Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I have a question. I've been reading on here about people curing their hypothyroid. I'm curious about this. Is this for people with diagnosed hypothyroid or symptoms of it? Or is it for non-hashimotos hypothyroid? Or does it work for everyone?

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid back in 2000. Dr actually caught it on a random screening. My TSH was pretty high. I had all of the classic symptoms (tired, dry hair/skin, cold, weight gain, depression etc...) but passed them off as normal for what was happening in life (move with longer commute, recently moved to a dry arid climate, father diagnosed with cancer, etc...) I was started on levothyroid and got my TSH levels down and have been on it ever since.

I don't recall the doctor ever saying it was an autoimmune disease (Hashimotos), but after researching it I found it can be. I always assumed it probably was Hashimotos since I have other diagnosed autoimmune diseases (PCOS, celiac, raynauds) and they like to travel in packs!

If there is a chance that I could get off of thyroid meds, I would love to! But I know how I feel if my thyroid goes low and it is no picnic!

flag	asked Mar 23 2012 at 14:40 Jennifer 111●5

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What? Nobody jumped in here advocating Ray Peat/Danny Roddy/Matt Stone? – Dave S. Mar 23 2012 at 17:57

I should clarify that my TSH (and symptoms) are controlled by meds. I feel fine-no thyroid symptoms. It's just that if I can do away with taking a pill everyday for the rest of my life, I would like to. I will look into the books suggested. – Jennifer Mar 23 2012 at 18:41

Lol Dave, it's never too late to jump in :) – Bruno Apr 29 2012 at 17:13

Lady_Arwen · Answer 1 · 2012-06-05 00:40:46Z UTC

Paleo Helps Woman Get Off Thyroid Medication! http://robbwolf.com/2012/06/04/11360/

You should work with a functional/holistic practitioner who supports Paleo and can track and order the bloodwork/hormone panels. Do not try to do this yourself. You need help, but understand the science behind it.

Also read 2 books:

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough In Understanding Hashimoto's Disease and Hypothyroidism by Dr. Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, MS, MNeuroSci, FAACP, DACBN, DABCN, DIBAK, CNS - chiropractic doctor

AND

Iodine: Why you need it, Why you can't live without it by Dr. David Brownstein, MD

Chris Kresser, a licensed acupuncturist, (also Paleo) has written a lot on thyroid/iodine, among many other topics on blogposts. He works with clients in his office and through Skype/phone.

There are people with receptor and other problems of the thyroid that have NORMAL TSH but borderline or abnormal one or more of the following tests so you must have these checked:

Total T4 (TT4) AND Free T4 (FT4)

Resin T3 Uptake (T3U/T7/T3RU) AND Free T3 (FT3)

Reverse T3 (rT3)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) AND Thryoglobulin Antibodies (TGB Ab)

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobins (TSI) AND TSH stimulating Antibodies (TSAb)

If you have negative to all the thyroid antibodies then I would supplement with iodine and selenium. You can do 150 mcg (micrograms) of selenium daily but iodine slowly increase. For example week 1 take daily 150 mcg (micrograms) of kelp (iodine), week 2 take 300 mcg daily, week 3 take daily 450 mcg, week 4 take daily 600 mcg. Most people without any antibodies to thyroid function (no sign of Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid) will do well with 600 mcg to 1 gram (1000 micrograms) of kelp a day.

See also: http://paleohacks.com/questions/111727/have-you-had-a-possible-iodine-and-or-selenium-deficiency-or-symptoms-of-it-on#axzz1uTx1OXzu

uberbulldog · Answer 2 · 2012-03-23 15:38:56Z UTC

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I take synthroid for it and am very satisfied w its effects.

answered Mar 23 2012 at 15:38

uberbulldog
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Kimmie · Answer 3 · 2012-03-24 00:42:35Z UTC

Look into Dr. Kharrazian's book "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Tests Are Normal?" According to Dr. K, 90% of all hypothyroid cases are caused by an autoimmune condition (Hashimoto's) - most doctors just dont't test for it, and therefore, patients go undiagnosed.

His protocol is focuses on correcting the underlying causes of low thyroid function, rather than just artificially lowering TSH and boosting T3/T4 levels with replacement thyroid hormone. Just because thyroid meds are managing symptoms doesn't mean that there's not still an underlying problem. Thyroid patients often feel fine on a particular dose for awhile, but then need the dosage ratcheted up periodically. And in the case of hashimoto's, thyroids meds will only improve symptoms while the unchecked autoimmune response continues to attack the thyroid, eventually finishing it off. At that point, there is no choice but to take thyroid hormones indefinitely. Gut or liver impairment can cause poor thyroid function, since 40% of T4 is converted to the usable form - T3 - in the stomach and 20% is converted in the liver. Healing leaky gut or a toxic liver can improve usable thyroid production dramatically.

Are people curing hypothyroid???

3 Answers