| Hashimoto's Disease is the most common cause of | | | | sensitivity is detrimental to your condition. |
| hypothyroidism in the United States. Unfortunately, it is | | | | 4. Manage blood sugar closely: You are probably |
| also the most mismanaged type of hypothyroidism. | | | | thinking, "I'm not diabetic, why would this apply to me?" |
| Most people who are diagnosed with Hashimoto's | | | | There are a lot functional diabetics and functional |
| Disease receive only thyroid hormone replacement, | | | | hypoglycemics walking around that have no clue they |
| yet continue to suffer with all of the same symptoms. | | | | have a problem. This is a complex issue your doctor |
| Here are five things every Hashimoto's patient should | | | | will need to work with you on, but proper blood sugar |
| do to help decrease their symptoms. | | | | regulation is essential to keep from continuously |
| | | | triggering the immune system. |
| 1. Stop taking all iodine containing supplements: Iodine is | | | | 5. Do NOT take "immune supporting" supplements: This |
| an important nutrient for thyroid function, and iodine | | | | is the biggest mistake I see patients and many doctors |
| deficiencies are common across the country, but in | | | | make in an attempt to support the immune system. |
| cases of Hashimoto's disease iodine can actually | | | | With an autoimmune disease the immune system has |
| trigger the immune system attack. Bottom line is that | | | | essentially become confused. One side of the immune |
| iodine is a very important supplement for many people, | | | | system becomes dominant and the other side |
| but it is contraindicated with this disease because it | | | | suppressed. It is this imbalance that creates the |
| flares the immune system, and makes the problem | | | | confusion and causes it to attack your own thyroid |
| worse. | | | | gland. It is likely the immune support supplement |
| 2. Have your vitamin D level tested: A common | | | | contains an herb or botanical that may be helpful but |
| problem among those with autoimmune diseases is | | | | likely contains things that are worsening your immune |
| vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is critical for immune | | | | dominance. It is essential to have some very special |
| system support. A simple blood test by your doctor | | | | immune panels ran to determine your immune |
| can determine whether or not your body's stored | | | | dominance and the specific pattern of immune |
| vitamin D levels are high enough. It is recommended | | | | dysfunction to really find out the true nature of the |
| that your levels should be 33 ng/ml or higher. If you | | | | immune problem. Then a specific application of herbs, |
| test low your doctor will recommend a high quality | | | | botanicals, and plant extracts that have been shown to |
| supplement with a retest in the future to make sure | | | | have specific effects on various cells in the immune |
| you are absorbing it properly. | | | | system can be used to modulate and re-balance it. |
| 3. Get tested for gluten sensitivity: The literature shows | | | | Until you have a doctor that knows how to run these |
| that a high number of people who are diagnosed with | | | | immune panels and apply that knowledge, don't play |
| Hashimoto's Disease also have gluten sensitivity. Gluten | | | | with fire, just avoid broad support immune supplements |
| is found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Gluten | | | | all together. |
| sensitivity simply means that every time you eat gluten | | | | If you are diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease then do |
| your immune system tries to attack and kill it, creating | | | | these 5 things to give yourself a better chance to feel |
| major inflammation. This immune trigger will cause your | | | | good again. Since the immune system is the source of |
| immune system to further attack and destroy your | | | | the problem, finding a doctor trained in looking at the |
| thyroid gland. The best and most sensitive test for | | | | specifics of the immune response, familiar with |
| gluten sensitivity is a stool SIgA test. Your doctor can | | | | autoimmune triggers, and trained in the application of |
| order this test for you. If you have tested negatively | | | | natural medicine in relation to the immune system, is |
| with a saliva or blood test make sure you get the stool | | | | your best choice to fully turn down the dimmer on your |
| test, as continuing to eat gluten when you have a | | | | disease. |