Inflammation & Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Part I

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Any medical term with the suffix “Itis” refers to an inflammatory condition or disease.  In this case, it refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by autoimmunity known as Hashimoto’s, hence the term Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Think of chronic inflammation & Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as a fire burning out of control.

Unlike the type of inflammation you notice when you experience a cut or bruise as the result of those wonderful fighter white blood cells congregating to clean up the area, chronic inflammation is not visible to the naked eye.

An imbalanced intestinal area also releases inflammatory chemicals into your body that can cross your brain’s protective barrier and take part in numerous mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Furthermore, chronic inflammation is also what underlies most long-term and “mystery” health conditions including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other autoimmune illnesses, periodontitis, cancer, insulin resistance, and osteoarthritis.

Preventative medicine ought to include information that, for example, periodontitis is rooted in inflammation and is an early red-flag and warning sign of a potential chronic health issue.

Inflammation is a silent killer because internal chronic inflammation is invisible and until you are affected with obvious physical symptoms, you may not be aware of the “fire” burning within your body.

In addition to truly understanding the messages of your body to learn how to recognize signs of inflammation, it’s important to learn what symptoms may suggest chronic inflammation is becoming an issue.

Were you inflamed even before you knew you had Hashimoto’s?

Consider the following symptoms and conditions.  Do you recall experiencing any of these issues before Hashimoto’s?  Below are a few examples of a body that is chronically inflamed:

• Acid reflux/heartburn
• Allergies or sensitivities
• Chronic acne
• Chronic dry eye
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Dermatitis
• Dry eyes
• Eczema
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea

Inflammation is a normal part of the immune system and acute inflammation definitely plays an important role.  Acute inflammation is the first response to harmful stimuli.

However, pillar #1 for Hashimoto’s refers to chronic inflammation…a process that continues long term leading to a shift in the type of cells involved. My first sign of chronic inflammation long ago was a puffy face, hands, and feet when I woke up in the morning whether I had eaten salt the night before or not.

Puffy hands and feet are related to both inflammation and a reduction in antioxidants in the body.  Aside from the puffy appearance, there’s also a sensation which may also feel like stiffness.  It could also be that you haven’t hurt or injured your back but you have lower back pain, or you may have knee or shoulder pain.  In these cases, you want to try getting hydrated and increase antioxidants which we will review in a follow-up article on inflammation.

Inflammation is like a fire burning & antioxidants are the firemen to put out the blaze.

The problem of chronic inflammation is magnified because the damaged intestinal wall makes it more difficult for you to absorb electrolyte minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

These minerals are calming and alkalizing and they help reduce inflammation.  They’re also necessary to maintain proper pH balance; which by the way, an imbalanced pH in the body and inflammation go hand-in-hand.

There’s a lot one can do to reduce and manage inflammation.  After you’ve read all three articles in this series you should have a good understanding of the lifestyle/dietary changes you can make to successfully reduce inflammation.

And, by implementing the tips and strategies I’m teaching, you’ll see an improvement in your symptoms related to chronic inflammation & Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Reducing Inflammation begins with improving the health of the gut, immune system, and antioxidant levels.

Hashimoto’s Therapeutic Shake

• 3-5 grams Glutamine Powder
  Rationale: (Gut inflammation, glutathione precursor)
• 1 scoop non-denatured whey protein with immunoglobulins OR pea protein
  Rationale: (non-denatured whey improves glutathione but you need to avoid if testing indicates an intolerance to dairy)
• 2 scoops powdered greens
  Rationale: (reduces inflammation)
• 1 scoop magnesium citrate powder 
  Rationale: (reduces inflammation)
• 1 scoop TruFiber
  Rationale: (gut health, fiber, contains prebiotics)
• Unsweetened coconut, almond, rice, or macadamia nut milk or filtered water for desired consistency
  Rationale: (inflammation, detox, weight loss, hydration)
• 1/4 cup frozen organic berries such  as Wild blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or cherries
  Rationale: (antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C)
• Vitamin D Most Hashimoto’s patients do very well with oral liquid vitamin D.  I use the high potency formula by Designs for Health:  Vitamin D3 Hi-Po emulsi.  Each drop (not the dropper) is 2,000 IU’s.
  Rationale:  (modulation of the immune system, production of T3 receptor sites)
• Drink warm filtered water with lemon & 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon sea salt upon rising
  Rationale: (pH balance, detoxifying, reduces inflammation, adrenal support)
• Use pancreatic enzymes at the end of your meals and also in between meals on an empty stomach
  Rationale: (beneficial for hyper symptoms, inflammation, digestion & absorption)
• Omega 3 fatty acids at least 1500 mg three times per day – I use the following:  Biotics Research Optimal EFAs and their Mixed EFAs.  I also use evening primrose and flax oils.
  Rationale: (essential fatty acids, inflammation)
• Try a high-quality bio-absorbable curcumin supplement
  Rationale:(effective in reducing inflammation; however you should avoid curcumin supplementation if you have gallbladder issues)
• Topical transdermal glutathione cream – Apply 1 pump daily over the right upper abdomen (over the liver and/or thyroid gland) after a shower or bath. – Oral glutathione does not necessarily cross the cell wall, and blood glutathione levels don’t necessarily indicate glutathione levels inside the cell. – The best I have found is made by NeuroBiologix and it lasts a long time.
  Rationale:  (antioxidant, inflammation)

You may also want to add my salad dressing recipes rich in healthy fats a few times each week.

These can also help with inflammation:

• Creamy Tahini Dressing
• Garlic Sunflower Seed Dressing

TAKE ACTION:  Get your vitamin D checked if you haven’t done so in the past 60 days and work toward optimizing your level.  Most functional & integrative practitioners like to see it somewhere between 70-90 in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.  My optimal level is 90’ish but you need to do what’s right for you.  Next, you want to start to incorporate the shake a minimum of 3 days per week and follow the list to the extent you can.  You may already be doing some or all of these things… to which I say congratulations – keep up the good work and you’ll reap the benefits.

References:

1. Blum, S. (2013). The immune system recovery plan. New York: Scribner.
2. Brownstein, D. (2008). Overcoming thyroid disorders. West Bloomfield, Michigan: Medical Alternatives Press.
3. Garrett, S. (2014).  The Fat Conundrum: Good Fat versus Bad Fat. ShannonGarrettWellness.com
4. Waldeck, D. (2013). Inflammation. The SGN Project, educational video series.
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618598/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921055/

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