| Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroid Disease is the most | | | | The scientific literature shows a high correlation |
| common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. | | | | between Hashimoto's disease and gluten sensitivity. |
| Being the most common presentation of | | | | Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains. |
| hypothyroidism would suggest that it would have the | | | | With gluten sensitivity the immune system abnormally |
| most effective and refined treatments, given that it is | | | | recognizes the gluten protein as a foreign invader and |
| encountered by doctors so often. Unfortunately this is | | | | will try to attack and kill it. This creates systemic |
| not the case, it is actually the most mismanaged type | | | | inflammation and increases the autoimmune attack on |
| of hypothyroidism. Most people who are diagnosed | | | | the thyroid. |
| with Hashimoto's Disease receive only thyroid | | | | Note: The blood tests for celiac and gluten sensitivity |
| hormone replacement, yet continue to suffer with all of | | | | are notoriously inaccurate. It is recommended to have |
| the same symptoms. I want to address some of the | | | | a stool SIgA test to make a proper determination of |
| most common questions I receive about Hashimoto's | | | | whether or not gluten is a problem. |
| Disease and help shed some light on what could be | | | | 4. Should I take "immune supporting" supplements? |
| going wrong in your case. | | | | My answer to this question is an emphatic NO. This is |
| 1. Should I take iodine supplements if I have | | | | a huge mistake made by patients and doctors alike. |
| Hashimoto's Disease? | | | | Unless you have determined from specific immune |
| Iodine is important for normal thyroid hormone | | | | testing what your immune system configuration is, |
| production but in Hashimoto's, supplementing with iodine | | | | these types of supplements should be avoided. You |
| is like dropping gas on a burning fire. Supplemental | | | | don't want to push the immune system in the wrong |
| iodine will trigger and flare the immune system attack | | | | way and increase the immune attack on your thyroid |
| and only make the thyroid problem worse. | | | | gland in a blind attempt to help the immune system. |
| 2. Should I be taking Vitamin D when I have | | | | Without being armed with the proper lab testing, |
| Hashimoto's Disease? | | | | immune stimulating supplements are discouraged. |
| Vitamin D deficiency is common in Hashimoto's and | | | | The important thing to remember with Hashimoto's |
| many other forms of autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D | | | | Disease is the immune system is the source of the |
| is critical for the support of the immune system, | | | | problem, and finding a doctor trained in looking at the |
| specifically regulatory T cells. A simple blood test can | | | | specifics of the immune response, familiar with |
| help determine whether or not you are deficient in | | | | autoimmune triggers, and trained in the application of |
| Vitamin D. It is important to have this tested and the | | | | natural medicine in relation to the immune system, is |
| proper supplementation dosage be administered. | | | | your best choice to fully turn down the dimmer on your |
| 3. Should I get tested for gluten sensitivity? | | | | disease. |