Hashimoto S Thyroiditis Diet People With Hashimotos! Dont Believe the Lies.
Please believe me when I say that most of the articles, blogs and testimonials on the Internet about Hashimoto's are basically spinning the same old, outdated information in a hundred ways. Most are riddled with misinformation and few provide any practical or educational value.
Here's one example from The Mayo Clinic's site. "In Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. The resulting inflammation often leads to an under active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)."
Here is a trusted site using the word 'attacks' leading us to believe that once attacked this thyroid inflammation leads to an under active thyroid gland. Are we to believe that the cause of low thyroid hormones is due to thyroid inflammation which is due to thyroid antibody piranhas? Rubbish!
Welcome
Hi, I'm Dr. Alexander Haskell. I'm a licensed physician in the state of Utah. I'd like to give you some straight answers to the most common questions and concerns I hear from my clients who have, or have had, Hashimoto's. These answers will challenge much of the information and lies that are being propagated over the Internet and by physicians.
Is it true that my antibodies are attacking and destroying my thyroid?
Think about it for a moment with a beginner's mind. Does this concept make any sense to you at all, that for some unexplainable reason our immune system is suddenly making antibodies that inflame, attack and destroy our thyroid? This theory is without any logical basis and creates fear and hopelessness in people, causing panic which only serves to make their condition worse.
No, your thyroid antibodies are not attacking your thyroid.
First of all it's important to understand what thyroid antibodies are. The two most common are called Thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibodies and Thyroglobulin (TGA) antibodies. The TPO is specific for the enzyme called Thyroperoxidase which is normally found within thyroid cells. The TGA is specific for the protein Thyroglobulin which is also normally found within thyroid cells. Please note the word 'within.'
So the 'thyroid antibodies are attacking our thyroid' proponents are saying that these antibodies are tearing apart the outer membrane of our thyroid cells in search of this enzyme and protein, as if they have eyes to see or some type of extra-sensory perception. Why would our immune system create an antibody that would seek and destroy this healthy enzyme or protein within our thyroid cell? It just isn't the case.
Our immune system would never attack and destroy healthy and vital cell tissue. It's job is to clean up debris and to remove damaged tissue.
This condition is called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis not because these antibodies are the cause of inflammation but because this inflammation which accompanies Hashimoto's actually existed long before Hashimoto's ever developed.
Then how does inflammation of the thyroid begin?
Thyroid cells have the ability to make hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) just like our white blood cells. This H2O2 within thyroid cells plays a very special role in the production of thyroid hormones by converting iodide into iodine.
Here's a tiny bit of thyroid physiology. When thyroid hormones production goes down one of our glands produces TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone which signals thyroid cells to make more H2O2 which in turn increases levels of iodine in order to increase thyroid hormone production.
This is very simple and straight-forward.
So if TSH continues to signal thyroid cells to make H2O2 over a long period of time, this H2O2 will irritate the thyroid causing inflammation.
Then if low thyroid hormone production causes increased TSH leading to thyroid inflammation, what causes low thyroid hormone production?
There are several things to consider but the most important one is insufficient iodide. If there isn't enough iodide then no matter how much the thyroid cell is stimulated by TSH, iodine levels will not increase and thyroid hormone production will decline. It's just that simple.
Then, really, a lack of iodide is the cause of thyroid inflammation?
It's likely the primary cause yet there are three other nutrients which thyroid cells require in addition to iodide to make its hormones and if any of these are deficient the result is the same, low thyroid hormone production. The other required nutrients are selenium, zinc, and iron.
And how does thyroid inflammation relate to Hashimoto's?
Any degree of inflammation will cause cells to age more rapidly. Ever seen the skin of someone with dermatitis? It's swollen, red, flaky, cracked and old looking.
Something similar happens to thyroid cells when they are inflamed. They age pre-maturely and become dry and cracked. They die an early death.
When this happens they split open and release their contents including their hormones along with the enzyme and protein mentioned before. And when Thyroperoxidase and Thyroglobulin spill into the surrounding tissues our immune system responds by producing respective antibodies. This is actually a healthy and normal reaction since this enzyme and protein are normally contained within thyroid cells.
There's something that's very important to understand here which also challenges the theory that thyroid antibodies are attacking the thyroid.
I've ordered close to a thousand blood tests and during the last 4 years I've been checking everyone for thyroid antibodies. What I've discovered is that every single person has thyroid antibodies. Isn't this remarkable that we all have these antibodies? And also the fact that medicine recognize that there are normal levels of these antibodies. So it's normal to have some thyroid antibodies.
What could be the possible explanation for this?
We all have thyroid antibodies because our thyroid cells are turning over, a few dying every day and releasing this enzyme and protein. The antibodies are there to clean up this debris.
It's just that when there is a faster turnover of thyroid cells, which happens with thyroid inflammation and Hashimoto's, the number of these antibodies increases and rises above what's considered the 'normal' limit.
Then what about those people and doctors who say there is no cure?
With almost every condition, if you know the origin or cause and address it, then the condition can be reversed to some degree. This is why I don't consider Hashimoto's to be a disease but rather a condition.
The approach to treating Hashimoto's then is the reduction of thyroid inflammation. This is the key.
And how do you do this?
You know that TSH is stimulating thyroid cells to increase their production of H2O2. So the first step must be to lower TSH and the only way that I know of doing this is through the use of a thyroid prescription. This prescription increases circulating thyroid hormones which leads to the reduction of TSH.
Then selenium and glutathione help to diminish or heal the irritating effects of the H2O2.
And just like the drying out of the skin with dermatitis a high quality oil is very helpful. I prefer the oils of hazelnut, sesame and apricot which are found in a great product from Biotics Research called Mixed EFAs.
So there is hope?
You bet there is. I've used this approach which is founded upon medical research and I've seen it work in the majority of cases. Sure, sometimes people's antibodies don't come all the way down to within the normal limits but even so, their antibodies do come down. Sometimes their thyroid has been inflamed for too long and there's been too much destruction.
Is there any other misinformation out there on the net about Hashimoto's?
Well, besides lowering inflammation you also need to nourish the thyroid with the nutrients it requires to make its hormones. You must also remove specific foods from your diet, improve the ecology of the gut, avoid iodine and iodide in the beginning and then reintroduce it when the antibodies are within range, and a few others.
So to answer your question, there are sites which promote a single approach such as some kind of miracle supplement. There is no such thing. These people are promoting something to sell and I wouldn't trust them.
There are others sites which are more medical and propose the typical, outdated approach of simply giving a thyroid prescription and a few supplements without really understanding the origin of Hashimoto's. Ask any physician to explain Hashimoto's and you won't get a straight answer.
The most important step in the treatment of Hashimoto's is education. Once you understand what Hashimoto's is and how it has developed you will then understand the need for taking specific actions.
Trust your instincts. When you hear the truth you know it. If someone is explaining their treatment approach and you get confused and don't understand what they are saying, keep on searching.
hashimoto s thyroiditis diet.