Tag: Functional medicine for hormone health

  • A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Hashimoto’s with Functional Medicine

    A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Hashimoto’s with Functional Medicine

    Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland.. Most cases of Hashimoto’s are unnecessarily treated as hypothyroidism by looking at high TSH levels.  While conventional medicine typically focuses on supplementing thyroid hormones, functional medicine offers a more integrated approach. This method delves into the root causes behind the autoimmune process, emphasizing personalized care through advanced diagnostic testing, tailored supplements, and dietary adjustments.  

    Understanding Hashimoto’s and the Functional Medicine Approach

    Hashimoto’s occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing inflammation and dysfunction. Symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, and mental fog can take a significant toll on daily life.  

    Functional medicine goes beyond treating symptoms by exploring the unique factors contributing to the condition. It seeks to identify potential triggers, such as nutrient deficiencies, chronic stress, or environmental influences, and address them to restore balance and support overall health.  

    Essential Testing for Hashimoto’s

    Functional medicine prioritizes in-depth diagnostic tests to uncover underlying imbalances that drive Hashimoto’s. Key assessments include:  

    1. Comprehensive Thyroid Testing: Measuring TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb) provides a complete picture of thyroid health and immune activity.  

    2. Nutrient Status: Testing for deficiencies in Vitamin D, Selenium, Zinc, complete B vitamins, and Iron (Ferritin) helps identify areas where supplementation or dietary changes may benefit.

    3. Gut Health Evaluation: Since a disrupted gut microbiome or intestinal permeability often accompanies autoimmune disorders, stool testing for gut microbiome and organic acid tests are vital for gut assessment. 

    4. Heavy metals: Heavy metals like lead, aluminium, cadmium, arsenic, mercury can block thyroid hormone receptors, interfere with conversion of T4 to T3 and moreover dysregulate the immune system. It’s important to test for heavy metals and work on heavy metal removal if high levels are reported. 

    5. Organ function tests: Optimal liver and kidney function is critical for ensuring proper detoxification pathways. 

    4. Stress and Adrenal Health: Chronic stress can exacerbate thyroid dysfunction, making cortisol testing an essential part of treatment planning.  

    Nutritional Foundations for Thyroid Health  

    Diet plays a transformative role in managing Hashimoto’s, as certain foods can either support or hinder thyroid function. Functional medicine emphasizes personalized dietary interventions, including:  

    Elimination of Trigger Foods: Many patients experience symptom relief by avoiding gluten and dairy, which are common inflammatory triggers in autoimmune conditions.  

    Focus on Nutrient Density: Foods rich in selenium (e.g., Brazil nuts), iodine (moderate amounts), zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids help optimize thyroid function.  Good quality protein is important. 

    Balanced Blood Sugar Levels: A diet that avoids spikes in blood sugar can reduce inflammation and improve energy stability.  

    Gut-Supportive Foods: Incorporating bone broth, and probiotics can strengthen the gut lining and enhance nutrient absorption.  

    Targeted Supplementation  

    Supplements can complement dietary changes and provide additional support for thyroid and immune health. Functional medicine practitioners often recommend:  

    1. Vitamin D: Vital for immune system regulation and thyroid function.  

    2. Selenium: Known to decrease thyroid antibody levels and aid hormone conversion.  

    3. Zinc: Supports the immune system and thyroid hormone synthesis.  

    4. Omega-3s: Help control inflammation, a key factor in autoimmune conditions.  

    5. Adaptogens: Herbs like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola can improve the body’s stress response, which is critical for managing Hashimoto’s.  

    Lifestyle Practices for Long-Term Support  

    Beyond diet and supplementation, lifestyle adjustments are essential for managing Hashimoto’s and enhancing overall well-being. These include:  

    Stress Reduction Techniques: Meditation, mindfulness, and yoga can help lower stress hormones like cortisol, which may worsen thyroid dysfunction.  

    Exercise in Moderation: Regular, low-impact physical activity, such as walking or swimming, supports metabolism and reduces inflammation without overburdening the body.  

    Prioritizing Sleep: Restful sleep is critical for immune balance and hormone regulation.  

    The Importance of Individualized Care 

    No two cases of Hashimoto’s are identical. A functional medicine approach tailors treatment to each person’s unique needs by considering factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle. This personalized strategy helps identify and address specific triggers, paving the way for symptom relief and better long-term outcomes.  

    Key Takeaway

    Managing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis requires a multifaceted approach that looks beyond symptoms to address root causes. By incorporating detailed testing, strategic nutrition, targeted supplements, and lifestyle changes, functional medicine empowers individuals to take control of their health. With the right support, it’s possible to reduce inflammation, support the thyroid, and improve overall quality of life.

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    References:

    1. Weinberg, J.L. (2022, March 18). Fatigue, Weight Gain, Depression, And Brain Fog Are Common Signs Of This Autoimmune Disease.
    2. Toulis, K.A., Anastasilakis, A.D., Tzellos, T.G., et al. (2010). Selenium Supplementation in the Treatment of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Systematic Review and a Meta-analysis.
    3. Mazokopakis, E.E., Papadomanolaki, M.G., Tsekouras, K.C., et al. (2015). Is vitamin D related to pathogenesis and treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
    4. Yoon, S.J., Choi, S.R., Kim, D.M., et al. (2003). The effect of iodine restriction on thyroid function in patients with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
    5. Liontiris, M.I., & Mazokopakis, E.E. (2017). A concise review of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and the importance of iodine, selenium, vitamin D, and gluten on autoimmunity and dietary management.

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  • All About Gallstones

    All About Gallstones

    Gallstones have become a ubiquitous problem with estimates suggesting up to 20-25% of various populations having the condition. Though initially relatively asymptomatic, when allowed to worsen and maybe get infected, it can become an excruciatingly painful and serious problem. Most patients are offered a relatively simple solution – cholecystectomy: surgical gallbladder removal!

    As we will understand in this blog, this approach is like shooting the victim of a crime while the criminal goes scot-free!

    The primary reasons leading to gallstone formation are hepatic-biliary congestion, excessive and the wrong type of cholesterol in the liver, poor gallbladder emptying, estrogen overload, etc. Let us understand these in detail.

    • HEPATIC BILIARY CONGESTION – The most common underlying reason is what is referred to as hepatic-biliary congestion. This can be triggered by many factors, the simplest being chronic dehydration. Due to insufficient hydration, the bile becomes thick and sticky. As a result, the fats and other salts in the bile tend to precipitate out and form stones.
    • CHOLESTEROL – Due to an imbalance in diet, the amount of cholesterol in bile increases, making it thick and sluggish. As bile becomes thick cholesterol gets supersaturated and precipitates out in the form of soft stones of different sizes (Over 80% of gallstones are made of cholesterol). Some of these can get lodged in the gallbladder. Over a period of time as more cholesterol precipitates, these stones grow bigger and can get infected leading to the telltale symptoms of gallbladder disease – severe pain and inflammation.
    • LOW-FIBRE DIET – The low fibre content in diet also contributes to this process. Dietary fibre plays an important role in the excretion of excess cholesterol from the system. Typical modern diets are very low in fibre leading to higher cholesterol levels which contribute to gallstone formation.
    • INCREASED NUCLEATION – Increased nucleation of cholesterol particles also plays a role in the gallstone formation process. These diets low in fibre and fats and high in refined carbs may also have a role in this process. The cholesterol particles thus created are sticky and dense, much more likely to stick together to form stones.
    • ESTROGENS – Higher levels of estrogen in the body also contribute to the process of gallstone formation. Estrogen induces an increased input to the free cholesterol pool in the liver by up-regulating the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. This increased cholesterol in the liver then tends to precipitate out in the form of stones. This is one reason why women are much more likely than men to suffer from gallstones.
    • GALLBLADDER HYPOMOTILITY – Poor emptying of the gallbladder is another important reason contributing to gallstone formation. When the gall bladder does not empty completely, bile tends to stagnate in the bladder increasing the chances of formation of sludge and stones. The most common reason for this is a diet that is low in fats and high in refined carbohydrates (LCHF). Unfortunately, this is a very typical diet recommended by health authorities in various countries!

    Gall bladder empties itself in response to fat in the diet. When we consume a diet low in fats, the bladder does not empty fully leading to bile stagnation. Stagnating bile is an obvious trigger for stone formation!

    For most people, there is usually a combination of the above factors that lead to the formation of gallstones.

    HOW TO PREVENT GALLSTONES?

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    The good news is that almost all the reasons leading to gallstone formation are modifiable i.e. we can choose a lifestyle that prevents gallstone formation. Let us look at the various changes we can make to reduce the possibility of getting gallstones as well as getting rid of them if we already have them.

    • HYDRATION – Proper hydration is a fundamental requirement that ensures the bile is thin and free-flowing.
    • DIETARY CHANGES – Dietary changes are perhaps the most important factor that we can easily influence in our favour.
      • A diet based on unrefined wholegrains and lots of vegetables and fruits helps reduce the likelihood of bile fats precipitating out as stones.
      • Consuming a good amount of healthy fats in the diet ensures that the bile is used up for digesting the fats. This ensures that the bile does not stagnate in the bladder thereby reducing the chances of stone formation.
      • The increased fibre content in the diet helps in reducing the cholesterol load in the body hence reducing stone formation chances
    • GALLBLADDER MOTILITY – Ensuring good gallbladder motility is another important step toward reducing the likelihood of gallstone formation. Better motility helps the bladder empty itself completely so that bile does not sediment and solidify. Bitter herbs are useful in improving gallbladder motility.
    • ESTROGEN – Estrogen dominance is one key reason for excess cholesterol leading to fat precipitation in the form of stones. Hence ensuring estrogen levels are balanced is key to preventing gallstone formation. One of the reasons for excess estrogen is xenoestrogen – i.e. estrogen-like substances coming into the body from outside. Reducing estrogen overload and minimising the influx of xenoestrogens is important to reduce the chances of gallstone formation. Ensuring optimal liver function and bowel movements is important in reducing estrogen dominance.
    • CHOLESTEROL – High levels of cholesterol – especially the dense and sticky particles of cholesterol tend to stick to each other and speed up the process of stone formation. Implementing the required dietary and lifestyle changes to improve the lipid profile is key to reducing stone formation likelihood.

    A NOTE ON CHOLECYSTECTOMY – As I mentioned earlier, removing the gallbladder is like shooting the victim of a crime while the criminal is allowed to go scot-free. This approach completely ignores the root causes of the problem while focusing only on the symptoms. As the reasons remain unaddressed, the formation of stones continues even after the removal of the gallbladder leading to many issues in the future.

    On the other hand, the removal of the gallbladder leads to very poor digestion of fats creating long-term metabolic deficiencies in the body. One common outcome is deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, D, E and K. In turn these deficiencies lead to the development of various chronic ailments in the long term.

    DISSOLVING EXISTING STONES

    The various points mentioned above can help one reduce the chances of getting gallstones as well as reduce the likelihood of recurrence for those who have had stones in the past.

    However, when it comes to existing stones, conventionally it is considered impossible to reduce or dissolve them. There is a large volume of scientific research and clinical studies have highlighted various protocols that can help dissolve or flush out existing stones.

    In the Hormone Reset Program, improving hepato-biliary health is one of our key focus areas.

    Get in touch with us if you need help with liver and gallbladder-related issues.

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    References

    1. VAN ERPECUM, K. J., & VAN BERGE-HENEGOUWEN, G. P. (1999, March 1). Gallstones: an intestinal disease? Gut, 44(3), 435–438. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.44.3.435
    2. Di Ciaula, A., Molina-Molina, E., Bonfrate, L., Wang, D. Q., Dumitrascu, D. L., & Portincasa, P. (2019). Gastrointestinal defects in gallstone and cholecystectomized patients. European journal of clinical investigation, 49(3), e13066. https://doi.org/10.1111/eci.13066
    3. Igimi, H., Tamura, R., Toraishi, K., Yamamoto, F., Kataoka, A., Ikejiri, Y., Hisatsugu, T., & Shimura, H. (1991). Medical dissolution of gallstones. Clinical experience of d-limonene as a simple, safe, and effective solvent. Digestive diseases and sciences, 36(2), 200–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01300757
    4. Di Ciaula, A., Molina-Molina, E., Bonfrate, L., Wang, D. Q., Dumitrascu, D. L., & Portincasa, P. (2019). Gastrointestinal defects in gallstone and cholecystectomized patients. European journal of clinical investigation, 49(3), e13066. https://doi.org/10.1111/eci.13066

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