The thyroid is a small gland that is part of your endocrine system. It's responsible for making hormones that control your metabolism (how your body makes energy, burns fat).
When your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone, you may experience symptoms of sluggish metabolism. These include fatigue, weight gain (and can't lose weight), constipation, cold hands and feet, dry skin, nails and hair, muscle pain, and insomnia.
To treat these symptoms, you might be prescribed a thyroid hormone medication, which is the number-one most prescribed drug in the U.S.
Are there any dietary recommendations that can help with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease?
Because Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease, gluten can be an irritant (cause inflammation in the gut and thyroid gland). Iodine-rich foods such as seaweed can also inflame the thyroid gland and make the condition worse. Other food sensitivities include dairy, eggs, sugar, and processed carbs.
The most important factor to keep in mind is to make sure you work with a functional medicine practitioner who can find the causes of the autoimmunity.
Nikolas R. Hedberg, DC, joins host Lisa Davis to explain what hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's are, as well as the best way to approach thyroid disease.
Selected Podcast
What Everyone Should Know About Hypothyroidism
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg is a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician, Chiropractic Physician, and he is Board Certified in Nutrition by the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and a Board Certified Chiropractic Internist by the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. Only a small number of Chiropractic Physicians have achieved both of these board certifications. He has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Florida and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Texas Chiropractic College.
Dr. Hedberg is the founder of the Immune Restoration Center located in Asheville, North Carolina, where he treats patients worldwide with a variety of health problems. Dr. Hedberg uses a variety of state-of-the-art diagnostic tests to determine the actual cause of a patient's health problem and holistic treatment methods including nutrition, naturopathy, herbal medicines, supplementation, and natural hormone replacement to help patients get well. He sees many individuals with thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, depression, weight gain, digestive system problems and many more.
Dr. Nik, as he is affectionately called by his patients, knew early in life that he wanted to be a doctor and help people. He was fascinated with the human body and its remarkable ability to heal. Convinced that true healing was and is possible if an individual is given the correct tools, he has brought his lifelong dream to fruition and has treated thousands of patients with success.
Dr. Hedberg is an avid speaker with regular speaking engagements presenting to doctors on a variety of topics including thyroid disorders and the connection between infections and chronic illness. He is a researcher and author with publications in journals and the book Thyroid Alternative (2011).
Dr. Hedberg has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Bridgeport teaching advanced functional medicine diagnosis and at Hawthorn University on a variety of advanced topics. He serves as a member of the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society, American Clinical Board of Nutrition, American Chiropractic Association, The American Chiropractic Association's Council on Diagnosis & Internal Disorders, and the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. He also consults with conventional and alternative medicine physicians on their most complex cases.
Dr. Hedberg became interested in thyroid disorders early in his career after seeing many patients who were taking thyroid medication but were not feeling better. This sparked his interest in this misunderstood and neglected aspect of health care today.
In his spare time, Dr. Hedberg is a professional opera singer, bodybuilder, martial artist, computer geek and he loves hiking and camping in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.
Nikolas R. Hedberg, DC
Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg is a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician, Chiropractic Physician, and he is Board Certified in Nutrition by the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and a Board Certified Chiropractic Internist by the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. Only a small number of Chiropractic Physicians have achieved both of these board certifications. He has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Florida and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Texas Chiropractic College.Dr. Hedberg is the founder of the Immune Restoration Center located in Asheville, North Carolina, where he treats patients worldwide with a variety of health problems. Dr. Hedberg uses a variety of state-of-the-art diagnostic tests to determine the actual cause of a patient's health problem and holistic treatment methods including nutrition, naturopathy, herbal medicines, supplementation, and natural hormone replacement to help patients get well. He sees many individuals with thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, depression, weight gain, digestive system problems and many more.
Dr. Nik, as he is affectionately called by his patients, knew early in life that he wanted to be a doctor and help people. He was fascinated with the human body and its remarkable ability to heal. Convinced that true healing was and is possible if an individual is given the correct tools, he has brought his lifelong dream to fruition and has treated thousands of patients with success.
Dr. Hedberg is an avid speaker with regular speaking engagements presenting to doctors on a variety of topics including thyroid disorders and the connection between infections and chronic illness. He is a researcher and author with publications in journals and the book Thyroid Alternative (2011).
Dr. Hedberg has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Bridgeport teaching advanced functional medicine diagnosis and at Hawthorn University on a variety of advanced topics. He serves as a member of the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society, American Clinical Board of Nutrition, American Chiropractic Association, The American Chiropractic Association's Council on Diagnosis & Internal Disorders, and the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. He also consults with conventional and alternative medicine physicians on their most complex cases.
Dr. Hedberg became interested in thyroid disorders early in his career after seeing many patients who were taking thyroid medication but were not feeling better. This sparked his interest in this misunderstood and neglected aspect of health care today.
In his spare time, Dr. Hedberg is a professional opera singer, bodybuilder, martial artist, computer geek and he loves hiking and camping in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.