Treating Hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s with Naturopathic medicine in Kirkland

Medical disclaimer: this information is intended to be used for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan. Ask your doctor if the treatments described below might be appropriate for you.

Hypothyroidism is a common hormonal health condition that affects energy levels, metabolism, and overall well-being. While both Naturopathic and conventional treatment may involve thyroid hormone replacement, Naturopathic medicine takes a more holistic approach, addressing underlying causes and supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

What is Hashimoto’s? How does it compare to Hypothyroidism?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of low thyroid, which is called hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system creates an immune response against your thyroid gland, leading to chronic inflammation and eventually reduced thyroid function. Whether caused by Hashimoto’s or other factors, hypothyroidism results in a wide range of symptoms. If you have many or all of the symptoms below, you might be dealing with Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism:

• Fatigue and lethargy

• Depression

• Cold intolerance

• Hairloss, including the outer edges of eyebrows

• Dry skin

• Constipation

• Poor memory

• Brain fog

• Heavy periods

• Goiter (enlarged thyroid at the base of your throat)

Naturopathic Medicine Strategies for Supporting Thyroid Health

1. Identifying & Address the Root Causes

A Naturopathic approach goes beyond just replacing thyroid hormones. Some key factors that can contribute to thyroid dysfunction include:

• Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation

• Nutrient deficiencies (such as iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, and others)

• Gut health imbalances, autoimmunity, and intestinal permeability (known as “leaky gut”)

• Food sensitivities, food intolerances, and food allergies

• Chronic stress and adrenal dysfunction

• Environmental toxins and heavy metals

These potential root causes can be investigated through blood work, stool testing, saliva or urine testing, and a thorough medical history and symptom picture.

2. Nutrition & Dietary Support

A nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet can be a powerful tool in managing Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. Why? Because gut imbalance is a big part of the development of thyroid conditions, and what you eat has a big impact on gut health. Some general dietary strategies include:

• Reducing ultra-processed foods, refined sugar, and inflammatory oils

• Supporting gut health with probiotics, fermented foods, fiber-rich foods, short chain fatty acids, and demulcent herbs

• Considering a gluten-free and/or dairy-free diet (many Hashimoto’s patients see improvements with these, because the proteins in these foods look very similar to the proteins in your thyroid, so presence of these proteins and cause “cross-reactivity” and induce the autoimmune response)

• Including thyroid-supportive foods like Brazil nuts (for selenium), seaweed (for iodine), grass-fed meats (for zinc and B12), and cold-water wild-caught fish such as salmon (for omega-3 fatty acids)

• Incorporating gut- and thyroid-supportive herbs to lower inflammation, regulate the stress response, and dampen the autoimmune response. Some go-to herbs are listed below

3. Herbal Support

Certain herbs and nutrients can help regulate thyroid function and support the immune system. These may include:

• Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Holy Basil, Licorice, Eleuthero, and Schisandra berry to balance stress hormones

• Anti-inflammatory herbs like Turmeric and Rehmannia to support immune function

• Black Seed oil for reducing inflammation and regulating the autoimmune response

4. Managing Stress & Supporting the Adrenals

Chronic stress can suppress thyroid function and worsen autoimmune conditions. Your thyroid and adrenals glands work together to promot balance in your body—so when one is off, the other needs support, too! Naturopathic strategies for stress management include:

• Mind-body practices like yin yoga, yoga nidra, meditation, walking, and breathwork

• Herbal adaptogens to support adrenal health

• Prioritizing sleep and balancing circadian rhythm

• Vagus nerve stimulation with daily exercises or a vagus nerve device such as Neuvana

5. Functional Lab Testing & Individualized Care

Many patients with thyroid conditions are only tested for TSH and don’t get a full thyroid panel. TSH stands for Thyroid Stimualating Hormone, which is your brain hormone that tells your thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. While TSH is often high in Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, it’s only a piece of the puzzle of thyroid dysfunction. A comprehensive look at thyroid health might include the following:

• Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3

• Thyroid antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (TG))

• Nutrient testing (iron, vitamin D, B12, selenium, zinc)

• Cortisol and adrenal function assessment

Your thyroid treatment plan should be unique to you!

Every person’s Hashimoto’s and hypothyroid experience is unique, which is why a personalized, holistic approach is so essential to recovery. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been struggling with symptoms for years, Naturopathic medicine can most certainly offer tools to help you feel better.

If you’re looking for individualized support, click the button below to inquire about working together!