Before I was officially diagnosed with Graves’ Disease I knew I was going to take a natural treatment approach.  Initially I found out I had hyperthyroidism from my primary care physician, and a couple of months later I saw an endocrinologist, who officially gave me the diagnosis of Graves’ Disease.  But even though I had planned on doing things naturally for my condition, at the time I was still skeptical as to whether or not following a natural treatment protocol would help.  After all, back then I didn’t know anyone with Graves’ Disease who had successfully restored their health through natural treatment methods.

Fortunately things worked out very well for me, as I was able to get into remission without taking any medication, and years later I have still managed to maintain a state of wellness.  And many of my patients have had success in restoring their health back to normal as well.  Not everyone is able to avoid taking medication such as Methimazole or Propranolol, but even when someone needs to take medication it is of course still possible to restore one’s health back to normal.  The problem is that most people who take the medication don’t do anything to address the underlying cause of the condition, as they simply hope and pray that they will get into remission while taking antithyroid medication.  And while some people do get into remission when taking the medication alone, this state of remission is usually temporary.

Unfortunately many people with Graves’ Disease choose radioactive iodine as a first option.  And in most cases it’s because the endocrinologist they were working with convinced them that this was the very best option.  When I saw an endocrinologist for my Graves’ Disease condition I was fortunate that she didn’t try to pressure me to receive radioactive iodine treatment.  Of course even if she did recommend RAI I would have refused it, and I didn’t take the Methimazole she prescribed to me.  But many other endocrinologists recommend radioactive iodine to every single one of their patients with Graves’ Disease, which makes me very sad knowing that most of these people could have preserved the health of their thyroid gland if they had just given natural treatment methods a try.

The Problem With Receiving Radioactive Iodine As A “First Resort”

But why shouldn’t radioactive iodine be the first treatment option?  After all, hyperthyroidism can be a very scary condition to deal with.  After I found out I had hyperthyroidism I not only was in a state of disbelief, but I also was terrified.  And this was without an endocrinologist telling me that if I don’t get my thyroid gland “nuked” there is a chance I would experience a thyroid storm, or perhaps even a heart attack.  The obvious “benefit” of radioactive iodine is that it usually will eliminate hyperthyroidism, and thus will remove the risk of having a thyroid storm, along with other conditions associated with an increased heart rate.

Of course the downside is that radioactive iodine doesn’t do anything to address the autoimmune component of Graves’ Disease.  After all, it’s easy to forget that Graves’ Disease isn’t a thyroid condition, but instead is an immune system condition that affects the thyroid gland.  And while it’s important to manage the hyperthyroid symptoms, receiving radioactive iodine won’t do anything to improve the health of the immune system.  The research clearly shows that someone with one autoimmune condition is more likely to develop another autoimmune condition in the future.  And so it is very important to try to reverse the autoimmune component of Graves’ Disease, and not just focus on managing the symptoms.

How Do You Find The Underlying Cause?

It admittedly can be a challenge to determine the underlying cause of your Graves’ Disease condition.  The primary key is to try to detect the trigger or triggers which are responsible for the development of the autoimmune response.  Some common examples of triggers include stress, infections, food allergens, and environmental toxins.

There are many things you can do on your own to improve your health, such as clean up your diet, do a better job of managing your stress, and minimizing your exposure to environmental toxins.  However, it can be difficult to restore your health on your own.  This is why I think it’s wise to consult with a competent natural healthcare professional who has experience working with Graves’ Disease patients, as this will give you the guidance that you need.

On that note, in the near future I will be releasing an online group coaching program for those who have Graves’ Disease.  This new program for Graves’ Disease will be an affordable self-management/group coaching program.  Although I do think it’s a good idea for those with Graves’ Disease to work one-on-one with a competent natural healthcare professional, I realize that not everyone will choose to do this.  And even if you are currently working with a natural healthcare professional I’m sure the information provided in this program will only further help to optimize your health.

If this is something that sounds good to you I would recommend getting on my Reversing Graves’ Disease VIP priority notification list.

Click Here To Join The Reversing Graves’ Disease program VIP Priority Notification List

Lately I have been getting a lot of questions regarding essential oils.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not an expert in this area, although recently I have done a good amount of research on essential oils, and I figured it was time to write an article on this topic.   As I discuss these essential oils, you’ll notice that many of them have similar benefits.  For example, many of the essential oils I discuss have anti-inflammatory properties, which can greatly benefit people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  However, this doesn’t mean that if you have an autoimmune thyroid condition that you need to take all of the essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties.

It’s important to understand that while numerous essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties, most of them have other benefits as well.  And so while there might be some overlap between different essential oils, no two oils are exactly alike.  And not everyone will respond the same to each essential oil.  For example, one person might have a favorable response to myrrh oil, but when someone else tries it they notice that it doesn’t seem to help too much.  Of course not having a positive experience with one essential oil doesn’t mean that other essential oils won’t be beneficial.  And it’s also important to understand that the quality of the essential oil is important.

What I’d like to do now is discuss five essential oils that can benefit many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.  Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, as there are many other essential oils that can be beneficial, although the ones listed below have a good amount of research supporting their benefits.

1. Lemongrass.  Although there are numerous ways in which lemongrass can benefit one’s health, with regards to those with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, lemongrass is especially useful for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects.  One study showed that lemongrass oil inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1 beta and IL-6 (1).  Another study concluded that lemongrass essential oil and its constituents (citral and geranial) may be a therapeutic candidate for allergic and inflammatory diseases (2).  It also appears that lemongrass essential oil may have anticancer activity (3).  Another study showed that lemongrass essential oils has antifungal effects against Candida albicans,  C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger (4).

2. Myrrh.  Some sources claim that rubbing two or three drops of myrrh oil on the thyroid gland on a daily basis can help support thyroid health, especially in those with hypothyroidism.  I couldn’t find any research showing that myrrh can directly benefit thyroid health.  However, in most cases it won’t hurt to give this a try, and if anyone reading this has noticed an improvement in their thyroid health by using myrrh oil please feel free to share your experience in the comments section below.  Perhaps the improvement is due to the anti-inflammatory effects of myrrh, as the research does show that myrrh can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (5) (6), which can help reduce the autoimmune response, and this in turn might benefit people with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

3. Frankincense.   Frankincense is one of the main essential oils used for immune system health.  This is mainly due to the boswellic acids, which are the active compounds of frankincense (7).  The chemical structure of boswellic acids is similar to steroids, although their actions are different from most painkillers and NSAIDs (7).  Although I couldn’t find anything in the literature which shows that frankincense has a direct effect on thyroid health, just as is the case with myrrh oil, some people claim that rubbing frankincense oil directly on their thyroid gland has helped to improve their thyroid hormone levels, and in some cases even shrink thyroid nodules.  I can’t say that I have patients who have experienced this, but if anyone reading this has had a positive experience with frankincense that relates to thyroid health then please share your experience in the comments section below

But even if frankincense doesn’t have a direct effect on thyroid health, because most thyroid conditions are autoimmune, then using this essential oil can arguably help people with both Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  One specific study showed how the boswellic acids in frankincense can help to reduce Th17 cytokines, which are a factor in autoimmunity (8).  The same study showed that it can also increase regulatory T cells, which help to suppress autoimmunity (8).  Another study showed how one of the boswellic acids in frankincense is a potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, which is an enzyme responsible for inflammation (9).  In addition to helping with inflammation, frankincense might also benefit people with brain and memory conditions, along with asthma, skin conditions, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and cancer (10).

4. Geranium.  This essential oil has numerous benefits, but with regards to those people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, its anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects are two of the more important properties.  A few studies reveal the anti-inflammatory effects of geranium essential oil (11) (12).  However, I would rely more on the other essential oils I have discussed thus far for inflammation, and would recommend this essential oil more for helping with candida infections, which is a common problem with my patients.  One study showed that two of three geranium oil constituents (geraniol and geranyl acetate) exhibited anti-candida activity (13).  Another study showed that the vaginal application of geranium oil or its main component, geraniol, suppressed candida cell growth in the vagina and its local inflammation (14).  Another study showed that the essential oil not only resulted in the complete inhibition of Candida albicans, but it also showed anti-microbial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (15).

5. Lavender.  This probably is the most well known of the essential oils I have discussed.  And lavender has many different benefits.  One study showed that lavender can protect against diabetes and oxidative stress (16).  Many know that lavender has a calming effect, and one study showed that lavender aromatherapy had a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in women college students (17).  Many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions have sleep issues, and so lavender oil might help in some of these cases.  Lavender also has anti-inflammatory effects, as a study showed that lavender essential oil inhibited inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (18).  Another study showed that lavender has antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects (19).  There is also evidence that lavender has antimicrobial effects (20), and also has antifungal activity (21).

Other Essential Oils:

Although I focused on five specific essential oils in this blog post, this of course doesn’t mean that other essential oils can’t be beneficial to your health.  Other commonly used essential oils include melaleuca (tea tree oil), peppermint oil, clove oil, thyme oil, lemon oil, and marjoram.

How Do You Apply These Essential Oils?

When I first started learning about essential oils, one of the first questions I had was “how do I apply the essential oils”, and “what dosage do I use?”  In most cases you need only a very small amount of essential oil for a therapeutic effect to take place.  For example, one or two drops of these oils is frequently all someone needs.  Essential oils are usually diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil.  Other examples of carrier oils include avocado oil, sesame oil, and evening primrose oil.  Using the carrier oils reduces the chances of skin irritation occurring when the essential oils are applied topically.  And in case if you were wondering, diluting the essential oil with a carrier oil shouldn’t alter its therapeutic properties.

In summary, essential oils have some wonderful benefits, and you might want to consider incorporating them.  Myrrh oil and frankincense are two of the more well known essential oils with regards to thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.  And while some claim that they have a direct effect on thyroid health, the research shows that they have a greater effect on immune system health.  I also discussed the benefits of lemongrass, geranium, and lavender, although there are many other essential oils which can benefit your health.  I’m admittedly still learning about essential oils, and if you are interested in learning more about it then you might be interested in attending the free online essential oils summit.

For those people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis who are following an autoimmune paleo diet, one of the biggest challenges is to find snacks that are autoimmune paleo friendly.  And so I figured I’d put together a brief post listing some of snacks that are fine to eat for those who are following an autoimmune paleo diet.  This is an incomplete list, but for many people, the snacks I include in this post will make it much easier to follow an autoimmune paleo diet, and of course if you have other AIP-friendly snack suggestions please feel free to share these in the comments section below.

One thing to keep in mind is that while the snacks I have listed below are safe to eat for most people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, this doesn’t mean that it’s okay to overindulge in these snacks.  It’s easy to eat too many servings of fruits, sweet potato chips, and other snacks.  With regards to fruit, I would make sure to eat at least twice as many vegetables as fruits, and in many cases it’s a good idea to limit your consumption to two or three servings of fruit per day.

But how about other snacks such as plaintain chips, sweet potato chips, tiger nuts, etc?  This does depend on the person, but in most cases you will want to eat no more than one or two servings per day of these other snacks.  I realize this might be challenging to do, but one tip is to divide the snacks into smaller portions every night or morning.  So for example, if you purchase a bag of sweet potato chips or coconut flakes and if you eat them directly out of the bag then of course it’s more challenging to keep track of how much you’re eating, and before you know it you might end up eating half the bag.  On the other hand, if every night after you eat dinner you take a few minutes to portion your snacks into smaller servings then you are less likely to overindulge.

With that being said, here are nine AIP-friendly snacks:

1. Plaintain chips or crackers

2. Sweet potato chips

3. Kale chips

4. Coconut chips or flakes

5. Unsweetened coconut yogurt

6. Tiger nuts

7. AIP friendly beef jerky

8. Baby carrots and other vegetables

9. Certain fruits (i.e. apple, pear)

Preparing Your Own Snacks vs. Purchasing “Pre-Packaged” Snacks

When it comes to certain snacks such as fruit or baby carrots there shouldn’t be too many questions regarding where to purchase these foods, although I realize that not everyone will have access to organic fruits and vegetables.  But other than fruits and veggies, you will have the option of preparing your own snacks, or purchasing pre-packaged snacks.  Of course it is always best to prepare your own snacks whenever possible, as this will give you full control over the ingredients.  For example, there aren’t too many brands which carry unsweetened coconut yogurt, and most brands that are available have ingredients which might be problematic for some people.  On the other hand, I realize that many people would prefer not to prepare their own coconut yogurt.

The same concept applies with other snacks.  For example, you of course can prepare your own sweet potato chips, and if you are willing to do this then that’s great.  However, there is a brand I recently came across called “Jackson’s Honest” that has sweet potato chips with coconut oil, and there probably are a few other healthier brands that I’m not familiar with.   Although I personally don’t like beef jerky, the company “EPIC” has both beef jerky and protein bars which consist of 100% grass fed bison and beef.  Just keep in mind that not all of their products are AIP-friendly, as some of them include seeds.

It was only recently that I had the opportunity to try tiger nuts, as I was in a Whole Foods Market in New York that carried the brand Organic Gemini.  And so I decided to purchase a bag, and I must admit that I wasn’t crazy about them at first, but after awhile I got used to them, and now I really do enjoy them.  Unfortunately, they don’t offer tiger nuts at our local Whole Foods Market in Charlotte NC, but I order them online directly from the company.  Not only do I find that they make a good snack, but they are an excellent source of fiber, which is important for anyone following an autoimmune paleo diet, as some of the best sources of fiber (i.e. nuts, seeds, beans) are excluded from an autoimmune paleo diet.

What Is Your Favorite AIP-Friendly Snack?

Please feel free to share your favorite autoimmune paleo-friendly snack in the comments section below.  This can be from the list I included in this post, but of course if there are any other snacks you recommend which are AIP-friendly please feel free to share this with everyone as well.

When I consult with someone who has Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, it’s common for the person to have a family history of thyroid disease.  However, I also work with a lot of patients with an autoimmune thyroid condition who don’t have a family history of thyroid autoimmunity, or any other autoimmune conditions for that matter.  The National Institutes of Health estimates that up to 23.5 million Americans suffer from autoimmune disease, and that the prevalence is rising, while the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) claim that the number is closer to 50 million (1).  And of course there are tens of millions of people in other countries who suffer from Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and other autoimmune conditions.  But why is there an increased prevalence of autoimmunity?

Before discussing some of the different reasons for the increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid conditions, as well as other autoimmune conditions, it’s important to point out that there is a genetic component behind most, if not all of these conditions.  And the reason why this is important to mention is because in all likelihood the genetic predisposition hasn’t changed over the last 50+ years, but there is no question that over the last few decades our environment has changed for the worse.  And if we don’t modify these environmental factors, not only will you not improve your health and therefore will remain more susceptible to developing other autoimmune conditions, but if you have children then there is an increased likelihood that they will develop an autoimmune condition.

So let’s go ahead and discuss some of the main reasons why thyroid autoimmunity is on the rise:

1. Increased C-sections and bottle feeding.  Having a Cesarean section changes the gut microbiota, as does bottle feeding.  And so being born via a C-section and/or being bottle-fed can make you more susceptible to developing an autoimmune condition in the future.  Children born via a C-section lack the benefit of protective vaginal bacteria, which may make them more susceptible to viruses, allergies, and asthma later in life, as well as type one diabetes (2) (3).  Another study showed that being born via a C-section increases the risk of developing Celiac disease (4). As for the importance of breast milk, human milk differs from formula not only with regards to nutrients, but it also has growth factors, cytokines, immunoglobulins, and digestive enzymes that are lacking in infant formula (5).  Yet another study showed that formula-feeding is associated with a shift towards Th1 cytokines, which may have an influence on the development of autoimmune disease (6).  It’s worth noting that Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is usually a Th1-dominant condition.

Of course I realize that sometimes C-sections are necessary, and the same is true with bottle feeding.  But many C-sections are unnecessary, and some mothers don’t breastfeed their babies because they find it more convenient to bottle feed.  Another factor is that many women aren’t aware of the health benefits of breastfeeding, although I realize that most women reading this are probably aware that breastfeeding is a healthier option.  Of course I understand that some women do want to breastfeed their babies but are unable to, but the point I’m trying to make is that thousands of women are able to breastfeed their babies but choose not to do so, and most of these women don’t realize the negative impact this can have on the future health of their baby.

2. Western diet.  A “Western diet” typically includes foods that are high in sugar, unhealthy fats and oils, are frequently processed, etc.  And the reason why eating poorly can increase the risk of developing an autoimmune condition is because such diets promote inflammation.  Obesity is one factor, as this leads to the excessive accumulation of white adipose tissue and systemic inflammation (7).  In addition, processed foods and fast foods usually contain high amounts of salt, which in turn can increase Th17 cells (8) (9), which is a factor in autoimmune conditions.  In addition, Western diets will result in significantly different microbiota compositions, and one reason is because these diets are typically low in the fiber necessary to feed the good bacteria (10).  One study mentioned that a Western diet creates a specific inflammatory environment in the gut (11), and as many people reading this know, in order to have a healthy immune system you need to have a healthy gut.  A Western diet usually involves the excess consumption of omega 6 fatty acids, which also will promote inflammation.  And let’s not forget the negative impact that gluten can have on the gut.

3. Environmental toxins.  Over the past few decades there have been tens of thousands of chemicals manufactured.  One of the most well known ones is bisphenol a (BPA), which not only is an endocrine disruptor, but may play a role in the development of autoimmune conditions (12) (13) (14).  Phthalates are added to plastics to make them more flexible and harder to break, and they are found in adhesives, cosmetics, fragrances, vinyl flooring, polyvinyl chloride pipes, and certain toys and medical supplies (15).  And there is evidence that phthalates can trigger autoimmunity (15) (16).  Vaccines are also a possible factor (17) (18), and while this remains controversial, one thing that’s not debatable is that infants and children today receive many more vaccines than they did a few decades ago.  And of course there are many other environmental toxins we are exposed to, and to be honest, it would be shocking if there wasn’t an increase in autoimmunity with the stress put on our immune system by all of these chemicals.

4. Chronic Stress.  Both physical and psychological stress has been implicated in the development of autoimmune disease (19).  Of course humans have always dealt with stress, but the stressors of today are different than the stressors of the past.  In the past humans dealt more with acute stress situations, but these days we commonly deal with chronic stress.  As for how this can lead to autoimmunity, stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which in turn releases cortisol, and this in turn suppresses the immune system (20) (21).  However, it is thought that the stress-triggered neuroendocrine hormones cause dysregulation of the immune system, which alters cytokine production, and this in turn leads to autoimmunity (22).  Keep in mind that this is just a theory, as the mechanism isn’t completely understood, but there does seem to be a connection.  And of course having an autoimmune condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can be very stressful, and so even if someone has an autoimmune thyroid condition that wasn’t triggered by stress, having the condition itself can be stressful, and this chronic stress can perpetuate the autoimmune response.

5. Antibiotics, hand sanitizer, and the hygiene hypothesis.  The hygiene hypothesis suggests that exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other “germs” can help improve your immunity.  For example, when I was a child my friends and I frequently would play outside in the dirt.  In fact, it was unusual for me to come back into the house clean.  These days I rarely see this, as it’s more common to see children and teenagers on their electronic devices.  In addition to not interacting with the environment, hand sanitizer is frequently used, and this also minimizes our exposure to these “germs”.  As a result of being too hygienic this can actually weaken our immune system, and can make us more susceptible to developing chronic inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune conditions.

What can you do about this?  Well, I would definitely minimize the use of hand sanitizer and antibacterial soaps.  I spoke about this in greater detail in an article I wrote entitled “Triclosan and Thyroid Health“.  Of course trying to avoid taking antibiotics is also important, and while there is a time and place for taking these, in many cases these are unnecessary.  And if you have children please let them play in the dirt…and feel free to go ahead and get dirty with them!

So hopefully you have a better understanding as to why the incidence of thyroid autoimmunity is increasing, along with other autoimmune conditions.  While genetics is no question a factor in the development of autoimmune thyroid conditions, lifestyle and environmental factors are primarily responsible for the increased prevalence.  Some of the main reasons for the rise in thyroid autoimmunity include increased number of C-sections, formula feeding, eating a poor diet, greater exposure to environmental toxins, chronic stress, and the hygiene hypothesis.

In the previous blog post I briefly spoke about the mechanism of action of vitamin D, and I explained the difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.  I also discussed some of the more common health conditions that are affected by a vitamin D deficiency.  In this post I’m going to talk about why many people are deficient in vitamin D, and I’ll also discuss how to test for a vitamin D deficiency.  I’ll conclude the post by mentioning three ways to increase vitamin D levels.

So why are many people deficient in vitamin D?  Well, here are some of the different reasons:

1. Most people don’t get enough sunlight.  Many people work indoors and don’t get enough sunlight.  This definitely describes me, as while I’d like to say that I take a 30-minute walk in the sun during my lunch break every day, this usually isn’t the case.  And keep in mind that the amount of skin that is exposed to the sun plays a big factor.  For example, if someone takes a walk in the sun fully clothed then they will produce much less vitamin D when compared to someone who is sunbathing.  So I’ll consult with people who take a daily walk outside, or perhaps they work in their garden every day, but because they have a lot of clothing on they aren’t getting enough skin exposure.

2. Latitude.  Those who live in northern latitudes have a decreased exposure to sunlight during the winter, and thus are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D.

3. VDR polymorphism.  Vitamin D binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which in turn is encoded by the VDR gene.  Many people have genetic polymorphisms of the VDR gene, which can increase one’s risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency.  And the research shows an association between VDR polymorphisms and thyroid autoimmunity (1) (2).

4. Skin pigmentation.  Those with dark colored skin absorb more UVB in the melanin of their skin, and as a result, they require more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D (3) (4).

5. Air pollution.  Air pollution can block the absorption of ultra-violet B (UBV) light.  This of course is a factor wherever you live, but if you live in a larger city then chances are you are dealing with a greater amount of air pollution.

6. Age.  Aging affects vitamin D metabolism, as the older you get, the less vitamin D is produced by the skin.

7. Frequent use of sunscreen.  Many people apply sunscreen whenever they go out in the sun, and since sunscreen blocks the absorption of vitamin D, using it frequently can lead to a vitamin D deficiency.  This isn’t meant to suggest that you should never use sunscreen, as I can understand using it if you are planning to be in the sun for many hours, but I would try to get at least 20 to 30 minutes of sun exposure daily without the use of sunscreen.

8. Deficiency in one of the cofactors.  Vitamin D works together with numerous cofactors, including magnesium, vitamin K2, zinc, boron, and vitamin A.  The vitamin D Council website has an excellent article which discusses the role that each of these cofactors has with regards to vitamin D.

What Are The Symptoms of a Vitamin D Deficiency?

Many people who are deficient in vitamin D don’t experience any noticeable symptoms.  If the vitamin D deficiency is severe then they might experience symptoms such as muscle pain or weakness.  But other factors can cause such symptoms, and not everyone with depressed vitamin D levels will experience muscle pain or weakness.  As a result, the best way to determine if you have a vitamin D deficiency is through testing.

Testing The Vitamin D Levels

25-OH vitamin D is the marker that should be tested through the blood.  Some healthcare professionals will test 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and when you consider that this is the active form of vitamin D this might make sense.  However, it’s important to understand that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is regulated by parathyroid hormone, and when someone has a vitamin D deficiency this results in a compensatory increase in the parathyroid hormone levels, and this in turn will increase 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.  And so 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is usually normal or elevated, even in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency.

3 Ways To Increase Vitamin D Levels

1) Sunlight.  Ideally this is the best way to increase vitamin D levels, as one hundred years ago people didn’t take vitamin D3 supplements as they do today.  However, we of course live in a different world, as many people don’t have the opportunity to go outside when it’s sunny, and most who do get regular sun exposure are fully clothed.  In addition, air pollution is a big issue, as I mentioned earlier how this affects the absorption of vitamin D.

2) Supplementation.  I personally take 5,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 on a wellness basis, and this keeps my levels at a healthy level, which I confirm through annual testing.  Does this mean that everyone should take a vitamin D3 supplement on a wellness basis?  Not necessarily, as some people do need to supplement with vitamin D3 to correct a deficiency, but are then able to maintain healthy levels through regular sun exposure.  Others need to supplement with vitamin D3 but don’t need to take as high of a dosage.

3) Indoor tanning.  Using indoor tanning beds can also be an option.  This is controversial, as indoor tanning can potentially increase the risk of skin cancer (5) (6).  However, the vitamin D Council considers tanning to be a good option if you take the following two precautions (7).  First, get half the amount of exposure that it takes for your skin to turn pink.  And second, use low-pressure tanning beds that have a good amount of UVB light, instead of the high intensity UVA light.

Can Vitamin D Be Obtained Through Diet?

Vitamin D is very low in the food supply, as it is not found in plant materials (i.e. vegetables, fruits, or grains) and it is present in small amounts in meats and other animal food sources, except in rare cases such as fish liver oils (8).  Dairy products are of course commonly fortified with vitamin D, and canned salmon, sardines, and tuna can be good sources of vitamin D (9).  But overall it is very difficult to get enough vitamin D from the diet, and it is almost impossible to correct a vitamin D deficiency through diet alone.

In summary, many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions are deficient in vitamin D, and while a big reason for this is due to insufficient exposure to sunlight, other reasons include living in a northern latitude, having a VDR polymorphism, having dark colored skin, air pollution, frequently using sunscreen, and being deficient in one or more of the cofactors of vitamin D.  When testing for vitamin D in the blood you want to test for 25-hydroxy vitamin D, as this is more accurate than 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D.  Sunlight and supplementing with vitamin D3 are the two main ways to increase vitamin D levels, although indoor tanning is also an option.