Healing Hypothyroidism Naturally: My Journey to Reversing Thyroid Symptoms Through Lifestyle Changes by Tracey Vlahos
Introduction:
In January 2021, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, leading to a range of symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. By January 2022, I had successfully healed my thyroid naturally, using lifestyle changes, dietary interventions, and stress management. In this blog post, I’ll share my journey to healing, the signs of hypothyroidism, what I did to reverse my symptoms, and how you can take practical steps to manage your thyroid health naturally. Even if you can reduce your symptoms it is worth taking steps to manage them.
Recognizing the Signs of Hypothyroidism:
For a year, I experienced a variety of symptoms that I couldn’t explain—brain fog, hair loss, digestive issues, and weight gain. Like many others, I had my symptoms overlooked. One reason this happens is that most doctors only test for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels, which can miss underlying issues with thyroid function.
For almost a decade, I only had my TSH tested, and despite obvious symptoms, I was told my thyroid was functioning normally. In reality, a full thyroid panel that includes tests for Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3 is essential to get a complete picture of your thyroid health.
The Importance of Full Thyroid Testing:
If you're struggling with unexplained symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin or mood changes, it’s crucial to get a full thyroid panel. The following tests give you a thorough understanding of your thyroid health:
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): This basic test gives an overview of how your thyroid is functioning.
- T4: Measures total thyroxine in your blood.
- Free T4: Measures the free, active form of thyroxine that is not bound to proteins.
- T4, Free: Another way to measure unbound thyroxine levels.
- T3 Free: Measures the unbound, active form of triiodothyronine (T3).
- T3 Total: Measures the total amount of T3 in your blood, both bound and unbound.
- T3 Uptake: Helps determine how much T3 is being taken up by thyroid-binding proteins.
- Reverse T3: Shows whether your body is converting T4 into the active T3 hormone.
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO Antibodies): Identifies whether your immune system is attacking your thyroid, a key indicator of autoimmune thyroid conditions.
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies: Measures antibodies that target thyroglobulin, another indicator of thyroid autoimmunity.
It’s important to understand your test results and not settle for being told that everything is "normal." Keep testing regularly to monitor your progress and adjust your approach as needed.
My Path to Healing: Lifestyle Changes That Worked
Once I realized the root cause of my symptoms was hypothyroidism, I knew I needed to make serious lifestyle changes. Here’s what helped me heal my thyroid naturally:
1. Dietary Interventions:
Diet plays a crucial role in managing hypothyroidism. I adopted a gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free diet to reduce inflammation and improve my gut health. There’s a strong connection between the gut and thyroid, and improving gut health can significantly support thyroid function.
I also focused on balancing my blood sugar by eating plenty of protein and healthy fats. Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is essential for overall energy and metabolic health, which is especially important when dealing with thyroid issues. I had my A1C tested to monitor my blood sugar.
2. Stress Management and Adrenal Support:
I learned that managing stress is key to supporting thyroid health. Chronic stress can negatively impact the thyroid and lead to adrenal fatigue, which often accompanies hypothyroidism. To support both my thyroid and adrenal glands, I incorporated mindfulness practices like meditation, regular exercise, and improved sleep habits into my routine. Sleep was huge for me!
Hydration and balancing electrolytes were also important for supporting adrenal function, helping me reduce fatigue and regain my energy levels.
( Link lemon water - Pinterest)
3. Healing the Gut:
Gut health is critical for overall wellness, and it’s especially important for those with hypothyroidism. I focused on eating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods to heal my gut and reduce the stress on my immune system. Cutting out gluten, processed foods and going GRAIN FREE made a significant difference in my digestion and overall energy levels.
4. Consistent Testing and Tracking Progress:
Throughout my healing journey, I regularly monitored my thyroid levels with full thyroid panels. This allowed me to see how my efforts were affecting my thyroid function and adjust my diet, supplements, and lifestyle as needed.
REMEMBER: your thyroid issues didn’t come on overnight and neither will your healing process. It is a consistent journey.
Listen to the podcast for my full story and how it took me a year to see the results on the thyroid test results. However, I was “feeling better” from my lifestyle changes, including my hair stop falling out and growing back.
Practical Steps You Can Take to Heal Your Thyroid:
If you’re struggling with thyroid issues, here are practical steps you can take to support your thyroid naturally:
- Get a Full Thyroid Panel: Advocate for yourself and request the right tests, including TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and the antibody tests.
- Change Your Diet: Try eliminating gluten, dairy, and soy to reduce inflammation and support your thyroid.
- Manage Stress: Incorporate stress-reducing practices like meditation, yoga, or journaling into your daily routine.
- Support Your Adrenals: Hydrate well, balance electrolytes, and reduce stress to support adrenal health.
- Focus on Joy: Find activities that bring you happiness and make them a regular part of your life. A positive mindset plays a big role in healing.
The Adrenal-Thyroid Connection:
Many people don’t realize the strong connection between adrenal function and thyroid health. Adrenal fatigue occurs when your body is overwhelmed by chronic stress and cannot produce enough hormones to keep up. When the adrenal glands are overworked, it can worsen thyroid issues, leading to persistent fatigue and other symptoms. Supporting your adrenals with proper hydration, stress management, and balanced electrolytes can make a huge difference in your thyroid recovery.
Top Thyroid Tests and How to Interpret Them:
Understanding your thyroid test results is crucial for managing hypothyroidism. Here are the top tests and what they reveal:
- TSH: Provides a basic overview of thyroid function, but additional tests are essential.
- T4 & Free T4: Measure the amount of thyroxine (T4) in your body, both bound and unbound.
- T3 Free & T3 Total: Measure the levels of active thyroid hormones responsible for regulating metabolism and energy.
- Reverse T3: Helps determine whether your body is converting T4 into the active hormone T3.
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO): Indicates if your immune system is attacking your thyroid, which can contribute to hypothyroidism.
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies: Another indicator of autoimmune thyroid conditions, where the immune system targets thyroglobulin.
Conclusion:
Healing or improving your hypothyroidism naturally is possible with the right approach. By making dietary changes, managing stress, supporting adrenal health, and consistently tracking thyroid levels, I was able to reverse my symptoms and regain my energy, hair and life back.. If you’re dealing with similar thyroid issues, know that healing is within your reach. It takes commitment and patience, but you can take control of your thyroid health and live a thriving, vibrant life.
Remember, it’s not just about managing symptoms—it’s about reclaiming your health and living your best life with a balanced thyroid!