Thyroid Resources

Start Here ► Learn More About Your Thyroid Journey…

This site is for you. To inspire, support, encourage, educate, empower and to share this journey with others who are walking the same path. We are together in this fight to heal while creating waves of awareness for all thyroid and autoimmune diseases…United We Heal!  ~Danna LaRue Bowman

How do I know if I have a thyroid problem?

Your doctor can diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism by testing the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. Doctors measure hormones secreted by the thyroid gland itself, as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a chemical released by the pituitary gland that triggers hormone production in the thyroid.

-Hypothyroidism

With low levels of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream, higher quantities of TSH are circulating in your blood as your body attempts to increase the production of thyroid hormones.

-Hyperthyroidism

The reverse is true, TSH levels are below normal and circulating thyroid-hormone levels are high. To determine the cause of hyperthyroidism, doctors often do other blood tests looking at certain thyroid antibodies. Raised levels of these antibodies can enable the doctor to pinpoint the cause of an overactive thyroid. Your doctor may also request either a normal ultrasound scan of your neck or a radioactive iodide uptake scan. In this latter test, the doctor uses a special film to create a picture showing the exact location of the radioactive iodide in your thyroid gland.

-Thyroid Cancer (Goiter)

Thyroid cancer is much more common in women than in men. There are different types of thyroid cancer, but most of these cancers can be treated successfully.

Just know… there are different treatments available to try. What works for one person may NOT work for you. Our bodies are all unique, so be open to how you feel as you explore medications, approaches, diets, protocols…..Listen to YOUR body!

Are you WONDERING?????? Answers below…..
(And, click any of the highlighted links for more info)

  1. Now what?
  2. What is the thyroid gland and what does it do?
  3. Are there good books I can read?
  4. Finding a GOOD doctor is so important. Either an endocrinologist that will listen to you and treat the whole body or a Functional Medicine doctor. There is a list of references for Thyroid-Friendly doctors, here.
  5. The TSH test isn’t the gold standard for determining thyroid disease. But, together with other thyroid testing, can be helpful. (ie: Full Thyroid Panel) What are the recommended tests I should be requesting? You can ORDER your own lab work, here.
  6. WHY? What is the root cause? Is my doctor helping to determine that?
  7. Will I need to address/change my Diet? YES!
  8. What is Gluten and how will being GF help?
  9. What does this mean for the future?
  10. Are there natural remedies?
  11. Should I be asking more questions and what are they?
  12. Do I really have to take a pill forever and that’s it?
  13. What is leaky Gut and do I need to address it?
  14. Should I be getting other testing? Hormones/Adrenals
  15. Should I be thinking about vitamin and mineral deficiencies including iron, selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, copper, magnesium and vitamin D. Learn more, here.
  16. Are there different MEDICATION options?
  17. What are all these terms? Antibodies/Thyroglobulin
  18. What is Hashimoto’s?
  19. Is Hypo the same as Hashimoto’s?
  20. What is Graves’ Disease?
  21. What does having an autoimmune disease entail?
  22. Should I be taking supplements? Which?
  23. Are there others going through this?
  24. What other factors are involved? Hormones/Adrenals? Prescribing antidepressants is not always the answer, but is very common. It could be your thyroid or hormonal imbalances. Thyroid disease along with adrenal issues can also be the root cause of mental health issues. read here.
  25. Will this affect pregnancy or fertility?
  26. Which ones and why?
  27. What are adaptogenic herbs?
  28. What else in my body does this affect?
  29. Can I pass this to my children/hereditary?
  30. Is my doctor looking out for me?
  31. Why is my doctor not listening?
  32. Will it ever go away?
  33. Can I treat holistically only?
  34. Can essential oils help?
  35. Can I use other methods /acupuncture?
  36. To iodine or not to iodine, that is the question. First, you need to know your iodine levels. That can be done successfully with a 24-hour Loading Test. Thyroid hormones are primarily composed of iodine so there is a lot to learn and tons of information on this topic. It has so many useful properties, removal of toxins and can be helpful in treating breast or any cancers. Work with your doctor. If you have Hashimoto’s or Graves’, iodine may NOT be for you.
  37. I am having strong, sad emotions, why?
  38. I’m sad because my family doesn’t get it, what can I tell them?
  39. Are there others going through this? Get inspired and feel comforted by reading some similar stories, here.
  40. What are some lifestyle ideas and suggestions to help me heal.
  41. What are the optimum lab values I can use? (For reference only)
  42. No 2 bodies are the same. Everyone is different. Every BODY is different, what works for you, may not work for someone else. We are all on our own health journey and are complex beings in our own, individual, unique ways
  43. What else can I do? Join Groups on Facebook. Always remember that you will also need to consult with your primary care physician. The groups are very helpful and full of wonderful people with wonderful knowledge but aren’t meant to replace your relationship with a professional.

Stay up-to-date, get subscriber-only discounts, articles and stories that inspire, on all things thyroid!

Here is a perfect example of why you need to explore different protocols. Take what others have to say and learn and grow from it. But, most importantly listen to your own body. What works for others, may not work for you!

 

Well-honestly, it seems that the root of my declining health was the CANCER…..let me explain.

It seemed to fire up my immune system and trigger new AI diseases along with flare pre-existing diseases. After the cancer was removed-I was better, period! My body is responding to ALL my treatments SO MUCH BETTER, after the removal. Now for DIET: People are often told to look at diet to help and oftentimes, it can. But in my case, eating whole foods/paleo was making issues worse because, my stomach does not break down foods due to diabetes complications.

In turn, I can only eat around 12 grams fiber a day to keep digestive issues away, without meds. I now address EVERYTHING from a gastroparesis (digestive) stand point-I eat grains that are gluten and allergen free and I have found success! I eat canned veggies because they are the only veggies I can always count on not making me bloated ect, crazy right!

My Dr. actually told me to STOP supplements except vit D (I have to take high doses) because it was binding up in my stomach and causing-more digestive issues and more importantly possible issues with medication compliance.This has also helped get things working the correct way! So, see, everyone and every situation is different and unique to you! ~ Angela Hayes

 

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