Hashimoto’s and Gut Health: What New Research Says About the Microbiome
One of the most frustrating experiences for people with Hashimoto’s is hearing that their thyroid numbers look “normal” while they still struggle with fatigue, brain fog, digestive symptoms, joint pain, or feeling unlike themselves.
For years, these lingering symptoms were often dismissed as unrelated to the thyroid. But a growing body of research suggests another system may deserve attention: gut health, particularly the trillions of microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome
Why You Still Feel Terrible with Normal Thyroid Labs: The Research on Euthyroid Hashimoto’s
One of the most common things I hear from new patients is some version of this:
“My doctor ran my labs and said everything looks fine. But I feel exhausted, anxious, and foggy all the time. They told me it must be something else.”
If this is your experience, I want you to know something important before we get into the research: you are not imagining it, and the science has been saying so for over a decade.
Ferritin: Exploring it’s Complex Role in Health and Disease
Authored by Dr. Barrett In the intricate web of human biology, certain molecules play pivotal roles, often quietly orchestrating vital functions behind the scenes. One such molecule that has garnered increasing attention in recent years is ferritin. Though less recognized than its counterparts like hemoglobin or cholesterol, ferritin holds significant sway over our health and […]
The Thyroid Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide
Authored by Dr. Barrett Thyroid Conditions Overview 1. Hypothyroidism Definition: Underactive thyroid; insufficient production of thyroid hormones. Common Causes: Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s), iodine deficiency, medications. Symptoms: Fatigue Weight gain Cold intolerance Hair loss Depression 2. Hyperthyroidism Definition: Overactive thyroid; excessive production of thyroid hormones. Common Causes: Graves’ disease, thyroid nodules, inflammation/recent viral infection. Symptoms: Weight […]
Hashimoto’s Winter Research Update 2022
The researchers found that the level of TPO antibodies correlated with the grade of thyroid inflammation. This makes a lot of common sense, higher antibodies = more thyroid destruction. The following symptoms were found to be higher in the patients with elevated TPO antibodies: chronic fatigue, dry hair, chronic irritability, chronic nervousness, dysphagia, and easily fatigued. Remember, the study participants all have normal thyroid hormone levels. The researchers also found that higher TPO levels were associated with an overall decreased quality of life.
Hashimoto’s Research Update Summer 2021
What if you have elevated thyroid antibodies but your TSH isn’t elevated yet, ie it’s Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) but not yet progressed to hypothyroidism? Conventionally patients are often told to just watch and wait. Wait until it turns into hypothyroidism, then you can take medication.
This study published in 2016 demonstrated that supplementing with vitamin D actually reduced thyroid antibodies and prevented the progression of HT into hypothyroidism. So there is something you can do instead of just watch and wait.
Autoimmune Disease Series Episode #7: Mind-Body Medicine
Authored by Dr. Barrett I saved this article as the last one in my autoimmune series because it’s arguably the most important. Autoimmune disease and mind-body medicine are tightly linked. Early on in my career I met a patient with mast cell activation disorder and chronic hives. She was so ill that she had been […]
Autoimmune Disease Series Episode #6: Environmental Exposures
Authored by Dr. Barrett Autoimmune disease occurs when our immune system starts attacking our own tissues. Autoimmune diseases are complex illnesses that develop when there is just the right combination of genetics, epigenetic factors, and environmental triggers (infections, chemicals, stressors, etc). In this article I will focus on a few chemical or xenobiotic exposures that […]
Autoimmune Disease + Chronic Infections
Authored by Dr. Barrett This is part five in a series covering autoimmune disease. Don’t miss upcoming articles covering environmental medicine and mind body medicine. Check out previous articles covering Loneliness, GI health, nutrition part 1 and nutrition part 2, and hormones. Autoimmune disease develops when the immune system starts attacking your own tissues. In […]
Hashimoto’s Research Update Winter 2021
Authored by Dr. Barrett Myo-inostiol and Selenium for Hashimoto’s (2017) You might already know that selenium can be very helpful for Hashimoto’s. It’s an antioxidant that supports the production of glutathione. Selenium is helpful in reducing anti TPO antibodies. This study compared patients using selenium alone and selenium with myo-inositol. Inositol is involved in cell […]