Happy New Year!
If you included some aspect of health improvement in your New Year’s resolutions, you are in good company! This is typically one of the top ten resolutions, as it should be! A good place to start is thyroid health, as January is Thyroid Awareness month.
The thyroid is the largest endocrine gland in the body. It controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones.
It is estimated that more than 12 million Americans have thyroid disease, but the actual number could be even higher due to the fact that many people go undiagnosed their entire lives.
Hypothyroidism is all too common. It can cause many symptoms including: fatigue, depression, malaise, weight gain, hair loss and more. One form of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s Syndrome. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s own defenses target the thyroid for destruction. Diagnosing the autoimmune thyroid is done via blood test that looks at key thyroid hormone levels and also thyroid antibodies.
With Hashimoto’s, it is almost impossible to control your thyroid with just medication. If you are suffering from this disease you most likely have gut issues as well. Leaky gut can cause thyroid symptoms to flare up, and in turn, cause further damage to the gut and small intestines. Therefore, it is important to know which foods can cause problems and which foods can help heal this condition.
Gluten intolerance is highly linked to Hashimoto’s. This includes wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn and sometimes even quinoa. Healing the gut becomes essential to healing or controlling the thyroid.
For those of you what are looking for a way to modulate your autoimmune symptoms, know that dietary changes will be important. Here are the foods to avoid.
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ALL sugars and sweeteners, even honey or agave
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High-glycemic fruits: Watermelon, mango, pineapple, raisins, grapes, canned fruits, dried fruits, etc.
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Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and other nightshades
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Mushrooms
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Grains: Wheat, oats, rice, barley, buckwheat, corn, quinoa, etc.
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Dairy: Milk, cream, cheese, butter, whey. Ghee is OK.
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Eggs or foods that contain eggs (such as mayonnaise)
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Soy: Soy milk, soy sauce, tofu, tempeh, soy protein, etc.
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Alcohol
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Lectins: Lectins are a major promoter of leaky gut. Avoid nuts, beans, soy, potatoes, tomato, eggplant, peppers, peanut oil, peanut butter, soy oil, etc.
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Coffee: I realize this is difficult but it?s necessary. Many people with gluten sensitivity react to coffee as if it is gluten. It’s important to eliminate it to be sure it’s not an immune trigger. You can run a cross reactive blood test to be sure.
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Processed foods
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Canned foods
Recommended foods:
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Most vegetables (except nightshades and mushrooms): Asparagus, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, carrots, celery, artichokes, garlic, onions, zucchini, squash, rhubarb, cucumbers, turnips, watercress, etc.
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Meats: Fish, chicken, beef, lamb, organ meats, etc. Best choice is grass-fed and pastured meats from a local farm. Second best is organic. Avoid factory-farmed meats that contain antibiotics and hormones.
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Low glycemic fruits sparingly: Apricots, plums, apple, peach, pear, cherries, berries, etc.
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Coconut: Coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut milk, coconut cream.
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Herbal teas
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Olives and olive oil
It is also important to increase your antioxidant and Vitamin D intake. Remember this is autoimmune and bolstering the immune system can help balance the thyroid. You can work on healing the gut with eating the right foods, but there are a few really good supplement regimens that can help this process immensely.
I like NEI-GI Repair by NeuroScience. It is an excellent 6 week program that is easy to follow and worthwhile. I also like RepairVite and GI-Synergy by Apex Energetics. Both products work well with the thyroid.
If you would like further help with understanding your thyroid or blood testing, please give us a call at OVitaminPro.com 1-877-465-0844.
I have a slight issue with my thyroid and I am working on finding the right product to take to regulate it. I was not aware that intolerance to certain foods can make a difference. So I will give that a try.
I just noticed that I tend to have more issues with my thyroid in the fall and winter, so that is something to take into consideration for next year, hoping I can save myself from weight gain and lethargy.
so what do you do if you had the thyroid removed? I had serious issues with my thyroid but no mention to me about diet–not that I ate poorly and everything I read or did, did not help. I was told I had Celiac well after the thyroid problems started so had the thyroid removed at the same time I went gluten free. If I would have gone gluten free sooner, would I maybe still have my thyroid? or is it the other way around? Did the thyroid cause my body to become gluten sensitive or did the gluten sensitivity cause the thyroid problem? well, I found out that I have the celiac gene but so far am not celiac but am very gluten sensitive.
I have Hashimoto’s symdrome and have been using Oxicell on my tyroid to help control allergic reactions I started having because of it. It has helped me tremendously and continue to use Oxicell. This blog post has good information and I will consider trying NEI-GI Repair, RepairVite or GI-Synergy. Thank you, Cecilia
I am glad the blog was helpful to you Cecilia! The gut repair is an important key to keeping the thyroid stable.
Thanks for sharing Patty. Serious issues with the thyroid do not happen overnight. Gluten sensitivity is something you have most likely had your whole life, especially since you carry the Celiac gene. The gene can express itself in many ways, one of which is thyroid disease. You do not have to have intestinal manifestations to prove you are Celiac. The fact that you have had thyroid issues makes it evident. Thyroid issues does not make someone have Celiac but Celiac can make someone have thryoid issues. It is very important that you continue to eat a gluten free diet since you carry the gene. You do not want to develop other autoimmune diseases.
Angie, there are a few things that can help a sluggish thyroid. But it is always good to see a blood test. If you like you can email me your blood test and I can take a look at it for you.
Sometimes thyroid is more a pituitary issue and therefore you need more pituitary support. Often is is true thyroid or Hashimotos and you need to support the production of T3 and T4.
I like the Thyraxis-PT for the pituitary support and the Thyro-CNV and Thyroxal for the thyroid support.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto several years ago. But my Dr. just kept upping my thyroid meds. When I finally started to feel real bad (confusion,foggyness,dry skin ect.) I looked on line for some help. I finally found a Dr. who listened to me. We did several tests, and found I was gluten sensitive. After being placed on glutathion,adrena-stim,x-viormin,and a gluten & iodine free vitamin, I am happy to say I do feel MUCH better. I do eat gluten free, and take a good probiotic also. I still take synthroid but my meds have not gone up.
Thank you for your wonderful products.
I started using Thyro – CNV (K-9). It has helped me a lot! I have tried numerous holistic remedies for my low Thyroid. They would work for a while and then not. SO far so good!!
Thanks for your comment Holly. I like this and Thyroxal K-12. So if you don’t get the response you are looking for try the two together.
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES ARE HORRIBLE TO RECOMMEND TO A PERSON WITH THYROID ISSUES! wHAT ARE YOU THINKING?? bROCOLLI AND CAULIFLOWER THE WORST!
Hi Adreienne, That is not necessarily true. That used to be the think but there are other issues to consider about diet, like gluten for example. Gluten is much worse for you than any calciferous vegetables. I have studied with Dr. Kharazzian, who wrote the thyroid book and these fit his recommendations. He has done more study on the thyroid than any other doctor out there. If you haven’t read his book, I suggest you do so. Dr Weil also says “Fortunately, the goitrogens in these foods are inactivated by cooking, even by light steaming, so there is no need to forego the valuable antioxidant and cancer- protective effects cruciferous vegetables afford.”
Here is an excellent blog by Dr. K that has a lot of what I recommended in my blog. http://thyroidbook.com/blog/autoimmune-gut-repair-diet/ Just copy and paste into your url and it will take you right to it. I hope this explains why I will stick to my recommendations for the thyroid. Thanks for commenting.
Huh. Typical diet plan for meat eaters. What about vegans and vegetarians? We are not going to go back to eating meat just because someone says we cannot allow ourselves nuts, tofu, etc., and many of us rely on grains, even quinoa, for nutrients.
How about you work with a nutritionist and come up with a list of things we can eat besides asparagus, spinach, and fruits to be used sparingly?
Sorry to sound snippy, I get really, really, really, really tired of trying to create meal plans to boost by thyroid function and discover meat plays such a large role in the lists I find, meanwhile fruits and vegetables I love are always supposed to be off limits, as are other things I use for sustenance. Sorry. Not going back to meat. Ever. Well, maybe in the event of a zombie apocalypse, or something, and I was facing having to eat my own children or a neighborhood dog, but no, not under normal living conditions, no, I will not eat meat, eggs, dairy, etc.
I realize your frustration Gina. It is difficult to form meal plans and get enough protein when one is vegan. These suggestions are guidelines for people dealing with Hashimoto’s. There are no easy answers. I recommend doing a Cyrex Lab Array 4, which will show what foods are causing an autoimmune response. This way you don’t have to eliminate everything from a suggested list. However, grains do cause inflammation, in everyone, and soy has its allergen issues. Unfortunately we are not that far biologically removed from our caveman hunter gatherer ancestors. As a species it is difficult to be healthy when we eat a diet of mostly grains.
This diet is recommended by Dr. Datis Kharazian who wrote the book “Why do I still have Thyroid Symptoms”. This is what he recommends for any autoimmune disease. And I would beg to differ that he lives in a bubble. If you it a a diet like this you will not lack in nutrition on the contrary you will allow your body to heal when you eliminate foods that contribute to leaky gut and the autoimmune response. You are certainly entitled to your opinion but there is no need to be rude just because you don’t understand the principle here.
Your list of recommended foods for those who are Hypothyrodic is in acute stark opposition to widely accepted and proven foodstuffs to avoid or at least only consume in strong moderation.
Apparently your mentor has developed a great recipe for keeping his patients and followers dependent on his proprietary products indefinitely.
I’m currently not taking any products for my thyroid. I keep my Hashimoto Thyroid in balance by avoiding foods such as gluten that aggravate the condition, as well as supporting my immune system with Vitamin D3 and Turmeric. The list I presented is extreme but it is for those who are sick and not responding to conventional treatment. If you have Hasimotos you most definitely have gluten intolerance and should eliminate it out of your diet immediately. This includes oats and corn. I do not believe it is Dr. Kharazian’s plan to keep people on any product indefinitely.
Hello – I found your website through google. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and am currently not taking any medicines. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the blood results. My antibodies are decreasing but my T4 has decreased. I think that the reason is mercury poisoning from improper silver fillings removal which I did in April this year. Do you think that taking Thyroxal would help in my case? Hope to hear back from you. Thank you! PS – I am not overweight (i am 128 lbs and 5.5 tall) and do not have B12 and vit D deficiencies. I am also not constipated.
I received my bloodwork results yesterday. My TSH is 15.7; T4-4.8; T3-82; FT4-0.9; FT3-2.9;TGB AB1000. There hasn’t been a significant drop in the TSH, however, the TGB antibodies were 215.7 in March and now they are normal. The ft3 and FT4 both increased since march (march values were FT3-2.7 and FT4 – 0.85). There isn’t a value for the TPO but I hope it decreased. My concern is the t4 – it decreased since March. I removed my silver fillings in April and found out after the fact that the dentist did not remove the silver fillings safely. I was sick for 3 weeks after the removal and couldn’t understand why. I think that my thyroid “inhaled” they mercury and all its toxicity…Although my results have improved in terms of antibodies, the T4 drop has bumped me…
Auto-immune thyroid, Hashimotos, is something that you can never cure. You can dampen the immune response and support the thyroid. There is no need to continually test for antibodies, they will constantly fluctuate but like I said you will remain with the auto-immune condition. Hashimoto thyroid is difficult to keep balanced since it is not true primary thyroid. Almost everyone that has Hashimoto thyroid also is gluten intolerant, so the best thing you can do for your thyroid is to eliminate gluten completely from your diet. I would also recommend taking Thyroxal and ThyroCNV, 2 of each one twice a day, that should help your T4.
As far as your fillings and their removal, the best thing for that is to up your glutathione production. I recommend Glutathione Recyler and AC-Glutahione both by Apex Energetics. You should take 2 of each of these twice a day on an empty stomach.
I was recently diagnosed w hashimotis and advised to go gluten free. I just came across this site and am seeignso many things i have been dealing with that i can now attribute to my poorly acting thyroid. I would like to do whats necessary to get healthy for once in my life. I turn 50 next year and would like it to be FABULOUS!! is there a book i can get or place i can go to help me with meal planning? This way of eating seems so very extreme, I just don’t know if I can do it without some help. And why do eggs have to be eliminated?
Thanks!!
Yes, this diet is a bit extreme and not for everyone. I have found the best thing you can do for an autoimmune thyroid is to support the immune system and help suppress the immune response. Eating gluten-free is essential and just doing that alone can make a big difference. I recommend 50,000 iu’s of Vitamin D3 once a week. Apex Energetics Tumero is also a good choice for the immune system. Eliminating eggs is always necessary. There is a blood test we can order for you if you want to give us a call that can check cross reactive foods that can contribute to an autoimmune response. We use Cyrex labs. It is called Array 3. This is what I ran on myself, I also have Hashimoto’s. Our number is 877-465-0844 ~ Mary
We are aware that buckwheat is not a grain. We do a blood test called Array 4 that tests other foods that can cause an autoimmune reaction. Maybe it should have been placed in another category but people sometimes should eliminate Buckwheat and even Quinoa in order to dampen the autoimmune response. There is not need to use bad language or assume that we do not know what we are talking about. I do however thank you for bringing this to my attention.
The prohibited food list comprises almost everything that can be possibly eaten. What foods should be eaten by thyroid patients?
I will refer you to an excellent article by Friedlander and Bauman of the Bauman College. http://www.baumancollege.org/community-resources/articles/138-hashimotos-article
I should add that not everyone agrees on the best dietary approach but I find the referenced article to be an excellent starting point. The benefits of broccoli and cauliflower are important and well documented and as the article points out, don’t overdo these, however. But in moderation they shouldn’t be a problem for a mild or moderate case of HT.
Antioxidants are discussed but it is important to remember that the master antioxidant is glutathione. For that we add the precursor NAC daily along with LifeWave Glutathione Patches 2-3 times per week. We are currently recommending something in the neighborhood of 15,000 IU of vitamin D per day for most (depending on blood test results of course).
It is best to continue to pay close attention the entire thyroid panel to understand what it can tell us but don’t pay too much attention to repeat antibody tests. Once you show a positive thyroid antibody profile, you have your diagnosis. The thyroid antibody numbers vary naturally so we don’t recommend running them again after they show up positive once. Lower antibody numbers don’t necessarily mean that the autoimmune response has improved.
To help quiet the autoimmune response, the two key factors that must be addressed are vitamin D and glutathione. We like to see vitamin D around 80. You can test for glutathione with a SpectraCell test but it is pricey ($300 or so if I remember correctly). We routinely recommend NAC as it is the precursor to glutathione and LifeWave Glutathione Patches. Of course diet will also be important. I posted a link a couple of threads up from a Bauman College discussion on thyroid and diet.
I have hashimoto’s disease and it ate through my thyroid. I also was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Just recently I was told to eat only gluten free and no dairy. I found your site and read the foods to avoid. I eat mostly everything on that list thinking it was healthy especially beans and mushrooms. I am a vegetarian and if I eat only vegetables I will weigh nothing. I really need your help. Thank you. Debby
Hashimoto’s is one of the most common disorders we see. Most often it can be managed. Every case is different and we would be happy to talk with you about your specific condition and give you some ideas of approaches that should be helpful for you. 877-465-0844.
Thank you for answering so quickly. I will cll tomorrow morning. Debby
Why can’t you eat Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and other nightshades and beans and mushrooms when you have hashimotos. I make Daah (lentils) all the time. What are nightshades?
I would like some information about the blood tests you offer and the cost involved with them. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 20 years ago after my last pregnancy. My mother & one sister have Hoshimoto’s and my other sister was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism after her last pregnancy 30 years ago. I also have concerns about my 35 year old daughter who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 7 years ago, because she seems to be exhibiting a lot of hypothyroidism symptoms And it is my understanding that Type 1 diabetics often have thyroid issues since both of these are autoimmune related disorders. However, since moving to California from New York a few months ago, she is having difficulty in getting through all the red tape with her new health insurance with obtaining approval for an appointment to see an Endocrinologist. I am also having difficulty obtaining a referral from my primary care physician to see an Endocrinologist. While both myself & my daughter have taken the “basic” Thyroid blood tests ordered by our general practitioners, we haven’t been able to convince these doctors to order a “complete” Thyroid panel. At this point, I have serious doubts about whether either of our doctors really understand the complexity of Thyroid related treatment. To make matters worse, because of the fact Type 1 diabetes is such a rare disorder, my daughter really needs to be under the care of a doctor specifically trained in the endocrine system. So I am hoping I can find some answers here to help us both, but especially help my daughter navigate all the issues she has continually to struggled with on a constant basis for over 7 years now. Thank you for your time & consideration. Any advice and/or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Cyndi’s loving mother – Karen
Hi Karen,
I too have Hashimoto’s and know what a challenge it can be. If you and your daughter have not gone gluten free I would do that as soon as possible. Gluten sensitivity is very closely linked to thyroid issues, especially autoimmune thyroid. Going gluten free would also help her diabetes. We can run a full thyroid panel with antibodies along with a very comprehensive blood and urine test for 199.00 since you are in California. We will also review the blood work with you and make recommendations. You can call anytime Monday through Friday between 9 and 3. You can call 877-465-0844 and ask for Mary. If I am not available leave your number and I will return your call. I will be happy to consult with both you and your daughter!
Mary
Since you are in California, we can facilitate blood and other testing of various kinds. We don’t charge an extra fee for most of these tests. Of course we like to see a basic blood profile and then if we can, we like to get an antibody profile (Cyrex Labs). This really helps us get things moving in the right direction. We are big fans of a basic genetic profile once we have this other information. You learn more about that at QOLcast.com either on your computer or through itunes.
The Repair Vite is out of stock. The only one in stock is RepairVite – GT Plus Caramel (K120) *(LIMITED QUANTITIES)*. I suspect the “caramel” natural flavor. Synergy doesn’t exits as well as Nei-Gi, by Neuroscience.
You might want to give Glutagenics a try. It is very similar to the Repairvite. I actually like it better.
http://www.ovitaminpro.com/mgglutagenicspowder.html
Mary
I have inherited hypothyroidism, not Hashimoto’s. I cannot lose weight and am tired some. My blood tests are stable and I trust my endocrinologist. I take T3 and T4. Are there other things to take also? And what about diet? Everything I read refers to autoimmune Hashimoto’s. Is there anything special to do for hypothyroid that is inherited, not autoimmune?
Thanks
Even though you trust your endocrinologist your numbers may still be functionally low for you. What you can do though is make sure you are getting 5000 iu of vitamin D3 daily as well as glutathione. I prefer the lipolsomal form of it. Glutathione is the master antioxidant of the body and extremely important for thyroid health. The thyroid needs vitamin D3 in order to function properly. Sometimes a bit of iodine as well, can be helpful. I like taking supporting supplements like Thyromedica Plus along with your thyroid meds. https://www.ovitaminpro.com/numthyromediplus.html Sometimes a little support can make your thyroid meds function better.
Very good article. I definitely appreciate this website. Thanks!