Eric Osansky > Quotes

“If a problem with gluten is suspected, you want to not only test the gliadin antibodies but also the antibodies to tissue transglutaminase, along with the anti-endomysial antibodies. It’s also a good idea to test both immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) because if one of these immunoglobulins happens to be depressed, it can result in a false negative result.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Three Ways to Eradicate SIBO Three main methods are used to eradicate SIBO: taking prescription antibiotics, natural antimicrobials, and the elemental diet. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each of these treatment methods. Eradication Option #1: Prescription antibiotics. Rifaximin is the antibiotic most commonly recommended for SIBO. Xifaxan is a brand name of Rifaximin that is commonly prescribed. While I’m not a big fan of antibiotics, Rifaximin is different than most other antibiotics. First, it is a nonabsorbable antibiotic whose activity is localized to the small intestine due to its minimal systemic absorption. Thus, unlike most other antibiotics, Rifaximin doesn’t go through the bloodstream, but only acts in the small intestine and won’t harm the bacteria of the large intestine. Evidence shows that Rifaximin might actually increase good bacteria (e.g., bifidobacteria) in the large intestine.[4] In addition, bacterial resistance isn’t too common when using Rifaximin. However, some people with SIBO will respond to Rifaximin, and they will need to consider either the elemental diet or herbal antimicrobials. Also, if someone has high methane levels, Rifaximin alone usually won’t successfully eradicate SIBO, which is why most medical doctors will recommend an additional antibiotic, such as metronidazole or neomycin.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“The Role of Prokinetics in Preventing a Relapse Prokinetics help to stimulate the MMC, and, since most cases of SIBO are caused by a dysfunctional MMC, taking prokinetics can be important to prevent a relapse from occurring after receiving treatment for SIBO. The MMC works in a fasting state; thus, while many people in general eat regularly throughout the day, those with SIBO probably shouldn’t snack in between meals, and should go at least 12 hours overnight without eating. Here are some of the prokinetics that can be used: Iberogast Ginger 5-HTP Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) Low-dose erythromycin Low-dose Prucalopride”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“The essential oils thyme, mint, cinnamon, salvia, clove, and tea tree oil all have antimicrobial properties. One review study discussed how essential oils could potentially combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.[19] Another study compared the effects of tea tree oil versus triclosan, and found that regarding the antimicrobial efficacy, there was no difference between the soap with triclosan and the soap with the tea tree oil.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“What’s important to understand is that it’s not the iodine that actually damages the thyroid gland, but hydrogen peroxide or other ROS.[8] For example, if someone takes a 50mg potassium iodide supplement, then this will lead to higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, which can result in an increase in oxidative stress. If someone has abnormally high levels of oxidative stress and/or low amounts of antioxidants, then this, in turn, can result in damage to the thyroid gland, which can lead to an increase in thyroid antibodies, typically thyroid peroxidase antibodies.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“This includes testing for Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria associated with Lyme disease) and many of the co-infections. I’ll discuss Lyme disease and the related co-infections in Chapter 10. Viruses”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Regarding chemical exposure during pregnancy, one study mentioned that the major sources of exposure for six classes of concern include phthalates, phenols, perfluorinated compounds, flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides.[13] For this reason, before trying to conceive, it is a very good idea to take at least a few months to reduce your toxic load, as doing this might help to reduce the incidence of autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“reactive protein (CRP). This is one of the main inflammatory markers commonly tested for. It increases as interleukin 6 (IL6) is secreted by immune system cells. CRP is not a specific test. Thus, if it is positive, it means you have inflammation, but it won’t tell you where the inflammation is located. When getting this test, it’s best to order “high sensitivity” C-Reactive protein, also known as hs-CRP. Labcorp: 0.0−4.9 mg/L Quest: <8.0 mg/L Optimal reference range: <1.0 mg/L”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Thus, it makes sense that people with higher levels of antioxidants can tolerate higher amounts of oxidative stress from consuming larger amounts of iodine. Unfortunately, many people have low levels of antioxidants. So how can you increase the levels of these antioxidants? Well, both of the antioxidants I just mentioned are selenium-dependent, so one of the main keys to preventing any adverse effects from iodine is to make sure you have sufficient levels of selenium.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“While Tregs help keep autoimmunity in check, Th17 cells drive the autoimmune process. Th17 cells are one of the predominant proinflammatory cell types and they produce Interleukin 17 (IL-17), which further drives the inflammatory process. Numerous studies specifically show a correlation between increased Th17 levels and the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.[5],[6],[7] The good news is that taking steps to increase Tregs can shut down the production of Th17 cells.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Babies are born covered in a white substance called vernix, which is a protective material that helps to prevent common infections. While this chapter focuses on how we should be exposed to a greater number of microorganisms, in this situation, you want to delay bathing a newborn due to the antimicrobial properties of the vernix.[3] This is why some hospitals enforce “delayed bathing.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Some of the foods that cross-react with gluten include cow’s milk, whey, oats, millet, rice, and corn. For example, if someone completely eliminates gluten from their diet, but consumes dairy, then besides the possibility that they are sensitive to the proteins of dairy, there is also the chance they can produce gliadin antibodies, since dairy cross-reacts with gluten.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Intestinal permeability test. The classic method of determining whether someone has an increase in intestinal permeability (leaky gut) is through the lactulose-mannitol test, which is a urine test that involves swallowing a solution of lactulose and mannitol. Lactulose is a larger sugar molecule, and if someone has a healthy gut, this molecule shouldn’t be absorbed. Therefore, if someone does this test and has large amounts of lactulose in the urine, then this usually confirms that the person has a leaky gut.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Regarding your thyroid health, I would prioritize the following markers: TSH Free T3 Free T4 Thyroid peroxidase antibodies Thyroglobulin antibodies As for the other blood tests, at minimum I would order the following: Complete blood count with differential Comprehensive metabolic panel Lipid panel Iron panel (serum iron, ferritin, iron saturation, TIBC) 25-OH vitamin D High sensitivity CRP”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Lifestyle factors. This is one of the main reasons that more and more people are developing autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s, and I have discussed most of these factors in this section. Here are some of the more common lifestyle factors that can either directly trigger Hashimoto’s, or make someone more susceptible to developing this condition: Common allergens (gluten, dairy, etc.) High amounts of stress Low stress handling skills Drinking alcohol regularly Eating a lot of sugar
Overtraining Insufficient sleep”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“SIBO itself doesn’t seem to be a direct trigger of Hashimoto’s. However, some cases of SIBO are a result of an autoimmune process, and having one autoimmune condition can make someone more susceptible to having another autoimmune condition. So perhaps having SIBO can lead to another autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto’s, but the connection hasn’t been made yet. However, even if this isn’t the case, SIBO can cause a leaky gut, which, in turn, can set the stage for the development of an autoimmune thyroid condition.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“One study conducted on rats showed that Roundup might lead to excessive extracellular glutamate levels and glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress.[1] In other words, Roundup can cause excessive levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which, in turn, can cause damage to the neurons. Another study showed that glyphosate could cause toxicity to the cells, oxidative effects, and apoptosis on human cells.[2] Yet another study showed that inhalation of glyphosate may cause DNA damage.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“For example, in the past, it was revealed that the actor Dick Van Dyke had experienced severe headaches that affected his sleep and caused chronic fatigue. Over a seven-year period, he saw a number of different healthcare professionals, received a CAT scan, MRI, and a spinal tap, along with other tests, but everything came back negative. It wasn’t until his dental implants were removed that he finally received relief from his symptoms.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“As for how much selenium you should take daily, this varies from person to person. When taking a selenium supplement, a common dose recommended by healthcare professionals is 200 mcg/day. What type of selenium supplement should you take? Although I commonly recommend selenomethionine to my patients, whole food selenium supplements are also something to consider, and evidence suggests that taking a yeast-based selenium supplement is more bioavailable than either selenomethionine”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Eliminating gluten, dairy, corn, and soy will greatly benefit the health of most people with Hashimoto’s. These are four of the most problematic foods, and sometimes just eliminating these alone will greatly improve one’s symptoms and test results, although I would also add refined sugars to this list.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Viral capsid antigen (VCA)-IgM. The presence of these IgM antibodies indicates a recent infection with EBV. VCA-IgG. The presence of these IgG antibodies indicates a past infection. Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA). These antibodies will develop 6 to 8 weeks after being infected initially with EBV, and will remain detectable for life.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Family history. Although genetics isn’t the most important factor in the development of an autoimmune condition, it is a factor. While you can’t change your genes, I still think it is beneficial to find out if there is a family history of a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition in someone who has Hashimoto’s.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Most cases of Hashimoto’s are Th1 dominant conditions. However, this isn’t always the case, and the only way to know for certain is to test the cytokines. A few years ago, such testing was more common, as many natural healthcare professionals would test the cytokines through the blood to determine if someone was Th1 or Th2 dominant and then recommend specific nutrients or herbs to balance these pathways. Although some healthcare professionals continue to do such testing on their patients, cytokine testing isn’t as commonly utilized these days.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“First, while many people are able to identify foods they are sensitive to, this isn’t always the case. For example, someone who follows an elimination diet and reintroduces a certain food might experience obvious symptoms, such as bloating and gas, headaches, an increase in fatigue, brain fog, or other symptoms. However, some people don’t experience any symptoms upon reintroducing foods, and the lack of symptoms doesn’t always rule out a food sensitivity.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“and if you want to learn more about how helminths can potentially benefit your Hashimoto’s condition I would recommend reading the book An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases, by Moises Velasquez-Manoff.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“If a problem with gluten is suspected, you want to test the gliadin antibodies, the antibodies to tissue transglutaminase, and the anti-endomysial antibodies. It’s also a good idea to test both immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) because if one of these immunoglobulins happens to be depressed, it can result in a false negative result, causing the person to think that their body doesn’t react to gluten when the opposite is true.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Neurotransmitter Imbalance. When imbalances in serotonin affect the production of melatonin, taking tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, can help some people in this area.325 5-HTP is the immediate precursor of serotonin, and, therefore, also might benefit some people with insomnia. Increasing serotonin levels by taking 5-HTP can frequently help with sleep because serotonin is a precursor of melatonin. Low serotonin levels will usually lead to low melatonin levels. While someone can take a melatonin supplement, this isn’t doing anything for the serotonin imbalance. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is another neurotransmitter that plays a role in sleep. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, and it is well established that activation of GABA receptors favors sleep.[26] Studies demonstrate a reduction of GABA in the brain in primary insomnia.[27],[28] Many people take the herb valerian root to help them sleep, as this herb binds to the GABA receptors.[29],[30] A few other herbs also appear to affect the GABA receptors, including kava, Scutellaria baicalensis, licorice root, and lemon”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Saccharomyces boulardii. Saccharomyces boulardii is another well-researched strain with many different health benefits. It is well known for helping people who have a Candida overgrowth.[44],[45] It also can be useful in the maintenance treatment of Crohn’s disease.[46] It can help to improve intestinal permeability,[47] and help reduce inflammation and dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract in intestinal mucositis.[48]”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“Consider Completing a Food Diary I find that putting together a food diary can be valuable. After all, certain foods can act as triggers, or can make someone more susceptible to Hashimoto’s by increasing the permeability of the gut. I would recommend putting together at least a one-week food diary because a person’s eating habits can vary depending on the day of the week. For”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers

“In a perfect world, those with Hashimoto’s should avoid gluten and dairy permanently. Of course, we don’t live in a perfect world, and, while some people will do everything they can to avoid gluten and dairy, some will either accidentally or intentionally be exposed to these foods.”
― Eric Osansky, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers