Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is ubiquitous in human tissues, although its level is variable (1).  As I’ll discuss in this article, CoQ10 not only is important when it comes to thyroid health, but it also plays an important role in adrenal health, and some studies show that it can help with other conditions.  After reading this you should have a better understanding as to why some people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions can benefit from supplementing with CoQ10.

So what is the function of CoQ10?  The primary biochemical action of CoQ10 is as a cofactor in the electron-transport chain, in the series of redox reactions that are involved in the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (2). As most cellular functions are dependent on an adequate supply of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), CoQ10 is essential for the health of virtually all human tissues and organs (2). In addition to its well-established function as a component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, CoQ10 also functions in the reduced form (ubiquinol) as an antioxidant (3).  Ubiquinol protects membrane phospholipids and serum low-density lipoproteins from lipid peroxidation, as well as mitochondrial proteins and DNA from free-radical induced oxidative damage (3).  Some studies suggest that as people age, decreases in CoQ10 content may occur in mitochondria and that decreases of CoQ10 below the physiological levels can potentially affect mitochondrial respiratory function (4).

CoQ10 In Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid Conditions

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are associated with enhanced oxidative stress involving enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (5).  Hyperthyroidism is especially linked with reduced circulating levels of CoQ10 (6).  A study looked at the circulating levels of CoQ10 in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions, and found that these levels are higher in people with hypothyroidism (7).  This same study shows that the values of CoQ10 in hyperthyroid patients are among the LOWEST in different human diseases.  In addition, another study shows that thyroid hormones have a  profound effect on mitochondrial oxidative activity, and that hyperthyroid muscular tissues undergo several biochemical changes that predispose them to free radical-mediated injury (8).  Yet another study confirmed that serum CoQ10 levels in hyperthyroidism were significantly lower than that of euthyroid subjects, while in hypothyroidism, serum CoQ10 levels did not show any significant difference from that of euthyroid subjects (9).

These studies would suggest that there is a greater need for CoQ10 supplementation in people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.  Truth to be told, when I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease I wasn’t told to take CoQ10.  And so I can’t say that taking CoQ10 is essential for someone looking to restore their health back to normal.  However, based on these studies it’s probably a good idea for people with hyperthyroid conditions to consider taking CoQ10.

This especially is true for those people with hyperthyroid conditions who are on beta blockers.  Numerous studies have shown that beta blockers such as Propranolol can inhibit mitochondrial CoQ10 enzymes (10) (11).  As a result, anyone who is taking beta blockers might want to consider taking CoQ10.  In addition to beta blockers, it is well known that statins (cholesterol lowering medication) also interferes with the synthesis of CoQ10 (12).  And so people taking statins might also want to consider taking CoQ10.  In fact, one study showed that CoQ10 supplementation prevents both plasma and platelet CoQ10 decrease, without affecting the cholesterol lowering effect of the drug (13).

CoQ10 and Adrenal Health

While thyroid hormone levels have an important role in modulating CoQ10 levels, some studies also show evidence that the adrenals can play a role in CoQ10 production.  One study showed that CoQ10 levels were significantly lower in isolated hypoadrenalism than in patients with adrenal hyperplasia and multiple pituitary deficiencies (14).  The same study concluded that secretion of adrenal hormones in some way relate to CoQ10 levels.

CoQ10 and Other Conditions

In addition to playing a role in thyroid and adrenal health, CoQ10 is also important for the optimal health of other areas of the body.  There are many studies which talk about the role of CoQ10 in cardiac disease and hypertension.  One study mentioned that significant improvement has been observed in clinical and hemodynamic parameters and in exercise tolerance in patients given adjunctive CoQ10 in doses from 60 to 200 mg daily in the various trials conducted in patients of heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and other cardiac illnesses (15). The same study stated that CoQ10 has been found to be an independent predictor of mortality in congestive heart failure. Another study demonstrated that the addition of coenzyme Q10 to conventional therapy significantly reduces hospitalization for worsening of heart failure and the incidence of serious complications in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (16).  Yet another study showed that Coenzyme Q10 administered orally has favorable actions in the described cardiovascular conditions and appears to be safe and well tolerated in the adult population (17).  However, the same study warned us that CoQ10 should not be recommended as monotherapy or first-line therapy in any disease state.  With regards to high blood pressure, one study concluded that CoQ10 has the potential in hypertensive patients to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without significant side effects (18).

Clinical studies also show that CoQ10 supplementation might help with certain neurodegenerative diseases (19).  This includes Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s disease, Friedereich’s ataxia, and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease.

In summary, CoQ10 plays a very important role in the body, as it is involved in the synthesis of ATP, and is essential for the health of every tissue and cell in the body.  It also plays a role as an antioxidant.  With regards to thyroid health, CoQ10 is frequently deficient in those people with hyperthyroid conditions, and its synthesis can also be interfered with by certain medications, such as beta blockers and statins.  However, since hypothyroid conditions are also associated with enhanced oxidative stress then it also makes sense for some people with hypothyroidism to take this as well. In addition, the adrenal hormones also relate to CoQ10 levels, and CoQ10 plays an important role in cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and neurodegenerative conditions.

Although I wish I can say that everyone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition who follows a natural treatment protocol will receive great results, the truth is that some people don’t respond as expected.  Most of the time this is due to the person not completely following the recommended natural treatment protocol.  But sometimes the person will follow the recommendations and still not receive optimal results.  When you’re not receiving optimal results then you need to consider the following options:

1. Make sure you’re following the recommended protocol. If you’re not responding as expected, then you want to make sure you’re following the complete recommendations.  For example, if you are told to eat mostly whole foods, and avoid common allergens such as gluten and dairy, then you need to ask yourself if you are following these recommendations.  Sometimes a person will think they are following the recommendations, but aren’t aware that they are inadvertently cheating.  For example, many people are allergic to corn.  But most people aren’t aware that ascorbic acid, which is sold in most health food stores as Vitamin C, is made from corn syrup.  As a result, a person may think they’re avoiding corn because they’re not eating any foods which contain corn, but they might not be aware that some of their supplements contain corn syrup, even if this isn’t mentioned on the label.

Another example relates with managing your stress levels.  I’ve had patients who did a wonderful job of eating well and avoiding common allergens, and also took the nutritional supplements I recommended, but didn’t do a good job of managing their stress.  Remember that the adrenals respond to stress by secreting cortisol, and if cortisol is constantly being secreted then this is going to lead to all sorts of problems.  And so besides eating well and taking nutritional supplements you need to manage your stress levels.  Similarly, you also need to make sure you get sufficient sleep each night.

2. Look at the gut, adrenals, and toxins. There are many different factors which can lead to the development of thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.  But I have found that three of the most important factors to look at are 1) the health of your adrenals, 2) the health of your gut, 3) your toxic load.  In my opinion it is best to evaluate the health of the adrenals through saliva testing.  You want to look at the cortisol levels throughout the day, and also look at the DHEA and 17-OH Progesterone.  Some people assume that their adrenals are fine because they aren’t fatigued and don’t have problems sleeping.  While many people with adrenal problems experience fatigue and/or sleeping difficulties, keep in mind that when I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease I felt fine from an energy standpoint and also had no problem falling or staying asleep.  However, my cortisol levels and DHEA were extremely depressed.  So you can’t go by symptoms alone when evaluating the health of your adrenals.

The same concept applies to the gut, as while many people with gut problems experience symptoms such as bloating, gas, and/or constipation, some people with gut problems don’t have any digestive symptoms.  In fact, I’ve had numerous patients test positive for a leaky gut, even though they felt fine from a symptomatic standpoint.  And when we addressed the leaky gut problem, in most cases their health improved dramatically.  There’s a reason why most natural healthcare professionals focus a great deal on the health of the gut, and the reason for this is because if someone has an unhealthy gut, then it is not possible to achieve optimal health.

As for toxins, I’ve always been an advocate of 21-day detoxification programs.  I have been recommending these to my patients for many years, and I personally go through two detoxification programs per year.  However, for many people even this isn’t sufficient.  Obviously nothing is going to completely eliminate the toxins from one’s body.  However, in addition to eating well and taking certain detox supplements, some people need to go through procedures such as colon hydrotherapy and colonic irrigation, as well as infrared sauna therapy.  So if you’re not responding to a natural treatment protocol, toxins could very well be the reason, as sometimes just eating well and taking nutritional supplements isn’t sufficient.

3. Consult with a different natural healthcare professional. If you have followed a natural treatment protocol and haven’t received optimal results, consider working with a different natural healthcare professional.  If the person you saw isn’t someone who focuses on thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, then you might want to consider consulting with such a doctor.  It really doesn’t matter which type of natural healthcare professional you work with, as long as they have experience dealing with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.  This might mean driving a few hours to see this person, or speaking with someone remotely over the phone.  While some people are fortunate to have someone practicing in their town who has experiencing helping people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, some people aren’t as fortunate.  Either way, if you’ve seen a natural healthcare professional and didn’t received ideal results, consider getting a second, and perhaps even third opinion.

4. Consider low dose naltrexone. Naltrexone is a prescription medication, and low doses are used to help people with different types of endocrine conditions.  This includes autoimmune conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, as well as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Some people receive great results when receiving LDN, while others don’t find the treatment to be beneficial.  With regards to research studies, there are a few studies which show the benefits of LDN (1) (2).  Although there aren’t any specific studies I know of which show whether LDN can help people with autoimmune thyroid conditions, there are a few studies which have shown the benefits of LDN and multiple sclerosis (3) (4), which is a different type of autoimmune condition.  For more information on LDN you can read my blog post entitled Can Low Dose Naltrexone Cure Graves Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

5. Consider long-term treatment with Methimazole or Bugleweed. This of course only applies to those people with hyperthyroid conditions.  In countries outside of the United States, many endocrinologists will do everything they can to help their patients avoid RAI.  It’s not uncommon for them to recommend long-term treatment with low doses of antithyroid medication, such as methimazole.  In fact, there have been a couple of studies which compared long-term continuous use of methimazole with RAI.  One study concluded that long-term continuous treatment of hyperthyroidism with methimazole is safe. It also concluded that the complications and the expense of giving methimazole long-term do not exceed those of radioactive iodine therapy (5).   A second study was conducted and came to the conclusion that long-term methimazole treatment was superior to RAI therapy in patients when mood, cognition, cardiac function and occurrence of thyroid dysfunction were compared (6).

Although I’m not thrilled about people taking prescription drugs on a long term basis, remember that we’re comparing risks vs. benefits.  Plus, most people who receive RAI or thyroid surgery will be taking thyroid hormone for the rest of their life.  In my opinion everything should be done to preserve the health of the thyroid gland.  And while some people will be sensitive to even low doses of methimazole, for most people it won’t be a problem taking a low dose (i.e. 5 mg/day).

What should you do if you bring this up to your endocrinologist and he or she isn’t supportive of long-term treatment with methimazole?  Well, this is where you need to take a stand.  And so I would be firm, but at the same time polite, and if you’re unable to convince your endocrinologist to let you take low doses of methimazole on a long term basis, then I would speak with a different endocrinologist.

Another option is to take low doses of Bugleweed on a long-term basis to manage your symptoms.  Once again, this isn’t the ideal situation, as I was able to wean off of Bugleweed for good after about six months, and just about all of my patients who are on Bugleweed are also eventually able to stop taking this herb.  Of course I would recommend for people to consult with a natural healthcare professional if they’re considering taking Bugleweed for a prolonged period of time.

For some people, taking low doses of methimazole or Bugleweed won’t be sufficient to manage the symptoms.

6. Choosing between radioactive iodine treatment and thyroid surgery. When I consult with a patient, I will do everything I can to prevent them from receiving RAI or a thyroidectomy.  However, I don’t have a 100% success rate and so every now and then someone will need to choose between these two treatment methods.  For more information on this check out my article entitled “Radioactive Iodine vs. Thyroid Surgery: Comparing The Benefits and Risks“.

In summary, while my goal is to try to restore people’s health naturally, there of course are times when natural treatment methods aren’t too effective, and as a result, conventional medical treatment methods are necessary.  So while I hope most people reading this are able to restore their health naturally, for those who don’t receive optimal results when following a natural treatment protocol, hopefully the information presented in this post will be valuable.

Whenever I consult with a pregnant woman who has either Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, there is understandably a concern about how this condition can affect the health of her baby.  There without question are risks for someone who is pregnant and who has an autoimmune thyroid condition.  And of course there are limitations when it comes to having a pregnant woman take certain supplements and herbs to help suppress the autoimmune response.  And so this can present a challenge for someone who has an autoimmune thyroid condition and is looking to get pregnant.

It’s not uncommon to consult with a woman who has either Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis who is thinking about becoming pregnant in the near future.  There are two different sets of risks a pregnant woman with an autoimmune thyroid condition has to face.  One has to do with the autoimmune component of the condition, while the other relates to the imbalance in thyroid hormone levels.  I’m going to discuss each one of these separately.

Why Having Normal Thyroid Hormone Levels During Pregnancy Is Important

Having normal levels of thyroid hormone is very important to having a healthy pregnancy, as maternal thyroid hormones play a vital role in the development and function of both the fetus and placenta (1).  This is especially true in the first trimester, as the fetus doesn’t have the ability to produce its own thyroid hormone. This is why it’s important for most women with a hypothyroid condition to take thyroid hormone during the pregnancy.  While I’m all for trying to address the cause of the problem, one needs to look at the risks vs. the benefits, and if someone has low thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy it is important to take thyroid hormone for the health of the baby.

On the other hand, if someone has a hyperthyroid condition then this does need to be managed.  Too much thyroid hormone can cause problems for the developing fetus.  So while I’m not thrilled about women taking medication during pregnancy, this is yet another situation where the risks and benefits need to be looked at.  And the risks of untreated hyperthyroidism is usually greater than the risk of the medication causing problems, such as congenital malformations.  This is especially true in severe cases of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, as maternal risks include congestive heart failure, thyroid storm, preterm labor, preeclampsia, and increased mortality, whereas the fetus may be stillborn or small for gestational age or may develop congenital malformations (1).

What Are The Potential Consequences Of High Thyroid Antibody Levels During Pregnancy?

When I consult with a woman who has Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis who is looking to become pregnant in the near future, the autoimmune component of her condition is of greater concern than the imbalance in thyroid hormone levels.  The reason for this is because in most cases it is much easier to manage high or low thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy than to suppress the autoimmune response.  On the other hand, if someone has high thyroid antibodies, this can cause harm to the fetus, and it can be a challenge to lower these antibodies.  Numerous studies have shown a significant positive association between the presence of thyroid antibodies and miscarriage rate (2) (3).

But isn’t it possible that the pregnancy itself can result in a suppression of the autoimmune response, and therefore a lowering of the thyroid antibodies?  This without question is possible, and of course is the ideal situation for a woman with an autoimmune condition of any kind who becomes pregnant.  However, there is no guarantee that the pregnancy will result in a decrease in thyroid antibodies, as sometimes the antibodies actually increase during pregnancy.

There is some concern as to whether the antibodies will affect the thyroid function of the fetus.  Studies show that of the different types of thyroid antibodies, only those directed against the TSH receptor have been shown to cause fetal thyroid dysfunction (4).  As a result, if someone has high TSI antibodies during pregnancy then this is a cause of concern when it comes to the thyroid health of the fetus, whereas thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies don’t seem to have a detrimental effect on the thyroid gland of the developing fetus.

Can A Pregnant Woman With An Autoimmune Thyroid Condition Benefit From Natural Treatment Methods?

If a woman happens to become pregnant while her autoimmune thyroid condition is still active, there of course will be limitations as to which supplements and herbs she can take.  While I’m conservative with the herbs, when I’m dealing with a patient who becomes pregnant I will try to do things to help with the inflammatory component of the autoimmune condition, usually through fish oils and a good source of GLA (i.e. borage oil, black currant seed oil).  Selenium can sometimes help to lower the thyroid antibodies, and while most pregnant women can take a separate selenium supplement, you want to be careful not to take too high of a dosage.

As for balancing the thyroid hormone levels, a woman with an autoimmune hypothyroid condition very well might need to take thyroid hormone.  Even if she doesn’t want to take any medication, taking thyroid hormone might be important for the health of the baby.  I’m not saying that every pregnant woman who has Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis needs to take thyroid hormone, but many do.  While my goal is to attempt to restore someone’s thyroid health back to normal, one doesn’t want to jeopardize the health of the developing fetus.

And the same concept applies to hyperthyroid conditions.  Without question there are potential risks to the baby when taking antithyroid medication during pregnancy.  But as I mentioned earlier in this post, it all comes down to risks vs. benefits.  And if someone has high thyroid hormone levels, it is important to get these down.

In summary, there definitely are risks for someone who is pregnant and who has an autoimmune thyroid condition.  The autoimmune component itself of both Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis poses a risk to the baby.  In addition to dealing with the autoimmune component of the condition, it is important to have healthy thyroid hormone levels.  This very well might mean that a woman with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis who is pregnant might need to take thyroid hormone, while a pregnant woman with Graves’ Disease might need to take antithyroid medication.  It all comes down to risks vs. benefits, and during pregnancy, when following a natural treatment protocol it’s important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of everything.

One of the most common questions people ask me is “what type of diet is the best for me”.  Of course the question might be worded differently, but many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions want to know what foods they should eat, and which foods they should avoid.  While everyone should eat a diet consisting of whole foods, and at the same time minimize the refined foods and sugars, the “thyroid diet” will vary from person to person.

For example, let’s look at two people who have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Both have a high TSH and positive thyroid antibodies, with the thyroid hormone levels on the low side.  What is the ideal “thyroid diet” for each of these people?  This really isn’t enough information to come up with a specific diet plan, but here is some general information I would recommend for everyone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis:

• Eat mostly whole, organic foods. No surprise here, as everyone should eat mostly whole foods, and when possible eat organic to minimize the toxins.
• Avoid the refined foods and sugars. Also not a surprise, as if you eat mostly whole foods then you obviously will be avoiding processed foods.
• Avoid genetically modified foods. This may seem obvious to many people reading this, and it’s something I’ve spoken about before in past articles.  But some people continue to eat non-organic corn and soy, which in most cases are genetically modified.
• Consider a gluten free trial. Some will argue that everyone should avoid gluten, and I agree that everyone should at least minimize their consumption of gluten.  But those with an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis should consider going on a gluten free trial, and in some cases will need to avoid gluten on a permanent basis.
• Consider a dairy free trial. Many people have a dairy allergy, and so it also is a good idea to go on a dairy-free trial.  While some forms of dairy should be completely eliminated from one’s diet (i.e pasteurized cow’s milk), other forms of dairy can eventually be reintroduced (eggs, raw dairy products, etc.).
• Make sure to eat enough protein. Many people aren’t getting enough protein.  You want to make sure you’re consuming enough protein throughout the day.  While you ideally want to get your protein through the food you eat, for some people, adding a healthy type of protein powder to a smoothie once or twice a day is a way of sneaking in some protein.

This is some basic information, but many people would feel significantly better if they did nothing else but follow the above recommendations.  This not only includes people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, but those with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease as well.  However, the following are a few circumstances when someone might need to eat a different diet:

Food Sensitivities. If someone has certain food sensitivities then they of course should avoid those foods.  There are numerous tests available for food sensitivities and intolerances, but you usually can’t rely on these, as false results are common.  And the ones which seem to be more accurate are quite expensive.  Then again, there are very expensive tests for food sensitivities which have been proven to be unreliable, yet many people still do this type of testing.  If someone is going to get food allergy testing done then I usually recommend a combination of IgG and IgA testing.  However, in most cases I just recommend an elimination diet initially.

Gut Problems. Having problems with the gut can mean being on a different diet.  For example, grains, nuts and seeds, as well as beans are difficult to digest.  As a result, someone who has a problem such as “leaky gut syndrome” will need to either avoid these foods, or at the very least minimize their consumption of such foods.  In addition, having a leaky gut may cause someone to develop certain food sensitivities.  As I’ve mentioned in past articles, if someone is allergic to many different foods and/or has problems taking certain supplements then this can mean they have problems with intestinal permeability.

Toxic Overload. If someone has a lot of sensitivities to foods and/or supplements, this might be due to gut problems, or it can also be due to problems with toxins.  If this is the case then it will be necessary to detoxify the body.  While I recommend a 21-day liver detoxification program to some of my patients, if someone is overloaded with toxins then this might not be enough.  In fact, in some cases it can take many months, and sometimes a year or two in order to obtain maximum benefit from detoxifying the body.

Eating According To Your Blood Type?

As you know, there are many different types of diets out there, and you can go crazy trying to choose the best diet for you.  However, some people are familiar with the different diets that are based on your blood type.  The “eat right for your blood type” diet is controversial, and so I wouldn’t rely on this diet alone to determine what you should and shouldn’t eat.

In summary, when it comes to determining which diet is appropriate for you, many of the same rules apply to everyone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition.  After all, while there are many different variations of diets, those that are the healthiest have three things in common.  The first is that they involve eating mostly whole foods, the second factor is that they involve avoiding refined foods and sugars, and the third commonality is that they involve minimizing one’s carbohydrate intake.  However, sometimes other factors need to be considered such as food sensitivities, gut problems, and toxins.

Hypochlorhydria involves a decrease in the production of gastric acid (HCL) in the stomach.  This condition is common in people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, and while hypothyroidism can cause hypochlorhydria, people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease can have this condition too.  Either way, the decreased acid will cause problems with digestion, which of course can lead to numerous symptoms and further problems which I will discuss in this article.

So what leads to hypochlorhydria?  There are numerous factors, but here are four of the more common reasons why a person might have problems producing enough gastric acid:

1. Hypothyroidism. The slowing down of the metabolism associated with hypothyroid conditions can in turn lead to a decrease in the production of gastric acid (1).  As a result, some people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis have hypochlorhydria.  Taking synthetic or natural thyroid hormone might help, although my goal of course is to try restoring the person’s thyroid health back to normal if at all possible.

2. Autoimmunity. The parietal cells are located in the stomach, and they are responsible for the secretion of gastric acid.  They also produce intrinsic factor, which is required for the absorption of vitamin B12.  Many people are familiar with pernicious anemia, which involves autoantibodies being produced against the intrinsic factor, which result in a reduction of vitamin B12 absorption.  But antibodies can be formed which attack the parietal cells, which will lead to the decreased production of gastric acid.

Remember that people with one autoimmune condition are more likely to develop another autoimmune condition.  As a result, someone with Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is more likely to develop antibodies against the parietal cells, thus resulting in hypochlorhydria.  The reverse can be true as well, as someone can have this condition and then go on to develop an autoimmune thyroid condition.  Either way the goal is to try to suppress the autoimmune component, control the inflammation, and restore the health of compromised areas of the body.

3. H. Pylori. I’ve written about H. Pylori in a separate article, as this is an infection in the stomach, which in turn can interfere with the production of hydrochloric acid (2).  This infection is common in people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  And it can be difficult to eradicate, as the conventional medical treatment consists of using very potent antibiotics.  And sometimes these antibiotics aren’t strong enough to get rid of this organism.

There are natural treatment methods available to eradicate H. Pylori, which I usually recommend to my patients who test positive for this.  The downside is that the natural treatment protocol for H. Pylori takes time to work, and there is no guarantee they will eradicate the H. Pylori, although in most cases they do work well.  Either way, anyone with digestive issues should consider getting tested for H. Pylori, although the lack of digestive symptoms doesn’t rule out the possibility of being infected by this organism.

4. Acid stopping medication. This one is obvious, although I figured I’d bring it up since many people take acid stopping medication.  This medication is taken to intentionally decrease the production of gastric acid.  While some people might need to take this medication, most people don’t need to take this, and most don’t realize the harm it’s causing.  There are reasons why a person experiences symptoms such as heartburn and reflux, and these problems can usually be corrected over time by improving one’s diet.  And so it makes me sick to see these commercials encouraging people to take this medication.  Once again, I’m not suggesting that some people can’t benefit from these medications, but for most people these drugs are causing further problems with their digestive system while just masking the symptoms.

What Are The Consequences of Hypochlorhydria?

Although the overall pH of the body is supposed to be alkaline, the pH of the stomach should be between 2 and 4.  However, a condition such as hypochlorhydria will reduce the gastric pH.  This in turn will cause problems digesting food, can lead to gastro microbial overgrowth, and can therefore lead to a condition such as gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.  Over a period of time this can lead to a condition such as leaky gut, which I’ve also discussed in other articles, and in turn will cause an immune system response.

How Does Atrophic Gastritis Factor Into This?

Atrophic gastritis is associated with the chronic inflammation of the stomach.  There are a number of factors which can cause this condition, but the two main factors are 1) infection with H. Pylori, and 2) it can be autoimmune in nature.  We already know how H. Pylori can affect the production of gastric acid.  And autoimmune atrophic gastritis can also damage the parietal cells, which as you know produce HCL.  Studies also show that autoimmune thyroid conditions are more prominent in people with atrophic gastritis (3).

How Does One Correct This Problem?

As for how to treat hypochlorhydria, the goal of course should be to get to the root cause of the problem.  So if this condition is caused by hypothyroidism, then the goal should be to address this condition.  Taking synthetic or natural thyroid hormone may help, but if possible I of course recommend restoring the person’s thyroid health.  This isn’t always possible, and so some people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis will need to take thyroid hormone.  If H. Pylori is causing the decreased production of gastric acid then this infection needs to be eradicated.

There are cases when someone will need to supplement with betaine hydrochloride on a temporary basis, which can help compensate for the decreased production of HCL by the body.  So for example, if someone has H. Pylori, while trying to eradicate this infection it might be a good idea to take betaine HCL to help digest the food you eat.  If someone has antibodies against the parietal cells they also will probably need to take something to help with digestion, and hopefully at the same time will be working to suppress the autoimmune component of the condition.

In summary, hypochlorhydria is common in thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.  In hypothyroid conditions the decrease in metabolism will make one more susceptible to having a decreased production of gastric acid.  Those people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis have an increased chance of developing antibodies against the parietal cells, and are also more likely to contract an infection such as H. Pylori.  And since proper digestion is so important to an optimally functioning immune system, it is important to address the cause of the hypochlorhydria for anyone who is looking to achieve optimal health.

Although the focus of this article will be on preventing thyroid health issues in children, the truth is that the information I’m about to provide will help to prevent these conditions in many people who don’t have a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition.  But I wanted to place the emphasis on children, because many of the health issues experienced during adulthood can be prevented if we teach our children and grandchildren how to take better care of their health.  And most children are going to follow the guidance given by their parents and grandparents.

For example, when I was a child I ate plenty of junk food, including fast food, candy, cupcakes, ice cream, etc.  I also drank plenty of fruit punch, soda, and cow’s milk.  Whenever I was sick I was given medication, such as antibiotics or Tylenol.  And I’m not suggesting that there isn’t a time and place for medication, but most children obviously don’t realize the negative impact that antibiotics and other drugs can have on their body.  I can’t say stress was a huge issue growing up, although I also can’t say I was brought up in a relaxed atmosphere, as my mother and father didn’t get along, my mother yelled a lot at at everyone in our house, and in addition to this money was very tight.

As for toxins, my mother smoked two packs of cigarettes each day for all of my childhood and teenage years.  While there are numerous studies which show the relationship between smoking and Graves’ Disease (1) (2), there aren’t too many studies regarding the direct effects of secondhand smoke on thyroid health, although I did come across a study which suggests that being exposed to second hand smoke can disrupt thyroid function (3).

Can Thyroid And Autoimmune Thyroid Conditions Be Prevented?

Here’s a question for you.  If I was brought up eating a healthier diet, in a more relaxed atmosphere, and if I didn’t grow up living in a house with a smoker, would I have not developed Graves’ Disease?  Possibly, although of course there is no way of knowing for sure.  The truth is, nobody can make the guarantee that living a healthy lifestyle will prevent the development of any chronic health condition, but I think it’s safe to assume that eating well, managing one’s stress, and reducing your child’s exposure to toxins will minimize their chance of developing such conditions in the future.

So let’s take a further look at these three factors which can play a huge role in the prevention of thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions in children:

Diet.  It’s really sad the way many children eat.  Once again, I grew up eating plenty of junk food, never had vegetables (and I mean never!), and I ate like this for the first 20+ years of my life.  Many other parents also give their children too much junk food, as they don’t realize the negative impact of frequently giving children refined foods and sugars, artificial ingredients, pasteurized cow’s milk and soda, too much pizza and pasta, and other unhealthy foods.  In many cases both the mother and father are guilty of feeding junk to their children, but I realize there are some situations where one parent wants their children to eat healthy, but the other parent doesn’t care about healthy foods, or perhaps they don’t want to spend the extra money on healthy food.

But it’s not just the parents who are to blame.  The public schools are also guilty of serving junk food to our children.  Earlier this year I attended a nutritional seminar, and they compared the lunches from different countries.  When looking at the lunches of children in the United States, it’s common for them to be served foods such as chicken nuggets and French fries, corn dogs, pizza, cow’s milk, and other junk food.  On the other hand, when looking at the school lunches from other countries, such as Japan, Sweden, and Korea, the children are served foods such as fish (not fried), vegetables, and rice.

Stress. Many children live in a stressful environment, and once again, the parents are greatly responsible for controlling this environment.  I understand that there are other stressors, such as the pressure of doing well in school.  But it’s up to the parents to create a relaxing environment for their children, and it’s also a good idea to teach your children how to better manage their stress.  The problem is that most adults don’t make an effort to better manage their own stress, and when their children see the way they handle stress, this will frequently get passed onto the children.

Of course feeding your children healthier foods will help to stabilize their blood sugar levels, which will keep their adrenals strong, and thus help them to better handle stressful situations.  Similarly, making sure they get adequate sleep at night (9 to 10 hours) is also important and will help them to better manage their stress.  They also need to keep active, as when I was young I remember frequently going outside to play.  But these days, many children spend most of their spare time watching television and playing video games.

But even if you feed your children healthy food, make sure they get sufficient sleep, and encourage them to be active, you still should help them to better manage their stress.  Besides giving them plenty of love, you also might want to show them how to meditate, engage in deep breathing, or perhaps participate in activities such as tai chi, karate, etc.

Toxins.  We tend to overlook the impact that toxins have on our own health, and the same can be said when it comes to the health of our children.  But let’s remember that these toxins have a much harsher impact on developing immune systems, as well as on other areas of the body.   Most of the people I see with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions are adults, but I have dealt with some children, and I wonder how much these toxins are responsible for the development of such conditions in children.

I mentioned cigarette smoke earlier, but of course there are many other toxins children are commonly exposed to.  If you use household products with chemicals, such as cleaning agents and/or air fresheners, then these alone can have a harsh effect on a child’s respiratory system and immune system.  If you use pesticides in your house then these can lead to health issues.  Besides making the switch to natural products, consider investing in a quality air purification system to place in your child’s room.

I’m not going to get into detail about childhood vaccinations, but many children are over-vaccinated.  And while I realize that some manufacturers have made changes to the ingredients in certain vaccines, some of the chemicals added are still potentially toxic.  If you feel that you must get your child vaccinated, then at the very least try not to get a bunch at the same time, as this can overwhelm their immune system.

Finally, there is still a lot of controversy when it comes to electronic pollution.  But as many people reading this already know, there does seem to be evidence from studies that frequent cell phone use can increase brain tumors (4).  So while it might seem paranoid to suggest that children shouldn’t talk on cell phones, if you must have your child talk on a cell phone then at least show them how to put it on speakerphone, or buy them an earpiece so they don’t need to hold the phone against their head.  And I would also recommend minimizing the electronic devices in their bedrooms.  I know it might seem like I’m going overboard, and maybe I am, but I’d rather be safe than sorry, and I personally don’t see the need for most young children to have a cell phone and/or a television in their room.

In summary, although there is no way to guarantee that your children or grandchildren won’t develop a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition, there are things you can do to help decrease their chances of developing such a condition.  Making sure they eat a healthy diet is probably the most important thing you can do, although you also want to help them improve their stress handling skills, and to minimize their exposure to toxins.  You also want to make sure they get sufficient sleep and some exercise. There are other factors I haven’t covered here, but if you focus on the ones I did cover you will greatly improve both the current and future health of your children, and can greatly minimize the chances of them developing Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and other chronic health conditions in the future.

Just about every natural healthcare professional will recommend for their patients to drink plenty of purified water when following a natural thyroid treatment protocol.  Although I grew up drinking plenty of soda, pasteurized cow’s milk, and fruit punch, I have no problem drinking water most of the time.  But some people have a difficult time just drinking water, and so one of the common questions I get asked by my patients is whether or not they can drink anything else besides water.  So I’ve decided to list some of the different beverages which are okay for many people (although not everyone) to drink.  And I of course still would recommend to primarily drink water.

Just out of curiosity I went to Google and performed a search for the “healthiest drinks”, and came across an article entitled “The 8 Healthiest Drinks”.  This is what it listed:

1. Green Tea

2. Mint Tea

3. Skim Milk

4. Soy Milk

5. Hot Chocolate

6. V8 Tomato Juice

7. Cranberry Juice

8. Orange Juice

While some of these are indeed healthy to drink (i.e. Green Tea), others you want to be cautious about drinking (i.e. soy milk).  In any case, let’s take a look at some beverages that in most cases are fine to drink.  Keep in mind that I’m not suggesting that every single person can drink all of the beverages I’ve listed below, and also remember that water still should be the main liquid you consume each day.

Green Tea. Green tea has antioxidants called catechins, and so drinking this can potentially help with free radicals.  Many people are aware that these free radicals can cause damage and potentially lead to conditions such as cancer and heart disease, as well as other health issues.  And studies have shown that drinking green tea can help to prevent cancer (1), and can also be beneficial against type II diabetes and could reduce the risk of coronary disease (2). One thing to be aware of is that green tea (as well as black tea) does contain a small amount of fluoride (3), and so while green tea has a lot of health benefits, I would still minimize your consumption of this beverage, or drink green tea that is fluoride-free.

Herbal Teas. Drinking herbal teas can be beneficial.  Some examples of herbal teas include chamomile tea, which is a calming tea that can help people relax, and can also help with insomnia.  Ginger tea can help with digestion, milk thistle tea can help with liver detoxification.  And some of my patients with hyperthyroidism take lemon balm tea, which can potentially help to decrease the production of thyroid hormone.  These are some of the more common herbal teas, but there are many more to choose from.

Coconut Milk. This can be beneficial to drink, although it probably is a good idea to make your own coconut milk.  While you can find this beverage pre-made at your local health food store, there most likely will be some additives.  An example is carrageenan, which is used as a thickener and emulsifier.  Although one study demonstrated that carrageenan is a safe additive (4), another study showed that it has carcinogenic properties in mice (5), while another study suggested that carrageenan may contribute to the development of diabetes (6).  This is controversial, but at the very least I would minimize your consumption of products which include this ingredient.

Almond Milk. This also can be okay to drink in moderation.   Just as is the case with coconut milk, if you purchase almond milk then there’s a good chance it will have carrageenan, and so you can also make your own almond milk.  Some brands of organic almond milk are free of carrageenan.  Someone who has gut issues will want minimize their consumption of almond milk, as almonds are healthy but just like most other nuts are difficult to digest.

Kombucha tea. This is a fermented drink, and so drinking this can be beneficial for the gut.  As a result, someone who is following a gut repair protocol usually can drink this beverage without a problem, and many times they can benefit from the good bacteria in this beverage.  This is something else you can make on your own too, although you’ll need to get live kombucha culture.  One study I came across shows that Kombucha tea has potent antioxidant and immunomodulating properties (7).  Another study demonstrated that Kombucha tea can be considered as a potential strong candidate for future application as a functional supplement for the treatment and prevention of diabetes (8).  However, I did come across one study where someone developed lactic acidosis and acute renal failure within 15 hours of Kombucha tea ingestion (9).

Raw Milk. Although you should try to avoid drinking pasteurized cow’s milk (yes, even if it’s organic), many people do fine drinking raw milk, which also has some health benefits.  The problem is that not every state sells raw milk.  For example, I live in North Carolina, where raw milk can’t be legally sold.  However, I’m close to the border of South Carolina, which does allow the sale of raw dairy products.  Even though raw milk is much healthier than pasteurized milk, if I recommend for someone to go dairy free I will still advise them to avoid raw dairy products as well.

Juicing.  Rather than list fruit juice or vegetable juice, I figured I’d just put this under the category of juicing.  One of the main problems with purchasing commercial juices is the high sugar content.  Of course in order to create your own fruit and vegetable juice you’ll need a good quality juicer.  But juicing has many health benefits.

Smoothies. I’ve always preferred smoothies over juicing, but both have health benefits.  I always start my day with a smoothie consisting of a couple of cups of purified water, 3/4 cup of organic berries, about a plateful of organic vegetables, and I also add some whole food powder.  If you want some more smoothie ideas check out the blog post I created called “What’s Your Favorite Smoothie Recipe?”

In summary, while water should be the primary beverage you drink, I realize some people want some variety.  So if you’re not satisfied with just drinking water then perhaps you can choose one or two of the beverages I listed and include them as part of your daily routine.  As I mentioned in this post, with some of these beverages it is a good idea to make them on your own, rather than purchase them.  The downside of doing this is that it takes more time, and you will usually need to consume them quicker due to the lack of preservatives.  But the benefit is that you will know exactly what you’re adding to them, and so you don’t need to be concerned about carrageenan and other additives which might have a negative impact on your health.

Last week I discussed 5 Myths about Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and this week I’ll be discussing five myths about hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.  There are many people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease who simply follow the conventional medical treatment protocol, without questioning the advice given to them.  I’m not suggesting that everyone with these conditions shouldn’t receive conventional medical treatment.  What I am encouraging people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions to do is to keep an open mind, and not to believe everything they’ve been told about this condition.

So let’s go ahead and discuss the five common myths:

Myth #1: Radioactive Iodine is completely safe and is the best treatment option.

In the United States, radioactive iodine remains the number one treatment method recommended by endocrinologists.  Although I receive emails from people every week who received radioactive iodine treatment and have regretted their decision, I also receive emails from those who received RAI and was happy they received this treatment.  But regardless of whether it helps you or causes more problems, the main issue I have with radioactive iodine treatment is that it’s addressing the thyroid gland, and in most cases the cause of hyperthyroidism is an overactive immune system.  Of course something triggers the autoimmune response, but my point is that RAI doesn’t address the cause of the condition.

And this is the case with many other conventional medical treatment methods.  If someone has gallstones and is told to have their gallbladder surgically removed, the surgery doesn’t do anything to address the cause of the gallstones.  If a woman has uterine fibroids then it may or may not be necessary to perform a hysterectomy, but usually nothing is done to address the cause of the fibroids.  And it’s the same story with many other conditions.  We are born with these organs and glands for a reason, and I’m not suggesting that there aren’t times when these procedures need to be performed.  But there is no question that many doctors are too quick to recommend these invasive procedures.

So when an endocrinologist tells someone that radioactive iodine is “very safe”, keep in mind that while some people do fine after receiving RAI, some people don’t do well.  It sounds simple enough, as after receiving radioactive iodine you probably will become hypothyroid and  will just need to take a single pill (thyroid hormone) every morning for the rest of your life.  Even if it was always this simple I’d be reluctant to receive RAI unless if it were absolutely necessary.  But when you consider that radiation is used in this procedure I’d be extra cautious about receiving RAI.  Besides the radiation, I don’t understand how any procedure which results in destruction of one of the most important glands in your body can be considered to be “very safe”.

As for it being the best treatment option, the truth is that in many other countries RAI isn’t typically recommended as the primary treatment method for hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.  There are also endocrinologists in the United States who will try to do everything they can to help the patient avoid RAI.  So if radioactive iodine treatment was the best treatment option, and was very safe, then why wouldn’t all endocrinologists recommend it as the main treatment option?  The reason is because some endocrinologists realize that RAI isn’t the best treatment option for everyone with a hyperthyroid condition.

Myth #2: Nothing can be done for the autoimmune response of Graves’ Disease.

One of the main reasons why most endocrinologists in the United States recommend RAI for people with Graves’ Disease is because they don’t think that anything can be done for the autoimmune component of the condition.  So for example, if someone has developed Graves’ Disease due to leaky gut syndrome, and the cause of the leaky gut syndrome was a gluten sensitivity problem or an infection such as H. Pylori, removing the trigger and then repairing the leaky gut most likely will suppress the autoimmune component of the condition.  But what usually happens is that the endocrinologist will simply recommend RAI, and nothing will be done to address the trigger or the compromised areas of the body.

I realize that many people reading this are skeptical about whether or not anything can be done to help suppress the autoimmune component of Graves’ Disease, or other autoimmune conditions for that matter.  However, some of you might be familiar with the Institute of Functional Medicine.  This is an organization which consists of chiropractors, naturopaths, and medical doctors, and most of what they do is research-driven.  And they also realize that the autoimmune response can be addressed, and so medical doctors involved with this organization will usually do more than just recommend prescription drugs and invasive procedures for people who have autoimmune conditions.

The truth is that there is a lot that can be done for the autoimmune component of Graves’ Disease.  I will admit that it can be a challenge to find out what has triggered the autoimmune response.  And sometimes there can be numerous factors involved, which will make it even more challenging.  It isn’t easy to suppress the autoimmune component and control the inflammation with these conditions, but in many cases it is possible.

Myth #3: One’s diet has nothing to do with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.

Not only do most endocrinologists fail to address one’s diet in people with these conditions, but the fact remains that regardless of the condition, most medical doctors don’t focus on their patient’s diet when they’re dealing with an autoimmune condition of any kind.  But there is a reason behind the higher prevalence of these autoimmune conditions, and the main factors which have changed over the last few decades are 1) the food we eat, and 2) the toxins we’re exposed to.

People these days eat way more refined foods and sugars than ever before.  And we’re also consuming more foods with artificial ingredients, trans fats, GMOs, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients.  While it’s true that many people are becoming more aware of their health and are thus minimizing their consumption of junk food, many people are still eating these harmful foods, and this includes millions of children.  So we’re not only seeing a higher incidence of obesity, insulin resistance, and type II diabetes in adults, but are seeing these conditions in younger children as well.  And the same is true for thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.

We’re also being exposed to thousands of chemicals which weren’t in existence many years ago.  And the long term health consequences are unknown for the majority of these chemicals.  And while we assume that our body will be able to excrete these toxins, the truth is that the liver can easily become overwhelmed by all of these toxins.  And if we’re not eating a healthy diet then this too will affect the liver’s ability to detoxify.

The fact is that a healthy diet is important for a healthy immune system, a healthy gut, and healthy adrenals.  And the toxins we’re exposed to will also affect these areas, as well as other areas of the body.  So to tell someone that their diet and the toxins they’re exposed to isn’t a factor in the development of these conditions is ludicrous.

Myth #4: People with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease should never take iodine

This myth is definitely controversial, and I’m not suggesting that everyone with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease needs to supplement with iodine.  On the other hand, most endocrinologists will tell their patients to avoid iodine, and there is a lot of conflicting information in books and on the internet, and so it really is difficult to know what is right and what is wrong.  My goal isn’t to try to convince you that iodine is completely safe and should be taken by everyone with a hyperthyroid condition.  But hopefully this information will at least open your mind to the possibility that some people with hyperthyroid conditions can benefit from iodine supplementation.

Iodine is necessary for the formation of thyroid hormone.  And since hyperthyroid conditions involve the excess production of thyroid hormone, then it makes sense that consuming too much iodine will result in too much thyroid hormone.  However, what is considered to be too much iodine?  150 mcg is the recommended daily allowance, so is anything higher than this considered to be too much iodine?  How about 600 mcg?  How about 15mg?  How about 50 mg?

Before I discuss this further, let me first reveal that although I’m without question pro-iodine, I’m also conservative when it comes to iodine supplementation when compared to many other healthcare professionals.  I do believe that people should first be tested before taking iodine, and then if an iodine deficiency is confirmed then I recommend small doses in the beginning.  And while some natural healthcare professionals put all of their patients on 50mg of iodine, very rarely do I put someone on this high of a dose.  But those who do take this approach and know what they’re doing rarely encounter problems.

But how about iodine triggering an autoimmune response?  This is possible, but if the proper precautions are taken then this is unlikely to happen.  Dr. David Brownstein, author of the book “Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It”, makes sure that all of his patients who are on iodine also take sufficient amounts of selenium, vitamin C, and magnesium.  Selenium and vitamin C help with the oxidation reaction that takes place, and helps to prevent oxidative damage which can result in an autoimmune response.  Magnesium helps with the absorption of iodine, and other cofactors are also necessary, which you can learn about from reading his book.

So while not everyone with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease need to take iodine, some people with these conditions can benefit from supplementing with iodine.  I’m one of them, as when I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, part of my natural treatment protocol included supplementing with iodine.  And I’m pretty sure that this was an important part of restoring my health back to normal.  But this doesn’t mean that it’s a necessary component of everyone’s treatment plan.  Just remember that the excess production of thyroid hormone in Graves’ Disease isn’t due to too much iodine, but instead is due to the thyroid receptor antibodies attacking the TSH receptors.

Myth #5: It’s Dangerous To Treat Hyperthyroid Conditions Naturally.

Obviously I’m an advocate of treating hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease naturally.  On the other hand, many endocrinologists will be concerned about a person developing a condition such as thyroid storm if attempting to treat their condition naturally.  The truth is, there are risks with both natural and conventional medical treatment methods.  For example, if someone has a very high pulse rate and severe palpitations, then they might need to take antithyroid medication and/or a beta blocker to help manage the cardiac symptoms.

However, even when this is the case, most of the time the person who is taking these prescription drugs still can follow a natural treatment protocol.  I do think it’s a good idea for people with these conditions to be under the guidance of a competent natural healthcare professional, rather than attempt to self-treat their condition.  And when this is the case, usually the risks of following a natural treatment protocol are minimal.  Keep in mind that I also think it’s fine to continue working with a medical doctor as well, although I realize that most medical doctors won’t be supportive of natural treatment methods with regards to Graves’ Disease.

So hopefully you understand that with everything it comes down to risks vs. benefits.  There are potential risks when following a natural treatment protocol, and this is especially true for those who attempt to self-treat their condition.  But there are also obvious risks with getting your thyroid gland obliterated through radioactive iodine treatment, or receiving thyroid surgery.  This doesn’t mean that these treatment methods aren’t necessary at times, but some endocrinologists will try to scare their patients into receiving these treatment methods.  They may tell the person that they will be at risk for developing thyroid storm or will be more likely to have a heart attack.

The truth is that while it is always possible for a condition such as thyroid storm to develop, if someone is taking the proper precautions then this will minimize the risk of this happening.  So if they are taking medication to manage the symptoms, or herbs such as Bugleweed and Motherwort, and if these are effectively managing the hyperthyroid symptoms, then the risk of developing thyroid storm is low.

So while there can be risks involved with natural treatment methods, this doesn’t mean that following a natural treatment protocol is “dangerous”.  When working with an expert who has experience dealing with these conditions, the risks associated with natural treatment methods are minimal.  And while even in this situation there are still risks involved, there of course risks with conventional medical treatment methods as well.

In summary, there are numerous myths associated with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.  And while I’m sure some people will argue about some of the myths I listed in this post, others will realize that in most cases, receiving radioactive iodine treatment isn’t the best option for people with hyperthyroid conditions.  Either way, I hope you kept an open mind while reading this information, and hopefully will realize that there is a place for natural treatment methods in addressing hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.

There are many different myths when it comes to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  So what I’ve decided to do is discuss five common myths about this condition.  Some of these myths also apply to those people with hypothyroidism who don’t have an autoimmune component.  And for those people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease, next week I’ll have a post about some of the common myths regarding hyperthyroid conditions as well.

Myth #1: Everyone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis needs to be on thyroid hormone on a permanent basis

I’d like to begin by stating the obvious, which is that some people do need to take synthetic or natural thyroid hormone for the rest of their life.  However, when you really think about it, it’s crazy to tell someone to take thyroid hormone on a permanent basis based solely on a high TSH, low thyroid hormone levels, and/or high TPO antibodies.  While there are some great medical doctors in practice, the problem is that most doctors treat blood tests, and not the person.

Once again, I’m not suggesting that everyone reading this who is taking thyroid hormone should stop taking their medication.  But when someone has blood tests that are out of range, there is a cause behind this.  With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, most endocrinologists will simply tell their patients that this is an incurable autoimmune thyroid condition, and the only “solution” is to take thyroid hormone on a permanent basis.  In “Myth #2” below I’ll talk more about the autoimmune response, and after reading this I’m hoping you’ll agree with me that in some cases it is possible for someone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis to not be dependent on taking thyroid hormone for the rest of their life.

So when is it necessary to take thyroid hormone on a permanent basis?  Well, there are obvious situations, such as someone who has received a complete thyroidectomy.  Or perhaps someone who received radioactive iodine treatment.  Of course this doesn’t mean that these people don’t have other compromised areas of their body which shouldn’t be addressed, but even if this is the case they will most likely need to take thyroid hormone on a permanent basis.

But how about those people who haven’t received a thyroidectomy or RAI?  Well, if someone has Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and there has been extensive damage done to their thyroid gland due to the thyroid antibodies, then they might need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life.  The problem is that it’s difficult to tell when someone has reached this point, and just because someone has had Hashimoto’s for many years doesn’t mean their thyroid gland has been damaged to the point where it can’t produce a sufficient amount of thyroid hormone on its own.

Myth #2: Nothing can be done for the autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

This is another myth, as it’s one thing to say that Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can’t be cured, but to say that there isn’t anything that can be done to suppress the autoimmune response is not true.  And this isn’t just my opinion, and also isn’t just the opinion of chiropractors and naturopaths.  The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) is comprised of chiropractors, naturopaths, and medical doctors who actually try to address the underlying cause of certain conditions, including autoimmune conditions .  In fact, many medical doctors become exposed to holistic medicine through the IFM.

When it comes to autoimmune conditions, including Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, there are numerous factors which can trigger an autoimmune response.  These factors include stress, poor diet, gluten, heavy metals, H. Pylori, candida, and numerous other factors.  It admittedly can be a challenge to determine what the trigger is, but if the trigger is detected and then removed, and then the compromised areas of the body are addressed, then it is possible to improve the health of the immune system in people with autoimmune thyroid conditions.

This is the key in restoring the health of people with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Some people consider this condition to be due to genetics, and while it’s true that genetics usually play a role, it’s also a fact that lifestyle and environmental factors can influence the genetic markers.  So while we can’t change anyone’s genetic predisposition, most people with these conditions can be helped through diet, lifestyle, and environmental changes.

Myth #3: Everyone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis needs to avoid gluten on a permanent basis

The key word here is “needs”, as while one could argue that everyone with Hashimoto’s “should” avoid gluten for the rest of their life, there is no proof that everyone with this condition “needs” to avoid gluten on a permanent basis.  In other words, it is possible for some people to restore their health while continuing to consume foods that have gluten in them.  With that being said, it is a good idea for most people avoid gluten when following a natural treatment protocol.  After all, it can be a challenge to tell if someone has a gluten sensitivity problem, as one can’t just go by symptoms alone, and accurate testing can be quite expensive.

Plus, when you think about it, nobody really needs to eat foods with gluten.  And one can make the argument that everyone would live a healthier life if they were gluten free.  However, not everyone is gluten sensitive, and so while everyone should at least consider going on a gluten free trial, and some people do need to avoid gluten for the rest of their life, I don’t think that everyone with an autoimmune thyroid condition needs to permanently avoid gluten.

For example, let’s look at the person who is not gluten sensitive, but then due to numerous factors they go on to develop a leaky gut.  This not only triggers the autoimmune response, but due to this the person develops a gluten sensitivity problem.  Once the leaky gut has been healed this person very well may be able to consume foods with gluten and not have a problem.  On the other hand, some will remain sensitive to gluten even after the leaky gut has been corrected.

Keep in mind that I’m not suggesting that eating foods with gluten on a regular basis is a good idea.  I’m just not convinced that completely avoiding gluten on a permanent basis is necessary for everyone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Of course if someone is sensitive to gluten then even a small amount of gluten can cause problems, and therefore shouldn’t be consumed.

Myth #4: People with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis should never take iodine

Iodine supplementation in people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is of course a very controversial topic.  And over the years I’ve been cautious about giving iodine to patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Many people with this condition don’t understand what’s wrong with taking iodine, but they simply avoid it because they read somewhere that people with Hashimoto’s should avoid taking this mineral.  But what problem can iodine cause in people with this condition?

Let’s not forget that all of the minerals are important for optimal health, and iodine is necessary for the formation of thyroid hormone.  So for someone with an autoimmune hypothyroid condition it might be a good idea to make sure you’re not deficient in this mineral.  The problem is that iodine can potentially exacerbate the autoimmune response.  But why does this happen?  After all, Dr. David Brownstein (author of the book Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It) gives iodine to most of his patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and they seem to receive excellent results.  And he has been doing this for many years, along with numerous other doctors.

During the formation of thyroid hormone, there is an oxidative reaction that takes place.  Certain vitamins and minerals need to be present in order to prevent oxidative damage from occurring.  This oxidative damage can trigger an autoimmune response.  This is why Dr. Brownstein makes sure that all of his patients who take iodine also take selenium, along with vitamin C.  Magnesium isn’t an antioxidant, but it does help with the absorption of iodine and also should be taken.

Does this mean that everyone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis should take iodine?  Absolutely not, as not everyone needs to take iodine.  Before anyone takes iodine it really is a good idea to get tested first.  And then if it is determined that they have an iodine deficiency, one should begin with small doses of iodine.

Myth #5: Cruciferous vegetables should be completely avoided in those with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

A few years ago when I began focusing on thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, I would advise everyone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis to avoid cruciferous vegetables, and other goitrogenic foods.  I have even written articles about this.  And the reason for this is because I was taught this by other natural healthcare professionals who had a great deal of experience dealing with these conditions.  While avoiding goitrogenic foods won’t cause any harm, doing so is unnecessary, and I’ve come to learn that there are no studies in humans which show evidence that eating goitrogenic foods in normal amounts will inhibit thyroid function.

There have been some studies conducted on animals which involved larger amounts of these foods.  But there is no evidence which shows that eating a few servings of raw cruciferous vegetables, or other goitrogenic foods (spinach, strawberries, etc.) will inhibit thyroid gland activity.  Remember that these are very healthy foods we’re talking about, and while I wouldn’t recommend eating large amounts of these foods on a daily basis, one or two servings per day shouldn’t be an issue with most people.

So these are five common myths regarding Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  I’m sure there will be people who read this and will disagree with me on numerous points.  Keep in mind that I’m not suggesting for people to stop taking thyroid hormone, to begin taking iodine, to consume gluten on a daily  basis, or to eat large amounts of goitrogenic foods.  Just try to keep an open mind, and I encourage you to look further into some of these topics I’ve discussed in this post.

Many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions are aware of the benefits of eating a gluten free diet.  However, some people take this a step further and eliminate all of the grains from their diet.  I’m not suggesting this is something that everyone needs to do, but some  people who avoid eating grains see a significant improvement in their health.  So in this post I’ve decided to talk about the benefits of avoiding gluten and/or grains.

I’ve spoken numerous times in the past about gluten sensitivity problems, and so I’m only going to talk about this briefly in this post.  Gluten is a protein that is found in certain types of foods, including wheat, barley, rye, and spelt.  People who have the condition known as Celiac Disease need to avoid gluten for the rest of their life, as this is an autoimmune condition where they react to even small amounts of gluten.  But in addition to those who have Celiac Disease, many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions are sensitive to gluten.  And while some of these people will experience overt symptoms such as bloating, gas, constipation, etc., many people don’t experience any symptoms.

In fact, some people with Celiac Disease also don’t experience any symptoms when consuming gluten, which is why you can’t go by symptoms alone.  However, if someone has a gluten sensitivity problem and continues to consume gluten, over time this can cause damage to their intestinal lining, which eventually can lead to the condition known as “leaky gut”.  This in turn will cause inflammation, and as I’ve stated in past articles and posts, can potentially trigger an autoimmune response and lead to conditions such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Does Gluten Need To Be Avoided Permanently?

As for whether people with a gluten sensitivity problem should avoid eating gluten on a permanent basis, many natural healthcare professionals would say “yes”.  Some healthcare professionals will actually recommend for everyone with an autoimmune thyroid condition to permanently avoid gluten, even if they don’t have a sensitivity.  While I think that most of these people should go on a gluten free trial, I don’t agree that every single person with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis needs to avoid gluten for the rest of their life.

With that being said, some people with these conditions will need to avoid gluten on a permanent basis.  In addition to those with Celiac Disease, some other people will always a have gluten sensitivity issue, and if they eat even a small amount of gluten this will cause problems.  On the other hand, earlier I briefly mentioned leaky gut, and while having a gluten sensitivity problem can lead to this condition, the opposite is true as well.  In other words, someone might not be sensitive to gluten, but then develop leaky gut due to some other factor, and then due to this increase in intestinal permeability will develop a gluten sensitivity problem.

When this is the case, avoiding gluten for a prolonged period of time and repairing the gut very well might correct the gluten sensitivity problem.  In fact, leaky gut can lead to many different food sensitivities, and upon restoring the health of the digestive system, often times these food sensitivities will resolve.  So the person who was gluten sensitive due to a leaky gut might be able to eat gluten again once the leaky gut has been corrected.

However, while some of these people might eventually be able to eat gluten again, does this mean that they should eat gluten-based foods?  In other words, even if you do fine when eating gluten, this doesn’t mean that it’s something you should eat on a regular basis.  After all, there really aren’t any health benefits to eating foods with gluten.  I know some are reading this and thinking “this isn’t true, as whole wheat has some nutritional benefits”.  I’m not going to get into a discussion about this, but just keep in mind that the wheat we eat today isn’t the same as the wheat our ancestors ate.  My point is that even though grains which aren’t gluten free do provide nutrients, it is best to get the vitamins and minerals you need through whole foods.

How About Eating Grains?

I’ve focused on gluten so far, but how about grains in general?  Is there a health benefit from eating foods such as quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, etc?  You definitely can get a good amount of nutrients and fiber from eating these foods.  But eating a large amount of grains can cause problems, even if they are gluten free.  Keep in mind that I’m not grain free, and I’m not suggesting that everyone should stop eating grains.  All I’m saying is that eating a large amount of grains can cause more harm than good.

I never ate healthy grains growing up, as the majority of the grains I ate came in the form of white bread.  Like many people, as an adult I began eating foods such as brown rice in order to make healthier choices.  But even though it’s a healthier choice, and does have some good nutrients, eating too many grains can cause problems.  The reason is because they affect the blood sugar levels, and if you eat too many grains they can lead to blood sugar imbalances.  Of course some people are also sensitive to gluten free grains such as quinoa or brown rice, but this is a completely different story that I won’t get into here.  So the main problem is that even when people eat healthy grains, some people consume too many on a daily basis.  And if you do this on a regular basis then you can eat what seems like a healthy diet, yet still develop blood sugar imbalances and even conditions such as insulin resistance.

When Should Someone Consider Going Grain Free?

There are a few different circumstances when I might recommend for someone to avoid eating grains.  If I consult with someone who has obvious blood sugar imbalances, then this would be a situation where it might be a good idea to avoid grains for at least a few months, or at the very least minimize their consumption of grains.  If someone has problems with intestinal permeability and they are going through a gut repair protocol, then because grains can be difficult to digest it might be a good idea to avoid them until the gut is healed.

In summary, those who are gluten sensitive obviously will need to avoid gluten.  Some people will need to do this on a permanent basis, while others who are sensitive to gluten due to a gut issue might be able to overcome their gluten sensitive problem, and eventually incorporate gluten back into their diet.  This doesn’t mean they should consume gluten-based foods freely, as it still is wise to minimize your consumption of gluten.  The same concept applies with grains, as just about everyone needs to be cautious about consuming too many grains, and those with blood sugar imbalances or intestinal permeability may want to consider avoiding grains completely for at least a few months until these health issues have been resolved.