If you’ve been told you have elevated thyroid antibodies, you might be wondering: Can I actually do something about this? The answer is a resounding yes—and I’m here to show you how.
Here’s something that might surprise you: in conventional endocrinology, treatment generally focuses on thyroid hormone levels, not antibodies. Your antibody levels might be checked occasionally, but they’re rarely the main focus of treatment. Think about that for a moment—autoimmune thyroid conditions are, by definition, autoimmune, yet the immune system often gets little attention in conventional care.
This is where natural medicine truly shines. We view autoimmune thyroid disease as what it really is: an immune system disorder that happens to be targeting your thyroid, not simply a thyroid problem.
When we work to reduce antibodies, we’re looking at the bigger picture: identifying what triggered your immune response in the first place, calming your overactive immune system, reducing inflammation, ensuring your gut health and nutrient status are optimal, and addressing stress.
Start with your plate
Food is medicine, and when it comes to autoimmune thyroid conditions, what you eat can make a profound difference. We’re looking to identify and remove foods that trigger inflammation while embracing anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense options to calm your immune response.
Here’s something fascinating: gluten may be an aggravating factor in virtually every autoimmune thyroid case. This happens through something called molecular mimicry. When gluten proteins slip into your bloodstream (often through a compromised gut lining), your immune system rightfully flags them as foreign invaders. The problem? Thyroid tissue looks remarkably similar to these gluten proteins, so your immune system starts attacking your thyroid by mistake.
For some people, removing gluten alone can be transformative. Others may need to eliminate additional grains like corn and oats that can cross-react with gluten antibodies. The key is discovering what works uniquely for your body
Show your gut some love
Your gut and immune system are deeply interconnected–in fact, roughly 70–80% of your immune system is located in specialised immune tissue just beneath the gut lining.
When your gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it can be a powerful trigger for autoimmune activity.
Through specialised functional testing, we can uncover hidden gut infections, bacterial imbalances, or intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
Armed with this information, we can use targeted foods, herbs, and nutrients to restore balance and calm your immune response.
Nutritional and herbal support
Your thyroid has specific nutritional needs, and when those aren’t met, both thyroid function and immune regulation suffer.
We want to ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of thyroid-supporting nutrients like zinc, iron, and selenium, while also optimising immune-modulating nutrients such as vitamins A and D.
Some of my favourite supportive nutrients include:
- Myo-inositol (sometimes called vitamin B8): This nutrient supports overall thyroid function and works beautifully with selenium to help regulate autoimmune activity and lower antibodies
- N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC): A powerful antioxidant that boosts glutathione levels and helps settle inflammation in the thyroid and beyond
On the herbal front, we can bring in immune-modulating herbs specific to your condition. Beautiful options include Rehmannia, Nigella (pictured!), Echinacea, Hemidesmus, and the medicinal mushrooms.
And, since stress is such a major player in thyroid dysfunction, I love creating custom herbal blends that include powerful stress-supporting herbs like Withania (ashwagandha), Rhodiola, and Skullcap.
These help your nervous system and adrenals find calm while supporting your overall healing journey.
Stress care
Speaking of stress, chronic stress is like throwing gasoline on the autoimmune fire. When you’re constantly bathed in stress hormones, it creates a cascade of problems: impaired digestion leading to nutrient deficiencies, increased intestinal permeability, and direct interference with thyroid function.
The good news? You have more control here than you might think. Quality sleep, breathwork, time in nature, learning to slow down, gentle movement, carving out periods of rest, and connecting with loved ones aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re essential medicine.
In addition, tools for navigating anxious and negative thoughts and feelings—like somatic exercises and mindset work—can be incredibly powerful allies in your healing journey.
Your path forward
I know receiving an autoimmune thyroid diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But just remember: there are gentle, effective ways to support your body back to a place of balance.
Finally, one of the most encouraging aspects of this approach is that thyroid antibodies can be tracked over time, giving us clear feedback on whether our interventions are working.
And while lowering thyroid antibodies can take time, a downward trend often correlates with improved symptoms and quality of life, and that makes every step worth it.
If you’d like to work with a practitioner who understands the complexities of autoimmune thyroid disease, I’d love to support you. Feel free to book a consultation or reach out for a complimentary 10-minute chat to see how I can help.
Hugs,
Lauren ✨
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