Best Hashimoto's book I've ever read

[TamraW]

This book doesn't just tell how to treat Hashi, it gets to the roots of the things that trigger our auto-immune disease in the first place. This book doesn't look at Hashi as a thyroid disorder, but as an auto-immune disease and the possible triggers in our food/environment that could cause the antibodies to flare up.

I've been following some of Dr. K's advice for over a month, and I've got way more energy. I am no longer tired in the morning. I was before, even though my free levels were in the top 1/3. Dr. K. helped me to realize that coffee, green tea and gluten were triggering my antibodies. Now, that's not the same for everyone. He lists different groups, TH1 and TH2 dominant, and which group you are in depends on the treatment. I broke my diet and ate gluten (mocha chocolate brownies) five days ago, and I had a terrible swelling flare up. Never again.

I know some of the diet advice in this book may not be easy for some, but for me, it was a worthwhile change, so that I can live a healthy life.  

http://www.thyroidbook.com/

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

BTW - Try Luna and Larry's coconut ice cream at Whole Foods and try almond or rice milk. :) T.

[TamraW]

I tested negative for Celiac. I am still WAY better without gluten. I also had to give up cheese and milk, for now, and we'll see how I do in six months after the gut is more healed. I am now eating pure butter and doing fine, since it has little to no lactose. I am now eating blue corn, but still no regular corn or soy. Rarely soy, considering what it does to thyroid hormones. I cheat sometimes and have some chocolate with soy in the evening.

Don't you live in San Antonio? Geez, we're spoiled here for gf foods. We have many places we can eat and great grocery stores. We also have Alamo Celiac. Membership is $20 per year and they offer gf cooking classes. I got a free cookbook with my membership. They gave me a warm welcome when I told them I have Hashi. They know all about us and understand the Hashi/gluten connection.

You should have tasted the carrot cake I had for my birthday! Divine! It was from The Little Aussie bakery and totally GF and dairy free. Even my 'normal' relatives said it was the best cake they'd ever eaten.

We can get lots of gf breads, baking, flours, etc at HEB, Central Market and Whole Foods. We can eat at Chilis, The Outback, Macaroni Grill, The Melting Pot, Little Aussie, Pei Wei, PF Changs, Islamadora Fish Co off I-10, The Cove, etc...

Alamo has more restaurants and membership info:
http://www.alamoceliac.org/acddreviews.html

:) Tamra

[sick and tired 47]

I just finished the book and agree it was very interesting. I am a little confused- I had celiac gene test and it was negative. I should STILL give up gluten????
I tried last year for two months but did not notice a difference at that time. I was consuming corn, soy, dairy though.....
And now I can not drink milk at all. I can tolerate cheese in small amounts.. I was told I have  lactose intolerance, which has gotten steadlily worse. I had some ice cream for the first time in many months yesterday... am paying the price all night and into today.Won't do that again for a looooooooooong time.
And goats milk I tolerate a lot better. I did not see any info on goats milk in the book.
  I guess I am worried how to find both lactose free and gluten free foods.. that is a difficult task. Or do you not worry if it has trace amounts of lactose??? I know for gluten free it must be TOTALLY gluten free, not even a trace of gluten or your body reacts.
How about lactose?? Does it work in a similar way to reactions??
Thanks all.

[annie234]

Alot of your symptoms sound like what I felt during my Hyper stage. How much medicine are you on?  When is the last time you had blood work done?

[TamraW]

The tongue could be due to candida. Are you eating lots of yeast or sugar? http://www.leakygut.co.uk/

I drink virgin coconut oil to control this. You can pick up a bottle at a health food store or Whole Foods.

The  bruises, sore neck and other symptoms may be due to vitamin deficiency. Please check your D, B12, Magnesium and iron. Hashis commonly have low vitamins.

Please post your Ft4 and FT3 levels as well as your current dose and brand of thryoid hormone pills.

The 24 hour saliva is the only accurate test for adrenals. The blood cortisol measures only one time of day and adrenals vary widely throughout the day. The 24 hour urine is a waste because we can't measure at which time of day the urine was taken.

Your symptoms could very well be adrenal, as this problem usually goes with Hashimoto's. Be aware that you may need more thyroid hormone. That's why it's important to get that FT3 and FT4 test.

:) Tamra

[Swirlgirl247]

I will be sure to check out that book! I was diagnosed with Hashimotos when I was 14 (I'm 36 now,) and I have been on a gluten free diet for the last two years (after experiencing terrible stomach issues for 5 years... docs told me I had IBS.) I felt so much better for a while, but something else is going on now, and it seems all too familiar. All of the usual tests are coming back as normal. I am wanting to check out my adrenal function since I am suffering from all of the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. I don't have medical insurance, so I am stuck going to a clinic where the doctors are unfamiliar with autoimmune disorders. Maybe you can share some of your wisdom with me? Have you have the adrenal labs done yet?

Here's a list of my current symptoms just in case they sound familiar to anyone...

Chronic fatigue & muscle aches (mostly in my neck and shoulders,) nausea (daily,) occasional vomiting, chronic diarrhea, heart palpitations, dizziness (almost fainting,) and chronic headaches that can last for several days. Also some other weird symptoms: a swollen & "furry" tongue, I am always covered in bruises, waking up with a very sore neck & spine, and lately I am really clumsy and feeling "spaced out."

Also, I have had a rash due to Tinea versicolor for the last 15 years on my neck, chest and back. It's a fungus that normally found on human skin, but causes a rash when it is abundant. It goes away with anti-fungal cream, but always comes back.

I'm at the point that I don't feel like going anywhere or doing anything, it's really bumming me out. I'm determined to get to the bottom of this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.