Graves’ ophthalmopathy, also known as thyroid eye disease, is common in people with Graves’ Disease, and involves the thyroid antibodies attacking the tissues of the eyes.  Graves’ ophthalmopathy is clinically relevant in approximately 50% of patients with Graves’ disease, with severe forms affecting 3%-5% of patients (1).  In fact, many people consult with me not due to the high pulse rate, palpitations, or the other symptoms associated with Graves’ Disease, but instead are primarily concerned with their eye symptoms.  And most people want to know if there are any supplements or herbs they can take to help with this condition.

Before I discuss some natural approaches to help with thyroid eye disease, I’d first like to talk about the conventional medical treatment approach to this condition.  Although radioactive iodine is commonly recommended to people with Graves’ Disease, RAI can worsen ophthalmopathy, especially if it is administered to those patients who smoke, have a severe case of hyperthyroidism, or those with high levels of TSH-receptor-binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (2). If the condition is severe then steroids might be given, such as prednisone, but sometimes a wait-and-see policy is recommended in mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and the reason for this is because the condition can resolve spontaneously (2).

So if someone with Graves’ ophthalmopathy is looking to take the conventional medical approach, they are essentially looking at 1) taking steroids, or 2) playing the waiting game.  Although I’m not opposed to people taking steroids, there are natural options which might help with the inflammation.  And while they might not be as potent as the prescription drugs, they of course don’t come with the side effects.

Address The Inflammation and the Autoimmune Component

If someone has Graves’ ophthalmopathy and is looking to follow a natural treatment protocol, the treatment approach won’t be much different when compared to the one given to someone who has Graves’ Disease without thyroid eye disease.  In other words, there aren’t any or herbs which are specific for Graves’ ophthalmopathy.  Supplements and herbs which are specific for the eyes such as eyebright and lutein usually won’t help with this condition.

On the other hand, taking supplements and herbs which can decrease inflammation may help.  The effectiveness depends on the severity of the condition.  Pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with autoimmune conditions such as Graves’ Disease, and studies show that the cytokines of the IL-1 family and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) play a big role when it comes to Graves’ ophthalmopathy (3).  So the goal should be to give supplements which have shown to inhibit these proinflammatory cytokines.  Here are some supplements which may help to at least ease some of the symptoms associated with Graves’ ophthalmopathy while the cause of the condition is being addressed:

EPA and DHA.  Numerous studies show that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can inhibit TNF-alpha and IL-1 (4) (5) (6).  These are found in fish oil and krill oil.  For those who are a vegetarian, some studies have shown that flaxseed oil can also inhibit these pro-inflammatory cytokines (7) (8).  The problem is that many people have problems converting alpha-linolenic acid into DHA and EPA, which are responsible for forming the prostaglandins which help with inflammation.

Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA).  GLA is a type of omega-6 fatty acid.  Although you want to be cautious about consuming too many omega-6 fatty acids, studies also show that consumption of GLA rich oils such as Borage oil, Black Currant Seed oil, or Evening Primrose oil can have beneficial effects on inflammatory disorders and can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (9) (10) (11).

Turmeric.  Turmeric is rich in curcuminoids, and numerous studies have shown that curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit proinflammatory cytokines(12) (13) (14) (15).  Turmeric is a wonderful herb, and I’ve written a separate article entitled Turmeric and Thyroid Health.

Resveratrol.  Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in grapes, fruits, and root extracts of the weed Polygonum cuspidatum,  and it exhibits anti-inflammatory, cell growth-modulatory, and anticarcinogenic effects (16).  Numerous studies have shown that resveratrol has an inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines (17) (18).  So resveratrol is yet another powerful supplement with anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin D.  Vitamin D3 also has anti-inflammatory properties (19) (20).  And many people are deficient in vitamin D.  I recommend for all of my patients to test their vitamin D levels, and if they are deficient I recommend for them to supplement with vitamin D3, along with increasing their sun exposure.  So if someone has thyroid eye disease then they without question want to make sure they are not deficient in vitamin D.

I’m not suggesting that those with Graves’ ophthalmopathy need to take all of these supplements I mentioned.  At the very least you want to take some type of omega-3 fatty acid, and it’s a good idea to take a form of GLA.  If you’re vitamin D deficient then it probably is a good idea to take vitamin D3 to increase the levels.  Taking fish oils, a good form of GLA, and making sure you have healthy vitamin D levels will help a great deal with the inflammatory process.  Also, keep in mind that there are other supplements and herbs which have anti-inflammatory effects other than the ones I mentioned, but these are some of the more effective ones.

So if you have Graves’ ophthalmopathy, hopefully you understand that the key to overcoming this condition is to address the autoimmune component of Graves’ Disease.  Supplements and herbs which might help include fish oils, GLA, vitamin D3, turmeric, and resveratrol.  However, keep in mind that the overall goal should be to find out what’s triggering the autoimmune response, and then to remove this trigger while restoring the health of compromised areas of the body.

Most people reading this know that iodine is important for the formation of thyroid hormone.  There is a good amount of evidence that an iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to health issues with the developing fetus.  And so to reduce the chances of health issues developing in the fetus, it probably would make sense for all pregnant women to take a prenatal vitamin with iodine during pregnancy, or perhaps a separate iodine supplement in some cases.  But many women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are told to completely avoid iodine.  And so what approach should pregnant women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis take?

While some healthcare professionals will recommend for everyone with an autoimmune thyroid condition to avoid iodine, I don’t necessarily share this viewpoint.  However, even though I feel that s0me people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions can benefit from iodine supplementation, I am very cautious when it comes to recommending iodine to people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  In some cases iodine can trigger an autoimmune response, and may worsen the condition of someone with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  On the other hand, some people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis have benefited from supplementing with iodine.

Understanding The Importance Of Iodine To The Developing Fetus

Beginning in early gestation, maternal thyroid hormone production normally increases by 50%, and this requires an adequate iodine supply that is obtained primarily from the diet and/or as supplemental iodine (1).  In addition, fetal thyroid hormone production increases during the second half of pregnancy, which further contributes to the increased requirements of maternal iodine due to the fact that iodide readily crosses the placenta (2).  Because of increased thyroid hormone production, increased renal iodine losses, and fetal iodine requirements in pregnancy, dietary iodine requirements are higher in pregnant adults than in nonpregnant adults (2).

Iodine deficiency isn’t something to take lightly, and numerous studies demonstrate the importance of iodine sufficiency during pregnancy.  One study provides evidence that even mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy can have long-term adverse impacts on fetal neurocognition that are not ameliorated by iodine sufficiency during childhood (3).  In other words, any damage in fetal brain function due to an iodine deficiency supposedly isn’t reversible by correcting this deficiency during childhood.  Another study looked to assess whether a mild iodine deficiency during early pregnancy was associated with an adverse effect on child cognitive development (4).  The results of the study showed the importance of adequate iodine status during early gestation and emphasize the risk that low iodine levels can pose to the developing infant, even if the iodine deficiency is mild.

Why Do Many People With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Avoid Iodine?

The big concern with iodine consumption in autoimmune thyroid conditions is that it might exacerbate the autoimmune response.  I actually wrote about this in a post entitled “Can Taking Iodine Cause An Autoimmune Thyroid Condition?”  In the article I discussed how there is evidence that consuming iodine can increase the TPO antibodies.  However, I also mentioned how adequate selenium is important for the oxidation of iodide to iodine, and if someone has a selenium deficiency then this can cause oxidative damage.  As a result, taking selenium is important when supplementing with iodine.  Does this mean that people who take iodine and selenium won’t have any problems?  Not necessarily.  First of all, other vitamins and minerals are also important to supplement with, such as magnesium.  It’s also a good idea to supplement with vitamin C and the B vitamins.  But some people who do this still don’t do well when consuming iodine.

Plus, another factor to consider with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is that the increase in thyroid antibodies itself can pose a risk to the fetus…especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.  So if taking iodine happens to worsen the autoimmune response, then this might cause further harm to the baby.  On the other hand, sometimes the pregnancy itself will suppress the autoimmune component.  And if this is the case then this will greatly reduce the chances of iodine causing any problems. This once again is assuming the proper precautions are taken.

Should Pregnant Women With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Avoid Iodine?

This is an obvious dilemma for pregnant women who have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Should they avoid supplementation with any iodine and avoid all foods with iodine, and hope that the baby will be fine?  Or should they “take the chance” and take a prenatal vitamin with iodine, and hope that this doesn’t trigger an autoimmune response?  Of course another option is to have pregnant women test to see if they have sufficient levels of iodine.  This can be a catch-22, as myself and many other natural healthcare professionals recommend a 24-hour iodine loading test through the urine, which involves taking a 50 mg tablet of Iodoral before performing the test.

I’m in favor of a prenatal vitamin with iodine for women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  After all, in most cases we’re talking about 150 to 200 mcg of iodine, which is a fairly small dose.  Plus, taking iodine in the presence of these other nutrients will usually minimize any negative effects of the iodine.  While there are people who seem to have problems tolerating even small doses of iodine, remember that we’re talking about risks vs. benefits here, and in those women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, it is my opinion that the risk of completing avoiding iodine during pregnancy is in most cases greater than the risks of having a small amount of iodine in the form of a prenatal vitamin.

Are there cases when a pregnant woman with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis should consider taking a separate iodine supplement?  This of course is even more controversial.  The problem is that there aren’t any clinical trials which involves pregnant women taking higher doses of iodine.  And by higher doses I don’t necessarily mean 25 to 50 mg per day, but even 6 to 12 mg/day of iodine, which is well above the RDI.  However, I did come across a case study where three newborns developed congenital hypothyroidism, and it seems that excess maternal iodine ingestion was the cause (5).  All three newborns had to go on levothyroxine, although 2 of the newborns were able to discontinue levothyroxine a few weeks after the excess maternal iodine ingestion was discovered.  And so in two of these newborns the hypothyroidism was transient, although one of the babies remained on levothyroxine at 30 months of age.

With that being said, I have worked with some pregnant women with autoimmune thyroid conditions who were taking higher doses of iodine on their own, and in none of these cases was there harm done to the baby.  To be fair, I’ve only had a few pregnant women take higher doses of iodine (all took it on their own), and so I’m not suggesting that taking higher doses of iodine during pregnancy is safe.  I personally don’t recommend for pregnant women to take very high doses of iodine, regardless of whether or not they have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

In summary, there is a lot of evidence which demonstrates the importance of iodine sufficiency during pregnancy.  However, since many people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis try everything to avoid iodine then this brings up a dilemma.  Although I’m not suggesting that women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis should supplement with high doses of iodine, in most cases, taking a prenatal vitamin with iodine won’t exacerbate the autoimmune response, and at the same time will provide the developing fetus with a small amount of iodine that is necessary for proper cognitive development.

Many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions attempt to go on a gluten-free diet.  And while completing avoiding gluten can be a challenge for someone who is accustomed to eating foods which contain gluten, these days it is much easier to get foods which are gluten free.  Just about every health food store has gluten-free items, as does many conventional supermarkets.  And some restaurants serve gluten-free food.  However, many people who think they are completely avoiding gluten are in fact getting some exposure to it in one way or another.  And in some people, even a small amount of gluten can cause problems.  So the goal of this blog post is to reveal some of the “hidden” sources of gluten.

But before I mention these sources, I want to briefly talk about why even a small amount of gluten can cause problems.  If you’ve been following me for awhile, then you know that I’m not an extremist when it comes to gluten.  In other words, I don’t believe that everyone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition needs to avoid gluten on a permanent basis.  However, I do think it’s a good idea for people with these conditions to go on a gluten-free trial.  One can always test to see if they have a gluten sensitivity problem, although most testing out there is inaccurate, and the more accurate testing is very expensive.

What Happens If Someone Consumes Gluten When They’re Sensitive To It?

So what happens if someone who is has a gluten sensitivity problem consumes gluten?  Well, they might experience symptoms such as bloating, gas, fatigue, brain fog, etc.  On the other hand, some people who are sensitive to gluten don’t experience any overt symptoms.  This is true even with some people who have Celiac Disease.  But even if they aren’t experiencing symptoms, if someone who has a gluten sensitivity consumes gluten, this can cause damage to the intestinal lining, and potentially result in problems with intestinal permeability (1), also known as a leaky gut.  But eating gluten when one has a sensitivity can cause other problems, such as peripheral neuropathy (2).  Consuming gluten may also cause something called “gluten ataxia” (3).

I’m not trying to scare anyone into giving up gluten.  I’d be a hypocrite if I tried to do this, as I wasn’t 100% gluten free when I followed a natural treatment protocol after initially being diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, although since I ate mostly whole foods for the most part I did avoid gluten.  At the time I wasn’t fully aware of the potential risks of consuming gluten, and when working with someone who is trying to restore their back to health, I want to try to do everything to help them achieve optimal health.  And since I don’t know who might be sensitive to gluten and who might not be, I currently recommend for those following a natural treatment protocol to at least go on a gluten free trial.  So I’m not telling everyone to avoid gluten on a permanent basis, although some people will of course need to do this.

I commonly have patients tell me they’re “almost” gluten free.  So they might be “80%” gluten free, or perhaps “95%” gluten free.  I commend those who try to avoid gluten, as I realize it’s not an easy process.  The problem is that if someone is sensitive to gluten, even a small amount of gluten might cause problems, and potentially can prevent them from receiving optimal results.  And while some people are intentionally consuming a small amount of gluten, others are trying everything they can do to avoid it, but are being exposed to it on a daily basis.  Many of these people will be fine, but some people might not receive optimal results when consuming even a small amount of gluten, which is why I want to discuss three “hidden” sources of gluten.

1. Packaged gluten-free foods.  There are hundreds of different gluten-free foods.  There are gluten-free cookies, gluten-free cereals, and many other gluten-free items.  Of course just because something is gluten-free doesn’t mean that it’s healthy.  For example, I came across some information which revealed that Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles are now gluten free (4).  But even though they are gluten-free, they still have artificial ingredients.  There are “healthier” gluten-free cereals which don’t have any artificial ingredients, and the same can be said for many other processed gluten-free foods.

But even if you purchase a processed food which is gluten-free, it still might have traces of gluten in it.  According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, one of the criteria proposed is that foods bearing the claim “gluten free” cannot contain 20 parts per million (ppm) or more gluten (5).  I once attended a seminar where the presenter spoke about people with a gluten sensitivity problem reacting if the food contained less than 5 ppm.  I wasn’t able to find any studies showing this, but if someone is trying to avoid gluten it’s important to realize that many packaged foods which are labeled as being “gluten free” might still have trace amounts of gluten, and in some cases this can cause problems.  The obvious solution to this is to ditch the processed foods, even the “healthier” ones, and stick with whole foods.

2. A gluten-free meal in a restaurant. If you eat out on a regular basis, chances are you’re not completely avoiding gluten.  Even if you visit a restaurant which has a gluten-free menu, cross contamination is a strong possibility.  Does this mean that someone who is trying to avoid gluten can’t eat out at all?  Just like many other people, I enjoy eating out.  But if someone is trying to restore their health and is sensitive to gluten, then it is a good idea to not eat out at all.  This of course not only includes going out to a restaurant, but also to the house of a friend or family member for dinner, unless if you know for sure there won’t be any cross contamination, which most of the time isn’t the case.  But what should you do if you go on a vacation?  Well, with some proper planning you can stay at a hotel which has a small kitchen, and this way you can prepare your own meals.

Keep in mind that I’m not suggesting that those who follow a natural treatment protocol should avoid eating out on a permanent basis.  All I’m saying is that if someone eats out then there is a strong possibility they are consuming some gluten.  And if they happen to have a gluten sensitivity problem, this can affect their recovery.  So when someone is trying to restore their health back to normal it really is a good idea to avoid eating out.

3.  Cosmetics which include gluten. This admittedly isn’t something I have paid much attention to in the past.  Although I encourage my patients to use natural products and cosmetics, I haven’t focused much on telling them to use gluten-free products.  There’s some controversy as to whether gluten can be absorbed through the skin, and while I couldn’t find any studies on this, some reputable sources claim this isn’t the case.  However, if you use any product that might be swallowed then it’s a good idea to make sure it’s gluten-free.  Two examples include lipstick and toothpaste.  If someone is trying to avoid gluten then one will probably want to make sure these products are gluten-free.  I did find a website which has a list of a number of gluten-free toothpastes, which you can access by clicking here.  Keep in mind that there are other toothpaste brands which might also be gluten-free but aren’t on this list.  Another option is to make your own toothpaste.  You can always just use baking soda, or if you perform a Google search for “homemade toothpaste” you’ll come across some recipes.

I know all of this might seem to be going overboard, especially for someone who claims not to be a “gluten extremist”.  Truth to be told, most people probably don’t need to use a gluten-free lipstick or toothpaste.  However, for some people it will make a difference.  While many people might be fine with very small amounts of gluten, others might need to completely avoid it.  And if this is the case, you want to stay away from all processed food, avoid eating out, and perhaps be cautious about lipstick, toothpaste, and other products which might be swallowed.

When I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, I was given a prescription for Methimazole and Propranolol.  I was experiencing a high pulse rate, palpitations, and initially I wasn’t doing anything to manage the symptoms.  A few months had passed before I decided to take Bugleweed, and then I eventually added Motherwort.  Looking back this probably wasn’t a smart decision, as I should have either taken the medication, or I should have taken the herbs sooner.  But either way it is important to do something to manage the hyperthyroid symptoms.

I work with a lot of people who have hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease.  Many of them are taking antithyroid medication initially, some are also taking a beta blocker, while others have already been taking herbs such as Bugleweed, Motherwort, and/or Lemon Balm.  Sometimes there will be people who are taking the medication AND taking the herbs at the same time.  And there are some people I speak with who aren’t taking anything for symptom management.

The Pros And Cons Of Taking Prescription Medication For Symptom Management

Even though I’m a natural healthcare professional, I do realize that there is a time and place for taking medication.  And when someone has a very high pulse rate and heart palpitations, this would be one of those times when taking medication may be a wise choice.  Although I personally chose not to take the prescription medication and did fine with an herbal approach, some people don’t do well when trying to manage their symptoms with Bugleweed and/or Motherwort.

Keep in mind that the medication is much more potent than any herbs you can take.  This can be both a good and a bad thing.  It’s beneficial when someone has moderate to severe cardiac symptoms which can’t be controlled by the herbs.  When this is the case, taking the medication  can prevent someone from needing to receive radioactive iodine treatment or thyroid surgery.  So even though I frequently talk about the medication not addressing the cause of the condition, I’m fine with someone taking it on a temporary basis while I try to detect and correct the cause of the problem.

The downside is that these medications can be toxic to the liver.  This is especially true with antithyroid medication such as Methimazole (Tapazole) and PTU.  And this is one reason why most endocrinologists will monitor the liver enzymes.  In addition to affecting the liver enzymes, some people will experience side effects when on the medication.

The Pros And Cons Of Taking Herbs For Symptom Management

The obvious benefit of taking herbs such as Bugleweed and Motherwort is that they represent natural methods of managing the symptoms.  And unlike the medication, people rarely experience side effects when taking the herbs, and these herbs typically won’t put stress on the liver.  As I mentioned earlier, I took Bugleweed and Motherwort to manage the symptoms, and did so for a number of months.  And many of my patients also take one or both of these herbs for symptom management.

The main disadvantage of taking the herbs is that for some people they aren’t potent enough to manage the hyperthyroid symptoms.  Although it usually takes some time before these herbs begin helping with the symptoms, I’ve had some patients who took higher doses of these herbs and gave them a sufficient amount of time to work, but still didn’t notice an improvement in their heart rate and/or the palpitations.  As a result some people do need to take the medication.

Which Hyperthyroid Treatment Method Should You Choose?

So which method should you choose to manage the hyperthyroid symptoms?  Should you take the medication?  Or should you try taking the herbs?  This of course is something for you to decide.  As I mentioned earlier, many of my patients are taking antithyroid medication and/or beta blockers when they first consult with me, and I never tell anyone to stop taking the medication.  And if someone is taking the herbs and they are doing a good job of managing the symptoms then I’m also fine with this.

However, if someone is taking a healthy dosage of Bugleweed and/or Motherwort, and if these herbs aren’t doing a good job of managing the symptoms, then it might be a good idea to switch to the medication.  On the other hand, some people who initially take the medication experience side effects, and as a result decide to switch to the herbs.

Ultimately it is up to the person as to which treatment method to choose to manage their hyperthyroid symptoms.  What it comes down to is that the medication can help, but taking the meds might lead to side effects and can put stress on the liver.  Bugleweed and Motherwort can also manage the hyperthyroid symptoms, but these herbs might not be potent enough to do this in some people.  And so you need to consider these factors when deciding whether taking the medication or the herbs is the best option for you.

Most people who follow a natural treatment protocol realize that it takes time to see results, let alone restore one’s health back to normal.  But many people still want to know how long it should take before they feel better, before they begin to see positive changes in the blood tests, and how long it will take to restore their health back to normal.  And so I thought it would be a good idea to write a post about the expectations one should have when following a natural treatment protocol.

Because everyone is different, it is impossible to predict exactly how long someone will begin to notice an improvement in their condition, or in their blood or saliva tests, etc.  With that being said, in most cases it shouldn’t take too long before someone notices positive changes from a symptomatic perspective.  For example, when I consult with a patient for the first time, I will go through their case history and ask them numerous questions, which is the case with most healthcare professionals.  Most of the time I will also recommend certain tests in order to determine what the underlying cause of the condition is.  Sometimes this can be a challenge, especially since many people have more than one problem which may be causing or contributing to their condition.

In any case, once I recommend a specific natural treatment protocol to a patient, I usually want them to notice an improvement in their symptoms within one or two months.  Some people notice positive changes sooner, as I’ve had patients who felt better after only a couple of weeks on the protocol.  But the goal of this article is to set you up for realistic expectations, and while there’s a chance you might feel better after a few weeks, in most cases it will take one or two months before noticing any positive changes.  And of course in some people it can take longer than this, although if someone isn’t showing any improvement in the symptoms after a few months then you really have to question whether changes need to be made in the natural treatment protocol you’re following.  Don’t get me wrong, as I don’t expect people to be symptom free after one or two months, but in most cases there should be at least SOME positive changes.

Having Realistic Expectations With The Blood Tests

Now that you have an idea as to how long it should take before you notice positive changes in the symptoms, the next question is “how long does it usually take to see an improvement with the blood tests?  Of course if someone is on medication then this sometimes can be a challenge, as they might already have good numbers with regards to the TSH and thyroid hormone levels.  So for example, if someone with Graves’ Disease is taking Methimazole, then they might already have a normal TSH and/or thyroid hormone levels.  So in this case, how would you know if the natural treatment methods are working?  Well, assuming the person remains on the same dosage of Methimazole, if the natural treatment methods are doing what they’re supposed to do then the TSH should continue to increase, and the thyroid hormone levels should continue to decrease.  When this happens the endocrinologist usually will lower the dosage of the medication.

But how long should it take to see these changes on a blood test?  With most people I like to see positive changes in the blood tests within 2 to 4 months of starting the natural treatment protocol.  This doesn’t mean I expect the levels to be normal (assuming the person isn’t on medication), although every now and then this will happen.  How long should it take before someone has normal blood tests without being on the medication?  Once again, this will vary from person to person.  When I was following a natural treatment protocol for my Graves’ Disease condition it took about 6 months before my TSH and thyroid hormone levels normalized.  With some patients it will take longer than this, although I’ve had a few patients who had normal levels within three months.  This doesn’t necessarily mean they were stable at this point, but it’s still a great feeling when the labs normalize without you being on medication.

However, keep in mind that it’s not just about normalizing the TSH and thyroid hormone levels.  In people with Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, they will typically have high thyroid antibodies on the blood tests.  And so you want the antibodies to eventually normalize as well.  One problem is that the antibodies can fluctuate, and so you can’t get overexcited just by seeing an improvement in the thyroid antibodies.  But one of the goals of following a natural treatment protocol is to normalize the thyroid antibodies, and then keep them at a normal level.

Having Realistic Expectations With Other Tests

I commonly recommend other tests to my patients.  The main tests I recommend are saliva testing for the adrenals, along with a hair mineral analysis test.  Sometimes I’ll also test the hormones, and at times I’ll recommend an intestinal permeability test to find out if someone has a leaky gut.  But how long does it take for these tests to normalize?  By now you should know that it depends on the person.  With the cortisol levels and DHEA, it’s not uncommon to see these normalize within two or three months, although for some people it will take longer than this.  If someone has a problem with intestinal permeability, then the average period of time to correct this condition is three to six months.  If someone has a hormone imbalance then this can also take a few months to correct.

The Patient Needs To Do Their Part

Of course it’s very important for the patient to follow the necessary recommendations.  For example, if someone gets the cortisol levels tested in the saliva and they’re out of range, it is important for the person to 1) eat a healthy diet consisting mostly of whole foods while minimizing their carbohydrate intake, and 2) do a good job of managing their stress.  While adrenal support supplements might be necessary, if someone takes the recommended supplements but does a poor job of managing his or her stress, then they won’t recover as quickly as someone who does an excellent job of managing their stress.

Similarly, if someone has a leaky gut that was caused by eating gluten, and if they continue to eat gluten, then it will take a longer time to heal the gut compared to someone who is compliant.  Expecting to heal the gut within three to six months is unrealistic for someone who continues to eat poorly and doesn’t avoid food allergens which might be responsible for the gut problem.  And the same concept applies to correcting other compromised areas of the body.

How Long Does It Take To Achieve Optimal Health?

The ultimate goal of any natural treatment protocol is to help the person to achieve optimal health.  But how long does this take?  6 months?  One year?  Two years?  You probably already know the answer to this, which is that this will vary from person to person.  If you want to have realistic expectations then 6 to 12 months is a good range for most people.  However, for some people it will take longer than this.  But as I discussed in this article, you should be seeing positive changes along the way.  Most people reading this understand that it takes time to restore one’s health.  But in most cases it shouldn’t take 6 to 12 months to notice positive changes.

In summary, many people can benefit from following a natural treatment protocol.  However, some people have unrealistic expectations, as they expect to receive almost miraculous results very quickly.  Usually it takes time for these conditions to develop, and as a result, it almost always takes a good amount of time to restore one’s health back to normal.  And of course numerous factors play a role in the speed of recovery, such as the severity of the condition, as well as the compliance of the patients.  To no surprise, those who comply with the recommended treatment protocol are more likely to recover faster than someone who isn’t compliant with the recommendations.