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Frog513 (Swansboro, Nc, Us) on 04/27/2011

I wanted to share my update since being diagnosed with Hashimoto's in late February of this year. I also had a 1cm nodule on the right side of my thyroid. I had already started the VCO on 02/24/2011 and in addition, my doctor told me to go on a gluten-free diet immediately and chart my symptoms/progress, etc...

I have been diligent about not cheating since going Gluten Free and I have been faithful in taking 1 TBS of VCO daily along with other supplements. I had a follow-up appt. On 04/19/2011 and my doctor could not find the nodule! I have also felt increasingly better since going GF. I noticed a huge difference after about a month of being GF and I am feeling better as time goes on. She will check my thyroid levels in June, including antibodies.

Currently I am not on any meds and she has said she hopes to keep me off of any medication as long as possible. I do believe it is the combination of the VCO and GF diet that have helped with the Hashimoto's. The supplements I am on, I have been taking for a long time. So I think at this point I am actually able to absorb the nutrients and am benefitting from those from a nutritional standpoint. I have also been told that people with Hashimoto's need to be very careful about supplementing with iodine since our issue is an immune system issue and not rooted in the thyroid per se. I am not saying nobody should take iodine but at this point I am not using it and and being cautious. My doctor said she did want to check my iodine levels as well but for now to continue on as I have been doing. Here is a link to Dr. Kharrazian's site: http://drknews.com/iodine-and-hashimotos/ author of the book titled: "Why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my lab tests are normal"

Any feedback or input is greatly appreciated!

~C.

Replied By Louise (Petaluma, Ca) on 04/28/2011

I have also been diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroiditis and am interested in starting vinager and coconut oil. I'm just not clear on how you take it. Thanks for any advice.

Replied By Frog513 (Swansboro, Nc, Us) on 04/29/2011

Hi Louise~

I will share what I am doing for my Hashimoto's which includes virgin coconut oil. I do take 1 TBS _____'s organic vinegar about once a week as well. Everything I am doing is under the supervision of my healthcare provider. She practices integrative medicine and that makes a huge difference in treatment. Most conventional/western doctors will put you on some type of synthetic thyroid hormone. Here is my current protocol:

1) Gluten free diet is a must and has made a huge difference : )

2) I take 1 TBS of virgin coconut oil daily - usually I just put it in my tea but some people prefer to put it on toast or in a smoothie, etc... I know some people take up to 3 TBS/day but I have found 1TBS to work great for me, no side effects.

3) sublingual B12 (methylcobalamin)- 1000mcg per day

4) 200mg CoQ10

5) 2000mg krill oil

6) pro-biotic -I use Jarrow brand but there are many good ones out there

7) D3 5000iu daily

8) daily raw multi-vitamin

9) adrenal cortex was just added to support my adrenals - I haven't started taking this yet.

10) L-Theanine for anxiety when needed but since going gluten free my anxiety is pretty much gone : )

I know this is probably more than you wanted to know. But I didn't want it to seem like I was just using VCO for my Hashi's.

Health and wellness to you~

~C.

Replied By lily (Kelowna, BC Canada) on 10/23/2020
I follow much the same treatment as you and have had wonderful success. I use magnesium citrate powder form in water to drink as well as using topical gel.

Replied By Frog513 (Swansboro, Nc, Us) on 04/30/2011

Update on Hashimoto's protocol... I forgot to mention a few very important supplements in addition to the ones I already listed.

1) 2000mg vitamin C in the form of ester C - this is essential for adrenal health. Most people with a thryoid condition also have some form of adrenal fatigue.

2) 12 mg Zinc 3- x's week ( the zinc I use also has vitamin C and vitamin A)

3) 400mg magnesium daily - I use a topical magnesium gel that is in a sea water solution. This has helped with heart palpitations, and I sleep much better. My healthcare provider also said that magnesium taurate is great but I didn't want to take another pill so she is fine with me using the gel. Magnesium is very important - if you want to learn more just google "symptoms of magnesium deficiency" or "benefits of magnesium" - very interesting reading. I wonder how many people would benefit from this supplement alone but doctors never even mention it!

God Bless~

~C.

Replied By Marina (Lake Stevens, Washington, United States) on 08/18/2011

This Website has given me so much hope and a new beginning. I am a strong believer of one self healing itself with nature. I have been suffering from hashimoto's for about 6 years now and not one has made me feel hopeful. I went to one naturopath and neither she didn't show any knowledge. I have been shut down so many times. I have been reading and found conflicting suggestions until now. My endo is supposed to be the best one in town. Unfortunately, I don't need an endo. I will take control of this disease and Everyone here has given me this strength to do so. Thank you everyone. I will get that book today and definitely go gluten-free. I have 3 hideous visible inflammed nodules all over the front of my neck. I'm so glad I didn't go through the surgery when I almost did. The whole surgery made no sense to me at all. I didn't want to removed a gland which had to deficiency whatsoever. I can now finally start my journey to balancing my immune system and living a more comfortable life.

God Bless, Marina

Replied By Frog513 (Swansboro, Nc, Us) on 10/03/2011

Update on original post from 2/24/11 about my progress with Hashimoto's. It has now been 7 months since diagnosis and being gluten-free. I had my last appointment on 08/31/2011 and my thyroid nodule is still gone, and my thyroid feels normal. The only issue I have is slight T4 to T3 conversion deficit that I am hoping will correct itself since I am on supplents with selenium and I still use VCO daily. I am feeling good on a daily basis. I never thought I could stick with being gluten-free but I feel so good and it is just my life now and I am fine with that. I felt so bad for so long that it is a small price to pay to wake up feeling rested and have energy all day. To play with my kids, clean my house, take a walk, all the things I couldn't do because I was so fatigued. I write this in hopes of offering encouragement. I am optimistic that in another 5 or 6 months to be at optimal wellness by losing 20lbs now that I can exercise again. For those that are suffering, please don't give up, just make one change at a time and take it one day at time.

I would love to know how others are doing and feeling, what protocols you are on, etc...

Blessings~

~Carleen

Replied By Hashiaussie (Melbourne, Australia) on 10/04/2011

I too have been gluten free for some years now and note the difference for my Hashimotos. I have been on selenium and magnesium which help a lot and just recently VCO and ACV when I came across this site. I was on t4 and t3 to get me started some 7 years ago and now on t4 alone. I have read Dr Karazian's book - thethyroidbook - and it is very clear on what to do once you know whether you are T1 or T2 dominant. I am T1 so drink green tea all day, coffee once a day and avoid echinacea - all of which make me feel better. I have a glutathione cream and various supplements, zinc, vit D, Bs. Recently, Hope for Hashimotos has proven instructive. My current challenge is insulin resistance and high cholesterol so oats (I do not have the intolerence to oats gene) and 4 hourly protein. This is a hard disease demanding constant attention but if my family's predisposition to alzheimers is to be avoided then it has to be done. I also look at hashimotos411 on the social network, sciencedaily and Mary Shamon's site to research anything that comes up. I am definitely better since doing all this and have been exercising now for 2 years. Here in Melbourne informed medical practitioners are rare so you just have to do it yourself and it is possible but does take a lot of time and research skills cross-verifying the information. Best of luck to you.

Replied By Lisa (Morehead City, Nc) on 01/04/2012

Hi Carleen... I have Hashimotos and live in Morehead city. Just wondering who your Dr. is? I have been to a few around here with no real help! Would love to find someone who knows this disease and can actually help!

Thanks, Lisa

Replied By Frog513 (Swansboro, Nc, Us) on 07/22/2012

I was diagnosed in February of 2011 and immediately began a GF diet along with various supplements. It is now almost 1½ years later and I am still med free and feel really good. I am still GF ( mostly Paleo/raw) and will continue to eat that way since I react horribly when I ingest even a small amount of gluten. I am truly grateful for the healing that God has brought to my body. I share this information to offer hope and to let people know that it is possible to heal. It is a commitment and the journey can be long but for me it has been worth it!

My recent appointment on June 5, 2012 went well. My bloodwork is as follows:
Free T3: 3.0 normal
FreeT4: 1.12 normal
Ferritin : 28 low
CRP : 4.0 high
Vitamin D: 55 good
Cholesterol: Triglycerides 132, HDL 55, LDL 69, ratio 2. 7 all normal, low risk.

My antibodies were normal the last time we did bloodwork so I guess that is why she didn't check them this time.

One of my most frustrating issues is not being able to lose 20lbs. My doctor thought since my T3 is low normal that could be hindering the weight loss so she put me on cytomel ( T3 only) for 3 months (12.5 mg 2x's day). After 3 days I was so tired I stopped taking it. I am not sure why I was tired- the usual side effect is the opposite but not for me. I felt better within a day or two and decided that I would find another way to lose weight. Just curious if anyone else has tried cytomel and if it helped or not.

If anybody has any insight on why my CRP is elevated please share. My doctor thinks I might have a parasite, or yeast but I just did a yeast cleanse and don't have any symptoms of candida. I do have a broken back molar that needs a crown but no infection and my other teeth and gums are good.

I am trying to get my supplements down to a minimum ( I am a recovering supplement junkie : ) and at this point I have found the following to be the most beneficial for me:

Probiotic - dairy free and at least 30billion active cultures.
Magnesium - or a topical Magnesium gel
L-theanine - great for anxiety - I don't take this much anymore but it helps with sleep too. Non-drowsy - just relaxes you and helps with GABA production.
N Acetyl Cysteine - 600mg
Tumeric - I take this for inflammation - hoping it will help lower my CRP
Vitamin C - 1000mgs
Selenium from Brazil nuts - I almost purchased selenium and noticed it has wheat in it - be sure to check labels if you go that route.
Krill Oil or fermented cod liver oil - I alternate these 2 supplements
Iron - I will take this until my iron stores are adequate
Coconut oil - organic
Brewers Yeast - I just added this less than a month ago - I was skeptical because I thought it would cause candida but I read up it and this kind of yeast is good for many things. So far, no side effects at all. I like the fact that I am getting vitamins and amino acids from a food source rather than a pill. Only taking 2TBS a day not the 3 that is recommended.
Liqui-Kelp - I just started this yesterday. I realize this goes against the Dr. K Hashimotos protocol and against what I said in an earlier post but I read an article about how to take iodine if you have Hashi's and my doctor also said that it is necessary for overall health even if you have Hashi's. She recommends Atomidine but I wanted to try a kelp based one. I am only taking 4 drops once a day which is 150mcg - very low dose. I am hoping that this will help with my immune system, lower CRP level, and help with weight loss. Any Hashi's people out there who have used iodine ( kelp, lugols, etc.. ?) with success? I will let you know what happens, still too soon to tell. Here is the article if anyone is interested:

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/05/iodine-and-hashimotos-thyroiditis-part-i/

Here are the issues that have resolved for me:
-Thyroid nodule is gone and thyroid is no longer enlarged.
-No more chronic sinus infections
-No more catching every virus/flu that comes around
-No anxiety, heart palpitations
-My eyelashes and eyebrows are full an thick again ( I had bald spots on my eyebrows and was missing a lot of eyelashes)
-Steady energy throughout the day - thank God!!
-My feet don't hurt anymore
-Clear thinking ( clear for me anyway : )

Always consult your healthcare provider before taking supplements. I know some of us are forced to self-treat - I was one of those people for a long time. Now that I found a wonderful integrative healthcare provider - my health has improved greatly.

Please don't give up hope - it takes time but once you get there it is worth it. Sorry this was so long! Health and Wellness to all~

~Carleen -- frog_513(at)yahoo.com

Replied By Lisa (Atlanta, Ga) on 03/01/2015

Carleen, how are you doing now. I see you were starting Kelp. The iodine always worked against me. I don't think Hashimoto's is an iodine deficiency. I have tried all of these things at one time or another. Now taking prescription thyroid med Tirosint and it has worked up until now. Thinking of stopping it again.

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