The Downside of Using Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) To Lower Thyroid Antibodies

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

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 202411min

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 202459min

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 202410min

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

Aside from antithyroid medication, which is specifically designed to block thyroid hormone, several medications can have an unintended effect on thyroid health. These drugs, often in combination with other underlying imbalances, can potentially trigger hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Today, I’m sharing the research on five categories of medication that have been shown to affect thyroid function negatively. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - The effect of traditional antiepileptic dru...

21 Nov 202412min

Many people with hyperthyroidism experience noticeable weight loss. For me, this was the case when I dealt with Graves’ disease. At the same time, for various reasons, it’s not uncommon for people with Graves’ to gain weight instead. In today’s Save My Thyroid audit, I’m chatting with Stacy, who was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and gained over 30 pounds in three months. She’s also experiencing many other symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, and heart rate fluctuations. In this episode, ...

19 Nov 202431min

Elevated thyroid hormone levels are typically a sign of hyperthyroidism, which can be attributed to a number of conditions, including Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter, subacute thyroiditis, and Hashitoxicosis. Many factors contribute to the development of these thyroid disorders, and each one requires different treatment approaches. It’s essential to not only get tested and properly diagnosed but also to ensure that you are addressing the underlying factors of your specific conditi...

14 Nov 202411min