Replied by Mary from Bradenton, Florida Usa on 09/03/2011

This post is addressed to Erin, who stated her health improved after following Dr Datis Kharazian's diet -

You say you have autoimmune thyroiditis. Do you have Before and After test results?

I know you didn't claim that the diet actually reversed your condition - but did it? Did you retest your anti-thyroid antibodies - thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin to see what the numbers are? Total remission is 0-34 for the TPO, and <20 for antithyroglobulin. Maybe the numbers just decreased significantly.

Numbers are the only way to tell if this autoimmune condition is in remission, and others that make claims that a diet or protocol has reversed their condition can only prove it by these numbers.

Hope you're out there Erin and see this!

Thanks.

Replied by Tresa from Boise, Id on 11/18/2011

I was going to see a doctor that follows the Dr. Kharrazian protocol till he told me it would cost $7,000. 00. Which would basically come out of your pocket cause insurances pretty much won't pay for the type of tests they do. Just can't afford that.

Replied by Suz from Austin, Tx on 02/08/2012

Hi Teresa, Can you tell what doctor charged $7K to run all those tests? I'm about ready to take my daughter to someone who sounds like they do the same type of testing... And $7K is way out of my range. They just state that you can't afford not to do it.

Thanks

Replied by Tresa from Boise, Id on 03/09/2012

Suz. I believe a lot of it has to do with all of the testing that they do is why it is so expensive. If money grew on trees fine. So I am going a different route. Will be going through a professional 10 day detox and work on healing the guts because a big, if not most of the immune system is in the stomach/inner terrain.

Replied by Tresa from Boise, Id on 03/09/2012

Suz, also I wanted to mention that it was a doctor(who was a former chiropractor) who now practices Dr. Kharazian's protocol.

Replied by Tresa from Boise, Id on 03/09/2012

Suz, specifically McKim Chiropractic.

Replied by Patients Helping Patients from San Luis Obispo, Ca on 03/13/2012

I can tell you from experience that Dr Kharazian's protocols regarding diet are not well informed and have cost me dearly health and pocketbook-wise. Hashimoto's is cureable by switching to using Armour or Erfa thyroid supplement. All the stuff about leaky gut, allergens, etc are not the problem if you eat carefully and include a lot of raw juices. The key to changing the condition is the T3 in Armour, check out StoptheThyroidMadness. com or herbdocblog.com

Replied by Lorica from New Albany, In. on 04/28/2012

A lot of raw juicing can actually cause thyroid problems if things like spinach and other goitrogens are being consumed, which they usually are. Juicing causes those things to go into your system in an especially intense form. Also, put no soy in anything. Soy is the major goitrogen.

Replied by Thyroid Sufferer from Jupiter, Fl on 05/22/2012

The individual who stated Hashimoto can be treated with Armour successfully is making an erroneous statement. I have had the disease for over 20 year. I have tried synthetics and currently on Armour for 7 years now. My disease is more inflamed now than ever. I am considering a diet change to gluten free. Each individual is different and therefore each individual needs a different solution.

Replied by Terrie from Perry, Florida on 06/01/2012

For the comment on Armour, a lot of people have had problems lately w/Armour, my problem was NO doc in N Fl would prescribe anything but SYNTHROID w/cytomel(T3), I spent 8mo's barely able to get out of bed, so weak I could hardly hold a glass of water, these quacks(12 so called specialists) just kept changing the synthroid dose back and forth with NO CHANGE in my condition. My husband decided to let me try some ERFA from outside US since no doc will give me a prescription for NATURAL THYROID, I had to take my life/HEALTH into my own hands, I have been on it for 8 weeks and I AM DOING SOOO GOOD!! I am energetic, strong, riding my 3yr old horse for the first time!! I owe my life to NATURAL THYROID!! I have a mostly healthy diet, but I still enjoy some junk, I am losing this HYPO weight and getting my skin back to pre-HYPO state, I will NEVER TAKE SYNTHETIC again, it wasted 8 mo's of my life! STOP THE THYROID MADDNESS!!! GET RID OF SYNTHROID!!!!

Replied by Dr from New Mexico, NM on 07/08/2012

If you have Hashimoto's when you consume Gluten it causes your immune system to attack your thyroid.

Replied by Trizia from Nyc, Ny on 08/03/2012

Concerning hashimotos: do people who avoid gluten also avoid grains in general? do any of you eat rice? Did anyone take the natural glandulars by Standard Process? Can anyone recommend affordable practitioners in NYC?

And finally, is anyone for or against taking kelp for iodine if you never eat iodized salt?

Thanks for answering, trizia

Replied by Terri from Phoenix, Az on 08/03/2012

Since you are familiar with Standard Processing I would recommend you use their iodine product. I also take their thytrophin and cataplex f (or m)for my hypo thyroid.

I felt better after taking the iodine.

Replied by 1kday from Colorado Springs, Co on 08/07/2012

Yes you can eat rice. Research gluten free there are some really great gluten free foods. I have found that I don't really even like grains. If you have a local gluten free bakery that would be a great way to try some new things. Remember you will find awesome gluten free items and you will find that there are some really bad items. It is hit or miss but there is a lot more available now. Go online and sign up to receive info on gluten free dining too. Hope that helps.

Replied by Dee from Chicago, Il on 01/02/2013

What should I expect when I see a practitioner following Dr. K's protocol? I am at my wits end with these palpitations, weakness, and fatigue. How much does it cost approximately. I am on my 4th endo and no one knows what to do for me. All they say is that my thyroid levels are normal but very high antibodies. Can anyone recommend a good practitioner in Chicago who follows Dr k's protocol? Please help.

Replied by Wiggns from Boston, Ma on 03/09/2013

For Dee from Chicago: Go to the Raby Institute of Integrative Medicine on North Michigan Ave, Chicago.

This practice has MD.'s (internist, ob/gyn, pediatrics, Naturapaths, Nutritionist, Accupuncturist, etc.... They are integrative with their approach to health, and are especially versed in womens health issues. It may take time to get an appt, but they will help. I know the founder Dr. Raby, she is beyond amazing. Good Luck

Replied by Kelly from Portland, Oregon on 06/08/2013

Hi there! Not every person with Hashi's has problems with gluten. There are accurate (read, tested, controlled, etc) labs like Biotek out of Seattle that can test for IgG for food sensitivites. A simple finger poke helped me avoid an aggravating elimination diet. I found out that Whey and Egg Yolk cause problems for me and once I cut them out of my diet, major improvements in health. Changing my diet has been the only thing that has helped lower my TPO. Probiotics (HMF Genestra) have helped me feel better and avoid illnesses like the flu, and EFA/DHA has stopped my hair from falling out. Find a fabulous ND that will be thorough. I work with Julie Brush, ND at 2BWell. She has helped me when other doctors have struggled to look past test numbers to help with total health.

Replied by Kellyj from Chicago, Il on 06/09/2014

Dr. Kristen is in the Schaumburg area, and she writes a lot of articles in natural magazines on thyroid problems.

Replied by Masu2 from Montana on 12/27/2014

When I looked into a Dr. Kharazian practitioner, they charged a flat fee of $10,000 a year. They had a strict diet which was not for me and if you went off the diet a tiny bit, the disease is your fault for not following the diet perfectly and you could lose access to the practitioner.

There are many worthwhile diets. I do not have such a big amount of funds to pay someone to scold me.

Replied by Michelle N. from Tampa, Fl on 05/06/2016

Hello, Was wondering if this blog site is still active. Haven't seen any posts or responses since 3/2015. Just starting to do research on this topic due to hypothyroid issues along with high cholesterol issues. Trying to find a connection if there is one and how to reverse it or get my numbers back where they are supposed to be without padding the big pharma's pockets. Please respond if this is still an active site. I'd like info before heading back to my Dr. Want to be armed with alternative alternatives! Thanks.

Replied by Nadine from Union Grove Wisconsin on 07/20/2016

Hi,

I was wondering how you are doing on the natural thyroid item you bought from outside USA. Did it continue to work for you? I have Hashimoto's also. I agree the doctors are so expensive. Who can afford this. I would appreciate if you post more info on how your are doing Thank you ... looking for your post

Replied by Leah from Honolulu Usa on 01/11/2017

Yes, it is still active! Your cholesterol is high because you have low thyroid. I have been on Levothyroxine for 7 months and my tests came back much improved. Avoid gluten and especially soy at all costs and take a capsule of turmeric four times a day to deal with inflammation. I am symptom free.

Replied by Missy from North Carolina on 07/22/2017

Try matcha green tea, plus rolled oats, greens plus a bean every day like pintos, cannellini, grapefruit, apples, nuts like pecans, English walnuts, raw almonds, flaxseed oil, avoid sugars and refined carbs. Be sure to be well hydrated with water the day before tests and the morning of labs have 2 17 oz bottles water...I also take fish oil, msm plus boron, resveratrol got my total cholesterol to 183

Replied by lily from Kelowna , BC Canada on 10/23/2020

I was on synthroid (synthetic) for Hashimoto's, after much study I asked to switch to desiccated thyroid treatment . The Doctor resisted but I held firm. What a difference for me, the fatigue, neuropathic symptoms & joint pain all disappeared, cholesterol down, my gut felt better, I felt happier and we were able to reduce the dosage from 90 mg to 45 mg daily over a few months . I have always been proactive about my health, I am not gluten free but have reduced it for many years. I do use various vitamins & magnesium daily also Omega 3's and Sunflower Lecithin & ubiquinal . I am 76 yrs old and the only prescription I use is the desiccated thyroid.I drink some coconut water also as it is a good source of potassium, magnesium & vit. C.

Replied by Andrea from Perth, Australia on 10/24/2020

Hi, would you explain what desiccated thyroid treatment is. I too have Hashimoto's and some days the joint pain is so bad. I would so appreciate any info.
🌸

Replied by Nixie Ritter from Orlando Florida on 05/20/2022

Hashimoto's is a complex autoimmune disease and one cure does not fit all. The best place to learn about Hashimoto and Thyroid issues and what treatment options are available is the Stop the Thyroid Madness group.

https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/

Replied by Mary Larsen from Shakopee MN on 11/09/2025

Hi there

i just saw the $7,000 for labs!!! I just started going to Flourish here in Shakopee. It’s a wonderful functional medicine clinic

i just had my labs done for the first time. The charge was $650. Of course insurance doesn’t cover it but I am so impressed the labs covered so much more than the medical clinics. At 73 I found out I have Hashimotos.
Mary

Replied by Ruralady from Illinois on 11/11/2025

There is a "Thyroid Support" by Terravita on Amazon for hyperthyroidism. Most are posting it works well for them, others not so much. It's pricey at $100+ and you have to buy all three bottles but that price covers all three. It contains lemon balm and other natural ingred, FYI. Good luck, I went through this and it was horrific, ended up losing half my thyroid. Was on a beta blocker for over 3yrs b/c of the heart issues. I wish this was available back then but it has been over 20yrs ago. My hair and body have never been the same.