Dr. Boydston's Neuro Endocrine Immune Blog

Hashimoto's Disease - Why Do I Always Have To Increase My Thyroid Hormone Dose?

The Boydston Institute Explains Why Most Hashimoto's Patients Have To Adjust Their Hormone Dose In The Upward Direction Over Time

According to the Endocrine Society, eight to ninety percent of all cases of hypothyroidism in the United States have an autoimmune mechanism, which leads to the actual low thyroid production. This is commonly referred to as Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroid.

The immune system is the source of the problem is these cases, which requires certain questions to be asked and answered if successful management is to occur. In this article I will answer one of the most frequently asked questions patients ask in regards to Hashimoto's and their replacement hormone dosing...

Why does the thyroid replacement hormone continually go up over time?

On the surface, Hasimoto's is treated purely as a thyroid issue. Indeed the gland is malfunctioning, but unless you look at the source or the cause of the problem then true progress in the management of this disease does not occur.

The thyroid gland is not producing adequate amounts of thyroid hormone, but only because the immune system has become dysregulated and is now recognizing the body's own thyroid gland as a foreign invader.

As time goes on the thyroid gland continually chews up and destroys more and more of the gland, leading to less and less production of hormones. This is the reason that Hashimoto's patients will commonly have their medication increased over time, reflecting the immune systems increased destruction.

This can be compared to trying to fix a leaky bucket by pouring more water in the top. The real problem is the leak in the bucket, and unless that problem is addressed the bucket will continue to leak despite the efforts to fill it back up.

It's a losing battle and simply replacing the lost thyroid hormone does not address the immune systems attack on the thyroid, the leak in the bucket.

The replacement hormone does help replace what the body is not producing but the battle between the immune system and the thyroid gland, a fight between members of the same team, continues in the background. Hormones have no impact on the immune system so unless the immune system is addressed it is a downhill battle and many patients struggle to find the proper treatment.

If you suffer with hypothyroidism and have never had your antibody levels checked, be sure to ask your doctor to run them. It is a cheap and inexpensive blood test that will determine whether or not the immune system is the culprit in your condition.

If your dosage is continually being increased with each doctors visit, ask yourself whether or not everything is being done to manage your condition and give the quality of life you deserve.

If you haven't read our Hashimoto's Recovery Report, that explains how we look at autoimmune thyroid and our natural hashimoto's treatment approach, you can request a free copy by clicking on the link.

To schedule an appointment at the Boydston Institute call 559-297-9218 or click here to request your appointment online. If you are out of the area please read about our consulting services.

Low Thyroid? The Real Reasons Doctors Don't Check Antibody Levels In Hypothryoid Patients

Logic dictates that if the most common cause of hypothyroidism is from an autoimmune mechanism, then the first test ran on all newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients would be a thyroid antibody test.

Well logic doesn't always reign supreme and in many cases Hashimoto's Autoimmune thyroid patients go undiagnosed and are just given the standard thyroid replacement treatment. I am going to explore the most likely reasons this occurs.

The first and foremost reason most thyroid patients will never have their antibody levels checked is because the conventional treatment protocol does not change based on the mechanism.

Most doctors are going to give you synthetic or natural thyroid replacement hormones, intermittently check your TSH, and call it a day. If you continue to suffer with the same symptoms as before they will be attributed to some other ailment, usually depression or anxiety, and be treated accordingly... again with another prescription.

The second reason for the failure to order antibody tests, is a branch off of the first reason. Since the treatment is not going to be dictated based off the antibody results (although it should), then running the test becomes "medical waste" in the eyes of the insurance companies.

The payment for a test that will not alter the course of treatment is in a way wasteful, but the real waste is in ignoring the underlying cause of the problem and leaving the patient to suffer. Many times patients are mocked and scorned for suggesting a test or treatment that is a bit outside of the tight little box Hashimoto's patients are placed in.

Having no alternative treatment plan for Autoimmune thyroid, and the resultant medical waste of a test ordered but that has no bearing on the patients treatment are the two main reasons many Hashimoto's patients go undiagnosed and ignored in the system.

Determining that hypothyroidism is from an immune mechanism, IS important, and should absolutely be managed in more comprehensive way, not only including some type of replacement hormone, but it should also include management of the immune systems destruction of the gland itself. A more comprehensive approach gives the patient a better chance to feel and function normally.

If you haven't read our Hashimoto's Recovery Report, that explains how we look at autoimmune thyroid and our natural hashimoto's treatment approach, you can request a free copy by clicking on the link.

To schedule an appointment at the Boydston Institute call 559-297-9218 or click here to request your appointment online. If you are out of the area please read about our consulting services.

Hashimoto's Natural Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Robert Boydston D.C., of the Boydston Institute, Answers Commonly Asked Questions About The Natural Treatment of Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroid

Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroid Disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Being the most common presentation of hypothyroidism would suggest that it would have the most effective and refined treatments, given that it is encountered by doctors so often.

Unfortunately this is not the case, it is actually the most mismanaged type of hypothyroidism. Most people who are diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease receive only thyroid hormone replacement, yet continue to suffer with all of the same symptoms. I want to address some of the most common questions I receive about Hashimoto's Disease and help shed some light on what could be going wrong in your case.

1. Should I take iodine supplements if I have Hashimoto's Disease?

Iodine is important for normal thyroid hormone production but in Hashimoto's, supplementing with iodine is like dropping gas on a burning fire. Supplemental iodine will trigger and flare the immune system attack and only make the thyroid problem worse.

2. Should I be taking Vitamin D when I have Hashimoto's Disease?

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Hashimoto's and many other forms of autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D is critical for the support of the immune system, specifically regulatory T cells. A simple blood test can help determine whether or not you are deficient in Vitamin D. It is important to have this tested and the proper supplementation dosage be administered.

3. Should I get tested for gluten sensitivity?

The scientific literature shows a high correlation between Hashimoto's disease and gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains. With gluten sensitivity the immune system abnormally recognizes the gluten protein as a foreign invader and will try to attack and kill it. This creates systemic inflammation and increases the autoimmune attack on the thyroid.

Note: The blood tests for celiac and gluten sensitivity are notoriously inaccurate. It is recommended to have a stool SIgA test to make a proper determination of whether or not gluten is a problem.

4. Should I take "immune supporting" supplements?

My answer to this question is an emphatic NO!. This is a huge mistake made by patients and doctors alike. Unless you have determined from specific immune testing what your immune system configuration is, these types of supplements should be avoided. You don't want to push the immune system in the wrong way and increase the immune attack on your thyroid gland in a blind attempt to help the immune system. Without being armed with the proper lab testing, immune stimulating supplements are discouraged.

The important thing to remember with Hashimoto's Disease is the immune system is the source of the problem, and finding a doctor trained in looking at the specifics of the immune response, familiar with autoimmune triggers, and trained in the application of natural medicine in relation to the immune system, is your best choice to fully turn down the dimmer on your disease.

If you haven't read our Hashimoto's Recovery Report, that explains how we look at autoimmune thyroid and our natural hashimoto's treatment approach, you can request a free copy by clicking on the link. 

To schedule an appointment at the Boydston Institute call 559-297-9218 or click here to request your appointment online. If you are out of the area please read about our consulting services.

Natural Hashimoto's Treatment - Your Iodine Supplements May Be Making You Worse

The Boydston Institute Gives A Voice Of Caution When Treating Hashimoto's Naturally With Iodine:

When a patient is diagnosed with low thyroid production, medically referred to as hypothyroidism, one of the first things commonly prescribed is iodine supplementation. This is logical and valid on the surface. Iodine is a component in thyroid hormone production. Worldwide iodine deficiency is a widespread problem. In areas of the world where iodine is deficient, iodine is the cause of many if not most cases of hypothyroidism. In areas where iodine is not deficient in the food supply, including the United States, iodine is not usually the cause of low thyroid.

In areas of the world with adequate iodine in food, or where salt is iodized, the most common cause of low thyroid is Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroid. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of cases of hypothyroidism in the United States is from this autoimmune mechanism.

Autoimmune thyroid is not primary hypothyroidism; instead it is a form of hypothyroidism that is caused by immune destruction. The amount of iodine that is contained is iodine supplements and thyroid natural support products act like gas on a burning fire.

In a 2004 article in the journal Thyroid, the author stated "...the explosive mix of iodine, TPO Ab, and H202 necessary for thyroid hormone synthesis, inadvertently provide the trigger for the autoimmune thyroid response." It is this misguided inclination to give every hypothyroidism patient high doses of supplemental iodine that leads to increased thyroid gland destruction, and more suffering on the patient's part. Most natural healthcare practitioners possess a very limited understanding of autoimmune physiology and continue giving iodine supplements for all cases of hypothyroidism, in the same way as the medical community uses thyroid replacement hormones as a "blanket" treatment for all low thyroid conditions.

If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease then you need to take an inventory of your supplements. Remove supplements that contain iodine, as it is most likely aggravating your condition, and is most likely one of many things working against you as you try to properly treat and manage your condition. We get plenty of iodine from the iodinization of salt and from a normal balanced diet.

If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism but are not sure whether is is autoimmune, then it is in your best interest to have your doctor check your thyroid antibodies. This will indicate whether your hypothyroidism is from an immune cause and will help guide you in your decision of whether to include iodine supplementation in your diet.

In the case of autoimmune thyroid or hashimoto's it is an immune battle. You are guaranteed to lose if you are not even playing on the right court.

If you haven't read our Hashimoto's Recovery Report, that explains how we look at autoimmune thyroid and our natural hashimoto's treatment approach, you can request a free copy by clicking on the link.

To schedule an appointment at the Boydston Institute call 559-297-9218 or click here to request your appointment online. If you are out of the area please read about our consulting services.

How Do You Talk To Yourself?

I have young children, so I am always in teaching mode. I teach my oldest son, age 7, that he should always talk to his teachers and other adults with respect. Use Mr. and Mrs. instead of addressing an adult by their first name. It is a sign of respect. Your outward speech patterns are reflective of your inward thoughts and desires.

It hit me the other day as my son and I were talking in the local bookstore that we don't spend enough time or put enough emphasis on the inner dialogue we have with ourselves. It is great to show outward signs of respect but ultimately respect starts from within. We have an ongoing conversation that is always going on in our head. We are processing things in our environment... social interactions, news, thoughts, beliefs... but what are you actually saying?

Do you pay close attention?

Are you constantly telling yourself why something bad is going to happen, or something is going to go wrong?

Are you always expecting the worse?

Do you expect your interactions with others to add value to the other persons life?

Do you expect that the goals you set are going to materialize?

I am not going to make this a lengthy post, because the person that inspired this post, my son, would have already moved onto another dialogue in his own head and cut me off... he doesn't have a huge attention span, and you may not either.

My point is that it is important to pay attention to the things you tell yourself over and over. Your thoughts will eventually shape your reality, as they will trigger the actions and patterns to make it happen. So if you don't like your results, change your thoughts.

Just like it is respectful to refer to elders as Mr. and Mrs. when we are children... have respect for yourself also. You deserve it more than anyone.

You know that old adage... "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? ... we should change it to "say unto yourself, what you would have others say unto you."

That is it for today. It has been way to long since I have written on this blog. I wrote on this topic because most of the patients I help and have come to know so well, suffer for a long time before they make their way into our institute.

If you are constantly in pain, or have extreme fatigue then it is easy to get into unhealthy internal dialogues with ourselves. Those unhealthy dialogues turn into extremely bad habit patterns that insidiously lead to worsening of the bodies physiology. It's a vicious cycle.

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