If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you might have been advised to cut out gluten and dairy from your diet. This is because gluten and dairy can trigger inflammation and potentially exacerbate autoimmune responses. But what happens when you’ve diligently eliminated these foods and yet, your thyroid antibody levels continue to rise? Or… they haven’t dropped at all! It’s a frustrating scenario that many face, but it doesn’t mean that all your efforts were for nothing. Instead, it requires a deeper dive into what is driving your inflammation and elevated thyroid antibodies.
Beyond Diet and High Thyroid Antibodies
While gluten and dairy are common culprits, they aren’t the only foods that can stimulate an autoimmune response and keep your antibodies high. And I’m not even talking about other food groups but other aspects and imbalances contributing to inflammation and keeping thyroid antibodies high. That includes leaky gut, gut dysbiosis and bad bacteria overgrowth, hidden infections, excess estrogen, toxic overload like heavy metals or mould, low vitamin D and my favourite – emotional stress!
1. Gut Health – The Key To Managing Thyroid Antibodies
A significant portion of the immune system is housed in the gut, making gut health a top priority in managing autoimmune conditions and Hashimoto’s. Also with healthy gut your body will absorb nutrients better which means better healing and repair. So if it comes to gut health it’s important to break it down into four main areas: leaky gut, gut dysbiosis, SIBO and hidden infections like h pylori, candida or parasites.
A. Leaky Gut
Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions in the gut lining become loose, allowing substances like toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. This can trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation. When foreign particles enter the bloodstream, the immune system responds by increasing inflammation. Chronic inflammation can trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the body mistakenly attacks thyroid tissues, leading to elevated thyroid antibodies.
B. Gut Dysbiosis (Endotoxins)
An imbalance in gut flora can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, particularly Gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria release lipopolysaccharides (LPS), endotoxins that can severely impact inflammation levels. LPS can cross the gut barrier, especially if the gut is already leaky, entering the bloodstream and causing systemic inflammation. That puts your whole body on fire. The presence of LPS in the bloodstream stimulates the immune system to fight off what it perceives as an infection and ultimately leads to elevated thyroid antibody levels.
C. SIBO
SIBO occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine, particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract. SIBO is also very common in hypothyroidism. These bacteria can ferment the food in the small intestine, producing hydrogen, methane, or hydrogen sulfide gas, which can cause a range of digestive symptoms. The gases produced by bacteria in SIBO can lead to bloating, pain, and malabsorption of nutrients. Nutrients like zinc, vitamin A and selenium are crucial for thyroid function and overall immune regulation. Furthermore, the bacterial overgrowth can contribute to the development of leaky gut, leading to more systemic inflammation and potentially more thyroid antibodies. It’s important to note that while probiotics are generally very helpful in correcting gut dysbiosis, they can actually exacerbate symptoms of SIBO. SIBO is not necessarily an overgrowth of bad bacteria but rather an overgrowth of different types of bacteria (even the good ones) in the wrong place—specifically, the small intestine instead of the large intestine.
D. Hidden Infections (Candida, H. pylori, Parasites)
Infections in the gut, such as Candida (a fungal overgrowth), Helicobacter pylori (a bacterial infection often associated with ulcers), or parasites are quite common. They can cause chronic inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These organisms can disrupt the normal flora and the immune response. These pathogens can provoke an ongoing immune response, which may include the production of antibodies that cross-react with thyroid tissues, mistakenly targeting and damaging the thyroid. This then leads to an increase in thyroid antibodies and contribute to the symptoms of Hashimoto’s.
2. Hormone Imbalances. How Excess Estrogen Elevates Thyroid Antibodies
Estrogen is known to modulate the immune system. In cases of estrogen dominance, the altered estrogen levels can exacerbate autoimmune responses, particularly in individuals predisposed to autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The immune system may become more aggressive towards the thyroid gland, increasing the production of thyroid antibodies against thyroid tissues, leading to inflammation and further degradation of thyroid function. The best way to check if you have estrogen dominance is to do blood or DUTCH urine home test. Otherwise you can asses it from the symptoms like painful periods, heavy bleeding or blood clots during your period, feeling more anxious or experiencing breast tenderness just before period.
3. Toxins and inflammation
Environmental toxins play a crucial role in thyroid health, particularly concerning autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic disrupt thyroid function and may provoke an immune response. That can lead to elevated thyroid antibodies. Apart from that, mould, pesticides, plastics and BPAs can also overstimulate your immune system leading to high thyroid antibodies. For heavy metals, hair tissue mineral analysis is a great test. If it comes to other toxins, what I highly recommend to do for everyone not only for women with Hashimotos is to minimize your daily exposure to any potential toxins. That means buying organic foods where possible, swapping Teflon pans for stainless steel, using chemical-free cleaning products (such as apple cider vinegar-based sprays), and choosing natural beauty and skincare products. What you put on your skin has a huge impact on your health. Skin is a great absorber of whatever is applied to it.
4. Nutrient Deficiencies
Vitamins and minerals are essential for your immune system but also amino acids are equally important as those are involved in detoxification process. Poor detox means more inflammation and more thyroid antibodies. If it comes to vitamins and minerals, ensure you’re getting enough selenium and vitamin D.
5. Emotional Stress – Understanding the Full Picture
Emotional stress can manifest in various ways. For instance, I spent much of my life in a deep state of fight, flight, or freeze, and even then, if you had asked, I would have insisted I wasn’t stressed. Emotional stress isn’t just about feeling overwhelmed; it can also appear as a constant need to overachieve and never feeling satisfied, or a compulsive need to control everything and struggling to let go—responses that might not immediately register as ‘stress’ to those experiencing them. The tendency to overthink or constantly worry about future events is also a common source of stress. It doesn’t just tax your mind—it also triggers the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. This means that your thoughts and emotional states aren’t just feelings; they initiate real physical and chemical reactions in your body
Moreover, unresolved emotions and past traumas play a significant role in a dysregulated nervous system and inflammation. When emotional traumas are not adequately addressed, they can lead to a chronic activation of the stress response, characterized by elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol, known as the ‘stress hormone,’ when persistently high, will weaken the immune system and exacerbate inflammation. This hormonal imbalance can lead to an increase in thyroid antibodies.
Summary
The journey to lower thyroid antibodies can indeed be complex, but it is entirely possible to restore your immune function and reduce your thyroid antibodies. While many people experience significant improvements by eliminating gluten and dairy, some may require additional time and a more comprehensive approach that extends beyond dietary changes. Remember, patience and persistence are key. Coupled with a holistic view of health, these qualities will become your greatest allies in effectively managing your thyroid condition
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