Leaky gut is what it sounds like — the contents of the small intestine leak through the intestinal wall into the sterile environment of the bloodstream.
This triggers inflammation that can not only flare your Hashimoto’s low thyroid, but also cause other chronic disorders.
Leaky gut is linked to a variety of symptoms. including:
- Hashimoto’s low thyroid
- Skin rashes (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, etc.)
- Chronic pain
- Autoimmunity (including Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism)
- Puffiness
- Chronic tiredness
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Poor memory
- Asthma
- Food allergies and sensitivities
- Seasonal allergies
- Fungal infections
- Migraines
- Arthritis
- PMS and hormonal issues
Leaky gut is also referred to as intestinal permeability by researchers. It means the small intestine has become inflamed, damaged, causing the lining to become overly porous.
Leaky gut now accepted as valid
Doctors once believed (and many still do) that leaky gut wasn’t valid, but science now validates it and correlates it with many chronic disorders: Inflammatory bowel disorders, gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, depression, and Hashimoto’s low thyroid.
Repairing leaky gut when you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid
If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism you can improve your health by working to manage leaky gut. This is mostly done through diet. The most common causes of leaky gut are processed foods, excess sugars, lack of vegetables, and foods to which you are sensitive (such as gluten sensitivity).
Excess alcohol, NSAID use (ibuprofen), and antibiotics are other common factors in causing leaky gut.
The leaky gut diet is also called the autoimmune diet and is essential in helping repair leaky gut. Stabilizing blood sugar is also key.
If you are not managing your autoimmune Hashimoto’s low thyroid, or if your liver is not detoxifying properly, you will likely suffer problems with leaky gut. Nutrients to support liver detoxification include milk thistle, dandelion root, and schizandra.
Many nutrients also can help support gut healing, including probiotics, enzymes, l-glutamine, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, collagen, hydrochloric acid, and anti-fungal herbs.
Supplements that help stabilize blood sugar, manage stress, tame inflammation, and support healthy gut bacteria also can put you on the path to a healthier gut.
However, if you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and other autoimmune diseases, managing leaky gut may be a lifelong process as occasional autoimmune flares inflame the gut.
Ask me for advice about a leaky gut diet and protocol and managing autoimmune Hashimoto’s low thyroid.
How to learn if you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid
Many patients are not diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s until after several years and going through several doctors. It is a demoralizing journey richly illustrated in my book The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, through real-life stories from patients in my practice. Managing Hashimoto’s goes far beyond using thyroid medication as you must work to stop the immune system from attacking the thyroid. For more information on identifying and managing Hashimoto’s low thyroid, contact my office.
About Dr. Josh Redd, Chiropractic Physician — Utah, Arizona, New Mexico functional medicine
Dr. Joshua J. Redd, DC, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, author of The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, is a chiropractic physician and the founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness Center with practices in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. He sees patients from around the world who suffer from challenging thyroid disorders, Hashimoto’s disease, and other autoimmune conditions. In addition to his chiropractic degree, Dr. Redd has a BS in Health and Wellness, a BS in Anatomy, and a MS in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. He speaks across the nation, teaching physicians about functional blood chemistry, low thyroid, Hashimoto’s, and autoimmunity. You can join his Facebook page here.
