few local practitioners, and interviewing several online practitioners, I chose a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist (the author of this post), and then later hired another practitioner to help me deal with this condition, and worked with her for awhile.
After many diagnostic tests, consults, dietary changes, supplements, and other therapeutic methods, this week I finally got blood work back that made my heart soar.
My blood sugar is in a very healthy range (I had been struggling with undiagnosed but verifiable hypoglycemia for years. Yes, my doctors had all missed it) and my thyroid antibodies are down. Way down.
In fact, according to the Reference Range of the lab that I used this time, my antibody levels are completely normal. And according to the most strict lab ranges that I have seen, I am just 2 points off “normal”.
Woo hoo!
So I wanted to reach out and tell you what I did. And what I wish I'd known at the beginning of my journey.
How I Turned My Blood Work Around
So as I said, I've worked with 2 practitioners since my diagnosis. I worked with another one (who did hair tissue analysis for many things including heavy metals) before that when I was severely exhausted, but after a point, my thyroid went haywire so I had to move on as it didn't seem she knew how to handle things accurately.
My regular physician wouldn't work with me, so he sent me to an endocrinologist. I really didn't want to go that route since I figured he would put me on meds and tell me that I couldn't get better.
So I started making phone calls.
I so wish, when this all started, that I knew what I know now.
I already knew there were foods that can hurt the thyroid, tests beyond the TSH test that your doctor might want to order, and I had a lot of questions to ask my physician and holistic practitioner, but I was still very much in the dark.
With my first practitioner, I had learned a ton. I already was eating and living pretty clean, so other things needed to be addressed.
She recommended that I:
– eliminate typical trigger foods (soy, dairy, corn, and gluten. I was already off of gluten.
– work on liver health
– address parasites
– work on adrenal health with supplements and lifestyle changes
I was doing so much better after working with her, but I knew I needed more work.
My thyroid antibodies were still high. They had dipped some, but returned to their initial levels following this treatment (I've heard this can happen when you first work on improvements).
I really needed my body to stop attacking my thyroid.
So I did more research. And here's what I ended up doing.
Recent Things I Changed
1. AIP Diet
I ended up going on the AIP (Autoimmune Paleo) diet. What a difference! Symptoms quieted down, I slept like a baby for the first time in many months, and still adhere pretty much to the diet.
2. Carbohydrates
For a long time, I was eating really low carb. It's such the rage these days, that I basically found myself to be almost afraid of carbs. However, carbs appeared to be my friend.
I met Dr. Alan Christianson in September of 2014 and was introduced to his Adrenal Reset Diet. He did extensive research showing that carbohydrates eaten at midday and evening meals were supportive of the adrenals. Of course, this means healthy carbs and not ultra-processed ones.
Up until that time, I was eating pretty low carb: more low carb than I should have been, in retrospect.
So I started upping my carbs some (and by that, I mean healthy carbs like beans and whole grains and berries, etc, but not sugar). It's tempting to think that low carb is the way to go, but from what I've read, carbs are important for so many things.
3. Supplements
I added some supplements. Some I decided on on my own and some my new practitioner recommended.
We added various methods of liver support and a few other things. In fact, supporting my liver has been a very important part of my overall health journey and I think it's crucial for almost everyone who is chronically ill. Really, it's crucial for everyone!
The Labs Prove It
The truth is, when I got this blood work done, I expected to receive bad results.
We had just gone on a work/vacation and it was, while a fabulous time, incredibly stressful and I had many nights with little sleep (including several with only 4 hours).
So I was so thrilled when I opened the email and saw:
1. My Blood Sugars were more where I wanted them to be.
2. My Thyroglobulin Antibody was basically undetectable.
3. My TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) was the lowest it had been since my diagnosis. According to this lab's reference ranges, the level was normal, and according to the strictest lab reference ranges that I have seen, I am just 2 points above normal!
Obviously what I found worked, and worked well.
A Great Resource for Your Thyroid
One of the BEST resources I found at the time was Izabella Wentz's book, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis – Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause.
I had the privilege of meeting Izabella in September 2014, and she really knows what she is talking about.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Finding and Treating the Root Cause
I've met the author of this book, Izabella Wentz, in person and while I never agree with everyone on everything, she really is a wealth of information. This book is a great thorough resource for those wanting to gain knowledge and action points to address Hashimoto's and start on the road to feeling better.
This is one of the best books on thyroid health in my opinion.
Of course, there are so many things that can affect thyroid health, but hopefully, something in this post is a help to you and you too can see your labs turn around for the better.
Do you or someone you know have thyroid disease?
What's helped you the most?
I’d really love to hear more details. Do you think what you did could help thyroid cancer?
Hi. I’m sorry but I can’t give medical advice.
After some googling, I stumbled upon your site. It’s so inspirational to hear about someone who has overcome or is overcoming. I’ve been on AIP for 11 months now, and I’ve definitely seen a huge improvement in my symptoms. It’s been a slow recovery process, but I’ve been getting steadily better. And until last month, I’d been seeing a gradual decrease in TPO antibodies (from 151 down to 42) but on my last test, they had jumped up to 180. It’s odd though because I’m actually feeling better than I did a few months ago. I’m fairly certain that my Hashimotos is caused by a chronic virus. Recently, I had a return of some chronic labrynthitis symptoms and then the increased antibodies. Of course I have yet to find a doctor who will willingly agree with me about the virus since it’s something that they can’t exactly test for. Any suggestions on how to deal with viral infections or finding a practitioner who can help? From my understanding and reading Sarah Ballantyne’s Paleo Approach, I’m hoping that once my gut is fully healed, my body will no longer produce autoantibodies regardless of the recurring virus, but I might be wrong. It’s so frustrating trying to figure this out alone when most doctor’s just want to hand you a pill and send you on your way.
Hi there. Sorry but I can’t give out medical advice.
Its hard to find a doctor that will help, so you do a lot on your own for sure. I have found so many conflicting things not only on the internet but with different doctors. My red and white blood counts are down. So don’t know what to do about that. I am taking a good iron supplement which I thought would help some, doesn’t seem to be helping. Am off of gluten, most sugar, eggs and dairy. Was tested for them and am sensitive to them. Have decided to quit corn which I love.
Can I ask what iron supplement you are taking?
5 years ago I was put on medication for an underactive thyroid
2 years later I started seeing a dietitian who had a series of blood tests done resulting in being told I had an autoimmune disease and that it was attacking my thyroid.
The dietitian put me on a gluten free diet and a lot of my symptoms disappeared but my doctor told me to continue on the medication.
I am 68 this year and find I sometimes forget to take my tablets. My blood tests still say my thyroid is still under-active so I am interested in hearing more about the adrenal reset diet. Is there a web site I can go to for this?
I have never been checked for parasites, it is usually just blood sugar, cholesterol and hormone levels and antibodies. Other than increasing or decreasing my medication my treatment is non existent.
I still follow a mainly gluten free diet and only use natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup, I try to stay away from soy products with the exception of soy sauce.
Any help you can give me with information or pointing me in the right direction for help would be greatly appreciated. I am sick of being tired and overweight all the time. I want to be able to do my own housework instead of having to get someone to do it for me.
King regards
Sandy
Hi there. I think this is the adrenal reset diet that you are looking for? https://amzn.to/2umIbQw (that is an affiliate link). I hope that helps! I understand the fatigue thing. It’s terrible.
Thanks for writing back. So my antibodies were 984 or so. I got them down to like 285 or so, I take NP thyroid, quit gluten, soy, most cow milk, most dairy except goat milk, went to a dietician, got off “sensitive foods” (did the MRT blood test and LEAP diet for 10 months, switched to hollistic dentist, have had most but not all amalgams that rise to a surface removed/replaced safely. I take selenium as well.
I cheated and had more gluten, allowed soy back in, and increased dairy intake. Antibodies went up to like about 350 recently. I’m doing THM diet (Trim Healthy Mama) and i have Hashimoto’s. I’m getting tired again,, real gritty-eyed hashimoto’s tired… I think it’s the addition of more dairy… Have an increased rash on my face coming back. I think I need to switch back to all goat cheese/goat dairy products.
If you were in my situation, what tests would you wish for that are the kinds that go looking for the root cause? I feel like I’m paying a functional dr., he should look for the root cause.
Thanks again.
Sounds like you are doing well. I don’t do well w/ any dairy, I don’t think. Once I tried cow’s milk for a puffy eye treatment and my eyes swelled up. So much for that!
I try to avoid soy as much as possible but almost everything has soy in it. I had my thyroid taken out due to can error my dr will only test TSH and T4.cant find a good dr.eating less then 600 calories exercising e ererday gaining weight. Very frustrating
Can you please tell me, what were your antibodies when first diagnosed (what were the levels?)
I’m seeing a functional doc who just doesn’t test for the parasites and stuff, he thinks it’s like a waste to look for root causes, he thinks the root cause is already probably passed. Any thoughts on how I can get him to start digging deeper?
Yes, sure. My antibodies were on the low end. 19, if I remember correctly, but I think they were higher than that originally – maybe about 40? Then I was taken off some supplements that my physician was suspicious of and they went down to 19. Can you get your doc to read the book in this post?
I’m doing detox things now and see real results. It’s worth looking at.
How did your doctor go about finding the parasite?
We did a stool test.
So did you do THM gluten, dairy, grain and soy free? I have hashi’s and am trying to decide whether or not to do AIP or THM – which worked better for you and when did you see improvements in your labs – when on AIP or THM?
I am not strict THM meaning I don’t obsess over it but as it turns out I pretty much eat that way. Do you have an autoimmune disease?
Thats great news! Congratulations!
Can you please share what kind of parasite, did you get rid of?
Also it will be of great help to know lifestyle changes you made and how you supported your adrenals. I understand it may not suit all but atleast we get an idea.
Do you know if once hypothyroidism is treated, can you start consuming dairy products?
My story:
I am 30 years old and have subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 5.39 in March 2016) . My PCP and ND didnt test for Thyroid antibodies yet.
My PCP prescribed synthroid but I didnt want to go that route. I wanted to find the root-cause and treat it. I immediately took out gluten, sugar, dairy and soy and was feeling better.
After 3 months(June 2016), I chose a Naturopathic doctor. She performed extensive GI panel and blood test. My stool test showed high number of streptococcus bovis bacteria and low pancreatic enzymes. My blood tests were not extensive, so I dont know of any nutritional deficiencies, except that my ferritin is low(though iron and TIBC is normal ). This time my TSH was 4.64 though still not in the ideal range. My Nd prescribed multivitamins, a stronger herbal supplement to get rid of the bacteria and iron supplements. However taking iron supplements caused issues like constipation and shortness of breath. So I am not taking them anymore.
Thank you for sharing your approach. I am sure it will benefit a lot of us..
Hi there. I had cryptosporidium. I have done a lot of research and it seems that almost everyone (if not everyone) has parasites and it’s all about how much they take root and how much damage they do.
I am still making changes…..leaning on the AIP diet more right now and adding in carbs still yet still keeping fairly low carb.
I think dairy is an individual decision. It is one of the most inflammatory foods there is. I think goat milk is a better choice, but not perfect.
I wish that I was able to advise more, but I can’t give medical advice. I am considering getting a certification that would allow me to do so but not sure what to choose and when to do it. For low ferritin personally I take Hemevite. My husband takes this: https://amzn.to/2atupDx (affiliate link)
You shouldn’t get constipated from that. If you are interested in the hemevite I can share more but it’s a little harder to find / obtain.
Thank you so much for your help 🙂
You are so welcome!
So are you doing Trim Healthy Mama, Dr. Christensen Adrenal diet, or AIP? I have all of the books but not sure which is best for Hashimotos .
Thank you
Hi Tiffany. I have dabbled in all of them. I swing pretty heavy low carb and also eat pretty close to AIP. I also implement a bit of Dr. Christianson’s plan. So I’m not sure. I do know that Dr. C is very well versed in Hashis and that he does advocate AIP for some people so might be good to look at him and put AIP on top? Not medical advice, of course. I have to get in and see my labs to see how things are going.