When diagnosing and treating Hashimoto’s, I always assess the functionality of three key things: your hormonal orchestra, your adrenal glands, and your gut.
In my Autoimmune Diet post, I talked a little bit about gut health, and how targeting specific food sensitivities such as gluten, dairy or soy can invariably treat Hashimoto’s from the source.
Hashimoto’s is an immune problem. In treating it, I look at the Gastro-intestinal system first, using remedies that can ultimately heal the gut. Some of the best remedies I use are ancient and herbal. Each of my patients is subjective; the herbal treatment I prescribe depends on the nature of her autoimmune response.
The Thyroid and The Adrenals: A Gland Story
The adrenals and the thyroid operate in sync, acting in harmony at the hormone gene-receptor level.
The adrenals produce cortisol, which controls the body’s stress levels. When your body suffers from a cortisol imbalance, your thyroid functions less efficiently. Adrenal fatigue causes cortisol production to speed up, triggering the thyroid to slow down the production and distribution of hormones. Too much cortisol, and the body will build up a resistance to excessive thyroid hormone signals, and stop responding to it altogether.
Natural Adrenal Adaptogens
If the cause of your Hashimoto’s excessive stress or adrenal fatigue, I’ll use ashwagandha (or Indian ginseng), astralugus, rehmannia, or rhodiola. These are all adrenal adaptogens that help your body balance its stress response. An easy way to remember is that adaptogens help you adapt to stress.
- Ashwagandha enhances the conversion of T4 to T3, kicking your thyroid hormone production back into play. It also helps treat insomnia, an additional stressor that may be causing your body to produce extra cortisol, and therefore decrease thyroid function.
- Astralagus is an overall immunity booster, increasing the production of your body’s anti-stress compounds and reducing the ability of cortisol to bind to blind
- Rehmannia offers adrenal support, balancing cortisol levels and enhancing overall immune function.
- Rhodiola balances cortisol levels to comprehensively control the body’s stress response, including reducing fatigue and anxiety, increasing the sex drive and mental sharpness, and managing stress and
It’s important to determine whether your Hashimoto’s is caused by an overactive TH-1 or TH-2 autoimmune response; operating like a see-saw, these two T-helper cells fight for dominance over the immune response, reacting positively to different substances and treatments.
Direct Thyroid Stimulants
Some roots perk up the thyroid directly through anti-inflammatory agents or hormonal stimulants.
- Blue Iris Flag Root detoxifies and stimulates the thyroid gland with anti-inflammatory effects. It’s been long used by doctors for treatment of goiter and thyroid
- Rosmarinic Acid effectively kills proliferating T-cells, slowing the autoimmune response.
- Cordyceps is a Chinese medical mushroom that helps normalize the physiological affects of stress of the thyroid, therefore softening the immune response.
- Myrrh Gum is a resinous sap produced by the herb Guggul, known to stimulate the healthy production of T3.
Start treating your Hashimoto’s from the source. Targeting the nature of your autoimmune response will help you find your most effective herbal remedy.
In good health,
Dr. Afrouz
A quick question about using Ashgawanda as an adaptogen with Hashimototo’s….since it is a member of the Solanaceae family (nightshades), doesn’t it pose a potential risk for causing an inflammatory response, particularly in those sensitive to the nightshades?
OK…so another question….I am also curious about your recommendation to eat lots of brassicas for chlorophyl replenishment. What about the goitregenic properties? Everyone seems to have a different opinion on whether cooking reduces/eliminates the goitregens, making them safe for people with compromised thyroid/autoimmune thyroid problems. What’s your take on this subject?
Thanks,
Kristin
P.S. Awesome website BTW. Sure wish you had been in practce when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 1985 and still lived in my native California!!
Cook your cruciferous veggies and they will be fine and ashwaghanda I have never had a patient get worse from it yet after 12 years.
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I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease two years ago. The only option I was given after going to a naturopath is go to a Endocrinologist and subject myself to Radiation. I chose not to do that, but haven’t been restored to optimal health even thou I’ve change my diet. I really need help I was in a 4 year abusive relationship that contributed greatly to my deteriorating health problems.
Bonjour DR Afrouz j’ai la maladie hashymoto à peu près depuis 27 ans le médecin ma dit que je n’avais pas l’enzyme dans mon corp pour digérer le gluten et j’ai les anticorps assez haut j’aimerai savoir comment je pourrais les faire baisser avec des plantes et réparer les intestin poreux merci Claudine
How can you tell if your Hashimoto’s is caused by an overactive TH-1 or TH-2 autoimmune response?
You can ask your doctor to test you IL-levels
I have Hashimoto’s and have been trying to educate myself on the uses of Ashwagandha as my Hashi comes with a conversion issue as well. I have read both good and very bad things about adding this herd since it is a Nightshade as well as boosting the immune system which would cause more issues rather than alleviate some of them. Can you shed some light on this for me? Is this something I should try or stay away from