We know that certain foods can both make Hashimoto's worse while others can potentially improve thyroid function and antibody levels. 

But where do red meat and other animal products fit into the equation?

Is it possible that these products trigger Hashimoto's or exacerbate it?

New research has suggested that there may be a link between the two. 

Article highlights:

• 5 Neu Gc is an animal-derived product which does not naturally occur in humans but can become incorporated into the body through diet. 
• The body can create antibodies to this product and a very high percentage of patients with positive anti-TPO antibodies also have antibodies to 5 Neu Gc. 
• It's possible that there is a connection between consuming animal products and the development of Hashimoto's. 
• Correlation does not mean causation, however, as not everyone with Hashimoto's may react negatively to animal products.

There are very few medications that you can use to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis and LDN is one of those medicines. 

But how does it work? Will it work for you? Is it safe to use? And, if so, how should you dose it? 

We are going to explore all of these questions and more. 

I've been using LDN for several years with great success and the goal of this article is to share what I've learned through the years so that you can determine if LDN is worth using in your situation. 

If you are new to Cytomel, or if you've been using it for a long time, this information should be helpful! 

While Cytomel is probably one of my favorite medications used to treat hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's, it doesn't come without risks and potential side effects. 

Among these side effects includes the potential for hair loss. 

Don't let this freak you out, however, because it can usually be treated very easily and most people experience hair GROWTH as long as they use it correctly. 

This article will focus on the 3 main causes of Cytomel-related hair loss and how to deal with each one. 

Whenever I think about things that thyroid patients can do to potentially improve their health, supplementing with vitamin B12 immediately comes to mind. 

Why?

Because there are not very many easy "wins" for thyroid patients. 

Many of the therapies required to improve your overall thyroid status may require a prescription from your doctor. 

And, as you probably already know, getting your doctor to prescribe certain types of thyroid medications can be difficult! 

The good news is, though, that there are still several things that you can do to improve how you are feeling overall and addressing your Vitamin B12 status is one of those. 

Unfortunately, this particular issue is filled with some pitfalls which can limit how good you feel if you aren't taking the right type of B12, your dose is off, or if you have certain genetic issues. 

Let's dive into these issues so you can get a clear picture of how B12 deficiency impacts both your body and your thyroid. 

Calories are an important part of maintaining your weight, but they aren't nearly as important as you think if you have thyroid-related problems. 

Thyroid patients should consider themselves in a unique category which means they must understand how their thyroid functions which will then allow them to understand how various diets impact their weight. 

Let's discuss how calories impact your weight, your thyroid, and how you can really lose weight. 

Article highlights:

• Calorie restriction (or counting calories) can negatively harm your thyroid and ultimately lead to weight gain, even if it works temporarily. 
• Weight gain in hypothyroidism is driven by your hormones and not by calories. 
• You should match your calorie consumption to your metabolic rate (and to do that you must rely upon your appetite). 
• There are certain conditions which confuse your appetite and must be treated for long-lasting weight loss.

Multivitamins boast an array of vitamins and nutrients which the body needs. 

But are these the same nutrients that your thyroid needs?

Remember:

Your thyroid has special needs compared to other cells in your body and is exquisitely sensitive to certain nutrient deficiencies which can render it less efficient than it should be. 

In this article, you'll learn which nutrients your thyroid needs, how to support your thyroid gland with a thyroid multivitamin, if you should use one, and how to find the right one for your body. 

Total T3 is one of many thyroid lab tests but it's one that not many patients are aware of. 

I've been successfully using total T3 in many patients and I feel that it is an invaluable tool to help you completely understand how your body is utilizing thyroid hormone. 

Article highlights:

• Total T3 is a measurement of both free and bound T3 in your body. 
• T3 is the single most important thyroid lab test you can order because T3 is the most important thyroid hormone. 
• Optimizing your T3 may help you feel better, lose weight, and reduce your symptoms of hypothyroidism.
• You should optimize your total T3 to the top 30% of the reference range but be cautious of making it go higher.

Are you currently taking Armour thyroid but not sure that your dose is where it should be?

Are you still struggling with fatigue, weight gain, or hair loss even after transitioning from levothyroxine to Armour?

Are you thinking about switching medications but not sure if Armour is right for you? 

If so, this article is for you. 

Article highlights:

• Armour thyroid dosing is highly individualized and each person will need a different dose. 
• Several factors influence the dose that you will need. 
• The average dose is somewhere between 60 mg (1 grain) and 120mg (2 grains) per day. 
• Sensitive individuals will need doses smaller than 60mg while resistant individuals may need a dose higher than 120mg. 
• The best way to find your optimal dose is through lab testing and closely following your symptoms. 
• Many patients are underdosed when converting to Armour thyroid from other thyroid medications.

If you've been on my website before, or if you've read my blog, then you know that one of my major goals is to try and change how doctors think about treating thyroid-related issues. 

My personal belief is that patients do not benefit from the archaic treatment paradigm which focuses solely on the TSH. 

Today I want to dig into that topic a little bit further and talk about how doctors look at the TSH, what it actually means, and why we treat the thyroid differently from all other hormone systems in the body. 

Thyroid medication (Synthroid) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. 

But do all of those people who take Synthroid (or any other type of thyroid medication) have to do it forever?

Not necessarily, and that's something I want to explore in this article. 

Article highlights:

• People start taking thyroid medication because of blood tests, but these blood tests are not 100% accurate. 
• Some people who start taking thyroid medication may be able to eventually wean themselves off. 
• Doctors aren't likely to make this suggestion, though, unless you bring it up. 
• Some individuals may require thyroid medication for the rest of their lives (but not everyone). 
• If you decide to try and get off thyroid medication you must do it slowly and controlled.