LDN For Autoimmune Thyroiditis/Hypothyroidism

How can a seemingly innocent butterfly-shaped gland cause so much disruption to the human body when not functioning at optimal levels? The shrewd master of all hormone production, the thyroid, regulates everything from the body’s metabolic rate, to brain development, to heart, muscle, and digestive function, and beyond.

In fact, a healthy thyroid involves complex execution of regulatory functioning, ensuring proper TSH levels, TRH levels, and release of hormones including T4 and T3, to keep the body feeling its best. For the average person, these terms don’t mean much. But for anyone who has been dealing with a hypothyroidism diagnosis, or an autoimmune thyroiditis disorder, these levels and hormonal benchmarks will be all too familiar.

So, what happens when the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and thyroid aren’t working together like the well-oiled machine they are meant to be? The truth of the matter is, even if your thyroid levels are out of whack in your body, you may not immediately recognize the problem. At least, not at first.

But somewhere along the way, as your body makes antibodies that begin to attack your thyroid, the resulting chronic inflammation can lead to hypothyroidism. When your thyroid fails to produce enough hormone on its own, you may experience the telltale symptoms of hypothyroidism or symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis, including fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, depression, and joint pain.

Many of these symptoms may be present in all individuals at one point or another, so how do you know if your symptoms are due to aging, a normally slowing metabolism, or simply the demands of daily life? Or could your problems run much deeper than that? The first step is to receive proper testing and an accurate diagnosis to begin your journey to thyroid disease management with Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).

Thyroid disease affects an estimated 200 million people worldwide, and it is one of the most common disorders that I treat in my practice. Women are up to 8 times more likely to suffer from autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism than men, which can seem like a cruel fact of life when coupled with the metabolism changes, middle-aged weight gain, and menopause symptoms that women already face during the normal aging process. However, we are also seeing more male patients with this condition every year.

In my years of treating patients with thyroid disorders, I have been consistently amazed at the power of LDN as one of the most effective alternative treatments for autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Although LDN has been prescribed since the 1980s, it has consistently risen in popularity due to its power to decrease inflammation, reduce thyroid antibody levels, and offer an immunomodulatory effect, all working together to bring thyroid disease symptoms under control.

LDN for hypothyroidism and LDN for autoimmune thyroiditis offer patients an improved way to find pain relief, manage weight, and boost energy levels. When patients rely on prescription synthetic hormones (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) to manage hypothyroidism symptoms, the resulting heart palpitations, chest pain, excessive sweating/hot flashes, insomnia, hair loss, irritability, and anxiety may be just as troublesome as the actual thyroid-induced symptoms. Also, when the condition is auto-immune in origin, taking hormones does not address the underlying issue.

I have been overjoyed by the results that my patients have experienced with Low Dose Naltrexone, often receiving lab reports that show a return to ideal hormone levels and healthy thyroid functioning. In fact, many patients move into complete clinical remission after incorporating a treatment plan centered on LDN for autoimmune thyroiditis/hypothyroidism.

Each patient requires a highly individualized approach, as there are many factors that come into play, including the presence of coexisting autoimmune disorders and genetic predisposition. I always begin with a low LDN dose, increasing the dosage gradually until we find the sweet spot. During this phase, I’ll evaluate how the patient tolerates the dosage, how they feel, symptom improvement, thyroid hormone production, and existing TPO antibody levels.

It requires careful monitoring until we get the dosage right, but we’re here throughout the journey to provide support, guidance, and encouragement through every stage of the process. In addition to LDN, you can optimize your thyroid disease management with simple lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy anti-inflammatory diet, exercising, and improving sleep hygiene.

Book your telemedicine appointment with us today at ldndoctor.com. We look forward to helping you manage your symptoms and live your best life.

https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/thyroid-gland/
https://www.rxlist.com/synthroid-side-effects-drug-center.htm
https://www.palomahealth.com/learn/naltrexone-hashimotos
https://www.webmd.com/women/whatis-autoimmune-thyroiditis