Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed

The Case: Denise has Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and has been trying to balance her thyroid for years.She tried Synthroid, Levothyoxine and Armour but these left her feeling ‘off’.It seemed impossible to find something that would get her T4, T3 and TSH levels into range and give her ample energy. I knew that while she was on the right track, we needed a slightly different type of approach to solve her health mystery. When the standard solutions don’t work, you might need to go custom.  The InvestigationI immediately thought of the work that Jim Hrncir has been doing with compounding thyroid medication. This is something he is incredibly passionate about ever since his own wife had challenges similar to Denise’s. You may recall that Jim was on a previous episode talking about compounding hormones for treating menopause and perimenopause. It’s  episode 96 if you missed it.  Typical Thyroid TreatmentI talk a lot about Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism on this show. When we talk about treating the thyroid, the most common option is Synthroid. Synthroid is levothyroxine sodium which is synthetic levothyroxine. Tirosint is another brand of this same synthetic hormone but with no fillers. Synthroid is mostly prescribed by conventional doctors. While it replaces the T4 that the thyroid is not producing or producing enough of, the body still has to convert that T4 into T3. That’s why it’s important to test T3 levels to make sure that the T4 you are getting from Synthroid is being converted.  Some people may be under converting which is why they are not getting full resolution of symptoms with T4 only medications. Going Beyond SynthroidSome patients aren’t happy with the synthetic hormone options either because they are looking for a more natural solution or they aren’t getting results from the synthetic hormone. This brings them to desiccated thyroid which comes under several brand names including Westhroid, Armour Thyroid, and Nature-Throid. Each option has different additional ingredients beyond the porcine desiccated thyroid and these fillers can sometimes be an issue. Supply of these options can sometimes be threatened because of supply chain issues and heavy regulations from the FDA.  Sensitivity to Synthroid and other Thyroid TreatmentsThe thyroid plays a very big role in how the body functions so it’s important to pay attention to how well it is working by testing all the thyroid hormones - T4 and T3. It is important to have enough but at the same time, not too much. Getting too much thyroid hormone poses its own issues which include:Heart palpitationsNervousness Tachycardia (racing heart)Hot flashesInsomniaBrain fogFeeling wired Jim points out that before concluding that these issues are related to the thyroid medication, it’s important to check thyroid levels and also check for other deficiencies, in particular low iron.  The Compounding OptionCompounding thyroid is the practice of combining various thyroid treatments in a custom way. Jim was a pioneer in this field. The process allows for highly customized dosages based on patient and lab test responses to micro-tweaking the dose. This dose then comes in a natural base with no toxic fillers. Also, once the correct custom formula is found, the compound can even be provided in a time release capsule that gives you just the right amount of thyroid, all day long, especially when T3 is involved.  Accessing Compounded Thyroid MedicationJim’s pharmacy is in Texas and he only serves his state. There are however 7000+ other compounding pharmacies across the country, but when you look for one in your area,  you want to look for quality. If you are interested in finding a compounding pharmacy that can help you with a custom thyroid solution, Jim suggests you look for a compounding pharmacy that is PCAB (The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) accredited.Compounding as a practice can have so many advantages as so much customization is available in natural forms. Unfortunately, compounding is under fire right now. Please check out  compounding.com for suggestions on what you can do and how you can support the continued availability of compounded medications.  Mystery SolvedIt was clear that Denise needed a custom solution to her thyroid issue. Based on the history of her blood work, it seemed that Denise needed both the T4 and T3. It also seemed like she might be reacting to some of the fillers in the commercially available T4. And, the desiccated thyroid she tried left her feeling wired and didn’t sufficiently lower her TSH. When I looked at her labs after she took dessiccated thyroid, I could see that her T3 was high (which would explain the ‘wired’ feeling). This made it clear that she needed more T4 and less T3 than the fixed ratio in DTE’s and she would benefit from getting the T3 in a time release capsule so that it would be less jarring to her system. For her, compounding was going to be the best option.  ConclusionWe worked with her doctor to prescribe a synthetic T3 at a lower dosage and we got it in a time-released form. She started with 5 mcg which worked well but her T3 was still a bit low. We bumped it up to 10 mcg and that brought her T3 into range and she felt better. Now she was on a combination of Tirosint 75 mcg and 10 mcg of compounded time released synthetic T3 and it is working very well.Happy EndingOn a combination of Tirosint 75 mcg and 10 mcg of compounded, time-released synthetic T3 Denise is managing her thyroid levels.  Denise was very happy to have an answer and to be feeling better. Eliminating Health MysteriesFor Denise 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:Resources mentionedThanks to my guest Dr. Jim Hrncir. You can learn more about the movement to ensure women continue to have access to compounded bioidentical hormones, visit compounding.com.  Related Podcast Episodes: 096 Demystifying Hormones for Perimenopause and Menopause  [Ask Inna] Answers to Your Questions about Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s  Are you Missing this Important Evaluation Method for Thyroid Assessment?  Navigating the Thyroid Treatment Mystery with Inna Topiler  Solving the Thyroid Mystery w/ Inna TopilerThanks for ListeningIf you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of fee...

The Case: Mara has sleep issues, anxiety and overall malaise.She struggles with vitamins, supplements and detoxes as they leave her feeling worse.Multiple experts tried to tell her it was part of the process, but she never got better. The InvestigationI have many clients who tell me they are very sensitive to supplements and we have to pay close attention to their support but Mara’s case was more extreme. I knew we had to avoid detoxes but still get her results without overtaxing her very sensitive body. I knew just the method to start solving this health mystery -- flower power.  Flower Power is Not Just for HippiesKatie Hess is a flower alchemist. She uses flower essences to help people regain their health. She is the author of Flowerevolution and founder of LOTUSWEI, one of the world’s leading floral apothecaries. With her signature elixirs featured in The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times and the LA Times, her flower-powered community is thriving today in over 15 countries. Using flower essences for healing is a practice that can be found in different cultures around the globe since well before the development of modern medicine. Present-day shamans and alternative health practitioners still turn to them today.  What are Flower Essences? Traditionally, the flower essences were procured by sipping the dew off of a specific flower. Medicine men and women believe that the life force of the flower is captured in this dew. The dew collection process has been modernized over the millenia, and now these essences are captured through solar infusion. Now, significantly more flower essence can be captured and bottled at scale. Drinking a few drops of this essence is essentially, using the life force of plants to harmonize our own body’s energy. Katie explains that it’s kind of like an acupuncture treatment without the needles.  How are Flower Essences Different from Essential Oils?Many people have heard of (and used) essential oils so it’s easy to get the two confused. Katie shares that essential oils come from the plant material itself (and one drop requires a lot of plant material). To get essential oil from the plant or flower, you have to squeeze or distill the juice of the plant. Often Essential oils are also highly aromatic and usually need to be diluted to use it.Flower essences used in flower remedies require fewer plants and are much more gentle on the system. This is what makes them very effective for people who are very sensitive including the elderly, pregnant women, and even infants. You are not ingesting any of the chemical plant parts so it’s different from taking an herbal tincture.  Selecting the Right Flower EssenceThere are so many different types of flowers and so many issues that people might want to treat, how do you determine which flower will help someone? There is a long history of different plants being used for different purposes so there is much to draw on. Many flower essences and flower essence combinations have been created over the years. When it comes to finding a new treatment, the clues are in the flowers' appearance. Intuition also plays a role for Katie. Katie also uses her group for testing. When she believes that a certain plant will deliver a specific benefit, her group of flower essence enthusiasts will try it out and report back on how it made them feel. She has created a quiz that helps people discover the elixir that is right for them.  The Science Behind Flower EssencesI love scientific studies so I had to find out what kind of science backs up this historical evidence. Katie says there have been numerous studies that look at the energy transfer from plants to humans. She points to the practice of Shinrin-yoku or ‘forest bathing’ in Japan where the government encourages people to spend time immersed in nature because they found those who did experienced a sustained drop in cortisol levels (a decrease in their stress hormones) and an immune boost. There were also studies done in the UK that showed proof that plants emit energy or vibrations as evidenced by how bees find flowers (it’s not the color or the smell!) How Quickly do Flower Essences Work?Katie says that many people can feel the energy from the flower essence right away but as a rule of thumb, she usually tells people that they should feel a difference within 3-5 days if they are taking the flower essences 4-5 times a day. Those who are sensitive or more aware will likely feel a difference within minutes. It’s a bit like taking vitamins, it’s going to take a bit of time for the body to feel the benefits but in some cases, when it’s for a specific symptom, the benefits might be felt quickly.  What Can You Support with Flower Essences?Flower essences are used for a variety of issues ranging from digestive issues to fatigue, anxiety, and painful periods. Mindset support and emotional healing are also reasons that people turn to flower essences. For example, they might use certain essences for treating limiting beliefs, procrastination, grief, or even dealing with past traumas.  How to Use Flower EssencesFlower essences are traditionally taken orally either in an elixir or a few drops added to another liquid like tea or coffee. Katie also blends them with aromatherapy that can be put into a diffuser, added to anointing oils, or bath salts. These make for nice self-care rituals. Katie’s research shows that the energy from the plants is equally transferred regardless of how the essence is administered. While there are no known interactions with supplements or medications, anyone using psychotropic drugs,  antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medication should expect for the effect of the flower essences to take significantly longer. Instead of three days, it might take as much as 30 days.  Mystery SolvedWhat I love about flower essences is that they are so gentle but can also be so powerful. This was exactly what Mara needed and thankfully could tolerate. I started Mara on the elixir called ‘Inner Peace’. After a few days, she was surprised to discover that she was feeling calmer without any negative reactions. A week later, we added ‘Quiet Mind’ and between both of those elixirs, she was able to fall asleep easier. A few weeks later it was even easier to fall asleep and she was able to sleep through the night most days of the week (instead of waking 4-5 times per night). She decided to try more, including ‘Joy Juice’ which she loved because it gave her a pep in her step and then ‘Self Heal’ which she felt  helped her feel a bit less sensitive. Happy EndingOnce Mara was sleeping better, her energy improved drastically. At that point, we were able to start supporting her liver with binders and very low doses of  NAC (250 mg) to get her body primed - both of which she is tolerating and feeling better. Eliminating Health MysteriesFor Mara 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:Resources mentionedThanks to my guest Katie Hess. You can connect with her and find flow...

The Case: Eliana is dealing with stubborn weight issues. She’s also experiencing bloating and weight gain around her period.She worked with several dieticians and found that a calorie restricted diet did reduce her weight but it wasn’t sustainable and left her feeling tired.  The InvestigationEliana’s challenge is a common one. Many women find that despite eating right and being active, they struggle with unexplained weight gain or an inability to lose weight. There are a lot of things that can cause weight gain or make weight loss very difficult. To find out what was the root of Eliana’s weight loss mystery, we needed to explore the most common causes. Esther Blum is an Integrative Dietitian and High-Performance Coach who has helped thousands of women permanently treat the root cause of their health struggles and find joy in their lives once again. Esther is the bestselling author of Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat as well as The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project. Doing Everything With No Weight LossMillions of people looking to lose weight often find themselves frustrated. So many of them feel like they’re doing everything they can by eating clear, reducing calories, and exercising regularly but they can’t lose weight. In fact, despite their best efforts, some even gain weight. This is because weight loss is more complex than just calories in and calories out. Esther Blum shares the most common 5 culprits when someone can’t lose weight. Estrogen Dominance. Your hormones may be the reason you can’t lose weight, specifically estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance can take place in your body during different times in your life. It happens when your progesterone bottoms out and the estrogen is chronically elevated. Aside from age-related hormone shifts, there are several other potential causes of estrogen dominance: StressGut InflammationPoor Detoxification PathwaysExtra WeightConstipationEstrogen-based Birth Control (NuvaRing or the pill)Xenoestrogen Exposure (through some beauty products, cleaning products, perfumes, and plastics)Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance. Aside from the difficulty to lose weight, there are many symptoms to look for. In men, it might be ‘man boobs’. In women, it could be heavy, painful periods, ,longer cycles, water retention and headaches around the menstrual cycle. Testing for Estrogen Dominance. The most common test for determining estrogen dominance is the DUTCH test. This is a urine test that shows hormone levels and can be used to track progress as you work toward getting out of estrogen dominance. Supporting Estrogen Dominance. The key is to determine the root cause of the dominance and work on that. It might mean hormone replacement therapy, shifting diet and lifestyle, opening up detoxification pathways, and/or taking supplements like DIM (Diindolylmethane).  Adrenal Dysfunction. Adrenal dysfunction is often caused by chronically elevated cortisol levels. This can be brought on by chronic stress, poor sleep, low or high blood sugar, and/or environmental toxins.Symptoms of Adrenal Dysfunction:ExhaustionInsomnia or Poor SleepFeeling Frazzled or Burnt OutSkipping or Doing Ineffective WorkoutsSupporting Adrenal Dysfunction. The main way to treat adrenal dysfunction and get the adrenals balanced again is through lifestyle changes and getting stress levels down with self-care and stress releasing practices. There are some supplements and adaptogenic herbs that may help, including: AshwagandhaHoly BasilTulsi TeaPhos SerineIt’s also important to get to the root cause of the stress and address that.  Toxins / Low Thyroid.Exposure to certain toxins can cause the thyroid to underperform. When this happens, the metabolism slows down and it can be very difficult to lose weight. Common toxins that can contribute to this include:MoldsHeavy MetalsGoitrogenic Chemicals Diagnosing and Treating Toxin Triggered Low ThyroidThe best way to detect toxins in the system is through a urine metabolite test. Blood tests will provide a picture of the thyroid. Treating the thyroid may require medication however, bringing down toxins like mercury could shift the need for thyroid medication. Detoxing mercury can be done through chelation, glutathione-vitamin C IV therapy, and also through specific detoxification protocols. Infrared saunas and epsom salt baths are also good for the detoxification process.  High Stress & InsomniaAn inability to sleep and having high stress can be a bit of a vicious circle when it comes to weight loss. A lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain (and make weight loss difficult) because it affects blood sugar, cortisol levels, and causes the body to store fat while breaking down muscle. The key is to determine the root cause of the insomnia. Common causes include:StressArguments Before BedPoor Sleep HygieneDoing Cardio Too Close to BedtimeEating or Drinking Too Close to BedtimeEating Insufficient Amounts of Dietary Protein Gut Dysfunction and ParasitesYou need a healthy gut to lose weight. Your gut health can be affected by inflammation and leaky gut syndrome (which can lead to nutritional deficiencies even if you eat healthy). Another way the body gets robbed of nutrition is when you are harboring a parasite. Many think that parasites only come from third-world countries but they can be found on food in North America and can also come from restaurant employees not washing their hands. H. Pylori is also a consideration because it can cause real issues with digestion including gas, bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, and low digestive enzymes and stomach acid. Some easy ways to increase digestive enzymes are to chew food more thoroughly, drink a celery and aloe smoothie before breakfast, and avoid eating in a hurry or while distracted.  ConclusionIf you are struggling to lose weight and you know you’re eating well and moving enough, one of these 5 causes might be at play. Be sure to check with a functional medicine doctor or practitioner to find out. As for Eliana, I looked at her thyroid, hormones, toxins, GI, and lifestyle to see which areas needed support. Her thyroid was all good but when we ran a DUTCH test to look at her hormones, we found our answer. Her less favorable estrogen (4-hydroxy) was high. We also did a heavy metal test and found mercury.  Next StepsWe used  DIM along with  Calcium-D Glucarate. We also used  BroccoProtect by Designs for Health. To help reduce the mercury in her system we did a  Push Catch Detox and she took  Glutathione for 6 months. While she was...

The Wide Range of Hashimoto Symptoms Hashimoto’s is complex and often misunderstood by mainstream medicine. It’s a topic that I have a lot of experience with both personally and professionally and know that so many of you are struggling with its many symptoms. Because of this,  I knew that dedicating the 100th episode of this podcast to the topic was exactly how I wanted to celebrate this milestone.  One of the most common questions I get about Hashimoto’s is whether a specific symptom is related to Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s has a wide variety of symptoms and it can be difficult to figure out if something is related to Hashimoto’s or if it is a symptom of something else. It’s very frustrating.  People ask me about  fatigue, anxiety, GI issues, hair loss, fertility challenges, brain fog, rashes, and even eye twitches. How can all of these be symptoms of Hashimoto’s (especially when not everyone with Hashimoto’s has these symptoms?  It’s important to remember that Hashimoto’s is not a thyroid disease but an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. And remember, the thyroid may not be the only organ affected by Hashimoto’s. This is why there can be such a wide range of symptoms.    The Problem with the Conventional Approach to Hashimoto’s The relationship of these various symptoms to Hashimoto’s is often missed in conventional medicine. As a result the symptoms aren’t supported. Many doctors will focus solely on how the thyroid is affected and simply support thyroid function instead of supporting immune system function. If the thyroid is functioning well, many doctors will tell their patients that there is nothing else they can do about their Hashimoto’s and rather just wait until it destroys the thyroid at which point they will then need medicine.  The more integrative approach is to dig into how the immune system got confused in the first place and address each one of those things to help the immune system rebalance while supporting the thyroid.    The Biggest Mistakes with Supporting Hashimoto’s Symptoms In this episode, I tackle the biggest mistakes that people with Hashimoto’s can make. This is so that you can be aware of the relationship between the many symptoms and your Hashimoto’s and so you can be a better advocate for your own health.    Hashimoto’s Mistake #1 - Only Focusing on Thyroid while Ignoring the Immune System Many people with Hashimoto’s are given thyroid medicine. When thyroid levels are back to normal, the issue is considered in hand without a second thought as to why the immune system got confused and started attacking the thyroid in the first place. This is one of the most common mistakes.  In episode 32 (Solving the Autoimmune Mystery), I go into detail about the connection between the immune system, Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases.  In a functional approach, our goal is to figure out the root cause of the issue. With autoimmunity we look at immune triggers. These can be grouped into four categories: Foods Stress Toxins Infections Understanding these triggers can have a profound effect on how your body deals with your symptoms.    Hashimoto’s Mistake # 2 - Supporting the Immune System, Not the Thyroid While I just explained the importance of triggers, some people with Hashimoto’s will work on reducing triggers with the hope that it will fix their thyroid. If the thyroid is already in a hypo state, it may require medication to bring it to a healthy level. Remember, the thyroid interacts with all cells in the body and many organs. When it is not functioning properly, it can have a profound effect on your overall well being. I understand the hesitation to take medication. I will always try to find a natural solution to any issue, but, when it comes to the thyroid, there is a real danger of harm to our body if it is not functioning.  Your thyroid plays a key role in: Metabolism Blood Sugar Weight Management Body Temperature Mitochondria Muscle Tone Bone Density Membrain Health (specifically in your brain and gut) Inflammation Management Creation of Antioxidants (that control free radicals) Brain Function Immune System Health You can see how many of these things are connected and how a wide variety of symptoms and new health issues can crop up when your thyroid is not properly supported. It’s critical that you make sure your thyroid is getting enough support. For more on this, please check out this free guide: Why Is Your Doctor Missing Your Thyroid Issue? which explains how the thyroid really works and how to interpret your thyroid markers.   Hashimoto’s Mistake #3 - Not Personalizing your Thyroid Support Supporting the thyroid is not a one size fits all approach. Just because something works for someone else, does not mean it will work for you because there are different types of slow thyroid types.  If you’ve listened to the show before, you know that I talk a lot about getting the full thyroid panel instead of just testing your TSH levels. This is because your different levels help to identify what type of thyroid issue you have.  For example, you may have enough T4 but it may not be converting to T3. If you are on medication (like Synthroid), it is providing you with T4 but that won’t help you if you are not converting to T3.  Plus, with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s the immune system could be attacking the thyroid where conversion happens.  The main point here is that your thyroid treatment needs to be personalized to you based on what the data from your lab reports reveal.  Triggers also vary from person to person and should be considered in the treatment plan. Some are general with Hashimoto’s, like exposure to chemicals and BPA plastics. Another example of a trigger is gluten which is commonly a trigger for people with Hashimoto’s (many have the celiac genotypes DQ2 or DQ8 which you can learn about in Episode 9). Infections, leaky gut, or Epstein Barr Virus can also be triggers that should be considered in a treatment plan.  You want to know what’s going on and look at the big picture before determining your personalized plan.    Hashimoto’s Mistake #4 - Doing Nothing Because Thyroid Function is Fine This mistake happens all the time because it’s exactly what many conventional doctors advise patients to do. Their theory is to wait until the Hashimoto’s starts to destroy the thyroid before taking any action.  I don’t know if you know this but thyroid destruction can be going on for months, even years before thyroid levels may show it.  Hashimoto’s patients may also experience inflammation (in the thyroid or other parts of the body) which can bring on other symptoms even though thyroid levels are fine.  If you know you have Hashimoto’s, don’t wait for your thyroid to get destroyed, start balancing your immune system right away. This can include working on your diet, checking for gluten or other food sensitivities, reducing your exposure to chemicals in your home and office, keeping stress in check, and paying attention to triggers and symptoms.  Even if you are not working with a functional medicine practitioner, you are not, you can still do a ton on your own to balance and support your immune system.    Hashimoto’s M...

The Case: Julia is dealing with many different symptoms that none of her doctors can explain or treat.She feels achy, has low energy, deals with anxiety, and has trouble sleepingShe took matters into her own hands but she found herself on a very strict diet, taking a lot of supplements, obsessing over her meals and with limited results. The InvestigationWhen I met Julia it was clear that there was a lot going on. Her symptoms were quite varied and she had already tried a lot of different solutions. On the plus side, she had made a lot of healthy shifts in her diet but ultimately, it had become so strict that it was creating stress. When I found out how much stress she was experiencing at home and work, I started to develop a theory about what was going on with Julia and her persistent symptoms. My suspicions led me to look at the state of the nervous system because an upregulated nervous system can cause all kinds of unexplained symptoms. To discuss this case further, I knew exactly who I wanted to invite on the show - Patrick Lerouge. He has been in the holistic health field for over 20 years as an energy healer, coach, and body worker. He is also the author of the book “The Simple Path to Getting Everything Done, with Energy Left to Spare”.  What is an Upregulated Nervous System?The nervous system is programmed to respond to stress. Often, we think of the fight or flight response. This is what we want it to do in order to help us get out of dangerous or threatening situations. But, most of us are experiencing this response even when we are not being threatened. Instead, it’s caused by the busyness and noise in our lives. And then there's the emotional side, where all of your emotions are heightened in such a way that you experience them in the extremes. This can also trigger a response from the nervous system. When you are in a constant state of ‘fight or flight’ you get stuck in an upregulated nervous system response.  What Stressors Trigger the Nervous System?When we think of the ‘fight or flight’ response, we go back to the idea of facing down a tiger. But the stress doesn’t have to be that dramatic to trigger the nervous system. It could be something as simple as the light from your computer shining in your face or a dog barking. It could also be triggered by over-thinking. Overthinkers are playing out all of the scenarios in their head; trying to find the best path forward and getting frustrated when it’s not clear. This amount of overthinking is like revving the engine of a car all the time or leaving it running - it’s going to break down or overheat. The same thing happens when we overthink. Emotions can also trigger the nervous system, especially if you have a history of not properly dealing with those emotions. So, the trigger can be physical, mental, and/or emotional.  The Dangers of a Long Term Upregulated Nervous SystemIf there are signs of long term upregulation, such as body cues, difficulty focusing, racing mind, and unstable emotional temperament, then this could mean that the nervous system is in an extended upregulation state. This can lead to depression, anxiety, an inability to make decisions, fatigue, inconsistent energy levels, and emotional detachment. Sometimes there are no small symptoms because the body and mind are so busy adapting to the situation that they don’t realize the breaking point. This is important because someone may not ‘feel stressed’ even when they are in a long-term upregulated state.  Self-Diagnosing an Upregulated Nervous SystemThere are a few ways to determine if you are in an upregulated state. The first test Patrick suggested is to feel your heart. To take a moment and see if you can connect with your heart and feel it beating in your chest. The second test he calls the ‘stadium test’.  Can you sit in a busy, noisy place, even in a crowded stadium, and be quiet; can you have the stadium clear out of your mind?  5 Ways to Downregulate an Elevated Nervous SystemBringing an upregulated nervous system down starts by reconnecting the mind and body. Most people are either a mind person or a body person meaning they either focus on the feelings of the mind or the body. Regulating the nervous system requires the mind and body to work together.  Here are five ways to do that:Breathing and Feeling Air Through the Body. Unlike normal breathing exercises, this one focuses on feeling the air enter the body and spread all the way through. Humming can be a powerful way to connect breathwork with feeling the body’s sensation because of the vibrations it creates. TRE (Trauma and Tension Release Exercise). When we are stressed, our body tenses up. To release that tension, TRE is a series of 5 exercises that fatigue the muscles to trigger an automatic release of tension. This is a practice that should be done with a certified professional. Mind Dumps and Venting. There are three levels of stress, emotional, mental and physical and one each feeds the next. So, to release the emotional and mental, Patrick suggests getting the thoughts out through journaling or other forms of intentionally clearing the mind but to feel those things as you write them down so you can close the loop on them. If you do this at night, you’ll sleep better. He also suggests revisiting and tapping into the feeling of a favorite memory like the moment you remember falling in love or the first time you held your child. You want to remember it but also feel it again. Patrick uses this exercise when patients are feeling anxious. Improve Energy Flow. A common way to increase energy is by eating with the seasons because the body can digest seasonal food better. Other options include working out according to their body type and meditating in a way that fits with their flow. Human Connection. Patrick points out how powerful skin to skin contact and human connections can be for down regulating the nervous system. If connection or touch therapy isn’t available, then playing with pets can also lower the nervous system.  The Power of Human Connection Post COVIDTouch and human connection is a powerful way to downregulate the nervous system but it’s a bit tricky right now during COVID times. Patrick says that when we come out of the restrictions, and it’s safe to touch again, we need to reprogram ourselves to seek it out and to be okay with it. We have been avoiding touch for so long now that we may have developed a fear of touch or an aversion to touch. We need to unpack the fear around touch and connection so that we can normalize this important healing practice.  In order to support the nervous system, we need to retrain ourselves to see human connection as a good thing. However, because our bodies are craving it but our minds are telling us it’s taboo, there is the risk of developing a negative relationship with touch (like developing an addiction) so you need to be mindful of that.  Mystery SolvedThe first step in helping Julia with all of her systems was to focus on supporting her nervous system. We began by reducing her supplement intake as she was overdoing it - she was taking over 40 pills per day.  Testing revealed what she really needed in terms of supplements.Remember, she had been on a very rest...

Please be sure to grab my free THYROID GUIDE to make sure your doctor is not missing your thyroid issue   The Question I work out and watch what I eat but every year, I gain weight. I can’t get rid of it. Is there anything I can do?  Inna’s Response  Yes. There is absolutely something that you can do! The first step is to get a clear picture of what’s going on with your thyroid levels. Make sure you get the full thyroid panel including TSH (which is where most tests stop), T 3, free T4, Free T3, and reverse T3. I also recommend testing thyroid antibodies and T3 uptake. For more on these tests and how to understand your results, you can download my FREE THYROID GUIDE   This has to do with unexplained weight gain because your levels may not be optimal (even if your doctor doesn’t note it). If you have Hashimoto’s, you may experience thyroid destruction so you need to make sure your levels are optimal To improve weight loss, you will also want to balance inflammation and support your immune system. This could include eating anti-inflammatory foods and balancing blood sugar.  Resist the urge to skip meals and avoid carb-loading. If you eat regular, balanced meals and your blood sugar is balanced you will have much more success.    The Question Is it true that if you have Hashimoto’s, you can easily develop other autoimmune diseases?  Inna’s Response  Sadly, this is true. When we have an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s, the immune system has become confused about what it should be fighting against. In the case of Hashimoto’s the immune system is attacking the thyroid.  If the immune system stays confused and nothing is done to help balance and calm the system then it can attack other organs. And there's something called cross-reactivity where antibodies of the thyroid can cross-react with other tissues and potentially cause another autoimmune disease. This is all the more reason to balance inflammation and support the immune system, not just the thyroid with medication. I dive a little deeper into this in this episode but you can also find more information about solving the autoimmune mystery by listening to episode 32 of Health Mysteries Solved.    The Question Can I have thyroid symptoms if my TSH is just a little bit outside of the reference range?  Inna’s Response  The answer is yes, especially if your other thyroid hormones (like T4 and T3) are low. This is why I always say that you have to look at the full thyroid panel because the TSH is not a clear enough indication of what’s really going on with your thyroid. You need thyroid hormone for everything in your body so you can definitely have symptoms if your levels are outside of optimal.  If you have Hashimoto’s, some symptoms could be due to the inflammation or your immune systems struggle to regulate.    The Question How do you know if Synthroid is working or if you need to switch?   Inna’s Response  There are two key things you need to look at.  The first is to check your thyroid levels. If this is a new medication, you want to check all of your thyroid levels within the first 4-6 weeks to see how it is working. Synthroid isT4 so it does not give you any T3, the active hormone which your body needs so you want to check t3 to make sure you are able to convert it properly. For some people, this conversion is an issue. So, they may be taking Synthroid but the body is not converting it properly and they continue to have symptoms. This is why it’s so important to not rely solely on the TSH levels.  The second key thing is how you actually feel. Sometimes the labs are picture perfect but the person still doesn’t feel well.  This could be for a couple of different reasons. One is that medications have fillers, excipients or colorings which can cause a reaction. There are other options and brands that are slightly different. For example, one is called Tirosint which is easy to absorb (it’s a gel cap) and it doesn’t contain any excipients or desiccated thyroid which works a little differently in the body and some people feel a difference with those.     The Question Why does my thyroid medication stop working after several months?  Inna’s Response  If you have Hashimoto’s, you can experience flare-ups where the thyroid gland is under attack. Some people have more flare-ups than others. Over time, these flare-ups can destroy the gland itself so that it is less able to produce hormones requiring more medication. So, even if you’ve been on the same dose of medication for a long time, you may suddenly feel like it has stopped working but in actuality, you just need to adjust your dose.  There is a second possibility that has to do with absorption. Your body’s ability to absorb the medication can fluctuate depending on inflammation in the body, exposure to toxins especially things like plastics or pesticides. These can block the receptors so that even though the medication is coming in, your cells can’t absorb it.  In either of these cases, you will want to pay close attention to triggers. To help reduce triggers, focus on eating a clean diet (keeping it organic when you can), reducing stress, checking ingredients of personal care and clearing products.  This should help reduce some of the triggers and inflammation.     The Question Will I be on medication forever?  Inna’s Response  This depends on whether you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s.  If it’s hypothyroidism not caused by Hashimoto’s, it could be due to some type of inflammation or it may have been triggered by toxin exposure or a virus in the thyroid. In those cases, it is possible for the thyroid function to return and for medication to be stopped.  In the case of Hashimoto's, the thyroid gets destroyed over time. The goal here is not so much to get off the medication as it is to stop further attack on the thyroid. It is possible for the thyroid to regenerate but it is unknown if it can regenerate enough to no longer require medication.  Let me address something here because I know that a lot of people think medication is bad and that Synthroid is bad because it’s synthetic and unnatural. I try to get people to shift their thinking around this because thyroid is an essential hormone that you need for all of the cells in your body. So, this medication is replacing something that, for whatever reason, your body is not producing but absolutely needs. It’s essential. It’s much worse for your body to be deficient in thyroid hormone than to take the hormone.  I do get it. I struggled with this for a long time but was able to reframe my thinking around it because for me, it is something my body really needs. I think that especially with Hashimoto’s, it’s about keeping things balanced to prevent more attack and the need to increase the medication. If you can do that and keep your medication at the same dose without the need to increase each year, you are doing a great job!    The Question At my last check, my TSH was where we wanted it to be and I’m doing well and losing weight. However, I have hair loss. Why is that still the case?   Inna’s Response  It’s true that your thyroid plays an important role in your hair health but it’s not solely responsible! There are a lot of other things at play when it comes to your hair.  The first thing you want to check are your iron levels (not just your hemoglobin - check iron saturation and ferritin) to make sure those are in range.  Note th...

The Case: Amanda has trouble concentrating, staying on task, and remembering everything. Her son, Logan, is also struggling with concentration. He can’t sit still in school or focus on his homework. She’s hesitant to go to a doctor because she doesn’t want to solve this issue with medication.Many people think that ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is something that only affects kids but actually it’s estimated that between 3-6% of American adults suffer from ADD and it's possible that number is way higher as it's not always diagnosed. The InvestigationI suspected right away that the issue for Amanda and her son was related to ADD. I was happy to explore how we can support her and her son without turning to medication. Joining me to talk about Amanda’s case in this episode is Dr. Darin Ingels. He focuses on environmental medicine with special emphasis on Lyme but also MS, autism, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS and PANDAS) and chronic immune dysfunction, including allergies, asthma, recurrent or persistent infections and other genetic or acquired immune problems. If you are a fan of the show, you may recognize his name since he helped us out with a Lyme Disease case (episode 18).Defining ADD (and How it’s Different from ADHD)Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is different from ADHD in that ADHD has a hyperactivity component. What they have in common is that someone with either disorder will find it difficult to focus on a task or have attention to details, they may experience general forgetfulness, struggle to stay organized, and as a result things that others find easy to do feel complicated to someone with ADD. While many people associated ADD and ADHD with children, adults can also experience it (although ADHD is less common in adults).  Has ADD Become More Prevalent in Recent Times?This is an ongoing argument and some say that only the diagnosis has become more prevalent. Dr. Ingels doesn’t agree. He feels that there are more kids on the ADD spectrum than a generation ago. And, he points out that ADD is more common in America than in other parts of the world, like Europe.  What Causes ADD?There is still research to be done before this question can be fully answered but Dr. Ingels feels that there are many contributing factors in our modern world. This includes items in our diet like corn syrup, food dyes, preservatives, and processed foods. It also includes environmental toxins like pollutants, volatile organic compounds, petrochemicals, household chemicals, pesticides and herbicides. While these may not be directly linked, they can affect the gut and there is a very strong and proven connection between gut health and brain health. He also feels there may be a generational effect where kids are not just dealing with the things they are directly exposed to but the things that their parents and even grandparents were exposed to. This epigenetic impact may simply be a reduced ability to metabolize toxins that has been passed down through the generations.  Diagnosing ADDThere are no definitive tests for ADD. Diagnosing ADD or ADHD is a clinical diagnosis based on an umbrella of symptoms that place the patient on a spectrum of the disorders. A patient does not need to have every symptom but they are likely to have the ‘hallmark’ symptoms of being easily distracted, difficulty following through on tasks, and forgetfulness. Many doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists will make the diagnosis on these symptoms alone. However, other symptoms may also be present.Once a child or an adult has been diagnosed, it’s time to search out the root cause of the issue. There may be dietary changes that can help either by eliminating foods that may be triggering or by improving gut health and supporting detoxification pathways.  Finding the Root Cause or Trigger for ADD (Important Tests for ADD)Reducing ADD and ADHD symptoms may be possible without medication if the root case of the symptoms can be found and countered. There are a few tests that Dr. Ingels uses to get a better picture of what might be exacerbating the symptoms:Testing for Nutritional Deficiencies. One of the key things Dr. Ingels will test for deficiencies in Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Deficiencies can show up in cognitive function, mood control and behaviour. These deficiencies can be detected with a blood test. Gastrointestinal Health. The gut brain connection plays a big role in understanding ADD. Dr. Ingels will sometimes do a stool test to look at what’s going on with the gut bacterial balance. He’s looking for a potential yeast overgrowth, parasites, microbiome imbalances or inflammatory markers.Metabolic Function. An organic acid test is a urine test that looks at many areas of metabolism, from how we process fats and carbohydrates to the detoxification capacity, neurotransmitter metabolism and antioxidant status. This can help identify the root cause.Food Reactions. Food reactions aren’t always allergic reactions or anaphylactic reactions as we sometimes think of them. They can be sensitivities or intolerances that present days after the food is consumed. Elimination diets or food sensitivity testing can help to diagnose food as a root cause or trigger for ADD symptoms. Keep in mind that food sensitivities may not present as allergies but rather cause Mast Cell Activation (as explained in  episode 67).Genetic Testing. An inability to metabolize or detoxify may be a genetic condition. Some people will do SNP testing to determine if this is at play. A common gene looked for is the MTHFR gene.  Balancing ADD Symptoms (and Avoiding Medication for ADD)Taking an integrative medicine approach to ADD means dealing with the root cause of the symptoms. That’s why testing is so crucial. If food is a catalyst, then the first step is to eliminate any foods from the diet that may be a trigger. Commonly, testing would be done on many foods including corn, wheat, gluten, eggs and dairy. If there are nutritional deficiencies, then supplementation is recommended as is dietary adjustments to rectify deficiencies. Restoring gut health is another important step in treating ADD symptoms.If there are inflammatory markers in the stool test or if the patient has IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis they may have a very low butyrate which would be corrected by supplementing with  EnteroviteAnd, if there are genetic indications that detoxification is a challenge, then it’s important to detoxify slowly and to support the detoxification pathways by supplementing with B vitamins, folate, and phosphatidylcholine as well as certain therapies like saunas and colon hydrotherapy. Reducing exposure to toxins is also key as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Dr. Ingels says that carrying extra weight can increase symptoms so losing weight, getting active, and building muscle can all help.  Reducing ADD StimulantsIn addition to removing environmental toxins and eliminating or reducing food triggers, Dr. Ingels also reminds patients that screen time and EMFs can also be triggers. So, make sure to keep these at a daily mini...

The Case: Jill is suffering from hormone imbalances which her doctors chalk up to perimenopauseShe was experiencing hot flashes, irregular periods, PMS, dry skin, mood swings, and extreme brain fogShe wasn’t sure if these were all connected but she knew she didn’t like the doctor’s advice of waiting it out. Every woman experiences perimenopause and menopause differently. There are some common symptoms like hot flashes and irregular menstrual cycles, and some symptoms attributed to this hormonal shift that may or may not be related, like brain fog and dry skin. Jill and I both agreed that we needed to find out the root of her issues   The InvestigationWhen Jill came to see me, I took a look at her history and labs. I saw her declining hormones, so I knew that at least some of the issues could be because of this. I also know that as hormones decline, they affect our organs (including the thyroid) and can be triggers for autoimmunity like Hashimoto’s.I knew some of the symptoms could be thyroid related (dry skin and mood swings) but was the thyroid the root cause or simply being affected by the hormone shifts of perimenopause? It was important to find this out before deciding on her treatment.  Solving Hormone Imbalance MysteriesWhen it comes to female hormones, there are so many angles, confusion, and misinformation because the story is quite complex. No wonder Jill was struggling to figure out what was going on. I knew just who to turn to for help with Jill’s case. Jim Hrncir is one of the pioneers of modern pharmaceutical compounding. Jim is responsible for the formulation of many bioidentical hormones, as well as dermatological, nutritional, and anti-aging compounds widely used throughout the U.S. Compounded Bioidentical Hormones vs. Hormones The main difference between hormones that a traditional doctor might prescribe (that you would get at a regular pharmacy) and compounded bioidentical hormones is that synthetic hormones first and foremost synthetic and foreign to the body and are one size fits all while compounded hormones are identical to our own hormones and customized to the specific need of the patient. Bioidentical hormones are just as the name suggests, they are exactly the same structure as the hormones that your body has been making your whole life.The second consideration when looking at synthetic hormones vs. bioidentical hormones is the detoxification process. We produce hormones, typically every day and the body has to metabolize and detoxify them. And so, whether it's our own hormones or other hormones, we have to make sure that they're leaving the body properly. The difference is that synthetic hormones take 21 days to be metabolized compared to the mere hours it takes for bioidentical hormones to move through the system.  Risk Factors and Misinformation about Bioidentical HormonesIt’s a common misconception that bioidentical hormones increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, dementia, and colon cancer - especially for those using these hormones for more than 5 years. Dr. Hrncir says this bad information comes from a study that was done in 2002. While it was a large study, the data was miscommunicated to the media and it stuck. Other researchers have tried to correct the damage of this study but many people still believe that hormones pose a risk. Dr. Hrncir believes that bioidentical hormones, because they are a match to what the body is already producing, are much safer than synthetic hormones that are created from non-human sources. For example, he explains, Premarin is created using the urine of a pregnant mare (horse). The second piece of false information to come out of that study, according to Dr. Hrncir, is that women should not be on bioidentical hormones for more than 5 years and this does not seem to hold true.  Testing and Managing a Hormone ImbalanceContinuing to monitor hormone levels is an important part of the process. The DUTCH Test (a urine test) looks at the metabolites to gauge how well the bioidentical hormones are being metabolized. This is especially important for anyone with the MTHFR defect because the methylation pathways are necessary to detoxify the hormones. Thankfully the methylation pathways can be supported and there is alot you can do to help. To learn more about the MTHFR and ways to understand and support it, please check out  Episode 34. Blood tests and saliva tests may also be used and additionally Dr. Hrncir always has patients do a lifestyle questionnaire because test levels alone don’t tell the whole story.  Treatment of a Hormone Imbalance with Compounded Bioidentical HormonesAs mentioned, this hormone therapy is customized to meet the patients needs and their hormone signature. Different hormones will be administered in different ways. Dr. Hrncir prefers to deliver estrogen transdermally. He encourages his patients to move the cream application site around the body so one area doesn’t get a build up. In some cases, patients will apply the cream to the labia with the side benefit of treating vaginal dryness, supporting the bladder (and spontaneous leakage), and decreasing UTIs and bacterial vaginosis. Other hormones may be delivered in time-release capsules.  Why aren’t Compounded Bioidentical Hormones as supported by the FDAThis is a very big question and good fodder for conversation. Dr. Hrncir has reason to believe there is bias against compounding in the FDA because it doesn’t fit the business model of Big Pharma. Be sure to listen all of the way to the end of this episode for more on this. It’s not just hormones related to menopause, there are many other hormones (including thyroid) that can be compounded and may be at risk. Jim is passionate about keeping compound bioidentical hormones available to the public. If you agree, you can visit this website to add your voice to the cause.  Mystery SolvedHormone changes are no joke and can cause so many different symptoms making it difficult to know what’s really going on. Jill saw all the research and felt natural hormones were the way to go for her. She wanted to feel better and prevent diseases that may result from low hormones. But first, we had to figure out which symptoms were related to her hormone imbalance. We ran a DUTCH test to get her baseline and look at her estrogen metabolism.Her overall hormones were low but we were able to evaluate their pathways. For her, she was converting a bit more to the 4-hydroxy estrogen which was not ideal, her homocysteine was high and her methylation capability needed support. We tested her thyroid and while everything was in the lab range, her TSH was a bit out of the optimal range at 3.5.Before starting compounded bioidentical hormone therapy, we had to fix a few things to make sure she would be able to metabolize the hormones once given. This included adjusting her diet to support a healthy gut biome. And, adjusting a few nutritional imbalances. We started Jill on DIM (Diindolylmethane) twice per day. We made sure she was getting enough methylated B vitamins including folate and B12 by giving her  Homocysteine Supreme by Designs for Heal...

The Investigation In a previous episode, I revealed what I eat on a regular basis to stay healthy and I was thrilled to get so much positive feedback about it. So, I thought I would pull the curtain back a little further and share what I feed my kids to keep them healthy now and to help them develop a good relationship with nutritious food. In this episode, I walk you through what my 5 year-old son and 9-month old baby daughter eat now and what they ate getting to this age. I know that kids are not easy when it comes to food. I hear, ‘my child is a picky eater!’ all the time and mine are too. It can be tough, but remember, that even if they don’t like something, it does not mean they won’t like it forever. In fact, studies show that kids have to try a food over and over again before they learn to like it so don’t give up after one or even a few tries.    Introducing Healthy Foods Early You can expand a child’s palate and willingness to try new things by introducing healthy foods and supplements at an early age. For example, I started giving Jake, my 5-year-old, liquid fish oil (Omega Marine Liquid) at such a young age, that he is totally used to the taste. He will even remind me when I’ve forgotten to give it to him.  And the baby gets excited now whenever I pull that fish oil bottle out of the fridge.  I also introduced Jake to probiotics at an early age by opening up the capsule and sprinkling it into his food. Sometimes you have to get creative!  It’s worth it because the more you introduce to them early on, the more they will get used to these foods and it will be easier later.     When to Start Babies on Solid Food There’s always been debate over exactly when babies should start eating solid foods. These days, pediatricians recommend introducing solid food between 4 and 6 months (it used to be 6 months). The thinking is that introducing solid food earlier (including potential allergens) may decrease the chances of the child developing food allergies to things like peanuts, dairy, egg etc. I think there are a few sides to this story though.  First, some kids are just not ready for solids so pushing those too early may be stressful for both you and the child. Second, while I understand introducing small amounts of allergens early is sort of like doing allergy shots, you have to remember that babies are born with essentially a leaky gut. It takes time for that to fill in. In my opinion, it’s better to wait especially if there’s a family history of autoimmune disease.  In my case, I have Hashimoto’s and I have the DQ8 gene for gluten so I knew that my kids would be at risk of also having this gene. In fact, I had my kids tested to determine if they inherited this gene (there’s no such thing as too early for genetics) and I discovered that they actually had both the DQ2 and DQ8. As a result, I have never given them gluten.  For dairy, I waited until Jake was a year old. If you have a dairy intolerance, be sure to listen to the full episode because I explain how introducing dairy too early could result in cross-reactivity or molecular mimicry with dairy and the islet cells on the pancreas which can lead to an autoimmune reaction for type 1 diabetes. Of course there are many other factors involved but I just personally felt that dairy was not necessary for us and waited till a year after which this may be less likely to happen.   How to Start Babies on Solid Food If you were to follow the conventional recommendations for slowly adding in solid foods, pediatricians suggest putting rice cereal in the breast milk or formula. After that, introducing rice or oats and soft foods like bananas and other fruits.  My recommendations are a bit different.  If they are getting enough calories from breast milk or formula, there is really no need for grains or fruit so early on. Instead of helping them develop a taste for sweet food, encourage them to experience veggies instead. With both Jake and Juliette (the baby), I started with zucchini that I steamed and pureed. I added a bit of breast milk but you could also just add a little water too.    Pureeing Your Own Veggies for Babies I know there are a lot of healthier options for buying pureed baby food but I prefer to make my own because, as I said, I want to avoid the sweeter fruits and veggies early on so I can help the kids develop a palate for things other than sweet.  I started with zucchini (which I peel to avoid too many lectins), avocado, green beans, bok choy, and cauliflower. As the babies got a little older, I added in kale, broccoli, butternut squash, and swiss chard. Next, I started to integrate sweet potato and beans. The next addition was pureed meat, egg, and nuts. All of this was before I introduced fruit around the 8-9 month mark.    Are Puffs Really Good for Babies? Anyone who’s had a baby in the last few years knows what puffs are - they’re everywhere. The idea is that they help babies develop because they have to pinch them to pick them up s its good for their fine motor skills and they dissolve in the mouth so they’re not hard to eat.  I suggest really looking at the ingredients before jumping on this trend. I did find one brand of puffs, Lesser Evil Puffs, that seemed to be not too bad. I prefer to make bite-sized soft foods myself. This might be pressure cooked chicken or lamb, or veggie puree rolled into balls and baked. The baby can still grab it and I know that healthy, whole foods have been used to make them.    Helping Picky Eaters Love Vegetables I know a lot of parents deal with kids who are picky eaters. Often, when we find one healthy food they like, we continue to give it to them until they get bored with it. That doesn’t mean they don’t like it anymore, it just means it’s time for a break. I try to rotate his foods and always have a balanced plate (grains, veggies, and protein) just like I do for us adults.   Another thing you can do is pay attention to what your picky eater does like - it might not be the food they’re rejecting but how it’s prepared so you can look for patterns. Do they like soft foods, crunchy foods, certain colors or flavors? If so, work with that. I noticed that Jake really likes crunchy foods so I try to make our healthy food crunchy so he’ll eat it. For example, I’ll bake asparagus tips or zucchini fries in the air fryer.    Meal Plan for a Child Here is a typical day of eating in our house.  Breakfast: Birch Bender Paleo Waffles with cashew butter OR 2 oat and banana muffins with either cashew or almond butter. Sometimes eggs and gluten-free toast or Grain-free Buns from Coco Bakes. Lunch: A protein (grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, lamb), a side (oats, rice, sweet potato, beans) and veggies (asparagus tips, steamed green beans, air fried eggplant, zucchini, broccoli). Dinner: Similar to lunch and we will often rotate these around. If we include a dessert, it’s usually frozen berries, NadaMoo! dairy-free ice cream or chocolate (HU Chocolate is low in sugar). Sometimes I’ll make muffins or brownies using the SimpleMills mixes. School Lunch: Meat sandwich (turkey or meatballs), side of veggies, and sometimes a protein drink (we like the Paleo Pro Chocolate).  Snack: Jakes likes the

The Case: Annabelle often feels anxious, overwhelmed and unsettled.She was experiencing weird body sensations, panic attacks and unexplained mood swings.She visited GPs, psychiatrists, therapists and a rheumatologist but their medications and an autoimmune diagnosis didn’t help solve her problem.  The InvestigationOne of the biggest issues for Annabelle was that she felt like nobody was really hearing her or worse, dismissing her concerns as being all in her head. I’m so glad that she reached out to me because I knew there had to be an underlying issue. After our initial 2-hour consultation, I was convinced that her issues weren’t just internal and we had to look at external triggers to get to the root cause. Some of her symptoms reminded me of a conversation I had with Stephanie Roman (episode 21) so I knew talking to her would be the first step in solving this health mystery. Stephanie helps empaths understand their gifts and also manage them. What is an Empath?An empath is someone who feels the vibrational energy around them emotionally and/or physically. An empath will often feel and mirror the emotion, feelings, and energy they encounter.Many empaths don’t know they’re empaths because they’ve always been sensitive to others emotions and energy so they don’t realize that others don’t have this experience. Scientifically, empaths are often referred to as ‘highly sensitive’ which is essentially the same thing.Empaths can be on a sliding scale meaning some will have minor sensations or emotional responses while others will have significant reactions to external energy.Most empaths are born empaths but learn to suppress their empathic responses but blocking these responses can build up over time and trigger other issues like autoimmune disease. How do you Know if You’re an Empath?Empaths exist on a spectrum so there is a sliding scale of signs that someone might be an empath or have some empathic qualities.  Signs to look for include:Anxiety, depression and feelings of isolationAlone time is mandatoryPeople open up to you easily (like telling you their life story out of the blue) or instantly don’t like you (because you’re mirroring them and that makes them uncomfortable)Feeling like your emotions are not in your controlTaking care of others instead of yourself One of the most common traits for empaths is the need to decompress. This might look like needing to be alone after being stimulated by excess electronic frequencies such as emotionally energized circumstances, having their senses overstimulated, or being in a really busy place. Stephanie points out that many people make the mistake of thinking that all empaths are introverted and while it might be more common, extraverts can also be empaths.  Common Symptoms of an EmpathEmpaths can accumulate stress in their bodies if they don’t know how to release the energy they absorb from others. This extra stress over time can cause a variety of symptoms which can be difficult to attribute to being an empath.  Magnesium Deficiency. Because of the excess stress, highly sensitive individuals can burn their natural magnesium at a much higher rate. This leaves them deficient in magnesium which then lead to symptoms like muscle cramping, charley horses, tingling sensations as well as anxiety, depression, and uncontrolled emotional outburst like suddenly needing to cry for no reason. Anxiety Attacks. Those who are aware that they are an empath will call these Empath Attacks but they feel very similar to anxiety attacks where you feel over stimulated and unable to process your emotions.Autoimmune Diseases. Some autoimmune diseases can be traced to suppressed or repressed empathic responses causing extreme bodily stress. This stress, over time, can put the immune system into overload and trigger an autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s, IBS and eczema. Always Feeling Over-stimulated. This symptom can be hard to detect because many empaths have always been over-stimulated so it’s their ‘normal’ or default setting. But they are likely to be further triggered by sensory overload like bright lights, loud noises, or strong scents.Long Recovery. Another symptom of being an empath is that it can take a long time (sometimes a day or more) to get over an overly stimulating situation where others can recover in a minute.  Diagnosing EmpathsUnfortunately, there is no designated test or quiz that can identify an empath 100%.  Most empaths who become aware of the term can self-diagnose because they feel it in their body. Treatments and Coping Tools for EmpathsStephanie says that dealing with being an empath is a journey. There’s no magic pill and everyone experiences it differently so it’s all about trying different things to find what works. She suggests finding a practice that helps to release the energy. This might include meditation, breath work, grounding, running, getting out in nature -- any kind of intentional action can help release the energy. She will even have her clients shake just to get the energy out. Stephanie also says that epsom salt baths help which makes sense because it releases magnesium and is also really great for cleansing the liver. Quiet, alone time is also an important management tool for empaths. Emotional releases like journaling are also recommended. Supplementing with magnesium is what Stephanie recommends as most empaths are depleted in magnesium.  Mystery SolvedBeing an empath is much more common than people realize and it can be a big contributing factor in certain health mysteries (especially if you don’t know you’re an empath!) If you think you’re an empath, remember that being an empath is not a bad thing. In fact, it can be beneficial if you are aware of it and know how to manage it. This is exactly how we approached it for Annabelle. I explained to her that she may be an empath. She didn’t know what that meant but after looking at some of the characteristics everything made sense. We talked about using this to her advantage instead of treating it like a negative thing. To do that, we needed to set her up with some strategies to keep her body in balance. Next Steps First we worked on releasing techniques so that she can release negative energy and emotions when they come up. This is important to keep her physical stress levels low. A few of the techniques we used were grounding and stepping into her feelings fully so she could release them. We also looked to exercise (hill climbing) while repeating a mantra to extinguish unwanted feelings. Another energy release technique we tried out was screaming into a pillow. With these coping skills under her belt, we wanted to see how being an undiagnosed empath had impacted her biochemistry. We did a hair test and found that she was low in magnesium and also low in calcium. To balance out these levels, I recommended  Magnesium Buffered Chelate,  Calcium Malate Chelate, and ...