Low White Blood Cells and Thyroid Health
Low white blood cell count, also known as leukopenia, is a common finding in many people, including those with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions. There are five types of white blood cells - neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils - and these markers are part of a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, which I recommend for all my patients. While a low white blood cell count alone does not necessarily raise a red flag, it’s essential to determine the un...
19 Dec 202411min
Improving Sleep Quality with Annika Carroll
“Sleep is passive; we can't force it. If the body is safe to relax, it will eventually sleep.” - Annika Carroll Many people experience sleep issues, and there are a number of different factors that contribute to low sleep quality. Then, whether it’s blood sugar dysregulation, gut imbalances, stress, or something else, once we start having a difficult time with our sleep, a lot of us start panicking and fear going to bed. That leads to a vicious cycle where the anxiety around sleep actually m...
17 Dec 202451min
What are thyroid binding immunoglobulins?
The three main types of thyroid antibodies are thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI). Although it’s rarely mentioned, there is a fourth type of antibody known as TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulins (TBII). Today, I’m sharing what the research tells us about the role of TBII and whether it’s worth testing as part of your thyroid panel. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - Different types of thyroid antibodies - Co...
12 Dec 20247min
How To Lower Thyroid Antibodies Part 3: The Role of Stress
Emotional and physical stressors can be contributing factors in the triggering of thyroid autoimmunity in two main ways. First, stress causes an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, which promote inflammation by causing dysregulation of the immune system. Stress also decreases secretory IgA, increasing your risk of developing a leaky gut. That said, it's important to understand that not all stress is equal. Our bodies are designed to handle acute stress situations but less so the chronic ...
10 Dec 202429min
Bone Density Concerns and Thyroid Health
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect the health of the bones, which is yet another reason why it's crucial to balance the thyroid hormones. While I’m not a big fan of radiation exposure from scanning, there is a time and place where I believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Today, I’m sharing why DEXA scans are done and when I consider them worth it. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - How hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect bone health - The importance...
5 Dec 202412min
The Thyroid Reset Diet with Dr. Alan Christianson
Iodine is a critical nutrient for thyroid function, yet there is a lot of controversy around iodine and thyroid health. Unlike other nutrients, iodine is selectively taken up by the parts of the body that use it. This generally means that when it’s in low supply, more is pulled in, and when there’s too much, it’s blocked from coming in. This creates the iodine paradox, where both excessive and insufficient iodine can lead to thyroid dysfunction. For people with autoimmune thyroid conditions,...
3 Dec 20241h
Healthy Holiday Eating and Thyroid Health
Sticking to a healthy diet during the holiday season can be challenging. Between cravings to indulge in unhealthy habits and the desire to avoid awkward social situations, it can feel easier to stick to the status quo and eat whatever is served. If you’re dealing with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition, you do need to change your approach. Today, I’m discussing strategies and practical tips for overcoming the common roadblocks to healthy eating and how you can avoid derailing your thy...
28 Nov 202411min
How To Lower Thyroid Antibodies Part 2: The Role of Food Triggers
Normalizing thyroid antibodies can be challenging, and several factors can cause elevated antibodies. Finding and eliminating food triggers is one such factor that is an essential part of the thyroid healing journey. Certain foods can trigger autoimmunity, causing an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in regulatory T cells. In other cases, specific food proteins can trigger an immune system response due to molecular mimicry. Today, in part two of my series on how to lower...
26 Nov 202432min
