most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-25T02:59:07Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/148216 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis DannyD 2012-09-09T20:40:19Z 2012-11-18T07:26:29Z

<p>Hello, I'm new to the group. I'm a 33-year old male who was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis when I 28. I believe it was triggered by a bad infection I had when I was 26 because that's when the fatigue and cloudiness started. My body type is tall and thin, but I do have a belly, which has developed over the last few years. My testosterone is low and my cortisol is high, which may be a symptom of the inflammation as well as depression and anxiety I've been battling for years. I've been on desiccated pig thyroid (Armour and now NP Thyroid) on and off for the last four years (now 60 mg). I started a low carb diet several months ago and have lost over 15 pounds. I would like to know if anyone with Thyroiditis/an autoimmune disease/a chronic disease has had considerable improvement in their health on a Paleo and/or low carb diet. Also, specifically for those with autoimmune thyroiditis, has anyone been able to eventually successfully wean off and stay off medication with a measurable improvement (e.g. lowering TSH, lowering antibodies, etc.)? I would appreciate any advice on doing so and to hear your story. If anyone has advice about testosterone and cortisol, I'd appreciate that too. I really want my health back!</p> <p>Looking forward to responses. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/148221#148221 josh hartwig 2012-09-09T21:08:42Z 2012-09-09T21:08:42Z

<p>Take in more animal.fat. stay away from soy and.gluten. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/148234#148234 julianne 2012-09-09T22:24:34Z 2012-09-09T22:24:34Z

<p>Search PH for Hashimotos and auto-immune thyroid disease - I've posted a bunch of links in the past. Strict gluten free Paleo definitely makes a huge difference for me</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/148236#148236 miked 2012-09-09T22:35:42Z 2012-09-09T22:35:42Z

<p>Like the last thryoid question on PH, first link from Dr. Google: <a href="http://robbwolf.com/2012/08/27/reversing-autoimmune-thyroid-disease/" rel="nofollow">http://robbwolf.com/2012/08/27/reversing-autoimmune-thyroid-disease/</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/148237#148237 flmochamom 2012-09-09T22:45:41Z 2012-09-09T22:45:41Z

<p>In addition, there is a facebook page hashimoto 411 that might be helpful to you. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/148368#148368 Anne Angelone 2012-09-10T14:00:51Z 2012-10-21T19:37:43Z

<p>Practical Paleo does a great job addressing this</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/157203#157203 Christopher Gagnon 2012-10-22T01:16:34Z 2012-10-22T01:16:34Z

<p>I too am one of the (apparently rare) males with autoimmune thyroid disease. In my experience, 60 mg of natural thyroid is a very, very low dose. I don't know anyone with thyroid disease getting by healthily on such a low dose, and too little HRT is almost as bad as none at all, in terms of symptom relief. I take 180 mg, and aim for virtual TSH suppression--that's how I feel the best. Suppressing TSH may also reduce the inflammation of the gland, though I admit I didn't get a terrific reduction in antibodies. (BTW, the porcine thyroid is a good move in my experience, rather than synthetics.)</p> <p>Insufficient thyroid hormones can impact cortisol/adrenal function too, potentially leading to adrenal insufficiency, as your body tries to compensate for the lack of thyroid by pumping out more cortisol...until it can't anymore. I have less knowledge about testosterone, and this is something I plan to explore with my doctor soon, as I do have symptoms of deficiency.</p> <p>I think the advice to address the autoimmune condition with diet is certainly excellent, and well worth a shot. But I also recommend at least remaining open to the possibility that you might still need HRT to really feel good/healthy. It will be something of a lifelong experiment, unless you actually do fully resolve the autoimmune situation and your thyroid somehow regenerates itself enough to do what you need. Many people don't enjoy this outcome, and always need HRT, but I still think it's worth pursuing, and it certainly can't hurt. If you do need lifelong HRT, this is not the worst thing that could happen to you...natural thyroid HRT provides a pretty good prognosis for many (if not most) people. It certainly rescued me.</p> <p>Whatever your choice, I always like to point people to <a href="http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/" rel="nofollow">Stop the Thyroid Madness</a> for some pretty comprehensive information.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/161881#161881 Dana 2012-11-18T04:21:13Z 2012-11-18T04:21:13Z

<p>I have Hashimoto's and I do not take any medication at all. I manage it through a paleo diet and supplements. Staying away from foods that cause inflammation will decrease the toll on your immune system.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/161882#161882 Dana 2012-11-18T04:23:58Z 2012-11-18T04:23:58Z

<p>I should add I follow the auto immune protocol for paleo, too. As Anne mentioned above Practical Paleo does a great job in explaining how and provides a meal plan.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/161892#161892 Sataran 2012-11-18T06:38:45Z 2012-11-18T06:38:45Z

<p>If your thyroiditis is severe, I'd recommend LDN. There are many who've tried LDN for Hashimoto's either with or without thyroid medication. Immediately, the need for T4 or T4/T3 medication decreases and you have to adjust your dose. LDN works by regulating your immune system by increasing endorphin release. Once you start, you'll likely have to be on it forever. The advantage is that LDN will stop autoimmune diseases from progressing. Whatever damaged you've incurred to date, you'll still have; however, no new symptoms will appear. I'd say about 70-90% of those who try are successful. There are some side effects but compared to anything, either T4/T3 or solo T4 medication or Iodine, it's very effective and also prevent other autoimmune diseases from piggybacking. It only works for autoimmune hypothyroidism and other autoimmune diseases (as well as some forms of cancer).</p> <p>Since LDN is an off-label use of a generic (Naltrexone), you can buy that cheap with or without Rx. Likely cost you about 20 bux per month. I'd do my own research before proceeding, however.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148216/alternative-treatment-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/161893#161893 MrGhkl444 2012-11-18T07:26:29Z 2012-11-18T07:26:29Z

<p>i recommend checking out Buteyko breathing, i've heard of people having great success with that and Hashimotos </p>