10 Facts About Thyroid Disease

May 25th marks World Thyroid Day! This day helps bring awareness to thyroid conditions, and acknowledges those who have thyroid disease, those who study it, and the treatments that surround it. At the end of May, I’m always looking at ways to increase thyroid awareness.

Did you know? Thyroid disease is prevalent throughout the world. The American Thyroid Association estimates that some 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. The vast majority (over 95 percent) of those diagnosed with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease.

A research review paper published in 2019 reports that, per results from a large-scale Danish study, the most common subtype of hypothyroidism is spontaneous hypothyroidism (presumably due to an autoimmune component), found in about 84.4 percent of people. Other common causes include postpartum-induced hypothyroidism (4.7 percent), hypothyroidism caused by the medication amiodarone (4 percent), and pregnancy-related immune changes (about 0.09 percent of women per year). ^[1]

My interest in Hashimoto’s was prompted by my own diagnosis, which came when I was just 27… almost a decade after visiting doctors who said my chronic cough, IBS, anxiety, leg cramps, muscle pain, carpal tunnel, hair loss, bloating, and new food sensitivities were just part of “getting older.”

After much crying to my family and doing what I could to “cover up” my symptoms (hello blonde hair to help cover my thinning hair), I sat down and thought about my clients. They were happy, despite their challenges, and I wanted to be like that too — so I decided to be the healthiest person possible with Hashimoto’s.

Overcoming Hashimoto’s became my personal life mission. Fast forward to today, and here I am: the Thyroid Pharmacist. I want to share the knowledge that I now have about Hashimoto’s, with the world!

In this article, you are going to become knowledgeable in many facts about Hashimoto’s and the thyroid. We’ll also cover:

• Lab tests that everyone who displays symptoms should get
• Why Hashimoto’s is commonly misdiagnosed
• Common nutrient deficiencies that those with Hashimoto’s may have
• Common symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s

Top 10 Facts About Hashimoto’s

My readers are constantly astonished about new facts that they learn regarding Hashimoto’s, so I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 to share with you today. Many facts that you are going to read below, are based on the insights shared by over 2000 of my clients and readers, whom I surveyed back in 2015. (You can read about that survey here.)

1. If you take Synthroid/levothyroxine or have hypothyroidism, low thyroid levels, or a sluggish thyroid, you likely have Hashimoto’s.

Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism are NOT always the same. While Hashimoto’s is the leading cause of hypothyroidism, there is a difference between Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. A person can have one, and not the other.

Most cases of pure hypothyroidism can be remedied by taking thyroid hormones. However, as some 95 percent of cases of hypothyroidism are due to advanced Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroiditis), Hashimoto’s and the autoimmune attack will remain, even when proper levels of thyroid hormone are restored with medications (unless we find and treat the root cause).

The definition of hypothyroid is a thyroid that doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone for the body, which is usually made evident by a high TSH and/or low Free T4 and Free T3. Some doctors refer to that as a “sluggish” thyroid.

Hypothyroidism is a clinical state that can occur as a result of different factors, such as iodine deficiency, surgical removal of the thyroid, radioactive iodine treatment, not taking enough thyroid hormone, taking thyroid suppressing medications, or damage to the thyroid from an infection, an accident, or a condition like Hashimoto’s.

Hashimoto’s, on the other hand, is a progressive autoimmune condition that involves the body attacking its own thyroid gland, eventually leading to hypothyroidism. A person in the early stages of Hashimoto’s may not yet have hypothyroidism, just the attack on the thyroid gland. This autoimmune attack on the thyroid can cause symptoms, be triggered by various factors, and be responsive to lifestyle changes. I’ll discuss this further below.

The autoimmune attack on the thyroid develops decades before a person becomes hypothyroid, so catching the condition early allows us to prevent its progression. One may suffer from symptoms of Hashimoto’s for years before they are finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism and given thyroid medications.

Some common symptoms of Hashimoto’s include: anxiety, depression, weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, cold hands and feet, and gastrointestinal issues.

Another common symptom is having multiple food sensitivities, especially to gluten, dairy, and soy, which may not show up on a standard blood test, but can manifest as delayed symptoms after consuming these foods. (You can read more about food sensitivities and Hashimoto’s here.)

Hashimoto’s symptoms can be a spectrum: some people feel just fine, yet others may feel debilitated by their symptoms.

Some common symptoms of Hashimoto’s, based off of hypothyroidism, include:

• Slower metabolism, leading to weight gain
• Forgetfulness
• Feeling cold or cold intolerance
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Loss of ambition
• Dry, coarse hair
• Muscle cramps
• Stiffness
• Joint pain
• A loss of the outer third eyebrow
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Infertility
• Muscle aches
• Puffy face
• Slow heartbeat
• Brittle nails
• Arthritis

At the other end of the spectrum, when our body is in a hyperthyroid state, symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Palpitations
• Anxiety
• Eye bulging
• Tremors
• Irritability
• Infrequent menstrual periods
• Fatigue
• Heat intolerance
• Increased appetite
• Hair loss
• Enlarged thyroid gland
• Sweating
• Frequent bowel movements
• Infertility
• Soft nails
• Warm, moist palms
• Finger tremors
• Insomnia
• Muscle weakness
• Nervousness

As you can see in the graphic below, one may experience symptoms of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

I personally experienced irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and advanced carpal tunnel in both hands, which required me to wear wrist braces. Despite my symptoms, however, I looked fine (except for some bloating). I had hair on my head (despite losing much of it) and I didn’t need crutches (although I experienced leg and muscle pain). When I came home from work, all I could do was eat, watch TV, and fall asleep on the couch.

I was living proof that thyroid symptoms may affect someone, even though they may look fine on the outside!

2. Hashimoto’s can affect fertility and libido.

Women with Hashimoto’s may experience fertility struggles, such as having trouble conceiving and having miscarriages. ^[2]

In the past, researchers speculated that women with thyroid disease may have a higher risk of having children with birth defects, but later research shows that this is not the case. ^[3]

However, those who are planning to conceive should note that there are still risks involved when it comes to pregnancy, if hypothyroidism is not treated. Babies born to mothers with untreated hypothyroidism may be at a higher risk for being born with a low birth weight, and there is a higher likelihood that they will be born preterm. ^[4] Possible additional risks include a lower IQ and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. ^[5] (Note that these risks are not tied to Hashimoto’s antibodies specifically.)

Female hormones, such as estrogen, are thought to play a role in the development of autoimmune thyroid conditions. There are also three common periods of major hormonal changes in a woman’s life, where the onset of the disease can occur – puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Estrogen and prolactin have an important role in modulating the immune system, and may impact autoimmune disease. Estrogen can also change the requirements for thyroid hormone, and this may result in an autoimmune condition, especially in the presence of nutrient deficiencies. ^[6]

Prolactin, released by breastfeeding women to promote milk production, may also become elevated in women with Hashimoto’s (even when they’re not breastfeeding), and has been tied to both increased thyroid antibodies and infertility.

Research has also shown that both women and men with thyroid disease experience a higher prevalence of low libido at some point in their lives.

An estimated 59 to 63 percent of hypothyroid men suffer from sexual function issues including low libido, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, and sperm abnormalities. Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism are associated with reduced sperm morphology (changes in size or shape which make it less effective), low semen volume and density, as well as reduced motility. ^[7]

A low sex drive can also be caused by a number of co-occurring chronic health conditions, including other autoimmune diseases. For example, many women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have shared with me their own challenges with having a low sex drive. Read more about low libido and thyroid conditions here. ^[8]

Adrenal dysfunction and an impaired cortisol response can also significantly impact libido. When adrenal dysfunction occurs, the body may think it’s in survival mode instead of thriving mode, which means that the adrenal glands can divert the production of “nice to have” hormones (sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone) from seemingly unneeded systems such as the body’s reproductive system, to fuel the production of hormones required for survival, such as cortisol. Basically, if we’re in a state of constant stress, our bodies will be focused on “survival” and not procreation.

In some cases, restoring adrenal function may also be key to restoring the balance of sex hormones in the body, thus helping libido.

Low libido, along with other symptoms including stress, exhaustion, mood swings, blood sugar imbalances, depression, and food cravings, can all be signs that your cortisol production is out of balance. This can, in turn, impact your other hormone systems further.

After struggling with adrenal dysfunction myself, and learning that a lot of people with Hashimoto’s also struggle, I developed a program called the Adrenal Transformation Program — 81 percent of course participants reported an improved libido!

Since I saw so much success with this program, I wanted to share it with more people… and that’s how my book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol, came to life. It outlines a four-week program to help identify your adrenal triggers, balance your stress response, and gradually build up your resilience to prevent excess stress from overwhelming your adrenals in the future.

3. Missing a Hashimoto’s diagnosis is more common than you think.

Through my own experience as a patient, from the mouths of many with Hashimoto’s, and due to the outdated guidelines for diagnosing thyroid conditions, I have learned that many doctors don’t test for Hashimoto’s, despite having their patients present with symptoms of thyroid disease.

Many conventional doctors simply test one’s TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and T4 levels (the amount of thyroid hormone circulating in your blood), because these values are tested for a general diagnosis of “thyroid disease.” However, these tests don’t decipher between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, and often don’t flag Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism until a later stage. But this is absurd, as thyroid antibodies can be elevated for as long as 10 years, before a change in TSH is seen! ^[9]

For this reason, it’s important to have a full thyroid panel done, which includes not only TSH and T4, but also T3, TPO, and TG antibodies (whose presence can show how strong the autoimmune attack on the thyroid is).

Additionally, an ultrasound test can help to diagnose Hashimoto’s, as well as reveal what’s happening with your thyroid and see if there are any nodules present.

I’ll discuss more on how to get a proper diagnosis further on in this article.

4. Getting on the right thyroid medications can be a game-changer.

The conventional medical model treats autoimmune thyroid disorders in the same way as it would treat someone with a nutrient-deficiency-induced thyroid disorder, someone with a congenital defect of the thyroid gland, someone born without a thyroid, or someone who had their thyroid removed and treated with radioactive iodine. To treat these symptoms, synthetic thyroid hormones are often used.

The standard of care is to prescribe levothyroxine (known as T4), which can work wonders for some people’s symptoms. However, this same medication may be completely worthless for other people’s thyroid symptoms.

One reason could be due to poor absorption. Fortunately, Tirosint® (a gluten and dairy-free synthetic T4 hormone medication, free from harmful fillers), has recently become available. In my survey of over 2000 people with Hashimoto’s, those that switched to Tirosint® experienced a 68 percent improvement in labs. Fifty percent saw an improvement in mood, 62 percent saw an improvement in their energy levels, and 32 percent, an improvement in hair loss. (Read more on this topic in my article, Is your T4 medication working for you?)

Additionally, T4 is a pro-drug, and needs to be turned into the more active T3 in the body, to exert most of its benefits. This conversion happens perfectly on paper and in a petri-dish, but as a pharmacist, I can tell you that it doesn’t always happen that way in every person’s body. Some people may not convert T4 to T3 properly. This could be due to various reasons — including genetics, nutrients, co-occurring conditions, and sometimes even stress.

Of the readers I’ve surveyed, up to 59 percent have felt better taking a combination T4/T3 medication, while up to 43 percent have felt better on a synthetic T4 medication. While 69 percent saw an improvement in their thyroid lab results with the T4-only medication Synthroid® (69 percent), improvements to mood and overall energy were reported in 63 percent of people, after switching to a T3/T4 combination medication like Nature-Throid®.

Natural Dessicated Thyroid (NDT) is another T4/T3 medication option. This is also sometimes called Desiccated Thyroid Extract (DTE). These medications are derived from the thyroid gland of pigs and are considered to be bioidentical hormones.

NDT medications also contain the thyroid hormones T1 and T2, which may have some physiological activity as well.

Many of my patients who did not feel well on conventional treatments report feeling much better after switching to an NDT medication like Armour®, Nature-Throid®, NP Thyroid® or WP Thyroid®. When surveying my readers, I discovered that 59 percent did feel better after switching to Armour®, 57 percent felt better on Nature-Throid®, and 32 percent reported improvement with WP Thyroid® (NP Thyroid® was not readily available when I created the survey). (Note: While Armour does not have any gluten-containing ingredients, it is not tested for gluten content, and as such, is not “certified gluten-free.”)

For those who don’t have access to T3-containing medications, I recommend looking into a better absorbed form of T4, such as Tirosint®. You can also check out my article on thyroid medications for a comprehensive overview of the other available medication options out there, and how you can be sure to get the best outcomes from each of them.

5. Your doctor’s lab reference ranges may be outdated.

The TSH level conventionally considered to be “normal” has been skewed for years. Researchers have shown that, when scientists first determined the reference range for thyroid hormones, they looked at people within the “normal” reference range who were actually hypothyroid, or had naturally higher TSH levels due to being elderly. This caused the normal reference range to be inflated, where a TSH of up to 10 μIU/mL was considered normal. The reference ranges have fortunately been refined in the last few years, with most labs now having 4.5 μIU/mL or 5 μIU/mL as the upper limit of “normal.” However, as a side note, when my TSH was at 4.5 μIU/mL, I felt like a sloth.

In recent years, the National Academy of Clinical Biochemists indicated 95 percent of individuals without thyroid disease have TSH concentrations below 2.5 μIU/L, and a new normal reference range was defined by the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists to be between 0.3 and 3.0 μIU/mL for people taking thyroid medications. However, functional medicine practitioners have found, based on clinical experience, that normal reference ranges should be between 1 to 2 μIU/mL, for a healthy person not taking thyroid medications. Anecdotally, I’ve found that most patients feel best with a TSH between 0.5-2 μIU/mL. ^[11]

Thus, the goal is to have your thyroid medications help your labs fall into the optimal reference ranges (as noted in the graphic below).

(Although there is an updated range, many conventional doctors have been slow to join in. This is why I encourage you to work with a functional medicine doctor who will treat you, and not just your labs.)

When your thyroid labs are optimal, you may see a reduction in your symptoms.

However, everyone is unique, so the most important thing is that you feel well. If your TSH range is slightly out of the optimal range, but you are feeling better than ever, then I wouldn’t focus so much on the number on your labs. What matters is the absence of symptoms.

6. Hashimoto’s can be reversed!

Once diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, most people are told that they will be fine as long as they take their synthetic thyroid hormone medication. However, patients don’t get an explanation as to why they have Hashimoto’s, what the autoimmune disease means for their future, and what actions they can do to support their thyroid and autoimmune disease… other than taking medication.

Most doctors dismiss autoimmune conditions as the result of certain genes and believe that once present, they cannot be reversed. However, leading researcher, Dr. Alessio Fasano, has proven otherwise. He has uncovered the three-legged stool of autoimmunity.

According to his research, three factors need to be present for an autoimmune condition to develop:

• A genetic predisposition
• An external trigger
• Intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut (a condition that involves “holes” in the intestinal lining, which allows toxins and food particles to pass through and further damage our gut)

Dr. Fasano found that, upon removing the intestinal permeability and/or trigger, an autoimmune condition will go into remission. For this reason, I believe in addressing the root causes of Hashimoto’s symptoms to reverse the condition. (And yes, remission is possible with Hashimoto’s!) ^[12]

7. Many people share common underlying root causes of thyroid disease.

Beyond optimizing thyroid hormones, those who have Hashimoto’s often share these similar root causes.

Food Sensitivities

I’ve found that the most common food sensitivities in people with Hashimoto’s are gluten, dairy, soy, grains (corn, in particular), nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers), nuts, and seeds. When someone is first setting out to change their diet, I always recommend completely removing gluten, dairy, and soy.

• In surveying my readers and clients, I’ve found that about 93 percent have felt better on a gluten-free diet.
• Another 75 percent reported feeling better on a dairy-free diet, 73 percent felt better grain-free, and another 60 percent said they felt better soy-free.
• Egg and nightshade-free diets were helpful 40 percent and 35 percent of the time, respectively.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient depletions contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s, as well as many of its symptoms, and are common in people with Hashimoto’s. They may be caused or exacerbated by symptoms such as low hormone levels and leaky gut. Hypothyroidism makes nutrient extraction from food more difficult and less efficient. ^[13]

Nutrient deficiencies can also occur as a result of eating nutrient-poor foods, following a calorie-restricted diet, having inflammation from infections or food sensitivities, taking certain medications, or having an imbalance of gut bacteria. Restoring one’s nutrient levels through nutrient-dense foods, supplementation, and optimizing digestion, are some of the fastest ways to feel better with Hashimoto’s and begin to restore the body!

Adrenal Dysfunction and Impaired Stress Response

An impaired stress response is typically the result of cortisol imbalance and adrenal dysfunction.

Stress affects so many different bodily functions, including metabolism, hormone production, immune system regulation, and emotional response. Thyroid function is also decreased when in a stressful situation. The body wants to preserve energy to deal with whatever issue is at hand — whether you are being chased by a bear or stuck in traffic — the adrenal glands cannot decipher what is happening when in a “fight or flight” response, so it reacts the same way. “Fight or flight” mode can save us from danger and help us tackle the challenging situations in life.

However, problems arise when this type of stress is ongoing and the body is constantly suppressing thyroid function to preserve its resources. Additionally, high or low cortisol levels, caused by chronic stress to the adrenal glands, can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). If left unmanaged, these blood sugar imbalances can lead to hypothyroid symptoms. An increase in cortisol will also disrupt the balance of the HPT (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid) axis, which the body relies on to keep thyroid levels steady. ^[14]

I struggled with exhaustion and an over-reliance on caffeine off and on for years… until I discovered the root cause of this, which was adrenal dysfunction. I developed an effective protocol for myself, which was based on sending safety signals to my body, so that it was able to rest and recover from the chronic cortisol production (this article discusses my safety theory, if you want to learn more).

I started to offer it as the Adrenal Transformation Program. Participants in the program reported improvements in mental fog (92 percent), fatigue (89 percent), anxiety (86 percent)… and this is just the tip of the iceberg! So I decided to write a book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol, which has just been published! I highly recommend picking up a copy if you are interested in tackling symptoms like mood swings, blood sugar imbalance, food cravings, or depression.

Toxins

Toxins are everywhere in our environment — cosmetics, skin products, pesticides, exhaust fumes… the list goes on! Whatever we inhale, ingest, and absorb into our skin, eventually ends up circulating in our body.

We are frequently exposed to xenoestrogens (found in BPA, soy, phthalates, parabens, etc.), which may increase TSH and perpetuate the autoimmune attack on the thyroid. Some other forms of toxins are halogens (bromide, chloride, and fluoride), which can compete with receptor sites in the thyroid gland and build up in our thyroid tissue, leading to inflammation and thyroid cell death, as they are structurally similar to iodine.

The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A) estimates that consumer products used in the U.S. may contain some 40,000 chemicals, but less than one percent have been tested and proven safe for human use. ^[15] Read more about how to reduce and eliminate toxins in your home in my articles on indoor air quality and flame retardants.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a common toxin that can wreak havoc on the thyroid. It can be found in products like bottled beverages, toothpaste, black and red tea, certain medications, and drinking (tap) water! Fluoride was used to treat hyperthyroidism up until the 1950s, as it is an effective thyroid suppressor at daily doses of 0.9 to 4.2 mg. However, studies confirm that most adults in fluoridated communities ingest between 1.6 and 6.6 mg of fluoride a day, effectively suppressing their thyroid function. A 2015 study out of England reported that people in an area with fluoridated drinking water were twice as likely as those in a non-fluoridated area to report hypothyroidism. ^[16]

Infections

Bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections are chronic infections which I often see in those with Hashimoto’s.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO, Blastocystis hominis, Candida overgrowth, and H. pylori are the triggers of Hashimoto’s that get the least amount of attention, yet identifying and treating them can result in complete remission. There are protocols designed to eradicate them. In 2015, 80 percent of my clients who hit a plateau with nutrition and took the gut tests I recommended, tested positive for at least one gut infection.

Leaky Gut

Leaky gut or Intestinal permeability is one of the factors that must be present for autoimmunity to occur. A leaky gut has gaps in the gut lining that allow irritating molecules and substances to escape from the digestive system, and enter into the bloodstream. In a leaky gut, infections, viruses, and food particles that are able to find their way into the body through the intestinal wall, can cause food sensitivities and a host of other symptoms. This irritation can interrupt the immune system’s ability to regulate itself and put the body into a perpetual “attack mode” that is counterproductive to healing. Even those who have no apparent gastrointestinal symptoms may have a leaky gut, and addressing gut function might be the best place to start to bring healing to the body. If we can reverse leaky gut, we can prevent or reverse autoimmunity altogether.

You can read more about the top root causes of Hashimoto’s, and the dietary and lifestyle interventions that I recommend to address them, in this article. You can also check out my article on the conventional versus root cause approach to learn more about digging for your root cause. ^[17]

You can also learn more about testing for adrenal dysfunction and cortisol imbalance in my latest book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol.

8. Too much iodine can cause Hashimoto’s.

Iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, as iodine is needed for the thyroid to function.

Through the 1900s, iodine deficiency became recognized as a major health concern in certain areas of the U.S. (and worldwide). To address this issue, global health organizations began adding iodine to salt and other foods, and the iodine status of the world’s countries increased. As of 2014, reports from the Centers for Disease Control suggest that the U.S. population has both sufficient and stable iodine intake.

Today, iodine deficiency is rare, and iodine excess is now recognized as a risk factor for developing autoimmune thyroid disease. Most cases of hypothyroidism in the United States, and other countries that add iodine to their salt supply, are caused by Hashimoto’s. ^[19]

For more information, please read my article about iodine and Hashimoto’s.

9. Diet can be a game-changer for Hashimoto’s.

Using food as medicine (food pharmacology) is one of the most powerful tools you can use to bring your autoimmune condition into remission. I experienced the most healing when I removed the foods I was reacting to from my diet, and addressed my nutrient deficiencies.

Food sensitivities can be a root cause of Hashimoto’s, and can result from a leaky gut that is always present with autoimmunity. In my experience, removing these reactive foods (either permanently or for a period of time) will often alleviate many of the symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s.

Many of my readers and clients have experienced noticeable benefits from removing the following foods:

• 88 percent reported feeling better on a gluten-free diet
• 87 percent reported feeling better on a sugar-free diet
• 81 percent reported feeling better on a grain-free or Paleo diet
• 79 percent reported feeling better on a dairy-free diet
• 63 percent said they felt better on a soy-free diet
• 48 percent felt better when they eliminated eggs from their diet
• 47 percent felt better on nightshade-free diets (nightshades are vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants)
• 15 percent of people saw improvement with a nut-free diet
• 7 percent reported feeling better off seeds
• 63 to 79 percent of people felt better overall on the Autoimmune Paleo diet, which excludes all of the above-listed foods

Nutrient deficiencies are another common root cause of Hashimoto’s, and can be caused by infections, low stomach acid, fat malabsorption, a deficiency in digestive enzymes, eating nutrient-poor foods, following a calorie-restricted diet, ingesting food sensitivities, taking certain medications, or having an imbalance of gut bacteria.

The most common nutrient deficiencies that I’ve seen in Hashimoto’s are selenium, vitamin D, B12, ferritin (the iron storage protein), thiamine, zinc, and magnesium. Read more about the 7 most common deficiencies of those with Hashimoto’s.

To learn more about the best diet for Hashimoto’s, please take a look at the linked article.

10. Low-dose naltrexone can be helpful for Hashimoto’s.

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used for opioid withdrawal at a dose of 50 mg per day. However, low doses of 1.5 to 4.5 mg per day of this medication have been found to tweak the immune system. They have also shown promise in improving cases of autoimmune disease, including Crohn’s, MS, and Hashimoto’s, as well as other immune system-related conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Naltrexone has also been reported to enhance immune function by increasing our endogenous endorphin production, reducing inflammation, promoting DNA synthesis, and slowing down motility in the GI tract to facilitate healing.

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) balances the immune system by increasing the amount of T-regulatory cytokines and modulating TGF-B, leading to a reduction of Th-17 — the promoter of autoimmunity. This means that it turns off the cells that cause autoimmunity! ^[20]

This medication is available only as a prescription and can be compounded into lower doses by special professional compounding pharmacies. Luckily, even without insurance coverage, this medication is available in generic form and is very affordable, usually costing between $15 to 40 USD per month.

Do You Think (or Know) You Have Hashimoto’s? Here Are Your Next Steps

If you are experiencing symptoms that you have read in this article and think that you may have Hashimoto’s or a thyroid disorder, there are some common tests that you can ask for that can help with a possible diagnosis. If your doctor refuses to order the tests for you, or you don’t have coverage, you can order them through my Ulta Lab test portal, which offers discounted lab tests.

If you do have health insurance, I encourage you to call your insurance company to see if they will cover the tests.

I’ve listed the tests individually below; however, you can also order my Root Cause Thyroid Panel, which bundles all of them together.

• TSH – This stands for “Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.” This test is used to screen for thyroid disease. It is a pituitary gland hormone and responds to high and low amounts of circulating thyroid hormone in the body. In advanced cases of thyroid disease, the test will reveal high or low readings. Following the research, recent recommendations from the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists, and my clinical experience, I’ve found that the optimal reference range is 0.5-2 μIU/mL, and that most people report feeling at their best around 1 μIU/mL.
• Free T4 – This test measures the amount of inactive thyroid hormone circulating in the body. T4 converts into T3, the active version of thyroid hormone. The optimal reference range is 15-23 pmol/L.
• Free T3 – This test measures the active thyroid hormone circulating in the body. The optimal reference range is 5-7 pmol/L.
• TPO & TG Antibodies – Most people with Hashimoto’s will have at least one of these antibodies elevated, and if test results show elevated numbers, this is an indication that the thyroid is essentially attacking itself. The optimal reference range for both TPO and TG antibodies is under 2 IU/mL.
• Thyroid Ultrasound – Some people who have symptoms of thyroid disease or Hashimoto’s, may not have abnormal results on the lab tests mentioned above, which can lead to a misdiagnosis of Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism. This is where I recommend a thyroid ultrasound to check for any abnormalities of the thyroid. Ideally, I recommend at least one ultrasound, especially for women of childbearing age. Some indications that can be found on an ultrasound include a rubbery thyroid, shrunken thyroid, enlarged thyroid, or abnormal growths in the thyroid. (Read more about nodules and ultrasound tests)

For more information, check out my article on the top 10 thyroid tests!

The Takeaway

I hope that this article has shed some light on how Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease can affect a person, aside from lab results being abnormal. There are so many factors that are involved when one is diagnosed with thyroid disease, and conventional medicine, unfortunately, does not provide the necessary information for proper healing. However, with the Root Cause approach, putting autoimmune thyroiditis into remission is truly possible!

Please share this article with your friends and loved ones via social media to help spread thyroid awareness, in honor of World Thyroid Day!

By spreading this good news, my hope is that all doctors, pharmacists, and other practitioners will understand that the goal of Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism treatment is not to simply feed the thyroid with synthetic hormone, but to treat each patient as the unique individual they are — as we all are — and to dig deep to discover and address each root cause of their symptoms.

Those of us who have been through misdiagnoses, and have been told by doctors that we are “fine” when we did not feel that way, understand how thyroid disease can seem overwhelming. I want you to know that, although you may have Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, or another thyroid disease, you can put your condition into remission and still live life to your fullest potential! I — along with hundreds of my patients — are living proof that it can happen.

While this info may seem daunting, there are people and resources to support you.

For example, you can find a support group for people with Hashimoto’s, like Living with Hashimoto’s Disease. The comfort I received from knowing that there were others going through the same challenges as I, was enormous… and I highly recommend that you join such a group.

I also recommend finding practitioners who are knowledgeable in treating Hashimoto’s from a Root Cause approach. To help get you started, here’s a directory of recommended doctors.

As a final note, I want you to know that support is all around if you or a loved one is diagnosed with Hashimoto’s — you don’t have to battle this on your own. You’ve come to the right place.

Here are some resources that I hope will help you or a loved one on your healing journey:

• Where Do I Start With Hashimoto’s
• Getting Support in Hashimoto’s
• Tasty Thyroid-Friendly Meals
• Top 9 Things to Say to a Friend Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s
• How to Eat for Thyroid Health on a Budget

Ready to dig even deeper? My books Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating The Root Cause, can help you take those next steps.

Additionally, my newest cookbook, Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, provides you with over 125 delicious, healing recipes, as well as nutrition protocols, to help take charge of your (or a loved one’s) thyroid.

My new book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol, is based on a four-week program that I’ve run several times. In it, participants have seen amazing improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep, stress and more. The book is designed to help you recover from the impact of adrenal dysfunction and chronic cortisol production, and I highly suggest that you check it out if you’re struggling with symptoms.

You can also download a Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my first book for free! You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.

I love interacting with my readers on social media, and I encourage you to join my Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest community pages to stay on top of thyroid health updates and meet others who are following similar health journeys. For recipes, a FREE Thyroid Diet start guide, and notifications about upcoming events, be sure to sign up for my email list!

References

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Originally published in May of 2019, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.