Should I Get Tested For A Thyroid Problem
Yes! If youve been suspecting that small, subtle symptoms you have might be connected to something bigger, do get appropriate testing.
For the estimated 28 million women with known energy and metabolism problems due to hypothyroidism, the trouble usually creeps up. Its not a flash flood that takes out your whole house its a dripping faucet that might erode the foundation over time.
Comprehensive testing provides the information needed for a definitive diagnosis before starting any medication or other treatment plan for healing your thyroid. Unnecessary treatment and over-treatment in the integrative and functional medicine practitioners may be as common as missed diagnoses and under-treatment are by conventional doctors.
The Thyroid Supplement Starter Plan
These 6 supplements can help to improve the health and functioning of your thyroid. These can be taken alone or in combination with each other. They can also be used in conjunction with thyroid medication for hypothyroidism or Hashimotos, but its important to work closely with your medical provider because if your thyroid health starts to improve, you could actually end up needing less medication a good thing but you want to check so youre not overmedicating
My usual starter go-to combination consists of selenium, myoinositol, and ashwagandha . In my practice, I always check a vitamin D level in my patients, and if that is not optimal I add vitamin D to the starter plan.’
I generally recommend trying this starter plan for at least 3 months, or as long as six months, and then staying on your supplements until thyroid health is solidly improved. You can, at any time, add in the other supplements below to get an even bigger impact, but often, simpler works just fine.
Vitamin D3 With Or Without Vitamin K2
Vitamin D is something that we should all be concerned about but especially those with Hashimotos thyroiditis.
Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common in the world with as many as 1 billion people worldwide suffering from this very problem.
Research suggests that thyroid patients are more likely to develop vitamin D deficiency for two big reasons:
The first is that the low thyroid state impairs intestinal absorption of vitamin D.
The second is that the low thyroid state impairs activation of vitamin D that does make it into your body.
These two reasons explain why the deficiency is so common among patients with Hashimotos but they dont explain why its such a big deal.
The reason you should concern yourself with your vitamin D level has to do with how this deficiency impacts thyroid function, your risk for developing cancer, and its impact on your immune system.
For instance, vitamin D is necessary for immune system regulation.
And you will recall from our previous discussion that Hashimotos is primarily a disease of the immune system.
We know that people who are vitamin D deficient are at increased risk for developing autoimmune diseases such as Hashimotos thyroiditis.
Whether or not vitamin D deficiency is an actual trigger of Hashimotos or simply a risk factor is not well understood.
But in either event, we know its a good idea to optimize your vitamin D because some studies show that it can improve your thyroid hormone levels including your TSH !
Recommended Reading: Loss Of Appetite Nausea Fatigue Lower Back Pain
Hashimotos Can Trigger Recurrent Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
So, was it being Type A + stress + my Hashimotos triggers all lined up which lead to Hashimotos?
Or, was is having undiagnosed Hashimotos as one of my triggers for Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?
I will never know. But, they are cousins of the same dysfunctional family.
I am certain AFS was part of the picture of my poor health at the time of my Hashimotos diagnosis in my early 20s, even though it was not discussed with me at the time.
I have since had a pattern of concurrent thyroid and adrenal ups and downs in the 20 or so years that have followed.
My most challenging period of AFS was last year
The most severe case was last year, when an unknown adult congenital heart condition disrupted my healthy balance.
The toll my heart condition took on my body had a direct negative impact on both my thyroid and adrenals.
It was a BIG new stressor, to say the least.
My thyroid levels changed for the worse for the first time in years.
My thyroid replacement medication dosage changed for the first time in years.
Many of my Hashimotos symptoms returned.
And, with all this, Adrenal Fatigue hit hard and fast.
I was actually caught off guard with the symptoms of stage 3 AFS, because they were pretty severe.
The reality is: I am probably always heading towards AFS because of my Hashimotos. It doesnt take much to go all the way.
Natural Remedies For Hashimotos Thyroiditis
Is Hashimoto a serious disease? Yes, it is quite serious because when left unaddressed, Hashimotos disease typically continues to progress and can cause chronic thyroid damage. This results in a decrease in crucial thyroid hormones, which can set off a cascade of other major issues including mental health and heart problems.
Can Hashimotos disease go away? Yes, with the right treatment it is possible to return to normal thyroid function. In this article Im going to share with you the most important steps you need to follow in order to overcome Hashimotos disease. Ill go through the root causes of Hashimotos, common signs and symptoms, how to follow a healing Hashimotos/hypothyroidism diet, beneficial supplements, as well as other natural treatments to help treat symptoms.
Recommended Reading: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Lupus
How Was This Study Done On Thiamine And Hashimotos Disease
The sample size was quite small at only 3 women with a diagnosis of Hashimotoâs disease and hypothyroidism. All of them were taking the prescription thyroid hormone levothyroxine. These women reported the following symptoms: fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, chronic nervousness, memory loss, focus and attention disorders, cold intolerance, and dry skin.
The participants filled out the Fatigue Severity Scale which is a subjective questionnaire that assesses the severity of fatigue. They filled this out at the beginning of treatment and 20 days after beginning treatment.
TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 were tested all of which came back normal. TPO antibodies were also measured and these came back elevated in all three subjects. Additionally, thiamine levels were tested to identify deficiency but none of the patients were deficient in thiamine.
Two of the patients took 600mg/day of thiamine orally and one patient received 100mg injections of thiamine every 4 days. This was done for 20 days and then the patients reported their results.
Primary Common Causes Of Adrenal Fatigue
The truth is that eating well and proper nutritional supplementation can help, but doing this alone will not be enough. To understand this better, lets look at three of the major causes of adrenal fatigue:
Cause #1: Chronic stress. This is a major cause of adrenal fatigue, as while the adrenal glands were meant to deal with acute stress situations, they cannot effectively deal with chronic, prolonged stress. Unfortunately, we live in a society where the majority of people have some type of chronic stress in their life, which over a period of months and years will take its toll on the adrenal glands, resulting in adrenal fatigue.
Cause #2: Poor eating habits. Eating poorly can definitely affect the health of your adrenal glands and eventually contribute to adrenal fatigue. This is especially true for those that frequently eat refined carbohydrates, in which many people fit under this category. The reason this can affect the adrenal glands is because refined foods removes both the nutrients and the fiber from the whole food source. While the manufacturers do replace some of the removed nutrients, these refined foods no longer have the fiber component to help slow down the absorption. What this means is that when you eat refined food, it absorbs quickly into the bloodstream, and spikes up the blood sugar levels.
Also Check: How To Deal With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Top 5 Causes Of Fatigue In Hashimoto’s Patients
Fatigue in Hashimoto’s is multi-faceted.
That is to say that there is no one single condition that causes fatigue.
Instead, it’s typically a myriad of conditions that blend together and in with one another to create a scenario in which it’s very difficult for your body to create the energy that it needs.
Believe it or not, we don’t actually know what exactly produces the energy that your body needs on a day to day basis.
We do know that the energy currency of the cell is something called ATP but it’s not clear whether problems in mitochondria function result in the fatigue that thyroid patients experience.
Even though we don’t know how or where energy is produced in the body, we do know that certain conditions impair this process.
And it is these conditions which we will focus on.
Why?
Because they are TREATABLE.
#1. Low Thyroid Function.
The FIRST place you should look if you are feeling low energy is in your neck.
And by your neck, I am referring to your thyroid gland.
Thyroid hormone is probably one of the most important regulators of energy in your entire body and Hashimoto’s causes problems with your thyroid function.
Hashimoto’s results in damage to your thyroid gland which impairs thyroid hormone production.
If you can’t produce enough thyroid hormone then you will feel the symptoms of hypothyroidism and fatigue will come along for the ride.
The key to managing fatigue in a low thyroid state is to simply improve thyroid function.
You can do this in one of two ways:
Which Vitamins And Minerals Are Best For Hashimotos Disease
People with Hashimotos disease are more likely to have certain nutrient deficiencies¹, and dietary supplements may help relieve some symptoms. In addition, some supplements can help reduce inflammation and thyroid antibodies in patients.
Some of the most beneficial supplements for Hashimotos disease include:
Vitamin D
Most people know vitamin Ds role in building and maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D is critical for bone health because its necessary for calcium absorption, the primary component of bone.
In addition to bone health, vitamin D plays several roles in various bodily processes, including immune responses². For example, research has found that vitamin D acts on the immune system, reducing autoimmune antibodies and decreasing the bodys inflammatory response.
Additionally, research has found a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and Hashimotos disease. People with the condition have significantly lower levels of this vitamin than the general population. Studies also indicate that vitamin D deficiency level is linked to the severity of Hashimotos disease.
B complex vitamins
Studies have found that 46% of patients with Hashimotos disease also have a vitamin B-12 deficiency¹. In addition, research suggests that even in asymptomatic patients, vitamin B-12 deficiencies may be an early indication of a thyroid issue.
Also Check: Why Do I Have Shortness Of Breath And Fatigue
Treating Hypothyroidism: Can Vitamins And Supplements Help
If your body doesnt produce enough thyroid hormone, certain vitamins and minerals may help. Learn about enhancing hypothyroid treatment with dietary supplements.
Masterfile
For some people, managing hypothyroidism isn’t just about taking medications. They also turn to vitamins and other nutrients for help in managing the condition, which occurs when the thyroid doesnt make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally.
Vitamins and nutrients can help fight the underlying causes of thyroid disorders, such as autoimmune processes and inflammation, and help improve a dysfunctional thyroid, says Raphael Kellman, MD, a functional medicine physician in New York City and author of The Microbiome Diet.
However, its important to understand that no one should supplement with vitamins and minerals without talking to their doctor first. You want to first know your individual levels of these vitamins and minerals, which you can find out with a blood test, Dr. Kellman says. Results may reveal you have a nutrient deficiency that requires you to get a higher amount of a certain vitamin or supplement.
Here are specific nutrients that may be beneficial for hypothyroidism.
Should You Take Thyroid
Theres no doubt that a nutritious diet that provides optimal nutrient levels is important for maintaining thyroid health, nor that nutrient deficiencies can lead to thyroid issues.
Still, for people who dont have thyroid issues and follow a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet, theres typically no need to take thyroid-specific supplements.
In fact, certain supplements marketed toward those looking to promote thyroid health may be dangerous to take.
For example, many thyroid supplements contain high amounts of iodine and may contain thyroid hormones. Taking these supplements can lead to dangerous side effects and create thyroid issues in people with healthy thyroid function .
One study that analyzed 10 thyroid supplements found that the majority of them contained detectable amounts of T3 and T4. Some of the products tested contained more T3 and T4 than healthcare providers typically prescribe to people with hypothyroidism .
Taking these supplements may lead to elevated thyroid hormone levels in the blood and cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which can lead to dangerous complications (
Thyroid supplements may be unsafe for people who have thyroid conditions, too.
This is because people with thyroid issues have specific needs, and taking supplements marketed to enhance thyroid health may negatively affect thyroid function, causing their health and symptoms to worsen.
15 ).
Studies show that the following supplements can be beneficial for those with Hashimotos disease:
Also Check: Does Acid Reflux Cause Fatigue
First A Little About Thyroid Disease
When your thyroid is not functioning optimally, you can feel dull, tired, constipated, gain weight, have dry skin, hair can become dry and even fall out, muscles and joints might ache, periods become irregular, you might have fertility problems, brain fog, sugar and carb cravings , high cholesterol , and a host of other large and small symptoms.
-
One in eight women will be diagnosed with thyroid disease during her lifetime
-
The most common form is Hashimotos, an autoimmune condition
-
Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems
-
As many as 15 million women have an undiagnosed thyroid problem
-
It is affecting girls as young as 6 years old, largely as a result of toxins
Did you know that most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature but can be reversed if caught early through comprehensive testing not usually performed by most primary care doctors?
Hashimotos is a progressive autoimmune condition that results in the destruction of the thyroid gland and leads to hypothyroidism… and in some cases, to other types of autoimmune conditions.
The autoimmune trigger usually occurs years before the condition is diagnosed but knowing what to look for early on can often times help us reverse the condition.
Women often ask whether or not Functional Medicine can get them off of their medication. The answer to that question is it dependsso read on.
How To Deal With Hypothyroidism
Whether your hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimotos thyroiditis or adrenal fatigue, there is a lot you can do to improve your state. If it caused by autoimmunity, then you can do a lot to manage it. If it is caused by AFS, you may be able to clear it up completely. Both require a holistic health plan.
First of all, you should address any underlying adrenal fatigue. This includes eating an adrenal fatigue diet and also making sure you are getting enough iodine and other essential nutrients in your diet. It also includes managing stress through meditation, therapy, support, and any other methods you find relaxing. Gentle forms of exercise, such as adrenal breathing and adrenal yoga are great ways to relax and also slowly increase your strength.
The fatigue that you are experiencing does require you to make time for a lot of rest and get good sleep. Theres no point fighting it and trying to function at full capacity when it will only make your system weaken further. You may also consider supplements that can help the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland get stronger, but in this area, it is important to have expert guidance in order to avoid inadvertently worsen your condition.
Read Also: Vitamins To Help With Fatigue
Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism And Exhausted Here Are Supplements For More Energy
What does having Hashimotos hypothyroidism feel like?
Hashimotos hypothyroidism causes you to feel tired, gain weight and/or difficulty losing weight, constipated depressed and anxious. It can leave you experiencing infertility, high cholesterol levels, dry skin, dry hair, hair loss and much more.
Often the symptoms get progressively worse over years as the thyroid gland gradually slows its production of hormones leaving the person with Hashimotos feeling as if they have little control over how miserable they feel or how much weight they are gaining.
Personally I thought I was a hypochondriac, secret eater when in my 30s I experienced persistent weight gain, foggy brain and profound fatigue regardless of eating less, exercising more and a suitcase full of supplements promising miracles and delivering fools gold.
Whilst I was complaining of the signs and symptoms of early hypothyroidism my blood tests and lab results were not quite bad enough to medicate. Medically the condition is called sub-clinical hypothyroidism and doctors typically take a watch and wait approach monitoring thyroid results until the condition deteriorates into full blown hypothyroidism and they are permitted to prescribe medication .
Natural Solutions for the Sub-Clinically Hypothyroid
The good news is there are a range of natural solutions with varying levels of scientific research offering the sluggish subclinical hypothyroid some respite.
Natural Remedies Researched by Science
The good news:
What Causes Low Thyroid Issues
The causes of low thyroid are better understood than HPA-axis dysregulation. As I mentioned earlier, Hashimotos is the most common type of hypothyroid and is caused by an autoimmune response.
- Too much or too little iodine
- Congenital disease
- Pituitary gland conditions
My supplement, Thyroid Support,is specifically designed to nourish and optimize your thyroid, plus give your body what it needs to use the thyroid hormone available.
Don’t Miss: Can Chronic Pain Cause Fatigue
What Were The Results Of This Study
All three patients reported improvement in their fatigue levels. Patients 1 and 2 reported 100% elimination of their fatigue and patient 3 reported moderate improvement. Looking more closely at the numbers, patient 3 had the highest levels of TPO antibodies at 1,725 compared to patient 1 at 322 and patient 2 at 526. Patient 3 may not have gotten the same improvement as the other two patients due to her antibodies being so high. Elevated antibodies do correlate with symptom severity in Hashimotoâs disease so this is a possible explanation.
The authors do state that ongoing intake of thiamine should be accompanied by all of the B-vitamins in a B-complex form. This is because all of the B-vitamins work together and taking high doses of one without the other could cause problems over time.
