Saw the info at the link...and all I can say is that going gluten-free and dairy-free is the answer. Sounds too easy, but gluten and casein are the root cause of every autoimmune disease and skin problem. I know this, as a 30+ year sufferer of celiac and casein allergy. Once I went casein-free (the protein in milk, whey, etc.), my lifelong sinus and skin problems disappeared. Haven't had a sinus infection since 2006, and it's wonderful. Gluten flat out causes autoimmune diseases of every kind. Read a book called Dangerous Grains by James Braly. Also, this explains how gluten destroys the body through "molecular mimicry": http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/ . My life has changed dramatically since going gluten-free. I'm no longer itchy (after a lifetime of having so many skin problems), my stools are normal, I don't get gassy anymore, I no longer need naps or as much sleep, I'm more energetic all day long (no more 2pm crash!), and I don't get sick anymore. My mom and my dad have gone gluten-free/dairy-free, and it has transformed their health as well. One other great book is called The H-Factor Solution: Homocysteine, the Best Single Indicator of Whether You are Likely to Live Long or Die Young by Dr. Patrick Holford.

The good news is...you can radically transform your health, without drugs! Read those books and that article on molecular mimicry, and PLEASE take them seriously. You can be free of years of misery, and it could be as simple as cutting gluten and casein. But no doctor will tell you that. In fact, they'll probably tell you it's nonsense. But do it and watch every blood test change (for the better), and watch as your symptoms disappear. There is no financial incentive to cure you at the doctor's office. You have to take your health into your own hands. Best of luck!

I have Hashimotos - here are few good links, and my self experement on auto-immune paleo diet

http://paleozonenutrition.com/2011/07/30/final-thoughts-on-my-30-days-of-auto-immune-paleo/

http://paleozonenutrition.com/2010/08/26/hashimotos-auto-immune-thyroid-disease-avoid-gluten-like-the-plague/

http://paleozonenutrition.com/2011/11/02/the-paleo-diet-variation-to-treat-auto-immune-disease/

Read articles in Dr K's blog: Iodine and Hashimotos, Changing your diet is the first step in addressing Hashimoto’s http://thyroidbook.com/blog/

Listen to this interview with Dr K: Blog Talk radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undergroundwellness/2010/08/19/why-do-i-still-have-thyroid-symptoms-with-dr-datis

Buy this book, follow the protocol: Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough In Understanding Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism By Datis Kharrazian http://www.thyroidbook.com/

Read this excellent in depth series on thyroid disorders on “The Healthy Skeptic” The Healthy Skeptic Blog “Thyroid Disorders” Series http://chriskresser.com/category/health-conditions/thyroid-disorders

This is a great overview of thyroid issues and treatments from Nutrition Bites ; Get acquainted with your thyroid http://www.maryvancenc.com/2011/09/get-acquainted-with-your-thyroid/

And this too: Celiac Causes Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases (Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase Can Lead to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) http://coolinginflammation.blogspot.co.nz/2009/07/celiac-causes-allergies-and-autoimmune.html

Here's another blog with a ton of info in Hashimotos http://outsmartdisease.com/category/hashimotos-thyroiditis/

I'm interested to know how the paleo diet went for folks with Hashimoto's? My TPO antibodies dropped into normal range, which is crazy. I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.

I have Hashimotos and have been on thyroid meds for about 8 years. About a year ago I started the Paleo diet with the hope of either reducing my meds or getting off of them entirely. I'm planning to get a thorough thyroid panel of tests done later this year and will hopefully have a better picture of what's going on in my body and how eating Paleo has improved it. But along the way on this journey I"m having a blast coming up with Paleo recipes that will be eaten by the rest of the family. So far I've found quite a few that have replaced non-paleo favorites in my house. Take a look if you are looking for paleo recipe ideas. http://northwestcavegirls.com

I have it and am hoping that Paleo will help. I have only been paleo for a very short time so I am going to take tests in 2 months to see if anything has changed. Good luck! have a look at paleothyroid google group for some info.

Same here, Hashimoto's. I just posted a question this weekend about getting worse on low carb paleo. There are many good points there.

Many Hashi's sufferers seem to do just fine on LC Paleo.

Here's a 37 year old woman (now Paleo) Hashimoto's patient who's a certified athletic trainer, licensed physical therapist, and trigger point therapist.

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/wellbeing/health/how-a-gluten-free-paleo-diet-changed-my-life.php

The article: All of your blood work looks fine. The only thing that comes up is thyroid antibodies, but that’s nothing to worry about.” My primary care doctor said these words to me in 1999, after I told him I’d been feeling anxious and jittery and couldn’t sleep for days at a time. I’d just had my first child a few months before, so since nothing else could be determined, the most obvious diagnosis was that I had postpartum anxiety and depression.

But while the symptoms went away over time with treatment, they were soon replaced by a mind-numbing fatigue. Little did I know that my own body was in the process of attacking itself because of an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Fast-forward to 2007. I had been under a tremendous amount of stress over the year. Though I continued to exercise, somehow I gained almost 20 pounds, and my hair began falling out in clumps. Even after eight hours of sleep, I was still so exhausted I could barely get out of bed in the morning.

I began researching my symptoms. My doctor’s words came back to me, and I began reading everything I could find on thyroid disorders. After getting an ultrasound, I discovered I had *nodules on my thyroid.*So with medication, over a few months I began to feel like I was getting some energy back. But my weight didn’t change, and exercise still proved too painful.

The impact this disease had on my life in the beginning was huge. I had been an athlete my entire life, swimming competitively in college, running 10Ks, and doing triathlons. At 37, I suddenly found myself unable to walk three miles with my children. To say that I was afraid for my future would be an understatement.

Going Gluten-Free

About a year into treatment for Hashimoto’s, I mentioned to a coworker that I felt better, but still not great. He suggested I try going gluten-free for a few weeks. I resisted, because I loved cereal, bread, and pasta. But then I learned that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, and people with one autoimmune disease are more likely to be diagnosed with others over the years. I decided to give it a go.

After two gluten-free weeks, I felt 80 percent better. I was feeling more energetic, and gone were the cramps and painful bloating. I began to lose a little bit of weight, and I had the energy to begin gentle bodyweight exercises again. That was two years ago.

The Paleo Life

Then last spring I heard rumblings about the Paleo lifestyle. I researched the principles and learned that grains like wheat, rye, and barley can cause damage to the gut lining and put people at high risk for autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, and lupus. I went Paleo and cut out all of my gluten-free treats and dairy, increased my intake of coconut milk and oil, and began consuming larger quantities of grass-fed meats.

Almost immediately I noticed a difference in how I felt. My joint and muscle pain slowly faded away, I felt more rested when I woke up in the morning, and my brain felt sharp again. I even lost most of the weight I had gained over the years.

In the six months since I went Paleo, I’ve gone from not being able to walk a few miles to running, hiking, rock climbing, and weight lifting. My blood work looks good, my thyroid nodules are smaller, and I feel like I’m back to living the healthy life I had before Hashimoto’s decided to wreak havoc on my body.

More important, I don’t feel deprived of anything, because being able to play with my kids again is more important to me than eating pizza.

There is plenty of research to support the Paleo lifestyle as part of the comprehensive treatment plan for autoimmune diseases. A good place to start is by reading The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf. The book explains the science and includes an index at the back listing 30 pages of research articles that helped convince me to take on this diet.

From my frustrating and trying experiences, my approach to working with my own patients as a physical therapist and trainer has changed. As part of my objective to treat the “whole person,” I want to be sure I provide my patients with as much information as possible, so it doesn’t take them five years to get back to living, like it took me. It was a long journey, but it feels good to be in my skin again.

Did anyone go back to their normal weight after adopting Paleo. It always seems to be a struggle for me no matter how little or much I eat. I've been Paleo with Autoimmune Protocol for nearly 30 days and my scale barely budges.

Thanks, Jeanine

I have Hashimotos and follow the autoimmune protocol. I didn't see any benefit in regular paleo but the autoimmune protocol has been a miracle for me. Just got my tpo antibodies tested and they were half what they were last test - hope to eliminate them soon.

I blog about my experiences with diet and autoimmune disease at the site linked in my profile. There is also a great group on Facebook called Hashimotos 411 that is awesome. Good luck!