Dr. Emina jasarevic, nd | Naturopathic physician

Health Blog

Book Online

3 Ways Naturopathic Doctors Are Testing for SIBO in 2022

April 19, 2022

If you’ve been feeling bloated, lethargic or experience GI tract irritation such as…

How to Recognize & Lower Thyroid Antibodies: 5 Simple Approaches

March 28, 2022

If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism (HH – also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), you may…

Low Dose Allergen (LDA) Therapy: A “CURE” FOR ALLERGIES?

March 15, 2022

Spring is in the air! The weather is starting to warm up, fresh…

Signs Your Thyroid is Malfunctioning and Natural Ways to Fix It

February 15, 2022

Have you been feeling tired and down for months with no explanation? Your…

Long COVID and Naturopathic Medicine: What We Know So Far

January 20, 2022

As we deal with the 4th wave of COVID surging and leveling out,…

Drugs and Their Impact on your Thyroid, Adrenals and Other Hormones

December 8, 2021

When a patient asks me “Are the medications I’m taking affecting my hormones?”…

Help for Hyperhidrosis – Ready, get set… stop the sweat!

December 28, 2021

What is Hyperhidrosis? Hyperhidrosis is a common medical condition characterized by excessive, uncontrollable sweating without…

A Fall Cleanse Can Supercharge Your Health — Here’s How

October 21, 2021

The leaves are turning yellow, and the air is fresh and crisp. It…

Shining a Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Is It?

October 15, 2021

Feeling blue? It may be more than just the rainy weather that’s got…

Bye Bye Yeast Overgrowth: The Strongest Natural Candida Killers

September 6, 2021

Have you been struggling with frequent fungal yeast infections recently? Know that you’re…

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

Chronic Stress & Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal glands take the leading role when it comes to managing stress through the production of cortisol. Research shows that adrenal fatigue has an impact on thyroid function. Even at a mild degree of deficiency, adrenal fatigue can negatively affect thyroid hormone conversion, utilization, and production. For example, high stress can cause too much cortisol in the circulation which promotes inflammation around the thyroid, and this reduces thyroid receptor responsiveness. Therefore, when treating thyroid issues with medicine or therapy it’s important to address the adrenals, this connection, and to care for them both effectively.

Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid

90% of cases of hypothyroidism are due to an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland by either thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) or by thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. What this means is that the body creates immune cells that attack the gland so that its function – and a person’s health – declines over time. This condition can be triggered by gluten in gluten-sensitive individuals. Similarly, in these people, gluten avoidance for at least 3 months may help lower antibody levels to a normal range.

Thyroid Conversion Disorder

In some cases, the conversion of T4 into T3 doesn’t function properly due an enzyme issue or otherwise. Test results will show normal levels of TSH and T4 but severely low levels of T3. Commonly, in these cases, patients are often told by their doctors that their thyroid function is “normal” even though they do not feel normal! This is also why some patients who are medicated with Levothyroxine or Synthroid (T4) may feel like their medicine or therapies are ineffective.

Thyroid Hormone Resistance

Thyroid hormone resistance can be thought of in the same way as insulin resistance is in diabetics. In this condition, the body’s cells are unresponsive to thyroid hormones. In these individuals, T3 and T4 levels can be normal but TSH levels are elevated.

Nutritional Deficiencies

For proper function and the creation of thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland requires the trace minerals iodine, selenium and zinc as well as an amino acid, thyroxine. Deficiency in any of these nutrients can create symptoms of hypothyroidism. Iodine is found in iodized salt and sea vegetables (such as nori and dulse flakes). I have come to find that iodine deficiency is more prevalent than previously given credit for (a 24 Hour Urine Iodine Challenge Test can determine this). The trace mineral Selenium is abundantly found in Oysters and Brazil nuts, and Zinc is rich in pumpkin seeds and beef. Thyroxine is the amino acid building block of thyroid hormones and can be found in most sources of protein.

Heavy Metal Toxicity and Mercury

The thyroid hormone and the heavy metal mercury have strikingly similar biochemistry. The long term exposure of this metal wreaks havoc on the thyroid gland and a person’s health, with these negative effects typically being experienced by dental patients who have currently have or previously had mercury amalgams. Sometimes it is prudent to screen for heavy metal toxicity and high levels of mercury that may be causing thyroid suppression. Heavy metal testing, followed by Chelation Therapy for removal of mercury from deep tissue stores is one naturopathic way to treat the underlying hypothyroid condition.

Central Hypothyroidism

In rare cases, disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain may be an underlying cause for central Hypothyroidism (AKA secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism). There are usually other concerning symptoms (beyond the list seen on this page) that would warrant imaging and more advanced hospital testing.

Dr. Emina jasarevic, nd | Naturopathic physician

Health Blog

3 Ways Naturopathic Doctors Are Testing for SIBO in 2022

How to Recognize & Lower Thyroid Antibodies: 5 Simple Approaches

Low Dose Allergen (LDA) Therapy: A “CURE” FOR ALLERGIES?

Signs Your Thyroid is Malfunctioning and Natural Ways to Fix It

Long COVID and Naturopathic Medicine: What We Know So Far

Drugs and Their Impact on your Thyroid, Adrenals and Other Hormones

Help for Hyperhidrosis – Ready, get set… stop the sweat!

A Fall Cleanse Can Supercharge Your Health — Here’s How

Shining a Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Is It?

Bye Bye Yeast Overgrowth: The Strongest Natural Candida Killers

FAQ

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

How soon will I notice or feel a difference?

What is SIBO?

Will I have to change my lifestyle and/or diet?

Address

Email

Phone

Navigate

Hours