Mailbag! How to TAME Hashimoto’s Disease Symptoms
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 5, 2022
I live with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and I’m having trouble controlling my weight. What would you recommend?
–June from Hickory, NC
June,
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition where the thyroid is being attacked by the immune system. This “attack” knocks out the production of thyroid hormones, causing hypothyroidism (or an underperforming thyroid).
The thyroid and its hormones are responsible for much of the body’s metabolism. When thyroid hormones are unbalanced, you can feel tired, gain weight easily, and struggle with constipation, among other symptoms.
If you’re on thyroid medications and gaining weight, I would suggest you first work with your doctor to see if they can get the amount of medication right. This is more difficult than you might imagine, and you should consider going to someone who specializes in hormones for low thyroid.
Outside of that, you may want to work on gut health.
Leaky gut is a condition where the normally tight junctions between the cells of your digestive tract break down. This breakdown allows molecules that normally wouldn’t get access to the bloodstream to flow in from your gut. When this happens, the immune system goes crazy, and may cause an autoimmune reaction.
To put your digestive tract into order, you want to avoid all vegetable oils and reduce sugar as much as you can. Try taking a probiotic or eating fermented foods (such as sauerkraut or yogurt) to also balance your gut health.
Here are a few other ideas.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oils help reduce inflammation and balance thyroid function and hormones.
- Eat seaweeds. These are some of the best sources of natural iodine, the mineral your thyroid needs to make thyroid hormone. Some health practitioners will suggest you take iodine as a supplement, but that can lead to an overactive thyroid— especially if you’re already taking thyroid hormones. Simply sticking with seaweeds is your best choice.
- Selenium. Just like iodine, the thyroid gland needs selenium. I suggest taking around 200 micrograms a day.
- Tyrosine or L-tyrosine. This amino acid is used in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Studies have shown that supplementing with tyrosine can help reduce fatigue and improve alertness in people with hypothyroidism.
- Vitamin B complex. B vitamins are used in every step of thyroid hormone production. Studies have shown supplementing with B vitamins can help combat symptoms of autoimmune disease, including chronic fatigue.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...