by Joan Haynes, NMD
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause
by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common health conditions we see at Boise Natural Health. In 20 years of treating this condition, I’ve attended my share of classes and read numerous books and professional articles about thyroid function. This book was great reading which confirmed that I’ve been on the right track in my practice, and also provided me with a wealth of new insight that my patients are already benefiting from.
Pharmacist Izabella Wentz gives a great overview of current theories about thyroid function and autoimmune disease in general. Whether you are a newly diagnosed thyroid patient or one who has been on medication for years, it will behoove you to keep up with the latest medical advancements and treatment options.
If you like scientific detail like me, this book goes into specifics about how the thyroid works and what happens when it stops working well. Wentz describes how “the body becomes stuck in a vicious cycle of immune system overload, adrenal insufficiency, gut dysbiosis, impaired digestion, inflammation, and thyroid hormone release abnormalities.” Wentz discusses how to remove triggers and repair the body. You learn how to maximize your thyroid function as well as your overall health.
One chapter I particularly appreciated was “Iodine Controversy” in which Wentz discusses the cautious use of iodine, which she describes as a “Goldilocks” supplement. If there is too little, thyroid levels will be low. Take too much, however, and the thyroid can become overactive. I’ve seen this a number of times with new patients coming in with a wildly overactive thyroid induced by toxic doses of self-administered iodine.
Because Wentz’s book adheres to the naturopathic principle of treating the whole person to restore balance, it is an easy book to recommend to those wanting to learn more about optimal thyroid health.