I love the concept of using food as medicine — or as I like to call it, food pharmacology.
I became a pharmacist because I was interested in the effects that different substances have on human physiology. Medications are an obvious example of how tiny substances can produce a tremendous change in the human body, but what’s even more intriguing to me is the profound effect that foods and natural substances can have on the body.
I am always fascinated by how we can incorporate the healing properties of food into our everyday lives!
“Pharmacognosy” is the term we use for the study of medicines derived from natural sources.
Due to its healing properties, turmeric has received plenty of attention in research and wellness communities over the years. In fact, a quick search of “curcumin” in PubMed yields over 20,000 results, and to date, some 488 clinical trials have been conducted to explore its many health benefits!
Turmeric can help those with autoimmunity and Hashimoto’s reduce inflammation, support the gut, and detoxify heavy metals from the body. [1]
In this article, I’ll explore:
- The history of turmeric
- The many benefits of turmeric for reducing Hashimoto’s symptoms
- Delicious and easy recipes to incorporate turmeric into your diet
- A few precautions when supplementing with curcumin
History of Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant in the ginger family that was first cultivated in India and Indonesia. Turmeric has been an important part of Indian cooking, medicine, and religious practice for some 4,000 years.
Though we often think of turmeric as the spice that gives curry its characteristic golden color, this plant has an equally long history of medicinal use — it has been used to treat pain, stomach problems, and liver ailments. Topically, turmeric has been used to help relieve skin conditions like sores, eczema, and skin rashes.
To this day, turmeric is viewed as a sacred substance in much of Indian culture. It is commonly used in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, in curries around the globe, and in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian system of natural healing that is still practiced worldwide today.
Turmeric is widely used as a coloring agent in cheese, butter, and other dairy products. It’s also used in the manufacturing of other foods, such as canned beverages, baked products, ice cream, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, and gelatins. The reported human consumption of turmeric in Asian countries ranges between 200-1000 mg/day. [2]
Today, turmeric is extremely popular. You’ll find it in dietary supplements, beverages, functional food applications, and even as active components in pet supplements and foods.
Benefits and Uses of Curcumin
Turmeric’s medicinal benefits can mostly be attributed to compounds called curcuminoids. Curcumin is the active component in turmeric. Curcumin is a primary curcuminoid known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Modern medicine recognizes the importance of turmeric and confirms the legitimacy of many of its traditional applications. More than 20,000 scientific papers and 488 clinical trials have been conducted to assess both turmeric and curcumin, and their many health benefits.
Examples of traditional and Ayurvedic uses of turmeric include:
- Relieving inflammation and arthritis
- Treating respiratory conditions
- Treating allergies
- Treating wounds
- Treating conjunctivitis
- Addressing issues to do with skin cancer
- Helping with urinary tract infections
- Helping digestive problems like indigestion, gas, colic, abdominal pain, and distension
- Expelling phlegm
- Improving circulation
- Improving energy levels
- Reducing menstrual symptoms
Here are examples of traditional dosing in folk and herbal medicine with fresh turmeric root: 8 to 60 grams daily are recommended for arthritis, and 1.3 to 3.0 grams can be useful for indigestion.
Contemporary research suggests that curcumin can:
- Promote a healthy inflammatory response: Curcumin blocks a molecule called NF-kB, which travels into the nuclei of cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. In doing so, it is believed to help reduce inflammation, which is linked to several inflammatory diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. [3]
- Boost the body’s antioxidants: Curcumin is a potent antioxidant, which can neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative damage — one of the mechanisms behind many diseases. It also enhances the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. [4]
- Support normal cardiovascular function: Curcumin has been shown to be as effective as some prescription drugs in promoting the healthy function of blood vessels, which help regulate blood pressure and blood clotting. [5]
- Reduce symptoms associated with arthritis: Arthritis involves inflammation of the joints, and the potent anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation [6] as effectively as prescription NSAID medications (diclofenec and ibuprofen), without the side effects.
- Support a balanced mood: Curcumin boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which tend to be lower in those with depression. [7]
- Bonus: There is some evidence that curcumin may support normal levels of the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine (our happy hormones!). [8]
Because of its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidation — factors that play a huge role in many diseases, and aging itself — curcumin may be helpful in preventing or treating a wide range of conditions, including Hashimoto’s. It’s no wonder this substance has been revered for thousands of years!
Curcumin and Hashimoto’s
Excess inflammation is always present in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (the suffix “itis” denotes inflammation in the thyroid gland), and intestinal permeability has been found as a common factor in every case of autoimmunity. Many people with Hashimoto’s are also prone to heavy metal toxicity. [9]
Curcumin, the most important and well-researched active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, all of which can provide benefits to those with Hashimoto’s-related symptoms. [10]
Studies on the Effects of Curcumin Related to Hashimoto’s
Studies examining the effect of curcumin on the thyroid gland and autoimmunity show encouraging results:
- Curcumin can help to protect the intestinal barrier from invasion by bacterial infection and can help heal a leaky gut. [11]
- In a 2015 study on residents in the Pak Pattan District of Pakistan, a population with a high frequency of goiter, researchers reported that turmeric use was associated with reduced goitrogenesis (goiter formation). [12]
- A 2019 study involving 34 patients with benign thyroid nodules, noted a reduction in the size of nodules after a three-month treatment of a supplement containing spirulina, curcumin and boswellia. According to the study, “the active treatment administered was a combination of spirulina, curcumin and boswellia extracts, 400-50-50 mg per capsule, which were prepared alongside matching placebo capsules by DVR Pharm and BioNovative SRL.” This would make a daily dose of 1600 mg of spirulina, 200 mg of curcumin, and 200 mg of boswellia, respectively. While I do not recommend spirulina for those with Hashimoto’s due to its potential for immune modulation (and in fact, the study excluded patients with Hashimoto’s from this trial), this study on the effects of turmeric on thyroid nodules piqued my interest, and I do have clients and readers who reported similar benefits through the use of curcumin and/or boswellia (I am linking a product I have used). (Here’s more information about how to shrink thyroid nodules.) [13]
- According to a 2014 study in the journal Food Chemistry and Toxicology, “Curcumin reduces the hepatotoxicity induced by arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and mercury, prevents histological injury, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione (GSH) depletion, maintains the liver antioxidant enzyme status and protects against mitochondrial dysfunction.” [14]
- Curcumin shows tumor-inhibiting activity in thyroid cancer. [15]
- Curcumin may be an effective neuroprotectant and help to prevent or slow the development of diseases like Parkinson’s. [16]
- Curcumin may protect against the genetic damage and side effects induced by radioactive iodine, which is sometimes used to treat Graves’ disease. [17]
- Curcumin has anti-inflammatory benefits that can be helpful in down-regulating autoimmune conditions. Specifically, curcumin produces an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating Th-1 cytokines (TNF-A, IL-1, 2, 6, 8, 12), which may be overactive in Hashimoto’s. Curcumin has been found to reduce joint inflammation in the Th-1 autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it seems to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, showing improvement in Crohn’s disease (Th-1), ulcerative colitis (Th-2), and irritable bowel syndrome. [18]
In my survey of 2232 people with Hashimoto’s, 680 people reported that they had tried curcumin. Fifty-six percent reported that it was helpful, 40 percent did not see a change in how they felt, while three percent said it made them feel worse.
When asked about the specific benefits seen from the use of turmeric, 64 percent of people reported that it helped them with reducing pain symptoms. Other positive benefits were an increase in energy (seen in 35 percent), an improvement in mood (seen in 34 percent), and an improvement in thyroid antibodies (12.5 percent).
Pain is the most obvious manifestation of inflammation in the body, so I’m not surprised that those who had pain saw an improvement with curcumin use. While most people with Hashimoto’s do have inflammation, only some will present with pain symptoms.
Poor energy, mood changes, and thyroid antibodies are also indicative of inflammation. In the survey, it was encouraging to see that curcumin also impacted those parameters, but it should be noted that improvements in those symptoms may be less obvious to notice, and may also take a bit longer to manifest.
While curcumin can also boost glutathione (an antioxidant that’s often depleted in Hashimoto’s), reduce inflammation, help heal the gut, and aid in the detoxification of heavy metals, it’s difficult to assess these improvements symptomatically. [19]
I’ve seen many people with Hashimoto’s benefit from the addition of turmeric to their diet, especially those experiencing pain.
How to Use Turmeric/Curcumin
Turmeric naturally has a low bioavailability, as it easily degrades and is eliminated within an hour after consumption. Historically, to increase absorption, turmeric has been combined with black pepper to increase its bioavailability and enhance its healing properties. Combining curcumin with piperine, an alkaloid found in black pepper, extends the life of curcumin in the body, making its compounds more therapeutically effective. That’s why I recommend taking a curcumin supplement that contains piperine, like Pure Encapsulations Curcumin with Bioperine.
Another way to boost the absorption of curcumin is to consume the turmeric root itself (fresh or dried as a powder) because natural oils found in turmeric root and turmeric powder can enhance the bioavailability of curcumin seven- to eightfold. [20]
In Indian diets, turmeric is often dissolved and extracted into fat (i.e. by cooking it with ghee, also known as clarified butter), which may increase its bioavailability.
My recommendation is to add more turmeric to your cooking (remember to add some pepper to the mix), as well as a high-quality curcumin supplement.
Curcumin Supplements
It’s important to find a high-quality curcumin supplement, as low bioavailability has also been an issue with curcumin supplements. Research has shown plasma concentrations of curcumin as low as 50 ng/mL after administration of dosages as high as 12 g/day.
To overcome the bioavailability issue, various curcumin formulations with enhanced bioavailability have been developed.
Though there are many different types of curcumin supplements on the market, all with varying levels of bioavailability, a few common formulations include:
- Unformulated Curcumin: This is an isolated concentrate of unformulated curcumin, with no enhancement of bioavailability done. It’s standardized to contain 95 percent curcuminoids. In a study, when curcumin was given orally at a dose of 2 g/kg to rats, a maximum serum concentration of 1.35 ± 0.23 µg/mL was observed after 0.83 hours, whereas in humans, the same dose of curcumin resulted in either undetectable or extremely low (0.006±0.005 µg/mL at 1 hour) serum levels. [21]
- Phytosome Curcumin: In this type of supplement, the bioavailability of curcumin is enhanced by encapsulating the curcuminoids in a phytosome complex, which is a complex made of phospholipids or a type of fat. Even though this format has a smaller percentage of curcuminoids compared to non-enhanced formulations, the enhanced absorption that the phytosome provides, allows it to be equally as therapeutic. In a comparative study in humans, the absorption of curcuminoid present in commercial curcumin was compared with curcumin phytosome. The overall increase of curcuminoid absorption from curcumin phytosome was 29-fold. [22]
- Curcumin with Piperine: One of the ways our liver gets rid of foreign substances is by making them water-soluble so they can be more easily excreted. Piperine, a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism, blocks that process, which allows curcumin to remain in the body longer for better absorption. In humans, curcumin bioavailability was increased by 2,000 percent at 45 minutes after administering curcumin with piperine. This study demonstrated that piperine enhances the serum concentration, extent of absorption, and bioavailability of curcumin. [23]
For those that aren’t sensitive to piperine, a supplement that I have personally used is called Curcumin with Bioperine. It is free of gluten, dairy, and soy. The dosage I used when working to detox my body of arsenic was 500 mg, three times per day.
Note: While piperine does increase the absorbance of curcumin, some people who are sensitive to black pepper may react to it. While black pepper isn’t actually a nightshade and is Paleo-friendly, it is considered a “suspect” spice under the Autoimmune Paleo Diet, as it can cause reactions.
Fortunately, I’ve been able to develop a new supplement that is a well-absorbed alternative for those who don’t tolerate piperine but still want to incorporate curcumin into their routine.
Rootcology Rootcology Curcumin Absorb is a highly bioavailable formulation that contains a unique combination of three health-promoting curcuminoids: curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and demethoxycurcumin. The three curcuminoids are the strongest, most protective, and most well-researched constituents of the turmeric root. Naturally occurring turmeric root powder contains only five to seven percent curcumin, while the blend in Curcumin Absorb is concentrated to contain 95 percent curcuminoids.
The potential health benefits of curcumin are often limited by its poor solubility, low absorption from the gut, rapid metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination. Curcumin Absorb is manufactured using an all-natural formulation that improves the absorption and delivery of curcumin. This process uses a proprietary blend of quillaja extract, along with delta- and gamma-tocotrienols and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), without the use of potentially harmful surfactants, increasing the absorption rate.
Here’s what Kristin L. had to say about Curcumin Absorb:
“Having read all the great things that Curcumin can do for the body I decided to try it. I have been amazed at how the aching in my feet and overall inflammation have diminished. It felt great to buy a product that had been thoughtfully made with no dairy, gluten, soy, etc.”
Curcumin Supplement Precautions
While most people can safely use turmeric/curcumin at doses of up to eight grams per day, please take note of the following precautions.
Do not use Curcumin Absorb if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are a man trying to conceive. Furthermore, do not use it if you have ulcers, gallbladder issues involving excess bile secretion/overactive bile formation, GI inflammatory conditions, or hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and/or uterine fibroids.
If you have a history of kidney stones, please speak with your practitioner before taking curcumin.
If you are diabetic, be sure to monitor blood sugar levels while supplementing.
Discontinue use at least two weeks before undergoing surgery.
A Note on Oxalates
Oxalates are tiny crystals which are found in plants. When our bodies can’t break down oxalates properly (tolerances vary between people), oxalate crystals can build up in the body. A common result of this is kidney stones, but a buildup of oxalates may contribute to gut issues and other health problems.
People with Hashimoto’s may have a sensitivity to oxalates, which can cause and or/exacerbate leaky gut and other symptoms. If the gut microbiome is out of balance due to pathogens like Candida, we may have problems breaking oxalates down properly, and the build up may become toxic. [24]
Some turmeric supplements may contain high levels of oxalates, and may not be suitable for those with oxalate issues. However, it is worth noting that the studies of concern use 10 g of turmeric (which contains about 200 mg of oxalates) as a reference point, and most individuals do not use that much turmeric in their food (½ teaspoon of turmeric contains about 24 mg of oxalates). [25]
Curcumin extract seems to be relatively devoid of oxalates, and may be safer than other turmeric supplements to ingest for those prone to kidney stone formation.
Rootcology Curcumin Absorb is one example of a supplement that is low in oxalates. It contains 95 percent extracts of three curcuminoids, so even if the remaining five percent contained oxalates, in this material and at this dose, it would be insignificant.
If you already have health issues related to oxalates, use caution when it comes to ingesting turmeric root or supplements.
Possible Drug Interactions
While most people can take curcumin safely, I always recommend caution when combining supplements with narrow therapeutic index drugs, which include anticoagulants, some seizure medications, some psychiatric medications, and thyroid medications.
Curcumin can have a blood-thinning effect, and I would recommend avoiding it if you have a known clotting disorder.
A clinical study evaluating potential interactions between antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, thyroid hormone replacement therapy (LT4), and a particular brand of curcumin (Meriva®), suggests that curcumin does not interfere with any of these drugs. [27]
As a pharmacist, I always err on the side of caution when there is potential for harm, so I would still recommend that people who take blood thinners, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs avoid taking curcumin, as there have been reports of excess bleeding by people combining curcumin with anticoagulants.
That said, curcumin seems to be safe to take with thyroid hormones, though I recommend that you take curcumin 30 to 60 minutes away from thyroid medications. It’s also a good idea to test your thyroid hormone levels while taking thyroid medications, to ensure your current supplement and medication regime is working for you.
Do not take curcumin if you are currently taking the drug sulfasalazine. There is some evidence suggesting that curcumin increases levels of sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which is used for ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, within the body. One study investigating the effects of curcumin in Japanese individuals found that curcumin increased levels of sulfasalazine by two to three folds. [28]
Possible Adverse Effects
There have been additional reports of iron levels dropping in certain individuals who were taking a turmeric supplement, and returning to normal once the supplement was stopped. Studies in mice have shown a correlation between curcumin and lowered iron levels, but these results have not been duplicated in research on humans — however, there is a single case report of a 66-year-old man that does suggest that this is a possibility. [29]
People with anemia or low iron levels should consult with their doctor, and monitor their ferritin levels carefully, before using a turmeric or curcumin supplement.
Studies have shown that taking doses of 1,200 to 2,100 mg of curcumin per day for two to six weeks didn’t lead to any apparent adverse effects. However, a few negative side effects have been noted by a small portion of people taking curcumin supplements at higher dosages.
Digestive issues have been reported at daily doses exceeding 1,000 mg. Headaches and nausea have been noted in a small number of people at dosages over 450 mg. Lastly, skin rashes have been seen in a few rare instances of people taking curcumin at dosages of 8,000 mg. [30]
The MAO-A gene variation can make certain individuals more sensitive to curcumin. If you have had your DNA analyzed through a company such as 23andMe and know that you have this type of mutation, you may want to limit your curcumin intake.
Not all turmeric supplements are pure; some contain fillers like wheat, barley, or rye flour, all sources of gluten that can be particularly harmful for those with Hashimoto’s.
Over the past ten years or so, there have been several recalls of imported turmeric powder (in the U.S. and other countries) due to high lead content. There have also been reports of the illegal toxic dye called “Metanil Yellow” being added to turmeric powder. Metanil yellow may cause cancer and neurological damage when consumed in large quantities. [31]
To avoid unnecessary additives like food coloring, look for USDA-certified organic turmeric powders and spices whenever possible, and be sure to buy supplements from a reputable source that performs extensive third-party testing for purity.
Cooking with Turmeric
Below are some of my favorite ways to add more turmeric to my diet.
A few years ago, I found myself suffering from arsenic poisoning due to conventional lipstick use (yikes!), so I started using curcumin to detoxify my body. I started taking a curcumin supplement, making turmeric tea twice per day, and eating tandoori chicken a few times a week. I believe that the addition of turmeric helped me clear out the arsenic within a month, and helped me to prevent long-term damage!
The Takeaway
Turmeric is a powerful ingredient with a long history of use, and there’s plenty of exciting new research supporting the positive effects it can have on the body.
And in both my personal experience and practice, I’ve seen firsthand just how effective turmeric can be for detoxifying the body. I often recommend it for clients with Hashimoto’s to support the gut, liver, and inflammatory pathways, especially if they are experiencing pain.
I hope this information helps you on your journey. If you’ve tried turmeric, please share your experience with it in the comments below!
P.S. For thyroid-friendly recipe ideas, download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my first book for free, by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.
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References
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[2] Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Turmeric, the Golden Spice: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, eds. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011.
[3] Liu T, Zhang L, Joo D, Sun SC. NF-κB signaling in inflammation. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2017;2:17023-. doi:10.1038/sigtrans.2017.23
[4] Gupta N, Verma K, Nalla S, Kulshreshtha A, Lall R, Prasad S. Free Radicals as a Double-Edged Sword: The Cancer Preventive and Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin. Molecules. 2020;25(22):5390. Published 2020 Nov 18. doi:10.3390/molecules25225390
[5] Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Ghaedi E, Sahebkar A. The effect of Curcumin/Turmeric on blood pressure modulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res. 2019;150:104505. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104505
[6] Rahmani AH, Alsahli MA, Aly SM, Khan MA, Aldebasi YH. Role of Curcumin in Disease Prevention and Treatment. Adv Biomed Res. 2018;7:38. Published 2018 Feb 28. doi:10.4103/abr.abr_147_16
[7] Sarraf P, Parohan M, Javanbakht MH, Ranji-Burachaloo S, Djalali M. Short-term curcumin supplementation enhances serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult men and women: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Res. 2019;69:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2019.05.001; Shep D, Khanwelkar C, Gade P, Karad S. Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study. Trials. 2019;20(1):214. Published 2019 Apr 11. doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3327-2
[8] Kulkarni SK, Bhutani MK, Bishnoi M. Antidepressant activity of curcumin: involvement of serotonin and dopamine system. Psychopharmacology. (2008) 201: 435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-008-1300-y.
[9] Fasano A. Leaky gut and autoimmune disease. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2012;42(1):71-78; Rezaei M, Javadmoosavi SY, Mansouri B, Azadi NA, Mehrpour O, Nakhaee S. Thyroid dysfunction: how concentration of toxic and essential elements contribute to risk of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019;26(35):35787-35796. doi:10.1007/s11356-019-06632-7
[10] Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Turmeric, the Golden Spice: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, eds. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011.
[11] Wang J, Ghosh SS, Ghosh S. Curcumin improves intestinal barrier function: modulation of intracellular signaling, and organization of tight junctions. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2017;312(4):C438-C445. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00235.2016
[12] Jawa A, Jawad A, Riaz SH, et al. Turmeric use is associated with reduced goitrogenesis: Thyroid disorder prevalence in Pakistan (THYPAK) study. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2015;19(3):347-350. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.152768.
[13] Stancioiu F, Mihai D, Papadakis GZ, Tsatsakis A, Spandidos DA, Badiu C. Treatment for benign thyroid nodules with a combination of natural extracts. Mol Med Rep. 2019;20(3):2332-2338. doi:10.3892/mmr.2019.10453.
[14] García-Niño WR, Pedraza-Chaverrí J. Protective effect of curcumin against heavy metals-induced liver damage. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014 Jul;69:182-201
[15] Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Turmeric, the Golden Spice: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, eds. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011.
[16] Jin T, Zhang Y, Botchway BOA, et al. Curcumin can improve Parkinson’s disease via activating BDNF/PI3k/Akt signaling pathways. Food Chem Toxicol. 2022;164:113091. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2022.113091
[17] Shafaghati N, Hedayati M, Hosseinimehr SJ. Protective effects of curcumin against genotoxicity induced by 131-iodine in human cultured lymphocyte cells. Pharmacogn Mag. 2014 Apr;10(38):106-10
[18] Bright JJ. Curcumin and autoimmune disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:425-451. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-46401-5_19
[19] García-Niño WR, Pedraza-Chaverrí J. Protective effect of curcumin against heavy metals-induced liver damage. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014 Jul;69:182-201
[20] Kress, R. The Versatile Uses of Turmeric and Curcumin. FreeCE website. www.freeCE.com. Accessed October 20, 2020.
[21] Prasad S, Tyagi A, and Aggarwal B. Recent Developments in Delivery, Bioavailability, Absorption and Metabolism of Curcumin: the Golden Pigment from Golden Spice. Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Jan; 46(1): 2–18.
[22] Jäger, R., Lowery, R.P., Calvanese, A.V. et al. Comparative absorption of curcumin formulations. Nutr J 13, 11 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-11
[23] Prasad S, Tyagi A, and Aggarwal B. Recent Developments in Delivery, Bioavailability, Absorption and Metabolism of Curcumin: the Golden Pigment from Golden Spice. Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Jan; 46(1): 2–18.
[24] Oxalates. Great Plains Laboratory. August 8, 2016. Accessed 24 May, 2022. https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/gpl-blog-source/2016/8/8/oxalates; Miller AW, Dearing D. The metabolic and ecological interactions of oxalate-degrading bacteria in the Mammalian gut. Pathogens. 2013;2(4):636-652. Published 2013 Dec 6. doi:10.3390/pathogens2040636
[25] All Curcumin Extracts are Not Created Equal: Oxalates in Turmeric? Rooting out Misconceptions. Statement Paper. Sabinsa Corporation. January 2009.
[26] Li Y, Li M, Wu S, Tian Y. Combination of curcumin and piperine prevents formation of gallstones in C57BL6 mice fed on lithogenic diet: whether NPC1L1/SREBP2 participates in this process?. Lipids Health Dis. 2015;14(1).
[27] Hu S, Belcaro G, Dugall M, Peterzan P, Hosoi M, Ledda A, Riva A, Giacomelli L, Togni S, Eggenhoffner R, Cotellese R. Interaction study between antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, thyroid replacement therapy and a bioavailable formulation of curcumin (Meriva®). Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018 Aug;22(15):5042-5046.
[28] Kusuhara H, Furuie H, Inano A, et al. Pharmacokinetic interaction study of sulphasalazine in healthy subjects and the impact of curcumin as an in vivo inhibitor of BCRP. Br J Pharmacol. 2012;166(6):1793-1803.
[29] Chin D, Huebbe P, Frank J, Rimbach G, Pallauf K. Curcumin may impair iron status when fed to mice for six months. Redox Biol. 2014;2:563-569. Published 2014 Feb 28. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2014.01.018; Smith TJ, Ashar BH. Iron Deficiency Anemia Due to High-dose Turmeric. Cureus. 2019;11(1):e3858. Published 2019 Jan 9. doi:10.7759/cureus.3858
[30] Lao CD, Ruffin MT 4th, Normolle D, et al. Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006;6:10. Published 2006 Mar 17. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-6-10
[31] Dhakal S, Chao K, Schmidt W, Qin J, Kim M, Chan D. Evaluation of Turmeric Powder Adulterated with Metanil Yellow Using FT-Raman and FT-IR Spectroscopy. Foods. 2016;5(2):36. Published 2016 May 17. doi:10.3390/foods5020036; Rao KV. Stimulation of DNA synthesis in primary rat hepatocyte cultures by metanil yellow: a new liver tumour promoter. Indian J Med Res. 1995;101:250-257.
Note: Originally published in July 2015, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.
Lynn- That is great!! I hope you also try the recipes in the article!! I look forward to hearing your progress on this page! I hope you also check out this article! 🙂
10 MOST HELPFUL DIY INTERVENTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-most-helpful-diy-interventions-for-hashimotosaccording-to-my-clients
I have hypothyroidism and take Levothyroxine and Liothyronine.
I want to start taking Tumeric supplements, but can it interact with my thyroid meds?
I want to take the tumeric/curcumin supplements to help with my aching muscles.
Do you know if there are any interactions with curcumin and the thyroid meds and also Fluoxetine..
Birgit – I cannot tell you specifically what you can and cannot do over the internet as I could be held liable for what would happen to you.
I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hashimoto’s Protocol
https://smile.amazon.com/Hashimotos-Protocol-Reversing-Thyroid-Symptoms/dp/006257129X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482698453&sr=8-1&keywords=Hashimoto%27s+Protocol
How long should you steep it? Would fresh root have more curative properties? Does it also require pepper for absorption?
Cat – thank you for following this page. Here is a simple recipe for making turmeric tea:
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• Pinch of pepper
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Sweetener to taste (stevia and maple syrup are my top recommendations)
• 1 cup hot filtered water
Put all the spices and lemon juice in the mug of your choice, top off with boiling water, mix and enjoy!
How many times day should I drink the tea
Nitzia – thank you for reaching out. I wish I could give you more direct advice but, each person will react differently. I would advise you to ask your trusted clinician who’s care you are under.
Dr. Wentz, Is it safe to take curcumin during pregnancy? After a few failed IVFs (and a heartbreaking journey) I am getting ready for the embryo transfer this week. I take curcumin regularly but read that it might not be safe for pregnant women as it stimulates the system. I am quite dependent on turmeric so going off it will be tough. I was wondering if you had any advice. Thank you so much! Your book was a life-changing read for me!
Kelly – you are very welcome! I appreciate your kind words and support! I wish you the best with your IVF treatment. <3 As for the curcumin I would advise you to ask your personal pharmacist or a trusted clinician who’s care you are under. I am not able to respond directly to these types of questions here.
Fran- That is great!! Did you know that if you live in the United States, the UK, Australia, Europe and most developed countries that add iodine to the salt supply and take thyroid medications, there’s a higher probability that you do have Hashimoto’s?
Depending on the source, estimates are that between 90-95% of those with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.
But most doctors will never tell people that they have Hashimoto’s, or that their own immune system is attacking their thyroid. People are told that their “thyroid is sluggish”, and that these things happen with age and “Just take this pill, you’ll be fine.” I hope you check out these articles that I wrote.
ARE YOU DOING EVERYTHING FOR YOUR THYROID BUT NOT YET WELL?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-doing-everything-for-your-thyroid-but-not-yet-well
DO YOU HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM OR HASHIMOTO’S OR BOTH?
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/do-you-have-hypothyroidism-or-hashimotos-or-both
Here are the tests you need for diagnosis. Most endocrinologists don’t run them all so you will have to request them. Make sure to request a copy of your labs as well.
TOP 6 THYROID TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests
Ruthc- Thank you so much for your support! I look forward to hearing more of your progress on this page! Here are a couple of articles you may find interesting as well! 🙂 PAIN AND HASHIMOTOS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-and-hashimotos
PAIN HASHIMOTOS AND FIBROMYALGIA…
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-hashimotos-and-fibromyalgia%E2%80%A6
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-hashimotos-and-fibromyalgia%E2%80%A6 For some reason this link isn’t working. Can you fix please?
Nina – I am so sorry that link did not work. Here is a link that should work for you. <3
PAIN AND HASHIMOTOS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/pain-and-hashimotos
Amy- I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Kim- Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Ruthc- Not yet! Thank you so much for your feedback! 🙂
Karen- Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.
HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Sandy- I can’t make any direct medical recommendations to any single person for legal reasons. Not everyone will need every single supplement! In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet, this is why I always list food sources for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s in the book and on the blog. However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.
I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Lee- That is great! Here are a couple of articles you may find interesting as well! 🙂
HASHIMOTO’S AND THE GUT
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-the-gut
THE GUT AND AUTOIMMUNE THYROID CONNECTION
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-gut-and-autoimmune-thyroid-connection
Kim- Thank you so much for sharing!! Here is an article you may find interesting as well! 🙂
10 MOST HELPFUL DIY INTERVENTIONS FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-most-helpful-diy-interventions-for-hashimotosaccording-to-my-clients
Beverly- Graves and Hashimoto’s are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto’s, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people)-Hashimoto’s results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.
The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually people with Graves have hyperthyroidism and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own and these people end up on Synthroid as well.
Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Char- Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people, will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful.
FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos
AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet
Raghubir- Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people, will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful.
FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos
AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet
Ekta- Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.
HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Tricia- Thank you so much for sharing!! I hope you also try the recipes in the article and let me know what you think! 🙂
Dr. Wentz, in case of Hashimoto is it OK to take curcumin without checking if we have Th1 or Th2 immune system? Thank you in advance!
Daniela – please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions.
I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s a whole medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD YOU SEE IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/what-type-of-doctor-should-you-see-if-you-have-hashimotos
10 THINGS I WISH MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WOULD HAVE TOLD ME
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/10-things-i-wish-my-endocrinologist-would-have-told-me
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
So glad to be a new member of those reading your loving posts!
Juliene – thank you for following this page and for referring. Do you have Hashimoto’s or a thyroid condition?
Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help 🙂
WHERE DO I START WITH HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/where-do-i-start-with-hashimotos/
OVERCOMING HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/overcoming-hashimotos-in-the-new-year
Dear Izabella,
I have serious gut lining inflammation, I can hardly digest anything and anything little acidic touches my stomach (apple, etc) it hurts. I started taking turmeric but I have little burning sensation for 1-2 hours even after that I have my meal, Is it okay in the beginning or is it normal? I use turmeric powder mixed in half glass water. How am I supposed to take it? Before/with/after meal? What is the best way to get healing? Thank you!
Lola – thank you for following this page. – In general, most people with autoimmunity need to find their food sensitivities, heal from infections, and eat organic; however, bioindividuality is important, not everyone will respond to the same interventions. The foods that heal one person, may not be the same for another. It might seem like a lot to give up, but feeling your symptoms fade away can make it feel like it’s all worthwhile. And don’t forget it’s not forever! You will be reintroducing these foods once your gut heals.
WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR LEAKY GUT https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/whats-causing-your-leaky
ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
I’ve been reading your book this week Dr Wentz and it’s been incredibly interesting, insightful and albeit a little depressing.. haha but I’m glad to know there’s a lot I can do to help myself. Silly question perhaps but in your book you don’t mention rice – are we able to have it with the tandoori chicken? Or best to avoid? Thank you 🙂
Kristy – Thank you for following this page. Did you know that reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity in particular has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten?
Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people, will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful.
FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos
AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet
I’m extremely grateful to have discovered your page on hashimoto’s. Thank you.
Annola – thank you for following this page.
Hashimoto’s is a complicated condition with many layers that need to be unraveled. While conventional medicine only looks at each body system as a separate category and is only concerned with the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, Hashimoto’s is more than just hypothyroidism. I hope you check out my books. 🙂
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Hi Dr Wentz – I’ve been drinking the Turmeric tea in the morning (lemon, turmeric, cinnamon,honey, etc), 30 min after taking synthroid, can any of the ingredients interact/decrease the affects of synthroid? My TSH was 1 end of June(around the same time I started drinking the tea) but now it has gone back up to 3.5.
Thanks!
Karolina
Karolina – Thank you for following this page. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions, but I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Hi Dr. Izabella,
Thank you for your informative article, I read it with keen interest.
I am hypothyroid and have Sjogren’s syndrome too. Aside from a slight heart burn turmeric caused severe anxiety in me. I wonder if it’s due to turmeric’s healing abilities and thus my thyroid meds being too high? Turmeric really benefited my joint pain so I was sorry I had to let it go. Unfortunately I did not have a blood test during this period because I wasn’t aware of a correlation. Have you heard of this interaction? Primarily I suspected I had Hashimoto’s – which is common with Sjogren’s – but repeated blood tests have ruled this out. Thank you for answering.
Maria – Thank you for following this page. Please, understand that due to liability issues, I am unable to answer specific medical questions, but I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid
CLINICIAN DATABASE
http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html
FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
https://ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Hi! I have been struggling with low thyroid levels for quite some time now. I found an integrative medicine specialist who finally LISTENED to me and switched me from Synthroid/levothyroxine (which was not really working for me, despite increasing dosage) to Nature-throid and it is definitely more effective for me. I am also battling adrenal fatigue, so I am VERY sensitive to upping the dosage on the Nature-thyroid and am having to titrate up much more slowly than most. Good news is that everything is improving now, and she has recommended I take a turmeric/curcumin supplement (plus increase use in diet) so I have been doing tons of research to determine how much, when, etc. I have purchased Pure Encapsulations Curcumin 500 (which includes piperine), but in some research I was doing I’d found recommendations to take it on an empty stomach. I would love your opinion on this? My concerns being the following: I want to try to take it 3x daily between meals (per the directions on the bottle and in line with the recommendations I found); however, the only way for me to get in a morning dose is to take it an hour before breakfast (i.e. as soon as I wake). However, this is also when I take my Nature-throid. Can I take them at the same time? I know with certain medications, the piperine can increase the effects because it blocks certain enzymes in the liver which causes to body to metabolize the medications more slowly. However, the main ones I’ve seen mentioned are blood thinners and a few heavy-duty neuro drugs (theophylline, dilantin, etc.). Is there a concern for this with Nature-throid, or is it metabolized by different liver enzymes? (In addition to the thyroid issues and overall inflammation that is at play here, I also have a family hx of Alzheimer’s and want to do ANYTHING possible to protect myself from developing this! I know that curcumin has shown a lot of promise in that area and I think that may have been where I found the recommendation to take it on an empty stomach?). Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated!!
Shannon- thank you for reaching out. I wish I could give you more direct advice but, each person will react differently. I would advise you to ask your personal pharmacist or a trusted clinician who’s care you are under. I am not able to respond directly to these types of questions here. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time, and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.
I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8…
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Dr. Izabella,
Thank you for your prompt response! While I appreciate your legal and ethical limitations on offering advice/tx recommendations in this forum, I was simply wanting to know if (1) there is any *known* interaction between curcumin w/piperine and thyroid medications (dessicated “natural” varieties in particular), and (2) whether you had found in your research/experience any benefit to taking a curcumin or turmeric supplement on an empty stomach vs. not. I apologize if this seems redundant; I was thinking those questions were of a general-enough nature to be answered by any pharmacist and therefore relevant here (given your expertise related to the thyroid in particular, I figured you would know better than any other pharmacist I could contact!?). However, as you can see, I do tend to be too long-winded, so I just wanted to clarify my questions thinking that perhaps they got “lost” in my original message…. ?.
I just found your site yesterday and subscribed to the newsletter so I am looking forward to checking out the other resources you’ve mentioned, including the book! Thank you again!
Doctor…I have just finished the 3 month diet/supplement protocol and find that I am feeling so much better. I’m now preparing for another blood test to check antibodies and hormone levels. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any information from any of your publications regarding some sort of maintenance protocol to maintain health.
Are there supplements I could/should be taking daily to keep my hashimoto’s in check now that I’m feeling better? Will it help to take the same supplements listed in the protocol, but at a lesser dose (especially probiotics)? I realize that each person’s condition is different, but I do not know where to start.
Elaine – thank you for following this page. I am so happy to hear you are feeling so much better. For questions pertaining to the protocols please contact my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help you. <3
Isabella, Thank you so much for all you do for people with Thyroid problems. I’ve read you book and followed your website since you started. Your advice has helped me so much. It’s been not a cure but a 10% better improvements, one at a time which have changed my life!
Thank you so much!!!!!!
Margo
Margo – thank you so much for your support and kind words! <3
I think it should be mentioned that turmeric is effective with oil. So before the tea take spoon full of oil. I know, quite unpleasant (for me atleast), but it actually helps the tea to work.
Hi, thank you for the article. I found that having a tea with organic turmeric and dandelion root tea with water (and unfortunately a dash of milk – until I find better source to make it slightly tastier), has helped me with my sore throat this week. I was feeling clear minded before starting, but it has continued and my anxiety has also reduced to very low levels that I never thought was possible! I had a friend give me the tip of adding pepper, so I’ve bought my peppercorns and morsel and pestle’d them up and made up my concoction, I cant wait to see what improvements are yet come come along as I am finally opening up to all the nutrient dense foods that I would have normally avoid – just gotta do it sometimes. My nails have finally started to shine up again, just gotta get better at taking care of myself, and hopefully the ‘vanity’ benefits of great skin and shiny hair will also be an added bonus without adding chemicals of beauty products! I can’t believe how much lower tox our home is, I wish we could see the internal benefits, but I can already see just on the back of my hands, and the reduced keratosis on my arms.
Denise – thank you so much for sharing what has worked for you! Please keep me posted on your progress. <3
can i Drink turmeric tea with coffee?
About the sweet potatoes in the Chicken Tandoori recipe… I have ever only baked sweet potatoes and not eaten the skin. For the slow cooker method, are you peeling the skin off first? Sounds like a yummy recipe..
Debbie – thank you for reaching out. I would recommend that you peel the sweet potatoes. I hope you love the recipe as much as I do! <3
Turmeric causes a terrible skin reaction on my face, almost like a chemical burn. My skin becomes very red and irritated. Ginger also causes this reaction. Just saying
Faith – thank you for reaching out and sharing you experience. I am so sorry you had this reaction. Everyone will react differently, I would recommend that you discuss this with your doctor whose care you are under. <3
I tried taking tumeric this week with 95% cucurmen and felt body aches almost immediately. I thought maybe it was just my body getting used to it so stuck with it for 3 days. After that I decided my body was telling me something and not to keep taking it. I take 20mg of flouixetine a day so maybe it is interacting? I was so hopeful because it is supposed to be such a good antioxidant, relieving pain, providing energy, etc… so was surprised by having this reaction.
Kerrie – thank you so much for sharing your experience. <3 I'm so glad you listened to your body and discontinued using the supplement. I recommend discussing your reaction and the addition of any other supplements with your practitioner. Please reach out to my team at info@rootcology.com for a return of the product as well.
Interesting about it lowering iron levels! I went on a golden milk phase along with taking a tumeric supplement and my iron dropped dramatically over that time. Wonder if tumeric could have caused that. Hope not:/
Gina – thank you for sharing. <3 That is something you may want to discuss with your practitioner.
Dr. Wentz, I have been following you for 2 years now, since I found out that I had Hashimoto’s. Thank you for your insight! It has helped in so many ways! Some of my extensive blood work done by my endo, showed that I had elevated fibrinogen. I recently came across this article, https://warddeanmd.com/turmeric-reverses-fibrinogen/ , that cites a study done using just 20 mg per day of turmeric extract to reduce fibrinogen levels. Having taken turmeric in the past and suffering stomach upset from it, it has come to my attention that most, if not all, turmeric supplements provide well over 10 times the amount that showed stunning clinical results in the particular study cited. Any idea where I can find such a low dose?
Jane – thank you for reaching out and sharing this info with me. <3 One of my favorite ways to use turmeric is cooking with it. In this article I share a couple of my favorite recipes. Those and other recipes may be the best place to start to get a low dose of the turmeric. I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet. This is why I always list food sources in the book and on the blog, for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals. and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s. However, some may require or prefer supplements. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement. I hope you find this helpful!
Thanks for your turmeric tea recipe. Using it as a starting point, I looked at other turmeric tea recipes online. Those led me to a few questions for you:
1. Would cooking your tea recipe make it even more effective?
Per Elizabeth Rider on https://www.elizabethrider.com/how-to-make-golden-milk-recipe, Ayurvedic medicine says that cooking the turmeric is important.
2. Would adding an oil or fat to your recipe make it more effective?
Per https://www.foodrepublic.com/2017/01/04/how-to-eat-turmeric/:
“Since curcumin is a fat-soluble compound, the most effective way to get raw turmeric into your system is by combining it with fat and black peppercorns. Why pepper? It contains piperine, a compound that has been proven to drastically increase the body’s ability to absorb curcumin through the bloodstream. Curries that include turmeric typically call for the raw or shredded root to be cooked in oil or clarified butter to extract its color, flavor and curcumin (and almost always call for a spice blend that features black peppercorns as well).
A little too much for you? The easiest way to get started is by whipping up a mug of turmeric tea, also known as “golden milk.” It’s simply milk simmered with juiced or shredded fresh turmeric and a little coconut oil. Powdered turmeric will work if you can’t find fresh. Season it with sugar, cinnamon, honey, ginger, peppercorns or other ingredients to amp up the flavor.]”
3. Could adapting your recipe by adding coconut oil and then cooking the tea rather than adding boiling water make the turmeric TOO bioavailable?
Since I can’t do dairy or other milks, your water-based version looks great. Please let me know your answers to these questions.
Thank you again!
Annette Olsen
Sugar Land, Texas
Annette – thank you for reaching out and sharing this wonderful information with me! I will add this to my research. As far as adding the oil/fat, I think that is a great idea! You are welcome to adapt my recipes anyway you like and I would love it if you would share your results with me! Feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to pass it on!
Unfortunately turmeric is one of my food sensitivities along with coconut and basically all the anti inflammatory foods. I’m very confused by all this, but still moving forward. I haven’t had a problem with dairy but I’m willing to cut it out of my diet as long as I can put something else in. No almonds, or soy, or dairy or oats, wheat, means struggle. I’ll be eating meat and lettuce pretty soon here with all these foods popping up as food sensitivities. I have a concern that I will not be getting enough nutrients. hmmmm
Hello – thank you for reaching out and sharing.❤️ Restricting your diet could in theory, lead to nutrient deficiencies, however, we have found that once people remove inflammatory foods from the diet, this actually improves their digestion and absorption, leading to better assimilation of nutrients from food. I have found that diet is very much an individual intervention. What works for one person, may not work for another, as each individual may be different in their triggers and needs. I generally recommends a full Root Cause Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet for 30-90 days, which goes a long way to remove trigger foods, reduce inflammation, heal the gut, and even reduce thyroid antibodies! I recommend eliminating gluten, grains, dairy, and soy indefinitely, but we can have a rich, full diet with foods that we aren’t sensitive to. The end goal is for everyone to come up with their own personalized Root Cause Paleo Diet (modified for your personal sensitivities) that you can enjoy for life! A food and symptom journal can be very helpful for determining what foods you are sensitive to. If you have any questions please feel free to email my team at info@thyroidpharmacist.com and they will be happy to help. Here are some resources I hope you find helpful as well.
AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet
ELIMINATION DIET
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos
Hi Dr. Wentz, thank you so much for the information! I have both hashimotos and RA and have been cooking with and taking turmeric and curcumen supplements for a few years now. I never have experienced any reduction in RA pain though. Your article states that the traditional amount for arthritis pain is between 8 and 60 grams of fresh turmeric root. How does that amount compare to powdered turmeric supplements? My full spectrum turmeric supplement only contains 1.44 grams. My curcumin supplement only contains 744 mg standardized to 95%. Each of these supplements only say to take 2 capsules. That doesn’t seem to be even close to the 8-60 grams of fresh turmeric root. Thanks!
Lori – thank you for reaching out! ❤️ That is a very interesting question. I will add this to my list to research further!
I had extremely thin hair due to hypothyroidism and was taking 2000mg of turmeric daily. My Dilantin level came back at 3.0 stopped turmeric ASAP. Turmeric was interfering with my thyroid med and Dilantin. I now have a nice head of hair. Be careful with supplements.
Biana – Thank you so much for sharing!