A natural way to control this common thyroid disease…

More than a decade ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), the most common cause of hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones.

Hypothyroidism is more widespread than many people realize, affecting about 14 million Americans. And because thyroid hormones regulate metabolism—key functions such as breathing, heart rate, digestion and body temperature—symptoms are wide ranging. They can include daylong fatigue, weight gain, constipation, low libido, weakness, muscle cramps and aches, cold intolerance, dry skin, poor memory and depression.

HT is typically diagnosed with the same blood tests used to diagnose other causes of hypothyroidism (including those that measure thyroid hormone levels and antithyroid antibodies). With HT, however, an imaging test, such as ultrasound, might also be used to identify the characteristic inflammation of the thyroid gland that occurs with this disease.

My story: When I was diagnosed with HT, my primary care physician said, “No big deal. You’ll just take thyroid hormone replacement medication and be fine.” I disagreed. As a doctor board-certified in preventive medicine, I wanted to discover the causes of HT, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the thyroid for a foreign invader, attacking it and destroying thyroid cells.

For years, I’ve researched HT for myself and for my patients. With the help of an increasing body of scientific evidence, I have identified key factors that often trigger and worsen most cases of HT—and the natural therapies that can help…

MERCURY

When I began to investigate my disease, I discovered that my body had trouble excreting mercury—a toxic metal that can damage tissues and cause autoimmune disease. I’ve now found that many patients with autoimmune disease have a high mercury level, based on blood and urine tests. One main source of mercury toxicity—eating lots of fish.

My advice: Large fish at the top of the food chain, such as swordfish and tuna, contain the most mercury, but all fish deliver some levels of the toxic metal. That’s why I recommend eating fish only twice a week. Opt for varieties that are low in mercury (such as anchovies, sardines, salmon, sole, trout and Arctic char). If you limit your intake of mercury, your body will start to eliminate the excess stored in tissues via urine and stool.

MISSING NUTRIENTS

Two nutrients are key for preventing or healing HT…*

  • Selenium. This mineral helps create thyroid hormone…helps convert T4 (the less active form of thyroid hormone) to T3 (the active form)…and protects the thyroid gland from oxidative damage. Selenium is so important for thyroid health that several studies suggest that a deficiency of the mineral might trigger HT.

My advice: Each day, take 400 micrograms (mcg) of selenomethionine (the form found in food, which is easier to absorb) for three to six months, then switch to a maintenance dose of 200 mcg. Important: Selenium is therapeutic when taken in the appropriate dose but toxic in high doses. Never take more than 400 mcg daily. Once selenium levels are restored, you may be able to maintain adequate levels by eating selenium-rich foods (such as Brazil nuts, shrimp and sardines) instead of taking a supplement.

  • Vitamin D. Researchers have linked low levels of this immune-strengthening nutrient to many autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease—and now HT.

New research: Greek scientists studied 218 people with HT and found that 85% of them had a vitamin D deficiency.

My advice: Start by getting your vitamin D level checked. If your level is low, take a vitamin D-3 supplement. Most people can safely take up to 4,000 international units (IU) daily, but get your vitamin D level checked every three months. Once you reach an optimal vitamin D level (about 50 ng/mL), cut back to 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU daily.

GLUTEN

This protein, found in wheat, barley and rye, can damage the intestinal lining, triggering increased intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut), in which gluten and other undigested proteins enter the bloodstream.

Once these undigested proteins are in the bloodstream, the immune system attacks them as if they were foreign invaders. People with gluten sensitivity can end up with leaky gut syndrome…diarrhea, bloating and/or fatigue…an immune system in constant overdrive…and an autoimmune disease such as HT.

Recent research: A study published in the journal Gastroenterology showed that people who were sensitive to gluten were seven times more likely to develop HT and other types of autoimmune disease compared with people who did not have gluten sensitivity.

My advice: Eliminate gluten for three weeks—and then eat gluten-containing foods for two or three days. Nine out of 10 of my HT patients feel a lot better after the three-week elimination period, with more energy and mental clarity—and their symptoms return after they reintroduce gluten. This is how you will know whether you are gluten sensitive.

Rice, buckwheat, millet and quinoa are gluten free. Gluten-free breads are often in the frozen section because they are not made with the usual chemical preservatives. For more on gluten-free foods, go to MassGeneral.org.

*Check with your doctor before taking these supplements—they can interact with some medications and affect certain medical conditions.