Do you judge other moms? Do you feel judged too? Check out my latest video and then join me over at my private Facebook group, Guiltless Grace where we’re in mothering thing together đ
Dr. Whitney
What’s up with Bee Pollen?
Hey there,
I’ve never taken bee pollen as a supplement however a number of patients have mentioned it over the years so I wanted to see what was up with Bee Pollen?
What is Bee Pollen?
Bee pollen is considered a highly nutritious food because it contains a balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, enzymes, and essential amino acids.
Pollen comes from various plants, including buckwheat, maize, pine (songhaufen), rape, and typha (puhuang)
It’s not the same things as  bee venom, honey, and royal jelly.
Bee pollen contains more amino acids and vitamins than many other amino acid-containing products like beef, eggs, or cheese.
Bee Pollen Uses
Orally, bee pollen is used for general nutrition, as an appetite stimulant, to improve stamina and athletic performance, for premature aging, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), hay fever or allergic rhinitis, mouth sores, rheumatism, painful urination, prostate conditions, and radiation sickness. It is also used orally for weight loss and obesity, bleeding problems including coughing or vomiting blood, bloody diarrhea, nosebleed, cerebral hemorrhage, and menstrual problems. Bee pollen is also used for gastrointestinal (GI) problems including constipation, diarrhea, enteritis, colitis, as a general tonic, diuretic, and for alcohol intoxication.
Topically, bee pollen is used for skin care in skin softening products, and for treating eczema, pustular eruptions, and diaper rash.
Safety of Bee Pollen
Bee pollen has been safely used in clinical trials lasting up to 30 days. So that means if you’re using it longer than a month – consult your health care provider and consider cycling on and off of it. Alternating with other products.
There is some concern that bee pollen might have uterine stimulant effects so you may want to avoid it during your period as it might cause a heavier flow. And you probably want to stay away from it if you’re pregnant.
Preliminary evidence suggests that a specific combination product seems to decrease some symptoms of PMS including irritability, weight increases, and edema when given over a period of 2 menstrual cycles.
Dosing of Bee Pollen
An initial theoretical dose is 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon, once per day. The dosage may be gradually increased to 1-2 teaspoons one to three times per day (anecdotal). A spoonful at breakfast, preferably taken with a piece of fruit: the fruit fibers (raw hemicellulose) reinforce the activity of the fresh pollen.
Adverse effects
Hypersensitivity to pollens included in commercial preparations has been observed. Symptoms include allergic reactions such as gastrointestinal upset, rash, erythema, asthma, hay fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. So start small especially if you have allergies or are sensitive to other products.
Pollen Allergies?
Bee pollen supplements can cause serious allergic reactions in patients who are allergic to pollen. Allergic reactions can include itching, swelling, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about it, you probably want to chat with your health care provider to double check it’s for you. And then start small.
And if you’re struggling with any of these health conditions we mentioned above, book a free meet the doctor visit with one of us to see how we can help.
Talk soon,
Dr. Whitney
Source – Natural Medicines Database
What Are Thyroid Antibodies?
What Are Thyroid Antibodies?
Unless you’ve been in a biology or immunology class recently, you may not be familiar with antibodies. Antibodies are a normal part of our immune system. Your body makes them in order to “tag” or “mark” foreign bacteria or viruses that are harmful. Once tagged, your immune system can recognize these foreign invaders and fight them off.
The antibodies that occur in Hashimoto’s Disease (or any other autoimmune disease) are different. They are AUTO-antibodies. Which means that they are ‘marking’ your own thyroid tissue. This isn’t good – we don’t want your immune system attacking your own body!
Essentially, elevated thyroid antibodies indicate that your immune system has targeted the thyroid gland for destruction. Over time, this can damage your thyroid tissue and make it impossible for your body to produce its own hormones.
What do Thyroid Antibodies Mean?Â
Thyroid antibodies are the most important tests to diagnose Hashimoto’s disease. If you test positive for one or both of these antibodies, you have Hashimoto’s disease.
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) – present in approximately 90% of those with Hashimoto’s disease
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) – present in approximately 80% of those with Hashimoto’s disease.
If you haven’t already done so, I recommend testing your antibodies if you already have or suspect hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease isn’t just hypothyroidism – it’s an autoimmune disease, and needs to be treated as an autoimmune disease!
The First Thing You Should Do When You Find Out You Have Thyroid Antibodies…
It’s important to know that Hashimoto’s disease does have a genetic link. So, it’s very common to see Hashimoto’s present in multiple family members (typically females). For that reason, when I have a patient with positive antibodies one of the first things I tell them is to talk to their family. Tell your mother, sisters, daughters, and aunts to have their thyroid antibodies tested as well, especially if they already know they have low thyroid function. The sooner we can identify antibodies and regulate the immune response, the more likely it is that we will be able to prevent damage to the thyroid gland. BUT, just because a relative has Hashimoto’s doesn’t mean you’re destined for it too. Genes only play a part of the picture!
Have more questions about thyroid antibodies? Let me know!
Dr. Katie Rothwell, ND
How To Exercise For Your Thyroid
Is your current exercise routine sabotaging your thyroid health?
If you have a thyroid condition, you may be experiencing one or more of the following when it comes to exercise:
- Youâre exhausted and canât imagine attempting exercise or even making it to the gym
- Youâre making exercise a regular habit but you find that it takes you forever to recover and you experience lots of muscle or joint pain afterward
- Youâre working out like crazy and are beyond frustrated that your best efforts at the gym arenât getting you any closer to your goals
If any of the above sounds familiar, read on!
Hypothyroidism or Hashimotoâs Disease can make exercise a challenge. Why? A low thyroid also means a low metabolism. Even if youâre taking medication and your thyroid labs are ânormalâ your metabolism could still be suffering.
First and foremost is to make sure your thyroid labs (especially your free T3) are optimal so you have the stamina and energy to make it through your day AND get some exercise in. With optimal labs you will also recover faster from exercise and experience less muscle and joint pain.
Secondly, (and this is the important part!) the type and length of exercise can make a big difference for hypothyroid folks.
Did you know that high intensity or extended periods of exercise can actually lower your Free T3 (your most active thyroid hormone) and increases your Reverse T3?
This combination is like a big brake pedal for your thyroid gland telling it so slooow down. For people with low thyroid function, this is the opposite of what we want!
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help decide if your current exercise plan is right for you:
- How do you feel during exercise?
If at any time you feel dizzy, lightheaded or fatigued during exercise it may be too strenuous. - How do you feel after?
After exercise, you should feel energized and upbeat due to the positive endorphins that are released with physical activity. If you’re feeling sore, exhausted, or like you need a nap, you may need to dial back the intensity of your workouts. - Could you do the same exercise again?
If the answer is yes, you’re exercising at the sweet spot of intensity (not too low and not too high) - Do you enjoy it?
Please, pick something you actually enjoy! Exercise doesnât have to mean slugging it out at the gym day after day. Walking, hiking, yoga, biking, karate, swimming or mowing the lawn are all wonderful ways to move your body.
Here are my general recommendations on how to exercise for your thyroid:
- Keep your exercise at a low to moderate intensity (less than 75% of your maximum heart rate) for approximately 30-40 minutes.
- Avoid high-intensity cardio or extended periods of exercise. Don’t over do it – your body will interpret this as stress and will slow down your metabolism even more to conserve energy. Exercises to think twice about would include marathons, high-intensity spinning, or aggressive HIIT training.
- Build muscle! Cardio is not king in the thyroid world. More muscle = better metabolism.
- Listen to your body. If you feel good both during and after exercise, itâs likely a good choice for you.
Have questions? Book your Free Thyroid Assessment to learn more!
Dr. Katie Rothwell, ND
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16175498
Three reasons you still have symptoms on Synthroid
Synthroid (also know as levothyroxine) is a synthetic form of T4 and the most common medication prescribed for hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, many people continue to experience chronic and debilitating symptoms of hypothyroidism on Synthroid, including:
– fatigue
– weight gain
– brain fog
– hair loss
– low mood
– and moreâŚ
There are three BIG reasons why you still might have symptoms on Synthroid.
1. Your body isnât using the medication efficiently.
While T4 is the most abundant hormone the thyroid produces, T3 is the most active form. T3 is the hormone that acts on all the cells in your body to create positive changes in energy and metabolism. In healthy persons, T4 is converted to T3 in the body naturally. However, for many people (especially with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease) this doesn’t happen properly.
Want to know if you’re producing T3 in proper amounts? Have your FT4 and FT3 tested, and then do this simple calculation: FT4 divided by FT3
An optimal result should be around 3, which means your body is efficiently producing T3.
Results over 3 indicate what thyroid experts call a “conversion issue”. This is a very common roadblock to feeling better on Synthroid but don’t worry, it can easily be improved.
Bottom line: You can have all the T4 in the world, but if your body isnât converting it to T3, you may still feel hypothyroid.
2. Youâre not addressing the root cause
The most common cause of hypothyroidism in North America is an autoimmune condition called Hashimotoâs Disease. This occurs when the body begins to attack the thyroid and slowly destroys the thyroid tissue, making it impossible to produce adequate hormone amounts naturally.
While medication can be an important part of feeling better with Hashimotoâs, it’s not enough. You need to address the inflammation and autoimmune process that created your thyroid problem in the first place.
If you have symptoms like joint pain, hives, chronic digestive concerns, or already have an autoimmune disease, you need to be properly assessed for Hashimotoâs. Read about The Seven Signs This Common Condition is Causing Your Thyroid Disorder for more information about Hashimoto’s Disease.
3. You have nutrient deficiencies
Low nutrient levels are very common with low thyroid function and can leave you with lingering symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, brain fog and more. I talk about the most common nutrients deficiencies and how to test for them in another blog post entitled The 3 Nutrients I Check in Every Single Thyroid Patient
What can you do?
- Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about how to support optimal T3 levels with nutrient therapy that helps the body use Synthroid more effectively. You can also consider a thyroid medication that already contains T3. While Synthroid works well for some, others finally find symptom relief once switching to a different form medication.
- Assess for Hashimotoâs Disease by asking for your thyroid antibodies (AntiTPO and TgAb) to be tested at your next lab work. If positive, get to work addressing your root cause to decrease inflammation and the autoimmune process.
- Check your nutrient levels and supplement accordingly under the advice and care of your healthcare professional.
Have questions? We’re here to help!
Dr. Katie Rothwell, ND
Seven Signs This Common Condition Is Causing Your Thyroid Disorder
Hypothyroidism (or low thyroid function) is on the rise and affects 1 in 10 women in North America. The most common cause of hypothyroidism? You may be surprised to know that it’s an autoimmune condition called Hashimotoâs Disease.
In Hashimotoâs disease, the immune system produces antibodies against the thyroid. Overtime, this causes damage to the thyroid gland and eventually hypothyroidism. While Hashimotoâs affects primarily the thyroid, itâs not just a thyroid condition â itâs an autoimmune condition.
Testing for thyroid antibodies is the only way to truly know if you have Hashimotoâs disease. However, these are some of the signs and symptoms I see in people who have an autoimmune thyroid condition. These are usually in addition to the âregularâ or classic symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue, trouble losing weight, cold body temperature and constipation.
1. You still feel like $h*t on Synthroid
Maybe youâve been on thyroid medication for years (or decades!) but have never felt quite right. While thyroid medication can improve the hormone levels in your blood, it doesn’t address the inflammation and autoimmune process that happens with Hashimotoâs Disease. Without treating the inflammation your symptoms can continue to worsen over time even with “normal” thyroid tests.
2. You have digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, heartburn, diarrhea/constipation OR have been previously diagnosed with IBS
What does the gut have to do with our thyroid? A healthy digestive system is key to proper immune function. If youâve experienced long-term gut issues, have been previously diagnosed with âIBSâ or have never been well since something like food poisoning, Hashimotoâs should be on your radar.
3. You experience random skin rashes or hivesÂ
This is another sign that the immune system is out of control and reacting to things it shouldn’t be. It is also a tell-tale sign that the gut isn’t working properly (see above!)
4. You have joint pain or feel puffy all the time
Autoimmune conditions often affect muscles and joints and can lead to constant aches and pains. Swelling, redness, and pain are all signs of inflammation, which goes hand-in-hand with autoimmune conditions and Hashimoto’s disease.
5. You already have an autoimmune condition
Having one autoimmune condition increases your risk for developing others. Autoimmune conditions seen frequently with Hashimoto’s include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Pernicious anemia, Vitiligo, and more.
6. Other members of your family have a thyroid condition
There is also a strong genetic link to Hashimotoâs and other autoimmune conditions. I often see autoimmune conditions being present in multiple members of the same family such as sisters, mothers and daughters. Remember, Hashimoto’s is much more common in females! If your family has a strong history of thyroid conditions, or a relative has been diagnosed with Hashimotoâs or other autoimmune condition, youâll definitely want to pursue testing.
6. Your thyroid condition was first diagnosed at a young age or after the birth of a child
I often see Hashimotoâs being diagnosed more commonly in young women between 20 and 30 years old. Pregnancy and postpartum is another time where a change in hormones and the immune system can ignite an autoimmune thyroid condition.
The Bottom Line
If you have been previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism I encourage you to also have your thyroid antibodies checked to rule out Hashimotoâs Disease (Your MD or ND can do this). Youâll want to ask specifically for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (AntiTPO) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb).
You can also check out my other blog post here on what tests you need for a complete thyroid assessment.
Have questions? We’re here to help!
Dr. Katie Rothwell, ND
Seven Signs This Common Condition Is Causing Your Thyroid DisorderRead More