Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed

The Case:  Kristy is exhausted because she can’t sleep and it’s stressing her out.She has meticulous sleep hygiene and takes every supplement to support her sleep.She tried everything she read or heard about but still couldn’t get enough sleep.The Investigation When I met Kristy and got to know her a bit, I knew that while biochemistry was part of it, there was something else going on additionally and we needed to figure out which came first and what was driving things to her health mystery. Navigating all of the Sleep Advice When it comes to sleep, there is so much information out there. The internet is packed with tips and ideas because so many people struggle with sleep (and it’s so essential to good health). That’s why I wanted to speak to a true sleep expert while investigating Kristy’s case. Devin Burke is an international and TEDx speaker, the bestselling author of “The Sleep Advantage,” the founder of Sleep Science Academy, and one of the top health and sleep coaches in the world. His books, keynotes, programs and videos have inspired thousands of people to improve their sleep, energy, and life. I was thrilled to have him on this episode of Healthy Mysteries Solved. The #1 Cause of Sleep Issues Devin didn’t hesitate to respond when I asked him why most people have issues with their sleep. The answer is stress. However, stress can present itself in many different ways. He points to mental stress, emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress, and even the stress caused by using our digital devices like tablets, computers, smart phones – anything with a screen can be a form of stress. Common Sleep Solutions and Why they May Not Work for Insomnia Devin says there’s plenty of good advice on the internet about good sleep hygiene (like making the room cool and dark and avoiding screen time before (or in) bed) as well as supplements like magnesium and melatonin that can help with sleep quality but they are not necessarily going to help with insomnia.There are two types of insomnia - onset (trouble falling asleep) and maintenance (trouble staying asleep). Devin says that these are generally caused by mental, emotional or psychological issues so these other solutions don’t get to the root cause of the problem. Identifying Your Sleep Story Devin says that the first place to start in conquering the root cause of insomnia is to look at the story you tell yourself about your sleep. This can also lead to a common response which is to try to force or control your sleep. The problem with this is that it creates an underlying tension which shifts the body into a stress response (into a sympathetic state). Devin explains that it can be very subtle and that many of his patients are unaware that they are doing this.  He looks for the three P’s which are:Perfectionism - you strive to be a perfect sleeperPedestal - you put sleep on a pedestalProblem - sleep is a problem you have to solve People who identify with one of these are likely to be making up stories about sleep or their abilities to sleep which can lead to limiting beliefs. The Fear of Insomnia Paradox One of the challenges Devin finds with people who have created meaning or a story around their sleep abilities is that they slip into fear. The fear is usually around what will happen if they don’t get enough sleep. They might worry about the next day and how it will impact their performance, or they might concern themselves with long-term health issues that a chronic lack of sleep will cause. These fears drive the stress response up and make it harder to get to sleep or to get back to sleep. Creating elaborate routines or rituals around getting to sleep or falling back asleep can also backfire because the person may have expectations that their efforts are going to work and if they don’t then they slip back into that stressed state again that keeps them awake. It can also backfire if they are unable to perform these rituals (because life gets in the way) because they may have a belief that they can’t sleep without their routine. What are the Triggers for Poor Sleep or Insomnia? Devin says that most sleep issues have a trigger. This might be stress in a relationship, a health scare, or some kind of stressful event. The problem is that many people turn to medication as a quick fix for this acute problem. That can lead to a psychological attachment to the drug where the person believes they need the medication to fall asleep. If this stops working, then they try new things and it becomes a mission to solve their sleep problem. The whole time, they are becoming more and more stressed about sleep which is keeping them from sleeping. One potential trigger for sleeplessness is trauma. This could be big T trauma or little t trauma but it could continue to cause sleep issues if it is not dealt with. So, if that is a possible cause, then it’s important to get some psychological support. How to Deal with Your Sleep Stories Devin says that they will often help people let go of the stories they are telling themselves about their sleep situation. Here is the process he takes people through:Inquiry Ask yourself what are the things that you're telling yourself right now? What beliefs do you hold true? It might be something like, ‘I've tried everything,’ ‘I’m never going to be a good sleeper,’ or ‘not getting enough sleep is going to make me sick.’Acknowledge Lack of Usefulness Recognize that these thoughts are not useful to you. Let it Go This could be rejecting these thoughts or beliefs. It could also be accepting them. Devin explains this process as embodied acceptance where you let go of the control and you may even forgive your body for being awake when you want to be asleep. Don’t judge it. Don’t resist it. Just let it be. This removes the stress. Repeat Sometimes people go through this process and see their insomnia improve and then they have a trigger event and they are back in the loop of thinking the problems are back. This is when it’s important to repeat this process. What to Do When You Wake Up in the Middle of the Night Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep is a common problem and can happen even after you’ve done some of the work letting go of your sleep stories and limiting beliefs about sleeping. While tackling your sleep stories and getting out of the insomnia paradox are important, you also need tools for when you wake during the night. The first thing is to not slip back into creating a story about the current circumstance - don’t judge your wakefulness or give it any more meaning than if you just happen to be awake.  To get back to sleep, Devin says to make sure to have “a plan and a place”. If you are lying awake in bed for more than 15 minutes, get up. You should not stay awake in the place where sleep happens. Go somewhere else and have a plan to do something relaxing or boring (not to think of them as things you do specifically to get back to sleep because that places too much expectation on them). Good Sleep Habits & Tips Without placing too much expectation on these techniques, Devin says it is still important to do what you can to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep. One of the things we chat about in this episode is the connection between gut health and sleep so I encourage you to give it a listen and consider getting some testing done if you suspect there might be something going on with your gut health. It could be the root cause of your sleep issues.  <...

The Case:  Eleanor has trouble losing weight and has discovered that it is not a thyroid issue. She follows a strict Paleo / AIP clean diet plan but can’t seem to shed the poundsWhen she does slip on the diet, any weight she has lost comes back with more. The Investigation Far too often we focus on following a specific (often strict) plan or we think the only way to lose weight is by counting calories. But weight loss requires a much more holistic approach. To discuss this approach further, I invited Brian Keane on the show. He’s a personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning coach, and a sports nutritionist. He’s also the host of the Brian Keane Podcast and is the author of two best-selling books, ‘The Fitness Mindset’ and ‘Rewire Your Mindset’. The Importance of Custom Diet Plans Brian has seen a lot of people struggle with their weight loss and he chalks it up to the idea that a diet or eating plan is a one size fits all. So many people try to make a nutrition plan fit into their schedule or their lifestyle. This makes following the plan challenging and unsustainable. On the other hand, a custom plan is created for your goals and takes into consideration your body, your lifestyle, and your schedule. It also needs to include foods you enjoy to ensure you will continue to follow it.  Tracking Fat Loss vs. Weight Loss Brian points out that many people he’s worked with in the past have been tracking the wrong thing - they focus on the numbers on a scale. It’s so common to aim at lowering the numbers on a scale but for many, a better goal might be to reduce the amount of fat on the body. For someone who is 50-100 pounds overweight, Brian says that weight tracked in pounds on a scale might be the right metric. This can be done using photos or simply how your clothes are fitting. It’s important that people track the correct thing - this will allow them to find the right holistic nutrition plan.  Weight Loss Challenges When someone is checking the scale every day or even every hour, it can create a fixation or even a bit of an addiction. Checking the scale gives you that instant feedback which can deliver a little hit of dopamine. This is why people fall into that cycle of checking the scale too often. It becomes a challenge when you see the weight fluctuate as it can be frustrating. But, there are many things that can cause this fluctuation - especially if you are dealing with IBS, thyroid issues, or a hormonal imbalance. Even the amount of sodium you’ve eaten or water you’ve drunk in the day can shift that scale number. And, because exercise can add muscle, the scale may go up even as the body loses fat. This is why Brian feels it's better to focus on other metrics and not just the numbers on the scale. How your clothes fit or even your measurements are going to be a better indicator. What is the Holistic Approach to Weight Loss?  Taking a holistic approach to weight loss means that you’re not just focused on the calories in vs calories out. A holistic approach means that you are looking for a sustainable routine that includes the right (for you) nutrition and fitness routine. As a personal trainer and sports nutritionist, Brian encourages anyone looking to lose fat to include resistance or strength training. Adding this to the plan boosts the metabolism which continues well after the workout session. He also says that we can’t forget about how important sleep is for weight loss. This is because it’s during our sleep that we are able to down regulate our nervous system which allows all of our other systems to function optimally - including balancing our hormones and managing hunger and food cravings which can lead to self-sabotage. The holistic approach is based on three pillars:NutritionTraining (exercise)SleepIf there were a fourth pillar it might be mindset because how you think about the process can make a huge difference. This is part of why Brian suggests replacing weight loss goals based on the numbers on the scale with goals related to your motivations like feeling better, looking better in your clothes or feeling sexy without clothes.  Does Weight Training Make Women Bulky? One of the biggest reasons women avoid adding weight training or strength training into their holistic weight loss plan is a fear of getting big and bulky. They’re afraid that they’ll end up with bulging muscles. Brain says there are ways to avoid gaining big muscles. He also points out that it is not as common for women to really bulk up the way men do because they don’t have the testosterone levels that lead to that kind of muscle bulk. He generally recommends a low calorie nutrition plan that contains nutrient dense foods including complex carbs, healthy fats, complete protein sources, and plenty of fruits and vegetables (although each individual is going to have a different plan as was previously discussed on the podcast). He would also encourage a training element that boosts the metabolism (weight training, strength training and resistance training do this) so that you are burning calories while you rest.  Mystery Solved As we learn in this episode, weight loss is really a full body approach. It’s so much more than calories in and calories out!  Eleanor’s diet was super clean so we knew we needed to look at which types of foods worked best for her. After doing some experimenting, we discovered that her body actually did better with less fats and more carbs. This was the opposite to how she’d been eating.  We kept her caloric intake the same but we could see that we needed to change up the ratios.  Conclusion Eleanor was nervous about eating carbs but I explained that including clean carbs (mostly grain-free) in the right proportion would actually benefit her weight loss goals.We also addressed her emotional connections to food by working on her limiting beliefs around weight loss and food.Stress management was another piece of the puzzle so we connected her mind and body with a few simple techniques.  Next Steps  In addition, we also looked at her gut because Eleanor mentioned that her weight gain had been predominantly around the belly. She also noted experiencing bloating. We did a stool test and found an overgrowth of yeast as well as a few different types of bacteria in her gut. To address this, I create a custom protocol with some antimicrobial botanicals, digestive enzymes and some hydrochloric acid. We did this protocol for six weeks. At first, she did feel a little bit more bloated but a detox reaction is not uncommon. This extra bloating only lasted three to four days and then the bloating reduced and she felt much better.  Happy Ending Six weeks into the shift in food ratios, the gut cleanse, and all of our emotional work, Eleanor had lost 8 pounds. After years of struggling, she was thrilled to see the weight coming off (and stay off). We continued to work on the foods and emotional connections, and we supported her liver to improve how it processed toxins. Two months later, this additional support resulted in another 5 pound weight loss. Eleanor couldn’t be happier with the progress and is feeling optimistic and excited to continue on her journey.  Eliminating Health Mysteries For Eleanor, we were able to ...

The Case:  With Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism she knew she had to watch out for triggersShe worried that the toxic chemicals in her hair dye could become a trigger but she wasn’t ready to go grayShe looked at organic options, but realized they all STILL had harsh chemicals and the substitutes were even worse.  Full disclosure, this week’s case is about ME and my struggle to find a healthy way to stave off the grays without triggering and worsening my Hashimoto’s. I was determined to find an answer and I did. The Investigation I was shocked to discover that there are many hair dye options that present themselves as a healthy option but that still contain many chemicals. Several ‘ammonia free’ options have chemicals that could be potentially worse. And, the addition of ‘organic’ to a label or name does not mean there aren’t chemicals, it just means some of the ingredients are organic. How frustrating!Luckily, I did find a solution that is safer and still works. It’s called Hairprint. Like with most things, it has its pros and cons. To find out a bit more about the product itself, I invited Jennifer Barker on the show. Jennifer has been in the hair industry for over 20 years. She's a hairdresser and colorist and now she’s the director of customer experience at Hairprint. Are Hair Dyes Toxic? Jennifer explains how conventional hair dye works and why so many hair dyes contain potentially harmful toxins. Ammonia or nanolumens are used in many hair dyes to pull apart the layers of the hair protein to give the dye access to the hair shaft. Ammonia-free dyes often use chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and PPD (Paraphenylenediamine) to do the same thing. It’s worth noting that PPD is so potentially harmful that it is banned in Canada and the EU. This chemical-process compromises the whole structure of the hair internally and externally. Chemicals may also seep into your bloodstream during the dying process if the chemicals are on the scalp. These toxins can harm the immune system, the respiratory system, the liver, the kidneys, and can trigger serious allergic reactions. Can Hair Dye be Triggering for Autoimmune? Anyone with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's or with any type of chronic illness may be more sensitive to the toxins in conventional hair dyes and the toxins can be triggers for any autoimmune disease. For some, they will experience itchiness or hives right away or a few hours later. Sometimes, it’s cumulative so it may not happen the first few times someone uses a hair dye and then the third or fourth time there’s a reaction. The reaction can differ too. It might be itchiness, a rash, or even hives. It may also be when the immune system is already being challenged by another trigger. In some cases, like in mine, there may not be a direct scalp reaction but the accumulation of toxins in the body can create further immune confusion and therefore further attack of our organs by our own immune systems. The Truth about Organic Hair Dyes I often see organic hair dyes and I think it must be better than the conventional options but Jennifer says that it’s a bit misleading. She says that the FDA doesn't define, recognize, or regulate the term ‘organic’ in the personal care industry. This means that companies can add natural ingredients and call their hair dye organic but does not mean there aren’t chemicals in the dye. Often the added botanical or organic elements have nothing to do with the dying process; they are just in addition to the usual chemicals in a conventional hair dye. It’s basically marketing, according to Jennifer. How Does Hairprint Work? Hairprint really is a different process than regular hair dye - in fact, Jennifer doesn’t like to put it in the same category and I can see why. It has 8 food-grade ingredients and the key ingredient is melanin from velvet beans. Melanin is what determines the color of our skin and eyes. The process of Hairprint is more like biomimicry than dye. It takes unpigmented hair (gray hair) and puts the melanin back into the hair. It does this without the harsh chemicals required to open up the hair follicles and hair shaft but this means that the process does take a bit more care. The Hairprint Process There is a learning curve when it comes to using Hairprint and it does take a bit of preparation. There can’t be any residue or buildup on the hair before the treatment. So, Jennifer says it’s best to pause all conventional hair care products for seven days. It's known as the seven day cleanse. The next step is to use the chelating shampoo. This may need to be repeated as many as 4 times over the course of a week in order to remove any residual silicones, calcium and other minerals (more prevalent if you use hard water), chlorine, or excess sebum. The chelating shampoo draws the impurities out. After that, there are three steps to the process - the prepare, the restore, and the complete. The ‘Prepare’ stage is a pre-treatment shampoo that you leave on for 5 - 25 minutes depending on how sensitive your scalp is (everyone is different but the standard duration is 15 minutes). This softens the hair cuticle. If you have color treated hair, you only need to treat the untreated hair during step one. Step two is ‘Restore’ which is when you restore the pigment of gray hairs. You can choose between pigment that is light brown or dark brown. These contain the same ingredients, they just have different ratios of pigment. You are mixing it together and once you see it turn a reddish color, you want to get it on your hair within 6 minutes of mixing. If you're doing your whole head then put it everywhere but you can just do your roots if that’s all that needs coverage. Allow it to process for 15 to 20 minutes and then repeat. For those who are more than 30% gray, you would do this step an additional 3rd time after which you would rinse is out.If you are transitioning from conventional hair dye to Hairprint, you will want to make sure that you are only applying the mixture to your virgin hair. If you apply it to previously colored hair, you will not have a uniform color. Instead, apply shea butter to the previously colored hair to avoid the Hairprint color from getting on to the previously colored hair. Over time, your previously colored hair will grow out and you will be able to skip the shea butter application. The final step is ‘Complete’. Some people who are used to coloring their hair compare this step to applying toner but what it’s actually doing is helping push the pigment further into the hair cuticle. This step warms up the color by increasing the hair’s light reflection. It also helps with the longevity of the color. Can You Apply Hairprint to Henna Treated Hair? Don’t be tricked into thinking that because Henna is natural, it’s not dye. There are two types of Henna - the kind you use for body art which is pure and and the kind sold as a hair color treatment which is compound. If you are using the hair treatment, it may contain chemicals like PPD, so you will want to avoid applying Hairprint directly onto this color treated hair. Jennifer says it’s best to allow the Henna treated hair to grow out instead. My Experience with Hairprint Like many people, I thought it was going to be impossible to cover up my grays without chemicals. I had worked so hard to avoid having any chemicals in my food and my home and I hated to think that coloring my hair was the one place my healthy plan might be compromised. I thought I might be ab...

The Case: Leila has been dealing with Hashimoto’s, Lyme and Crohn’s disease for years.  She was managing her symptoms through a strict regimen of supplements, diet, and various practitioners.Emotionally, she was feeling disconnected, discouraged, and joyless.We so often focus on the biochemistry side of autoimmune issues that we forget the importance of taking care of our emotions and connection to life. In other words, there’s more to feeling good than just the physical. The InvestigationGetting to the root of health issues, especially chronic and mysterious ones, is quite multi faceted. We really have to address it from all angles. While biochemistry is important, it's just one part and there are many areas that also play a very large role. This was what was missing for Leila and felt it was going to be important for her to really connect with herself and discover her true self. This is not always easy so to help out, I invited a self-discovery coach to join me on this episode of Health Mysteries Solved. Sara Katherine is the host of the podcast, Be Your Own Badass and the author of Your Self-Discovery Journal, I’m Awesome: Here’s Why, and Be Happy. Be Calm. Be YOU. Her mission is to help women achieve their goals without letting people-pleasing or perfectionism get in the way. What is Self-Discovery?Before we can dive into self-discovery, it’s important to be able to frame it. For Sara, self-discovery is understanding what you want and what makes you you. She says the ultimate goal of being in tune with who you are, your values, what motivates you and your passions is that the more you’re in tune with these, the more action you can take in life. And, that action will feel authentic and right. For someone like Leila, or anyone who is so focused on their symptoms and their health journey, it’s easy to start to feel disconnected with that authentic self. Being able to tap into what makes you you again will help you take care of your symptoms and day-to-day issues but also remind you that you’re more than what you're dealing with right now.How to Get Started with Self DiscoveryFor anyone who has never looked into self discovery, it can be a bit daunting. Sara recommends starting small by tuning in to your intuition (which is just like doing a gut check). She says to hold space and check into how you’re feeling about something. Pay attention to how your body responds to that thought. Too often our minds are going a mile a minute and we don’t stop to check in with ourselves. She explains the concept of listening to our intuition as having an inner mentor (the opposite of the inner critic).  It's the part of you that understands you and wants the best for you. It has the best results for you in mind. Checking in with your inner mentor can take as little as 5 minutes. To do it, start by sitting in silence. Then, do a life audit and scan through what you’re going through on a day-to-day basis. Pay attention to what comes up from your inner mentor. This is a great first step in reconnecting with yourself again. How to Tell Intuition from FearThe challenge that many people have with intuition or listening to their gut is that sometimes, when we have fear, we call it intuition. Sara says that she has also struggled with this because anxieties can creep up and get in the way of intuition. She says it’s all about understanding that deep connection to your truth which comes with practice. Practice by paying closer attention to your emotional and physical responses to things. Meditation is also a way to hone your intuition skills. She also suggests paying close attention to which feeling comes first. Usually, the fear comes first but when you sit with it for a moment you can let the intuitive response in. Misconceptions Around Self-CareAsk someone for an example of self-care and chances are the response will be either get a message or take a bubble bath but are these really examples of self-care? Sara says they may be but only if that’s what personally fills you up. Self-care is personal. Each person has a different way of recharging their batteries. For some, it might be connecting with friends while others prefer time alone. There is no one size fits all for self-care - it is highly personal. If you don’t know what fills you up or recharges your batteries, you need to try new things and pay close attention to how it feels before, during and after. But, don’t wait until your cup is empty - find what fills it up before you need it filled. For example, for me, if I don't sleep, I don't feel well. One of my forms of self-care is going to bed early and getting lots of sleep. If I wait until I’m tired to get more sleep, it’s already too late.The Difference Between Self-Care and Self-LoveThe act of self-care is an act of self-love because it cultivates self-love. Sara also says to think of self-care as the action and self-love as the state you achieve. Being able to take care of yourself and understand yourself throughout the process, that helps you be kinder to yourself and appreciate different pieces about you. This all brings self-love into your life. Self-love also has to do with the inner critic versus the inner mentor. When we are in a state of self-love, we listen more to our inner mentor instead of our inner critic. Being kind to ourselves, and honoring the inner mentor can be a challenge especially for those who are people-pleasers or perfectionists. The inner critic is strong in these personalities, so there is a lot more work that needs to be done to combat the inner critic. For anyone dealing with autoimmune issues or who are on a health journey, it can be very hard to focus on the inner mentor because things don’t always go smoothly and the path isn’t always linear. So, practicing self-care and cultivating self-love are really important because a negative mindset can affect the healing journey. How Can a Lack of Self-Love Manifest PhysicallyWhile this is difficult to prove scientifically, anecdotally there are many stories of people struggling with health until they are able to cultivate self-love. Sara says that she notices it physically. For her, it’s the digestive system that responds to times when she is allowing stress to creep in, when she’s not getting enough sleep or when she listens too much to her inner critic.  When you let the inner critic win, you end up in a negative state and that can spiral. You stop appreciating the positives, you may not do the things you need to do to feel good (like take time to go for a walk in nature or even just to take some deep breaths). It can compound if you don't combat it with some self-care practices. Fueling Self-Care and ConfidenceConfidence and self-care go hand in hand. When your self-care and self-compassion are low, it affects your self-love. If your self-love is low then it’s hard to be confident. For anyone dealing with autoimmune disease, this confidence is critical.However, Sara points out that nobody feels totally confident every single day. Confidence comes and goes. Sara says that confidence is more like a muscle than a state of being. Building (and maintaining) confidence requires regular practice, just like self-care. One common way to boost self confidence is through daily affirmations. Another is to remind yourself of what’s good in your life by keeping a daily gratitude journal.These practices help you focus on the positive each day and give you support through the challenging days. Even when things are challenging, you can always find ...

The Investigation I know how confusing and frustrating it can be living with hypothyroidism and or Hashimoto’s because there is so much information out there about Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism.  At the same time, there is also not that much that really focuses on these specific conditions. This is why I get so many questions every time I check in with you through Instagram and my email list. After posting in my IG stories this week, I got a ton of questions and I am so excited to answer them for you. Before I do, I want to remind you that Hashimoto’s and thyroid issues are very individual - there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. That’s why I created a much more in depth training and you can access it absolutely free RIGHT HERE!  Let’s dive into your questions. I got over 300 questions, but many of them were similar or around the same theme so I’m focusing on the most frequently asked questions in this episode of Health Mysteries Solved.   The Question #1 How can I lose weight with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? (and many other variations of this question). Inna’s Response  As I mentioned, dealing with your thyroid condition is not one-size-fits-all and neither are the weight management strategies. It is very individual based on your thyroid type and your genetics.  However, one common issue is gluten intolerance. Gluten tends to be a trigger for people with autoimmunity especially if they have the DQ2 and the DQ8 Genes. These genes make it difficult for the body to process gluten and instead your body may attack it by making an antibody to gluten. This may cause cross-reactivity where your body is not only attacking the gluten but accidentally attacking other tissues like the thyroid.  Another common food sensitivity is dairy. This can be a major trigger. For me, it showed up as skin issues (including redness and hives) as well as gas and bloating. I was able to determine dairy as the culprit because when I stopped having dairy, these symptoms went away.  Sugar is another food that many with Hashimoto’s may want to reconsider eating. Sugar can offset our blood sugar very quickly and can cause quite a bit of inflammation. This does not help us deal with Hashimoto’s because there is often already inflammation.    The Question #2 How do I choose what to try first with dietary changes? Should I do the AIP, go grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free? Inna’s Response  There is not a short answer to this question because it depends on so many different factors. If you are quite in-tune with your body, you may have an idea of what is causing an issue for you. In this case, test your suspicions by eliminating that item from your diet and see if you feel better.  You could also get a food sensitivity test but make sure that you are doing a test that has multiple immunoglobulin pathways as many basic tests only look at one. I like the Zoomers tests from Vibrant Wellness because they test for different pathways including IGG, IGA and IGE as well as testing the components of the different foods.  Another option is to do a full elimination diet following the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) until you get the inflammation down and then introduce things one at a time to discover your triggers.    The Question #3 What dietary changes should I make to help me lose weight with Hashimoto’s or Hypothyroid? Inna’s Response  For some, getting rid of dairy or gluten significantly reduces inflammation and that helps them retain less water and lose weight pretty quickly.  However, I think for many of us, I would probably say most of us, it's not that easy (but it’s not impossible!) There’s a lot that goes into weight loss. First and foremost, you want to make sure that you’re supporting your thyroid if your thyroid levels are not optimal. It is going to be very, very hard to lose weight if your thyroid is in a slow state and not activating your metabolism. So, make sure to support your thyroid for your thyroid type (be sure to check out my free training for more on this).  Secondly, consider your metabolic type. Some of us are ‘carb type’ and some are ‘protein type’ if you are not eating according to your type, it will be very difficult for your metabolism to do its job and help you maintain or lose weight.  And finally, if you are following a protocol or plan and not seeing results, then you may want to switch it up.    The Question #4 What supplements should I take if I am a vegetarian with Hashimoto’s? Inna’s Response  The answer to this question depends on a couple of things. A vegetarian diet can be very healthy but you want to make sure that you’re getting enough protein, B12 and iron. This is especially true for specific thyroid types, so if you are a vegetarian you want to figure out your thyroid type. Check your iron and B12 levels and be sure to supplement if they are low.    The Question #5 What is the best type of exercise for Hashimoto’s or Hypothyroid? Inna’s Response  If your thyroid is supported (and your levels are optimal) and you are doing everything you can to calm and balance your immune system (avoiding Hashimoto’s flare ups), then you can do any kind of exercise you like.  I like to do high intensity interval training (HIIT) because I like to do quick spurts and I find that I can fit it into my busy day. Weight-bearing exercises are also very good because you get your metabolic rate going and it stays active with you for hours and hours after you’ve worked out. I also like to do the Lagree Method of Pilates. This is done on a transformer and it is a full body workout.  However, if you’re still working on balancing your thyroid hormones or you find yourself in a Hashimoto’s flareup, then you will want to avoid strenuous exercise. When your thyroid is flaring and the autoimmunity is flaring, your body is in an inflammatory stress state. Exercising in this state can increase that stress. You will know if you are doing this because you will feel physical strain and fatigue right after the workout.    The Question #6 Why are there so many different symptoms with Hashimoto’s? Inna’s Response  This is such a great question and I love talking about this (check episode 100 which is dedicated to Hashimoto’s symptoms). The reason why Hashimoto's has so many symptoms is because there are two areas affected - the thyroid and your immune system.  When you have Hashimoto's you will typically have a less than optimal thyroid function because your thyroid is under attack. Getting your thyroid levels balanced will help with some of the symptoms.  People with Hashimoto’s are also dealing with inflammation caused by the immune system attacking your thyroid. When these attacks happen, the inflammation can show up anywhere on the body. It could be your joints causing aches and pains. It could be the brain causing brain fog.  We can have inflammation on our skin causing acne, rashes, eczema or other types of dermatitis.  To avoid the symptoms, your support for Hashimoto’s has to be twofold, you have to support the immune system to stop that inflammation in the attack and also support the thyroid.   The Question #7 What is the relationship between Vitiligo and Hashimoto’s? Inna’s Response  Vitil...

In our last episode, we introduced you to Allison. She was dealing with: Allison was dealing with brain fog, fatigue, and joint pain.She felt much older than her chronological years.Labs showed that her B vitamins, iron, and thyroid were all fine but her symptoms persisted.We spoke with Jason Earle who is the founder and CEO of 1-800-Got-Mold and has appeared as an expert on The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, and Extreme Home Makeover. In that episode, he gave us so much great information about mold and debunked a whole bunch of myths around mold, how to test for it, and how to get rid of it. If you haven’t listened to that episode, I highly recommend that you go back and give it a listen. In this episode, we dive into how to regain your health once you’ve cleared the mold out of your house and have reduced exposure.  Exposure to Mold Through DietMany of the symptoms related to mold exposure revolve around inflammation. Despite having dealt with the environmental exposure to mycotoxins and mold in your home, you may still be exposed to them in your diet. Grains, sugar, processed foods, and peanut butter. Removing these from your diet is the next step in detoxing from mold exposure. Doing a no sugar, no grains diet will also help reduce the inflammation that mold exposure will have contributed to. Purging Mycotoxins from Your BodyThere are several ways to rid the body of mycotoxins after extended exposure. One is to purge them through sweat (exercise and saunas are great for this). Another is to take glutathione which will stimulate the release of mycotoxins in the body. Urine tests can confirm that mycotoxins are being released. Mycotoxins can be detected in blood and urine. You want to see the mycotoxins in the urine because that proves they are being released. Jason cautions against believing in any absolute - any singular way to treat mycotoxin exposure. He personally had a bad experience with Cholestyramine despite others having reported being successful in removing toxins (along with removing cholesterol and other fats from the body). You have to find the approach that will work for you but Jason says that lifestyle changes may be the hardest but, in his experience, they are the most effective.  Treat Your Liver WellOne of the parts of the body impacted by exposure to microbial VOCs is the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is on the rise with an estimated 30% of Americans affected by it. The American Liver Foundation reports that about 100 million Americans have Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and that NAFLD is the most common form of liver disease in children (having doubled in the past 20 years).  Jason believes this is due to increased exposure to VOC (not just microbial but also chemical VOCs caused by off gassing from plastics, petroleum-based products and other man made products).  To protect the liver’s health, decrease or eliminate alcohol and sugar. Use air purifiers. Get outside and work up a sweat.  Don’t Ignore Musty SmellsJason reminds us that a musty smell indicates the presence of microbial VOCs. And, as was discussed in the last episode, it’s not just mycotoxins we need to be concerned about. If there is a musty smell, then there are microbial VOCs present. Breathing these in along with chemical VOCs (which may not be detectable by odor alone) can cause health issues. It can cause inflammation, impeded breathing (especially for asthmatics), brain fog, and other health concerns.  Top Tips for Reducing Mold and Mold Related IssuesTo keep things simple, Jason recommends these lifestyle choices:Ventilate spaces wellUse an air purifierKeep spaces clean (don’t let mold accumulate - wet areas can go moldy in 72 hours)Eat clean (avoid mold harboring foods like sugar, grains, peanut butter, and processed foods)Exercise (sweating helps eliminate toxins from the body)Don’t count on a pill (or magic bullet) to do the entire jobDon’t ignore or dismiss musty smells Check Your HistoryJason became interested in the impact of mold on human health from his own experience. He grew up in a moldy farm house and was exposed to a lot of other types of toxins. As a result, he had asthma and many other health issues. It wasn’t until he learned about mold, and was able to detox his system that he discovered what it felt like to be healthy. Mold may have been a part of your history too, think back to the buildings and spaces where you spent your time. This is the exposure to other environmental toxins you may have been (or continue to be) exposed to. These could have caused chronic inflammation and could be the root cause of your health issues.  Are you Exposed to Mold?The first step to eliminating mold exposure is to check the environments you spend most of your time in. Jason’s company has a mold testing kit that you can find using this link. You’ll also find free resources there including an ebook that will help you feel even more informed and in control of your situation. It’s important to check your information sources because there is a lot of misinformation out there in this vast and somewhat unregulated field.  Mystery Solved In Allison’s case, we first worked with a certified mold inspector to find what was really going on and then she hired a mold remediator (who was not associated with the inspector) to have things properly cleaned and remediated. She got air purifiers to improve her indoor air quality.From a nutrition perspective, we ran some tests and found that her mitochondria were not functioning well (super common with mold exposure cases - especially those with sensitivities).We decided on a bottom-to-top approach. We first supported her bowels to ensure she is eliminating regularly. We then supported drainage of the liver with bile acids with  Advanced TUDCA by CellCore. Along with this, we used their  Biotoxin Binder which is a water soluble binder and does not include any charcoal. After this we supported her liver, kidney and lymphatic system with  KL Support and  LymphActiv and worked on the mitochondria with  molecular hydrogen and  Mitochondrial NRG from Designs for Health. Happy EndingThe results for Allison were fantastic. As we were finishing up the protocol, she reported that her joint pain was completely gone (she’d already forgotten how bad it had been only weeks before). Now that her home environment has been cleared and her body is back in balance, she’s thrilled to be feeling better again.  Eliminating Health MysteriesFor Allison’s case we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links:Thanks to my guest Jason Earle. You can connect with him, access...

The Case: Allison was dealing with brain fog, fatigue, and joint pain.She felt much older than her chronological years.Labs showed that her B vitamins, iron, and thyroid were all fine but her symptoms persisted. The InvestigationWhen I met Allison, I decided to check her thyroid again but everything really was normal. We talked about a lot of other possible root causes but when she told me that things had gotten worse after she moved to her new house, I started to suspect that her issues may have something to do with her environment. It was time to see if there was mold in her house.  Indoor Air Quality Crusader and Mold ExpertJason Earle is the founder and CEO of 1-800-Got-Mold as well as the creator of the Got Mold Test Kit. He’s appeared as an expert on The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, and Extreme Home Makeover. Jason is passionate about mold because his childhood in a moldy farmhouse resulted in several health issues for him.  What is Mold?Jason explains that mold is, on a very basic level, the beginning of decay. This decay, which is nature’s way of breaking things down, causes a smell that serves as a warning sign to humans. Some people are more sensitive to molds and therefore find it easier to smell mold when it’s in the air or the environment. Mold sends you a signal that the air is not healthy and you want to heed that warning because mold problems just get worse if they are not dealt with.  Unhealthy Building or HouseMoisture is the enemy of a healthy building. Mold is a natural byproduct of prolonged dampness. Plus, mold spores become airborne and are constantly looking for the right conditions to take hold, germinate, and form mold. Spores can cause allergic reactions including sinus issues, dermal reactions, and itchy eyes. These spores also carry a by-product of mold called mycotoxins. And, mold produces a musty smell known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). The Dangers of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)MVOCs can make people very sick. Research shows that living in a home with ‘musty odor’ increases the risk of asthma in children by 250%.  Additional research, being done by Dr. Joan Bennett at Rutgers University is looking at the link between musky odor and reduced dopamine production. Such a connection could lead to potential links to Parkinson-like symptoms, depression, and cognitive issues.  Testing for MoldThere are different types of tests available but they aren’t all created equal.  Jason doesn’t think the ‘petri dish’ tests are very accurate because petri dishes are made to grow mold. He says that spores are everywhere so the presence of spores doesn’t mean there is mold. He does sell his own version of testing kits called Got Mold Testing Kits. You can also hire a mold inspector but he also warns against expensive inspectors who may capitalize on the presence of mycotoxins and then charge thousands to treat it without removing the source of the mold. It’s important to note that there are two kinds of mold problems - the kind you can see and the kinds you can’t (sequestered) because it’s hidden in the walls or ceilings.  When inspecting a house, it’s important to look for both kinds of mold. Jason has a free ebook called “How to Find Mold in Your Home” that you can access at https://www.gotmold.com/mysteriessolved/ Finding a Professional Mold  InspectorHiring a trustworthy inspector to detect mold in the house is important. Jason warns against hiring anyone who may be associated with a remediation company as there may be a conflict. The free guide his company created (downloadable) includes questions you should ask a potential inspector. Mold RemediationJason’s company does remediation. They remove the area with the mold issue and ensure there is no more moisture. They then clean the house to remove any MVOCs without adding more (using chemical cleaners). Mold remediation is about removing the mold and its by-products from the home. It’s not about killing the more or killing the mycotoxins. Remediation is a controlled interior, demolition of affected materials, safe removal and then thorough cleaning of the affected areas in the building.  One of the tools professionals use in cleaning up after the removal of mold is a vacuum with a HEPA filter used many times. In order for remediation to be effective, the cause of any underlying moisture problems have to be corrected to avoid mold coming back. Many people don’t realize that mold occurs within 24-48 hours of a moisture problem. If porous materials stay wet for 72 hours or longer, they are automatically considered moldy and will need to be removed. Mold can be very expensive but the faster you take action, the less it will cost in remediation. Jason explains that any mold-afflicted area larger than 10 square feet must be removed by a professional.  Using Foggers to Deal with Mold in the HouseMany people try to deal with their mold issue by using a fogger. The concept of this is that by putting fog in the air (tiny water droplets) you will collect the mold spores and they will no longer be airborne. Jason says there is a logical flaw here because the last thing you want to do in a moldy home is increase the moisture. Plus, he points out, many companies use an antimicrobial fog but this is not necessary in most remediations. If there is potentially bacterial contamination (like if the water incident came from a sewer) then an antimicrobial treatment might be beneficial. However, many people who have mold sensitivity also have chemical sensitivities and fogging the house with chemicals could cause more issues.  Keeping the Air Clean and HealthyRunning a HEPA filter air purifier will help keep the air healthy after remediation. In addition, wipe down areas and vacuum often to keep the spore count lower. We can’t avoid spores, but we can avoid air filled with MVOCs (which come from chemicals and plastics). MVOCs can make people very sick. Also, get rid of anything that has a musty smell clinging to it (like clothing or towels) - especially if you wash it and it still smells musty. Jason says that his preferred brands of air purifier are Medify and IQ Air. He says the important thing is to look for a true HEPA filter that has activated carbon in it (this is what will remove the VOCs). And finally, ventilate the room. Open a window to let the musty odor out and let the fresh air in.  Avoiding MycotoxinsJason is a mold expert but his personal healthy journey has taught him a lot about where mycotoxin exposures may happen. For example, there may be mycotoxins in foods like processed foods, sugar, grains, and peanuts (including peanut butter). Exposure through diet can cause inflammation and other health issues. So, before blaming the house, check your diet.  Next Steps in Mitigating Mold IssuesJoin us next episode for the conclusion of this health mystery solved case. We’ll continue our conversation with mold expert, Jason Earle and learn about how the body deals with mold exposure and how to support your body after mold exposure.  Eliminating Health MysteriesCould mold be a factor in your health or the health of someone you know? Please share this episode and the next one with them.  

Health Hindsight Anyone who has struggled through a health mystery and finally solved their issues will undoubtedly wish they’d known sooner what was really going on. Who hasn’t thought, ‘If only I knew then what I know now’. I’ve been through so much with my health over the last 25 years. Not to mention the over 17 years in clinical practice! I can definitely say I know a lot more now than I did when this all started.  In this podcast, I say, ‘the answers are out there’ and they are. Part of the reason I do this podcast is so that more people can skip ahead to the part where they know more and their health and healing journeys can be less stressful, frustrating, and painful. For this episode, I’d share a few of my lessons - the things I wish I knew or did sooner because of how it helped me feel better. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes (or life lessons) so you can avoid them and heal faster.  Here are the top 5 things that made the biggest difference and really moved the needle for me and my health:   Give up Gluten. If I could do it all over again, I would have quit eating gluten sooner. This is a big one for anyone dealing with any kind of autoimmune disease. I knew that there was a connection but nobody had properly explained it to me. There is a process called molecular mimicry where if the body doesn’t like gluten, it attacks the molecules. But, those molecules might look like other molecules or organs (like those produced by the thyroid) which will cause the body to attack those thinking it’s gluten. For me, the labs showed that I had the antibodies to glutens, but because I didn’t want to get off gluten, I ignored it. I would stop for a day or so and not feel a whole lot better and convince myself that I didn’t have an issue. Now I know that you need to be off gluten 100% to really see the health benefits if you have an issue. And, the lesson is to get tested for antibodies right away (I like the test called ‘Wheat Zoomer’ by Vibrant Wellness because other tests are too generalized and may give false negatives). It’s really important to shift your diet and give up gluten if the tests show the genotypes that indicate an intolerance because ignoring it can lead to more molecular mimicry which can in turn, cause damage and create more issues.    Don’t Over-Rely on Supplements.  This may sound crazy coming from me because every episode I talk about supplements that have helped those with a health mystery. I still take a lot of supplements. I recommend supplements. I believe supplements can play an important role in optimal health. But here’s the thing, they are not everything. The lesson I learned was not to think that taking supplements alone would be enough to solve everything. Supplements are important but they are just one tool. We also have to consider our food, our mind-body, our environment and our physical activity.    Stop Underestimating the Mind Body Connection. I was such a scientist, I saw things very black and white. I wanted tangible proof of everything. It took me too long to explore the benefits of things like energy work, meditation, and mindset. Once I discovered the shifts in my health I wondered why I had been so resistant. This is particularly true because of the proven risk that stress presents to our cells and systems. We often give lip service to the importance of reducing stress but we don’t do the work. It’s so important to reframe, use mind-body tools (like box breathing, moving the body outdoors, or short meditations) and have a positive mindset in dealing with the challenges of life and the stress it presents. This will calm down the adrenals and make sure you aren’t working against all of your other health habits.    Keep a Food Journal. When we’re trying to figure out a health mystery, so often the clues are in our food. But, so many of us don’t really keep track of exactly what we’re eating and how it makes us feel or the reactions it may cause. Sometimes the reaction isn’t immediate. Keeping a food journal was the only way I found out that I had an issue with dairy because he reaction was 2 days later so it was not obvious. While it may take a bit of time and effort, it can really bring you some clarity about what’s going on. You don’t have to do it forever, even keeping track for a couple of weeks will help you see the big picture.    Don’t White Knuckle It. Sometimes in our effort to get healthy we push ourselves super hard. It’s tough because some things do require discipline and hard work but if you feel like you are constantly up against it, this is going to create stress. The stress of trying to follow every health rule strictly can cause a negative reaction. If it feels like you are pushing and pushing and it feels like it’s not working, you don’t need to white knuckle it. Trust your gut and rethink the process. It could be the protocol you’re following, it could be your practitioner, or it could be your mindset. Whatever it is, if it’s not working, rethink it.    These are the 5 things I wish I knew sooner or did sooner. I hope these allow you to avoid some of my mistakes and help you heal faster.   Eliminating Health Mysteries If these tips from my healing journey were helpful and you think they could help someone else, please share this episode with them.    Links: Resources mentioned Wheat Zoomer Test by Vibrant Wellness   Related Podcast Episodes: My Most Up To Date Immune Protocol Want to Know What a Nutritionist Eats? Plus Ideas for You Lab Work Cheat Sheet   Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.   Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com   PLEASE NOTE All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses. 

The Case: Meghan O’Rourke spent years describing her symptoms to her doctor only to be told it was something inconsequential or all in her head.After years of feeling alone and abandoned by the system she started to see a functional medicine practitioner.Finally, she was getting the real answers to what was going on but it took years to undo the damage done by dismissing the issues.She wrote a book about her experience to help others feel less alone.  The InvestigationMany people dealing with autoimmune diseases or rare genetic issues find themselves beyond the textbooks of traditional medicine. This can lead to being given false diagnosis (like, dry skin or hormonal shifts due to menses), or being sent off to specialist after specialist without any diagnosis. When you are caught in this loop, it seems like treating the issues is impossible and the journey can be emotionally draining. The most heartbreaking part is that women who find themselves in this situation start to question if there are any answers out there, if maybe it is all in their head, or if they will ever feel well again. This is often when they find me and I’m always so glad when they do and I can help to solve their health mysteries. I feel it’s my purpose to help them get out of despair and on the road to health. The Invisible KingdomMeghan O’Rourke is on the same mission. In her book, The Invisible Kingdom, she shares her own journey and what it took to reclaim her health. She shares this story and everything she learned along the way so that others will know that they are not alone and that there are answers when you know where to look. The book is completely aligned with this podcast, so if you’re a long-time listener, you’ll understand why I had to have her on the show. In this episode, we break from our usual podcast format so that Meghan can share her inspirational story.  Meghan’s Personal Health Mystery StoryFor over 10 years, Meghan dealt with health issues that no doctor could explain. It started with neurological symptoms like when she started to feel electrical shock sensations run up her leg. The doctor told her it might be dry skin. Then she started to experience vertigo, fatigue, daily hives, brain fog, joint pain, and excessive night sweats. While certain symptoms were treated others were blamed on stress or she was told not to worry about them. Much like gaslighting, she started to question whether she was actually feeling these things. She started to buy into this message that something was wrong with her mind. She started to blame her diet and that everything she was experiencing was somehow her fault. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. She was also diagnosed with a genetic condition as well as Hashimoto’s. This is when she realized that it wasn’t all in her head and started to understand the scope of suffering by those whose symptoms are dismissed. Shifting Away from Conventional MedicineMeghan’s medical struggles changed course when the sister of a friend (who is a nurse) suggested that she see a functional medicine doctor. The first thing they did was run labs that no conventional doctor had even considered. This was how the thyroid anomaly was found leading to a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease. Even though she was starting to get answers, it was difficult for her to let go of the belief that conventional doctors were the ultimate authority on health. Many people experience this because we are raised to trust traditional medicine and to be skeptical of alternatives.But, the more she started to view her body as a whole system, the more she was able to understand the role the individual symptoms were playing in her overall health picture. She started to figure out the root causes of her symptoms. Lyme Disease DiagnosisLyme disease had been the root cause of several of her symptoms. She’d had a number of strange rashes at different times but they weren't classic bullseye rash known to indicate Lyme. She had dismissed Lyme as a possibility because of the lack of this tell-tale rash. It turns out that many people go undiagnosed for this same reason. The longer you have Lyme without treating it, the more damage it can do. Meghan was hesitant to treat her Lyme disease with antibiotics because she found that certain lifestyle choices significantly helped reduce her symptoms. However, this state of being “almost symptom-free” didn’t always last. Her functional doctor convinced her that the medication was necessary. Many people are surprised by this but the risks of Lyme going untreated are seen as far more harmful than the negative impact on your gut flora from taking antibiotics.It took some time for the medication to work, but once it did, she was able to focus on repairing the damage the antibiotics may have done to her gut health.  Fecal Microbiota TransplantFecal Microbiota Transplant is a cutting edge approach used to restore a severely-imbalanced gut. While this is still somewhat experimental, Meghan was willing to be a guinea pig. She’s glad she did it because in the end, she found it profoundly improved her health. But, it wasn’t a rosy path. Firstly, it’s an expensive treatment that is only covered (in the US) by insurance for treating C Difficile. The transplant (using a donor's fecal microbiota) process took two weeks. They warned her that there might be an immune reaction and there was. She experienced flu-like symptoms and felt ill. They adjusted the treatment due to this reaction but felt confident that it was working. Two weeks later, Meghan reports that she felt a level of energy and good health that she hadn’t felt in 15 years.  A Mindset of Resilience for Autoimmune DiseaseOne of the biggest lessons in Meghan’s book is the importance of mindset when you’re dealing with chronic illness and autoimmune diseases. She shares in her book coping mechanisms and a strategy for surviving it. The focus is so often on the physical challenges and we end up disregarding the mental and emotional challenges being faced. This can sometimes include a lack of trust in the medical system and even in what you’re feeling.  Trust Your Intuition and Advocate for YourselfOne of the strategies Meghan talks about is trusting your intuition so you can be an advocate for your own health. She said it played an important role especially when she was feeling overwhelmed and getting mixed messages from the various experts. However, she points out that you want to avoid ‘search fatigue’ where you spend so much time researching, finding partial answers and getting frustrated. This can cause stress and sometimes you need to take a break. You also need to advocate for yourself outside of your treatment. You need care. You need access to better diagnostics. You need your job and for your bosses to support you and understand your disability. And, you need that social safety net and the promise of future treatment. And all of these needs can’t be met if you stay invisible in your struggles. So, you need to advocate for yourself. The Power of TrackingOne of the most important strategies for Meghan was to track everything. This gave her a clearer, objective picture than memory could and also helped her understand what was happening over time. She does this using spreadsheets where she puts her main symptoms and then rates them o...

The Case: Lynn has Hashimoto’s and experiences fatigue, brain fog and mood swings.She takes thyroid medication and various supplements but still struggles to feel well.She’s frustrated because she eats well and follows a good thyroid protocol without the results. The InvestigationWhen I met Lynn, I saw that her TSH was fluctuating so we needed to stabilize her immune system. She was already following much of my advice with her diet and supplements. There were a few minor improvements we could make but my sense was that something else was playing a role in addition to her biochemistry. What is a Psychoimmunologist?If you’ve never heard the term psychoneuroimmunology (sometimes referred to simply as psychoimmunology) it is the study of how the mind can affect the immune system.  Dr. Mario Martinez, a best-selling author is a thought leader in the field of psychoneuroimmunology with his books, “The Mind-Body Code: How the Mind Wounds and Heals the Body” and “The MindBody Self: How Longevity Is Culturally Learned and the Causes of Health Are Inherited” as well as his online courses, groups, and mentorships. He’s been a popular guest on the show before and I knew he was perfect to join us to shed some light on this health mystery. Especially because lately, he’s been working on the role that authenticity plays in our immune health and our thyroid health.  What is Authenticity?Dr. Martinez says that there is a tremendous misconception around authenticity and inauthenticity. He explains that many of us were raised in a culture where being authentic simply means to be yourself and be honest. But, he says, that’s not enough. In his research, looking at the origin of the word ‘authenticity’ and how philosophers have pondered it in the past, he feels that being your honest self is only a surface version of yourself. This is because we internalize, morph, and sometimes forget who we are and what we want, in order to fit in with our tribe or cultural expectations. And then, we lose or forget our true self.  How Inauthenticity Causes IllnessBehaving outside of our truth creates a stress response that over time, can create a real health issue. Even when we think we are being authentic, we may be fooling ourselves. The more we repeat these false beliefs about ourselves, and the more we speak about them (because language has power), the more concrete these false-perceptions feel. These feelings become our truth, even though they do not represent our true authentic self. And this can subconsciously cause an imbalance in the immune system through the mind-body connection because our language does not match our true authentic self. For example, if you say, “I am a good person”. Your psycho terminology may trigger your mind to look for evidence of whether you're a good person or not. And if you begin to look at when you're not being a good person and that you have a history of not being a good person, you create an incoherence which triggers a stress response. If this continues, then you may find yourself with chronically high levels of cortisol. Which, in turn, can release inflammatory molecules, increasing a propensity for particular illnesses. Dr. Martinez shared another hypothetical example about a little girl who learned to be submission to survive an abusive father. This submissiveness was necessary at the time. However, she may begin to believe that this is part of who she truly is. But, when she carries it forward into parts of her life where it is not necessary for survival, she may struggle to get the things she wants. Her learned truth and her real truth are out of balance. She is so used to being oppressed that she falls into a perceived helplessness. The moment that you feel helpless, like you don't have resources to deal with something overcoming you, your natural killer cells go down, your ideas go down, your inflammation goes up, and your immune system becomes helpless because you have a helpless consciousness. But, when you are an adult and the context is different (you actually do have resources, you’re not in danger of being hurt) and you have this response, there is a disconnect between your behavior and the reality of the situation. Overtime, this can lead to serious health issues. It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean inauthenticity causes illness but it can increase the propensity for it.  How Do You Know If You're Being Inauthentic?If being authentic isn’t simply being honest and has so much to do with the subconscious mind, or learned false-beliefs, how can you tell if you are being inauthentic? Dr. Martinez says the answer is in your innate response. When you are behaving in a way that is inauthentic, you can feel it. However, many of us have become desensitized to these physical responses. Awareness and learning to identify that feeling of being inauthentic (for example, saying yes in an effort to people-please) is the first step in moving out of living an inauthentic life.  How To Stop Being InauthenticThe first step is that awareness. You must realize when the feeling comes up so you can identify what you are being inauthentic about. The next is to start to honor your authentic self. For example, if you don’t like Italian food and someone asks if you’d like to go to an Italian restaurant. Your instinct may be to acquiesce but this will trigger a physical response because you know you don’t really want to go there. So, you need to speak up and say, no thank you (and then maybe suggest a place you would like to go). Acting more in accordance with your authentic self is important but it can be harder than it sounds. Dr. Martinez explains that it can help to remember how it felt the last time you were in alignment with your authentic self. For example, if your belief is that you are a nervous person. You need to remember what it felt like to not be nervous as you are telling yourself that you are not a nervous person. Immersing yourself in the sensation of the memory will help you feel aligned with your authentic self.  In this episode, Dr. Martinez also shares some great questions you can ask yourself to help you stay in authenticity.  How Quickly Will You See Health Benefits from being Truly Authentic?Dr. Martinez says that the physical response to stepping out of inauthenticity is very quick. He explains that because you're changing the cycle terminology, the body will no longer be in that state of alarm. This should help your basal cortisol drop and your inflammation should decrease because there is no longer a need for this stress response. However, he warns that changing your language and thought patterns (that may be very well ingrained) may take some time. You have to continue to watch your reactions to situations, your natural tendencies that may be to act inauthentically, and the language you use about doing things you may not want to do even if you’re doing them with authenticity. He says that you should approach situations with novelty and curiosity because these two things put your brain into ‘discovery’ which reduces stress.Mystery SolvedLynn’s TSH was constantly fluctuating and she was having frequent flare ups (her thyroid type is the one that I call Hashimoto’s with an agitated response - listen to