Naturopathic Doctor for Thyroid Disease
Frustrated with being told “everything looks fine” with unexplained fatigue or weight gain? We offer comprehensive thyroid testing and treatment options, including natural desiccated thyroid. We have many options for thyroid support and supply you with answers to this confusing topic!
If you struggle with hormonal issues, this program will provide resources and tips to naturally bring your body back into balance. From in-depth protocols and learning how to read your test results, you will get support on how to reset your system
Inside you will learn three ways to reset your adrenal rhythms at home, how to identify hormonal imbalance (and the key supplements to take for it), five ways to boost testosterone naturally, as well as fertility support for women.
The mindset module has handouts from our life coach on strengthening relationships and self-acceptance, plus a printable goal-setting guide to help keep you focused on your healing journey.
How to Heal Your Thyroid with Food
Food for Hypothyroid: LOW thyroid function
Hypothyroid is when the thyroid is under functioning and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. Because thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism and internal thermostat, symptoms can include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, and weight gain. Most people with hypothyroid have Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease where the immune system is working on overdrive.
Autoimmunity and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to low thyroid function. Specific nutrients needed for thyroid function include iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, vitamin A, vitamin D, and iron.
Food sources of key nutrients:
Iodine: sea vegetables such as kelp, wakame, nori, dulse
Selenium: 2-4 brazil nuts
Zinc: red meat, oysters, crab, pork, baked beans, chicken, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, cashew, chickpeas, swiss cheese
Copper: chocolate, shellfish, nuts, seeds, soy (caution with hypothyroidism), avocado, whole grains
Vitamin A: beef liver, orange and yellow fruits and veggies, leafy greens 6. Vitamin D: mushrooms, sunshine!
Iron: meat, sardines, split peas, dark leafy veggies
Nutrition tips in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis:
Caution with gluten and avoid other individualized food sensitivities
Avoid all food toxins: artificial sugar, flavor and dye
Limit sugar
Eat anti-inflammatory foods:
- 1 cup of deep purple,
- 1 cup of deep green and 1 cup of orange/red/yellow food daily 1 cup green tea daily (if tolerated)
- Cook with anti-inflammatory seasonings: ginger, garlic, fresh herbs, turmeric
- Eat a serving of omega 3 foods daily: walnuts or oil, chia/hemp/flax/pumpkin seeds and oils, 1-3g omega 3 supplement, 3 ounces wild caught fish (salmon, small mackerel, sardines, fresh anchovies): 2 servings per week max (unlimited servings of sardines and anchovies)
Food for Hyperthyroid: EXCESSIVE thyroid function
Hyperthyroid is a condition caused when the thyroid overproduces thyroid hormones due to an autoimmune disease (Graves), inflammation, or some other cause. Symptoms include weight loss, anxiety, irritability, thinning hair, insomnia, and fatigue. There are two cornerstones for using nutrition in this condition:
Reduce inflammation:
Caution with gluten and avoid other individualized food sensitivities
Caution with iodine
Avoid all food toxins: artificial sugar, flavor and dye
Limit sugar
Eat anti-inflammatory foods:
- 1 cup of deep purple, 1 cup of deep green and 1 cup of orange/red/yellow food daily
- 1 cup green tea daily (if tolerated)
Suppress thyroid hormone:
- Include goitrogens: millet, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnips, kale, cabbage
- Consider herbal blends: Lycopus spp., Leonurus cardiaca, Selenicereus sp, Melissa officinalis
Additional Topics for Thyroid Balance
Because the thyroid is a complex organ that controls many processes in the body and can be heavily affected by the foods you eat, it is important to consult your Naturopathic Doctor about the best possible treatment plan for you as an individual.
Goitrogens
Iodine
Trace Minerals
Food Allergies & Sensitivities
Many thyroid issues are caused by autoimmunity. Studies have shown a connection between autoimmune disease and leaky gut, a condition where food, toxins, bacteria and viruses can enter your bloodstream due to a damaged intestinal tract. Your Naturopathic Doctor can determine if you have food allergies and sensitivities using functional lab testing. If you do, avoiding these foods will help relieve stress on your immune system and can improve thyroid conditions.
Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Thyroid Medication?
How does the thyroid work?
What to take:
The conventional medical treatment for hypothyroidism is taking a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called levothyroxine (Synthroid). This treatment might bring your TSH or T4 levels into normal range, yet your symptoms may still linger. Clinical research is showing that this line of treatment doesn’t raise T3 levels enough to relieve symptoms. Many people have a hard time converting this T4 to T3 (the active thyroid hormone) that occurs in the liver, kidneys, brain, and other organs. If your body has trouble converting T4 to T3, symptoms will persist.
Synthetic T4 only medications work for many people. However, if you are frustrated and still symptomatic, there are alternatives to synthetic T4 only medications.
One of our favorite alternatives is Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT). NDT is a porcine derived thyroid medication that contains the full range of thyroid hormones including T4, T3, T2 and more. This provides broader support to your body. In fact, studies have shown that T2 has a powerful effect on metabolism. Patients often report that switching to NDT relieves their most stubborn symptoms. There are many brands of NDT including Nature-throid, WP Thyroid, NP Thyroid and Armour Thyroid.
When to take:
When you take your medicine can also impact its effectiveness. It is recommended to take your thyroid medication at least 30 min before food or 2 hours after food. Many people prefer to take their medication with their morning routines. Others feel best taking it in the afternoon or evening, just as long as it is 2 hours after food and 30 min before food.
One of the most important things to note is to not take your medication with anything that could potentially bind to the thyroid hormone, making it ineffective. Minerals easily bind thyroid hormones. For this reason, it is crucial to take thyroid hormone 4 hours away from calcium, iron, or antacids.
Taking it at the same time as your morning cup of coffee with cream is not the best idea to absorb the hormones at their fullest potency. The calcium in the cream could potentially bind to the medication and make it seem as if you didn’t take it at all.
Dose to take:
Dr. Adrienne Stewart
Why I became a naturopathic doctor?
Being a naturopathic doctor means getting to do what I love by helping others on a daily basis. I personally know what it’s like to juggle a career, a family, a business while also having the challenges of a chronic autoimmune condition. With my recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, I am on a mission to heal and share in my experience on what truly makes a difference.
With the fast pace of modern life, it’s common and easy to become off-balance. I love meeting my patients where they are in their journey and offering tips to become the best version of themselves.
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