Now that you know how to test thyroid function and autoimmune thyroid disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, let’s cover what we can do about it. When you have a High TSH and a Low T4 (or a low free T3) you see your MD or DO to get thyroid medication to correct for this imbalance. When you have high TPO or TG antibody levels you come see me or your favorite functional health practitioner.
Identify and Remove Triggers
Identifying and removing triggers are the most important steps in treating any autoimmune disease.
This may be food sensitivities like gluten, grains, dairy, soy, egg, nuts or chocolate. It may be something else entirely. There are three main ways that I recommend testing for food sensitivities. Kinesiology or muscle testing which I do in my office, blood tests that test IgG in addition to IgE immunoglobulins and complements and elimination diets.
Remove Gluten
Gluten has a special place here because it’s molecular structure looks a lot like the tissue of the thyroid gland. This can confuse the immune system and in the presence of gluten, the thyroid gland can be attacked. This is called molecular mimicry. Removing gluten is one of the most important steps you can take to decrease the immune attack on the thyroid gland. I don’t mean “decrease” gluten, I mean zero, zip, nada, none at all!!!
Other triggers are microbes, toxins, and heavy metals
Bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and heavy metals are some other triggers that need to be identified and removed. A comprehensive stool analysis and blood work are good ways to identify what organisms or agents we are dealing with and helps us identify what agents will remove them.
Selenium
Selenium is not only a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Three separate studies have shown that selenium can decrease thyroid antibodies. Selenium needs to be in balance with iodine so testing iodine levels are recommended.
Photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation is the technical term for using laser or light therapy. Red near-infrared light therapy on the thyroid gland has shown promise in decreasing inflammation and increasing circulation.
Camel’s Milk
Did I just say Camel’s Milk?? Yes, yes I did. Believe it or not, the immunoglobulins found in camel’s milk can reduce thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Want to try it? Click here.
I have seen many patients recover from Hashimoto’s symptoms just by modifying their diet and cleaning up their gut. So my advice is to start there with a qualified functional health practitioner.