This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on overcoming hypothyroidism:
- Part 1 – [You Are Here] – How We Overcome Hypothyroidism When All Else Fails…
- Part 2 – How to Heal Your Thyroid By Healing Your Liver
- Part 3 – Stop Eating Low-Carb (If You Care About Your Thyroid)
It’s sad but true…
Most of the advice out there about hypothyroidism and even Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is dead wrong.
And I’m speaking from both personal and professional experience.
You see, we’ve always been at the forefront of health.
We were recommending our clients go gluten-free way back when people thought it was nothing more than selling snake oil.
How times have changed…
What else has changed drastically over the years is our entire approach to health.
Much of the popular thyroid advice out there today is the same exact old advice we used to give our clients all those years ago.
Unfortunately, our results back then were not living up to our standards.
And being someone who practices what he preaches, my own personal results were disappointing to say the least.
If you know me, then you know that I don’t settle for anything but the best for myself and my clients.
So, as we continued studying, researching, and discovering answers… our entire approach changed.
And so did our results. Today I get lots of emails like this…
And while our approach may be different than most everything else out there today, it’s for good reason.
While it may not be the most talked about approach, what we teach is ahead of its time and on the forefront of health today.
In this article, I’m going to reveal the systematic approach used to help Jeanette achieve the life-changing results she did.
It all started with simple steps like I show in my 3 Food Triple-Thyroid-Boosting Daily Protocol.
If you suffer from hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or a damaged metabolism, you will definitely want to to use this daily thyroid-boosting protocol because it will help you start seeing the results you want and deserve.
If you’ve ever tried treating your thyroid issue with medication alone, then you’re probably aware that for the vast majority of people…
…it just doesn’t work.
You might see some initial improvement, but there’s still something missing. (Or like many hypothyroidism sufferers, you might even become more hypothyroid and feel worse.)
So, one thing that should be quite obvious is that your thyroid health depends on far more than just the health of your thyroid gland.
If not, everyone would simply take thyroid medication and be healed (just like today’s medical system would like you to believe).
There’s a reason that millions of hypothyroidism sufferers today fail to ever get relief or feel normal again.
It’s because of what I like to call the “Iceberg Effect”…
Much like an iceberg, hypothyroidism can be very deceiving.
What everyone focuses on today is the small part of the iceberg sticking out of the water…
…the obvious aspects of hypothyroidism.
But it’s only the tip of the iceberg.
It’s a small part of a much bigger and deeper rooted problem.
Below the water-line there are many other underlying causes of hypothyroidism that today’s medical approach doesn’t even know exists.
Unfortunately, most people go on to waste years or even decades of their lives focusing on the tip of the iceberg before realizing that it will never work.
What’s important to understand is…
There’s an entire Thyroid Hormone Pathway that exists which your thyroid hormone must travel down before it ever gets to your cells.
And with hypothyroidism, your pathway becomes blocked on multiple levels preventing your thyroid hormone from ever reaching your cells.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from all of this, it’s this…
If you can’t get the right thyroid hormone to your cells or your cells can’t metabolize that thyroid hormone efficiently, then you will always be hypothyroid.
And no amount of thyroid medication will ever change that.
So, we developed a system to fix the many underlying issues hidden at the bottom of the iceberg… to completely unblock your Thyroid Hormone Pathway and permanently restore your thyroid health.
Here are five steps we take with our clients and that are responsible for their life-changing results.
1. We Unblock Your Liver
It probably makes perfect sense that if you are hypothyroid, you need to treat your thyroid gland.
Well, people have asked me time and time again…
“What’s the first thing I should do to heal my thyroid?”
My typical response which catches most by surprise is to…
“Start by getting your liver healthy.”
Wait a second. Your liver?
Well, you might be surprised to learn that your liver is so important to your thyroid health, maybe even more important than your thyroid gland.
How many people can live without their thyroid gland?
More than you think.
How many people can live without their liver?
Not a single one.
Which one do YOU think might be more important?
While your thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone, your liver orchestrates how your body uses it.
When you become hypothyroid, one of the first things to happen is your liver becomes blocked and dysfunctional.
This leads to a domino like effect along your Thyroid Hormone Pathway causing your entire pathway to become blocked at multiple levels.
And leaving your body to struggle as it never gets the thyroid hormone it needs.
This is probably the most common issue we find in our clients.
But we rarely if ever find only one issue.
And because the effects are so far reaching, it’s generally the first thing we address with our clients.
When it comes to unblocking your Liver, there are a number of things we have to fix…
- Re-activate the conversion of your thyroid hormone into the active form your body needs.
- Re-activate your primary detoxification pathway so you can detoxify your many thyroid suppressive hormones and toxins.
- De-activate your stress response that’s suppressing your thyroid.
- And the list goes on and on…
(By the way, I talk more about how to correct your underlying liver issues that are preventing you from healing in this post about “How to Heal Your Thyroid By Healing Your Liver”.)
First, let’s talk about another major part of your Thyroid Hormone Pathway that we need to fix.
2. We Unblock Your Thyroid Gland
OK, this is the most obvious part of the pathway but it’s still very important.
The common myth today is that hypothyroidism is a result of a sluggish thyroid gland.
But why exactly does your thyroid gland become sluggish in the first place?
Maybe someone added a little too much chlorine to your gene pool?
Or maybe there’s a little more to this story than you might realize.
You might be surprised to learn that your thyroid gland can actually become blocked in multiple ways.
It can become blocked from both producing and releasing thyroid hormone, which we see all the time.
When it comes to unblocking your thyroid gland, there a number of things that we need to fix as well…
- Balance the proteins in your diet to activate the enzymes that produce thyroid hormone inside your thyroid gland.
- Balance your estrogen and progesterone to activate the enzymes that allow your thyroid gland to release its thyroid hormone into your bloodstream.
Even chronic stress itself will slow down the production of thyroid hormone at your thyroid gland.
Oftentimes these issues can be quite evident when looking at thyroid labs.
While producing and getting thyroid hormone into your bloodstream is vital, this next part might just be the most overlooked.
3. We Unblock Your Thyroid Hormone Carrier Proteins
Every day we depend on cars, bikes, buses, etc. to take us from where we are to where we need to be.
But what happens when someone steals your car or bike, or the bus you want to take is full?
You’re left stranded.
The same goes for your thyroid hormone.
You depend on carrier proteins in your bloodstream to pick up and carry your thyroid hormone to your cells.
But when these carrier proteins become blocked, you’re thyroid hormone is left stranded and your cells weak and starving.
And if you can’t get thyroid hormone to your cells, then you’ll always be hypothyroid.
When it comes to unblocking your carrier proteins, we have to…
- Ensure that there are adequate carrier proteins available to deliver your thyroid hormone to your cells.
- Detoxify the fatty acids in your bloodstream that are tying up and taking over your carrier proteins.
It’s the little and oftentimes overlooked things that prevent us from seeing the results we want and deserve with our health… which is why we cover thyroid health in so much detail, like you’ll see in the 3 Food Triple-Thyroid-Boosting Daily Protocol.
You can get all the details about this triple-thyroid-boosting protocol right here.
So, that covers the first three parts of your Thyroid Hormone Pathway that we must address to ensure that you’re getting your thyroid hormone to your cells.
But remember, your cells still have to be able to metabolize it properly for healthy thyroid function.
And that’s what we’ll be focusing on in these final two parts.
4. We Unblock Your Thyroid Hormone Cell Receptors
Getting thyroid hormone to your cells is hard enough.
But you’re still not out of the woods yet.
Your thyroid hormone still has to bind to your cells in order for your cells to use it.
And for many people, finding a receptor site for your thyroid hormone to bind to is like trying to find a parking spot at Whole Foods right before dinner time.
It’s just not going to happen.
To unblock your cell receptors and make enough room for your thyroid hormone, there are even more things that we have to fix…
- Down-regulate your reverse T3 hormone that’s overtaking your cell receptors.
- Detoxify the toxic fats that are also crowding your cell receptors.
- Use healthy fats in your diet to increase your number of cell receptors and improve thyroid hormone binding capacity.
Now we’re getting close, but there’s still one major hurdle that we have to overcome.
5. We Unblock Your Metabolism
Most hypothyroidism sufferers understand that they have a slow or dysfunctional metabolism.
But if you think that exercise is going to change that, you might just have to learn this the hard way like most do.
For most, exercising with hypothyroidism is like trying to keep warm by lighting your house on fire.
It might keep you warm for a while but at what cost?
Eventually, it’s all going to come crashing down on you.
What we have to do is get your body using the right source of fuel.
And get your metabolism in high gear while you’re at rest… 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To unblock your metabolism like this we have to create an environment where you cells can thrive, which we do by…
- Eliminating the large amounts of free fatty acids in your bloodstream that prevent your cells from metabolizing thyroid hormone.
- Detoxify the thyroid suppressive hormones that are suffocating your cells.
- Properly balance your diet so that your cells have a consistent source of the right fuel they need to produce endless energy.
- Detoxify the high levels of lactic acid inherent with hypothyroidism that perpetuate dysfunctional hypothyroid metabolism.
I talk more about the importance of balancing your diet in this post about the dangers of low-carb diets.
You see, there’s a lot more to restoring your thyroid health than most realize.
But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult by any means.
That’s why we’ve taken this complete and comprehensive approach and broken it down into a simple step-by-step formula.
That’s how we help our clients overcome their thyroid issues for good.
Overcoming Your Hypothyroidism Is So Much Better Than Trying to Live With It
Here’s why this systematic approach works so well.
- You fix every underlying cause of your thyroid issue… you just need to properly address every part of your Thyroid Hormone Pathway.
- You put an end to the continuous hypothyroid cycle that you’re trapped in… instead of watching it worsen to the point that it becomes unbearable.
- You’ll correct the underlying issues responsible for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis… even if you’re not sure if you have it.
- You’ll regain control of your health and can and live without limitations… which is something that most only dream about.
- You don’t have to be a medical student to follow it… in fact the less misinformation you’ve been exposed to the better.
There are a lot of books and advice out there that focus on a single aspect of thyroid health.
And others that help you make the best of a life limited by thyroid issues.
But this daily protocol shows you how to start to start getting real results.
It’s a super simple way to start every day right and full of energy.
Click here to get started with your 3 Food Triple-Thyroid-Boosting Daily Protocol.
This is very useful newsletter for hypothyroidism . I want to know what edible oils I should take for my hypothyroidism . Let me know much more for diets for it . How to detoxify the liver because my liver function is not responding correctly . Loose motions occurs often and sleeplessness and insomnia is the most acute problem in my life .
Detoxifying the liver as most think of it is a but of a misnomer. The best thing to do for your liver is to support it with the right nutrition it needs to function properly and that will improve its ability to detoxify. The insomnia itself has a lot to do with this and regulating blood sugar. When you become hypothyroid, your body compensates by over-activating the stress response.
Tom, my thyroid stopped working after pregnancy. When I was first diagnosed, my TSH LEVEL WAS 143. I was told I would be on thyroid medication the rest of my life. How do you find the underlying cause for that? Is it able to be fixed?
This is extremely common and has to do with hormonal fluctuations following pregnancy/breastfeeding. Particularly when estrogen levels rise and there’s not adequate progesterone to balance. Estrogen itself inhibits the proteolytic enzymes that allow the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormone into the bloodstream.
Really interested in finding outmore on hyper thyrhoidism jus found out i might b a candidate dropping weght weekly weght loss is a sign alot of my relatives suffer from this my dad has been taking meds for this condition for 20something yrs so yes im cobcerned and a lil scar
Will this help if you are hypothyroid due to thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer?
The short answer is yes. The only difference is that you will need to supplement thyroid hormone to the degree that you cannot produce it. However, it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway as discussed in this article.
For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc. You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid.
Hi Josh
This sounds alike like my problem. What can or should I take to balance my Thyroid. I have increased and decreased medicines. I have taken different types for medicine and still have not reached a balance. Could their be something else wrong that is not dealing with my thyroid. I’m 34 years old and been battling with hypothyroidism for years now on trying to finding a right balance. On some days I feel like I’m 80 years old not able to move due to no energy.
I don’t have a thyroid it was removed because of cancer. My medications go up and down. Currently on T4 112mcg. daily then the next month it could be 200mcg.Some days I’m so exhausted I wish I could just lay down and never get out of bed. I have a job that I truly love work up to 50 hours a weeek. What can I do to not be so tired?
Hi Luella,
I’m in a similar situation to you, although my thyroid was removed not because of cancer, but because of enlargement and nodules and cysts.
Some days I’m so exhausted I feel myself bending over in half and nearly staying there!
I work 35 hours a week on my feet, with an hour and a half journey travelling at the beginning and the end of each day.
I take my tablet first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and only sip hot water afterwards.
I wait one hour and then I have a huge cup of coffee and a non dairy breakfast such as an omelette or a sandwich. (Dairy will line your stomach and prevent your meds getting through.)
After lunch I take vitamins A, B Complex, C, D and E, Calcium, Evening Primrose Oil, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc and Korean Ginseng. They keep me going and get me through the afternoon. After looking at this article I might take a look at Milk Thistle for cleansing the liver.
(I do love a glass of red wine in the evening!)
I was really run down earlier this year and was catching every viral illness and cold out there.
I take Echinacea now and was advised by a nurse to increase my Vitamin D. So I take it in tablet form, and even though I’m not a sun worshipper, I try and get the 20 minutes daily if I can. I’m in the UK so where we are in the hemisphere, we don’t get a lot of sunshine. 2 Months worth max!
Wishing you the very best of luck.
Anita x
I have Graves disease and radiated my thyroid back in 2002. I am wondering how and if I can heal my thyroid, if I don’t actually have a thyroid? I take 225 levothroxyine , my doctors won’t even run the other tests, I feel miserable , like I am dying every single day. I need help but I feel I am beyond it.
T4-only medications never worked for me. You should switch to a desiccated thyroid product like Nature Thyroid, and keep increasing the dose until your symptoms go away.
Are they selling NatureThroid again? I ran out in Jan and couldn’t get it at the health food store anymore. The FDA forced them to stop distributing it because of sourcing issues.
Hi, I take Nature-Throid. It is a dissicated thyroid distributed by RLC labs and is by prescription. It is not sold over the counter in Health Food Stores. It is almost identical to NDT Thyroid but a better price point. No problem with getting it. Don’t know where you got the story about FDA problems. I have been taking it for a number of years. After years of trying one thing and another to “feel good again”,NatureThroid seemed to work best for me. The doc and I tried different doses over a period of time until I felt good. Sorry if you are having a problem getting it. Check with your doc.
hello my name is nelly i got my tyroyd removed on 2000 i felt like u i want able to splain how tierd i felt i use to take levoxinol same as u i was so bad my hair felt oll the time and i felt kike i was 80 ma mom had more enegy then me i found a doctor tha give me biodentical hormones the same that my body use to make it been a lot beter for me tell u doctor is call ell is alot better then man made drugs
Hi I had half my thyroid removed I take 88 milgram of levothyrxin I work 55 hours a week tell me this please my feet is like needles sticking the bottom is that thyroid related I did take chestrol pills but I am eating healthy finally started losing weight blood pressure is doing great My feet is really painful to walk I dont understand many thanks
My feet get tender like that and very painful to walk on when i eat gluten. After going a couple days without it again the pain goes away. Maybe this can help you, I hope also.
I also have much pain in my feet when I have foods with gluten.
Hi. I have been wondering for years if there is any way to improve the areas effected by a thyroid gland – esp. Metabolism if one has had thyroid cancer and the gland has been completely removed ? Or are we just spinning our wheels here – does our synthetic thyroid replacement do what it can and we have to be satisfied with it?
im having my thyroid treated by naturopaths and have done the last 10 months … definite improvement .. I have just had my first acupuncture session to reboot my adrenals .. they are actually more concerned about my kidneys … feeling amazing after my first session
I have struggled for ten years after rai for hashimotos and graves. Anxiety,panic attacks, dizzy off balance feeling and little to no energy. Will this help me since my thyroid doesn’t work? I take natural desicated thyroid three times a day.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s about 3 years after my son was born. I nursed for 2/12 years. I have been on a dose of T4 daily for 15 years. I have searched for a solution to get off this medication to no avail. Your program sounds amazing and I’m wondering would it help me accomplish this goal? Thanks!
Can I use this protocol safely while breastfeeding?
That shouldn’t be a problem.
I had a complete thyrodectomy will this work the same for me…been on T4 for 5 yrs was just switched to lithryronine
Hi Stacey, here’s my answer to Luella below, which applies to you as well…
“The short answer is yes. The only difference is that you will need to supplement thyroid hormone to the degree that you cannot produce it. However, it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway as discussed in this article.
For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc. You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid.”
Do you recommend NDT as its mentioned a lot on American sites but I don’t know if it’s available in UK xx
I talk more about thyroid medication options here: https://www.forefronthealth.com/thyroid-medication/
This might help as well: http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatment/where_to_get_desiccated.html
It’s available in the UK as I’m offered to buy it from there here in the state. I’m take 1.5 grains but it does nothing for me and have not found a DR. who will give me more. It advises to take 4 to 6 grains. Still better than T4 for brain fog
Tom
I read all these articles on how to feel better with hypothroid but none off them talk about people that have had thyroid cancer! Do all off these fix work the same for people who have no thyroid but have all these symptoms!??
Hi Stacey, Luella and another Stacey asked a similar question and my response applies to you as well…
“The short answer is yes. The only difference is that you will need to supplement thyroid hormone to the degree that you cannot produce it. However, it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway as discussed in this article.
For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc. You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid.”
Years ago I was told by my specialist that my thyroid was swollen but not cancerous and that just to be on the safe side I should let him remove the swollen lobe that the other lobe would take over for the missing one….At the time personal computers were not invented so I had no way of researching what he was telling me. I went ahead and trusted him because he was a physician and had more education than I did, right? Well, I have regretted that decision …..I don’t routinely go to doctors, I don’t trust them because of one story after another from family, friends, blogs, etc that have told their own horror stories….I believe emergency medicine is deserving of respect but I have seen too much and experienced much myself to put them back on the pedestal I had them on. I now know they are only human who make mistakes….my question is how to help my remaining thyroid gland to do it’s very best. I am not on any meds whatsoever. I am overweight and want to loose weight asap and feel I need a boost of energy from time to time…I do take Ubiquenol, a form of CoQ10, a raw multi vitamin, fish oil, and several other supplements. What suggestions could you give to those like me with only one thyroid lobe? Another questionis actually for my husband…He had graves disease and his doctor had him take radioactive iodine. He is on T4 but I was wondering if there have been any cases where their thyroids would regenerate and what else could be done beside take T4? Thank you for your time in answering my questions.
When I was diagnosed in January my TSH was 395. I was suffering from congestive heart failure, plural effusion, myxoderm coma, high blood pressure, and severe adema. I was hospitalized for 12 days. They removed 550mls of fluid from my pericardium, with an additional 150 mls through a drain the following day. Iweighrd 187# when I went into the hospital. I lost 67 pounds of fluid while in the hospital down to 119 after I got home I am now gaining the fluid back. I’m back over 140# again and sleeping sitting in a chair so I can breathe. I’m so tired all the time. I don’t dare sit down for fear of falling asleep.
Is my hypothyroidism the probable cause of these heart palpitations I keep experiencing? I’ve felt like this for at least ten years but only got diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 3 years ago.
The heart palpitations are commonly found with those who compensate for their hypothyroidism with high levels of adrenaline.
I’ve been tested by ecg or ekg or whatever it is that they put those monitors all over your body, even your legs. Whatever that test was for- it came up negative. So they said I needed to get a holter monitor. I increased my levels of potassium, magnesium and other minerals and they slowed A LOT. I went off my Armour thyroid medicine about 2 months ago and now the palpitations are back daily!
Just one more question – if my adrenaline is high then why can’t I lose any weight? ?
I am on 125mg of T4 since the borth of my son 4 years ago. I have now been diagnosed with gestational diabetes – is there any link? I was given metaformin to help with the diabetes but felt it counter-acted with the thyroxine. am now on insulin injections – doctor said there was no link but mood symptoms returned. what advice what you give?
OK, I understand with this program, ,more thyroid hormone would be getting into my cells,Seeing I am hypothyroid due to Hashimotos, would the antithyroid antibodies still be circulating in my blood, thus continuing the need for T4 medication… or would following this approach possibly also attack the cause of the autoimmunity?The way I read it, there will still be a need for supplementation but it would all just work better with this program and I would probably feel better?As there are so many schools of thought on what actually caiuses autoimmune issues… could I think,perhaps declogging the liver and reducing inflammation could possibly help reduce the antibodies???
Hashimoto’s is hypothyroidism but with an immune component. The short answer is yes, the HR Program does cover Hashimoto’s as it is a major form of hypothyroidism today.
There are a few issues with Hashimoto’s that need to be addressed. There’s an issue of metabolic dysfunction that occurs with hypothyroidism where your cells end up taking up excessive calcium and estrogen becomes excessive.
The estrogen blocks the proteolytic enzymes that allow the thyroid gland to release its thyroid hormone, driving the hypothyroid aspect. Estrogen and stress hormone are both well known for causing involution or damage to the thymus gland. The thymus gland sits right behind your breast bone and regulates your immune system. So, damage to the thymus gland affects immune function. Studies have also shown that elevated estrogen increases the production of autoimmune antibodies.
Regulating estrogen and stress hormone are two big pieces of the puzzle, but there is more to it than just that.
i have hoshimotos disease. how come doctors do not check your estrogen levels if that is the main cause for the immune system creating autoimmune antibodies?
how can I get better help?
Dr. Broda Barnes’ research directly connected hypothyroidism and heart disease without question. Why doesn’t medicine check thyroid levels for heart disease? Why does medicine continue to prescribe PUFA oils as “heart healthy” when lots of research shows that they increase the risk of heart disease? There are many shortfalls in medicine unfortunately.
Also because estrogen cannot be accurately measured by a blood lab as it tends to accumulate in tissue and not the blood.
Why can’t I lose weight even though my thyroid levels are in the normal range?? I was on 75mg T4 after the birth of my last child 2 years ago. My doctor dropped me down to 50 mg, 5 months after my child was born. My numbers are in the “normal” range but can’t lose weight. My weight seem stalled. What am I doing wrong??
Lindsay, that’s exactly what we’re talking about in this article. I work with quite a few clients with a “normal” full thyroid panel yet they are very hypothyroid still. As I always say, it doesn’t matter how much thyroid hormone you have in your bloodstream. If you can’t get that thyroid hormone to your cells or your cells can’t use it, it won’t matter. You’ll still be hypothyroid.
Hi Tom,
When I was pregnant with my son I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism but doctors waited until my delivery to put me on medicine.After delivery they gave me medicine for hyperthyroidism for two years,when it was still not under control doctor gave me nuclear iodine. After since than I have hypothyroidism. It’s been 10 years now,i tried to get pregnant but no success.i gained 20 lbs each year and I m only 31 years old.
I am in need of serious help.its effecting my health n relationships as I cry at times and laugh at other times.my son wants kids
Hi Tom,
Just found your site !!! ?….I am a mess. Hashimotos at age 19,
I have several nodules, and a large goiter, Have been on a
thyroid medicine of some kind since then. 45 years ago.
Very prevalent in my midwest family. I also was very ill with a
staph meningatis, encephalitis. In a 5 day coma. I woke up with
complete amnesia. Since, 22 years ago, I have developed,
Fibromyalgia, Epstine Barr Virus, Prenicous Anemia,Insulin
Resistant, Chronic Fatigue, Bipolar 1, Panic/Anxiety, Chronic pain issues. Gerd, High cholesterol, Arthritis…….Am on 11 RX
meds a day…… I am desperate. I have over studied this sibject.
I am now taking 120 mg of NDT twice a day. 25 mcg of T3 teice a day. I keep reading about all the adrenal fatigue.
Cortisol issues. I am soooo confused. I need blood work, not
sure what to have to be through, also a saliva test. I had HPylori
so I am being tested for that, had high calcium. I take several
supplememts, high dose vit. D, milk thistle, turmeric, Alphs Lipoic acid, Calcium, CoQ 10, I heard I need Vit. C, and Magnesium as well. Will this work for me ? With what I am on
noe, in addition ? Or start over. Do I need Bloodwork first.
Will this help my adrenal fatigue. Or how do I know about the
hormone issues ? I am going between doctors. New pcps do I
need to go to a endroconologist ? Can this program help or
hurt. Will my large doses of psych. drugs affect me ? I also
am suppose to have B-12 or BComplex 2-4 times a month. I
have not been able to afford the serum vials, the prices have
jumped from $45.00 to $300.00 in under a year. I know the B-12
deficiency is a HUGE DEAL….. I am also having an issue with the huge price rise in NDT. Is a generic ok ?
Sorry, I told you I was a mess. Should I do blood work before
starting ? THANKS ????
So many questions? I have been living without a thyroid due to a goiter irradition since 1967. I take 300 mcg daily, except when Drs try to reinvent the wheel. I also played just about every sport possible plus 20 + years in the military led to multiple injuries. Because Drs don’t want to prescribe pain meds I have taken Tylenol almost daily for almost 30 years. Now taking 1950mg at least twice daily. How does this affect the healing of my liver?
Hi Richard, in general aspirin is safer than Tylenol and I always recommend using vitamin K anytime aspirin is used longer term to prevent the potential for blood thinning. Dr. Raymond Peat mentions that caffeine/coffee is also helpful in protecting the liver from acetaminophen (Tylenol).
In the past 3 years I have diagnosed with cll and thyroid problem I take 75 MG of levothyroxin.also focal seizures. My question is can low thyroid problems be part of my seizures? my seizures happen once a month at the same time I used to have my periods. My dr says no thyroid has nothing to do with it. But when I was younger at that time of month I used to get migraine headaches. Iam 62 and ended periods at 47 no problem. But now I started hot flashes and seizures. Thank you renee
Short answer yes. This is something that Dr. Raymond Peat has discussed in detail. Hypothyroidism leads to the over-activation of the stress response, sodium wasting, elevated estrogen, glucose deficiency, etc. The combination of the estrogen dominance and sodium loss makes you more susceptible to seizures. Oftentimes they are triggered more in the evening when blood sugar tends to be lower.
And that’s great that you’ve correlated it with your menstrual cycle because that plays a big role due to the fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone during your cycle. During menstruation progesterone drops significantly, creating such an environment prone to seizures. Migraines are also correlated with seizures so it’s likely that this is the same issue that has become more severe.
I drank radioactive iodine..I was told that it would kill my thyroid and take T4 to replace it. It did not kill my thyroid it functions terrible and my body feels like it just wants to stop sometimes..I’m lost
Why not just try taking Himalayan sea salt? See if it helps you!
Thank you so much for this very helpful information.
Do you see patients? If so where are you located? The more med I take the higher my numbers . My tsh is 49 and t3, T4 and rt3 are crazy also. I’ve seen 15 endocrinologist. I need help. I haven’t felt good in 10 years.
I do offer consulting services and location is not a problem since it is typically done by phone. If you’re interested, please contact support@forefronthealth. Your TSH is quite high and given the amount of inflammation from that alone you would likely feel quite bad.
I have auto-immune hypothyroidism, along with auto-immune Type 1 diabetes & celiac disease. Will your system work for me?
Yes it will and we do provide coaching with the HR Program so this is something that I would ask specifically through the coaching. The program is 100% gluten free and we address Hashimoto’s/autoimmune hypothyroidism. We also address the diabetic aspect because diabetes itself will make you functionally hypothyroid. And it’s important to understand how to address this properly.
I have Grave’s Disease. I was “off the charts” hyperthyroidism. Thyroid was destroyed with RAI. Has been 13 years…labs are always up and down…I would love to feel normal again.
Would this pertain to me?
What you have and are experiencing is common with estrogen dominance, particularly labs that fluctuate due to the loading and unloading of the thyroid gland.
The short answer is yes, everything we teach still applies 100%. The only difference is that you will need to supplement thyroid hormone to the degree that you cannot produce it. However, it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway. For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc. You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid.
We focus on all facets of the thyroid. You can learn a little more about this here: https://www.forefronthealth.com/overcome-hypothyroidism/
The least I know the better? I read the whole thing almost convinced until that last line.
Hi Yolanda, what we do is very different from the medical approach and one of the biggest issues that I find with clients is that they’ve been reading so much misinformation out there that we have to completely re-educate them from the ground up. So the less misinformation you’ve been exposed to the better.
Does your approach help those who had RAI therapy and no longer have a functioning thyroid?
Hi Rebecca, The short answer is yes, everything we teach still applies 100%. The only difference is that you will need to supplement thyroid hormone to the degree that you cannot produce it. However, it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway. For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc. You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid. This is why we focus on all aspects of thyroid health.
Hi, I have question.My TSH is 0,67. T4 is 20. T3 is 5. Thyroperoxidase <10. Thyroglobulin very HI -441
Vit D-79. Adrenal Function – Cortisol- 456. Why Thyroglobulin is very hi? Ivona
Hi Tom, my TSH is around 10. My GP is desperate for me to take the medication but I won’t take it. I wanted to do some alternative therapies first. Do you think it can be stabilised or returned to normal without taking T4? Thank you.
Hi Cas, in the UK you’re more limited to what is available which makes it a bit more difficult. A TSH of 10 is quite high and can result in significant inflammation and symptoms as TSH is an inflammatory hormone. Whether or not you can do it without medication depends on a number of variables. I would recommend educating yourself and reading this comprehensive article on thyroid medications: https://www.forefronthealth.com/thyroid-medication/
How do u help if the radiation destroyed the thyroids ? What test do I need to do?
Hi Brenda, I’m assuming you’re currently being medicated although it’s very important in your case to be using desiccated thyroid or something that contains both T3 and T4 in the proper ratios that match what your thyroid gland would naturally produce.
As for tests, a full thyroid panel would still be important which can help indicate where along your thyroid hormone pathway things are going wrong. And it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway. For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc. You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid.
This is why we focus on all facets of the thyroid health.
Interesting that you talk about liver health and hypothyroisim. I was dx’d 3 yrs ago with Hashimoto’s at the same time I was being tx for hep C with Pegasus interferon, incevik and riboviran.
Dear Mr Brimeyer……Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions…..I think there are a lot of folks with the same issues I mention here and would like to hear your answers…I had asked this in September but no reply as yet so I am hoping you will have the time to do so now…thank you so much….Kind Regards…..
Years ago I was told by my specialist that my thyroid was swollen but not cancerous and that just to be on the safe side I should let him remove the swollen lobe that the other lobe would take over for the missing one….At the time personal computers were not invented so I had no way of researching what he was telling me. I went ahead and trusted him because he was a physician and had more education than I did, right? Well, I have regretted that decision …..I don’t routinely go to doctors, I don’t trust them because of one story after another from family, friends, blogs, etc that have told their own horror stories….I believe emergency medicine is deserving of respect but I have seen too much and experienced much myself to put them back on the pedestal I had them on. I now know they are only human who make mistakes….my question is how to help my remaining thyroid gland to do it’s very best. I am not on any meds whatsoever. I am overweight and want to loose weight asap and feel I need a boost of energy from time to time…I do take Ubiquenol, a form of CoQ10 which helps alot, a raw multi vitamin, fish oil, and several other supplements. What suggestions could you give to those like me with only one thyroid lobe? Another questionis actually for my husband…He had graves disease and his doctor had him take radioactive iodine. He is on T4 but I was wondering if there have been any cases where their thyroids would regenerate and what else could be done beside take T4? Thank you for your time in answering my questions……Kind Regards…Connie
Hi Connie, the short answer is yes, everything we teach still applies 100%. The only difference is that you will need to supplement thyroid hormone to the degree that you cannot produce it.
However, it’s important to understand that just because you take thyroid hormone doesn’t mean that the hormone is getting to your cells. Thyroid hormone can get blocked many places along this pathway.
For example, most hypothyroid people can’t convert inactive T4 thyroid hormone to active T3 thyroid hormone that your cells need. Thyroid hormone can also get blocked in the bloodstream, at the cell receptor, etc.
You can supplement all of the thyroid hormone you want but if you can’t get the hormone to your cells then you will still be hypothyroid.
As for thyroid regeneration, there have been a few stem cell studies but we’re a very far away from that being a viable option at the moment.
I would like to know if you have an office so I could come see you? ? If not do you have phone consults? What state are you located at also?
I love getting educated about my health, want to learn what is necessary for me to be healthy and well.
Thank you,
~Olivia~
Hi Olivia, I work with clients from all over the world. So, I work almost exclusively by phone these days. And we are located in Colorado.
I have had a LONG hard road with hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s. I have diligently and strictly followed so many “plans” and “protocols” through the years. I said all that as a disclaimer that this is different. I’m two weeks exactly today following this plan and it is different than anything I’ve ever done. My experience so far has been amazing. I initially purchased the $7 meal plan with recipes. I was able to start that immediately because my mother had literally just the week before sent me three packages of the collagen gelatin protein that goes into several things. Anyway, it’s now two weeks later and last night I bought the whole package so I could have everything because I’m so thrilled with how my body is responding already. I don’t make any money off of anything, I’m just sharing all that with you so you know that I haven’t been doing it long enough to give some amazing testimonial, but so far I’m EXTREMELY pleased with several areas of my health that I’ve suffered with through the years of being “right” in my blood work but never right at all with all the symptoms. I’m classic for his descriptions. Here’s the first article I read and he has short videos, too. https://www.forefronthealth.com/overcome-hypothyroidism/
Hi, i have read your page here and it all sounds great. Well from whay i can recall, my thyroid issue i think is beyond repair. I do not recall to much anymore. My memory is that of a 90 year old with dementia it is horrible. I am 37 and feel like i am dying a slow torturous death. They told me when they took my thyroid out i would need a pill everyday and that would be it. My thyroid was so overactive and not responding to meds that it almost killed me and my child i was pregnant with at the time. He ended up being born the day i was set to have my thyroid removed, at 28 weeks so 12 weeks early and 1lb 13 ounzes (he is 14 now). I had him by c-section and wisked off to have my thyroid removed right after. Thats how dangerous it was then. 3 months in the hospital before he was born as my heart beat was 226 beats a min and we both should have died that day. So having so many issue hyperthyroid i was game for having it removed and only needing a pill a day for life to have a better one. Wow that was a lie…… a better life not so much. It has been 14 years of hell and i see no end to it. Frustrated in Canada. My thoughts are everywhere as i can not stick to one topic or subject. I am always all over the place . The worst part is no one in my life understands. I look great therefore i must feel great. Grrrrrrr. My looking good days are few and far between now. Happens when you get depressed i think.
Hi Bonnie, sorry to hear about your story. After a thyroidectomy, using a thyroid medication that contains T3 is very important. But you can still turn things around as I discuss in this article: https://www.forefronthealth.com/rai-and-thyroidectomy/
I have been sick with hypothyroidism/ hashimotos after I had my daughter almost 4 years ago. I found a holistic doctor because my endocrinologist put me on T4 and it caused me to o crazy, hurt real bd, gain more weight and depression so bad I felt suicidal. This holistic doctor said I can’t covert t4 into t3 which is why that was happening. She now has me on 170 mg of nature thyroid and 20 mg of T3. I still hurt, still have brain fog real bad. Still can’t sleep well. I’ve been on every diet you mentioned and nothing helps. I take tons of supplements including milk thistle for my liver and gall bladder. I’ve been having pain under my right rib cage for years but never had anything diagnosed. If I don’t take the milk thistle I hurt, if I do, I don’t . I did have an ultrasound done on my gall bladder and no stones. I had the same symptoms when I had my boys many years ago but they went away after like 3 years and came back with a vengeance after I had my daughter. This time it didn’t go away.
Hi Marie,
I’m not sure what you mean by “I’ve been on every diet you mentioned” because we only recommend one diet, which is the one we use. With that said, we also have articles that can help answer some of your questions and concerns such as…
4 Simple Fixes for Brain Fog (Hypothyroidism and “Cold Brain Syndrome”): https://www.forefronthealth.com/hypothyroidism-brain-fog/
Gallbladder issues are also a telltale sign of estrogen dominance which goes hand in hand with hypothyroidism.
I am on T4 and T3. They can’t regulate my numbers.
I have suffered Hypothyroidism for the last 20 years and take a 200mcg tablet daily. I have never been educated about the condition and was only told to take the tablet daily. I have regular checks and the results never change nor does the dosage. I would really like as much information about this and how I can help myself by this I mean what foods to eat and not eat. I don`t drink or smoke. Could you please send the info to my email so I can download it and print it out.
Kind regards.
Noel.
PS. Any help would be grateful.
Hi Noel, Thanks for stopping by and the best place to get started is with our articles and our 3 Food Thyroid Boosting Protocol. If you sign up for that, you’ll also be on our mailing list and get our regular emails with even more information, tips, etc.
hi tom
this is really useful and interesting.
i have just been diagnosed with hashimotos and as a result im going through early menopause. Im 42 and hashimotos was discovered i me and my partner had been trying for a baby but with no success. devestated is not the word. in the short would hrt help me? im currently on the lowest dose of thyroxine you can get. which i only take mon to fri and the endocronologist has said it has helped. im now gluten free.looking for any help and advice i can get at this stage as i dont want to give up on hope on having a baby. thanks in advance tom.
hayley