Autoimmune Disease
Hasmimotos is a TH1 dominant condition which can swing to Graves a Th2 condition and may be both at once. Th1 dominant stops the
secretion of thyroid hormones, then they overflow in a thyroid storm. Hormones influence the condition. Pregnancy will turn Hashimotos
to graves as oestrogen suppresses TH1. Stress increases cortisol which induces Th2 excess Graves IgG.
Dysbiosis Yersinia and Helicobacter pylori ass with formation of autoimmune antibodies and Graves
Allergies (dietary lectins)
Investigations - Heavy metal urine test or hair analysis
Salivary hormone profile
TSH, T4, T3, rT3, Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 0 -35 Ulml, Thyroglobulin antibodies < 40 kU/L, TSH receptor antibodies (blood)
• Reverse T3 (rT3) is an inactive form of T3 that is produced in the body particularly during periods of stress.
• rT3 differs from T3 in that the missing deiodinated iodine is from the inner ring of the thyroxine molecule (compared with outer ring on
T3).
• rT3 is measured by a blood test.
• Under normal conditions T4 will convert to both T3 and rT3 continually and the body eliminates rT3 quickly.
• Under certain conditions, more rT3 is produced and the desirable conversion of T 4 to T3 decreases.
• This occurs during fasting, starvation, illness (e.g. liver disease) and during times of increased stress.
• This becomes a vicious cycle as rT3 competes with T3 as a substrate for the 55deiodinase enzyme.
• This inhibits the conversion of T 4 to T3, with more T 4 being converted to more rT3.
Causes of elevated rT3
• Cortisol and other stressors
• Adrenalin
• Wllson's Thyroid Syndrome
• Excessive production of rT3 from T 4
• Euthyroid Sick Syndrome
• Low circulating T3 levels in spite of normal gland function
• Common in CFS, fibromyalgia
Treatment options - Body
Reduce autoimmune triggers
• Poor digestion/inflammation/Leaky gutidysbiosis parasite infestation - weed feed seed
• Identify and clear heavy metals - vit C, ALA, zinc, Selenium, seaweed, pectin, coriander, garlic,
• Address Th3 and reduce inflammation - Pre and probiotics
• Immune balancers - astragalus, Echinacea, quercetin, glutathione
Thyroid tonic herbs
Bladderwrack
• organically bound iodine more potent at stimulating the thyroid gland than mineral iodine
• Contains polysaccharides which bind heavy metals lead, mercury and cadmium
Coleus
• Similar effect on thyroid gland as TSH
• Forskolin catylases the production of cAMP which potentiates intracellular effect of TSH
• Increases secretion of thyroid hormones
• Boost mitochoindrial energy similar action to CoQ1 0
Withania
• Boosts T 4 production y 111 % and to a lesser extent T3
• Improves conversion of T 4 to T3
• Adaptogens for raised cortisol
Bacopa
• Boosts T 4 but not T3
• Good brain tonic
Morinda, cyndium, comiphora mukul
Nutrition
- Ensure adequate Vit A, B2, 83, 86, C, E. (Vit A and 86 are required for iodine uptake) Minerals - iodine, selenium, zinc, vanadium,
- EFAs important for cell membrane integrity and influences the uptake of hormones by the cell
- Adequate proteins (beef, cheese, chicken, eggs, fish, wild game)
1. tyrosine - which binds to iodine in the thyroid gland and produces T1, T2, T3, T4
2. and for production of thyroxine binding globulin which transports T3 and T4 in the blood
Diet
• Go organic where possible especially meat and dairy products
• Follow the blood type diet
• Raw food diet
• Low starch diet for autoimmune - Decrease bread, potatoes, chips, rice, pasta, cereals, cakes biscuits and possibly other grains,
potatoes, sweet potato and banana. Increase meat and fish, beans and peas, nuts, vegetables, salads, fruit
• Avoid tinned foods and foods stored in plastics
• Drink filtered water (no tap water due to fluorine)
• Eat more seaweed, spirilina, chiarella, wheat grass juice
• Cook goitrogens - eg cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga, turnips,
millet
• Avoid thiocynates - apples, sorgum, almonds and walnuts in large amounts
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
Hasmimotos is a TH1 dominant condition which can swing to Graves a Th2 condition and may be both at once. Th1 dominant stops the
secretion of thyroid hormones, then they overflow in a thyroid storm. Hormones influence the condition. Pregnancy will turn Hashimotos
to graves as oestrogen suppresses TH1. Stress increases cortisol which induces Th2 excess Graves IgG.
Dysbiosis Yersinia and Helicobacter pylori ass with formation of autoimmune antibodies and Graves
Allergies (dietary lectins)
Investigations - Heavy metal urine test or hair analysis
Salivary hormone profile
TSH, T4, T3, rT3, Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 0 -35 Ulml, Thyroglobulin antibodies < 40 kU/L, TSH receptor antibodies (blood)
• Reverse T3 (rT3) is an inactive form of T3 that is produced in the body particularly during periods of stress.
• rT3 differs from T3 in that the missing deiodinated iodine is from the inner ring of the thyroxine molecule (compared with outer ring on
T3).
• rT3 is measured by a blood test.
• Under normal conditions T4 will convert to both T3 and rT3 continually and the body eliminates rT3 quickly.
• Under certain conditions, more rT3 is produced and the desirable conversion of T 4 to T3 decreases.
• This occurs during fasting, starvation, illness (e.g. liver disease) and during times of increased stress.
• This becomes a vicious cycle as rT3 competes with T3 as a substrate for the 55deiodinase enzyme.
• This inhibits the conversion of T 4 to T3, with more T 4 being converted to more rT3.
Causes of elevated rT3
• Cortisol and other stressors
• Adrenalin
• Wllson's Thyroid Syndrome
• Excessive production of rT3 from T 4
• Euthyroid Sick Syndrome
• Low circulating T3 levels in spite of normal gland function
• Common in CFS, fibromyalgia
Treatment options - Body
Reduce autoimmune triggers
• Poor digestion/inflammation/Leaky gutidysbiosis parasite infestation - weed feed seed
• Identify and clear heavy metals - vit C, ALA, zinc, Selenium, seaweed, pectin, coriander, garlic,
• Address Th3 and reduce inflammation - Pre and probiotics
• Immune balancers - astragalus, Echinacea, quercetin, glutathione
Thyroid tonic herbs
Bladderwrack
• organically bound iodine more potent at stimulating the thyroid gland than mineral iodine
• Contains polysaccharides which bind heavy metals lead, mercury and cadmium
Coleus
• Similar effect on thyroid gland as TSH
• Forskolin catylases the production of cAMP which potentiates intracellular effect of TSH
• Increases secretion of thyroid hormones
• Boost mitochoindrial energy similar action to CoQ1 0
Withania
• Boosts T 4 production y 111 % and to a lesser extent T3
• Improves conversion of T 4 to T3
• Adaptogens for raised cortisol
Bacopa
• Boosts T 4 but not T3
• Good brain tonic
Morinda, cyndium, comiphora mukul
Nutrition
- Ensure adequate Vit A, B2, 83, 86, C, E. (Vit A and 86 are required for iodine uptake) Minerals - iodine, selenium, zinc, vanadium,
- EFAs important for cell membrane integrity and influences the uptake of hormones by the cell
- Adequate proteins (beef, cheese, chicken, eggs, fish, wild game)
1. tyrosine - which binds to iodine in the thyroid gland and produces T1, T2, T3, T4
2. and for production of thyroxine binding globulin which transports T3 and T4 in the blood
Diet
• Go organic where possible especially meat and dairy products
• Follow the blood type diet
• Raw food diet
• Low starch diet for autoimmune - Decrease bread, potatoes, chips, rice, pasta, cereals, cakes biscuits and possibly other grains,
potatoes, sweet potato and banana. Increase meat and fish, beans and peas, nuts, vegetables, salads, fruit
• Avoid tinned foods and foods stored in plastics
• Drink filtered water (no tap water due to fluorine)
• Eat more seaweed, spirilina, chiarella, wheat grass juice
• Cook goitrogens - eg cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga, turnips,
millet
• Avoid thiocynates - apples, sorgum, almonds and walnuts in large amounts
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
Naturopathic Philosophy - Given the right conditions the body can heal itself
Naturopathic Principles
- The healing power of nature
- Find and treat the cause
- Consider the body, mind &spirit holistic approach in assessing & treating
- First do no harm
- Naturopath as teacher
- Individualisation & flexibility
- Prevention
What causes thyroid dysfunction -Suppressors of thyroid function
Drugs
• Sulphur and antidiabetic drugs block iodine uptake
• Dopamine/levadopa, corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, heparin & oestrogen suppress TSH secretion by pituitary
• Oestrogen dominance suppresses TSH, increases back conversion of T3 to T4, increases thyroid binding protein in blood so less
available and low thyroid leads to low SHGB so more free and active oestrogens available
• Some antidepressants, anti psychotics, tranquillizers and epileptic medications -
barbiturates, phenothiazines, dilantin, tegretol, Phenobarbital
• Some cough medicines and lithium block secretion of T3 and T 4
• Salicylates in aspirin and fruits may interfere with binding of T 4 to transport proteins
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes - have thyocyanide -a relatively strong thyroid inhibitor as well as other toxic metals
Chemicals
• Phthalates - found in plastics (linings of tin cans) inhibit thyroid
• PCBs - have a similar structure to thyroid hormone - possibly perceived by the body as abnormal thyroid hormone - body may mount an
autoimmune response. Are also oestrogenic in action and oestrogen suppresses the thyroid
Toxic metals
• Cyanide - from fertilizers, cigarettes
• Fluoride - one of the most potent inhibitors of the thyroid (esp where low iodine in the soil) Displaces iodine in thyroid hormone
(fluoride commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism)
• Chlorine and bromine - displaces iodine in thyroid hormone. Chlorinated chemicals can initiate auto immune reaction against the
thyroid gland. Chlorinated compounds are found in bleaches and pesticides. Bromine is contained in insecticides esp used in
aeroplane fumigation, also found in bottles juices
• Iodine Toxicity - excess iodine is trapped in thyroglobulin which in high amounts can cause an auto immune reaction leading to
Hashimotos thyroiditis. Possibly lowers T 4
• Copper toxicity - blocks nutrients required for TSH production (vit E) & T1 production (82, B3, B6, Vit C, Vit E, Zinc)
• Mercury toxicity - block nutrients required for T1 and T3 production (selenium and zinc)
• Cadmium toxicity - block nutrients required for T1 and T3 production (selenium and zinc)
• Arsenic toxicity - block nutrients required for TSH production (vit E) and and T3 production (selenium and zinc) Blocks GoQiD
•• Lead toxicity - block nutrients required for t4to T3 conversion (iron) and also block molybdenum which may lead to copper toxicity
Foods
•Goitrogens eg cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga, turnips, millet -
only if eaten often and uncooked and low soil iodine content
• Soy - genistein suppresses thyroid
• Thiocynates - inhibit concentration of iodine in thyroid gland - walnuts, apples, sorgum, almonds
• Millet hulls - converted in body by intestinal bacteria to resorcinol and thiocyanates (powerful thyroid suppressants) A risk factor in third
worlds countries where millet is a staple food
• Saturated fats - high levels reduce T3 levels
Other Causes
Liver disease or poor function - liver is involved in T 4 to T3 conversion
Increased liver phase 2 detox - caused by heavy metal toxic load which may increase excretion of T 4
Blocking of T 4 absorption in replacement therapy - drugs and supplements can lower the absorption of synthetic T 4 eg cholestyramine
(anticholesterol drug), antacids containing aluminium hydroxide, some antidepressants eg Zoloft, calcium and iron supplements
Naturopathic Principles
- The healing power of nature
- Find and treat the cause
- Consider the body, mind &spirit holistic approach in assessing & treating
- First do no harm
- Naturopath as teacher
- Individualisation & flexibility
- Prevention
What causes thyroid dysfunction -Suppressors of thyroid function
Drugs
• Sulphur and antidiabetic drugs block iodine uptake
• Dopamine/levadopa, corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, heparin & oestrogen suppress TSH secretion by pituitary
• Oestrogen dominance suppresses TSH, increases back conversion of T3 to T4, increases thyroid binding protein in blood so less
available and low thyroid leads to low SHGB so more free and active oestrogens available
• Some antidepressants, anti psychotics, tranquillizers and epileptic medications -
barbiturates, phenothiazines, dilantin, tegretol, Phenobarbital
• Some cough medicines and lithium block secretion of T3 and T 4
• Salicylates in aspirin and fruits may interfere with binding of T 4 to transport proteins
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes - have thyocyanide -a relatively strong thyroid inhibitor as well as other toxic metals
Chemicals
• Phthalates - found in plastics (linings of tin cans) inhibit thyroid
• PCBs - have a similar structure to thyroid hormone - possibly perceived by the body as abnormal thyroid hormone - body may mount an
autoimmune response. Are also oestrogenic in action and oestrogen suppresses the thyroid
Toxic metals
• Cyanide - from fertilizers, cigarettes
• Fluoride - one of the most potent inhibitors of the thyroid (esp where low iodine in the soil) Displaces iodine in thyroid hormone
(fluoride commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism)
• Chlorine and bromine - displaces iodine in thyroid hormone. Chlorinated chemicals can initiate auto immune reaction against the
thyroid gland. Chlorinated compounds are found in bleaches and pesticides. Bromine is contained in insecticides esp used in
aeroplane fumigation, also found in bottles juices
• Iodine Toxicity - excess iodine is trapped in thyroglobulin which in high amounts can cause an auto immune reaction leading to
Hashimotos thyroiditis. Possibly lowers T 4
• Copper toxicity - blocks nutrients required for TSH production (vit E) & T1 production (82, B3, B6, Vit C, Vit E, Zinc)
• Mercury toxicity - block nutrients required for T1 and T3 production (selenium and zinc)
• Cadmium toxicity - block nutrients required for T1 and T3 production (selenium and zinc)
• Arsenic toxicity - block nutrients required for TSH production (vit E) and and T3 production (selenium and zinc) Blocks GoQiD
•• Lead toxicity - block nutrients required for t4to T3 conversion (iron) and also block molybdenum which may lead to copper toxicity
Foods
•Goitrogens eg cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga, turnips, millet -
only if eaten often and uncooked and low soil iodine content
• Soy - genistein suppresses thyroid
• Thiocynates - inhibit concentration of iodine in thyroid gland - walnuts, apples, sorgum, almonds
• Millet hulls - converted in body by intestinal bacteria to resorcinol and thiocyanates (powerful thyroid suppressants) A risk factor in third
worlds countries where millet is a staple food
• Saturated fats - high levels reduce T3 levels
Other Causes
Liver disease or poor function - liver is involved in T 4 to T3 conversion
Increased liver phase 2 detox - caused by heavy metal toxic load which may increase excretion of T 4
Blocking of T 4 absorption in replacement therapy - drugs and supplements can lower the absorption of synthetic T 4 eg cholestyramine
(anticholesterol drug), antacids containing aluminium hydroxide, some antidepressants eg Zoloft, calcium and iron supplements
| The following is an excerpt from Samatha's presentation Aug 2007 |
The ThyroidWA, Western Australia Support Group, welcomed a presentation given by
Samantha Warner Dip.App.Sc (Naturopathy) - Cert.Nat.Fertility.Man - ATMS 3460
Naturopathic Support is an extension of current mainstream medical practice, in pursuit of
complete whole person care. The WA Thyroid Support Group provides a guest speaker
solely for informational and educational purposes These speakers are not intended to be a
substitute for a medical consultation with a qualified professional. Information discussed at
meetings is aimed at helping educate people with thyroid conditions so that they can
knowledgeably discuss issues with their own doctor in order to improve and/or enhance
their total wellbeing.
Samantha graduated from the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies with a Diploma of
Naturopathy. Since that time she has studied an Advanced Certificate in ‘Natural Fertility
Management’ and continues to attend further education in fertility issues.
Samantha uses nutrition, herbal medicine, flower essences and homoeopathy to improve
vitality and to encourage the bodies own healing abilities.
For further information email [email protected] or visit www.natureco.com.au
Samantha Warner Dip.App.Sc (Naturopathy) - Cert.Nat.Fertility.Man - ATMS 3460
Naturopathic Support is an extension of current mainstream medical practice, in pursuit of
complete whole person care. The WA Thyroid Support Group provides a guest speaker
solely for informational and educational purposes These speakers are not intended to be a
substitute for a medical consultation with a qualified professional. Information discussed at
meetings is aimed at helping educate people with thyroid conditions so that they can
knowledgeably discuss issues with their own doctor in order to improve and/or enhance
their total wellbeing.
Samantha graduated from the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies with a Diploma of
Naturopathy. Since that time she has studied an Advanced Certificate in ‘Natural Fertility
Management’ and continues to attend further education in fertility issues.
Samantha uses nutrition, herbal medicine, flower essences and homoeopathy to improve
vitality and to encourage the bodies own healing abilities.
For further information email [email protected] or visit www.natureco.com.au
| The Naturopathic approach to thyroid assessment & support |
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