| Hashimoto's Disease is the most common cause | | | | sensitivity is detrimental to your condition. |
| of hypothyroidism in the United States. | | | | 4. Manage blood sugar closely: You are probably |
| Unfortunately, it is also the most mismanaged | | | | thinking, "I'm not diabetic, why would this apply to |
| type of hypothyroidism. Most people who are | | | | me?" There are a lot functional diabetics and |
| diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease receive only | | | | functional hypoglycemics walking around that have |
| thyroid hormone replacement, yet continue to | | | | no clue they have a problem. This is a complex |
| suffer with all of the same symptoms. Here are | | | | issue your doctor will need to work with you on, |
| five things every Hashimoto's patient should do to | | | | but proper blood sugar regulation is essential to |
| help decrease their symptoms. | | | | keep from continuously triggering the immune |
| 1. Stop taking all iodine containing supplements: | | | | system. |
| Iodine is an important nutrient for thyroid function, | | | | 5. Do NOT take "immune supporting" supplements: |
| and iodine deficiencies are common across the | | | | This is the biggest mistake I see patients and |
| country, but in cases of Hashimoto's disease | | | | many doctors make in an attempt to support the |
| iodine can actually trigger the immune system | | | | immune system. With an autoimmune disease the |
| attack. Bottom line is that iodine is a very | | | | immune system has essentially become confused. |
| important supplement for many people, but it is | | | | One side of the immune system becomes |
| contraindicated with this disease because it flares | | | | dominant and the other side suppressed. It is this |
| the immune system, and makes the problem | | | | imbalance that creates the confusion and causes |
| worse. | | | | it to attack your own thyroid gland. It is likely the |
| 2. Have your vitamin D level tested: A common | | | | immune support supplement contains an herb or |
| problem among those with autoimmune diseases | | | | botanical that may be helpful but likely contains |
| is vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is critical for | | | | things that are worsening your immune |
| immune system support. A simple blood test by | | | | dominance. It is essential to have some very |
| your doctor can determine whether or not your | | | | special immune panels ran to determine your |
| body's stored vitamin D levels are high enough. It | | | | immune dominance and the specific pattern of |
| is recommended that your levels should be 33 ng | | | | immune dysfunction to really find out the true |
| ml or higher. If you test low your doctor will | | | | nature of the immune problem. Then a specific |
| recommend a high quality supplement with a | | | | application of herbs, botanicals, and plant extracts |
| retest in the future to make sure you are | | | | that have been shown to have specific effects on |
| absorbing it properly. | | | | various cells in the immune system can be used |
| 3. Get tested for gluten sensitivity: The literature | | | | to modulate and re-balance it. Until you have a |
| shows that a high number of people who are | | | | doctor that knows how to run these immune |
| diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease also have | | | | panels and apply that knowledge, don't play with |
| gluten sensitivity. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, | | | | fire, just avoid broad support immune |
| rye, and other grains. Gluten sensitivity simply | | | | supplements all together. |
| means that every time you eat gluten your | | | | If you are diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease |
| immune system tries to attack and kill it, creating | | | | then do these 5 things to give yourself a better |
| major inflammation. This immune trigger will cause | | | | chance to feel good again. Since the immune |
| your immune system to further attack and | | | | system is the source of the problem, finding a |
| destroy your thyroid gland. The best and most | | | | doctor trained in looking at the specifics of the |
| sensitive test for gluten sensitivity is a stool SIgA | | | | immune response, familiar with autoimmune |
| test. Your doctor can order this test for you. If | | | | triggers, and trained in the application of natural |
| you have tested negatively with a saliva or blood | | | | medicine in relation to the immune system, is |
| test make sure you get the stool test, as | | | | your best choice to fully turn down the dimmer |
| continuing to eat gluten when you have a | | | | on your disease. |