Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are Y-shaped molecules that help to protect the body against antigens (foreign substances), including pathogenic bacteria, food, proteins, chemicals, and more. In autoimmunity, autoantibodies are produced against the cells of your own body.Normalizing thyroid antibodies can be very challenging. From finding and removing triggers to healing the gut and removing toxins from the environment, lowering thyroid antibodies is not an easy process for many people. Since I receive so many questions on this topic, I decided to create a series of episodes covering the different factors that can help you lower and eventually normalize your thyroid antibodies.In today’s episode, I’m starting with the basics. I discuss the complexities of thyroid antibodies, including their types and the triad of autoimmunity, the importance of proactive testing, why we need to address underlying causes rather than solely focusing on symptom management, the role of supplements, and more. Enjoy the episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/how-to-lower-thyroid-antibodies-part-1-the-basics-171/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Although most of my patients eat animal protein, over the years, I've also worked with many vegans and vegetarians, and the truth is that it can be more challenging to restore your health as a vegetarian or vegan. The good news is that regardless of your reasons for choosing a diet that avoids animal products, you can still save your thyroid if you pay attention to a few key areas.Today, I’m sharing how to overcome the main challenges vegans and vegetarians face in their thyroid healing journeys and my recommendations for supporting your thyroid health with mindful planning.In this episode, you’ll learn about:- The importance of adequate protein intake - Common nutrient deficiencies among vegans and vegetarians- My testing recommendations- Why it’s essential to focus on food quality- How grains and legumes can affect gut health- Iodine concerns for vegans and vegetarians- My dietary recommendations for vegans and vegetariansAs always, I hope you find this episode valuable, and I look forward to catching you in the next episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/can-vegans-and-vegetarians-save-their-thyroid-chat-about-iodine/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

“Stress is a huge factor when it comes to blood sugar regulation.” - Laurie VillarrealAlthough most conversations about blood sugar are focused on diet, it’s important to recognize that stress plays a big role in how your body balances your blood sugar levels. Whether we're talking about physical, mental, emotional, or physiological stressors, they all come together to create stress in our bodies that, if we don’t address it, can eventually wreak havoc on our bodily processes. This is why we can find people who are eating a balanced, whole-food-focused diet still struggling with their glucose levels and symptoms ranging from skin issues to fatigue, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and more.Today, I’m excited to chat with Laurie Villarreal about blood sugar imbalances and how she uses biosensors to help her clients. Laurie helps high-achieving, mission-driven women regain control of their weight, health, and hormones in midlife so they can have more energy to pursue their bold goals and active lifestyles without restrictive diets, stacks of supplements, or overhauling their lives.In this conversation, Laurie and I discuss her thyroid journey, the role of stress in blood sugar regulation, the benefits of using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track blood sugar levels, how to use heart rate variability (HRV) as a tool for assessing stress, tips for managing blood sugar, and more. Enjoy the episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/correcting-blood-sugar-imbalances-with-laurie-villarreal-170/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Bugleweed is a natural treatment option that those with hyperthyroidism can consider taking. In most cases, it’s chosen by people who have had an adverse reaction to antithyroid medication or those who prefer to take a natural treatment approach.When I dealt with Graves’ disease in 2008, I decided to take an herbal approach, avoiding taking medication unless I absolutely needed to. Bugleweed and motherwort were essential to my thyroid healing journey, and listeners often ask me to share more about their use.Today, I’m discussing how bugleweed can help those with hyperthyroidism, dosing considerations, the importance of ongoing testing, and why it’s important to assess each person’s situation individually. In this episode, you'll learn about:- The two main situations where bugleweed is considered- Why you need to consider herb quality and potency- Recommended dosage of bugleweed and factors that influence the dose- Using motherwort for managing cardiac symptoms- Guidance on combining bugleweed and motherwortAs always, I hope you find this episode valuable, and I look forward to catching you in the next episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/how-much-bugleweed-should-i-take/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid condition where patients present with symptoms of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH levels, and elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.In today’s Save My Thyroid audit, I’m chatting with Agnieszka, who has been dealing with Hashimoto's thyroiditis since her diagnosis over four years ago. After doing a decent amount of functional testing and making some dietary and lifestyle changes, Agnieszka’s main health challenges are fatigue, brain fog, and hair loss.In this episode, Agnieszka and I discuss her journey with Hashimoto’s, symptom development, the various tests she has done, the changes she has made since her diagnosis, the main symptoms she’s continuing to experience, her experience with thyroid hormone replacement, my recommendations for dietary adjustments and testing, alternative thyroid treatment options, and more.While this isn’t the same as the comprehensive consultations I do with patients, I'm confident you’ll find this conversation valuable. Enjoy the episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/overcoming-fatigue-and-brain-fog-in-hashimotos-save-my-thyroid-audit-169/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is produced naturally in our bodies, and it is often recommended by healthcare practitioners because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Extensive research has been done on the potential health benefits of alpha lipoic acid for various conditions, and the results suggest it could be beneficial for a wide range of people.Today, I’m sharing what the research shows about alpha lipoic acid, how it can benefit thyroid health, food sources of alpha lipoic acid, and considerations for taking it as a supplement.In this episode, you’ll learn about:- Alpha lipoic acid as an antioxidant and its role in glucose metabolism- Benefits for diabetics combating peripheral neuropathy- Effects on neuroinflammation and cognitive function- Potential effects of alpha lipoic acid on inflammation and weight loss- Alpha lipoic acid's effectiveness in chelating heavy metals- How alpha lipoic acid impacts thyroid health, especially for those with Hashimoto’s- Effects of alpha lipoic acid on immune modulation- Potential therapeutic effects for thyroid eye disease- Combining alpha lipoic acid with exercise for improved insulin resistance- Recommended dosages of alpha lipoic acid for various conditions- Cautions and contraindications for taking alpha lipoic acid- Food sources of alpha lipoic acidAs always, I hope you find this episode valuable, and I look forward to catching you in the next episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/can-alpha-lipoic-acid-benefit-thyroid-health/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

It's hard to believe that it's been 15 years since I won the battle against Graves’ disease. While I’ve had a few scares along the way, I've been able to maintain normal thyroid and antibody levels over the years and maintained a state of wellness since 2009.Since being in remission, I haven’t been perfect with my diet and lifestyle. Still, there have been several elements that I’ve remained consistent with over the years that have been essential for maintaining my overall health.Today, I’m sharing the diet I currently follow, the type of exercise I do, what I do to manage stress and reduce my toxic burden, the supplements I take, what I would do if I ever relapsed, what has changed between the healing and the maintenance phases of my thyroid journey, and more. Enjoy the episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/15-years-after-thyroid-remission-how-i-have-maintained-a-state-of-wellness-168/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Turmeric is a herb used for thousands of years to help with different health conditions and is commonly used in cooking. Turmeric’s health benefits have been well-documented, with thousands of research studies showing its positive effects, many of which are attributed to the activity of one specific component called curcumin.Curcumin is what gives turmeric its yellow color, and it has exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus can potentially benefit people with various conditions.Today, I’m sharing how turmeric can benefit people with thyroid conditions, especially those with autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s, and the role that turmeric can play in the thyroid healing journey while addressing the underlying causes of your condition.In this episode, you’ll learn about:- Historical uses of turmeric- The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin- What research shows about curcumin and autoimmune disease and thyroid cancer- Turmeric's contraindications and interactions- What to consider about taking the different forms of turmeric- Recommended dosages of turmeric- Research on turmeric and thyroid conditionsAs always, I hope you find this episode valuable, and I look forward to catching you in the next episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/can-turmeric-benefit-thyroid-health/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Toxic multinodular goiter is a type of hyperthyroidism in which a person has a goiter in the presence of multiple thyroid nodules. In today’s Save My Thyroid audit, I’m chatting with Nanette, who has been dealing with toxic multinodular goiter for over 20 years and I’ll be sharing practical advice to help her improve her health. Nanette’s thyroid journey began at age 16 when she had her first thyroid nodule, which was then surgically removed. Later, at age 30, she found herself in the same scenario, and she had a second surgery. Following that, she’s been on and off of different thyroid medications and was eventually diagnosed with toxic multinodular goiter.While this isn’t the same as the comprehensive consultations I do with patients, you’ll get a lot of value from the conversation. Nanette and I discuss long-term medication use, her treatment with propylthiouracil (PTU), dietary changes, the importance of stress management, why we need to address underlying causes like insulin resistance and inflammation, my approach to testing and lifestyle modifications, and more.If you’d like to apply for an audit with me, you can do so by visiting SaveMyThyroid.com/audit. Enjoy the episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/a-20-year-battle-with-toxic-multinodular-goiter-save-my-thyroid-audit-167/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Many people with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism experience hair loss, and in some cases, this hair loss can be extreme. That said, in my practice, hair loss occurs more commonly with my hyperthyroid patients - whether Graves’ disease, toxic multinational goiter, or subacute thyroiditis - and they also tend to experience more severe cases of hair loss.Today, I’m discussing extreme thyroid-related hair loss, factors that can contribute to it, treatment options for the condition, and why we have to take a comprehensive and holistic approach to managing thyroid hair loss.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How thyroid conditions can lead to hair loss- Other potential causes of hair loss in those with thyroid conditions- What research shows about alopecia areata and thyroid autoimmunity- Treatment options to address hair loss-The importance of nutrient testing and the role of gut healthAs always, I hope you find this episode valuable, and I look forward to catching you in the next episode!To learn more, visit the show notes at https://savemythyroid.com/podcast/overcoming-extreme-cases-of-thyroid-hair-loss/.To register for the Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid Bootcamp visit www.savemythyroid.com/healthygut Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/