Many people with thyroid conditions don’t want to cover up their symptoms with thyroid medication.  This is great, as they realize there is an underlying cause of their problem, and they want to attempt treating their condition naturally.  Of course some people do need to take thyroid medication on a permanent basis, but I’m not referring to these people.  In any case, many people who want to restore their health naturally think they can do so on their own.  As a result, they gather as much information as they can through reading books and surfing the internet, and then put together their own treatment protocol. Sometimes people will see positive changes in their symptoms when self-treating their condition.  On the other hand, many people won’t see much of a difference.  Either way, most people who attempt to self-treat their condition aren’t able to successfully restore their health back to normal.  So I decided to dedicate this post to those people who are looking to take a natural approach, but are thinking about self-treating their condition. What I’m going to do here is list five reasons why you shouldn’t self-treat your thyroid condition.  This is true whether you have primary hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, or an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Reason #1: There are risks when self-treating your condition. Even when using natural supplements and herbs, there are always risks involved.  Most people don’t have a strong knowledge of these supplements and herbs, and many assume that because they are natural there is no risk involved.  While the risk might be minimal, it still exists.  Plus, just abruptly stopping your thyroid medication and replacing them with nutritional supplements and herbs makes it even more risky. Reason #2: You can’t trust everything you read. Once again, many people come up with a natural protocol based on what they read in a book, or on the internet.  Heck, some people try to piece the information I provide on this website to develop their own natural treatment protocol.  Of course different people will need different supplements and herbs, and will also require different dosages.  As a result, it’s extremely difficult to come up with a treatment plan which will work based on the information you read on this website, or anywhere else. And much of the information on “natural cures” put out there are by people who don’t have much experience with this.  Most aren’t even healthcare professionals.  This doesn’t mean there aren’t people who are very knowledgeable about natural treatment methods.  You just need to be extremely careful about any information you read in books, and especially on the internet. Reason #3: The body is extremely complex. Although it would be great if one could restore their thyroid health simply by eating well and taking some random supplements and herbs, it’s almost always not this easy.  The body is way too complex to restore its health just by taking supplements and herbs, eating well, etc.  Obviously eating well and taking supplements and/or herbs is very important to restore one’s health back to normal.  But doing this alone won’t cure your condition.  If you’re looking to completely restore your health back to normal, just remember that the body is very complex, and because of this it is highly unlikely you will receive optimal results by self-treating your condition. Reason #4: It probably will cost you more money in the long run. Many people choose to self-treat their condition because they figure they will save money taking this approach.  After all, they won’t need to pay a doctor for an initial or follow-up consultation, will be able to price-shop for any supplements or herbs they buy, etc.  However, after they realize they aren’t going to receive optimal results they will frequently end up consulting with a holistic doctor anyway.  So while you might save money initially, in the end it almost always will cost you more money when self-treating your condition. Reason #5: You most likely won’t receive optimal results. This obviously relates to the previous four reasons I spoke about, as for all of the reasons I have mentioned, it is unlikely you will receive optimal results by treating yourself naturally.  I do get some emails and comments from people stating they self-treated their condition and felt much better after doing this.  And as I’ve mentioned, some people will feel better when self-treating their condition.  On the other hand, many people don’t feel much of a difference at all.  But even those people who do feel better when self-treating their condition most likely won’t fully restore their thyroid health back to normal. In summary, while it might seem easy enough to self-treat your condition, the truth is that for the reasons I mentioned above, most people don’t receive optimal results when taking this approach.  This is why I recommend consulting with a natural endocrine doctor for those people who are truly interested in restoring their health back to normal.  While there still isn’t any guarantee by taking this approach, you stand a much better chance of restoring your health than if you were to attempt this on your own.

I talk a great deal about the risks of receiving radioactive iodine treatment on this website.  In many of the articles and posts I have written, I have discussed how natural treatment methods can potentially restore the health of people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease, thus making it unnecessary for these people to receive RAI.  I’ve also mentioned how radioactive iodine treatment should be the last resort in most cases, although there of course are exceptions to this.

So when is RAI really necessary to receive?  Here a two of the primary situations when radioactive iodine might truly be necessary:

1. When Every Other Treatment Option Has Failed. In most cases, people with hyperthyroid conditions should choose to take antithyroid drugs to manage the symptoms before receiving radioactive iodine therapy.  Although these prescription drugs won’t cure hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease, they usually do a good job of managing the symptoms, and sometimes will put a person into a state of remission, although most of the time this is temporary.  But this option is definitely better than obliterating your thyroid gland.

I of course recommend natural thyroid treatment methods to people, as this is the option I personally chose when I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease.  Although not everyone can be cured through natural treatment methods, many people can have their health restored back to normal.  It admittedly is a challenge to follow such a protocol, which is a big reason why some people choose antithyroid drugs, and even RAI.  After all, it’s much easier to take medication daily than to follow a natural treatment protocol.  But when you think about how important the thyroid gland is to your health, it is well worth making the “sacrifice” to restore your health back to normal.

If you have taken antithyroid drugs for a prolonged period of time and taking them failed to put you into a permanent state of remission, AND then you followed a natural treatment protocol, and after taking this approach you still experienced moderate to severe hyperthyroid symptoms, then in this situation it might be necessary to receive radioactive iodine treatment.  Of course before choosing RAI I would hope that you would have followed the full recommendations of the holistic doctor you were consulting with.  One problem is that we live in an impatient society, and many people who follow a natural thyroid treatment protocol expect quick results.  And while one frequently notices changes in the symptoms after a short period of time, it will usually take months to completely eliminate a person’s symptoms.  And it will most likely take even longer until the blood tests normalize.

2. In Certain Cases Of Thyroid Cancer. Some people with thyroid cancer will need to receive radioactive iodine therapy.  But how does someone with thyroid cancer know if it is truly necessary to receive RAI?  Well, this is a situation that most holistic doctors probably would stay away from, as I personally wouldn’t attempt to use natural treatment methods to cure thyroid cancer.  So what I would recommend is to seek the opinion of a second, or even a third endocrinologist to be certain of the original diagnosis.

Just remember that even if radioactive iodine is necessary, this still doesn’t correct the cause of the problem.  Whether someone developed primary hyperthyroidism, Graves’ Disease, or thyroid cancer, there still were factors which led to the development of these conditions.  This is why it’s not a bad idea for someone who received RAI to consult with a holistic doctor.  Frequently such people are just told to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life after receiving RAI.  This sometimes does a great job of managing the symptoms, but many people still have moderate to severe symptoms, even when taking this medication.  Just remember that RAI doesn’t do anything for the immune system component of Graves’ Disease, doesn’t address weak adrenal glands which may be an issue, and definitely don’t correct any existing imbalances of the steroid hormones, which also can play a role in thyroid conditions.

In summary, there are definitely situations when someone needs to receive radioactive iodine treatment.  I realize it can be tough to make a decision when an endocrinologist tells you that RAI is necessary.  But one shouldn’t take obliteration of their thyroid gland lightly.  As a result, if a doctor recommends that you receive radioactive iodine treatment and you’re not sure if this is the right decision, consider what I discussed, and if necessary, receive a second, and even a third opinion.  After all, you only have one thyroid gland, and you want to do everything you can to keep it if at all possible.

Many people have an iodine deficiency, yet most people who are deficient in iodine are unaware of this. I’m a perfect example, as while I found out I was iodine deficient after I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, I had no idea I was deficient in iodine before I was diagnosed. And while an iodine deficiency alone usually won’t directly cause Graves Disease or any other autoimmune thyroid condition to develop, a deficiency in iodine can definitely contribute to such a condition, and lead to numerous health issues. I’m not going to talk in great detail about iodine itself, as for more information about iodine there’s a great book called “Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It”, which was written by Dr. David Brownstein.

I’ve discussed in past posts and articles why many people are deficient in iodine. One reason is because the soils are depleted in iodine, which means the foods we eat don’t contain a sufficient amount of iodine. Also, due to the fear of high blood pressure, many people are avoiding iodized salt, which isn’t a great source of iodine, but in some cases is the only source of iodine people get.

Perhaps the biggest reason why most people are iodine deficient is because the bread dough conditioners are made with bromine, whereas a few decades ago they were made with iodine. A big reason for the switch is because there was a fear that iodine was causing problems with people’s thyroid glands. But not only has this lead to an increase in iodine deficiency, but many people have a bromine toxicity because of this.

Two Primary Methods To Determine If You’re Iodine Deficient

There are two main methods of determining if you have an iodine deficiency:

Iodine Testing Method #1: The Iodine Patch Test. This is the least accurate of the two testing methods. This involves painting a 2 x 2 “patch” of 2% iodine tincture on one’s forearm, and then seeing how long it takes for the patch to disappear. Ideally you don’t want the patch to fade for the first 24 hours. If it does fade or disappear completely in less than 24 hours you’re considered to be iodine deficient. If it fades or disappears in less than 12 hours then the deficiency is severe.

Iodine Testing Method #2: The Iodine Loading Test. This is a more accurate method of determining whether someone has an iodine deficiency. This is a urine test which involves taking a 50mg iodide/iodine tablet (Iodoral) and then measuring how much iodine you excrete over a 24-hour period. The less iodine you excrete, the more deficient you are.

If it is determined that you have an iodine deficiency then you obviously need to address it. Some healthcare professionals will recommend taking large dosages of iodine immediately. I was taught to begin by taking smaller dosages of iodine. And so this is how I addressed my iodine deficiency, as I began by taking a 3mg tablet of iodine daily for the first week, and then each additional week I would increase the dosage until I was taking eight tablets per day. At this point I switched to a different iodine product which came in higher dosages, and this allowed me to take two 12.5mg tablets each day. Eventually I did switch back to the original brand I took, and currently I take 12mg of iodine daily on a maintenance basis.

But how do you know how much iodine to take? After all, not everyone needs to take 25mg each day. Some people require a smaller dosage, while some people will need to take up to 50mg of iodine daily. The best method of finding out how much iodine you need to take is through follow-up testing. So for example, if you initially obtained an iodine loading test and it was determined that you had an iodine deficiency, then you can begin supplementing with iodine, and then two to three months later you can obtain a second test to determine how your levels are at that time. If everything looks good then you can continue taking your current dosage. On the other hand, if it’s showing you’re currently deficient in iodine then you might need to increase the dosage.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, most people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis should not take iodine supplements, as there is a good chance it will flare up your condition. This doesn’t mean people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis aren’t iodine deficient, as many are. But until the autoimmune response is eliminated one shouldn’t take iodine supplements.

So hopefully you understand how to determine whether or not you are iodine deficient. Both the iodine patch test and iodine loading test can be useful, but the iodine loading test is definitely more accurate. However, the iodine patch test is fine to use in order to get a general idea as to whether someone has an iodine deficiency. With regards to follow-up testing, since it’s far less expensive to do an iodine patch test you can do a follow-up test on a regular basis and see if the patch remains longer. Just keep in mind that it takes time to correct an iodine deficiency. As a result, once you begin supplementing with iodine I probably would wait a few months before obtaining a follow-up iodine loading test.

There is a saying that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”.  But many people skip breakfast each and every day.  Many people argue that they don’t have time to eat breakfast, while others claim they simply aren’t hungry.  In either case, it is important to eat a healthy breakfast each morning, as skipping breakfast  can ultimately affect your thyroid health.

Let’s remember that upon waking up in the morning your blood sugar levels are low, as you have probably gone at least seven to eight hours without eating, and probably longer than this.  So one reason why you need to eat breakfast is to provide you with the fuel and energy necessary to start your day.  Even if you don’t feel hungry this doesn’t mean you don’t need this “fuel”.  You really do need to eat something within 30 to 45 minutes of waking up, even if it’s something small.

If you don’t eat breakfast in the morning, what happens is that your blood sugar levels will continue to decrease.  As a result of this your body will release cortisol in order to raise the blood sugar levels.  When the adrenal glands need to secrete cortisol each morning due to you not eating breakfast, over a period of months and years this will stress them out, and can eventually lead to adrenal problems.

I’ve discussed the importance of healthy adrenal glands in previous posts and articles.  Compromised adrenal glands will ultimately affect the thyroid gland, and can also weaken the immune system, which can potentially contribute to the development of an autoimmune thyroid condition.  This obviously takes years to happen, and while it would be crazy to suggest that everyone who skips breakfast daily for many years will develop Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, skipping breakfast regularly shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it can affect your health.  Usually people who skip breakfast also have other lifestyle habits which will stress out the adrenal glands, and so it’s usually a combination of different things which will lead to these conditions.

So if you began eating a healthy breakfast regularly, but still eat a lot of refined foods and sugars, neglect your sleep, and do a poor job of managing stress, then these other factors would ultimately lead to health problems.  So once again, eating breakfast daily is important, but doing this alone won’t be enough to maintain a healthy endocrine system if you neglect other lifestyle factors.

But what should you do if you’re not hungry upon waking up?  Is it wise to force yourself to eat breakfast?  Initially it might be necessary to do this, as the reason why some people aren’t hungry upon awakening is because their body is “screwed up” from a physiological standpoint.  So even though they aren’t receiving the normal signals from the brain which gives them the sense of hunger, this doesn’t mean this is normal.  So a person who isn’t hungry upon waking up should begin by eating a small breakfast each morning.  Even having a few bites of something is fine, as long as it’s somewhat healthy.

For example, I have a smoothie for breakfast which consists of one cup of mixed organic berries, two cups of purified water, one teaspoon of flax oil, some whole food powder from the company Standard Process, and one organic raw egg.  You can make a similar smoothie each morning, and begin by taking a few sips of this drink, and then slowly work your way up until you’re able to drink the entire smoothie.  Or perhaps you’ll want to begin by eating a few bites of a hard-boiled egg until you’re eventually eating an entire egg.

These of course are just a few examples of what you can eat, as other healthy sources of protein you can eat for breakfast include certain types of fish, chicken, and turkey.  If you’re a vegetarian you might frequently eat soy-based products, but you do want to make sure not to eat too many of these foods, as eating an excessive amount of unfermented soy can lead to numerous health issues, and can affect thyroid function.  And while you will of course want to try minimizing your overall consumption of refined foods and sugars, you especially want to try avoiding eating such foods first thing in the morning, as they will cause a spike in the blood sugar levels, and will affect the hormones insulin and cortisol.

If you exercise first thing in the morning you still want to try to eat something small.  Once again, it can consist of a few bites of something, but it’s still a good idea to eat something if you normally go to the gym first thing upon waking up.

In summary, breakfast is an extremely important meal, and if you are currently in the habit of skipping breakfast daily you will need to quickly change this habit if you want to achieve optimal health.  Doing so will help strengthen your adrenal glands, which will help greatly with your thyroid health, and can also help to prevent future conditions from developing.  So begin slowly, eating something small for breakfast, and then over time you can increase the amount of food you eat.  The goal isn’t to eat an overwhelmingly large breakfast, but just to eat a sufficient amount of food where it gives you the necessary energy you need, and helps to maintain your adrenal health.

Many women deal with moderate to severe PMS symptoms.  These can include headaches, mood swings, cramping, and numerous other symptoms.  My wife was one of these women who experienced some of these symptoms.  And while they weren’t too severe, they definitely weren’t pleasant to deal with (for both me and her!).

Most women who experience these symptoms just learn to live with them.  And the reason they don’t try to do anything to help with such symptoms is because they consider these symptoms to be normal.  While they are very common, having moderate to severe PMS symptoms IS NOT normal.  And in most cases there are things you can do to dramatically reduce these symptoms.

Why Do Most Women Experience PMS Symptoms?

In order to better understand why it’s not normal for women to experience moderate to severe PMS symptoms, it’s probably a good idea to discuss why many women experience such symptoms.  I’m not going to discuss the physiology in great detail, but in the first half of a woman’s cycle, the estrogen levels should be higher than in the second half of the cycle, and in this first half you should eventually see a spike in the estrogen levels.  In the second half of the cycle the opposite takes place, as progesterone increases.  Then towards the end of the cycle both of these hormones decrease, causing menstruation to occur, and the cycle begins over again.

This obviously is a simplified explanation of what happens, but let’s focus on the end of the second half of the cycle.  This once again is right before menstruation begins, which is typically when most women begin experiencing these PMS symptoms.  When there is an imbalance of these hormones, and the levels of estrogen and progesterone don’t decline at similar times, then it’s this hormone imbalance which causes the PMS symptoms.  So based on what I just told you, the goal is to correct this hormone imbalance, which ultimately will help reduce the PMS symptoms.

But wait, why can’t you take “The Pill” to manage the symptoms of PMS?  Although many women do this, I’ve discussed the risk of taking oral contraceptives in the past.  Even though many medical doctors give “The Pill”, not necessarily for birth control reasons, but instead to “regulate” the cycle, oral contraceptives will suppress the endocrine system.  So while it might help with the symptoms, it actually will make the hormone imbalance worse, and can lead to numerous health risks in the future.  As a result, I do not recommend for women to take oral contraceptives for symptom management.

How To Reduce PMS Symptoms

My wife experienced moderate PMS symptoms for years, and now she still has some symptoms, but they are very mild.  Let me explain how this happened, and how many women with similar symptoms can accomplish the same thing.  Ever since I’ve attended chiropractic school I’ve done regular detoxifications.  I try to do at least one each year, and usually will try to do two.  Getting my wife to follow such a protocol is quite the challenge.  But I still try convincing her each time I do one, and every now and then I’m successful.

The first few times she went through this program she experienced severe headaches and stopped after a few days.  Even though this is a common symptom of detoxifying and the symptoms usually subside after a few days, she didn’t want to follow through with the program.  But one year she decided to follow through, as I didn’t put her on as strict of a program as I usually follow, and so this made it easier for her.  Don’t get me wrong, as it still was challenging.  In any case, she stuck with it for most of the three weeks, although she did admittedly cheat a few times, and ended the program a few days early.

Despite not following a strict detoxification program and ending it early, there were some dramatic improvements in her symptoms right before she got her period.  Usually she experienced noticeable symptoms right before menstruation, but with her first period right after completing the detox, she hardly noticed any symptoms.  This wasn’t just a fluke, as it continued to happen with future periods as well.  Another thing she did which helped greatly was switching to a high quality, whole food multi-vitamin.  At the time she thought she was already taking a good quality supplement, as she purchased hers at the local health food store.  But it wasn’t until she made the switch to a better quality whole food supplement that she noticed an even greater improvement in her PMS symptoms.

This is both good news and bad news for anyone who is suffering from moderate to severe PMS symptoms.  The good news is that it is possible to dramatically reduce such symptoms.  The bad news is that it’s challenging to do so, and then once you accomplish this, it does take some discipline to maintain this.  I’m not suggesting that a purification program and/or taking a whole food multivitamin supplement will help every woman with their PMS symptoms, as when someone has a severe hormone imbalance then this may not work, and a different natural treatment protocol may be required.  But if you are experiencing moderate to severe PMS symptoms, I highly recommend consulting with a holistic doctor so they can find out the underlying cause of the problem, and put you on the necessary protocol to correct the hormone imbalance, and make these symptoms much more tolerable.