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Thyroid

Botox injections (cosmetic or non-cosmetic): are they a root cause of anxiety and panic attacks?

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botox injections

New research shows Botox injections are being considered for severe depression and bipolar disorder because it stops frowning and this lack of frowning has a positive impact on neurotransmitters and mood. I recently posted this on Facebook and asked this question:

I’m curious if you have had Botox injections or would consider it (for cosmetic reasons) or perhaps for migraines, dystonia, proctalgia fugax or depression/bipolar?

If you have had Botox injections are you happy with the result or did you have any adverse effects like increased anxiety, panic attacks or anything else?

The response was varied with most folks saying they would never consider using Botox for cosmetic reasons, some folks saying they used Botox for cosmetic reasons and had issues and some folks saying they’ve used Botox for cosmetic reasons and love it, and others who have used Botox for non-cosmetic reasons.

All the practitioners who commented have concerns about Botox saying results are mixed with some of their clients having severe reactions and some doing fine. As I looked further into this topic I’ve gained additional insights and my biggest concern for you, and my community, is that Botox can lead to very severe anxiety and panic attacks.

I encourage you to keep an open mind about my Botox concerns if you have chronic anxiety that is not resolving and it started (or got worse) after receiving Botox injections, or if  you’re considering Botox injections.

Anxiety, panic attacks, inability to handle stress, body shaking

I gained my biggest insights from the Botox Dysport (Side Effects) Support group. Someone suggested I look into this group and I requested an invite to join so I could learn more. So many of the members of this support group  report anxiety, panic attacks, inability to handle stress, body shaking and problems connecting socially.  This is what one member shared:

…just joining the dots, I’ve been unwell for a few years since getting Botox but didn’t put it together until having it last week and going into panic attacks / ER.

Since then extreme anxiety and I’ve ended up in a mental health facility on benzodiazepines (ativan/valium). Reactions / withdrawal has been severe, have started to put it all together whilst reading through this page.

I’m realising that my decline, immune system failure (chronic epstein barr) fatigue, loss of motivation, loss of appetite, shaking in my body, muscle atrophy, anxiety, no motivation to connect socially, can’t handle any stress, can’t relax, tinnitus, breathing trouble and the list goes on is from botox…. scared to say the least as doesn’t seem to be a solution, I was worried to get Botox originally and obviously am eating myself up with regret, thought I would share if anyone has a similar story.

There are many similar posts to this one and it’s heart-breaking, especially because they say they are not being heard by their doctors.

I had a short online conversation with one of the moderators and she shared they suspect Botox is impacting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis leading to high cortisol and causing their anxiety symptoms. Many of the members find relief with Seriphos, which is a phosphorylated serine product I’ve had great success with. Here is my blog post on Seriphos for anxiety and insomnia related to high cortisol.

I asked if any of the members find GABA or serotonin support helpful and for some GABA helps ease the physical tension and for other members tryptophan or 5-HTP helps ease the worry type of anxiety. However for others, the amino acids seem to have a paradoxical effect and make symptoms worse.

I’ve never been in favor of Botox for cosmetic reasons simply because I’m not a fan of putting foreign objects/toxins into the body and because I believe in aging gracefully with confidence. I do find that many women feel the need for cosmetic Botox injections and other ways to try and look younger (such as breast implants and hair dye) because of low self-esteem and lack of confidence caused by low serotonin.

Botox for non-cosmetic purposes

Botox is also used for non-cosmetic purposes. Some of my neurologist colleagues also have concerns about cosmetic use and will only use Botox injections for the following:

  • severe cases of dystonia
  • migraines (to relax forehead muscles)
  • proctalgia fugax /rectal spasms

Botox may also be used for multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, pelvic pain and bladder issues, for TMJ, after a stroke and for chronic anal fissures in colitis (sphincter spasms can prevent anal fissures from healing).

I would love to see safer approaches for non-cosmetic Botox injections being researched and explored by practitioners. For example:

Botox for mental health – we can do better with nutritional psychiatry

At the beginning of this blog I mentioned the new research that shows Botox injections are being considered for severe depression and bipolar disorder because it stops frowning. This lack of frowning has a positive impact on neurotransmitters and mood.

A study published in 2018, Clinical analysis of 86 botulism cases caused by cosmetic injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT), reports that botulism is a severe side effect of Botox injections with symptoms including: “headache, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, blurred vision, eye opening difficulty, slurred speech, dysphagia [difficulty swallowing], constipation, and anxiety.”

The authors report these symptoms occur in the first 36 days after the Botox injections and that all symptoms resolved after botulinum antitoxin serum injections.

This conclusion clearly doesn’t address why there are so many folks in the Botox Dysport (Side Effects) Support group continue to experience long-term severe symptoms.

We also have research reporting a possible connection between Botox injections and thyroid autoimmunity.

I feel we can do better especially with what we know about nutritional psychiatry, the use of targeted individual amino acids, nutrients like lithium orotate, the gut-brain connections and everything covered in my book The Antianxiety Food Solution (my Amazon link) and on this blog.

A note of appreciation

I’d like to end with a note of appreciation to everyone who commented on my Facebook post, to the members of Botox Dysport (Side Effects) Support group on facebook (with over 5700 members as of this writing).

I’d also like to thank Diane Kazer for asking bold questions about Botox injections as part of her Non-Toxic Beauty Revolution summit. It starts next week – tune in to learn more about Botox, Breast Implant Illness, toxins in your cosmetics and so much more. In my interview we also talk extensively about the low serotonin/low self-esteem connections which I feel is a big missing piece for helping women who feel the desire or need to use cosmetic Botox in order to feel good and love themselves.

Diane writes about Botox here: Is Botox Safe? Top 3 Concerns & What to do if you’ve had it, sharing a brief history of botox, what she has uncovered about toxicity issues and possible detox solutions.

She also created this list of 58 Botox Illness Symptoms which she gave me permission to share here. She compiled this list from 1000+ people who have had Botox injections.

58 botox illness symptoms

Because of Diane asking questions and this initial research I’ve done, I’m adding a question about past history of Botox injections to my client intake form and will be gathering more information from my community of anxious women to see if there are patterns as to why some folks have such bad reactions.

I do feel we need to be asking if Botox injections (cosmetic or non-cosmetic) are a possible root cause of anxiety and panic attacks because they are adding to the toxic burden in susceptible folks.

But I do acknowledge it’s challenging to unwind all the contributing factors because it depends on what is going on with each person, such as their gut health, other medications (benzodiazepines themselves can be problematic), past trauma, infections, poor adrenal health, low GABA, low serotonin, poor detox capacity, low bile production, genetics etc. Unfortunately there is no way to know in advance who will be harmed and if Botox is the tipping point.

Please comment below if you’ve had Botox injections and had adverse reactions or have benefited from them with no adverse reactions. And if you have not had Botox would you ever consider it? Feel free to post your questions too.

Thyroid health and anxiety: fluoride, mercury, nitrates, phthalates and other toxins

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thyroid health and anxiety

Dr. Amy Myers MD, author of The Autoimmune Solution, The Thyroid Solution and The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook, presented on thyroid health at the recent Bioceuticals Conference on Autoimmunity in Melbourne. I promised to share some highlights from her presentations (she did 4 different ones) and since toxins play such a huge role when it comes to anxiety, I’m sharing some highlights from the toxins presentation and the top thyroid toxins you need to avoid: mercury, perchlorate, halides or halogens, nitrates, plastics and parabens and phthalates. These toxins all also play a role in anxiety too.

We also have a new meta-analysis published earlier this month: Association of Depression and Anxiety Disorders With Autoimmune Thyroiditis – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis confirming what functional medicine practitioners like Dr. Amy Myers, Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Izabella Wentz have been educating about for years:

Patients with AIT [autoimmune thyroiditis] exhibit an increased chance of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety or of receiving a diagnosis of depression and anxiety disorders.

Taming the toxins is one of 4 pillars that Dr. Myers covers in her approach for preventing and reversing autoimmune disease:

Pillar I: Heal your gut.

Pillar II: Get rid of gluten, grains, and legumes.

Pillar III: Tame the toxins.

Pillar IV: Heal your infections and relieve your stress.

Dr. Myers shared the top thyroid toxins you need to avoid:

  1. Mercury
  2. Perchlorate
  3. Halides or halogens
  4. Nitrates
  5. Plastics
  6. Parabens and phthalates

“A 2011 study found that women with high mercury exposure are 2x more likely to have positive thyroid antibodies.” The paper: Mercury and thyroid autoantibodies in U.S. women, NHANES 2007-2008, reports this increase for thyroglobulin autoantibodies.

As far as anxiety is concerned, Kris Homme shares much evidence to support her belief that mercury toxicity is a likely root cause of the other root causes of anxiety in our Anxiety Summit interview.

Halogens or halides also have an impact on thyroid health. In areas where fluoride is added to the water there are “2x the rates of hypothyroidism than non-fluoride areas.”

Bromine is also an issue and is found in “flame retardants, plastics, many baked goods and citrus flavored drinks.”

GABA in relation to thyroid health and fluoride was not covered in the presentation but there is research showing that GABA reversed fluoride-induced hypothyroidism in an animal study. I blogged about this research here: GABA protects against hypothyroidism caused by fluoride and reduces anxiety. The fluoride-exposed mice that were subsequently treated with GABA were found to have improved results for T4, T3 and thyroid hormone-binding globulin (TBG levels) and healing of the structural abnormalities in thyroid follicles that were observed after fluoride exposure.

The authors conclude with this statement, reporting that GABA acted as a natural antioxidant:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish the therapeutic efficacy of GABA as a natural antioxidant in inducing thyroprotection against fluoride-induced toxicity.

The amino acid GABA  helps with physical-tension and stiff-and-tense-muscles type of anxiety, often in certain settings like public speaking or driving, and the need to self-medicate to calm down, often with alcohol but sometimes with carbs and sugary foods. Insomnia can also be due to low GABA and you’ll experience physical tension (rather than the ruminating thoughts which is the low serotonin type of insomnia – although it’s not uncommon to experience both). GABA also helps ease panic attacks, muscle spasms and pain relief when muscles are tight.

“Nitrates, found in fertilizer and foods, resemble iodine enough to block thyroid hormone absorption.” In one study, Nitrate intake and the risk of thyroid cancer and thyroid disease women were found to be “more likely to develop thyroid cancer with higher nitrate levels in the water.” Research shows similar results with nitrites and children and thyroid cancer.

Since the amino acid taurine offers neuroprotection against ammonia in the central nervous system I suspect GABA may offer some protection against nitrates too.

Parabens and phthalates found in many personal care products (and fast-foods) “mimic estrogen and disrupt the hormonal cascade”, with higher estrogens resulting in higher TBG (thyroxine binding globulin).

“A CDC study found phthalates were 39% higher in the urine of individuals who ate 35% of their calories from fast food.” This CNN article: Fast food serves up phthalates, too, study suggests covers many of the hormonal impacts

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a report in 2013 stating that high levels of exposure to phthalates could lead to adverse reproductive outcomes in women. Research has linked these chemicals with increased risk of fibroids and endometriosis, which can cause infertility, and reduced IQ and behavioral problems in children exposed in the womb. High phthalate levels have also been linked with diabetes risk in women and adolescents.

There are countless ways that people can be exposed to phthalates. They are found in soaps, perfumes, nail polish, medications, and we can ingest, inhale and absorb them through the skin.

Out of all these routes of exposure, however, diet is emerging as a major one.

Dietary exposure is a major route of exposure of phthalates and this is one of many excellent reasons to cook and eat home-cooked meals. Dr. Myers makes it easy for you in her wonderful new book The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook.

Mycotoxins from mold are also an issue as is poor mouth health. I was pleased to see EMFs mentioned as it is a growing concern and is under-rated as having harmful effects on the thyroid and when it comes to unresolved anxiety, SIBO, oxalate issues and high cortisol.

As far as detoxification, Dr Myer’s has these general recommendations:

  1. Infrared sauna
  2. Glutathione, the master antioxidant and detoxifier
  3. Milk thistle, magnesium and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)
  4. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage
  5. Sulfur rich foods such as onions, garlic, eggs

In her bestselling book, The Autoimmune Solution (my Amazon link), Dr. Myer’s covers the four pillars in great detail. You can read more about taming the toxins in this blog post.

Have you identified and eliminated exposure to these toxins and seen improved thyroid health and/or reduced anxiety? Is ongoing detoxification a priority for you?

It’s not just you: More women than men have thyroid disorders

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Guest post by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

If you’ve ever wondered why more women than men seem to have autoimmune disorders, you’re not alone—I repeatedly get asked this question by people (mostly women!) who come to me seeking help with a thyroid disorder.

Even if you have had a hunch that more women than men are affected by autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, you’ll be surprised by this statistic: women account for a whopping 78% of all cases of autoimmune disease.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which I was diagnosed with at 27, is five to eight times more common in women. (I’ve since gotten myself into remission and have dedicated my life to helping others heal from this condition.)

These disproportionate figures have perplexed experts for some time. After years of research and time spent working with people with thyroid disorders, I have formed my own theory, which I call the Izabella Wentz Safety Theory. I can’t wait to share it with you—but first, I’ll tell you a little about some of the other influences autoimmunity.

Searching for an Explanation

When we consider why more women than men have Hashimoto’s and other diseases of autoimmunity, we have to consider two key differences between men and women: hormones and a propensity to use more personal care products.

Regarding the first, there’s no denying that hormones could play a major role in autoimmunity developing. Three of the most likely times for the onset of thyroid disease are during and around puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause.

Sex hormones such as estrogen and prolactin help regulate the immune system and fluctuations in these could contribute to thyroid disorders especially. Estrogen can alter the requirements for thyroid hormone, which could result in an autoimmune condition, especially if nutrient deficiencies are present. Prolactin, a hormone released by the pituitary gland in women after childbirth, can become elevated in women with Hashimoto’s (even in those not postpartum) and has been linked to increased thyroid antibodies and infertility.

Women do have a higher risk of developing diseases of the thyroid after they’ve given birth. But theories, such as “fetal microchimerism” which suggests that the presence of fetal cells in a woman’s thyroid gland after childbirth could be the spark of an immune system response, haven’t proven to be true.  

All this is to say that at present, there isn’t enough information to support the idea that hormones alone are to blame for the higher rates of autoimmunity in women.

It’s also been considered that because women generally use a greater number of personal care products—makeup, lotions, perfumes, etc.—they are more exposed to a greater number of chemicals, which could alter the immune system.

I haven’t seen enough evidence to convince me of this explanation either.

In truth, I think the answer is much more complicated and requires us to consider some of the underlying vulnerabilities that often occur in people with Hashimoto’s.

Unsafe Conditions Ahead: Go Back to Bed!

After working with thousands of people with Hashimoto’s, I’ve found that there are some common co-occurring factors. Many have nutrient depletions, intestinal permeability, food sensitivities, an impaired stress response, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins, and infections.

The more I thought about these factors, the more I realized that they have something in common: they all send a message to our bodies that the environment isn’t entirely safe and maybe self-preservation mode is what’s best for now. This provided the basis for my Safety Theory.

Let me explain.

Women are responsible for bringing new life into the world. And with this job comes a more finely tuned ability to sense the safety of the environment. We may be more inclined to sense that it’s not be the best time to reproduce—this could be because resources are scarce and we need to focus on our own survival, or for some other protective reason.

In either case, it’s a result of an evolutionary adaptation, or what’s known as adaptive physiology.

When we were cavewomen, one of the main sources of stress was food scarcity—we didn’t always know when we were getting our next meal. When we didn’t eat, consumed things that we weren’t intended to digest, or developed nutrient deficiencies, our bodies would conserve resources and reduce calorie burning.

Strangely enough, even though these scenarios first occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago, there are aspects of modern living that are replicating these signals: we go on calorie-restricted diets (signals food scarcity), eat a highly processed diet (creates nutrient deficiencies), and try to eat foods we’re not intended to digest, such as gluten (leads to digestive difficulties/intestinal permeability).

And when these vulnerabilities are present, they set the stage for an attack on the thyroid to take place and for some of the symptoms of self-preservation to develop. As thyroid function is disrupted, metabolism is slowed and you are sent into a quasi-hibernation mode.

Your body is signaling to you to conserve energy, hold onto weight, making you feel cold and tired all the time so you stay in your cave (or your bed), and lowering your interest in reproduction (low libido) until the environment is safe and fertile once again.

Other Environmental Threats Women Face and How the Thyroid Responds

Did you know that your thyroid gland can sense danger and initiate the autoimmune response? I think in this ability lies another possible clue as to why more women than men develop thyroid disorders.

It’s no secret that the world we live in is not as safe for a woman as it is for a man. Women are more likely to be abused, physically, emotionally, and sexually. And abuse is one of the most undeniable messages to our bodies that we are not safe. The function of the perceptive and sensitive thyroid is put at risk when this is the case.

This is part of my Safety Theory, but it’s not just a theory—multiple studies have confirmed that thyroid hormone imbalances occur in people who have been abused:

The abuse doesn’t have to be physical to trigger a red alert in the body. Many girls and women today experience emotional abuse or trauma that can make us feel isolated and cue up a flight response. This can happen at school or in adult social circles, where if we can’t keep up the appearance of being a Superwoman, we might get edged out of the tribe.

The Key to Healing—Showing (and Telling) Your Body It’s Safe

In working with so many women with Hashimoto’s over the years, I’ve learned so much about the condition and the vulnerabilities that can lead to its development. And I’ve also learned about some of the most effective strategies and approaches to healing.

One of the most moving revelations was that a message of safety is so important to helping women through recovery. I’m referring to comprehensive self-care, which can include internal mantras and the right kind of exercise and pampering that help create a restorative environment.

But it should be more than that.

What I’ve found is vital is addressing the vulnerabilities head-on—the signals your body is sending to conserve need to be shut off. You must repair your internal ability to respond to stress and restore detoxifying and digestive functions, eliminate food sensitivities and infections, and replenish nutrients that are lacking.

I’ve spent years creating and refining protocols that help women (and men) accomplish these goals. And I’ve finally been able to collect and present them together in one place in one program in my new book Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back.

When you follow the protocols I outline there, you send safety signals to your body by reducing your toxic burden, supporting your stress response, and supporting your gut with nutrition and targeted supplements. You communicate in a concrete way that the environment is stable and safe, and your thyroid can get back to its important work of helping you feel energized and warm, calm and clear headed.

I have dedicated my life’s work to helping women heal from Hashimoto’s so that they might feel safe, supported, and active in their lives again. I hope you’ll check out Hashimoto’s Protocol to see if might help you or a loved one recover from a thyroid disorder.

Until then, I encourage you to start sending safety signals today. Start by being nice to your body—feed it nutritious foods when it’s hungry and don’t skip meals. Don’t subject it to excessive or unnecessary stress, which means make time for play and rest. Stop forcing it to push through exhaustion by piling on the caffeine—rest! Listen to your digestion; if there are signs that a food is not working for you, don’t double up on antacids, but instead adjust.

Listen to your body and care for it like a child, or any other loved one who you would treat with absolute care. Like someone you’d want to make sure feels safe.

Hashimoto’s Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz

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The great new book called Hashimoto’s Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz just made #1 on the New York Times bestseller list!

Since I’m in Australia I have a kindle edition of Dr. Izabella’s brilliant new book that just released last week: Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back. It’s a must-read if you are dealing with Hashimoto’s or actually any thyroid problems (or if you suspect you may have thyroid issues)!

If you are a practitioner I highly recommend it too!

Here’s the official blurb:

Dr. Izabella Wentz, the author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, returns with a long-awaited, groundbreaking prescription to reverse the symptoms of this serious autoimmune condition that is becoming one of the country’s fastest growing diseases.

More than thirty-five million Americans currently suffer from Hashimoto’s—an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland and causes the body to attack its own cells. To alleviate the symptoms of this debilitating condition—including chronic cough, acid reflux, IBS, allergies, chronic pain, hair loss, brain fog, and forgetfulness [plus anxiety and depression] —patients are often prescribed synthetic hormones that have numerous life-altering side effects.

But there is a better way.

Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at twenty-seven, pharmacist Dr. Izabella Wentz knows first-hand the effects of the disease, as well as the value—and limitations—of medication. The key to improved health, she argues, involves lifestyle interventions. In Hashimoto’s Protocol, she outlines a proven treatment that has helped thousands heal and many others feel better—in as fast as ninety days.

Drawing on her own personal experience as well as her work consulting with thousands of patients, Hashimoto’s Protocol offers a practical pathway for healing and reversing the autoimmune damage at the root of the disease. The first step is a quick-start two-week detox that includes foods to eat and inflammatory foods to avoid, advice on supplements to support the liver, and an adrenal recovery plan. Next, readers create a personalized plan with foods, supplements, and other lifestyle interventions tailored to their body’s own unique Hashimoto’s triggers, which they can identify using self-tests included in the book. Hashimoto’s Protocol also features original recipes.

Grounded in the latest science, Hashimoto’s Protocol is the first book to offer a proven protocol by an acknowledged expert in the field to treat this condition without dangerous hormones—and help sufferers reclaim their lives.

Izabella has done a wonderful job! I love that she covers the basics like liver support, the adrenals and gut health and then goes into advanced protocols for trauma, infections, toxins and nutrient deficiencies! I really LOVE how she dives deep into the newest research and connects ALL the dots in a really smart way!

And even if you don’t have thyroid issues you would benefit from these sections that are applicable for everyone:

  • Root Cause Liver Support Protocol — how to support your liver by clearing detox pathways so that you’re able to release toxins and get your energy back.
  • Adrenal Recovery Protocol — how to reset your response to stress so that you can regenerate your body.
  • The Gut Balancing Protocol — the right nutrients so that your gut starts working at its optimal level.

Here is a snippet from the Liver support section:

Halogens and halogen-containing chemicals: These chemicals include bromide, chloride, and fluoride; are structurally similar to iodine; and may take up receptor sites in the thyroid gland. Unfortunately, their presence in the thyroid gland can

lead to thyroid cell death and inflammation. Individuals exposed to high levels of halogen-containing substances have been found to have higher rates of thyroid antibodies.

Chlorine: When found in polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorine has been shown to be toxic to thyroid cells and to promote the onset of Hashimoto’s through increasing TSH, thyroid antibodies, and thyroid size. PCBs are found in industrial products. Chlorine is also found in water systems, pools, cleaning products, and plastics.

Bromide: This can be found in baked goods, plastics, soft drinks, and even our mattresses, which are coated with brominated flame retardants. Studies show bromine-containing substances—polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—are connected to an increased incidence of Hashimoto’s.

Fluoride: This thyroid-suppressing halogen is found in water, toothpaste, and some medications as well as in black, green, and red tea. Using a reverse osmosis filter is the best way to get rid of fluoride.

The gentle two-week Liver support section

will guide you on how to eliminate hidden toxins from your everyday life and how to help your liver process out the toxins you may have in your body. Both are critical steps for anyone who’s had problems with taking supplements or is struggling with current symptoms. Most people see drastic changes just by completing this step alone.

 

Here is the Amazon link or support your local book store if you have one nearby!

Also enjoy the fabulous 2 week recipe plan Dr. Izabella is offering. It has 2 weeks worth of recipes, meal plans and shopping lists based on the autoimmune Paleo diet template. Click here to learn more and signup for the 2 week recipe plan.

Hope you enjoy these great thyroid resources!

If you already have a copy let us know what you think and which sections have helped you?

Shame is inflammatory: the thyroid, autoimmunity and serotonin

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A quick reminder that The Thyroid Secret online documentary replays air this weekend – all 9 episodes will be available to watch! It comes highly recommended! (You can still register here)

In Episode 5, The Stress Sickness, Michelle Corey, Functional Medical Practitioner, Nutritionist and author of the groundbreaking book The Thyroid Cure, The Functional Mind-Body Approach to Reversing Your Autoimmune Condition and Reclaiming Your Health, talks about the connection between shame and inflammation:

We know that shame is inflammatory. In fact, there was a study done where they had students sit for 20 minutes and think about some experience in their life that was shameful. They measured their blood afterwards, and they found spikes in inflammatory cytokines. We know that, from that study that induced shame cause a lot of inflammation. Unfortunately, we live in a global culture of shaming.

…shame is not something people really wanted to talk about, even psychologists or psychotherapists. Because shame is shameful. When you think about something shameful, it’s like the worst thing…

It’s very uncomfortable to speak about. I think just getting into the conversations about it. Just even journaling is one of the ways, because it is inflammatory. I have found, because I work with the autoimmunity [community], and there has been a big connection between abuse and autoimmunity in my practice that there is a lot of shame there. Just having someone be there to truly share your experience in a nonjudgmental way. Not in the way that I’m going to fix you, but just hear your story and have empathy for you. That’s one of the ways that shame dissolves. Because empathy is the antidote to shame. If we can have empathy for ourselves, if others can have empathy for us.”

She is talking about autoimmunity but this topic of shame and empathy is very relevant for my community – that means you of course – simply because of the shame and stigma around anxiety and mental health in general.

In case you’re interested here is the study Michelle is referring to: Immunological effects of induced shame and guilt, published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2004.

I so appreciate everyone in the series, including Dr. Izabella Wentz, for sharing their powerful stories without shame so we can all be inspired and learn from them and have hope!

It’s not easy. I know because I used to have anxiety and panic attacks myself and made the choice to talk openly about the struggles I had. I was cautioned by a well-meaning mentor not to talk about it. She warned me that it was not professional and just not done in the field. I chose to be open and share anyway and I’m really glad I made this decision. It’s so important for healing on so many levels – for me and especially for those of you who hear my story and have hope!

In this same episode the topic of negative thoughts, the fears that we’re holding and the [negative] beliefs that we have about the body are discussed by Marc David and Emily Joy Rosen, founders of The Institute for the Psychology of Eating.

Marc shares this about these impacts on autoimmunity and the body attacking itself:

Autoimmune disease. That’s an autoimmune disease literally of our thinking, it’s self attacking self. It makes perfect sense to me because we know mind and body track one another. If I’m attacking self with negative thoughts, physiology can often follow where all of a sudden the body starts to attack itself. Or the body can attack its own thyroid gland. Which is, wow, how does that happen?

And Emily talks about how these thoughts impact treatment protocols:

I’m not saying that’s the only factor whatsoever. I think it is really important to look at the [negative] thoughts that we’re thinking. The fears that we’re holding, and the beliefs that we have about the body. Because they will impact the efficacy of any treatment protocol.

I wholeheartedly agree with both Marc and Emily and would like to add that these are all classic signs of low serotonin (that we can easily address):

  • negative thoughts (or negative self-talk)
  • fears and phobias and
  • the [negative] beliefs that we have about the body (often seen as low self-esteem or lack of confidence)

We could even connect the shame Michelle Corey talks about to low serotonin. The definition of ashamed is “reluctant to do or say something through fear of embarrassment or humiliation” or “hesitant or afraid to do or say something.” It sounds like low serotonin doesn’t it?

The wonderful thing is that these signs of low serotonin can be eliminated with some key nutrients.

The quickest and most effective way to boost serotonin is with the amino acids tryptophan and 5-HTP. I discuss the amino acids in the documentary: I touch on them in episode 2 and you hear me go into more detail in the FULL interview (which is part of the Deluxe GOLD package if you’re considering purchasing the series). Other ways include assessing and addressing low zinc, low vitamin B6, a need for inositol or curcumin or saffron, leaky gut and an out of balance microbiome. Eating GMOs, trans fats and gluten is detrimental. Exercising, eating grass-fed red meat and wild fish and supporting the adrenals is beneficial.

I hope you enjoyed this snippet and enjoy the replays!

And a quick reminder: did you know you can own the entire Thyroid Secret documentary series for yourself?

  • The Premium Silver Package, includes all 9 video episodes of The Thyroid Secret documentary series, complete easy to read transcriptions and MP3 audio recordings of each episode
  • The Deluxe Gold Package includes over 100+ amazing expert video interviews and 64 patient stories in over 76 hours of videos, transcriptions and MP3 audio recordings of each full length interview.

I’d love to hear some of the highlights you found useful and practical? Please share below in the comments.

PS. Feel free to share The Thyroid Secret online documentary with friends and family – all 9 replays air this weekend.

Anxiety and the thyroid: how to make the amino acids more effective

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Did you know that thyroid disease can be a root cause of anxiety? In fact, most of my anxious clients have thyroid issues.

Having an excess amount of thyroid hormone can make us extremely anxious, irritable and on edge. This is one symptom that is commonly attributed to Graves’ disease but can also happen in Hashimoto’s.

In the early stages of Hashimoto’s, the thyroid is under attack by the immune system. Thyroid cells are broken down, and they release thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. This causes thyroid hormone surges or a transient hyperthyroidism.

I know how awful anxiety can feel, I had anxiety, panic attacks and pyroluria (social anxiety) in my late 30s, together with an underactive thyroid, adrenal issues, gluten sensitivity, heavy metals, low progesterone (I call it my perfect storm!).   

I’m excited to share that there is a way out and that you don’t have to feel this way forever. Everyone is different, but two of the things that worked wonders for me and now work for my clients are nutrition and targeted individual amino acids (like GABA and tryptophan).

But are you aware that the amino acids will be effective for addressing low GABA and low serotonin (in their typical quick manner, often providing relief in 5 to 10 minutes) ONLY when thyroid health is optimal (not many people know this!)

And by optimizing your thyroid health, I don’t just mean taking thyroid medications….

Dr. Izabella Wentz, the Thyroid Pharmacist, is a personal friend of mine – we’re both members of Mindshare, a collaboration of like-minded functional medicine practitioners. 

Magdalena Wzelaki, Niki Gratrix, Izabella Wentz, myself and Julie Matthews

I adore Izabella and love how she is connecting all the dots with the research and the feedback she receives from her community.  She is trailblazing and always focused on the why of how a condition develops.

She has found that thyroid disease is triggered by a combination of food sensitivities, nutrient depletions, intestinal permeability, chronic infections, toxins and also a faulty stress response.

The thing about thyroid disease, just like anxiety, is that it’s a sign of a bigger imbalance in your body – while thyroid medications and glandulars can certainly help, they do not get to the underlying root cause of the condition, and thyroid conditions, which are usually autoimmune in nature, may progress to other types of autoimmune disorders.

Hashimoto’s, a condition that affects up to 27% of the population in the United States has 5 stages to it. Out of the 90 million or so people that have it, close to 80 million don’t know that they have it. Often, they are in the earlier stages that are missed by conventional tests.

Hashimoto’s is the primary cause of hypothyroidism, accounting for 95% of cases of hypothyroid in the United States. This condition occurs when the immune system recognizes the thyroid gland as foreign invader and launches an attack against it, eventually destroying enough of the thyroid to produce hypothyroidism.

The five stages of Hashimoto’s are:

1) In the first stage, for all intents and purposes, you will just have the genetic predisposition

2) In the second stage, you start developing an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland – at this stage, you will also have thyroid symptoms (the most common one is anxiety), but the TSH test will still be normal. Only the thyroid antibodies will be elevated at that point, and at this stage people are often misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression

3) The third stage is when the thyroid gland starts to have more damage than it can repair, and begins to fail. More symptoms are seen, but doctors often miss this stage as well because the TSH is only “slightly” elevated according to their reference ranges

4) The fourth stage, we see overt hypothyroidism. At this page a person has had a significant amount of thyroid damage, and their thyroid fully loses its ability to compensate and create thyroid hormone

5) The fifth stage is the scariest, this is when a thyroid condition progresses to another autoimmune condition. The immune system finds another target to attack, and person may end up with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s or even multiple sclerosis.

The only treatment that is offered by conventional medicine is thyroid hormones, which is prescribed in stage 4. When that can help of course, it doesn’t address most people’s symptoms and doesn’t stop the progression of the condition and autoimmunity. There is no conventional treatment for stopping or reversing the progression, but luckily we have functional medicine and nutrition to the rescue!

A shocking thing that Izabella has shared, is that it takes people on average of 10 years to get diagnosed, and this is also the time it takes to get from stage 2 to stage 4 of Hashimoto’s! Izabella was actually misdiagnosed with anxiety and chronic fatigue for almost a decade before she got the Hashimoto’s diagnosis, and many people are told that they have intractable infertility, lifelong anxiety that they are told they will have to “manage” forever or even told they have treatment-resistant depression, or that they are simply overweight and lazy.

I know that many of my clients with anxiety are likely still in the earliest stages of Hashimoto’s, and there is hope that you can eliminate your symptoms, AND you can actually prevent the damage to the thyroid gland if you intervene at this point.

Izabella created the Thyroid Secret documentary series to help you connect the dots of your own thyroid condition, so that you can rebuild your health and eliminate your symptoms (and potentially your health conditions). She shares her latest research in overcoming thyroid disorders, and interviews the top experts who share their best strategies as well.

I was so excited when Izabella asked me to join the Thyroid Secret as an expert – in fact my interview was the very last thing I did in the United States, before I moved to Australia! This topic is so important to me (and so key for my clients and you to know about) that I did the interview in an empty house, with just a few chairs and our almost-packed suitcases, and just a few hours to spare before we got on the plane!

Here are a few pictures (I was ironing my clothes on a spare table in the mostly empty study!):

The Thyroid Secret covers not just the symptoms of thyroid disease (like anxiety) that can masquerade as mental illness, but also the triggers that can cause both conditions, and the solutions and protocols you need to recover your health.

When your thyroid is working as it should be, the amazing amino acids like GABA and tryptophan are truly effective in 5-10 minutes – so you really can say they are amazing!  You will see incredible results – anxiety relief right away – and a feeling of hope while you dig deeper for root causes that can take longer to address.

I wrote this blog for everyone using amino acids and not seeing results.  And also for everyone with a thyroid condition or if you have unresolved symptoms that could be related to your thyroid.

I do hope you’re already signed up and are enjoying watching, listening and learning as much as I am.

If you haven’t yet signed up you can still join as my guest to view the entire series at no cost (it started March 1). Just use this link to register.

We’ve come together in this Thyroid Secret documentary to give you this information because you deserve to feel on top of the world again!

Got questions or feedback? Your favorite speaker and some takeaways?

Did you find that GABA, tryptophan and other amino acids were more effective once you addressed your thyroid health? If you’re a practitioner do you see this with patients/clients?

Please share in the blog comments below.