Hypothyroidism May Not Be a Thyroid Problem But Hashimoto Thyroiditis – Dr. Berg

If hypothyroidism may not be a thyroid problem, then what is the problem? Find out.
 
Timestamps
0:08 Hashimotos 
0:34 Solving the wrong problem
1:21 Hypothyroidism
2:03 Estrogen
2:18 Cruciferous vegetables 
4:12 Immune dysfunction 
5:02 Gut problems 
5:21 What you can do 

Did you know that the majority of hypothyroid conditions are not really a thyroid problem? 90% of all hypothyroid conditions are Hashimoto's. This is an autoimmune condition. With this autoimmune condition, the thyroid has antibodies that attack itself. This is immune dysfunction, not necessarily a thyroid problem. But, it does affect the thyroid.

 This could be why many people with this condition never see any change—because they're treating the wrong problem. If you look up hypothyroidism, you will see that the cause is low thyroid hormones. But what's causing the low thyroid hormones? 

If you have hypothyroidism that's not involved with Hashimoto's, it could be secondary to something else. 80% of the conversion of T4 to T3 happens through the liver. So, if there's something going on with the liver or the gallbladder, it could mean that you're just not getting the conversion of T4 to T3.

You could also have a situation where there is too much estrogen in the body. In this case, the estrogen can block the thyroid. 

Some other data talks about consuming too many cruciferous vegetables being behind a thyroid problem. But, the studies on this are very sparse. You would also have to consume a tremendous amount of cruciferous vegetables to deplete enough iodine to cause a weakness in the thyroid. There is no data that says consuming cruciferous vegetables will kill the thyroid. 

If you're worried about cruciferous vegetables causing a thyroid problem, you could steam them or ferment them. You could also have some sea kelp to help replace the iodine that could potentially be depleted by cruciferous vegetables. But, cruciferous vegetables can help regulate estrogen, and really, cruciferous vegetables benefit the entire body. 

To help with different thyroid problems, you may want to avoid: 
• Soy 
• Gluten

Hashimoto's, being an autoimmune condition, usually involves some type of immune dysfunction. There are some interesting links between EBV and Hashimoto's. There is also a connection between gut problems and Hashimoto's.

A few things you can do:
• Restore the gut (healthy keto and intermittent fasting)
• Selenium 
• Zinc
• Garlic 
• Lower stress

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Thanks for watching! I hope this video helps you better understand hypothyroidism, what could really be behind it, and what to do.

[nadiashandy]

Been having Hashimotos for 18 years now. What I went through could fill a book. Long story (relatively) short is, it took me ca. 5 years to even be properly diagnosed, a decade to get medication containing T3 and T4 (Novothyral by Merck). It got better but not much. After having my kid who was born ill and was a cry baby, my body went haywire. My hormones were completely out of control, I developed PCOS, insulin resistance, quite a few new food allergies and chemical insensitivity. My strength for living was gone, I had no power to do anything. I had all the fun things they say are rare with Hashi like loss of hearing, night blindness, cracking voice, joint and muscle pain, I would sometimes simply fall down, like walking on the street and bop, here I am on my nose. It really was a hard time. I was sick with whatever was floating around for a minimum of five months a year, like bedriddenly ill. Making plans was basically impossible. From the weight I put on when this started, my joints would get inflamed and I developed Arthritis. One day I saw a picture of myself and didn't recognize the person there. I went to a doc that does the Hertoge thing. She was the first one to make those tests and advise me properly, my other doctors were either judging me for my weight (while eating next to nothing) or would say, it's a matter of time that things would become better. They didn't.
That doc put me on Mg, Zinc, Omega 3, Vitamin D3/K2 (critically low), Progesterone (my estrogen was through the roof) and high Selenium. She told me to do Keto and deep breathing excersises once a day. It got comparatively better, but still far from how I've been. I found an article online that explained on a biochemical level what insulin does to Hashimotos and I remembered that doc warning me about developing diabetes. Two years ago I started intermittent fasting. I lost around 80 pounds, mind you I didn't lose anything for 15 years before, it's a miracle. Thanks to Dr. Berg I understood that I need to get healthy first to lose weight, so this meant I was on the right path. I started taking milk thistle and dandalion root daily which brought a piece of my strength back. I started taking Curcumin for all that inflammation in my body and it works. As soon as I forget it, my joints start hurting again, my hayfever is insufferable, lots of small things of discomfort. I supplement Vit. B and B12, this also gives a little power and mental strength. Additionally, I take Ashwagandha which is awesome for de-stressing and sleeping well. My last addition is Panax Ginseng. I read about how high levels of T4 will be stored in a reversed form and block the thyroid receptors to take in the fT4, so that's also a known cause for fatigue in Hashimotos. Getting rid of rT4 can be achieved by only taking T3, so that stored T4 will be used up and the receptors freed up. No doc I know would prescribe this. The alternative to do the same is Panax Ginseng. I've been taking it for a few months now and can attest to that. My fatigue got much better. When I'm doped up to my hairline, I almost feel like my old self again. I have power to excersise which also gives me strength.
Gluten is not as much a problem for me but we only consume spelt and durum flour for wheat products. Dairy is a much bigger problem, the hormones and inflammatory load can cause Hashi to be much worse. I've limited my dairy intake to a minimum and only use organic, high fat products. My eating is clean but I don't do Keto. My eating was also very clean when I went through all this, so I'm using supplements. It's expensive but for me absolutely worth it.
If you suffer from Hashis, maybe some of my finding will help you feel better. Hope this helps. Be well.

[jodih]

Dr Berg is correct. Stress completely sets hashimoto's in motion!

[VitaminJ]

I never laughed so hard. he is one bold guy to make that claim but when I realized he was about to recommend going the exact opposite of the medical professional, that's when I knew this guy is brilliant.

Do not let big pharma take him down

[mannyradzky]

I was low fat high carb until age 56 when I needed a pacemaker and bypass surgery. No family history of heart disease. I’m 62 now, been HIGH FAT LOW CARB for 5 years....NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE. Also, I go out in the sun no sunblock, I eat pink Himalayan salt to taste.

So yes, mainstream media is almost always wrong. Usually, follow the money and you will get your answer.

Thank you Dr.

[lipikasingh]

Hypothyridism is never explained like this... Thank you so so much..

[honestannie]

Just went to my PCP for an annual checkup. Asked about the SOURCE of my thyroid problem. She brushed me off saying 10mill people have it…it’s common…my thyroid med is working perfectly. I am beginning to really not like OR respect conventional doctors. They don’t care about the same things I care about. You and Dr Sten Eckberg have taught me so much…thank you!!

[kylefer]

Thank you for this.
I walked out of a clinic because they could not diagnose my constant fatigue.
At first they said "You're slightly overweight so that may have something to do with it."
I said "When I was 390 pounds I worked full time and felt fine."
"Well you started Metroprolol so that causes tiredness."
"I haven't started it yet."
She throws up her hands and says "Well all your numbers look great and everything says you're fine."
I said "Check my thyroid numbers."
She storms out, comes back saying "You're right, I'm prescribing a hypothyroidism medication"
I just got up and walked out at that point. Felt like they were trying to get rid of me in the first place.
Now at least I have you here to tell me what I can do.

[fatimahkhan]

Well, i was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 6 years back after having symptoms of it for more than 7 years. It was downward ride after that. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis(at 28) and sciatica. I started putting on weight although i was eating healthy except for a few nasty carbs here and there. I put on whopping 17kgs of weight. Nothing i did helped me lose weight. Then started the crazy cycle of difficulty getting pregnant and having early miscarriages when i did. I was diagnosed with PCOS. I would go months without cycles.From a very active person, I became someone who was tired, sleepy, stressed. I was in pain all the time. It was very hard. Then in October, last year I finally decided to get to the core of issues. I couldn't let myself suffer anymore. I flew back home, started seeing a naturopath, and what a blessing she was. She started accupuncture sessions for my pain alongwith her treatment protocol. I felt relief within days. I met a holistic dietician who after taking my history told me i was insulin resistant, she strictly put me off sugars(i was off synthetic sugars before too except for fruits and raw honey). Carbs were out too, so i was basically on keto except for the high fat part. And guess what within a few weeks my stubborn stalled weight started shedding. There was another revelation too. When i stopped eating carbs, i stopped having crazy bodyaches. I remember i used to dread eating knowing I'll have bodyaches, brain fog afterwards. I slowly transitioned into intermittent fasting, and then OMAD. I do IF(18:6) 4-5 days and OMAD 2-3 days a week. Few months down the road I've lost 15 kgs of weight, quite a few inches around the waist. My energy levels have gotten better, my cycles started coming on time, i have mental clarity. After seeing a lot of improvement off carbs, i suspected potential underlying food allergies. I had tests done, and turned out i have early celiac sprue. Thats when my gastro told me you must be deficient in quite a few vitamins/minerals since your body can't absorb them. And it all made sense why i had low vit B12, D3, Mg, K, iron. It's been a long journey but I'm healing and i pray all of you out there get proper diagnosis followed by treatment in the right direction. Don't let anyone tell you, you have to be on those synthetic meds for life, don't let anyone make you believe your symptoms may not improve, do not give up on your life and yourself. There's cure for you, keep seeking.

[bunnitube]

i 100% agree hypothyroidism is because of stress. I have been in a very stressful situation every day because of some family issue I have.

[aysha]

I started eating dill on a empty stomach for a week. My TSH was 7 and after ten days it went down to 3.97 TSH.
My doctor asked me if I took any medication, I said no but told him I’d use dill like medication three times a day just a tiny handful.
He told me that the iod in dill helped me possibly regulating it and I should continue doing it.

I really advice all of you guys to try it out at least for ten days to see the difference.

[BillyJones-mfev]

Love Dr Berg! I especially liked the part where he says what ever main stream says to do - to do the opposite. Had me laughing out loud because it's sooo true! Thank you Dr Berg!

[ssb]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after giving birth to my daughter. I was a single mom at that time recently from my husband and I knew that I will have to raise my daughter by myself. There was a tremendous stress on me . AndI believe that my thyroid was introduced because of mental stress and the physical changes due to giving birth. I have been taking levothyroxin since19 years and don’t see any end to it.

[ReasonablySpeaking]

This is SOLID GOLD! The comments are bringing me life!

[ilovelife]

Hi Dr Berg, i started with this when my mum and dad both died in 2007 then In 2012 i left my abusive husband and went on to get RA, after nursing a dear ill friend in 2017 who died, my RA got worse and I developed fibromyalgia. So yes Stress does it for me! Thank you for all you do! ❤ x

[paulagardner]

I've been lied to about my thyroid so many times that I may never trust an M.D. again.

[essanjay]

I definitely agree about stress triggering autoimmune conditions. I can trace the onset of hashimotos disease and alopecia to a single stressful event (diagnosis of terminal illness in a close family member). I'd say stress is unavoidable - it comes with being human!

[lucid]

You just described my journey over the past 10 years. I found your videos 5 years and got healthy again. Thank All my symptoms went away and I feel like 20 years old.

[Colleeniee]

So true for me. I had the worst health last year. To much stress and found out I do not digest fats properly . I did intermittent fasting and was very strict with leaving gluten nuts and high fat foods alone. I lost 30 lbs and am feeling great thanks

[DayaTom]

Makes perfect sense!
2002 I got in the army. 3 combo vaccines nearly killed me. Jan 2003 as a practicing medic they diagnose me with past EBV, 2004 they put me on hypothyroid meds. Heart valves got eaten too.
Thank you DOC, for being one of the few good guys, telling the truth!!! God bless you and your loved ones!
I only started healing when I quit my hormone therapy and gluten, and meat back in 2016. It's a journey, but hormone therapy did more damage than good, no doubt about that! Eating a lot of fish now and feeling good again! Doing intermittent fasting and keto from June. Feeling better than I've felt in the last 20 years!
Thank you Eric!!!

[kopsie]

I have Hashi's. Stress makes me feel the worst (crash) out of anything you mentioned. Agree with you.