Part 2 of Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders

Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND 

In our last blog we started by doing an overview of just what constitutes autoimmune thyroid disorders. Just like with any autoimmune disorder it is important to work on our overall health, including our digestive health! Remember leaky gut is a potential source of inflammation and thus autoimmune. So just what can you do?

Supplement suggestions:

Let us start with working with the autoimmune aspect!

1. Curcumin: Studies show that curcumin has an impact on lowering the eicosanoid pathway (1) Other studies show an impact that is directly related to this topic – thyroiditis, Graves and Hashimotos via its ability to regulate inflammatory cytokines. (2) Please see Invite’s Bio-curcumin 5 Loxin, Curcumin blend and even Osteo-lube which is an easy-to-use powder!
2. Ginger has been found in studies to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines thus reducing inflammation. (3) See Invite’s Turmeric with Ginger for 2 amazing herbs in one!
3. Omega 3’s have been found to modulate the immune system to lower inflammation and autoimmune. (4) See Invite’s Fish oil, Krill Oil, and High Lignan Flaxseed complex.
4. Probiotics are amazing for regulating the flora in the case of leaky gutas well as modulating the immune system. There are so many studies out there showing the benefits of probiotics! (4) See Invite’s extensive line of probiotics!
5. Resveratrol is an up-and-coming nutrient really making a noise! It has been found to be amazing in working with inflammatory conditions. (5) See Invite’s Resveratrol 100mg,Resveratrol Hx and Resveratrol Max!
6. For Goiters Iodine and Selenium are great to add to the protocol since there are usually deficiencies in these that can cause a goiter to get so large.(6) See Invite’s extensive line of multivitamins for these nutrients!
7. Olive Leaf Extract is one of my favorite supplements! Studies have found that it can help fight off different pathogens. In my experience this is important for those with leaky gut. In fact, in Naturopathic school, we learn that removing the pathogens is one of the important steps in healing the gut. (13) See Invite’s Olive Leaf Extract and our Renalaid formula.

How do we work with symptoms of underactive thyroid?

1. Bladder wrack or kelp: Studies have shown that this helps with providing iodine to help in the case of iodine deficiency which is quite common in hypothyroidism. In fact, studies have shown the iodine in kelp to be much easier for the body to use than just taking iodine by itself! (7) See Invite’ Thyroid Hx.
2. Ashwagandha: Studies once again show that this amazing herb is helpful for the thyroid. Studies have shown that Ashwagandha helps subclinical hypothyroidism in just over 8 weeks! Other studies show an increase in T4 from the baseline. (8) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx to find this amazing plant!
3. Coleus forskohlii has been found in studies to work to increase synthesis of T4 by the thyroid. In one animal study, levels of TSH went down, while the levels of T3/T4 went up. (9) See InVite’s Thyroid Hx.
4. Black Cumin seed or Black Seed has been found in studies to have a protective role in hypothyroidism. In one study black cumin raised T3. (10) See InVite’s Black Seed with Rosemary and Cordyceps as well as our InVite Multi for Men!

How can we work with Hyper thyroid symptoms?

1. L – Carnitine (and its friend Alcar!) These have been found in studies to inhibit the production of both T4 and T3! This leads to an overall reduction in hormones! Leading to fewer symptoms. (11) See Invite’s Alcar with ALA and SuperFocus IQ.
2. CoQ10 has an interesting relationship with thyroid health. Studies show that in cases of hyperthyroidism there is incredibly low plasma CoQ10. This opposed to hypothyroidism which has remarkably elevated levels of plasma CoQ10. In the case of hyperthyroidism CoQ10 in studies appears to lower the conversion of T4 to T3. Thus, reducing active hormones therefore reduces symptoms. (12) See Invite’s CoQ10 Ubiquinol in 60 and 120mg.
3. Selenium has not only been found to help with goiters it has also been found to help with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. (14) See Invites’ extensive line of multivitamins.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566522/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17569223/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480795/#:~:text=Animal%20experiments%20and%20clinical%20intervention,of%20inflammatory%20and%20autoimmune%20diseases.
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.578386/full
5. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2015/643763/
6. Hörmann R (2005). Schilddrüsenkrankheiten Leitfaden für Praxis und Klinik (4., aktualisierte und erw. Aufl ed.). Berlin. pp. 15–37. ISBN 3-936072-27-2.
7. Catarino, M. D., Silva, A., & Cardoso, S. M. (2018). Phycochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Fucus spp. Marine drugs, 16(8), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/md16080249
8. Sharma, A. et al.  (2018). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(3), 243–248.
9. Hameed, S. I., Al-Shahwany, A. W., & Salih, S. J. (2020). Evaluation of the Activity of Some Plants Extracts on Thyroid Gland Regulation in Female Albino Rats. Iraqi Journal of Science, 254-265.
10. Ismail, M. et al. Effect of Nigella sativa L. on serum concentration of thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone and glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Ir Vet J. 2003;59(9):462–4.
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15591013/
12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6912448_Relationships_between_plasma_CoQ10_levels_and_thyroid_hormones_in_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_d⦁ isease
13. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6149345/#:~:text=Olive%20leaf%20aqueous%20extracts%20were,was%20the%20most%20resistant%20microorganism.
14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7870989/#:~:text=Introduction,conditions%20(8%E2%80%9312).