Monday 6 June 2016

ebv, herpes, lyme disease, aids, cfs, measles and chickenpox - Hashimoto's Disease

Hashimoto’s Disease: The Infection Connection

Hashimoto's Disease: The Infection Connection
Have you been tested for common infections associated with Hashimoto’s disease? Dr. Nikolas Hedberg has discovered that chronic infections are the most common underlying cause of Hashimoto’s disease.

Written by Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg

Hashimoto’s disease is the most common autoimmune disease in the world and it is also the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Conventional medicine doesn’t offer treatment for Hashimoto’s other than prescription thyroid hormone which doesn’t address the autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases are skyrocketing and one of the most common and overlooked causes of these conditions are infections.
Some of the most popular alternative treatments for Hashimoto’s disease include:
  • Gluten-free diets
  • Leaky gut protocols
  • Vitamin D
  • Selenium
  • Paleo-style diets
Additionally, there are a number of supplements and herbal medicines that are used to reduce inflammation and balance the immune system but these do not get to the underlying cause of the autoimmunity. Even low-dose Naltrexone fails many patients and does not address the root cause.
In my clinical experience working with many Hashimoto’s patients I have found that the most common underlying cause of Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic stealth infection that has been overlooked by both conventional and alternative practitioners.
Infections trigger autoimmunity by what is known as molecular mimicry which basically means that your immune system is attacking a stealth microbe such as a virus or bacteria, but the infection looks like your own body tissue such as the thyroid so your immune system attacks it as well. As long as the infection is active, the immune system will continue to attack the gland.
One of the most common infection connections with Hashimoto’s disease is the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). EBV is actually a herpes virus that most people contract when they are young causing mononucleosis aka “The Kissing Disease” which results in swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. Normally, your body fights it off and your immune system controls it for life just like chicken pox for example. However, people with Hashimoto’s disease have been shown to have a genetic deficiency in the immune cells (CD8+) that control this virus. The virus then reactivates inside the thyroid gland inducing autoimmunity via molecular mimicry. As long as the EBV is active, the autoimmunity will persist.
I find a significant number of patients with Hashimoto’s disease have reactivated EBV which is identified through a simple blood test. I use the activity of the EBV as a guide to balancing the immune system and reducing the attack on the thyroid gland.
A number of alternative treatment methods for EBV include vitamin C, selenium, Reishi mushroom extract, curcumin, and Zinc. You will notice that selenium is on the list which is highly recommended for Hashimoto’s but I think that many practitioners are treating EBV without even knowing it and seeing good results.
The second most common infection involved in Hashimoto’s disease is the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica. Yersinia pestis is the bacteria that caused the bubonic plague which was transmitted by rat fleas but Yersinia enterocolitica is transferred by contaminated food and water. Normally, a healthy gut immune system will fight off Yersinia enterocolitica and most people think they just had some mild food poisoning or a “stomach bug.” However, in some cases, Yersinia takes hold in the gut mucosal barrier and persists without GI symptoms. Yersinia has been shown to trigger Hashimoto’s disease via molecular mimicry because it’s surface proteins look identical to thyroid tissue to the immune system.
Yersinia can be identified on a functional stool test but this method will miss most of the chronic Yersinia infections. The proper testing is done through blood antibodies against this bacteria. If Yersinia is found in the functional stool test the lab will run what’s called a “sensitivity” to a variety of herbal medicines and medications that will kill the bacteria so we know exactly what to use. If it is only found to be active through blood testing then we use a variety of herbal medicines to address it that have been shown to be effective since we don’t have the sensitivity.
The third common infection connection is also a gut bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori is most well-known as a cause of stomach ulcers but it can also be involved in Hashimoto’s disease via molecular mimicry. H. pylori is an opportunistic bacteria in your stomach that can grow when your immune system becomes compromised due to stress, low stomach acid, food sensitivities and imbalances in your gut bacteria known as dysbiosis.
H. pylori can be tested through stool, blood and the preferred and most sensitive breath test. The focus in controlling H. pylori is identifying why the immune system is compromised but a variety of natural compounds have been shown to be effective against this bug. Mastic gum, buffered vitamin C, quercetin, fish oil, Zinc carnosine, DGL (licorice), Saccharomyces boulardii, probiotics, berberine, NAC and oil of oregano can all work well for H. pylori. Antibiotics are of course an option but we always have to remember that antibiotics can create more dysbiosis and drug-resistant bacteria.
The above infections are the most common however there are additional infection connections to note. Hepatitis C Virus has been shown to trigger Hashimoto’s and the thyroid has been found to be a reservoir for this virus if it leaves the liver.
Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacteria that causes Lyme disease which, although the research on the connection is limited, many Lyme disease doctors in the trenches will tell you that they see quite a number of Lyme disease patients who also have Hashimoto’s disease.
Additional but more rare infection connections include Cytomegalovirus, staph and strep, Rickettsia, Q fever, HTLV-1, Herpes 1,2, and 6, Rubella/Rubeola (measles), Cocksackie B virus, Parvovirus B-19, the flu and even HIV.
If you have tried all of the usual treatment methods for Hashimoto’s but you still don’t feel well and your antibody levels just won’t come down, be sure you get tested for an infection connection to your Hashimoto’s disease. I recommend the “Big Three” which include EBV, Yersinia enterocolitica and H. pylori for most people as a starting point and the other more rare infection connections are tested based on your unique health history.
Hashimoto's Disease: The Infection Connection
Ask your doctor today for a more thorough evaluation of your Hashimoto’s disease, it just may be an underlying stealth infection.

About Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg

Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg is a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician, Chiropractic Physician and a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. His practice is the Immune Restoration Center in Asheville, NC where he focuses on thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases. He is the author of the new book The Complete Thyroid Health & Diet Guide and he can be reached through his website www.drhedberg.com.
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About Dana Trentini
Who knew that little butterfly-shaped thyroid gland at the base of my neck could affect my life so completely? I founded Hypothyroid Mom in memory of the unborn baby I lost to hypothyroidism. Winner of two 2014 WEGO Health Activist Awards: Health Activist Hero & Best In Show Twitter. *Hypothyroid Mom includes Affiliate links. Connect with me on Google+

Comments

  1. Sharon Catania says:
    You write the most informative articles and this was definitely one.
    What are the statistics on men getting Hypothyroid? I have it, but my husband has been ill for 7 months with what began as HPylori. His doctor bombarded him with 2 treatments of potent antibiotics. Along with that, he has a nerve sensitivity in his legs and feet, sometime including his lower stomach. He lost 47 lbs. and has to force himself to eat. Each time he eats, it takes him hours for his colon to digest it. He has had a bone marrow biopsy, which was non cancerous, and later this month, he will see a neurologist who may be doing a biopsy on his stomach and legs. The results will be sent to the Mayo Clinic. Again, we just wait. And while we are waiting for him, I am waiting for lab work on my T3 and T4. I requested a full panel because my doctor has never mentioned my T3 before, and after reading one of your articles, I asked her to do run it for me. A big thank you.
    • Mia Perez Arroyo says:
      Please keep us posted about your husband’s diagnosis; mine is suffering from all of the same symptoms and tests. God Bless.
    • Has he been tested for Lyme? I think that is worth looking into. Check out the ILADs website to find a Lyme literate doctor near you. Not all doctors know how to treat or diagnose Lyme.
    • Ask to have B12 levels checked.
    • Dr. Nikolas Hedberg says:
      Women are 5 to 8 times more likely to develop thyroid problems compared to men.
      • Jo from Poland says:
        Hi,
        I agree, my endocrynologist told me the same. The reason for that? He said there are common factors for us women , namely:
        1. yes, we are all women, which means we all share the same sensitive hormone system which can be disturbed very easily
        2. emotions and psychological structure of women; what he meant was our psyche is very fragile and evolution programmed us to deal with little, no or different kind of stress we are dealing today- carreers, mutitasking, loads of activities… and problems. The overload may sometimes cause our body turn against us. The doctor is not being sexist it’s just teh way he wanted to point out the main reasons why woman are more likely to get Hashimotos than man- it’s our biology and spirituality which is connected (of which doctors sometimes forget). of course there are many root causes and all patients should be looked at individually. I tested myself for most of the mentioned diseases- no viruses or bugs. When I took lower dose naltrexone, it was a bingo! My antibodies dropped and I started retrieving from medication. It must have been the mental conflict I had which my body manifested. To check if it’s true I stopped using naltrexone. The symptoms of Hashimoto reversing also stopped. I have now clear evidence that in my case one of the root causes must have been mental+ unhealthy diet+ stress. Very interesting article.
    • Your husband’s symptoms sound very much like Lyme Disease. It might be a good idea to have a blood test for that. It wouldn’t hurt!
    • You mentioned that your hubby was prescribed ‘potent’ antibiotics. Was he by any chance taking fluoroquinolones (Cipro/Avelox/Levaquin)? These have been known to cause long-lasting issues. They have black box warnings on them and they are the subject of lawsuits.
      • Celina Williams says:
        I just recently learned about this. Makes me so mad. I have been prescribed Levaquin several times in the past.
  2. Missy Howard says:
    I have always wondered about having Mono when I was 20 and the correlation to Hashimoto’s
    • I have been wondering about this as well. I have just found a new doctor who actually likes to listen to all of my concerns. I will bring this up next time I go.
    • Me also…I was 10 when I had Mono and 13 when I had Hepatitis. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at 25. It’s all starting to make sense now.
      • Donna Vicari says:
        I have had terrible symptons and I may suffer from this. What doctor can I go to for assitance with infection jutting from my tooth through my head and possibly affecting my thyroid. I think I am infected.
  3. Maddie Brocker says:
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Bipolar at age 12. ADHD plus OCD at age 5. I struggle with mood swings, rapid cycling, weight fluctuations (eating disorder & 3 pregnancies), anxiety, etc.. list alone is too much for me to comprehend. I’m blessed to be a stay at home mom but then again it’s my only option since afraid to leave home alone or be social. The medicine needed to function is overwhelming! It’s a mess keeping track of pill boxes and remembering to take them as is. Losing hope, older I get the more my health is weakening both physically & mentally. I’m at a loss..
    • Maddie Brocker says:
      I have looked into hoshimoto’s years ago after my mom (registered nurse) mentioned it as a possibility to explain some symptoms but they refuse to test me since so young. I have physical ailments such heart issues, cervical cancer, fibromyalgia, etc.. I just want answers!
      • Maddie Brocker says:
        any advice appreciated!
        • Lisa Roddy says:
          Don’t give up, keep looking for a dictor who will test you. So many of your symptoms are common in Hashimoto pts.
          • I have had signs of Hashimoto since I was a teenager also, I just got diagnosed a few weeks ago, but I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 2? yrs ago, still have no solution, just keep plugging, if my cholesterol and blood pressure didn’t sky rocket up for no reason, I don’t think they still would have ? it with me. You have to be your own advocate, I have to fight medical issues everyday. Don’t give up.
        • Try finding a functional doctor in your area that understands and that you like. Sending prayers.
          • Maddie Brocker says:
            I live in a small area with limited access to specialists. Travel two hours for psych appointments every three months. Have an amazing relationship with my primary doctor in town but can only do my labs every month and continue medication. What type of doctor does hoshimotos test?
        • Just some ideas: Check out stopthethyroidmadness.com website and check out AIP diet or paleo diet and Dr. Perlmutter has some fascinating information in his new book.
        • Aww, you’re going through all sorts you poor thing! Have you thought about purchasing the home tests? I haven’t had to Personally do this so can’t offer advice or give any personal experiences…but it’s an option! I joined a forum called healthunlocked – I have seen it being discussed on there! Hopefully it would give you the chance to get some answers.
        • Maddie,
          you can purchase your own tests from Labcorp/Walkin Labs and AnyLabTestNow and others. Just google Order my own lab tests
    • Michelle turner says:
      Completely understand this post… is there ever going to really be any true relief of this miserable illness? ??
      • Maddie Brocker says:
        Simply dumbfounded by lengthy list of my diagnoses, feel they’re has to be more to it.. like a single cause that creates these symptoms. difficult to explain, time consuming to list, and not easy to remember them all in emergency situations when need to inform anyone other then usual medical specialists. Honestly it makes me feel like a hypochondriac, attention seeker plus medicine seeker. I do not smoke, drink or do drugs ever so want to be taken seriously. Not to mention, all of meds can only be taken at certain times due to reactions from mixing them & the things I have to avoid is Beyond frustrating..
        • Maddie Brocker says:
          I am only 27 yrs old, previous doctor said it’s not something they test for until atleast middle aged. YET I’ve been diagnosed with multiple other disorders very young that normally do not surface in children. Does a primary doctor do the test for hoshimotos or a specialist? If not, hoshimotos then I still will continue to research other possibilities! Not expecting any cures, simple explanations and alternative control of symptoms is what I’m after. My entire life has been nothing but nightmares, pain, unanswered questions, confusion, and lonliness. Any relief at all would be a dream come true!
          • Maddie … if you are in the US … then order your own tests from places like “Request a Test” …. “Life Extension Foundation” [in fact LEF is having their annual blood testing sale currently]. Can’t believe a doctor said that they only test for this in the middle-aged ???..!!! WHAT ??!!!
          • Tammy Salas says:
            Maddie… my doctor tested for my thyroid levels and only treated that. I had to tell her I wanted the test for Hashimotos. I tested positive but I’m still having issues with it. So we are now doing more tests to figure things out. It’s difficult sometimes but you have to take a stand with your doctor. Remember it’s your health not theirs. Good luck with your health and your doctor.
          • 27 is NOT too young for a thyroid disease, or Hashimoto’s. It sounds like you have very poor care and bad drs in your area, Maddy. I had to even push to get the bloodwork I need when I was diagnosed in a large city, due to being part of a “health group” rather than having one dr who knew me. Finally had a young guy who HEARD me getting the flu every 2 weeks, sleeping for 12-15 hrs a day, and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which put me on the road to recovery and trying different thyroid medications, new drs, holistic medicine, functional medicine, and 2 years later (when I finally had some money yet no insurance) a new dr who diagnosed me with Hashimoto’s and finally things got better. I’ve probably seen 12 drs in 4-5 yrs. Have your regular dr run this test, be prepared to pay out of pocket if you don’t have insurance or for the labwork to be pricey. Same for if you run the bloodwork yourself (I didn’t know you could do that at Labcorp, which is where I go too) Here’s the basic tests to have done: CBC w differential/Platelet, T3 ( both free and direct), T4 (both free and direct), TSH, Vit D, Vit B, Ferratin, Serum, Iron and TIBC, Comp Metabolic Panel, DHEA.
            Once you have your bloodwork, you can take it to ANY dr (or several!), an endocrinologist, a functional medicine dr, a naturopath. Even primary dr can tell if some levels are not in the ideal range it should be. Functional or naturopath will have a more stringent level of reading the levels, the endo may let low levels slide or say you are “within range” or not treat, when your levels ARE low enough to treat. This is why not all drs know how to diagnose properly, they don’t recognize what LOW truly is, and they may overlook something. If you have the antibodies for Hashimotos, those will show up either way and if that is seen, any of those drs should start treating you with thyroid medication, vitamin or herbal treatment, and diet adjustments. Best of luck!
          • Maddie…. there is doctor who specializes in diseases such as Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism… His name is Dr. Haskell and he has many youtube videos explaining the subject. He works out of Salt Lake City but will see patients via Skype because he believes this is such a widespread problem and he really wants to help solve it. His rates are very reasonable. I like him a lot. Here is a link to his website… you can do a search on youtube for his vids and also he has written several books that would help you a lot. I also want to add that mental illnesses such as you describe can be caused by mineral imbalances which I have become convinced are really the key to thyroid and adrenal issues… if our vitamins and minerals are balanced, then our bodies can heal ourselves. The mineral imbalances can cause gut problems, leaky gut etc which leads to Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism… it is know that hypothyroidism can cause symptoms labeled as mental illness. I wish you good luck. It will take some digging on your part, but if you get help with Dr. Haskell he will get you started on the right path. You can learn more about mineral imbalances and how to detect and reverse them at the facebook group called Magnesium Advocacy Group , which is more about mineral balancing than just magnesium…. altho magnesium is pretty much a wonder mineral and we are all deficient in it. Good luck to you! http://hopeforhashimotos.com/dr-alexander-haskell-n-d/
          • It may be a good idea to join Thyroid UK on the Health Unlocked website. So many helpful people to advise and support you. I live in Greece and joined 4 years ago having been diagnosed with Hashimotos at 59 in 2005. I have learnt so much and have improved my health beyond any expectations. Low mood and mental disorders can be due to low thyroid hormones – and in particular T3. There are also articles on the Hypothyroid Mum website about thyroid or mental illness. I am fortunate not to have suffered but have had many other conditions that have been challenging ! Wishing you well Maddie….
        • I totally understand the whole laundry list of symptoms and have had 4 neck surgeries and a failed back surgery, tested my tsh 2 weeks ago 18.73, get on meds, they keep me up 2 nights, I change the time, and then I feel as if I am going to drop dead of labored breathing and heart pains, took myself off meds over weekend, it stopped. I called my endo, she actually called me back herself, sent me for stat redo on all thyroid test and made me get a stat ekg, now waiting for results of labs, ekg was fine, but now I have to have a stress test, this is totally crazy. I wonder if any of us are ever going to feel better, ever????
        • Find a naturopathic doctor or at least a holistic doctor who can look for the causes behind your health concerns. A naturopath will spend time with you and do the appropriate tests.
          I think I have had Hashimoto’s for most of my life and am now in my 50’s. I have chronic infections and fibro, too, among other things. I see an MD but also a naturopath. The medical doctor never checked me for Hashimoto’s, it was a naturopath who found the antibodies. Don’t give up until you get the answers you are looking for! I have a relative who also has it, and she was diagnosed at around the age of 27.
        • Michelle says:
          I have never posted here befor, but I was reading through and aw your post and it broke my heart. I don’t mean to be blunt but honestly if your doctor won’t test for Hoshimoto’s then you might want to find one who will. I was diagnosed about 10 years ago with Hoshimoto’s, and I’m still to this day learning more and more about it. It’s said that most people are 35 or older when they are diagnosed, it can and does effect someone of any age. Even though Hoshimoto’s it the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. a lot of doctors iether don’t test for it or go only by a TSH test ( your TSH Show as normal ranges with Hoshimoto’s. There’s more that has to be tested along with TSH. It’s a long list( sorry for that) but their all very important.
          TSH
          Free T3
          FreeT4
          Reverse T3( probably really have to push this one and some others)
          TPOAB ( thyroid Perodxidase antibodies)
          Thyroglobulin antibodies
          Auto immune antibodies
          To be safe- for Graves diease
          Thyroid receptor antibodies (TRAB)
          Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI)
          There’s more things that should be checked, and some great resources at the FB page “Thyroid Sexy”, it’s a great site.
          Hope all this helps good luck and I’ll say a prayer for you.
  4. I was told I had Epstein-Barr syndrome and that there was no real treatment for it…it never goes away. so this was not helpful to me. I am on thyroid, but wonder if it makes any difference….
    • Dr. Nikolas Hedberg says:
      Leslie,
      Epstein-Barr Virus is a herpes virus so it is true that it never goes away but it can be treated if it is reactivated. Herpes viruses are either active such as in a herpes breakout or they are dormant under the control of your immune system.
      • Dr. Hedberg: It has been our experience by adding organic sulfur to the diet of humans causes any virus to become dormant. Eight of our study group are no longer looking for a liver transplant, their viral load can not be tested, too low. The only enemy of a virus is intracellular oxygen. JOB one for organic sulfur.
        14 HIV people also have no testable viral load, they still have HIV but the virus is
        no longer killing them.
        • Who do you refer to as “our” Who are you and what is your study group?
          I am allergic to sulfa, would I be excluded from this treatment?
      • Rene L Causey says:
        I had a severe case of Epstein Barr Virus which triggered my first major flare up of Fibromyalgia about six years ago. I have since then been diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, hypertension and Hashimotos. My Epstein Barr levels were in the 800’s. I recently had my thyroid antibodies tested and they were 770. I have been to every doctor in every field of practice, they all blame my symptoms of horrific chronic pain and fatigue on one diagnosis or another, basically keeping me chasing my tail, leaving me in daily chronic pain and suffering with horrible fatigue, memory loss, confusion, easily distracted, blurry vision, vision loss, hot and cold intolatance, insomnia, excessive sweating, etc., to the point that I can barely leave the house but to go to the doctor. I am now on disability at the age of 41, and I have no quality of life. I have thought all along that EBV still may have something to do with all of my symptoms, but I can’t seem to get any of my doctors to stake claim in it, nor will any of them stop long enough to listen to me before they blame it on another one of my diagnosis sending me to see another doctor to follow up, therefore alleviating them of having to figure out what might be going on with me. It’s very frustrating to say the least. I am very thankful to have seen and read this article, if only now I can get one of my doctors to act on it is the big question…
        • Rene, I would strongly suggest you consider being evaluated by a Lyme-literate medical doctor for Lyme Disease, based on your symptoms (Hashi’s, EBV, Chronic Fatigue, fatigue, confusion, memory issues, sweating, insomnia, etc.). Unfortunately, Lyme is not well understood by mainstream docs. and there is a lot of controversy around it. As a result, it is grossly underdiagnosed. Most mainstream docs. tend to use tests that are inaccurate which can result in a false-negative result meaning you’ll be told you don’t have Lyme when you may in fact have it. Consider contacting ILADS or Tick-Borne Disease Alliance for the name of a Lyme-literate practitioner in your area.
        • Celina Williams says:
          Your symptoms sound exactly like mine. I have to wait til Sept. 24th, 2015 to see an endocrinologist.
  5. What brand do you use for vitamins mineral supplements
  6. I’ve read about similar theories over the years. The thing is, since my diagnosis I found out my father, father in law, husband, and all 6 children also have Hashimoto’s. For us it is simple, it’s all in the genes! I really don’t think there’s anything more to it for my family.
    • Dr. Nikolas Hedberg says:
      Rebecca,
      It is true that genetics play a role but there is more to it than that. Here is a good paper to help understand the genetic connections: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ad/2012/189096/?hc_location=ufi
      • I had ileo-caecal TB at 27 and Crohns followed. Diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2005 at 59. Pleased to report I am now feeling stronger – but am always open to tweaking and improving. Do you think it would be a good idea to have stool tests to rule out anything as my anti-bodies are still high !
        Thank you for your interesting article.
    • Hi Rebecca,
      There is more that can be done because our genes are just one part of our makeup.. I watched a very inspiring video of a physician who took control of her debilitating Multiple Sclerosis (autoimmune condition). As she stated, she was being treated by one of the best clinics in the US and her health continued to deteriorate. Please spend the time and watch this video as it explains how Dr Terry Wahls äte” herself back to being very healthy! Genes are one thing but supplying the “power” organelle of our cells, the Mitochondria, with the correct nutrients, will show you the missing link. From here, with the correction of the deficiency and toxicity in your body, you should be able to improve your immune system and then incorporate other methods in your lifestyle (walking, meditation, etc.) to further improve your health and well being.
  7. J Phillips says:
    Too many errors and typos in this article to even begin.
    You may benefit from actually taking a course in endocrinology and doing some solid reading at thyroidmanager.com (online physicans’ reference on all things thyroid) which would perhaps enlighten you as to why hypothyroidism often appears after major illness, and please, also not claiming to be a physician when your qualification indicate that you’re a naturopath and chiropractor, with a couple courses in nutrition.
    Overall, anybody needing help with thyroid disease should see an endocrinologist or an internist with expertise in thyroid issues for initial diagnosis and treatment, not a chiropractor. Period.
    • L. Meneses says:
      I agree with you. When I saw that he was a chiropractor I lost what I just read. No Creditablity
      • susan rollin says:
        After years with an endo and family Dr. a chiropractor/holistic Dr. saved me! Can’t just look at TSH and send you home with a Rx. Not all the same dosage of medication works for everyone with same results! If you still have symptoms then dose needs to be changed no matter the lab results!
        • Pamela Dundaas says:
          Two different GPs, two endocrinologists, and two ear specialists were not able to provide any significant help for my Hashimoto’s over the past 14 years. (I developed an autoimmune ear condition (Meniere’s Disease) due to a porcine thyroid medication I took for 14 years. I had to figure out the cause of my Meniere’s Disease myself from online reading and Yahoo groups. The two ear specialists and other medical professionals had no clue what was causing the Meniere’s Disease.) Most highly trained doctors rely primarily on test results, and if your numbers “fall within range,” then they often want to prescribe anti-depressants (that has been my experience). I have found the most help for my Hashimoto’s from: 1. Yahoo groups, 2. Amazon, and 3. extensive Internet/web research. Today I am about 50 -60 percent functional due to 1., 2., and 3. Thank God! for the web, or I would be in a padded cell in a mental institution right now, diagnosed as severely mentally ill, when it was really inadequately treated Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
          • Can you give me any link, any evidence anything at all that could link your Meniere’s to taking NDT? Can find absolutely nothing.
    • Perhaps you should note that it is a .org, not a .com, So when I go to thyroid manager.ORG I SEE WHERE YOUR MISSINFORMATION COMES FROM SIR. Many endocrinologists are using these guidelines, and by doing so are keeping their patients sick. As one of those crazy people who prefer a better “quality of life” from NDT, I am more than pissed that your medical community disregards my issues with endocrinologists keeping me asleep for a min. of 10 hours a day (usual 14-16) while still requiring daily naps all because my TSH was “within range”, from age 12 all the way thru age 29!!!! Once I switched to NDT I finally had a normal sleep habit of 7 1/2 hours of sleep, and can no longer physically stay asleep for more than 9. So go ahead and continue to tell me I need an all mighty endo, and I will continue to tell you until your medical community starts listening to those of us who actually live with this every day, you can take your endo’s and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine.
      • Charlene Alexander says:
        I’m standing up. And clapping! I have been in the same boat. My doctor has finally done more thyroid blood work. And is checking for other imbalances and such, 10 vials of blood. Waiting for results, to further discuss switching from T4 (been on for 35 years, barely functioning for 20!) to the natural desiccated thyroid.
      • Pamela Musarra says:
        I loved what Heather says. I agree!
      • Love you Heather. You just wrote what I was thinking. I’m so tired of the “one size fits all” mentality with all the Endo’s and medical doctors I went to. I was on their precious synthroid, cytomel and levo meds. I just got sicker and sicker. I was told my numbers were in range and sent home. Today I am on an NDT. Feeling much better. Still have a way to go. Starting with a naturopath tomorrow and not looking back. Already changed my eating to very clean food. Feeling better from that. I do not trust doctors at all and it’s these doctors who won’t listen to us and treat us as individuals that have brought this on themselves. One size does not fit all doc. Be a man/woman and think outside the box. Could all of us who have this disease be wrong or just maybe you need to go back to a school that will teach you what you didn’t learn in med school. You have disrespected and mistreated us long enough. We are finding our answers outside of the medical realm and maybe you should stop and listen to us for a change. We are trying to stop the bleeding and need you to work with us and not against us. Maybe then we may come back and listen to you. Until the consider yourselves fired!
        • Hi Maryann,
          To be fair, the medical system works very well for crisis and emergency care and support. We all know people whose lives have been saved/extended due to this care! I worked in this area as a nurse for over twenty years before becoming an allied health professional. Unfortunately, we place demands on the medical system to improve our health but, they are there for the above-crisis care. As you have stated, many people now understand the benefits that other allied health professionals offer to improve their health. Do some research on Google with PubMed, Cochrane Library and Medline and I’m sure you will find invaluable information.
      • Woo Hoo! Add my standing ovation! He’s a pompous arse!
    • marianne says:
      Oh NO NO NO!!! Don’t you guys start with the credentialing nonsense!! Turns out that ANYONE is better qualified to treat thyroid issues than brainwashed endocrinologists. Endocrins are just cranked out of med schools to prescribe drugs to treat the symptoms [if hyper>betablockers/hypo>Synthroid]. You guys with your condescending dismissive attitudes are atrocious!! At least naturopaths, chiropractors, whomever bother to get to the actual CAUSE of the illness – something doctors NEVER EVER do! They just want to scribble out a scrip, drug the poor soul for the rest of their lives – and onto the next patient to destroy. You stinking doctors function like a bunch of trained seals who are totally beholden to the pharma companies that financially back the med schools and hospitals and then bombard your practices with lots of goodies just so you’ll keep peddling their harmful drugs, rather than be conscientious enough to thoroughly investigate the cause of a person’s illness. Doctors are no better than your common drug dealer – just because they deal “legal” drugs doesn’t make their disregard for people’s health any less loathesome. In fact, you heathens are worse – you took an oath, remember??
      • as a person with hyperthyroid that was diagnosed two years ago, went to the emerg room, was put on Ativan, then went to PCP, was blood tested, found out I had hyperthyroid, then saw an endo who recited off all my options, which were grim, and because I was SOOOOOO sick with ragingly high BP, I succumbed to beta blockers and methimazole and the ativan. However, I refused high dosages of these drugs and instead take the lowest mgs possible. But, I want desperately to get off of this drug merry go round because I DO believe there is a kinder, gentler way to resolve my thyroid issue with a more open minded doc that is open to alternative ways other than BIG PHARMA drugs. However, my PCP said and I quote, “if you want that kind of care you are not going to find it here”. I also agree find the CAUSE of your illness, the SOURCE of your illness and you can find the cure to your illness in a percentage of cases. Maybe not all cases, but it’s worth a try.
        • also I might add I have an usual “rare” case according to my endo diagnosis which is an overactive thyroid nodule absorbing too much iodine. My frustration is that I have done research and I have no found any specific info regarding my particular case of hyperthyroidism nor have I found any other person who has what I have been diagnosed to have. Most thyroid info deals with hypo thyroidism and very little is written about hyper thyroidism let alone the specific hyperthyroidism I have. Just my luck my issue with my thyroid being out of whack is “rare” so it’s very frustrating dealing with that fact and trying to find an endo doc who has expertise and an open mind to think out of the box. Good luck to all. It’s no fun to feel like one day you were yourself and the next day you woke up feeling so unlike yourself and you can’t find anyone to put you back together again so you feel like your original self. Beyond frustrating!
      • Amen sister…..
    • What I know from hearing from so many people here at Hypothyroid Mom is that it often takes an open-minded health care professional to really help make change for thyroid patients. I hear from many people finally doing great under the care of health care professionals like naturopaths, functional medicine practitioners, integrative medicine doctors, chiropractors, etc. Let’s not disregard the information a person shares by their credentials.
      There are many different possible triggers for autoimmune diseases including chronic infections that shouldn’t be overlooked. This is a topic that I’ve wanted to include at Hypothyroid Mom for some time because I think it is an important one.
      • Dr. Nikolas Hedberg says:
        Thank you Dana and everyone who commented on practitioner credentials. There are good and bad doctors just like in any profession. Once you find a skilled practitioner who can help you whether they are an MD, DC, ND etc. you are on your way to getting well.
    • I am an excellent proof reader. I did not see any typos. No misspellings of commonly used words. Perhaps a run on sentence or missing commas. Those are generally counted as grammatical errors. They are not counted as “typos.” A typo is when the writer or typist hits the wrong key on the keyboard and doesn’t notice before publishing the paper or article. If you are referring to what you believe is misinformation contained in the article, then you should address that properly. Misinformation is not a typo. Promoting a website does nothing to disprove the article’s contents. Maybe you should try a different approach. Freshman English teaches a writer to “Know Your Audience.” Who am I kidding? High school English teaches that. Anyway, Jphillips, thanks for your input. I have found the information at Hypothyroid Mom to be extremely useful in managing the unpleasant issues I experience with my thyroid. It is in opposition to what an MD offered me which was levothyroxine or Synthroid. No dietary changes. No suggestions on what vitamins or minerals that most hypothyroid patients are lacking. Just a pill. I can get a pill from some dude with a backpack on certain streets of any city in the US and I don’t have to pay for an appointment. However, I found a doctor, a DO, that understands the differences between the medications offered for patients experiencing hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s. Many of her suggestions are echoed on this website: hypothyroidmom.com.
      • Dr. Nikolas Hedberg says:
        Vahi0,
        You sound like someone who has solid critical thinking skills which unfortunately is very rare these days. 😉
    • J. Philips is not an endo at all, but a domain name promoter. They post comments on websites that are related to the domain they are promoting. The domain thyroidmanager.com is for sale, and they are simply using this site to get more views or hits to that domain so they can command a higher price for it. The current asking price is $649. I’ve been a computer guy for 30+ years, this is my realm.
      I’m sorry so many of you were upset by this. I was upset as well since I also suffer with Hashi’s every day, that’s what brought me here in the first place. I’m also not too fond of endocrinologists or the “traditional” medical community for the most part. This article was very informative for me because I had never heard this explanation before. I didn’t see any typos but I wasn’t looking. All my eyes and brain saw was very good information that I can use! Thank you so much for this article!
  8. Annie Watts says:
    Could this be true of Graves Disease too?
    Regards Annie
    • Dr. Nikolas Hedberg says:
      Annie,
      There are definitely infection connections with Graves’ disease including Epstein-Barr Virus, H. pylori and Yersinia.
  9. I live on England and the chance of any blood test other than a yearly check is a no no ..NHS great for emergancys but once you have been diagnosed with a thryriod problems and given meds then its a case of live with it ..
    • This site is ridiculous! No dosages, or information at all!! This is not a standardized NDT. I would not recommend ordering from this site at all. There ARE sites that sell NDT without RX but this is not trustworthy. As an RN I do not think this is safe at all.
    • Hi Aubryn, I hear from people who order their own thyroid medication and end up in the emergency room from taking the wrong dose for their body. I do not promote purchasing your own thyroid meds. I wish there were more doctors open to prescribing it. I will delete your comment here because I do not wish for anyone to purchase thyroid meds themselves from my site. Hope you understand.
  10. marianne says:
    Are any of these bacteria contagious? For example, if one were to ingest the fluid of someone who was hypothyroid, are chances pretty good that they too would develop an infection from the causing bacteria and consequently become hypothyroid too??
    • Some of these bacteria are highly contagious. But I think YOUR genetics comes into play with this. You could develop an autoimmune disorder if you get sick with any of the listed bacteria, but you may not have a problem with your thyroid.
  11. I found that when my Thyroid was removed because of cancer, it was consistent with “severe prolonged hashimotos thyroiditis”. My symtoms are still the same. With the Thyroid gone, what happened to the autoimmune disorder?
    • I have had the same question since I had my thyroid removed almost 2 years ago (papillary thyroid cancer). I have yet to have anyone be able to answer the question. What happens to the Hashimotos if the thyroid is removed. Is it “removed” with the thyroid? Is it lurking about waiting to manifest itself as something else?
  12. I had Parvovirus B19 about seven years ago and I kept telling the doctors that I had never felt the same. I came across this article and felt justified in a way that it was not all in my head. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago with Hashimoto
    • Deanna, I also had Parvovirus B19 almost 6 years ago and like you, I have never been the same. It was hard to get doctors to take me seriously when they would usually reply “you no longer have Parvo”. It is great to see this mentioned in the article to confirm my suspicions. In the past year I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, only because I saw an elevated TPO antibody value on some bloodwork. My doctor said “oh, I have seen values much higher than that” and ignored it. I pursued it and now I see a great endo that takes me seriously and I’m working my way to a proper dose of levothyroxine and Nature Throid combo.
  13. Have you been tested for these things and if so…how long ago and how much has it helped? How do I find a doctor who will do these tests? I’m in the process of going on a vegetarian diet with Dr. Furhman which will help but I don’t think it will take the infections away completely. I live a long…..ways from Dr. Hedberg. We don’t have insurance and if I were to get tested….I would need to begin with the most obvious because tests are so….expensive. I have only had TSH, Reverse T3, T4, T3 by RIA. The doctor believes that we need more than just the TSH numbers which I was so thankful to find a doctor to do that. He works with a famous Naturalpathic doctor who founded Bio Identical Therapy Jonathan Wright but he lives 12 hrs. from me. It was a one time visit. Ideas?
  14. He says Paleo Style Diets….I have heard of people doing the above things but I haven’t heard of anyone who got a healthy thyroid back from doing those things above with
    Gluten free diet
    Paleo Style Diet Etc.
    There are many who are trying to find out what is causing the problem with Elimination Diet’s, Auto Immune Protocol Diets but in the end….it doesn’t seem to be working. They are “working” at it but the thyroid still isn’t back to normal. I would think that taking the tests that he mentions above, good diet, supplements that he mention and “other ways” to get rid of the infection would work. I have followed the science of the P. Diet and I just don’t see the science behind it even if it is Grass Fed or from natural sources. I would eat a tiny bit of meat 6 oz a week for balance but the science is that TONS of vegetables, etc. do work to heal the body and this is scientifically proven.
    • Hi Cyndi, I just wanted to share my experience. I have Hashi’s, Celiac and chronic Epstein Barr Virus (along with occasional Psoriasis flare-ups). I have tried both the vegan diet and Paleo (and autoimmune Paleo) and I can tell you that my experience is that the Paleo works. For over 17 years my antibodies were high and after changing my diet, switching to Nature-throid and taking various supplements (especially Selenium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Glutathione) my antibodies are now normal. I feel like a different person than I did just four years ago. Definitely try both and see what works for you (we’re all different). I just wanted to let you know that there are a lot of success stories out there with Paleo (along with the proper supplements, rest and gentle exercise). Don’t give up!
  15. TSH #’s barely slightly low and Doc said because T3 very low he gave me Lyrothyronine T3 to make sure that the Armour worked for the TSH. It has taken me a year to finally figure out that wait a minute…..something doesn’t seem right here. I don’t shake but heart palpataes or works hard…as I can tell it when I lie down. Hmmmm Where are the good doc’s like Dr. Helberg? I actually saw Dr. Wright’s assistant.
    What can be done?
  16. I love reading the thoughts of people who understand EXACTLY how I feel. Thank you all!
  17. Have any of you consulted with a Naturopathic Physician? I talked to one in Canada, Dr. Zoya Voitenko she was highly recommended to me. She told me I had a stealth infection years ago and gave me a treatment to follow. She explained the stealth infection was what led to my thyroid issues. Naturopathic medicine is years ahead of mainstream medical in the US. If your state doesn’t allow them to practice medicine, most don’t, find one in your area who is willing to consult with you. One thing is good, they can at least give you suggested treatments through your Family Dr. I’m finally on the road to feeling like my old self so I know there is hope.
  18. Linda Sinclair says:
    I had glandular fever as a child some 40 years ago, (apart from a permanent lack of iron)no further related problems until 4 years ago, I became abnormally tired, GP dismissive (said it was the menopause) then my anti-bodies were positive, GP did nothing, then I got Thyroid Eye Disease. (currently stable) and became Hypothyroid, got Shingles last June and have had it 5 times since, currently off sick since September (total fatigue) and GP is now referring me to the ME/CFS clinic, but I’m not convinced this is ME/CFS
  19. BetteJo Becker says:
    My mother, my sister, three of my four daughters, and myself…according to Livewello, I carry a gene. The question is what turns the gene on for me and my family.
  20. I am glad to see more work on the Hashi-autoimmune connection. I don’t believe most thyroid conditions can be fixed without work beyond the thyroid, either.
    The endocrine system is so easily influenced by other problems in our body. And keeping it optimal is so important if we are to heal whatever other conditions we have! Great map of various issues involved.
  21. I’ve just found this FB page and have read a lot of the information contained therein. However, you do not appear to have, that I’ve seen to date, any information on people who were born with hypothyroidism.
    I was born without a thyroid half a century ago, a rare occurrence. It took doctors 7 weeks to discover why I continued to be jaundiced with a very protruding stomach. The doctor was unsure of my condition, but suggested to my mother that ‘she try’ Thyroxine tablets. They were instantly successful. So for 50+ years I’ve only known synthetic Thyroxine.
    Over the years I’ve struggled with many of the symptoms that others with hypothyroidism experience… these days it is a sluggish metabolism.
    My doctors test my blood 3 monthly to keep on top of my levels. They keep my levels slightly higher than they should as this benefits my system better.
    I successfully had to children, with no thyroid problems.
    Have any of you been born without a thyroid and what are your biggest challenges?
    Brenda
  22. Hello
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the age of 28 – 2 years after my youngest daughter was born. I was told that the pregnancy triggered my thyroid failure. I did have glandular fever at the age of 15. After starting on thyroxine my lethargy had not improved and after 6 months my doctor then diagnosed with ME. My thyroxine was progressively increased to 250 mcg a day which I have been on for 21 years. Last year my doctor said I was on too high a dose and they have been gradually reducing it and I am now on 175 mcg a day. Why would this happen if I was told my thyroid and totally packed in? Initially I didn’t notice any difference in my general health but now I have been on 175 mcg for passed 3 months I have noticed my immune system is low and I am very susceptible to any bugs that are going around and I struggle to shake them off. In addition to this my muscle spasms are starting to return and I am becoming more lethargic again. I have an appointment with my own doctor in 2 weeks time (that’s how long I have to wait to see him) not sure where we go from here as I know he will say your TS levels are still too high.
    Can the type/brand of thyroxine make a difference? What else can I ask my doctor to test for ?
    Any advice would be much appreciated.
    Many thanks
    Gillian
  23. They say that it has nothing to do with TSH levels but one needs to find a doc who will test the T3 levels and many have been helped by desiccated thyroid. I just found Stop The Thyroid Madness site and it is everything I have been looking for thanks to this blog! There are many “groups” who can help.
    A “huge” thank you!
    Cyndi
  24. Danielle says:
    Hi All,
    I have Hochimotos and have been taking synthroid. The numbers are now within normal range. I am seeing a neurologist because of muscle twitching and he did an EMG, the results were mildly abnormal on the needle portion and he said it is something intrinsic in my muscle. Do you think any of this could have to do with my thyroid even though my bloodwork is currently normal? Thanks for any help you can give me.
    • I am currently struggling with my thyroid with signs and tests pointing towards Hashimoto but not officially diagnosed yet. I have been having bad tremors and spasms in my left arm (does shift to other limbs) and spasms in my right leg particularly when walking. I also have two nodules one on left side and one on isthmus. In almost 3 months i have seen 2 GPs, 3 ER doctors, General medicine Specialist, 2 neuro specialists, done thyroid ultrsound, brain mri, nuclear thyroid scan. Even after i told the neuro that the iodine injection for the nuclear scan made my tremors worse he still refused to see the link to my thyroid. It is highly frustrating as i am not allowed to work and have to wait many weeks to see more specialists with no guarantee of an answer.
  25. Hi I have hashimoto’s, I big issue is diarrhea to severe constipation, especially if I eat
    gluten!
    Any good suggestions to maintain regularity?
    Love this site!
    Thanks to all who participate
  26. WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for dental laboratory
  27. I’m finding your site to be amazing. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos 16 Years ago and was fairly symptom free until 4 Years ago. To cut a long story short, I developed chronic hives, chronic fatigue, High Blood Pressure, headaches, asthma, stomach cramps, extreme mood swings, body and joint aches….the list goes on! Autoimmune runs in the family with my mum having Graves disease, my cousin MS and my sister Sjogren’s syndrome.
    My Endochronologist was not interested in helping as my thyroid was ‘functioning normally!’. My GP eventually sent me to a nutritionist, who has been amazing. Following extensive blood tests and stool tests I began a fairly natural treatment of:
    Completely going Gluten and Dairy free
    B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin C, Fish Oil, Magnesium, Complex Folate, Chromium and P5P
    After 5 months and as a result my antibodies have dropped, I am now off my blood pressure tablets – Yay!, and 95% symptom free.
    Surprisingly the stool test showed I had far too much bacteria in my gut with the biggest culprit being Klebsiella Pneumoniae. I have now begun an extensive probiotic and GIT cleansing program to rid myself of these infections. The improvement in my health has been astounding. I am back exercising 4 days a week, I have a love for cooking again, I’m no longer coming home from work and sleeping before trying to function in the evening. With the right doctor and family support, I feel like I’m winning this battle.
  28. As I am reading this it makes me think Hashimotos is what I am dealing with my thyroid is enlarged but TSH is normal and for years my EBV numbers have been very high.. Years ago the one doctor said she had never seen them that high and they have told me there is nothing to be done about it.. Maybe this is why I feel horrible, tired, losing middle, joint pain, skin problems, female issues, brain fog, time to find a new doctor or get in contact with this one
  29. I gained 17 kilos from. Thyrpoid and Menopause and this is how my Endocrinologist helps me. She is blaming my depression medication for weight gain, I have been on it most of my life and only weighed 58 kilos, no gain ever, then she said that I eat too much, 1 meal a day.
    It is this type of ill advise that is causing depression, mental health issues and other problems to us thyroid patients. She has not solved one of my issues in 2 and a half years. I am not working due to problems and can’t get any help. All that she cares about is if the level is within range nothing else matters. How can I continue living like this? I don’t have the money to change endo’s and the public hospital wait is 6 months.
  30. I am 74, had thyroid gland removed 48 yrs. ago. Took synthroid until Jan. of this yr. after switching from endo to integrative dr. Now on naturethroid, doing better. Also, recently diagnosed w/Hashimotos. Immediately was put on gluten free diet. Don’t much care for gluten free diet but helps. My current problem is extremely itchy bumps all over my scalp over last 6 mos. or so. They are not pimples or scabby, just assorted sized bumps that itch constantly and are really sore when rubbing. My dermatologist hasn’t had any success with them in 6 mos. I am wondering if anything like this could be related to hashimotos. Thanks for input.
  31. Claudia says:
    Really interesting article. I was not aware of all the infections linked with hashimoto’s.
    I had not even heard of hashimoto’s until recently and now I seem to read about it everywhere. This article really reminded me of a book I read by Dr. Joni Labbe “Why is Mid-Life Mooching your Mojo?” (http://mojogirlfriends.com/). The author was diagnosed with hashimoto’s and celiac disease and is living proof that you can live well with these thyroid issues. She has helped many women battle fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, and more with her nutritional expertise and through functional neurology. The book is also written in a way that is easy to understand and implement in your daily life. This is for anyone who has tried just about everything from medication to supplements and is ready for a change. I really think you and your readers would benefit from her book and website. I hope you will check it out
  32. Does anyone know of a way to increase CD8+ cells? I am almost positive that this is my issue- I had mono right before all of my hashimotos symptoms started… just wondering what I can do to stop the infection without making the hashimotos worse?
    Thanks!
  33. I was hypothyroid……I really can’t find any info on this subject……can any one tell me why this is so bad for me……and the meds they have me on is a old drug…..I don’t feel good when I take it…….I stay sick…..hospital …with pneu ……stomach…..and allergies……can all this be related….
  34. Do these same principles of infection apply to Graves Disease?
  35. Wondering how Rickettsia can influences Hashimoto’s? I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever when I was 13 and almost died.
    My doc is checking me for Parvo and many of the bacteria/viruses above. Had blood drawn today.
  36. Dana
    I understand all too well. You must protect yourself. I was trying to protect others. I understand the real world. It’s the world I am living in. My health insurance was cancelled due to obamacare. On the health.gov exchange my premium went from $317 a month to $765, my deductible from $500 to $5000, my co-pays from $10 to $200, and my co-insurance from 20% to 50%. I would have to pay $765 a month plus $200 co pays plus $5000 before the “insurance” pays half! I now have no medical care, but we are paying for the pot heads down the road to have medicaid. Every MD within an hour of here and more knows nothing but tsh/synthroid protocol. I have tried the ND’s and alternative practitioners to exhaustion, each wanting thousands of dollars worth of blood work; one even $2700 of bloodwork prior to treating me. Thank God I found the site I posted. I was attempting to help, not turn hypoT/Hashi’s into a racket to make money on as so many sites do. Thank God I am able to treat myself by symptoms as Broda Barnes recommends.
    There are many in my position that need help. Lastly, in all my years of practice, I have never once seen or even heard of any patient in the ER due to taking the wrong dose of NDT other than a bodybuilder using massive amounts of T3.
    Yes Dana I do understand.
    I hope you understand me.
  37. Hi, I have Hashimoto’s disease. I was extremely sick about 2 years ago. Ever since I have had eye severe swelling when I awaken each day. I have seen many specialists only to discover there is nothing wrong with me that is detectable. I even just had surgery to correct my deviated septum only to find that my eyes are still swelling. I believe that the virus that made me sick lives in my eye socket areas and I want to figure out what is wrong. Can you help? Is it one of the bacteria you mention here? (I have not had a tick)
  38. I been diagnosed with hypothyroidism/hashimoto’s the hypo was diagnosed about 6 yrs. ago and the Hashi, 2 yrs. ago. I am now wondering if the diagnosis that I got in my 20’s (I am now 50) of having Ebstein-Barr is causing so many symptoms right now. My thyroid is completely leveled with Levothyroxine and usually I feel a lot better. Not this time. I have all the symptoms of as if my levels are still off! With the worse being the debilitating fatigue and stomach issues, which I had my gallbladder removed a month ago…things are getting worse instead of better, am considering a infectious disease doctore. Does anyone have any ideas and please don’t say Endocrynologist….they will send me away saying my thyroid is “fine”…thank you 🙁
  39. I too am beginning to wonder about the connections. I had Mono at 10 yr.’s old, Hepatitis A at 13, gallbladder removed at 21 and diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at 25. Coincidence ? I think not, anymore !!
  40. I also have Hashimoto’s but I have sleep apnea as well. Cannot function daily, memory loss, fogginess and completely fatigued no matter how much sleep I get. My MD has tried her best, I guess, but still feel lousy every day. She put me on Armour Thyroid but I still feel the same. Because of that, I have been told they do not feel my problem is my thyroid but my sleep apnea. I have been through the sleep apnea test twice (not a pleasant test) and diagnosed with sleep apnea but all they do is give me the CPAP machine which I am unable to use. Can anyone direct me to what I should do or where I should go next. I am desperate. I have several jobs just to get by but always worried about getting fired because I sleep through my alarm. I am also uninsured right now as my employer stopped paying my medical coverage and I can’t afford it myself. Is Hashimoto’s and sleep apnea related? If I treat my Hashimoto’s, will that help my apnea or vise versa? Any help would be appreciated.
  41. Very interesting. I was diagnosed with Hashi’s over 30 years ago(in Canada) and at, or maybe just before, I was also diagnosed with EBV. In the past 2 years I have been swinging from hyper to hypo. My doctor referred me to an endo and he dropped my meds from 125 to 50. Prior to this my doctor had been reducing my levo slowly from 175 to 125. Having my levo dropped so drastically left me with extreme exhaustion almost immediately. When I saw the endo 9 weeks later he just told me to go back up to 100 levo and I would be fine. That was back in April, since then I have had another blood test and have been told I am hyper again. However I do not feel hyper at all. I still have extreme fatique, sleep a lot, have a constant, very loud, hissing in my left ear, have stiff, aching joints, swollen lymph glands, loosing my hair, lost one of my eyebrows, the list goes on……….. However I am now wondering as some of the symptoms are the same as EBV if it has reactivated. I live in Scotland and am due to see another endo on the 14th of this month. Am not sure if EBV is recognised here but I am going to take this article along with me in the hope that they can check things out for me.
  42. Do you think the same holds true for those who have Graves? I have graves (remission), one of my sisters has Graves and another sister Hashimotos …. my mothers also has Hashimotos.
  43. This was an interesting read. I found that my symptoms started after getting a rubella vaccination before I had children. The nurses suggested I get it. So, to test to see if its the rubella, what tests should I ask the doctor for? Is there any other resources on this?
  44. Paige Taylor says:
    I have has the chronic disease of hypothyroidism for 8 hrs now and it has been nothing slight of torture I have had so many thing go wrong now I’m having trouble out of my liver if there is anyone out with a word of advice that would be wonderful
  45. I am surprised endometriosis was excluded in the article. I was diagnosed with HT 6 months after a total hysterctomy due to extremely invasive endometriosis and anemia. Any correlation?
  46. This was a real eye opener! I just found out that I have Hashimoto’s disease TODAY. I have had h.pilori, mono, staph, strep AND I am no immune to Rubella! I have An amazing doctor that I feel will get this under control, just like this suggests that you have done, and I am looking forward to feeling more like the 30 something I am, instead do feeling like a 90 year old woman who is dying. Thanks for this, I’m taking it to my next appointment!
  47. I am curious about the drug naltrexone mentioned in this article, and how it helps hypothyroid or hashimoto’s patients. I read that one woman took it and was feeling much better. I tried researching it, and so far all I have found is that it is used to help people with drinking problems quit or cut back on drinking, or people with drug issues. How or what does it do for those of us that are hypo thyroid? I’m headed back to the U.S. in a few weeks and going to have blood work done, so anything thatmight help would be great. I have been so tired lately and need allergy/decongestants sooooo often! It doesn’t seem like this could be good for me either. The last few times I have had blood work done, a lotwas tested and it did snow that my adrenals were. ot functioning so well. Now I take something for that, but am still extremely tired. My D3 checked good and I am on Armour, so it seems like I should be feeling better and. ot getting more tired?
  48. I’ve heard about a new ultraviolet machine called the UVLRx that’s being used for Lyme patients. It uses a fiber optic thread which is inserted directly into the vein and the treatment lasts for an hour, so all the blood is treated. Has anyone tried this?
  49. Thank you so very, very much for providing this website and associated Facebook page. I have been seeking medical help for 5 years for thyroid and autoimmune problems. Your articles give me so much more ability to ask appropriate questions of doctors and make them probe for answers. But this particular article was like a defining moment. Everything makes sense. All the pieces of the puzzles have a possibility of all fitting together. I am so grateful for your dedicated work. Thank you is not adequate to express how incredibly grateful I am.
  50. I had no idea that yersinia e could be the culprit until I simply Googled yersinia + hashimoto. I cannot recall having stomach but apparently yersinia went to my joints causing on going inflammation for years during 1994-1997. I kept having high fever and tonsillitis. My knee was swollen like a football and full of brown fluids which considered caused by inflammation. I got antibiotics every two or three months and cortisone injections to my knee. I was 13-16 years old. Then I managed to get blood poisoning and that heavy antibiotics load finally cured my knee. Finally I was able to walk again.
    Some years after that I fell ill and never been healthy since. Started with 24/7 nausea. Barely able to eat. Only thing that helped was homoeopathy but apparently it did not last as I was not following any diet. How could I as no one suggested it. Ppis made problem worse.
    2003 was tested for yersinia antibodies as a psychiatric figured it out reading my history. Was not found from my stool so they figured it is not recent and indeed was the reason for my swollen knee.
    My thyroid had never been tested until I tested it privately last year. I had antibodies. I have been so ill for years barely even functioning. Did the just find my root cause? Is yersinia behind all this misery?
    I worry there is nothing to be done about it any more as it has been twenty years now. How do I even make a doctor to consider it as root cause and admitting it?
  51. Another important infection that was left out is Mycoplasma Pneumoniae commonly seen in Lyme patients. There is a test called the “anti-neuronal antibody” test done by Moleculera Lbas that measures brain otters (five currently two dopamine p, Cm-Kinase, one other and Tubulin). Elevated Tubulin is related to Hashimot’s disease.mtheses infections cause Hashi’s or a fix Hashi’s through Mileculer Mimicry which can and did in my daughter’s case, to “Infecrion-induced autoimmune encephalopathy” from Lyme and mycoplasma, and not Hashimoto’s as most neurologist will try and tell you it is you discounting the Lyme and co-infections. Their recommended therapy is IV steroids and IVIG vs. IV rocephin for Lyme patients. My daughter had severe hypoperfusion and hypometabolism (similar to Alzheimer’s patients). She had been on oral antibiotics which did nothing, but she went on IV rocephin for a year to try and reverse the encephalopathy, and it did in the frontal lobe. Key to that is that her TPOs dropped from 650 to 60 by month eight. However three months after the IV was taken out, her TPOs began to rise to 178 which indicates the infection wasn’t yet cleared. Still after 16 yrs dealing with this disease and avoidance of grass, parks anywhere ticks might be, her latest Lyme and co-infection test indicated Lyme IgM and Igg positive, bartonella, Babesia Duncani and rickettsia! She lived in NYC at college all last year with IV in tow and worked in Manhattan for the summer, so either IgeneX is faulty (we’ve used them since 2012 3-4x/yr) or ricks are hitting the concrete and trains.
    Currently she is on compounded T3 through drops 7.5 mcg twice a day, but doesn’t feel a change. Her Lyme neurologist measured it from the ratio of free t3 to reverse t3 ….the R T3 was high and T4 levels were normal…first month blood work indicated low TSH but he said it was still within the Norma ranges. She doesn’t need T4 so NST is not an option, but sh can’t just stop the T3 …she’d have to wean off of it….
    Having multiple illnesses truly complicates things, and IVIG is not an option as long as the infections persist.

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