When using natural treatment methods for Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, you may wonder if such a treatment protocol can actually cure your condition, or will it just put it into a state of remission. Some people think of natural treatment methods as a “natural way” of managing the symptoms, and not actually doing anything for the disorder itself. I can tell you from experience that a genuine natural treatment protocol should do more than cover up the symptoms.
But as for whether natural treatment methods can actually cure an autoimmune thyroid condition, you first must understand what the difference is between a cure and a state of remission. Most of us are familiar with cancer being in remission, and we understand cancer in remission as not actually being cured, but is under control and in a “hidden” state. In other words, someone who is in remission from a certain type of cancer still supposedly has the cancer, but the disease is not in its active form.
This situation actually applies to a friend of mine, who was diagnosed with a form of leukemia a number of years ago. He took a new type of medication, and it not only controlled his symptoms, but over the last few years his leukemia has no longer been detectable on the blood tests. Although the doctors won’t label him as being cured, he has been told that he is in a state of remission. To put it another way, if he were to walk into another doctor’s office who didn’t know he was diagnosed with leukemia, they most likely wouldn’t be able to tell he had such a condition, as all of the tests would come out negative.
Let’s look at another example. When someone has low back pain due to a pinched nerve and gets the problem resolved by a chiropractor, is that person cured? Obviously this depends upon a number of different factors. But even if they are in fact “cured”, one can’t argue that this person can have a “relapse” if they do the same things which originally caused the pinched nerve in the first place. So if the pinched nerve was caused by lifting something heavy combined with poor lifting techniques, there is a good chance the low back condition will “flare up” again if the person were to go back to this way of lifting.
When you think about it then, a cure really isn’t too much different from a state of remission. I’m not suggesting that there aren’t conditions that can’t be completely cured. But the fact is that most conditions have a cause, and this includes cancer, diabetes, neck and back pain, digestive problems, migraines, autoimmune thyroid disorders, etc.
How about genetics? Genetics no doubt is a factor, but many times these conditions are caused by external factors. While genetics may make someone more susceptible to getting these conditions, often times these conditions can be prevented. After all, twin studies show that if one identical twin has an autoimmune condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the other twin only has a 30% chance of developing the same condition, even though they both have the same genetic markers for the condition. However, when someone with one of these conditions is “cured” or goes into a state of remission, if they continue to live the same lifestyle they did before the condition originally developed, then there is an excellent chance that a relapse will occur.
I personally believe that if I lived the lifestyle that I do now I could have prevented Graves’ Disease from developing. And while I would like to think that my condition is permanently cured, I believe if I went back to my previous lifestyle that there is a decent chance it would return. So when someone asks me if natural treatment methods can permanently cure Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the answer is not so simple.
Assuming the person with an autoimmune thyroid disorder is a candidate for natural treatment methods and it helps restore their health back to normal, if they go back to their previous lifestyle then there is a chance it will return. This isn’t a guarantee, but I’d hate to deceive anybody and tell them that natural treatment methods will permanently cure their condition, because if you don’t maintain your health, then over time there is a good chance that the same factor, or perhaps a different factor will trigger the autoimmune response and cause a relapse to occur. Or sometimes the same disorder won’t return, but the person will develop another chronic health condition.
I’m starting to sound like a broken record, and so I’ll wrap this up by saying that for many people, natural treatment methods can completely restore their health back to normal, and these people can MAINTAIN their state of health thereafter if they are willing to change their lifestyle while on the protocol, as well as after the protocol is completed. This doesn’t mean you will need to live a perfect lifestyle, but you will need to continue to take responsibility for your health. If you’re willing to do this then there is an excellent chance that you can restore your health back to normal and put your condition into a permanent state of remission.
Hi Dr. Eric.
I live in NW Ohio and was curious how someone out of state can work with you.
I have Hashimotos and have been on Levothyroxine for one year.
All of your articals have given me hope! I have enjoyed them!
Jessica Hunt
age 36
Jswhunt@yahoo.com
Hi Jessica,
I’m glad you have enjoyed the articles. You can contact my assistant Cindy at Cindy@NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com if you’re interested in scheduling a consultation.
Hi
for the first time in 3 years I have hope. I have Hyperthyroid just come back after 18 months, I have been offered 2 options, destroy my thyroid with RAI or have it removed neither of which are an option for me. I do not suppose you have any contacts in the UK. I live in Nottingham England and am worried about finding the right person.
Thank you
Elayne
Hi Elayne,
Unfortunately I don’t know of any natural endocrine doctors in the UK, but I would try contacting some of the local chiropractors and naturopathic doctors to see if any of them focus on endocrine disorders. If not then you might need to consult with someone remotely. But I first would try contacting as many holistic doctors as possible.
Try to rehabilitate your thyroid reading and putting in practice the next 3 books:
1. Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America’s #1 Drug Paperback – December 1, 1998 – by Stephen Cherniske (Author)
2. The Cortisol Connection: Why Stress Makes You Fat and Ruins Your Health And What You Can Do About It – by Shawn Talbott (Author), William Kraemer (Foreword) – Paperback – June 14, 2007
3.The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution: A Proven 4-Week Program to Rescue Your Metabolism, Hormones, Mind & Mood Hardcover – January 31, 2017 – by Aviva Romm
They can be found on http://www.amazon.co.uk. There is a strong link between your adrenals and your thyroid…
Good luck!
Hello:
After months of test after test I have been diagnosed with Grave’s disease with goiter. It seems to me now that I know my anxiety disorders and all the other problematic symptoms I have experienced, that I have had this for many years. Can someone who has had this disease for a very long time with no treatment what so ever, have a chance for remission naturally? I do not want my thyroid removed or destroyed. I am an anxious person anyway and now worry can this actually kill me if I do nothing other than try a natural type treatment?
Hi Dr. Eric,
Your article has given me hope to cure my graves disease with a goiter. I am on medication for my disease and I would like to go on natural way to improve the condition. I would be grateful if you could specify the types of fruits suitable to be eaten for graves disease as I am a vegetarian and a fruit lover, too.
Hi Dr. Eric,
I have enjoying your blog and your webexs. I’m wondering if the naturopath way can help me… I was diagnosed with Hoshimoto’s in 1998 at 17. It started with my pediatrician feeling a lump… After all the tests and a FNA that was “abnormal”, it was a large warm/hot nodule. They opted to operate. Had a full right and partial left (there are multiple small nodules on the left). I had no meds until 2010 when I finally went hypothyroid and started synthroid. I was pregnant for 17 weeks before mid carrying last year (went to up my dose immediately and got it in check – 1.87 by week 12). I was good post partum until Aug when I jumped to TSH of 6, then down to 0.01 with a new nodule in Nov. the biopsy was abnormal again, and as of 2 weeks ago my blood work is still 0.01 TSH.
My endo thinks having the rest of it out is the best thing for me. Been trying for 6 months to get pregnant again, and it’s not happening. I have a lot of hair loss, heart palpitations, increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, digestive issues, shortened cycles, anxiety- not fun! I eat very well- low junk, lots of fruits and veggies, non-GMO and good non-hormone meats, no caffeine for 5 months, organic everything from Whole Foods, take prenatal vitamins with DHA every day and work out 3-4 times a week.
I read about post partum thyroiditis, but I guess that’s irrelevant with Hoshimoto’s. I did have an episode in 2007 when my endo found this nodule flaring up back then, and he did RAI , and my 0.01 TSH at the time went up above 1 (and kept going until I was hypo in 2010)….
Would natural changes help in this specific situation, or is surgery best in my case.
Thank you,
Tracy
Hi Dr. Eric,
I (51 year old mom of 7) had tests (with my chiropractor) done about 8 weeks ago, thyroid tests were terrible, but not antibodies, went on all Biotics recommendations, including diet restrictions, for hyperthyroid plus a few other issues. They were major amounts lithium, thymus gland, calmag, vit. A, etc. 6 weeks later had tests again, all other systems were better (liver, kidneys, urine), T4 T3 were all worse. I take no meds, eat a very healthy diet (have not gluten for 5 years), especially since finding this problem. They recommended a parathyroid test because the phosphorus was a little high the first time. So the results were PTH 10 and the calcium 10.1. I am very discouraged. My tsh is unmeasurable and the T4 and T3 were something like twice the highest number of normal. Am I a candidate to continue a natural approach. I took notice of what you took and am considering getting those herbs. However, how would I know how much to take?
Thanks for your time,
Mary
thank you so much dr. eric.God bless you more and your family
Hi Dr. Eric,
I live in Los Angeles, California. I’ve looking for a natural endocrine doctor but I couldn’t find any around my area, I’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroid , the tsh is 18.01 H, T4 3.6L, and T3 in range, I’ve been doing exercise for almost a year, I lost 35 pounds ( went to 175-140 ) I don’t have any symptoms the reason I went to the doctor was because i felt my tongue dry, more like when you burn you tongue, so they order the blood test. I’m not taking any kind of medicine now I’m just keep looking for a natural alternative, my question is: Is there a doctor here in L.A that you recommend that uses the natural protocol that you mention ? or another natural practitioner that can help me?
I’d appreciate your help. thank you
Hi Sofia
I don’t know of any natural healthcare professionals in Louisiana who focus on endocrine conditions, and so I would contact some of the local chiropractors and naturopaths and see if any of them have experience dealing with thyroid/autoimmune thyroid conditions.
Hi Dr. Eric
Thank you very much for enlightening articles
One month back I went for Thyroid function test
T3, T4 and TSH in my blood sample were 4.42, 25.30 and 0.05
I met allopathic Endocrinologists in Mysore,India who diagnosed Graves Diseases and recommended to take Methimazole 20mg for two months
Now I am taking the medicine
Can you suggest me some natural endocrinologists in around Bangalore (India)
If not suggest me some ways to overcome thyroid autoimmune disorder
I am pure vegetarian
Thanking you
Hi Ramakrishna,
Unfortunately I don’t know of any natural endocrinologists in India. As for ways to overcome an autoimmune thyroid condition, you of course need to eat well, should consider a gluten free trial. Stress management is very important, as is minimizing one’s exposure to toxins. The key is to find out what’s triggering the autoimmune response, and then restore the health of the immune system, along with compromised areas of the body. If you haven’t attended one of my free webinars on hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease I would definitely recommend doing so, as I think you will find the information to be helpful.
Dear Dr. Eric,
I have recently been reading your articles in the hope of getting some help with my Hashimotos symptoms. I decided to try out a gluten free diet and see how I respond, but its difficult to work out. How do I really know if this is working for me? I don’t feel noticably better. Ive only been going 3 weeks. Im 39 years old and have been diagnosed with Hashimotos for 5 years and have been on Thyroxine for 2 years. Im an Australian living in Italy.
Hi Karen,
This is a common question people ask, as it can be a challenge to tell if someone is sensitive to gluten, and thus if they are benefiting from going gluten free. One can of course test for a gluten sensitivity issue, but the testing isn’t completely reliable. However, keep in mind that avoiding gluten alone frequently isn’t enough to restore the health of someone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. While some people notice a dramatic improvement in their condition when avoiding gluten, there are other factors which can trigger an autoimmune response. This is why I recommend working with a natural healthcare professional, as it can be challenging to detect and then remove the trigger.
Dr. Eric, you wrote: ” While some people notice a dramatic improvement in their condition when avoiding gluten, there are other factors which can trigger an autoimmune response. This is why I recommend working with a natural healthcare professional, as it can be challenging to detect and then remove the trigger.”
Do you have an article that covers triggers other than gluten that you have encountered? If not an article on this topic would be of interest:)
Thank you,
Tracy
Hi Tracy,
Here is an article I have written on some of the different “thyroid triggers”. I also conduct webinars for both Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s where I discuss some of the triggers for these conditions. I actually have a couple of webinars this week on Graves’ Disease triggers.
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/archives/the-challenge-of-finding-the-thyroid-triggers/
Dr. Eric, so glad following your programmes and articles. I tried registering for the Graves Disease prgramme with your assistant, CINDY (cindy@naturalendocrinesolutions.com) for the recorded programme. but my email was rejected by the MAILER for reason that your address was not available.
I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease for the past six months and has been on CARBIMAZOLE and propranolol all this while. I have enlargement of my thyroid gland and keeps enlarging despite the medication.
I have difficulty sleeping at nights and severe pains in my joints, bones and loss of much concentration – forgetfulness.
Pls I would like you to be my consultant and have my Graves Disease treated the natural way.
I live in Ghana. Pls what do I do? Is there any kinds of foods I should avoid and also those I should eat.
Pls I need your help.
Thanks
Martha
Hi Martha,
I’m sorry your email bounced back. I went ahead and told Cindy to email you the webinar you need to watch to join the program. If for any reason you don’t receive it please let me know. I’m guessing that the webinar will answer many of the questions you have.
Hello. I am a 38b year-old woman.I suffer from Graves for more than 1 year. Recently, I got exophtalmos which is worse in my left eye. It is mild, but noticeable! I want to know that with curing my disease by natural health treatment, is it possible to cure my eye condition?
It is worth considering that I take 1 methymasole once a day. Also, I am under homeopathy therapy for nearly 2 weeks! Moreover, I started to change my lifestyle including avoiding stressful conditions, consume more fruits and vegetables, avoiding salt in food…
My eye condition, concerns me greatly.
Sincerely yours, Narges
Hi Narges,
It definitely is possible to reverse thyroid eye disease, and I have written a few articles on this. This is caused by the TSI antibodies attacking the tissues of the eye, and so the goal is to suppress the autoimmune component of the condition. That’s great about the homeopathy, and I’m glad to hear that you have made some wonderful changes to your diet and lifestyle.
I have been suffering wiyh this disease for over 22 years. Ju st this last year I have been diagnosed with autoimmune. Any help would help
Hi Latanya,
I definitely would start with diet, as you want to make sure you’re eating mostly whole foods, avoiding the refined foods and sugars, etc. I would also avoid common allergens such as gluten and dairy. Stress management is essential, and you want to minimize your exposure to toxins. It usually is a good idea to work with a natural healthcare professional who will try to find and remove the autoimmune trigger, as this is very difficult to do on your own.
Hi Dr Eric, I love your articles and I am wondering if it possible to do consultations at a distance? I am a Scot living in France and I cannot find a naturopath doctor/chiropractor who is used to treating Hashimotos. Would this be possible? Many thanks for all your work. Best wishes, Lorraine.
Hi Lorraine,
I do conduct remote consultations with people who live overseas. I require people to first attend one of my live webinars on thyroid health, or watch a recorded presentation. There will be a live webinar on hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s in early December. Or you can contact my assistant Cindy (cindy@naturalendocrinesolutions.com) and she’ll send you a recorded webinar presentation.
As I look back to my teenage years , I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and that was nearly 40 years ago. I’ve been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s disease, Epstein Barr syndrome, Vitiligo and Herpes. I really need help urgently because my Thyroid issues have been causing my Heart to race over 200 bpm. Please educate me, I’m afraid that my problem has started to take a turn for the worse.
Hi Guy,
I would recommend attending one of my free webinars on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. However, if you have a high resting pulse rate then it sounds like something else is going on, and you might also have the antibodies to Graves’ Disease. In addition to attending a live webinar or requesting a recorded presentation, you also might want to consider consulting with a natural healthcare professional to help determine the underlying cause of your condition.
I am very impressed after reading the 55 pages Guide from Dr Eric. It all makes a
lot of sense. The only problem that I find when I read the Guide is that
it is impossible to find an specialist I can trust. Since 1965, I have been visiting doctors in Spain, UK and Australia for my autoimmune condition without success. Even after I had an Addison’s crisis almost
a year ago, the 7 doctors I have seen are only playing games trying to
confuse me, not being upfront, allowing me to talk about a time, 51 years ago I was treated for my adrenals when pregnant. In spite of having been certified Addison’s sufferer on the 15th June 2105, no doctor wants to prescribe me Hydrocortisone. My partner who also has Addison’s (secondary in his case is refuses tests to diagnose him). We
cannot make progress. Doctors, naturopaths, functional doctors are all
in the health business to make money and to ensure they send us to hospitals/nursing homes/care as soon as they can manage to do that. They
‘feel’ I am not going to believe in their scapegoats, manipulative methods, pretending they know a lot. They do not let me talk, they blame
me for having ‘googled’ information, using Internet. I’d would have been
dead for years now if I had not done that. The best think to do is to
follow Dr Eric’s advice DIET is the best we can do to change the life of
our beloved intestines following the Paleo Diet, keeping away from chemicals, insecticides, taking prebiotic/probiotic foods. Every doctor,
every naturopath has its agenda and keeping the Patient First does not
exist. That is my opinion.
Hi there
I agree wholeheartedly. I have been searching ”natural’ help for years and no one wants to take me on through some fear that as I am very poorly and getting on a bit, they either decline to treat or want a certificate from the ordinary doctors to say that I am safe to treat.!!! Insurances etc not compassion and dedication to their healing profession. It’s all about the money and self.
Dr. Eric,
I have had radioactive iodine treatment which took my symptoms from hyper to hypo. However, I was able to be off the medicine (now I know I was in remission) for several years. I am now back on thyroid medication and going through menopause. As you know, the symptoms mirror each other so it took a while before my doctor believed me when I told her I needed to be back on the medication. I am now losing my hair. I really want to begin a natural remedy for my condition. Am I a good candidate?
Wonderful resources here, Dr. Eric — and certainly a lot of hope to find a way to a cure/remission. I’m just digging into your resources and know that you have recommendations for how to proceed and what guidance to seek (natural endocrine specialist, etc.). So my question is more of follow up question to this particular post’s main point — assuming you get to a state of remission, and gluten was the contributing factor, it seems only sensible that maintaining a low or no gluten lifestyle post remission would be wise. But assuming Celiac’s Disease is not an issue, do you have to be hypervigilant of gluten for the balance of your life? Or is a cheat every now and again OK? Or at least not worrying about things like if a separate fryer is used for French fries and breaded chicken tenders, etc.?
Thanks again for your work on this. Starting to dig into your book, and your free guide was great!
Mark
I feel like the information you are providing is more than what I am able to receive here in Northeast Ohio. I was told I have Hashimotos and after a year of treatment, thought I would have seen more improvements. What can I do to become a patient of yours and begin a treatment plan that will uncover the cause of my problem? I am ready to begin. Thank you!
Anne O’Donnell
440-339-4938
anneodonnell41@yahoo.com
I am suffering from hyperthyroidism.It is known only a month ago. My encro said me that I have to wait and see for two months. It is scanned. She said it is an infectious. Can I come back in peoper condition by natural therapy. Please, write me the way.
Thanks
Nepal
Interested in your material dealing with severe hypothyroid and adrenal fatigue. Very concerned about dealing with someone who is knowledgeable and honest. I avoid wheat dairy etc. What do you recommend for healing the gut?
Thankyou
Dear Dr. Eric,
I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism this month. I am currently taking medicine and have been feeling a lot better. I really don’t want to depend on pills for this for the rest of my life. My doctor strongly suggests the radio active iodine but I truly believe this is an opportunity for me to learn about natural and alternative healing methods. I’d love to know how to start as soon as possible.
Kind regards
Mariana
thnk u for the info Dr.! Godbless
Hi Dr. Eric,
I had Multinodular goiter and was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism disease three months ago. I was taking Methimazole 30mg once a day and propranolol 20mg three times a day. I felt fine. I had recent blood test. My endocrinologist told me my TSH is now 2.400 and my T3 is 74.5 and T4 is 0.884. She said my TSH is normal and told me to take one Methimazole 10mg. One thing, I don’t understand that she never tell me that my T3 and T4 is low and my liver level is little high. She never tested whether I’m positive for graves and if I have autoimmune disease. I’m so confuse. I’m not sure what to do and I’m afraid to get eye disease and hurt my liver in the future.
Hello Dr. Eric,
It’s refreshing to see you make a distinction between the term cure to remission. Too often, I come across an article or personal successes story where the writer declares a cure. A cure in my opinion is only when one stop using a prescribed medicine over a long period of time without ill effect; I also understand the difference when the Dr declars “you are balanced” when they should strive to treat the patient to a point where his Thyroid hormones levels are optimized, which is quit different. Also, it wasn’t clear from your article either if a “cure” can be achieved and I would like for you to clarify it. I have Hashimoto which is managed with synthroid & cynomel on one hand and ketogenic diet on the other hand and like you and many sufferers would like to say good by to medication and the stress related to being dependent upon it. Additionally, I would love to see an article addressing other foods then goitrogens (nightshades) and spices. Many experts recommend for instance to stay clear of chili powders, sweet peppers, fenugreek, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, cumin seeds (a favorite),Radish, Turnip, asparagus, greens like Arugula and dandelion that are often in baby mixed greens, papaya and many more.
Now that I’m replying I see that this article is fairly old. However, I hope to hear from you, consider you mailed me this newsletter last night (30/12/17). Thanks!
Hi there, thanks for the great article. I have a question I’m hoping you might
be able to answer. I was wondering, What’s the difference between general
anxiety and social anxiety? My doctor told me I may suffer from anxiety but I don’t know which…
I would appreciate any insight you can provide.
Thank you for your blogg. I have been on gluten free diet for 18months and just after 6months my TSH and FT4 FT3 restored
to normal. Endocrinologists can’t believe this as I have been askim them (multiple individuals) for 7 years about natural diet methods and multiple doctors said: nope, it’s genetic or other unknown
factors… My antibodies are still high, hoping they will restore to normal as well.
Hi Kinga,
Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone, as I’m glad that your TSH and thyroid hormones look good, although I’d continue to do things to improve your immune system health so that the antibodies will decrease, and hopefully normalize. It’s not surprising that your endocrinologist doesn’t believe that improving your diet and other lifestyle factors will help with your condition, as most of them don’t have any faith in natural treatment methods.
Dear Dr Eric
My son is diagnosed with Euthyroid. He is a commercial airline pilot. The size of his thyroid is a about 4-5cm diameter. Should he go for surgery to remove or there are other option. Please advise. Thank you
Hi Abdul,
Having a goiter, thyroid nodules, or both usually doesn’t mean that someone needs surgery, although there of course are exceptions to this. I definitely would recommend having your son consult with a functional medicine practitioner, as there most likely are other options depending on his situation.
Dr. Eric – thanks a bunch for your very well thought out answers as they have given me the most meaningful direction that has esulted in slow consistent progress with my Hashimotos/multi-nodular disease. I live in Ontario, Canada and was diagnoised a couple of years ago when I was 62 years old. After being on Levinthyroxine (25mcg) for a year and half with poor results, I have switched to desiccated thyroid (30mg). I have just started the Des. thyroid and have never felt better. Thank you for your dedication and intelligent advice- it’s most appreciated.
We are what we eat & so in answer to your question of cure, I’d have to say that you are only cured as long as you stick to the diet that solved your issues or it stands to reason that the symptoms will come back over time, or you will develop some other health issue.
I have hashimotos & am healing myself because in Australia we don’t have a choice of medication & I came to discover that the little white pills I had been on for 13 years were causing my dementia & depression & basically were shortening my lifespan. So as the doctor & specialist wouldn’t listen to me but put me down as a hypochondriac, I ditched the doctors once I found out that I had hashimotos for certainty. I went online & spent 18 month listening to every podcast on low thyroid issues in 2013/4 & finally after many queries & many hours taking notes from each of the doctors etc involved & reading a few books, I stopped with the tablets 7 started on nascent iodine twice daily, 3 drops plus the ml of ionic selenium & slowly started to regain my health again by spending 9 months daily drinking vegetable & fruit juiced which sometimes tasted wicked but I was determined to heal my gut & my immune system which was shot to pieces. As well I banned all gluten & started to feel better immediately as I had already noticed that bread was repeating on me as was my rolled oats for breakfast, white rice also was making me sick on the rare occasions that I ate it. I have given up everything for veggies, berries & occasional fruit in season that is on the sour side & not over sweet. I cannot eat bananas as they make me sick. I also added coconut to my diet & that improved my memory. Now 6 years later, I am not as rigid as I was & allow some dairy even though I know that it is the casein I have a reaction too but I love dairy so put up with the discomfort on a small scale. My memory isn’t as good some days so am keeping a tight watch on what I eat. I know that I had low thyroid issues since my twenties so that is over 50 years ago but the doctors said I was too young even though my great aunts all had thyroid issues. They said I was too young at 17 to have gallbladder issues even though it was a family issue. Doctors on the whole are drongos!!! & I have no time or patience with them. By the way, I am a child of the late forties & had radon treatment to the back of my nose for several years as a child who had a hearing problem. I thank God that I never ended up with cancer as many other kids did. So whether that was the causation or it was because I inherited the problem from my forebears – who knows. My grandmother did suffer badly from Bronchitis as did I as a child & later as an older adult, plus she had that skin problem with the dark & light patches which I believe is an autoimmune problem. My dad suffered badly with hay fever, my brother developed asthma in his late teens. We all have osteo arthritis & not rheumatoid thank goodness. So there you have it!! I do add other vitamins & minerals as I am low in magnesium, vitamin A, D & probably K as well as having iron issues & some of my B vitamins are low. So all signs of autoimmunity issues. The magnesium being the worst as I use ancient minerals & yet still get cramps in my hands & now have another spur on my heel, the third one for that heel over the past 40 years. Cheers!! I am a happy soul as others are far worse than me so no use complaining.