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how to cure hashimoto's naturally

What I Did To Cure Hashimoto’s Naturally

10 Steps to Cure Hashimoto's Naturally

by The Travel Captain

What I Did: How To Cure Hashimoto’s Naturally

Disclaimer:  I am a Certified Integrative and Nutrition Health Coach. I am not a medical doctor. This is my personal experience with putting Hashimoto’s into remission naturally after three years of research, consulting with numerous doctors (both conventional and integrative) and testing different treatment options. I learned to question everything and be my own advocate.  This article is not intended to be used as medical advice.

Listen to your gut, pun intended, and be informed about your health.  Links between immunity, gut health and diet are finally at the forefront but more research needs to be done.  

This post has been updated since its original version in 2018.

 

Before and “After” Hashimoto’s

Maybe these pics will help demonstrate the effects Hashimoto’s can have on you.  I suffered from symptoms on and off for years.  But it wasn’t until late 2014 that I could really start to see what was happening.  I was diagnosed in 2015 and by 2016, felt the effects of Hashimoto’s fully.  I tried doing all sorts of things from the Whole30 program which helped a bit but wasn’t enough in the beginning, to attending the renowned FX Mayr Clinic in Austria.  It was not until late summer of 2017 and early 2018 that I started working on how to cure Hashimoto’s naturally via the AutoImmune Protocol (AIP).

Can you believe I am the same weight in the first 2 pics?  Or that I weigh more in the last pic than I do in the first two pics?  The reason: inflammation

 

how to cure hashimoto's naturally

 

Are you one of millions of people who know something’s wrong with their body but your doctor tells you everything is fine?  Do you continue to gain weight even with a healthy diet and moderate exercise?  Have you been told the answer to your fatigue and weight gain is to go to the gym and be more active? Or worse, been told to take an antidepressant?? Has your productivity or overall drive faded?  You might have figured out that something is up with your thyroid but tests reveal your TSH level, the end all be all of thyroid function tests, is within normal range.

Testing for Thyroid Antibodies

I’m here to tell you that your thyroid is way more complex than just a TSH test.  Your doctor should be testing you for several other levels, see below.  I went to 4, yup 4 endocrinologists, who kept telling me everything was fine and that my ailments were all in my head.   Complaints about fatigue and weight gain are the complaints of fat and lazy people, no one wants to hear it… not even your doc.

It was my gynecologist who finally tested me for thyroid antibodies after I complained of symptoms for over a year.  Blood tests revealed my body had developed thyroid antibodies well out of normal ranges. A few days later, a thyroid ultrasound showed two nodules and moderate tissue damage from the antibodies attacking my thyroid tissue.

Even after the tests came back positive, three more endocrinologists said having antibodies is normal and that I should take a “wait and see” approach.  Two docs offered me metformin, the drug for diabetic patients, even though I had normal blood sugar just to shut me up.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

High thyroid antibodies are not normal., especially when its the cause of healthy tissue being attacked!   Why is that not common sense I wonder.   A “ wait and see” approach is literally a guarantee to a path of thyroid destruction and life long cycle of medicines. In fact, its proof of an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis where your body attacks itself. Eventually these antibodies will destroy your entire thyroid, leaving you with severe hypothyroidism and in need of a Thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland).

Hashimoto’s is the number one cause of hypothyroidism.   Many don’t even know they have Hashimoto’s because it is their TSH alone that gets tested. Only those whose thyroids have been destroyed far along enough by the antibodies will start to see out of normal TSH ranges, finally indicating technical/clinical hypothyroidism to the medical world.

Some docs will tell you that you don’t have Hashimoto’s unless your TSH is out of range.  I would leave their office immediately.  Even what constitutes an appropriate TSH range is outdated in the endocrinology world.  A TSH below 2.5 is normal.  Some endocrinologists say below 4 is okay, others say 10! Why the disparity?  It is because these doctors haven’t read the latest guidelines and literature.  It’s negligent if you ask me.

 

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Endocrinologists Treat the Thyroid, Not the AutoImmune Component

The only thing docs are taught in medical school about thyroid treatment is to prescribe synthetic hormone if your TSH is abnormal.  That’s it.  The standard treatment for high TSH is Levothyroxine or Synthroid, which may or may not alleviate the issue.  More on that later.

So why do so-called doctors not acknowledge thyroid antibodies? Because, as alluded to above, they have no idea how to treat your antibodies.  It falls under the gray world of autoimmune disease, a mysterious and untreatable defect of the body (that would be sarcasm).

To top it off, once your body develops one auto immune disease, you are at risk for developing several more auto immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, lupus, Crohn’s disease aka inflammatory bowel disease, alopecia arreata, psoriasis, eczema and more.   These diseases are all the result of the same mechanism, inflammation as well as antibodies attacking healthy tissue but just in different parts of your body.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Autoimmune diseases are very treatable and can go into remission.  Mine did. One of the major keys is to eliminate inflammation as much as possible.  The other is to find out why it’s happening in the first place.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease

Many are symptomatic way before their TSH starts to show out of range.  My TSH never actually went above 3.2.  This was my experience.

My body was shutting down.  I was tired all the time and put on 15 lbs in a 3 month span.   My face and hands were habitually puffy.  I didn’t recognize myself in pictures or in the mirror anymore.  My skin was dry no matter what I did.  I could feel my thyroid swollen and pulsing at different times.

 

My fingernails started forming ridged lines… a telltale sign that your thyroid is really starting to diminish, although destruction can start years prior.  I became sensitive to light, would feel cold at the drop of a hat, developed weird food allergies in my mid 30s, became disinterested in people and couldn’t sleep through the night.  I even got shingles, another surefire sign that your immunity is low.  After testing positive for inflammatory markers, every endocrinologist I saw still did nothing.

It didn’t help that I was on a plane every month, disrupting what should have been me practicing normal sleeping and eating patterns.

Indicators or Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis include:

cure hashimoto's naturally

The list goes on.  You need adequate thyroid hormone for basically every essential function in your body

What is TSH and thyroid hormone all about anyway?

TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone, is a pituitary hormone that fluctuates depending on how much circulating thyroid hormone there is in your body.  It tells your pituitary gland how much Thyroxine, aka T4, to produce.  Your body then converts T4 to T3, the usable form of thyroid hormone.   T3 is used for so many things in your body from body temperature regulation to metabolism to heart rate and much more.  Elevated TSH usually indicates hypothyroidism.  It is possible to reverse the road to hypothyroidism if you catch Hashimoto’s in its’ early enough stages.

Lab tests show elevated TSH in people who have advanced Hashimoto’s or primary hypothyroidism.  However, TSH can fluctuate so it’s not always an adequate measure.  The other issue is that TSH will be normal for many until they reach an advanced stage of tissue destruction, as was the case with me, and so many others who go untreated until the damage is extensive.   So that is why you must test for other indicators.

Back to Levothyroxine and Synthroid.  These are widely prescribed synthetic T4 drugs.  The issue with both is that if you have a conversion problem to T3, these drugs won’t work!  Many people have T4 > T3 conversion issues.  In fact, the drugs increase something called Reverse T3, aka RT3 , for those with conversion issues… making symptoms even worse!  The other issue is that these pharmaceuticals contain fillers like soy or cornstarch, which tend to aggravate inflammation or even worse for people with allergies to these ingredients.

The Tests Needed for Thyroid Function and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Let’s get into what your doctor should test for.  Many endocrinologists, especially in the U.S., will not order these tests for you. Why?  They think its irrelevant plus insurance may not cover it.  They’ll have to explain to their hospital administration why they are ordering tests outside of normal protocol.

You have three options.  1) Demand it from your doctor.  If they still don’t budge, ask them to document in your file that they refuse to order these tests.  That should help.    2) Find an integrative or functional doctor who generally are much more aware of thyroid function, hormone production and how nutrition relates to all of it or 3) order them yourself from a private lab.  Send me a message if you want a list of private labs that do this.

Here are the tests you should be getting:

Free T4 (not Total T4)
Free T3 (not Total T3)
Reverse T3
TSH
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb)

I also test these levels:

Vitamin D, B12, folate, and ferritin/iron, C Reactive Protein

The most useful tests for diagnosing Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are thyroid antibody tests and thyroid ultrasounds.  I know this is going to sound counter intuitive but a small percentage of people have Hashimoto’s without elevated antibodies to reflect it.  That is why you need to have a thyroid ultrasound in conjunction with the tests, especially if you’re symptomatic.  It also will alert you to any thyroid nodules that are present and how far along tissue damage is.

I won’t quote specific numbers because every lab has their own ranges for these tests.  Make sure you fall within range, especially for the antibody tests.  As for T4 and T3, make sure you test Free T4 and Free T3 as opposed to Total T4 and Total T3 as the latter don’t reflect how your body is utilizing the hormone.  They bind to other proteins, which may paint an inflated picture of how much there is for your body to use.

 

So What Causes Hashimoto’s?  

There are a number of causes.  You might check off more than one on the list.  I checked off four or five.  The jury is still out on whether some of the items listed below are causes or byproducts of Hashimoto’s such as gluten sensitivity, Vitamin D deficiency and intestinal permeability.

how to cure hashimotos naturally

 

Now let’s get to the healing part!  

The products shown below are products I use everyday, have paid for myself and highly recommend.  None were given to me as part of any promotion.  As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases you make.

10 Steps What I did To Cure Hashimoto’s Naturally

Again, I am not a doc but here is exactly what I did to bring my Hashimoto’s into remission.  I’m going to repeat that it is very important to get a thyroid ultrasound in order to assess how far along thyroid tissue damage is.  If it is more than moderate damage, doing the following steps will help to a degree but you may need thyroid hormone to supplement these steps.

The other disclaimer I’m going to write is that Hashimoto’s is a result of years of system abuse whether from stress, diet and/or environment.  You must reset your body with a clean diet and a healthy environment regardless if the initial cause was poor diet or not.  Popping prescribed medication is not always the answer.  Many people have trouble comprehending that what you put into and on your body has a tremendous effect on immunity and overall health.  People are emotionally tied to their food and have been brainwashed for years that certain consumables are harmless and may actually be good for them.

So here it is:

1. You must eliminate inflammatory foods

Since you probably don’t know which food or combination of foods is contributing to your symptoms, an elimination diet is absolutely necessary.   Even eliminating foods that are otherwise healthy is necessary since certain components of them are leaking out from your gut and into your bloodstream, prompting autoimmune attacks.  I found relief after doing the AutoImmune Protocol (AIP), a style of eating attributed to scientist Loren Cordain, PhD who discovered that certain foods can sometimes trigger inflammation in people with autoimmune disease, for two months. Some people need 6 months on it.  It all depends on your body.  The diet eliminates gluten, dairy, soy, alcohol, caffeine, grains even wheat, rice and lentils, the nightshade family (which is actually a huge trigger for many surprisingly), nuts, eggs, shellfish, fried and/or processed foods and excess sugar.  Even more than a handful of fruit in a day is not recommended.

I can’t stress how important eliminating gluten is.  Via something called molecular mimicry, Gluten, as it leaks through the open barriers in your gut, can initiate an autoimmune attack on your thyroid since the protein portion of gluten, called gliadin, closely resembles thyroid tissue.  With Hashimoto’s, your body is attacking healthy thyroid tissue.  So, even if you are not someone whose ever suffered from celiac disease, you must eliminate gluten if you have Hashimoto”s.  Also, wheat is processed so weirdly these days and sprayed with pesticides that it’s not good for you.  

Soy is another big one.  The soy in our food is not the same soy that exists in Japan.  All soy in the United States is GMO soy.  There is a big difference between fermented and unfermented soy.  Avoid it at all costs.  It may be in your food, your supplements, sauces etc.  It’s completely toxic for your thyroid.  

AIP is much more comprehensive than a regular Paleo diet or even Whole30.   I know, it sounds tough but it is doable.  Small steps.  The AutoImmune Protocol is not really meant to be long term but some prefer to stick with it. You’ll feel so much better that you won’t even miss those foods that much.  It just won’t be worth the trouble of feeling sick and tired. As your gut heals, you can work back in some things…   probably not gluten and dairy.  Some items that are recommended on AIP may still bother you.  I had histamine intolerance alongside my Hashimoto’s so I couldn’t tolerate fermented foods like bone broth, sauerkraut, kimchi like foods.  Anything that was acetic or had vinegar was also a big no for me.  You’ll start knowing your body and what does and doesn’t work.

The other important thing to note with AIP is that it is not like the Atkins diet or Paleo, where you have a green light to consume a 300 gram (more than half a pound) of meat in one sitting.  Meat should take up a small portion of your plate, fresh vegetables the majority, some good fat and a very small amount of unrefined starch.  True, proteins from meat aide in healing and rebuilding but quantity and quality must be observed.  The meat should be organic, free range AND hormone free.  Ingesting meat from diseased and caged animals injected with hormones and antibiotics leads to inflammation in your body.  Same for farmed fish. I don’t eat it.  AND same principle for cow’s milk and why dairy is such an issue.

Get my Guide to the AutoImmune Protocol Now

Auto Immune Protocol Diet

Here are some suggestions.  Instead of soy sauce, which is not allowed on the AutoImmune Protocol, use this yummy soy free substitute. Or try this compliant coconut milk for amazing thai dishes and curries. Need a substitute for peanut butter? Use this nut free substitute instead.  Looking for a gluten free flour to thicken sauces and soups? Arrow root flour is the answer.  There’s plenty of choice out there.  Get motivated.

2. Avoid Heavy Exercise in the beginning

Many docs will tell you… you just need to do more exercise.  No.  For people with Hashimoto’s, intense exercise may be really bad.  It can cause swelling and a lot of water retention.  The reason intense workouts might not be the answer is because many people with Hashimoto’s suffer from adrenal fatigue.  Your cortisol production is unbalanced and your body needs rest when you have adrenal fatigue.

Sure, daily walks are fine and light weights for 10-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week is okay.  But I don’t suggest any more than that.  I made the mistake of partaking in heavy exercise before my wedding in 2016.  I was so bloated, you can clearly see the inflammation on my face in the photos.  And for years before that, I never understood why it took me three days to recover from a good run.  In mid 2017 when I finally started AIP, I waited 4 months before I even went to the gym.  Just lots of sleep, low stress and a very clean diet.  I could feel the transformation.  I started hitting the gym in January of ’18.  Over the course of two to three months, I took off 12lbs that had been plaguing me plus a whole lot of inflammation.  It looked like I had lost 20lbs.

Note:  If you are one of those people who must use thyroid hormone to supplement via Natural Desiccated Thyroid, proper adrenal function is one of the keys to the hormone working.  If your iron or cortisol is lacking, NDT will not work well for you.

3. Help Detox Your Liver Gently: No more plastics, teflon, fluoride and harmful beauty products

No bottled water, no plastic food storage, no foods wrapped in plastic at the market, no non stick pans.  Plastic and teflon are severe endocrine disruptors.  My husband couldn’t understand why I threw out all our plastic containers and non stick pans at first but it is necessary.  I only use glass storage containers.  My preferred cooking pans are those made from cast iron.  Even aluminum pans and foil can leach metal into your food at high temperatures contributing to heavy metal toxicity.  Teflon contains fluoride, another endocrine disruptor.  This is also why you should only drink non-fluoridated water and use non-fluoridated toothpaste. A good water filter can easily remove fluoride and you can find toothpaste without fluoride in many places or from Amazon.  The Berkey water filter system is the best system on the market to remove fluoride and heavy metals.

These steps will also help to lower the toxic burden on your liver. Liver health is essential to good thyroid function as up to 80% of inactive thyroid hormone is converted into its active form in the liver. People with Hashimoto’s can suffer from an impaired liver detox pathway. Help your liver by using natural products, reducing your environmental toxic exposure as much as possible and eating organic as much as possible.

Believe it or not, there are endocrine disruptors in pretty much every product we use for our hair and body unless explicitly mentioned.  Even perfumes can have a profound effect on well-being. Scented candles, body sprays, skin creams etc etc should be avoided.  Nail polish should be formaldehyde free.  And your deodorant absolutely aluminum free.  Clogged breast ducts leading to breast cancer from the use of antiperspirants with heavy metals is not a new phenomenon.

I threw all of this stuff out.  Not to mention, I save a ton of money now by not buying them and I’m helping my liver by reducing its toxic burder.  My skin has never been better.  All my moisturizers are gluten free and natural. The shampoos I use are paraben, phthalate and sulfate free.  The same goes for soaps.  Castile soap is wonderful.

These are the best products I’ve used for soap, lotion, shampoo, general beauty needs, fluoride free toothpaste and aluminum free deodorant.  I use them everyday. 

4. High quality supplements are key

If you have Hashimoto’s, you most likely have a permeable gut.  It it is unclear which comes first, intestinal permeability or autoimmune disease but they are highly correlated.  Even if you consume a healthy diet when you have an autoimmune disease, your body is not absorbing the nutrients it needs… because its literally leaking out of your intestines.  Hence the term leaky gut.  You need to supplement.  And all supplements are not created equal. But you should absolutely check that the supplements are gluten, dairy and soy free.  Many have fillers, which can make you feel worse.  Probiotics should have at least 40-50 billion strains, some will require refrigeration.  Check the label to see if refrigeration is required and whether the transporter ships with an ice pack.

The most important supplements for me were Vitamin D3, magnesium, B complex vitamins, Selenium and Zinc.  I also took a high quality probiotic for two months.  I felt the difference immediately after the supplements.   You’ll want methylated forms of your B Vitamins as some people don’t process them due to a genetic factor that many of us with Hashimoto’s have… called an MTHFR gene mutation.  It is important that you take these supplements at the right times of day with either water or food as recommended or in tandem with another vitamin for absorption.  If you are taking thyroid hormone, space your supplement consumption at least 3 hours away especially from iron, calcium and magnesium.

Vitamin D deficiency is inextricably linked with autoimmune disease, even some cancers and a host of other issues.  My level was at 16 when I was diagnosed.  I got it to 80 after five months by taking 8,000 units of D3 drops everyday.   Get your levels checked!

Magnesium and B vitamin blood tests can be misleading. It’s complex biochemistry that I won’t get into right now.  The point is you may still need to take supplements for them even if your tests come back in range.  You’ll probably read about people using a whole host of other supplements like glucosamine,  LDN, iron, etc etc.  I’ve listed the essential ones that I think every person with Hashimoto’s should take.  You can later determine what to add.

Best Thyroid Supplements on Amazon

Best Thyroid Supplements on Amazon

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5. Avoid Antibiotics and Over the Counter Drugs When You Can

Medications blow holes in your gut leading to intestinal permeability. It also lowers the amount of crucial good gut bacteria necessary to maintain healthy function in your body.  I was stuffed with antibiotics as a kid since my pediatrician would give me a round of antibiotics several times a winter every time I got a hefty cold.  This happened for years and honestly, I can’t imagine what the effects to my body were.  Ibuprofen does the same thing.  I lived on Advil in my 20s for both menstrual pain and hangovers.

I use natural remedies now if I get sick, which is rare. Instead of antibiotics, I take a teaspoon of Oil of Oregano diluted in water or a few drops mixed with olive oil, follow the instructions on yours as it is potent.  It will rid your body of anything bacterial.  Organic herbs like thyme, basil, oregano, ginger root, holy basil and curcumin and items like manuka honey and milk thistle will keep you healthy.  I didn’t believe all the natural mumbo jumbo in the beginning.  I was highly skeptical.  But after using them myself, I confirm that they worked for me.   The remedies listed don’t compromise your good gut bacteria either.  Remember, immunity lies within the gut.

Note:  Herbs and natural remedies can be more powerful than you think.  Check with a trusted resource before taking if you are pregnant.  Some herbs may have natural abortive effects or stimulate pre labor.

6. Embrace Water and Hot Liquids

You have to drink a good amount of water everyday.  I do 2 liters in cold weather, more in warm weather.   It’s the best way to flush your system and keep things moving.  Warm/hot liquids are even better, I don’t mean coffee or caffeinated tea. It aides digestion, kills bacteria and helps with constipation.  Cold liquids and foods can actually inhibit bowel movements. I drink hot water with gluten free, low sodium broth cubes throughout the day or a detox, non caffeinated tea like chamomile with lavender or fennel with ginger.

Bone broth is highly recommended for people doing AIP or who have Hashimoto’s.  I found it a pain to make between sourcing the right bones and it taking 18-24 hours on the stove etc.  It also didn’t have the same therapeutic affects for me but many people swear by it in the groups and forums I’m part of.   Companies sell and deliver it too, especially in the U.S., so you can avoid the hassle of long hours at the stove.  Whether its bullion cubes, teas or bone broth… start incorporating hot liquids into your daily routine.

7. Sleep and DESTRESS 

I can’t tell you how important this one is. I made it a mission to get at least 8 hours of sleep.  The regenerative effects of good sleep are unmatched.  You feel better, you think better and you eat better when you’re well rested.  Sleep also affects cortisol production, which has a big impact on your adrenal health.

As for stress, you know what causes you stress so I’ll let you figure it out.  But sometimes you just have to say goodbye to people and situations that cause you stress. I did.  A lot of it is also about controlling your thoughts, reactions and perspective.  Negative or perfectionist thinking is just as toxic as external stress.  Deep breathing, yoga and meditation are wonderful tools that can help reduce stress levels considerably.  I also breathed in lavender essential oil or put a couple of drops on my pillow at bedtime whenever I felt stressed.  Again, quality essential oil is paramount.

 

8. Avoid Iodine and adaptogenic herbs 

Iodine can help a ton for people with hypothyroidism but it’s not for people with Hashimoto’s.  There is a difference.  Not all people with hypothyroidism have autoimmune issues.  Iodine, as well as ashwagandha (an adaptogenic herb) can actually stimulate immune responses.  Some will tell you they are necessary, others will say stay away.  I did not go near either.  I also avoided green tea.  Not everything deemed “healthy” is good for you when you have Hashimoto’s.

9. Pink Himalayan Salt

As I said above, I never went near table salt again due to iodine content.  Good quality pink salt regulates blood pressure and is overall better for you. Pink Himalayan salt also plays a key in helping to restore adrenal health.  Drink a glass of warm water with pink himalayan salt, a bit of citrus and a teaspoon of cream of tartar in the morning.  Adrenal fatigue is common for people with Hashimoto’s and is necessary to overcome in order to fully heal.  Thyroid medications don’t work well if your cortisol production is off.  Get vertigo or feel dizzy?? have anxiety? crave salt?  It might be your adrenals, which are taxed.  Get a saliva test to confirm.  Blood tests are not so accurate.

 

10. Fix Your Gut Health

All of the above can help alleviate symptoms but you must address long term health by fixing your gut health. The thyroid-gut connection is real and proven. Restoring balance to your gut microbiota is the key to long lasting symptom relief from thyroid disease. Everything is connected. 20% of thyroid hormone is converted into its active and usable form in the gastrointestinal tract. Fixing your gut health naturally is a strategic undertaking. Flooding your system with probiotics from the beginning is really not the answer. First, your body must be primed and prepped to make use of probiotics and other gut healing supplements. My Thyroid Gut Online Course can help you.

 

Fix Your Gut Health Naturally

 

A Word of Advice on How To Approach A Cleanse from Toxic food and Chemicals

If all of this seems really drastic, maybe it is.  But so is your body attacking its own tissue.  That is drastic and not okay.  I would suggest doing everything in steps.  I started with the AutoImmune Protocol (AIP) and getting the right supplements at first and then moved on.

The first week I gave up gluten, the second week I gave up dairy, third was coffee and alcohol (that was a tough week) and so on.  I was then strict for another month and maintained the full elimination, not even eggs.  The following month I looked into eliminating plastics, soaps, shampoo and household cleaners that contained a large portion of unnatural ingredients.  I can’t tell you how well vinegar, tea tree oil and eco-friendly products clean your home and clothes.   The next month, I got a great water filter and cast iron pans.

It took about three or four months, but it all became second nature and my new norm.  It honestly wasn’t that difficult.  Now, I have a lot of my favorite things again in moderation… eggs, wine, chocolate, coffee but again no gluten and very limited dairy.  My antibody tests are in range and I feel like I have all my energy back.  See what works for you.  You might find that dairy and alcohol are an absolute no, but nightshades (peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant) are okay.  I don’t handle nightshades well by the way.  Everyone’s body is different.

I promise you that you’ll be extremely in tune with your body after this process.  You’ll know immediately when something doesn’t suit you.  It’ll pop up in the form of a headache, swollen ankles or maybe joint paint.  Maybe you won’t be able to poo.  In the end, you’ll be better informed and hopefully healthier, like me.

Please contact me directly via email for any comments or questions. I had to delete over 100 responses to this article in the comments below because sensitive personal health information was being disclosed.


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The Travel Captain, Hashimoto's Disease

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Since writing about my experience with Hashimoto’s disease, over 300,000 of you have read my articles related to the topic. Many have reached out to me for further information and advice. It propelled me to pursue my certification in Integrative Health and Nutrition.  If you would like help with autoimmune/chronic disease or to hear more about how I put Hashimoto’s into remission, I offer one to one virtual sessions and programs.  Here is the link to my one month recovery program on my new site, Integrative Thyroid, a site dedicated solely to thyroid and immune health.

 

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34 comments

Penni Fegler April 23, 2023 - 7:05 pm

Thank you – thank you – you give me hope. I’m on 165 mg. Levithyroxine and 20mg. Leotheonine and it is doing nothing.

Reply
The Travel Captain April 25, 2023 - 1:19 pm

Hi Penni, I’m always a big fan of making dietary and lifestyle changes… that is where I saw the most improvement on my own journey.

Reply
Barbara March 30, 2023 - 1:30 pm

I am writing you because I have found I am sensitive to supplements. In my research I have learned that most
tablets whether drugs or vitamins have come in contact with polyethylene glycol. I am highly allergic to this ingredient. This product leaves me with a digging itch problem. The more I scratch the worse the itch gets. Many times my skin is bleeding before I get done itching. My goal now is to use food as my medicine. I do not want to rely on vitamins tables etc. if possible.

Reply
The Travel Captain April 25, 2023 - 1:24 pm

I’m sorry… that sounds very frustrating. im glad that you were able to pinpoint the source. finding supplements free of problematic fillers can be a mission. I myself found that I was sensitive to supplements and then I did a gentle detoxifying liver program and that helped tremendously, turns out my liver was overburdened and even helpful and necessary supplements were causing angst.

Reply
Evie Joy November 20, 2021 - 12:05 am

Thank you for this article, it is a great resource! I have been forwarding to my friends and family, and I plan to book a session with you soon, once I get myself more organized, and get my labs back!

Reply
The Travel Captain November 23, 2021 - 2:45 pm

I’m so glad it was helpful for you! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]

Reply
Tito October 23, 2021 - 1:25 am

Dear Travel Captain,

After you did all this, did you still take thyroid hormone t4 or you can leave without it?

I already got rid of gluten, soy, fluor and most of the stuff you speak about, but i am a vegetarian.

How to achieve all the daily doses of nutrients while doing AIP or a diet in which you remove beans, eggs, lentils etc.

I suplement with b12, vitamin D, magnesium, i eat brasilian nuts for selenium.

Let me know if i am going in the right path 🙂

Reply
The Travel Captain October 24, 2021 - 5:40 pm

Hi Tito, I did all this without medication but only made that decision once my thyroid ultrasound revealed that there was still enough healthy tissue. Everyone’s body is different, but my Hashimoto’s became much worse when I became vegetarian for a year. With regards to AIP, it really cant be done as a vegetarian in my opinion. The proteins and amino acids are what help us heal. Nuts can irritate the gut too so I chose to get selenium from a supplement when I was doing AIP as nuts are restricted. Supplements are important. Make sure they are free of fillers and I took a methylated B complex vitamin, not just B12.

Reply
Maria September 29, 2021 - 8:01 pm

OMG! Everything that you have covered in this article is what I have been going through. I went to an endocrinologist that did request the majority of the tests you listed. I am going to attempt following your guidelines and hopefully will bring my system back to some type of normalcy. I also liked your Facebook page so I may follow. Thank you so much!

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The Travel Captain September 30, 2021 - 10:52 am

Hi Maria, Im so glad the article is helpful for you. I have created a new website and fb page dedicated solely to thyroid health. By purchasing the AIP Guide, your name went on the new list so you will receive helpful follow up info in relation to AIP in the coming days. Also the new fb page is here https://www.facebook.com/integrativethyroid … there is a ton of resourceful information for thyroid health there as well. Please keep me posted on how you’re doing. Thanks for taking the time to leave me your feedback <3

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Rosa Walker April 14, 2022 - 4:13 pm

Thank you for such an informative and helpful article. Huge help!

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The Travel Captain June 14, 2022 - 10:37 pm

Appreciate the feedback, glad it was helpful

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Luann Cahall September 26, 2021 - 2:01 pm

Can hoshimotos cause anxiety and depression?

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The Travel Captain September 26, 2021 - 7:34 pm

In my own personal experience, I suffered with social anxiety. I thought is was an incurable disease but turns out addressing nutrient deficiencies and fixing diet not only made it go away but completely resolved other symptoms that mimic depression such as fatigue and brain fog. There is a whole new field of science related to nutrition and mental health. Turns out many who are gluten sensitive suffer from depressive like symptoms.

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Julie August 14, 2021 - 11:03 pm

So what do you eat, when allergic to meat….? My body doesn’t produce the enzymes to digest meat. So it reacts like I have the worst worst case of food poisoning. For some reason store bought eggs make me sick, if I eat more than 2. But home raised, don’t bother me. Dairy products don’t bother me much, but soy milk, and only certain soy products, do. My mother developed Graves disease and went whole plant based. It has been very hard for her to stick to it, especially when she travels. It has helped a little, but once the stress started again, she has more symptoms and weight gain. I have always been heavy, and don’t want to pass it along to my daughter.

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The Travel Captain August 16, 2021 - 11:42 am

I am not a doctor but it sounds like you’re not digesting meat properly which can indicate low stomach acid. A digestive enzyme may be very helpful. Betaine with pepsin for example. I myself don’t eat store bought eggs, only farm raised. Dairy can be very problematic as well as soy and nut milks. My autoimmune conditions spiraled out of control when I became a vegetarian. If meat is not something you like, drinking bone broth and taking hydrolyzed beef protein powder such as Collagen Peptides by Vital Protein can be beneficial. here is the link on Amazon to it https://amzn.to/3yRXfpQ

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Jackie July 6, 2021 - 4:36 pm

Help!

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The Travel Captain July 8, 2021 - 12:27 pm

Please send me an email at [email protected]

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Safiya July 5, 2021 - 9:59 pm

Thank you for such an awesome article on Hashimotos

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The Travel Captain July 8, 2021 - 12:26 pm

You’re welcome, appreciate the feedback.

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Sherry June 6, 2021 - 2:20 am

Thanks! Looking forward to help!

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The Travel Captain July 12, 2021 - 8:06 pm

Please send me an email at [email protected] if you need additional info.

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Lucille March 18, 2021 - 7:53 pm

Love this article on Hashimoto’s!

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The Travel Captain March 18, 2021 - 8:21 pm

Thank you!

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Debbie Smith February 9, 2021 - 10:42 pm

Hi I have no thyroid due to the hospital killing it off. Will your advice help me

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The Travel Captain February 11, 2021 - 7:51 pm

Hi Debbie, I truly believe an anti inflammatory diet plus reducing toxic exposure can be beneficial for everyone. The body has a remarkable capacity to heal when given the chance.

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Anonymous January 28, 2021 - 1:06 pm

Hi. Why does hashimoto symptoms persist even when taking medication?

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The Travel Captain January 28, 2021 - 7:51 pm

I am not a doctor but finding the right medication can be an investigative endeavor. Some T4 only medications contain fillers which are allergenic to people with Hashimoto’s, sometimes people can’t convert the T4 into T3, the active form of thyroid hormone. A lot of times people believe a pill is going to solve everything when in fact lifestyle modifications should be made in conjunction.

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Gina VanBeck January 3, 2021 - 8:28 am

I have been told that everything is fine with my thyroid for years and years and years. I am now 61 and I have multiple 3.5 cm covering my whole thyroid. But my TSH is normal range. I’ve change my diet to gluten-free now I have to get rid of dairy and some other things that you mentioned not to take. I drink clean water and I’ve gone to intermittent fasting and keto at the moment and have lost 26 pounds. But my thyroid is huge I have a goiter and sometimes It’s uncomfortable and feels like I can’t breathe or swallow. My endocrinologist said just let it go until it needs to be removed! Unacceptable! I don’t want to lose my thyroid but I’m afraid that it has gone on far too long and I may need to have a partial thyroidectomy. I will talk to my endocrinologist about the test that you mentioned in your article. Thank you so much

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The Travel Captain January 4, 2021 - 9:44 am

Hi Gina, Thanks for reaching out. It sounds you’ve made huge strides on the dietary and nutritional front – Congratulations! I would definitely ask your doctor for a full thyroid panel as you mentioned and see how thyroid antibody levels come back. There is a theory that goiters can be the result of estrogen dominance where your body does not allow the release of thyroid hormone and it builds up in the thyroid causing goiters and/or nodules etc. may be worth looking into. HRT or birth control pills, synthetic estrogens, xenoestrogens can all wreak havoc on our thyroid.

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Jade February 28, 2021 - 8:52 pm

Hi There

You may want to look into Homeopathy and find a homeopath near you to work with your symptoms.

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The Travel Captain March 2, 2021 - 11:03 am

Hi Jade, Myself and many clients of mine have gone to Naturopaths. I am not opposed to it but one huge problem is that naturopaths tend to throw about 50 supplements at you at one time. I dont fine this productive, especially if someone has not done the work with first addressing an overburdened liver. Supplements need to be timed and phased in accordingly depending on each person. If you have fatty liver or estrogen dominance, a common issue… taking handfuls and handfuls of supplements from the beginning is not productive.

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Ann Doell, RN September 30, 2020 - 8:17 am

There is no such thing as a “Thyroid Replacement Surgery”. There are, however, thyroid replacement medications. I have taken them for years and am looking for a cure for Hashimotos. That is how I found your website. Thank you for sharing your story.

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The Travel Captain September 30, 2020 - 8:45 am

It is meant to read Thyroidectomy, partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland. As for thyroid hormone, if what you meant by thyroid replacement medications, is not helping… perhaps an alternative (different brand or form) could help as well as making the other lifestyle/dietary changes outlined here to help put Hashimoto’s into remission. Thanks for stopping by, appreciate it.

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