Blog

0

I'm in my mid 40s, and was first diagnosed with a multinodular goiter back in my teens. Back then, they gave me Synthroid to shrink it, even though my thyroid function tests seemed normal. (I had bloodtests, ultrasounds, fine needle biopsy, iodine uptake tests, etc.) He said it was likely I had Hashimoto's, and that one day I'd have to be on it anyway when my thyroid eventually quit (I don't think the antibody test was available back then). Another doc took me off the Synthroid in my mid 20s. Through the years, I have kept an eye on my thyroid function, which never seemed to get crazy, even through two pregnancies.

Fast forward to my 40s. The nodules have grown some over the years, and because of their number, size, the fact that they are on both sides of my thyroid, and the fact the one of them seems to be pressing slightly on my windpipe (even though not symptomatic at this point), all the endocrinologists I've seen want to do a total thyroidectomy, which of course would require lifelong synthetic thyroid hormone replacement and all the issues that entails. My blood tests don't show antibodies, but I've read that a false neg is not unusual for Hashi's. I would obviously love to avoid the surgery.

I have lowcarbed off and on for the past several years. In more recent years I've decided that Paleo seems optimal for me, and have been eating that way. I have to admit, though, that I've not been 100% gluten free for the long haul - I would allow myself occasional "cheats" which more often then not contained gluten. Now my research is leading me to the fact that gluten may be a #1 enemy for my condition, and I'm doing my best to be 100% (although I've had a few unintentional restaurant exposures…grrrrr…) GF because of the inflammation factor. I'm also avoiding soy like the plague (I seriously regret the years in my 20s when I went vegetarian and ate soy protein like crazy), and trying to minimize raw goitergens. My question is this…does anyone else out there have any experience with eating paleo and 100% GF and the effect on thyroid nodules? Even if I could just keep them from growing any further, that would be wonderful. Thanks!

flag

2 Answers

1

I dont have thyroid nodules but I do have hashimoto's. Paleo has definitely provided major benefits. But not lowcarb paleo. A paleo 2.0 type of diet has brought considerable relief. Read an article where it shows that t3 is low when carbs are. Both Chris Kresser and Paul Jaminet note this. Once you raise carbs, t3 returns to higher levels.

Iodine. I was at first hesitant to try it, since its supposedly bad for those with Hashi's, but I went on trusting the Jaminet approach. Studies have shown that when combining iodine with selenium the negative affects attributed to it fail to occur. This lifestyle has has proven very affective for this condition. Amazingly Ive went off of 180mg of armour! Havent taken them in weeks. Before i couldnt endure a morning without these meds. Your obviously in a different situation, but you should look into iodine. Being hooked to meds doesnt feel good. You shouldnt jus rip something so vital to the body without tinkering a bit. Posted a blog on my thyroid yesterday about this http://dflction.blogspot.com/2012/09/have-great-news.html

Heres the iodine+selenium studies: http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/05/iodine-and-hashimotos-thyroiditis-part-i/

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/05/iodine-and-hashimotos-thyroiditis-part-2/

-Also, I used to cheat like crazy. When adding starch(safe starches) in, these cravings seized to exist.

link|flag
Thanks so much for your input. I will definitely check out those links. I can appreciate what you're saying about raising carbs, but for me, when I add in too many starchy veggies (sweet potatoes, winter squash, etc.) my weight loss halts. And even though I didn't mention it in my earlier post, I've got a good bit of weight to lose. Right now my t3, t4 levels are in normal ranges. My tsh tends to me very low normal. I don't consider myself to have very strong hypo or hyper symptoms (except for weight loss issues), although I have had extreme anxiety issues in the past. – Megan Sep 9 at 23:12
I understand. Just remember that carbs shouldn't cause weight gain. It's all about calories. Now that I'm eating a bunch of starch, I've greatly reduced protein and fat. But everyones certainly different. I haven't gained any, actually have lost a bit. I think this definitely has to do with food reward. Also not eating salt, n other things which increase tastiness. This supposedly regulates body fat set point. wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2011/10/… – hancy18 Sep 10 at 11:03
0

First link from Dr. Google: http://robbwolf.com/2012/08/27/reversing-autoimmune-thyroid-disease/

link|flag
Thanks! That link is definitely encouraging – Megan Sep 9 at 23:08

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.