How to Fix a Low Thyroid Without Medication

Around 15 million Americans have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). However, up to 60% of those with a thyroid disorder are completely unaware of it.

Hypothyroidism symptoms include weight gain, memory loss, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Many doctors insist "permanent" hypothyroidism is incurable.

At Prime Health Denver, we've worked with patients to learn how to cure hypothyroidism permanently — and naturally! When patients seek our help, we tailor an individual treatment plan that is both undisruptive to your body's natural processes and unique to your individual needs.

Our Approach to Natural Thyroid Treatment

Many doctors begin hypothyroidism treatment with a check for low thyroid stimulating hormone levels. (TSH is produced by the pituitary gland.) However, during our work with patients, we've found that doesn't give us a full picture of your thyroid.

When a patient comes to us with symptoms of hypothyroidism, the first thing we look for is Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune condition that accounts for 90% of hypothyroidism cases.

Causes of Hashimoto's are varied, but we administer blood tests, urine tests, and/or elimination diets to understand your unique diagnosis. Our experience has taught us that treating the root causes of Hashimoto's is how to cure hypothyroidism permanently — it also means each patient gets a tailored treatment plan, and all treatments don't work for all people.

When identifying the cause of Hashimoto's disease, we look at the following six risk factors:

1. Hormone imbalance — If your hormone levels are imbalanced (not only thyroid hormone levels), this can trigger an underactive thyroid.
2. Food sensitivity — Food allergens can cause a hormone imbalance or even hypothyroidism. Celiac disease (an allergy to gluten) has been linked with increased risk of autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto's. Other food sensitivities may be less obvious but may be just as significant.
3. Leaky gut — When your intestines are chronically inflamed, the tight junctions in your intestines may let toxins escape from the gut and into the bloodstream. Leaky gut is both a cause and a symptom of hypothyroidism, and it's closely associated with the other five root causes of hypothyroidism. To heal your gut with the help of a PrimeHealth expert, join our online Prime Gut Health course.
4. Infections — Tick-borne infections (such as Lyme disease) and viral infections (such as Epstein-Barr) may lead to an underactive thyroid.
5. Nutrient deficiency — Nutrient deficiencies may trigger hypothyroidism and other health issues. Simple dietary changes can treat this condition. The most common nutrient deficiency that leads to hypothyroidism is iodine.
6. Toxin exposure — Harmful toxins can wreak havoc on your thyroid. Watch out for heavy metal exposure, mold toxins, as well as exposure to chemicals like pesticides and other industrial chemicals. Daily workplace exposure to toxins is a cause of hypothyroidism.

Other causes include thyroid cancer, hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, and overtreatment of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

3 Natural Remedies for Hypothyroidism

To cure hypothyroidism permanently, we start with diagnostic tests and assessments that point us to the root causes that apply to each individual patient.

By addressing the underlying causes of Hashimoto's disease (which accounts for 90% of hypothyroidism cases), we are almost always able to reverse these thyroid issues.

The treatment options we suggest for most people dealing with hypothyroidism are not very difficult changes. The diet can be strict, and the supplements may cost money, but these natural remedies are non-invasive and have none of the side effects that thyroid medication have.

1. Hypothyroidism Diet

In patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the immune system condition responsible for most hypothyroidism cases, our first approach is to start patients on an autoimmune Paleo diet (also known as AIP diet). For reference, the Whole30 diet is a very close approximation to AIP.

Typically, this restrictive diet is only recommended for one to six months — as we identify each patient's unique allergies and sensitivities.

Our diets are vital to thyroid health — as well as general health. That's why we pair all our patients with a health coach so you can work together on dietary recommendations that we utilize as part of thyroid treatment.

Foods To Avoid:

• Dairy
• Grains
• Nuts and seeds
• Dried fruits
• All nightshade vegetables:
  • Tomatoes
  • Eggplants
  • Potatoes
  • Peppers
• Vegetable oils like canola oil
• Beans/legumes (because of the potential allergen lectin)
• Chocolate
• Sugar
• Alternative sweeteners:
  • Stevia
  • Sucralose
  • Aspartame
  • Sugar alcohols (erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol)
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Processed foods

Foods to Eat:

• Proteins:
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Poultry
  • Eggs
  • Seafood (especially fatty fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids)
• Non-dairy fermented foods:
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Kombucha
• Non-nightshade vegetables
• Cruciferous vegetables (like kale and brussels sprouts) are great as long as you aren't at risk of iodine deficiency.
• Herbs like garlic and turmeric
• Gelatin, bone broth
• Green tea
• Arrowroot starch
• Small amounts of honey, maple syrup, fruits, and monkfruit

2. Best Natural Supplements for Hypothyroidism

Dietary supplements can be a useful tool in how to cure hypothyroidism permanently and treat the underlying causes of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

For example, if your Hashimoto's disease is caused by leaky gut, a supplement that promotes gut health should alleviate thyroid disease.

Always seek medical advice before starting a new dietary supplement for hypothyroidism treatment. Each supplement on this list is appropriate in specific types of cases, based on root cause.

Here are the 7 best natural supplements for hypothyroidism:

Iodine

Found primarily in seafood, iodine is a mineral nutrient that our bodies need to produce thyroid hormones. Our bodies don't make iodine naturally.

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiters, a thyroid disorder. If your iodine levels are low, replenish them quickly — either with dietary changes or iodine supplements.

According to scientific research, iodine seems to be paramount in treating and even preventing autoimmune diseases, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

It is important to note that excessive iodine supplementation can also be detrimental and actually increase antibodies to the thyroid gland. It's best not to exceed the recommended daily intake of 150 mcg per day.

Probiotics

Probiotics are "good" bacteria. Antibiotic medications can wipe out the good and bad bacteria that live in your gut — leading to leaky gut. It's important to replenish these good bacteria with probiotics and restore your gut health.

Recent research shows that probiotics reverse leaky gut by supporting the tight junction proteins that act as a barrier between your gut and your bloodstream.

Selenium

Selenium is an important nutrient found in muscle meats, fish, and eggs. It can also be found in supplement form.

In a 2010 meta-analysis, researchers found that selenium, when added to a conventional treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, improved biomarkers of thyroid condition.

Selenium also seemed to improve mood and general well-being.

Vitamin D

First discovered in 1913, vitamin D is naturally found in very few foods. We produce vitamin D most efficiently from exposure to sunlight. It is also available in dietary supplement form.

A 2018 study revealed that vitamin D is essential to thyroid function — and vice-versa. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism.

Vitamin D is also technically a hormone produced and secreted by the kidneys — the only vitamin with that distinction.

To purchase third-party tested, medical grade Vitamin D, please look below or check out our online store. Our Prime D+K combines highly bio-available vitamin D with Vitamin K, which ensures calcium is deposited into bones rather than accumulating in arteries, and promotes the absorption of dietary calcium.

Chasteberry

Chasteberry is commonly used to treat female hormone imbalances, such as PMS symptoms, menopause symptoms, and sometimes even infertility.

With a few uncommon side effects like dry mouth, chasteberry is a well tolerated method of balancing female hormones, which may, in turn, treat Hashimoto's.

Glutathione

Glutathione is the most abundant antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. However, low levels of glutathione can occur due to stress, poor diet, or exposure to environmental toxins.

Oxidative stress (free radicals damaging your cells) can increase the severity of hypothyroidism. Antioxidants like glutathione fight this oxidative stress.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the bioactive ingredient in turmeric — a common spice. It comes with its own host of health benefits, including prevention of autoimmune diseases.

Like glutathione, curcumin is an antioxidant. Curcumin is also anti-inflammatory and may be able to fight Hashimoto's disease.

3. Stress and Hypothyroidism

Stress is a major factor in disrupting normal thyroid function. Relieving stress in your everyday life can lead to a stronger balance in your hormone levels and can potentially reverse hypothyroidism.

Meditation is one easy way to alleviate stress and lessen symptoms of hypothyroidism.

A full eight hours of sleep is important to handling stress, as is sleep quality.

To get better sleep, try cutting out blue light exposure an hour before bedtime. Blue light is emitted from most electronic devices, like your TV and phone. To receive a 10% discount off our favorite blue light blocking glasses by Ra Optics, enter code "PRIMEHEALTH" at checkout.

Not only should you sleep, you should relax. Yoga or taking up a hobby are two common methods of relaxing, therefore relieving stress.

Being outside, especially in primarily green locations, can also lower levels of stress.

Peptide Therapy

An exciting new area of medicine is peptide therapy. Peptide therapy is a safe method of targeting certain health issues in your body.

Peptides are just proteins, except they have much shorter molecular chain length.

The use of peptides has gained popularity as a treatment for hypothyroidism recently. Certain peptides seem to treat inflammation, Lyme disease, and autoimmune dysfunction — all root causes of hypothyroidism.

The best part? Peptide therapy doesn't come with the side effects associated with non-specific immune suppression.

Medication for Hypothyroidism

Medications are used to treat hypothyroidism only when absolutely necessary, and as a last resort after addressing root causes.

Not only are standard thyroid medications associated with concerning side effects, they don't often address the root cause and may lead to a lifetime of drug therapy to manage a condition that could have been reversed permanently.

An endocrinologist may prescribe drugs like levothyroxine (Synthroid), a synthetic version of thyroxine (T4) that is converted into triiodothyronine (T3) in the body, for thyroid hormone replacement.

For some patients, medication may be helpful during treatment if administered properly. The great thing about medication with a functional approach is that you don't have to use only Synthroid.

Instead, we may prescribe patients one of two other options: either a dessicated thyroid medication in a ratio of 4:1 T4 to T3 like Armour thyroid or Nature Throid, or a compounded synthetic combination of T4/T3 that can be made in a personalized ratio made just for you.

These offer thyroid hormones to the body in a more natural ratio of what the body is meant to produce. Compounded synthetics may sound concerning, but they actually carry the lowest risk of autoimmune reactions of all available options.

In Summary

• Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid gland. This can lead to all sorts of unwanted symptoms, like chronic fatigue, memory loss, and higher risk of heart disease.
• It is possible to cure hypothyroidism permanently for many of those suffering from Hashimoto's, which causes 90% of hypothyroidism cases.
• In order to reverse hypothyroidism, we look at the symptoms and root causes of Hashimoto's disease:
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Food sensitivity
  • Leaky gut
  • Infections
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Toxins
• There are plenty of ways to naturally treat hypothyroidism:
  • Remove all potential food allergens from your diet. Then slowly add them back in one by one, to identify if you have an allergy that is triggering thyroid problems.
  • Supplements like iodine, probiotics, and curcumin can do wonders for your thyroid.
  • Reduce daily stress.
  • Get enough sleep.

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How to Fix a Low Thyroid Without Medication

Source: https://primehealthdenver.com/how-to-cure-hypothyroidism-permanently/

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