Naturopathic Solutions For Graves’ Disease

There are nearly a hundred different autoimmune disorders that can affect different parts of your body.

Many of these disorders can affect parts of your endocrine system – the system in your body that uses hormones to help different areas of your body communicate.

As a hormone balance special interest naturopathic doctor, I am deeply aware of how important your hormonal balance is to your body.

Your thyroid is one of these hormone producing glands, and when something is wrong, it can affect your body’s cues for hunger, sleep, reproduction, energy, metabolism, and so much more.

We’ve looked at other thyroid disorders in the past, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism.

We’ve also looked at how endocrine disrupting chemicals and stress can affect your thyroid health.

Today, we’re going to look at Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that can lead to hyperthyroidism.

Read on to find out more about Graves’ disease and how naturopathic treatments can help.

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What Is Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that causes your thyroid to overproduce its hormones.

This can affect many different areas of your life because of how important your thyroid hormones are to many of your body’s cues and functions.

There is currently no known cure for Graves’ disease.

However, treatments from a naturopathic doctor in Toronto can help you manage your symptoms.

More on those shortly.

Graves’ Disease Symptoms

But what are some of the symptoms of Graves’ disease that need management?

There are a number of signs and symptoms that can affect many areas of your body, but some of the common ones to look out for include:

• Anxiety or irritability
• Tremors in your hands or fingers
• Increased sensitivity to heat
• An enlarged thyroid gland
• Frequent bowel movements
• Bulging eyes
• Chronic fatigue
• Skin that is thick and red on your shins or tops of your feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Sleep disturbances

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What Causes Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder, which means that it’s caused by your immune system attacking your own body – in this case, your thyroid.

Your immune system produces antibodies, which are supposed to target viruses, bacteria, or other kinds of foreign substances.

In autoimmune diseases, your immune system produces antibodies against parts of your own body.

In the case of Graves’ disease, your immune system produces antibodies that attack one part of your cells in your thyroid, which results in your thyroid over producing thyroid hormone.

Why this happens, we’re not yet sure.

However, you may be at greater risk of Graves’ disease if you:

• Smoke cigarettes
• Have a family history of Graves’ disease
• Have another autoimmune disorder
• Are a woman
• Are over 40
• Are pregnant

Naturopathic Solutions For Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease might seem overwhelming, but there are many things you can do to help control your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

As a naturopathic doctor, there are many ways I can help you manage your Graves’ disease symptoms.

Let’s take a look at a few ways you can manage your Graves’ disease symptoms.

1. Quit Smoking

Researchers have found that smoking cigarettes and tobacco can be a risk factor for Graves’ disease.

Whether you have Graves’ disease or are simply worried about your risk of Graves’ disease, quitting smoking is an important way to reduce your risk or manage your symptoms.

Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it has a long list of health benefits – managing your Graves’ disease is one of them.

2. Keep Your Stress Levels Under Control

Telling you to keep your stress levels under control may sound silly, but chronic stress can actually trigger your body to develop Graves’ disease.

Stress raises your cortisol and adrenaline levels, which is okay from moment to moment.

However, chronic stress can disrupt your neurotransmitters, which can worsen the symptoms of thyroid disorders.

There are a number of different ways to manage stress naturally, including managing stress through nutrition, mindfulness, and adaptogenic herbs for stress, among others.

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3. Supplement With L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is an amino acid that your body naturally produces, but you can also take it in supplement form.

This 2001 study by Benvenga Et Al found that it can help reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

And as we mentioned before, Graves’ disease causes hyperthyroidism, so the symptoms are very similar.

This is partially because hyperthyroidism drains your body’s supply of L-carnitine, so replenishing it can help.

4. Reduce Your Exposure To Environmental Toxins

It’s common to come into contact with environmental toxins all the time, even if you’re not aware of it.

A lot of these toxins come from things you keep in your house, like beauty products and cleaning products.

These products contain endocrine disrupting chemicals that can trigger hormonal issues or aggravate existing ones.

In particular, watch for things like:

• Atrazine
• Dioxins
• Fire retardants (polybrominated biphenyl ethers, or PBDEs)
• Arsenic
• Mercury
• Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Perchlorate
• PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals)

5. Supplement With Selenium

Selenium is a supplement that is found naturally in water and some foods.

It’s a natural antioxidant, and is linked to your metabolism health.

It’s also been shown to be effective in decreasing Graves’ disease symptoms.

In particular, it can help reduce the eye related symptoms of Graves’ disease.

You can get more selenium in your diet by eating Brazil nuts, eggs, and meats.

Book Your Appointment With Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, Today

Do you suspect you may have Graves’ disease?

Or do you have a diagnosis already?

As a naturopathic doctor, I can provide treatments to help you manage your Graves’ disease symptoms and continue your journey toward optimal health.

Book your appointment with Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, today – I’m here for you.