Those who have been reading my blog posts for awhile realize that there are many different factors which can trigger an autoimmune response, and thus lead to the development of an autoimmune thyroid condition.  But most of us don’t think about the potential impact that poor dental health can have on our entire body.  The truth is that there are numerous problems with the teeth and gums which can potentially lead to conditions such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, as well as other conditions.  So this is probably one of those posts that you’ll want to forward to your family members and friends, as poor dental health can cause many different health conditions.

In this post I’m going to focus on three of these problems.

1. Mercury Fillings. I’ve written about this in the past, and the good news is that many people are already aware of the impact that mercury has on their health.  I speak with more and more people who have gotten their mercury fillings replaced with white fillings.  However, there are many people who still have mercury fillings.  Some are aware of the health risks involved with mercury fillings, but they can’t afford to get them removed, or just haven’t gotten around to doing so.  To be frank, while mercury can potentially trigger an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, people with these conditions need to be extremely careful about having silver fillings removed, as this can also exacerbate the immune system…even if done by a biological dentist.  So while everyone eventually should get their mercury amalgams removed, you want to be smart about doing this, and many times it isn’t wise to do this when initially beginning a natural treatment protocol.

Mercury not only can trigger an autoimmune thyroid condition, but it can also directly bind to the thyroid gland.  When this happens it usually will result in a hypothyroid condition.  Mercury also will interfere with some important minerals that are required for the synthesis of thyroid hormone.  These minerals include zinc, selenium, and magnesium.

While removing any mercury fillings will help greatly, often times this isn’t enough to get rid of the mercury from the body.  This is where a heavy metal detoxification protocol or something like sauna therapy or chelation therapy can help to remove the mercury from the body.  Just keep in mind that some of these procedures can also remove some of the minerals from your body, and so you probably will want to be under the guidance of a competent healthcare professional rather than do this on your own.

2. Gingivitis. One of the keys to restoring someone’s health back to normal is to get rid of the inflammation.  But there are many different factors which can lead to inflammation.  One of the most common factors I speak about is one’s digestive health.  For example, consuming foods that you’re allergic or sensitive to will lead to inflammation.  And if this is the case, then you obviously will need to eliminate these foods from your diet.

But what about a severe case of gingivitis?  I’m not suggesting that inflammation of the gums is a major culprit behind autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  On the other hand, this isn’t something that can be overlooked, as gingivitis is a source of inflammation that has been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular problems.  So if someone is following a natural treatment protocol and their digestive health is fine, and other commonly compromised areas I have discussed in the past (i.e. adrenals) are also in good health, then one shouldn’t overlook the health of the gums.

So while everyone should of course brush their teeth a few times a day, floss daily, and get checked regularly by a dentist, perhaps it’s even more important for those with autoimmune thyroid conditions to focus on proper dental hygiene.  While this may not play a big role in a person’s recovery, it still isn’t something to be overlooked.

3. Root Canals. This is going to be somewhat controversial, as there seems to be a lot of evidence that root canals can lead to numerous health issues.  Of course if you were to bring this up to most mainstream dentists then they will tell you that this is a myth, and that root canals are completely safe.  On the other hand, if you were to see a biological dentist then they probably would tell you to do everything you could to avoid getting a root canal, even it meant getting the tooth extracted.

I’m not going to get into too much detail about this, but the fear is that after the root canal procedure, even with the sterilization procedure performed bacteria can still be in the root canal treated tooth, which can lead to an infection, and can potentially lead to certain conditions.  For example, since every tooth correlates with a specific body meridian, having a root canal on a tooth that correlates with the liver meridian can potentially affect the health of the liver.  Similarly, if the tooth that correlates with the thyroid gland is affected then this can potentially lead to a thyroid condition.

Does this mean you should not get any root canals, or have teeth removed that have already had a root canal procedure performed?  This is obviously your decision, as of course nobody wants to lose any of their teeth.  On the other hand, if there is the potential that a root canal can lead to certain health issues, such as an autoimmune thyroid condition, or another health problem, then this is something that needs to be considered.  Biological dentists have their own opinions, as do mainstream dentists, and so I would encourage you to do some of your own research and come to your own conclusions.

Finding A Biological Dentist

I have great respect for “general” dentists, as most of them do a great job of correcting cavities, taking care of dental emergencies, and helping people maintain their dental health.  But if you’re looking to get any mercury fillings removed, or if you’re just looking for a dentist who takes a more natural approach, such as not using fluoride during professional cleanings, then your best bet is to see a biological dentist.  You can find a biological dentist by doing a search online for the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).  You can also visit your local health food store and ask around and see if anyone can recommend a competent biological dentist.

There admittedly aren’t many of these dentists in practice, and so in some cases you might have to drive a few hours to see one.  But if you’re looking to get mercury fillings removed then it is usually well worth the inconvenience.  You do need to be careful, as I’ve come across some dentists who label themselves as “holistic dentists”, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are biological dentists.  In fact, there is a “holistic dentist” located in my town who recommends fluoride treatment and root canals, which are usually opposed by biological dentists.

In summary, having poor dental health can potentially lead to an autoimmune thyroid condition.  So having mercury fillings, gingivitis, and/or a root canal can all be primary factors in these conditions, and of course can lead to the development of other conditions as well.  This doesn’t mean that most cases of Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are caused by poor dental health, as this probably isn’t the case.  But for anyone who is looking to achieve optimal health, it is important not to overlook this aspect of healthcare.

Some natural doctors claim that they like dealing with tough cases.  Although I look forward to the challenge when I consult with a “tough case”, I honestly wish that it was easy to restore everyone’s health back to normal.  I’m not talking about a quick and miraculous cure, although this would be nice.  But it would be wonderful if everyone who followed a natural treatment protocol simply got better by changing their diet and lifestyle, and if there were no setbacks at all.

Unfortunately this isn’t the case, as I’ve learned that no two patients are the same.  So for example, if two different people with Graves’ Disease walked into my office with similar symptoms and similar labs, this doesn’t mean that both would follow the same exact protocol.  There probably will be some overlap regarding their diet and supplement recommendations, and I will definitely emphasize the importance of stress management and minimizing the reduction of environmental toxins to both people.  But there still will be some differences in the natural treatment protocol followed.  And the same concept applies to people with hypothyroid conditions.

One person might follow the protocol and get consistently better over a period of months.  This is of course the ideal situation, as one wants to see the person’s symptoms improve greatly within one or two months, if not sooner, have their blood and saliva tests normalize, and for them to reach the point where they are in state of “permanent remission”.  Of course even when someone restores their health back to normal they will need to maintain their health, but it can be a challenge to get some people to restore their health in the first place.

Giving The Natural Treatment Protocol A Fair Chance Is Important

It can be a difficult situation when I consult with someone who has been dealing with their condition for many years, and that person has been to numerous natural healthcare professionals without much success in restoring their health back to normal.  Of course sometimes this is the problem itself, as a person will jump from natural doctor to natural doctor without giving any protocol a fair chance.  This is why if someone wants to consult with me who is seeing another holistic doctor, I prefer for them to first finish following the recommended protocol they are currently following.  Of course if they are looking for another doctor because they are uncomfortable with the one they’re currently seeing I completely understand, but if they are switching doctors because they had unrealistic expectations then I honestly would prefer not to consult with such a person.

But sometimes people have seen multiple natural healthcare professionals and have given the natural protocol a fair chance.  Sometimes I will consult with such a person and immediately realize that the natural doctor they saw missed something.  Other times the person was evaluated thoroughly and was put on the proper protocol, but for some reason they didn’t respond.  This admittedly can become frustrating for both the doctor and patient.   The patient wants to get well for obvious reasons, while I want to get people better so they will 1) be able to live a healthy lifestyle, 2) show their friends and family members that natural treatment methods do work, 3) laugh at their endocrinologist who mocked them when they said natural treatment methods are a waste of their time and money, and 4) refer others with similar conditions.

For Extremely “Tough Cases” Begin With These Three Areas

One of the most challenging situations is when someone walks into my office who is allergic to just about everything.  They have many different food allergies, and are also very sensitive to different supplements and herbs.  Sometimes a person doesn’t have many sensitivities, but despite seeing one or more natural healthcare professionals they haven’t responded favorably to the recommended natural treatment protocols.

When this is the case, 95% of the time the problem is coming from one of three areas.  And sometimes the person has a problem in all three of these areas.  These areas of the body are 1) the gut, 2) the liver, and 3) the adrenals.  This doesn’t mean that other areas can’t be the main cause, but for most “tough cases”, one of these three areas are frequently the cause of the problem.  Quite frankly, it’s very common for those who aren’t “tough cases” to also have problems in these areas which is the main cause behind their condition.

For example, weak adrenals will affect both digestion and the immune system, which can in turn trigger an autoimmune response, thus leading to Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Problems with the gut can also trigger an autoimmune thyroid disorder.  This is especially true with a condition such as leaky gut syndrome.  And if the liver isn’t functioning properly then this can directly affect the thyroid gland, as well as other systems of the body.  Of course most conventional medical tests will come out negative for these “tough cases”, and so most of the time the person’s endocrinologist or general medical practitioner will rule out digestive, liver, or adrenal issues.  The person will have to reach the point where they have liver damage or a condition like Addison’s disease before their medical doctor will pay attention to these compromised areas of the body.

But not all natural healthcare professionals will detect problems with these areas of the body, and so they might tell the person to clean up their diet and give certain supplements, which may help a little, but by itself won’t restore the health of these “tough cases”.  For example, if the liver isn’t detoxifying properly, then one needs to correct this problem.  If the person has a leaky gut or other digestive issues that are affecting the digestion and absorption of the food they eat and any supplements they take, then this obviously needs to be addressed.  And if the adrenals are compromised, then this definitely needs to be corrected for the person to have any chance of fully recovering.

In summary, I don’t know of any natural healthcare professional who has a 100% success rate, and when dealing with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions there definitely will be some challenges.  For “tough cases”, frequently addressing the gut, liver, and/or adrenals will help greatly in restoring the person’s health back to normal.  Of course sometimes this isn’t the case, which can be frustrating to both the patient and the holistic doctor.  But addressing one or more of these three areas will usually be of tremendous benefit to the patient.

I know many of us say this every year, but it’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here again.  Before we know it 2013 will arrive.  Of course we still have over a month to go until we reach this point, and while many people will wait until the New Year to focus on their health, here are a three things you can do today to get started:

1. If you eat turkey for Thanksgiving, make sure it’s organic.

2. Have a handful of pecans instead of pecan pie.

3. If you plan on watching football, try to have some healthy snacks, and during halftime go for a walk or jog around the neighborhood.  And if the weather’s bad where you live then do some jumping jacks while watching the game!

I realize that most people aren’t going to follow the advice given above, as many people will eat way too much non-organic turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, etc.  In addition they will load up on the pecan pie, along with other desserts, and the only exercise they’ll get is walking from the living room to the dining room table.  If this is the case, at least consider making some positive changes AFTER Thanksgiving.  Of course I realize that some people reading this have already made some great changes in their diet and lifestyle, and I do commend you for this.  This definitely is a challenging time of the year for many people to eat well, and I’d be lying if I told you I was going to eat a perfect diet during entire holiday season, although I do already have my 21-day liver detoxification planned. In any case, I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I’d like to thank you for continuing to read my articles and blog posts.

Dr. Eric

In the gastrointestinal tract we have billions of healthy bacteria which help to maintain our digestive health.  These healthy bacteria are known as the “gut flora”, and they help to keep harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites in check.  After all, everybody has “bad” organisms living in their body.  For example, just about everyone has Candida Albicans living in their body, but if one has a healthy digestive system then this usually doesn’t pose a problem, and thus won’t lead to a yeast infection.  However, when the gut flora becomes compromised, this is when problems begin to develop.

How does the gut flora become compromised?  I’ve discussed this in numerous posts and articles, and so I’m not going to go into great detail here.  So while there are numerous factors which can cause problems with the gut flora, three of the more common causes are 1) poor diet, 2) poor stress handling skills, 3) taking antibiotics.  Eating a diet high in refined foods and sugars can cause problems with the gut flora.  And of course this is a common problem. The same thing can be said about stress, as dealing with chronic stress on a daily basis will also impact the digestive system.  Taking antibiotics may be necessary at times, but although it will help to eradicate the harmful organisms, it will also kill some of the good bacteria as well.

Why Not Just Take Probiotics?

Many people take probiotics to help balance the gut flora.  Probiotics can definitely play an important role in restoring one’s digestive health back to normal.  But many times taking probiotics alone isn’t enough.  First of all, if there is damage to the intestinal lining, which is the case with leaky gut syndrome, then one needs to do more than take probiotics, as taking these won’t help to repair the intestinal lining.  So they might have to take a few grams of L-glutamine on a daily basis to help with the healing process.  In addition, if someone has a severely compromised digestive system then they might need to take extremely high dosages of probiotics.  In other words, just purchasing probiotics and taking the recommended dose may not be enough.  And of course the quality of the product is very important.

For example, if someone has been taking antibiotics for a long time, then they will probably need to take a higher dosage of probiotics when compared to someone who hasn’t taken antibiotics.  In some cases they might need to take up to 100 billion live organisms daily.  Some of the more common cultures which can help include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.  Saccharomyces boulardii can also be beneficial for those who are taking antibiotics or are experiencing diarrhea.

But once again, taking these organisms alone might not be enough to completely restore one’s digestive health.  If someone has gut issues then I will recommend some type of gut flora balancing protocol.  This will include probiotics, as well as prebiotics (i.e. inulin), and if they have intestinal permeability problems then I will add some supplements to help repair the intestinal lining, provide some immune system support, etc.

How Does This Affect Thyroid Health?

Problems with the gut flora can affect thyroid health in a few different ways.  First of all, if there are problems with the gut flora, then this can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals, which can cause or contribute to thyroid conditions.  For example, if someone has a selenium deficiency which is due to problems with the gut, then this can affect thyroid function, specifically the conversion of T4 to T3.  Many natural healthcare professionals would address this by giving the person selenium supplements, which usually is a good idea.  But in this situation the primary goal should be to correct the absorption problem, so that the body will be able to absorb the selenium, along with other vitamins and minerals.  This might seem like common sense, but it’s amazing how many doctors overlook this.

In addition to decreasing the absorption of vitamins and minerals, an imbalance in the gut flora will also affect the immune system.  An imbalance in the gut flora alone probably won’t trigger an autoimmune condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, but if unaddressed it can lead to a leaky gut, which in turn can lead to the development of an autoimmune condition.  While giving the person some immune system support can be beneficial, the main goal in this situation should be to correct the underlying cause of the problem.

In summary, probiotics are definitely important for anyone who has an imbalanced gut flora.  However, many times taking probiotics alone isn’t enough to correct this problem, and so prebiotics need to be considered, as well as other supplements and herbs.  An imbalance in the gut flora can affect thyroid health by preventing the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, and when combined with leaky gut it can potentially trigger an autoimmune response.  So while probiotics can benefit many people, other factors usually need to be incorporated into the protocol.

I’ve had a few people with autoimmune thyroid conditions ask me about the benefits of taking low dose naltrexone (LDN), and so I figured I’d put together a brief post discussing this.  Naltrexone is a prescription medication, and it was originally approved by the FDA as a treatment for heroin and opium addicts, as it blocks the effects of these drugs.  50mg was the typical dosage used for this, but in 1985, Dr. Bernard Bihari discovered that lower dosages of naltrexone helped to enhance the person’s immune system.

Fast forward to today, and LDN is used to help people with different types of conditions in order to modulate the immune system.  This includes HIV, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and autoimmune conditions, including Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.   I’ve heard some stories from people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis who received great results when receiving LDN treatments.  On the other hand, I’ve also come across some people who received this treatment and claimed it didn’t help.

How Does Taking Low Dose Naltrexone Help?

This drug blocks the opiate receptors, which increases the levels of endorphins, and this in turn will modulate the immune system.  This should result in a reduction of thyroid antibodies.  So the goal is to restore the body’s levels of endorphins, which is commonly depleted in people with autoimmune thyroid conditions, and doing this will essentially help to suppress the autoimmune response in people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

What Are The Pros and Cons of LDN?

Well, the benefits of taking this medication is that it potentially can suppress the autoimmune response, thus lowering the thyroid antibodies, and eliminate the person’s symptoms.  It also is relatively inexpensive.  Since the dosage is very small (around 3 to 4.5 mg) side effects are rare.  These are three great reasons to consider giving this treatment a try.

However, there are some disadvantages to this treatment.  One of them is that that not everyone who takes LDN will respond.  Of course the same can be said with other types of treatments as well.  After all, not everyone will do well when taking thyroid medication or receiving radioactive iodine treatment, and not everyone who follows a natural treatment protocol will restore their health back to normal.  Another downside is that the person supposedly will need to take this medication for the rest of their life.  Of course if it doesn’t come with any long term side effects then this might not be a problem.  And while it doesn’t seem to have immediate side effects, the long term effects are still unknown.

The biggest problem with relying on low dose naltrexone alone is that it still doesn’t address the underlying cause of the condition.  Yes, it will help to control the autoimmune response, which is causing the thyroid gland to malfunction.  But it won’t do anything for the cause of the autoimmune condition.  In other words, taking LDN won’t address the factor or factors which triggered the autoimmune response in the first place, which is why you will need to take it on a permanent basis.  So it will do absolutely nothing for weak adrenal glands, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, digestive issues, toxic metals, imbalances of the sex hormones, etc.  So while it might be a better option than taking synthetic thyroid hormone forever or receiving radioactive iodine treatment, LDN is not a cure for any autoimmune thyroid condition.

Combining LDN With A Natural Treatment Approach

I’m not opposed to people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis taking low dose naltrexone.  However, for those people who choose LDN I recommend combining it with a natural treatment approach.  Of course part of a natural treatment protocol involves giving supplements and herbs which help suppress the autoimmune response, but if someone wants to incorporate LDN then I have no problem with this.  Even though LDN doesn’t seem to have any serious side effects, I’m still not thrilled about people taking any type of drug, especially on a permanent basis, and so I would of course prefer for someone to follow the natural treatment protocol alone at first, and then perhaps incorporate LDN later on if the person isn’t responding as expected.

In summary, although low dose naltrexone can help some people with the immune system component of Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, this treatment isn’t a cure for these conditions.  While people with autoimmune thyroid conditions may benefit from taking this medication, it doesn’t do anything for weak adrenals, mineral deficiencies, gut issues, toxic metals, hormone imbalances, and other health issues that might act as triggers for Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.