Today there are approximately 50 million Americans (mostly women) who have some form of autoimmune condition − where the immune system receives confusing signals and mistakenly attacks normal mechanisms in the body. One of the most common autoimmune conditions is called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Also known as Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s Disease. Hashimoto’s can be a serious condition in and of itself and is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in general. But does having Hashimoto’s also raise the risk of developing certain kinds of cancers?
The Autoimmune-Cancer Connection
Before we dive into the specifics of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in particular, let’s first take a look at the links between autoimmune conditions in general and cancer. The connection can be seen in the very nature of the two conditions. Autoimmune disease occurs when “the body mistakenly turns on itself,” and cancer occurs when the body should be attacking itself (i.e. harmful pathogens within the body) but does not.
And indeed, several studies over the last decade have made the connection between a history of autoimmune conditions and higher cancer risk. A 1997 Chinese study discovered that autoimmune disease sufferers were twice as likely to get esophageal cancer. A study at Medical College of Wisconsin found that a history of systemic sclerosis equated to a five-fold risk of lung cancer, a three-fold risk of liver cancer, and a four-fold risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
In the United States, there are approximately 200,000 new cases of Hashimoto’s annually. With this condition, the immune system creates antibodies that attack the thyroid, blocking endocrine system hormones needed to coordinate many of the body’s functions. As a result, most individuals who have Hashimoto’s also have hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 can fluctuate with Hashimoto’s, resulting in periodic bouts of hyperthyroidism.
In most cases, Hashimoto’s is diagnosed through a blood panel which checks T3, T4, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), and the presence of the thyroid peroxidase antibody. Those who have Hashimoto’s also tend to have a laundry list of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, muscle aches, depression, and goiter. Sometimes individuals have several of these symptoms; sometimes they have only a few.
Does Hashimoto’s Increase the Risk of Thyroid Cancer?
The biggest cancer risk for those who have Hashimoto’s is for thyroid cancer, or Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. A meta-analysis of 38 previous studies compiled by the Korea University Ansan Hospital and published in the European Journal of Endocrinology found that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was “significantly associated” with this form of cancer.
In fact, as rates of Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism continue to rise, thyroid cancer is also becoming the fasting-growing cancer in women, according to the American Thyroid Association.
Hashimoto’s and Cancer: Could Iodine Deficiency Be the Common Link?
Iodine deficiency can contribute to both cancer and hypothyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s. It is an especially important substance for those who are attempting to heal from thyroid conditions since it is the basic building block of T3 and T4 hormones. Dr. David Brownstein, one of the foremost practitioners of holistic medicine in the United States, set the record straight when it comes to the importance of this essential mineral in a The Truth about Cancer video interview.
“Iodine has a lot of jobs in the body,” said Brownstein. “The immune system can’t function without it. You can’t fight infections without it. But one of its main jobs is in the endocrine glands. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, the breasts, the ovaries, uterus, and the prostate. What are we having problems with out there? The thyroid, the ovaries, the uterus, breasts, and prostate…the fastest-growing cancer in the United States is thyroid cancer…”
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in 2007, after completing a study of 41 countries, that “iodine deficiency is a global public health problem.” It is estimated that close to 74% of “healthy adults” are iodine deficient. Some experts estimate that iodine deficiency disorders, or IDD’s, affect between 800 million and 2 billion people worldwide.
Why Are So Many People Deficient in Iodine?
So why are iodine levels so low worldwide? While it was once thought that the culprit was lower iodized salt intake in recent years, more and more evidence is pointing to environmental toxins which block the absorption of iodine in the body. Some of the main culprits are:
Fluoride: Fluoride was introduced into the United States drinking water supply in the early 1960’s. It is now a known fact that this highly-toxic substance blocks the absorption of iodine in the body − in addition to fluoride being extremely harmful to the neurological development of young children.
Bromide: Bromide can be found in many commercial swimming pool chemicals. Since it is a flame retardant, it is also seen in high amounts in external and interior paint as well as in plastics used in the interior of automobiles.
Perchlorate: This highly-toxic substance was first developed as rocket fuel and explosives. Now, however, it can be found in high amounts in groundwater across the U.S. (and is also used as a flavor-enhancer in certain foods).
Step One: Get Your Iodine Levels Checked!
If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or suspect that you may be suffering from hypothyroidism, in addition to getting a comprehensive thyroid panel (including TSH, T4 and T3 as well as Free T4), consider getting your iodine levels checked as well. There are also resources out there that allow you to test for excessive bromide and fluoride as well. The good news is that bromide can be easily flushed out of the body using a “salt-loading” protocol while iodine supplementation can gradually purge fluoride from the body.
If you find that you are iodine deficient and you also suffer from Hashimoto’s, consider supplementing with selenium as well. There are differing opinions as to the best protocol for iodine-selenium supplementation so be sure to work with a holistic practitioner to find what works for you.
One Final Word on Thyroid Medications
Unfortunately, the typical conventional “treatment” for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditisis the prescription of synthetic thyroid replacement medications, the most common of which is Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium). This pharmaceutical drug comes with its own list of side effects, the most dangerous of which is breast cancer. One study found that the risk of breast cancer rose by 200% in women who had used thyroid replacement drugs such as Synthroid for fifteen years or more.
The jury is still out as to what specifically causes such a radical spike in this kind of cancer in those who used thyroid replacement long-term. Many experts speculate that the common link, again, is iodine.
Utilizing thyroid replacement drugs without also supplementing with essential iodine will still leave the body depleted, leading to higher cancer risk. In addition, if you are considering thyroid replacement even for the short term, investigate natural desiccated thyroids (or NDTs) instead of synthetically-derived sources, which will just add to your overall toxic load. Some of most common NDTs are Armour, Nature-throid, and Westhroid.
The CDC reports that iodine deficiency is one of the four major deficiency diseases in the world. And when you are not getting enough iodine, your defenses against cancer are weakened.
Go here to learn more about organic nascent iodine>>
Article Summary
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that studies have found is “significantly associated” with thyroid cancer.
Iodine deficiency can contribute to both cancer and hypothyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s.
Environmental toxins responsible for iodine deficiency include:
- Fluoride
- Bromide
- Perchlorate
If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or suspect that you may be suffering from hypothyroidism, consider getting your iodine levels checked.
Synthetic thyroid replacement is shown to increase the risk of breast cancer, so consider using natural desiccated thyroid instead.
How much iodine? There are conflicting reports all over the place. 3Mg? 15mg? None for Hashimoto patients?
Is kelp alone good enough?
I have Hashimoto’s and take 12.5mg of Iodoral (iodine supplement) along with 200mcg selenium (as sodium selenite). I also take Armour, a dessicated thyroid extract mentioned in the article. Perhaps the chemical meds contain iodine, but the natural ones mentioned in the article do not so you can take iodine. However, I’ve found that most allopathic docs are very much against taking iodine. It appears this may be the result of the influence of the pharmaceutical industry in their training. My alternative doctor has helped me find the correct balance between the Armour and the Iodine/selenium. As for using kelp, I used it for several years until I discovered that one must be careful of the source. Apparently some kelp contains high levels of arsenic. I was taking one of those.
The best source of iodine in food is seafood and sea vegetables. However, in today’s toxic environment, that is problematic because of the mercury and other toxins in these foods. Soil grown foods used to have iodine but our soil is so depleted from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that it is no longer a source. And if you live in the Midwest, you are in the “goiter belt” which has never had soil that is a good source of iodine.
Interesting, I receive emails about Hashimoto’s (I have no idea if I have it or not) and I believe her name is Isabella Wentz. I thought they said people with Hashimoto’s shouldn’t take iodine?
Then there are some who say taking too much iodine can hurt the thyroid even though people in Japan take in much more than we do from their food supply.
Trying to take the 3Mg iodine caps I have but trying to get used to the strange feeling I get from it (possible detox reaction)
Everyone is different in their deficiencies. That’s why you get your levels checked.
I take 12.5 mg
The thyroid antagonist Bromine is commonly used to accelerate rising in bread. It’s a good part of the reason why bread is so unhealthy now.
do you have any evidence/research for the existence of bromine in the bread? you can help us to understand which products in market are having it, so we stop use them?
What sort of foods contain iodine? Also when we brush our teeth using toothpaste, we do not realize that the fluoride in it is so toxic and could lead to cancer. Would brushing with Neem toothpaste be healthier?
I have switched to baking soda and coconut and I oil pull, everyday, with the same. So far my teeth seems to have improved slightly…..slight reversal in cavities
If you are taking thyroid replacement, you do not need more iodine or very little, since the thyroid meds already contain iodine.
Thyroid meds actually cause your theyrpid to produce less T4.
This article is quite incomplete. There is much data on Hashimoto’s and iodine, etc. For example, replacement thyroid hormones do contain iodine already, so supplementation of iodine may or may not be needed. In fact, some experts say absolutely do not take extra iodine if also taking thyroid hormone supplementation. I advise to study more about this subject to get enough data to make an educated conclusion.
I believe the article said NDTs do not have iodine. Synthetic ones, like Synthroid, do contain iodine.
I heard that iodine is good for cancer and even helps get rid of toxins for people who have Alzheimer’s. My question is my mom who has both of these diseases and cll leukemia, she is not taking iodine. She has a fast metabolism her thyroid levels are normal. Would I be able to put her on a minimal dose of iodine to flush toxins out of body? Anna
I’m on armoir because it was the most natural. But now my reverse T3 are very high therefor I need to switch to Levo or synthroid and don’t want to. I don’t want cancer in 15 yrs!
Levo or Synthroid (T4) will make reverse T3 worse – you are not converting the inactive T4 to the active T3. You need to take T3 only (liothyronine), so the reverse T3 levels can be lowered.
I believe that the T3 in Armour stays at max strength in your system for around 6 hours, which might then appear elevated in your blood tests if you have blood drawn in that time frame. I take my Armour when I go to bed at night and it does not show up as elevated the next day in my blood tests. It shows up as normal range. Alternatively, you might skip the daily dose before your test. It’s my understanding that the T4 has a half life of three weeks, so one missed dose should not be a problem. I’m not in the medical field, but have done the above on occasion without any issues.
Everyone has different parameters. To find your cure of symptoms is a continuous learning process. The treatment must be adapt to your unique stage of hormones.
I founded very helpful “Tired Thyroid” book. Based on a full life of misery and nonsense treatments. Barbara Lougheed searches through hundreds of research references. The table
“T4:T3 Content of different dosages”, showed the grains, mcg use, in order to accomplish your specific need. The goal is to arrive to Human Thyroid Gland Output, which is as proportional T4/T3 100/10.
When we are out of idyllic nature, we are in havoc.
It is a long process, but treatment is not an obscure imitator, anymore.
You are not alone !
I am not sure what to make of what I have just read. At present my doctor has not put me on any thing regards my low thyroid readings. What I recently come of was the Lexapro medication (cold turkey) due to heart palpitation and high blood pressure. Tests were done for heart problems but came back negative. At present I have been prescribed high BP med. For the last two years I have experienced loss of taste and smell. Some of this has come back but now I have a disgusting soapy taste in my mouth. Living with this is depressing. Brush teeth and mouth as often as I can after eating. Wake up during the night with a ghastly taste in my mouth. I might try the baking soda to brush my teeth instead of the tooth paste I am using. Thank you every one for your in put it leaves me with some knowledge and I feel less depressed.
Hi Sue –
Thanks for sharing this with us. Please know we’ll be sure to pray for you.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to give medical advice. However, we have a great article on our website that provides an overview of holistic dental care.
At the end of the article, there are several resources to assist you. https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/reversing-tooth-decay/
We would also recommend that you use the following link to find a holistic dentist in your area search here: https://iabdm.org
Hope this is helpful! Please let us know if we can help with anything else.
Blessings and love!
Is there a natural thyroid supplement that could work rather than taking any thyroid med?????